In the engineering lab the B-9 stared placidly forward.

The computer conduited a connection the B-9's head to Data's head. Geordi monitored the connection.

"At present he serves no useful function. Dr. Soong created us to become active and useful members of society. I do not believe he would have wanted the B-9 to live out his life in his present state." Data said.

"I can't believe the Captain went along with a memory download." Geordi said.

"I know." Wesley said next him.

He had decided to go see what's going on in the engineering and see if he can help Geordi with B-9.

That didn't shock anyone though.

"Captain Picard agrees that the B-9 was probably designed with the same self-actualization parameters as myself. If my memory engrams are successfully integrated into his positronic matrix, he should have all my abilities."

"He'd have all your memories too. You feel comfortable with that?" Geordi asked.

"I feel nothing, Geordi. It is my belief that with my memory engrams he will be able to function as a more complete individual."

"An individual more like you, you mean." Wesley said and snickered a little.

"Yes."

"Maybe he's not supposed to be like you. Maybe he's supposed to be just like he is." he continued while Geordi completed his work.

"Okay... we're done."

Then he removed the computer connections from between their heads.

"Do you know where you are?" Data asked B-9.

"I am in a room with lights." B-9 said and looked blankly at the console lights.

"Can you remember our father?"

"No."

Data glanced to Geordi and Wesley.

"Do you know the name of the Captain of this vessel?"

"No."

"Is that your final answer?"

"Do you know my name?" Geordi asked B-9.

"You have a soft voice."

"Data, he's assimilating a lot of programming. Remember, he's a prototype, a lot less sophisticated than you are. We just don't know if his matrix will be able to adapt. Or if he'll be able to retain anything. We should give him some time." Wesley said.

Data had been studying some circuitry in the B-9's neck.

"What purpose does this serve?"

"It seems to be a redundant memory port. Maybe it's for provisional memory storage in case his neural pathways overload?" Geordi asked examining circuitry.

"Dr. Soong must have found it unnecessary in later versions." Data said.

"It's possible the extra memory port is interfering with the engram processing. Mind if I keep him here and run some diagnostics?"

"No, I do not mind." he said then looked at the B-9 with a sort of sadness. "But I believe he will prove incapable of performing higher functions."

"Don't give up hope, Data. I know, I know, you're not capable of hope." Wesley said.

"I am not." Data said looking at B-9 then stood up.

The B-9 stood to follow.

"No, remain with Commander La Forge and Lieutenant Crusher. They are going to try to make you well."

The B-9 sat and Data left while Geordi and Wesley watched him go.

"This will be interesting. At least to me." Wesley said causing Geordi not snicker knowing he's right.

'Same old Wesley.' he thought.

"Captain's Log. Stardate 47844.9. The Enterprise has arrived at Romulus and is waiting at the designated coordinates. All our hails have gone unanswered. We've been waiting for seventeen hours." Picard said.

The crew was in the bridge tense and silent.

Worf slowly stretched his neck trying to release the tension. It cracked causing Deanna to jump a bit.

"Why don't they answer our hails?" Riker asked.

"It's an old psychological strategy, Number One. To put him in a position of dominance and make us uneasy." Picard said.

"It's working."

"Counselor?" Picard said to Deanna.

"They're out there, sir." she said.

Picard stood and walked to the viewscreen and gazed at Romulus below and the black infinity of space beyond.

They're out there, Waiting.

"Sir, I recommend we raise shields." Worf said.

"Not yet, Mister Worf."

"Captain, with all due respect to diplomatic protocols - the Federation Council's not sitting out here, we are." Riker said.

"Patience. Diplomacy is a very exacting occupation. We can wait."

"Captain..." Data started.

Scimitra decloaks directly before the Enterprise.

Shinzon's vessel combined the clean lines of the traditional Romulan Warbird with unique weaponry and styling. It's easily twice as large as the Enterprise. And it is aggressive. Awesome in its power.

On the Bridge the crew gaped at the huge ship on the view screen.

"My God..." Riker said slowly raising from his seat.

"Should I raise shields?" Worf said tense.

"No!" Picard said.

"Captain-!" Worf said.

"Tactical analysis, Mister Worf." he said firm.

Worf quickly analyzed tactical display.

"Fifty-two disruptor banks, twenty- seven photon torpedo bays, primary and secondary phased shields." he said.

"She's not out for a pleasure cruise." Riker said.

"She's a predator." Picard said grim.

"We're being hailed." Worf said.

"On screen." Picard said.

And the image on the view screen transforms to Shinzon's Viceroy.

He stands on the Scimitar's bridge. The bridge is as unique as the rest of Shinzon's ship. Instead of the usual mechanical clutter, this bridge is designed with an almost Asian simplicity. Like the rest of Reman design, it is spare and elegant.

Since the Remans are more comfortable in the darkness, most of the light comes from the three steadily pulsing warp core relays which dramatically soar up through the floor of the bridge.

The crew gazed at the bridge and the monstrous features of the viceroy.

"Enterprise. We are the Reman Warbird Scimitar." Viceroy said on the view screen.

"Praetor Shinzon, I'm pleased to -" Picard started.

"I am not Shinzon. I am his Viceroy. We are sending transport coordinates."

The transmission ended abruptly. The Scimitar reappeared on the view screen.

"Not very chatty." Riker said.

"Away team. Transporter room four." Picard said.

Picard, Riker, Deanna, Worf and Data headed toward the turbolift, energized now that the endless waiting is over.

The away team materializes in the most striking location on Shinzon's ship: a large observation lounge.

It is an empty chamber. No furniture, a simple Reman mat on the floor is the only decoration. At the very top of the room there is a large, etched glass dome.

It's very dark.

They turned when Shinzon spoke from the shadows.

"I hope you'll forgive the darkness... we're not comfortable in the light." he said.

"Praetor Shinzon?" Picard said.

Shinzon moved toward them a bit, becoming slightly more illuminated, the low light shining off his golden hair.

The crew couldn't see him clearly in the dim light but it is evident he is human. Assuming that he was Reman, they're surprised by this realization.

Shinzon just stared at Picard through the darkness for a moment.

"Captain Picard... Jean Luc Picard... I don't mean to stare, it's just- well, you can't imagine how long I've been waiting for this moment. I always imagined you taller, isn't that odd?" he said then looked at Data. "You may scan me without subterfuge, Commander Data."

Data scanned him with a tricorder.

"And you're not as we imagined you." Picard said.

"No?"

"You are human." Worf said.

"Commander Worf." he spoke in Klingon. "I greet you as a valiant warrior... and as my brother."

"I'll save my greetings for a better brother." he said in Kilngon.

Shinzon laughed maniacally.

"Why have you asked for our presence here?" Picard asked.

Shinzon didn't answer. He was staring deeply at Deanna, moaning softly.

"Praetor?"

"I've never met a human woman." he said quietly.

He slowly moved toward her, still hidden in the shadows.

"I'm only half human." she said.

"Deanna Troi of Betazed. Empathic and telepathic abilities, ship's counselor. All of this I knew... But I didn't know you were so beautiful."

"You seem very familiar with our personnel." Riker said.

Shinzon moved even closer to Deanna, not taking his eyes from her.

"I am, Commander Riker..." he said to Deanna. "... May I touch your hair?

"Praetor, we've come to Romulus on a matter we were - assured was of great importance. If you have anything to say to us as representatives of the Federation, I suggest you do so now." Picard said firmly.

Shinzon continued to stare at Deanna. It was strangely seductive. Almost disquieting in its intensity. Deanna handles it with grace, her level gaze never leaving his.

"On the world I come from there's no light. No sun. Beauty isn't important. I see now there's a world elsewhere." he said softly.

"Praetor Shinzon. We're not here to discuss your lack of a social life." Picard said.

He turned back to Picard.

"Yes, I'm sorry, Captain." Then he smiled. "There's so much we have to talk about."

"I would be interested to know what we are talking about."

"Unity, Captain! Tearing down the walls between us to recognize we are one people. Federation and Romulan. Human and Vulcan and Klingon and Reman. I'm speaking of the thing that makes us the same. We want peace."

Picard and the others were stunned.

"I want to end the centuries of mistrust. I want to be your ally, not your enemy. As a first step I propose we eliminate the Neutral Zone and begin a free and open exchange of goods and ideas." Shinzon said.

"And the Senate supports you?" Picard asked.

"I have dissolved the Senate." Shinzon said dry. "Right now, you're thinking this all sounds too good to be true?

"Yes."

"And you're wondering why the Scimitar is so well armed. Is this the ship of a peacemaker? Or a predator?" Picard was startled at Shinzon's choice of words. "... But you're also thinking the chance for peace is too promising to ignore. Above all, you're trying to decide if you can trust me."

"Yes."

"Then perhaps the time has come to add some illumination to our discussion. Computer, raise lighting four levels."

Lights shot up around the room.

For the first time the crew could see Shinzon clearly. Picard actually gasped when he saw Shinzon's face. The rest of the crew didn't understand his reaction.

"Allow me to tell you a story that I hope will clarify my position. When I was very young I was stricken with an odd disease. I developed a hyper-sensitivity to sound. The slightest whisper caused me agony..."

Picard watched him carefully. Wary and strangely intense.

"No one knew what to do. Finally I was taken to a doctor who had some experience with Terran illnesses and I was finally diagnosed with Shalaft's syndrome. Do you know of it, Captain?"

"You know I do."

The crew was dumbfounded at Picard's unusual reaction.

"Then you know it's a very rare syndrome. Genetic. All the male members of my family had it. Eventually I was treated. Now I can hear as well as you can, Captain." He stepped toward Picard who held his ground. "I can see as well as you can. I can feel everything you feel." He stops right before Picard. "In fact, I feel exactly what you feel. Don't I, Jean Luc?"

Picard stared at him with a mixture of realization and curiosity. It is as if Picard is looking into a strange, remembered mirror: Shinzon's face is nearly identical to his at that age.

"Do you trust me now?"

"We need to talk, just you and I."

"Come to dinner on Romulus tomorrow. Just the two of us. Or just the one of us."

"You know I need to verify this."

"I know."

The crew was utterly confused. Their confusion turned to outright shock when Shinzon calmly pulled out a Reman knife and cut his arm, drawing a little blood. He handed the knife to Data.

"Tomorrow then, Captain. We have so much to discuss."

Picard touched his communicator pin.

"Picard to Enterprise. Five to beam out."

They dematerialize, the shimmering glow illuminating Shinzon's features. Picard's eyes never leave Shinzon as the transporter effect ripples around him.