Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [57]
For the first time in his life he hadn’t the slightest idea what time it was!
The computer, of course, informed him immediately upon his request. At this time the bridge crew of his duty shift would be on free time. Data could probably find some of his friends in TenForward. Wesley should be studyingperhaps Data should go and discuss the boy’s work on the Elysian mystery with him.
Just then the ship’s intercom chimed. “Data? Are you in?” came Darryl Adin’s voice.
“Yes, Dare, I am here.”
“We just heard the most incredible story about 157 what happened to you on Elysia. Are you up to company, or would you be uncomfortable to have some of us come and gape at you?” “I suppose I had better get used to it,” Data said. “I think I might welcome some company just now. Be warned: what you have heard is true.” Dare, Poet, Sdan, and Pris came to visit, hard on the heels of the crew who set up Data’s bed. Data was glad of the sudden crowd: the two ensigns from ship’s stores were encouraged to exchange the modular components and leave without satisfying the curiosity betrayed by their surreptitious glances. Poet shook his head, looking Data up and down. “What a piece of work. Don’t know why you wanted a ticket to this ruddy vale of tears, but welcome any-way.”
“Don’t be so cynical, Poet,” Pris said.
“Data hasn’t had time yet to learn the advantages of being human.” She went up to Data, adding, “Let me give you a proper welcome to humanity.” She put her arms about him and kissed him. Data was swamped with sensation: her warmth, her scent, but most of all her femaleness.
Too startled by the way his body instantly responded, he could hardly do more than bring his arms stiffly around her. Before Data could muster his thoughts, Pris stepped back. She smiled. “Data, you’re blushing. First kiss?”
“No. But the first since …”
“How strange!” she said. “I’d have thought all your female colleagues would’ve welcomed you home by now. But then, I suppose they’re bound by some sort of rules.”
“Starfleet protocol,” said Dare, who had moved in past the others to usurp the comfortable armchair. 158 That left Data and Pris the small sofa.
Poet and Sdan leaned over Data’s computer, engrossed. The ship’s vast library was at their disposal; of course, it would release to them only information on the security level Data had coded to their voice prints when he began helping them repair their ships.
Meanwhile, Dare was saying, “What are you going to do with yourself now, Data?”
“I do not know,” he replied honestly. “I have hardly had time to think about the future. If I am still fit for’ duty, I shall certainly serve out my current tour in Starfleet. Right now, I cannot think beyond tomorrow.” “That sounds like a sensible approach. I trust you haven’t lost your logic.”
“I hope not,” Data said.
“Then let me admit that I have come here for a selfish reason: I need you to use your persuasive powers on Captain Picard.”
“Why? What has happened?”
“While we’ve been stranded here-no, Data, it was not your doing. We couldn’t have had our ships spaceworthy by now anyway, and if it weren’t for the Enterprise we’d all be dead. But before we got caught by those Elysian power surges, we were due at Brancherion in three days’ time. Now we’re late, and the Brancherions are calling for an explanation.”
“And we have just warped off in a direction al most opposite to that in which Brancherion lies,” Data realized. “But Dare, we are under Starfleet priority orders. We cannot divert to deliver you to Brancherion. his “I understand that,” Dare replied. He had once been a Starfleet officer himself, so Data knew he truly 159 did comprehend. “But Captain Picard has placed the entire crew on alert status. That means no one is available to help us complete our repairs.” “And so,” Data concluded, “the longer your repairs take, the longer it will take you to get from the Enterprise to your destination.”
“All that’s left,” said Sdan, “is debugging