Data's durability

Mayabird · Post by **Mayabird** » 2004-09-28 11:20am

Asdeed wrote:Yeah, there's never been mention of any kind of armor for Data, but plenty of examples of him having redundant systems. How many times has he mentioned his secondary or tertiary processors?

Best I can figure he's only got a few truly vital parts that could take him down with one hit. So Lilly just didn't hit any.

It seems pretty stupid that Data would jump down like that, knowing that he'd be shot up and could in the case of a lucky shot be disabled. What are they going to do about Lilly and her gun then, and how are they going to get Data out? *shrugs* I guess it's possible, though it just seemed like he was armor plated to me.

The Silence and I · Post by **The Silence and I** » 2004-09-28 03:40pm

I find it unlikely he was damaged by the weapon fire; he would not have done that if there was significant risk involved. He makes no mention of damage later on, even when preparing to engage the Borg--he would want to be 100% when duking it out with those physical titans and did not have time to repair.
Additionally, the Borg queen might have said something about him being full of bullet holes at some point during their conversations.

Remember, Data has to be flexible to pass as an android, but bullet proof materials can be made flexible, its knife proof materials that are harder to do that with. And his skins are advanced enough to be bullet proof, IMO. His skins seem to incorporate nano technology, they simulate tendon and muscle action, they grow his hair, they can open and close seamlessly--somewhere in the package could easily be properties similar to kevlar--only better, as his skin is much thinner than a bullet proof vest.

Asdeed · Post by **Asdeed** » 2004-09-28 10:40pm

Mayabird wrote:It seems pretty stupid that Data would jump down like that, knowing that he'd be shot up and could in the case of a lucky shot be disabled. What are they going to do about Lilly and her gun then, and how are they going to get Data out? *shrugs* I guess it's possible, though it just seemed like he was armor plated to me.

Data act stupid? Heaven forbid!

The Silence and I wrote:I find it unlikely he was damaged by the weapon fire; he would not have done that if there was significant risk involved. He makes no mention of damage later on, even when preparing to engage the Borg--he would want to be 100% when duking it out with those physical titans and did not have time to repair.
Additionally, the Borg queen might have said something about him being full of bullet holes at some point during their conversations.

Remember, Data has to be flexible to pass as an android, but bullet proof materials can be made flexible, its knife proof materials that are harder to do that with. And his skins are advanced enough to be bullet proof, IMO. His skins seem to incorporate nano technology, they simulate tendon and muscle action, they grow his hair, they can open and close seamlessly--somewhere in the package could easily be properties similar to kevlar--only better, as his skin is much thinner than a bullet proof vest.

In 'A Fistful of Datas' Worf is forced to face Data in a shootout. When he and Deanna are talking about the problem they don't mention Data being bullet proof as a problem. Strong and fast yes, but bulletproof no. Now the safeties were off so the bullets were effectively real, and yes the Data's had all of his abilities. So the situation where his resistance to bullets should have come exists, but it was never mentioned.

Since the situation can be explained without it, based on evidence we've seen, that seems like the way to go.

The Silence and I · Post by **The Silence and I** » 2004-09-29 06:11pm

They observe super human speed/accuracy in Data/Eli, and assume Data/Frank has that as well (later observed to be true as well). Obviously this is really bad for Worf in a gun fight, but AFAIK that's as far as the package goes. We have no reason to assume the holodeck must have created an exact physical replica of Data's body, so assuming the real Dara is realistically vulnerable to revolvers based on this episode is not reasonable in the face of First Contact.

Kamakazie Sith · Post by **Kamakazie Sith** » 2004-09-29 06:29pm

Mayabird wrote:
It seems pretty stupid that Data would jump down like that, knowing that he'd be shot up and could in the case of a lucky shot be disabled. What are they going to do about Lilly and her gun then, and how are they going to get Data out? *shrugs* I guess it's possible, though it just seemed like he was armor plated to me.

I agree. Given how easy Data has been disabled in the past it is logic to suggest that he has some type of armor now.

The Silence and I · Post by **The Silence and I** » 2004-09-29 09:33pm

I want to agree to that as well...
His access ports have never been consistent, suggesting serious physical modification even during the 7 years of TNG, but whenever it comes up he is always quick to point out he physically has not changed

Sir Sirius · Post by **Sir Sirius** » 2004-09-30 05:02am

If you compare Data in TNG to Data seen in the late TNG movies, he appears to have put on some... extra bulk. The real world explanation is that Brent Spinner gained weight, but the Trek-verse explanation might well be that Data was upgraded with armour at some point between the show and the movies.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2004-09-30 06:40pm

Good ol' Android Flab Armor (tm).

He achieved this I suppose by eating many bags of "Quantum Doritos" ...