Chapter Six

Ja’hara was taken to the rehabilitation colony on Galor II three days later. She played the role of model prisoner hoping her efforts would win her release sooner rather than later. Ja’hara spoke regularly to a counselor who, over time, became convinced she was over Lore. She stopped wearing her wedding ring to prove it to the gullible psychologist although she did still keep the ring with her at all times in a secret pocket.

Ten months after arriving, Ja’hara qualified for the training program offered at the colony. She was, however, able to convince the counselor that she was the perfect choice for the lab technician training provided at the research annex of the Daystrom Institute located on Galor IV. Of course her reasons for wanting the position had nothing to do with rehabilitation. Not only would she learn about cybernetics, she would also be in the perfect location to find out about Lore should anything happen to him.

An additional fourteen months passed when the counselor informed Ja’hara that she was deemed rehabilitated and would be released in three weeks. Ja’hara’s excitement soon turned to horror when, a week later, she learned through the annex grapevine of Lore being shot by Data on Lore’s World and his subsequent disassembling. She buried her feelings as deep as she could so her release wouldn’t be jeopardized. When she discovered Lore was to be brought to the annex to be studied, she began to formulate a plan to save her husband.

The first few steps of her plan were easily accomplished. She spoke to the officer in charge of civilian personnel requesting she be allowed to remain as a lab tech at the annex upon her release. The effort required on her part to convince him was minimal. Then the colony’s counselor agreed to take Ja’hara to a nearby star base so she could replenish her very limited wardrobe with clothing appropriate to working at the annex. She was able to acquire a few items necessary for her plan by distracting the counselor with a request for him to choose a swimsuit and nightwear for her.  Soon she was ready, now all she had to do was wait.

A week after her release, Ja’hara learned the container holding her disassembled love would be arriving at the annex the next day. She began to put her plan in motion by requesting the colony’s counselor visit her on Galor IV. He believed her when she said how scared she was to be so close to Lore, even if he was disassembled. He arrived in the morning to comfort Ja’hara through her pain but it was the counselor who would be feeling no pain. She quickly sedated him with a hypospray. He would be pleasantly napping for at least twelve hours. Step one, “borrowing” the counselor’s ship was now successfully completed. She had already convinced the officer in charge of the “Lore project” to allow her to be in the lab when they opened the container. She needed the closure, she explained.

Ja’hara joined the small team that had been assigned to the Lore project in the lab. She watched as the container was opened, letting out a quiet gasp at the sight of her husband in pieces. The scientists placed each body part on an examination table and were about to start their work when Ja’hara made her move. Reaching in to her bag, she pulled out a phaser.

“Excuse me, Commander Maddox, I’m afraid there’s been a slight change of plans,” Ja’hara informed the team leader, pointing the phaser directly at him.

“What the hell!” Maddox exclaimed. One of the team members tried to rush Ja’hara. She turned the phaser on him and fired.

“That was the stun setting,” she stated, as she adjusted the phaser, “if anyone else tries to be a hero they won’t be so lucky.” She ordered the team to remove their communicators and place them on the counter. “Now Commander, seal the door...and don’t try anything stupid or sleeping beauty will be dead beauty.”

“Computer, seal the door to the lab,” Maddox ordered. “You won’t get away with this. We’re expecting several guests any minute now.”

“You mean you didn’t get a copy of your own communication,” she laughed. “Your little party has been postponed. You were so eager to get started on your work. Here’s your new assignment, Commander, reassemble and repair my husband NOW!“ she ordered. “Oh, and don’t forget, your lives depend on your successfully completing this assignment.”

It took several hours before the reassembly of Lore was complete. It was now time for the moment of truth.

“Activate him,” she commanded Maddox.

Maddox did as he was told. Lore sat up, looking around the lab confused until he saw her.

“Ja’hara, my love, you look beautiful,” he smirked. He jumped off the table to join his wife.

“Are you okay? He didn’t do anything to you, did he?” she asked, keeping her eyes on Maddox.

“I’m operating perfectly. I’m looking forward to showing you how much I’ve missed you,” he whispered in her ear. “So, my wife, how are we getting out of here?”

“In my bag, there are two personal transporters. I have a ship ready to go,” she smiled. Lore dug in her bag, pulled out the transporters, attaching one to Ja’hara’s arm and one to his own. Ja’hara had reset the phaser to the stun setting. “Okay folks, it’s been fun but we have to go now. Have a nice sleep,” she said, firing the phaser at each of the scientists.  They activated their personal transporters, dematerializing in a glistening light.

Once aboard the ship, Ja’hara ran to the helm, set a course and within minutes they left the Galor System and were at maximum warp.

“Where are we going?” Lore asked. Ja’hara pushed a couple of buttons on the panel, activating the auto helm control.

“I’ve heard Terlina III is nice this time of year,” she smiled. “Very private, the last place anyone would think to look for us.”

“Perfect!” Lore laughed, pulling Ja’hara into his arms. He took hold of her left hand, bringing it down in front of him. “Where’s your ring?” Ja’hara removed it from her pocket, handing it to Lore. He slid it back on her finger, smiling as he did. They kissed passionately for many minutes. He had missed her sweet lips so much. “I love you, Ja’hara.” Lore carried Ja’hara to the small ship’s living quarters, intending to show her just how much. 

“I love you too, Lore.” She reclaimed his mouth for an even more passionate kiss. The need to make love was overwhelming for them both. It had been so long...too long since they had been together. They made love for most of the ten days it took to reach Terlina III.

Lore and Ja’hara had been gone for hours by the time security discovered the scientists. Starfleet Command was notified immediately of Lore’s reassembly and escape. The entire fleet was on the lookout for the android and his wife but no trace of them was ever found.