The Eyes of the Beholders - A. C. Crispin [7]
Or perhaps the writing was not good. Perhaps, as in so many other things, Data had failed to grasp some intangible something that would make his work understandable and appealing to a human audience. It was possible that he had failed yet again.
The android decided that he needed another opinion—or perhaps two or three.
Resolutely he returned his attention back to reviewing all the records he had accessed in his search, verifying that he had missed nothing, overlooked nothing. His positronic brain was extremely thorough and accurate, but Data was not a computer, and it was remotely possible for him to make an error.
But not this time, he concluded a minute or so later. He had missed nothing, and there was not enough information to permit a hypothesis, even a tentative one.
Data left his cabin and headed resolutely for the bridge to make his report to the captain. Picard would not be pleased, he knew, though he would not blame his android officer. Jean-Luc Picard expected results when results were possible, and he brooked no excuses, but he was a fair man who could recognize a genuine mystery when he was confronted with one.
Which is what they were faced with now. Something was out there, but there was no way to speculate on what that something might be. The Enterprise and her crew would have to find out by experience.
Chapter Two
LIEUTENANT SELAR sat alone in her cabin, rereading the personal communication that had come in on the subspace channel before the Enterprise had gone into warp drive, heading for their new priority assignment. The message read:
In recognition of commendable research publications and extensive experience in development of bioelectronic prostheses, most particularly in the field of xenobiology, the Directors of the Vulcan Science Academy extend to Selar, current rank Starfleet Lieutenant, Medical Corps, current assignment U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-D, an invitation to become Head of Bioelectronic Research at Vulcan Science Academy.
The Vulcan doctor had to firmly repress a surge of pure egotistical pride as she finished the communiqué for the third time. Opportunities such as this came to most people but once in a lifetime, if that. Logically, she should accept the post with alacrity.
Selar thought of what it would be like to go back to Vulcan after fifteen years away. She’d been contented and satisfied with her life aboard the starship—the lieutenant knew she was doing essential work, she was needed, and being useful was a goal most Vulcans had aspired to since the days of Surak, who had said: “Life without a beneficial purpose is empty existence. You ask me what is a beneficial purpose? It is one that counters the progression of entropy in the universe.”
But as head of bioelectronic research at the Vulcan Science Academy, she would be able to do much more. She could help develop procedures for implanting bioelectronic prostheses in different species, so there would be established methods for physicians to refer to throughout Starfleet and the Federation. Children such as Thala could be helped, whether or not they were fortunate enough to live on board a starship.
Selar rose from her seat and moved slowly around her cabin, glancing over the art objects and curiosities she had gathered during her fifteen years in Starfleet. She had joined only a few days after completing her residency at medical school—and she hadn’t been back since.
Her fingers tightened on a polished piece of petrified wood from Komeera Seven. What would it be like to return to her native soil? See her family again? Would they finally be able to put the past behind them? Would she?
Selar’s mouth tightened as she envisioned the faces of her father, mother, grandparents, cousins. Holo images were limited in what they revealed. Would they all have changed as greatly as she had?
The lieutenant came from a family that was very traditional;