Chapter 6: Geordi
The sky was once again a deep orange, streaked with dark hues that foreshadowed the night to come. The figure of a man could be seen silhouetted against the sky—and behind him followed three stealthy figures. Once the world had darkened, the trio began catching up to the leader, who was still blissfully unaware of their presence.
Suddenly, a vibrant bolt of electricity struck the leader, making his smooth pale skin and thick dark hair shine with an unearthly blue light. He crumpled to the ground and lay there, completely motionless.
"Nice shot, Seth!"
"Kaav, shut up!"
They tiptoed toward their victim, smirking when they saw that his features frozen in a mild look of surprise.
"Hey, freak. You've been getting far too comfortable around here. It's time for you to understand something..." Seth knelt by the paralyzed android, and whispered into his ear.
"You don't belong here. You don't belong with real people."
Seth straightened up, and began to undo the fastenings of Data's shirt.
"This will make sure you remember your place."
"Data! Hey, Data!"
Geordi could have sworn he saw the glowing figure of the android in the crowd, but when he called out, Data dashed away.
Maybe he didn't notice me...
But he can usually spot me from a mile away!
Geordi shook his head to clear his doubts.
Whatever. I'll see him in class later; we can chat then.
He smiled. Every afternoon that week, he and Data had been studying together. Geordi enjoyed their talks more and more as he got to know the android.
People are starting to give me a hard time again, especially since I'm hanging out with him, but, honestly...it's not so annoying now.
Hours later, Geordi walked into Professor Blake's classroom. After glancing at the time and seeing that class wouldn't start for a few minutes, he made a beeline for Data.
"Hey! What's new..."
Geordi trailed off as Data slowly turned his head to face him. The android's expression was unreadable, and he seemed unwilling to meet Geordi's eyes
"Data? Are you doing ok?"
"I am functioning within normal parameters," he said quietly. He quickly glanced over his shoulder at the back of the room, where Seth, Kaav, and Hayden were laughing obnoxiously, probably at another student's expense.
Before Geordi could question Data further, the bell rang. Geordi sat down reluctantly.
I'm believing my hunch this time; something's wrong with Data.
By the time dinner had rolled around, Geordi still hadn't been able to talk to Data, and it wasn't because of a lack of effort. He had seemingly disappeared right after class. After swinging by the cafeteria for a sandwich (he didn't bother looking around for Data, as the android didn't need to eat, and usually avoided the area), Geordi decided to recheck some of their usual haunts, in case Data had wandered in after he had left.
I'll try the engineering lab first. He's usually in there doing classwork, and it'll be easy to search now since everybody's at dinner.
Indeed, the lab was empty, save for one glowing figure sitting in the corner.
Finally! Geordi sighed in relief, and walked over to the android.
"Data, are you sure you're ok, because you seem a bit..."
The android spun around, and Geordi noticed that he was shirtless. Upon seeing Geordi, he immediately dropped the roll of electrical tape he was holding and covered his chest with his arms.
"...off."
What the...
Geordi had gotten a glimpse of Data's bare torso.
"Data. What is that?"
The android's mouth tightened, as if he were forcing himself not to speak. After a pause, he simply said "It is nothing important. Just... nothing."
"You can tell me, Data. Are you ok?"
"It is not important, Geordi. I am functioning normally."
"Data!"
Geordi closed the distance between himself and Data, and looked into the other man's eyes. The android tried to back up a step, but he was already against the wall.
"I know something's wrong! Now tell me!"
"It is nothing! It does not matter!"
Geordi's voice took on a slightly frantic edge.
"Data!"
Catching the android off guard, Geordi grabbed Data's wrists, and tore his arms away from his chest.
Oh my God.
Data's pale, artificial skin had been ripped open with a blade, revealing the machinery beneath. The gouges formed five ragged, angular letters.
FREAK