Part IV: Offense
The fourth moment was in the Observation Lounge.
Commander William Riker leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard absently as he listened to Dr. Jalen Hendricks talk about the extinction crisis happening on Myrsilan II. The Myrsilanians, with whom first contact had been made only a few years prior, were begging the Federation for assistance in saving several rare species of animals that were declining, one of which was considered sacred in the planet's primary religion. From what Will had gathered so far from Dr. Hendricks' nasal monologue, initial studies had determined that the tidal changes responsible for endangering the indigenous wildlife was due to a slight shift in the orbit of one of Myrsilan II's moons. At this point, the Enterprise had been called in to see if they could assist in the growing crisis.
Will glanced out the Observation Lounge window where he could see the green curve of the planet, which they were currently orbiting. He could also see the hull of the USS Burnell, the science ship that had been studying Myrsilan II for the last three weeks and which was currently in synchronous orbit alongside the Enterprise. He suppressed a yawn as Dr. Hendricks droned on about the details of the habitat shifts. The man was clearly an expert, but he also seemed to overly enjoy the sound of his own voice and Will was chomping at the bit to put together an away team and do what he personally did best: take a look at the problem and find solutions with a more hands-on approach.
On the opposite side of the observation table, Data did not seem to be suffering the same boredom. The android was listening intently to Dr. Hendricks' review of the latest scans of both the planet's surface and the moon's orbit. As both the Enterprise's primary science officer and exobiology expert, Data had been assigned by Captain Picard to head the team assisting the Burnell and Dr. Hendricks.
Dr. Hendricks paused briefly, and Data took the opportunity to make an inquiry that Will could tell he'd been waiting politely for the last ten minutes to ask. "Doctor, as of yet I have not heard any mention of establishing artificial exofauna sanctuaries to sustain the endangered species while we work on possible solutions. Is this not a standard initial procedure?"
Dr. Hendricks shot Data a glance that Will would almost have called irritated. "Yes, of course my science team have begun analysis for possible sanctuaries, but I don't think that's the primary issue at the moment."
"With all due respect, I am afraid that I disagree with that assessment," Data responded, ever his calm, polite self. "If my understanding of the data already collected from the planet is correct, two species are already reaching a critical state. It does us very little good to solve the problem if the species in question have already gone extinct in the meantime." He folded his hands gingerly on the tabletop. "I would like to see the analysis for the sanctuaries that your scientists have already initialized."
"Of course," Dr. Hendricks said dismissively. He turned his gaze back to Will. "Now, as I was saying, we are already seeing significant shifts in the river habitat due to dramatic tidal pattern alterations…"
Will glanced at Data, who returned his gaze briefly, his expression almost sad. Will frowned, feeling a protective surge towards his fellow officer and friend. It had been clear when Will introduced Dr. Hendricks to Data that the human scientist had been less than pleased to find himself partnered with an android for the project, but Will had hoped that the doctor would warm up to Data when he saw Data's expertise on the subject combined with his gentle, easygoing, and knowledgeable personality. However, since the briefing had begun over an hour ago, Dr. Hendricks had barely given Data a glance, directing all his information instead towards Will, despite the fact that Data was in command here and Will was simply there as a liaison. That fact alone had been irking Will, but watching the doctor casually dismiss and demean Data was a step too far.
Will opened his mouth to interrupt Dr. Hendricks' continued droning and to put him straight about Data's role in this mission, when a slight movement of Data's head caught his eye. He looked over at Data, who met his gaze and gave him a slight repeated head shake. Will was about to argue, simmering at the thought of letting the doctor's slight go without comment, but there was a quiet confidence in Data's eyes that caught Will's attention and caused him to sit back.
"Dr. Hendricks," Data said, interrupting the doctor's monologue.
Dr. Hendricks continued to talk as if he had not heard.
"Dr. Hendricks." This time, there was a firmness to Data's voice that Will was not used to hearing from his friend. "Dr. Hendricks, I do not appreciate being ignored."
The scientist finally stopped talking and looked at Data, but there was no friendliness in his expression. "Yes?" he said curtly, as if talking to an annoying ensign rather than a superior ranking officer.
Data's expression did not change, but his unblinking stare did not hold its usual softness. "Dr. Hendricks, I commend the thorough hard work that you and the science team of the Burnell have accomplished thus far, and I will make sure to mention it in my official report to Starfleet. Nor is it my intention to commandeer your project, but rather to work alongside you and your team to find a viable solution. However, I must make it clear that my primary objective is saving the endangered species on Myrsilan II and I will do what I feel is necessary to accomplish that objective. That includes officially requesting a new science team if I feel that I am unable to accomplish my mission with your team."
Dr. Hendricks' brow creased and he squinted at Data, his face even less friendly than before. "No offense meant, Sir, but if you truly care about the species and this assignment, then I suggest you allow us to continue our work with minimal interference. I realize that Starfleet felt it was necessary to assign an official leader to the project and I am deeply grateful for the resources the Enterprise is able to provide, but I believe all of us here are aware that you are a figure head more than anything else."
One of Data's pale eyebrows rose sharply at that. "No Doctor, I do not believe we are 'all aware'. My understanding of my orders were, and still are, that I am to be an active part of all the research and project management."
Dr. Hendricks scoffed. It wasn't a word Will would have often used, but at the moment there was no other word for it. Scorn radiated off the human scientist. "I didn't think it needed to be spelled out."
Data showed no sign of backing down. "Apparently it does."
Dr. Hendricks looked at Will, clearly searching for support, but Will folded his arms, his own face stony, making it clear that the doctor wouldn't find an ally in him. Dr. Hendricks huffed and turned back to Data, his annoyance rising yet another notch. "This time could be spent analyzing our data for solutions, but since you insist. This mission is about saving life – unique, endangered life that is very important to the people we are assisting. No offense, but surely you can't fail to see the irony in Starfleet assigning this mission to the oversight of an android: a being that cannot and will not ever be able to fully understand the concept of life and its value."
There was no softness in Data's face, and Will was personally glad not to be at the receiving end of that hard, golden stare. Data was silent for a moment, then he spoke in a slow, even voice. "Twice now, Dr. Hendricks, you have claimed that you meant 'no offense" by your statements, and yet neither your tone of voice nor your words themselves would suggest that this is, in fact, true. It would seem quite clear that you do mean offense."
Data paused, glancing down momentarily in a gesture that Will recognized as self-reflection. A moment later, those golden eyes flickered back up, full of resolve. "However, ultimately your intentions do not matter. I…I am offended." He paused again, and something flashed through his eyes. "Yes, I am offended," he repeated, even more firmly than before.
Will leaned back in his chair, a slow smile growing on his face as he watched the scene unfolding before him.
Data sat up even straighter, radiating an air of authority that Will had never seen from his android friend before, and Dr. Hendricks had the good sense to look slightly uncomfortable. "You make the assertation that because I am an android that I cannot understand nor value life," Data continued. "Firstly, it seems to be your belief that only a living being can value life, which I believe in itself is incorrect, and that I cannot value life because you are under the assumption that I myself am not alive. However Doctor, I know you are aware that I am a fully sentient and alive, if admittedly artificial, being. The ship's records clearly show that you were sent my Startfleet files once I was assigned to this mission, as is standard procedure, and those files clearly state that I am both sentient and alive. The only two options to explain your continued beliefs to the contrary are that you either failed to review my files, thereby violating standard procedure, or you have chosen to disregard my legal status, which is also a violation of Starfleet policy. Either are sufficient grounds for me to report you to Starfleet and request a more suitable replacement."
At this point, Dr. Hendricks looked like he would rather be exploring a Class Y planet than sitting in this room. Will watched him squirm with satisfied amusement.
Data was not finished though. "You asserted just now that I cannot fully understand the concept of life. In this, you are correct. However, I must ask in return: do you fully understand the concept of life? Do any of the scientists working aboard the Burnell fully understand the concept of life? Does anyone in the Federation? I would hazard the guess that this particular concept is one that no one fully understands.
"However, I believe that I am in a unique position of understanding life. It is my guess that you have never had to closely examine or consider your own status as a living being or your own sentience. I however have wrestled with both these concepts in regards to myself since shortly after my creation and activation. I have never 'taken it for granted' as you might say, and questions of life, sentience, and existence have formed a statistically significant portion of my internal inquiries and personal studies. A French philosopher in the seventeenth century once posited that 'I think therefore I am.' Although I believe this to be a simplistic understanding of one's existence, if we are to humor the thought for a moment, I am quite positive that I have contemplated my existence and purpose in the universe far more than you have yours. One might say then, by Descartes' standards, that I am in a way more alive than you."
Data pursed his lips, his expression growing almost contemplative, though his gaze towards Dr. Hendricks did not soften. "Finally, you have accused me of not valuing the life of the endangered species that we are working to save, or at least not to the same extent as a human would. It is perhaps this accusation which offends me the most. My creator endowed me with an ethical program, which prioritizes the preservation of life. This alone would be enough to engender my desire to save these animals. However, my desire goes beyond the priorities imposed upon me by my programming.
"I believe I am uniquely equipped to empathize with these endangered animals. I am the only surviving Soong-type android in existence, and every moment I am aware that if unfortunate circumstances led to my destruction, my species, if you will, would be lost…extinct. I hope to one day either initiate myself, or to assist others, in propagating my species, but as of right now, I am the only representative of the most endangered race in the entire Federation. I comprehend what the universe would lose in the event of my demise, the uniqueness that would be lost. I am equally aware of the uniqueness and distinct value that every other species brings to the universe, and that it would be an equal tragedy to lose even one. I am strongly motivated to save these animals and to preserve the unique value that each one possesses."
Data sat back in his chair, his face finally softening just slightly. "Dr. Hendricks, I am willing to offer you the benefit of the doubt that you have spoken merely out of ignorance rather than malice. I am not going to report you to Starfleet. I wish to give you the chance to reform your opinions of me, and I am also aware that you are an expert who has spent weeks already researching this specific issue. I do not wish to lightly dismiss you and your knowledge from this mission. Most importantly, I do not wish to cause any delay in the mission that might jeopardize the species we are seeking to save."
His lips tightened. "However, I expect to be treated and addressed as the leader of this mission and as a Starfleet officer with more than sufficient credentials for this project. If this proves to be a difficult requirement for you and if I deem it necessary for the benefit of Myrsilan II, I will re-evaluate this decision."
He tented his fingers. "Commander Riker and I will put together an away team from the Enterprise to speak to the Myrsilanian authorities and evaluate the situation ourselves, and we will inform you when we are ready to beam down to the planet. Please send the sanctuary analyses to Science Lab Two for me to evaluate presently. You are dismissed, Doctor."
Will watched the chastened scientist scurry out of the room and did not attempt to hide his proud smile. Data looked at him and Will gave his friend a pleased nod, which Data returned demurely before rising and following Dr. Hendricks out of the room. Will nodded again to himself.
It was good to know that Data's days of allowing himself to be walked over were done.
