Chapter Text
A week after Miles and Keiko's wedding, life was calm. General mapping missions, though the senior staff were ecstatic when Data and Dorme announced their engagement. Riker made it clear he would work with Lore and Miles, and plan an epic bachelor party on Risa, which made Data laugh (though he was a bit…apprehensive as well).
What made Data more nervous, was telling his ‘mother.’ A subspace call was already planned for, and he only hoped that she would be happy for him, and not think he was ‘rushing.’
Lore was convinced Juliana would be fine with it. “Little brother, she'll be mad at me since Nadia and I have ABSOLUTELY not waited long to start banging each other. You've been friends with Dorme for over a year, and dating for months. You've taken your time, I haven't.”
Data nodded, then gave Lore a look. “Are you having any regrets, brother?”
Lore laughs. “Fuck no! It works for us, Data. I'm committed to Nadia, and she's committed to me. We'll hold off on marriage for a bit, let you be the focus for now. Besides, gives me time to help plan a bachelor party that'll absolutely blow your mind, little brother.”
“That, Lore, is precisely what I am concerned about,” was Data's reply, though he couldn't help the playful grin threatening to split his face, as he'd be lying if he wasn't looking forward to his bachelor party a little bit.
Lore sniggered. “Is that….oh, oh! It is! I see a grin on your face, little brother!”
Data just rolled his eyes as Lore laughed. The subspace communication connected, and Juliana caught the half hearted glare Data was giving Lore, as well as Lore's laughter. “I think I missed out on the punch line.”
Data chuckled. “Lore being a brat, mother, as usual. He is enjoying teasing me right now.”
Juliana giggled. “Oh? Lore, why are you teasing your brother?”
Lore moved closer to Data. “He's engaged! So I'm planning a kick ass bachelor party with the help of some of his friends. Though I don't know what Data's worried about regarding me, Commander Riker is crazier than me!”
Juliana gave a delighted shout. “Oh, Data, you're engaged?! Oh, this is great news! When's the big day, son?”
“Dorme and I are not sure yet. In a year, hopefully. As she is the Elder for all vampires, and with her royal Russian blood to take into account, there are a great deal of aspects to plan, though we both agreed to simplify things as best we can.”
Juliana wiped tears away. “I'm so happy for you both, Data. And what about you, Lore? How are you and Nadia doing?”
If he could blush, Lore would be bright red. He could never be arrogant around his mother, so he just ducked his head shyly as Data chuckled.
“I know that look, Lore. Son, there's no need to rush anything with Nadia. It's clear she's madly in love with you, and not going anywhere.” Juliana grinned, shaking her head as she giggled.
Data patted Lore on his shoulder. “I shall interject here, and point out they ‘held out’ far longer than I expected, mother. But they seem as happy as Dorme and I. So I am not worried.”
Lore nodded. “What he said, mom.”
The former Mrs. Soong just giggled. “Alright, you've both convinced me. Now, if it won't be awkward for Dorme, I'd love to join the bachelorette party. Could you pass that along to her when you see her, Data?”
Data nodded. “I know she would love to have you there. All I know, is that it will be on Risa. So, keep that in mind.”
Blue/green eyes sparkled. “Oh, I can handle that!!! Just let me know when, son.”
Data nodded (Lore relieved Juliana wasn't mad at him for not taking things slower with Nadia), and after a few more minutes they ended the call.
The brothers sat there for a moment, then looked at each other.
“So, little brother, think our mom has a wild side we knew nothing about?”
Data nodded slowly. “It would appear so. Which should make things very….interesting on Risa.”
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The sudden attack on the Enterprise by a Cardassian Cruiser comes as a shock a week later as the ship patrols near Cardassian space. Thankfully no serious injuries were reported, but everyone was flabbergasted. Were the Cardassians trying to restart the recent hostilities all over again?!
Gul Macet, the ship's Commander, was belligerent, as his attack was justified in his eyes: a Cardassian science station had been attacked two days previously by a Starfleet ship.
Picard, not thrilled to offer it but feeling it was needed, invited Macet and two of his officers on board to help keep the current peace between the Federation and Cardassia. Those on board who had seen fighting during the Cardassian War were NOT happy, and the tension was thick enough to cut. Especially when the identity of the Starfleet ship who attacked the Cardassian science station was discovered: the Phoenix, commanded by Captain Benjamin Maxwell, a well liked and respected captain, and Miles O'Brian's former CO.
When Miles shared during the briefing that Maxwell's family was killed by Cardassians, the tension mounted even more.
Later that evening, as the Enterprise searched for the Phoenix, Lore and Nadia joined Data and Dorme in their quarters. As Dorme and Nadia lived through World War Two, they were unsettled by the situation even more than Picard.
Dorme was pacing. “I was very worried when the Federation Council decided on peace with Cardassia after the war. It's too much like how the United States allied with Soviet Russia, despite knowing how bad things were under Stalin's control.”
Nadia nodded, grim. “The whole ‘the enemy of my enemy’ bullshit only worked until Hitler died. Then it came back and bit the U.S. on its figurative ass.”
Dorme sighed, sitting back down next to Data. “There's a reason why I believe that's better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardner in a war. The Federation seems to prefer being a gardner.”
Nadia nodded, her eyes taking on a far off look. Dorme noticed. “Your Seer blood acting up, sis?”
Nadia sighed. “To a point. All I know is this peace the Federation has with Cardassia is going to backfire….horribly.”
Data and Lore exchanged glances, feeling a deep worry settle into their neural nets.
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It was over. Captain Maxwell was found after he destroyed a Cardassian warship and freighter. He had insisted to Picard that he had strong evidence the Cardassians were rearming. And when he tried to attack another Cardassian freighter, equipped with shielding that clearly hid SOMETHING, Miles had talked Maxwell into surrendering.
But Picard wasn't stupid. He warned the Cardassian government that their actions had been suspicious and their future actions would be carefully watched.
But that was little comfort to Miles. Data found him in an empty observation area, brooding. He walked up, joining the usually jovial Irishman in looking out at the stars.
“Data, do you believe what Maxwell was trying to prove? That the Cardassians are rearming? Because it certainly seems that way to me.”
Data sighed, and nodded. “The existence of the shielding on a freighter that should not have been there if they were indeed not hiding something, the tactical importance of the science station's location being what it was….I cannot shake the feeling that yes, they are doing something. And it is not peaceful.”
Miles sighed. “Why did the Council decide on peace, Data? I doubt it's in the nature of Cardassians to accept peace.”
“My beloved fiancé believes the Federation is a ‘gardner in a war,’ and I am in agreement. The situation is too much like the peace between America and Soviet Russia during Earth’s World War Two according to her.”
Miles snorts. “And she'd know, she lived that part of history!”
Data nodded. “Why I trust her opinion in this situation, my friend. How this all ends, no one knows. But I do not believe it shall be….’pretty.’”
“Yeah, I agree, Data. It probably won't.”