Chapter 5: Data
Identify: Geordi La Forge, human male, fellow 1st year cadet, fellow engineering student. Relations: negative. Information as to Professor Blake's whereabouts is required. Gather more information. Make an inquiry.
"Excuse me, is Professor Blake in his office?"
Data watched Geordi take a deep breath before replying.
"Yeah, he's in there, but he told me to tell you: you're off the hook."
"I have not been caught on any hook. To what are you referring?"
Data saw Geordi grin at that comment. The android flinched inwardly.
"It's an expression. It means that he isn't going to punish you for anything."
Data's yellow eyes widened for a moment. Almost to himself, he muttered "intriguing."
He did not choose to mock me. He simply explained the expression.
Open file: reactions to inquires. Specifically, those not related to academy work.
65% of people expressed annoyance and/or exasperation, and 25% expressed surprise at my ignorance, and ridiculed my question.
Geordi seemed dislike me before, but he explained the phrase now with no trace of contempt.
Most intriguing.
"Anyway," Geordi continued, "he asked me to help you catch up on the lessons you missed. We could walk to the engineering lab and go over it now—that is, if you have time."
Open schedule file for today.
There are no more lessons today, nor is there any other reason to prevent me from going. However, because I have established a negative relationship with Geordi, I should avoid him. I could easily obtain the needed information independently.
Yet, Geordi's actions are not those of an individual harboring contempt toward me. He is being... kind.
Override negative relation behavior program. Incentive: stop avoiding Geordi in the hopes of establishing better relations.
Override accepted.
"I do indeed... 'have time.'"
Geordi grinned, and the two walked out of the classroom together.
It took all of eleven minutes for Geordi to teach Data three days worth of information on warp drives. It would have taken even less time, had the pair not gotten into a discussion about the proper care of the warp drive on a galaxy-class starship.
After the conversation had trailed off, Geordi just looked on as the android copied his notes from class. He swallowed once before speaking.
"Data?"
"Yes Geordi?"
Geordi looked down, failing to hold the android's gaze.
"I'm sorry. About what happened at the lake, I mean. I didn't expect you to be trapped—it didn't seem like such a stupid idea and the time—and well, I'm sorry."
"You need not apologize. There was no harm done."
"That doesn't make it okay, Data. You could have died! Whether you were hurt or not doesn't matter—the prank itself was wrong. And I'm sorry."
Judging by his statement, it seems that Geordi was concerned for my well-being. His facial expression and tone show guilt, though this is unnecessary. Perhaps I should attempt to "cheer him up." Researching methods.
Many agree that pointing out the positives of a negative situation can be helpful. Construct appropriate response based off of that information.
"Actually, the situation benefited me. I gained much valuable knowledge on the scrubbing devices used to remove algae from of the edges of reservoirs."
Geordi glanced up at Data.
"What?"
"I gained—"
"No, I heard you. How did you learn this, exactly?"
"I grabbed onto one of the scrubbers and rode it to the maintenance dock. The workers there were very understanding."
Geordi's eyebrows rose high above his VISOR as he imagined the how the "understanding" workers must have reacted. Then, without warning, he started chuckling.
I had not intended to amuse him; I was simply telling the truth. What could he find...funny about the situation? Inquire for more information.
Data opened his mouth, but immediately closed it again.
Override inquiry. Incentive: Geordi does not show guilt any longer, and based off of past experiences, inquiry as to why something is humorous may be considered "annoying." Because his guilt is unnecessary, I... prefer for Geordi to be happy.
Override accepted.
The corners of Data's mouth angled upward the slightest bit as he watched Geordi recover from his giggling fit.
"Heh. You know, Data, you're a lot different than I expected."
A pair of white eyebrows went up.
"Really?"
"Yeah." Geordi rubbed the back of his neck absentmindedly.
"From what people said about you, I expected you to be more, well, machine-like."
Data looked almost confused. Geordi immediately clarified.
"You know: cold, calculating, and kinda boring. You're not, though. I mean, you're a great guy."
Data pondered this for a moment.
"Thank you Geordi, but I do not understand why you, of all people, would expect me to be 'cold.' Like you, I merely perceive things differently."
"Like me?"
Pause explanation.
Research vocal tones. Specifically, those indicating offense.
An offended person usually speaks loudly and quickly.
Geordi is not doing this. He is speaking slowly and calmly, so I can assume he is not offended. Actually, his tone and his question indicate... curiosity.
Proceed with explanation.
"Your VISOR forces you to see past metaphorical gilding, decoration, and outer appearances on which most people focus. Instead, you see the world as it truly is. Although I do not gain the same information you do through my sense of sight, I perceive the world in the same way: as a machine."
Geordi silently looked at Data, his expression unreadable.
Did I offend him?
Based on most people's negative opinions of me, a machine imitating a human, it is safe to assume that finding similarities between a human and a computer could be offensive.
Attempt to show that I did not intend to offend him. Apologize.
Constructing appropriate statement.
"Geordi, I—"
"You're right."
Data stopped, his mouth still open slightly.
"I never thought of it that way. You know, the VISOR has always isolated me from everyone else, but...
Geordi smiled at Data.
"...well, I guess I'm not as alone as I thought."
Data closed his mouth and cocked his head to one side.
Update files.
Geordi La Forge: human male, fellow 1st year cadet, fellow engineering student.
Relations: positive.