A Call to Darkness - Michael Jan Friedman [69]
“I believe,” said the android, “that I would stand a better chance of obtaining the information quickly-and without being detected.”
In a moment, Riker understood. He wondered why he hadn’t thought of it immediately.
First off, Data could work much faster than any human, thanks to his positronic brain. Second, he had a well-known affinity for computer dynamics.
Third-and just as important-he was a dead ringer for the Klah’kimmbri. Or at least for the only Klah’kimmbri they’d ever gotten a good look at-the members of the planetary council. They had the same pale skin, the same amber eyes. The only significant difference was the color of their hair; Data’s was a dark brown while the councillors’ was bright red. But that could easily be taken care of with some dye, which the ship’s computer would be only too happy to whip up.
Before going any further with this, Riker offered his thoughts to the others. The reaction was mixed-perhaps because they recognized the drawback to Data’s plan.
And there was a drawback. Riker was trying to think of a politic way to bring it out for discussion when the android himself saved him the trouble-much to the first officer’s relief.
“Of course,” said Data, “I do tend to be somewhat naive regarding certain aspects of social behavior. There is some doubt as to how well I would succeed in my pose.”
There it was. Fong leaned back, nodded.
Apparently, however, Troi had another opinion. “Actually,” she said, “you are considerably less naive than you think, Data. In most instances, your behavior is quite appropriate, If we didn’t spend so much time with you-if we didn’t know you as well as we do-we might not notice your little faux pas all that much.”
“But we’re talking about human behaviora mode with which Mister Data is familiar,” said Fong. “Klah’kimmbri behavior is, no doubt, something else entirely. In a strange environment, one must think on his feet-and that’s an area in which an android would be at a decided disadvantage.” He didn’t appear comfortable talking about Data like this-especially in the android’s presence. However, if he’d kept his misgivings to himself, it would have been a breach of his responsibility.
“On the other hand,” said Riker, “he does look like them-and that’s half the battle. Plus, the speed of which Data is capable would minimize his need to interact with the Klah’kimmbri.”
The android took in the conversation with perfect equanimity. He didn’t seem offended by it in the least.
The first officer looked at him, came to a decision. “I’m going to put my money on Data. Despite his shortcomings.”
Fong’s lips compressed, but to his credit he kept his reaction to himself. Merriwether seemed a little disappointed-yet it didn’t keep her from wishing Data good luck.
“Thank you,” said the android.
For two days and more, Dan’nor thought about what his father had said. He went to work, but his mind wasn’t on making shoes-it was elsewhere. In the evenings, he ate his solitary meal in front of his videoscreen. The Conflicts raged on, but he took little notice of them. There were conflicts inside of him that were more compelling.
Dan’nor hated the idea of a conspiracy. It seemed loathsome to him-dark and unclean-as compared with the brightness and precision that characterized everything Military. And yet, he could find no fault with his father’s arguments. As much as he wanted to be able to deny them, to discard them, he couldn’t.
Could the truth be such a frail and dingy thing that it could only be whispered in the shadows? Could falsehood be so appealing?
His thoughts kept returning to the way Trien’nor had looked the other night. The strength that had been so evident in his bearing. The air of dignity that Dan’nor had never before associated with him. And beyond either of those things, a sense of calm-of being at peace with himself.
Dan’nor envied him all of that-most of all, the sense of peace. In the end, it was that which gave form to his decision. More than the logic of his father’s words, more than the terrible rightness of his sentiments-because