Foreign Foes Part 5

Datas order to the lift barely allowed Barbara to slip between the doors before they began to close.

I am sorry, Doctor. I did not realize you might be unaccustomed to the turbolifts.

Im not usually. I should have been watching, Barbara said, trying not to stare at him.

There wasnt a scientist in the Federation who hadnt heard of the android whod joined Starfleet, but relatively few got to meet him. Sure, there were interviews and early studies, every once in a while A.

Discussion with Lieutenant Commander Data would be the cover story of some tech journal, but he was hardly at the beck and call of anyone with curiosity.

What surprised her so was that he hadnt antic.i.p.ated her hesitation into the lift. Wasnt he an advanced calculator with legs? Wasnt he supposed to considereverything? Thats what computers were forto search out possibilities and run them down to conclusions. It was the reason she was begging time from a Starfleet supercomputer. So that nothing would be left out.

She averted her gaze from himit?and studied the slit between the lift doors. What did one say to an android? Did computers do small talk?

Anything was better than silence.

I appreciate all your help, Commander.

The lift doors opened and this time he waited for her to exit.

I am happy to a.s.sist you, Doctor. The captain ordered me to investigate the Hidran side of the Klingon-Hidran conflict. I have downloaded their own history texts and can easily view them from the research lab you will be using.

She smiled, a bit more nervously than she would have liked, and they started down the corridor. Happy.

He washappy to a.s.sist. Just using an expression?

How close are you to marketing the grain, Data asked.

Barbara looked up at him curiously.

You know about our plans to harvest for marketing?

The android nodded.

I requested information from your company regarding Velex when we were ordered to this sector.

One thing was clearData learned fast: at the research lab he held his hand over the open door and waited for her to enter.

The android waved her in.

Right in here, Doctor. This should suit your needs.

Beyond his pale hand was the finest, brightest computer Valhalla that Barbara had ever seen. She was impressed not only with the bank of computers and equipment that was now at her fingertips, but that such things, like the android next to her, were possible. She felt as if she had been years away from such new technology. And she wasnt likely to see any soon. They just didnt risk new equipment on long-shot colonies in the middle of nowhere.

She stepped into the lab, unable to imagine any problem being insoluble with help like this at her fingertips. This was what she needed. This was why she had risked having time-bomb negotiations in the middle of her burgeoning industrial colony. With thesethe brains of a stars.h.i.+pshe might make it all work out.

Thank you, she murmured.

My pleasure, Doctor.

She looked at him, and at the bright canary-yellow eyes that were not even supposed to connote emotion, but seemed to.

Wrong, Mr. Data. The pleasure is all mine.

It is safe, is it not?

Data poked at the pellets of grain that rolled around his palm.

Barbara hesitated.

Its safe, she said flatly.

You do not sound quite convinced.

I would be more convinced if I could find outwhy it was safe.

She dabbed at the stations panel, turning herself away from the thoughts of past tests, and toward future solutions.

Data looked from the grain to her, then back to the grain.

What exactly will it do?

An android looking for a cure-all? She chuckled at the thought.

To you? Probably nothing. With most people its highly therapeutic. I mean, its no fountain of youth, but it does have a measurably positive effect. It brings about a homeostatic condition in the body. Race or species doesnt seem to matter.

She c.o.c.ked her head toward the grain.

Go ahead. Try it.

Species does not matter?

Data asked.

But races can differ so widely. One races nourishment can be anothers poison.

There are seventeen races in my colony. All tested and all reacted favorably. Thats the mystery, Commander.

She smiled.

I dont think it would hurt you.

Data brought his hand to his mouth, tossed in the grains, and swallowed.

Barbara lowered her gaze back to the console, then looked back up when he spoke again.

Interesting, Data said, pressing his lips into a thin line.

I am unable to determine its molecular makeup.

Pardon?

That is how I taste, Doctor. I suppose you might say I have tasted better.

Hetasted? Then what was it about him that wasnt human? Or did he just say he tasted? Why did this android, in form and function created to be like a man in every way, have those bright yellow eyes and that sallow color of lifelessness? The s.h.i.+ps computer spoke to her in a similar tone. What was it that made him different from the computer she was programming now? The thought distracted her, made her uncomfortable, curious.

But every moment she spoke to him, every moment he spoke back, that discomfort melted away.

The androids face fell blank for a momentblanker than usual anyway.

I detect no change in my internal systems.

Barbara smiled.

Im not surprised. The bread it makes doesnt affect my toaster, either.

I am far from a toaster.

Her smiled faded and she felt her face flush.

Im sorry. I didnt mean any offense I cannot be offended, he said.

How long does it usually take to affect someone?

Well, it depends on the person. Sometimes immediately, sometimes a few hours. But youre an android . .

I do have certain organic fluids, he said.

Perhaps it will only take more time with me.

With a pat on Datas hand, Barbara said, I wouldnt hold my breath.

Perplexed, Data shook his head.

Neither would I.

It was blinding light and a small pang of irritation that brought Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge from theEnterprise to the planet below. He always avoided directly blaming the prosthetic VISOR that allowed him his sight. Doing so seemed ... unappreciative. But the transporter could sometimes cause such a flash, especially when a strange frequency was being used, or extra power was added to the matter push. And both were happening thanks to the captains order of a transmission jammer.

When his vision cleared and the pain dulled into a normal ache, he saw Captain Picard near the meeting halls large table and walked toward him.

Glad you decided to join us, Mr. La Forge, Picard greeted.

Us, sir?

Geordi scanned the room and saw only a few colonists setting up small tables at the far end of the hall.

I hate to be the first to break it to you, Captain, but youre alone.

The chief engineer smiled.

Where is everyone?

We have two security details keeping the delegates separated until the dinner, Picard said.

The Hidran governments approval should come through any moment and we can sign the doc.u.ments after dinner.

One of Geordis brows shot up.

Hidran and Klingons eating together, sir? Sure youre not asking for too much?

A corner of Picards mouth turned down and Geordi a.s.sumed the captain had been wondering the same thing.

Youd think that a race intelligent enough for s.p.a.ce travel would be rational enough to use discussion to settle differences, Geordi said.

One would think so, Picard said sardonically.

Wouldnt one?

Sunlight streamed through the windows and folded itself over the pillows scattered across the floor.

Riker lightly brushed Barbaras cheek where the b.u.t.ter-colored rays caressed her milky skin. He couldnt remember feeling so comfortable with anyone ... not since Deanna.

I dont usually fall into bed after Ive just met someone, he said.

Were not in bed, Barbara said, rising. She smiled and as she rose, the brightly colored throw that had been around her collapsed into the bars of sunlight. The brilliant reds and forest greens of the blanket caught the light and tossed it throughout the room.

But that is good to hear, even if I dont believe it, she added as she walked into the next room, her nude form also catching the light as she left.

Riker pushed himself up against the overstuffed chair that held his empty uniform. She disappeared through the doorway and he chuckled softly. He didnt know what it was about her. All he knew was that she either understood that social graces were left floating near the dock when you spent your life tearing through the galaxy, or she didnt care about them in any case.

From the folds of his collapsed uniform, his communicator sounded. He dragged the red tunic toward him and pressed the arrowhead comm badge.

Riker here.

Deanna here, Will. The captain wants us to report to the meeting hall as soon as possible, she said.

On my way, Riker said quickly.

He and Deanna might not be together anymore, but they tried not to rub each others nose in the fact.

Imfar on the other side. Ill meet you there. Riker out.

He jabbed the communicator off.

School teachers and empaths, they could always tell. Never lie to either.

Trouble, sir?