Worlds Without End, Part XXXV

Main Unity Worlds Without End

Commander Riker entered Science Room 1 and sealed the door. "Your message said it was urgent," Riker said.

Data nodded. "I have completed my study of the Death Star, and have found its weakness," he said as a small coiled device appeared on a display nearby.

Riker looked at it curiously. "It looks a bit like the hyperdrive," he commented.

"There are some similarities, sir," Data replied. "I believe this device can destroy the Death Star."

Riker looked at him with some surprise. "Really? I thought this project would take a long time."

Data did an imitation of a shrug. "It did not."

"How does it work?" Riker asked, "And what does it have to do with a hyperdrive?"

"In this case, sir, everything." Data tapped some more keys and an image of the Death Star appeared. It continued to expand until it was focused on the very center of the station, to a large device about the size of the Enterprise. It was spherical, then sharpened into a cone; information was displayed along the sides of the image. "This is the main power source for the Death Star," Data said. "It is called a hypermatter reactor."

Riker nodded in understanding. "Yes, I remember hearing a little about that at an engineering conference at Utopia Planetia a couple months ago. How does it work?"

"It provides the station with power by drawing energy from hyperspace," Data said. "It is the most powerful energy source we are aware of, and the key to the Death Star's vast energy reserves. It is also the basis for this weapon." The item reappeared in the display, turning on several axis. "This device will create a large hyperspacial disturbance," Data said, "one that I believe will interfere with the use of the hypermatter reactor. If enough of them function at the same time, I believe the reactor will experience a chain reaction that will destroy the station."

"Incredible," Riker replied, his face clearly showing his disbelief in the simplicity of Data's solution. "This little thing will destroy that huge station?"

"No," Data replied. "However, if several are used simultaneously in extremely close proximity, it will. We will need at least forty-seven, sir - in all probability, more."

"Well, I guess we'll need some help on this one," Riker replied.

"There is one other detail, sir," Data said. "The Death Star's reactor will be protected from the effects of the devices while its shields are up. They will have to be lowered, or the weapon will be ineffective."

Riker shook his head. There was no way they had the firepower to batter down the Death Star's shields - he doubted a whole fleet could. "There's no other way?"

"No other safe way, sir," Data said. "I have had to abandon our previous line of investigation in light of Seven of Nine's treachery. We dare not risk a plan the Imperials might be aware of; we would more than likely be lured into a trap."

"Yes, but getting the shields down... I don't see where we can get that kind of firepower."

"There is another way besides brute force, sir," Data replied. "I have been analyzing their computer systems, and I believe I can make some modifications to my positronic output port to gain temporary control of the Death Star's main computer, and deactivate the shields. I have noticed that their androids possess an access device that seems to be readily equipped for such routine interfaces."

"You could do that from here?" Riker asked with surprise.

"No sir. I would need to be on board the Death Star at the time in order to access their systems."

Riker shook his head. "We can't transport you over there with the shields up, and if the shields were down we wouldn't need you over there anyway. No, nice try Data, but I'm afraid this plan won't work."

Data shook his head. "I have analyzed their defenses and their mechanics, and can say with all confidence that any other attempt to destroy the Death Star will meet with failure."

Riker sighed. "And how do you propose to get on the Death Star?"

It had been less than a week, but for Data it was a lifetime in a very real sense, since that was the day his new life had begun. He had exited the Imperial Shuttle on board the star destroyer to give a briefing on Romulan technology to a group of Imperials. He was familiar with Imperial procedures and was not surprised by the escort - their strict adherence to protocol and security was probably one of the reasons for their success. The stormtroopers were polite enough, addressing him as "sir", which was something people outside Starfleet (and sometimes even in) rarely did, but they still maintained that detached attitude they had as they escorted him through the hangar to the lift. He had been surprised when he was lead not to a conference or meeting room or even an auditorium but a single occupant room in the star destroyer. Of course, the single occupant was indeed someone of note: Lord Darth Vader.

"Lord Vader," Data acknowledge politely. After a calculated measure of the precise amount of time that should elapse between a greeting and an inquiry, Data asked, "Where are the other officers, sir?"

"I though we might discuss your future, commander," Vader replied, ignoring the question. "I have been reading about your Starfleet career. Impressive achievements." He leaned forward a bit in the large chamber in which he sat. "Would you care to sit down?"

Data was a bit taken aback by the question. He had heard a great deal about Lord Vader, and whatever one's opinion was, politeness wasn't one of his characteristics. Vader was the head of all Imperial activity in the Milky Way and answered only to the Emperor, and he expected to receive the respect that went with that office. No one sat in Vader's presence. "Yes, thank you," Data replied looking for a chair; he knew it would be dangerous to refuse the Dark Lord's hospitality.

A chair flew across the room, and Data reacted with android reflexes, preparing to deflect the chair before it struck. However, it proved unnecessary; the chair stopped forty-two centimeters from Data and slowly lowered to the floor. "Thank you," Data said as he carefully sat down. The chair was real enough, although how it came across the room of its own accord was a mystery to him; no doubt some other facet of Darth Vader's mysterious abilities. He had to suppress his curiosity over the incident; he knew questioning Lord Vader on the subject would antagonize him, something he didn't want to do.

"According to your file," Vader said as Data took his seat, "you've been in Starfleet for almost thirty years."

"Yes sir," Data replied, curious about the direction of this discussion.

"And you are only at the rank of lieutenant commander? A rank you've held for over ten years?"

"Eleven years, four months, eighteen days..."

"Yes or no will due," Vader interrupted.

"Yes," Data replied, a slight feeling of discouragement.

"I understand you were recently submitted for a command position," Vader said.

"Yes," Data said.

"And that Starfleet refused, despite recommendations from your superiors."

"They felt that now was not the time to-" Data said the hated word, "-experiment in this way."

"And you don't feel angry about this?" Vader asked.

"No."

"Of course not," Vader said, "your emotion chip is no longer active."

Data felt the swirl of feelings he always had when his emotion chip was re-activated. It was a rich experience to him, a chance to enjoy the sensations he heard and read about his whole life. It also shocked him at the moment. "How-"

"Why did you deactivate it?" Vader asked, ignoring Data's remark.

Data hesitated to reply. He didn't like lying, something he'd learned dealing with the Borg. "For personal reasons," he said finally.

"Tell me Data." This also surprised him; he knew Darth Vader never addressed someone in a personal way. Why was he asking him? Data found himself wanting to open up.

"I-" he hesitated, "I am angry, and upset, and experiencing other emotions that I know would be detrimental to the performance of my duties."

"You deny your feelings to keep your ship and Starfleet running effectively," Vader said, his voice a mixture of admiration and disappointment. "Even though they are responsible for the very feelings you have."

"It is... my duty," Data said, and floundered.

"Your duty? Starfleet Command Decoration for Valor. Starfleet Command Decoration for Gallantry. Medal of Honor, with Clusters. Legion of Honor. The Starcross. You have done your duty, Data. You have given Starfleet everything. What have you received for your dedication?"

Data thought for a moment. "Opportunities. I have been able to experience things many individual would not be able to outside of Starfleet."

"And what of the opportunities denied you?" Vader asked. "You have thirty years of experience. How many times were you placed in command?"

Data hesitated. "Twice."

"Yes," Vader said, the contempt obvious. "And did you not display a considerable talent for leading others and commanding a vessel?"

"I did disobey orders," Data said hesitantly.

"You prevented a Romulan incursion," Vader said with pent up aggression. "Your actions ended the Klingon Civil War. Your superiors say you are ready, yet Starfleet won't give you the opportunity to explore your potential out of fear of what you are."

It was hard to fight the anger that was boiling up inside him; he'd kept his emotion chip off almost the entire time since he'd heard the news. And it wasn't just about this; Vader gave voice to things he'd known his whole life. He thought about all the jokes made at his expense. He thought about the mistakes that were harped on and the achievements that were ignored. How many times had humanity been saved because of him? And yet, time after time, he was referred to as a machine, as a mere object. He was stronger, faster, smarter than any human; even Seven was a moronic slug compared to him, but she didn't need to go to the Academy to become an officer, she was accepted as a senior officer as if it was nothing out of the ordinary. Decades of work for Data were glossed over for her, because after all, she was human. Picard called in favors for her; where were the favors for the one who had saved his life countless times?! It was just one more injustice, one more slap across the face. All the times they paid lip service to equality, but in the balance Data was still just a toaster to them, not a person. He'd been thinking this for some time... it was why the Borg Queen came so close to convincing him to join with her. Maybe he'd made a mistake in turning her down.

"It seems that Starfleet is willing to experiment in ways that do not involve rewarding you," Vader commented. "I understand you had a daughter."

Data suddenly felt his anger drowned out by a new sensation. He recognized it as sorrow, and it was terribly unpleasant. "Yes.... her name was Lal."

"What happened Data?"

Data's sorrow was suddenly mixed with feelings of rage and hatred. "They were going to take her away," he said, his voice coming out slightly stilted.

"From her own father?"

Data's sorrow was almost drowned by the swirling feelings that filled his mind. He had never, until now, allowed himself to think about those times, but what had happened had been so wrong. "They killed her," he said through gritted teeth. "The arrogant fools had no idea what they were dealing with, and they destroyed her!"

"They must have had a good reason," Vader said.

"They wanted to examine her," Data said with disgust. "As if she were some bacterial sample they were growing in a lab! They didn't care about her, only about research!"

"Starfleet killed your daughter to study her?" Vader asked with disbelief.

Data said nothing. All he could think about was that arrogant Starfleet admiral insisting that Lal be taken away; about Picard rebuking him for even creating her; about Lal's death in his lab as he tried in vain to save her. He felt a new desire suddenly, one he had never felt before, one it took several microseconds to identify.

Revenge.

"Data," Vader said with sympathy, "Why do you continue to work for Starfleet after all the wrong they've done you?" Vader stood up and stepped down out of his chamber, towering over Data as he sat fuming in his chair. "Join me."

Data looked up at the towering dark lord. "What?" he asked in disbelief.

"Data you are unique," Vader said. "The Empire has countless androids, yet I have never met one like you. Your potential is being squandered. No matter how well you perform you will never be accepted by Starfleet, they have shown this to be true! Join me, and you will have opportunities you never dreamed of." Vader was like the searchbeam of a lighthouse, piercing the fog of Data's rage; a single voice speaking to the very center of who he was. He couldn't help but listen as the Dark Lord spoke, to want to believe what he was being told was the truth. "Data, with your abilities and Imperial resources you can create your own race of androids. You've wanted to be human, when you should embrace the great thing that you are! At my side Data, you will have power that you've never dreamt of! Whole fleet commanders will answer to you Data. You will be given the respect that you've earned and deserve, and the chance to reach your full potential. Data!" Vader reached out his hand, "I want you at my side as we bring order to the galaxy!"

Data looked at the hand and the man it belonged to. He offered things that Data had never considered before, had never imagined would be within his grasp. And, Data thought, he understood. Man and machine too, he had no doubt faced the same challenges as himself, and look at where he stood now. An answer, a purpose, and a chance for revenge on those who had harmed him all these years. He took the hand and rose to his feet, his face twisting into a sinister grin.

And that had been the moment that Data committed himself to the cause of the Empire. He learned about everything that was going on, about the plans to expand the Empire further once the conquest of Romulus and Cardassia was complete, about the growing resistance inside the Federation, and about the Emperor's plans to deal with all of them. Vader offered Data a chance to help make all of this happen, a chance to be at the center of the final destruction of their enemies, and Data jumped at the chance. He would prove again his value, and he knew this time it would be appreciated. His part was the center of the plan actually, the one who'd bait the trap to catch them all and wipe them out. And Data would repay the Federation for the injustice of it all. They were used to him and his right answers. Yes sir, no sir, this is how it's done sir, yes I can accomplish the impossible sir. He wasn't surprised at all that Picard wanted him to work on the project to destroy the Death Star - what a poor choice that was! Everything went perfectly.

Except for Counsellor Troi, that is. She was a danger, Data knew; if she felt his emotions, she'd sense his unbridled hatred for the Federation. He thought turning off his emotion chip was the answer, but she wouldn't have it. Very well, if she left him no choice, then it was her fault in the end, wasn't it? Such a question may have bothered him in the past, but no more. He had completed a diagnostic and found his ethical program had been turned off. Perhaps Vader had done it, he had thought, but didn't care. He was free now, free to see the truth that it had kept from him his whole life. No more would these artificial rules of right and wrong stand in his way; now he had a true purpose. With satisfaction, the program was erased. And unhindered by that, possibilities emerged. Seven of Nine proved the perfect scapegoat... she was regarded with jealous dislike by other members of the crew, and Picard could always be relied on for a bit of good ol' boy anti-Borg stereotyping. And Data had to admit that he enjoyed the idea of heaping scorn on that Borg bitch; Picard had raised her so high... it was that much more satisfying to watch how far she'd fall. It was almost pathetically easy: lifting Seven's authorization code during their work together, slipping it into the computer records for Geordi to find, planting the seeds of mistrust around the ship... and even if he was called on that last score, everything he said were true facts. It was beautiful.

Then Vader wanted to change everything. That had bothered Data some, but realized it was necessary if they were to succeed. Forging a transmission and making it look like Seven's handiwork was simple, and it was satisfying to dupe Picard into voluntarily letting Data put a locator beacon onto the shuttle so that the Imperials could find and remove him and Seven from the picture. Now that she was out of the way he could push the Federation right into the trap.

How will we lower the shields, commander? We won't. But in time, you'll think we can... right before you're reduced to atoms. Hopefully, at the end, you'll realize why it happened... how your species' hypocrisy would spell the downfall of the Federation.

"We will have to explore further, sir," Data said. "But I have no doubt that this will be the key to our victory. In time, we will devise a way, and we will win the day."

Riker was glum, but nodded. "I hope you're right," he said. "But your confidence is inspiring, Data. Keep up the good work."

"Yes sir," Data said. "I assure you, I will not rest until my mission is complete."

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