STAR TREK

the next generation

Ascent II

Lydia Gastrell

Prologue

November 16th, 2377.

"I will not." Data insisted, "You are making a mistake."

"There's no other way, Data!" Lore threw his hands up and paced the room, "She's right. Everyone is right. It's only a matter of time before someone else comes, and I don't know if I will see them coming. I will not allow her to get hurt again because of me."

"You are asking me to lie." Data countered, "To my superiors, and to my friends…to Lt. Hall."

"Data," Lore lowered his voice, it was almost pleading, "If I just disappear, no one is going to believe that you or Anna were ignorant. I don't want anyone to use Anna to find me. I won't let that happen. Please, Data. If I stay too much longer, I won't be able to go through with it."

Data shook his head slowly, "You will regret this decision."

"Was that a yes?"

"You will regret it."