Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [88]
“I knew it couldn’t be their own children they were treating that way,” Aurora said. “It’s Samdian-or rather Dacket children they’re enslaving and separating. Those were probably brother and sister we saw.”
“Standard slaving technique,” Thralen agreed, “separating family members to prevent mutual emotional support.”
“I… am sorry,” Data repeated, wishing he could melt away from the heat of embarrassment pouring through him.
“It was my mistake, too, Data,” Thralen said. “I studied all the information on Samdian culture and customs, but did not think to look for clues in the biological information.”
“Because that was my job, and you assumed I had done it,” Data said flatly. It was an incredibly stupid mistake-something an ensign straight out of the Academy would be severely disciplined for. Forcing himself to face up to his responsibility, and ignoring a cowardly impulse to run away and hide, he said, “If you will excuse me, I must report this piece of information to the captain.”
“You don’t have to go in-person, Data,” Sdan said. “Just call and tell “im.”
Dare said, “Let him go, Sdan. He’s a Starfleet officer with a duty to perform. Data, we will— That is, Mr. Thralen, I suggest we inform the First Officer of this finding.”
Captain Picard was in his ready room.
“What’s wrong, Data?” he asked in concern when his second officer entered. “Is everything all right?”
“No, sir,” Data said grimly. “It is not.”
And he told the captain what he had so belatedly discovered.
“Has Commander Riker been informed of this finding?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very well, then. The error has been corrected, and we are now proceeding with all appropriate information at hand.”
The words seemed tantamount to a dismissal.
Data was tempted to grab the chance to run, but his first duty was to the Enterprise and Starfleet.
“Sir, I must report myself unfit for active duty. Perhaps for any Starfleet duty at all.”
“Why, Data? Dr. Pulaski reports your injuries healed, and you have passed all the tests for return to active bridge status. We all make mistakes from time to time-was “I almost got myself killed, and then I nearly ruined our mission, both in one day,” Data said wretchedly-6.i-,5 “Data,” the captain said softly, “sit down.”
As Data did so, Picard got up and went to the food dispenser. “Coffee? Tea?”
As his mouth was very dry, Data said, “Tea, please.” Then, as an afterthought, “Uh-with cream and sweetener.”
“Milk, Data,” Picard admonished.
“Cream is for coffee. With tea you have milk.” He turned to the dispenser and ordered; “Tea. Earl Grey, hot. One with lemon, one with milk and sugar.”
Data accepted the tea, took a sip, and set the cup down. “Captain,” he tried again, “I think I must be removed from duty. I cannot function as I did before.”
“No, of course you can’t,” Picard said, “but that’s no reason to give up your career. Tell me precisely why you think you are not fit for duty.”
“I no longer function efficiently.”
“Understandable. You are going through a period of adjustment such as the rest of us cannot even imagine. But if I take you off the duty roster, how will you regain your efficiency?”
“I don’t think I can, sir.”
“Why not?”
“My strength is gone. So are my special sensors. But we have machinery to compensate for those. The most important thing I have lost is my total recall and direct access to information. I made a foolish mistake today-was “Two, I believe, but you are referring to your error in not informing us upon first sight that the Konor are a branch of the Samdians.” “Yes, sir.”
“And what did you do when you discovered your error?”
“I called up the missing information from the ship’s computer.” “Data, as an android, when