Well, never let it be said that Data has a deft touch with incongruous timelines. In fact, his track record there is fairly abysmal overall.
One of his admittedly few weaknesses: stand-up comedy and temporal integrity.
He opens his mouth, approximates a quick inhale, and then shuts it again in hesitation. How should he proceed? Does it matter? If their universes are so damaged that they have been taken here and preserved in this way, what will come of this sharing of information? A quandary he wishes he could discuss with his own captain before proceeding.
Picard always had an enlightening perspective, even if he didn't have the answers.
In the absence of such guidance, Data decides to proceed with the truth. He is not a bad liar, really, he has no trouble keeping his stories straight... but still, he never prefers it. "Starfleet records indicate that you were a captain. Perhaps not yet." Sheepishly: "I am often inaccurate at estimating age from visual input alone." He glances to Scotty's rank pips... or rather, his sleeve stripes. "Apologies. Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott?"
But!! He smiles, an expression that looks Very Practiced. Like it's something he's seen other people do, more than something he's doing for himself. If Scotty isn't careful, he's going to end up on the receiving end of an over-enthusiastic android trying to fine-tune his horrible small-talk subroutines. "I am Lieutenant Commander Data. I am from approximately one century into your future." His exposition subroutines are in excellent working order already, of course.
no subject
One of his admittedly few weaknesses: stand-up comedy and temporal integrity.
He opens his mouth, approximates a quick inhale, and then shuts it again in hesitation. How should he proceed? Does it matter? If their universes are so damaged that they have been taken here and preserved in this way, what will come of this sharing of information? A quandary he wishes he could discuss with his own captain before proceeding.
Picard always had an enlightening perspective, even if he didn't have the answers.
In the absence of such guidance, Data decides to proceed with the truth. He is not a bad liar, really, he has no trouble keeping his stories straight... but still, he never prefers it. "Starfleet records indicate that you were a captain. Perhaps not yet." Sheepishly: "I am often inaccurate at estimating age from visual input alone." He glances to Scotty's rank pips... or rather, his sleeve stripes. "Apologies. Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott?"
But!! He smiles, an expression that looks Very Practiced. Like it's something he's seen other people do, more than something he's doing for himself. If Scotty isn't careful, he's going to end up on the receiving end of an over-enthusiastic android trying to fine-tune his horrible small-talk subroutines. "I am Lieutenant Commander Data. I am from approximately one century into your future." His exposition subroutines are in excellent working order already, of course.