Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. Reviews are welcome. I don't own any characters other than Fenix Flarestone. Enjoy and stay ethical y'all.
Chapter 10: I Am Not Alone
Previously…
They were able to fix the vessel. It was a decent size, it had everything they needed to leave the planet for some time. Fenix happily spoke, "I guess we'll be going on a little road trip, space pirate?" He grinned and replied, "You and I, my lovely firebird... Just you and I, we won't need anyone else, we'll sail the sea of stars." They took off and bid 'farewell' to Omicron Theta, uncertain of their destination, certain of a journey filled with excitement. Just as the pair left, U.S.S. Enterprise D was arriving at Omicron Theta.
The away-team arrived at Omicron Theta shorty after Lore and Fenix bid 'farewell' to the lonely planet. The pair planned on returning after travelling for a while. Omicron Theta had become their home and music studio. They had a dwelling they restored together, it was also the place where the two of them had met. While Lore had a previously hated the planet because it was a place where he held the most bitter memories, it also turned into a place with the best memories after meeting Fenix. For her, it was a life sentence after she was exiled, left to die. To her surprise, it turned into the most comfortable place she's ever lived in ever since Q had pushed her into the twenty-forth century. They realized it wasn't the place that made it bad or good, it was their outlook in life. Home is where the heart is, and their hearts were with each other on the planet. Meanwhile, the away-team were trespassing their home. Looking perplexed, Lieutenant Commander Data discovered a half-empty glass of silicon-based liquid. He sniffed the substance, it was the same liquid he consumes from time to time. At the other end of the counter he noticed a plate with a fork and a half-eaten strawberry shortcake that didn't look too old. Commander Riker found Polaroid pictures of a purple-eyed teenage girl with an android identical to Data. The pair in the pictures were making idiotic faces, one of them, the girl was giving the middle finger and shook his head with a chuckle. "Oh the teenaged anarchy… I remember those days." From the looks of things, they were having a lot of fun on the desolate planet, one other thing was sure, they were close friends.
"Data! Take a look at these pictures." Riker called out. Data walked over and inspected the pictures, curiously, "These pictures... he looks identical to me... this young woman with unusual coloured eyes…" His eyes flickered to the girl's hand with the middle finger, "What does this mean?" and flipped off Riker, he burst into laughter, "It means, fuck off." Data's eyebrows raised, "Why would she be doing that to the camera?" Riker chuckled, "From what I can see, she's a teenager. There's no point in trying to understand them, Data." He tilted his head, "But sir, Wesley is a teenager also. But he never shows acts of aggression as..." Riker draped an arm around Data, "Trust me, I'm sure he does. He just never does it around us because he's acting respectfully." Data nodded, not fully understanding the concept but decided there were more pressing matters at hand, "The other person in the picture… I believe he is the same Soong-type android as I am. I found the same silicon-based liquid I consume on the counter." Even without emotions he seemed as surprised as Riker was. "This place looks like they've been living here for some time. He must've helped get the facility up and running so she could live here." Commented Riker as he and Data looked around the dwelling. Data's yellow eyes caught the guitars, drums and various other musical instruments and sound mixing boards. Beside the seat of the drum set were more Polaroid pictures. They were of the purple-eyed girl candidly playing guitar, some were of the android playing the drums. Amongst the pictures one caught his eyes it was the girl and the android together in an embrace. She had her arms wrapped around the android's shoulders from behind, kissing his cheek. The android was grinning and was the one who took the picture of themselves. 'Fenix Flarestone & Lore' was written on the back of the photo. "Fenix and Lore. Her name is Fenix, and he is called Lore." stated Data and tucked the picture away in his pocket with some other pictures he found in the dwelling. He continued to look around some more, he found modified gadgets, musical instruments, a chess set, other board games, art supplies, and a notebook with scribbles that resembled a poem. Data guessed they were lyrics considering these people enjoyed music, and a scrapbook filled with realistic sketches of the same young woman with purple birds, her eyes also were coloured in purple. "Everything in here has been restored. The replicator is also working." Data noted. "Let's keep looking further." Riker directed.
In a storage area, they found remains of what looked like an aftermath of making an android. Casts, bits of metal, wiring, circuit boards and alike. Some were old and covered in dust, others were quite recent. Data curiously looked at the cast of a face and lifted it to his own, a perfect fit. He also noticed small dainty handprints scattered around the casts. There was a white board with equations, drawings and random scribbles saying 'Motley Crue – Live Wire' and LÖRNIXX. He put the two and two together, "I believe Fenix reactivated Lore. With the limited source of equipment, she would have to be very intelligent in order to do so." Data pulled out and looked at the photos he snatched earlier, the android drumming and the girl with a guitar draped across her body. Then he asked, "What does that gibberish mean?" Riker looked at the board, read the gibberish, chuckled and replied, "LÖRNIXX sounds like a name for a band, possibly… And Motely Crue…?" he smirked, "It means this 'Fenix Flarestone' is a metalhead, so is that android drummer 'Lore'. 'Computer, play 'Kickstart My Heart by Motely Crue.'" Data's eyes widened in amusement, "It is fast and aggressive. Very structured, similar to classical music. Both are intrinsically melodic as a primary focus. Metal tends to be very loud or... compressed, while classical music tends to have a higher dynamic range, but both use very complex melodies or countermelodies. I can see the appeal of playing this style of music." Riker smiled.
"Hey guys, looks like there is life on this planet after all. It's quite a way from here but there's grass and water. But there's no inhabitants out there. And what is this I'm hearing?" Reported Geordi Le Forge who came back from scouting the outside. "Classic metal, Earth 1980's. Any ways, there's a smart, pretty girl named Fenix Flarestone and an android named Lore living here... looks like they've being partying and living here for months possibly. We can assume it's just the two of them." concluded Riker. Data began, "There were no humanoid life forms detected whilst on the Enterprise though there were signs that suggest an accident, perhaps a vessel had crashed yonder." He hypothesized, "They might have been able to fix the vessel, and left just before we arrived. I have also found some drawings from the kids, previous inhabitants, I do not know how to interpret them, but I believe they feared this... crystal entity and it was dangerous." Data finished. "Okay, we have to get back to the ship. I think we got everything we need to figure out what happened to the planet and we may be able to learn more about this crystal, Lore and Fenix. 'Energize.'" ordered Riker.
Back on the ship, Data tracked down Counsellor Deanna Troi and informed her about their findings, "I was wondering if you can give me some insight to these pictures. It will help me if you can interpret their interactions." and he handed about ten or so photos to Deanna. She looked at them carefully, in all their pictures they were always at close proximity, some part of their bodies or faces were touching one and another. Deanna smiled warmly, "They're definitely having fun, that's for sure. I can tell they care deeply for each other." Her eyes looked at Lore. He definitely feels emotions… I'm not just interpreting these photos… I can practically feel them. "They're very attached to each other. Best friends, maybe more... See?" She tilted the photo towards Data as she pointed out, "The way Lore looks at her... with so much adoration... Data, I think he loves her." His eyes lit up, "He is possibly capable of love? Intriguing." Deanna noticed Data was in awe of his brother even if he didn't possess any emotions as she continued, "Fenix is still young, I don't think she's aware of how he feels about her. But from these photos, there's an undeniable attraction between them." assessed Deanna as she handed the photos back to Data. He looked down at the photos remaining silent for a moment before he spoke, "Lore is able to feel emotions therefore he is able to fall in love with Fenix. I may not be able to feel emotions, but I am hopeful that one day I would experience something similar to what they have, perhaps even marry." Deanna didn't know what to say to that, she carefully picked her words, "I think that's wonderful, Data. We don't know much about these two though, this is just what I feel, not facts, it's just a possibility." Data looked at her and stated, "I hope we meet them someday. Knowing that I am not alone made me... hopeful." Deanna smiled and reassured, "I have a feeling we will see them. We spotted a vessel about eight hours ahead of us. It could be them. We're assuming they're heading to Risa." Data's eyes lit up, "We are going to Risa." "Exactly." confirmed Deanna. Data thanked Deanna for her time and made his way back to the bridge.
"Ensign, did you find any information on this 'Fenix Flarestone'?" demanded Riker. "Yes, Starfleet records say she human and is deceased." she replied. "How long ago did she die?" Riker asked impatiently, his eyebrows knit together. "Seven months ago, sir." replied the ensign. Data slightly frowned, remembering the dates the Polaroid pictures where taken. "Commander, that cannot be correct. The last Polaroid photos were taken two days ago, sir." Riker spoke, "Something's off. Someone must've tampered with her records. But why? What else is on her file?" Data initiated looking into her files as he answered, "She was in Starfleet Academy, her scores rival my own. No one has ever come close to achieving that before. She never had the opportunity to take the examinations due to her 'untimely death', so it states." Captain Picard announced, "So, what was she doing on Omicron Theta? The records don't match what we've witnessed. When we get to Risa, I'm afraid it might not be so much a vacation after all, we might have to do an investigation." Why did Starfleet lie about her in the official records? Something doesn't seem right. "I'm sure we'll find Fenix and Lore there and maybe we'll learn more about the crystal. Commander, you have the bridge." Picard finished and left for his cabin. He didn't have a good feeling when the official records are very unlikely lies. What is Starfleet hiding? He pondered as he nursed his Earl Grey tea.
Later that night Data was on night-watch. It was very quiet as usual. He contemplated his outing to Omicron Theta with the away-team and what they found earlier today, and what Counsellor Troi had informed him about Fenix and Lore. Lore... he could be my brother. I never thought that I would find another android. If we arrived at Omicron Theta moments earlier, we might have been able to meet them before they departed. There is no point in wondering past probabilities. He then pulled out the picture he was kept looking at time and time again, the one with Fenix embracing Lore from behind kissing his cheek. Lore had a grin and Fenix looked at the camera with her amethyst eyes. Counsellor Troi said that he probably loves her. Being the only two people on the planet would acutely limit any outside interactions, they probably spent all of their time together. They could have been there together for months. His neural pathways would become eminently accustomed to her constant presence. I have never spent that much of my time with anyone for that long. If I were to spend a great deal of time with someone, would I experience something similar to love? Would my neural pathways evolve into learning to love? With his last thought, Data looked at the picture once more. With his elegant fingertips he touched Fenix's face and looked once more at Lore. He put the photo away and stared into the star scattered canvas, continuing his watch. The thought of meeting them excited him more than he ever thought possible.