konstantya (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
konstantya) wrote2012-10-04 04:05 pm
konstantya) wrote2012-10-04 04:05 pm
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[fic] Star Trek (TNG) - "Façades: A Mirror Universe Story" (Chapter 7)
Title: Façades: A Mirror Universe Story (Chapter 7)
Fandom: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Genre: AU, drama, adventure.
Characters/pairings: Mirror!Data/Mirror!Tasha.
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 1,404
Summary: In this universe, the Terran Empire didn't fall. A tale revolving around the ISS Enterprise, with Tasha Yar still alive, Data as this century's Casanova, Worf playing for the wrong side, and a one-eyed Wesley Crusher. (Rewrite of this fic, by Pseudo Posthuman.)
All other chapters can be found here.
Chapter 7
He poked at his skin as he looked in the mirror, concentrating on the bruises and scratches, staring at them until they almost resembled abstract art on the canvas of his face. The boy finally blinked, breaking the spell, and breathed in heavily.
He had exhausted what little entertainment was to be found in the android's quarters, and had grown so bored, that he was beginning to wish he had simply been killed upon his return to the ship. He had seen the android enter his encryption code into his computer enough times to have it memorized—but Sin wasn't interested in hacking the ship's systems for information.
He ran the tap in the washroom and let the sink fill. He concentrated on the water, looking for all the world like a sad little boy staring at his feet. He wasn't sad, though—he was focused on his broken, wavering reflection. For one fraction of an instant, a perfect, unmarred image was reflected back at him.
He dipped his hands into the water and splashed it over his face. Scrubbed every scratch, every bruise, every burn, as if it could wipe the Terran Empire from his very being. He gasped and sputtered and shook his face, grabbing the nearby towel and rubbing his skin raw as he dried it.
He gave his face one last wipe before looking back in the mirror. His reflection stared back at him. Arctic blue eyes, dirty blond hair, pale, perfect skin…despite the state it had been in just a few moments ago. He touched his ear, which hadn't healed as well, the tip still struggling to grow out of the fresh scar. It would take time, he guessed, but he would be fine. Back to normal. Back to a perfect, uninterrupted reflection.
---
"Data."
The android tapped absently at the console in front of him.
"Data."
More tapping. He started humming an off-key tune.
"Data!"
Data sharply cut off his humming and finally turned his head. "Geordi. Yes, Geordi?"
"Couldn't you hear me? I need those figures." Geordi scurried around to Data, next to the warp core.
"I could hear you, Geordi. I simply chose not to respond."
Geordi frowned. "So you were ignoring me?"
"In a fashion, yes; I was ignoring you."
Geordi shook his head as Data handed him the appropriate PADD without so much as a sideways glance. He knew the android well enough to realize that there was clearly something on his mind—even though he could, potentially, keep a million thoughts on his mind at once.
"So you gonna tell me about it?"
Data raised an eyebrow. "To what are you referring?"
"Okay." Geordi leaned forward on the console. "Are you gonna tell me about her?"
"I am afraid you will have to be more specific, Geordi."
The engineer sighed. "Don't try to fool me, Data. You can run a thousand mathematical computations in your head, but when something's bothering you…well, you start acting like a human. You know, like you're day-dreaming. Preoccupied."
Data frowned at the analogy. "Please do not insult me, Geordi."
Geordi shrugged and walked back to his console, leaving Data alone with his thoughts. Engineering was silent except for the whirring of the warp core and the dull bleeping of the consoles.
"Geordi."
He looked up to see Data, firmly in thought, standing next to his console.
"I am trying to formulate…a plan."
Geordi smirked. "Yeah?"
"Yes." Data took a seat opposite Geordi. "And it involves Natasha Yar."
Geordi's smirk turned into a full-blown laugh. "Trouble in paradise, Casanova?"
"There is no 'paradise,' Geordi. Nor anything that would even remotely resemble 'paradise,' " Data pointed out. Before Geordi could remark on that, he continued. "Her recent actions have left much to consider. I undermined her during the debriefing with the captain, and she was not pleased. Upon our next meeting in the turbolift—"
"Let me guess, Data. She said, 'no thanks,' right?"
Data nodded.
"So, what are you gonna do about it, huh?" Geordi asked. They both had a good understanding of each other—for all that Data would claim this was simply a game to pass time, a puzzle to solve and nothing more, it certainly looked like wounded pride to Geordi, and he knew the android's 'plan' involved seeking revenge or otherwise gaining the upper hand. Whatever the motivating factor behind it, Data was going to have her—and furthermore, he was going to have her on his own terms.
"I have considered several options," Data mused, "though I would appreciate your advice. My first option would be to deliberately cause a need for me—perhaps an away mission. My plan would—"
Geordi cut Data off with a dark laugh. "Stop it, Data. There's no need to be civil."
"In that case, my first option would be extortion."
Geordi snapped his fingers. "Now you're talking."
They talked for some time, looking around occasionally and pausing when an ensign or other junior officer walked through engineering. Data took care of the report while Geordi—a little more enthusiastically than Data had anticipated—paced back and forth, bouncing ideas off of Data. When they finally came up with a plan, and when Data double-checked engineering for eavesdropping devices, they set a date. A date that Data was thoroughly looking forward to.
"Why did I not think of this alone…?" Data wondered.
"Because you overthink things, Data." Geordi shrugged. "It's too obvious for anyone else to pull off, but it's perfect for you because you plan things so delicately…"
"I will require your help. I must stress again, Geordi, that although I trust you and value our friendship, I—"
"I won't ever put you in the deep end, Data. It's a matter of survival, so to speak."
Data nodded. "As I expected." He stopped for a moment and considered his plan. He sat there silently for some time before Geordi interrupted.
"Just one question, Data," he said. "I mean…why blackmail? Why not just seduce her?"
"I cannot. I have tried, Geordi. As I am sure you are aware—as I am sure the entire ship is aware—we have previously engaged in sexual intercourse." An alcohol-induced encounter that she had initiated—and then dismissed practically the instant she became sober. "I cannot explain this…obsession."
Geordi raised an eyebrow. "Really? An obsession?"
"Perhaps I shall take care when choosing my words around you. It is not an obsession. I do not know what it is." Data frowned thoughtfully. "I cannot explain my programming any more than you humans can explain your insatiable taste for blood."
"I know for a fact Soong was a bit of a womanizer. Maybe he programmed that into you. Complete replica of the mad genius. You'd have thought he would create an android for battle instead of a copy of—" Geordi stopped and looked up at Data, who raised his eyebrows.
"He did not need to create an android for battle. I possess superior strength, agility, and intelligence. Perhaps when I am bored one particular day, Geordi, I may decide to kill you all." His voice was cold and unemotional, and it was that part that scared Geordi the most. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Sorry, Data. You know what I meant to say."
Data shook his head and stood. "Do not apologize, Geordi. You sound like a Terran weasel in such instances. I will contact you tomorrow to finalize the procedures."
Geordi shrugged as Data walked off, and murmured, "Okay."
Just as the turbolift doors slid open, Geordi shouted Data's name. He turned to see the engineer looking at him inquisitively.
"Why Tasha?" he shouted to him. "Why not some young ensign with curves?"
Why not, indeed. But he'd had such conquests before, and they'd done little for him. They were so easy, so willing to fall into bed with just about any superior officer, so eager to please—and so, so boring. Natasha Yar was…well, none of that. And infinitely more entertaining for it. Data shot Geordi his small, subtle smirk. "I enjoy the challenge," he said, and then disappeared into the lift without another word.
Geordi smiled to himself and slowly sat back down, his grin growing bigger and bigger until it finally broke into a chuckle. After a minute, he managed to compose himself and tapped his comm. badge.
"La Forge to Commander Riker. I need to speak with you."
-----
All other fics can be found here.
Fandom: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Genre: AU, drama, adventure.
Characters/pairings: Mirror!Data/Mirror!Tasha.
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 1,404
Summary: In this universe, the Terran Empire didn't fall. A tale revolving around the ISS Enterprise, with Tasha Yar still alive, Data as this century's Casanova, Worf playing for the wrong side, and a one-eyed Wesley Crusher. (Rewrite of this fic, by Pseudo Posthuman.)
All other chapters can be found here.
- Façades: A Mirror Universe Story -
originally by Pseudo Posthuman
originally by Pseudo Posthuman
Chapter 7
He poked at his skin as he looked in the mirror, concentrating on the bruises and scratches, staring at them until they almost resembled abstract art on the canvas of his face. The boy finally blinked, breaking the spell, and breathed in heavily.
He had exhausted what little entertainment was to be found in the android's quarters, and had grown so bored, that he was beginning to wish he had simply been killed upon his return to the ship. He had seen the android enter his encryption code into his computer enough times to have it memorized—but Sin wasn't interested in hacking the ship's systems for information.
He ran the tap in the washroom and let the sink fill. He concentrated on the water, looking for all the world like a sad little boy staring at his feet. He wasn't sad, though—he was focused on his broken, wavering reflection. For one fraction of an instant, a perfect, unmarred image was reflected back at him.
He dipped his hands into the water and splashed it over his face. Scrubbed every scratch, every bruise, every burn, as if it could wipe the Terran Empire from his very being. He gasped and sputtered and shook his face, grabbing the nearby towel and rubbing his skin raw as he dried it.
He gave his face one last wipe before looking back in the mirror. His reflection stared back at him. Arctic blue eyes, dirty blond hair, pale, perfect skin…despite the state it had been in just a few moments ago. He touched his ear, which hadn't healed as well, the tip still struggling to grow out of the fresh scar. It would take time, he guessed, but he would be fine. Back to normal. Back to a perfect, uninterrupted reflection.
"Data."
The android tapped absently at the console in front of him.
"Data."
More tapping. He started humming an off-key tune.
"Data!"
Data sharply cut off his humming and finally turned his head. "Geordi. Yes, Geordi?"
"Couldn't you hear me? I need those figures." Geordi scurried around to Data, next to the warp core.
"I could hear you, Geordi. I simply chose not to respond."
Geordi frowned. "So you were ignoring me?"
"In a fashion, yes; I was ignoring you."
Geordi shook his head as Data handed him the appropriate PADD without so much as a sideways glance. He knew the android well enough to realize that there was clearly something on his mind—even though he could, potentially, keep a million thoughts on his mind at once.
"So you gonna tell me about it?"
Data raised an eyebrow. "To what are you referring?"
"Okay." Geordi leaned forward on the console. "Are you gonna tell me about her?"
"I am afraid you will have to be more specific, Geordi."
The engineer sighed. "Don't try to fool me, Data. You can run a thousand mathematical computations in your head, but when something's bothering you…well, you start acting like a human. You know, like you're day-dreaming. Preoccupied."
Data frowned at the analogy. "Please do not insult me, Geordi."
Geordi shrugged and walked back to his console, leaving Data alone with his thoughts. Engineering was silent except for the whirring of the warp core and the dull bleeping of the consoles.
"Geordi."
He looked up to see Data, firmly in thought, standing next to his console.
"I am trying to formulate…a plan."
Geordi smirked. "Yeah?"
"Yes." Data took a seat opposite Geordi. "And it involves Natasha Yar."
Geordi's smirk turned into a full-blown laugh. "Trouble in paradise, Casanova?"
"There is no 'paradise,' Geordi. Nor anything that would even remotely resemble 'paradise,' " Data pointed out. Before Geordi could remark on that, he continued. "Her recent actions have left much to consider. I undermined her during the debriefing with the captain, and she was not pleased. Upon our next meeting in the turbolift—"
"Let me guess, Data. She said, 'no thanks,' right?"
Data nodded.
"So, what are you gonna do about it, huh?" Geordi asked. They both had a good understanding of each other—for all that Data would claim this was simply a game to pass time, a puzzle to solve and nothing more, it certainly looked like wounded pride to Geordi, and he knew the android's 'plan' involved seeking revenge or otherwise gaining the upper hand. Whatever the motivating factor behind it, Data was going to have her—and furthermore, he was going to have her on his own terms.
"I have considered several options," Data mused, "though I would appreciate your advice. My first option would be to deliberately cause a need for me—perhaps an away mission. My plan would—"
Geordi cut Data off with a dark laugh. "Stop it, Data. There's no need to be civil."
"In that case, my first option would be extortion."
Geordi snapped his fingers. "Now you're talking."
They talked for some time, looking around occasionally and pausing when an ensign or other junior officer walked through engineering. Data took care of the report while Geordi—a little more enthusiastically than Data had anticipated—paced back and forth, bouncing ideas off of Data. When they finally came up with a plan, and when Data double-checked engineering for eavesdropping devices, they set a date. A date that Data was thoroughly looking forward to.
"Why did I not think of this alone…?" Data wondered.
"Because you overthink things, Data." Geordi shrugged. "It's too obvious for anyone else to pull off, but it's perfect for you because you plan things so delicately…"
"I will require your help. I must stress again, Geordi, that although I trust you and value our friendship, I—"
"I won't ever put you in the deep end, Data. It's a matter of survival, so to speak."
Data nodded. "As I expected." He stopped for a moment and considered his plan. He sat there silently for some time before Geordi interrupted.
"Just one question, Data," he said. "I mean…why blackmail? Why not just seduce her?"
"I cannot. I have tried, Geordi. As I am sure you are aware—as I am sure the entire ship is aware—we have previously engaged in sexual intercourse." An alcohol-induced encounter that she had initiated—and then dismissed practically the instant she became sober. "I cannot explain this…obsession."
Geordi raised an eyebrow. "Really? An obsession?"
"Perhaps I shall take care when choosing my words around you. It is not an obsession. I do not know what it is." Data frowned thoughtfully. "I cannot explain my programming any more than you humans can explain your insatiable taste for blood."
"I know for a fact Soong was a bit of a womanizer. Maybe he programmed that into you. Complete replica of the mad genius. You'd have thought he would create an android for battle instead of a copy of—" Geordi stopped and looked up at Data, who raised his eyebrows.
"He did not need to create an android for battle. I possess superior strength, agility, and intelligence. Perhaps when I am bored one particular day, Geordi, I may decide to kill you all." His voice was cold and unemotional, and it was that part that scared Geordi the most. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Sorry, Data. You know what I meant to say."
Data shook his head and stood. "Do not apologize, Geordi. You sound like a Terran weasel in such instances. I will contact you tomorrow to finalize the procedures."
Geordi shrugged as Data walked off, and murmured, "Okay."
Just as the turbolift doors slid open, Geordi shouted Data's name. He turned to see the engineer looking at him inquisitively.
"Why Tasha?" he shouted to him. "Why not some young ensign with curves?"
Why not, indeed. But he'd had such conquests before, and they'd done little for him. They were so easy, so willing to fall into bed with just about any superior officer, so eager to please—and so, so boring. Natasha Yar was…well, none of that. And infinitely more entertaining for it. Data shot Geordi his small, subtle smirk. "I enjoy the challenge," he said, and then disappeared into the lift without another word.
Geordi smiled to himself and slowly sat back down, his grin growing bigger and bigger until it finally broke into a chuckle. After a minute, he managed to compose himself and tapped his comm. badge.
"La Forge to Commander Riker. I need to speak with you."
-----
All other fics can be found here.