PART THREE
Chapter Sixteen
THE DEFENSE WAITED until Lore finished.
“You took Persephone to Starbase 515 as you could not sustain her injuries."
“I nursed her back to health the first time. At first, I didn't trust her, because she was human, but I wanted to tell her about me. I was scared to, because there was every chance that she would reject me and be afraid of me... I can't say I I'd blame her, but I took the chance and told her, what I've told you ... and she accepted me. She helped me overcome my fears and loved me. At first, I was dubious, but she showed me how much she cared. She was always there for me when I needed her. She comforted me when I most needed it. She was always honest never lied about her feelings to me. I couldn't believe anyone could be this understanding toward me. And I ... fell in love with her."
Lore began to tell thr court of his marriage and time with Persephone, as he had told Captain Picard.
“I knew it was dangerous for me to take her to Starbase 515, but I was her only hope. I felt guilty, as it had happened right after an argument."
“How did it happen?" the defense asked, his tone gentle.
Lore paused, finding what he had to say difficult to admit.
“We had an argument... it started about clothes. She wanted me to wear different things, and I couldn't really see the point in it. Anyway, that's how it started, and it went on from there. We raised our voices. Even though I was angry with her at the time, I never hurt her. She slammed her fist down on a console and it blew out right in front of her ... I ran to her, instantly forgetting my anger ... and she ..."
“It's all right," the defense soothed. “Go on."
I took her to my sickbay and managed to sustain some of her injuries. She was alive, but barely. I couldn't let her die." There was determination in Lore's voice. “I knew she would've been worried about me if she knew where I was taking her. There was a good chance I'd be caught and disassembled.
She said to me afterward, 'Lore, they could have killed you
I told her that I had to take the chance, because I loved her.
“It sounds as though she loves you too, despite your past crimes."
Lore smiled and nodded.
“You stole a Federation shuttle," the Prosecution began.
“If that's what you're getting at, you can have it back if you want it," Lore interrupted. “And you can hardly blame me for taking it in the first place. It was the only way I could..."
“That's not what I was 'getting at.' I want you to tell me about the ship you have now. It's definitely not Federation, so I much conclude that you stole it from another alien race. You probably killed them all just to get your hands on it."
Lore looked offended and was about to ...
“Objection," the Prosecution stood.
“Sustained."
The jury turned her head. “The Prosecutor will refrain from accusing the witness."
“Yes, Your Honor," the man said, but there was no respect in his voice. He then turned toward Lore.
“I did not kill anyone on that ship," Lore said. “After I'd escaped the Enterprise, I was in the shuttle for at least a month. I was checking the sensors to see if there were any planets within range, and they picked up a vessel, seeming to be drifting. I approached it, hailed them, but there was no answer. I scanned the vessel, but there were no life forms, so I beamed aboard. It's a compact ship, but there are 12 living quarters, various rooms, a science room, engineering and bridge. Nothing unusual. I accessed the ship's computer. Apparently, the ship belonged to a race from the Delta Quadrant called the Averites. They're explorers, not unlike you humans. Their computers store a vast amount of information about hundreds of thousands of species. They gather this information performing an invisible, undetectable scan on the planet and its people, without harming them. You'd be surprised how much they know about humans ..."
The prosecutor looked dubious. “If they were from the Delta Quadrant..."
“What are they doing here," Lore completed. “You humans are so predictable, well, some of you. Their computer contained information on that as well. Apparently, they were drawn into the Alpha Quadrant by a wormhole. They knew they could not return home so they started exploring this new frontier. That's how they came to know of humans, among other races here."
“That's all well and good, but what happened to them and..."
“I'm getting to that," Lore said, looking at the impatient prosecutor. “I accessed information on them. The Averites are a very bright race, so bright they would permanently blind a human."
“That what you posed as when you brought Persephone to..."
Lore smiled. “Very good..."
The prosecutor scowled at Lore's sarcasm, but he had that one coming.
“This ship has powerful weapons. I doubt they were the original weapons."
“You're right," Lore said. “I modified them as defensive," Lore stressed the word, “weapons."
“Defensive..." mocked the prosecutor.
“Yes. If people wanted to disassemble you, you'd need to defend yourself and don't tell me self preservation is a crime."
“What else did you perfect on the ship?"
“I also modified the Lorean's..."
“Lorean," repeated the prosecutor. “I don't believe that is the vessel's original name."
Lore smiled. “Of course not. Its name was boring, and well... what better name than the Lorean?"
The prosecutor did not reply.
“Well," Lore continued, “I also modified her warp capability and gave her a cloaking device."
“The Lorean's weapons are more powerful than that of the Enterprise and she is faster, am I correct?"
“Yes," Lore said.
“Wouldn't you say we have a right to be worried that someone like you has such a vessel under his power?"
“I agree with you there," Lore said, “but I have not used the Lorean for ill purposes."
“Yet."
“And I don't intend to," Lore said, giving the prosecutor a cold stare. “I'm trying to amend my ways, doing the best I can and all you have done is accuse me. I'm doing my best and that's all I can do, but it's going to take a little more time. What's that thing my Elanore always used to say? Rome wasn't built in a day you know."
The prosecutor paused for a few moments, and the continued with his questions, or rather, demands.
“I want to know what happened to these Averites, aboard the vessel."
“Aaaanyway," Lore continued, “this particular ship contained a virus, one put there by enemies of the Averites. It was not detected until it was too late. The only file the computer contained on this was a personal account captain stating that the only logical explanation was the virus was placed there before they entered this quadrant."
“What exactly does this virus do?"
“When it is released into oxygen, it becomes active. Once it is breathed in, the body begins to disintegrate."
“How long would one have to be exposed to this virus?"
“It depends on the size of the person, but about ten minutes."
“Persephone was aboard your ship for longer than ten minutes. Why was she not affected?"
“When I beamed aboard the ship in the first place, I eradicated what was left of the virus, by dispersing it in the transporter."
“Do you know what effect the virus would have on humans?"
“Not exactly, but..."
“Well, then, why didn't you experiment? You had one right there with you."
Lore seethed at that remark, but was determined to keep his cool. He knew what the prosecutor was playing at - trying to make him angry so that he'd lash out. No. He wouldn't play that game. He felt like throttling the man, but he was trying to change those ways and he wasn't going to let some single-minded bastard ruin what he'd sought all his life.
He could see his defense about to object at the prosecutor's statement, but Lore needed to resolve this himself.
“Persephone is my wife," Lore said, calmly. “I've told the court about our wedding. You heard her testimony. The next thing you'll be accusing me of is forcing her to say what she did. That's how she really feels toward me and I toward her. She's helped me in ways that you couldn't even begin to imagine. She comforts me when the rest of the universe shuts me out. Are you married."
“I don't know what this has to do with this trial, but no, I'm not."
“I can't say I'm surprised."
The Jury turned her head toward Lore.
“The witness will refrain from insulting the prosecutor."
“Sorry, your honor." Lore looked at the prosecutor. “Have you any Idea what that feels like when all you get is rejection and suspicion. I've told you about my life and how I was treated. I doubt you would be so suspicious if you'd been through what I had." Lore looked down to the prosecutor, demanding an answer.
The man refused to look at Lore, silently acknowledging - would he be a better man if things had been different? He looked up at the Jury.
“No further questions, your honor."
“This court is adjourned until tomorrow morning, when the verdict will be passed."
Lore didn't know whether to feel relieved or not. His testimony was over. He'd done the best he could. Now all he could do was hope - hope they'd understand, and give him the chance he needs. He felt resentful that his life was in the hands of humans, but he felt this trial was the only way to put all this behind him, but what if it blew up in his face? What if they decided to disassemble him after all? Would he ever get repaired again? Lore severely doubted that. This was it. He had been given a fair trial, his last hope. Would it end in despair, or hope for the future?
Lore's thoughts shifted to Persephone. He was relieved that she was going to make it, and he had Dr. Crusher to thank for that, but what would she do if he was disassembled? She would become a widow. He knew how much he loved her, and he also knew that he couldn't live without her. Of course, he could always escape with her, but what would that do? They'd track him down again and this whole vicious circle would start again.
No, Lore thought. It ends here. If they decide to disassemble me, that's their decision. I know I've made a change for the better, even if they don't.
Chapter Seventeen
LORE STOOD ON TENTERHOOKS as the verdict was passed.
“The jury has unanimously decreed that the android known as Lore be sentenced to a minimum five years imprisonment on the Daystrom institute on Galor Four. Where he will be counselled and rehabilitated. Upon completing his five-year sentence, Lore will be re-examined and his fate will be re assessed."
Androids did not need oxygen, but Lore breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, your honour."
* * *
“WE CAN'T DISASSEMBLE HIM NOW!" cursed Maddox. “This is a severe setback on our research."
Lore put his hands on his cheeks and gasped. “Ohh...How terrible..."
Maddox and Haftel glared at him.
“I don't see how this could effect your work, gentlemen," said Picard. “Surely you have other aspects of research to continue with. Having Lore here was merely happenstance."
Haftel looked defeated, angry.
Lore looked at the two Starfleet scientists. “Y'know if you two cared more about life, you'd be better off."
“I find that statement rather odd, coming from you," Maddox said, almost accusingly.
“Yeah, well I've changed. Or maybe you haven't noticed - Or you're trying not to notice."
Lore had given the two a hell of a lot to think about. The admiral and commander needed to take a long hard look at themselves, as Lore had done with himself.
A long pause ensued.
Admiral Haftel looked at Lore. “I'm sorry" was all he could say.
Lore glanced at him, then at Maddox, expectantly.
The commander felt uncomfortable. “...Perhaps I was ... a little hasty. But now the verdict's been passed. You don't deserve to be taken apart for your crimes and everyone deserves another chance at life. I realize that now. You're not guilty of murder. You're a free andro - man, but you have your sentence to serve. You're not as evil as we had originally perceived. I apologize for that lack of understanding."
“Thank you." There was a hint of satisfaction in Lore's voice.
Admiral Haftel and Commander Maddox stood to leave. Picard stood as well.
“Gentlemen, I will accompany you to the transporter."
“Thank you, Captain."
Picard turned to Lore.
Lore smiled. “Thanks, Jean-Luc."
The four exited the captain's Ready Room.
* * *
Lore and Persephone sat with Data, Geordi and Picard at a table in Ten-Forward.
“Congratulations, Brother," Data said.
“Thank you ... Though it was touch and go a few times there."
“So, you came aboard the Enterprise to get your wife back?" Geordi said, looking at Lore.
The android nodded. “Yeah. I was going to get her from Starbase 515, then be on my merry way and mind my own business ... but it wasn't as easy as that. You all thought I was going to kidnap her and blow up the ship or something."
Picard nodded. “That had crossed my mind. Our last encounters with you have hardly been social calls."
Lore nodded, feeling uncomfortable. It was a past he wasn't proud of and was trying his hardest to forget. “I'm sorry about that."
Guinan seemed to appear out of nowhere, and Lore could not have been more grateful.
“The usuals," he said.
The dark-skinned woman seemed to disappear behind the bar, behind her dark flowing clothing.
Picard looked at Lore for a moment, then diverted his attention elsewhere.
Persephone spoke to him. “Captain, I heard the nursery had a litter of bunnies they want to give away. I was wondering..."
Picard nodded. “If you'd like one, they're not mine to give away. You'll have to ask at the nursery.
Persephone looked at Lore.
He tried to stifle a smile. “Sure, why not? I never could resist your puppy-dog look."
Persephone curled her arm around Lore's and smiled. “We'll go and get one after."
In a few moments, Guinan had returned. She placed the drinks in front of the people. Lore looked at his drink. A large glass, containing a with milky brown beverage. He took a sip, looked up at Guinan and smiled. How could she have known? They'd never met her, but she seemed to know exactly what he wanted.
“It's Vandermint," she told him. “An old Earth style Swiss chocolate liqueur."
“How did you know?"
Guinan smiled. “Do you expect me to give away my trade secrets? You look like the choclatey type."
And then she was gone. One would wonder if she had a cloaking device concealed within her flowing robes.
The Captain had almost finished his black Earl Grey, and most of the others were staring at empty glasses. Lore looked at his brother, rotating his glass on the table.
“Captain," he said, “permission for my brother and I to be excused."
Picard and Data looked up, hesitant.
“We have a lot to talk about."
There was silence for a moment, then Data nodded.
“He is right, captain. We do have a lot we need to discuss and there may not be another time."
Picard nodded, then looked at Lore. “If you even think about taking Data's place..."
“Relax, Captain. After all I've been through, struggled for and what I've accomplished do you think I'd risk blowing it all?"
“Just checking."
Lore stood with his wife. “Darling, you go to the nursery and choose which furball you want to follow home ... I need to talk to my brother alone ... You understand that ..."
She nodded and kissed her husband gently on the cheek. “Of course I do."
* * *
Persephone entered the nursery and was greeted my Mrs. Young, an elderly woman, who was looking after the rabbits. Persephone looked around.
“There were more than I thought they would be."
“Two of our mother rabbits had litters of six, about five weeks ago, and now the bunnies are old enough to be weaned away from them and we need to find them homes before they drive me crazy!"
Persephone smiled and knelt down on the floor. She picked up one of the small rabbits and stroked it gently.
“There's so many I dunno which one to choose."
Mrs. Young smiled. “Take your time, Dear."
* * *
Lore entered Data's new quarters. “I just wanted to say ... I'm sorry."
“Do you wish to make amends?"
Lore nodded. “Yes - but how?"
“I do not know. You will have to do that yourself."
“I know I can't undo what I've done. I wish I could, but ... I can't."
“You have already made a start by saying you are sorry."
“It's not enough. It won't bring those people back."
“That is true, but at least it is a start that you regret what you have done."
“I never thought I'd say this, but ... Thanks."
Data gave a small smile. “It is all right, Lore."
“No, I really mean it, Data. I mean I've...always wanted this...to be fixed..."
“I know. I am sorry you had to be disassembled, but..."
“I don't blame you for deactivating me...At the time I was scared and angry, but I understand now...and I'm sorry for what I did...Lying to you, betraying you, stealing your chip, using you with the Borg...and everything else..."
“You are asking for forgiveness?"
Lore shook his head. “I don't expect you to ever forgive me."
Data thought for a while, thinking about the things Lore had done and if he deserved to be forgiven, then he remembered something else: A conversation he once had with Dr. Crusher.
“The two boys appear to have reconciled their differences."
“They're brothers, Data. Brothers forgive ..."
Data looked at his brother.
“I forgive you, Lore."
Lore blinked, widened his eyes and gave a look of disbelief worthy of Data.
“After all I've done ... Why?"
Data blinked once. “You are my brother."
Lore looked at him, sincere and grateful. “Thank you..."
* * *
As Persephone materialized on the platform of the Lorean, she felt a great sense of satisfaction and self worth. Lore was finally vindicated and would no longer live his life in an endless search for a place to belong, because he had found one, and ironically, it's one he had been rejecting all these years. Persephone smiled as she thought about Data and Lore at long last coming to terms with one and other and sorting out their differences. There would be no more conflict or hatred, only love. Tina held the two newest editions to the family, the furry ones - apparently unruffled by having their feline molecules dematerialize. Lore's Little Rascal, and appropriately named too! And she's decided to name hers Theo. She put them down, and they scurried off playing with one and other, playing.
They're going to get along just fine ... she thought, with a smile.
Persephone walked to the bedroom, and felt the need to make a very important personal log, as she picked up the PADD.
Personal Log, Persephone
I know Lore would never hurt me. I feet comfortable and content here, more than I've ever been anywhere in my life. He wanted to take me away and I wanted to go wherever he wanted to take me, and he would go wherever I would take him. I remember a time when we smiled at each other. His warm, heartfelt smile and mine - not just a smile, but one which touched him and told him how much he meant to me, that I'd never hurt him and always trust him, but he knew, and loved me for the love and the trust and sincerity I gave him freely, and he would never hurt me in any way, and wholeheartedly gave me the same feelings in return. He touched me gently, his face showing only warmth and love. He held me and I felt his sincere gentleness, giving him mine in return. We were both unique in our own special ways and there's a special bond between us which can never be broken. He told me he cherished me and would forever and was amazed how I had never doubted him and never let me faith in him waver one bit - loved him when all seemed against him, believed in him when no one else would - even when people were against me and ridiculed me. That had angered him, because he knew he was capable of change and he hated how some people refused to believe him and hurt my feelings, but he had changed now, and he wasn't going to hurt them. He was going to show them he could do it. He also cherished and loved how I believed he had it within him to show his true, loving feelings and to have people see that and believe and understand him as I did - and it had come true - it had worked. I felt a sense of great satisfaction that I had done something important and that meant a lot to me - not just for me, for Lore. He was forever grateful to me and swore he'd never take me for granted, nor I him. I didn't feel he owed me anything. I did it because I loved him and to have his genuine love in return was all I could have dreamed for. I told him the things I was feeling and he smiled, giving light to his soft, beautiful golden features. He too told me what he was feeling, then gently took me into his arms and kissed me. That beauty lingered for a long time. As we shared in this charming, beautiful meaningful, romantic, sensual and intimate time, we never wanted to end. I know we will be with each other forever.
Epilogue
LORE ENTERED HIS quarters with Persephone. He took his wife's arm, turned her around and gently pressed his lips to hers. Their kiss was interrupted by a furry mess hopping onto Lore's foot.
“I named her Datalore."
Lore chuckled. “I like that name."
As he gazed into her eyes, he realized - she belonged to him, as much as he belonged to her. Lore now knew his true calling. It was to love and protect her for as long as they both existed.
And then, he heard something ... distant, but close, in his mind, but all around him, echoing, gentle and warm.
A voice.
He knew it well.
I'm proud of you, Lore.
His Father's voice.
*
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And now .... Gorgeous Pics, as promised!
Sexy outfits for Lore ;) designed and drawn by Red Skye
A second set of ravishing outfits designed for Lore, again by Red Skye and her magical pencils ;)
In my novel, I see Lore as alternating between the last of each of the sets of designs, being the ones I like best :)
Lore and Persephone's Wedding holo! ;)
{Seawave as Persephone & Lore sporting one of Red's Exclusive Designs}
Persephone's Dress {Non Wedding}
Seawave modeling the above design {Slightly modified} ~ Dress made by Sew Unique :)
{Made from curtains, would you believe!}
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Pics of Lore's Spacecraft
The Lorean front and & side Views. Would you believe I got the design for this from a photocopier toner discard vessel? The name "The Lorean" is a tribute to the De Lorean - {The car used as the Time machine in the Back to the Future movies} :)
THE LOREAN
The Lorean is an incredibly powerful starship, small-ish, but
she sure packs a wallop! Her
transporters can transport in and out of almost any shield.
Her defence weapons are legendary, powerful phasers,
wide and focussed beam, space depth charges and
torpedoes, it is almost impossible to penetrate her shields.
Also equipped with
cloaking shields which are also almost infallible and impossible to
detect - and she
can fire when cloaked.
She has maximum warp capability of 9.99999 .... and can
sustain it almost indefinitely.
The space ship is incredibly durable and can sustain most space anomalies.
The Lorean has a vast information storage library.
All known cultures and their history including the history of individuals
are stored and various other information. For
example if you want to read a certain Earth, Klingon, Pakled, Romulan etc, book,
the computer will have it stored. Another
example is if you want to watch a certain television show, the computer will
have that stored. The replicators
are programmed with just about every dish from every culture imaginable and they
taste exactly the same as the real thing.
The holodecks on the Lorean are divine, hardly ever go
haywire and you can program any setting you like.
All that is known is she came from the Delta
Quadrant and belonged to a race of malevolent humanoids.
They chased their peace loving enemies through a wormhole, ending up
in the Gamma quadrant. There, they
had attacked their enemies, killed them, and transferred all information from their enemies' ship to their own space craft.
The malevolent beings were killed when they came into contact with a
Great Crystalline structure ... leaving the Lorean to drift in space for many
years, until it was discovered by Lore. He
claimed it, renamed it, the Lorean.
(Former name: Macht'jka, meaning' Death Crush')
Now, repaired and determined to turn over a new leaf, his life now given
a new meaning, using the unbelievable arsenal on his ship purely for defence,
Lore finds his purpose.
Lore, now rehabilitated and in control of his life, and
his beloved wife, Persephone explore the galaxy, enriching their lives,
fulfilling their dreams.
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