Disclaimers: Star Trek was created by Gene Roddenberry
and is owned by Paramount Pictures.
I
make no monetary profits from my fanfic.
Summary:
Data's final journey.
Author's notes: References to Nemesis and The Immortal Coil
by Jeffrey Lang.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE
FINAL FRONTIER
The brilliant light of the explosion almost blinded Data. For one a nano second, he wondered if there was an afterlife for androids, indeed for any life form, or was there nothing - and he mused he was just about to find out. Part of him afraid, the other at peace, knowing Captain Picard, his friend and captain was safe.
Data
saw nothing but white. He thought he
heard someone calling his name, though very distant.
"Data."
There
was no mistaking it now. Someone called
out to him. The voice seemed familiar,
but strange. Data did not know how to
answer.
"Data…" The voice called,
gently. "Don't be afraid."
The android
felt someone take his hand, though his vision was hazy. The other's
hand felt
warm and welcoming,
"Who … are you…?" Data managed to
say.
"Your guide into the Afterlife. Don't be afraid," he said again. "Come with me."
"Where are we going?"
The other
appeared to smile, but still Data could not see him. Though he did not
answer the
android's question.
Data walked
with the guide for quite a while.
"Where are you taking me?"
"To the others."
"Others?"
"You will understand in due
course."
"Who are you?"
"Someone who loves you dearly. I have been sent to guide you in the Afterlife. I
understand
what you're going through, Data as I went through it too."
"Thank you, but you still have not
answered my question."
"I will in time."
As Data
walked with his guide, his vision began to clear.
"Here we are," the guide said,
stopping.
Data looked
around, amazed at what he saw. His
father, his mother and his
daughter.
"You are all here..." he said,
unable to stop tears escaping.
With
tears of joy, Juliana took her son's hand and smiled. "Of course. You will
never be alone, Data."
Lal
stepped forward and embraced him. "I have been waiting for you,
Father."
Dr
Soong smiled lovingly at his son.
"You didn't think we'd left you, did you?"
Data
smiled and shook his head. "I know
differently now. Death is not an end,
but a new beginning. A new journey."
However Data felt something was missing ... and then he realised. He turned to face his guide and saw the other's face clearly now. The guide looked upon him with love and serenity. Gently, Data took his hand.
"Thank you, Lore."
*