A Most Agreeable Arrangement

Chapter 1 - First Contact

Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the--

"What are you doing?"

I looked up from my swirling cup, which held more cream and sugar than coffee.

Standing in front of me was a man with pale skin and yellow eyes.

"Oh, I was just thinking," I smiled politely at him.

I didn't find it all that strange, the way he approached me to ask. For one thing, I had been staring down into my cup as if it held the secrets of the universe.

The main reason I wasn't at all perturbed by his question is because I was familiar with alien cultures. In fact, I was an expert; my job was to analyze different cultures and languages in order to help others to understand them and help them to understand us.

I had just received an assignment, and I was in Ten Forward on the new ship I would serve on: The USS Enterprise D.

I'd like to say that I chose to serve on this ship for some profound reason, like I admired the captain or thought it would be a nice place to spend the next few years... but really, I just jumped at the chance to serve on a ship named the "Enterprise".

My father had always been interested in the history of World War II, and in my desire to be like him, I found myself fascinated with it as well. Namely, I was fascinated with one little aircraft carrier by the name of "Enterprise".

The man with the pale skin sat down across from me.

"I thought you may be in need of assistance. You see, humans can experience seizures in which they simply stare absently," he cocked his head at me. "However, I can see now that you are fine."

"Yeah, I was just daydreaming," I tapped my fingers on my mug, grinning at him.

"Daydreaming?" he looked away for a moment, then a look of realization came onto his face. "Ah. I see. Daydreaming: to think pleasant and usually wishful thoughts while awake. To muse, be lost in thought, stare into space--"

"You're accessing a computer with your mind," I realized and leaned forward in my seat, fascinated.

"Yes. I am an android. I can access a variety of information."

"Fascinating," my eyes practically sparkled with excitement as I gazed at him. "What's your name?"

"My name is Data," he answered.

"I'm Fae. Kitali Fae, but everyone just calls me Fae," I stuck my hand out. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Data."

He shook my hand, and his skin was surprisingly soft; like flesh.

"Likewise," he said with a nod in my direction.

I leaned forward further in my seat. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything, but I'd like to hear more about you. You're an android; where did you come from? Do you know who created you? How old are you?"

"I was found on Omicron Theta by the USS Tripoli in 2338," he responded. "Beyond that, I have little information about my origins. However, that was 26 years ago, and I have no memory prior to my activation. So I guess you could say that, by human standards, I am 26 years old."

"You're older than me, then," I smiled, leaning back in my chair. "I'm only 19. From my understanding, I'll be the youngest Senior Officer."

"I see," Data looked thoughtful for a moment. "And you are anxious about this?"

I laughed.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "I do not understand. What is humorous about what I have just said?"