For completeness, I'll quote the pertinent replacement rules:

Now, I think I'm right, but I wanted to see if anyone blows a hole right through my logic and proves me wrong; As far as I can tell if a character does a free action then is replaced, the new character can ALSO then do that same free action. This becomes a very important question with Data




For the first three clicks on both dials they both have sidestep and should, as far as I can see, be able to sidestep then replace then sidestep the new Data.

Yes, that is correct.

Uhm, I was told recently that it wasn't the case. If you Sidestep, then get replaced (via SF for example), the replacement cannot use Sidestep again.

Which is it?

Probably best to assume the actual rules are going to be a better source than "I was told".

This is exactly how you use him and what makes him so good. He can do his Sherlock thing, sidestep, then shifting focus and sidestep again into close combat range. He's amazing! I think the STtNG set is really my favorite of the year. But then, I'm a fan.