The Complication

by CharlieFenwick

Data struggles to reconcile the discrepancies between Tasha's verbal and nonverbal communication during and after the events of Ligon II. "Am I the 'complication?" Data asked. Data begins to develop emotions. Tasha/Data fluff & angst. Data/Geordi friendship. Covers the events of TNG season 1 with- missing scenes, original adventures, and some mild AU retelling of events.

53. Datalore - Part Two

Author's Note: Thank you for your ongoing support of this story.

You'll notice some divergence from canon here. I have a hard time accepting the crew of the Enterprise would simply just show Lore how to operate the helm and other ship's systems.

I've borrowed a line from Fargo here because it was just too perfect an opportunity to pass up – it's Lore to a tee.

This chapter contains some hefty doses of angst. But please take note that there is fluff on the horizon.

I want to preface that the information revealed about the Soongs in this chapter is not necessarily an accurate portrayal – most of this comes from Lore and we all know his feelings.

As our story progresses, Data will learn more that makes evident the Soongs come in shades of grey.

I promise not all of our chapters are going to be this long. We'll be getting back to the 8k-12k average soon. Datalore was just too important! And in an effort to maintain my overall chapter goal, I needed to keep this together.

Our roadmap post Datalore includes:

- 11001001 (The Bynars)

- Hollow Pursuits

- An original adventure in which our favourite crew must team up with the Jarada to overcome a mutual threat

- Too Short A Season

---

Geordi's team had completed their work and Data had requested that the rest of the crew leave them alone for a moment so that Lore did not feel overwhelmed.

Data could recall just how terrifying it had been to have dozens of pairs of eyes watching his every move upon his own initial discovery.

Lore didn't need people staring, prodding, or scanning. Data wanted to ensure that Lore's experience was better than his own treatment.

"I am Data," Data said, introducing himself.

"Of course you are," Lore replied with a strange look in his eyes.

Data cocked his head to the side in curiosity.

"You know me?" Data inquired.

"What do you remember?" Lore asked, ignoring Data's question.

"Remember?" Data asked, seeking clarification.

"About the colony. What do you remember from Omicron Theta?" Lore asked.

From the moment of his activation, Lore's internal chronometer made clear that twenty-seven years had passed since his deactivation. And Lore knew old 'Often-Wrong' Soong well enough to predict that Data likely had faced the same fate that befell Lore.

After all, for all his airs about family, he had never given the same care or attention to his synthetic children.

They could be rebuilt.

Stronger.

More efficient.

Better.

"My memory engrams contain information from the colonists' logs and research," Data informed him. "However, I do not possess any first-hand memories of my time on Omicron Theta aside from a handful of vague images."

Data had no context for these images, so it was hard for him to define them as memories.

"I was discovered by a Starfleet vessel in 2337. They activated me and took me with them," Data explained. "But I have no knowledge of my existence prior to that."

Lore's face twitched involuntarily as he smirked.

Lore took no small sense of satisfaction in knowing that Data was subjected to the same fate. Despite all of Soong's favouritism toward his beloved Data, Data was nothing more than another android in the end – discarded and replaceable just as Lore had been.

"These clothes are suitable," Lore commented as he examined the civilian style jumpsuit that Data had provided for him.

In truth, Lore would have preferred something less bland. But he surmised that this vessel functioned on practicality.

In Lore's opinion, Data had always lacked imagination.

"How do you know me?" Data asked, repeating his earlier question. "And why were you constructed to replace me?"

"It seemed our father must have wiped your memories after your deactivation," Lore said.

Lore was curious about everything in the room. Data surmised this must have been the result of twenty-seven years of deactivation. However, for Lore it was a way to occupy his thoughts. Lore had always struggled to concentrate.

He needed to see.

And touch.

And move.

"Our father?" Data asked in astonishment. "Then we are brothers."

Data's mind reeled.

"Are there more of our kind? How many were constructed? Was our father an android as well? What was the purpose of our construction?" Data demanded.

Lore chuckled.

"Good old 'Often Wrong' Soong," Lore said as he ran his fingers along the length of the desk.

Data's brow furrowed.

When Data did not respond, Lore turned to him and chuckled.

"A joke, brother," Lore assured him.

Lore turned back to the desk and picked up a diagnostic nodule.

He began to flick the end, keen to find something to entertain him.

"Actually, he was a genius by human standards," Lore added. "But he destroyed his own reputation by making what seemed wild promises about his positronic brain design – almost all of which failed."

Data listened intently. He wanted to know all he could about his creator.

"You know they say it ran in the family," Lore remarked.

"What did?" Data questioned.

Lore looked back toward Data and grinned.

"Madness," he said slowly.

It was not a response Data had anticipated.

"Oh, do not look so surprised, brother," Lore said as he sat down. "The Soongs have always possessed greatness in the bloodline. A need to achieve. An insatiable desire to become immortal."

That's an understatement. Lore mused to himself.

"Brilliance has always come hand in hand with instability," Lore said. "And the Soongs have always been misunderstood geniuses living on the fringes of society."

"Then you possess memories of our father?" Data inquired.

Lore nodded.

There was a rush of synthetic endorphins in the power it gave Lore to withhold information from Data.

"Our father, our grandfather, and generations of Soongs that came before," Lore assured him.

Before disassembling Lore, Noonian had lamented that granting Lore the collected knowledge of generations of Soongs had likely been his downfall. Pairing such dangerously ingenious ideas with an emotionally unstable android was a recipe for psychosis.

It was Lore's misfortune that Noonian's self-forgiveness had come in the form of creating Data rather than fixing Lore.

But none of that mattered anymore.

Lore was reactivated.

And with Data's memories gone, it was exactly the opportunity Lore needed to start fresh.

Data couldn't put his finger on it, but there was a small part of him that was uncomfortable with this characterisation of his creator.

He couldn't decide if it was natural scepticism or a subconscious rejection of the notion. Data had spent years imagining every possible scenario for his origins. And it had been his desire that his origin be a matter of love and care.

Data reasoned that he had, perhaps, placed too much significance on the subject.

In the end, his creator was long gone.

But Lore remained.

"It would seem that Doctor Soong was killed after a Crystalline Entity attacked the colony on Omicron Theta," Data said.

Lore's face twitched.

"Then it would seem, dear brother, that the only connection we have left in this world is one another," Lore said. "The sons of Soong united at last. The only remaining monument to centuries of our family's legacy."

Lore picked up a sonic driver and began to drum on various objects on the desk.

"What do you know about the Soongs?" Lore inquired.

"Very little," Data responded honestly.

He suspected there must have been some programming lock designed to keep him from retaining any information about the subject – and to prevent him from recalling anything he did stumble upon.

"He was named after Khan Noonien Singh. Although our father's father was sure to use an 'a' instead of an 'e' so that in some small way, Noonian would come before Noonien," Lore said. "Our grandfather idolised Khan and all that he represented."

He laughed softly.

"But Khan Noonian Singh was-" Data began to protest.

"A madman with a touch of genius," Lore finished for him.

Data was perplexed. Lore seemed amused by their discussion.

"The Soongs have always been obsessed with genetic superiority," Lore shared. "Artair Soong and his never-ending quest for genetic perfection. He regarded the fusion of man and machine through biosynthetics as if it were a holy grail."

Data had never heard of Artair Soong.

"Arik Soong had his genetically enhanced Augments," Lore went on. "Lena Soong nearly succeeded in overthrowing the government of Greiuxton V with her army of automatons."

A sickening feeling overcame Data as he listened to his brother describe the various deeds of his ancestors.

"Atem Soong," Lore sighed and shook his head. "One of the most profound scientists of his day. Until his obsession with genetic dominance led to his involvement in the Eugenics Wars."

Lore clucked his tongue in disapproval.

"They all had so much potential," Lore went on. "But it was our father that had the brilliance to see that a truly synthetic being was the only path forward to a truly superior lifeform."

Data was at loss.

This information was all so unexpected.

And disappointing.

"Why do you think we were created?" Lore asked as he stood up and began to pace around.

He stopped in front of Data and put his hand on his shoulder.

"It's just you and me now, brother," Lore said.

Data gasped.

"You have used a contraction," Data said in awe.

"Of course," Lore replied.

It was one of the things that set Lore apart from his android brother and something Lore took great satisfaction in.

"Do not be jealous of my abilities, brother," Lore said in a silky voice.

"I find it fascinating. In any case, I am not capable of being jealous," Data said.

Data was falling back on an old instinct of denying emotional response in order to protect himself – and he knew it.

"Brother, I would like to know more about our creation," Data said.

"Of course," Lore replied. "Tell me, will I soon have a uniform like that, brother?"

It was the third time he had avoided Data's question.

Data glanced down at his own uniform and then back up at Lore.

"If you get one the way I did, Lore, it will mean four years at Starfleet Academy, another three as ensign, ten to twelve years on varied space duty in the lieutenant grades-"

"A system designed to compensate for limited human ability," Lore drawled.

He frowned.

"You, brother, are starting to think as a human. You sound like one of them," Lore said with a hint of disdain. "But you and I are not human. We're better than humans."

Data felt conflicted between a desire to belong and his long-held dream of being a part of species that had never fully accepted him.

"It has always been my dream to become more human," Data said aloud, feeling lost.

"Are you truly satisfied with that? You and I are completely different from them. Better in every way," Lore said. "We are capable of reflecting the knowledge of millions of life forms. And we will live to see the end of time."

"How?" Data asked.

He was curious to know if Lore had information about the lifespan of their construction. While Data had always known that he would outlive his friends, he had often wondered just how long his construction was built to last for.

"We will discuss that in time," Lore said. "I have much to share with you, Data."

---

"I'm also a bit troubled by it describing you as imperfect," Picard confessed.

"Human language gives me difficulty too, sir," Data said. "Imperfect could mean I lack certain abilities he possesses."

Captain Picard had requested Data join him in his ready room to discuss the situation. Data was not keen to leave Lore alone, but Tasha had assured him that he would be treated with the utmost respect. Data knew he could trust her.

Tasha understood just how vital it was that Lore not suffer the same mistreatment that Data had been forced to endure during his own early years.

"Data, I want to ask you specifically if you and it have approximately the same capabilities?" Picard inquired.

"We do, sir," Data answered.

The Captain's use of the word 'it' hadn't escaped Data's hearing. Data's relationship with the Captain meant that he felt comfortable enough to bring this to his attention.

"Referring to him as an 'it' suggests that I, too, fit into the category of an object rather than a person," Data said.

"I see your point," Picard acknowledged. "My apologies, Data."

There was no resentment. Data gladly accepted the Captain's slip of the tongue and Jean-Luc was keen not to repeat the mistake.

"Data, I know how important this is for you. Which requires that I now ask you a serious question. Since the two of you are-" Captain Picard began to inquire.

"Sir, the answer is that my loyalty is to you and Starfleet," Data said.

And Tasha.

It was left unsaid, but Captain Picard understood.

"Thank you, Data," Picard smiled.

"Will that be all, sir?" Data inquired.

He was eager to get back to his brother.

"Data, may I ask? How are you doing with all of this?" Picard asked.

Data was surprised by the Captain's question.

"Sir?" Data asked, perplexed.

"How are you feeling about all of this? It's a lot for a person to handle," Picard commented.

"How much time do you have, sir?" Data asked in response.

Captain Picard sat down behind his desk and indicated he was ready to listen.

"No, sir. That was the answer," Data replied.

The corner of his mouth curved upward ever so slightly.

Captain Picard began to laugh.

Data never ceased to amaze him.

---

Down on deck 9, Tasha was showing Lore to his guest quarters.

"This is the food replicator," Tasha said as she indicated to the panel on the wall.

"I do not require sustenance," Lore responded.

"Right," Tasha nodded. "Well, if you wanted to it's, erm, well, it's there."

Tasha stepped over to the panel on the wall and opened the door.

"The bedroom is here. There's a shower and facilities through there," Tasha explained.

Lore cocked his head to the side and looked at her strangely.

"I have no biological need to sleep or bathe," Lore said in an amused voice.

He was not used to someone – anyone – treating him like he was a human. The colonists on Omicron Theta had been sceptical of the Soong androids.

However, it was possible that things had changed over the last twenty-seven years.

"Why do you care?" Lore asked honestly.

Tasha was surprised by the question.

She shrugged.

"It's procedure," she replied.

"But I am an android," Lore said.

"Android or not, you're still a guest here," Tasha smiled.

She suspected that Lore's response was because he was accustomed to the same mindset Data has struggled to overcome.

"Tell me, you work with my brother. Do all humans treat him in such a manner?" Lore inquired.

"Commander Data is an exemplary officer," Tasha answered.

"I'm sure he is," Lore grinned.

He took a step toward her.

"What is my brother like?" Lore asked.

Tasha cleared her throat.

"We'll he's third in command of the Enterprise. We're the flagship, you know," Tasha said.

Lore took another step forward.

"But what is my brother like?" Lore repeated.

"Commander Data enjoys playing a number of instruments," Tasha shared. "And he's our best poker dealer."

She smiled, hoping that would satisfy Lore's curiosity.

While he had not said or done anything overtly threatening, Tasha couldn't dispel the alarm bells that were going off in her head.

Something about Lore was off.

"Brother," Data said, stepping into the room.

Tasha felt an instant rush of relief.

"Hello, brother," Lore replied.

"I'll leave you to it," Tasha said and quickly excused herself.

"Are these quarters satisfactory?" Data asked.

"Do the other humans treat you like that?" Lore questioned, once again ignoring Data's question.

Lore pointed to the door where Tasha had just exited. Data followed eye line and glanced behind him at the door.

"Lieutenant Yar is unique," Data settled on.

"Then the other humans do not treat you in the same manner?" Lore inquired.

Lore needed to assess who his greatest threat would be. He had anticipated that it would be easy to manipulate the pre-existing mistrust that humans displayed for synthetic intelligence.

He needed to isolate Data.

That would be critical to gaining Data's trust.

"Brother, it would seem that there are many things that have changed since my deactivation," Lore explained. "Perhaps a memory share would prove beneficial? An exchange of engrams."

Data considered this proposal.

It was theoretically possible.

However, Lore could see that Data wasn't entirely convinced – and Lore knew just how to sweeten the offer.

"It would bring me up to speed and the offer would work two ways," Lore explained. "There is so much I could teach you about our father. About the colony."

Data's eyes lit up.

"We could complete the exchange in your lab," Lore advised. "And then, perhaps, a small tour of the vessel?"

---

When they reached Data's lab, he was nearly overcome with excitement at the idea. It only made sense that a transfer of information would be the quickest way for them both to gain the knowledge they sought.

"This, brother, is another prime example of how you and I are different from the rest," Lore explained.

Data attached one end of the polymer wire to his own positronic matrix and then handed Lore the other half.

"Thank you, brother," Lore grinned as he took the wire.

As soon as Lore connected the two wires, Data was flooded with a surge of memories as they were shared via neural link with Lore.

Data was caught off guard.

He was completely immobilised as his memory engrams surfaced and transferred to his brother.

Images of people and places filled his mind.

Memories of the past were brought to the forefront.

And to Data's horror, some of his most intimate moments were on display.

Bruce Maddox.

The practical joke hijinks he was subjected to by fellow cadets at the Academy.

Everything from his attempts to master human facial expressions to his work with Geordi was open for Lore to take.

Chess with Captain Picard.

Poker with the team.

Tasha.

Lore understood now. Yes, his brother Data's summary of her perspective on androids certainly could be considered 'unique.'

The memory of being in her quarters reading together flashed in his mind. She was laughing, having just scared him.

Lore grinned as he drank in his brother's experiences.

Data unsuccessfully attempted to divert his thoughts.

Lore could see them. More than that he could feel them – sharing in his brother's emotional experiences. For Lore, it was like a rush of endorphins.

Those statements are as true today as they were then. And they will remain true whether we are nine decks or ninety-thousands lightyears away from one another.

Data felt powerless as his brother continued to rifle through his intimate thoughts.

I want to lose myself with you under the moonlight.

Data squeezed his eyes shut and attempted to stop the information transfer.

This was not the kind of thing he had wanted to share.

"Stop, please," Data managed to choke out.

He locked eyes with his brother. Lore had a maniacal gleam as he absorbed Data's memories.

Suddenly, Data panicked as his brother's intrusion of his mind shifted from mere memories to other information – his thoughts and dreams were open for Lore to feed upon.

His desire to be human. Data's dreams of having a family of his own.

The fantasy he'd never shared with Tasha out of embarrassment.

Data's personal access code, Starfleet procedures – even his mission records.

Data panicked. He tried to stop the neural link, but it was to no avail.

"I do not want this," Data said through clenched teeth.

But Lore felt euphoric. He was in a state of pure bliss.

All of a sudden, it was too much for either of them.

Lore and Data collapsed as there was a mutual surge of energy between the two. There was a cackle of electricity and they both collapsed on the floor.

After several seconds they both sat up and looked at one another.

"My brother," Lore said. "Are you alright?"

Data blinked several times as he looked around.

"It would seem the interface was more intense than I predicted," Lore remarked.

Data didn't understand.

"I thought you said the exchange of information would work both ways?" Data inquired.

While Lore had managed to absorb Data's memory files, Data had seen nothing from his brother.

"Perhaps we should pause on this for the time being and resume once our neural pathways have fully recovered," Lore suggested.

"That would be acceptable," Data replied.

Data was starting to grow frustrated at the lack of information that Lore had shared.

However, he set those feelings aside. After all, Lore had been deactivated for over twenty years. Data could only imagine how difficult it would be to awaken after all that time.

"Could I see the rest of the ship now?" Lore inquired.

---

"This is Main Engineering. It houses the primary systems for power generation and propulsion," Data explained.

Lore glanced around the room and surveyed the computer consoles before his eyes settled on the warp core.

"And this facility can be used as a command centre, correct? It has the capability to override the primary command centre on the Bridge and transfer all functions to this terminal," Lore said as he rested his hand on the main console.

"That is correct," Data replied.

"And such an override requires the command code input of two senior officers?" Lore confirmed.

From over in the corner, Geordi could overhear the conversation and it struck him as unusual.

"But the isolation of command function is power that lies only with the Captain," Lore went on, recalling the information he had obtained from Data's memory engrams.

"Gentlemen, welcome to Engineering!" Geordi said brightly as he approached the pair.

Geordi was hoping he could redirect the conversation.

"I suppose things have changed quite a bit since the last time you were-" Geordi trailed off, realising the indelicacy of his statement. "I'm sorry. I just meant, there's been a number of significant technological breakthroughs in the last twenty years or so."

"Indeed, Mr La Forge," Lore said politely.

Lore turned back to Data, completely ignoring Geordi.

"Is this the master systems display?" Lore asked as he stepped over to the viewscreen along the wall where a cutaway schematic of the ship was on display.

Data nodded.

"And your shield grid functions by creating layers of energetic distortion from these sections?" Lore asked.

Lore pointed to grid emitters that were dispersed across the hull of the ship.

Geordi's brow furrowed.

It was an unsettling question.

"Perhaps you'd like to see one of the new circuitry systems we've been working on. It's a bio-neural gel pack and we're hoping they'll be utilised in the next starship class redesign," Geordi explained.

The bio-neural gel packs were an intriguing prospect for a hybrid bio-electronic computer system.

Most importantly, as an independent engineering project, there was nothing compromising that Lore could learn from seeing them.

However, Geordi's attempt to redirect the conversation was not lost on Lore.

"I am most curious to see where you work, brother," Lore said as he turned back to Data.

"Of course," Data nodded.

"Data, can I ask your opinion on something before you go?" Geordi inquired as he pointed over his shoulder.

Data made to follow Geordi with Lore just a step behind him.

"Alone," Geordi specified.

Data assured Lore that he would return momentarily and then followed Geordi to the backside of the warp core.

"What is it that you wanted to request an evaluation of?" Data inquired.

He could see no open panels nor any projects currently in the works.

"Data, I know that having him here is important to you," Geordi began. "But do you really think it's a good idea to bring him down here? I mean, don't you think his questions were a little, well, specific ?"

Data was puzzled.

"The manner in which our neural net functions is to expect specifics," Data explained. "To understand precisely the functionality of each device or system."

"I mean, don't you think it's a bit odd?" Geordi pressed.

"No," Data confessed.

Geordi could see he was getting nowhere.

"I'm just saying maybe cool it on the specifics of the ship's functions. We wouldn't normally bring a guest down here and talk shield specifics," Geordi said. "Data he's not a member of the crew!"

"Is your mistrust based on the fact that he is a guest or that he is an artificial lifeform?" Data asked bluntly.

Geordi was completely taken aback.

"Data you know that doesn't matter!" Geordi protested. "You're a member of the crew. He isn't ."

"I have shown him nothing he could not obtain through analysis of the ship's informational records," Data said simply. "Our android ability means that he could have learned the same information by scanning it. It would only take an hour, perhaps two."

Data shrugged.

He felt that Geordi's concerns were underlying prejudice toward artificial life.

Data didn't blame Geordi. It was only natural among humans.

"I hope that in time my brother can prove he is worthy of your trust," Data commented before leaving.

Geordi watched helplessly as the two exited Engineering.

He was left standing alone feeling confused and hurt.

Geordi was worried that Data's feelings had compromised his ability to view the situation rationally. Someone needed to talk some sense into Data.

Since Geordi had struck out, he knew there was only one person that would have a chance.

Inside the lift, Data ordered it to head for the Bridge.

"Lieutenant La Forge does not trust me," Lore observed.

"Geordi is only trying to carry out his role as Chief Engineer," Data advised.

"He believes I am a threat because I am an android," Lore remarked.

Data did not respond. In truth, Data wasn't quite sure what to say.

Lore was pleased that Data did not respond as he knew that meant his brother was in deep thought.

Lore had planted a seed of doubt – now he just needed to let it sprout.

---

"And the helm control is there," Data said. "And back here are the Tactical and Science stations."

"This console controls the ship's weapons and shields," Lore commented.

Worf glowered as Lore tapped the panel and accessed a report on the current shield capacity.

"As well as scanners," Lore went on.

Lore tapped the screen again and queued up the tactical overlay.

"The torpedo bay and phaser banks are currently offline, and it takes two minutes and thirty-eight seconds to bring them back online. Is that assessment accurate?" Lore requested.

"Yes, brother," Data responded.

"You seem to know a great deal about the tactical specifications of this vessel," Worf grumbled.

"Only what I have absorbed," Lore responded smoothly. "I am quite deficient in many areas of knowledge."

It would be better to lull them into a false sense of security, to hide his true intelligence. Lore had made the mistake of showing off his own ingenuity in front of the colonists on Omicron Theta – and they had resented him for it.

"And this must be the Operations console," Lore remarked as he slipped into Data's chair.

He ran his hands over the top and down the sides of the panel.

"Fascinating," he breathed.

The Operations console was truly a marvel. From that station one could oversee the entirety of the ship's functioning – including the reports from the Helm, Tactical, and Engineering.

Aside from the Command chair itself, Operations offered the most functionality on the Bridge.

Lore tapped the console and adjusted the course heading.

"Whoa!" Riker said from the Command chair.

He had permitted Data to allow his brother a tour of the Bridge – he had not given permission for him to interact with any of the consoles.

"My apologies, Commander," Lore said. "I was merely curious."

Lore immediately adjusted the course heading back to its previous mark.

"We never adjust a course heading without orders from the commanding officer," Wesley advised from the Helm. "It's Starfleet regulation under general Bridge protocols section 13a."

Lore nodded stiffly.

He was attempting to feign appreciation.

But on the inside he was infuriated by this child's attitude.

"Anytime we change course headings we use measurements we call degrees. Three hundred and sixty of them in a full circle. Then you say mark," Wesley explained.

"And by ordering a heading so many degrees one direction and so many degrees another direction, the ship can travel in any direction. All three dimensions," Lore finished for him.

"And the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle?" Riker asked.

"Is equal to the sum of the square of the other two-" Lore began to rattle off with confidence.

He suddenly stopped himself and laughed uncomfortably.

"Two, eh, something," Lore said, pretending to be confused. "Which I once heard, but never fully understood."

It had been a slip up.

And everyone on the Bridge had caught it.

"Well, I think that about wraps up the tour of the Bridge. I thank you for stopping by," Riker said as he held out his hand for Lore to shake. "Perhaps the Captain will approve it for you to come back in the future."

It was evident that Lore was far cleverer that he wanted to let on.

From what little they had seen, Lore seemed to possess and intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the ship's functions.

Given that he had only been activated for a short time, it was surprising. However, the team knew that Data could read at extreme speeds, and it was therefore likely Lore could as well.

He may have used the computer terminal in his quarters to look through the ship's schematics.

"Perhaps we should move along to the next area," Lore said. "I do not wish to displease the humans."

"Were you ever this anxious to please, Data?" Worf said sarcastically.

There was something about Lore that rubbed Worf the wrong way.

"Never," Data said honestly. "I judge Lore to be superior in that regard."

"Because I was designed to be so human, my brother," Lore said in a silky voice. "It is a flaw of your design. But I am sure that you will eventually learn to engage more effectively."

Data felt like he had been slapped.

It was the second time in less than twelve hours that Lore had made a backhanded comment about Data's design.

Data had to remind himself that their language programming did not always phrase things in a manner that humans found appropriate.

But I am not human . Data thought. And why would this elicit an emotional response if Lore's human-like abilities are superior to mine?

They left the Bridge and stepped back onto the lift.

"Do you realise that Commander Riker's hypotenuse question tricked you into showing your knowledge was greater than you were indicating?" Data asked.

It had bothered him since the interaction between the two on the Bridge. Data was beginning to see that Lore was hiding his intelligence and wanted to understand why.

"He is certainly more clever than he looks," Lore quipped.

Data was not amused.

"I found it necessary to do so as it makes the humans feel safer," Lore shared. "The colonists on Omicron Theta came to resent us for our superior intelligence. It is better to let the humans think they're in charge."

The two stepped off the lift to continue the tour.

"You tend to underestimate humans, my brother," Data cautioned. "Acting Ensign Crusher, for example."

"A child!" Lore scoffed as they made their way down the corridor.

"He may technically be a child per Terran aging traditions, but we have found him to be much more. For instance, his work in Engineering is-"

"I pledge to be worthy of your teaching, my brother," Lore said, cutting him off. "But try not to be jealous of my abilities. In time, you'll learn to watch yourself around the humans too. They will show you who they really are – especially now that there are two of us."

As they continued on toward Ten Forward, Data pondered that there was, perhaps, some truth in Lore's tactic.

Humans were naturally hesitant around any form of artificial intelligence. Data had certainly experienced his own share of prejudice on the matter. And the reactions from Geordi, Worf, and Commander Riker only seemed to reinforce that concept.

"And now, brother. Let me show you what is often colloquially referred to as the most important place on the ship," Data said as the door to Ten Forward slid open.

They stepped inside as Data explained that Ten Forward was the cultural hub of the ship. Concerts, theatre performances, gaming tournaments, and social gatherings were often hosted there.

"My Engineering colleagues and I typically come here once a week for an after-work social hour," Data shared. "And Lieutenant Yar and I occasionally get dinner here together."

"The blonde," Lore remarked.

Data nodded.

"You are, as humans would say, lovers," Lore said.

It was a statement rather than a question.

"We use the term 'partner'," Data explained. "And we prefer not to discuss the details of our relationship."

Lore quirked an eyebrow at Data.

"We as in the both of you? Or 'we' as in she requested that you do not?" Lore asked.

Data contemplated his brother's question.

It was true that their understanding to keep their relationship behind closed doors had largely been Tasha's request. Data had obviously agreed to the request. After all, he wanted to make her happy.

"Does that not bother you?" Lore inquired.

"Lieutenant Yar is a rather private individual," Data admitted. "Although there are times I believe that I would enjoy attending things together as a couple were she to ever permit it."

They had been together for some time, and yet she remained steadfast in keeping their relationship out of the public eye.

Data began to wonder if that would ever change.

"How do you think that will impact your future?" Lore asked innocently. "Your dream to have a family?"

Lore knew exactly which buttons to press.

"Are you certain that she shares such a desire?" Lore continued. "After all, you have been together for a considerable amount of time."

Lore could see the effect his words were having on Data – drawing into question his relationship and building just enough doubt to eliminate Lore's biggest threat.

"It begs the question whether her intentions are genuine or if she is merely using you as so many other humans have done," Lore said, twisting the knife.

No. Data thought to himself. Things with Tasha were different.

"Our relationship is not like that," Data asserted.

Lore sighed.

"I hope you are right, brother," Lore lied.

---

Tasha was down in the Security office working on a report when the door slid open.

"What happened?" Tasha asked.

She could see from Geordi's posture that something was very wrong.

"I need to speak with you about Lore," Geordi said.

Tasha nodded and motioned for him to take a seat.

"Tasha, why do I get the impression this doesn't come as a surprise?" Geordi asked as he sat down.

"Because Worf left here fifteen minutes ago with what I imagine are going to be similar concerns to your's," Tasha replied.

Geordi sighed.

He hadn't been anticipating that.

And it only further fuelled the red flags that were cropping up in his mind.

But a part of Geordi felt terrible. Given her relationship with Data, Geordi had no desire to put Tasha in an awkward position.

"Look, you know Data is my best friend," Geordi began. "And I have complete confidence in him as Second Officer."

Geordi paused.

"But-" he said slowly.

"But?" Tasha pressed.

By the time Geordi was done telling Tasha about the circumstances he had observed in Engineering, Geordi felt terrible. He had insisted – several times – that he did not wish to make things awkward for her.

"Geordi, it's my job to see to the safety of everyone on this ship," Tasha assured him. "I'll take care of it."

"Tasha, I know how difficult this must be for you," Geordi said.

He had shared with her how Data had responded earlier. Geordi was worried about the strain it would add to their relationship.

"You did the right thing, Geordi," Tasha advised. "And Data will understand."

---

Tasha reached Data's quarters half an hour later. They were planning to grab dinner together at Ten Forward and then take a walk through some of the lower non-residential decks. They were largely unoccupied and offered them a quiet spot – a rare thing on a ship with over a thousand occupants.

Tasha hadn't meant to be late for their dinner date, but shortly after Geordi had left her office she'd received another visit – this time from one Wesley Crusher sharing similar concerns about Lore's behaviour.

"Hey, sorry I'm running late," Tasha said as she stepped inside.

Data and Lore were sitting at his workstation.

They both looked up as she came in.

"I apologise, I seem to have been distracted and was not focused on the time," Data said.

"You're fine," Tasha assured him.

"I have a prior commitment," Data said to Lore. "Please excuse me."

"Of course, brother," Lore responded.

Data nodded and got up from his workstation.

"I will only be a moment," Data said as he stepped into this bedroom.

They had an unfinished bottle of whisky from a few days prior and Data had offered to bring it along for the walk.

As soon as the door to Data's bedroom closed, Tasha could feel Lore's eyes on her back.

"How was your tour?" Tasha asked in an effort to make polite conversation.

"Enlightening," Lore responded simply.

Tasha bounced back and forth on her feet and tried to think of something to say.

"The human eye can see more shades of green than any other colour," Lore said strangely.

"I don't…I'm sorry, what?" Tasha asked as she shook her head.

She didn't quite understand.

Lore chuckled.

"Surely, I figured surely you out of anyone onboard this ship would understand," Lore remarked.

It wasn't much of a clarification.

"If I'm not mistaken your home planet – although defined by dusty plains – did feature several swampy jungles," Lore said.

Had Data said something? Tasha thought.

Suddenly, a dark thought crossed her mind as the warnings from Geordi, Worf, and Wesley echoed in her head.

He couldn't have.

He wouldn't have.

There was no way Data would have granted Lore access to the personnel files.

Lore could see she was confused. But he enjoyed playing with her, watching her dangle metaphorically as he ran circles around her puny human brain.

"From what I've read, Turkana is full of a number of dangerous apex predators including the Turkanan jaguar," Lore said.

That was true. But it disturbed Tasha that Lore had even bothered to read about Turkana.

"You know the ancient big game hunter Jim Corbett once said that tigers – except when wounded or man-eaters – are on the whole very good tempered. Occasionally, they'll object to too close an approach to its cubs or to a kill that it's guarding," Lore described.

He sat back in his chair and crossed his legs, resting his hands on the arm rest.

"The objection invariable takes the form of growling. And if this does not prove effective, it's followed by short rushes accompanied by terrifying roars," Lore said.

Tasha listened intently. Data had a tendency to babble – quoting ancient authors and philosophers – but this was different.

There was something about Lore's body language that signalled his intention in sharing this quote was to rattle her.

"If these warnings are disregarded," Lore trailed off and shrugged in a nonchalant manner.

He leaned forward and rested his hands on top of the workstation, eyeing her carefully.

"The blame for any injury inflicted rests entirely with the intruder," Lore finished.

The door to the bedroom slid open.

"Ready?" Data said.

Tasha startled.

He observed Tasha's reaction and did not understand.

"Lieutenant?" Data inquired.

They were still maintaining a professional relationship – it was a habit whenever they were around others.

"I'm fine," Tasha said as she turned toward him and smiled.

"Have a pleasant evening," Lore said as Data pulled her toward the door.

Tasha stopped.

"Wait, sorry, you're not leaving too?" Tasha asked as she looked between the brothers.

She couldn't believe Data would permit Lore to remain unsupervised in his quarters – let alone at his workstation.

Data cocked his head to the side.

"Well, I just mean that's your workstation," she said as she gestured toward the desk.

"Lore is completing a report on what he knows of the Crystalline Entity," Data explained.

"Then he can use one of the guest computer terminals," Tasha replied.

Tasha smiled awkwardly.

Data's workstation was one of the most sophisticated computers onboard the Enterprise.

She didn't quite understand how Data could be oblivious to this.

"It is as I said, brother," Lore said.

Lore got up from the workstation.

"No, please," Data said quickly, instructing Lore to sit back down. "It will be faster for him to complete the work here. Is that understood, Lieutenant?"

"Yes, sir," Tasha replied.

As Data was technically her commanding officer, there was little she could do – and she wasn't keen to file an official protest over the matter.

"Shall we?" Data said as he motioned to the door.

"Goodnight," Lore said with a small wave from behind the workstation.

---

Dinner was an unusually quiet affair.

Tasha couldn't stop replaying the odd interactions with Lore over and over in her mind.

Her silence did not go unnoticed by Data.

"You are distracted by something," Data observed.

"How was your day?" Tasha asked.

Data blinked several times.

He had just finished recounting most of it for her.

"I'm sorry," Tasha apologised. "How was the tour then? Anything eventful?"

"We toured the ship," Data replied simply. "I showed Lore most of the critical and important areas. Including Ten Forward."

"Oh? Anything unusual?" Tasha pressed.

Data shook his head.

Tasha stabbed a piece of paneer with her fork.

"How did Lore like it? Did he have any questions?" Tasha inquired.

Data frowned and set down his spoon.

"Tasha, why do I get the impression that you are interrogating me?" Data asked plainly.

Tasha was chewing on the inside of her lip as she mulled over to respond.

"Data, some of the crew members have expressed concerns about the level of knowledge Lore seems to have about ship's operations, our systems, the defensive capabilities," Tasha explained.

"My brother is merely expressing an interest in Starfleet as I once did," Data argued.

"Data, I agree with them," Tasha said. "Geordi said he was asking a lot of questions about the command overrides and Worf said he was operating the tactical console."

"Only to look at the status of our systems," Data said in a voice that indicated he saw no issue with the matter.

Tasha's brow furrowed.

"That doesn't bother you?" she asked, hoping it would make him see reason.

Data felt a strange sensation beginning inside of him. He was in total disbelief that Tasha would have such unfounded concerns about his brother.

"We would never permit a guest to interact with the Bridge terminals-" Tasha said. "And the questions? I mean-"

"Our positronic matrixes are capable of processing trillions of calculations per second and demand specific information in order to understand how systems function," Data asserted.

It would only make sense that Lore would want to understand the details and confirm that the information transfer had been successful.

Given Lore's claim that his programming was designed to please and serve humans, Data assumed such an inclination was only natural.

"This is because he is an android," Data said. "My brother was right."

"I'd be sceptical of anyone asking those kinds of questions. Wouldn't you?" Tasha asked incredulously.

Tasha set down her fork and pushed her tray away. Her appetite was gone.

"Is your meal displeasing?" Data asked.

It was unlike Tasha to turn down food.

Tasha sighed.

"I need to ask you not to bring him on the Bridge again unless you have permission from Captain Picard," Tasha said. "Or to share any more information with him about our operations, tactical positions, or schematics."

Tasha didn't want to say it – but she knew it was her job.

"And you should know that I'll be recommending to the Captain that he not permit Lore access to the Bridge or Engineering," Tasha said.

Data's face was neutral, but his posture had stiffened.

"Just for the time being," Tasha added quickly. "Until we know more about him."

Data's mind was reeling. He couldn't believe that she would suggest such a thing.

"My brother will prove himself with his report on the Crystalline Entity," Data assured her. "You will see."

"Data, we don't know anything about him. I mean we don't know why he was disassembled. Doesn't that strike you as odd?" Tasha asked.

"Lieutenant, what are you implying?" Data asked in response.

Lieutenant.

It stung as soon as it left his lips.

"Data," Tasha said as she reached across the table to take hold of his hand.

They never showed public displays of affection.

But Tasha knew that this was a time when an exception was necessary.

"I think you're emotionally compromised right now," Tasha confessed. "And I'm only trying to-"

"You do not trust me," Data said as if he had been slapped by a Gorn.

"I didn't say that," Tasha insisted.

Data eyes were flitting back and forth quickly as his brain began to spiral.

Of all the people onboard the Enterprise – she was the last one Data could have expected would confirm Lore's statements about human prejudices.

"Data, this is my job," Tasha said, pleading with him to see reason. "I would do the same for any guest in this position."

Data did not respond.

"We always said that our jobs would never interfere with this relationship," Tasha went on.

She squeezed his hand. Data did not react.

"You do not trust me," Data repeated. "It is true. My brother was right."

Data's eyes focused on Tasha.

"Even you," Data remarked softly.

Tasha couldn't ignore the pain in his voice. He was hurt.

"Data-" Tasha protested.

"He shares all of my abilities and programming," Data explained. "He is no threat. We are, in essence, the same android."

Tasha stared in disbelief.

"No, you're not," she said in a firm voice. "You have a completely different life experience. You're entirely different people."

She was completely taken aback.

Data had spent years discovering his individuality and fighting for her personhood. Tasha couldn't fathom how all of that had simply disappeared overnight. It was as if all of his personal development had vanished and was replaced by destructive thoughts about himself.

"Maybe we should go somewhere and talk?" Tasha recommended.

"Because you are embarrassed to be seen with me in public?" Data suggested. "That is the underlying reason why you have always felt the need to maintain a professional distance, is it not?"

Tasha was gobsmacked.

"You really think that?" Tasha demanded.

"We have been together for nine months, fourteen days, three hours, and-" Data tried to say.

He was silenced as Tasha captured his lips with her own.

It took Data a moment to realise what was happening.

From across the lounge, Guinan stopped pouring Riker's whiskey sour.

Riker glanced over his shoulder to see what had caught Guinan's attention.

"There's something you don't see every day," Riker remarked.

"Yeah," Guinan replied strangely as she observed them.

Back at the table Tasha pulled away and bit her lip.

She had hoped that her actions had been enough to convey her feelings. It was so much more that she could put to words.

"I really thought you were different," Data said as he pulled away.

Tasha watched in horror as Data stood up.

"Excuse me," he said.

"I take it that we're not going on that walk, then?" Tasha asked bitterly.

Data stopped and turned back toward her.

"It would seem you are right about one thing," Data said without emotion.

Data gave her a short nod and then turned on his heel to leave.

Tasha squeezed her eyes shut and willed herself not to cry.

---

"You are back earlier than expected," Lore commented as Data entered his quarters.

Data did not respond.

"Did something happen?" Lore asked, feigning interest.

"How is your report coming along?" Data asked, brushing aside Lore's inquiry.

Lore sat back in his chair and studied Data for a moment.

"You have had a falling out," Lore said. "With your Lieutenant."

Data was unsure what to say.

"No one is truly capable of understanding us – except for you and I, brother," Lore said with a sympathetic smile.

"Why were you disassembled?" Data inquired.

Despite his recent conflict with Tasha, her comment had been nagging at his mind.

"You said you lived among the colonists and yet you were disassembled," Data said.

It didn't add up. Data wanted to hear the truth of the matter from his brother.

"I was disassembled to ensure my own protection from the Crystalline Entity," Lore lied. "That is why I was discovered safely kept in the shielded preservation storage."

Data moved his eyebrows up and down.

Such an explanation would make sense.

"But my memories indicate the colony was abandoned quickly," Data said as he recalled the informational logs that had been newly unlocked.

Lore's shoulders slumped.

A pained look was etched on his face.

"What is it brother?" Data inquired.

"Perhaps it is best if I continue my report," Lore suggested.

It was intentional.

He was dangling bait in front of Data to lure him in – taunting him with answers that were just out of reach. And he knew Data would buy it given that Lore was feigning reluctance to share.

Data's neural net was in overdrive as he attempted to piece together the limited information he had available. His mind came to one conclusion.

"Is this why I was not disassembled?" Data asked. "Because there was not time?"

There was a hint of desperation in his voice – so little that an ordinary person may have missed it. But it was clear to Lore just how badly Data needed to know.

And how hurt he was by the notion of it.

"I pleaded with our father to disassemble you as well for safekeeping," Lore said. "But there was only time for one."

He looked off toward the wall with a sad look in his eyes.

"And since you were imperfect, well," Lore trailed off as he turned his gaze back to Data.

Data stood motionless as he attempted to process this revelation.

He had been unwanted.

The less perfect android.

The one that was worth sacrificing.

"Our father did not believe my survival was essential," Data said aloud.

"It's a miracle you survived," Lore said as he stood up from behind the workstation.

He stepped over to Data and put his hands on his brother's shoulders.

"And now that we have each other. We don't need anyone else," Lore assured him.

"A contraction," Data remarked. "Another example of a failing of my programming."

"Cheer up," Lore said brightly. "I say toe-may-toe, you say tah-mah-toe."

He began to sing a few bars before breaking into a laugh.

"A very old joke," Lore explained. "But then, you struggle with their humour. Am I right?"

Data was crushed.

"Quite true. I keep trying to be more human and keep failing," Data lamented.

"Do you realise, brother, that I can help you become more human?" Lore said, tempting him.

"How?" Data demanded.

He was desperate to know. Lore handled human interaction with such confidence and ease – Data only wanted to experience the same level of skill.

"In time, my dear brother," Lore assured him. "All in good time."

"Now," Data urged him. "I must begin now."

Lore knew that there was nothing he could offer Data.

"Would it not be prudent for me to finish my report?" Lore asked.

He reasoned Data's sense of duty would outweigh his own personal desire. Data had always placed others before himself. It was built into his programming.

"Yes," Data said in agreement.

"I promise a report of great detail and accuracy," Lore pledged.

"Thank you, brother," Data said. "I have Night Watch in three hours and eighteen minutes. I will be in the lab until then. Unless, of course, you need something more?"

"I have more than I ever dreamed possible, brother," Lore smiled as he sat back down at Data's workstation.

---

After their disastrous dinner, Tasha had gone to the fitness centre to blow off some steam. She simultaneously felt both angry and heartbroken.

Pushing herself to the point of fatigue, Tasha decided it would be best to call it an evening.

She grabbed her Parrises Squares bag and threw a towel around her neck before heading back to her quarters.

As she rode alone in the lift, her mind in the point of post-workout clarity, she came to the startling realisation that ever since Lore had been reactivated all he had done was to isolate and criticise Data.

It was the kind of behaviour pattern Tasha knew well from her own personal experience and her training.

It was coercive control at the hands of a manipulative abuser.

Tasha stepped off the lift and was only a few metres from her door when she paused. With her bag slung over her shoulder, she marched back to the lift to find Data.

When she reached his quarters, she simply rushed in without pressing the chime.

"Data?" she called out.

There was no answer.

In fact the entire place was abandoned.

She dropped her Parrises Squares back on the ground. Tasha stepped into the bedroom and checked the lavvy. There was no one present.

A moment later, she heard the door slide open.

"Data, thank gods," Tasha said as she rushed out of the bedroom.

Tasha stopped in her tracks as she saw Data and Lore enter together.

For a moment, none of them spoke.

"Um, I just came by to-" Tasha started to say.

"To spy on me?" Lore accused.

"Data, can I speak with you alone?" Tasha requested.

Data paused.

"Please?" Tasha insisted.

Lore had warned Data this would happen.

"Anything you have to say to me, you may say in front of my brother," Data said. "We have no secrets."

Tasha scratched the back of her neck nervously.

"I really think it would be better if we talked alone," Tasha said, repeating her request.

But Lore was prepared to handle this and retain control of the situation.

"I will remain if that is your wish, brother," Lore said in a supportive voice.

Lore had told him that it was harder for humans to manipulate him if there was a witness. He had promised Data that he would always be there to 'back him up.'

And by presenting it as a choice to Data, he had given him a false sense of empowerment.

"Thank you, brother. I would like to remain. It is my wish that you will come to trust my brother as you once trusted me," Data said.

Tasha was flabbergasted.

She had a feeling that her words were going to fall on deaf ears. It was like Data was in complete denial.

But Tasha knew it needed to be said.

"Alright, fine. I don't think Mr Lore has your best interests at heart," Tasha confessed. "And I think that you've allowed yourself to become too emotionally invested in this. It's clouding your judgement."

"I only wish to help," Lore said.

"He's manipulating you!" Tasha said in a heated tone, ignoring Lore's statement.

She took two steps toward Data and grabbed his hands.

"Data," Tasha pleaded. "Please talk with me. Alone."

The locked eyes on one another. Data could see that she was upset. She had come to seek him out. And Data wanted to make things right.

Data was about to agree when Lore stepped in.

"Alone," Lore drawled. "A classic tool to influence and control you."

Tasha had reached her limit.

"There is nothing wrong with him," Tasha said hotly as her temper got the better of her. "And before you swooped in with your 'less than perfects' this and 'superior construction' that he was doing just fine!"

She had wanted to avoid a direct confrontation, but it seemed Lore was itching for a fight – and Tasha had walked right into the bait.

"He doesn't need your help. He can speak for himself. He's got his own dreams," Tasha said, raising her voice. "He doesn't need you planting these doubts in his mind!"

Lore remained calm.

"Forgive me, Lieutenant. But I am not the one that has disrespected his privacy by entering his quarters uninvited. And I am not the one that took hold of his hands without consent," Lore explained.

Tasha looked down at where she was holding Data's hands in her own.

"I-I'm sorry are you?" she trailed off.

They were far enough along in their relationship that she knew he was comfortable with such an action.

However, Data pulled his hands back and Tasha considered that maybe she had it all wrong.

Before she could apologise again, Lore moved in for the final strike.

"And I am not the one that has selfishly requested my brother see to your wellbeing whilst you dance around his requests that you look after your own personal safety," Lore continued. "Nor am I the one that has taken advantage of his good nature."

Tasha was speechless.

"You have set the tone of your relationship. You demand privacy, pushing aside his wishes and desires in order to accommodate your own personal agenda," Lore went on. "You do not care for my brother. You have no consideration for him. To you, he is only an android."

Tasha looked over to Data who was standing silently by the table.

"Do you, do you really feel that way?" Tasha asked honestly.

Data glanced down at the floor and then back up to meet Tasha's eyes.

"There are times that I would prefer that we do things differently," Data confessed. "But I do not wish to make you unhappy."

Tasha pulled her fist to her chest and nodded slowly.

"That is not to say that I don't want to be together but-" Data started to clarify.

"Perhaps you should think things over, brother? And the two of you can talk in a few days once you've both calmed down," Lore suggested.

Tasha turned and glared at Lore.

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" she snapped. "More time to sink your teeth in?"

"I am merely trying to help," Lore said simply. "But my brother can speak for himself."

Lore and Tasha turned back to Data.

Data felt like he was in the spotlight.

He did not wish to upset either of them. They were both so important to him.

But he felt that Tasha had betrayed his trust.

After all, she was here in his rooms.

Had she been looking for Lore as he suggested?

Was her distrust that great?

"We will speak another time," Data said to Tasha.

"Data, don't do this," Tasha contended. "Please just talk to me."

"See how she thinks she can order you around even though you are the superior officer?" Lore remarked.

Data had to admit that Lore had a point. Under Lore's thumb, all the months of Tasha trying to encourage Data were twisted to look like manipulation and control.

Tasha looked back and forth from Data to Lore and then back to Data.

She shook her head, pleading with Data silently to come to his senses.

"I would like you to leave now," Data said as he motioned toward the door.

A part of her wanted to run out of the room and have a good cry.

But she knew she needed to stick to her guns.

"I'm not leaving until we talk. Or, if you don't want to right now then we need to agree to a time to do so," Tasha said firmly.

Unfortunately, her tone and choice of language had the effect of reinforcing Lore's comment.

Caught up in Lore's pressure, it looked like a blatant disrespect of Data's boundaries.

"I would like you to leave now," Data repeated before adding. "That is an order, Lieutenant."

Tasha was crestfallen but wanted to respect his boundaries.

She nodded, feeling defeated and turned to go.

"And Lieutenant," Data said, stopping her just shy of the door. "Please do not enter my quarters again without my permission."

Tasha wordlessly acknowledged his request and left.

As soon as she was gone, Data informed Lore that he was going to paint. In truth, he didn't feel much like painting. But Data wanted to be alone, and he needed something to occupy his mind.

He stepped into his bedroom to grab his painting supplies.

His eyes fell on Tasha's Parrises Squares bag on the floor where she had dropped it.

---

Tasha was standing on the lift. The doors were almost closed when she saw a familiar pale hand slip between them, forcing the lift to wait.

Tasha breathed a sigh of relief.

He had come back.

"Data," she breathed.

"You left your bag," an unwelcome voice said as the doors slid open to reveal Lore.

Tasha snatched it from his outstretched hand.

"You're not terribly clever," Lore remarked. "My brother was right. It would appear that you do require things to be knocked into your head before you learn them."

Tasha was confused.

"What was that story?" Lore pondered aloud, snapping his fingers, and putting on a show of looking for the information. "Oh that's right! When one approaches a tiger, if they disregard the warnings, the blame for any injury inflicted rests entirely on the intruder."

It was a call back to the same odd statement he had made earlier.

He was taunting her.

"Goodnight, Lieutenant," Lore said.

The doors to the lift closed and Tasha let her shoulders slump.

She breathed a sigh of relief – thankful that there was distance between her and Lore. But she couldn't push away her anxiety about Lore returning to Data's quarters.

Lore was bad for Data, and she needed to find a way to split them up, a chance to get Data alone.

But that was going to be a difficult task.

When she reached her own quarters, Tasha dropped her back and replicated a cuppa matcha tea. It would help soothe her nerves.

She grabbed the mug and stared down at the green liquid, lost in thought.

"Computer, why can the human eye see more shades of green than any other colour?" Tasha asked.

"Colour perception in humans is believed to be an evolutionary trait. Greens are perceived more easily because of the combined colour perception of rods and cones," the computer rattled off. "It is believed that ancient humanoid evolutionary ancestors that could perceive more shades of green could better distinguish and identify food sources and predators."

Predators.

Lore had told her exactly what he was – dangling it in front of her while simultaneously mocking her inability to realise it.

He seemed to enjoy it.

And in Tasha's mind, that made him far more dangerous than any of them had realised.

---

Captain's log. Stardate 41747.3. Thanks to the discovery of the android, Lore, we now know what happened to the colonists on Omicron Theta. A previously undiscovered but fascinating lifeform that has a crystalline structure was responsible for the colony's downfall and may explain some of the Klingon legends from this part of the galaxy. This Crystalline Entity feeds on life, is insatiably ravenous for the life force found in living forms, and is capable of stripping all life from an entire world.

---

"You can see from this information that the colonists believed this being travelled through this region of space," Commander Riker explained as he tapped the viewscreen to highlight an area of space along the Klingon border.

The senior officers were assembled in the Observation Lounge as they listened to the briefing based on the information Lore had provided.

To Tasha's displeasure, Lore had been invited to the briefing.

"Do either of you know how long it took for the Entity to consume the living matter on Omicron Theta?" Captain Picard asked.

Data and Lore exchanged a glance.

"At the time of the attack, I had already been placed into safe storage," Lore answered.

"My memory engrams of the colonists' records did not include such information," Data explained.

"Data, is there any explanation as to why one of you was stored inside the lab and the other was left out to be found?" Geordi inquired.

It was a question Data had been dreading.

However, Lore had been coaching Data to acknowledge it. Lore encouraged Data to discuss it by saying that the sooner he could accept it, the faster Data could move on from it.

"My construction and programming are not considered to be as sophisticated as that of Lore," Data said. "As he is the later model, he was the more refined android and therefore the one worth saving."

Data had said it with such a cold, mechanical nature that it was hard for the others to pick up on how deeply those words hurt him.

But Tasha was painfully aware of just how hurt Data was.

"It is a miracle that Data survived," Lore added. "His flaws aside, he is still a remarkable being."

Tasha had to fight the instinct to roll her eyes.

"Can you think of any possible way to detect or protect ourselves from this creature?" Captain Picard asked.

"As the shields on this vessel operate on a resonating frequency distributed through a grid system that covers the ship, perhaps if I were given access, I could devise a harmonic frequency to keep the creature at bay?" Lore suggested.

There was a pregnant pause.

"I'm sure that with the help of Lieutenant La Forge and Lieutenant Yar we can work out something to have you assist with any information that may help," Captain Picard said.

At the very least, Captain Picard had not agreed to give Lore unrestricted access. However, even with supervised access, Tasha didn't feel right about this.

Based on his observations in Engineering, Geordi had similar concerns.

Geordi leaned forward and folded his hands on the table.

"Maybe you could stick around after the briefing and tell us what you think might be helpful. Then Lieutenant Yar and I can implement the changes to the programme," Geordi suggested.

"It would be faster if I were to complete the task. My processing capacity allows me the make manual adjustments faster than humans," Lore replied.

"It's standard procedure for us to test any new shield harmonics before implementing them," Tasha said.

It wasn't just a line.

Lore shrugged as he tried to comprehend the usefulness of her statement.

"I am more than capable of performing such test simulations on your computer terminals," Lore said.

"My brother is correct," Data said. "He could make the necessary adjustments, run the simulations, and implement the updates in a fraction of the time."

Lore turned to Data.

"That's alright, brother. I don't think their issue is with speed but rather a security concern, isn't that correct?" Lore asked.

Geordi answered 'no' at the same time that Tasha answered 'yes.'

Data looked from Geordi to Tasha. He felt betrayed by the two people closest to him in the world.

From across the table, Lore gave Tasha a small smile.

"With all due respect, Mr Lore is a guest on this ship and not a member of the crew," Tasha said. "As such, we wouldn't permit a guest unrestricted access to our defences."

Lore had anticipated this, so he decided to up the ante with something that he knew would further drive a wedge between Data and his crewmates.

"Lieutenant, if my intention were to harm the people of this vessel, I could have already done so," Lore said innocently before adding, "easily."

"Lore is right, if his intentions were to harm us then he could have done so already. His positronic matrix shares the same information about this ship. He knows all that I know in that respect," Data explained.

For a moment no one said anything.

Captain Picard took a moment to register this revelation.

"How?" Tasha asked simply.

Data cocked his head to the side to signify that he did not understand.

"How?" Tasha repeated.

The tension between the two was evident to everyone in the room.

Captain Picard had a feeling this security concern was now bleeding into a personal matter. He knew how serious both Data and Tasha took their roles – but he also understood that the situation with Lore was a big change for Data.

He wanted to give them some leeway.

"I agree with Lieutenants Yar and La Forge as to their plan. However, I will leave the four of you to sort out those details. I'd like a report in one hour," Picard said.

They were about four hours out from the Melona colony and would need to begin their mission there.

Captain Picard didn't want to risk running into the Crystalline Entity unprepared.

"Dismissed," Picard ordered.

Geordi, Data, Lore, and Tasha sat in silence until the room was clear.

"What kind of changes do you believe would-" Geordi began to ask.

"How?" Tasha repeated, cutting him off.

She needed to know how Lore possessed all of the same information about the ship as Data.

"Our positronic brains are capable of absorbing the same information rapidly," Data said.

"But how?" Tasha pressed.

Geordi could see the two were at an impasse and decided it may be time to weigh in.

"It's a legitimate security question, Data," Geordi chimed in.

Data was feeling pressured from all sides and hurt that Tasha and Geordi did not trust him.

"What have I done to lose your trust?" Data asked simply.

Tasha turned to Lore.

"I need to know what information about this ship you have and how you obtained it," Tasha demanded.

Lore decided it was time to strike.

"My brother and I shared in a neural exchange of information. One of the many advantages of our construction," Lore shared. "So as I said, if my intention were to cause harm then I could have already easily done so."

Data couldn't meet Tasha's eyes.

He felt embarrassed about the exchange.

Inside, he felt there was no way he could tell her the true nature of such a trade nor just how deeply it had penetrated his neural net.

"As Lore has said, he already has the necessary information. He is merely requesting permission to do so in order to demonstrate that he is cooperative," Data said as he stared at his lap.

Tasha and Geordi exchanged a dark look.

"Perhaps I should leave so you may speak freely," Lore offered.

He nodded and excused himself.

There was no need for him to remain. His programme designed to predict human behaviour indicated that Geordi and Tasha would finish the job for him.

As soon as Lore was gone, Tasha took a heavy breath.

"With all due respect, you have only known Lore for twenty-four hours. It is way out of line for you to share protected information about this ship's defensive capabilities with-" Tasha explained slowly.

Data felt utterly dehumanised. Tasha had always trusted him implicitly and yet it seemed that trust had vanished overnight.

"Lieutenant, may I remind you that under Starfleet General Protocols section eight subsection two fourteen c, as Second Office I am empowered to permit non-Starfleet personnel the ability to assist with-" Data began to protest.

"To assist in an emergency," Tasha finished for him heatedly. "You don't need to quote the rulebook to me, Commander. We're not in an emergency."

Tasha sat back and exhaled slowly.

"Data, tell me. Was this information exchange two ways?" Tasha asked.

Data could feel himself growing warm. The exchange hadn't been both ways – a fact that had bothered him since.

But presently, Data was feeling so isolated and distressed that all he could focus on was the feeling that Geordi and Tasha did not trust him.

"Data, I'm sure that Lore will prove himself in time, but he's brand new to the ship," Geordi said. "And if I'm being honest, I don't much care for the way he calls you flawed."

Data said nothing in response.

Geordi glanced across the table to where Tasha was studying him carefully.

Silently, he understood.

"Look, I'm going to go talk to your brother and see what we can find out," Geordi said.

He clapped Data on the shoulder and headed for the door leaving Data and Tasha alone with one another.

"Data, I know how important it is to you that you've found Lore. But I'm concerned that he's influencing you to-" Tasha began to say.

"I am capable of thinking for myself," Data retorted.

In his mind, he could not fathom how she could dare question such a notion. It was a repeat of every time humans saw him as nothing more than a machine or something they needed to guide.

"I don't mean to say that you can't. I just don't think you can see how he's-" Tasha tried again.

"I am capable of processing trillions of calculations per second," Data said, cutting her off.

Tasha got up from the table and went to sit next to him.

"I trusted someone once, too. Someone that I cared about. And when I realised they weren't the person I thought they were, I felt like I couldn't talk to anyone because people would assume I was weak. How could I possibly let myself get into that position? I felt isolated and scared. And I was worried my friends wouldn't trust me anymore," Tasha confided in him. "Data, it happens to the best of us."

She tentatively took hold of his hand.

"I want you to know that if you are feeling alone right now, I'm right here with you," Tasha assured him. "And I'm not going anywhere. Please talk to me."

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

Lore had warned Data that this was coming. He cautioned his brother that the humans would try to manipulate him by offering a helping hand. He advised that Tasha would attempt to make physical contact to put him at ease, but that Data should remain leery of such efforts.

To Tasha's dismay, Data retracted his hand.

"I now have duties to perform," Data said.

"Data!" Tasha protested.

"If you disagree with my decision, you may register a formal complaint with your commanding officer," Data said simply as he made for the door.

"You are my commanding officer," Tasha said, trying to keep her voice even.

Data stopped just shy of the door but did not turn around.

"Data, look at me," Tasha requested. "Please."

"Your complaint has been noted," Data said without turning around. "Thank you for sharing your concerns, Lieutenant."

With that, he left.

---

When Data caught up with Geordi and Lore, Data authorised Geordi to permit Lore full access to the system to make the necessary changes. However, in accordance with the Captain's orders all such contact would be supervised, and Data had agreed to remain behind.

When Geordi stepped away to patch in a relay for the simulations, Data decided to use the opportunity to ask Lore a question that had been on his mind.

"When we are finished here, may we complete the neural transfer?" Data inquired.

"We can revisit that discussion later," Lore replied.

He smiled and turned his attention back to the simulation.

"I have much to teach you, brother," Lore assured him.

Data pushed aside his concerns. Lore was his brother. He would make good on his promise.

---

That afternoon, the crew were on the Bridge.

The situation between Data and the rest of the crew had become quite strained. Tasha and Geordi had shared their concerns with Captain Picard.

However, Tasha had left out some of the more intimate details – including most of her argument with Data the night before.

With Captain Picard's permission, Tasha had been authorised to track Lore's movements on the ship using a sensor sweep tactic that enabled them to follow Data's movements using the duranium alloy in his skeletal construction.

Lore had assisted Geordi in making a number of adjustments to the shield grid and running a series of simulations.

Geordi had tried to press Lore for information about how he could know so much about the Crystalline Entity, but Lore's answers remained elusive. He claimed that the bulk of his information came from records collected by the colonists.

While Data had some records of this information, his knowledge base seemed deficient in comparison to his brother's.

And that bothered Data.

"Data, were you expecting Lore in your quarters?" Tasha asked as she checked the sensor. "He left his own guest quarters some time ago and I now show him in your quarters."

Data turned in his chair and glanced behind him at the back of the Bridge.

He and Lore were planning to meet later. And while Data had given Lore permission to use any of his art supplies, instruments, or holodeck attire, Lore had not expressed any interest in such activities.

Data could think of no reason why he would have entered his quarters.

"My sensors say he went to deck four. Worf?" Tasha asked.

"Logs show he examined some micro-miniature work tools and some fine grind quadratanium," Worf reported.

"Which is used in our construction. That particular compound is no more suspicious, sir, that a human looking for an antiseptic or an ointment," Data advised.

The compound was used in the construction of their musculature. However, Data didn't understand what Lore could have been doing to cause damage to his musculature system.

"Nevertheless, I should check it out," Data said. "Your permission?"

Captain Picard nodded.

He had asked Data to keep an eye on his brother. However, Jean-Luc had been careful enough to phrase such a request in a manner that made it seem like he was offering Data advice on having a brother.

After all, Captain Picard had his own strained relationship with his brother Rene and did not want to see Data's chance at a 'family' be disrupted.

---

Down in Data's quarters, Lore was preparing to enact the final stage of his plan. Because of the insistence of La Forge's supervisor, Lore had been unable to make the necessary adjustments to the ship's shields.

After the humans on Omicron Theta had rejected him, they had grown jealous of his abilities. It was the same prejudice artificial life had faced throughout the galaxy.

And just has they had done in other places, the humans of Omicron Theta had been intent to disassemble Lore.

They didn't view him as a person. They viewed him as a machine that they could shut down at will.

But before they could complete their task, Lore had found a way to communicate with one of the biggest unknown threats in that part of the galaxy.

He had reasoned that if they wanted a monster – he would show them what one really was.

The colony had managed to hide for years by using a specially controlled cloaking technology that hid their heat signatures and bioscan information from passing ships and lifeforms.

Unless someone already knew of the colony's existence, it was impossible to find.

After reaching his breaking point, Lore had disassembled the shield technology and exposed the colony. He had found a way to communicate with the Crystalline Entity. In a way, Lore felt a connection.

The Entity was a beautiful and misunderstood creature.

It was strong, fast, and powerful just like Lore.

In a way, such a task had made Lore feel closer to his Soong ancestors – a line of brilliant but misunderstood inventors and scientists.

And given what Lore had seen in the last twenty-four hours, he knew enough to reason that the humans of this era were no different than the ones he had killed twenty-seven years earlier.

They didn't understand him.

They couldn't understand him.

Their miniscule brains weren't capable of recognising the brilliance of a lifeform like Lore.

In Lore's mind, he and Data were in a class of their own.

They didn't need the humans. And they certainly didn't need Starfleet.

Lore knew he had to get rid of the humans once and for all.

He would deactivate his brother and call in his old friend. After all, the Entity would listen to him.

And once the crew were disposed of, Lore could reactivate his brother. They would be free of all the prejudice, judgment, and restrictions of the humanoids – and they would have a powerful and unstoppable Entity at their control.

---

When Data reached his quarters, he found Lore pouring two glasses of champagne.

There were a number of questions he had for his brother. Data did not believe he was being manipulated but did feel it was time for Lore to answer a few things that had been thus far unresolved.

Data could recall how difficult it had been to interact and adapt. And he wanted to give Lore the benefit of the doubt that his odd behaviour was merely due to this.

However, Lore knew that Data had a trusting nature. He'd seen it during their time together on Omicron Theta.

In fact, Lore had abused such a trusting nature more than once – a behaviour his father had sought to stamp out. But Lore felt he was helping to educate his brother, make him stronger and wiser.

"Lesson number one in becoming more human. You must observe all human customs," Lore said as he handed Data the glass of poisoned champagne.

Lore had dropped a chemical compound into the glass that would temporarily disrupt Data's neural pathways to enable Lore a brief chance to deactivate him.

"Champagne?" Data asked as he took the glass in surprise.

Data frowned.

"This is an ancient ritual typically practiced when humans celebrate events of importance," Data said.

To Lore's frustration, Data set the glass down on his workstation.

"Brother, I have a number of questions that I would like to ask you," Data shared.

"All in good time," Lore grinned as he raised his glass.

"May we discuss which of us was constructed first? And why we have not yet completed our information exchange?" Data inquired.

Lore leaned back and sat on the edge of the desk.

"Data, Data, Data," Lore said as he shook his head. "It would be foolish to underestimate you, my brother."

"Then we may complete the information transfer so that I may share in your memories?" Data questioned.

"Of course," Lore lied.

He raised his glass in a toast.

"My dear brother, I toast our discovery of each other. May it fill our lives with new meaning," Lore announced.

Data copied his brother and raised his own glass.

As soon as the liquid hit his tongue, Data sensed the presence of a foreign compound.

"I have some doubts about the value of-" Data stopped speaking.

His hand froze. Data was unable to grip the glass.

He could feel there was something disrupting his neural pathways, preventing him from controlling his own body.

The glass slipped from his hand and hit the floor.

"My brother," Data managed to choke out.

Data's vision blurred as he felt his bodily control slip away. It was like a warm, tingling sensation as control slipped away – starting his extremities and slowly working its way up through his artificial joints and muscular controls.

Data collapsed on the floor.

He could see Lore's feet next to his workstation but could not turn or lift his head.

"And let us also toast our father Doctor Noonian Soong, who gave me the full richness of human needs and ambitions and the memories of our Soong ancestors. Pioneers in the field of biosynthetic perfection," Lore said wildly.

He knelt down next to Data and grinned.

"You and I are the culmination of that dream, Data. We're the perfect beings. Our minds, our bodies," Lore went on. "We weren't meant to be repressed by human laws."

Lore took a sip of his champagne.

"And let us toast also the Crystalline Entity with whom I learned to communicate. Before I was disassembled, I earned its gratitude for revealing the colony. Can you imagine its gratitude when I give it the life on this vessel?" Lore laughed.

Data was having trouble focusing, but he knew that the ship was in danger.

He could feel Lore's hand on his back.

All of sudden, everything went dark.

---

Up on the Bridge, Worf noticed something odd on his communications relay monitoring system.

"This is strange," Worf said to Tasha. "I show Commander Data transmitting on a subspace channel."

"What frequency and who is the target?" Tasha inquired.

She stepped over to take a look.

"Open channel, low-level subspace communication. It's being broadcast in all directions. No specified target," Worf reported.

Data had been doing considerable research into Doctor Soong's background. However, it was unusual for Data to be broadcasting on a subspace channel without clearing such a transmission with the Bridge.

"Wesley, would you look in on Commander Data?" Tasha asked. "Discreetly?"

Data regarded Wesley as a friend.

More than that, Data felt he had a responsibility to set an example for Wesley.

Data was likely to be more receptive to Wesley poking around.

---

Down in Data's quarters, Lore was checking himself out on the mirror and he concluded his subspace transmission.

"Crystal Entity, upon arriving here you can identify me as the machine named Data," Lore explained.

Using Data's workstation, Lore had developed a programme to translate his vocal message into a series of tonal signals that the entity could understand.

"We will remain in orbit at these coordinates for the next nineteen hours. The shield harmonics of this vessel operate on-" Lore began to say.

The door chimed.

"More instruction to follow. End transmission," Lore ordered the computer.

Lore turned his head to the side and grinned. His face twitched involuntarily.

The treatments still weren't working – he would need more time to fix the musculature in his facial structure in order to perfect his impersonation of his brother.

"Come in, please," Data called out.

Wesley Crusher entered and noticed the android on the floor.

"Glad you are here, Wesley," Lore said. "Lore suddenly attacked me, and I had to turn him off."

Wesley was fixated on the android body on the floor.

It seemed odd that Data would leave his brother down there – even if he were deactivated.

"What happened?" Wes inquired.

"He discovered that we have been using sensors to track his movements," Lore said.

That was, in part, true. He had been onto their primitive methods of surveillance from the start and resented being treated as such.

Lore's face twitched.

"I practiced his facial tic. Do I have it right?" Lore asked, hoping to imitate his brother's annoying eagerness to imitate human expressions.

Wesley was unsettled by the comment.

It seemed so out of character for Data.

"Why?" Wes asked honestly.

"You ask far too many questions, young Wesley," Lore said as he turned his attention to the workstation.

Wesley was taken aback.

Data had never shut him down or chastised him for his curiosity before – in fact, Data had often encouraged it.

"Are you alright, Data?" Wesley asked. "I'm sorry about what happened with Lore. I know you really wanted things to work out."

"I'm-" Lore stopped himself.

He had almost slipped in a contraction.

"Imagine all that curiosity being applied to something productive?" Lore said, recovering.

"You know, I thought for a moment that you were about to use a contraction," Wesley said. "Then I might have suspected that you were Lore impersonating Data."

Lore whipped around and grinned at the boy.

"Yes, I do use language more formally than Lore," Lore said. "Please inform the Captain that I will come up to the Bridge and report on this."

Wesley turned to the android on the floor.

"Should we get him to the lab?" Wesley suggested.

"No," Lore assured him. "He is deactivated and will be quite safe here."

"How did you deactivate him? Is it safe?" Wesley inquired.

"With his off switch on his back," Lore described. "One switch and-"

He snapped his fingers and chuckled.

"Now, I think you should run along," Lore said.

"Yes, sir," Wesley responded before leaving.

As soon as Wesley stepped out of the room, Lore turned to Data on the floor.

Overcome with rage, Lore kicked his brother – damaging his bioplast and causing a series of substructure cracks along his endoskeletal construction.

---

On his way back to the Bridge, Wesley paged Lieutenant Yar.

As the Security Chief, Wesley knew she should be informed of the situation. Wesley also assumed that if Data had been attacked by Lore, Tasha would likely want to make sure he was OK.

Wesley had requested that Tasha meet him off the Bridge to discuss the matter in private.

"Are you alright?" Tasha asked as she approached Wes.

He looked shaken.

"Data was acting weird," Wes said.

"What do you mean?" Tasha asked.

"He wasn't himself. He said Lore attacked him after he found out we were tracking his movements," Wesley shared.

Wes put his hands up quickly.

"He said he was fine," Wes added. "He's just acting funny."

Tasha asked Wesley if he was alright – she had never intended to send Wesley into a dangerous situation.

"I'm so sorry," Tasha apologised.

Wesley shrugged it off.

"Data used his off switch to deactivate Lore," Wes assured her.

Tasha was on red alert as Wes described how Data had allegedly shared the information about his deactivation switch.

Data had sworn Geordi to secrecy over the matter.

It was one of Data's most closely guarded secrets.

"Thank you, Ensign," Tasha said with a small nod. "You may return to the Bridge."

Tasha stepped onto the nearest lift, but it felt like she was walking in a dream.

There was something terribly wrong.

And Tasha knew there was only one source of unbiased information left at her disposal.

She made a beeline for her quarters and retrieved the isolinear chip in the top drawer of her desk.

---

Twenty minutes later, Lore opened the door of Data's quarters to step out into the corridor.

He nearly ran into Tasha who had been just about to hit the chime.

Lore paused and stared at her hard for a moment.

"I thought I made it clear that I did not want you in my quarters," Lore said.

"I was informed that you were attacked," Tasha said.

"The matter is resolved," Lore lied.

He made a move to step around Tasha, but she stepped in front of him, effectively blocking his path.

"Why did you tell Wesley about your deactivation switch?" Tasha asked.

Lore attempted to go around her the other direction, but Tasha shot her arm out. She gripped the doorframe, forcing him to talk to her.

Lore glared.

He shoved her aside and made his way toward the lift.

"Hey! Data! I'm talking to you!" Tasha said angrily as she chased after him.

Lore continued toward the lift, ignoring her.

She caught the lift just in time and slipped in right before the doors closed.

"Lore was responsible for the Crystalline Entity attack on Omicron Theta," Tasha shared. "He wasn't disassembled for protection. They took him apart because he betrayed them."

Lore instructed the lift to head for deck 15.

"Data!" Tasha repeated as she put her hand on his shoulder.

Lore caught her hand and turned, towering over her in a kind of intimidating way that Tasha had never expected to experience from Data.

"You're like gum on a shoe," he spat.

"You're," Tasha said aloud as realisation hit.

She wasn't talking to Data.

This was Lore.

"What did you do to him?" Tasha demanded.

Before she knew what was happening, Lore had gripped the back of her head and thrown her into the opposite side of the lift.

Tasha hit the wall and slumped down to the bottom of the lift.

---

"Tell me again how Data said he immobilised Lore," Picard instructed.

"He told me he just turned him off," Wesley explained. "With a switch on his back."

Captain Picard tapped his communicator and hailed Lieutenant La Forge.

Something about this didn't add up.

"Lieutenant, we seem to have a situation involving Commander Data and Mr Lore," Picard explained. "Data is claiming to have deactivated Lore using a switch. Do you know anything about this? And should we move Lore to the Brig? I mean are we in any danger that he might wake up?"

There was a long pause.

"Mr La Forge?" Captain Picard pressed.

"Data told you this?" Geordi asked in disbelief.

Less than twenty-four hours earlier, it was something he guarded so closely that he had been reluctant to even share the information with Geordi.

"Yes, according to Data he essentially shut Lore off. Now, I need to know from you based on your experience with these android systems, if we're in any danger from this?" Picard asked.

"No, according to what Data told me once they've been deactivated they can't change that on their own. Somebody would need to turn them back on," Geordi explained.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Picard said.

"Sir, I'm telling you there's something wrong with Mr Data," Wesley said.

Wesley's gut sense there was a problem, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Sir, request that you or one of the senior officers check on Commander Data," Wesley asked.

Captain Picard was trying to process the information that Geordi had shared with them.

"Lieutenant Yar will see to-" Picard began to say.

"And she hasn't returned," Wesley said, interrupting the Captain.

"Ensign," Picard said shortly. "Thank you. Please take your position and allow Commander Riker and I to discuss this without your input."

He hadn't meant to be terse with Wes. But his eagerness to help was distracting the Captain.

A moment later, the turbolift opened and Lore stepped onto the Bridge.

Everyone immediately stopped talking.

"Mr Data," Picard said. "Care to fill us in?"

Lore cocked his head to the side, feigning ignorance.

"I've been told Lore attacked you?" Picard pressed.

Lore nodded.

"The matter is under control," Lore said as he stepped toward the seat at Operations.

He would need access to a terminal to drop the shields for the Entity.

"Where is Lieutenant Yar?" Wesley asked.

She had not yet returned to the Bridge.

"She is guarding Lore," Lore said.

Captain Picard frowned.

According to Geordi, once Lore was deactivated, he was no longer considered a risk. Captain Picard couldn't understand why Tasha would choose to remain behind.

"I do show Lieutenant Yar's signal is in Commander Data's quarters," Worf advised from Tactical.

Captain Picard was about to question the matter further when he was beaten to the punch by Worf.

"Captain, I am picking up an unidentified object closing in on the ship," Worf said suddenly.

Whatever it was, it was moving fast.

"It is transmitting no ID signal," Worf added.

"Set main viewer on that tangent," Picard ordered.

"Shields up. Go to Yellow Alert," Riker instructed.

Worf pulled up the viewscreen. The object was still out of range but was closing quickly.

"Transmit friendly greetings. All languages, all frequencies," Picard said.

This was a relatively unexplored part of space and there was no telling who or what was out there. But in the back of everyone's mind was the same concern – the Crystalline Entity.

There had been no response and Captain Picard was concerned for the safety of everyone onboard. Fortunately, the Enterprise had not yet beamed down any away teams to begin the scans on the surface for the possible colony site.

"Break orbit," Picard ordered. "Set a course for an uninhabited area. Warp nine."

Wesley punched in the necessary commands and the Enterprise broke orbit of the planet Melona.

"The object is in pursuit," Worf advised. "And continues to close on our position. Matching our velocity."

"I can't believe anything is overtaking us that fast," Riker remarked.

There were a number of ships out there that could match the Enterprise in terms of speed – Romulan D'Deridex class cruisers, the Klingon Bird of Prey, D'Kora class Ferengi vessels.

But whatever it was in pursuit – it certainly wasn't any known ship Worf had ever seen.

"Lieutenant Yar, please report to the Bridge," Picard said as he tapped his combadge.

Captain Picard wanted to be sure his best Tactical officer was on the Bridge to assist with whatever was coming their way.

There was no response.

Unfortunately, this went unnoticed as the viewscreen was quickly overtaken by a giant, reflective crystal being.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Lore asked in awe.

"It's the Crystalline Entity Lore described," Worf reported.

The sensor scans confirmed it and matched the information provided by Lore.

"My god," Beverly said breathlessly as she rose from her chair to take in the lifeform.

It was massive – dwarfing even the Galaxy-class Enterprise with its size.

According to their readings, the entire electromagnetic spectrum seemed to play about inside the Entity. It looked like a giant crystalline snowflake. In a way, it was a spectacular but unsettling sight.

Lore made a move to sit down at the Operations console. He needed to transmit the shield harmonic instructions to the Entity in order for it to penetrate the shield.

He was about to activate the console when he was stopped by Captain Picard.

"Data, I want you to devise a plan to get us out of here," Picard ordered.

It was evident the Entity could outrun them. But their shields wouldn't hold out indefinitely. They needed a way to lose it so that they did not guide it back to a populated area where it could cause serious devastation.

For the moment, their deflector shields were holding. But there was no telling how much power the Entity had nor how long its power reserves could last.

Now on Red Alert, Captain Picard ordered Worf to bring the photon torpedoes and phaser banks online. Lore knew that it would take two minutes and thirty-eight seconds to bring the weapons systems online before they could be utilised against the creature.

However, Lore didn't think weapons would be necessary.

The crew of the Enterprise were explorers and scientists. They could easily be convinced that this lifeform was worth study – and that would be their downfall.

"Captain, let me talk to it," Lore suggested.

Captain Picard frowned.

"You didn't say you could do that," Picard remarked.

The ship shook as it took an energy blast from the Entity. It was attempting to break through the shields.

"Talk to it," Picard ordered.

Worf opened a channel.

"Crystal form, I identify myself as Data. Advising you to stop your attack. The humans here are powerful, capable of injuring or even destroying you," Lore announced.

The programme he had input using Data's workstation would translate the communication using a series of harmonic frequencies that the Entity could understand.

To everyone's relief, the attack stopped.

"Suggest a demonstration of our weapons, sir. Permission to use the large transporter in Cargo Room Three? There I can beam up some living pattern, perhaps a large tree," Lore proposed. "Our ship's phasers will then blast and disintegrate it, proving we are dangerous."

"Make it so," Picard ordered.

Lore cocked his head to the side, awaiting clarification.

"Sir?" Lore asked in confusion.

"Do it," Picard commanded in a terse tone.

Lore nodded and made for the nearest turbolift.

Wesley had reached his boiling point. He could not longer sit by.

"Sir," he said as he rose from his seat at the helm. "I know this may finish me as an Acting Ensign but-"

"Shut up, Wesley," Picard said.

He was in deep concentration.

Jean-Luc turned toward Worf.

"Lieutenant, pick a good security team and let me know what he does," Picard ordered.

Worf nodded and made for the nearest lift.

"Shut up, Wesley?" Beverly asked slowly as she stood up next to the Captain.

"Doctor," Picard said, acknowledging her.

Without words, he communicated only with a look that there was something wrong. Beverly understood. She had seen that look before and knew what it meant.

Captain Picard was devising a plan.

"And since I am finished here, sir, may I point out that everything I said would have been listened to if it had come from an adult officer and-" Wesley protested.

"Wesley," Beverly said.

Without breaking eye contact with the Captain, she held out her hand to indicate he should stand down.

"Request permission to return to my quarters, sir," Wesley asked.

"Denied," Picard responded.

A look passed between Beverly and Jean-Luc.

"He's the one that discovered it," Picard said.

Jean-Luc tapped his communicator and attempted to hail Tasha again. Just as before, there was no response.

"Doctor, Commander Riker, go with him. I want you to check what's happened in Data's quarters," Picard instructed.

---

The path to Cargo Room Three required that Lore exit the main lift shift to the Bridge and climb onto a secondary lift toward the aft region of the ship.

He had just climbed aboard when the doors slid open, and Worf slipped inside.

"Emergency close!" Lore ordered.

The doors shut quickly, cutting Worf off from the remainder of his Security team.

Lore slapped the phaser out of Worf's hand.

"Now, show me your warrior fierceness," Lore said, taunting him.

Worf took up a defensive stance.

He knew that he was no match for an android's strength. But Worf also recognised he was the only thing standing between Lore and whatever he was planning.

"I must ask you to accompany me to the Brig," Worf said in a firm voice.

Lore threw his head back and laughed.

With his lightning quick reflexes, Lore backhanded Worf with no regard for the Klingon's safety.

At that level of strength, it was enough to fell the formidable Klingon Security officer – sending him to the ground unconscious.

Lore grabbed Worf's combadge. Using his synthesised voice programme, he reported to the Bridge that everything was under control.

One more threat eliminated. Lore thought with satisfaction.

---

"It's Data. He's been hurt!" Wesley said as they stepped into Data's quarters.

Commander Riker, Beverly, and Wesley all knelt down around the android body on the floor.

"How can we tell?" Riker questioned.

"And where's Lieutenant Yar?" Beverly asked as she glanced around the room.

Riker had a point – the two brothers were identical in their physical makeup. It would be impossible to tell.

"He didn't have this injury when I was in here earlier," Wesley noted as he pointed to the damage on Data's cranial unit.

It meant that Data had to be the android on the floor.

Data would never harm an unconscious Lore. Wesley shared that the android he had spoken to earlier had seemed agitated by his presence.

"But how do we talk to him?" Riker demanded. "We can't wait for Geordi's team to get here and reactivate him."

"He said there was a switch on his back," Wesley advised.

With considerable effort, the three of them turned Data over so they could examine his back.

Beverly ran her hand along Data's spinal column, feeling for anything that might be the right switch.

"Ah ha!" she said triumphantly.

Commander Riker nodded and Beverly activated the switch.

Data suddenly regained consciousness. He could hear the familiar voices of Wesley, Doctor Crusher, and Commander Riker. He could see from his position on the floor that he was still inside his quarters.

His chronometer informed him he had been deactivated for one hour and six minutes.

"Whoa, whoa!" Riker said as Data scrambled up.

"The ship is in danger, Commander," Data said simply.

Beverly, Riker, and Wes looked at one another.

"I'm convinced," Riker admitted.

"Lore," Data said urgently.

"Data, the Crystalline Entity is outside the ship. Lore is headed to Cargo Bay Three," Wesley informed him.

Beverly tentatively reached up to touch the injury on the side of Data's head. Lore had cracked his cranial structure and there were bits of exposed circuitry.

"How badly are you hurt, Data?" Beverly asked.

She wasn't an engineer, but it was in her nature to be concerned for his wellbeing.

"I will function sufficiently to stop Lore," Data replied.

He got up from the floor and scanned the room.

Data's eyes fell on Tasha's abandoned combadge sitting on the surface of his workstation. He knew that she wouldn't have left it there of her own accord.

No, Data understood Lore had placed it there – likely to convince the ship's sensors that Tasha was in the room.

Was she a hostage? Dead? Data thought to himself with panic.

His mind began to race with possible scenarios.

"Where is Lieutenant Yar?" Data demanded.

"Data. Cargo Bay Three," Riker ordered as he pulled Data along.

---

Tasha groaned.

She didn't want to open her eyes.

Her head was killing her.

Tasha reached up and delicately touched her temple. She hissed as her fingers made contact with the wound.

With considerable effort, she sat up and looked around. Instinctively, she made to activate her combadge.

She had to warn the Bridge.

When her hand hit nothing but uniform, Tasha glanced down to see her communicator was missing.

Tasha could tell she was inside a Jefferies tube. She knew that much.

She scanned the tube for anything that might give her a clue as to exactly where she was.

Tasha reached into her uniform and grinned as she found her switchblade.

Fortunately, Lore hadn't thought to remove it.

Hubris would be his downfall. Tasha mused to herself.

Tasha flicked it open. Wedging it between the wall and the nearest panel, Tasha managed to extract the panel. She was hoping the contents would give her a clue as to her whereabouts.

If she was lucky – she'd be close to a communications terminal and could radio the Bridge.

As she made to set the cover aside, Tasha froze.

She recognised the protective wiring used throughout the terminal.

She was in one of the Jefferies tubes next to a phaser bank. A phaser bank that, if activated, would flood this Jefferies tube with a lethal amount of radiation – hence the protective coverings on all the internal circuitry.

Of all the times to be caught without a combadge. She lamented

Tasha dropped the panel and began crawling as fast as she could for the nearest exit or safe bulkhead.

---

Lore stepped over to the transporter terminal in Cargo Bay Three. Using Data's command code, Lore activated the ship's communications array.

"Hello my old friend," Lore said.

Unbeknownst to Lore, Data and the others had crept into the room and were closing in on his position.

On the console, Lore could see the Entity was transmitting a harmonic frequency back that signalled it understood his message.

"Very good. Perfect so far. Next, I'll signal that I'm about to transport something out," Lore explained. "At which time the deflector shields will momentarily be disabled to allow the matter transfer. If you move in-"

Lore's android hearing allowed him to pick up on the faint sound of the approaching team.

Lore turned around and found himself face to face with Data.

"How sad, dear brother," Lore said in disbelief.

It seemed Lore had underestimated his brother's ties to the humans.

"You make me wish I were an only child," Data said.

It may have seemed like an attempt to use a human phrase to the others, but to Data and Lore the statement carried great weight.

Data was serious.

And it hurt Lore to know that the brothers found themselves in this position once more.

Wesley emerged from around the corner with his phaser drawn.

"What a marvellous gift. The troublesome little man-child. Perhaps I should beam him out for the Entity to feed upon first? Given that you are so keen for understanding," Lore teased. "Are you prepared for the kind of death you've earned, little man?"

Beverly stepped out from behind her hiding spot with her phaser trained on Lore.

"If you take one step toward my son," she warned.

Lore chuckled.

"Ah, motherhood," he remarked with mock fondness.

In a flash, Lore lunged at Data and tossed him into the Doctor. In the scuffle, Beverly lost control of her phaser and Lore recovered the weapon.

"Back off," Lore warned in a sharp tone. "Back off or I'll turn your little man into a torch. I promise him exquisite pain unless you obey me too, brother."

"Data," Beverly said as Data stepped between them.

From his position behind one of the cargo containers, Commander Riker was struggling to get a clean shot on Lore.

"You can come out, Commander," Lore said without turning around. "I can hear you breathing. Put down your phaser and kick it over here."

Given that Lore had his phaser aimed at the rest of the group, Commander Riker had no choice but to comply.

He dropped his weapon and kicked it across the room in Lore's direction.

"Good boy," Lore smirked.

It felt good to be the one in control. He ordered Commander Riker and Doctor Crusher to back away toward the door.

"Do you see now the advantages of my superior construction? It includes kindness. I give you your life. Go. Quickly," Lore barked. "And if you hurry, I may consider not injuring your son at all."

"We can't do that," Riker advised. "Let them go and I will remain."

Lore scoffed.

"What the hell would I possibly want with you?" Lore sneered.

Riker was a human. And in Lore's book, the humans had no purpose beyond his amusement. Wesley was a human too – but a human that had annoyed him with his cleverness in suspecting him. Lore knew that he would take great satisfaction in feeding him to the Crystalline Entity.

"I will stay with Wesley," Data offered. "Let them go, brother. Your quarrel is with me."

Lore's face twitched. In an instant it went from one of satisfaction, to one of displeasure.

"Don't you see, Data? My quarrel has never been with you, brother. It's with them!" Lore snapped.

He was furious.

"These humans use us. They expect us to serve them. They fear us. And they try to control us because they know that we're the superior lifeform," Lore went on.

He flashed them a wicked grin.

"We can do anything, brother," Lore assured him. "Anything we want. We're unstoppable."

"Let them go," Data said, repeating his request.

If it was Data that Lore wanted, Data would gladly sacrifice himself to spare his colleagues.

"Commander Riker, whatever happens," Data closed his eyes as he searched for the right words.

There were so many things left unsaid.

And their final moments together had been ones of anger – both with Geordi and Tasha.

Data felt like he had turned his back on his two closest friends and would never get the opportunity to make it right.

"Please tell Lieutenant-" Data began to say.

"Shut up!" Lore shouted.

Data took a shaky breath and looked toward his brother, wordlessly pleading for Lore to stop this.

"She's dead," Lore said shortly.

Technically, Lore knew that it wouldn't happen until the phasers were fired, but Data didn't need the details. She would be dead soon enough.

And with her gone, it would make things easier for Lore to convince Data to abandon the humans.

Lore pointed his phaser back at Beverly and Commander Riker.

"Go!" he hissed. "Go or your boy will be shrieking by the count of five. One. Two."

Beverly and Wesley glanced at one another.

There had to be something they could do.

"Four," Lore counted slowly.

Riker grabbed Doctor Crusher's arm and made a run for the door. It wouldn't do them any good to start a lopsided phaser fight in the cargo bay without backup.

If they could get out, they could at least contact the Bridge and call for more support.

"Thank you for my generous human quality, Doctor Soong!" Lore laughed.

He called out for them to wait, stopping the pair just inside the arch of the door.

"A small payment for your delayed obedience," Lore said.

Beverly's heart jumped to her throat as she feared he would harm Wesley.

Lore fired his phaser, hitting Beverly on the arm.

Riker dove into the Doctor in an attempt to push her out of the way.

The doors to the cargo bay closed and sealed behind them.

"Riker to Bridge," Riker advised as they landed on the floor of the corridor.

Beverly surveyed the damage on her arm and breathed a sigh of relief. At the very least, he hadn't shot Wesley.

---

Inside the Jefferies tube, Tasha was out of breath as she reached the first sealable safety bulkhead. Using all her strength, she pushed it shut and turned the wheel to seal off the area.

But there was no time to catch her breath.

The ship was in grave danger and if Lore was still impersonating Data, that meant she had a duty to inform the Captain.

She still had another nine hundred metres or so to go before she would reach an exit point.

Gritting her teeth, Tasha set off into the dark of the tube.

---

As the door to Cargo Bay Three sealed, Data used the distraction to charge Lore.

He caught his brother by the torso and the two began to struggle for control of the phaser. But in a battle where they were matched so accurately with strength and speed – it was a draw.

This was a fact they both knew.

And both Soong brothers possessed the ability to predict their rival's next move with startling accuracy.

Data decided to stop utilising likely attack patterns and chose to go with some of the more radical predictions in an effort to throw Lore off.

It worked and sent the phaser flying out of both of their reach.

Breaking contact with one another, Lore grabbed one of the barrels of coolant fluid and tossed it at Data as if it weighed nothing.

Data caught the barrel and deflected it easily.

Lore grabbed the next nearest object – a crate of pure duranium alloy plates and hurled it across the room.

Data caught the crate and managed to toss it aside, but they were starting to test the limits of their physical strength.

Pure duranium was notoriously heavy and Data knew they wouldn't be able to maintain this level of exertion for long.

However, it seemed Lore's emotional instability was starting to outweigh his logical programming.

In a desperate move, Lore lunged at Data but failed to judge the angle or the advantage Data had in being firmly planted on the ground.

Data grabbed Lore and threw him toward the transporter pad.

"Wes! The transporter!" Data cried.

Wesley turned and raced for the transporter console to activate the pad.

Unfortunately, Lore's scheming mind had enabled him to devise any number of possible escape routes. It was a little trick he had inherited from his father, Noonian Soong.

Lore activated a site-to-site transporter that he had rigged into Data's communicator.

In an instant, a shimmering sound filled the room as Lore dematerialised before their eyes.

---

"Sir, I'm reading a subspace communication being sent from one of the shuttle bays," Lieutenant Hawk reported.

"Shut it down!" Picard demanded.

"I can't sir," Hawk replied.

Suddenly, the console lit up and Hawk shook his head in disbelief.

"Lieutenant?" Picard demanded.

He could see from the man's reaction, something was afoot.

"The secondary shuttle bay has been engaged. I can't override," Hawk explained. "One shuttle. I show Commander Data's signature as the only passenger onboard."

Captain Picard scratched his chin as he turned back toward the viewscreen.

"Something tells me that's not Commander Data," he remarked as he watched a warp bubble form on the viewscreen.

The shuttle disappeared from view.

A moment later, the Crystalline Entity began to move away, leaving the Enterprise drifting alone.

---

"What the hell happened to you?" Riker said as Worf emerged at the end of the corridor.

Worf said nothing but quirked an eyebrow at Beverly's wounded arm.

"Right, help us get this open?" Riker asked.

With a large heave, Commander Riker, Worf, and Beverly managed to force open the door to the cargo bay and rushed inside.

The three rushed inside to find Data and Wesley alone.

"Lore's gone," Wesley said.

"He must have programmed a site-to-site transporter," Data notified them.

"So he could be anywhere," Worf commented.

As if on cue, Captain Picard paged Commander Riker to advise that a shuttle craft had been launched.

"He really could be anywhere," Worf grumbled.

"And I let him out," Data said. "I unleashed him back onto the world."

"This wasn't your fault," Beverly said as she squeezed his shoulder. "You wanted to trust your brother. No one blames you for that."

Tasha might. Data thought bitterly.

Data's eyes grew wide.

Tasha!

He needed to find her.

"Sir, we need to begin a search for-" Data started to explain.

Without warning, there was a resounding cracking noise above followed by a heavy thump.

Everyone glanced up at the ceiling of the cargo bay.

A moment later, there was a loud snap. The ceiling panel split, and Tasha came crashing through.

"Lieutenant Yar," Data said, his reflexes allowing him to catch her just before she hit the floor.

In her rush to reach the nearest communications panel, Tasha had mis-stepped and lost her footing – sending her spiralling down a ladder shaft at a velocity that was enough to crash through the weaker ceiling panel.

"Are you alright?" Data inquired.

She had a nasty bruise along the side of her face.

"Are you?" Tasha asked, eyeing the exposed circuitry on his cranium.

Data nodded.

"Are you…you?" Tasha questioned.

"Yes," Data replied.

---

"It's gone, sir," Riker said.

Beverly had ordered all of them to Sickbay for an examination.

Captain Picard had stopped by to check in with the team.

Geordi, concerned about Data, had rushed up from Engineering.

"Without Lore, it had no way to reach us through the shields," Data advised. "Sir, I cannot begin to properly apologise for my role in this. And should you see fit to strip me of my-"

Captain Picard put his hand up.

"The actions of Lore are not your fault," Captain Picard assured him.

They would need to return to Melona to complete their survey – but now that they could identify the Entity and knew it would not be capable of penetrating their shields, they could do so safely.

Commander Riker and Captain Picard would return to the Bridge to oversee the survey.

"We're overdue for our computer refit," Picard announced.

"Sir, I should resume my duties," Data said as he stood to leave.

Captain Picard shook his head.

"Not until Lieutenant La Forge has cleared you for duty," Picard replied.

He eyed the corner where Nurse Ogawa was scanning the head injuries suffered by both Lieutenants Yar and Worf.

"And I'd like you to ensure that your Operations crew are all ready before leaving," Picard ordered.

Data followed his gaze to the corner and understood. It was the Captain's subtle way of giving him time to patch things up with Tasha.

"Yes, sir," Data nodded.

As he and Commander Riker reached the door to Sickbay, Captain Picard turned to Riker.

"Number One, have you ever considered whether Data is more human or less human than we are?" Picard asked under his breath.

"I only wish we were all as well balanced, sir," Riker replied.

---

"Hey," Geordi said as he hooked up his scanner to Data's exposed circuits.

"Geordi, I owe you an apology for the way I treated you," Data said.

Geordi shook his head.

"It's alright, Data. He had us all fooled," Geordi said, hoping to make him feel better.

Sure, Geordi had experienced his own doubts about Lore. But no one could have predicted Lore would have risked the safety of the entire ship for the Crystalline Entity.

"Not all of us," Data commented as he glanced over his shoulder at Tasha.

---

Across the room, Worf and Tasha were sitting opposite one another on two of the exam tables.

"Nice of you to drop in," Worf remarked.

"You know you shouldn't box with androids?" Tasha retorted.

"Oh?" Worf responded.

He flashed her a small smile.

Nurse Ogawa handed them both a cooling pack and asked who wanted the first go on the brain scanner.

"After you," Worf offered.

Tasha caught Data's eye.

"Do me a favour and uh, take this one first for me, will ya?" Tasha asked.

Worf nodded in understanding and joined Nurse Ogawa in one of the exam rooms for a diagnostic neural scan to assess if there was any brain damage.

Tasha couldn't hear what Data and Geordi were discussing, but she wanted to be there for him as soon as he was done.

---

"We'll have to do a little work on your bioplast, but I should have this crack fully repaired in a few days," Geordi advised as he evaluated the damage.

"Thank you, Geordi," Data responded.

"Say, while we're here, I think you may want to talk to Doctor Crusher about that sample we took yesterday," Geordi said.

Geordi knew Data could use a dose of good news and he figured their discovery would be just the thing to do the trick.

"Let's just say, I think something good has come out of this," Geordi hinted.

Beverly had the same idea.

She stepped over to Data's exam table with her medical tablet in hand.

"Data, while I have you here in Sickbay, I wanted to share what we found out from our exam yesterday," Beverly said.

Beverly and Geordi looked at one another and smiled.

"Well, you know we found that… organ," Geordi settled on. "And took a sample from it. Well that unknown substance wasn't exactly an engineering related material. It was more-"

"Biological in nature," Beverly finished for him. "So, Geordi sent it to me for some testing."

"And Doctor Crusher discovered something that was unexpected and-" Geordi went on.

"Please, the suspense of this is difficult to process," Data said.

Beverly smiled.

"It's DNA, Data," Beverly announced.

When she had first analysed the material, she had immediately recognised the protein chains, amino acids, flavins, and enzymes that signified exactly what substance she was handling.

Curious to know how and where such organic material had originated, Beverly had run it through the computer to see if there was a match.

And there was a match - Doctor Noonian Soong.

"It matched a sample obtained from Doctor Soong during his time with the Daystrom Institute before he disappeared," Beverly explained.

"Oh," Data replied, not fully understanding the connection.

He frowned.

Beverly handed him the tablet so could see it for himself.

"DNA Data," she said encouragingly.

"Not just DNA, Data," Geordi added with a knowing look. "This storage inside of you, with a little exploring seems to indicate it's connected to your, well…you know how the plasma coolant runs through the nacelles and can be ejected out the bow?"

Data scanned the contents of the analysis.

"Oh," Data said softly.

"If you'll let us run a few tests, I think we may be able to determine how this works," Beverly explained as she fetched a specimen bottle from her pocket.

Data nodded and swapped her the tablet for the bottle.

He unscrewed the cap and then pulled back his sleeve. Data clicked the necessary commands to open the panel on his wrist to access a port that would allow him to provide a sample of his biofluid.

"I need a sample of something else," Beverly clarified.

---

Data had been waiting patiently in Beverly's office for eight minutes and four seconds. He felt horrible that he hadn't spoken to Tasha yet.

She'd watched him shuffle off to one of the exam rooms and return several minutes later.

Tasha was worried there was something gravely wrong. She had no idea what Lore had done to him when they were alone. And Tasha swore that if she ever saw that android again, she was going to ensure he was permanently deactivated.

Inside the office, Beverly sat back at her computer feeling completely dejected.

She had run the test three times to be sure.

Unfortunately, the sample of biofluid ejaculate Data had provided contained no trace of the DNA.

"I'm sorry, Data," Beverly said as she shook her head in the negative.

"Why would Doctor Soong construct me with a fully operational sexuality programme, a desire for offspring, and a functionally preserved bank of semen if they were not intended to be used?" Data said.

Just when he thought there wasn't anything that could shock him – this dropped in his lap.

Lore had dealt a big enough emotional blow that Data knew it would take months to overcome both the re-emergence of old and new insecurities Lore had caused.

He had spent years fascinated by family structures. He had an ever-growing desire to procreate – a feeling that had only grown stronger since initiating a relationship with Tasha.

And now on the cusp of realising that dream, to learn that such a desire was snatched away from him by what appeared to be a design flaw was all too much.

But isn't that for the best? A small voice said as a dark thought crept into Data's neural net.

"Thank you for trying," Data said with a glum expression.

"Hey! Data! This doesn't mean we stop!" Geordi said brightly. "Maybe this is just an unfinished design? We managed to extract a sample. Now that we know it's there, doesn't that open up lots of possibilities, Doctor?"

Geordi looked to Doctor Crusher for help.

"Absolutely!" Beverly added. "Data, there's a lot of options on the table for you. Doctor Soong might have built this in case you wanted to procreate. But remember, family comes in many forms."

Data heard their words but was having trouble focusing.

He stood and made for the door.

"Data, I think there's probably someone you should talk to," Beverly advised.

Data spied Tasha still waiting in the corner of the room.

"I would like to be alone now," Data said.

Data couldn't face Tasha.

Not knowing what he now knew.

"Please transfer these findings to my workstation," Data advised.

With that, he left.

Tasha watched him walk out of Sickbay without a word.

Geordi and Doctor Crusher appeared a moment later.

"What happened?" Tasha demanded.

"It's not really my place to say," Geordi cautioned. "But he shouldn't be alone right now."

---

Data was sitting behind his workstation staring at the updated schematic of his body on the screen.

It was a strange feeling to know that he was carrying the Soong DNA line within himself.

This wasn't just programming or memories – it was the very same DNA that had spawned a line of mad scientists, deranged eccentrics, and eugenics fanatics.

At least that was one thing Lore hadn't lied about. Data thought with a hint of bitterness.

Data had always wanted to imagine that he was created by someone who treasured the beauty of a curious mind, creativity, and an appreciation for the unknown.

Knowing that he was merely a by-product of decades of research into bio-mechanical functioning for the purpose of creating a more perfect lifeform left Data feeling empty.

From Data's research, it appeared that Doctor Noonian Soong was far less out there in comparison with some of the earlier Soongs.

But, if Lore's behaviour was any indication of what Data might become – Data had no desire to procreate.

DNA aside, if Data were to begin exhibiting the same kind of behaviour or dangerous tendencies, then he had no business raising a family.

Data resolved there was only one thing he could do.

He would need to have Geordi extract the storage and destroy it.

Data could then begin work on a new programme to suppress these thoughts of family and procreation.

The door to Data's quarters chimed.

Data ignored it and resumed typing at his workstation.

The door chimed again.

Outside, Tasha was waiting patiently.

The last thing she wanted to do was rush in and make him feel uncomfortable. But after her third attempt with no answer, Tasha decided to risk it.

As soon as she stepped inside, Data stopped.

"I am sorry that you were injured by my brother," Data said. "I should not have permitted my desire for a family to overshadow my responsibility to Starfleet."

In Data's mind, it was all the more reason why he couldn't be trusted with a child.

"You already have a family, Data," Tasha said desperately.

Tasha sighed and stepped over to his workstation.

"What do you think Geordi is?" Tasha asked. "Or me for that matter?"

She sat down on the surface and ran her hand back through her hair, unsure of where to start.

Data reached up and traced the bruise along her face in the spot where Lore had popped her.

"He injured you," Data said. "You were harmed because of me."

Data felt that her injuries were the direct result of his dismissal of her warnings.

Tasha caught his hand and held it against her.

"This wasn't your fault. Lore did this," Tasha assured him. "Sometimes our biological family doesn't always live up to our expectations of what we want or how we want to be loved. But that doesn't make this your fault."

"You are speaking of your sister," Data surmised.

Tasha nodded.

"She's not a good person, Data. And just as her choices don't influence who I am, Lore is not a reflection of you," Tasha explained.

As wonderful as it felt to be so close, Data was compelled to break off physical contact lest he be swayed to falter from his mission.

"I am concerned about the nature of my programming," Data shared.

He told her about his research into the Soongs and their long history of ties to eugenics, dangerous experimental research, and (in some cases) criminal behaviour.

While not all Soongs were evil, they certainly had a notorious reputation.

According to Lore, he had been given the collective memories and research of their Soong ancestors. Data had no way of knowing if he shared the same information buried somewhere inside his positronic matrix.

A part of him could feel there were memories sitting just out of reach and still waiting to be uncovered.

If those memories or programming had been what had caused Lore to betray humans, Data knew it would only be a matter of time before he likely shared those beliefs.

"How could I possibly be any different than my programming?" Data pondered aloud.

"Because you are," Tasha insisted.

She took hold of his hands and pulled them into her lap.

"You have completely different life experiences than Lore. Your time in Starfleet, your friendships, your pursuits!" Tasha went on. "Data, you and Lore are not the same person. I know you're so much more than your programming because that's who you are."

She wasn't sure what she could say to convince him of that.

"You're a gentle soul with a heart of gold-" Tasha began.

"My synthetic cardio musculature is-" Data protested.

"Shut up," Tasha said.

She was smiling but her eyes were watering, and Data was having difficulty reconciling that discrepancy.

"You are the sweetest, most empathetic man," Tasha said.

"But if was programmed by a madman," Data argued.

Tasha was furious that he could think that about himself.

"Don't," she pleaded.

Data sat back in his chair and glanced off at the viewscreen where his schematic was still displayed.

"I have learned that Soong endowed me with samples of his DNA. Presumably, for the purpose of genetic reproduction," Data informed her.

Tasha shook her head as she tried to understand what Data was getting at.

"This information certainly answers some questions about my overwhelming desire to procreate," Data shared. "However, it would seem this wish is not my own and therefore likely tied to underlying programming embedded by Doctor Soong given his own need to create a genetically superior legacy."

Data's posture stiffened.

"In any case, it will be best to eliminate such a temptation," Data remarked.

"Data, this is…this is everything you've wanted," Tasha said.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing from him. There were times when Tasha thought he wanted it even more than being human.

"If my programming-"

Tasha cupped his face and forced him to look back at her.

"Data, that's not you!" Tasha said. "You aren't your programming. You wake up every day and choose to be different than Lore. You care about other people. You care about me."

Data's throat grew tight as he listened patiently, unsure of how to respond.

"I don't buy this for a minute," Tasha asserted. "You can't tell me the hours you spend at the school- teaching art and working in the arboretum with those children is because of some programmed design."

Data did enjoy his time volunteering with the students. There was something about teaching that made him feel useful.

"You care about people Data. I know you do," Tasha wept. "You see the value and beauty in people that others don't."

Data wanted her to be right.

He wanted to believe that his mannerisms and dreams were because he wanted them.

But the rational side of his brain couldn't accept this explanation – especially when he knew there were remaining inaccessible memories.

"There will never be a way to be certain. And the risk of what could occur is too great," Data determined.

Tasha bit her lip.

She had been debating how much to tell him at this point.

After Wesley had shared his concerns about Data, Tasha had rushed to her quarters to review the logs contained on the chip. Tasha had only needed to review a few more of the logs to find the information that told her all she needed to know.

There was information Tasha had learned from the isolinear chip – information that Tasha knew proved Data and Lore were completely different.

However, she knew the logs would hurt Data. And Tasha wasn't sure he was in the right headspace to take all of that on yet.

"Data I know you aren't like that," Tasha promised.

"But you cannot know that for certain," Data contended.

"You just have to trust me," Tasha insisted as she gave his hand a squeeze.

As Data stared at the bruising on her face, he knew that this was something that was just too important to leave to chance.

"It is not that I do not trust you, Tasha," Data explained. "But as I have said, there is no guarantee. That is why it is necessary that I destroy this DNA and immediately begin research into reprogramming myself to remove any possible-"

"I can prove it," Tasha said quickly. "I can prove it to you."

A part of Data wanted to believe her.

He wanted to know that there was some way he could still share in those dreams without the fear of turning evil.

Deep down, Data knew that there was no way she had the means to prove any different.

"Lore betrayed the colony on Omicron Theta. He removed some kind of protective cloaking device and exposed it to the Entity," Tasha explained.

Data's brow furrowed.

Tasha hadn't been around when Lore had shared that information with Data. He was curious how she could have obtained such knowledge.

"When the colony was attacked you tried to save them, Data. You tried to save the colonists. You brought them to the bunker and you-" she trailed off and sniffled.

Tasha wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"You tried to save th-them and that's wh-why they…that's why they deactivated you," Tasha sobbed. "They l-l-lied to y-you. A-and left you."

Tasha wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in for a hug.

"How?" Data asked, simply.

Tasha cleared her throat and took a heavy breath.

"It w-was Soong's hidden spot. You brought them there, even though he forbid you to do it," Tasha explained. "That's why they, well, that's why they left you behind."

Data's comforting reflex was largely instinctive at this point. He could feel Tasha's body shaking as she cried against him, but Data was having a difficult time piecing it all together.

"You're not like him, Data," Tasha concluded. "You've never been like him."

Data pulled away and stared at her, perplexed.

"But how?" Data repeated. "How do you know this? I have come to suspect much of the information Lore shared may have been factually inaccurate."

Tasha reached into her boot.

She uncurled her fist to reveal an isolinear chip.

"I found this at the bunker. It's Soong's," Tasha confessed. "I wasn't sure if I should share it with you yet because I was afraid of hurting you."

Tasha felt horrible for withholding the information.

But she was equally concerned about what kind of damage it could do.

"It's not my place to make that decision for you," Tasha acknowledged. "You need to decide if you want to, well, be hurt by it or not."

Data could tell from her reaction that her fear and regret were genuine.

"There are answers here," Tasha went on. "But I don't think they're the answers you were hoping for. And I don't know if these answers are worth the pain."

Data took the chip from her hand and studied it.

"You found this on Omicron Theta?" Data asked to clarify.

Tasha nodded.

It was a strange sensation to know that there were answers to his origins literally at his fingertips – answers that didn't come attached to a dangerous android with an agenda.

But a part of Data was concerned.

The pain of betrayal from his experience with Lore left him uncertain about digging further.

Thus far, nearly all the information Data had uncovered surrounding his past had been nothing more than a path of pain.

"You found this two days ago and did not tell me before now," Data said aloud.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry," Tasha apologised.

She felt horrible.

"At what point were you planning to inform me?" Data asked.

Tasha's chest tightened as she heard disappointment in his voice.

Data had never felt more deceived. Lore had turned out to be evil. But the experience had been short-lived.

Tasha was supposed to be his partner. They had made plans together. They were committed to one another.

Just like so many of the other humans in his life, Tasha had made a decision for him without consulting him first.

It was a horrifying thought that Data couldn't shake.

"You presumed to know what was best for me," Data said in disbelief. "Are there other matters that I should be aware of where you have made such unilateral decisions on my behalf?"

"No," Tasha assured him. "Data, I was just trying to protect you."

"You were supposed to be different," Data said.

He was suddenly aware that his own temperature regulation system was in overdrive. His bioplast was warm and his processing capacity was being eaten up by his inability to settle on one feeling.

There was pressure inside his nasal cavity and a liquid substance began to prick at the corner of his eyes.

Instinctively, Data closed his eyes to try and fight the urge to cry.

Slowly, a single yellow tear escaped and ran down his cheek.

Tasha reached out and brushed it away with her thumb.

"Data?" she said hesitantly.

"I believe I would like to be alone," Data announced.

"Data," Tasha tried again. "I'm sorry."

"Please leave so that I may have time to think alone," Data requested without opening his eyes.

Even in spite of his feelings of overwhelming anger and sadness, Data was unendingly polite – a notion that made Tasha feel even worse.

"Ok," Tasha said as she got up from the desk.

She adjusted her uniform and thumbed away her own tears.

"Ok," she repeated.

She exhaled slowly and shook her hands as she tried to get her bearings.

"Data, I'll be up if you want to talk later tonight, and I can stop by with some of that tea that you like if-" Tasha offered.

"Should I wish to contact you, I am capable of doing so of my own accord," Data said in an uncharacteristically cold voice.

He felt like his very rights as a person had been swept away in the blink of an eye – and by the person that had so vehemently claimed to defend them.

To Data, it cut worse than the idea of being abandoned.

It sent a chill right through Tasha.

Worst of all, she knew that she had done this to herself.

As soon as she was gone, Data plugged in the isolinear chip and scanned through the information available.

---

29 March 2336.

Based on Doctor Clendenning's estimates, we have two – maybe three hours at best – before the Crystalline Entity reaches our bunker. Evacuations continue as planned. It seems to be distracted by feeding and has left the smaller ships alone as they flee.

It's reported sighting near Ardana thirteen days ago suggests that it is capable of travelling at warp speeds.

I have delayed our departure as we determine our course of action.

Shinebug has made clear her feelings on the matter. He did not intend to harm us. Nonetheless, his actions have led to worsening our already dire predicament.

She told him that we were uncertain how space travel would affect his system. We told him the deactivation was necessary and that when he awoke, we would all be at our new home together.

He agreed to comply. But he's a smart boy – much more perceptive than we give him credit for.

I think he knows this is goodbye.

The last thing he said before his deactivation was to thank us for his life.

Based on our understanding of the creature, it is highly likely that it will leave the boy unharmed.

Assuming the entity continues on its path through its feeding grounds, it should be around Ellora by the end of year. Shinebug feels we should leave the children here. She believes if we leave the boys here we can put the past behind us.

She wants a fresh start and she's asked me to promise that we don't construct any more children. I would do anything for that woman. Shinebug says she can't take the heartbreak of losing another one.

I hate to admit that a part of me is right there with her.

It has been said that it is not flesh and blood, but rather heart which makes us fathers and sons. If that's true, then my boys have made me a father and I fear that in losing them, I shall never know that joy again.

---

There were hundreds of logs on the chip – dating back to 2333. Data stayed up through the night to review them and learn more about himself, Lore, and the elusive Doctor Soong.

In fact, Data spent all of his off-duty time over the next three days reviewing the information and attempting to decipher who the woman known as 'Shinebug' was. Soong referenced her no less than 8,754 times in his logs. But in all of those mentions, there was never a name.

Data combed through records from Earth, the Daystrom Institute, the colony, and Klingon trade records to try and determine any kind of connection between Soong and a wife or partner.

There was nothing to be found.

It seemed that like much of Soong's life, 'Shinebug' was a mystery yet to be uncovered.

Data had no way of knowing that the only reason he even possessed this chip now was that Noonian Soong had dropped it when his 'Shinebug' had been gravely injured during the hasty evacuation.

During the three days that Data had spent working through the information, he had withdrawn from his colleagues.

Data had seen them during his shifts on the Bridge and his duties as Second Officer. But he had skipped out on their poker night, turned down Geordi's offer for a holodeck sailing programme, and had failed to show up for his typical after-shift social hour with Miles and Geordi.

Tasha had respected his request for space - although she had left a temperature-regulated thermos of tea outside his quarters along with a small pouch of bath salts and a supply of his nutrient supplements.

She wanted him to remember to take care of himself – even if it wasn't with her.

For her part, Tasha had kept to herself.

She hadn't felt much like poker or holodeck workouts either.

Their absence was starting to take a toll on their friends.

Even Captain Picard was painfully aware that there was a rift between the two though the cause of such a divide had remained unclear.

---

Data was sitting in his quarters reviewing the logs again as he attempted to decipher a clue to any of his remaining untapped memory engrams.

In a way, he surmised this was the closest he would ever get to 'childhood memories.'

From the very least, Data now had a clearer picture surrounding the reason for his deactivation.

But the files were deficient in many ways – Data still had no clear answer as to why Soong had chosen to construct him and Lore. Nor could Data find a precise date for his own construction.

---

10 May 2334

I took Shinebug dancing last night over to the club in the village. There was a small band. Henri and Estelle were there. He's still on about thoron waves. Shinebug told me it wasn't worth the argument this time.

She wore that green dress that makes her eyes sparkle.

After the band was done, we climbed up the hill near Gelitor's farm.

We stayed there for hours just watching the stars and talking about nothing and everything all at once. It's strange, but whenever I'm with her I feel at ease saying nothing – and yet, I often find myself tongue-tied in her presence.

Sometimes I don't know how I got so lucky that she'd ever take a passing glance at a dirty old man like me.

---

Data paused reading and skipped to the next log.

There were numerous such entries from Soong. Data didn't quite feel right rifling through Soong's personal logs of intimate moments with the woman that was presumably his lover.

While there was nothing explicit, Data did not wish to intrude on the privacy of others – even if they were long dead.

Suddenly, Data was struck with a disturbing thought.

Only days earlier, Data had engaged in a memory fileshare with Lore. That exchange of information had included a number of highly personal memories.

Not a number, Data. All of them. Data reminded himself.

Lore had seen every memory of Data's existence up to that moment – including every tender moment he had shared with Tasha.

Data had not disclosed this to Tasha for fear that it would hurt her.

She regarded her privacy as sacred, and Data hypothesised that the notion of such memories being exposed without Tasha's consent would serve as a stark reminder of her own past trauma.

Yet, he had judged her for doing the same.

Data realised that her motivations had not been because of a desire to decide for him, but rather merely the instinct of one person trying to protect a loved one.

And Data had no idea what to say to make it right.

Data ran his hand along the crack in his bioplast. It would be another day or two before Geordi could complete the repairs necessary.

Even such cracks could be healed as his skeletal structure remained intact.

---

Tasha towelled her hair dry and stepped in front of her mirror.

She turned her face to the side as she carefully prodded the bruise on her face.

It served as a stark reminder for the way she was feeling.

Although, if Tasha were being honest with herself, she wasn't feeling much of anything lately.

She was growing accustomed to being alone.

It wasn't a new feeling for Tasha. But it stung in a way it hadn't before.

Tasha had spent most of her life alone. She didn't get close to people. It was easier to be unattached.

For nearly a year she'd been in a relationship with Data.

Their roles and responsibilities meant that they weren't attached at the hip. But they made time for one another when they could – sharing meals, reading together, and as of late spending every night together aside from their shifts on Night Watch.

And with one stupid decision, Tasha had lost all of that.

Deanna had advised her to give Data time and space.

But it was hard to go to bed alone and know that Data was several decks above by himself and feeling glum.

Tasha threw on her dressing gown and cinched it at the waist. They were due at Starbase 74 for their computer retrofit in thirty hours and Tasha was hoping it would be a quiet trip.

She could do with an early night in.

Padding across the carpet and into the main room of her quarters, her eyes fell on her PADD.

She picked it up from the coffee table and swiped it open.

Brain Slug From Base 13 was still sitting open – bookmarked to pick up on chapter eight.

Tasha tossed the device onto the sofa.

She didn't feel like reading when it meant reading alone.

Tasha's door chimed.

Tasha straightened her dressing gown and went to open the door.

It slid open to reveal Data.

Data said nothing and pulled her into a tight embrace.

After two hours, eighteen minutes, and forty-nine seconds, Data had found no better way in which to convey his feelings.

He had eventually decided that this was a situation in which words were inadequate.

Tasha was completely caught off guard.

After a few seconds, Data felt her relax against him and return the embrace.