Wo: |
Captain, incoming signal. Starfleet priority one. Admiral Haftel
|
P: |
On my monitor, Lieutenant. Admiral.
|
Ha: |
Captain Picard, I hope I didn't disturb you.
|
P: |
Not at all.
|
Ha: |
I have discussed my concerns with Starfleet Command. You are to
hold your position until I join you. And I should personally review
the android's development.
|
P: |
Understood.
|
Ha: |
I should advise you, Captain, that if I'm not satisfied with what I
see, I'm empowered to take the android back with me. Haftel out.
|
P: |
Captain's log, supplemental. We are holding position, pending the
arrival of Admiral Haftel from the Starfleet Research. Commander
Data is completing his final neurotransfers to the android he has
named 'Lal,' which, I have learned, in the language Hindi, means
"beloved."
|
Gu: |
Hello, Data.
|
Da: |
Guinan!
|
Gu: |
Lal, how are you?
|
Lal: |
I am functioning within normal ... I am fine, thank you.
|
Gu: |
Good.
|
Da: |
Guinan, Lal needs to observe human behavior.
|
Gu: |
Now, she's in the right place for it.
|
Da: |
And for this opportunity, she is willing to provide services
to assist you.
|
Gu: |
Ahh.
|
Lal: |
Father says I will learn a great deal from working with someone as
old as you.
|
Gu: |
You are hired. Most important part about working in some place like
this is the art of listening. I have some expertise, so I shall teach
you.
|
Da: |
That would be most beneficial.
|
Lal: |
I've been programmed with a listing of fourteen hundred and twelve
known beverages...
|
Gu: |
What did you just say?
|
Lal: |
I've been programmed with a listing of fourteen hundred...
|
Gu: |
I've...?
|
Da: |
You have used verbal contraction.
|
Gu: |
You said "I've" instead of "I have."
|
Da: |
It is a skill my program has never mastered.
|
Lal: |
Then now I will desist.
|
Da: |
No, you have exceeded my abilities. I do not object, but I do not
understand how this has occurred.
|
P: |
Picard to Commander Data, please report to my ready room.
|
Da: |
Aye, sir.
|
Da: |
I am certain the admiral is anxious to meet Lal. I have been sending
him regular status reports on her development.
|
P: |
His visit is not just an inspection of Lal's progress. He has expressed
the concern for her environment.
|
Da: |
Her environment, sir?
|
P: |
He believes the Daystrom Annex on Galor IV will be more suitable.
|
Da: |
And he wishes to relocate us.
|
P: |
Not you, Data. Just her.
|
Da: |
I would not be in favor of that, sir. There are many things that she
can learn only from me. My life time of experiences, the mistakes
I have made, and what I have learned from them...
|
Wo: |
Captain, Commander Riker's shuttle has just returned.
|
P: |
Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Will you advise Commander Riker I will meet
with him in one hour? Picard out. The Admiral's taking the position
that Lal's development should be overseen by the most experienced
personnel.
|
Da: |
Then he is questioning my ability as a parent.
|
P: |
In a manner of speaking.
|
Da: |
Does the admiral have children?
|
P: |
Yes, I believe he does, Data. Why?
|
Da: |
I am forced to wonder how much experience he had as a parent when his
first child was born.
|