The Hour of The Wolf
Chapter Fifteen

Authors note:-

A few people have been asking about Cain. Just a reminder, yes he is back. Both the Pegasus and the Galactica are with the fleet now. I haven't been able to touch on him until because there is just so much going on, but I haven't forgotten. Everything is going as planned... mostly!

Data reactivated with a start. It was not an experience he had encountered before, nor one he wanted to again. 'There we are.' A strange, yet familiar, voice announced putting a small probe into his pocket. 'Take your time. You are undamaged.' The strange man told him as he hobbled over to a bench. He was of advanced age and appeared somewhat fragile. Despite this assurance Data ran a standard diagnostic. There appeared to be no damage, yet a significant section of his memory was missing.

'I was on my way to the bridge, to begin my duty shift, when I reactivated here.' Data reasoned. His logic programming recognising a large error in that process. 'What has transpired? Who are you?' he asked.

The old man smirked as he lowered himself carefully onto a set of steps. 'You can answer that. Look around Data, what do you see?'

Standing up Data analysed the room he was in. It was large, but cluttered. It appeared to be a cybernetics lab that was also well lived in. Ancient paper bound books lined shelves around the room. Sensors, analysers and what appeared to be heavily modified obsolete computers were scattered over tables haphazardly. Turning his attention back to his captor Data ran these observations through his processor. Then allowing for age and probable illness he came to a conclusion. 'You resemble Dr Noonian Soong. My creator. However this is impossible, Dr Soong died on Omicron Theta. Thirty-one years ago.'

The old man chuckled. 'No Data, I'm not dead. You see I never felt comfortable living anywhere without an escape route. Admittedly I never imagined running from a giant snowflake, but there we are.'

'This is impossible.' Data asserted. 'How is it that I am here?'

The man claiming to be his creator shook his head. 'I activated a homing protocol to bring you here son. A program I built into you and only I knew even existed. Access your secondary processing bank and run system Gamma, Sigma, Five, Five. Blank.'

Seeing no danger he did so. The system in question identified a subspace frequency that an independent receiver, housed inside his tooth, had been built to receive. While it was not beyond the possibility that someone had installed the device recently this person would require advance knowledge of his design. Knowledge even Data did not possess. Calculating the possibility at nearly eighty percent that the man in front of him was indeed his creator.

However, without further confirmation he was not willing to accept that. It was possible his systems had been reprogrammed without his consent. tapping his comm badge he tried to contact the Enterprise, but it had been deactivated. 'I'm sorry son. Your friends are fine, I just wanted some time alone with you. There is so much I need to tell you, so much you have to know and just a little time left.' He stood up. 'Come Data. Let me show you something…'

Before he moved two steps the door off to one side opened up. At first Data expected it to be Captain Riker and a rescue team. Instead it was one person. 'Lore.'

'Well it looks like we have something of a family reunion.' Dr Soong sighed.

Sheba cradled her baby girl. She was looking around the old Battlestar with huge clear eyes that seemed too large for her head. 'Come on.' she smiled, getting her childs ever wandering attention before opening the door. 'Hello Father.'

'Sheba!' he beamed, coming up from his desk. 'What are you doing here?'

'We missed you Father.' she told him honestly. 'You've been locked up in here for centars. No one's seen you since Admiral Hanson brought over a stack of reports and gave them to Tolan. So I thought you'd like a visit from your grand-daughter.' She smiled.

'Of course I would.' His smile was even bigger. 'Hello you.' The baby giggled as he smoothed the tiny patch of pitch black hair. 'She's beautiful Sheba. Have you found a name yet?'

'We couldn't decide, then when Adama gave his speech… We agreed on Hope.'

'Hope?' He laughed and the little girl gave him a serious look. As if daring him to make fun of the name 'Alright then Hope it is. She's going to be terror when she grows up.'

'She already is.' Sheba told him. 'She drinks like you and I can't put her down for more than a micron before she crawls away. Exploring like her father.'

'I remember you getting lost like that yourself. One time your mother nearly had this whole Battlestar dismantled trying to find you.'

It was rare for Father, the Great Cain, to talk of her mother. He usually found it too painful. 'Where was I?' she asked.

'Where else. You were in the Viper bay trying to crawl into a cockpit! One of the deck hands caught you before you took off across the hanger!'

'Well we'll just have to extra careful with you won't we?' Sheba told Hope as she cooed at the idea. 'Good thing there won't be many Vipers on New Kolbol.'

'New Kolbol?'

'That's what we're calling it. The planet.' She told him, surprised he hadn't heard. 'What have you been doing in here?'

Father sighed. 'Research, Sheba. Research. You know this galaxy is a bigger than our old one. There's also a lot more people in it. Hades, the Federation alone has more than a hundred different member worlds and is made up of scores of different races of all shapes and sizes.'

'And they all came together. They believe in peace, science and freedom.' she told him.

He shook his head. 'They have, but not everyone has joined the Federation. There's still pirates, smugglers, thieves and gangsters out there looking to make a quick cubit, or a quick kill. They're not the problem. No, the problem is not everyone agrees with the way our brothers and their allies do things. Most just want to be left alone and that's fine, but there are others.'

Sheba knew what he was saying. 'The Borg?'

'For one. But they're all the way on the other side of the Galaxy. They only sent one ship and we gave them a bloody nose for their arrogance. They might be back, but they haven't come yet. I'll bet a Yahren's pay it's going to take a while before they try again. We're either too far away, too much trouble, or both right now.'

Sheba sat down on one of the chairs and rested Hope on her knees. 'So, you think the Cylons?'

'They lost your trail long ago. No, there's more local problems. That's what I've been doing these last few centars. Learning everything I can, because if I'm right all hades is going to break lose. And soon.'

'I implore you, do not reactivate Lore.' Data told the man who appeared to be his creator. 'He was responsible for the destruction of the Omicron Theta colony. Upon rebuilding him he attempted to do the same to the Enterprise.'

'He's your brother Data.' Dr Soong told him as he proceeded to manipulate a series of microswitches located on Lore's jaw. The existence of which Data was not previously aware of.

That Lore's arrival appeared to be a surprise to the old man and the same homing system was in both of them lent credence to his claims. However Data was now more concerned about his brother. 'He may attempt to attack us. It might be advisable to restrain him.'

Dr Soong shook his head with what Data would have to categorise as irritation. 'Lore has never hurt me Data. Have a little faith in him. And if not him me.'

Lore jerked active. He looked around before stopping on Dr Soong's face. 'You… You're alive?' While Data did not have emotions he had a very long time ago designed and programmed himself to recognise them in others. Despite this he had never recorded this level of shock and surprise.

'Yes I'm alive and so are you.'

Lore looked around again. 'So what is this? You two team up to trap me? I assume there's a recall device you didn't tell me about.' Data's brother smirked. 'Well played. What now? Take me apart, leave me to rot on a shelf for another thirty years? Or beam me into space again See how long it takes for the cold and radiation to decimate my brain?'

Dr Soong turned. 'Data?'

'Lore was attempting to destroy the Enterprise, he had previously deactivated me and was attempting to lower the ships shields. It was the only option available to save lives.' Data reported.

Lore jumped to his feet. 'You could have came back for me, either of you! Instead you just flew on. Leaving me for two years in deep space, to be picked up by a passing Pakled trader for scrap.'

'We assumed the Crystalline Lifeform had destroyed you. The Entities presence disrupted our short range scans of the area.' Data informed him.

Lore scowled at him. 'An answer for everything haven't you Data?'

'Yes.'

Lore made a grand gesture, waving his hands in the air, before turning on their creator. 'All this time, you've been alive? Why didn't you come back for me?'

Dr Soong quickly looked tired, drained. 'I couldn't. When I first activated you, you were perfect. You were a masterpiece, but something went wrong. I spent days pouring over your schematics. While I did you became more and more out of control. The only logical option was to build Data. Come back to you when I had identified the problem. Could fix it then.'

'I didn't need fixing, not really. It was them, they were afraid of me. I just needed time. Time. You could have made them understand. Instead you switched me off and built your precious Data.'

'Lore informed me that my creation was demanded by the Colonists. He said that they asked you to build a less perfect android. One they were not intimated by.' Data supplied.

Dr Soong shook his head. 'No, no. The last thing you should do is think of yourself as less perfect. Aside for a few minor differences in programming and a few tiny differences in your neural nets you are the same.'

'Another lie?' Data asked, looking for conformation.

'I tried to make Lore as human as I could.' Dr Soong sighed. 'Lore; I gave you taste, preferences, all those little things that make a man a man. I tried to build you so you could look beyond your programming and grow like anyone else, but something went wrong. The programming misaligned. The emotions I gave you twisted, turned. They got entangled with ambition and greed. The darker side of humanity. It was my mistake.'

Data calculated the situation and decided it was right to ask a question. 'Dr Soong I must know; did you receive any help with our creation?'

'What are you talking about Father?' Sheba asked.

Cain went back to his desk and leaned on it. 'As peaceful as the Federation is they've had their fair share of wars and conflicts. Most have been left in history books, but a few are still important. Two species in particular, both of them a problem. If not now, then soon.'

'That's what you've been doing? Reading about hundred yarhen old battles and ancient disagreements?' Sheba shook her head.

'Not all disagreements are ancient. Take the Romulans, they'd love to strike just when our guard is down.'

'The Who?'

Father pressed a button on his desk and his old HoloLamp lit up. It showed an image of what looked like a Vulcan in a grey and green uniform that had oversized angular shoulders. 'They're an offshoot of the Vulcans. Banished from their homeworld after losing a Civil War millennia ago.'

'Now I remember, Ambassador Spock said something about that. Said it meant there was more in common between Vulcans and Humans than we knew.'

'Well these galmonging daggets are nothing like their brothers. Sneaky, sly and underhanded. They think everyone in the universe is out to get them, so naturally they're going to get us first.'

'Paranoid?'

'And then some, but they won't attack until they're sure they've got a clear advantage. Either through technology or information. Without it they're hopelessly out numbered and won't risk it.'

'So what is the problem?' From the sound of things Father didn't think very much about them.

'They're afraid. If their fear outweighs their caution they might try something foolish. They did before.' He picked up a Federation padd and gave it to her.

'Khitomer?' She asked seeing it was a file on a planet as Hope tried to wiggle around to read it too.

'A Federation Klingon colony. Established where the first real treaty between them took place. The Romulans attacked the Klingons there, trying to make it look like the Federation were behind it, but they fracked up. Our brothers responded too quickly and Klingon survivors were able to report what really happened. It was stupid, any half wit would see it couldn't work, but they were desperate. The idea of the Federation and Klingons working together scared them. Two battlestars appearing without warning might do the same.'

'What can we do?'

'Keep our heads down. So far they don't know about us and Starfleet want's to keep it that way. I'm far more worried by the Cardassians.'

Dr Soong took a moment to answer. 'Why do you ask?'

'The Enterprise recently encountered a refugee fleet. They were fleeing from a race of machines that had destroyed their homeworlds. Killing billions in the process.'

'A race of androids?' Lore asked.

'Indeed.'

'No, nothing like that.' Dr Soong shook his head. 'Oh I had colleagues, contemporaries. Very few peers, but no. There was only me and Julianna.'

Data had compiled a database of scientists that were working on developing cybernetic brains. It was a small, but highly competitive filed of study that Dr Soong was the leader in. He had never heard of a Julianna.

Before he could question that Lore spoke. 'Mother? Is she, did…'

'No. She was… hurt during the escape. She did not survive the trip.'

'Mother?'

'Dr Julianna O'Donnell, she was beautiful. She understood better than anyone else. Saw things even I missed. Music, art, poetry. She gave you your imagination, your inspiration.' Dr Soong stood up and almost pulled himself to a micro-programmer. 'It was her research, her insight that showed me how. How to finish this.' From inside the device he pulled a small data module.

'What is it?'

'I've imagined how hard it must have been for you Data. Living amongst humans, klingons, bolians! Watching them ruled by their emotions, being so close to something, but unable to share with something so fundamental to their lives. It's an emotion chip Data.'

'You did it, he can feel everything I do?' Lore asked in awe. Dr Soong nodded. 'Then, then you can do it! You can fix me!'

'No. I'm sorry Lore I can't. It's too late.'

'What do you mean sir?' Data asked, unsure what he meant by that.

'It's too late because I'm dying.'

'The Cardassians are a race of bullies and thugs.' Father explained, his HoloLamp changing to show another race. These people had monochrome skin with black hair. There were bone ridges around their eyes and running from their shoulders to just under their jawline. 'They conquer systems instead of trade with them. Arresting the population when they rebel and forcing them to strip mine their own worlds.' He pulled out another padd. Take the Bajorans. For nearly fifty yarhens their planet as been a protectorate.' He almost spat the word throwing the padd back down

Hope squirmed a little but Sheba held her a little tighter so she didn't fall. 'Father.' she warned him.

He looked up before shaking his head. 'I've read the reports. The things they've done, it's like the Colonies all over again. A lot of Bajorans have fled, scattered across the quadrant. Treated like beggars, their culture all but lost. Many fought back, still running a guerrilla war against their oppressors today. The rest, the rest are dying in what they call concentration camps. The closest thing to a literal hades I've ever heard of. Worked to death in nightmare like conditions, little food, no rest. They're breading grounds for plagues. It's just an elaborate way to execute countless people.'

'Why hasn't the Federation stopped them?'

'They won't do anything. They've condemned the Cardassians, wagged their fingers and made great speeches but the Federation have a law. Their highest. They have sworn not to interfere in the actions of others.'

'Still…'

'They won't break it even to save lives. They call it the non-interference directive, they are afraid of the damage done to other cultures. Sometimes that could be the right thing. Others I'm not so sure.'

'Haven't they done anything?' she asked, only half wanting the answer.

Father smirked. 'A series of boarder wars is about all. Cardassians attack a system on the boarder with the Federation. After a few vicious battles they fell back. Only to attack another system a couple of centars later. One of the worse is known as the Setlik Three massacre. The idiots say they thought a civilian colony was a military outpost. Why anyone would put an military base there, when the Federation don't even have a standing military, is beyond me. They slaughtered more than an hundred settlers just in case.'

Hope wiggled again. She was either bored, or didn't like what Father was saying. 'Father.'

'There's a treaty now, Federation loves treaties. Only I don't trust bullies. Cardassians gave up too much, too easily by my reckoning. Even agreed to leave Bajor in the next three yarhens.'

'That's good isn't it?'

'Federation gave up a lot too, nearly a whole sector of inhabited planets. I think the Cardassians got what they wanted and are going to take back the rest when they're ready.'

'You haven't any proof' She tried to tell him.

'No more than that the galaxy turns.' He snarked back.

Sheba shook her head and stood up. 'So you've been locked in here, obsessing about possible wars, treaties and star charts for all this time? Come on, I've got a shuttle back to the Galactica. You're coming with us.'

'I've not finished here.' Father told her.

'Yes you are.' she insisted. 'There's a Federation food replicator on the Galactica, Apollo and I have pooled our rations for a proper meal and you're eating with us.' That was why she'd tracked him down in the first place and nothing she'd heard had changed her mind. 'Leave the padds and the treaties here.'

Father looked at her, about ready to argue, when Hope gurgled. His cold stare cracked and he laughed. 'I think I just lost a fight.'

'No Father, you just didn't win.' With that the three of them left for the shuttle.

'Dying? What do you mean dying? You look fine.' Lore said, taking a few steps to their creator. 'Data, tell him.'

'You do appear healthy for your age Dr Soong.' Data acknowledged. 'However without a tricorder I am unable to present an informed opinion. If the Enterprise is in orbit Dr Crusher could be of help '

'I don't need a tricorder, or doctors. What's killing me is terminal and there is no cure. I'm old.' Dr Soong slumped into a near chair. 'I'm sorry Lore, if I had known. If there was only time, but this emotion chip took too long. The problem too complex.'

'You're saying there's nothing even you can do?' Lore implored.

'I am sorry son.' Dr Soong was interrupted when once again the door opened. In rushed Commander Shelby, Geordi and Worf. Phasers drawn they scanned the room professionally.

Unfortunately both Lore and Data were designed with the ability to react quicker to unexpected situations than humans. At full speed Lore, who was both closer and had no obstacles between himself and Dr Soong, moved. Easily crossing the distance Lore ripped the emotion chip from their creators grasp and, with one hand, threw Dr Soong across the room at Data.

Catching his creator Data was forced to fall backward to prevent further injury. He had already broken several items of equipment and furniture while flying through the air. Worf opened fire with his phaser on Lore.

Unfortunately Data's brother was moving fast and making use of the available cover. 'No! Lore! The circuits, the chip! It's not designed for you.' Dr Soong insisted. He was breathless with pain. Without a tricorder Data resorted to taking his pulse. It was uneven and weak.

Worf continued to fire ineffectually. For a brief moment Data got a clear look at his brother. Lore peeled back his thumbnail to reveal a transceiver switch. It appeared to be connected to a teleporter as he dematerialised.

'Data!'

'Geordi. Over here!' he called back. Worf leapt down the steps, checking for any surprise attacks while the chief engineer ran to his side.

'Data, are you alright?'

'Yes Geordi. I believe this is Doctor Noonian Soong. He is injured. We have to get him to the Enterprise.'

'Who?' Commander Shelby asked looking around.

'My creator.'

'Data.' Dr Soong said weakly. 'Don't worry, there's nothing you can do. I waited too long, because I wanted to be sure. It's not his fault, he's malfunctioning. I should have known better when I first built him. Waited then.'

'What happened here Mr Data?' Commander Shelby asked.

Data took a moment to summarise what he was aware of. 'Dr Soong activated a previously unknown homing device to bring me here. He had finished work on a upgrade to my systems and wished to install it, however Lore was inadvertently summoned as well.'

'Now Lore has the chip.' Dr Soong sighed. 'There's not enough time to make another.'

'We can get you to the Enterprise.' Geordi offered. 'Dr Crusher could think of something.'

'To all things there is a season, mine has ended and I have no intention of dying anywhere else. Good bye son, think of your old man on occasion.

'I will. Father.'

With that Dr Soong died.

Lore sat in the tiny cockpit of the Pakled trade ship he'd acquired. since taking over the ship he'd been flying aimlessly. No goals, no aims. The boredom just as complete here as it was out there.

Not now. Now he knew there was a home out there. Somewhere that would accept him. He just had to find it.

End Chapter Fifteen