A Time for War, a Time for Peace - Keith R. A. DeCandido [76]
Nodding, Go said, “Interesting.” She made several notes on her padd. “Do you think removing the chip has diminished your capacities as a Starfleet officer? I ask this mainly in light of the fact that you’re about to become first officer of this ship. You’re one year away from what was literally an emotionally crippling procedure. Do you think that will affect your ability to perform as first officer of the Enterprise?”
Data had, in fact, given this a great deal of thought in the eleven months, two weeks, five days, three hours, and ten minutes since the Starfleet Corps of Engineers removed his emotion chip. “I do not believe that it will. The lack of an emotion chip did not factor into my ability to function as a Starfleet officer prior to its installation.”
“Yes, but you had never had emotions then. Now you’ve lost them. Before, you didn’t know what you were missing.”
“True. However, my positronic net is capable of functioning at peak efficiency with the addition or removal of data. In addition, my dream program was activated before the emotion chip was installed. It did not impair my ability to perform my duties. In fact, on Stardate 47226, the program proved beneficial in identifying an alien presence aboard the EnterpriseD.”
Go made several more notes. “What if you decide to have the chip replaced? That option is available to you in the future, if you’re willing—”
“I am aware of the stipulations regarding possible reinstatement of the chip, Captain. However, I do not believe that it will be necessary.”
Blinking several times in rapid succession, Go set the padd down and stared at Data. “Really? Why not? Don’t you want the feelings back?”
“When the chip was first removed, I proceeded on the assumption that someday I would be able to reclaim what I had lost. However, in the time since that removal, I have had an opportunity to compare my development before installing the chip with my development since. In sentient life, emotions are shaped by experiences, by response to stimulus. For example, human children learn love and affection from the love and affection given them by their parents. I too have learned to adjust my program to react to certain stimuli. When Commander Riker’s father died, I did not feel the same emotional grief that I felt when shipmates died in combat during the Dominion War. However, I do have a sense of loss regarding Kyle Riker—one that has also been present when others close to me have died, including my father, Noonien Soong, my grandfather, Ira Graves, and Lieutenant Tasha Yar.”
Picking up the padd, Go made some more notes. “Interesting. So you’re saying that you can fake the emotions.”
“I do not believe I am ‘faking’ anything, Captain. I have been close friends with Commander La Forge since he first reported aboard the EnterpriseD. While it is true that there is no feeling associated with Geordi, I do continue to seek out his company off-duty, continue to be solicitous of his well-being, continue to be concerned for his welfare, and continue to be available for him when a friend is needed, as he has been for me. When he and another crew member were believed killed on Stardate 45902, I organized a funeral service for them based on what I felt their wishes would be. I believe that these actions are entirely consistent with human friendship.”
Go grabbed another padd and tapped instructions into it. Then she held it up for him to see. “Do you recognize this?”
The image on the padd was that of the bridge of a Nebula-class starship. The captain’s chair was located in the center, with various consoles arranged in a circle around it. Data was moving toward the command chair, with assorted red-and gold-uniformed officers at the other positions, and Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hobson standing to Data’s left. “It is the bridge recording of the U.S.S. Sutherland