[OTA, tag Data]

[andrelative]

K-9 left the botanical gardens sopping wet, though it wasn't his fault. Well, not entirely. With Varsh trying to satiate his curiosity by exploring the new space, the tin dog couldn't be left behind. And said dog found his doom when Varsh attempted to calculate the amount of weight one of the giant lily pads could hold

Comments

[empirical_data]

Give a boy a dog, and inevitably said boy could find a way to get in trouble with it. Data noticed the slick spot left by the trailing dog as he walked to catch up with Varsh. When he stepped in it. And slid along the floor for a bit.

But, like any good android, his sense of equilibrium kept him from toppling and flailing about wildly. He more glided for a few feet, arms slightly extended and regained his footing. Not like the person behind him who let a hearty whoop! and fell onto their back, feet flying up into the air comically.

Data took a moment from pursuing Varsh to return and help that person up. He would catch up in a moment.

[andrelative]

The sound of feet sliding along the floor caught Varsh's attention and he turned around just in time to see his father aiding some poor soul who'd got caught in that trail of water.

Varsh knelt beside K-9, laying a gentle hand on the dog's neck. "You're placing people in danger," he explained. "Wouldn't it be more beneficial if you were lifted above the floor so as not to deposit more water?"

K-9 went silent, the red visor of his visual sensors dimming. He was having the robotic equivalent of a sulk. And all the while, the puddle he found himself in was steadily growing.

Varsh sighed, knowing that it was nearly impossible to talk to K-9 when in a pout. He approached Data instead, calling out a friendly "Father!" to catch his attention.

[empirical_data]

The poor soul didn't really thank Data, just stood and quickly left, guarding the wet splotch on his back.

Data turned to Varsh as he came up, adjusting his nice new clothes and considering the boy carefully. "I was wondering if I could have a discussion with you... Perhaps while... drying out his circuitry..."

He had a vague memory of sinking in water once while hiding from Klingons, of it seeping into all of his gears and servos, and how Geordi had dried him out. He had his robotic equivalent to a sulk too. As he remembered Geordi smiled more than he ever saw him do it before; especially when he tilted his head and water poured out of his ears.

[andrelative]

Varsh was about to say something but K-9 talked over the beginning of the android's sentence. "That would be acceptable."

Varsh merely snapped his mouth shut and scratched at the side of his head, a gesture mimicking the Doctor when he was stymied by a difficult problem. Without waiting for a hint of protest from the dog, Varsh lifted K-9 with ease, toting him to the nearest table and setting him atop it, not caring about the water seeping into his pullover and his shirt.

"What would be the topic of our discussion, Father?"

[empirical_data]

He joined Varsh there, pulling off his coat so that he could help sop up some of the water once they got his little hull open.

"My brother. Dr. Soong has decided that he no longer intends to pursue cybernetics, or create children of any sort. He seems content in the knowledge that some version of him succeeded. However, if he is returned to his timeline this could lead to disastrous results as his work is inevitably important to the continuation of the universe in some manner.

"I theorize the most likely path to renew his interest would be to repair my brother and confirm that even he deserved the opportunity to live. What has happened to K-9?" His brows knit up in something that was... it was close to concern, anyway.

[andrelative]

Soon after the androids claimed their table, the cleaning staff appeared in the area, setting up bright yellow caution cones near the spill to warn passersby of the slick, wet patches on the floor

[empirical_data]

"I did. He declined to assist him, I suppose based on the fact that he had some involvement with the Master." He moved out of the way of the unfortunate gush of water, brows climbing. It was fortunate his circuitry was so secure

[andrelative]

The Master. Another mysterious entity Varsh only partially understood, and only enough to fear him whenever he was mentioned. "But there is a chance that the Master might not still be involved, correct? We are on an isolated space station. Might his influence not reach so far?" And how cruel of the Doctor to decline a request for help

[empirical_data]

"I would have detected any influence intended for Lore's circuitry as an interruption in my own function. We are of very similar construction, and I would permit an examination to make sure of the lack of reception. I wish for assistance in repairing him. Being a Soong-type android you would be familiar enough with his construction to know the meaning of the parts and you would be the one most likely to help me. I was once told that sometimes even bad men could do good things when necessary. You, I suspect, are one of the few people that would give him the luxury of proving that adage correct."

Perhaps Avon could be convinced as well. He seemed to at the very least be fascinated with the idea, and even with the risks posed with fixing Lore was willing to participate.

As K-9 lifted his head, he received another pat on his back. "He appears to be secure. I would still recommend that he spend much of the evening near a heating duct or similarly arid area until the water has completely. Would that be acceptable, K-9?"

[andrelative]

Feeling no hesitation whatsoever, he very nearly said yes. Nearly. But the fear, the aversion remained. And yet, curiosity too, for when a child is warded off danger without full understanding of its consequences, he is almost always drawn to it.

"Would Tiberius need to be informed as well?" For his brother may offer up protest, or perhaps he would agree, considering the fact that K-9 would protect him?

"Affirmative!" K-9 chirped. "I will endeavor to return to full functional capacity within a 24 hour time period."

[empirical_data]

"I could ask Tiberius to assist as well, if you would prefer." He knew that the boy derived some sort of comfort from his brother's presence. Something that he suspected he would never have the chance to experience.

Like a dog offered a night by the fireplace, K-9 was. "I am certain Varsh or I will conduct maintenance on you as well," he assured him, similarly promising the spoiling of a good brushing and some fresh meat to snack on.

[andrelative]

"I'd like that." For as much for Tiberius's sake as his own, Varsh couldn't imagine his brother not at his side. Though he'd traveled for many months on his own, once he'd understood that he was not alone in the universe, it somehow freed him.

K-9 appeared in better spirits after Data's assurances, moreso than under Varsh's enthusiastic, albeit inattentive (at times) care.

"Would you wish to commence shortly?"

[empirical_data]

"With the maintenance on K-9 or repairs on my brother..?" he finished his own attentive drying, closing up the dog so that he wasn't flashing parts at everyone that walked by. "As soon as possible in either case."

He lifted the little dog down himself, tilting his head as he watched to see how well he would function now. At least if his speed had increased.

[andrelative]

"B-both!" he exclaimed, all enthusiasm for actually being requested to aid in something the Doctor would seem to want no part of. "But it will be easier to begin with K-9 first, wouldn't it?"

He gathered his pullover in his arms, the wool dripping wet, to follow K-9. The dog seemed a little wobbly on his wheels at first, but then grew slightly more confident with each length of floor he managed to cross without dribbling water upon.

"This is most satisfactory," the dog said. "I wish to express my gratitude, Masters."

[empirical_data]

"Your gratitude is noted," Data responded, tucking his hands behind his back as he followed along.

"There is of course the element of risk concerning Lore's timeline. This one is the product of several. It may be difficult for your net to negotiate, though if it is the case I will be prepared. I would not wish to ask you without knowledge of the risks."

[andrelative]

K-9, if he were a flesh-and-blood dog, would be scampering about the two androids' legs for all the excitement he felt over all that attention. But the best he could do was a happy orbit around the pair, in a feat of maneuverability that one might not have expected from him.

"I'd welcome the challenge, Father," Varsh said, insistent and unafraid. "Multiple timelines will not be too difficult to traverse, and if we are aiming for the most positive outcome, then success is assured."