15. THE HYBRIDS
The situation seemed finally under control. The hybrids had been placed inside a re-created habitat, sealed by a force field, to ensure their survival. When the whole procedure was over, Beverly judged their conditions acceptable.
As soon as they were sure that all the subspace ruptures were definitely closed and there was no more danger, Governor Espinosa, Dr. Ender and Admiral Picard joined the away team inside the cave.
The Governor walked toward the force field and looked overwhelmed by the sight in front of him.
"My God" the man whispered.
"It's incredible, isn't it?" Picard commented quietly.
"More than simply incredible. I'd say horrible, Admiral" Ender remarked. "Won't you really ask us to keep those monsters with us?"
"Dr. Ender" Denise Rank replied with a reproaching tone. Then her voice softened a little bit. "They are only little terrified beings" she added. "Surely you can't blame them for what had occurred".
Picard raised his hand, silently inviting the woman to drop the argument. "Denise, please" the admiral said, with conciliatory attitude. "Dr. Ender, we sympathize with you for what has happened and I'd like to ensure everybody that Starfleet doesn't want to force you in any possible way to do something you are not ready for". Then Picard addressed Espinosa. "Governor, the Biology Department of the Daystrom Institute is available to welcome these two beings, if it is what you really want. However, I suggest you to ponder carefully the future consequences of your decisions".
"Future consequences?" the Governor asked with a puzzled expression on his face.
Picard smiled a sad smile. "Look at them" he went on. "What do you see?"
"I don't understand" Espinosa answered, his puzzlement increased.
"Right" Picard replied. "You don't understand and neither do I. For a series of circumstances, first of all the immorality of a species ready to do anything to reach its purposes, we now have these two…creatures with us. I don't even know how to call them exactly. They are here. Terrified. And they don't even know we are discussing about their future. Condemned to live isolated for the rest of their lives".
The Governor diverted his gaze from the hybrids inside the force field and turned to Kristina Ender. In her eyes he found the same confusion and uncertainty he was feeling.
"It's not a position in which I would like to be" Picard added a few moments later.
"It's very sad, Admiral" Kristina said. "But it's not our fault".
"Oh, no. You've been the victims of this machination. But they're victims too" Picard underlined, pointing at the shimmering force field in front of him. "And the only link they have with this universe are you" he concluded. "I sincerely hope you'll consider it when you take the final decision".
"Captain's log, Stardate 52271.6. Our final report has just been sent to Starfleet Command. With great relief I heard the news that the hybrids will remain on Cirri and are going to be transferred to the Research Center. It is Dr. Crusher's opinion that, with a series of specific treatments and a period of progressive adaptation, the two of them could be able to leave the habitat inside the force field for brief periods of time. It's not much but at least a hope for the future.
Commander La Forge has brought the Nimitz engines back on line, but due to the great amount of energy we lost to seal the spatial ruptures, we'll be unable to depart for at least three days. I ordered the crew to consider themselves on leave until that time and to exploit the beauty and hospitality of this planet. I intend to do the same".
It was late afternoon of a beautiful spring day. The air was warmed up by a tepid sun, almost at sunset. Very soon it would have been replaced by the two moons of Cirri Nine.
On the large green meadow near the lake, a gazebo had been put in place and the musicians were according their instruments for the imminent concert. A goodbye gift from the colonists to the crew of the USS Nimitz.
The Starfleet officers were all in attendance, happy for the opportunity to spend some time in direct contact with nature. Together with the colonists, the officers were chatting amusingly to one another or simply admiring the amazing rose bed, under the guidance of its proud creators.
After looking for him everywhere, Denise Rank finally found Geordi La Forge under the shadow of a big oak. The engineer looked melancholy and the woman could easily guess the reason.
"Geordi, there you are!" Denise exclaimed. When the man did not replay, she sat next to him. "I've come to say I'm sorry for the terrible things I told you back then" Denise went on. She removed a lock of brown hair from her eyes and stared at Geordi, waiting for his reaction.
"No need for it" he replied. But there was still a bit of resentment in his voice.
"On the contrary, there's much need for it" Denise insisted. "Geordi, you've been the first friend I had when entered the Academy. And you've always supported me. Probably, I wouldn't wear the Starfleet uniform if it weren't for you. And I didn't forget it. My friendship with you is too important to me to risk it for a stupid misunderstanding".
Geordi's face relaxed. "What makes you think it's not me the one supposed to apologize?" he asked. "I shouldn't have interfered with your private life".
But Denise shook her head decidedly. "No, Geordi, your interference has been important. You made me understand that I was completely concerned on myself and didn't consider I was hurting someone else with my behavior. Someone I really care for". Denise's smile widened. "I sincerely regret my words, but very often the truth is not easy to hear. And furthermore I'm very bad tampered, as you perfectly know".
The man's laughter marked the end of their argument. Denise rose up inviting Geordi to do the same and together they headed to the gazebo, where everybody was waiting for the concert.
"By the way" Geordi went on "which is now exactly the situation between you and Data?"
Denise shook her head, thinking that her friend was absolutely incorrigible. "Well, upon many discussions and a serious reflection, Data and I have decided to explore our feelings without being conditioned by our diversity and, above all, by other people's prejudice. We'll make one step at a time and see where it leads us. I know it may sound crazy".
"Not to me. I find it wonderful" Geordi exclaimed. "But what's it supposed to mean exactly?"
"Actually, we don't exactly know it ourselves" Denise answered. "But we do intend to discover it".
"I don't know how to thank you" Kristina Ender said with an open smile. The woman's face was absolutely more relaxed than a few days before.
"I didn't do anything special" B'rent replied with his usual friendly attitude.
"On the contrary, I think you did it" Dr. Ender insisted. "I can't explain how, but since the moment I met you many of my problems have simply disappeared. I sincerely hope things will remain this way even after your departure".
The Salusian smiled. Truthfully he was unsure about the duration of his intervention. One of his kind would have retained the benefits for many months, but there was no way to predict how a human being would have reacted. "I hope so" he simply said.
In that moment, Admiral Picard and Governor Espinosa joined them.
"You created a real heaven on this planet" Picard said, sincerely admiring the luxuriance and beauty of that place. "And you've been very kind to organize all this. My crew and I really appreciate it".
"Don't even mention it, Admiral" Espinosa replied, putting a friendly hand on his shoulder.
"This is the least we could do to thank you" Kristina concluded.
When the two colonists left, Picard felt glad to share some moments alone with the Salusian Ambassador.
"So, B'rent, what do you think of your first experience at direct contact with humans?"
B'rent's expression became thoughtful. "I have to say it gave me much to think about" the young man answered. "You see, Admiral, diversity has always been feared on my planet. But through Denise I've come to understand that it's not the same for humans. You've learnt to interact with other species and created a Federation in which different people can live peacefully and work together to improve themselves and the society".
Picard nodded, feeling more than proud to be part of that way of life.
"However" B'rent went on "this experience helped me realize that, despite your undoubtedly great achievements, many humans are still scared by diversity".
Picard's pride swayed, hearing those words. "We use to consider diversity as a strong asset of our society" he underlined.
"I don't discuss your personal convictions, sir. But are you absolutely sure that anybody else agrees with you?" Picard did not answer.
"I've come to believe that many among you still feel uncomfortable to interact with anything strongly different from themselves. And it's precisely what I've seen these days that convinced me".
"It's undeniable that some prejudices still exist" Picard had to agree.
"Commander Data told me that judging someone by his exterior appearance is the deepest – rooted human prejudice" B'rent said. "I believe he's right".
Jean – Luc Picard slowly nodded, even if reserved for himself the privilege of the last word. "I'm strongly convinced that all sentient life forms share a common sense of justice. What really matters, B'rent, is that each one can put apart his own personal prejudices to ensure that everybody is fairly treated and that justice can always prevail".
A pleasant breeze moved the tree tops and transported to the edge of the lake the music produced by the instruments being accorded for the imminent concert.
Data studied Denise's thoughtful features, while the two of them were laying on the grass. "What are you thinking about?" he asked eventually.
The woman's mind stopped sailing from one thought to another and returned to the present, on Cirri Nine. "Perhaps I should thank you" she said. "I'm feeling sensations I had never felt before. It's so strange".
Data frowned and his facial expression became puzzled. "As a human being, you should have much more experience than I have about emotions. I am the one supposed to feel…strange".
Denise smiled sympathetically. "Probably, Data, some emotions are more difficult to experience than others, even for humans" she explained. "And when we feel them they leave us disoriented. How are you feeling?"
Data pondered the question and tried to analyze correctly the sensations inside him. "It is not simple to describe what I am feeling" he finally answered. "The only thing I believe I am sure of is that I had never felt so…in peace with the universe as I am feeling now. I think that the most correct way to describe this sensation is to say that I am happy".
Denise thought that description matched perfectly her own feelings. Strange, the woman wondered. Everything seemed so difficult but at the same time so satisfying. More satisfying than anything else had happened to her before. She was feeling excited like a teenager at her first romance and was so happy for the decision to let her feelings emerge.
"Data?" Denise asked suddenly. "There's one thing I've always wished to know. What is it like to be an android?"
Data stared at her, astonished. "What do you mean?"
"I mean" she tried to explain herself better "which is the difference between you and a human being?"
"Physically?"
"No. What I'd like to know is whether you perceive things the same way we do. For example, can you feel the environment surrounding you? How do you perceive your existence?"
Data rose and sat next to Denise. "These questions remind me of some stupid tests I had to undergo before the entry exam for Starfleet Academy" he explained matter – of – factly. There was neither harsh nor enthusiasm in his tone of voice.
"I'm sorry" Denise said immediately. "I shouldn't have asked you those questions".
"No" Data replied, noticing that Denise had probably misunderstood him. "That is not a problem. You can ask me whatever you wish to know. The fact is that answering your questions would mean to make a comparison. I mean, you want to know the difference between feeling an android and feeling a human, but I have never been human, so I cannot answer your question".
"You're right, of course" the woman replied. "I didn't realize it".
"You see" Data continued "thanks to my degree in exobiology I know everything about human anatomy and functioning. But it is only theory. As a matter of fact I will never know how it is really like to be human".
"We could compare our experiences" Denise proposed. "For instance, now I'm feeling alive, part of what is happening here in this moment". While talking, she opened her arms as to ideally contain all her surroundings.
"I am feeling alive as well" Data replied, imitating the woman's gesture. "In the same way you mean, I presume".
"I can feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, the birds' singing, the wind" Denise went on.
"I can feel the same as you" the android confirmed. "Naturally, plus a hundred different sensorial information, like the wind speed, the outer temperature…"
Denise stopped him before he could go on for another half an hour. "You have all those data available at once?" She looked startled.
"They are not immediately brought to my attention. Most of the information is collected in specific data banks I can access if I need it".
"This is one thing in which we are different. I have a more limited possibility to select the information at my disposal" Denise explained. "Sometimes I can't help myself but keep thinking about something. Others there's no way I can remember a piece of information I absolutely need".
"Those problems are totally unknown to me. I can think simultaneously about thousands of things. But I try to avoid doing so when I am with someone I am fond of. I noticed that humans, not fully understanding my capabilities, tend to take offence if I do not pay them full attention".
Denise found that very kind of Data. "Are you telling me you're not thinking about anything else, right now? Neither about the wind speed?" she joked.
"I ensure you that you are the only thing on my mind, right now" Data answered.
Denise shook her head happily. "You know, Data. I believe we've been splitting hairs here. I mean, if we are so similar under many different prospective, why should we bother to underline our differences?"
Satisfied, Denise relaxed completely, letting herself being carried away by the sound of the rippled water. Suddenly and unexpectedly Data put a hand behind her nape to get her face closer to his and kissed her lips, gently and tenderly. The woman closed her eyes trying to impress on her mind every detail of that enchanted moment. There would not have been another similar occasion for a very long time.
When the kiss was over, Denise felt very sad. Data stared at her, preoccupied.
"Have I done something wrong?" he asked, with disarming innocence.
Denise offered him a reassuring smile. "No, Data. Absolutely nothing wrong".
Deanna Troi was leaned against a tree, observing Denise and Data from a distance. When she saw Admiral Picard approaching, she felt obliged to explain herself.
"It wasn't my intention to spy" she said. "It's only that I'm feeling curious about them. I would have never imagined it to be possible. Never hoped for it, to tell the truth".
Picard turned to the Betazoid with a quizzical expression.
"The feelings they have for each other are very strong" Troi explained, answering the implicit question of her superior and friend. "But maybe this won't be sufficient. It's not only about the two of them. They are supposed to live in a society in which many people won't understand. They we'll be judged and maybe also disapproved. As a matter of fact, sir, they are so different".
Picard smiled the typical grin of someone who believes to know something that others do not. "Are you really sure of it, Deanna?"
Troi did not immediately understand what Picard was referring to. "Sir?"
"Their differences are merely exterior" the man clarified. "It's so evident that I find it strange that you didn't notice it".
"I don't know Captain Rank well enough" Deanna said. "It is possible that I slipped a consistent aspect if her personality".
"Of course" Picard agreed. "On the contrary, I had the opportunity to get to know that girl pretty well and I assure you, Deanna, that rarely I met other officers more motivated and disciplined than Denise, in my career".
Troi waited patiently for Picard to get to the point.
"However" the admiral went on "there's another aspect of her, the woman beneath the uniform. And believe me, Denise had sacrificed much of her private life to arrive where she's now".
"I know the sacrifices you have to make for the career" Deanna underlined. That was an experience she had lived first hand.
"About our Data" Picard concluded "you know better than me that he has so much yet to learn and experience about emotions that he's very much like a child. So, as you can see, they are more similar than you can imagine. Maybe, this will be the perfect occasion of growth for both of them".
"Admiral" Troi said with a particular grin that only old friends can share "I didn't know you were an expert of love affairs. I must say you have an interesting way to look at things".
Picard took Deanna's arm and guided her toward the gazebo, where the concert was about to begin. "Let's go, Counselor. Or they'll occupy our front raw seats".