The BLTS Archive- A Study in Gold
by Ken Parker (parkekn@okstate.edu)

---

Author's Note: This is the first of the "regular" stories in this
semi-series. The point (if there is one) is to show one possible way
the presence of Tasha Yar could have affected some episodes of TNG
from the second season on. In this case, the episode in question is
"Elementary, Dear Data."

All of these stories will assume that the reader is familiar with the
episodes portrayed, as I see no need and have no desire to rewrite
entire episodes. Rather than retell the entire story, I will focus on
the reactions of a few characters to certain situations.

In case you were wondering, the title is a (shameless and amateurish) 
play on the Sherlock Holmes story title "A Study In Scarlet," with the
gold representing the uniform colors of the three main characters  in
this: Data, Geordi, and Tasha.

I'm thinking they could develop into a sort of "three amigos" as this
series goes along, we'll see what they say to me.

A word of warning: I don't like Doctor Pulaski, and this story will be 
rather merciless toward her, as will all with her in them. I'll try to
write her in character, but I (and by extension, the other characters)
will deal with her closed mindedness only as much as I have to. And
with that, all I have left to say is I hope you enjoy reading this.

Author's Shameless Plug: Forgive me for this last thing, but I'd just
like to recommend the excellent works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to
anyone who hasn't read them. They truly are great works, and I urge
everyone to read at least one Sherlock Holmes story at some point in
their life.

Disclaimer: Paramount owns everything in this piece except the
Sherlock Holmes elements, which belong to the great Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle, and the plot where it diverges from the aired episode. That
came from my own warped brain, so blame me.

This story takes place during the timeframe in and around the second
season TNG episode "Elementary, Dear Data."

---

Data was admiring himself in the mirror in his quarters when his
doorchime sounded. "Enter," he called distractedly.

Tasha Yar confidently, as always, strode into the room, speaking
before she was even fully through the door. "Data, did you hear
about..." she trailed off as she took in his attire. He was wearing
some sort of tan overcoat, a very strange hat, and as he turned
questioning to face her, she saw he held in his mouth... "Oh no, not
the damn pipe again! I thought we discussed that!"

Data was quick to assure her, "Do not worry, Lieutenant. I am not
planning on smoking it here. It will be used only on the holodeck, and
not for extended periods of time."

Tasha nodded, "Well, that's a relief. I thought I was going to have
to...wait. Holodeck? Why would you smoke that...thing...on the
holodeck?"

"To add to the authenticity of the Sherlock Holmes holoprogram. Geordi
and I have created a program so that we may 'have fun' role playing as
Holmes and Watson. We are presently between sessions."

"I...see. And what sort of things do you do in this program?"

"We act out Holmesian mysteries, solving crimes and foiling dastardly
plans. The deductive method is somewhat a hobby of mine, if you will
recall."

"Yes, I remember, Data," Tasha grimaced, "That's when you got that
pipe. Now, a question. If this program involves solving crimes, part
of my job, I might add," she smirked, "why wasn't I invited to be part
of the 'fun?'"

Data looked puzzled. "I do not know, Lieutenant." She shot him a look,
and Data realized his faux pas. "Forgive me...I do not know, Tasha."
At his use of her name, Tasha smiled slightly. Data continued, "The
possibility of your interest never occurred to me. However, if you
wish to participate, you are welcome to. We have a session scheduled
in approximately twenty minutes. If you would like to go change into
appropriate costume, I will inform Geordi to prepare for a fourth
party member."

Tasha was puzzled, "Fourth? Who else has been in on this?"

"Doctor Pulaski will be joining us," Data replied matter of factly,
turning back to the mirror to check for imperfections in his costume.
He heard a gasp from behind him, but not one of surprise. Rather, it
was a gasp of...indignation?

Tasha was incensed. "You invited Pulaski, who doesn't even think
you're really alive, and you never even thought to ask me?! What kind
of logic is that?!"

Alarm bells, both literal and figurative, went off in Data's head, and
he whipped back around to face Tasha. He calculated his odds of
escaping this situation unscathed at close to nil, but decided he must
try anyway. "I am sorry, Tasha. Let me explain."

"So what, now I don't understand?" Tasha looked ready to deactivate
him right there if he confirmed that statement.

Data swallowed (a human response, he noted) and continued carefully.
"You do not have the full facts. The Doctor came across Geordi and I
in Ten Forward and insinuated her opinion that I could never actually
solve a mystery, being only a machine. Geordi objected..."

"As well he should have," injected Tasha, still fuming. "That woman
doesn't know what she's talking about."

"...and said that I could solve any mystery presented to me. She
insisted on proof, and I accepted her challenge. We are going to
program the computer to give us an original mystery in the Holmesian
style, and I shall attempt to solve it, with the Doctor as a witness.
Thus, as you can see, she is not there for the 'fun,' but because she
wants to see me proved incapable. I would never choose her to
participate in a recreational activity over you."

Tasha grudgingly relaxed. "Okay, Data. I'll let you off the hook this
time. But in the future, consider my possible interest in your
'recreational activities,' all right?"

"Of course, Tasha," Data nodded swiftly. "I would be pleased to share
more recreation with you." This elicited a smile from Tasha.

"I'd like that too, Data. Now, as for today. What do I need to be
wearing to watch you prove Pulaski wrong?"

---

Fifteen minutes later, the band of four officers arrived outside
Holodeck Two, bedecked in Victorian finery. Geordi gave Tasha a long
look, and whistled. "Wow, for a security chief, you sure can look
respectable," he smirked.

Tasha gave him a smack on the arm, then turned to Pulaski. "Hello,
Doctor. Nice umbrella."

Pulaski gave her a nod, "Lieutenant. Come to help him solve the
mystery?"

Breathe, Tasha. She's a superior officer, even if she is ignorant.
"No, Doctor. I'm here to watch you be proved wrong," Tasha smiled
tightly, and turned to Data, who was inputting commands. "Ready,
Data?"

"One moment, Tasha." He finished, and turned to address the group.
"The computer will create a Sherlock Holmes style mystery, but not one
specifically written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Will that be
sufficient, Doctor?"

Pulaski looked skeptical. "We'll see, Commander. Lead on."

They entered the holodeck, and Pulaski marveled at its realism. Stuck
in the stone age when it comes to tech knowledge too, I see, thought
Tasha. Data easily solved the mystery presented, but Pulaski was quick
to cry foul.

"He simply recognized the elements from two different stories. All he
knows is what is written in his memory banks. Original thought, the
true strength of Holmes, is impossible for our friend." She turned to
Data. "Your circuits would simply short out when confronted with a
real mystery. It's elementary, dear Data," she finished, satisfied.

"That does it!" exclaimed Tasha. "You think you know everything about
him, when you've barely even met him. Just because he's an android,
you automatically assume he's inferior. Well, let me tell you
something, Doctor. Data is one of the best people I know. He's solved
many mysteries before you came onboard, and he'll solve many more
after you're gone."

Geordi chipped in, "That's right, Doctor. At least give him a chance.
As it stands, you're drawing conclusions with no evidence. Let's try
this again. Computer, Arch!" He changed the program parameters, asking
the computer to create an opponent worthy of Data. In hindsight, this
was a very unfortunate slip of the tongue. But for now, the group
merely moved off, attempting to find the first clue to the new
mystery.

Data, Tasha, and Geordi walked shoulder to shoulder down the street,
with Pulaski lagging a few steps behind. After a few moments of
silence, Tasha spoke. "I'm sorry I blew up back there, Data. I know
you can stand up for yourself."

"I'm sorry too, Data," Geordi added. "It's just hard to see someone
not realize how extraordinary you are."

Data nodded at both, "Thank you for your concern, but remember, I have
no feelings to be hurt." Tasha and Geordi rolled their eyes, though
you couldn't see Geordi's. "For now," Data continued, "let us endeavor
to solve this new mystery to prove to the Doctor that I am indeed
capable of original thought. While her opinion does not bother me, I
do not wish it to bother you either, so we will attempt to change it."

Seconds later, they whirled on hearing a scream from behind them, and
found Doctor Pulaski gone. "She has been abducted," intoned Data. They
quickly determined that the program was behaving strangely, and
eventually found a most interesting Moriarty hologram. When he gave
them a diagram of the Enterprise, they knew they were in trouble, and
decided to leave the holodeck to consult Captain Picard for orders.

---

Soon afterward, Data and Picard had entered the holodeck to try and
reason with Moriarty. Geordi and Tasha stood outside, still in
costume, ready to assist if called upon. Outwardly both appeared
focused on their duty, but both of their minds were in turmoil.
Finally, Geordi broke the silence.

"I hope they find the Doctor all right."

Tasha nodded tersely. "Yes, it would be a shame to lose such a
talented officer."

Geordi shook his head. "You can cut the act, Tasha. I know you're
feeling guilty too."

Tasha glanced sidelong at him, returned her eyes to the control panel
for a moment, then sighed and turned to face Geordi. "Okay, so what if
I am? She deserved everything we said to her. How were we supposed to
know a crazed hologram would kidnap her?" Tasha blustered, but Geordi
could tell it was an act to maintain her composure.

He sympathized, but his nature called for a more direct approach.
"It's okay to feel regret, Tasha. I'm just as mad at myself as you
are. But don't worry, Data and the Captain will find her and get her
back. And then we can continue to work on her perception of our mutual
android friend."

"That's just it, Geordi," Tasha sighed, dropping the facade. "What if
she still won't change her opinion? I won't stand for anyone, much
less a senior officer, traipsing around this ship thinking Data's
nothing more than a walking toaster."

Rubbing his temples above his VISOR, Geordi replied, "Well, all we can
do is try. She has to make the decision to accept him herself. But
given the facts, combined with your stubbornness," he smirked, "she
doesn't stand a chance."

Tasha smiled, "Thanks, Geordi. Maybe you should be a counselor instead
of an engineer."

"Me?" Geordi reacted with mock horror. "No way, I fix circuits, not
minds. The only people I understand are either mechanical themselves,
or just as strange as I am." He smiled, and put a hand on Tasha's
shoulder. "But that's what makes them fun."

---

Later, when the Doctor had been rescued and Moriarty placed in memory
until they could find something to do with him, Data, Tasha, Geordi,
and Pulaski sat in Ten Forward, discussing the experience.

"I still can't believe I made that mistake," lamented Geordi.

"It could have happened to any one of us, Geordi," Tasha replied.
"Look on the bright side, at least it all worked out in the end. In
more ways than one, right, Doctor?"

Pulaski exhaled slowly. "I will grant that Data showed some deductive
abilities. But I still don't think he's capable of the same types of
thought as a human."

Data opened his mouth to answer, but Tasha beat him to it. "You're
right, Doctor. He doesn't think the same way we do. His thoughts are
far more advanced. But he acts down to our level to make us more
comfortable. To fit in. Because he's unique, and people are often
frightened by something different. But it's that very difference that
makes life worth living, and I'm proud to have Data as my friend."

"That goes for me too," Geordi stated emphatically. "Doctor, you could
learn a lot from Data. And he could learn a lot from you. If you'll
just make an effort to understand."

Data sat stunned into speechlessness by his friends' comments. I had
not thought anyone would ever care enough about me to defend my
individuality, and yet here are two people willing to alienate another
for my sake. I must be careful not to lose them.

For her part, Pulaski sat silent for a moment. When she spoke, it was
slow and deliberate. "Well, if you two can care about him so
vehemently, I suppose there must be some reason." She shook her head,
"I can't promise you anything, but I'll try to be more open-minded."

Tasha smiled. What do you know, there may be hope for her yet. Aloud,
she said, "That's all we ask, Doctor. Cheers." She raised her glass,
and they all toasted to further understanding.

---

The End