[Data's quarters]
TAM:
You do a lot of your work here?
DATA:
Yes. I have configured these instruments to display information with greater speed and efficiency than stations used by the others.
TAM:
Nice. A little Spartan.
DATA:
Spartan?
TAM:
Lots of work space, not much room to live. I don't guess you sleep.
DATA:
I have tried it from time to time.
But you are correct. I do not require rest.
TAM:
But you paint.
[Data looks momentarily unconfortable as Tam lifts the veil covering his latest, most recent - and unfinished - work, is about to say something, then thinks better of it, and decides to spare Tam's feelings and ignore the inadvertant offence.]
DATA:
The creature's anatomy appears most peculiar.
TAM:
In what way?
DATA:
It is indeed laid out as a vessel with what appear to be corridors and chambers.
An internal environment suitable for carbon based life forms is being maintained, yet there is no evidence of a crew aboard.
Tin Man is a living being which has been bred or has adapted itself to serve a purpose.
I find that interesting.
TAM:
Why? Must living beings have a purpose?
Or do we exist for no reason but to exist?
DATA:
I do not believe I am qualified to express an opinion.
TAM:
Ah, Data, you're uniquely qualified.
You think a great deal about humanity and you're an honest researcher.
You don't treat anything as trivial, or irrelevant.
You want to try it all.
DATA:
You said in the transporter room that you could not read my mind.
TAM:
True enough.
But I think I understand you pretty well.
It worries you that I can't read your mind?
DATA:
Perhaps there is nothing to read.
Nothing more than mechanisms and algorithmic responses.
TAM:
Perhaps you're just different.
It's not a sin, you know.
Though you may have heard otherwise.
[Pilot chamber]
DATA:
Intriguing.
TAM:
This is the control centre, where Gomtuu's crew guided their journeys.
The ship and the crew existed symbiotically. They needed one another.
When Gomtuu had no one left to care for, it no longer had a reason to exist.
DATA:
Is that the purpose of existence?
To care for someone?
TAM:
It is for me.
Deanna was right. I'll lose myself here.
(a chair grows up out of the floor)
DATA:
I must remind you that our objective is to bring Tin Man out of danger and report our findings to Starfleet.
TAM:
I'm not going back, Data.
I'm staying here.
(Tam is in the chair, and a viewscreen opens in front of him. He looks blissful)
TAM:
Explain to them.
Make them understand.
DATA:
But our mission...
TAM:
Is to save Tin Man. And I will.
But he's going to save me as well.
All my life I have waited for this.
A chance to find peace.
Finally all the voices are silent.
Only Tin Man speaks to me now.
Don't you see, Data? This is where I belong.
PICARD:
Data, what happened over there?
DATA:
Difficult to explain, Captain.
TROI:
Tam?
DATA:
I believe he found what he was looking for, Counsellor.
Captain's log, supplemental. With all main systems at least temporarily restored, we are proceeding to Starbase one five two for inspection and additional repairs.
We have had no further encounter with the Romulans.
As for the whereabouts of Tin Man and Tam Elbrun, we can only speculate.
[Observation lounge]
TROI:
You sent for me?
DATA:
Yes, Counsellor.
It was Tam's final request that I explain his decision to the crew.
But I believe his hope was that you would understand.
TROI:
What did happen?
DATA:
I witnessed something remarkable. Individually they were both so...
TROI:
Wounded? Isolated?
DATA:
Yes. But no longer.
• Through Joining they have been Healed.
• Grief has been transmuted to Joy.
• Loneliness to Belonging.
TROI:
Data - you do understand.
DATA:
Yes, Counsellor.
When Tin Man returned me to the Enterprise, I realised
This is Where I Belong.
