An android being reunited with his pet…

I’m reminded of a scene in Star Trek: Generations.

The saucer section of the Enterprise has just crash-landed, rather violently, on the surface of a distant planet somewhere. If I recall correctly, they’re in the Viridian system, but don’t quote me because I’m not going to bother looking it up. Everything is in pretty rough shape. The crew are looking for survivors in the wreckage. I’m sure several red shirts were squashed.

Data, everyone’s favorite android character, has lost his cat, Spot. Yeah, a robot is really the only character to have a persistent pet in any of the Star Trek series. It’s an idea that usually makes for some pretty good comic relief, but this time it’s heart-wrenching. A robot losing his pet? I mean, come on…

Toward the end of the movie, Data finds Spot. He’s so overjoyed (after all, he’s only recently integrated an “emotions chip” into his circuitry) that he cries. He doesn’t have tears, though, so what appears to drip down his face is oil — likely some sort of lubricant for his servos or actuators.

Yeah. That hits me.

Daily writing prompt

What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

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