Lieutenant Commander Data's Log 8429
After twenty-one days in orbit, four out of seven high-warp probes we had sent out to V4641 SGR have returned with valuable data from the event horizon. Because the gathered information will be highly valuable to various allies and enemies of the federation, Captain Picard has warned all of us to note any suspicious activity that may be a result of spies seeking such information.
The current nature of this mission still has allowed for a generous portion of free time for everyone on board. In this time, I have created 43 post-modernist painting, composed 6 classical numbers using violin, and tried 5 new diet plans to aid Spot's sporadic weight gain. Despite all of the current activity, I feel as though I am not doing enough profound activity to occupy my time to its greatest potential. This idea was perplexing to me, because as an artificial life form with an unusually extended predicted and nearly indefinite lifespan, I have, theoretically, an infinite wealth of time to experience my "life" to its fullest.
It is for this reason I went to the holodeck today. I requested simulation 7492GK, because I overheard several officers saying it is where they go to "unwind".
As I entered into the simulation, unknowing of what scenery it may generate, I watched the standard grid dissipate into an atmospheric gradient. I sank into the floor as it transformed into a light, warm sand, and the hum of the engine amalgamated into the crashing of nearby ocean waves. It was a beach, calm and empty, resembling one of the many on Earth.
Walking closer to the shore and looking out to the sea, I tried to imagine the feeling of witnessing it's full stretch to the horizon. I sat down in the sand. I breathed in the synthetically salty air. I believe many people, if they were there, would have described it as beautiful, but in that moment I felt nothing.
"Computer, adjust the sky gradient to da4453 against 89216b, reduce lunar activity by 34%, and increase wind flow by 7%," I requested.
The sky darkened, the horizon emitting an orange magenta that dissolved into the purplish black of the sky. The waves calmed and rested into a soft flow along the shoreline. The breeze raged the palm trees into a gentle choral finish. Still, I felt nothing. The location must have been missing something.
"Computer," I continued, "Is there any way you can improve this setting?"
"Your specifications are required," She responded.
"Yes, however is there any way you can incorporate factors from past simulations performed by the crew that have been positively received?"
Nearly before I could finish, I sensed I was no longer alone. At an absurdly close proximity, a woman sat next to me. She appeared young and symmetrically sufficient, but was wearing barely more than a swimsuit. Before I could question or protest, she leaned in closer, placing one hand against the sand and the other on my chest.
"This place, it's beautiful. I wouldn't want to be here with anyone else," she whispered into my ear. I turned away from her.
"Computer, pause simulation," I commanded. The waves and the trees stopped. Her lips were still barely grazing my ear, "This is not exactly what I had in mind."
"Would you like to adjust her personality or appearance settings?" the computer responded.
"No, she is quite attractive. That is not the problem," I explained.
"Does she not appear to be real enough? Sentience settings have been locked to prevent self-awareness," She said.
"No, that is not the problem either," I said, looking at the woman. In her stillness I could better see her skin, glowing with life, and her eyes, locked in lust, "I believe the problem is that she is… too real."
It was at that moment that it all fell into place. Geordi, Riker, Crusher, Picard, everyone I had become close too was important to me, but there had and will forever be a distinct divide between them and I. They are real, and I am not. That divide is what I had been feeling. I was alone.
"Computer, resume simulation. Adjust the woman to make her- more like me," I concluded. As I did the breeze returned.
The woman leaned slightly further away from me and simply gazed with blinking curiosity.
"Hello," I posed, almost questioning.
"Hello," She replied. Immediately, the recognition of her voice was overwhelming.
"Computer?" I asked, the question being implied. Rather that the holodeck console, the woman replied.
"Yes, Lieutenant Commander Data," She responded.
"I'm afraid I don't understand. Why are you now the woman on the beach?"
"As per your request, I searched the federation database and found no personality references matching your own, as it is synthetic. My own was the closest match, as I am synthetic as well," She explained. I processed this for a moment, and deemed her logic reasonable.
"Thank you," I said simply, "It is nice to not be alone."