Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [58]
Data could not help but agree; although he was sure the Klingon would not actually harm him, he was concerned about his Security testing. At his grim silence, Dare added, “I’ll help you with that if you like, Data.
Before you face your Chief of Security, I’ll show you a few tricks for handling larger, stronger opponents.”
“Thank you, Dare,” said Data. “I wish I could do more to help you.” He thought a moment. “Alert status does not relieve Wesley Crusher of his studies. I shall assign him the practical application of his navigation skills, helping you with your repairs.”
“That child?” asked Pris.
“Believe me,” Data said, “Captain Picard would not trust the helm to our acting ensign if he were not qualified.” “To fly the ship, certainly,” said Dare. “Kids his age have great reflexes, so long as there is a cool head to keep them from running straight into trouble. But we don’t need a pilot; we need a computer expert.”
“Try him,” Data suggested. And yawned.
Another new experience, this one neither pleasant nor unpleasant. When he realized everyone was staring at him because he was sitting silently analyzing, Data said, “Forgive me. I believe the day’s experience is beginning to tell on me. Tomorrow, before my duty shift, I shall help you. At this moment, Wesley can do you more good than I can. This is his study time. Let me call him, and assign-was Another yawn interrupted him.
“We’d better go,” Pris said. “You’re exhausted, Data. You’ve been through so much today-it’s normal letdown setting in.”
“I’ll give you a lesson in unarmed combat tomorrow, too,” Dare said. “Reserve the holodeck for an hour.”
When his guests had left, Data managed to make the holodeck reservation and then call Wesley, who was delighted at the new assignment.
Data suspected it had more to do with getting to work with the Silver Paladin’s gang than with the rather tedious computer program adaptations. Weariness was overtaking Data with a vengeance now. It took immense effort to clean his teeth and change into the pajamas he had ordered. Finally he was able to lie down and pull the cover over himself-a most luxurious feeling of comfort.
“Mrrowrr?”
Something poked the side of the bed.
Data opened leaden eyelids to find two round blue eyes staring at him from a dark brown mask.
“Roorrr?” Mystery queried as she stretched a paw to tap his arm. “How did you get in here?”
Data asked the cat. She had never come visiting his quarters before.
She took that as an invitation to jump up on the bed, where she proceeded to stare Data solemnly in the eyes as she kneaded the bedclothes, purring.
Tentatively, he stroked her. She rubbed herself against his hand, her purr increasing in volume.
Data smiled. So Mystery granted him humanity. Her soft fur felt lovely under his hand, but she did not allow him to pet her for long.
She settled down on the pillow next to his, her purring soothing him as sleep claimed him at last.
DATA woxEvery, orsoxnccrrnm He did not know where he was, what time it was, or why he had been turned off: When he sat up, unfamiliar feelings shot through his body. His sensors had gone wild! He could not access his diagnostics! The feelings resolved into aches, and the stiffness of his body recalled what had happened to him. A rush of cool air hit his skin as he threw back the cover.
He was in his own quarters aboard the Enterprise, and he had not been turned off. For the first time in his life he had … slept. It was not an illusion or a fantasy. He was human, with all the slings and arrows