Part 5 (2/2)
Data stepped forward. ”I am very much interested in learning more about your climatic changes and your strategies for adjusting to them. Could we discuss your work at greater length?”
”I don't see why not,” Keat replied. ”We could meet at the Science Council labs tomorrow. Will you be available then, Commander Data?” ”With Captain Picard's permission...”
”By all means,” Picard said.
”Sorry I can't chat with you all a bit longer,” Stross said, ”but Ootherai here has a number of other people I'm supposed to talk to before this feast gets going.”
”We understand,” said Picard. ”A head of state does have certain responsibilities.”
”I'd like to talk more,” Stross added. ”Ootherai can set up an appointment for tomorrow, if you'd like, Captain. He can answer any questions that might come up tonight. Otherwise, just enjoy yourselves.” Supo opened the side door for him and Stross left the room. Ootherai motioned back toward the lobby.
”The feast hall should be ready. If you'll allow me to accompany you to your seats ...”
”May I tag along?” asked Dr. Keat.
”Please do,” Data answered eagerly.
”I am very curious about your a.n.a.lyses of the causes of Thiopa's ecological difficulties. One can discern only so much from a brief period of orbital observation. Without the proper historical perspective, contemporary examination is of limited value. The relations.h.i.+ps between atmospheric components and their relative levels of modification could prove most enlightening, taking inffconsideration, of course, the overlapping wand-effect curve of-was ”Mr. Data,” Picard interrupted, ”you're babbling again.
Data's yellow eyes widened. ”So I am, sir. Sorry.”
”Quite all right, but this is a social occasion.”
”I am not entirely proficient in social occasions,” Data said, emphasizing the last two words as if referring to a course he was in danger of failing. ”Why not, Commander?” Kael Keat wanted to know.
”It was evidently not part of my programming.”
Keat did a double-take. ”Programming?
You're an android?”
Picard and .troi exchanged a knowing glance.
No matter how long they served with Data, his s.h.i.+pmates 61 never tired of seeing other beings surprised to discover that they'd been conversing with a machine rather than with a naively charming human with unusually sallow skin. ”Not just an android,” Picard said with pride.
”One of my most capable officers.”
”Well, I'm not sure who's more anxious to talk to whom, Mr. Data,” Dr. Keat said.
”I've never met anyone like you before. Perhaps I can help you sharpen those social skills this evening.”
She took Data by the arm and began leading him out of the room.
Smiling, Picard and Troi followed.
”What did he call it, again?” Riker asked Geordi LaForge as they strode along an Enterprise corridor.
”A chuallyugh-and don't ask me if I'm p.r.o.nouncing it right. Klingonese always sounds like somebody either gargling or getting strangled.”
”I'll tell him you said so.” Riker chuckled.
”He already knows.”
”What does”-Riker hesitated, then came up with his best approximation of the instrument name”...chuS'ugh translate as?”
was ”Heavy noise.””
Riker's expression turned skeptical. ”And you've heard him play it?” ”Yes, sir.”
”What does it sound like?”
”That's a tough one, Commander. Not like anything I ever heard before.”
”Then it's not likely anybody's written any great jazz arrangements for it,” said Riker with a wry smile.
”So you'll improvise. Isn't that what jazz is all about?”
Another all too familiar voice broke in from behind them. ”There you are, Riker. Stop!”
Riker turned and let a shoulder slouch as Frid Undrun shuffled up to them. ”What is it, Mr.
Amba.s.sador? I'm off duty.”
Undrun halted and teetered back on his heels. ”Oh, well ... I'm never off duty. We needa discush what happened down there .
. . We needa make some d'cisions,” he a.s.serted, losing a few syllables along the way.
Riker eyed the amba.s.sador skeptically. ”We can't make any decisions until Captain Picard returns from the planet and you sleep off the rest of that sedative.”
”What sed'tive?”
”Did Dr. Pulaski release you from sickbay?”
Undrun's chin jutted defiantly. ”I releashed myself. Don't need anybody to tell me-was ”You're going right back to sickbay.” Riker tried to steer the bleary-eyed envoy into an about-face, but Undrun eluded his grip. ”You either cooperate-was Undrun backpedaled. Cooperation was not his first choice. Riker strode forward and in one smooth motion picked Undrun up and slung him over his shoulder. ”You didn't see this, Geordi.”
iaForge trailed behind. ”See what? I'm blind, remember?”
”Riker,” Undrun shrieked, ”I warned you if you ever tushed me again-was Fortunately, sickbay wasn't far, and it wasn't long before Riker was depositing his cargo in front of a startled Dr.
Pulaski. ”I think you lost something, Kate.”
”Where did he come from?”
”If you're referring to the larger philosophical context, I haven't got a clue. I'd batten my hatches if I were you.”
”Consider them battened.”
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