. . . June 3rd. . .

. . . New York City. . .

Data and Riker were returned to their reality except for Soong. Soong didn't feel he was ready to go home. He had already sent the message regarding his Riker's passing to the widow. He had also sent his resignation to Star Fleet. Truly being the one at fault for his Riker's death was . . . rather gilt ridding. He used to be a shuttle craft builder before approaching Noonien Soong. So he did, while not in the company of those around him, build a shuttle craft. It wasn't the one he would normally construct.

"That looks nothing like a shuttle craft." Tony observed.

"And how do you know it was meant to be that way?" Soong asked.

"The gliders and the front wind shield design," Tony said. "Where are you intending to go?"

"Anywhere but my reality." Soong said, softly.

Tony observed Soong.

"You are not going back, aren't you?" Tony asked.

"You are right." Soong replied.

"Why?" Tony asked.

"Because I can't live with myself in my world knowing what I did," Soong said. "I am giving myself a new slate . . . Being aboard the Enterprise would be a grim reminder of what I failed to do."

"We all have those kind of mistakes, Soong," Tony said. "You can't just hide from them."

Soong briefly closed his eyes.

"Why not I?" Soong said. "I can't go over the thought of what I could have done! There's nothing I could have done to save his life, Anthony!" Soong shook his hand. "I keep processing how and why that second shuttle appeared! I would do anything to stop it!" Soong lowered his hand. "But I can't seem to find the solution. The solution to it is impossible to know. It is almost like it were intentional that my Riker died!"

"Do you have emotions, Mr Soong?" Tony asked.

"I was built with one," Soong said. "So unfortunately I do. The funny thing is, Data wanted emotions all his life and I wanted to be rid of them."

"I see." Tony said.

Soong turned his head toward Tony.

"Do you believe Q could be responsible for this?" Soong asked.

"Q is a fictional character far as I am concerned," Tony said. "And I find it hard to believe there were two Rikers."

Soong had a short laugh.

"If only you knew." Soong said.

"When are you going to leave?" Tony asked.

"Tomorrow," Soong said. "I have a entire galaxy to explore. I wonder if there are substitute aliens for the ones I knew from my federation."