Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [80]
“Computer,” said Wesley, taking Data’s lapse as a teacher’s pause for student response, “how long would it take to examine star maps from the Samdian Sector outward in all directions to the limits of explored space?”
“Parameters of examination?” the computer asked.
“Locate class-M planets which-was He looked up at Data. “What do we look for? Evidence of wars or conquests? Movements of fleets of ships?” “A trace of class-M planets yielded nothing. Beyond that, we do not know what to look for,” Data explained. “That is why the computer cannot do it for us. Even if we knew what to ask it to trace, the star charts vary from as recent as our last update from Starfleet to more than a century old.
If the Konor made their move out of a quadrant that has not been 221 mapped since they did so, there would be no evidence in our records.” Wesley sighed. “You’re right, Data. I would have wasted time on an impossible task.”
“So we must find a different approach,” Data said. “You often find new approaches that people with more experience don’t consider, Wesley. That’s why I wanted you to see these studies.”
“But this isn’t what I’m good at, Data. If you want me to build or repair something, or invent a device, that I can do. This is more in your line: solving a mystery.”
“Wesley, do you think your Starfleet duty will consist only of things you are good at?”
“No, sir,” Wesley replied, chastened, and turned back to the screen. “Maybe I should try an opposite approach,” “In what way?”
“Look at the Samdian System itself. Try to see what those three planets have that the Konor want. Then we could check the star maps for planets that have the same thing, and see if they have ever been approached by the Konor.” “Good thinking, Wesley,” agreed Data, and together they went to work.
At the end of two hours, although Wesley had had a thorough workout in the practical applications of set theory, they had been able to isolate nothing about Jokarn, Dacket, or Gellesen that was not common to a thousand other class-M planets. Wesley had to leave for history class, and Data went to TenForward for a combination of breakfast and lunch before reporting to the bridge.
It was now only hours before they would reach 222 Dacket, and Data was no closer to solving the mystery of the Konor than when he had begun. Last night’s triumph had ebbed away; he might be able to pass the minimum requirements for a bridge officer, but he was third in command of this vessel, not an ensign on first assignment. More was expected of him than minimum abilities.
He should not have overslept; he would have to learn to discipline himself, to resist temptations like last evening’s. Pris was a beautiful woman, but … something nagged at the back of his mind, something he could not-bring to his consciousness to be examined.
Memories of Tasha? Or something else? He didn’t know; but deep inside him was a sadness, a yearning for something beyond his reach. Something he desperately needed, and yet couldn’t even name.
DATA HAD ANOTHER APPOINTMENT before his duty shift: Dr. Pulaski was recording his physical adjustment to humanity. “You’re doing fine,” she told him. “Your muscle tone has improved, but I don’t suppose we can expect much more now that you’ve passed your security qualification.”
“Probably not, Doctor,” he agreed, remembering what Dare had said. “Well, that’s refreshing honesty,” she said. “Hmm comdespite the exercise, you’ve gained almost a kilo of weight. What have you been eating, Data?”
“Orange juice, alphabet soup, kosa juice, Secarian meat rolls, verne porridge, an apple, a chicken sandwich, milk-was He paused. Was that the day he had first tasted roast beef? “I am afraid I can no longer recall everything precisely.”
“It doesn’t matter-you’re certainly getting enough variety! But cut back on the portions, especially if you’re not going to keep up your present level of exercise. It’s far better to avoid becoming overweight than to have to diet back from it. And continue the 224 swimming lessons; swimming