*Trigger warnings: descriptions of abusive behavior

Omicron Theta

Stardate 13062.4

"We shouldn't be doing this." Evelynn whispered, even though she and Lore were the only ones in the communication center.

Lore stood by the console, allowing Evelynn to be seated on the lone stool in the hidden security room. "I don't recall any instructions that forbid us to be here. In fact, the only reference that Missy made was that, at one point in the past, this position was manned around the clock, and was given up due to boredom."

Evelynn glanced around at the variety of monitors, "Still, we're watching everyone without anyone knowing. Missy didn't exactly give you the code to get in here, right?"

Lore smirked, "She knows I'm an android, so if she didn't try to hide the panel code, that's the same as giving me permission."

"Consent by absence of prohibition?" Evelynn winked at Lore, then shook her head, "You've been listening to some of the scientists on the colony, I guess."

"I'm a fast learner, and I can't help listening." Lore placed his left hand on the console, then leaned forward to watch the various displays. "Their voices carry through the whole bunker. Even when they think they're whispering."

"Ohey, gossip is my naughty pleasure." Evelynn looked up at Lore's face, "What have you overheard?"

Lore smirked, "Chris Finley told Laksmi Satendra that he was planning to ruin Doctor Clendenning's next experiment, because Clendenning keeps taking credit for Finley's work and sending it to peer review like it's his own. Also, Doctor Kelly and his wife, Merrian, have been fighting. So have your mother and father."

Evelynn frowned deeply, "I know about my mother and father, thank you. You don't need to tell me gossip about my own family. Everyone else will be fine."

"Have I committed an offense?" Lore's eyebrows rose with worry. "I don't want to harm you in any way, Evelynn."

"It's all right, Lore." Evelynn reached over to pat Lore's hand. "There's no offense. We're still friends."

Lore smiled brightly, "Friends."

"Friends, always." Evelynn interlaced her fingers with Lore's, "No matter what."

Stardate: 13071.5

If Lore's amber eyes could have shot laser beams, Tom Handy would have been a pile of burnt flesh. As it was, Lore glowered with anger as he was coerced to attempt to rub his stomach in a circle with his left hand while patting himself on the head with his right hand.

Doctor Soong cackled with glee, "See there, Tom? He's doing it."

Tom Handy squinted, watching Lore perform. "Mmm. It's a start, I s'pose."

Lore scowled at the colony's leader. "Well, Mister Handy, you would know about patting one's own stomach, since yours is too large a target to miss. Have the others noticed that you've been stealing from the colony's general supplies, yet?" He turned his eyes to Doctor Soong. "Father, may I please stop? I refuse to be a spectacle for this human's amusement."

Doctor Soong blinked in surprise, "Certainly, Lore. You can stop now."

"Excellent work, Often Wrong." Handy laughed, "Leave it to you to make a disobedient android. Just what we all wanted."

"Erm, he just needs some tweaking." Doctor Soong moved closer to Lore, then reached out towards the left side of the android's neck. "He'll obey me, though."

Lore gently slapped Soong's hand away, "I refuse to be tweaked. Why don't you all go tweak yourselves?"

Handy's eyebrows lowered as he watched the interaction, "Y'know, Often Wrong, if you can't keep that thing under control, it'll have to be shut down. Bad enough that I have several parents complaining about it…"

Soong turned quickly, facing Tom Handy, and pointed with his left hand, "You know damn well that those brats threw rocks at Lore! If the kids will leave him be, he won't retaliate."

"So you say." Handy kept his distance. "But when I look at your android, I don't see a boon for mankind. I see trouble on two legs."

Soong pleaded to the man, "Nobody's given him a chance. He's been reviled since the first day he was activated. Ask Missy Bickel. She's had Lore working with her, and not a single complaint there. He's very gentle, as long as people are nice to him."

Tom Handy rubbed at his beard, "Well, it's true he's behaved himself in the communication lab, but his general demeanor scares everyone else."

"What general demeanor?" Soong demanded, looking between Lore and Handy.

The right side of Lore's mouth rose, "Your neck is so large that I'd probably need to use both hands to strangle you, Mister Handy."

Handy frowned, then pointed to Lore, "That demeanor, Soong! That's exactly what I'm talking about. Get that thing out of my sight."

Soong reached for Lore's arm, "Let's go." He pulled the android back in the direction of the bunker.

Lore let Soong pull him along, "I should be leading this colony. I'm superior to him."

Stardate: 13085.2

Lore finished speaking, then stopped recording. "Computer, attach that recording as an addendum to the daily weather reports." As the computer complied with his instruction, Lore's lips widened to a smile.

"Ohey, you look happy." Evelynn entered the communications room. "It's a nice change from your usual dour face."

"I've got something to be happy about." Lore turned to face the young woman. "I've decided on a purpose for myself. A goal. Something to aspire to."

Evelynn smiled at the android, "Oh? That's good. Sometimes it takes people years to figure out what they want to do with themselves. What did you decide on?"

Lore leaned back against the support column, "I'm going to replace Tom Handy as leader of the colony."

"What?" Evelynn's dark eyes widened, becoming even more magnified by the lenses in front of them. "How are you going to do that?"

Lore patted the console next to him, "I created an advertisement for myself which will be broadcast around the colony along with the weather reports. You and I can walk around and show the colonists that I have their best interests at heart. They will eagerly elect me to be their leader."

"Do you have their best interests at heart?" Evelynn asked hesitantly. "Why would you want to lead these people?"

Lore pushed off from the column, moving towards Evelynn, "They're disorganized. They fight amongst themselves and they waste resources. If I lead them, I can unify them and create a more efficient society. A more peaceful society. I'm superior in so many ways to humans. I can help you all overcome your limitations."

"Oh no, Lore." Evelynn placed her hands on Lore's chest. "Please tell me you didn't say that in your advertisement."

Lore frowned, "Why do you want me to tell you that?"

Evelynn shook her head, "That'll put everyone on the defensive."

"Perhaps you're not giving people enough credit." Lore brought up his right hand, gently covering Evelynn's hands. "This is a colony of scientists. Surely, they will be swayed by the logic of my argument."

"I hope you're right." Evelynn bit her lower lip, "I hope this doesn't all backfire on you."

Lore smiled at Evelynn, "You worry too much. Why don't we go for a walk? It's a beautiful summer day." He removed his hand from over hers, then held it out to her.

"All right." Evelynn took Lore's hand and let him lead her out of the bunker.

After the weather reports, twice daily, community and personal monitors play the advertisement:

"Why settle for an old man with limited human ability, as your leader? Why not choose a leader who exceeds the human capacity, both mentally and physically? I am Lore, and with your support, I can help this colony reach its true potential. I will teach everyone the meaning of efficiency, and petty disputes will be a thing of the past. Join me, and together, we will usher in a great future for Omicron Theta."

Stardate: 13113.7

Lore walked unescorted, heading for the town. He ignored the angry shouts and jeers of the colonists as he passed them, and marched with purpose. Evelynn had been correct; Lore's bid for colony leader had been short-lived. Lore's superiority proved meaningless, and the humans let it be known that they would never follow an android. Several of the humans hollered as he walked his route.

"Get back to the bunker, Tin Man!"

"Oh, look! It's President Robot."

"Tell Often Wrong to shut you down, you menace!"

"Hah, how's the efficient life, Lore?"

Lore waved to the final man shouting at him, "Good morning, Mister Kelly. I hear your wife is spending the nights with Ed Matagaro, these days."

Mister Kelly's right hand balled into a fist, "Mind your own business, damned machine!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mister Kelly." Lore feigned contrition, "You wanted efficient? With my strength, I could just strike you in the nasion and you'd be dead in a near instant."

Lore continued walking until he reached the Lucien homestead. The fenced-in yard was poorly maintained and he recognized the two story house as being constructed from wood. A large garage sat at the far edge of the property. In the yard, a woman held an infant in her lap, while two young children played with toys in the grass. Lore leaped over the fence with ease and approached the woman, then stopped when she turned to look at him. His visual sensors detected bruising along the left side of the woman's face, and the cartilage in her nose was uneven. Her eyes were blue, but the white of the left eye was discolored with red.

The woman cringed, then tightened her hold on the baby in her lap. "What do you want?"

"I am Lore." Lore replied, then answered the question, "Evelynn hasn't come to the communications lab in three days. That's unlike her. I've come to see if she's all right."

"She's fine." The woman's head turned towards the house, then back to Lore. "You shouldn't be here."

"I want to talk to Evelynn." Lore tilted his head, "How were you injured?"

The woman lowered her face, "I fell down the stairs. Please, you need to leave."

"Not until I speak with Evelynn." Lore began to walk towards the house, but Evelynn opened the door and ran outside towards him.

"Ohey, Lore! You're not supposed to be wandering through the colony alone." Evelynn reached the android and attempted to turn him back towards the gate.

Lore frowned as he looked at Evelynn. Her face had similar bruises along the left side. "What happened to you, Evelynn?"

Evelynn replied as she made an unsuccessful attempt to push the android to the edge of the property, "I fell down the stairs."

Lore dug his heels into the ground. "Strange. Both you and that woman fell down the stairs and only seem to have impacted on the left side of your bodies."

"That's my mother. Her name is Tanya." Evelynn panted heavily as she pushed in vain, "Lore, I mean it. You can't be here. I'll be back at the bunker in a few days. I promise."

Lore gazed at Evelynn with an intensity in his yellow eyes, "I would do anything for you, Evelynn. You're my friend, and I'm your friend."

Evelynn smiled softly, "I know. If you truly would do anything for me, then go back. You'll get in trouble for being here."

Lore hesitated for a moment, then bowed his head. "For you." He moved to the fence, easily leaped over it, and then jogged towards the Eastern path. Once he was no longer in sight of the Lucien yard, Lore sprinted, running at 169 kilometers per hour. A quick turn onto the Southern path took him near the physical plant and water treatment facility. He came to a halt, then stared out into the wilds, until he heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

"There you are, Lore." Noonian Soong panted heavily as he hiked up the hill towards the power plant. "I wish you wouldn't wander off. It's safer in the bunker."

Lore frowned, then replied, "The others are afraid of me, father. You can't hear them, but my auditory sensors can hear every whisper." He stared at Soong with unblinking yellow eyes, "They fear me. They call me a monster."

Noonian stopped next to the android, bending and placing his hands on his knees to catch his breath. "Humans will always fear and envy you. They fear your power, your intellect. They fear you because you're everything they want to be, but can't be. You're stronger, smarter, free from sickness, and immortal. You're superior to them, and it scares them."

Lore grunted in response, "They also call you Often Wrong Soong. They say you keep making the same mistake twice."

"In science, Lore, making the same mistake twice is often not a mistake at all. Quite the contrary." Noonian reached a hand over to Lore, placing it on the android's shoulder, "Never mind what they all say. I want you in the bunker and not wandering. If you disobey me again, I'll deactivate you. You won't see the light of day ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, father." Lore hung his head, then followed Soong back to the entrance of the underground facility.

"I mean it, this time." Soong told the android, "You're grounded. Stay in the bunker."

"They reject the idea of my leadership." Lore lamented. "They hate me."

"You may resemble a human, because I gave you human form…" Doctor Soong spoke while he opened the Southern bunker door, "But you're completely different from them. You may as well be trying to lead a colony of ants, that's how much your intellect differs from humans."

Lore followed his father into the bunker, then stopped by the communications lab, "Will I be allowed to continue working with Missy? I still wish to perform my duties and be useful."

Doctor Soong smiled at Lore, "Of course. But no more advertisements with the weather reports."

"I promise." Lore replied as he watched Soong start to walk back towards the cybernetics lab. "No more of that." He opened the door to the communications center and went inside to continue studying the faint graviton wave patterns they had been receiving over the subspace radio for the past two months. Neither Missy nor Evelynn could perceive them, as of yet, but to Lore's ears, it sounded as if the signals were coming closer.

Stardate: 13158.6

Lore settled into the security center after Missy had gone back to her quarters for the evening, having found the antidote to being grounded was watching the live feed from the multitude of surveillance equipment around the colony. A familiar portly figure caught Lore's attention, and he focused on Tom Handy, as the man entered the bunker and marched into the cybernetics laboratory. Lore slid his fingers on the console, adjusting the volume of that particular area to be the dominant one in his earpiece.

Soong looked up from his workstation as Handy stomped into the lab. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"It's no pleasure, at all." Tom Handy held the PADD out to Soong. "Signatures of the majority of the community, Often Wrong."

Soong took the PADD and read the text on the display. "This is a petition. You all want me to make another android? After what's happened with Lore?" He shoved the PADD back at Handy. "This colony ruined Lore. He was a nearly perfect artificial simulation of a human being. If I'd given him natural coloration, I bet nobody would have known the difference, and he'd have been accepted by the folks in town."

"That's the exact problem, Soong." Handy grabbed the PADD, "He's too much like a human, in all the wrong ways. Make an android that's… well, more android-like. One who does what it's told to do and doesn't make threats or hurt children and animals."

"The incident with Mueller's dog was never proven." Soong snapped back, then stood up and faced the colony's leader. "Neither were a few of the other alleged attacks."

"It's a well known fact that your android lies and that he sneaks out alone." Handy reached out his arm, poking Soong in the chest with an index finger. "It's to the point where nobody believes what Lore claims, anymore."

Soong gritted his teeth, "Remove your finger from my chest, before I remove it… from your hand!"

Handy complied with a frown, "I see where your android gets its violent tendencies from."

"I'm not normally a violent man, but you're pushing me to the borderline." Soong spat back, "If everyone wants me to make a second android, so be it. No matter how you feel about it, you can't take away what I've achieved." He cackled with delight, "A stable positronic brain. The first step in artificial lifeforms."

Tom Handy blanched at Soong's declaration, then backed up a few steps. "Just make a less human android. One that we can actually live with."

"Fine, fine." Soong gestured with a dismissive wave, "Now, get out of the lab and let me get to work." He returned to his seat and turned his back to the portly leader.

Tom Handy spun and exited at a brisk pace.

Juliana emerged from the inner, private lab, "Who was that, Noonian?"

Soong gave Juliana a soft smile, "Oh, just Ol' Tom Handy, my dear. The colonists want me to make a second android."

Juliana crossed the room to stand next to Soong at the workstation, "That makes no sense. They can't stand Lore. Why would they want another one?"

"I hate to say it, but what your mother said to you was right." Soong exhaled slowly.

"Which part?" Juliana bent to give Soong a kiss on the cheek, "When she said I should have stayed away from you?"

Soong chuckled amiably, "No. When she told you that Lore was suffering from uncanny valley. I think she's right. Handy says Lore is "too human". I need to make the next android more artificial. I was planning to, anyway."

"You were?" Juliana raised an eyebrow, then waited for Soong to elaborate.

"With all his nuances and complexities, I thought that basic emotion would be simple." Soong explained, "I didn't take into account what would happen when he interacted with the colonists. I'd figured they'd have welcomed my invention with open arms, but it didn't happen that way. Lore's emotion twisted and turned, and he's got wild ambitions." Soong smacked the console with his hand. "Damn myself, why didn't I foresee that? I've created an artificial Malik."

"Who?" Juliana rubbed Soong's back gently, "Noonian, you're making no sense."

Soong pursed his lips, continuing on as if speaking only to himself, "This time, it's easier. No hunting through strands of DNA. All I have to do is disable emotions entirely and make sure the android has no ambition, whatsoever. I can program compliance in. I'll need Lucien's help, though." He turned his head sharply to look at Juliana, as if just noticing her presence. "We're going to make another one."

"I can't believe you want to go through it, all over again." Tears glistened in Juliana's eyes. "I'm very much against building another android."

Soong stared up at Juliana with beseeching blue eyes, "Does this mean you won't help me with its construction?"

Juliana let out a soft sigh, then smiled wistfully, "I'll still help. Maybe this time, we can make a female android?"

"We'll see, Julie." Soong reached for Juliana's hand, "Sitting still for the molds and rattling off words for the speech synthesis is no walk in the park, you know."

"I'll still do it, anyway." Juliana replied, "A daughter would be nice, and perhaps an artificial woman would be more accepted than an artificial man."

Soong grunted, then started to design the next android, "We'll see. There's much work to do before we need to decide."

Lore's amber eyes burned with anger as he watched Juliana return to the hidden lab. He removed the earpiece, stood and left the security chamber, then checked the main communications systems before returning to the Soongs for the night.