• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

Data looked at him, head cocked, lips pursed in that familiar expression of confusion. “I thought I had already explained that, Geordi. We are attempting to explore the limits of artificial life, free from unnecessary constraints.”

La Forge glanced around the room, and saw that he wasn’t the only one either confused or dissatisfied or both by that answer. And he knew that Data could see it as well.

“Captain, Geordi, all of you,” Data said, glancing around the table, “if you come with me to the planet’s surface I can show you. Then maybe you will agree that what we have built there is worth saving.”

Isaac stood at the door to the captain’s ready room.

“Come,” came Picard’s voice from the other side, and the door hissed open obligingly.

“Captain?” Isaac stepped inside. “Do you have a moment?”

Picard stood by his desk, preparing to beam down to the planet’s surface. At the conclusion of their meeting in the observation lounge, only a short while before, Data had simply stood up from his chair, walked to the far wall, and then waited while a doorway suddenly materialized in thin air. Beyond the rectangular space, which seemed cut into the fabric of space-time itself, Isaac had seen a brightly lit room with stone walls and unfathomable machinery. Data had paused at the threshold, repeating his invitation to Picard and the others to accompany him through the gateway, but Picard had insisted that the away team use the Enterprise transporters instead.

In a few minutes’ time, the away team was to convene in the transporter room, but in the meantime, Isaac had concerns he felt compelled to voice.

“Certainly, Mister Isaac, have a seat.” Picard motioned to the couch along the wall, and came over to sit down himself. “What is it you wanted to discuss?”

Isaac sat down, but was silent for a moment, trying to find a way to frame his thoughts.

Picard studied Isaac’s expression. “Is something troubling you, Commander?”

“Yes, Captain,” Isaac finally allowed. “It regards the news of this android refuge, and what Data has told us about his activities these past ten years.”

“Yes?”

“I have…” Isaac searched for the correct term. “Concerns,” he finally finished, “about my own reactions.”

“Oh, I see.” Picard nodded, thoughtfully. “Do you care to share them?”

Isaac opened his mouth to speak, but it was a moment before he framed his response. “As you are doubtless aware, Captain, I hold Data in some considerable esteem, not only by dint of his being the first of my kind, but also in recognition of his individual contributions as a Starfleet officer.”

A slight smile drew up the corners of Picard’s mouth. “He was an exemplary officer, there is no question.”

“Yes,” Isaac agreed. “And at the same time, I have always had somewhat…ambivalent feelings regarding the abrupt nature with which Data terminated his service to Starfleet, and the way in which he left without explanation. I have sought answers from other older-generation Soong-types, but they were not forthcoming.”

“Well, as Data explained,” Picard said, recalling what his former officer had said earlier at the conclusion of their briefing, “all of the Soong-types in Starfleet were invited to take part in the 'migration,’ as he calls it, and those who declined all agreed to erase the details about the destination from their memory banks.”

Isaac nodded. “Which certainly accounts for the impressions I received when questioning the other androids in Starfleet about the disappearances.” He paused. “But having the suspicion of a solution and having that suspicion confirmed are two different matters, I find. And now that I am faced with the prospect of seeing the results of Data’s work firsthand, I find that I am…conflicted.”

Picard arched an eyebrow. “Conflicted?”

“Yes, Captain. It raises certain questions about allegiances, affiliations, and loyalty. I admire Data, but disagree with some of the actions he has taken. I agree, however, with his objections to the Federations restrictions on android 'reproduction.’ It occurs to me that, should I travel to the planet’s surface