Chapter 2
Data was normal… The results were clear: no anomaly had altered his neural matrix. The situation seemed to be dangerous because they hadn't a complete control on Data's emotional troubles.
Cindy was called in the sickbay by the Doctor. –"The problems which disturbed him are still here, I see…"- she said. –"No, Cindy, Data is more stable than the last time, I assure to you, darling."- Beverly said patiently. –"And now? Do you intend bring him in the sickbay until the ambassador is on board?"- she asked. –"No, I intend to inform the Captain about the risks which the Ambassador could face if we don't intervene appropriately."- Beverly said. –"OK, it's right, the Ambassador could risk his life, I see…But we continue to treat him as a thing not as a real person, I think."- Cindy said. She observed her husband while he was sleeping on the bed of the sickbay. He had no expression in his face, he seemed as a dummy. She felt compassion for him. The humans feared his incredible strength and they preferred to confine him in isolation rather than to face the reality. She concluded that it was not right for him. He was an officer, he deserved more respect. The Ambassador should excuse behind the Captain, Data and her.
-"Excuse me, Captain, can I speak?"- she asked. –"Sure, Cindy. What has happened to Data?"- he answered. –"Oh, he's fine…the problem is that he is too human now…I think that the marriage had changed radically his life. Now he thinks that he should defend his honor and the integrity of his family. The Ambassador had spoken inappropriately. He should excuse, because Data is a Federation's officer."- she said. Picard thought carefully about the consequences of this action. Cindy was right, but it was the first contact with the Ilosians and perhaps they had a different point of view about the life and so on…the situation was extremely delicate indeed…
Cindy returned to her apartment without her husband. Peter and Anne ran towards her and cried: - "Hello, mummy! Where is daddy? Why is he not here?"- Cindy saw her children, smiled warmly and then kissed them. –"Oh, daddy is working now, we have an important visitor on board and he has a lot of responsibilities…"- she lied. She wasn't able to say the truth to them. They loved their daddy who was used to play with them every evening after dinner. The children seemed very disappointed, but believed to the story.