B-4 (Star Trek)

:For other meanings, see B4.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

B-4 is a fictional character in the science fiction universe of Star Trek.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

B-4 was first seen in the movie '. He is a Soong-type android (named after Dr. Noonien Soong, their creator). He is one of the five other androids built by Dr. Soong before Lore and Data.

Related Topics:
Android - Lore - Data

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

B-4's history is somewhat suspect, because at one point Praetor Shinzon of Remus was able to obtain the disassembled B-4 and placed some special programming into him, so he could infiltrate the USS Enterprise-E to gain tactical information of the Federation from the ship.

Related Topics:
Shinzon - Remus - USS Enterprise-E - Federation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Knowing B-4 would be found by the Enterprise-E, Shinzon left him disassembled on Kolarus III. After leaving Earth for Betazed, the Enterprise-E picked up the possible existence of another Soong-type android on Kolarus III. Going down the surface, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Lieutenant Worf and Lieutenant Commander Data found the disassembled B-4. After gathering up all of B-4's component parts, they managed to escape the Kolarins and get back to the Enterprise-E.

Related Topics:
Kolarus III - Earth - Betazed - Jean-Luc Picard - Worf

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The crew reassembled B-4 and found a "redundant memory port" on the back of his neck. His "self-actualization subroutines" were underdeveloped, and he acted like an inquisitive child. Data transferred all his memories and programs into B-4 in the attempt to make him more "normal", but this appeared to have failed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A short time later, Shinzon activated B-4's programming. B-4 helped transfer information from the Enterprise-E to Shinzon, which enabled them to kidnap Picard. However, the crew of the Enterprise-E had found out that B-4 was a spy, and were able to replace him with Data, who had transported to Shinzon's vessel, the Scimitar, to rescue Picard. Once back aboard the Enterprise-E, Data deactivated B-4 so that Shinzon's programming could be removed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After Data died in a collision with the Scimitar, the crew of the Enterprise-E was able to find and remove all of Shinzon's modifications from B-4's programming. He was later reactivated when he no longer posed a threat.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Picard told B-4 about his "brother" at the end of Nemesis, it became evident that the memory transfer may have been at least partially successful, as B-4 began singing the same song by Irving Berlin that Data had sung at the wedding of Commander William Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi. B-4 may continue to evolve - other Soong-type androids such as Data had a "childhood" of sorts where their systems evolved.

Related Topics:
Irving Berlin - William Riker - Deanna Troi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Unlike Lore, who was truly evil, B-4 appears to be only a less advanced version of Data. Some have described B-4 as being "childlike". As Data was also very childlike when he was first created, this leaves open the possibility that B-4 will mature in the future. He has been seen as a possible replacement for Data. However, the fact that Brent Spiner has aged visibly since playing Data may prevent that, unless another actor is hired to play B-4.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~