Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [52]
“I agree, Counselor. Data, take the next twenty-four hours off, and then report for limited duty.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I would also suggest adding your name to the regular exercise and self-defense sessions,” Worf said.
“An organic body does not maintain itself without effort. Sir.”
“Let’s give Data some time to adjust to his new body before you start throwing it around the holodeck, Worf,” Dr. Pulaski suggested. The captain nodded agreement, and everyone then left except Geordi and Pulaski.
“Time to adjust, Data?” Geordi teased.
“Time to celebrate-show you some of the things you’ve been missing. I think we’ll start in TenForward-was Pulaski held up a hand, and turned away.
“Count me out of this one. I’ve got work to do.”
Data bent down to put his boots on, wondering if Geordi would think him rude if he, too, asked to be “counted out” of this one-and was suddenly seized with the sensation that the room was moving. He rabbed hold of the couch to steady himself, and Geordi was there at once with an arm about his shoulders, lifting him to his feet. “What’s wrong, Data?
Doctor!” Data blinked. He had never felt anything like this before. “The room appears to be turning. Is this dizziness?” “My God,” Geordi said, “he probably has no immunities, Doctor. Can he have caught something that fast?”
Pulaski came at him with her scanner, concern clear in her eyes as she said, “He showed nothing only hours ago-was Then she looked at the readings and chuckled. “Low blood sugar. Of course-the body scan showed nothing in your digestive system, Data. You’ve been under stress bordering on shock for several hours, running on adrenaline. All you need is some nutrition.” Geordi guided Data to a chair while Pulaski brought him a cup of fruit juice. “Drink it slowly,” she warned.
“Have some soup in an hour or so, and something easy to digest, like custard, before you go to bed. If you don’t have any problems, go to solid foods tomorrow. Do you want me to give you an appropriate maintenance diet?”
“No, thank you, Doctor. I am familiar with foods appropriate for humans,” Data replied, sipping the juice.
Suddenly his awareness focused on an entirely new sensation. As an android, he had assumed that his senses were more acute than those of humans. He could take a sip of something like this juice and analyze instantly its pHave, chemical structure, density, temperature, and viscosity.
None of that information was available to him now-but something far more amazing was.
The liquid seemed to explode on his tongue, sending little pleasurable sensations up into his nasal
cavity, then down inside his body as he swallowed reflexively. Yes-he remembered that aroma was a major constituent of flavor for humans. That was why he felt it in his nose.
But the “why” no longer mattered. The experience was nothing like his former analysis-by-sensor. It was pure delight, untinged by logic or reason.
Eagerly, he gulped more of the juice.
“Easy-easy, Data!” Geordi warned him.
“If you’re that thirsty you’ll shock your stomach.
Sip it slowly.”
Curbing his desire to increase the pleasant sensations, Data lowered the cup and smiled at his friend. “It just-tastes so good!” he explained inadequately.
“You sound surprised,” Dr. Pulaski observed.
“I am. I had no idea how … how different it would be. Because as an android I could analyze more specifically, I always assumed that human senses were less powerful. I never expected to find them so overwhelming!” “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Geordi told him with a grin. “Data,” Pulaski said, approaching him with a hypodermic, “I’m giving you the standard broad-spectrum inoculation all human crew members receive.” There was a slight stinging sensation as it hissed against his arm.
“There should be no occasion for you to leave the ship for the seventy-two hours required to be certain it has taken effect. I will inform the captain of that restriction, and also my recommendation that you not attempt anything beyond the most routine duties until both