Kivas Fajo Kivas Fajo was a Zibalian trader in the 24th century . He was born in the Third District of Tomobiki City on Theta Zibal II and was educated at the University of Oneamisu on Iraatan V . Fajo ' s personality was very childish and almost obsessive about his collection of unique items , and his speech mannerisms reflected that . He was also very controlling of others , and would often try to get his way through his brash and snippy attitude , becoming very upset if he didn ' t get his way . He did not care about morals or the legality of his actions . By 2366 , Fajo owned a trade ship called the " Jovis " and had become known throughout the Stacius Trade Guild for his large collection of rare and precious items . One of his competitors was Palor Toff . Aboard the " Jovis " , Fajo was assisted with his collection by Varria , who began working for Fajo in 2352 . In 2366 , Fajo attempted to add Lieutenant Commander Data to his collection , learning that he was the only sentient android in existence . He designed an elaborate plan to kidnap Data . He produced a toxic substance called tricyanate and had it introduced into the water supply at the Beta Agni II colony , knowing that a rare substance called hytritium was the only thing that could eliminate it . Fajo supplied the with enough to do the job . Being unsafe for the transporter and dangerous for humanoid s to handle , he predicted that the captain would have Data transport it via shuttle . After disabling Data with some kind of electrical burst , Fajo ' s crew staged a shuttle explosion making it appear to the crew of the " Enterprise " that Data had been destroyed . With a seemingly innocent disaster , the " Enterprise " would be forced to continue its mission and declare Data deceased . In order to contain Data on the " Jovis " , he had a special door constructed for his collection room and had proximity - actuated field generators which impeded positron flows to protect himself and Varria from Data . He found that Data would not cooperate and would not modify his programming in order to accept his situation . It frustrated Fajo , as he considered Data just a machine , but he successfully used force by destroying Data ' s uniform to get him to wear special clothes , and to sit in a chair obediently by threatening to kill Varria . This backfired , however , as Varria attempted to help Data escape . Fajo ' s personality peaked to anger when he found out , and he killed her with a Varon - T disruptor , another of his unique items . He threatened that if Data did not return to his chair , and sit there forever , he would murder more of his own crew . Witnessing the act , Data told Fajo he could no longer allow him to continue , drew a weapon , and was apparently ready to kill him . Fortunately for Fajo , Data was transported to the " Enterprise " , which had deduced what had happened . Unfortunately for the trader , however , he was arrest ed and his collection was confiscated , all of his possessions that he had stolen would be returned to their proper owners . ( ) Background information . Kivas Fajo was named for pre - production coordinator Lolita Fatjo . The following was described of the character in the episode ' s script notes , " Fajo is a male Zibalian with a commanding presence ; a man of the world – or rather the galaxy – with undeniable personal charm and grace and yet someone not to be trifled with . " British actor David Rappaport was the first actor chosen for the Kivas Fajo role , but he attempted suicide over the weekend after a few days of filming were completed . Director Timothy Bond stated , " " There was a story going around that they had found him in his car with a tube running from the exhaust . " " Footage of David Rappaport as Kivas Fajo was included on the TNG Season 3 Blu - ray release . ( " " ) David Rappaport continued to suffer from acute depression and successfully committed suicide two months later , dying from a self - inflicted gunshot wound in a Los Angeles park on 2 May 1990 . His death occurred just five days before the episode premiered . Saul Rubinek , a " Star Trek " fan who had been in contact with ( his friend ) director Timothy Bond , called hoping to arrange a set visit . He was then asked by Bond to take over the Fajo role , which he accepted . ( " " )