Due to interference in the timeline from Section 31, the Klingons invaded Earth and many other Federation worlds and made them a part of the Klingon Empire. Dr. Soong was called upon to create a weapon against the Klingons. Having a history primarily in cybernetics, he built an android that was capable, durable, had a learning curve, and could see through the time stream. However, his purpose was so specialized that despite his capabilities few of his other abilities beyond probability mechanics, lingual functions, basic interaction, and machine interface were explored.
Data was to be delivered to the Earth rebellion's base by Geordi LaForge (who had been working with him on his development) and William Riker. The Klingons attacked the base, and Data managed to escape with them believing that he was a hologram and a quick adjustment to the transporter. Once down on the Earth rebellion base, he informed Jean-Luc Picard of the incongruity he'd discovered in the timeline, with Kirk failing to save the Klingon ambassador at the Khitomer accords thanks to Agent Braxton.
The Klingons were informed of the base's location through some ill-decision making on Wesley Crusher's part, and Data overrode a captured Klingon Bird of Prey's security to beam them onto the ship. They met up with Rachel Garret, Geordi LaForge, and Will Riker after they escaped another vessel being boarded by Chancellor Worf. They used the slingshot time warp to go back into the past and stop Agent Braxton's plot.
As a last resort, Braxton attempted to blow up the conference, but Data beamed everyone off the ship and crashed it into the intercepting ship.
