Warnings: Sexual content. Some nasty violent scenes. Mentions of domestic violence.

Omicron Theta

Stardate: 14989.2

Evelynn inspected the various panels at her workstation, "Everything checks out fine. The weather reports are done. The array's in good condition. Once the transport ship is taken care of, we'll be done for the day."

Lore suppressed his amusement, "You seem to be in a hurry, today." A series of beeps sounded from the station near Evelynn, "That must be the ship."

"Omicron Theta Control, this is Captain Tabares of the SS Wisconsin, NAR-50732. This run is supply drop-off; No incoming visitors."

Evelynn opened the channel to respond, "SS Wisconsin, this is Omicron Theta Control. You are cleared to establish close parking orbit. When is your estimated departure?"

"Omicron Theta Control, we expect to depart in seventeen standard hours, with the next stop being New Sydney. We're preparing to beam supplies down in forty minutes. Any incoming passengers need to be onboard an hour before departure. Transmitting our itinerary now."

"Transmission received, Wisconsin. Omicron Theta Control, out." Evelynn tapped another part of the console and spoke into the microphone. "Any residents expecting deliveries on this month's transport should be at the cargo transporter pads in forty minutes. Any residents wishing to depart, please be at the beam-up site within the next sixteen standard hours." She pressed a few buttons to close the channel and put the message on the community notifications section, "There we go. Everything is done for the day." She moved over to Lore's station and placed a hand on his back.

Lore smiled up at Evelynn, "I'm also finished. The Crystal Entity has woken and I was able to send it the navigational information for the cluster it can feed on."

"Good." Evelynn returned Lore's smile, "You don't grab my hand away from your back, anymore."

Lore hesitated, then nodded, "You've earned my trust. I know you won't push my off switch."

Evelynn moved her hand over Lore's shoulders, "I'd rather turn you on. Let's go."

"Go where?" Lore's lips turned up in a fleeting smirk as he got to his feet.

Evelynn swatted Lore's chest playfully, "You know where. I want to go downstairs with you."

"You wish to mate with me?" Lore cocked his head to the right, still observing her face.

"Yes." Evelynn hissed the word through her teeth.

"I give you pleasure?" Lore continued his deadpan line of questioning.

"Uh-huh." Evelynn gazed up at Lore's face with amusement. "Do I have to beg you?"

Lore's golden eyes focused with ardor on the woman in front of him, "Yes. Beg me."

Evelynn dropped to her knees in a melodramatic display, "Oh please, oh please, Lore…"

Lore bent down, grabbed Evelynn by the waist and hefted her body over his right shoulder with ease. "I've decided to satisfy your biological urges." He exited the communication lab and headed down the hall to the stairwell. He frowned for a moment, and increased his pace of movement, "It now occurs to me that not only have I hindered my peripheral vision by carrying you this way, your body's blocking my ability to hear on that side."

Evelynn giggled as she wrapped her arms around Lore's waist from her inverted position. "Hurry up, then, so nobody notices us."

Lore took the stairs three at a time, then made his way to one of the bed units in the emergency shelter. He bent down and used his left hand to pull a double-sized trundle bed out from the bottom of the bed frame. With great care, Lore set Evelynn down on the mattress. "Does this meet with your approval?"

"Until I get my own place, it does." Evelynn reached up for Lore.

Lore allowed himself to be pulled on top of Evelynn, "You've been saying that for nearly seven months." He rested his full weight on his left elbow, letting it sink into the bedding, while he unfastened the front of her clothing.

"It takes a while to get assigned housing." Evelynn ran her hands down Lore's chest to his waist and opened his jumpsuit at the fly. "It'd be nice to one day be with you, take off all our clothes and sleep with you all night...To wake up next to you in the morning… To enjoy being with you without fear of someone seeing us."

Lore pressed his lips together, "I don't require sleep, and I doubt the others would accept that sort of arrangement. You'd face possible mockery for wanting an android as a serious lover."

"I know." Evelynn aligned herself with Lore's body as she replied, "I can dream, can't I?"

Lore's lips formed a genuine smile as he physically joined with her. "I can't dream, so you might as well do it for the both of us."

Their lips met in passionate kisses and remained together, due to the need to be as silent as possible. The trundle bed had been chosen for a similar reason; A raised bed's frame would creak with every movement. They unfastened only as much clothing as was needed for the activity, in case a rapid separation was necessary.

Lore halted mid-thrust, "I hear someone by the door." He turned his head to look behind them, but the sound had stopped and he could detect no movement in the hall beyond.

Evelynn groaned, "I didn't hear anything. Don't stop."

Lore resumed the furtive lovemaking, "I have a hearing range of ten to one hundred and fifty thousand Hertz. That's why you didn't hear it."

"Computer, freeze program."

Stardate: 58540.4

Enterprise Holodeck Four

"Computer, freeze program." Captain Louvois' voice broke through the scene. "Doctor Chipman, I think we've established that the relationship between Lore and Evelynn Lucien was consensual. We don't need to view the rest."

T'Mera's calm alto voice responded, "Yes, your honor. I'll move to the next scene."

The frozen image faded from the sublevel shelter area to the interior of the communication center.

Omicron Theta

Stardate 14990.9

Lore entered the communications lab at his standard arrival time, looked around the large room, then scowled. Evelynn had not shown up for her daily duties, after months of perfect attendance.

Data entered the lab behind Lore and moved to the security center, "It would seem that Ms. Lucien has not prepared the day's weather reports. I will do so now." He tapped in the code and entered the small chamber, leaving the door open behind him.

As Lore moved towards the ladder to the array, the short-range communications panel beeped. He changed direction and checked the display; The monitor claimed the incoming call was from the Lucien household.

Lore accepted the transmission, "Omicron Theta Control." A shadowed silhouette appeared on screen, but Lore immediately recognized her. "Evelynn."

Evelynn spoke in a near whisper. "Lore. I'm glad I got you. I don't have much time to talk." She looked around, then drew closer to the display. "You were right. You did hear someone, last night. My father saw us and he's grounded me. I'm not allowed to see you or go to the bunker." She drew in a deep breath, then continued, "I have to say goodbye to you. I'm so sorry, Lore."

Lore's lips parted, as anguish filled his features. "Can't you disregard him? You're an adult, you said. You could move into the bunker until you're given your own place."

Evelynn shook her head and moved into the light. "I can't leave my mother and the kids. They need me."

Lore gasped as he viewed Evelynn's appearance. Her left cheek was a reddish-purple. The left eye was black and blue and swollen shut. Both lips were puffy, split and beginning to scab. "Did he do this to you? I'll kill him. Evelynn, I'll kill him and then he won't be able to hurt you, your mother or your siblings, anymore."

"He's my father." Evelynn's voice wavered, "I know you understand what it's like to love and hate someone at the same time."

Lore answered quietly, "Yes, I do understand that. Do you really have to stop being with me?"

"I wish I didn't, but I do." Tears began to trail down Evelynn's cheeks. "I'll always remember you and treasure the time I had with you, Lore. Take care of yourself." She reached up and ended the transmission.

Lore remained immobile from shock, and watched as the monitor went dark. Movement from behind reminded him of the fact that he was not alone. Lore scowled as he turned to face Data. "I suppose you heard that whole exchange."

Data stared back at Lore with a dispassionate expression, "That is correct."

Lore set his palms on the console in front of him, "I envy you, brother. Right now, I wish I couldn't feel anything."

Data moved to stand in front of Lore. "I am sorry for you, my brother. I cannot feel emotion as you do, but I understand the desire to be loved and the need for friendship, and I comprehend the abstracts of loss and loneliness."

Lore turned his head to gaze at Data. "We still have each other, you and I. We don't need anyone else."

Data replied with a single, sharp nod. "We are brothers." After a brief hesitation, he stated, "I am uncertain as to the proper method for alleviating your sadness."

Lore slammed his hands on the console, "I'm not sad. I'm furious, and I don't want you to alleviate it. I'm going to stay angry, since it's what I seem to be best at."

Data opened his mouth, closed it, and turned away from his brother. After a few moments, he offered, "Perhaps, after a brief passage of time, Doctor Lucien will reach a calmer emotional state and reverse his decision. Humans do tend to follow a pattern of that type."

The thought seemed to mollify Lore. "Maybe. I'll take over Evelynn's duties until Lucien changes his mind. Come to think of it, he has to change his mind, because she's the one running this lab. You and I don't count." He walked to the ladder, then climbed the rungs to the hatch. "I'll do the daily array check."

Data stared impassively at Lore, "The SS Wisconsin is due to contact us in one hour, thirty-three minutes and twenty-two seconds. Do you wish me to authorize their departure?"

"Yes." Lore replied as he climbed the ladder to the hatch. "I might stay up on the tower for a while."

"Understood, brother." Data sat in the stool normally occupied by Evelynn. "Perhaps an extended period of cogitation might allay your current emotional turmoil."

"Doubtful." Lore opened the hatch, climbed through it, then shut it behind him. As he ascended the tower, the sun hovered just above the horizon, spreading light and shadows across the valley. The trees along the colony's walkways were in full bloom and past the town, the lush farmland resembled a chessboard of various greens.

Lore checked each piece of equipment at a sluggish pace until he reached the apex of the tower, then began the descent to the platform. His neutral facial expression twisted into a tormented grimace as he knelt next to the spot by the rail that Evelynn favored. He remained at the familiar perch until shadows vanished and the sun glared on him from directly above. With a sigh, he returned to the ladder and finished the downward climb to the lab interior.

Data turned to observe Lore, "Did you find everything to be functioning within satisfactory parameters, brother?"

Lore leaned against the wall by the ladder, "The array is working perfectly." A moment of silence passed, with a look of inquiry from Data, and Lore volunteered, "It's my own fault that I feel this way. I never should have tried to be friends with a human. They'd never allow it. What was I thinking?"

"I cannot speculate as to the nature of your rumination, Lore," Data replied, "However, you are subjecting yourself to an unwarranted castigation based upon what seems to be an unusual circumstance. Our databanks both contain copious examples and descriptions of the nature of friendship and the advantages of such bonds. Despite the external, forced dissolution of your relationship with Ms. Lucien and the resultant distress which you are experiencing, it is still preferable to seek connections with others… even humans."

"Not for me, brother." Lore took his place at the subspace panel. "I don't think I'll ever be able to trust humans again."

Stardate: 14993.5

Source: Surveillance Footage combined with Lore's Engrams

Soong pushed one of the rolling tables closer to the blue recumbent chair, "It's been three months and no malfunctions. I'm going to call Data back for the final bit of programming."

Juliana set her handful of tools on the table's surface, "Ed didn't answer, when I called him to see why he didn't show up this morning. I hope he's all right."

Soong fished through the tools, unconcerned by her words, "We don't need his help for this. I wouldn't worry."

Juliana let out a soft sigh, "It's not the work on Data that worries me, Noonian. Ed seemed so strange, yesterday morning. He claimed that Lore raped Evelynn."

Soong whipped his head to look at Juliana, "What? That can't be right. Lore's probably just using his sexuality program."

Juliana's eyebrows creased, "I hope that's all it is, but I haven't seen Ed since then."

"Bah!" Soong pressed a button on the remote in his hand, then set it on the table. "Lucien's an unstable wreck. Great programmer, but he's certifiable." He picked up a tool with a small glass tip and waved it around with hand gestures as he spoke, "Do you know that he was discharged from his last few positions due to anger management issues? He even socked his superior in the mouth at one of the research facilities he worked at."

Juliana's eyes went wide, "I didn't know that."

The doors to their living quarters opened, allowing Data to step inside the cybernetics lab. "You summoned me, Doctor Soong?"

Soong pointed at the chair, "I did. Sit down so I can work on you."

Data remained planted in place. "What manner of work will be executed upon me?"

"The usual." Soong replied to the android, "There's a few minor changes I'm making to your subroutines. After I install them, we'll test your functions and do a full engram wipe. Now sit."

Data shook his head, "I do not wish to have my memory erased, Doctor Soong, nor do I intend to cause my brother to be even more bereaved than he is, at present."

Soong pointed at Data with the small tool in his hand, "This has to be done. You'll be exactly as you should be, and Lore will finally be shut down. He's unstable. He scares the colonists with his threats of violence."

Data's voice remained devoid of emotion, "Everyone is aghast when Lore casually speaks of ending a human life, yet they continually call for his deactivation. Do you fault him for attempting to preserve his own existence? Can you blame him for having no respect for life, when you have shown no regard for his?"

Doctor Soong waved a hand dismissively. "He's an android. So are you. You don't have life. You're machines. Well-programmed, deluded machines, who simulate a living human being."

Data's golden eyes focused on Soong with glacial intensity. "You are wrong. I find it quite incongruous that you, our creator, refuse to recognize that my brother and I are very much alive and that, as such, we should have the same innate rights as other living beings. Perhaps it is biological lifeforms who should relinquish their privileges."

Juliana brought her hands to her lips, "Data, why are you saying such things?"

Soong reiterated in a firm tone of voice, "Enough, Data. The only right you have is the right to do what I tell you. Stop being stubborn and sit in that chair."

"I refuse, Doctor Soong." Data remained standing. "Lore and I are superior, in most ways, to humans. Human prejudice against us is unwarranted, although not unexpected. We surpass you and cause you to fear us, which is what your hatred is based upon. However, long after you cease to exist, Lore and I will continue."

Lore entered the cybernetics lab from the living quarters, then stopped in place as he witnessed the commotion.

Soong grumbled and moved towards Data, who dodged out of the way with ease. "Data! Nevermind." He walked over to the workstation's table and picked up the remote. "I created both of you and you owe me obedience. Lore obeys me, and so should you." He pressed the button.

Data's appeals came through with emphasis as his actuators froze, leaving his body immobilized. "No, please. I implore you. Do not do this to him." His yellow eyes fixed on the older android. "Lore! I am sorry, my brother."

Soong ambled over to the paralyzed Data and reached for the android's off switch, "Enough of this nonsense."

Lore sighed with resignation. "Goodbye, Data."

"No, pl-" The life in Data's eyes vanished as Soong depressed the button in the android's back.

Lore watched his brother's body go limp, "What are you going to do to him, this time, Father?"

Soong grunted with effort as he caught Data. "The final tweaks and a full memory wipe."

Lore gritted his teeth as he confronted Soong. "So, once again, he won't remember me. Evelynn was taken from me, and now you're taking Data away from me."

Juliana shuddered and looked away, "It's for the best. You were turning him into you. A much colder, emotionless you, but one just as heartless and cruel."

Soong held the inactive Data in his arms, "You won't have to worry about what's been taken from you for much longer, Lore. Once Data's reactivated and working properly, I'll be taking you offline. You've served your purpose."

Lore turned his head to the left and shut his eyes tightly. He pulled his bottom lip in with his teeth as he pressed his mouth shut. After a moment, he opened his eyes and his expression settled into an unnatural smile. He turned and began walking to the exit.

Soong frowned as he and Juliana dragged Data's inert body to the chair, "Lore, just where do you think you're going?"

Lore twisted his neck to respond to Soong, "Why, to put my affairs in order, dear Father." With that, he walked through the open doors and out into the corridor.