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I should be in bed, but I'm quite thirsty. It will only take a minute to order some water from the replicator and scurry back to bed. My parents need never know. As I walk across the living area, I hear them talking. My conscience tells me not to listen; my curiosity ignores that warning. After I gulp down my water and return the glass to the replicator, I creep up to the edge of their door, careful not to activate it.
"I realize that," Father responds to something Mother has said.
We should have Eric tested, " mother says.
I pause outside their door waiting for Father to speak. "Do you believe he is as intelligent as Shannara? If Q. is influencing him as well--"
"I don't have any proof of that, Worf. I just think it's a good idea to have him tested."
This is the worst possible news! I hadn't even consider that regular school might be too easy for my brother as well. If mother's suspicions are true, Q may lose interest in me. Maybe he will find my brother more willing to cooperate with him. Why do I feel so threatened by this? I should be relieved to rid myself of his annoying presence. Let him pop into Eric's room all the time instead. Who deserves to be taunted more than a little brother?
"We will have him tested. It is not fair, though, to expect Commander Data to also tutor him."
Share Data with Eric! I'd never considered the possibility. The past few weeks have been uncomfortable enough with Veronica Hamilton around. Twice, she's interrupted my tutoring to make plans with Data. Furthermore, I've become disenchanted by his eagerness to answer each of her pages.
Now my time with my mentor may be further strained by my brother! An image of trying to conduct a lesson with my brother in tow flashes before my mine's eye. He would interrupt with so many meddling questions that none of our projects would ever get done. Struggling to manipulate a way to prevent this short of sending my brother into oblivion, I fearfully continue to listen in on my parent's plans.
"If he is as intelligence as Shannara, we will send him to the K.A.G. when he is ready. He will become a great and powerful leader."
Why should only a son have the potential to become a great leader? Am I of lesser value having been born a daughter? I vow to prove to Father that I am worthy of such a challenge. I can prove to all Klingons that a girl can excel through K.A.G. This would be an excellent way for me to learn about the homeworld and spend time with Alexander. Why can't a girl become a fierce warrior?
"I won't have our son sent off to some Klingon academy and changed into a brute! He's part Betazoid and if even you can't admit how gentle natured he is, I won't believe you. Shannara's the wild one. Eric, he's no warrior, and if you try to change him into one, you haven't learned a thing from your experience with Alexander."
I'm the wild one, she said. What exactly did she mean by that? Mother must feel that I am unruly, the problem child who becomes a parent's worst nightmare. Even now I am proving her point by standing outside their doorway. Why am I always the one getting into trouble?
I back away, suddenly anxious to retreat to the safe haven of my room, to crawl under my covers like a coward. If they were to catch me now, I might end up at some disciplinary school far away from them and my android mentor. Data would surely be happy to accept Eric as a replacement student. With these thoughts weighing heavily on my mind, I slowly drift to sleep.
*****
I'm jarred suddenly awake by a scuffling noise. Flinging back the covers, I squint to see against the dark. There is an intruder in my room and although I can only make out his shadow, I know very well who it is.
"It's impolite to pop in on a lady during the middle of the night," I say. "I'm in my nightie. " Recalling the time I wandered out to play with Jeremy Paris, I realize why my parents had been so upset over the ordeal.
"Would you rather I return a little later, so we can chitchat over a couple bowls of mush?" Q responds. He is sitting on my desk, leaning against my console.
"I'd rather you'd get lost."
"Oh. Come now. I came because I heard that there's some question over whether or not your brother's Ken matches yours."
Is he spying on me every day? What is so exciting about my life that it holds Q's interest more than any cosmic event? No wonder the Q Continuum want little to do with him. They would laugh at him, if they ever bothered to pay him heed any longer. Maybe he entertains himself with us mortals, because he is seeking comfort. It can be reassuring knowing your the most intelligent being around. 'He's being tested right now. If he's as smart as I am-"
"I'm here to offer you a way out. "
"The same old proposal, " I reply, rolling my eyes. Will he ever give up on me? For an intelligent being he is awfully thick headed. Do I really want him to give up on me? I think and quickly block out the thought. Don't encourage him, Shannara! I chastise myself.
"Let Commander Data mentor your sniveling brother." Q suggests. Is he deliberately trying to ridicule me? I could teach you far more than a computer for a brain."
"Commander Data is more than just a computer. He has feelings, you know. He's my mentor and my friend. I doubt you could offer me anything even closely resembles what I have with Data. "
"If you think your yellow-eyed friend will remain faithfully by your side indefinitely, you're sadly mistaken. He's demonstrating this now with that female."
"She has a name: Veronica Hamilton." Why am I defending her?"
"Getting chummy with sweet Ronnie now? If you think the mechanical one will want to include you in their little picnics, you're going to find holodeck doors closing in her face. He'll leave you high and dry one day."
I fold my arms in defiance. How dare he insult Data like this! And he expects to win me over by downgrading my friends? "Data's not leaving the Enterprise, " I snap. "He wouldn't turn his back on his responsibilities. I firmly believe that he feels a duty to me much as he does his captain."
"Your loyalties are so misguided, child."
"I refuse to believe that. Now leave so I can get back to sleep. "I lift my blanket over my head, concentrating on that zone inside my head where the will to make magic happen exists. How just to use Q's curse on him.
"And what will you do if your brother's I.Q. test exceeds your own?"
As I sit back up, I flounder for a witty reply to one up the all-mighty Q, but he has already made his exit.
*****
I can't concentrate on today's lesson. Eric is being tested. He is undergoing the same rigorous questions and evaluations I was subjected to four years ago. Does he find them as easy as I did? I try to probe his mind, but he is too far away, four decks up.
"I know you are concerned about your brother," Data says, snapping me out of my trance. "But if you cannot focus your attention on my lecture, we might as well cancel today's session."
I look over at Veronica, who is busy working on a report at Data's console at least she's pretending. She meets my gaze and smiles. "I'm sure your brother is doing fine on his test," she assures me. Yeah, just what I wanted to hear.
"Am I in trouble? Are you going to send me back to regular school?"
"No. What has led you to believe this?"
"Well, I was wondering what if Eric scores higher than I did? Maybe you would be happier with a boy as a student."
"I do not judge people by whether they are male or female. You are worried about how your brother's scoring will reflect on you. People will no longer view you as the prodigy child. I cannot vouch for others, but my opinion of you is based solely on your accomplishments and attitude. It is inappropriate to compare one child to another. Each has his or her own strengths and weaknesses. You are jealous of your brother, a common ailment among siblings. Nonetheless, it is wrong to feel that way."
Mulling over Data's words, unsure how to respond, I am still no closer to understanding how to handle this situation. "Can I work on my history report for the rest of today? I promise I'll be more attentive to this lecture tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, I am scheduled for alpha bridge duty." Data informs me. "I will stop by your quarters for one hour after dinner to resume this session. You will be expected to take thorough notes and prepare for a test on the material on Friday."
"I will be prepared, I promise."
"You may go now." He sounds a bit anxious. Glancing at Veronica, who has powered down the monitor, I wonder what they have planned for today. A picnic on the holodeck.
As I power down my data padd, I realize how few notes I've taken. He judges me for my accomplishments, Data said. I certainly have put on little show today. Feeling flush, I leave his quarters and winding my way back to my own, I make eye contact with no one.
No one is inside our quarters, of course, and I am glad of it. I slump onto the sofa and cross my arms. I'm sulking, I admit, but not caring to change my attitude. Why should I care when both my parents are with my little brother, bargaining on his intelligence? Have they already abandoned any desire to see me excel for a son instead? I know father had been deeply disappointed when Alexander chose not to follow traditional Klingon rituals. Although he and father speak relatively often these days, I sense that their relationship is still strained.
Now he may have a second chance to have a son he can be proud of. Maybe I should run off with Q. Would father miss me if I did? As I consider making Q's dream come true, I think about how my parents might react. They would feel guilty about forgetting me in favor of Eric. I wouldn't have to stay gone long, a day or two would cause great worry.
The front door slides open and my brother proceeds our parents into the room. He is licking on a sucker and grinning as though he is enjoying a reward. Suddenly, my throat feels dry and I hold my breath, wishing time would frieze so the moment I am given unbearable news will never arrive.
"Eric passed the test, Shannara," Mother informs me. Why does my magic fail me when I need it most? "Would you like to help me plan out a celebratory dinner? "
Like I really want to celebrate! But how can I gracefully refuse? "Sure, I'll help, Mommy." I follow her over to the replicator while watching father escort nerve into his room. Already, I can sense that Eric is becoming his favorite. Trying to smile, I hope it doesn't come across as a grimace. There has to be a way to make it through this evening without my getting into trouble.
I manage to help mother select roast lamb, dark Artarian gravy, yellow potatoes, black-eyed peas and carrot cake for dessert. As we begin setting the table, mother decides to give me the details about Eric's testing. Reluctantly, I listen.
"Your brother was pretty nervous until I gave him a plastic ball filled with silly puddy to keep his hands busy. After that, he made it through each portion of the testing rather quickly. Mrs. Dewberry told him that he ought to do rather well in school and that she looks forward to teaching him."
I pause in between arranging the silverware, unable to keep my mouth from hanging open. "School! you're not going to ask Data to tutor him along with me?"
"No sweetheart. Your brother's test scores were high by normal standards, but not near enough to yours. Your Father and I discussed it briefly with Mrs. Dewberry in her office while Eric played in the outer room. We decided Eric will succeed best with a normal education."
I try not to betray my relief, but it is difficult to hold back a smile. Q had been bluffing after all. If he wants me so badly, why does he choose tactics that will inevitably backfire on him? He needs me; I don't need him.
"We didn't compare his test score to yours in front of him and your Father and I would very much appreciate it if you would show how mature you are by refraining from doing so."
This situation is turning out better than I ever dreamed. Not only has the threat of sharing Data with my little brother been eliminated; now I have a chance at improving my credibility with them.
"Of course not, Mommy. I will let Eric know how proud I am of him." Though I'm sure my words sound sincere, guilt tugs at me. Shouldn't I feel proud of him?
*****
The following day, I wait for Data to arrive until well past dinner. Fearing that he's chosen to be with Veronica over me, I'm reluctant to ask the computer for his location. I pace the length of the living area, tapping my data padd against my hand.
"Computer, location of Commander Data," Mother asks, growing tired of my anxious movements.
"Commander Data is inside his quarters," the computer droned.
I stop pacing and ask, "Is he with anyone?"
"Negative."
"Something's wrong! I need to go to him." I rush past Mother, only to pause at the opening door. "Thanks," I tell her.
*****
When Data doesn't answer his annunciator, I key in his override code and the door swooshes open for me. His quarters are unlit, but I sense his presence in the room. "Computer, full illumination."
He's sitting on the sofa, his face streaked with tears. I close the gap between us and sit next to him. Waiting for him to speak first, I bow my head and place my hands on my lap.
"She's leaving," he finally says after a long moment. I've desperately wanted Veronica out of the picture, but how can I rejoice over Data's pain? "She accepted a promotion that will take her to Starbase 267. I thought she would never leave me. I had hopes of making her my wife soon. But alas, her career is more important to her."
Reaching out, I place my hand inside his. "I'll never leave you, Data," I promise. He smiles down at me and I sense his pain lessening. I lean my head against his arm and silently, continue to offer him comfort.
Data will never lose me.
