Part 16 (1/2)
”What are you doing?” Yar asked as Dare turned to stare into the fire as if he hadn't a care in the world.
”Your android relies on electronic gadgetry. So we will take it with methods that do not involve electronics.”
And Yar could do nothing but wait, knowing Data would not expect physical traps, hoping his strength and quickness would let him elude them.
But Dare's people were too good; in less than half an hour they herded the android into the salon. And when Yar tried to lessen the tension by making introductions, her sometimes impossibly naive colleague stepped forward and attempted to arrest his captor!
Yar stared from the dappled form of Lieutenant Commander Data to the dark shadow of Darryl Adin. The room lights were dimmed, so the flickering firelight could be appreciated. Despite the dirt smeared on it, Data's pale face was still clear enough that she could see his puzzled frown.
She had to turn to see Dare, although she first heard his choking attempt to keep from laughing. By the time she could see his silhouette, he had lost the battle and was laughing freely-the first genuine humor she had seen in him since her arrival. It took him several moments to regain control. Then he walked over to Data, and around him, still grinning as he looked the android over.
At the same time, Rikan did something to the arm of his chair, and the lights slowly came up.
Yar wanted to leap to Data's defense, but the situation was tense enough already. The android was, unfortunately, accustomed to being treated on first acquaintance as a fascinating piece of equipment; he remained still, allowing himself to be examined. Behind him, Sdan, Barb, and two of Rikan's men kept guns trained on him. He ignored them.
Dare completed his circuit, peering into Data's face. Data looked mildly back at him, taking his cue from Yar to wait. She was surprised at her own calm. Perhaps after the wild emotional swings of the day her nervous system simply could not attain red alert again.
Dare finally spoke, but it was to Yar instead of to Data. ”Was that courage, or merely programming?”
”It was foolhardiness,” she replied. ”That's supposed to be my department, Data. How often do I have to remind you that you are not indestructible?”
”Nor invincible,” he replied with genuine chagrin. ”I came to rescue you, Lieutenant, but as you see ... ” He gave the tilt of his head that was his equivalent of a shrug, and smiled his small self-deprecating smile.
Dare stared at Data. ”You are more than a machine,” he said.
”Yes, sir. A portion of my structure is organic.”
”No, not the physical. Tasha, you told me your colleague had a personality-but I wasn't expecting a sense of humor.”
Yar saw Data's eyes widen. Dare couldn't know what that a.s.sessment from a stranger would mean to the android.
Dare turned back to Data. ”Give me your word as a Starfleet officer that you won't try to escape-or to arrest me again-and I will dismiss these people. They have better things to do than guard you all night.”
”Tasha?” Data asked.
”Dare has my word-until I have all the information he and Rikan can provide. They know the other side of what's happening here, Data. I think we should listen to them, compare their evidence with what Nalavia has told us and what we've found out for ourselves, and then decide what to do.”
”Conditionally, then,” Data agreed. ”You have my word that I will make no attempt to escape while we are still investigating.” He said nothing about arresting Dare, and Yar knew the omission did not go unnoted. She would have to tell Data later that she had not made that promise either.
At least she knew better than to come out with it as Data had, held helplessly at gunpoint. So why had he-?
Rikan, of course. The warlord now knew who it was he had hired-but out here beyond Federation s.p.a.ce the reputation Dare had gained as the Silver Paladin far outweighed whatever had made him leave the Federation. Data would probably not understand that to a world attempting to overthrow a ruthless tyrant, a ruthless criminal-provided he had the reputation ”Adrian Dareau” did for reliability-might seem precisely the hired gun they needed.
Still, Data's thinking that Rikan ought to know suggested that the android had discovered something after Yar was carried off ... something that made him trust the warlord. Interesting.
”Very well,” Dare was saying, ”I accept your word ... conditionally. Would you join us then? Or perhaps you would prefer to get cleaned up first?”
In the stronger light, Data appeared even more of a disaster area, several different kinds of mud and dust on his skin and uniform, leaves and twigs in his hair. Obviously he had had an interesting time getting here. Data glanced down at his filthy uniform, then at the silk-upholstered furnis.h.i.+ngs. ”I think I ought to clean up first. There is a great deal to tell.”
Rikan spoke. ”Trell, give this man a room, and find him something to wear.” Then to Data. ”Please come back as quickly as you can. We are pooling our information in an attempt to demonstrate that Nalavia has not told you the truth.”
”We knew that already,” said Data. ”Tasha, there is even more. I will hurry, for it is very important.”
Yar remained huddled on the settee, suddenly feeling very much out of uniform. Data had steadfastly continued with his duties, while she- Why should she feel guilty? Actually, she had continued with her duties as well, putting herself in a position to learn all about Rikan's plans. She had sent a report to the Enterprise. Not a bad day's work, really.
Data rejoined them, clean and dressed in trousers that bagged a bit, tucked into his own boots, with one of the loose s.h.i.+rts Dare's men affected belted around his slender waist. He looked as if he were off on one of his play-acting kicks again, Yar thought-all he needed was a bandanna, an eyepatch, and a gold earring!
Fortunately, telepathy was not a part of Data's programming. He sat, and accepted a gla.s.s of wine from Rikan, who seemed not in the least fazed to be host to an android. Yar recognized that she was watching true n.o.blesse oblige in action, a tradition rarely seen in the galaxy today.
As Rikan was always Rikan, so Data was utterly himself, sniffing, then tasting the wine and commenting, ”Excellent vintage-aged in wood, decanted-”
”Data!” Yar interrupted. ”You have important information for us.”
”Yes,” he replied, setting the gla.s.s down and turning to business.
”One moment,” said Rikan. ”I do not know your requirements, Mr. Data. Do you need food or other sustenance?”
”No, thank you, sir. I have had adequate nourishment today. And Lieutenant Yar is correct that I have information to impart.” He frowned. ”Tasha, can we speak freely here?”
”These people are working to overthrow Nalavia, but claim they are not responsible for the terrorist attacks on her people.”
”They are not,” said Data. ”I have copied all the data from Nalavia's computer, including military files. All the attacks were performed by her own army, to discredit Rikan.”
Dare looked stunned, then delighted. ”Mr. Data, despite our infortuitous introduction, I think I shall quickly grow to like you! What else did you find out?”
”A great deal. Of particular significance to our present situation is the fact that Nalavia's term for her visitors from Starfleet is ... hostages. She was considerably agitated when Tasha was discovered to be missing, and by now I a.s.sume she knows that I am also no longer in her palace.”
”Hostages,” mused Yar. ”So that was her plan: If she couldn't manipulate us into getting Starfleet to do what she wanted, she was going to try to force them by threatening us.”
”It would not work,” said Data.
”She doesn't know that,” said Dare. ”From out here, the Federation look very soft and unthreatening.”
With his characteristic half-questioning intonation, Data said, ”Indeed. Do you perceive Nalavia as unthreatening?”
”No, I do not,” Dare replied.
”She has proved extremely successful,” Rikan put in. ”Her efforts, however, have gone toward entrenching her own power rather than benefitting the people of Treva.”
”Are you aware of how she has accomplished that?” Data asked the warlord.
”She encourages them to grow soft,” he replied. ”I do not understand it-there should be some who recognize what she is doing. Yet only outside the cities has there been rebellion against her.”
”I a.s.sume that in the countryside the major sources of drinking water are untreated?”
”Wells and streams, for the most part. Mr. Data, are you suggesting that Nalavia drugs the water supply in the cities?” Rikan deduced at once.