MEMORY OMEGA EXTRACT / COMMUNIQUE

SD44800.1

FROM: RANER (CODED/RESTRICTED)
TO: LAFORGE

Congratulations on your recent red team exercise aboard Enterprise. Well-played, and I don’t mean the execution of your red plan.

I am aware of your opposition to the Data Red program and while I do not applaud your initiative in removing it as an option for Starfleet Security, I must recognize that you exposed a flaw in the tactic. While you were concerned about the threat to Data it posed, perhaps we all should have been aware of the threat Data Red posed to the Enterprise and in turn Starfleet itself.

The fact of its existence puts one of your vessel’s greatest assets at risk. And, perhaps, by a factor greater than whatever threat Data is perceived to pose. His service record has shown him to have "saved the day" far more often than he has been compromised.

A great Starfleet officer once said that "risk is our business," and Data appears to be worth the risk. I have directed that all Data Red units be removed from Enterprise and the project will be reclassified, until further notice, by general order. Had they not disabled him, you surely would not have been able to assume command and control of the ship.

Or perhaps you would. I probably shouldn't say this, but it has crossed my mind that I should set up a new study project called LaForge Red.