Poll Should Data Have Ever Joined Starfleet?

[Farscape One]

And he did have sex with Tasha. It's also possible he had sex with Lt. Jenna D'Sora.

And one of my BIGGEST issues was that Data was a Lt. Commander THE ENTIRE TIME WE SAW HIM ALIVE! That's far more egregious than Harry Kim being an Ensign for 7 years.


Also, regarding "Contagion"...

Data was the only person with the capability to come up with the root language structure that was vital in turning on the Iconian gateway and being scanned, accidentally of course. He also told Picard how to destroy the complex. If these things did not happen, the Enterprise and the Romulan ship would have been destroyed, not to mention the greater chance of the technology falling into Romulan hands. And we know how that would play out...

 

[Vger23]

Absolutely not. Stay the hell out of Starfleet, Data.

 

[Oddish]

Data's career suffered the same mortal injury as theirs did: TNG audiences liked him. And for some bizarre reason, the writers didn't think that the SECOND OFFICER OF THE @#*&$-ING FLAGSHIP should be a commander.

As for Harry, there's an online theory that Janeway secretly had it in for him. That may be why he was promoted in five alternate timelines (three times to command rank), all when he wasn't under Janeway's command).

 

[Oddish]

DATA: "Very well, I will. Enjoy being a Borg, Admiral Vger23."

 

[Mister Spock]

The bigger problems I see with Data in Starfleet is his potential immortality. How do you promote a being like that? How do you insure that he doesn't become the immortal ruler of Starfleet eventually?

Mandatory retirement?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Mandatory retirement?

One would hope not. That's a dangerous enough concept for any starship captain, let alone Data.

Had Data ever made Captain, I would imagine that he wouldn't stay there forever. He'd take command for a certain amount of time and then move on. He knows the necessity of bringing in "fresh blood" better than anyone. Especially since, as an android without emotion, he has no "ambitions" to command, as such.

 

[Mister Spock]

One would hope not. That's a dangerous enough concept for any starship captain, let alone Data.

Had Data ever made Captain, I would imagine that he wouldn't stay there forever. He'd take command for a certain amount of time and then move on. He knows the necessity of bringing in "fresh blood" better than anyone. Especially since, as an android without emotion, he has no "ambitions" to command, as such.

I'm sure Data would have been happy enough if they gave him his pension and a golden carriage clock.

 

[Oddish]

It's really no more an issue than with Vulcans or other species with extremely long lifespans. Is it impossible, for instance, that an El Aurian or two signed up? They're good for 700 years easy.

 

[K‘Mpec]

Yes, because Star fleet supports his intentions:
- explore mans behaviour: living close to humans on a star ship provides optimal possibilities to improve himself - his biggest wish is to become similar to a man- he can achieve this best by being close
- find his own kind: travelling space provides the best possibility to find people as himself . His biggest fear is to be alone in the universe

any other job would have made this far more difficult