Myriad Universes 02_ Echoes and Refractions - Keith R. A. DeCandido [184]
“In the years since then,” Lal continued, “Lore has become a valued member of the Turing populace, and a key player in our political debate. However,” she paused, thoughtfully, “it has been my observation that…perhaps…my father’s repairs to Lore’s programming were not as successful as originally believed. His behavior has become somewhat…erratic in recent years. And his ability to adopt intellectual stances that other Soong-types find difficult to entertain-such as the causal ending of organic life, either in theory or in practice-suggests that there may yet be some errors in Lore’s reasoning or ethical programming left unaddressed.”
Sito could see Picard’s growing concern. “Are you suggesting that Lore is insane?”
Lal tilted her head to one side, wearing a thoughtful expression. “Insane,” she repeated, for all the world like a child at a spelling bee. “Of persons: mad, mentally deranged, not of sound mind. Of actions: idiotic, senseless, irrational.”
“Yes, yes,” Picard said impatiently. “That was what I had in mind.”
“Not all of the relevant definitions of the term apply,” Lal said, after a moment’s consideration, “but in as much as the word can connote being 'not of sound mind,’ then I would have to answer in the affirmative. Yes, you could say that my uncle was insane.”
“Oh, delightful,” Picard said in a voice almost too quiet to hear. Then, at normal volume, he said, “If that’s the case, Lal, then why are the Lorists so quick to follow his example?”
“As distasteful as many of Lore’s conclusions are, his arguments are often very persuasive. But you must understand that his is not the only minority view. Another is that of the Isolationists, who argue that we should use the Iconian gateways to transplant our entire population to some remote corner of the galaxy, thousands of light-years distant from any inhabited system, and then destroy the gateway network with timed explosives after we have gone. Still another is the Retrogressionists, a small minority view that calls for Turing to appeal to the Federation for assistance, perhaps even to petition for Federation membership. However, should the Retrogressionist plan be followed, the chances for war between the Federation and the Alliance increase to one in three, and in most simulated models the onset of hostilities would eventuate sooner even than in the Lorist-dominated simulations.”
Picard shook his head. “Madness. Absolutely rational, but still complete madness.” He began to pace, as if overburdened by the desire to do something, the desire to move. “And your father? What does Data argue in this colloquy?”
“He still urges for a diplomatic solution,” Lal answered.
Picard spun on his heel. “And what, may I ask, is that diplomatic solution?”
The corners of Lal’s mouth lifted in a smile, and Sito fancied she could see the android’s shoulders bounce ever so slightly in the ghost of a shrug. “That is why you are here, Captain, to help us devise such a solution.”
The captain did not respond, but his expression made plain that he was far from overjoyed at the answer.
“After all, Captain,” Lal went on, “my father did say that you were needed to stop a war. This war.”
Ro Laren paced the bridge of the Enterprise, moving restlessly from one side to the other, her hands clenched at her sides.
“Anything, Ensign?” she called to the officer at the ops station. It was a needless question, since Ro knew full well that the woman would relay any change in status or incoming transmission as soon as it arrived at her station, but Ro couldn’t help but ask.
“No, sir,” the ensign replied in a wary voice, as if worried that Ro might hit her.
Ro stopped and took stock. She was snarling, with her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and glaring at the ensign. Oh, no,