Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [89]
Data blinked. “I … called up the information from the ship’s computer.” “And what did you learn from today’s experience?” “That I should not assume my own memory will provide the cross-references I need, but should always look up the applicable files.”
Picard smiled. “Will you make that mistake again?” “I hope not, sir. But what other mistakes will I 246 make? I have discovered important gaps in my memory.”
Suddenly the captain was seriously concerned.
“Oh? What kind of gaps?” Data frowned. “I am beginning to cope with the way human memory fades and distorts with even a brief passage of time. Still, I have an … awareness that events occurred, so that if it were important to trace, for example, what I had eaten forty-eight hours ago, I know that the information on what I ordered from the dispenser exists, and I could ask the computer to locate it.”
“But you have had an instance in which you did not know that certain information even existed?”
“Twice now,” Data admitted. “Thralen gave an example of a species supposed to be a “classic example” that I could not remember even having heard of. And then the Samdian biological specifications.”
Picard frowned. “That is a potential problem.
Yet your memory, both intellectual and kinetic, proved accurate enough to pass the helm and Ops tests at a first try. Those are very stringent tests, as you well know: a starship cannot have someone liable to error at either post during sensitive maneuvers. Have these two instances of memory lapse anything in common, Data?”
When he compared them he realized, “Yes-both are the kind of information that was simply dumped into my memory banks at the Academy, without my consciously examining it. I think … I seem to remember; or at least know that at some time I had contact with, those things that I have either personally experienced or accessed into my consciousness.
Material 247 stored in my memory banks that I’ve never had occasion to access … is lost.”
“Is it, Data?” Picard asked softly.
“It’s all in the ship’s computer, of course, but-was “But you have to remember to ask for it, just like any other organic crew member.” The captain smiled. “It takes time to develop new habits, but you’ll learn.”
Data nodded. “I must not assume information does not exist without first asking the computer. Yes, I can do that. Still, my efficiency-was “comis not expected to be up to your usual standard at present. I will assign you no more unsupervised duties for the time being.”
“Yes, sir,” Data said glumly. “I am sorry. My self-indulgence on Elysia cost Starfleet a valuable asset.”
“Data,” Picard said, “Starfleet was started by humans. Its membership is still more than half human. Most of the officers of this ship are human, including myself.”
“All with unique qualifications for their positions. I threw away my uniqueness.”
“But not your value. There is no reason you can’t perform as well as any other officer in the fleet.
From what I observe, your desire to perfect yourself has carried through your metamorphosis in full force. That means you will be better than most, if you don’t allow yourself to accept “I’m only human’ as an excuse for shoddy work.”
“No, sir,” Data said, beginning to feel better. Of course the captain was right; if he took Picard and Riker as his models, he could become as valuable to Starfleet as he had ever been, if in a different way. “Thank you, Captain. I know what to do now. The 248 Prime Directive forbids us to take sides in what we now recognize to be a civil war among the Samdians, but we have been asked for help. I shall delve into their history, culture, philosophy, and biology to try to find some way we might legitimately persuade them to settle their differences in a more peaceful way.”
“Work with Thralen,” Picard directed.
“Ordinarily I would tell you to take time out for relaxation first, but-was “I’ve done too much relaxing the past few days,” Data stated firmly. “My priority now must be to stop the Konor conquest of Dacket-before