Data's Lost Chapter Begins, As Star Trek's Android Quits Starfleet to Kill a God

Summary Lore aspires to become a Star Trek god, sparking Data's departure from Starfleet to stop him.

Lore is a formidable villain, embodying Data's fears of losing his humanity.

The new storyline introduces the Pleroma, a realm of the gods, as Lore's potential target for power.

Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek #18!

Lore is on a mission to become a Star Trek god, and his brother Data has quit Starfleet to stop him. IDW’s Star Trek line has showcased a franchise-spanning “god war.” During the course of the war, Lore found a way to ascend to godhood. As seen in Star Trek #18, Data has taken leave of Starfleet, trying to track his evil brother down before he can destroy the universe.

Star Trek #18 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, and drawn by Marcus To. The title regularly features text pieces, made up to resemble briefings or other intelligence communications. This issue featured the journals of noted Federation cyberneticist Bruce Maddox as he attempted to work with a comatose Data. In a previous issue, Data overexerted himself, causing his systems to shut down. Maddox was successful, but noticed changes in Data’s personality.

Finally, Data leaves Starfleet, concerned over his brother Lore.

Lore Is One of Star Trek's Greatest Villains

Lore is Everything Data Fears He Will Become

Data is one of the most popular characters in the Star Trek franchise. A key part of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the android Data was a keen student of human nature. Lacking emotions, Data sought to become more human. In the first season episode “Datalore,” Data’s evil brother Lore was introduced. Lore would go on to become one of the franchise’s best villains, and made his return during Star Trek’s god war, as part of Worf’s crew on the Defiant. It should have been Lore’s chance at redemption, but instead his true nature kicked in.

Lore has a terrifying new calling in the Star Trek universe: to become a god. This is a dread-inducing prospect. While Lore has emotions, he lacks compassion and empathy, seeing himself as above lesser beings. If Lore finds a way to obtain god-like powers, he will no doubt use them to create more chaos and misery. Data sees Lore as his responsibility, and has turned his back on Starfleet to bring Lore down. Starfleet gave Data a home and friends he never had, but his drive to stop Lore is stronger.

Related "Data, What Have You Done?": Star Trek Just Confirmed The Biggest Lie About Data's Human Form Extreme circumstances force Star Trek's Data to show the extent of his android abilities, proving just how much of his human side is a total lie.

Will Lore Attack the Realm of the Gods?

The Pleroma May Be Lore's First Target

Currently, the flagship Star Trek title is entering a new phase with “The Pleroma” storyline. This story introduces the Pleroma, or the “Realm of the Gods” to the franchise, a place accessible only to beings such as the Organians. If Lore is seeking god-like powers, then the Pleroma represents an irresistible target, one he is most certain to attack. At the conclusion of Day of Blood, Lore took control of the Red Path, giving him followers out of the gate. Data will have his work cut out for him as he works to bring his brother Lore down.

Star Trek #18 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!