Robots and Sanity - OTA tag Tiberius

[r_d_olivaw]

The psychiatrist's office door was closed, but transparent: through it, a welcoming, golden light shown. Having conducted some research into the effect of color and mood, Daneel had spent some time creating a system that would allow him to vary the lighting in the office, and it was currently set to the spectrum of a wood-fire, adjusted to allow

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[avonsoongdroid]

Tiberius would gladly apply any of those human terms to himself if he could appropriate them to the exact emotion. He had the basic seven, and had been progressively building from there for a few years.

Normally when he was seeking counsel, he would have gone to Avon. To Data as a secondary, as Data inevitably took the passive way out. Perhaps more passive than necessary. He supposed that Varsh would have listened, but Varsh had a level of innocence that he wished to be uncorrupted and was a good portion of his concerns.

Every android aboard the station, every AI and every ship and the computer itself was his concern.

"Deneel?" Tiberius asked as he stopped in the doorway of the psychiatrist's office. "I was wondering if we could have a confidential discussion. I'm afraid something has come up that could endanger my family..."

[r_d_olivaw]

"Tiberius." Daneel looked up from his compilation of notes, a piercing expression on his face. A human axiom, simple and deceptively facile, recalled itself. Be careful what you wish for. He had not called danger into being by recognizing his own need for activity, but there was a certain irony to the timing of this disruption.

"Come in," he said with a faint dipped nod, ordering the door locked and opaqued behind the android. "Is the danger immediate? The safety of your family is of high priority to me."

[avonsoongdroid]

"Perhaps..." Tiberius said, glancing out into the corridor before entering entirely. He was being casual, but secretive. He didn't want anyone to know that he was here, or what he was talking about.

"One of my ancestors is at the station... His name is Dr. Arik Soong, he helped save everyone from the disease that occurred. But he can be as blindly hopeful as he is brilliant. He's discovered an android, the same model as Data. His name is Lore."

The explanation was quick and quiet as he gathered himself, having a seat near Daneel.

[r_d_olivaw]

"I was unaware that there was an identical humaniform to Data. I was one of two identical models myself: the other has since been deactivated." In the pattern of Tiberius' thoughts, however, the name 'Lore' created a jangle of dissonance, of anger and fear. "Is Lore the threat you have referenced? The name is significant to you; you already know something of him." It was not a question.