Lieutenant Commander Data's Log 8428
We have been orbiting the photon sphere for 20 days now. It is general protocol when we have released this many probes, to be as thorough as possible, especially when researching new fields.
On a more personal note, ever since the occurrence at ten forward, I had been puzzled with what commander riker spoke to me about. I had never thought that I would have been able to experience any emotions in my my lifetime, however this general hypothesis was proven wrong when I was shown Lore's powerful senses. Who is to say a similar occurrence is not due for the future?
It seems, that I had let these festering thoughts interfere with my work performance in the day to come. I was carrying out my normal duties on the bridge, when I made all of two mistakes in calculation. I was soon called into Captain Picard's ready room.
"Data…" He hesitated, "Is everything alright?"
"Yes sir," I replied.
"What was that out there? If I didn't know better, I'd say you were nearly human," He let out with a dry chuckle.
"I was distracted,"
"Distracted?" He spit out, clearly surprised, "Data, In all of the years I have known you, you have never just been distracted."
"This is a true statement sir. I believe this is a new experience for me. My head was… as you would say… wandering." I explained.
He exposed a skeptical glare, and then uncomfortably looked around uncomfortably.
"Look Data, I am elated that you are discovering this new world of human behavior, but could you possibly explore a field that is less of a… a nuisance?" He let out a deep breath, "Humans have distractions all of the time, but the real talent is not letting it interfere with our work."
"I understand sir. I will not let it happen again," I said.
After an exchange of nods, I began to walk out of the room. When I had reached the door the Captain interjected,
"Data?"
"Yes sir?"
"Out of pure curiosity, what was it that had you so distracted?"
I looked at him, to the floor, and then to the ceiling. "Love," I concluded pointedly.
I walked out, leaving him sitting at the desk with a seemingly confused expression.
I then made my way to my quarters. Upon entering, I noticed that my cat, Spot, had gained approximately 2.5674528 pounds.
"Computer?" I puzzled, directly after seeing this, "State any unusual patterns in Spot's diet or movement."
"Spot has maintained an average diet and movement,"
I paused for a moment. The computer is often accurate, providing no explanation for Spot's sporadic weight gain.
"Computer," I sat down, posing spot on my lap, "Form a hypothesis to explain why Spot has gained weight."
"Spot has shown increasing weight gain over the last nineteen hours, whilst exhibiting a decreased heart rate blood pressure."
"Has Spot been socialising with the ship's other cat's?" I asked.
"Spot has been confined to these quarters for nineteen hours."
I looked at Spot and stated,
"It seems that you need a mate. We will find you a fellow cat to frolic with." I then looked down at the floor, "If only I could we could do the same for myself…"