Stardate 58537.0

Lore sat stationary in his rolling chair, occasionally glancing at Jenna D'Sora. "Do you have to stand all the way over there to guard me? Come over here, since I can't move." He pointed to the interface cable attached to one of the ODN ports on the right side of his head.

Jenna D'Sora pressed her lips together, "Why do you want me over there? I can see and hear you fine from here."

"Because." Lore gritted his teeth in a wide, toothy smile, "You seem to be scrutinizing me. I'm not Data, you know. I notice and can read the subtle nuances of facial expression and body language. Something about me fascinates you, but you're afraid to come closer."

"I'm not afraid." Jenna responded, "I'm just keeping my post."

"What a shame." Lore's eyes traveled up and down D'Sora's body, "I'll figure out what you want from me, eventually."

T'Mera continued to type on the console, "Lore, I'm going to program the holodeck to extrapolate into third person, since the purpose for this is informational. If you ever decide to publish an interactive holonovel of your memoirs from Omicron Theta, I can teach you how to allow for a first person experience for the viewer."

"Fine." Lore grumbled, then leaned against the chair's backrest, "Who'd bother viewing a holonovel written by an android?"

"The same ones who bothered to view a holonovel written by a sentient hologram." T'Mera replied to his question. "Even more of them, if your story has sex in it. "Photons Be Free" is fairly dry."

Lore smirked, "There's definitely some sex in the story of Omicron Theta, as well as full frontal android nudity." He focused his eyes on D'Sora, "How about that, Assistant Security Chief Blondie? Think you can handle seeing my brother in the altogether?"

Lieutenant D'Sora smiled amiably back at Lore, "I'm sure I can handle it. Don't worry about me."

Lore's smirk broadened, "As you wish, then. Often Wrong Soong gave us fully functional anatomy and made certain we were programmed for a variety of sexual activities. He really put the "sin" in "synthetic"."

Lieutenant D'Sora chuckled at the joke, "That's pretty funny."

T'Mera stopped typing, then reached over to unplug the cable from Lore's head, "All done. You can move around again."

Lore closed the panel of hair over the port, "So that's all of Omicron Theta turned into a holoprogram?"

T'Mera nodded as she tapped a few buttons, "That, and I also grabbed your time with the Pakleds, since there's considerable interest in the years that you weren't running afoul of the Federation."

Lore strolled around the detention area, "It won't have very interesting dialogue. Pakleds aren't exactly accomplished conversationalists, although they were certainly preferable to drifting alone in space." He stopped next to D'Sora, then spoke in the stilted, simplified speaking pattern of a Pakled, "Lore is smart. He makes us strong. He makes us go." After a beat, Lore snorted and reverted to his normal voice, "I still can't believe a tiny flower like you is in security."

"Starfleet security is more than just physical confrontation." Jenna placed her right hand over her holster, "If you really must know, my specialty is modifying weaponry, including photon and quantum torpedos and phasers. I can arm and disarm explosive devices, as well."

Lore leaned against one of the holographic guards, as if it were a support column, "I'm impressed, then." He tilted his head back to look at the guard's face, "You don't mind me using you, do you?"

The emotionless guard replied, "No. It's easier to watch you this way."

Lore frowned, "T'Mera, if these things have to be humorless, could you at least make them look Vulcan, instead of human?"

"I can do that." T'Mera replied, and the appearance of both guards dissolved from human to Vulcan. "They can look like anything you want, even Vermicious Knids."

Lore frowned in bewilderment and glanced to an equally puzzled D'Sora, "She's just making up words, now. I'm fairly certain I can outthink these robotic guards. After all, I'm designed to exceed human capacity, both mentally and physically."

A chuckle emitted from T'Mera as she grinned at Lore from across the room, "The human capacity for what, though?"

"I hate when you do that to me, T'Mera." Lore snorted at the holographer. "How many people are supposed to be coming to my party to watch my wonderful memories?"

"Not that many." T'Mera began to create the seating area for the audience, "Data will be here, as will Captain Picard, Counselor Veluna, Captain Louvois and I think Doctor Crusher wanted to witness, as well."

With a wince, Lore pushed himself away from the guard, "Doctor Crusher coming to see this is a surprise. Although I suppose that seeing me suffer would make someone who hates me feel better."

"She's a doctor, Lore." T'Mera shook her head, "I don't think she wants to see anyone suffer, and you're not an empath, so you can't say exactly what she feels. Try not to worry too much about what anyone is thinking about you."

Lore strolled around the semicircular table, "I hope I get to sit next to Veluna."

"I'm sure it can be arranged." T'Mera gestured with her right hand and six chairs appeared around the outer circumference of the table, equally spaced.

Lore made his way back to Lieutenant D'Sora's side, "Torpedo and weapons specialist, hmm? Tell me more about yourself."

D'Sora hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "I'm just here to guard you and not to fraternize with you, Lore."

Lore opened his mouth to reply to the Lieutenant, when the holodeck doors opened, admitting Data. "Ah, my dear brother arrives."

Data dipped his head in greeting, "Lore… Lieutenant D'Sora." He crossed the room to greet T'Mera with the customary kiss, "Doctor Chipman…" After the brief kiss concluded, he asked, "I assume the program is ready? The others are on their way here."

D'Sora dipped her head once to Data, "Commander." then smiled wistfully as Data and T'Mera shared the brief kiss.

T'Mera smiled up at Data, "Yes, Commander. The program is ready and the margin of error is two point four percent. The advantages of pulling everything directly from memory engrams."

Lore stole a glance at D'Sora's face, then gave her a tight-lipped smile, "Now I see." He lowered the volume of his voice, "Most people look away when my brother and T'Mera kiss. You keep watching them, and your facial expression changes to something more like a longing. That's what it is. You're attracted to him, but he has someone else." With a toothy grin, he continued, "Which means you find me physically attractive."

D'Sora rolled her eyes at the android next to her, "Fine. I dated him for a day or so, years ago. That's it, nothing more. What you think you see is just my being happy for him and Doctor Chipman."

"Are you certain that's what it is?" Lore smirked, then waggled his eyebrows.

"I'm positive." D'Sora replied in a hushed tone, "Is it really that important to you?"

Lore studied Jenna for a moment, then answered, "I do find it interesting. After all, he and I are identical in appearance."

"So is B-4." D'Sora countered. "He was aboard the ship a short while after Data…" she paused and bit her lip, "Well, after Data blew himself up along with the Scimitar."

"But you don't find me attractive?" Lore pressed the matter.

"Lore…" D'Sora pursed her lips, "Yes, you're very handsome, but you remind me of the time that Data tried to act like a "solicitous mate", instead of himself. What really attracted me to Data wasn't his looks, but his kindness, attentiveness and his gentle nature. I'm not sure what it is, because I know that you have emotions, but there's something that feels fake about how you act. Like you're putting on a performance, instead of being yourself."

The jovial veneer dropped from Lore's expression, "Being myself? Myself is an enraged murderer. An inconsiderate asshole. You'd rather have that?"

"If it's who you are, then yes. I'd want you to be an honest, enraged Lore than this phony, ingratiating Lore." D'Sora sighed, "But you don't have to do anything for me, one way or another. I'm just guarding you. Why don't you go over and sit at the table, since the captain will be arriving soon?"

Lore brought his right hand up to his lips, kissing the tips of his fingers and blowing the imaginary kiss to her, "As you wish, Assistant Security Chief." He meandered to T'Mera's workstation.

Data looked across the room with concern, "Lieutenant D'Sora, is my brother harassing you? I can get a replacement for you, if it is a concern."

"That won't be necessary, Commander." D'Sora smiled back at Data. "It's been… informative… meeting and getting to know Lore. He doesn't bother me. I'll remain here for the presentation, as previously discussed."

With a nod, Data turned his attention to Lore, "Please behave yourself with the security guards. This includes Lieutenant D'Sora."

"Fine. I will." Lore folded his arms across his chest, "Can you turn off your emotions, Data?"

Data replied with a brief shake of his head, "Not completely off, as I used to be able to do, but T'Mera's programming allows me to suppress my feelings in a similar manner that Vulcans use. Artificial Kolinahr, if you will. Why?"

"You might not want to watch my memories with emotions active." Lore's face turned blank and neutral, "The android that you were is quite different than the one who reassembled me in 2364. During the viewing, you might experience pain, anger, and embarrassment."

Data seemed to consider Lore's words for a moment, "Perhaps. I will begin the viewing at my standard emotional setting and adjust accordingly. I must admit it is… unsettling to have you exhibit concern for my wellbeing."

"Would you rather I didn't?" Lore spat back, then turned his back on Data.

"No, Lore." Data pressed his pale lips into a thin line. "This is a far better situation than we have been in when compared to our previous encounters. I am sorry if my words offended you. I meant them as more of a realization about myself than about your actions."

"Fine." Lore sighed and turned to face Data, "If I could shut my own emotions down for this, I would. I'm still annoyed with Often Wrong for giving us working male anatomy and programming that simulates a sex drive. What's the point? We can't reproduce that way."

T'Mera tilted her head to observe the android brothers, "Perhaps he just didn't want to the two of you to be Unix?"

Lore let out a groan, "That was both awful and obscure. You have my compliments."

"I found it amusing, t'hy'la." Data's lips moved upwards into a slight smile. The sound of the holodeck doors opening drew his attention.

Captain Picard entered the holodeck, flanked by Captain Louvois, Counselor Veluna and Doctor Crusher. "Hello, Doctor Chipman… Lore. Are the preparations finished for the viewing?"

"Everything except the popcorn, Captain." T'Mera smiled at the newcomers, "But I think, given the subject matter, everyone might rather forgo the salty snack."

Captain Louvois sat down in the central chair of the table. "That's the wisest thing, I think."

Captain Picard sat to the right of Louvois, "Agreed."

Doctor Crusher sat down to the right of Captain Picard, "We're sure these memories haven't been tampered with?"

"I'm positive, Doctor." T'Mera moved her chair to a spot close to the table, yet in arm's reach of her workstation, "I checked each timestamp. Despite the number of times Lore has been deactivated and even with the programming errors in his neural net, his memory recordings are pristine."

Counselor Veluna took the seat to the left of Captain Louvois, then gave Lore a small smile as he sat in the chair to her left. "Hello, Lore. How are you feeling, today?"

Lore rested his left elbow on the surface of the table, then grumbled, "Delighted. Nothing makes me happier than reminiscing about the colony on Omicron Theta, and knowing that it's all about to be displayed to people who are making decisions about my future and my fate."

Veluna reached out to rub Lore's shoulders briefly, "I'll be right here, next to you."

Captain Louvois settled into her seat, "I still can't believe I have to do more rulings on the Soong androids. Like I said years ago, this is all dealing with metaphysics and questions best left to saints."

T'Mera's mouth moved to make a tiny smile, "They couldn't find any saints for this. Saints don't tend to go into law."

That brought a chuckle from Louvois, "No, I don't suppose they would."

"All right." T'Mera turned to address everyone seated at the table, "It would be time-consuming to sit through two years' worth of Lore's memories, so what I've done is pinpoint some of the more pertinent passages to show. At any point in the presentation, someone can ask for the display to be paused, either for clarification or to move on to a new time period, or to call a recess for resting."

Captain Louvois gave T'Mera a nod of acknowledgement, "I would like to see some of the time around his…" She glanced at the others, "I believe it's called a formative period? The first few months after activation?"

"That is correct, Captain." Data answered.

T'Mera pulled the workstation console over to her lap, then began to type, "That can be arranged."

The light levels in the holodeck decreased until they were surrounded with full darkness. Rapid clicks and beeping could be heard as light levels rose. Books, toys and charts filled the shelves lining the walls of the laboratory. In the center of the room, a pale-skinned male figure lay recumbent in a chair, with another man hunched over him. The reclining figure's bright yellow eyes darted about the room, then settled on the man standing next to him, recording the unkempt and greying brown hair, blue eyes and the wrinkles beginning to etch into the smiling face.

The standing man lowered his left hand, nearly dropping the small tool he held. His smile widened, "Happy birthday."