The Eyes of the Beholders - A. C. Crispin [93]
“Because it was poor,” the android said quietly. “Worse than poor, it was bad. Counselor Troi finally told me the truth, which is that writers must write what they know in order to write well. I am not human, therefore I have no business trying to write from a human point of view.”
“Data …” La Forge felt extremely awkward, wanting to comfort, but not knowing how. “God, I’m sorry. Maybe you could try writing what you know.”
“I thought of that,” Data said, and he held out a data cassette. “But I discovered that it has already been done.”
He handed the cassette to La Forge, who read the label with a sinking heart: I, Robot.
“I wish there was something I could say,” La Forge said miserably. “Dammit, Data, you’re not a robot.”
“But I am not human, either,” Data said. “And it is time to stop pretending.”
“I’m sorry,” La Forge muttered. “What you just did took guts. Maybe we should have talked it over before you just … vaporized … all that work.”
“I appreciate your concern, Geordi,” Data said, his expression impassive, “but it was my decision to make.”
La Forge shrugged. “You’re right, it was your deci sion. I know it was a hard one.”
The two friends left the transporter room and the obviously puzzled Chief O’Brien, then headed down the corridor. “Want to go down to Ten-Forward?” Geordi asked hopefully.
“All right,” Data said, without enthusiasm.
When they reached the lounge, a familiar voice reached them. “Data! Just the person I wanted to speak to!”
The officers made their way across the nearly empty room to join Picard and Riker, who were, since the Enterprise was safely docked, enjoying a rare drink together. “Sit down, join us,” the captain said jovially. Picard was obviously in an excellent mood.
After a hesitant glance at Data, La Forge took the indicated seat. “Hello, Captain,” he said. “Hello, Commander.”
Both senior officers returned the greeting.
Beside La Forge, Data paused for a moment, as though he were considering declining the invitation. Guinan materialized as if by magic and placed drinks before the newcomers. Seemingly decided by the presence of the drink waiting for him, the android sat, too, and nodded politely to his superior officers. “You said you wanted to see me, Captain?” he asked.
“Yes indeed, Mister Data!” Picard smiled, a rare, face-lighting grin. “I’ve just been talking to Professor Jonas, the head of the Federation archeological team on Castor Three, and he was almost incoherent with excitement after reading our report on the artifact, particularly your report on the Ylans and their art forms.”
Data nodded silently.
“He asked me if he could borrow you for the next couple of weeks to assist the preliminary archeological team they’re dispatching to study the Ylans and the artifact. He says that the artifact represents the most valuable archeological find of this century!”
Riker whistled softly with admiration. “That’s really something, Captain. There have been a lot of significant discoveries made in the last fifty years.”
“Ah, but the artifact … Professor Jonas believes that the artifact will top them all by the time it has been thoroughly studied.”
“This Professor Jonas … he was impressed by my report?” Data asked slowly. La Forge was relieved to see the android’s expression brighten a little.
“He most certainly was! He says that you could make a unique contribution to the expedition if you will consent to join them during their preliminary investigation.”
“I have been working on my programming, smoothing the transition from old Data to new Data, so that the transition will be completely under my volitional control,” Data said thoughtfully. He brightened still further. “How do you think I would look in a pith helmet?”
“I think it would give you an air of rakish distinction,” Picard said, smiling gently. “Does that mean I should request Starfleet Command to place you on detached duty for the next few weeks?”
The android nodded. “Yes, Captain, I believe I would like that.”
La Forge sighed. “I was just dreaming of those murals aboard the artifact. It’s a