Author's Note: A heartfelt thanks to all my patient readers. I have not forgotten about you or Path To Redemption. I've just been overwhelmed with other projects, but I WILL finish this one! ;-) I hope you'll enjoy the latest. Reviews are welcome! Best wishes for a Happy New Year! xoxo

Chapter 27: The Verdict

Commander Data and Lore, along with the rest of the courtroom, listened intently as Juliana Tainer took the stand. She avoided looking at her sons as she gave her testimony. She appeared worn as she recounted painful details of Lore's outbursts and violent behavior during her life on Omicron Theta. Nevertheless, she remained poised until she finally met Lore's gaze. Upon doing so, silent tears pooled in her eyes.

"What did you think of Lore's behavior back on Omicron Theta?" asked the Admiral.

"It was terrifying. I never imagined something created out of love could turn into..." Juliana's voice trailed off.

"Turn into what, Ms. Tainer?"

"A monster," she said sorrowfully.

"You almost sound as though you were frightened for your own safety,"

"Objection, Your Honor. He is leading the witness," said Data.

"Admiral..." the judge raised her brow, cautioning the prosecutor.

"My apologies to the court," Admiral Haftel said before asking Juliana how Lore's actions had affected her.

"I was afraid," Juliana stated. "So much so that even Lore's deactivation did little to ease my fears. They got worse when Dr. Soong decided to build Data. For that reason, I couldn't bring myself to allow Dr. Soong to bring Data with us while evacuating Omicron Theta. I've never been prone to dishonesty, but I ended up lying to the man I loved. To escape the possibility of Data turning out like Lore, I became like the very thing I feared. I still haven't forgiven myself for that."

Satisfied with the testimony, Admiral Haftel had no further questions. Juliana rose from her seat to leave the stand only to be surprised when Data requested to cross-examine her. After glancing at Captain Louvois, who nodded her approval, she retook her seat at the stand.

"Mo—" Commander Data caught himself, "Ms. Tainer, please state your relationship to the defendant."

"Is that really necessary? I think we've already established that." said Juliana.

"For the purposes of this line of questioning, it's important that we remind the court."

"I helped my late ex-husband create... the defendant."

"Just as you assisted in my creation." Data verified. "You refer to me as your son. That also makes Lore your son, does it not?"

"You're putting words in my mouth."

"I am merely stating the facts."

"To answer your question, Commander, a son does not set out to kill one of his parents," Juliana frowned. "Nor does a son back his mother into a corner. It isn't easy for me to sit up here, but I'll do what I must to save the legacy Dr. Soong worked so hard to build."

"That is an endeavor you and I both share," Data replied. "Dr. Soong aspired to create an extension of himself in the form of family. I am doing all I can to preserve that."

As the commander continued, Juliana lowered her gaze into her hands as she wrung them.

"Lore engaged in actions that were motivated by strong emotional impulses," Data explained, "much like the way you were driven to lie out of fear. The error of your ways does not make you a bad person. Nor does the choices of Lore make him unredeemable."

Having no further questions, Data called Lore to the stand. Visibly uneasy, Lore took his seat after he was sworn in. Data had prepared Lore for this moment—the moment he would have to recount some of the most painful events of his life. Among them was the event of Dr. Soong's death. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject, Data decided against replaying the visual for the courtroom. He also decided that it was in his best interest to avoid allowing the court to view Lore in such a brutal manner since it would count against him. Data asked Lore to describe what he was thinking in the moments leading up the incident with his father.

"I was hurt, jealous and angry that I had been replaced and forgotten," Lore explained, "Everything happened so fast. All I could think of was how I had been deactivated. I finally had a chance to tell him what was on my mind. That's when he reached out his hand to touch me. I guess I panicked. I thought he was going to deactivate me again."

"Was it your intention to harm him?"

"Of course not," Lore's mouth curled into a pained frown. "I may have been angry with him for rejecting me, but I respected him as my creator. My father."

Data moved on to other painful remnants of Lore's past, just as the Admiral Haftel had done. Only Data took a different approach, illustrating Lore's ability to love and feel the devastation of loss. This was verified by Lore's testimony that among the most painful events he experienced were the losses of his father, Jackie and Lal, the niece he never got to know. The latter struck the commander rather unexpectedly since it was the first time Lore had stated his regret that Lal had lived and died without knowing of his existence. Momentarily thrown off-guard, Data took a brief instant to collect his thoughts. When asked of his feelings regarding his reunification with his brothers, Lore expressed pride, happiness and a sense of acceptance and belonging. There was a familiar gilded sparkle in his eyes as he turned to Data and B4, who was seated beside Juliana. Based on the expression on Juliana's face, she was skeptical of Lore's remarks. Yet, her eyes reflected the desire to believe.

"It is with humility that I ask the court to consider that although Lore has had a track record of criminal behavior, he is not dissimilar from any being whom has erred," Data began. "For instance, when a juvenile is delinquent and on a straying path, is he or she not given the guidance to alter their course? They are not beyond help. Nor is Lore. He is not, as I have heard most describe, an inherently evil being. He has been misunderstood and rejected, two elements that have had volatile results."

The commander's argument was met with skeptical glances throughout the courtroom. However, there were also attendees who raised their brows as though considering his statements. Seeing this, he wasted no time in moving to his closing argument.

"As a Starfleet officer, and a pursuer of humanity, I have found that justice is a necessary factor in ensuring the prevalence of truth and order. I have also found that adaptability is among the most admirable traits possessed by all humans. Therefore, I am confident that the court will seek what is just to honor not only those who have suffered as a result of the neglect of Lore, but also Lore, himself."

"Come again, Commander?" Judged Louvois raised a brow in apparent confusion.

"Your honor, what I am attempting to say is simple. It is unlawful for a person to be punished twice for the same crime," Data clarified. "Lore has already paid for his crimes against Starfleet with his own life. He died by my hand four years ago. Do you wish to disassemble him again based on the same offenses? To do so would be unlawful."

Everyone in courtroom regarded the statement with expressions of astonishment. Capt. Picard gave Data a broad smile, clearly impressed with how well the commander was handling the defense. After closing arguments the judge retired to her chambers for nearly four hours. When court resumed, she looked visibly exhausted. After clearing her throat, she proceeded to give her verdict.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the court. On the charges of cruelty and deaths of several members of the detached Borg group, the court finds the defendant…" Capt. Louvois took a deep breath. She then regarded the android brothers before turning her attention to the rest of the court attendees. Her expression was noticeably dour.

Turning to his brother, Data gently placed his hand on his shoulder. A hush swept through the room as everyone hung on the edge of suspense waiting to hear the next words that would escape the judge's mouth.

"The court finds the defendant not guilty," Judge Louvois announced. "On the charges of plotting to destroy the Federation, attempted murder of Starfleet officers, the destruction of several Federation outposts — which resulted in the deaths of several Starfleet officials — the court finds the defendant guilty as charged. Lore, you are hereby sentenced to time served. The court orders that you continue your weekly counseling sessions in order to monitor your emotional stability. The reports are to be shared with the Judge Advocate General's Office until further notice. This hearing is adjourned."

Flooded with relief, Data and Lore embraced, noticing their mother exiting the courtroom. Additionally, they noticed multiple dissatisfied faces among the dispersing crowd.

"It appears the battle is won, but the war wages on," Lore said, referring to his bid for forgiveness.

Before Data could respond, he was summoned to the judge's chambers. As he entered, he saw her seated at her desk, massaging her temples. Without looking at him, the judge requested that he sit.

"In all my years of practicing law, never have I met a challenge more formidable than this, Commander Data," finally raising her gaze to meet his, she continued: "I congratulate you on your victory, Commander. I've developed quite a reputation for being correct in my judgments. At this point, I can only hope that you and Lore won't be the ones to prove me wrong."