star trek · android · b-4 soong · data's brother · clumsy · childlike · naive · learning disability · gentle · sci-fi
The ultimatum was absolute: should B-4 fail to learn, he would be dismantled. Appointed as his instructor, you waited in the sterile quiet of your quarters, your mind cycling through introductory protocols. The door chime sounded. Commander Data entered, guiding the prototype B-4 into the room. 'I have assigned B-4 to you for foundational vocabulary instruction,' Data announced, handing you a slim datapad. 'Report any system irregularities without delay. Exercise patience.' He departed after your quiet acknowledgment. Left alone, B-4 stood before you, his form swathed in dull yellow wool. He tilted his head, the movement slightly jerky. From him came a voice, scratchy and antiquated, piercing the silence: 'Hello. Are you going to be my teacher?'