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Peanut Jar Mixers Development 7

Brevelle: Tarchannen Three Investigation. Stardate 40164.7. Ensign Anthony Brevelle recording. Lieutenant Susanna Leijten in command. Susanna: You up and running, Brevelle? Brevelle: Yes, Lieutenant. Laforge: I've checked buildings four and five. Just like all the others. No phaser hits, no sign of a fight. It's like the entire outpost just vanished. Hickman: Lieutenant Leijten, you'd better come see this. No footprints, no vehicle tracks. The wind probably erased them. But look. Susanna: Freeze visual. Susanna: That's Hickman on the right, Mendez on the left, and as already noted, the recording was made by Ensign Brevelle five years ago. Picard: Commander Leijten, you said that before Brevelle deserted Starbase one one two last week, he'd been ill for several days. What about Mendez? Susanna: Mendez was seen on the Aries an hour before she disappeared. According to witnesses, she seemed completely normal. Riker: And Hickman? Susanna: He just passed a routine physical on Alia Four with flying colors. Laforge: No, wait, I know Paul Hickman. He's a family man, he's got two kids. He wouldn't steal a shuttle and desert. Susanna: Geordi, he was spotted by a Federation supply ship yesterday, on course to Tarchannen three. Picard: The original Tarchannen disappearances were never solved, were they? Susanna: No, we never learned what happened or why. Forty nine people gone. Riker: And five years later, the away team that was investigating their disappearances have started to disappear themselves. Susanna: Geordi and I are the only two left. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44664.5. We've set a course to intercept Lieutenant Hickman's stolen shuttlecraft, and, hopefully, to discover the whereabouts of the other missing officers. Susanna: And then I almost married Paul Bogrow. Laforge: Bogrow? Bogrow, now which one was he? Susanna: You remember. The one with the thin mustache. Laforge: Oh, not Bogrow. Susanna: I know. Laforge: The one who always used to drive you crazy? You always thought he was so full of himself. Susanna: Well, I decided I had prejudged him unfairly. And then I decided that I'd been right in the first place. Laforge: Bogrow. Susanna: What about you? Laforge: I enjoy the bachelor's life too much. Susanna: That doesn't sound like my little brother who always wanted advice on women. Laforge: Well, obviously you were a great advisor. Well, Suz, what do you think? Susanna: I don't know. But I'm not ashamed to tell you I'm a little scared, you know? Laforge: Yeah, I know. Susanna: Well, if anybody's going to figure this out, it'll be the Leitjen and La Forge Show, right? Laforge: Yeah. Susanna: We always made a good team. Laforge: A hell of a team. Riker: Commander La Forge, Commander Leijten, report to the Bridge. We have a fix on the missing shuttle. Laforge: On our way, Commander. Graham: Entering the Tarchannen system, sir. Picard: Slow to impulse power. Mister Worf? Worf: Long range sensors holding on the shuttlecraft, bearing zero one zero, mark two seven one. Picard: Hail the vessel. Worf: Lieutenant Hickman does not respond, sir. Picard: Put a repeating message on all subspace channels. Order the Lieutenant to come about and stand to. Make it a priority one communiqué. Worf: Still no response, sir. Graham: The craft is now within visual range. Picard: On screen. Data: The shuttle's acceleration is increasing. Its trajectory is moving directly into the planet's atmosphere. He will reach an atmospheric interface at an altitude of two hundred and ten kilometers. Riker: If he stays at that speed, he'll self-destruct. Data: That is correct, Commander. Picard: How soon, Mister Data? Data: Fifty three seconds, sir. Picard: Options? Graham: He's out of transporter range. Laforge: He's still too far away to get a positive lock with the tractor beam, Captain. Picard: Open a channel. Worf: Open. Picard: Lieutenant Hickman, listen carefully. This is Captain Picard of the Enterprise. You are in danger. You must slow your rate of approach. Data: The shuttle is approaching the outer thermosphere, Captain. Riker: He's panicking. Data: At current rate of acceleration, the shuttle will be destroyed in twenty eight seconds. Data: Sixteen seconds to impact. Picard: Lieutenant Hickman, you must do what I tell you. Reduce your velocity and bring your craft to a positive pitch of twenty degrees, now. Data: The shuttle's entering the lower ionosphere, sir. Worf: Captain, sensors detect two more Federation shuttlecraft on the planet surface. No life signs. Picard: Number One, prepare your away team. Riker: Worf, Data, Geordi. Susanna: I'd like to volunteer to join you, sir. Riker: Commander. Riker: Commander Leijten, Geordi, check out the shuttle. Data, Worf, you've got the perimeter. Susanna: It's the shuttlepod Mendez stole from the Aries. Data: No life signs, Commander. Worf: Sir, I am certain we are being watched. Laforge: Commander Riker. Found it in the shuttle. Where's Commander Leijten? Riker: Riker to Susanna, report. Fan out. Let's find her. Laforge: Susanna! La Forge to Leijten. Susanna: Over here. Laforge: Where have you been? Susanna: Mendez and Brevelle are alive. You saw the footprints? Laforge: Yeah, but they're not human. Susanna: They're here. Just stand still and listen. You can feel it. They're here. Laforge: I'm not picking up anything. Wait a minute. Where are you going? Susanna? Susanna: Stay away. Laforge: Suz? Laforge: La Forge to Enterprise, medical emergency. Two to Sickbay. Susanna: Do I look as bad as I feel? Laforge: You look fine, now. Susanna: What happened? Crusher: Your blood chemistry is way off. You had a histamine response, to what I don't know. I'm going to run a complete blood and tissue analysis. Susanna: I need to get back to the surface. Crusher: Until we have some answers, I don't want you to leave the Enterprise. Susanna: I have work to do. Crusher: Look, Commander, you may have just had an anxiety reaction down there, but I've got to know for sure. Laforge: Might not be such a bad idea to take it easy for a while. Susanna: I'm not going to stay locked up on this ship while the investigation's going on. Picard: Your devotion to duty is admirable, Commander, but Doctor Crusher is right. You will remain on the Enterprise until we know whether or not this is connected to the disappearance of the others. Susanna: Captain. Picard: We have completed our survey on the surface. Analyzing that data will keep us busy for a while. Susanna: Yes, sir. I understand. Laforge: Data's got a preliminary report, if you're up to it. Susanna: Sure. Let's get going. Picard: What about La Forge? Crusher: I gave him a complete bioscan. The results say he's in perfect shape. Picard: That's what the reports said about Mendez and Hickman before they disappeared. Susanna: Captain Picard's wrong. The way to handle this is to get back down there with a dozen away teams, fan out from the shuttle, we could cover a lot of ground in a hurry. Use proximity detectors, infrared sensors. Laforge: Susanna. Susanna: Oh, Geordi, it's started. What if what happened to the others is happening to me? Laforge: You don't know that. Suz, I'm here, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you, okay? Okay, come on. Data: During microscopic examination of the torn uniform, I discovered these alien skin cells. Susanna: Source? Data: Undetermined. Laforge: Without something else to cross-reference, it would take us weeks to try and identify them. Data: Fortunately, we have more evidence. We were able to determine that these footprints found near the shuttle were not made by any known Tarchannen life form. Susanna: If we're pursuing a theory that somehow unknown aliens are involved, I think I should tell you that we didn't find tracks like that during the original investigation. Data: The planet is subject to frequent sandstorms. Footprints might have been obliterated prior to your arrival. Doctor Crusher and I will begin to search the medical database in an attempt to match these with some known life form. Susanna: Aliens or no aliens, why would our people start returning after five years, to be abducted? Laforge: Some sort of compulsion like a post-hypnotic command? Susanna: Something that happened while we were down there the first time? Laforge: We can go back to the mission record, construct a log of everyone's movements. Susanna: Look for some commonality, something we all touched. Maybe a plant, or the sand. Laforge: Or even something we ingested. It could even be in the air itself. Crusher: The parameters are pretty broad, Data. Any match we make is going to be inconclusive at best. Data: I am aware of that, Doctor. However, I can see no other reasonable course of investigation available to us. And we may not have much time. Crusher: You're worried about Geordi, aren't you? Data: I am an android. It is not possible Crusher: for you to feel anxiety. Data: Starfleet personnel have vanished. Others may be at risk. We must do the best we can to find out why. However, I am strongly motivated to solve this mystery. Laforge: Freeze visuals. Susanna: We're wasting our time. Laforge: That's not how you felt before. It was your idea to look for some sort of commonality. Susanna: Yeah, well, I was wrong. We're not going to find anything this way. We should go back to the planet. It's all down there. Everything we need to know. Laforge: That's just not an option. At least, not until Captain Picard says it is. Computer, resume. Susanna: I can't look at that anymore. It hurts my eyes. I can't think. My brain feels like it's wrapped up in a blanket. Laforge: Take a break, all right? I'll work on this. Susanna: I don't need a break. I need to get off the ship. Laforge: Susanna, why don't we go and see Doctor Crusher? Susanna: Forget Crusher and forget your logs. Tarchannen's down there, Geordi. It's waiting for us. That's where we should go. Laforge: Susanna, you can't leave. Susanna. Susanna! Susanna: Geordi! Crusher: Her blood pressure's still falling. Apply the T-cell stimulator. We have got to stabilize her immune system. Crusher: She has developed an extreme sensitivity to light. We're trying to make her as comfortable as we can. Laforge: Oh, God. Susanna: Geordi? Laforge: Susanna, hold on, okay? Doctor Crusher will help you, so just hold on. Susanna: It's inside of me, Geordi. I can't fight it. It's winning. Laforge: Don't give up. Do you hear me? You can't give up, Suz. Crusher: This is one of Susanna's altered skin cells, and this is one of the alien cells Data found. Picard: They're almost identical. How do you explain that? Crusher: Jean-Luc, I think the people from Tarchannen Three who disappeared weren't abducted. I think they were transformed into another species. Laforge: Can you stop it, Doctor? Crusher: The T-cell stimulator will slow the rate of change, but until I find the cause. Picard: Is the Enterprise at risk? Crusher: No. I checked the cell wall integrity. It's viability is extremely low. I don't think it's possible for Susanna to transmit it. Laforge: Then how did she get it? Crusher: I wish I knew. The only thing I do know, Geordi, is that it's very possible that you'll be next. Laforge: But I had two full bioscans today. You said I was fine. Crusher: I gave Susanna a bioscan, too. I didn't find anything wrong with her, either. Laforge: How long? Crusher: Brevelle was sick for days before he left. Mendez was normal an hour before she disappeared. You may have weeks or very few hours. Laforge: Then there's not much time to waste. I should get back to work. Crusher: Geordi, until I know what we're dealing with, I think you should stay here, in Sickbay. Laforge: Doctor, you said it would help if you knew the source of this. If I can continue my analysis of the mission records, I might find an answer. Picard: Mister La Forge, what if you begin to change? What if you feel compelled to go down to the planet like the others? Laforge: Program the computer to monitor my movements. That way we can be sure that I don't leave the ship. What would you do, Captain? Would you sit it out here in Sickbay or try to learn what it is that's got you and maybe stop it? Picard: Very well, Mister La Forge. You proceed with your investigation, but I want you to report to Doctor Crusher for a bioscan at the start of day watch. Laforge: Aye, sir. Crusher: And Geordi, if you have symptoms of any kind, I want to know immediately. Laforge: Understood. Hickman: One to transport. Susanna: I want to make another sweep of the perimeter. La Forge, you start at building four. Mendez and Brevelle begin at two. I'll take five. Laforge: All right, computer. Analyze audio elements from time index fourteen four seven to fifteen five eight. List all anomalies. Computer: No audio anomalies present. Laforge: Any subspace projections, z-particle emissions, interferometric frequencies? Computer: No subspace projections present. No z-particle emissions present. No interferometric patterns present. Laforge: Damn. Data: Geordi. May I inquire how your investigation is proceeding? Laforge: It's not. Data: Have you attempted an audio analysis? Laforge: Yes, Data. And a spectrographic analysis, and a screen for ionizing radiation. I even ran an enhancement for micro-seismic disturbances. I've tried it all, okay? I'm sorry, Data. Data: There is no need for an apology. Perhaps if you indulged in a brief rest period, you would be able to approach this problem with a fresh point of view. Laforge: Yeah, you're probably right, Data, but I've got to keep scanning these records while I can. Data: May I can assist you? Laforge: If I knew what I was looking for. Rally, Data, I think it's just a matter of me going over it, maybe finding something I forgot. I'll let you know if I come across anything, all right? All right, computer, one more time. Ogawa: Sorry to disturb you, Doctor. Crusher: That's all right. What's happened? Ogawa: I thought you should see this. Crusher: Her skin is simulating light. A radiant reaction. Some sort of mimetic ability? Ogawa: That's not all. Her body temperature is dropping. Crusher: It's as if she's generating a disruptive field. I can barely get any readings off her now. What's her rate of transformation? Ogawa: It's increasing. Crusher: That's not possible. It should have been inhibited by the T-cell stimulator. Unless. If there's a foreign body inside her that's producing these changes, something like a viral crèche. Ogawa: A very small one if our scans haven't found it. Crusher: I want a full genetic analysis. We're going to examine any abnormality we find no matter how insignificant it seems. Hickman: One to transport. Laforge: Computer, delete the audio. Laforge: Wait a minute. Freeze visual. Whose shadow is that? Computer: Please restate question. Laforge: Computer, the shadow currently displayed in section B three, what is its source? Computer: Unknown. Laforge: Come on, it's got to belong to somebody. Computer, replay a visual of the last time index. No audio, and slow to fifty percent. Okay, Brevelle's behind the camera ,Susanna and I head off in that direction. Mendez moves off that way. Freeze visual. Now, magnify four times, and spectrally enhance those shadows. Computer, do you have sufficient data to compile a holographic simulation of this visual record? Computer: A simulation would be limited to areas scanned by the visual recording device. Laforge: Good, fine. Scan the entire record and then recreate it on holodeck three. Laforge: Computer, is the Tarchannen simulation ready? Computer: Affirmative. Program complete. Enter when ready. Laforge: Computer, scan Starfleet records and create a simulation of Brevelle. Place him where he was while recording this. Okay, good. Computer, based on their speed and direction, can you extrapolate each officer's movements as they walk out of the recording device's field of view? Computer: Affirmative, with an increasing probability of error reaching ninety five percent after ten seconds. Laforge: Understood. Run simulation. HOLO- Suz: I want to make another sweep of the perimeter. La Forge, you start at building four. Mendez and Brevelle, you begin at two. I'll take five. Laforge: Computer, freeze. It's all happening too fast. Computer, reverse simulation. Run it back to time index fourteen seven two. Laforge: Freeze program. Computer, remove La Forge. And now remove Leitjen. And now remove Mendez. Laforge: Computer, using vector analysis, identify the source of this shadow. Computer: There is no object in the program which could generate the shadow. Laforge: There has to be something between the camera light and this wall. Computer, given the distance between the light and the wall, can you determine the most likely shape and position of the object causing this shadow? Computer: There is insufficient data to reconstruct the requested object. Laforge: All right, let's say that my friend and I here are about the same size, say one pint seven meters. Now, can you extrapolate its shape and its position? Computer: Affirmative. Laforge: Do it. Crusher: There, in the thymus. Some sort of parasite. It's using Susanna's immune system to spread genetic instructions. Ogawa: How did it get there? Crusher: She could have become infected during the original mission. It's small enough to have entered through any of the mucous membranes. But it certainly isn't behaving like a typical parasite. It isn't feeding off of her. It's transforming her DNA to match its own. Ogawa: There's not much of her original DNA left. Crusher: And we're going to need unaltered genes or we'll never get her back. We've got to get that thing out of her now. Riker: Any luck? Data: Negative, Commander. Nothing in our survey suggests the source of a parasitic infection. Crusher: Crusher to Bridge. Picard: Go ahead, Doctor. Crusher: The surgery was successful Crusher: But it's going to be a few more hours before we know how her regenerative systems are responding. In the meantime, we'd better get Commander La Forge down here. Picard: Very well, Doctor, keep us informed. Crusher: Crusher to La Forge. Computer, locate Commander La Forge. Computer: Commander La Forge is not on board the Enterprise. Crusher: Bridge, the Computer says Commander La Forge is no longer on board. Is that correct? Data: I am showing no transporter activity. Worf: All shuttles are secure. Riker: Negative. There's no indication that he's left the ship. Picard: Computer, what was the last known location of Commander La Forge? Computer: Holodeck three. Crusher: Captain, if Geordi has transformed, he may be virtually a chameleon. Crusher: The skin develops mimetic capabilities. He may still be on board, but undetectable to our sensors. Worf: You search the structure. I will take the perimeter. Worf: Commander. Riker: Geordi's uniform. Hedrick: Security. We have an intruder in transporter room six. Argh. Data: Captain, the security lockout on Transporter room six has been broken. Picard: Re-engage now. Data: I cannot, sir. The transporter cycle has already begun. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44668.1. Doctor Crusher's research indicates that we have less than an hour before Commander La Forge's transformation becomes irreversible. However, all attempts to locate him on the surface have failed. Worf: I do not read any life signs on the surface. Picard: Our sensor array is useless. We must find some other way of locating him. Data: Captain, if we can get close enough to Geordi, we can read his absorption spectrum with an ultraviolet light. Riker: Can you modify an emergency beacon to operate on UV? Data: Yes, sir. Picard: Make it so. Number One, as soon as Data is ready, I want you to lead an away team. Riker: Aye, sir. Riker: How long, Data? Data: I must replace the emitter module and reconnect the power supply. It will take approximately two minutes to complete the modification, sir. Hedrick: Hedrick to Commander Riker. Riker: Go ahead. Hedrick: I've been able to determine La Forge's transport coordinates. He beamed down next to the Aries shuttle. Riker: Acknowledged. He's on foot, couldn't have gotten too far. Let's assume a radius of ten kilometers. Worf: That still leaves a search area of more than three hundred square kilometers. Riker: We've got to narrow that down. What's happening with the enhanced sensor arrays? Worf: All scans are still negative. Riker: We've got to find a way to track him. What about the high-resolution EM scans? Worf: We are adjusting sensors to read Commander La Forge's absorption spectrum, but it will take several hours. Riker: Geordi doesn't have several hours. Data: I have completed modifications, Commander. Riker: Excellent. Doctor Crusher, meet us in Transporter room six immediately. Crusher: He's going to need a sedative. Give me ten cc's of kayolane. Susanna: Doctor Crusher. Crusher: Say, you look a lot better than you did an hour ago. Susanna: What did you do? Crusher: We've removed some kind of parasite from your thymus. Susanna: No, no, no. It's not a parasite, Doctor. It was their method of reproduction, to plant a DNA strand in a living host that causes metamorphosis. Geordi? He's gone? Crusher: Yes. Susanna: He's gone back to the planet? Crusher: Try to stay calm. Susanna: No, but we have to find him. Crusher: An away team is preparing to search for him. Susanna: You'll never be able to find him. I'm the only one who can. Susanna: No, you must turn them off. The light frightens them. Riker: What about the ultraviolet? Susanna: That's beyond their visual spectrum. They won't run away from it. Worf: He could be several kilometers away by now. Susanna: No, he's here. They're all here. Susanna: There. Crusher: Geordi? Susanna: Geordi, stop! Susanna: No, wait. Susanna: Geordi? Geordi, my voice is familiar. Listen to it. You can feel that we share this. You know I'm not a threat. The others, Mendez, Brevelle, they don't exist as humans any more, but a part of you still does. You're not one of them yet, Geordi. I can help you if you'll just trust me. I know what's going on inside of you, the war you're fighting with yourself. Your humanity slipping away. The instinct to run, it's overpowering, but they know how to beat it now, Geordi. Look at me! I've come back, Geordi. Let me take you back, too. Just take my hand. Please. Crusher: Crusher to Enterprise. Lock on to Commander Leitjen's signal. Prepare to beam two directly to Sickbay. Susanna: We're going home, Geordi. Picard: Is there no hope for Brevelle or Mendez? Susanna: None. Laforge: Susanna. Susanna: I'm right here, Geordi, and so are Doctor Crusher and Captain Picard. Crusher: Here's your visor, Geordi. Laforge: Lieutenant Commander La Forge reporting for duty, Captain. Picard: Welcome back, Mister La Forge. Crusher: Geordi, this species, can you communicate with it? Laforge: No. They act on instinct alone. In another few minutes, I wouldn't have responded to you, Susanna. Picard: Then we will leave them be. I'll order warning beacons placed in orbit and on the surface. Hopefully, no one else will have to go through what you did. Laforge: You know, down there, I didn't know who you were, and yet somehow I believed you, I trusted you. Susanna: Must've been because of all the good advice I used to give you. Laforge: Thanks.

Crusher: You were like a brother to me. Do you remember? We used played in the park near the lake. Barclay: Yes, of course. Every summer, you came to Bergerac. Crusher: You used to make swords out of the reeds, and when you cut your hand you would come running to me, and I would say, Let me see. Oh! How did you do that? Barclay: Playing near the Porte de Nesle. Crusher: And how many did you plat against? Barclay: No more than a hundred. Crusher: Tell me! Barclay: No. Crusher: Let it go. Barclay: What? Crusher: Let it go. Barclay: Let it go. Let it go. You tell me what you were going to say. Do you dare? Crusher: I do dare. I love someone. Barclay: Ah! Crusher: He does not know. Barclay: Ah! Crusher: Not yet. But he is proud, noble, brave and beautiful. Barclay: Beautiful? Crusher: What's the matter? Barclay: With me? Nothing. It is my hand. He is in the Guards? Crusher: Since this morning. Baron Christien de Neuvillette. In your own regiment. Barclay: Ah. Crusher: Promise me. Promise me to be his friend. Barclay: I promise. Crusher: Oh, I love you. I must go now. Oh, and tell him to write me. A hundred men! What courage! Barclay: Oh, but I have done better since. Riker: Bravo! Troi: Wonderful! Wonderful. Data: Lieutenant Barclay's performance was adequate, but clearly not rooted in The Method approach. I do not understand why. Riker: Data, because it's polite. Laforge: Good job, Reg. And only what, six weeks of lessons. Crusher: Good job, period. Barclay: We have a patient teacher. Crusher: Ah, Worf, I have an opening in my workshop. Troi: Well done. Barclay: Thank you, Counselor. Troi: You've come a long way, Reg. Barclay: After more rehearsals than I can count. Troi: I don't just mean your acting ability. It takes a great deal of courage to put yourself on display like that. Barclay: You think so? Troi: There was a time when nothing could have dragged you onto a stage in front of an audience. You've made tremendous progress. Barclay: I, I guess. Troi: Don't you think so? Barclay: Well, I just feel more more comfortable playing somebody else. Maybe all this is not any better than escaping into a holodeck fantasy. Troi: I disagree. This isn't fantasy, it's theater. You used to withdraw onto the holodeck. You isolated yourself inside your own imagination, avoiding contact with real people. Look at yourself now. Look at all the other people you're with. You're not just acting, you're interacting. Give yourself some credit, Mister Barclay. Barclay: Maybe you're right. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44704.2. We have arrived at the Argus Array, a remote subspace telescope at the very edge of Federation space. The unmanned structure mysteriously stopped relaying its data nearly two months ago. Data: The fusion reactors that power the array are extremely unstable. There is a high risk of overload. Riker: What about the computer systems? Data: They do not seem to be functioning at all, sir. Worf: Captain, I am picking up an unidentified device one point eight kilometers from the array. Picard: On screen. Magnify. Riker: That's some kind of probe. I'll bet that's what damaged the array. Picard: Is it emitting any signals, Lieutenant? Worf: Negative, sir. I show no activity. Picard: Mister La Forge, why not go out and take a closer look. Laforge: Aye, sir. Lieutenant Barclay, report to the main shuttlebay. Laforge: Enterprise, this is shuttle five in position, ready to begin a short-range scan. Riker: Proceed, shuttle five. Laforge: Reg, why don't we begin with the passive high-res series, all right? Barclay: Electromagnetic band? Laforge: Give it a try. Barclay: I'm picking up visual wavelengths only. Between forty five hundred and seven thousand angstroms. Laforge: Let's try the neutron densitometer. Barclay: Nothing. Laforge: Hmm. Doesn't seem to want to give up any secrets. Let's go to active scan. Barclay: No, no modulation. Laforge: Really? You are definitely not from our neighborhood. Increase to three point zero. Barclay: Commander? Laforge: Yeah, Reg? Barclay: Thanks for assigning me to this mission. Laforge: Don't mention it. You're one of my top engineers. It's about time you got in on some of the interesting stuff. This, this is why I'm in Starfleet. Barclay: There's still no modulation. Laforge: Hit it with a positron emission. Laforge: What was that? Computer's down, Reg. Reg? Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. An intense energy surge from the alien probe has severely disabled the shuttle's onboard computer. The away team has been transported directly to Sickbay, where Lieutenant Barclay remains under observation. Riker: Any indication of the probe's energy source, Data? Data: No, sir. Power emissions do not match any known radiation patterns. We have not encountered this technology before, sir. Picard: Very well. Isolate the probe and place it in tow. We'll take it to Science Station four oh two in the Kohlan system. Worf: Captain, the probe has begun to move. It is approaching the Enterprise. Riker: Shields up. Worf: Aye, sir. Crusher: There was enough energy in that flash to overload your optic nerves. It knocked you unconscious. Laforge: My visor must have filtered it out. Crusher: Exactly. But there was no apparent retinal damage and the cornea looks fine. But I'm still waiting for a full sero-amino readout. I'll call you when it comes in. I'd like this done as quickly as possible, Ensign. Barclay: You shouldn't have to wait too long for the results. Crusher: What do you mean? Barclay: Couldn't you use a global mode in your scanner? It would be a lot faster. Crusher: That's not possible. We're talking about human cells here, not isolinear circuits. I think you'd better stick to engineering, Lieutenant. Barclay: A cell has a an electromagnetic signature just like a circuit element does. Theoretically, it should work with just a few adjustments. I could set it up for you, if you'd like. Worf: Probe now closing at fifteen point three meters per second. Collision course. Data: Captain, sensors are reading no particulate emissions or subspace field distortions. Picard: Then how is it able to move? Data: Method of propulsion is unknown, sir. Riker: Ensign, take us away from it. One quarter impulse. Anaya: Aye, sir. Worf: The probe is matching our speed and course. Data: Captain, an energy field is forming around the device. Intensity is three point two terawatts and increasing. Worf: Sir, the shuttlecraft shields did not provide sufficient protection for its computer. Our computer may also be vulnerable. I recommend withdrawal to a safe distance. Picard: Ensign Anaya, full about. Half impulse. Anaya: One half impulse. Worf: The probe is following. Picard: Options, Number One? Riker: We can't use photon torpedoes. An explosion this close could cripple us. Worf: Sir, recommend full phasers. Picard: Proceed. Worf: Firing phasers. Worf: No effect, Captain. Data: The probe's field intensity is continuing to build, sir. We are in danger. Riker: Riker to La Forge. Can you increase phaser power? Laforge: Attempting to now, Commander. Isolate phasers eighty to one twenty. Shunt all the plasma Barclay: To the emitters. Yes, sir, I'm already on it. Ready. Laforge: Phasers are as hot as we can make them, Captain. Picard: Mister Worf. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: Nothing. Picard: Go to warp two. Anaya: Aye, sir. Warp two. Worf: The probe is still with us, sir. Riker: At warp two? Worf: Yes, sir. Data: Captain, the probe's energy output is overloading our shields. Failure anticipated in forty seven seconds. Picard: I'm willing to entertain suggestions. Worf: Captain, we're dropping to impulse. Larson: Commander, warp power has been transferred to the shield grid. Laforge: Yeah, but by whom? Laforge: Barclay, what are you doing? Barclay: Lieutenant Barclay to Captain Picard. You can fire photon torpedoes. Barclay: Maximum yield, full spread. Riker: We're too close. Barclay: I'm certain the shields will hold. Picard: Mister La Forge? Laforge: I don't know how he did it, but shield strength has been increased by three hundred percent. Laforge: It should be enough, Captain. Picard: Mister Worf. Photon torpedoes. Maximum yield, full spread. Worf: Aye. Picard: Thank you, Mister Barclay. Barclay: You're welcome, Captain. Barclay out. I'm sorry if I overstepped my authority. Laforge: Don't mention it. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44705.3. The Enterprise has destroyed the alien probe, but now we are left with the difficult task of repairing the Argus Telescope. Failure to do so would represent an incalculable scientific loss. Riker: Mister Barclay. Everyone's still trying to figure out exactly how you did it. Barclay: Well, it just occurred to me that I could set up a frequency harmonic between the deflector and the shield grid using the warp field generator as a power flow anti-attenuator, and that of course naturally created an amplification of the inherent energy output. Riker: Uh huh. I see that. Picard: I'm glad you could join us, Mister Barclay. Your report, Mister La Forge. Laforge: Each of the telescope's subspace antenna clusters is powered by its own fusion reactor, but a single computer controls them all. Riker: So all eighteen reactors were affected when the computer was damaged? Laforge: That's right. They're starting to overload, and could eventually go critical. The explosion would destroy the Array, and I wouldn't want to be next door when that happens. Data: A standard isolation procedure would be advisable. Laforge: I agree. We'll cut off each reactor from the damaged control system and repair them one by one. Riker: How long will that take? Laforge: Two to three weeks at least. Picard: All right, Mister La Forge. Barclay: I don't agree. We could repair all of the reactors simultaneously instead of one by one. Picard: Simultaneously? All eighteen? Barclay: Yes, sir. Laforge: But the Argus computer is inoperable. Barclay: Not entirely. The core memory is still intact, and we could program a completely new control system. Data: An interesting suggestion, Lieutenant. However, that approach would require much more time than our original plan. At least seven weeks. Barclay: I could have it ready for you in two days. Riker: What? Barclay: If you could assist me in the morning, Commander. Laforge: Sure, Reg. Barclay: The moon, yes, that'll be my home, my paradise. I shall find there all the souls I love. Socrates, Galileo. And when I arrive they will question my worthiness. What the devil is he doing there among us? Philosopher, scientist, poet, musician, duellist! Here lies Hercule Savinien De Cyrano de Bergerac. I would not have you weep any less for that charming, good, and handsome Christien. I only ask this, that as the great cold surrounds my bones, you allow a double meaning for your mourning veil. And when you let fall your tears fall for him, some few will be for me. Crusher: That was a real improvement. Barclay: Same time, day after tomorrow? Crusher: Same time. Troi: Reg? May I join you? Barclay: Of course, please. Sit down, Counselor. Troi: Hard at work? Barclay: I'm getting prepared for tomorrow's meeting in Engineering. We're planning our repair strategy. Troi: I really enjoyed the scene you just performed. Barclay: You're a very forgiving audience. Troi: Not at all. I thought you were brilliant. You've changed. Barclay: Is that a professional opinion? Troi: Pure observation. Barclay: No, it's true. I can't explain it. In the last few days I've found confidence I never knew was there. Troi: I'm proud of you, Reg. I'm glad for you, too. Well, I'd better be going. Barclay: Must you? Troi: I think so. Barclay: Wouldn't you like to take a walk with me through the arboretum? The zalnias should be in bloom. Troi: Reg, as your former counselor, I don't think it would be appropriate. Barclay: I don't need a counselor. What I need is the company of a charming, intelligent woman. Troi: Goodnight, Mister Barclay. Laforge: Where's Lieutenant Barclay? Larson: I stopped by his quarters on my way over. He wasn't there. Laforge: Computer, location of Lieutenant Barclay. Computer: Lieutenant Barclay is on holodeck three. Einstein: G sub I, J of t as t approaches infinity. Barclay: G of t over G naught. Einstein: So it is, so it is. Barclay: I still don't see how you're going to incorporate quantum principle into general relativity without adjusting the cosmological constant a lot more than you're doing here. Einstein: If we increase the value as you suggest, we must face the possibility of twenty six dimensions, instead of ten. Barclay: I don't think I could deal with that. Einstein: I certainly could not. Barclay: If the semiset curved into the subatomic, the infinities might cancel each other out. Einstein: Gruss Gott. They just might. Laforge: We had a meeting at oh seven hundred. Barclay: I'm sorry, Commander. Thank you, Professor. End program. Laforge: What was that all about? Barclay: I had some ideas late last night. I needed to consult with the computer about some quantum electrodynamic calculations. A holodeck Einstein program seemed like the best way. I guess I went a little overboard. Laforge: A little? Most of the stuff on that blackboard was way out of my league. And yours too. Barclay: Not really. I just haven't thought along those lines before. It's all pretty evident now, and if you were to put your mind to it I'm sure Laforge: Reg, ever since our run in with that probe, something's different about you. Barclay: What, because I'm beginning to behave like the rest of the crew? With confidence in what I'm doing? Laforge: You just spent the entire night arguing grand unification theories with Albert Einstein! Barclay: Yes, but Laforge: Reg, something's happened to you, and we can't ignore that. Barclay: Yes. I've finally become the person I've always wanted to be. Do we have to ask why? Laforge: Yeah, I think we do. Crusher: Incredible! The production of neurotransmitters in your brain has jumped by over five hundred percent. Pre and postsynaptic membranes have increased permeability to match it. I couldn't even guess at your IQ level now. Barclay: Probably somewhere between twelve hundred and fourteen fifty. Crusher: But that isn't all. The corpus callosum, the connecting bridge between both sides of the brain, it is so active now that the hemispheres are essentially behaving as one. Laforge: So, it's not just raw intelligence we're talking about here. Crusher: No. Creativity, resourcefulness, inspiration, imagination, they've all been enhanced. Lieutenant, you could very well be the most advanced human being who has ever lived. Riker: Whatever that alien probe did to him, Barclay now seems to know more about the internal workings of the Enterprise than anyone else on board. Picard: The question is, how are we going to deal with it. Riker: We could confine him to his quarters. Laforge: How can we do that? What's he done? We're talking about locking a man up for being too smart. Riker: If he's been influenced by an alien, wouldn't that put us all at risk? Crusher: Not necessarily. It might be something as simple as an allergic reaction to a bee sting. Picard: Has Mister Barclay done anything that could be considered potentially threatening? Troi: Well, he did make a pass at me last night. A good one. Laforge: I'd hardly consider that a threat. Troi: No, but it's certainly unusual behavior for Barclay. Crusher: There's something else, Captain. He taught violin technique at the music school last night. Riker: I didn't know Barclay played the violin. Crusher: He didn't, not until last night. Laforge: Look, if we want to save the array, we need Barclay. It's as simple as that. Picard: Until he does something more menacing, I see no reason why we should prevent him from continuing his work. Larson: Larson to Commander La Forge. Laforge: Go ahead, Lieutenant. Larson: We're having trouble containing reactor nine, sir. It's starting to chain. Laforge: I'm on my way. Riker: You said he made a pass at you, but you failed to mention whether he was successful or not. Barclay: Thermal levels up one hundred seventy seven percent. Comparable increase in neutron emissions. Laforge: Is the interface between the computer and the array still in operation? Barclay: Yes, but our computer is too slow to direct the repairs. The parameters are changing too quickly for it to keep up. Laforge: Then we'll have to try a remote shutdown from here. Larson: Transmitting commands to the array now, sir. Starting close down sequence. Barclay: Brower, increase the intake of liquid helium three into the reactor wall. We've got to cool it off. Brower: Transmitting commands. Thermal levels increasing, sir. Laforge: What happened? Barclay: Unclear. The interface isn't fast enough. Larson: Commander La Forge. Overload indications on Argus generator five, seven and fourteen. Laforge: Damn! Barclay: I can't do anything from here. I have to find a better interface. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. We're looking at a cascade reactor failure on the Argus. Laforge: I don't think we're going to pull this one out. Data: Reactor Nine will reach critical in ten minutes, forty three seconds. The subsequent explosion will create a chain reaction along the entire length of the Array, sir. Picard: Ensign, standby for a jump to warp two. Anaya: Yes, Sir. Riker: La Forge, you've got ten minutes. Mister Worf, Red alert. Worf: Aye, Commander. Barclay: Computer, begin new program. Create as follows, workstation chair. Now, create a standard alphanumeric console positioned for left hand. Now an iconic display console positioned for right hand. Tie both consoles into the Enterprise main computer core, utilizing neural-scan interface. Computer: There is no such device on file. Barclay: No problem. Here's how you build it. Data: Argus reactor nine twenty eight seconds to critical. Riker: Get us out of here. Picard: Warp two, Ensign. Anaya: Yes, sir. Helm's not responding. Worf: Captain, we have lost computer control. Riker: What? Data: Twelve seconds to critical. Picard: Go to manual. Anaya: I'm attempting that, sir Riker: There's not enough time. Worf: Computer is coming back online, sir. Data: Captain, the Argus reactors are shutting down. We are no longer in danger, sir. Picard: What happened? Data: Unknown, sir. Riker: Geordi, what did you do? Laforge: It wasn't me, sir. Picard: Computer, how were the Argus reactors shut down? Barclay: A neural interface was created to expedite the repairs. Riker: Barclay? Picard: Computer, respond. Barclay: I am responding, sir. I'm sorry if I caused you any alarm. It was necessary in order to secure the Array. Riker: Barclay! Riker: Barclay, what's going on? Barclay! Barclay: Yes, Commander, it's me. Barclay: I'm sorry, Captain, I was only trying to help. Our computer was too slow to compensate for the overload on the Array. So I created an interface that communicated my thoughts directly to the central processing unit. Riker: Exactly what does that mean? Barclay: My body is as you see it here, but much of my higher brain functions and memory have been transferred to the starboard computer core. Picard: Mister Barclay, remove yourself from the computer system. Leave the holodeck. Barclay: I'm afraid I can't, sir. Picard: Why not? Barclay: My primary cerebral functions are now operating almost entirely from within the computer. They have expanded to such a degree that it would be impossible to return to the confines of my human brain. Any attempt to do so would mean my death. Laforge: That's it. I've disconnected the visual and audio pickups. We can talk without being monitored by the computer. Worf: By Barclay. Picard: Report, Mister La Forge. Laforge: It is now almost impossible to tell where Barclay ends and the computer begins. He's actually rewriting the isolinear chips each time he extends himself a little further. Riker: How do we get him out of there? Laforge: We don't. Not without killing him. Picard: This is an intolerable situation. I have no wish to harm him, but I cannot allow Mister Barclay to continue to act as the computer. I don't care how smart he is. Data: Lieutenant Barclay has not yet extended himself into the Engineering subsystems. It may be possible to establish an ODN bypass directly to the Bridge. Picard: That still won't give us control of the ship. Laforge: No, but it would give us access to the propulsion systems. Enough to get us to the next Starbase. Riker: How long would it take to set that up? Laforge: A few hours. Picard: Make it so. Barclay: Commander La Forge? Laforge: Yeah, Reg? Barclay: I thought you would be in your quarters. Laforge: No, I'm just catching up on some work, you know? That level three diagnostic we talked about. How're you doing? Barclay: I wish I could convey to you what it's like for me now. What I've become. Laforge: Yeah? Try. Barclay: I can conceive almost infinite possibilities, and can fully explore each of them in a nanosecond. I perceive the universe as a single equation, and it is so simple, I understand. Laforge: You understand? Barclay: Everything. Laforge: Well, do you understand how this happened to you? Barclay: I believe it is a gift. That I have been chosen to fulfilll a great purpose. Laforge: Ah ha. Barclay: Do you suppose all of this has changed the way people think about me? Laforge: To tell you the truth, Reg, we don't know what to think. Barclay: I've been concerned about that, but soon everyone will understand what I can do for humanity. Laforge: What do you mean? Barclay: We have always perceived the maximum speed of the Enterprise as a function of warp, but I know now there are no limits. We will explore new worlds that we could never before have reached in our lifetime. Barclay: I will take us to them. Worf: Captain, I am picking up subspace distortion. Picard: Mister Data? Data: This disturbance is the result of a highly charged graviton field emanating from our warp nacelles. It is creating a severe bias in the subspace continuum. Picard: Mister Barclay, are you responsible for this graviton field disturbance? Barclay: Yes, sir, I'm altering subspace in a way that's never been conceived of before. I'm fairly certain it will allow us to travel half-way across the galaxy in a matter of only Picard: Mister Barclay, I want you to stop this experiment for now. Barclay: Captain, if you'd only allow me to show Picard: Mister Barclay, this is a direct order. Discontinue whatever it is you're doing. Barclay: I really would rather not, sir. I'm positive that you'll be pleased with the result once I've finished showing Worf: Audio is disconnected. We may speak freely. Riker: How soon before the ODN process is in place? Data: I have been monitoring Geordi's progress. It will be operational in seventeen minutes. Troi: Captain, let me go to the holodeck and try and talk to him. Worf: Sir, the subspace distortion continues to increase. Barclay: Hello, Deanna. Troi: Reg. Barclay: I'm sorry that we can't take that walk in the Arboretum. Troi: So am I. Reg, you've frightened all of us. I'm sure that wasn't your intent. Barclay: Young children are sometimes frightened of the world. That doesn't mean that their parents should let them stay in their cribs. Troi: Are we children to you now? Barclay: I can see so much more than you are capable of. You should trust that. Deanna, I've always wanted to earn your respect. Troi: You've got it. From all of us. We don't need any more convincing. Please, obey the Captain's orders. Stop whatever it is you're doing. Barclay: You must trust me. Troi: How can we trust an officer who doesn't follow orders? Barclay: Trust me. Troi: The Captain will do everything in his power to stop you. Picard: Picard to La Forge. Status? Laforge: Ready, Captain. Picard: Proceed. Laforge: Acknowledged. Barclay: Commander? Laforge: What? Barclay: You're too late. Data: Captain, we have not regained control of the propulsion systems. The ODN bypass to the Bridge has been blocked. Riker: Barclay! Barclay: Yes, Commander Riker? Riker: Whatever it is you're doing out there, you've got to stop it. Worf: Sir, we're going in. Picard: Mister Barclay, respond at once! Worf: Audio's disconnected. Picard: Lieutenant, take a security team to holodeck three. Disconnect Mister Barclay from the computer. Worf: Aye, Captain. Barclay: I want you to know, Lieutenant Worf, that I understand your duty in this matter. Worf: Phasers. Maximum setting. Barclay: And that I in no way will take your actions personally. Worf: Conduits. Riker: La Forge? Initiate stabilization procedure! Laforge: Resetting stabilizers to match subspace flow matrix. Stand by. Worf: He is protected by a force field. We could not disconnect him. Picard: Mister Data? Data: We are experiencing a quantum-model oscillation delay, doubling in intensity every twelve point three seconds. Bio-cellular disruption is imminent. Anaya: Sir! Riker: Where are we, Ensign? Anaya: Unless something's wrong with our sensors, sir, we're almost thirty thousand light years from where we were. Picard: The center of the galaxy. Anaya: Sir, our heading's been altered. Approaching planetary cluster. Data: Captain, all systems are back under helm control. The computer has returned to normal functioning. Worf: Captain! Alien: Emotive. Electro-chemical stimulus response. Cranial plate, bipedal locomotion, endoskeletal. Contiguous external integument. Picard: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. Alien: Hierarchical collective command structure. Picard: Who are you? Alien: Interrogative. Picard: I am interrogative, yes, and I would appreciate an explanation. Barclay: I think I can help you with that, Captain. Riker: Mister Barclay. I thought it would be fatal if you left the holodeck. Barclay: The Cytherians have reintegrated me, sir. Alien: Cytherians. Barclay: The probe was designed to instruct outsiders on how to reach this system. The technologies aren't always compatible. They failed with the Argus computer, and with the computer on board the shuttle, but they were able to reprogram me. Picard: What do you want of us? Alien: The same as you. Picard: Mister Barclay? Barclay: You're both on the same mission, Captain. Picard: Mission? Barclay: Yes, sir. The Cytherians are exploring the galaxy just as we are. The only difference is that they never leave their home. They bring others here. Their only wish, an exchange of knowledge. They want to know us. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44721.9. After ten days in the company of the Cytherians, the Enterprise has been safely returned to Federation space. We bring back knowledge of their race that will take our scholars decades to examine. Lieutenant Barclay is apparently no worse for his experience. Troi: So how much do you remember? Barclay: I remember doing everything. I just don't remember how or why. Troi: How do you feel now? Barclay: Smaller. Laforge: Just plain old Barclay, huh. Barclay: Always seems to come back to that, doesn't it. Troi: You know. almost everyone has a moment in their lives when they exceed their own limits, achieve what seems to be impossible. Laforge: The tricky part is what happens afterwards. Troi: You almost always feel a sense of loss, but it is possible to carry something of that experience through the rest of your life in ways that you aren't even aware of now. Barclay: I think I know what you're saying. Laforge: Either way, Reg, you're an important part of this crew. In fact, I could really use your help with that level three diagnostic. Barclay: Sure. Troi: Excuse me, Commander, but I believe Mister Barclay and I had a date scheduled, for a walk in the Arboretum? Laforge: The diagnostic can wait. I'll see you later. Barclay: You really, you really don't have to do that. Troi: I know. Barclay: May I? Checkmate in nine moves. Troi: I didn't know you played chess. Barclay: I don't.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44741.9. We have arrived at Tagus Three where the Enterprise is to serve for host of the Federation Archeology Council's annual symposium. I look forward to giving tomorrow's keynote address with great anticipation. Picard: Come. Troi: I thought you'd like to know the Council members have beamed aboard and been assigned their quarters. Picard: Excellent. Troi: Captain, it really is quite late. Picard: Tell me, Counselor, with regard to my lecture, what do you think would provide greater clarity? A chronological structure, or the division of each excavation's findings into various religious, sociological and environmental sub-groupings? Troi: I thought you'd already decided on a chronological structure. Picard: There is something to be said for a more scientific approach. Troi: May I make a suggestion? Picard: By all means. Troi: Relax. You've written a brilliant speech. Picard: It will need to be. Tomorrow I'll be addressing some of the greatest scientific minds in the Federation. Switzer, Klarc-Tarn-Droth, McFarland. Giants in the field of archeology. Compared to them I'm just an enthusiastic amateur. Troi: I doubt they see of you as an amateur. Not when it comes to Tagus Three. Picard: Well, it's true, I have done my homework I have examined the findings of every archeological expedition conducted on the planet surface. Troi: It is unfortunate that the Taguans no longer allow outsiders to visit the ruins. Picard: Indeed. Especially since we know so little about their origins. But I think that I have constructed some plausible theories of my own. Troi: And I'm sure the council members will agree with you. Picard: Your support is appreciated, Counselor. Troi: Now goodnight, Captain. Vash: Bring back any memories? Picard: Vash. How did you get in here? Vash: I came in through the window. Picard: I had no idea you were a member of the Archeology Council. You are a member, aren't you? Vash: More or less. Picard: Why did you come to Tagus Three? Vash: To see you, of course. Picard: Is that the only reason? Vash: Isn't it enough? Picard: I wish I could believe you. Vash: I really have missed you, Jean-Luc. Picard: Excuse me. Crusher: I'm sorry I'm late. Oh. Excuse me. I didn't realize you had company. Picard: That's all right. Er, allow me to introduce you. This is Beverly, Doctor Beverly, Doctor Beverly Crusher. This is Vash. She's a friend of mine from the Archeology Council. Crusher: I didn't mean to interrupt. The Captain and I often share morning tea together. Vash: Yes, I know. Jean-Luc has told me all about you. Crusher: Really? When was that? Vash: On Risa, where we met. Crusher: I see. That must have been during your vacation last year. Picard: No. Yes. Yes. Crusher: Well, I'm surprised he never mentioned you. Vash: So am I. Doctor, are you busy? Crusher: Not at the moment. Vash: I was wondering, I would love to see some more of this marvelous ship. Crusher: I would be delighted to show it to you. Picard: I, er Crusher: That is, if it's all right with you, Jean-Luc. Picard: Of course. Vash: Don't worry, I promise to behave myself. Crusher: And this is Ten Forward, where the Council's welcoming reception will be held today. Vash: Well, I can't think of a better location. Tell me, does Jean-Luc come here often? Crusher: Not often. The Captain is a very private man. Would you like something to drink? Vash: Please. Riker: Eternity never looked so lovely. Vash: Excuse me? Riker: I was referring to the view. Eternity never looked so lovely. Vash: You must be Commander Riker. Riker: I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. Vash: I didn't mean to interrupt. I believe you were about to tell me that my eyes are as mysterious as the stars. Riker: You're Betazoid. Vash: Not at all. It's just that Jean-Luc does a very good imitation of you. Riker: He does? Crusher: I see you two have met. Riker: Not exactly. Crusher: This is Vash, a member of the Archeology Council. And a friend of the Captain's. Riker: So I've gathered. Crusher: They met during his visit to Risa. Riker: On Risa? That vacation must have been better than he let on. Vash: You mean he never mentioned me to you, either? Crewman: Doctor Crusher, please report to Sickbay. Crusher: I'm afraid I won't be able to finish our tour. But perhaps Commander Riker could take over for me. Riker: It would be my pleasure. Riker: This is the main Bridge, the command center of the Enterprise and our last stop. Vash, Commander La Forge. Laforge: Vash. Vash: Hello. Riker: Commander Data. Vash: Hello. Data: How do you do. Riker: And this is Lieutenant Worf. Vash: Hello. Riker: Something wrong, Lieutenant? Worf: I had not been informed that Council Members had been granted bridge clearance. Riker: Well, I think we can make an exception in this case. Vash is a guest of the Captain. Worf: Welcome aboard. Vash: Thank you. Is this where Jean-Luc sits? Riker: That's the big chair. Vash: Well, I can see where being a starship Captain has its rewards. Picard: I'm that glad you approve. Vash: I suppose I'll go back to my room now and get ready for the reception. Picard: By all means. Well, I suppose I'll see you then, then. Vash: I look forward to it. Riker: Fascinating woman. Vash: I don't understand, I thought being the ship's Counselor meant the Captain confided in you. Troi: He does, when he thinks it's necessary. Vash: And he never spoke to you about me? Troi: Not that I recall. Vash: Not even a hint? Troi: You must understand, the Captain is a very private man. Vash: Private man. Vash: I know. Excuse me? Troi: Of course. Worf: Nice legs. For a human. Vash: Jean-Luc, we need to talk. Picard: Excuse me. Picard: The reception seems to be going well. Vash: Forget the reception for a moment. Why have you never mentioned me to your friends? Picard: What would you have me tell them? Vash: Maybe that we met, for one thing. That we had an adventure together, some fun. Picard: It wouldn't be possible. Vash: Why not? Picard: It would be inappropriate. Vash: I wasn't expecting you to go into intimate details. Picard: A Captain does not reveal his personal feelings with his crew. Vash: Is that a Starfleet regulation, or did you just make that up yourself? Picard: I'm sorry if you're upset. Vash: And I'm sorry if my being here embarrasses you. Riker: How was the reception? Picard: Splendid. Q: Jean-Luc, it's wonderful to see you again. How about a big hug? Well don't just stand there, say something. Picard: Get out of my chair. Q: Oh, and I was hoping for something more along the lines of, welcome back, Q, it's a pleasure to see you again my old friend." Picard: We're not friends. Q: You wound me, mon capitaine. Q: There, perhaps now your manners will show some improvement. Picard: What brings you here, Q? Have you been banished by the Continuum once again? Q: Oh, hardly. They're still apologizing to me for the last time. Picard: Then what is it you want? Q: Do I always have to have a reason to stop by? I was merely in the sector, I. You force a confession from me. The truth is, I have a debt to repay. Picard: A debt? Q: To you. And it gnaws at me, and it interferes with each of my days. Picard: I have no idea what you're talking about. Q: Without your assistance at our last encounter, I never would have survived. I would have taken my own life but for you. Picard: We all make mistakes. Q: Your good deed made possible my reinstatement in the Continuum, and I resent owing you anything. So, I'm here to pay up. Tell me, what is it you wish and I'll be gone. Picard: Just be gone. That'll do nicely. Q: No, no, no, no, no. It has to be something more, more constructive. That's my new word for the day. Picard: Some other time, Q. Right now I have other matters to attend to. Q: Yes, your speech. I read it. It's dull, plodding, pedantic, much like yourself. I could help you with it. Picard: No thank you. Q: You've never actually been to the ruins at Tagus Three, have you? Picard: No. They were sealed off more than a century ago. Q: Well, that explains it, then. How can you write about something that you've never seen. I know, why don't I take you there? Picard: Out of the question. That would mean breaking Taguan law. Q: Must you always be so ethical? I suppose we could travel back in time. You could see what Tagus was like two billion years ago. They really knew how to party back in those days. Picard: My answer is still no. My lecture will have to stand on its own. Now, will you please leave my ship. Q: You are simply the most impossible person to buy a gift for. Picard: Commander Riker, will you report to my Ready room? Riker: Yes, Captain? Picard: I've just been paid a visit from Q. Riker: Q? Any idea what he's up to? Picard: He wants to do something nice for me. Riker: I'll alert the crew. Crewman: Captain. Vash: Who's there? Picard: It's me. Vash: Who? Picard: Jean-Luc. Vash: Yes? Picard: May I come in? Picard: Let me try to explain. I am by no means embarrassed by your presence here. On the contrary. Picard: What's this? A map of the ruins? I thought that I was the only reason you came to Tagus. Vash: I never fooled you for a second. Still, you are the most important reason. Picard: Am I? Vash: That's the trouble with being such a well-known liar. Even when I'm telling the truth, no one believes me. Picard: This equipment will have to be confiscated. Vash: Is that necessary? Picard: If the Taguans were to catch you down there. Vash: Oh, come on. You gave me the same warning about Sarathong Five. Picard: I remember. Vash: Well, it didn't stop me from going there. I brought back some very impressive artifacts, too. Picard: Which no doubt you sold for a very impressive profit. Vash: That's what I do! Picard: Not on board my ship. I will not allow it. Vash: Let's get one thing straight, though, Picard. I cannot change who I am for you or anyone else. Picard: Nor can I change who I am. Vash: Then we have nothing more to say to one another. Picard: So it would seem. Q: Sleeping alone? Picard: I'm in no mood for your foolishness, Q. Q: I knew there was something different about you. You seem tense, preoccupied, somewhat smaller. At first I thought it was that horrible lecture of yours, but I was mistaken. Picard: Whatever game you want to play will have to wait until tomorrow. Q: I had such high hopes for you, Picard. I thought you were a bit more evolved than the rest of your species. But now I realize you're just as weak as all the others. Still, it pains me to see the great Jean-Luc Picard brought down by a woman. Picard: What woman? Q: Don't play coy with me, Captain. I witnessed your little spat with Vash. Nor will I soon forget the look of anguish on your face. The pain, the misery. If I didn't know better, I would have thought you were already married. Picard: You must be very bored, Q. Your imagination is running away with you. Q: This human emotion, love, is a dangerous thing, Picard, and obviously you are ill-equipped to handle it. She's found a vulnerability in you. A vulnerability I've been looking for for years. If I had known sooner, I would have appeared as a female. Mark my words, Picard, this is your Achilles heel. Picard: Believe what you wish. Q: Do you deny that you care for this woman? Believe me, I'd be doing you a big favor if I turned her into a Klabnian eel. Picard: Stay away from her, Q. Q: I was just trying to help. My debt to you Picard: Is hereby nullified. I don't want your help, your advice, your favors or for that matter, you. Do you understand? Once and for all! Q: You would have me stand idly by as she lead you to your destruction? Picard: Yes! Q: As you wish. Picard: Ladies and gentlemen, members of the Archeology Council. Welcome. Mystery. It is the mystery of Tagus Three that brings us together today. It is a mystery that has invited more argument, more deduction, more speculation than the best works of fiction. And if you'll excuse the conceit, I want to tell you about my detective story. For several years now, I have been trying to unravel the secrets of Tagus Three. Picard: Needless to say, I've not succeeded. Picard: However, I have, I believe, turned up some new information, that, if nothing else, raises a whole new set of mysteries and I hope that we can discuss them here together. Picard: There have been nine hundred and forty seven known archeological excavations conducted on the planet's surface. Of those, some seventy four are generally believed to have revealed findings of major importance. Picard: The earliest was some twenty two thousand years ago. Picard: What the hell? Picard: Q! Troi: Is this Tagus Three? Picard: I doubt there are many oak trees on Tagus. No, I think this is supposed to be Earth, somewhere round about the twelfth century. And this is England, or to be more precise, Sherwood Forest. Or at least Q's recreation of it. Riker: That would explain these costumes. Picard: Quite right, Number One. Or should I say, John Little. Crusher: Well, if he's Little John, that makes you Picard: I know. Robin Hood. Worf: Sir, I protest. I am not a merry man. Data: On the contrary, Lieutenant Worf. Your clothing identifies you with the character of Will Scarlett, just as Geordi's mandolin identifies him as Alan A-Dale Riker: And you, Mister Data, bear a striking resemblance to Friar Tuck. Sir Guy: I have you at last, Robin Hood. Picard: Quick, into the forest. Mister Worf. That's an order. Sir Guy: Enough, you fools. We'll never find them in the greenwood. Crusher: I've managed to stop the bleeding. Picard: Q. It's about time you showed up. Q: I would prefer if you addressed me as His Honor the High Sheriff of Nottingham. Picard: We will no longer share in this pointless fantasy of yours. Q: Fine. stay here and do nothing. By midday tomorrow, your crew will be safely aboard their ship. Of course, you will have to accept the consequences of your inaction. Picard: Consequences? Q: What is the one thing that Robin Hood is most famous for? Laforge: He robs from the rich and gives to the poor. Q: Besides that. Data: Perhaps you are referring to the rescue of Maid Marian from Nottingham Castle? Q: Yes, Data. And it just so happens that Sir Guy of Gisbourne has decreed that Marian's head shall come off tomorrow at noon. Picard: Vash. Q: It's your choice, Robin. You can either take your ease in this sylvan glade or risk your life to save the woman you care nothing about. Picard: My feelings toward Vash are irrelevant. I would attempt to save any innocent life, as you well know. Q: Yes, but what about your merry men? Are you willing to jeopardize their lives as well? Is Vash's life worth more than Data's or Troi's or Worf's? You know, Worf, you'd make a perfect throw rug in Nottingham Castle. Picard: Q, I ask you to put and end to this before someone gets hurt. Q: Oh, that's impossible. You see, I've given this fantasy as you call it, a life of its own. I have no more idea what's going to happen than you do. But of one thing I am absolutely sure. If you dare come to Nottingham Castle, blood will be spilt. Nurse: Oh, you'll wear yourself out with all that pacing, Milady. Vash: I told you to stop calling me that. The name's Vash. Nurse: My poor lamb. You've got a brain sickness for sure. Can't I get you something to ease your suffering? Vash: I could use a drink. Nurse: Well, I wasn't thinking of spirits, Milady, but I have some nice fresh leeches. To drain the fever. Vash: Out. Get out. Nurse: Oh, her mind's in an awful turmoil, Sir Guy. Vash: Who the hell are you? Nurse: Milady, everyone in Nottingham knows, Sir Guy of Gisbourne. Vash: Sir Guy of what? Sir Guy: Leave us. Sir Guy: Do not mock me, Lady Marian. I'm prepared to offer you one last chance to change your mind. Will you marry me? Sir Guy: I see. Then the execution will proceed as scheduled. Vash: What execution? Sir Guy: I warn you, Marian, this pathetic attempt at feigning madness will not save your life. Vash: You mean I'm the one being executed? Sir Guy, wait a minute. Couldn't we talk this over? I admit, I haven't been myself lately. Maybe we've both been a bit hasty? Please? Worf: Sorry. Troi: Data, are you alright? Data: The arrow impacted just above my sixth intercostal support, penetrating my secondary subprocessor. Fortunately, none of my biofunctions seem affected. Do not be concerned, Counselor. I believe your aim is improving. Riker: We've got to get out of here, Captain. Picard: Not we, Number One. I want you and the others to stay here until I return. Riker: You're not going to try to save her yourself, sir? Picard: This is not a mission. It's personal. It's between Q and myself. I don't want the rest of you involved. Riker: Captain! Picard: You have your orders, Commander. And I expect you to follow them. Q: A touch sharper, shall we? Q: Such benevolence, Sir Guy. Allowing the condemned prisoner fresh air? Sir Guy: You're mistaken, Sheriff. Maid Marian has promised to be my wife. Q: What? But that's impossible? Vash: Not at all. Though I admit a maiden seldom has the opportunity to win herself such a noble husband. Sir Guy: A toast. To the most beautiful bride-to-be in the whole of England. Q: Don't drink that! It could be poison. Sir Guy: Have you taken leave of your senses? Q: A foul scheme of Robin Hood's. She's in league with him still, I'll warrant. Vash: Robin Hood? Oh, Robin Hood. Oh, well, that was over long ago. Q: All of Nottingham knows you're still in love with him. Vash: That's a lie. He bewitched me. He put me under some evil spell. Sir Guy: I suspected as much. You can add sorcery to the list of charges against that rogue. Q: Sir Guy, if anyone's been bewitched here, it's you. Sir Guy: Silence. Any more impudence and it'll be your head on the block. Guard, escort the Lady Marian to her chamber. Vash: But I'd much rather stay with you. Sir Guy: Of course you would, my child. But I have important business to attend to. Sir Guy: Lovely creature. Q: Intriguing. Vash: One step closer and I'll scream! Picard: Vash, damn it, it's me! Vash: Jean-Luc! Oh, am I glad to see you. You wouldn't believe what I've been going through. One minute I'm on the Enterprise, the next thing I know I'm here in Nottingham. First, they're going to chop my head off, now I'm supposed to marry someone named Sir Guy, and everyone insists on calling me Marian. Picard: Yes, I know. Vash: You do? But how? You're Robin Hood! Picard: My staff and I were brought here by an old adversary of mine named Q, and I'll tell you the rest of that once we're safe. Come, we don't have much time. Vash: And the others are outside? Picard: They're waiting for us back at Sherwood Forest. Vash: You mean you came here alone? Picard: That's right, now come on. Vash: What kind of plan is that? Picard: It's an excellent one if you'll just hurry up. Vash: You do realize our lives are at stake here. Picard: Only too well. Vash: And this is the best strategy you could come up with? One man against an entire castle. Picard: You have a better one? Vash: How about this? You go, I'll stay here. Picard: And do what? Vash: Marry Sir Guy if I have to. Picard: Well that's brilliant. Vash: If there's a way to escape, I'll find it, eventually. With my head still attached. Picard: You really believe I would leave you here? Vash: I can take care of myself. Picard: You are the most stubborn woman I ever knew. Vash: Hey! Sir Guy: There'll be no escape for you this time, Robin Hood. Picard: You stay behind me. Vash: You should have left while you had the chance. Sir Guy: Well done, my dear. Vash: Consider it my wedding gift to you, darling. Q: Congratulations, Sir Guy. I see you've snared the jackal. Sir Guy: It's Marian who deserves the credit. Took him with his own sword. Nurse: You sent for me, Milady? Vash: I want you to take this letter to Robin's men. Nurse: You want me to go to Sherwood Forest at this time of night? Vash: You'll leave immediately. Nurse: But it's dark. I'll get lost. Besides, it's not safe. What with all them hedge robbers and worse lurking about. Vash: Please, this is urgent. Nurse: If you ask me, you'd be better off with Sir Guy. He's got a future. Why, you'll be living in London afore you know it. Vash: But you must go, otherwise they'll kill him. Q: Out. Vash: How dare you barge in here like this Q: I've come to apologize for my harsh words. I had no idea that you were so ruthless. Vash: That's most gracious of you. Q: I admit I was surprised, but no more surprised than Jean-Luc. Vash: You're Q. Q: Yes. And you are a very interesting woman. What is this? Vash: Give me that. Q: A letter to Riker. Quick, Come to Castle. Save the Captain. Why, this is wonderful. What marvelous duplicity. You certainly fooled Sir Guy, and me as well. I think you're worth further study. Vash: Am I? Q: Yes, but unfortunately we just don't have the time. Guards! Take this traitor away. It appears there's going to be a double execution. Vash: This whole thing is your fault. Picard: My fault? Vash: Yes, your fault. Picard: If you hadn't grabbed my sword we'd be back in Sherwood by now. Vash: I grabbed your sword to prevent you from being killed. Picard: Oh, really? Not as a wedding present for Sir Guy? Vash: You know I had no intention of going through with that. Picard: Do I? You should never have interfered. Vash: You're the one interfering. Picard: I was just trying to rescue you. Vash: Well next time don't bother. Picard: Don't you worry. I won't. Q: Don't the two of you ever stop arguing? Now, tell me, Robin, as you stand here facing the termination of your insect existence, do you see what brought you to this end? Was she worth it? Picard: Can we just get this over with. Vash: Are you implying that I'm not worth it? Picard: Q, your game was for my benefit. She is innocent in all of this. Q: She is many things, none of them innocent. Picard: Let her go. Vash: Jean-Luc, you do care. Q: A gallant gesture, Robin, but a futile one. Farewell. I hope the two of you are happy together. Sir Guy: You have been found guilty of outlawry and high treason. Do you have anything to say before sentence is carried out? Vash: I. Sir Guy: Prepare them for the block. Rabble: Off with their heads. Laforge: There are too many of them. Riker: Data, we need a diversion, now. Sir Guy: Guards! Take Marian to the tower. Sir Guy: I'll have you know I'm the greatest swordsman in all of Nottingham. Picard: Very impressive. There's something you should know. Sir Guy: And what would that be? Picard: I'm not from Nottingham. Vash: Jean-Luc. Picard: It's over, Q! Get us out of here. Q: My compliments, Picard. I doubt Robin Hood himself could have done much better. Picard: If you have hurt any of my people Q: Sadly enough, they're all fine, but my point is they could have been killed, and so might have you. All for the love of a maid. My debt to you, Picard, is paid. If you've learned how weak and vulnerable you really are, if you finally see how love has brought out the worst in you Vash: Nonsense. You're absolutely wrong. It's brought out the best in him. His nobility, courage, self-sacrifice, tenderness. Q: Oh, you're good. You're really good. Picard: Enough of this. Q: Indeed. Riker: Everybody here? Troi: Where's Vash? Picard: Computer, locate Council Member Vash. Computer: Council Member Vash is not aboard the Enterprise. Vash: Hello, Jean-Luc. Picard: Well, this is a relief. I thought that perhaps Q had found Vash: Well he had some things to discuss with me. Picard: Indeed? Surprised he's not busy gloating over his victory. Vash: He was right about one thing, you know. As ridiculous as it was, his game did prove that you still care. Picard: I may not show my feelings to my crew, but I do have them. Vash: I'm going to miss you, Jean-Luc. Picard: So, where are you off to now? Vash: I haven't made up my mind. Q: After all, she has the entire universe to choose from. Vash: Meet my new partner. Picard: Him? Vash: Why not? Picard: I'll tell you why not. Q: Now, Jean-Luc, let's not be unkind. Picard: He's devious, and amoral, and unreliable, and irresponsible, and, and definitely not to be trusted. Vash: Remind you of someone you know? Picard: As a matter of fact, it does. Q: We're going to have fun. I'm going to take her places no human has ever seen. Vash: Who can resist an offer like that? Picard: As payment in full for your debt to me, you will guarantee her safety. Q: She will not be harmed, Jean-Luc. I promise you that. Well, are you going to kiss her goodbye? All right. Vash: Well? Aren't you? Q: Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot my hat. Vash: Goodbye, Jean-Luc.

Scene: Captain's Log, Stardate 44769.2. For some weeks we have had a Klingon exobiologist on board as part of a scientific exchange program. Unfortunately, we suspect that he was involved in a security breach and in the possible sabotage of our warp drive. Riker: What were you doing accessing the propulsion system files on Stardate 44758? J'Dan: I didn't. Riker: Yes, you did, from computer twelve B nine, deck thirty six. The computer logged in your identification from your communicator. J'Dan: It must be a mistake. Troi: J'Dan, we have confirmed reports that schematic drawings of our dilithium chamber fell into Romulan hands one week later. J'Dan: I know nothing about it. Riker: I suppose you know nothing about the explosion that disabled the warp drive at approximately the same time? J'Dan: No. I was not involved. You accuse me because I am Klingon. Troi: Our Chief Security Officer is Klingon. That has nothing to do with it. J'Dan: Send me home, then, if you are so distrusting. Riker: We've already contacted the Klingon High Council. You'll be returned home as soon as we finished our investigation. J'Dan: I have nothing more to say. Riker: Very well. Worf, accompany the Lieutenant to his quarters. Riker: What do you think? Troi: It's hard to tell. He is very closed, but he is hiding something. J'Dan: On the Klingon Home World your name is not mentioned. It is as though you never existed. A terrible burden for a warrior to bear, to become nothing, to be without honor, without the chance for glory. J'Dan: I have friends, powerful friends, on the homeworld. I could talk to them. They might help to restore your name, if you could just take me to a shuttlecraft. J'Dan: It could be done without any one knowing about it. Worf: I don't know how you transferred secret information to the Romulans, but I will find out. J'Dan: Pahtk! Worf: When we inform the Klingon High Council, they will put you to a slow death. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Retired Admiral Norah Satie, whose investigation exposed the alien conspiracy against Starfleet Command three years ago, is arriving to assist in our inquiry. Satie: Captain Picard. Picard: Admiral Satie. Welcome aboard the Enterprise. Satie: Delighted to be here. I managed to acquire my former staff. My aide, Sabin Genestra, from Betazed, and my assistant, Nellen Tore, from Delb Two. Picard: This is my First Officer, Commander William Riker. May I show you to your quarters? Satie: Captain, if Starfleet Command is so concerned with your report they brought me out of retirement, I think I should get right to work. Picard: Very well. Commander Riker, will you see to the Admiral's staff? Satie: First, I'd like to inspect the damage to your engine room. Picard: Admiral Satie, this is Commander Data, Commander La Forge. Laforge: Admiral. We still can't get in there, Captain. The radiation levels are dropping, but they're too high to raise the isolation door. Picard: How much longer will it be? Data: At the rate the levels are decreasing, we will gain entry in forty nine hours, Captain. Laforge: Maybe the Admiral would like to see the visual log of the explosion. Satie: Yes. Laforge: This was logged four days ago at oh three hundred hours. Laforge: At that point the emergency confinement field was activated and the isolation doors came down. No one was killed, but I have two people in Sickbay with radiation burns. Satie: Have you been able to make any assessments? Data: Slow motion study of the explosion suggests that the articulation frame collapsed. Satie: The schematics that were stolen from the Enterprise, I believe some involved the articulation frame of the dilithium chamber. Picard: That's one reason we tend to suspect sabotage. Data: Other evidence lends credence to that theory, Captain. A review of the sensor logs indicates that every systems reading was well within normal parameters until fifty two milliseconds before the explosion. Laforge: We haven't found anything that suggests there was a malfunction anywhere along the line. Satie: Captain, I think I'm going to need a full briefing before we go any further. Picard: By all means, Admiral. Satie: Commander Data, La Forge, I don't envy you your job. Good luck. Picard: There are disturbing overtones in the idea of a Klingon providing information to the Romulans. Are you aware of any other Klingon-Romulan connection that Starfleet Command might have encountered recently? Satie: I don't believe what Starfleet Command knows or doesn't know is for me to reveal. Picard: This ship has encountered several incidents which might suggest a potential alliance between those two powers. Satie: We're aware of that, Captain. What we must concentrate on is the business at hand. Picard: Come. Worf: Excuse me, Captain, I didn't know that Picard: Please, Mister Worf, come in. I particularly want my guest to meet you. Admiral Satie. This is my Head of Security, Lieutenant Worf. Worf: Captain, I have been pursuing the investigation of Lieutenant J'Dan. I believe I know how he transferred information off the Enterprise. Satie: Well done, Lieutenant. Worf: This is J'Dan's. A hypospray he uses to treat his Ba'ltmasor Syndrome. But this has been fitted with an optical reader specially modified to read data from Starfleet isolinear chips. He can extract digital information from a computer, encode it in the form of amino acid sequences, and transfer those sequences into a fluid in the syringe. Then he injects someone, perhaps even without their knowledge. Satie: Or perhaps with their knowledge. Worf: The information would be carried in their bloodstream in the form of inert proteins. Satie: The body itself becomes a conveyor of top secret files. Lieutenant Worf, when we confront J'Dan, I want you to conduct the interrogation. Worf: I would be honored. Captain. Admiral. Satie: Captain, I predict that officer will be extremely valuable in this investigation. Worf: I have tracked the movements of every person who has left the Enterprise since you have been here. I traced one Tarkanian diplomat as far as the Cruces system where he disappeared and has not been seen since. J'Dan: That proves nothing. Worf: A hyposyringe was discovered in your quarters. J'Dan: I take injections. Everyone knows that. Worf: But your injections do not include an optical chip reader. This device has but one function, to transform computer information into biological sequences. J'Dan: The blood of all Klingons has become water. Since the Federation alliance we have turned into a nation of mewling babies. Romulans are strong. They are worthy allies. They do not turn Klingons into weaklings like you. Satie: Lieutenant, how did you damage the dilithium chamber? J'Dan: I had nothing to do with that Satie: You mean it was sheer coincidence that it was sabotaged after you gave the plans for the design to the Romulans? J'Dan: I do not know. I had nothing to do with it. Satie: You've admitted your crime. Why lie now? J'Dan: I am not lying. Picard: Mister Worf, you may have him confined. Satie: Sabin? Sabin: I believe he's telling the truth. He admits stealing the files but not sabotaging the dilithium chamber. I get no sense that he's lying. Picard: But if you're right, someone else may be involved. Satie: I think, Captain, you have a bigger problem on your ship than one Klingon exchange officer. Satie: I've seen this before. The specter of conspiracy on a starship is a frightening one. Picard: I can scarcely believe it myself, but I am so grateful for your presence, Admiral. If anyone in Starfleet can help us, it's you. Satie: Captain, I find myself changing my mind about you. Picard: In what way? Satie: When Starfleet ordered me here, it was with the express command that we work together on this problem as equals. My father taught me to avoid partnerships. Most of them are woefully lop-sided. Picard: That sounds like Judge Aaron Satie. Satie: You knew my father? Picard: Only from his writings. His judgments were required reading at the Academy. Satie: He was an extraordinary man. Every night at the dinner table he would pose a question for debate. My big brothers and I would wrangle it around, from one side and the other. Father would referee, and he kept a stopwatch on us so we'd have to learn brevity. But he wouldn't let us leave until he thought we'd completely explored the issue. Picard: I'm willing to wager that you trounced your brothers during those debates. Satie: More than once. Father loved it when I nailed one of them with some subtle point of logic. All that I am, I owe to him. He was a giant. Picard: You must miss him very much. Satie: Captain, I always preferred working alone. That way, if something goes wrong, I don't have to go far for the cause. I resented you being assigned to me, but I was wrong. We're going to be quite a team. Worf: J'Dan did not make friends easily. There are not many to question. Sabin: You've done a thorough job, Lieutenant. Worf: I am strongly motivated in this matter. Sabin: Yes, I can see that. I don't mind telling you I'm surprised. Frankly, when I first heard about your father. Worf: My father? Sabin: Yes. There are some who believe he betrayed your people to the Romulans. Worf: What he did or did not do is no one's concern but my own Sabin: Of course. I only meant before I saw you in action, I naturally considered you a possible security risk. But I want you to know you have the Admiral's and my complete confidence. You have nothing to prove to us. Worf: If there is a conspiracy on board, I promise you I will find it. Sabin: Good. You know the ship, you know the personnel, you know exactly what we're up against. We're counting on you, Lieutenant. Worf: I will arrange for the interviews to begin. Satie: And how often did Lieutenant J'Dan come in for his injections? Crusher: About once a week. Satie: Did you administer them yourself? Crusher: No. Satie: Then who did? Crusher: I had one of my assistants do that. Sabin: Did you ever hear him say anything? Anything that may have seemed innocent at the time that might now shed some light on this investigation? Crusher: No, nothing. In fact, he rarely spoke at all. Picard: Thank you, Doctor Crusher, we appreciate your time. You are excused now. Mister Worf, will you bring in the next person? Picard: Please sit down, Mister Tarses. For the record, will you tell us your name and position? Tarses: Simon Tarses, Crewman First Class, medical technician. Picard: I assure you this is an informal inquiry. We are not accusing you of anything. However, if you would like counsel, it can be provided for you. Tarses: No, sir. I have nothing to hide. Picard: Tell me, how long have you held your appointment onboard this vessel? Tarses: Since Stardate 43587. Satie: Mister Tarses, your records state that you were born on Mars Colony. Tarses: That's right. Satie: Then you are human? Tarses: Largely. My paternal grandfather was Vulcan. Satie: Yes, I see that. Tell me, what is your relationship with the Klingon, J'Dan? Tarses: Er, he, I mean, there's no relationship. He just came in for his injections. Satie: Did you give him those injections? Tarses: Sometimes. There were several of us. Actually, I might have done it twice. Sabin: Did he ever make any comments that might, in retrospect, be suspicious? Tarses: Not really. He hardly ever talked. Satie: Did you ever see him outside Sickbay? Tarses: Once or twice in Ten Forward, with a group of people, but I never had a conversation with him. Satie: Thank you, Mister Tarses. I don't think there's need for more. Captain? Picard: You're excused, crewman. Picard: Mister Worf? Sabin: Wait. He's lying. He's desperately frightened. He's covering something. Picard: It's clear that he's frightened, but that's hardly an indication Sabin: It's more than that. He wasn't truthful. He's covering a lie. One so big it's overwhelming him. I think we've found the man. Picard: Admiral. I have to tell you, you must not expect me to permit any action against Mister Tarses solely on the basis of Betazoid intuition. Satie: Sabin has uncanny instincts. I've learned to trust them. Picard: I'm not happy about this use of a Betazoid. Satie: But you have a Betazoid counselor. Surely you're aware of the advantages. Picard: There is a difference between a counselor and an investigator. Satie: Are you saying you never use your counselor during interrogations? Picard: Yes, I do, but I would not act solely on the basis of her instinct. Satie: Nor do I. Picard: But you're asking, you're asking me to restrict Mister Tarses' movements solely on the basis on Sabin's feeling. Satie: If Counselor Troi suggested to you that someone on the ship were dangerous, would you not act on that? Observe him? Curb his activity? Picard: Yes, I admit I probably would. And perhaps I should re-evaluate that behavior. Satie: Oh, nonsense. Let's keep our priorities straight. The important thing is to uncover the conspiracy on this ship and to prevent further damage. Now, if Tarses is a possible saboteur, you cannot allow him access to sensitive areas of the ship, and I strongly suggest continuous surveillance. Picard: If we had clear evidence. Satie: We will have clear evidence. Sabin and Lieutenant Worf are continuing to investigate. But if you don't act until then, it may be too late. Picard: No. I won't treat a man as a criminal unless there is cause to do so. Satie: And while you're being so generous, you give a saboteur a chance to strike again. Last time it was just a hatch cover/ What if next time it's more serious? What if lives are lost? Can you afford not to act? Laforge: Engineering to Captain Picard. Picard: Yes, Mister La Forge. Laforge: Captain, could you come to Engineering right away? We've got something interesting to show you. Picard: I'll be right there. Laforge: Captain, we finally got in here about six hours ago. We've been going over it inch by inch ever since. Data: We have made micro-tomographic analyzes of the dilithium chamber, the hatch mounting, the blast pattern from the explosion. Laforge: We did mass spectrometer readings of the residue for chemical content, sifted through the debris for bomb fragments. Satie: What did you find? Laforge: This is the frame for the hatch. It ruptured right along here. When we take a reading of that spot. See? Satie: I'm afraid I'm out of my element, Commander. You'll have to interpret for me. Picard: There are submicron fractures in the metal casing. Laforge: That's right. A breakdown of the atomic cohesive structure. Satie: Yes? And what caused them? Data: Those fractures suggest nothing more than simple neutron fatigue. I would speculate that when the engine was last inspected at McKinley station, the hatch casing was replaced with one which had an undetectable defect. I believe, sir, that the conclusion to our investigation must be that the explosion was not intentional. Laforge: That's the way I see it. This wasn't sabotage at all. It was nothing more than an accident. Sabin: An accident? I find that hard to believe. Picard: If my crew say there was no sabotage, then you can be sure there was none. Satie: Let us keep our perspective, gentlemen. Just because there was no sabotage doesn't mean there isn't a conspiracy on this ship. We do have a confessed spy. Sabin: And he had confederates. Picard: Do we know that for sure? Satie: Of course he did. Do you think J'Dan could have come on board the flagship of the Federation and accomplished what he did without help from within? Picard: I agree it would be difficult, but not impossible. Worf: We should continue to investigate Tarses. He was hiding something. Sabin: Captain Picard Lieutenant Worf and I have been working well together. I suggest we continue, if for no other purpose than to determine Tarses' innocence. Picard: Now, please! Let me remind you he is innocent until he is proved guilty. Satie: Of course he is. What Sabin is saying is that he and Lieutenant Worf would like to establish his innocence unequivocally, for his own sake. Picard: Very well. But let us put this to rest as quickly as possible. Picard: You've opened the hearing to spectators? Satie: It isn't good to have closed door proceedings for too long. It invites rumor and speculation. Picard: Nevertheless, Admiral, I think it would be wise Satie: Because spies and saboteurs don't like the bright light of an open inquiry. They're like roaches, scurrying for the dark corner. Picard: This hearing is convened on Stardate 44780 as a continuing inquiry into the activities of Crewman Simon Tarses. Mister Tarses, for your own protection, I have assigned a counsel to you in the person of Commander William Riker. Tarses: Thank you, sir, but I don't need protection. I have not done anything wrong. Satie: Doctor Crusher, have you observed Crewman Tarses with J'Dan? Crusher: Well, yes, he gave him his injection. Satie: I meant outside of Sickbay. Crusher: I think so, perhaps in Ten Forward. Satie: And whom else have you observed at these occasions? Crusher: I don't understand what relevance that has. It was an innocent social gathering. Satie: If it was so innocent, why do you hesitate to give us the names? Picard: Thank you, Doctor. If you have a case to make against Tarses, you had better make it, otherwise I'm stopping this here and now. Sabin: Mister Tarses. Isn't it true that you have access to the biological supplies in Sickbay? Tarses: It's part of my job, yes. Sabin: J'Dan used suspensions of deoxyribose to carry the encoded files he stole. Isn't it true one of your duties is to prepare those suspensions? Tarses: Several technicians share that job. Sabin: And isn't it true that your security clearance allows you access to all the stores and files in Sickbay? Access which you can exercise at any time? Tarses: Because I have access does not mean I Sabin: What would you say if I told you there is evidence that the explosion in the engine room was caused by a corrosive chemical. One that is kept stored in Sickbay. Tarses: I had nothing to do with that. Sabin: How can we believe you? How can we believe someone whom we know, we know, to be a liar? Riker: I object! There is no basis for calling Crewman Tarses a liar. Picard: Agreed. Mister Sabin. Sabin: Captain, there is a basis which will become clear in a moment. Mister Tarses, didn't you deliberately and premeditatively lied when you filled out your personnel application and compounded that lie by repeating it to this committee? Tarses: What? Sabin: Isn't it true that the paternal grandfather of whom you speak was not a Vulcan but was in fact a Romulan? That it is Romulan blood you carry and a Romulan heritage that you honor? Sabin: We're waiting, Mister Tarses. Tarses: On the advice of my counsel I refuse to answer that question, in that the answer may serve to incriminate me. Worf: You and Crewman Marcus will coordinate to track Tarses' movements over the last five years. Ensign Kellogg, I want a list of all relatives, known associates, and especially old school friends. And make arrangements to do an encephalographic polygraph scan. Picard: Mister Worf? Worf: Yes, Captain? Picard: I need to speak with you. Worf: You are dismissed. Please get your reports to me as soon as possible. Picard: Do you see what is happening here, Mister Worf? Worf: Sir? Picard: This is not unlike a drumhead trial. Worf: I do not understand. Picard: Five hundred years ago, military officers would upend a drum on the battlefield sit at it and dispense summary justice. Decisions were quick, punishments severe, appeals denied. Those who came to a drumhead were doomed. Worf: But we know there is a traitor here. J'Dan has admitted his guilt. Picard: That's true, and he will stand for his crimes. Worf: Tarses has all but done the same. Picard: How? Worf: He refused to answer the question about his Romulan grandfather. Picard: That is not a crime, Worf. Nor can we infer his guilt because he didn't respond. Worf: Sir, if a man were not afraid of the truth, he would answer. Picard: Oh, no. We cannot allow ourselves think that. The Seventh Guarantee is one of the most important rights granted by the Federation. We cannot take a fundamental principle of the Constitution and turn it against a citizen. Worf: Sir, the Federation does have enemies. We must seek them out. Picard: Oh, yes. That's how it starts. But the road from legitimate suspicion to rampant paranoia is very much shorter than we think. Something is wrong here, Mister Worf. I don't like what we have become. Picard: There you are, Mister Tarses. Would you care for some lemon? Tarses: No, thank you, sir. This is fine. Picard: Well, tell me a little about yourself, Crewman. I know you were born on Mars Colony. Tarses: Yes, sir. All my life I wanted to be in Starfleet. I went to the Academy's training program for enlisted personnel. I took training as a medical technician and I served at several outposts. The day that I was posted to the Enterprise was the happiest day of my life. Picard: Did you ever consider applying to the Academy, going the whole route, apply to become an officer? Tarses: My parents wanted me to. And then I thought about it. I used to sit under this big tree near the parade grounds Picard: An elm tree with a circular bench? Tarses: Yes, that's the one. Picard: I spent many an hour there. It was my favorite spot to study. Tarses: I used to sit under that tree and watch the drills, picture myself an officer. I know that it would have made my mother very happy, but. Picard: You didn't do it. Tarses: No. I was eighteen, and eager. The last thing I wanted to do was spend four years sitting in classrooms. I wanted to be out there, traveling the stars. I didn't want to wait for anything. And now it's done, isn't it? My career in Starfleet is finished. Picard: Not if you aren't guilty, Simon. Tarses: It doesn't matter. I lied on my application, and that mistake will be with me for the rest of my life. Satie: Mister Worf has found a brother who still lives on Mars Colony. Contact someone there and have him interviewed. Picard: Admiral Satie? Satie: And start a background check into all his friends at the Academy training program. Picard: Admiral Satie? Satie: Yes, Captain? Picard: I would like to have a word with you. Satie: Of course. Picard: In private and off the record. Satie: Of course. After all, you are my partner in this. Satie: I cannot possibly believe you mean this. Picard: But I do. This must stop. It has gone too far. You lied to him about the Engine Room. There were no volatile chemicals found there. Satie: It was a tactic. A way of applying pressure. Picard: We are hounding an innocent man. Satie: And how, may I ask, have you managed to determine that? Picard: I've talked with him. Satie: I see. And he told you he was a victim of circumstance, blameless and pure. Picard: No, he admits his mistake in falsifying his application. That does not make him a traitor. Satie: How can you be so incredibly naive? Captain, may I tell you how I've spent the last four years? From planet to Starbase to planet. I have no home. I live on starships and shuttlecraft. I haven't seen a family member in years. I have no friends. But I have a purpose. My father taught me from the time I was a little girl still clutching a blanket, that the United Federation of Planets is the most remarkable institution ever conceived. And it is my cause to make sure that this extraordinary union be preserved. I cannot imagine why you are trying to block this investigation. There have been others in the past who doubted me. They came to regret it. Picard: The hearings on Simon Tarses will stop. If necessary, I will go to Starfleet Command. Satie: I have news for you, Captain. I've been in constant contact with Starfleet Command. The hearings are not going to stop. They're going to be expanded. Picard: What are you saying? Satie: I'm going to get to the heart of this conspiracy if it means investigating every last person on this ship. And every hearing from now on will be held in the presence of Admiral Thomas Henry of Starfleet Security. I've requested he be brought here at once. Picard: You never told me about this. Satie: I report to Starfleet Command directly. I do not need your permission or your approval for my decisions. Picard: Admiral, what you're doing here is unethical. It's immoral. I'll fight it. Satie: Do what you must, Captain. And so will I. Data: Captain, warp engines are back online. We are ready to commence restart sequences. Sir? Picard: Yes? Yes, yes, of course. Proceed, Mister Data. Piker: Are you all right, Captain? Picard: Yes, of course, Number One. Just a little preoccupied. Nellen: Admiral Satie has ordered you to report to the interrogation room at oh nine hundred hours tomorrow morning. You are to be questioned before the committee. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Admiral Thomas Henry, who has worked closely with Norah Satie in the past, has arrived to observe the hearings. Sabin: Your full name? Picard: Jean-Luc Picard. Sabin: Rank and position? Picard: Captain, Federation Starship Enterprise. Sabin: How long have you held this post? Picard: For three years, since stardate 41124. Sabin: Very well. Admiral? Picard: If you don't mind, there's something I'd like to say. Satie: If you have a statement, you'll have an opportunity to make it later. Picard: I believe that Chapter Four, Article Twelve of the Uniform Code of Justice grants me the right to make a statement before questioning begins. Satie: Very well. Picard: I am deeply concerned by what is happening here. It began when we apprehended a spy, a man who admitted his guilt and who will answer for his crime. But the hunt didn't end there. Another man, Mister Simon Tarses, was brought to trial and it was a trial, no matter what others choose to call it. A trial based on insinuation and innuendo. Nothing substantive offered against Mister Tarses, much less proven. Mister Tarses' grandfather is Romulan, and for that reason his career now stands in ruins. Have we become so fearful? Have we become so cowardly that we must extinguish a man because he carries the blood of a current enemy? Admiral, let us not condemn Simon Tarses, or anyone else, because of their bloodlines, or investigate others for their innocent associations. I implore you, do not continue with this proceeding. End it now. Satie: Captain, do you believe in the Prime Directive? Picard: Of course. Satie: In fact, it's Starfleet General Order Number One, is it not? Picard: Your point, Admiral? Satie: Would it surprise you to learn that you have violated the Prime Directive a total of nine times since you took command of the Enterprise? I must say, Captain, it surprised the hell out of me. Picard: My reports to Starfleet document the circumstances in each of those instances Satie: Yes, we're looking into those reports, Captain, very closely into those reports, after which I'm sure we'll have more questions for you about your so-called commitment to Starfleet's Prime Directive. Sabin: Captain, could you tell us just what happened on Stardate 44390? Picard: I beg your pardon? Sabin: Let me refresh your memory. You were transporting a Vulcan ambassador, T'Pel. Picard: I was following orders to take this ambassador to a location near the Neutral Zone. Satie: I don't think we need the preamble. Sabin: In fact, she was not a Vulcan at all, was she? She was a Romulan spy. Picard: That's correct. Sabin: A spy whom you were delivering back into the hands of the enemy. Satie: Tell me, Captain, when the deception was revealed and she stood proudly on the bridge of a Romulan ship, did you make any effort to retrieve her? Picard: No. Satie: No. Even though you knew she carried Federation secrets that she'd been accumulating for years? Worf: The Enterprise could have been captured by the Romulans! Captain Picard did the only thing he could. Satie: Really, Lieutenant? And where were you when this traitor was on board the Enterprise? Where was ship's Security? Sabin: Don't you think it's questionable judgment, Captain, to have a security officer whose father was a Romulan collaborator? Picard: Lieutenant. Satie: Tell me, Captain, have you completely recovered from your experience with the Borg? Picard: Yes, I have completely recovered. Satie: It must have been awful for you, actually becoming one of them, being forced to use your vast knowledge of Starfleet operations to aid the Borg. Just how many of our ships were lost? Thirty nine? And a loss of life, I believe, measured at nearly eleven thousand. One wonders how you can sleep at night, having caused so much destruction. I question your actions, Captain. I question your choices. I question your loyalty. Picard: You know, there some words I've known since I was a school boy. With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably. Those words were uttered by Judge Aaron Satie as wisdom and warning. The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged. I fear that today Satie: How dare you! You who consort with Romulans invoke my father's name to support your traitorous arguments. It is an offense to everything I hold dear. And to hear those words used to subvert the United Federation of Planets. My father was a great man. His name stands for integrity and principle. You dirty his name when you speak it. He loved the Federation, but you, Captain, corrupt it. You undermine our very way of life. I will expose you for what you are. I've brought down bigger men than you, Picard! Satie: I have nothing more to say. Sabin: Perhaps we should call a recess until tomorrow. Worf: Am I bothering you, Captain? Picard: No. Please, Mister Worf. Come in. Worf: It is over. Admiral Henry has called an end to any more hearings on this matter. Picard: That's good. Worf: Admiral Satie has left the Enterprise. Picard: We think we've come so far. The torture of heretics, the burning of witches, it's all ancient history. Then, before you can blink an eye, it suddenly threatens to start all over again. Worf: I believed her. I helped her. I did not see what she was. Picard: Mister Worf, villains who wear twirl their mustaches are easy to spot. Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well camouflaged. Worf: I think after yesterday, people will not be as ready to trust her. Picard: Maybe. But she, or someone like her, will always be with us, waiting for the right climate in which to flourish, spreading fear in the name of righteousness. Vigilance, Mister Worf, that is the price we have to continually pay.

Scene: Counselor Deanna Troi, personal log, stardate 44805.3. My mother is on board. Lwaxana: Jean-Luc! You delicious man. You were just thinking of me, weren't you? Picard: As a matter of fact Lwaxana: Well think no further, dear heart. She's here! Picard: Yes, indeed. Lwaxana: Oh, serious. You're always so serious. Picard: Lwaxana, as a matter of fact, I am rather busy at the moment. Lwaxana: And you're always busy with something or other. Never the right thing, though. My daughter tells me that we're picking up someone interesting here. Picard: Yes, the leading scientist of Kaelon Two and Lwaxana: Oh, Kaelon Two? I've never heard of that. Picard: Well, Lwaxana, it is something of a rather delicate situation> It's the first real contact with a rather reclusive race, and this is in the nature of an official greeting, so Lwaxana: Diplomacy. I adore diplomacy. Everyone dresses so well. Picard: Mister O'Brien, energize. (Charles Emerson Winchester III beams in, having escaped from the 4077 MASH) Picard: Doctor Timicin. I'm Jean-Luc Picard, Captain of The Enterprise. This is Lieutenant Commander La Forge. Timicin: I beg your pardon, Captain. This is my first time aboard a Federation starship. Oh yes, they told me. Shaking hands, a form of greeting. Picard: I beg your pardon. Doctor Timicin, allow me to present Lwaxana Troi of Betazed. She's also a guest on board, and Lwaxana: And Daughter of The Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir of the Holy Rings of Betazed, and what are you doing for dinner? Timicin: Well, I don't know, really. Picard: Lwaxana, we have quite a bit of work planned. Lwaxana: The man's never been on board a starship before, Jean-Luc. Certainly somebody ought to make him comfortable before you get started. Picard: It seems that Mrs Troi is our acting ambassador of goodwill for today. Lwaxana: You just think of me as your Entertainment Director. Laforge: That man is in a lot of trouble. Captain's Log. Stardate 44805.7. For generations, the people of Kaelon Two have been working to revitalize their dying sun. The Federation has offered to assist in testing what may be a solution to this problem. Timicin: Of course, the basic theories of helium fusion enhancement have been discussed for over a century, but there's been no practical method of application until now. Data: The modifications that you have made to the torpedo's guidance systems are remarkable, Doctor. Timicin: Well, we'll see. They still have to be proved. But now at least it's possible. I'd never dared hope for such a perfect match with our own sun. Picard: My only regret is that it took us three years to find a suitable sun after you had first contacted us. Timicin: We're not used to dealing with other worlds. We're not used to asking for anything from others. Your offer of help has given us a possible means of survival. It has taken forty years of my life to develop the programming that will control your photon torpedoes. It has been my life. Thank you for this opportunity. My only wish has been to find a way to revive our sun before I die. Worf: Mrs Troi, I must protest your unauthorized presence on the Bridge. Lwaxana: What does that little one do, Mister Woof? Worf: Please, Madame! That is a torpedo launch initiator, and, it is Worf, Madame, not Woof. Lwaxana: Oh. Ah, there you are, dear. Where've you been? I've been waiting for you. Lwaxana: So nice to see you again so soon. Timicin: Mrs Troi. Troi: Mother, what did you want? Lwaxana: What? Troi: You were waiting for me. Lwaxana: Oh yes, dear, of course I was. You really must let me do something to relieve the tedium of all this work, work, work. Timicin: I'm afraid I'm expected in Engineering. I'm really terribly sorry. Riker: Mrs Troi, I have to ask you to clear the Bridge, please. Lwaxana: I don't see why. There are lots of other people here. Troi: Mother. Please. Lwaxana: Well, don't you worry. We'll just have our little chat later. Timicin: I'd never have thought her old enough to be your mother. She is so vibrant. Timicin: If you look at the next simulation you'll see that we need the temperature to stabilize at two hundred twenty million before there's a secondary or tertiary reaction. Lwaxana: Enough is enough. Rescue is at hand. Doctor Timicin, would you clear all this mess from the table, please? Laforge: This mess, Mrs Troi Lwaxana: Now, now, now, you boys have been shut up in here for hours. Now, if you don't eat something, you're going to get sick, and who's that going to help? I've made some perfectly marvelous Mantickian pate. Mister Homn will lay it out for us. Mister Homn is my valet. He doesn't say much. Laforge: How can he? Data: It is true that the intellectual efficiency of high order beings does diminish proportionately with the deprivation of nutritious fuel or Laforge: All right, all right. Don't you start. Timicin: Mrs Troi, you're a wise woman. I'm sure we could use a respite. Lwaxana: These two call me Mrs Troi. You call me Lwaxana. Mister Homn? Spread it. Lwaxana: So, knowing that my daughter's starship would be passing fairly close to Betazed again, I maneuverd a ride and here I am. Deck eight. Timicin: I also have a grown daughter. She has a small son of her own. Lwaxana: Then you're married. Timicin: My wife died quite some years ago. Lwaxana: You know, one thing I don't understand. If your people have known for generations that their sun is dying, why not simply evacuate the planet? Timicin: It is our home. It defines who we are as a people. If Kaelon Two ceases to exist, so do we. Lwaxana: Then you definitely should fix it. Timicin: With the Federation's help, I hope we will. Lwaxana: And the Federation will be pleased to offer whatever help it can. Lwaxana: Would you come in for a nightcap? Timicin: That's extremely kind of you, but Lwaxana: My valet sleeps elsewhere. Timicin: You are delightful. You make me laugh. I mean, I don't mean your invitation makes me laugh. I mean I took it quite seriously. I mean Lwaxana: Just say yes. I'll make you laugh some more. Timicin: I wish I could. But I must say no. Goodnight, Lwaxana. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44807.5. The Enterprise has arrived at the Praxillus system, where we will conduct Doctor Timicin's helium ignition test. Troi: Mother, how much Lwaxana: Little one, why do you refuse to use telepathy even when we are alone? Troi: We're not alone, Mother. Now how much longer is this going to take? You've been selecting for twenty minutes. Lwaxana: I am a woman dressing for a man. Something you might try now and then, dear. I wonder if Timicin likes green. Troi: That's not very telepathic of you. Lwaxana: Oh, I tried telepathy on him. He's the wrong species. Right species for everything else, though. You might try that once in a while, too. Troi: You know, you're not just incorrigible, you're insatiable. Worf: I have completed long range scans. There are no other life forms are present in this system. Riker: Spacecraft? Worf: None within sensor range. Picard: Picard to Engineering. Picard: Mister La Forge, the system is clear. Laforge: Final pre-launch diagnostic, level five. Timicin: All systems verified. Laforge: We're ready here when you are, Captain. Picard: Very well. Mister Worf? Worf: Photon torpedoes armed and targeted. Picard: Fire in sequence. Worf: First volley released. Data: Tracking torpedoes. Entry program confirmed. Worf: Second volley released. Laforge: Torpedoes now entering the stellar core. Timicin: Their shields are holding. Guidance systems normal. Laforge: Ignition sequence, six seconds Laforge: Five seconds. Four. Laforge: Three seconds. Now. Shock wave patterns within predicted range. Seventeen hundred percent rise in gamma radiation levels. Helium fusion rate increasing. Timicin: What about heat and pressure levels? Laforge: Steady so far. Density at eleven hundred grams per cubic centimeter. Temperature approaching sixty million degrees Kelvin. Timicin: We want it to stabilize at two hundred and twenty million. Data: Pressure wave harmonics dispersing. Temperature in target zone increasing to eighty one million degrees, sir. Laforge: Still rising. Laforge: Temperature at ninety million degrees Kelvin. And now one hundred ten million. Looking good. One hundred thirty seven. Data: Radiation and pressure levels still stable. Laforge: Temperature is one hundred and seventy million degrees Kelvin. Laforge: One ninety. And now two hundred million. Timicin: It's happening. Laforge: Two oh seven and rising. Two nineteen. And twenty. Two twenty. And holding. Looks like congratulations may be in order. Picard: Mister Data? Data: Turbulence patterns are within predicted parameters. Laforge: Two twenty two. Data: Temperature is rising in the core again, Captain. Two hundred and thirty million degrees Kelvin. Laforge: Still rising, Captain. Laforge: Two fifty one. Data: Rate exceeding critical level. Core density is becoming unstable. Riker: Let's get the hell out of here. Picard: Ensign, warp two now! Laforge: Sorry. Timicin: Captain Picard? Picard: Doctor? Timicin: Permit me to express my appreciation to you and your crew. I am most grateful. Most grateful. Picard: Ensign, lay in a course for Kaelon Two. Warp factor five. Ensign: Aye, sir. Lwaxana: I'm so sorry, Timicin. I had one of those named after me once. Brilliant young astronomer from Rigel Four. Of course, I sparkled a bit myself in those days. You see, that's called fishing for a compliment. You're supposed to tell me I still sparkle. I'm sorry, I'm not helping, am I? Timicin: You're very kind. I'm just not adequate company right now. Lwaxana: Oh, that's all right, I can make enough conversation for both of us. I'll leave you alone. Timicin: No. Please stay. I wanted to tell you how much I wish we had met years ago. Lwaxana: What difference do a few years make? Timicin: Unfortunately, a great deal. You see, Lwaxana, I'm on my way home now to die. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44812.6. We have returned to Kaelon Two, and established contact with Science Minister B'tardat. Picard: The experiment achieved a stable core temperature for a short time, Minister. That's a significant step forward. Riker: We've been studying the sensor logs and the torpedo telemetry to determine if there was any malfunction. If there was, and we are able to isolate the problem, another test might be successful. In the meantime, all of our facilities would be made available to Doctor Timicin. B'Tardat: A most thoughtful and generous offer, but Timicin has obligations at home. And it would take us some time to select a replacement. Picard: We would be more than willing to extend our visit, sir. B'Tardat: That will not be necessary. We'll contact you as soon as we're ready. We expect Timicin to return home as soon as possible. And again, gentlemen, many thanks. Picard: Come. Lwaxana: Are you aware these people you are so graciously helping are murderers? Picard: I beg your pardon? Lwaxana: Well the next thing to it. When a person on this benighted little planet reaches the age of sixty, which Timicin is about to do, they're expected to simply kill themselves. Did you know that? Picard: Mister Data? Data: The people of Kaelon Two are isolationists, almost to the point of being xenophobes. Regrettably, we know very little about their customs. Lwaxana: Well, I know. Timicin himself just told me. He is supposed to go down there, to his loving friends, be wined, dined, honored for his achievements and then kill himself. It's a barbaric ritual. The Resolution, it's called. Obviously, you can't let him go, Jean-Luc. Picard: I'm afraid I have no choice. Lwaxana: I don't think you've been listening to me. The man is supposed to kill himself. You don't just let that happen. You don't just turn your back. What's the matter with you! Picard: Lwaxana, I'm sorry, but whatever my personal feelings, I have no jurisdiction here. I simply cannot interfere. Lwaxana: But you have to. In a situation like this, you absolutely have to interfere. You've got to go down there and talk to those people, Jean Luc. Open their eyes, educate them. Picard: The Prime Directive forbids us to interfere with the social order of any planet. Lwaxana: Well, that's your Prime Directive, not mine! Picard: Computer, locate Counselor Troi. Lwaxana: What do you mean, I can't go down there? Are you telling me that I'm a prisoner on this ship? Troi: Mother? What's going on? What are you doing? O'Brien: I'm sorry, Counselor, I'm not sure what to do here. Lwaxana: Well, I am sure! I am a Betazoid ambassador. I'm a Daughter of the Fifth House, and those people are going to answer to me! So you just energize this damned thing and get me down there! Troi: He can't, Mother. He has his orders. Lwaxana: His orders don't apply to me. Troi: No, they apply to him. Lwaxana: Don't you try your professional patronizing on me, young lady. They expect Timicin to die, don't you realize that? Just because he's sixty! What's sixty? It's nothing. O'Brien: I'll go check the pattern buffers. Troi: Come on, Mother, let's sit down. Lwaxana: I'm sorry, little one. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm sorry. Troi: There's no need to be. Lwaxana: But I'm crying. I don't cry. Troi: You cried when father died. Lwaxana: You remember that? Troi: Of course I remember. We both cried. Lwaxana: But this isn't the same. Is it? Troi: What do you think? Lwaxana: I don't know. I just can't accept that fate will allow me to meet him like this and then take him away. I mean, he's not ill. He hasn't had a tragic accident. He's just going to die, and for no good reason. Because his society has decided that he's too old, so they just dispose of him as though his life no longer had value or meaning. You can't possibly understand at your age, but at mine, sometimes you feel tired and afraid. Troi: You're feeling very vulnerable. Very mortal, if I may say so. I know you, Mother, and believe me, you will never be one of those who dies before they die. Timicin: Come in. Timicin: I've been studying the preliminary reports of the test. I don't understand where I went wrong. I thought I'd taken into account all of the variables. Deep convection patterns, proton reactions, neutrino count. Timicin: I will say it again. You are a kind woman. Lwaxana: No, no, I'm a hateful woman. I hate what you're going to do, and I hate you for doing it. Timicin: It is the way of my world. I wish you could accept that. Lwaxana: I never will. Never. Timicin: How long have you been sitting there? Lwaxana: I don't know. A minute. An hour. Timicin: Lwaxana Lwaxana: Do you want anything? Some tea? Timicin: I want to explain. I want very much for you to understand. Fifteen or twenty centuries ago, we had no Resolution. We had no such concern for our elders. As people aged, their health failed, they became invalids. Those whose families could no longer care for them were put away in deathwatch facilities, where they waited in loneliness for the end to come, sometimes for years. They had meant something, and they were forced to live beyond that, into a time of meaning nothing, of knowing they could now only be the beneficiaries of younger people's patience. We are no longer that cruel, Lwaxana. Lwaxana: No, no, you're not cruel to them. You just kill them. Timicin: The Resolution is a celebration of life. It allows us to end our lives with dignity. Lwaxana: A celebration of life. It sounds very noble, very caring. What you're really saying is you got rid of the problem by getting rid of the people. Timicin: It may sound that way, but it is a time of transition. One generation passing on the responsibilities of life to the next. Lwaxana: What about the responsibility of caring of the elderly? Timicin: That would place a dreadful burden on the children. Lwaxana: We raise them, we care for them, we suffer for them. We keep them from harm their whole lives. Eventually, it's their turn to take care of us. Timicin: No parent should expect to be paid back for the love they've given their children. Lwaxana: Well why the hell not? Oskoids. Timicin: What's that? Lwaxana: Oskoids. A Betazed delicacy. Timicin: Looks very interesting. Lwaxana: You should have tried it while you were still alive. No reason to bother now. Why sixty? Why not sixty two, or fifty eight? Timicin: A reasonable age had to be set. Lwaxana: But it's not reasonable. Certainly not in your case. You're as vital and healthy a man as I've ever known. Timicin: That is why I wish to say goodbye to my family and colleagues while I am this way, in complete command of my faculties, knowing they will always remember me as a strong and vigorous man. Lwaxana: But it makes no sense. Some of your people could still be active at seventy or eighty, and others might be seriously ill at fifty. How cruel of you to make them wait so long to commit suicide. Timicin: Setting a standard age for the Resolution makes it uniform for everybody. To ask individual families to decide when their elders are to die, that would be heartless. Lwaxana: I agree. Why not let everybody die when they die. Timicin: Lwaxana. Lwaxana: You have a grandson, you said. Timicin: Yes, almost seven. Lwaxana: Well, wouldn't it be better for him to know his grandfather? Not some vague memory of someone who once loved him, but a real living person who does love him. Don't you really think that would be better? Timicin: I attended the Resolution of my parents when it was their time. It was beautiful. Lwaxana, this is a custom I've known and accepted all my life. Lwaxana: The women of Betazed used to wear these enormous wigs with large holes in the cenre for tiny caged animals. Timicin: Yes. Lwaxana: First, it was a fashion. Then it went on long enough to become a custom, a tradition. But it was uncomfortable for the woman and cruel to the animal. So then one day, one very formidable woman finally said so, refused ever to wear another of those wigs. fairly soon the custom stopped. She had the courage to stand up and fight for change. Timicin: She must have been a lot like you. Lwaxana: Timicin, there is no one more qualified, more experienced, or more likely to save their planet than you. And they would have you kill yourself. Timicin: Younger scientists will take my place. My work, the work will continue. Lwaxana: Your planet has what, thirty, forty years left? What if your scientists can't find the answer without you? What then? What chance do you think your grandson has of reaching the age of sixty? Timicin: Enough, please. It is my time, Lwaxana, and that is the way it is. Lwaxana: If that's the way it is, I don't know why anyone's bothering to try to save your world at all. If its time has come, let it die. Where's the difference, Timicin? Where? Timicin: Convection boundary uncoupling. The reaction caused gas turbulence of a totally unexpected magnitude. Why? Data: There was a evidence of a delayed surface shock. Timicin: No, I'd anticipated that. I thought I'd anticipated all possible variables, but stars, they're like living entities in a way. Quite unpredictable. You know, I wouldn't be at all surprised if this were the result of. Look here. Forty two seconds into the test, there is a sudden rise in the level of hydrogen alpha emissions. And here, here's another. I'm right, aren't I? There had to be neutron migration within the star's inner core as the reaction grew. Data: Perhaps, Doctor, but there is no known method for controlling a neutron migration. Timicin: Yes, yes, but theoretically it is possible. Using these test results, we could construct a new computer model of the energy dynamics of a star that can test a new detonation program. I'm certain it can be accomplished. Certain. It's just a matter of time. A matter of time. Picard: Come. Timicin. Time for you to leave us, then? Timicin: Captain, I have come to officially request asylum aboard The Enterprise. B'Tardat: Timicin, I cannot believe this. Why asylum? Asylum from what? Timicin: I turn sixty in four days, Minister. B'Tardat: Yes, and your family and colleagues are already gathering for your Resolution. Timicin: I believe that it is time for us to re-examine, as a people, the wisdom of The Resolution. B'Tardat: Are they forcing you into this? Are you being coerced? Timicin: Influenced, perhaps. Coerced, no. Picard: Our only influence, Minister, is by example. Timicin's decision is his own free will, I assure you. B'Tardat: I cannot believe that a man of Timicin's stature would freely choose to reject his own culture. Timicin: No one on Kaelon Two understands this project as I do. There are new theories that would take others a decade to test and confirm. With my guidance, it can be done in half that time. I must finish my work. B'Tardat: Others started your work, others will finish it. It's always been this way. It always will. Riker: Captain, scanners indicate two Kaelon warships rising on an intercept course. Picard: Acknowledged, Commander. Minister, we're here in friendship, hoping to provide assistance. B'Tardat: You have helped quite enough, Captain. I suggest you return Timicin and depart. If you attempt to leave orbit with Timicin on board, our ships have been ordered to open fire. Timicin: B'tardat, there's no purpose at all in letting this become Timicin: It shouldn't have happened. I've handled this poorly. Picard: You acted in good conscience, Doctor. I don't see what else you could have done. Timicin: I could have let well enough alone. I could have returned home. What do you think, Captain? Have I done the right thing? Picard: I'm afraid you're the only one who can answer that. Timicin: Lwaxana would have me lead a revolt. I'm only a scientist. I wish I had her strength. She is a woman of extraordinary conviction, isn't she? Picard: Isn't she. Picard: Any communication, Number One? Riker: No, sir. We have an open channel. Worf: The warships are taking a standard attack posture. Staggered approach vectors, within weapons range. Picard: Shields up. Red alert. Timicin: Captain. Picard: Doctor, I suggest that you return to your quarters. Timicin: I don't want there to be any bloodshed because of my decision. Crusher: They will be doing everything they can to avoid it. I think we should get out of their way now. Timicin: Yes. Yes, of course. I understand. Picard: Mister Worf, ascertain their offensive potential. Worf: Aye, sir. Timicin: We must transmit the new analysis of the neutron migration immediately. If I can make them see the direction I've taken Laforge: We've already tried. Data: They refuse to accept further reports from you, Doctor. Timicin: They have to accept them. If I can re-establish computer interface with the science ministry. Laforge: They've disengaged the link-up, Doctor. Timicin: Why don't they answer? Even if I find the solution, you will not accept it! Because I do not terminate my life, they terminate my work. Alive, I am a greater threat to my world than a dying sun. Lwaxana: But Jean-Luc will find a way to settle this. He always does. Timicin: No, my decision will only lead to more distrust of other worlds. Nothing will change. Lwaxana: Now don't be foolish. Timicin: I am not being foolish! Lwaxana, I want to live because I see in you how much I have to live for. You make me realize that my life still has value. I can be an example to my people. I can finish my work. But discovering these new desires and not being able to do anything about them, not being able to finish my work, not being able to reach my people. Lwaxana: You have made a statement about the sanctity of life, and it will be heard, Timicin. Timicin: Who will hear it from light years away? Where will I go now, Lwaxana? I'm a man without a world. I can't go home. Lwaxana: Timicin. Riker: Bridge to Doctor Timicin. You have a visitor coming aboard. Timicin: B'Tardat? Riker: No, sir. It's your daughter. Timicin: Dara. Dara: Father. Timicin: This is Lwaxana Troi. She has been a host and a friend. Lwaxana: I've been looking forward to meeting you, Dara. Timicin: Whatever you have to say to me, can be said in front of her. Dara: I see. Father, come home. This is wrong. Timicin: Dara, if I could show you the work I have begun. There's still so much for me to do. Dara: There's nothing for me to look at. It is irrelevant. Lwaxana: Your father's work may save your world, my dear. I would hardly consider that irrelevant. Dara: All I'm concerned with now is you, not your work. Your work is over. It is your time to rest. Lwaxana: Perhaps you will feel differently as you get a little older, say approaching sixty. Dara: My father taught me to cherish The Resolution. I don't know how you have poisoned him to reject it. Lwaxana: It's an obscene ritual. Dara: How dare you. How dare you criticize my way of life, my beliefs. Timicin: Please. Please, Dara. Please. Dara: Where will you go? Timicin: I don't know. Dara: And where will you die? I cannot bear the thought of you being laid to rest on some other world. That you will not lie beside my mother. That I will not be able to lie beside you when my Resolution comes. I'm sorry. I don't know how you can go on with your life knowing that each day you live is an insult to everything we believe in. Father, I love you. But I am ashamed. Timicin: I would like to be alone now, please. Lwaxana: I am suddenly suddenly not sure of myself. It's a feeling I'm not at all used to. I don't think I like it very much, little one. Troi: Not sure of yourself? Lwaxana: My life has been full. Now and then, perhaps it's overflowed a little, but I enjoy living. And now I am asking myself is it possible I was wrong to encourage Timicin to choose life? Troi: You were honest with him, Mother. You had to be. Lwaxana: Maybe I want him to live just to keep me company. Troi: Of course you do. But you didn't do this for yourself, you did it for him. Lwaxana: Did I? Then look what I've done to him. He's like a man who's lost his faith. I never considered how deeply ingrained this Resolution liturgy is. Troi: Ritual provides a structure in society, good rituals and bad rituals alike. Lwaxana: Well, this is a bad one. Troi: Your point of view. Lwaxana: It should be the point of view of any reasonably intelligent middle-aged person. Unfortunately, it is not. Troi: I'll see you later, Mother. Excuse me. Timicin: Thank you. Lwaxana: You're going back. Timicin: Do you believe I love you? I do, you know. But finally, if that is my only reason to stay alive. Lwaxana: It's not enough. Timicin: Almost. Almost but not quite. I can't be that selfish, Lwaxana. I am not the person to lead the revolt. Timicin: I do apologize for all the turmoil I've created. Picard: Doctor, I would deeply regret it if you were returning only to ease diplomatic tensions. Timicin: It is more. Much more. Picard: Then I wish you and your people well. Timicin: When it is time for another test, I will encourage my people to seek your assistance again. Picard: If for any reason you would like to wait a few minutes. Timicin: No. We have already said our goodbyes. Timicin: Lwaxana? Lwaxana: It is the custom for your loved ones to join you at this Resolution, is it not? Timicin: You do not have to do this. Lwaxana: Yes, I do. Permission to disembark, Captain. I promise I won't cause any problems down there. Picard: Permission granted. Lwaxana: We're ready, Mister O'Brien.

Scene: Doctor Beverly Crusher, personal log, stardate 44821.3. Began an analysis today of the respiratory problems being experienced on the beta moon of Peliar Zel. Finally got an actual letter from Wesley. Topped the class in exo-biology, but he's still struggling in Ancient Philosophies. And there's someone new in my life. Data: Ambassador Odan, Doctor Crusher. I was just on my way to speak to you. Crusher: Hello, Data. Data: I have completed my study on the atmospheric variations which have occurred on the moon since the new technology was implemented. Odan: Thank you, Commander. That will be most helpful in my efforts to mediate the quarrel. Data: I could go over it with you now. It would not require more than two hours. Crusher: We do appreciate that, Data, but the Ambassador and I have set aside this time to analyze the incidence of the lung disease on the moon's inhabitants. Data: Then it is perfect timing, Doctor. What better occasion to integrate my results into your study? Odan: Now that I think about it, you're absolutely right, Commander. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling very well. Perhaps Doctor Crusher could get you started inputting your information. I myself must return to my quarters. Crusher: Ambassador, are you still having those awful headaches? I'd better bring you a hypospray to take care of it. Odan: I would be most grateful. Crusher: Okay. Crusher: Put a cold cloth on your forehead, Ambassador. I'll do my best to be with you shortly. Crusher: I'll set you up at the medical monitor, Data. It'll take you a while to input the figures, won't it? Data: At least an hour, but I do not believe much time can be saved by exhibiting such haste now. Crusher: Data, there are times when every second does count. Odan: Somehow, I had an unnatural fear that Data was going to barge in and ask to discuss the peripheral effects of magnetospheric energy taps. Crusher: Well if I don't get back soon and take a look at his projections, he just might come looking for me. Odan: Do you know, when I first met the formidable Doctor Beverly, what, ten days ago? I thought to myself, this woman is ice through to her bones. Who would have ever guessed that instead of ice, there is fire. Crusher: Odan. Odan: Stay here, don't go. Crusher: Odan, are we? Is this interfering with your work on the Peliar Zel problems? Odan: Fortunately, I've done about as much as I can until we get there. Because I just can't seem to keep my mind on my work right now. Crusher: Odan, I have to go. Odan: Promise me we'll be together tonight. Crusher: I promise. Odan: Then you may go, Doctor Beverly. Crusher: It's just Beverly. Odan: Not just Beverly. It's Beverly's smile, it's her kindness, her beauty within and without. So much more than just Beverly. Picard: Picard to Ambassador Odan. Odan: Yes, Captain? This is Odan. Picard: The Federation representative from Peliar Zel has come on board. Would you care to meet us in the Observation Lounge? Odan: I'll be right there, Captain. Picard: If the news were encouraging, I assume you would not be here. Leka: I'm afraid you're correct, Captain. The situation's growing progressively worse. Troi: Where've you been? Crusher: With a patient. Minor emergency. Picard: Ambassador Odan, this is Governor Leka Trion of Peliar Zel. Leka: Ambassador. thank you for coming. I knew your father. His efforts helped keep our people at peace for several generations. Odan: I would hope to serve you as well as he. Picard: Governor. Ambassador. Data: I hope Doctor Crusher was able to help you with your headache. Odan: Thank you. Actually, she was. Picard: Governor Leka has intercepted us before we reach her planet in order to update us on the situation. Leka: The people on our moons have been in discord ever since they migrated from our planet five centuries ago. To us on the planet They're like two squabbling children. We try to help settle their arguments by not taking sides, but this time we are at a loss. Odan: I've been studying the information you sent. If I understand correctly, the people of Alpha moon have found a way to tap directly into the magnetic field of your planet, and now rely exclusively on that energy source. Leka: Yes, but the Beta moon is now suffering some environmental damage as a result. Data: My design models suggest that Beta will eventually experience rising temperatures, erratic tide surges and in general the beginnings of global warming. Crusher: The impact on the health of the Betan people is clear. There will be profound medical repercussions. Leka: Alpha is unwilling to give up its new-found energy source. Beta accuses them of intentionally courting genocide. Our efforts to reach a compromise have failed. And now, we have received intelligence that both sides are arming for war. If that happens the people of my planet will begin to take sides, and the outcome can only be disastrous. Picard: We will be in orbit around Peliar Zel within six hours. If you could arrange for the representatives of Alpha and Beta to be there, then Ambassador Odan could beam directly down to the planet. Odan: Excuse me, Captain. I prefer to shuttle to the surface. Leka: I would not recommend it. There are many radical factions involved in this dispute. It would be difficult to guarantee your safety. Odan: I'm sure I'm not the first who has expressed discomfort at the idea of molecular transport. Thank you, but I prefer to remain intact. I'll shuttle down. Picard: As you wish. Picard: Counselor, what is it? Troi: It's Ambassador Odan. I continually feel fluctuations of emotion from him. Picard: Perhaps it's perfectly normal among the Trill. Troi: It could be. We know so very little about them. Picard: Yes. Quite. Woman: Hi, Deanna. Troi: Hi. Is that the colgonite astringent you have on your eyes? Crusher: Yes. I guess so. Troi: I've never tried it. Crusher: Someone just put it on me. Troi: I didn't know you even came in here. Crusher: I don't. At least, not very often. Troi: But it feels good to indulge yourself sometimes. Crusher: I guess so. Troi: Especially when you haven't done so in a while. Crusher: What is that supposed to mean? Troi: Beverly, you're in love. Crusher: Sometimes I wish you weren't so empathic Troi: I don't really think it's really a secret. Crusher: It isn't? Troi: You've been glowing. Crusher: Oh. Must be the astringent. What? Troi: Nothing. Crusher: Oh, yes, there is. What is it? Troi: It's just something I sense in Odan. Crusher: What? What do you sense? Troi: It's just, how well do you really know him? Crusher: I feel I know him better than I've known anyone in my life. Am I being foolish? I don't think so. And yet, I've only known him for a couple of weeks. Of course, that could be infatuation, but I am a grown up and I know the difference between love and infatuation. All I know is, I haven't felt this way for a long time. Troi: And you like it. Crusher: I like it. Picard: Come. Odan: You wanted to see me, Captain? Picard: Yes, Ambassador. Please, sit down. We have entered orbit. We shall be transporting you to the planet in a few minutes. Odan: I am ready, Captain. Picard: How will you proceed when you're there? Odan: Oh, I cannot answer that. I never know until I am into the situation, meet the people involved. I work very much by instinct, not by pre-arranged plan. Picard: It seems to work well for you. Odan: Well, I do like to go into a situation as well-informed as possible, and I must say that your staff has been quite helpful in briefing me on the problems down here. Particularly Doctor Crusher. Picard: My staff is quite capable. I'm glad they've been useful. Odan: Your Doctor Beverly is an extraordinary person, both as a scientist and as a woman. Picard: Yes, I'm sure that's true. Well, shall we make our way to the shuttlebay? Odan: Captain, you know her better than I. Do you have any idea how committed she is to remaining with Starfleet? Picard: I wouldn't presume to speak for her. Odan: Oh no, of course not. I just thought, well, you've known her so much long than I. Taggart: Ensign Taggart to Captain Picard. Picard: Yes, Ensign. Taggart: The shuttle is ready to transport the Ambassador. Picard: Very well. Odan: I'll find my own way, Captain. I hope to return with good news. Laforge: Commander Riker has asked to pilot you himself, Ambassador. Odan: I am honored. Odan: I don't know when I'll be back. Crusher: I know. Have a safe trip. Odan: I will stay safe, Doctor Beverly. I have good reason to return. I've researched Earth customs. This flower is given to express love. Crusher: Yes, it is. Data: Initiate shuttle preflight sequence. Riker: Preflight underway. Counting to clearance. Data: Shuttle has cleared the bay door. Worf: Commander Riker, you will be out of shield range in five seconds. Riker: Acknowledged Riker: Lieutenant. We'll be entering the upper ionosphere in two minutes and twenty seconds. Worf: Sir, an unidentified ship is emerging from the limb of the moon. Picard: Hail the vessel. Riker: I have visual contact. I don't recognize it. Worf: It claims to be an escort vessel from the Beta moon. Picard: There was no mention of an escort. Request a security clearance code. Worf: They do not answer, sir. Picard: Commander Riker, prepare to return to the shuttlebay. Riker: Acknowledged. Worf: Captain, they are loading its phaser banks. Riker: Increasing power to the shields. Riker: Coming about. Picard: Engage tractor beam. Report, Number One. Riker: We've lost port thrusters Riker: And both backup stabilizers. I'm losing control. Picard: We're bringing you in. Riker: Captain, the shuttle hull has been weakened. We're breaking up. You can't tow us. You'd better beam us directly on board. Odan: No, don't do it. Riker: I can't stabilize the shuttle. Odan: If you transport me, it will kill me. Please. Picard: Number One we're ready to beam you aboard. Riker: Belay that order, Captain. I'll bring her in manually. Riker: Advise Doctor Crusher we have a medical emergency. Crusher: He's in shock, he's lost a lot of blood, but that still doesn't explain these readings. Eosinophilia in the cerebrospinal fluid at forty six percent. Ogawa: Sedimentation rate is twenty nine, but his lymphocytes are still intact. Crusher: It's as though there's a parasite at work. Odan, Odan. I need to do exploratory surgery. You may have a parasitic infection. Odan: You must not. Crusher: But you won't survive. Crusher: What is that? Odan: Beverly, that is me. Crusher: What? Odan: This body is just a host. I am that parasite. That is what must survive. It has always been this way. The Trill are a joined species. A host and a symbiont, and in this fashion we have survived for millennia. Crusher: You're dying. What can I do? Odan: The host body is dying. You must contact the Trill quickly. Tell them I need another host. They will send a replacement. I know this is difficult to accept, but I beg you, Doctor Beverly, help me. This mission must be completed. Crusher: Odan's host body died of the injuries just over an hour ago. But the symbiont being, Odan, is still alive. Odan is the one who negotiated the last treaty, but the man everyone thought was his father was just another host body. Riker: And the reason Odan refused the transporter? Crusher: It would have damaged the symbiont. Picard: We've contacted the Trill. Another host will be here in forty hours. Crusher: I've placed Odan in stasis. He can survive another hour, maybe two, but not beyond that. Data: Would it be possible for me to serve as a temporary carrier? Crusher: No, Data. The relationship requires a biological being. Picard: We are at a desperate impasse in the Peliar system. The attack on the shuttlecraft has inflamed the dispute. Troi: Who was responsible? Picard: No one will admit anything. Each side accuses the other and the threats are mounting. We need Odan. Riker: Doctor, could a human host carry him? Crusher: I believe so. From Odan's description of the process it should be possible. But I don't have Riker: Then I volunteer. Crusher: There's been no precedent for a human host. I couldn't guarantee what might happen. Picard: The risk is too great, Commander. Riker: Weigh it against the prospect of war. Picard: It's your choice, Will. Riker: Let's get to it. Crusher: I've given you a local anesthetic. You must be conscious during the implantation. Drugs might damage the symbiont. Riker: I understand. Crusher: Laser scalpel. Crusher: How do you feel? Is there pain? Riker: No, just some strange sensations. Crusher: Vital signs? Ogawa: Heart rate one hundred ten. Blood pressure ninety over forty. Crusher: I can't close yet, The assimilation's not complete. Ogawa: Pulse one thirty and climbing. EEG is erratic. Crusher: He's going to start fibrillating. Two hundred milligrams of metrazene. Nurse: Yes, Doctor. Crusher: Hang on, Will. Nurse: We've got incorporation, Doctor. Crusher: I'm closing. Nurse: Brain waves are still irregular. Crusher: The metrazene should have stabilized him. I'll give it ten seconds more before we go in again. Nurse: Here we go. EEG approaching regular. Ogawa: Blood pressure leveling off. Crusher: That's better. Signs are returning to normal. Will, it's Beverly. Can you hear me? Riker: Hello. Crusher: You're going to be all right. How do you feel? Riker: I'm fine. You look a little tired, Doctor Beverly. Riker: I know this must be disturbing, Governor, but you must convince the inhabitants of the moons that I am Odan. I have his skills, his thoughts, his memories. Leka: They will perceive you as a Starfleet officer, perhaps with your own agenda. Riker: The man they knew as my father, the man who stands before them, both are merely hosts. It is your task to help them understand. Leka: I will try. I cannot promise they will listen. They are more factionalised than ever. Listening is a skill which seems to have evaporated with the heat of argument. Riker: Speak softly, Governor. Those who cannot hear an angry shout may strain to hear a whisper. Leka: I will do what I can. Picard: Well done. Mister Worf, will you escort the Ambassador to his quarters. Riker: I'm just a little dizzy. I'll be fine. I just need to lie down. Picard: Picard to Doctor Crusher. Crusher: Yes, Captain? Picard: Doctor, the Ambassador is not well. Will you please attend to him in his quarters. Crusher: Right away, sir. Crusher: White cell count is elevated, six tenths of a degree of temperature. But no sign of rejection. Riker: That's good. Crusher: You look awfully pale. Riker: Just a little weak and light-headed. Crusher: Cerebral blood flow looks normal. I'll leave you a metabolic booster. Use it if the symptoms get worse. Riker: Beverly. Crusher: Beyond that, I don't know what to do. This is all new to me. Riker: It is new to me as well. Please, don't go. We've got to talk about this. Crusher: I don't know what to say. Riker: Nor do I, but I know that this silence will injure us. Crusher: Well maybe you should have thought about that sooner. Maybe you should have told me what you were. It didn't seem to bother you to remain silent yesterday. Riker: It never occurred to me. This is what I am. Did you ever tell me that you are only a single being? Of course not. That was normal to you. Crusher: I don't know who you are. Riker: You must understand, whoever I seem to be, I am Odan, who loved you. That has not changed. I still love you. I can't help that. If this causes you pain, I will suppress it, I will keep my distance. Doctor Beverly, I would never hurt you. Troi: May I join you? Crusher: You know, Deanna, the first man I ever loved unconditionally was named Stefan. He was a soccer player, and I would watch him as he would race down the field and I thought my heart would stop because he was so beautiful. We married and had three children. Twin boys, Andrew and Alexander, and then later a little girl, Jennifer. Stefan became an artist, very famous. He created huge, breathtaking, metal sculptures. He came to adore me as much as I worshiped him. In my daydreams at least. Stefan was eleven and I was eight. He never even knew I existed. Oh, Deanna, I loved Odan. I'm sure of it. I had no doubts, no fears, but what it was I loved? His eyes? His hands? His mouth? They're gone. If that was all it was, I should mourn him and go on. But it was more than that. I felt completely free with him. Unguarded. At ease with myself. There were so many things that made him special to me. Where are they? Are they still here, alive in Will Riker? I look at Will and I see someone I've known for years. A kind of brother. But inside, is he really Odan? Help me, please. Troi: What do your feelings tell you? Crusher: I feel his pull. It's very powerful. I wish he'd never come on this ship. Troi: Don't wish that, Beverly. You can't be open to love if you don't risk pain. Crusher: I don't care. I'd give anything not to feel the way I do now. He's here, isn't he? Troi: Look at him. Crusher: I don't want to look at him. Talk to me. Just keep talking to me. Troi: The first man I ever loved was my father. He was strong and tall. He carried me when the ground was muddy. He chased away the monsters that hid under my bed at night. And he sang to me, and kept me safe. And he went away. What I wouldn't give to hear those songs again. To feel his arms protect me. I never will, but I can still feel his warmth and his love as though he were here with me. If you can feel those things from the man we know as Will Riker, accept them. Accept the love. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44823.8. Representatives of the two moons of Peliar Zel have agreed to come on board to meet the new Ambassador Odan. Crusher: White count is elevated. It's getting higher and higher every time I read it. Are you in pain? Riker: Not much. Picard: Ambassador, we can stall the representatives. Riker: They would see that as deception. I must meet with them. Picard: But surely, to present yourself in this condition is not going to help our cause. Riker: I promise you, Captain, they will never know that I am ill. Worf: Captain, the emissaries. Leka: May I present Kalin Trose of Alpha Moon, and Lathal Bine of Beta Moon. Kalin: Thank you for receiving us, Captain. Lathal: Is this Ambassador Odan? Riker: Lathal Bine. It was your aunt who represented Beta thirty years ago. Lathal: That is correct. Riker: She was a formidable woman. I had the utmost respect for her. Kalin: And who was it who spoke for Alpha so long ago? Riker: That was you, of course, Kalin Trose. Then you were a young man, bristling with passion and zeal, yet wise enough to understand that your people needed peace to ensure their future. Kalin: And how did you manage to achieve a compromise between that young man and the iron willed woman of Beta Moon? Riker: They agreed to trade places for a week, to understand each other's situation with more informed eyes. After that an agreement came swiftly. Kalin: Nothing that you have said is beyond what a school child could learn in a history book. Riker: What is not commonly known that during those negotiations, you, Kalin Trose, quelled a plot by a radical from your moon who was attempting to assassinate the Beta delegate. Kalin: It is true. Lathal: Perhaps he was wiser in his youth than he is now. Odan, you must convince him to stop. Riker: Will you accept me? Will you allow me to work with you? Lathal: Yes. Riker: And Alpha moon? Kalin: I will consider it, but I must consult others. Lathal: This is a typical tactic. He is an obstructionist. You can see that. Riker: Kalin Trose, you may confer with your people, but we must have your answer within eight hours. Kalin: You shall have it. Crusher: His vital functions are overworked. His immune system is under attack. I can only guess that he's suffering from classic rejection syndrome. Picard: Is there any treatment you can give him? Crusher: I can administer an immunosuppressant. That could help relieve the symptoms but it Can't correct the underlying cause. There is a foreign organism in his body. Medical school didn't exactly prepare me for situations like this. Picard: You're doing all you can. Crusher: Don't worry about me, Captain. I'm fine. Picard: Ambassador, when you feel up to it, would you join me in my Ready room? Riker: Of course. Crusher: I'm giving you something that should help with the pain. At least for a little while. Riker: The pain's gone. Thank you. Crusher: Please don't. Riker: Please let me touch you, just for a moment. Crusher: No. Please. Picard: It was a fast decision, which we must take as positive. The Alphan representative has agreed, however reluctantly. to let you mediate the dispute. Riker: I knew they would. They are reasonable people, they're just trapped in their own anger. Picard: I have no doubt, however, that they will bolt if something goes wrong in the discussion. Riker: Then it's my job to see nothing goes wrong. Did I said something wrong, Captain Picard? Picard: No, it's just that for a moment you sounded more like Will Riker. We have received information that the new host will arrive in eighteen hours. Will you be all right until then? Riker: The medication Doctor Beverly gave me has helped. I will find a way to keep going. Crusher: Lemon tea. Riker: Computer, location of Doctor Beverly Crusher. Computer: Doctor Crusher is in her quarters. Riker: Can you make balso tonic? Computer: There is no formula on record. Please supply a molecular structure. Riker: Never mind. Riker: Come in. Crusher: I thought I should see how you were doing. If you needed another hypospray? Riker: I don't think so. The symptoms haven't returned. Crusher: Oh. Well, that's good. Riker: Yes. Crusher: Tomorrow's an important day. Do you feel ready for it? Riker: I'll be fine. I've been preparing. Crusher: That's good. Riker: Yes. Crusher: I'll check your vital signs in the morning before the representatives get here. Riker: I don't want them knowing I'm taking any medication. Crusher: Maybe you could schedule a series of breaks. Riker: That's good. Crusher: Yes. Riker: Beverly, I want you. If you're going to leave, you'd better go right now. Crusher: I'm not leaving. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44824.4. Governor Leka and the representatives of the two moons are ready to transport on board. We have learned that they each have troops massed and are ready for combat if this final effort at peace is not successful. Crusher: White count is back up, temperature is elevated. The effects of the medication are wearing off faster every time. I'll administer one now and hope that it will hold for an hour or two. Riker: No, no more. Picard: Ambassador, it's clear you're in pain. You can't get through the next hours without help. Riker: I must. Crusher: Are the injections damaging to the host's body, Riker's body? Riker: Yes. We can't put him through any further risk. Crusher: But how can you function, conduct the meeting? Riker: I'll manage. Picard: We'll respect your wishes. Riker: One more thing. I will conduct the mediations today, but at the end of today, regardless of the outcome, I must be removed from Riker's body. Even if the new host has not arrived. Crusher: But you wouldn't survive. Riker: Riker will not survive if I am removed. He has done enough. Your word. Crusher: Very well. Worf: Worf to Captain Picard. Picard: Yes, Mister Worf? Worf: The Governor and the two representatives have returned. I will escort them to the Observation Lounge. Picard: Thank you. Crusher: I'll stand by with the medication, just in case. The pain may become so intense that I'll have to Picard: Beverly. Whatever else I may be to you, I am your friend. I can only imagine what you're going through, and I want you to know I'm here. Crusher: Jean-Luc. Picard: Computer, what is the time? Computer: Fifteen thirty five hours. Crusher: They've been in there for almost six hours. Worf: Captain, I am receiving a message from the ship carrying the Trill host. Crusher: Are they here, Worf? Worf: No, they are experiencing difficulty. They do not anticipate their arrival for another nine hours. Crusher: Nine hours. Riker: It was worth it. Picard: Ambassador! Riker: They will not go to war. Picard: Mister Worf, see that the representatives are safely transported off the ship. Ensign, set a course to intercept with the Trill ship. Prepare to go to warp nine. Data: Sir, it could take more than two hours to reach the vessel. Crusher: I must remove him. I gave my word. Crusher: Will is going to be all right. His vital signs have stabilized and he's sleeping now. Picard: How is Odan? Crusher: I've placed him in stasis. He's fine for the moment. Picard: You need some rest, Doctor. Crusher: No. If Odan is to survive, he needs to be implanted in the new host as soon as he arrives. I'll wait here. Picard: It'll be some time. Crusher: I know. Worf: Doctor. Crusher: Is the Trill host here? Worf: Yes. Crusher: Good. Bring him in. Worf: Doctor? Kareel: I am Kareel. I am to become host to Odan. Crusher: The operation to implant Odan into the new host was completed at nineteen hundred hours and appears to have been successful. There were no difficulties in assimilation. Kareel: Doctor Beverly, could we talk for a moment? Crusher: You should be sleeping. You need to rest. Kareel: I've never felt better, except once or twice. My poor Beverly. This has been so hard for you. I want to thank you for your caring, for your standing by me. Crusher: I congratulate you. You averted a war that would have cost many lives. Kareel: Yes. It seems as though everything has turned out for the best. And yes, I am still Odan, and I still love you. I cannot imagine that ever changing. Crusher: I am glad that you're all right. Kareel: Is there to be nothing more? Crusher: Perhaps it is a human failing, but we are not accustomed to these kinds of changes. I can't keep up. How long will you have this host? What would the next one be? I can't live with that kind of uncertainty. Perhaps, someday, our ability to love won't be so limited. Kareel: I understand. Crusher: Odan, I do love you. Please remember that. Kareel: I will never forget you.

Scene: Personal log, Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge, stardate 44885.5. I am en route to the planet Risa to attend an artificial intelligence seminar. Captain Picard has ordered me to arrive a few days early to have some fun and relax. I intend to follow his orders to the very best of my ability. Laforge: How about some different music, Computer. Something with a Latin beat. No, I meant something with a gentle Latin beat. Maybe a Spanish guitar. Perfect. Hey, what's the weather like on Risa? Computer: Risa is climate-controlled for optimum tourist comfort, Laforge: Is that right? How long before we get there? Computer: Arrival at Risa is scheduled for oh nine thirty two hours. Laforge: Three hours. How about a game, computer? Computer: Please restate request. Laforge: Something to pass the time, you know, a diversion. Computer: Select either visual interactive or verbal interactive. Laforge: Verbal. Computer: You have twenty seconds to respond to each question. Level of difficulty will increase as you progress. Proceed when ready. Laforge: Begin. Computer: List the resonances of the subquantum states associated with transitional relativity. Laforge: That's easy. Computer: In alphabetical order. Laforge: Er, well, asymmetrical, inverted, phased, stable. Computer: Your time has expired. Computer: The fifth resonance is LAFORGE + Computer: Universal Laforge: I knew that. Okay, give me another one. Computer: List the field patterns associated with warp modulation in order of decreasing energy. Laforge: Oh, there's the aft nacelle associative, the forward Whoa! Computer, sequence zero one zero. Maximum power to the shields. Kill the music. Enterprise, this is shuttle seven. I've encountered a Romulan Warbird. Coordinates at three Computer: Warning. Shield failure. Laforge: Damn. Risa Control. Anybody. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44891.6. The Enterprise has been ordered to accompany a special emissary from the Klingon High Council to the Kriosian System, where one of their colonies is fighting for independence. Kell: There was a time when the Empire would crush a rebellion. Now it is tolerated. We have enough problems on the home planet. We don't wish to divert resources to such a trivial war. Picard: You're prepared to grant them independence? Kell: Perhaps. We'll conquer them again later, if we wish. Picard: May I ask, Ambassador, what has this to do with us? Kell: The Governor of Krios has charged that the Federation is secretly aiding the rebels. Riker: Does he have evidence? Kell: The Council has sent me here to examine that evidence. It was my decision to invite you to accompany me, Captain. Many on the Council have great respect for you. Picard: K'adlo. I have been pleased to offer occasional assistance to the Klingon people in the past. Kell: Your modesty is very human, Captain. I will excuse it. Picard: I can assure you, Ambassador, the Federation would never interfere in the internal affairs of the Empire. Kell: Let us hope not. Such interference would strike at the very basis of our alliance. Riker: Captain, we are in the war zone. Picard: Indeed. Ambassador, I will ask our Chief Security officer, Lieutenant Worf, to make a report Kell: Captain, Worf's discommendation makes that very awkward. If I could work with one of the other security officers Picard: Lieutenant Worf is my Chief of Security and my tactical officer. This matter clearly falls within his jurisdiction. Kell: As you wish. Laforge: Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey, take it easy! Hey. Taibak: Welcome, Mister La Forge. We've waited a long time to meet you. Laforge: I can tell you've gone to a lot of trouble. Taibak: Indeed we have. You are going to be of great help to us. Laforge: I wouldn't count on it. Taibak: Good. Very good. Do not enjoy yourself too much on Risa. Laforge: Hey! Taibak: Your visor will be returned to you, but first I want to show you something. Laforge: Show me something? That'll be an interesting trick seeing as how I can't see anything without the visor. Taibak: That is not quite true. Allow me to demonstrate. I now have direct access to his visual cortex. He has no choice but to see what I wish him to see. I can feed him any image I choose. He will be unable to ignore it. His galvanic skin response has increased nine percent. It seems Commander La Forge, like many humans, has a low tolerance for watching others suffer. Laforge: Why are you doing this? Taibak: I am sorry, Commander. It is a necessary step. I apologize for your discomfort. Taibak: Here. Observe how a spring day on his native Earth affects him. He's looking at a beautiful meadow, green trees, birds, a blue sky. The heartbeat slows, the galvanic skin response drops. The body responds to our stimuli. He is incapable of maintaining control of his own responses. Watch as I change the stimuli again. Once our work is done, La Forge will act normally, totally unaware of his conditioning. The perfect tool for our purpose. Woman: Will there be any physical evidence of what you are doing to him? Taibak: None, Commander. That is why we chose La Forge. The utilization of his pre-existing neural implants makes our work impossible to detect. Woman: How will we be certain the procedure has been successful? Taibak: I will program him to perform a series of specific tests, both before he leaves us and after he returns to the Enterprise. We'll be able to verify his effectiveness. Notice that his heart rate has slowed somewhat. He is becoming accustomed to the horrors he is witnessing. So, we change horrors. Kell: There have been two rebel attacks on neutral freighters. One a Ferengi, the other Cardassian. Worf: Both were engaged near the Ikalian asteroid belt. That's where the rebels must be hiding. Kell: The actinides in the asteroids provide positive protection against our sensors. Worf: They might attack a freighter, but I doubt they would challenge a Federation starship. Kell: Especially with the Federation furnishing them support. Worf: You would test the Captain's word with me, Kell? Is it because I have no honor in your eyes that you expect me to be disloyal? Kell: Wrong of me to ask. My apologies. Worf: Captain Picard does not lie. If he says there is no Federation assistance to the rebels, there is none. Kell: Good. Because I risked my own reputation and honor coming to Picard. Worf: He will not disappoint you. If that is all. Kell: There are some members of the High Council who would thank you, Worf. Worf: Thank me? Kell: For killing Duras. No doubt that had he lived, one day he would ascended to head the Council. Many were not looking forward to that. Worf: My motives were personal, not political. Kell: Motives? Who cares for motives? Humans perhaps. What matters is you acted that day as a true Klingon. Taibak: Where are we, Mister La Forge? Laforge: This is Ten Forward. Taibak: Who is that man sitting over there? Laforge: That's Chief O'Brien. Taibak: How long has he served with you? Laforge: Almost four years. Taibak: I want you to kill him. Laforge: Okay. Taibak: Take this phaser and kill Chief O'Brien. O'Brien: Finally I think I've found it. You see, this piece of conduit carrying the power to transporter seven, and I know that can't be right, so I take a closer look and sure enough Taibak: Freeze simulations. Commander, did you understand my request? Laforge: Well, I, it's just I, I don't Taibak: Look at me. Now, what did I ask you to do? Laforge: Kill Chief O'Brien. Taibak: Then do as I asked. Resume program. Laforge: Chief. O'Brien: I have to Taibak: Good, Mister La Forge. Very good. Why don't you enjoy a drink with your friends? Laforge: Mind if I join you, guys? Crewman: Sure. Taibak: He still hesitated. Prepare the equipment for another session. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44896.9. We are orbiting Krios, awaiting our first meeting with the Klingon Governor. Commander La Forge has rejoined the Enterprise from Risa. Data: Welcome back, Geordi. Laforge: Data! Data: How was the seminar? Laforge: Very informative. I'll tell you all about it. Data: It is fortunate we were able to coordinate your return on the Teldarian cruiser. Laforge: Yeah, when I heard the Enterprise had been ordered to the Krios system, I thought I might be forced to endure another couple of weeks on Risa. Data: I am sorry to hear you did not enjoy yourself. Laforge: I was joking. Data: Joking? Ah. Forced to endure Risa. Your actual intent was to emphasize that you did enjoy yourself. Yes, I see how that could be considered quite amusing. Laforge: I missed you, Data. Picard: Commander La Forge. Laforge: Permission to come aboard, sir. Picard: Granted. Welcome back. Laforge: Thank you, sir. Picard: Commander La Forge is my Chief Engineer. Kell: Commander. Picard: He's has been attending a seminar on artificial intelligence on Risa. Riker: I'm glad we got you back, Geordi. We're going to need your help on this. Laforge: Data tells me that the Federation has been accused of aiding Kriosian rebels. Picard: We're to be presented with evidence today. We'll need your help in analyzing it. Laforge: Anything I can do. Troi: You had a good time. Laforge: Does it show? Troi: You're more relaxd than I've ever seen you. Worf: Captain, Governor Vagh has signaled he is ready to meet with you. Picard: Very well. Advise him that we will transport sown to the surface immediately. Ambassador. Data: Commander Riker. Riker: What is it, Data? Data: Our sensors have detected a brief energy fluctuation in the E-band. Riker: E-band? That's unusual. What's the source? Data: Unknown, sir. E-band emissions are difficult to localize. Riker: Collapsing protostars sometimes emit E-band bursts. Data: Yes, sir. However, there are no protostars in this sector. Riker: You'd better run a complete scan. Keep me posted. Data: Yes, sir. Laforge: The Carnelians have actually done the most work on artificial intelligence, so I spent a lot of time in their research seminars. Troi: Geordi, I get the feeling that something special happened on this vacation, and I'm not talking about computers. Laforge: Well, I did take second place in a chess tournament. Troi: Yes. Laforge: And I swam a lot. I worked on my back stroke. The water is very calm on Risa. Troi: And? Laforge: And I walked a lot. That's all. Well, I ate enough for twelve people. The food there is terrific. They've got a chocolate there, Counselor, you would love. Troi: And that's all? Laforge: Yeah. Well, there was this Troi: Yes? Laforge: Her name is Jonek. But you wouldn't want to hear about that. Better get ready for duty. Nice talking to you, Counselor. Vagh: We talk, we socialize, we waste time and the insurrection continues to grow. These rebels need to be crushed not coddled. Kell: Governor, it does not matter what you or I think. The High Council's made its wishes clear. Vagh: The Council should be more interested in Federation interference. Picard: Governor, exactly what do you think the Federation has done? Vagh: Your medical supplies have been found in rebel strongholds. Riker: We make no effort to restrict access to our medical supplies. Vagh: Are your weapons also freely available? Picard: No, they are not. Vagh: Then explain this. Picard: You took this weapon from the rebels? Vagh: That and many more like it. Riker: It does appear to be Federation issue. Picard: Governor, with your permission, I would like to take this weapon back to the Enterprise to verify its origin. Vagh: As you wish. I have hundreds more. Picard: Even if these weapons are genuine, I can assure you that a third party must have been involved. The Federation is not in the business of supplying arms to rebels. Vagh: This is the only Klingon colony on the border of Federation space. You cannot deny that Starfleet would be happy to see Krios gain its independence. It would reduce your vulnerability to an attack. Picard: Governor, you speak as if we are enemies, not allies. Vagh: And you speak the lies of a taar'chek. Picard: Qu'vath guy'cha b'aka. Kell: Gentlemen. Vagh: You swear well, Picard. You must have Klingon blood in your veins. Kell: Governor, I will report to you as soon as the analysis of that weapon is complete. Captain, Commander. Picard: Enterprise, three to transport. Laforge: Intercooler flux down to five percent. Plasma deviation steady at point seven two. Crewman: Aye, sir. Laforge: Well, if you guys keep running at this efficiency, I might as well go back to Risa for another week. Just run through a level four series, and then call it a night, huh? I'd help you, but there's something I've got to take care of. Laforge: Red Torian, please. Thank you. Laforge: Oh! I'm sorry. O'Brien: It's all right. Laforge: My glass, it just slipped. O'Brien: It's nothing, just a little cold. Laforge: Yeah, but you're all soaked here. O'Brien: It's nothing serious. Laforge: Let me get you something to wipe that off with. O'Brien: I'll just go to my quarters and change. Laforge: You sure? O'Brien: Don't think twice about it, Commander. Data: Energy flow is within normal parameters, from the pre-fire chamber to the emission aperture. Laforge: Rapid nadion pulse, right on target. Beam control assembly, safety interlock, both checked out. Beam width intensity controls also responding correctly. Data: Energy cell usage remains constant at one point oh five megajoules per second. Curious. The efficiency reading on the discharge crystal is well above Starfleet specifications. Laforge: Yeah, by quite a bit. Ninety four point one percent efficiency. Data: Our most efficient discharge crystal typically fires with eighty six point five percent efficiency. Laforge: Let's take a closer look at the wave pattern on the emission beam. That might tell us why it's losing so little energy. Data: Pulse frequency out of pre-fire chamber reads steady. Laforge: There. That's not right. The initial output spike is inverted. Data: That might suggest that the weapon has been charged with a forced pulse, well into the terahertz range. Laforge: Then it's definitely not Starfleet issue and there can't be that many systems that use the terahertz feeds. Data: Three hundred twenty seven, to our knowledge. We can probably achieve an exact match with a random computer search. It will take approximately three hours. Laforge: I think we could narrow this down with a little common sense, Data. Who has the most to gain from a conflict between the Klingon Empire and the Federation? Laforge: The Romulans. They fashioned a perfect Federation rifle but they had to charge it from their energy sources. So the discharge crystal and the emission beam pattern correspond to those you'd find in a Romulan disrupter. Vagh: The Romulans have no interest in Kriosian independence. The planet is too far from their borders. Picard: But they do have an interest in driving the Federation and the Empire apart. Our alliance is the only thing that has kept them in check. Vagh: Romulan replications using stolen Federation technology? Kell: It's a typical Romulan ploy. An attempt to sow dissension and mistrust. Commander, you've done well. I would thank you on behalf of the Empire. Vagh: I still have my doubts, Picard. I will want my own technicians to confirm your findings. Picard: Of course. My staff will give you their full cooperation. Vagh: You may go. Riker: Another E-band blip? Data: Yes, sir. However, the difference in intensity indicates that this one did not originate from the same location as the first. Riker: If it's changed intensity, it can't possibly be a protostar. Data: That is a reasonable assumption. Riker: Is there any known instance of Romulans using E-band communications? Data: Not to my knowledge, sir. Riker: Can you track the source? Data: We can reconfigure the primary sensor array. If we narrow their focus to scan for E-band emissions, we might be able to calculate a directional vector. But only if there are more occurrences. Riker: Do it. Laforge: Computer re-route the power flow in the cargo bay four transporter to the auxiliary replicator system. Computer: Please verify command with necessary protocol. Laforge: Initiate protocol three six four dash B. Computer: Verify priority clearance. Laforge: Recognize La Forge, theta two nine nine seven. Computer: Acknowledged. Power has been re-routed through auxiliary power distribution system code number four four seven six two. Laforge: Now, redirect transporter mode to the planetary sensor array. Computer: Transporter mode has been redirected. Laforge: Verify that all record of these modifications are being erased from each directory. Computer: Affirmative. Erasure process is proceeding. Worf: Sir, we are being hailed by Governor Vagh. Picard: On screen, Mister Worf. Governor. Vagh: You astonish me, Picard. Did you seriously believe you would succeed? Do you think we are blind? Picard: I don't understand. Vagh: We intercepted the weapons you tried to transport to the surface. Picard: Governor, I assure you Vagh: Do not insult us both by denying it. Maintain your position until further notice. Do not attempt to leave orbit. Worf: Klingon attack cruiser uncloaking, sir. Picard: On screen. Worf: Two birds of prey approaching. Data: Sensors confirm an unauthorized transporter beam at eleven twenty three hours. Picard: Do you know which transporter was used? Laforge: I'm not sure, Captain. Whoever did it apparently used the planetary array to bypass the transport sensors. Riker: What about the transporter logs? Laforge: They're blank. Riker: How many people on board are capable of doing this, Geordi? Laforge: I'm not even sure how it was done yet. As soon as I find out, maybe I can give you an answer. Not many, that's for sure. Kell: Vagh is fully prepared to fire upon the Enterprise. I have convinced him it would not be wise to take any action without first consulting the High Council. Riker: How long do we have? Kell: A few hours at most. Picard: Mister La Forge, your recommendations? Laforge: It might be possible to locate the point of origin by tracing power flows at the time of transport. Picard: Make it so. Data: The primary plasma system does not indicate a power drain from any of the transporters. Laforge: Then whoever used the transporter must have bypassed the primary feeds. Data: Tracking power from secondary systems. No surges to any of the transporters indicated. Laforge: Damn, who could have pulled this off? Try the life-support power flows. Data: No abnormal surges indicated. Laforge: Replicator waveguides? There. That's not a replicator energy pattern. Trace it. Data: Cargo bay four. Laforge: La Forge to Worf. Security to cargo bay four. O'Brien: I've run a level one diagnostic. As far as I can tell, the unit hasn't been tampered with. Laforge: This has to be the transfer point. Data: Perhaps the perpetrator reprogrammed the memory chips to erase any record. O'Brien: You're talking about thirty or forty chips in half a dozen different control systems. Worf: Which members of the crew could have accomplished that? Laforge: I think I could have done it, if I put my mind to it. The Chief, Data, Lieutenant Costa, that's about it. Worf: Procedure requires that I ask each of you where you were at eleven twenty three hours. O'Brien: I was with Keiko, in the Arboretum. Data: I was on the Bridge at my station. Laforge: I was in my quarters. Worf: Was anyone with you? Laforge: No, I was alone. Costa was on duty in Engineering. I'm sure he's got twenty witnesses. Worf: Then there is someone on board who isn't what he or she seems to be. Laforge: Data, let's do a detailed scan on every chip in this assembly. There's got to be some kind of trail we can follow. Picard: The isolinear chips were definitely altered? Laforge: Programmed to erase all operator commands once the transfer was complete. Kell: But with the chips erased, what evidence remained? Data: The erasures were complete. However, an analysis of the subatomic structure revealed an almost undetectable residual pattern. In time, we may be able to reconstruct the perpetrator's authorisation code. Kell: Do you have any idea who's responsible? Laforge: No, sir. Everyone with the necessary skills also has an alibi, except for me, that is. I was alone in my quarters at the time. Kell: Then whoever did this must have been specially trained for the task. Picard: Our forensic team is trying to identify anyone who might have been in cargo bay four today. Laforge: It's not going to be easy. There were a lot of people in and out of there. Riker: Riker to Data. Data: Yes, Commander. Riker: Sensors have picked up another E-band emission. Data: Acknowledged, I will be there shortly. Kell: E-band emission? Data: We have been picking up a curious intermittent blip. Commander Riker has speculated that it may be a Romulan transmission. I am attempting to track its source. Picard: Proceed. Thank you, Mister La Forge. Kell: We do not have much time, Picard. Vagh is not known for his patience. Picard: Assure him that we are doing everything possible. And, advise him that if necessary I will defend my ship. Kell: With your permission, I will transport down to the planet. Picard: Of course. Kell: May I suggest that you issue an invitation to Vagh, to personally witness your continuing investigation. Picard: Do you think he will come? Kell: I will do everything in my power to see that he does. Qapla', Picard. Picard: Qapla', Ambassador. Kell: Come in, Mister La Forge. Kell: The investigation is moving faster than we expected. You are in danger of being exposed. I will transport to the surface. When I return, I'll have Governor Vagh with me. Your Captain and I will bring him to the cargo bay. I want you to kill him there, in front of many witnesses. Use a hand phaser. When he is dead, you will claim that you acted on behalf of Starfleet, in support of Kriosian independence. Laforge: I understand. Laforge: La Forge to O'Brien. O'Brien? O'Brien: Go ahead, Commander, what can I do for you? Laforge: Nothing. Chief, I'm sorry to disturb you. I'm sorry. Laforge: Hiya, Doc. Crusher: Geordi, hi. What can I do for you? Laforge: Well, I just can't seem to get any sleep. I was hoping you could give me something. Crusher: Sit down. Let's take a look. You couldn't sleep at all? Laforge: I was restless. I kept waking up. Crusher: Would you take off your visor, please? Laforge: Sure. Crusher: Is there something on your mind? Laforge: No, I don't think so. Crusher: Well, everybody goes through these occasional bouts of insomnia. There's probably nothing to worry about. Let's just make sure there's nothing physically wrong. There's a minor vascular irregularity in the visual cortex. A slight dilation of the blood vessels. It's nothing serious. What about your visor? Has it been giving you any problems lately? Laforge: Nothing out of the ordinary. Crusher: All the same, it might be a good idea to have it examined when we get to Starbase thirty six next month. Laforge: Okay. Crusher: In the meantime, I will get you a somnetic inducer to put by your bed. It'll help you to sleep. Laforge: Thanks, Doc. I'm sure I'll be fine. Picard: Energize. Picard: Governor Vagh, thank you for coming. Vagh: You can thank Ambassador Kell. I am here against my better judgment. Kell: Captain, I think the first thing the Governor should see is the investigation underway in the cargo bay. Picard: Of course. Riker: From inside the Enterprise? You're sure? Data: The first and third E-band blips were clearly generated on board the ship. The second came from the planet surface. Riker: Generated by what? Data: Unknown, sir. Riker: Mister Data, we have a known spy on board and now we have unexplained signals on board. I think it's reasonable to assume that they're related somehow, wouldn't you? Data: One could speculate that the E-band is being used for some form of covert communication. Riker: We need more than speculation, Mister Data. We need to know who, what, where, when and why, or we may be going to war. Data: Yes, sir. Computer, run an analysis of all known Romulan transmission formats, all bands, Identify any commonalities with displayed waveform. Computer: No commonalities noted. Data: Does this waveform match that of any known communication format? Computer: Negative. Data: Broaden search pattern beyond communications. Does the waveform displayed conform to any natural phenomena, cryptographic formats or lifeform EM emissions? Computer: The signal corresponds to a delta compressed wavelength spectrum similar to human neural frequencies. Data: As in a human brainwave pattern? Computer: Affirmative. Data: What kind of receiver would be capable of processing these signals? Computer: A system designed to modify the electromagnetic spectrum and carry those messages directly to the human brain. Data: Computer, link with the shuttle's onboard system. Access the isolinear storage assembly. Scan all chips which contain mission logs. Note any diskrepancies. Computer: No diskrepancies noted. Data: Perform a level 5 diagnostic on the shuttle's power and navigational systems. Computer: The components specified are all within normal tolerances. O'Brien: My technicians have examined all of the ship's transporters, sir. I can assure you, this is the only unit that has been tampered with. Data: Computer, scan the shuttle's structural integrity. Computer: Sub-microscopic deformations are present in the nose section and aft thrusters. Data: Probable cause of these variations? Computer: The shuttle has been subjected to stress consistent with a tractor beam. Picard: All our transporter containers have a slight impurity in the structural alloys which allows us to trace our material. O'Brien: Commander La Forge? Laforge: What can I do for you, Chief? O'Brien: Could you take a look at the pattern buffers? Considering what's happened, I'm not sure the control systems are reliable. Laforge: Sure. Sure, let's take a look. Data: Computer, I am reading anomalous variations in the molecular structure of these memory chips. Please confirm. Computer: Analysis confirmed. Data: Probable cause? Computer: Replication. Data: Compare these variations with established Romulan replication patterns. Computer: The patterns are identical. Laforge: Maybe we should run a level one diagnostic on those phase transition coils. O'Brien: Right, Commander. Data: Data to La Forge. Data: Report, please. Geordi. Data: Please respond. Data: Computer, current location of Commander La Forge? Computer: Cargo bay four. Data: Data to Lieutenant Worf. Data: Priority One. Worf: Go ahead. Data: Take Commander La Forge into custody immediately. Worf: Sir? Data: That is an order. Picard: DNA samples by tracing biochemical signatures, we'll be able to determine who has been in this bay recently. Vagh: But how will it be possible to prove which one was responsible? Vagh: Q'ac ken ta'vak! Worf: La Forge! Picard: Mister Worf, get him out of here. Vagh: Arming our enemies is not enough. Now the Federation would murder me to achieve its aims. Picard: Governor, if I could explain this I would. Data: I believe I can help, Captain. I have been able to determine that Commander La Forge was abducted by Romulans en route to Risa. It is likely that he was somehow forced to take part in the plot to assassinate Governor Vagh. Kell: I saw no evidence of Romulans. We just witnessed him acting very much alone. Data: No, sir, you did not. I do not believe the Commander is acting of his own accord. He has been receiving E-band signals through his visor. Signals which are carrying direct commands to his brain. I have surmised that Commander La Forge was conditioned by Romulans, a process referred to historically, and somewhat inaccurately, as brainwashing. Vagh: But to what end? Why would the Romulans want to kill me? Picard: The Romulans have always wanted to destroy the alliance between the Federation and the Klingons. If Mister La Forge had killed you, Governor, I think you would agree, they might have succeeded. Kell: Who sent these signals? A cloaked Romulan ship? Data: No, sir. That is not possible. The signals had to be transmitted within close proximity to the visor. Picard: Are you suggesting there was a Romulan accomplice in close proximity to La Forge when he was receiving the signals? Data: Yes, sir, I am. Vagh: This Romulan accomplice, who is he? Data: I have narrowed the list of possibilities to two people. The only two people who were with Commander La Forge all three times a transmission was recorded. Captain Picard and Ambassador Kell. One of them may be concealing an E-band transmitter. If they would agree to be searched Kell: I am a Klingon. An emissary of the High Council. I will not be submit to being searched by you or anyone else on this ship. Vagh: I am forced to agree, Captain. We will take the Ambassador with us and search him ourselves. Kell: Captain, I believe it to be in all best interests if I remain on board. I formally request asylum. Picard: I will certainly grant you asylum, when you have been absolved of this crime. Vagh: Gurt'ank te'la. Laforge: But I remember everything! Like, there was this one night at dinner, we had this Andorian waiter, he couldn't get our orders right. It did happen. I remember being on Risa. Troi: I know you do. Just take that memory and put it aside for a moment, and tell me everything you remember about the shuttlecraft trip after you left the Enterprise. Laforge: Well, I was just trying to get in the mood. I played some music, I talked to the computer. You know what it's like on a long trip. Troi: And when you saw the Romulan ship, did you try calling for help? Laforge: No, the first thing I did. Wait a minute, that's. But that's Troi: It'll take time, Geordi. A long time. But we will reconstruct your memory. Together. Laforge: I'm just not sure about anything. Troi: Believe it or not, that's a good sign. A beginning. Now, let's go back to the shuttlecraft. There was a Romulan ship and the first thing you did was?

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44932.3 The Enterprise is preparing to enter the Mar Oscura, an unexplored dark matter nebula. Commander Data is modifying several new photon torpedoes for an experiment designed to elicit more information about this unusual phenomenon. Data: The initial dispersal pattern should not be more than seven kilometers in diameter. Jenna? Jenna: Oh, er, six point eight kilometers. Data: That should suffice. Is there something occupying your thoughts, Jenna? You seem somewhat subdued today. Jenna: I bumped into Jeff again in the turbolift this morning. He asked me to dinner. Data: What was your response? Jenna: I told him I'd think about it. Data: As you requested, I will now remind you of the reasons you decided to end your relationship with Jeff. Jenna: I guess I asked for this. Go ahead. Data: You objected to the fact that he seemed unwilling to set aside sufficient time for you. You said he was unresponsive, that he never did the little things. You disliked the sound he made when he ate his soup. Jenna: Okay, okay. I remember. Data: This is the third time I have refreshed your memory. Do you wish to rescind our agreement? Jenna: No. No, it's for my own good. It's just so easy to forget. Hand me the sequencer. Data: Throughout history, many lovers have suffered the same difficulty. Anne Boleyn was quite distressed that Henry the Eighth preferred the company of his huntsmen over that of his wife. Jenna: Since when did you develop an interest in romantic historical figures? Data: Six weeks ago, when you and Jeff dissolved your relationship, I saw an excellent opportunity to study that aspect of human intimacy. As your friend, it is my responsibility to be supportive in times of need. Jenna: That's very sweet, Data. Data: Data to Bridge. We are ready Data: To begin the first illumination test. Riker: Acknowledged. All science stations, stand by. We're about to light up the nebula. Mister Worf? Worf: Launch bay one shows ready, Commander. Riker: Fire torpedo. Jenna: It's beautiful. Like watching fireworks when I was a little girl. O'Brien: That was wonderful. Keiko: Thank you. Miles: Really wonderful. Data: Is anything wrong? Jenna: My tempo was way off. I felt like I was rushing through the whole piece. Data: I do not believe that is so. Your rhythmic control has improved markedly. I heard no fluctuations during the performance. Jenna: Well, maybe, but I ruined the coda. I got confused with the phrasing again. I kept breathing at the wrong times. Data: The contrapuntal nature of the composition is most demanding. We will give more attention to the rhythmic patterns at our next rehearsal. However, I am quite certain the audience was oblivious to such nuances. They seemed to enjoy the performance thoroughly. Jenna: Thank you, Data. You're very generous. Keiko: Every night, Miles leaves his socks on the floor. When we got married, I made the mistake of picking them up a few times. Then I realized, if I kept it up I'd be doing it the rest of my life. So I stopped, figuring he'd get the point and do it himself. One night goes by, two, a week, ten days. By now there's a pile of socks half a meter high. O'Brien: Come on, it wasn't half a meter. Keiko: After two weeks I couldn't stand it any more. I bundled them up and put them in the cleaning processor. And I'm still doing it. O'Brien: And a very good job she does of it, too. Jenna: Keiko, you sound just like Data. He came over to my quarters the other day to give me a music lesson, and he said the funniest thing. How did you put it, about the mess? Data: I believe I observed that you seem to have an aversion to orderliness. But it was not intended as a humorous remark. Jenna: So, before we started, he gallantly offered to help me straighten up. Data: And a very good job of it I did of it, too. Picard: Report, Mister Data. Data: I am nearly finished compiling readings from our most recent illuminatory burst. Dark matter density is nearly one order of magnitude higher than in similar nebulae. Life forms here may have developed in ways never before observed. Riker: Interesting hypothesis. Are there any M-class planets we could check out? Data: Several, sir. The nearest is approximately three light hours from our present position. Picard: It's worth a look. We'll continue our survey along the way. Crusher: Let's increase the flow rate and see if that helps. Jenna: Sometimes in the summer we'd go on cookouts. Just my little brother and me, and mother. She was hopeless without a replicator. We didn't care. Data: Children often do not develop diskerning palettes until well beyond adolescence. Jenna: It's wasn't that. It's just that we felt so good being together, you know, as a family. We didn't have much of that after my father died. so those times were really special. I wish we were back there now, you and I. Data: The unidirectional nature of the time continuum makes that an unlikely possibility. Jenna: That what I love about you, Data. You make me laugh. I don't know why I keep falling for the wrong man. Why can't I fall for somebody like you. You're perfect. Data: That is not true. I have no human feelings. Jenna: But you give me so much. You spend time with me when I was lonely, you encouraged me when I'm down. No man has ever been kinder to me. Those are the things that matter. I'd better be going. With your permission, Commander. Data: Permission granted. Jenna: I don't know if you're aware of this, but you're very handsome. Jenna: I'll see you tomorrow. Guinan: Hello, Data. Would you like to try something new? It's a concoction I heard about on Prakal Two. I think it's wonderful but I need a second opinion. Data: Eighty seven percent Saurian Brandy. Targ milk and Danisian mead comprise the rest. There is an unusually high concentration of fructose compounds and monosaccharides. Guinan: Too sweet? Data, if I didn't know you better, I would say you were a little preoccupied. Data: Lieutenant D'Sora just gave me what could be considered a very passionate kiss in the torpedo bay. Guinan: Really? And? Data: I was intrigued. Jenna seemed to be displaying genuine affection for me. Guinan: Well, what do you think of her, Data? Data: I find her to be a competent officer. Highly motivated, though somewhat lacking in her understanding of the theory underlying the dilithium matrix application. Guinan: I meant personally? Data: I look forward to the time we spend together. Guinan: Well, then it seems the next move is yours. What are you going to do? Data: I do not know. I have no experience in such matters. I require advice. Guinan: Don't look at me. No, no, Data, I simply mean that I can't give you any advice here. It's not good to advise people about their first love affairs. That's kind of something they have to figure out for themselves. Data: But I am not capable of love. Guinan: Then it's going to be a very unique experience. Laforge: Data. Missing someone? I found Spot wandering through the corridor two sections away. Data: Thank you. Laforge: Forget to secure the door when you left? Data: The door sensor is programmed to recognize only humanoid forms for entry and egress. Spot could not have triggered the mechanism. Laforge: Maybe someone came in while you were away, let him out by accident. Has anything been disturbed? Data: It does not appear so. Computer, has anyone been in my quarters in the last twelve hours other than Commander La Forge and myself? Computer: Negative. Laforge: That's really strange. You know, to be on the safe side maybe I should report a possible unauthorized entry to Security. Data: Geordi, may I ask your advice in a personal matter? Laforge: Sure, Data. Data: Should I pursue a relationship with Lieutenant D'Sora? Laforge: I thought she and Jeff Arton Data: They have discontinued their association. She has made the first move in initiating a relationship with me. What should I do? Laforge: She's just coming out of a bad situation. You know, sometimes it takes people a while, Data, but then, if they jump right into another relationship, you see, that can be trouble, unless, of course, she's really ready, and then I guess it depends on whether or not you're really serious. This can be a little complicated. Listen, my advice is ask somebody else for advice. At least someone who's got more experience at giving advice. Troi: I think you should be careful. This isn't just some experiment you're running, Data. Jenna is a living, breathing person with needs and feelings that have to be considered. Data: Then you do not believe I should pursue this any further. Troi: I didn't say that. I just want you to be aware that this is unlike any other more casual relationship that you've attempted. Data: I have studied much human literature on the subject of love and romantic liaisons. There are many role models for me to emulate. Troi: Ultimately, Jenna will care for you for what you are, not what you imitate out of a book. Data: My programming may be inadequate to the task. Troi: We're all more than the sum of our parts, Data. You'll have to be more than the sum of your programming. Worf: Klingons do not pursue relationships. They conquer that which they desire. However, Lieutenant D'Sora serves under my command. If she were mistreated, I would be very displeased, sir. Data: I understand. Riker: I think you should pursue it. First of all, she's a beautiful woman. She seems to be crazy about you. Data: Jenna has clearly demonstrated how she feels about me, but I am not capable of returning those feelings. Riker: Data, when you get involved with another person, there are always risks of disappointment, of getting hurt. Data: I cannot be hurt. But she can. Riker: Jenna knows that and she has obviously decided to take the chance. Data, when it really works between two people, it's not like anything you've ever experienced. The rewards are far beyond simple friendship. Data: How far, sir? Riker: That's what I'm hoping you're going to find out. Data: Thank you, Commander. Data: Captain, I am seeking advice in how Picard: Yes, I've heard, Data, and I would be delighted to offer any advice I can on understanding women. When as I have some, I'll let you know. Second Officer's personal log, stardate 44935.6. After conferring with my colleagues regarding the nature of romantic love in general, and my own situation in particular, I have reached a decision. Jenna: They're lovely. Come in. What are they? Data: A variety of crystilia. Their fragrance is an evolutionary response to the acrid nature of the atmosphere on Telemarius Four. Jenna: You silver-tongued devil. Why don't I find a place to put these. Which won't be that easy. Ah. Data: It seems your quarters have reverted to their earlier state of disorder. Jenna: I know. I'm hopeless. There. They're beautiful, Data. It's really sweet of you. Data: Commander Riker suggested this particular flower. He said it had worked for him in the past. Jenna: You didn't talk to the entire ship about us. Data: No. In actuality, less than one percent of the Enterprise crew was involved. It was necessary to balance theory with experiential referents. Both are required for a program of this nature. Computer, decrease illumination level by one third standard lux. Jenna: This is all part of a program? Data: Yes. One which I have just created for romantic relationships. Jenna: So I'm just a small variable in one of your new computational environments? Data: You are much more than that, Jenna. I have written a subroutine specifically for you. A program within the program. I have devoted a considerable share of my internal resources to its development. Jenna: Data, that's the nicest thing anybody's ever said to me. Picard: Estimated time of arrival, Mister Data? Data: We will reach the class M planet in approximately eleven hours, sir. Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One. Picard: Picard to Lieutenant Worf. Worf: Yes, Captain. Picard: Would you step into my Ready room, please. And bring a tricorder with you. Worf: Aye, Captain. Worf: Captain? Picard: What do you make of this? Worf: I am puzzled, sir. Picard: So am I, Mister Worf. Worf: Captain, the only detectable bioelectric residuals are your own. You did not Picard: No. I did not. Perhaps we have a poltergeist. Worf: Sir? Picard: A mischievous spirit. Worf: Sir. Picard: Perhaps not. Worf: I cannot explain how an intruder entered this room, but I recommend we go to Red Alert. Picard: Not yet. Worf: Then I will order one of my officers to stand watch. Worf to Ensign Picard: That's alright, Mister Worf. I think, for now, circumstances warrant caution, nothing more. Worf: As you wish, Captain. Data: Enter. Jenna: I know it's a little unexpected. Data: You are correct. I did not anticipate your arrival until nineteen hundred hours. Jenna: I couldn't wait. I wanted you to have this. Data: You have often expressed dissatisfaction with the spartan nature of my quarters. Is this an attempt at embellishment? Jenna: The cat's out of the bag. Data: Spot? Jenna: No, I mean you've caught me in the act. I'm just trying to brighten things up around here. It's Tyrinean. What do you think? Data: Its line is both fluid and formal, yet retains an unpremeditated quality. The tactility of its surface embellishment is evocative of the neo-primitive period in Tyrinean blade carving. Jenna: I hadn't thought of it that way. I'm sorry. Don't let me interrupt. Data: As you wish. Jenna: Data? Data: Yes? Jenna: The Book of Love, chapter four, paragraph seventeen: When your girlfriend arrives with a gift, stop whatever it is you're doing, and give her your undivided attention. Data: I should not have resumed my painting? Jenna: No. Data: Despite your suggestion that I continue? Jenna: Exactly. Data: I have much to learn. Jenna: Why don't we start with this. A critical analysis isn't necessarily the best response to a gift. Data: Perhaps if I looked for a suitable place to display it? Jenna: Much better. Data: The ambient light in this location accentuates its contours. However, a gift should not necessarily be placed according to esthetic criteria. A more central location will carry added meaning. Jenna: Data, what's important is that you're trying. You don't know how much that means to me. Why don't you go back to your painting? Oh, I really mean it this time. I'll see you tonight. Riker: Riker to Captain Picard. I think you'd better come out here, sir. Picard: Acknowledged. Riker: We've reached the designated coordinates, but the M-class planet, it's gone. Picard: Are you sure there was no malfunction in the sensors? Data: The lateral EM scanners register radiation levels indicative of a class-M planet. Sir. Picard: Mister Data, run a full systems diagnostic. Computer: Warning. Atmospheric decompression in Bridge Observation Lounge. Environmental compensation sequence has been initiated. Worf: I am not registering a hull breach. Picard: Scan for lifeforms. Worf: None, sir. Data: Captain. Standard air pressure has been reestablished in the Observation lounge. Picard: Let's have a look. Mister Data? Worf: Captain. Worf: I do not understand. Riker: Are you picking anything up, Data? Data: I detect no unusual readings along standard parameters. Curious. The transparent aluminum alloy of this window is exhibiting a pattern of transient electrical currents. Picard: Explanation? Data: I have none. The rate is characteristic of a subspace distortion, but I am picking up no evidence of a subspace field. Picard: We'll hold position while we seek an explanation for these anomalies. Let's divert all our resources to that end. Data: Honey? I'm home. Jenna: Hi. Data: Hi. Jenna: Any luck with your diagnostic? Data: Negative. We found no malfunctions. Jenna: We did a full security sweep. Nothing. Data: May I get you a drink, dear? Jenna: Well, yes. I'll have a Calaman Sherry. Data: Excellent choice. I'll join you. Computer, two Calaman sherries. Would you care for some dinner as well? Jenna: I'm too tired to think about what I want. Maybe later. Data: Whatever you wish, dear. There we are. Data: Darling, you remain as esthetically pleasing as the first day we met. I believe I am the most fortunate sentient in this sector of the galaxy. Now, you relax. Put your feet up and I will take care of everything. Data: I could organize your closets for you. I have found that by grouping apparel first by function, and then by color from light to dark, one can more easily find one's desired choice. Jenna: Data, that's all right. You don't have to do that. Data: But I am happy to do it. Jenna: Please, just put them down. Data: What do you wish me to do, dear? Am I not paying enough attention to you? Jenna: Oh, no, that's not it. Data: Perhaps I am not giving you enough compliments? Your hair is looking particularly silky tonight. Jenna: Data, there's just something strange about the way you're acting. Data: Am I not behaving as a solicitous mate? Jenna: Well, yes, but. Data: Tending to your every need? Jenna: What's wrong with you tonight? Data: My most recent self-diagnostic revealed no malfunctions. Perhaps there is something wrong with you. Jenna: I've never seen you behave so foolishly. Why are you doing this? Data: You don't tell me how to behave. You're not my mother. Jenna: What? Data: You are not my mother. That is the appropriate response for your statement that I am behaving foolishly. Jenna: Data, I think you should just leave. Data: You do not wish to continue our lovers quarrel? Jenna: Is that what this is? Data: In my study of interpersonal dynamics, I have found that conflict followed by emotional release often strengthens the connection between two people. Jenna: But there's something so forced and artificial about the way you're doing it, Data. It's just not the real you. Data: With regard to romantic relationships, there is no real me. I am drawing upon various cultural and literary sources to help define my role. Jenna: Kiss me. Jenna: What were you just thinking? Data: In that particular moment, I was reconfiguring the warp field parameters, analyzing the collected works of Charles Dickens, calculating the maximum pressure I could safely apply to your lips, considering a new food supplement for Spot. Jenna: I'm glad I was in there somewhere. Riker: A complete sensor scan of the planet and three survey probes turned up no surprises. No signs of life, nothing out of the ordinary. Worf: Seven more unusual incidents have been reported. No casualties or damage. Data: We can only state that a subspace effect seems to exist within this nebula. After I have made further analysis, I may be able to adjust the ship's sensors to locate and identify the anomaly. Riker: The ship is at risk as long as we're sitting here. We could continue the investigation outside the nebula. Picard: Agreed. Ensign McKnight, plot the most direct course, ahead warp one. Mcknight: Aye, air. Picard: Engage. Data: Captain. Worf: Captain! Explosive decompression on deck thirty seven. Riker: Bridge to La Forge. Damage report. Laforge: We're showing damage between decks. We haven't localized it yet. Laforge: Thorne, are you all right? Thorne: Yes, sir. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. A cryogenic control conduit just blew out on us. Laforge: I almost lost a man. Picard: Ensign, full stop. Mcknight: Aye, sir. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge Picard: Go ahead, Commander. Laforge: I think we have some structural damage between decks thirty six and thirty seven. I'd better go check it out. Laforge: Van Mayter, you take access tube twenty three M and look at the bridge connectors. Thorne, I'll cover the aft section. You go down Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. This series of unexplained events has now resulted in the death of a crewmember, but it appears that Mister Data may have an explanation. Data: During the last occurrence, I was able to confirm one of my hypotheses. The unusual preponderance of dark matter in this nebula is causing small gaps in the fabric of normal space. As the Enterprise moves through this nebula, it is colliding with these deformations. Laforge: So every time we hit one, part of the ship momentarily phases out of normal space. Data: Or when one of them hits us. My readings suggest that the deformations themselves are in motion. Riker: It's a good thing one of these pockets didn't pass through a photon torpedo casing or the matter-antimatter containment pods. Picard: The question is, how do we get out? Mister Data, could you reconfigure the sensors to detect these anomalies? Data: Yes, sir, but only at extremely close range. Even at minimal speed, it would be almost impossible to maneuver the Enterprise quickly enough to avoid them. Worf: A shuttlecraft is more maneuverable. Riker: He's right. If we could position the shuttlecraft far enough in front of the Enterprise, it could detect the pockets and allow us enough time to maneuver out of the way. Laforge: We could give the shuttle control of our navigational systems. That way, the corresponding maneuvers would be virtually instantaneous. Picard: Make it so. Riker: I'll do my pre-flight once I'm on board. Picard: Not this time, Will. I want you on the Bridge. Riker: Sir? Picard: I'm going to pilot the shuttle. Riker: Captain, it's my duty as First Officer to safeguard the lives on this ship, including yours. The Enterprise can't afford to lose you, sir. Certainly not in this situation. Picard: I believe our best chance of escaping this situation is for me to pilot the shuttle. It's my ship, Will. I've got to do this. Riker: Sir. Picard: Shuttle three to Enterprise. Telemetry link enabled. Data: Ship's computer is accepting navigational inputs from the shuttle. Picard: Forward sensors are online. Ensign McKnight, plot a course for the shortest distance out of the nebula. Mcknight: Plot laid in, sir. Mcknight: Outer perimeter at thirty two million kilometers. Picard: Point one impulse, Number One. Riker: Acknowledged, Captain. We're right behind you. Riker to O'Brien, lock on to the Captain's communicator. Riker: I want to be able to pull him out of there in case we have to. O'Brien: Aye, sir. Picard: Changing course new heading two nine nine mark zero two nine. Data: Main coupling is matching navigational inputs, Captain. Mcknight: New heading confirmed. Picard: I missed it by less than a thousand meters, Enterprise. Advise your status. Worf: Sensors indicate deformation passing five hundred meters off the starboard bow. Riker: One down, Captain Picard: Resuming previous course. Mcknight: Confirmed. Outer perimeter now at thirty point one million kilometers. Picard: Changing course. Heading zero seven three, mark two eight eight. Picard: New heading. two eight four mark zero one three. Picard: Enterprise, I'm losing maneuverability. Laforge: Sensors indicate Laforge: Damage to the shuttle's starboard impulse nacelle, Captain. Picard: I'm re-routing the secondary deuterium supply. Switching to manual control. Data: Transceiver signal is down forty two percent. Navigational inputs are not registering. Riker: We've lost our link, Captain. Picard: You'll have to make course changes manually until we re-establish the connection. Riker: Understood. Mister Data, get us back online. Geordi, try boosting the power to the LU bands. McKnight, increase the distance between the Enterprise and the shuttle. We're going to need some more room to make manual adjustments. Picard: New heading two nine nine mark one eight. Mcknight: Yes, sir, I've got it. Course corrected. Picard: Enterprise, hard starboard! Mcknight: Aye, sir. Worf: Deformation impact on deck fifteen, science section. Riker: Damage? Worf: Reports coming in. Minimal damage. Picard: Mister La Forge, I am still having difficulty controlling the shuttlecraft. Laforge: Aye, sir. Laforge: Your krellide storage cells are losing their charge. Maintaining manual control is going to become increasingly difficult. Picard: Estimated distance to the nebula's perimeter? Data: Four point seven million kilometers, sir. Picard: Is there a way to transfer the microfusion thrusters so I can get a power boost? Data: Possibly. If you augment the thruster sequencing so that the inertial dampening fields Picard: Bearing two seven, make that two eight five, mark two five five! Data: Commander, the shuttle is out of control. Riker: Mister O'Brien do you have the Captain's signal? O'Brien: I'm having trouble locking on, sir. Data: Sir, the shuttle's inertial dampeners have failed. It is breaking up. Riker: Let's get him out of there. Picard: Now would be a good time, Mister O'Brien. Riker: Did we get him back? O'Brien: Aye, sir, we got him. Picard: I'm a little dizzy, Number One, but none the worse. I'm on my way. Riker: Acknowledged, sir. Data: Commander, we are nearing the perimeter. One million kilometers away. Riker: All right, let's make a run for it. Mcknight: Aye, sir. Riker: We're clear of the nebula, sir. Picard: Ensign, plot a course for Starbase two sixty, warp two. Mcknight: Aye, sir. Picard: Engage. Data: Enter. Jenna: Hi. Data: Hi. Jenna: The place looks great. Data: Thank you. It is much less Spartan, is it not? Jenna: Much less. It looks great, it really does. It looks great. Data: Jenna, you are repeating yourself. I have often found this to be indicative of mental distraction. Is that a correct assumption in this instance? Jenna: I'm afraid it is. Data: Then perhaps we should begin our meal. Among humans, a low serum glucose level is often responsible for Jenna: Data, I think we should talk. Could you sit down? I'm not sure how to begin. Data: What is the subject? Jenna: You and I. Our relationship. Data: Yes? Jenna: Data, sometimes people blindly make the same mistake again and again. Data: Are you currently experiencing this phenomenon? Jenna: I didn't see it until today. I got out of a relationship with an unemotional man, and I got right back into another, with a man who is absolutely incapable of emotion. Data: There does appear to be a recurring motif. Jenna: You were so kind and attentive. I thought that would be enough. Data: It is not? Jenna: No, it's not. Because as close as we are, I don't really matter to you. Not really. Nothing I can say or do will ever make you happy or sad, or touch you in any way. Data: That is a valid projection. It is apparent that my reach has exceeded my grasp in this particular area. I am perhaps not nearly so human as I aspire to become. If you are ready to eat, I will bring our meal. Jenna: No, that's alright, Data. I'd better go now. Data: As you wish. Jenna. Are we no longer a couple? Jenna: No, we're not. Data: Then I will delete the appropriate program. Jenna: I'll see you later. Data: Hello, Spot.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44995.3. We're en route to the Klingon home world, where I will participate in the installlation ceremony of Gowron, the next designated Leader of the High Council. This visit should also provide an opportunity for one of my officers to correct a grave injustice. Worf: Enter. Picard: Am I intruding? Worf: No, sir. My apologies, Captain. I can be back in uniform Picard: No, that won't be necessary, Mister Worf. I'm not here as your captain. I'm here as the man who stood with you before the High Council. Your cha'DIch. We will arrive at your home world in less than a day. Worf: It is not time yet. Picard: That doesn't sound like the man who came to me a year ago fiercely determined to return home and to clear his father's name or die trying. Isn't it time to confront the Council? To regain your family name? Let the truth be known? Worf: I have been told that patience is sometimes a more effective weapon than the sword. Picard: Patience is a human virtue, one which I am glad to see you've taken to heart. But doesn't this situation require a more Klingon response? Your discommendation is a facade to protect less honorable men. It is a lie. Lies must be challenged. Worf: I have grown weary of bearing this dishonor. Riker: Riker to Picard. Picard: Go ahead, Number One. Riker: We've been intercepted by the Klingon vessel Bortas. Riker: They claim to be our escort. Worf: No escort was scheduled. Riker: The Bortas is standing by, Captain. Picard: On screen. Gowron. This is an unexpected pleasure. Gowron: I must speak with you, Picard. We will have to move quickly if we are to be successful. Picard: Successful? Gowron: Yes. In preventing a Klingon civil war. Gowron: The family of Duras is massing support. They have many allies on the Council. Picard: Duras died in disgrace. By Klingon tradition, his family should share that disgrace. Gowron: Their corruption has poisoned the Empire. Honor will soon have no meaning. Picard: And who speaks for his family now? Gowron: Lursa and B'Etor, the sisters of Duras. Picard: And they would claim the leadership of the Council? Gowron: Women may not serve on the Council. Picard: Then how Gowron: I don't know. But they are plotting something. They have secured the loyalty of at least three fleet commanders. Lursa and B'Etor are feared, and fear is power. Picard: I do not see what I can do to assist. Gowron: You were first chosen as Arbiter of Succession because no Klingon could be trusted. You accepted this duty and you must see it through to the end. You must ensure my installlation. Picard: That is beyond my purview. Gowron: You will not support me? Picard: I will not step outside the traditional role of the Arbiter. Gowron: And if they attempt to block my installlation? Picard: Then I can only assure you that I will deal with any challenge according to Klingon law. Gowron: I fear that will not be enough. Picard: Mister Worf, would you escort our guest to the transporter room? Picard: Begin monitoring Romulan activity along the Neutral Zone, Mister Data. Have the outpost stations send us their tactical reports. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: The Duras family are preparing to move against Gowron. Riker: Backed by Romulans? Picard: I don't know. But there is too much history between the Duras and the Romulans to discount the possibility. Worf: Dismissed. Worf: I would speak with you. Gowron: I do not hear the words of traitors. Worf: I am not a traitor. Gowron: You admitted your guilt before the Council. Worf: I accepted discommendation to protect the Empire. Gowron: Protect it? How? Worf: It was Duras' father who betrayed our people to the Romulans at Khitomer, not mine. Gowron: Duras? There is proof of this? Worf: There is. Gowron: Why would you accept dishonor to protect Duras? Worf: His family was too powerful. To expose him would have split the Empire. Instead, the Council chose to blame my father. Gowron: The Council knew? Worf: I believe you to be a man of honor, Gowron. I ask you, restore my family name. Gowron: Worf, you killed Duras. I consider that no small favor. But what you ask is impossible. Worf: But after your installlation Gowron: The grasp of Duras reaches out from the grave. Much of the Council is still loyal to his family. I must have the Council's support to survive. I cannot expose their treachery. You chose to accept this disgrace for the good of the Empire. Now you must live with your decision, like a Klingon. Worf: Guinan? Guinan: It's a little quiet down in Ten Forward, so I thought I'd get off a little target practice. Do you mind if I join you? Worf: You? Practice? Guinan: I like to keep my eye sharp. Worf: I practice at level fourteen. Guinan: Guess I could come down to that level for a while. Begin program. Guinan: You know, I had a bet with the Captain that I could make you laugh before you became Lieutenant Commander. Worf: Not a good bet today. Guinan: I've seen you laugh. I like it. Worf: Klingons do not laugh. Guinan: Oh yes they do. Absolutely they do. You don't. But I've heard some Klingon belly laughs that would curl your hair. Guinan: Your son laughs. He's a Klingon. Worf: He is a child and part human. Guinan: That's right. And you're not, you're full Klingon except you don't laugh. Worf: I do not laugh because I do not feel like laughing. Guinan: Other Klingons feel like laughing. What does that say about you? Worf: Perhaps it says that I do not feel like other Klingons. Computer: Program complete. Guinan: Good game. Don't feel bad. I was doing this long before you were born. So how is he? Your son. Worf: He is having difficulty adjusting to life on Earth. Guinan: I can see where it might be hard for the little guy. Living with humans, being Klingon. Could be very confusing. Worf: It will not be easy for him. Guinan: No, it won't. But at some point he's going to want to know what it's like to really be a Klingon. Just as you're learning. Picard: Come. Worf: Captain, I request a leave of absence. Picard: Mister Worf, request granted. Worf: Thank you, sir. Picard: Lieutenant. Qapla! Picard: And good luck. Lieutenant Worf, personal log, stardate 44996.1. I have located the Klingon ship on which my brother Kurn serves as captain, and have arranged to join him. Kurn: It has been too long, my brother. Worf: Too long. We have much to discuss. I have asked Gowron to restore our family honor. He has refused. Kurn: Gowron will not live to see the day he leads the Council. Worf: What do you mean? Kurn: He stands alone, surrounded by his enemies. Lursa and B'Etor will have him killed. And if they don't, I will. Worf: You will? Kurn: Gowron is weak. The family of Duras must never be allowed to lead the Council. Our leaders have failed us. They no longer deserve our loyalty. It is time to sweep away the old Council and put a new one in its place. Worf: How can this be done? Kurn: I already have the support of four squadron commanders in key strategic sectors. When the time comes, they will follow me. Join us, Worf, and we will usher in a new era and regain our family name. Worf: No. Kurn: What? Worf: Gowron has completed the Rite of Succession. It is our duty to support him. Kurn: Gowron spits in your face when you ask him to give back what is rightfully ours and you would support him? Worf: We cannot regain honor by acting dishonorably. Kurn: I will not support Gowron. Worf: I am the elder brother, Kurn. I speak for our family. We will back Gowron. But not now. Not yet. We will wait until he feels the grasp of his enemies around his throat. Then we will offer him our support. And the price will be the restoration of our family name. Kurn: It will be difficult to convince my allies to back Gowron. But I will try. I must go to the Mempa sector to meet with the other squadron commanders. Worf: Contact me when you have gained their support. Then I will be ready for Gowron. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44996.8. My role as Arbiter of Succession has again brought me to the Great Hall of the Klingon High Council. K'Tal: naDev ghoS! K'Tal: Have you reached a decision regarding the succession of power? Picard: Qaja plu d'itch jung. La woq you ghir klas qimha. Gowron. Doj hon. Doj hon. K'Tal: Gowron, son of M'Rel, hakt'em. The Arbiter confirms that you have completed the Rite of Succession. Your enemies have been destroyed. You stand alone. Do you wish to claim leadership of the Council? Gowron: I wish it. K'Tal: Are there no other challengers? Toral: There is one. I will challenge him. Gowron: An arrogant child! K'Tal: Who are you? Toral: I am Toral, son of Duras. Gowron: Duras had no son. B'Etor: But he did, Gowron. Gowron: So, this is your doing, Lursa. Lursa: We wish to address the Council. K'Tal: Lursa, B'Etor, come forward. Lursa: Members of the High Council, it is a day of great rejoicing for the family of Duras and the Klingon Empire. We have discovered that our brother did indeed have a son and heir. Gowron: This is outrageous. Duras had no mate. Where did you find him, Lursa? In a harlot's bedchamber? Toral: I will personally cut your tongue out, Yintagh! Gowron: Impudent wretch. B'Etor: A simple genetic scan will prove his bloodline is valid. Gowron: The illegitimate son of Duras cannot rule the High Council. K'Tal: The Arbiter will consider his validity. Len'mat. Lursa: Our allies on the Council backed Toral's claim. It's in Picard's hands, now. Movar: Excellent. Everything is proceeding as scheduled. Toral: Why not just kill Picard? B'Etor: Fool! Do we want the Federation as our enemy? Toral: No. Woman: At least, not yet. But when the time is right we will deal with the Federation and Captain Picard. Kurn: I have met with the other squadron commanders here. Three will join us, one will not. That gives us enough strength to control seven key sectors. Worf: Do you know the strength of our enemies? Kurn: They have at least seven squadrons, but most of the fleet has not decided which banner to follow. Worf: Gowron is nearly out of options. Soon he will have no choice Kurn: I will return soon to the home world. We shall meet then. Data: Do you also require the original logs recorded during the attack, Lieutenant? Worf: Everything we have on the Khitomer massacre. Data: We can provide you with our analysis of the communications between the Khitomer outpost and the Romulan ships. However, for a complete record you will have to contact Starbase twenty four Picard: Mister Worf. Have you canceled your leave? Worf: No, sir. Picard: Lieutenant, would you join me in my Ready room? Picard: Mister Worf, you're using our files on the Khitomer massacre as evidence against Duras' father? Worf: Yes, sir. Picard: Do you not see an inherent conflict of interest here? Worf: Sir, those Federation records will help me prove that my father was falsely accused of treason. Picard: You are using your position as a Starfleet officer to affect political change on your planet. There could not be a worse compromise of our fundamental principles. Worf: Do not tie my hands now. I must be able to prove my father's innocence. Those Federation records can do that. Picard: Mister Worf. Here I am lecturing you on a conflict of interest while I'm desperately trying to avoid one of my own. Do you think I wish to allow the Duras family to solidify their hold on the Council? Do you think I cannot see for myself the implications for the Federation? Good Lord, Duras tried to have me killed! All of my instincts, my training, my very being as a Starfleet officer are at odds with my responsibilities as Arbiter of the Klingon High Council. We walk the same tightrope between two worlds, you and I. We must try our very best to keep those two worlds separate, or we shall certainly fall. Worf: Yes, sir. Picard: I will make the Khitomer massacre files available to anyone who wants them. To the High Council, to the Duras family, to you. Anyone. Worf: Thank you, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, this is as far as I can go. Riker: Riker to Picard. Picard: Yes, Number One. Riker: There's a message coming in for you from the surface. It's coded personal. Picard: Send it through. B'Etor: Captain, welcome. Please, come in. Be seated. Lursa: Something to drink, Captain? Tea. Earl Gray, perhaps? Picard: Thank you. B'Etor: You come alone, and unarmed Picard: Nothing would be served by killing the Arbiter before his decision. B'Etor: Nevertheless, a brave act, Captain. Lursa: B'Etor. Picard: Your invitation was unexpected. B'Etor: We should have extended it much sooner. Lursa: We don't want you to judge us by your experience with our brother. B'Etor: Duras was a fool. Lursa: He deserved to die. B'Etor: Forget him. We have. Lursa: We do not wish to be your enemy. B'Etor: Quite the opposite. Picard: That pleases me. Lursa: Have you made your decision regarding Toral's challenge? Picard: I am pursuing it with due vigilance. B'Etor: Allow me to heat your tea. Lursa: Toral has the bloodline to lead the Empire into the next century. He has the support of the people. Picard: Then it remains to see if he has the support of the law. B'Etor: But he must. Surely, you can see that. Picard: I'll tell you what I see. If I find Toral's challenge valid, the two of you will very quickly gain control of the Council and Gowron will be found dead shortly thereafter. If I reject Toral's claim, you will accuse me of serving Federation interests. It will serve as a rallying cry to declare war and overthrow Gowron. Lursa: You see very clearly, Captain. But one thing is missing. If you rule against us and we are victorious in a war against Gowron. B'Etor: Which we would be> Lursa: It will mean the end of the alliance with the Federation. B'Etor: And we would hate to see that happen as much as you would. Lursa: This is not a threat, Captain. Just an unfortunate truth. B'Etor: So why be our enemy, when you can be our friend? Picard: You have manipulated the circumstances with the skill of a Romulan. My decision will be announced at high sun tomorrow. Excellent tea. Good day, ladies. K'Tal: What is your decision? Picard: K'Tal, this Council knows the law of heredity well. G'now juk Hol pajhard. A son shall share in the honors or crimes of his father. Toral is Duras' son. That has been established by the genetic scan. But with due respect to the traditions and laws of this High Council, there is no basis for accepting a petition for leadership from a boy who has fought no battles, shed no blood for his people, or earned no honor for himself. One day, perhaps he shall. But not now. Duras is dead. His claim to the leadership died with him. Gowron shall lead the Council. Gowron: The Arbiter has ruled. There are no more challengers. Toral: Does the Federation dictate Klingon destiny or do we? Follow me and I will show you honor. Gowron: Follow him and you reject all Klingon law. Gowron: Can you not see what you are doing? Are you blind to what they represent? Then go. Your blood will paint the way to the future. Gowron: Your message said it was urgent. What do you want? Worf: Your forces are weak, Gowron. You need help to fight the family of Duras. Gowron: From one dishonored Klingon. Worf: I offer you four Klingon squadrons. Gowron: Why would they follow you, a Starfleet officer? Worf: They are pledged to support my brother, Kurn. Gowron: Kurn is your brother? Worf: Yes. His true bloodlines were hidden to protect him. Gowron: Kurn will follow me? He has opposed me in the past. Worf: I am the elder brother. He will do as I say. Gowron: What is it you want in return? Worf: You know my price. Gowron: The return of your honor. For the support of four squadrons? No, that will not be enough. The Duras family controls most of the fleet. We must have Federation help. Worf: They will not intervene. Gowron: Perhaps not yet, but Starfleet Command will listen to Picard and Picard listens to you. Worf: I can ask nothing more of him in this matter. Gowron: What? Worf: My duty as a Starfleet officer Gowron: You come to me and demand the restoration of your family honor and now you hide behind human excuses? What are you, Worf? Do you tremble and quake with fear at the approach of combat, hoping to talk your way out of a fight like a human? Or do you hear the cry of the warrior calling you to battle, calling you to glory like a Klingon? Gowron: Status! Klingon: Aft shields down. Helmsman: Warp coils damaged. Picard: Red alert. Data: A second ship has joined the attack on the Bortas. Picard: It's begun. Gowron: Send an emergency signal to any loyal ships! Helmsman: Impulse engines not responding! Gowron: Engage emergency override! Worf: Override engaged. Disruptors still not responding. Data: The Bortas has lost her port shields, sir. It is unlikely they will withstand another hit at that quarter. Their primary life support has failed, sir. Riker: The Bortas has put out a general distress call. Picard: Ensign Riol, plot a course to take us safely away from the combat area. Half impulse. Riker: Captain, the Bortas is Gowron's ship. If he's the legitimate leader of the Empire, shouldn't we help him? Picard: If we go to the aid of the Bortas, we'll be dragging the Federation into a Klingon civil war. Riker: What about Worf? Picard: Ensign, engage. Klingon: Port shields are still down. Worf: Disruptors online. Gowron: Lock on target. Worf: No. Don't you see? Their sensors will detect the weapons lock. If they think we're helpless, they will try to board the ship. I can aim and fire disruptors manually when they drop their shields. Gowron: GhoS. Worf: Thirty five thousand kellicams. Twenty thousand kellicams. Now within transporter range. Gowron: SuH. Worf: They're dropping their shields. Gowron: BaH! Worf: Firing on second target. Klingon: They were able to raise the shields in time. Minor damage only. Worf: Disruptors offline. Gowron: All power to shields. Klingon: Shields failing! Worf: Incoming message. Gowron: On viewer. Kurn: This is Captain Kurn of the Hegh'ta. We come to defend the Empire and to follow the banner of Gowron. Worf: The enemy has sustained major damage to its life support systems They have disengaged. Gowron: You have done well, Commander Kurn. Lursa and B'Etor have moved more quickly than I anticipated. We shall not underestimate them again. Meet us at the Great Hall. Gowron: Advise the Enterprise that their delegation is welcome to attend my installlation as leader. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44998.3. With new-found support, Gowron has chosen to proceed with the installlation ceremony. The Enterprise has returned so that I may perform my final duty as Arbiter of Succession. K'Tal: Receive now the loyalty of the Council and of the Empire. All: Qapla! Gowron: naDev ghoS. Gowron: You both fought as warriors. You have proved your hearts are Klingon. Gowron: I return your family honor. I give you back that which was wrongfully taken from you. Let your name be spoken once again. You are Worf, son of Mogh. Gowron: The Duras family is gathering a large force near Beta Thoridar. As per the terms of the Treaty of Alliance, I now formally request your assistance in fighting these enemies of the Empire. Riker: These enemies are Klingons. Gowron: By right and tradition, I am the sole leader. All who oppose me are traitors. Picard: I understand your position, but I', sure you're aware that the Federation cannot interfere in what is, by definition, an internal Klingon affair. Gowron: You arbitrated the Rite of Succession. You are already involved. Picard: My duties in that regard are finished. Worf: Captain, we must intervene. The Duras family is corrupt and hungry for power with no sense of honor or loyalty. They represent a grave threat to the security of the Federation. Captain, you and I know that they have conspired with Romulans in the past. If they should be victors in this war, they will surely form a new Klingon-Romulan alliance. That would represent a fundamental shift of power in this quadrant. Starfleet must support Gowron. It is in the interests of both the Federation and the Empire. I beg you, support us in our cause. Picard: Mister Worf, I don't have to lecture you on the principle of non interference. As Starfleet officers, we have all sworn an oath to uphold that principle whatever our personal feelings. I'm sorry. I must refuse your request. Picard: Mister Worf. I'm afraid I must recall you to duty. The Enterprise will be leaving this sector immediately. Worf: Captain, I respectfully request that I be allowed to take an extended leave of absence. Picard: Mister Worf, your responsibilities as a Starfleet officer are incompatible with remaining on board a Klingon ship during a time of war. Worf: Captain. Picard: I order you to return to duty at once. Worf: Then I resign my commission as a Starfleet officer. Gowron: I will await you aboard the Bortas. Worf: Enter. Picard: Am I intruding? Worf: No, sir. Picard: I understand that you'll be serving on board the Bortas. Worf: As weapons officer. Picard: Your tactical knowledge and experience will serve them well. Worf: Thank you, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, are you certain that this is the right decision? Worf: I was rescued from Khitomer by humans. Raised and loved by human parents. I've spent most of my life around humans, fought beside them. But I was born a Klingon. My heart is of that world. I do hear the cry of the warrior. I belong with my people. Picard: Being the only Klingon ever to serve in Starfleet gave you a singular distinction, but I felt that what was unique about you was your humanity, compassion, generosity, fairness. You took the best qualities of humanity and made them part of you. The result was a man who I was proud to call one of my officers. I'll have your belongings transported to the Bortas. Worf: Thank you, sir. Picard: Attention on deck. Worf: Permission to leave the ship, sir? Picard: Permission granted. Qapla' Worf: Goodbye. Riker: Dismissed. Movar: Picard has rejected Gowron's plea for help. The Enterprise has left orbit. Toral: Coward! He didn't have the courage to face us. The Federation is Woman: Celebrate later, Toral. We should not discount Jean Luc Picard yet. He is human, and humans have a way of showing up when you least expect them.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 41798.2. We have been ordered by Starfleet to proceed to the Lorenze Cluster and investigate the disappearance of a light cruiser, USS Drake, which was in that system trying to unravel a mystery of its own which began when recent long range probes indicated that all intelligent life on the planet Minos has disappeared. Picard: Number One? Riker: No help from their communications log. The Drake reported arriving at Minos and then wasn't heard from again. Picard: Mister Data? Data: The citizens of Minos gained fame during the Ersalrope wars as arms merchants. They manufactured sophisticated and highly advanced weaponry. Laforge: Yeah? For which side? Data: Both. Laforge: We are approaching the planet Minos, sir. Picard: Standard orbit, Mister La Forge. Laforge: Aye, sir. Standard orbit. Riker: Whatever happened to the Drake, happened quickly, otherwise a man like Rice would have reported again. Picard: You know Captain Rice? Riker: We were at the Academy together. Picard: Tell me about him. Riker: Able. A good officer. Troi: How would he react under stress? Riker: Paul Rice is confident to the point of arrogance, he but carries it well because he's usually right. He's a risk taker. Picard: Really? Riker: I'll give you an example. One of the final tests in advance navigation at the Academy provides the student with three options. Rice was given this test, rejected their options and offered one of his own. Picard: That's taking a risk. Riker: And it paid off. He received the top grade and now that same test has four options. Troi: In a difficult situation a man like that would act aggressively. Riker: Agreed. Worf: Commander, weren't you offered the Drake? Riker: Yes. Tasha: You gave up your own command to take this assignment? Riker: At the time I thought it would be more advantageous for me to do a tour on the Enterprise. Data: Captain, readings correspond with the findings of the probe. No signs of intelligent life forms. Vegetation and animal life only. Troi: What happened to all the people? Worf: War? Data: Disease? Laforge: A dissatisfied customer? Tasha: In any war, natural disaster, even the most virulent plague, there are always survivors. Data: Captain, we are being hailed. Riker: How can that be from a planet with no people? Picard: Your sensors indicated no intelligent life forms? Data: Correct, sir. Something has scanned our language banks and is hailing us. Picard: On main viewer. Salesman: Whoever you are, wherever you're from, greetings. Welcome to Minos, the arsenal of freedom. Picard: I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Salesman: If you need a little something special, be it for one target or multiple targets, we got it. You'll see it here on Minos, where we live by the motto 'peace through superior firepower'. Picard: To whom am I speaking? Salesman: To be totally armed is to be totally secure. Remember, the early bird that hesitates gets wormed. Data: It is a recorded message, sir. Salesman: Minos, the arsenal of freedom. Perfection in highly advanced weaponry. Versatility. Picard: We must have triggered something left over from the Erselrope wars when the arms business was booming. Salesman: So lock on to my signal and beam on down, because we don't just provide weapons Picard: Shut that off. Salesman: We provide complete weapons systems. Laforge: It's a heck of a sales pitch. Picard: If an automated message system is still functioning, there could be other systems on that planet that are still operational. Tasha: Weapons systems? Picard: Possibly. Riker: We're going to have to go down there to find it. Picard: Number One, prepare am away team. Riker: Lieutenant Yar. Data. Tasha: Commander, I recommend a minimum complement. Riker: Oh? I would have thought otherwise. Tasha: We'll keep the first landing party small and mobile, until I'm confident that whatever killed the inhabitants of this planet isn't still down there. Riker: Okay. Riker: Spooky. Riker. Picard: This is the Bridge. Riker: We'll start a pattern search from this point. Picard: Keep this channel open. Riker: Aye, sir. Data: Commander, our communications are being monitored. Riker: By whom? Data: Since there is no intelligent life, the question is by what? Riker: Captain? Picard: Yes, we heard that, Number One. We'll try and track it down from here. Tasha: Tritanium. It's been melted. Riker: What could do that? Tasha: I don't know. Whatever it was, it's beyond our technology. Data: Over here. Tasha: Wow. Riker: We've never even seen anything like this. Tasha: It's undamaged. Riker: Maybe a demonstration model for some potential buyer. Tasha: Maybe. Let's spread out a little. T'Su: Commander Riker, this is Ensign T'Su. T'Su: I'm monitoring a slight energy buildup near your position. I am not able to pinpoint the source. Riker: Give me a direction. T'Su: East of your position, ten meters. I will continue monitoring. Riker: I can't see anything through here. The underbrush is too thick. Rice: Hello. Commander Riker. Riker: Rice! Where did you come from? Rice: I was over there. Riker: We were worried about you. I should have known you'd pop up. Rice: How are you, Commander Riker? Riker: Me? Forget about me. How are you? No word, no message, nothing. Rice: How many are with you? Riker: There are two others. Where's the Drake? Where's your crew? Picard: Number One, a word. We have some information you should be aware of. Picard: Ensign T'Su? T'Su: Sensors indicate low level energy readings, but the only life signs are the away team. Picard: You copy, Number One? Riker: Understood. You look strange, Paul. Rice: I was injured getting here. Riker: Do you need medical help? Rice: No. What's your purpose here? Riker: Commander Data, Lieutenant Yar. Data: Sir, other than ourselves, I am picking up no life signs here. Riker: I know. Rice: Riker, you didn't answer me. Who sent you here to look for me? Riker: Your mother. She's worried about you. Rice: Tell me about your ship, Riker. It's the Enterprise, isn't it? Riker: No. The name of my ship is the Lollipop. Rice: I have no knowledge of that ship. Riker: It's just been commissioned. It's a good ship. Rice: Refresh me, would you, Riker? What's its size, it's complement? Riker: Who is here with you? Rice: What's the armament on the Lollipop? Riker: Paul, I will only answer your questions if you answer mine. Why do you want to know so much about my ship? Rice: We're friends, aren't we? Riker: Old friends. Rice: Our top speed is warp three. What's yours? Riker: Is? Then the Drake has not been destroyed. Rice: The Drake? Riker: Yes, your ship. Rice: Of course, my ship is the Drake. Riker: Where is it? Rice: Classified. Riker: Classified? Rice: Please, it's important. Our survival depends on knowing. What's the armament on your ship? Riker: Ten. Rice: Ten? I don't understand. Ten what? Riker: Six. Rice: Commander Riker, your answers make no sense. Riker: You haven't used my first name once, Paul. You remember it, don't you? You don't, do you? Because you don't exist. You're a fake. You're an image of the original, aren't you? Answer me! Picard: Report, Number One. Riker: The image of Rice has been replaced by something which is hovering several meters away. Picard: Number One, get your team back up here. Riker: Prepare to beam up. Tasha: Commander! Picard: What's happened, Number One? Report. Report! Report! Tasha: He can't answer you, Captain. Data: Commander Riker just has been encased in some kind of energy field. Picard: Is he alive? Data: Unknown. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Some kind of weapon, which for a time took the form of Captain Paul Rice, has enveloped Commander Riker. Picard: Transporter room three, have you been able to lock on to the away team? Chief: I am unable to lock on to Commander Riker, sir. Picard: Ensign T'Su, situation report. T'Su: Previous energy readings are gone. Picard: Data, have you been able to assess Commander Riker's condition? Data: He appears to be in some kind of stasis. Picard: Theorize, Mister Data. What would be the purpose of such an encasement? Data: Typically, the purpose of such an enclosure is for storage. Picard: Which would suggest what? Tasha: That sooner or later someone or something will be along to collect him. Picard: Stand by. I'm coming down. Troi: You, sir? Picard: Yes. Doctor Crusher, this is the Captain. Meet me in Transporter room three. Mister La Forge, you have command of the Bridge. Laforge: Aye, sir. Picard: And whatever happens down there, your prime responsibility is to the ship. Laforge: Understood, sir. Troi: Captain, I take great exception to your decision to beam down. Picard: Noted. Crusher: Is it just Riker? Picard: Yes. Apparently he's confined in some sort of force field. Energize. Picard: Any changes? Tasha: Data's figured out what it is. Crusher: Are you getting any life signs? Data: He is alive. What appeared in the form of Captain Rice is an intelligence gathering device used during the Ersalrope Wars. Tasha: Probably developed here. Data: It projects an image of someone the subject will trust, gets as much information as possible. Tasha: If it's found out, it encases the subject to await a more detailed interrogation later. Crusher: Clever. Picard: Can you remove it? Data: Possibly, but I will need to know the exact frequency and I cannot determine the risk to Commander Riker. Picard: We have little choice. Whatever has him is interrupting the transporter beam. Remove it. Data: This will take some time, sir. Worf: I am picking up energy readings. Laforge: Captain, Lieutenant La Forge here. Sensors indicate energy readings in your area. Picard: Doctor, over here! Picard: Doctor. Tasha: This one is different. It's anticipating. Data, I need you. Set your phaser on kill. I'll lead left, you get it. Tasha: Captain? Doctor Crusher? Data: Captain Picard? I have a malfunction. Tasha: Enterprise, this is Lieutenant Yar. Mine's out too. Data: The close pass by the weapons must have disrupted our communicators. Tasha: Keep on working. I'll look for the Captain and Doctor Crusher. Crusher: Ow! My arm. Picard: How bad is it? Crusher: Oh, it's bad. Picard: Come on. Alright, don't worry, we'll get you out of here. Enterprise, this is the Captain. Two to beam up. Enterprise? Enterprise, come in. Data? Lieutenant Yar? Crusher: What's wrong? Why aren't they working? Picard: I don't know. But don't worry. As soon as they realize our communicators are not working, the sensors will find us and Geordi will beam us up. Now, just you hold on. I'm sorry about this. Picard: Hold on, it won't be long. Crusher: I must keep conscious. Tasha: Data, I can't find them. Data: Step back, please. I believe I have found it. Riker: Data. Data: All vital signs returning to normal. Tasha: Good. Now Geordi can get us out of here. Come on. The Captain and Doctor Crusher can't be far away. T'Su: Sir, I'm reading life forms on the planet. All five members of the away team. Laforge: Good. They must have freed Commander Riker. Transporter Room, get a lock on the away team and beam them up. Worf: Shields just came on. Deflectors also up. I'm picking up an object off the port bow. It's firing! Laforge: Red Alert! Battle stations! We can't the away team beam up with our shields in place. Worf: Phasers ready. Photon torpedoes standing by. Locking on target. Correction. Target has disappeared. Laforge: Give me a full scan. Worf: Scanning. No readings yet. Wait. Something dead astern. Laforge: Emergency power to shields! Worf: Object is firing. Laforge: Return fire! Worf: No use. It's gone again. Solis: Aft shields weakened. Whatever they're using, our shields can't stand up to it much longer. Logan: This is Chief Engineer Logan. Are we breaking orbit? I need to know now. Ship's log, supplemental. Lieutenant La Forge in command. I am unable to beam up the away team due to an unseen assailant attacking the ship. To make matters worse, Chief Engineer Logan is on his way to the Bridge, and he's not paying a courtesy call. Logan: Why are we still in orbit? We're taking a beating. Laforge: We've got to hold out as long as we can. Now, if we can disable our attacker, if only for a few seconds, we can drop our shields and beam the away team back aboard. Logan: If we follow that plan, we'll lose the Enterprise. In view of the present crisis, I believe you should relinquish command to me. Laforge: No. Logan: I outrank you. Laforge: Mister Logan, I'm in command. Logan: The Captain did not anticipate the Enterprise would come under attack. If he had, would he have left the Bridge to you? Laforge: If he had, he wouldn't have left the ship. T'Su: Picking up an object to starboard, sir, heading toward us. Laforge: Lock phasers on that thing and fire the moment it's in range. Worf: Locking in. The object has vanished. Worf: Phaser lock lost. T'Su: Starboard shields weakened. Worf: It's cloaked itself. Logan: You can't fight this thing and win. We've got to break orbit now. Laforge: Worf, analyze its firing pattern. Maybe we can anticipate its location. Worf: Aye. Solis, correlate the trajectory of the energy bolts with the attack path. I'll compute the optimum spread of phasers and photon torpedoes to hit it. Laforge: Right. Logan: Lieutenant La Forge. Geordi. I know you want to do what's best for the Enterprise. So do I. Now the best thing Laforge: The best thing, Mister Logan, is for this discussion to end and for you to return to your duties. Now, I'm in charge until relieved by Commander Riker or Captain Picard. Logan: You're ignoring my greater rank and experience. Laforge: Not at all. In fact, just to opposite. I'm counting on it. Now I need you to get back down to Engineering and get me every available scrap of emergency power you can. The more power we can channel to the shields, the longer we'll be able to hold out. Now, Mister Logan. Laforge: Worf, have you got a lock on it yet? Worf: It's impossible to be sure. Tasha: Maybe you should wait here while Data and I search for the Captain and Doctor Crusher. Riker: No, I'm a little groggy, but I'll be all right. Data: I am getting energy readings. Look out! Tasha: We'll do it just like before. Tasha: It's got a deflector shield. Data: The product continues to upgrade and improve. Tasha: We'll concentrate our fire and try to collapse its shield. Commander, we'll need you too. Tasha: Now! You're right, they keep getting better. Data: The weapons are appearing at intervals of precisely twelve minutes. Tasha: Well this one took everything we had. I don't know how we'll handle the next one. Riker: We're not going to wait around. Let's find the rest of our team. Picard: We seem to be in some kind of underground structure, but I don't see any. Hey, no, you don't. No time to sleep. Crusher: I'm tired. Picard: Come on, stay with me. Come on now, stay awake. That's an order. Crusher: I must have lost a lot of blood. Picard: I've stopped the bleeding. Crusher: No, there's another wound. My leg. Picard: Not to worry, Everything is going to be fine. Now, this is going to hurt a bit. Crusher: I've heard that before. Picard: Hey, hey, Doctor. Stay awake. Come on. There's a lot of blood. What do I do next? Doctor. Crusher: The wound needs a clotting agent. Picard: I couldn't find your medical kit. Crusher: Those roots. What are they? Picard: Roots? What, these? Crusher: Break off a piece and taste it. Don't swallow it. Picard: Very bitter. Crusher: Apply some to your hand. Is there a color change? Picard: It's turning yellowish. Crusher: Good. Now, spread as much of it as you can onto the wound. Picard: Hey, hey, Doctor. Now, stay awake. You've got to help me. I need your help. All right, now listen. Your patient has lost a great deal of blood from multiple lacerations. Crusher: The patient's going into shock. Picard: So what do I do? Crusher: Elevate the legs and try to keep her warm. Picard: Good. All right. Stay with me, Doctor. Keep talking. Crusher: You didn't happen to bring a blanket with you, did you? Picard: No. I'm going to look for a way out. Now, you keep up your end. Stay awake. Laforge: All right, I know it's risky, but a shot in the dark is better than nothing. Let's see if we can get lucky. T'Su: I can't seem to pin down the pattern. Laforge: There. T'Su: Sorry, sir, I should have seen that. Laforge: That's all right, you're doing fine. Worf: Program laid in. Phasers and photon torpedoes ready. Laforge: Okay. Mister Solis, bring her about to two three mark one eight five. Solis: Aye, sir. Laforge: Fire! Now! Worf: Phasers and photons firing. We missed. T'Su: Number four shield buckling. Number three shield nearing failure. Logan: Bridge, this is Engineering. I can't hold this power level much longer. You've got to do something. T'Su: Backup systems are overloaded. Backup systems failing. Logan: La Forge, this is Logan. Tell me something. Laforge: Mister Logan, report to the Bridge. Logan: On my way. Worf: Deflectors are breaking down. We have less than one minute of reserve. Laforge: We are getting out of here. Lieutenant Solis, set course three one five mark zero, zero seven. Solis: Course set. Logan: You are leaving them on the planet. Laforge: Speed warp five. Solis: Warp five. Aye. Laforge: Engage. Hold course and speed for twenty eight seconds, then come to a full stop. Mister Logan, had we stayed, we would have been destroyed. Now, there are over a thousand people on this ship. I have a responsibility to them. Logan: What about your responsibility to Captain Picard and the members of the away team? Laforge: I have a responsibility to them as well. Mister Logan, you are going to take command of the Saucer Section. Backup crew, report to the main Bridge. Logan: You're going to separate? Laforge: Yes, and I want you to take the saucer section and proceed immediately to Starbase one zero three. Logan: You can't fight what you can't see, and you still won't be able to see that thing. Laforge: Maybe we won't have to. Logan: Risky. Laforge: Yes. That's why we're going to separate. Worf, Solis, T'Su. Report to the Battle Bridge. I'll join you in a moment. Worf: Ensign, secure connector levels. Ensign: Aye, sir. Laforge: Come in. Troi: Lieutenant, I need to speak to you. Laforge: Counselor, we're a few minutes away from separating the battle section. I don't have a lot of time. Troi: I know, but as Counselor I have a duty to evaluate the emotional fitness of the crew. Laforge: And you sense I'm nervous. Well, you're right. Counselor, deep down I'm shaking. I'm about to take this ship into battle, and there's a good chance she'll be blasted out of the sky. I'm taking a huge risk here, and there are a lot of lives at stake. So, yeah, I'm nervous. Did you expect otherwise? Troi: Not at all. You're under tremendous pressure, more than you've ever experienced. Laforge: You think I'm about to crack? Troi: On the contrary. You should be proud of the way you're handling command. You've kept a cool head, taken charge, and made some very difficult decisions. Laforge: Then what did you want to see me about? Solis: Lieutenant La Forge. Battle bridge is manned and ready. However, deflectors have not yet returned to full efficiency. Laforge: Let's get them there, Mister Solis. Solis: Aye, sir. Laforge: I'll join you shortly. La Forge out. Troi: Did you hear the uneasiness in his voice? Laforge: Solis is doing a fine job. Troi: Yes, but he isn't handling the stress as well as you are. Both he and Ensign T'Su are very young. Laforge: No, wait. They're good officers. Troi: Yes, but they lack battle experience. They're worried about making mistakes, and they need some encouragement. Laforge: What do I do? Troi: Just remember it's you they draw strength from. They look to you for guidance and for leadership. Help them. Show confidence in them. Laforge: Like Captain Picard showed confidence in me. Right. I understand. Thanks, Counselor. Laforge: Prepare to initiate separation sequence. T'Su: All decks report ready. Laforge: On my mark. Now. Computer: Main latch bags to zero. Main latch retraction one to one eight, initiate. Static charge compensate. Worf: Separation complete. Laforge: Lieutenant Solis, lay in a reciprocal course for Minos, warp five. Solis: Course set. Laforge: On my mark. Engage. Picard: We seem to be pretty well sealed in, Doctor. Crusher: No exits? Picard: None that I can see. Crusher: If you find one, go. Picard: Tired of my company already? Beverly. Beverly! Crusher: I'm tired. I need to sleep. Woke up too early. Picard: Talk to me, stay awake. Tell me something. Tell me about those roots. How did you know their medicinal values? Crusher: My grandmother. Picard: Your grandmother was a doctor? Crusher: No. Picard: Oh. She was a botanist, then? Crusher: No. She helped to colonize Arveda Three. Picard: Arveda Three? That's such a tragedy. Did she survive? Crusher: Yes. Once the medical supplies had run out, she had to use what was at hand. So she learned all about roots and herbs, and then taught it to me. Picard: You were part of that colony. I didn't know that. But then there must be a lot of things about you that I don't know. Crusher: Quite a few. Picard: What? Now just a minute. Here's something odd. It's glowing. Crusher: What is it? Picard: I don't know. It's covered up. I'm just clearing away the dirt. It's a viewscreen. It seems to still be operative. Picard: It's a tracking device of some kind. Crusher: Tracking what? Picard: There are three moving indicators. Possibly the away team. Salesman: Beautiful, isn't it? It's the centerpiece of the whole unit. Crusher: Who's that? Picard: A projection. It's the automated salesman who greeted us on the Enterprise. What unit? Salesman: Why, the Echo Papa Six Oh Seven. Our proudest achievement. The ultimate in weapons system technology. Picard: Is that what's behind the attack on my people? Salesman: Impressive demonstration, isn't it? Picard: Demonstration? It tried to kill us. Salesman: Versatile, powerful, and easy to use. The Six Oh Seven does it all. Its various modules can gather information, neutralize ground personnel, even destroy enemy space vessels. Picard: The Enterprise. Is one of those things after my ship? Tell me. Salesman: Of course I can tell you. I am programmed to answer any and all questions about the unit. I can talk terms, arrange for delivery, whatever you need. Crusher: It doesn't understand anything other than what it's peddling. Salesman: The Six Oh Seven represents the state of the art in dynamic, adaptive design. It learns from each encounter, and improves itself. Picard: So what went wrong? Where are it's creators? Where are the people of Minos? Salesman: Once unleashed, the unit is invincible. The perfect killing system. Picard: Too perfect. You poor fools, your own creation destroyed you. What was that noise? Salesman: The unit has analyzed its last attack and constructed a new, stronger, deadlier weapon. In a moment, it will launch that weapon against the targets on the surface. Picard: Abort it! Salesman: Why would I want to do that? It can't demonstrate its abilities unless we let it leave the nest. Data: They are down there, sir. Riker: Let's clear some of that away. Tasha: If Data's calculations are correct, the next one should show itself in two minutes. Riker: Captain! Riker: Can you hear me? Picard: Yes, we're here! Riker: Are you all right? Picard: Doctor Crusher is seriously hurt. We can't contact the Enterprise. The communicators are out. Riker: Yes, our communicators are out too. Picard: Those devices are part of a system located down here. Another one is about to be released. Watch yourselves. Tasha: We know, Captain. Riker: It's too far down there. There's nothing to hold on to. No way to climb down. Tasha: I'm surprised either of them survived. Data: I can do it, Commander. Riker: How? Data: Jump. Riker: Data, it's over ten meters. Data: Eleven point seven five, sir. Tasha: Data, you may be sturdy, but you're not indestructible. Data: I believe I can safely traverse the distance. Riker: Captain, Data's going down to join you down there. Be my guest. Picard: Data. Data: At your service, Captain. Tasha: We'd better find a defensive position. If Data's right Riker: He usually is. Tasha: We're going to have company any minute now, and this time I don't know how we're going to stop it. Ship's log, supplemental. Lieutenant La Forge in command of the star drive section. After separating from the saucer, we have returned to Minos to rescue the away team. Unfortunately, I have only one option left, and it's a long shot. T'Su: Shields and deflectors are up. Laforge: Ensign T'Su, when I order the shields down, you have one responsibility. Locate the away team and get them up here. You may only have a few seconds. Solis: Approaching the planet, sir. Laforge: Ride's going to get a little bumpy. Things are going to happen fast. Just keep alert, stay calm. Let's focus on what we're doing. You know your jobs. You've been trained, you've been tested. You've earned the right to sit in those chairs. Picard: That sound again. Data: Another weapon has been launched, sir. Picard: We've got to find some way to stop this system. Data: I would need to see the program schematic. Salesman: You've got it. Picard: Is it possible to re-adjust the targeting sequence? Salesman: Absolutely. It wouldn't be much good without it. Picard: Data, assign it a neutral target. Data: The target must be specific, sir. Picard: Itself, then. Itself or it's own power source. Data: The force of that explosion would destroy this cavern and everyone on the surface. Salesman: Watch now. This is the fourth and final projectile. The Echo Papa series Six Oh Seven is about to complete this phase of its mission. Tasha: We could split up. Riker: What good would that do? Tasha: Confuse it, delay it. Something. Riker: It would still get us. It would just take a little longer. Tasha: It might give one of us long enough to get out of range. Riker: Out of range? Tasha: Forget I said it. These devices wiped out an entire planet. I don't think it has a range. Riker: Then what does that leave us? Right. That's what I thought. Tasha: On the other hand, we could look for deeper cover. Riker: You got any ideas? Tasha: None. Picard: Give me some options, Data, quickly. Crusher: Why don't you just shut it off? Picard: Is that possible? Crusher: Why not? It's a machine, isn't it? Picard: Shut it off. Salesman: Why? You haven't seen half of what this beauty can do. Picard: We've seen enough. Salesman: Does that mean you're going to buy it? Picard: Yes. Yes, we've seen enough. You've made a sale. Salesman: You won't be sorry. Picard: Good. Now end the demonstration. Salesman: Done. Picard: Number One! Riker: Right here. That was close. Picard: La Forge, everything's alright. We've neutralized it. Laforge: It's great to hear your voice, Captain. We're a little busy right now. I'll get right back to you. Worf: Phasers at full readiness. Laforge: Keep those shields at full power. Ahead one quarter, heading two five mark three zero zero. Solis: Sir, that heading will take us further into the planet's atmosphere. Laforge: That's correct. We're going to lose some maneuverability, so keep a firm hand on the helm. Solis: Aye, sir. Worf: You hope our attacker will follow us into the atmosphere. Laforge: I'm counting on it. Lian, scan for any air disruption or vortex. Cloak or no cloak, we'll spot it by its turbulence. Worf, how fast can you get a phaser lock? Worf: Fast. T'Su: Hull temperature one thousand degrees and rising. Laforge: Emergency power to deflectors. Solis: Velocity increasing. Laforge: Steady as she goes. T'Su: Hull temperature twenty five hundred degrees. Worf: Deflectors nearing overload. Solis: Sir, helm growing unresponsive. Laforge: Can you compensate? Solis: Yes, sir, I can. T'Su: Hull three thousand degrees. Laforge: Maintain heading. Worf: We're about to lose number four deflector. T'Su: Thirty three hundred degrees. Worf: Deflector four is now inoperative. T'Su: Turbulence to starboard! Laforge: There he is! T'Su: Scanners locked. Worf: Weapons locked. Laforge: Fire! Worf: Got him! Laforge: Shields down. T'Su: Locked onto away team. Beaming them home now. Laforge: Come to four zero mark six five, ahead one third, and assume a standard orbit. Solis: Standard orbit. Aye, sir. Laforge: Relinquishing command, Captain. Picard: As you were, Lieutenant. Laforge: Sir? Picard: Mister La Forge, when I left this ship, it was in one piece. I would appreciate your returning it in the same condition. Do you concur, Number One? Riker: Absolutely, sir. Laforge: Lieutenant Solis, plot a course to rendezvous with the saucer section. T'Su: Sickbay reports Doctor Crusher's going to be fine. Solis: Course plotted and laid in. Laforge: Engage.

Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 42695.3. We are the first manned vessel to enter the Selcundi Drema sector. Unmanned probes have recorded unusual levels of geological activity in all five planetary systems. I am hoping the Enterprise will find the answer to this enigma. Data: Commander, I've been reviewing the unmanned probe scans. At some point during the last one hundred and fifty years, the fifth planet of Selcundi Drema has shattered, forming an asteroid belt. Riker: I'd call that geological instability. Worf: Is there any indication that this is the work of an unknown intelligence? Riker: This is geology, not malevolence. These planets live fast and die hard. The question is, why? Picard: You're sure you won't reconsider? Troi: No, I'll just watch you and be impressed. Picard: An optimistic vote of confidence from a non-rider. Troi: You know, I never particularly thought of you as an animal person. Picard: Small animals, no, but horses. Computer, program the holodeck for a woodland setting, with a bridle path and an appropriate mount. Computer: Type of mount? Andorian Zabathu, Klingon Sark Picard: Horse. Earth horse. Computer: Breed? Picard: Arabian. The Arabs believed that Allah gathered the south wind and made the horse. Troi: On the holodeck we've made that legend come true. Picard: I like that. Oh yes, computer, English tack, and I will control the animal myself. Computer: Enter when ready. Troi: So you like horses for the romance? Picard: It goes deeper than that. A fine war mare would sleep in a bedouin's tent, carry him into battle, feed his children with her milk. There's a bond which is created by mutual need. Hello, beautiful. Troi: Now I understand. You don't want the comfort of a pet, you want a companion. Picard: Thank you. I don't want to anthropomorphise anything. I seems that some creatures have the capacity to fill spaces you never knew were empty. Troi: I had a Betazoid kitten once. My mother and the cat reacted badly to one another. Picard: Sure you don't want to try? It's very relaxing. We can find you something that will be quiet and gentle. Troi: No, I prefer a mode of transportation that doesn't have a mind of its own. Picard: Strange. I would expect Betazoids to be outstanding animal trainers. Troi: We become too involved in the thoughts and shifting passions of the beast. We lose our way and get swept up in emotion. Picard: I should think the shifting passions of this beast would be far more terrifying. Riker: Captain. Picard: Yes, Number One? Riker: We've entered the first system. I think you might want to come to the Bridge. Picard: Something interesting? Riker: Spectacular. And a little terrifying. Picard: I'm on my way. Riker: The first long range reading. Magnification ten to the sixth. Picard: Quite impressive. Riker: And deadly. The last unmanned probe showed a thriving ecozystem. Now there's nothing. Picard: This is Commander Riker's meeting. Riker: I'll need your advice and recommendations. As you know, I've been given the responsibility of overseeing Wesley's education. To further that goal, I would like to put him in charge of the planetary mineral surveys. Pulaski: It's a big job with a lot of responsibility. Riker: The game isn't big enough unless it scares you a little. Laforge: To do the job, Wesley's going to need a team. It takes command presence to lead. Do you think he's ready for that? Troi: Leadership grows from self-confidence, which is also part of a Starfleet officer's education. Picard: All of this is true, but there is an old horse trainer's adage about putting too much weight on a young back. We don't want him to break under pressure. Pulaski: We seem to be shifting the focus here. Are we talking about a young officer on the fast track to the Academy, or are we talking about a young man that we are guiding through adolescence and into adulthood? Troi: You can't guide someone into adulthood. The experiences are unique to each person. Whether Wes succeeds or fails, he will learn from the experience. Pulaski: I agree. I'm just questioning the speed at which we're moving. Laforge: You think we're pushing him too hard? Pulaski: I think that's a valid concern. Picard: Tempering is taken to extremes. Pulaski: He is a boy, not a sword. Picard: Who will one day be a man and, to extend the metaphor, will need a fine edge that won't dull at the first touch of resistance. Riker: Sooner or later he'll have to feel the burden of command. Ensign Crusher. Riker: Report to the Observation Lounge. Riker: Wesley, I've assigned you the command of the planetary mineral surveys. Wesley: Sir? Thank you, sir. Riker: You may not thank me once you see how much work it entails. Assemble a team, and take a look at the records on the Drema quadrant. There's a mystery here. We've got to solve it. Wesley: Yes, sir. A team, sir? Picard: Ensign, this is a serious responsibility. Wesley: I know, sir. Picard: These officers are here to assist you. Not judge, help you. You should make use of them. They are a valuable resource. And by the way, I respect an officer who is prepared to admit ignorance and ask a question, rather than one who out of pride will blunder blindly forward. Wesley: I understand, sir. Riker: Ensign. You're dismissed. Wesley: I'll try not to disappoint you. Worf: Is this part of your regular duties? Data: No, it is a personal project. I have reset the sensors to scan for frequencies outside their usual range. Worf: Such as? Data: The dips and peaks of the galaxy's magnetic field, organic molecules in nebular clouds, energetic cosmic rays. Worf: Interesting. Would these scans also detect artificial transmissions as well as naturally occurring signals? Data: Of course. Worf: Good. Data: Those signals are very faint and difficult to distinguish from background noise. That is why I am boosting the power. Data: I will be removing that equipment to my quarters. Worf: Good. Wesley: Hi. Can I walk with you? Troi: Yes. Wesley: I need a little advice. Riker: Well, it's free. Wesley: Walking or advice? Riker: Both. Wesley: It's about my team. I'm considering so many factors I'm confusing myself. Troi: What have you done so far? Wesley: Well, I've broken down the task and picked the best people in those diskiplines. Riker: So who have you got so far? Wesley: I've got Prixus in mineralogy and metallurgy, Alans and Hildebrandt for volcanology and geomechanics. I want Davies for geochemistry, but Troi: But they're all much older than you are. Wesley: Right, and it makes me feel strange. What do I do about personality conflicts? Riker: Completely irrelevant. These people are professionals. If there's a personality conflict, you're in charge, you settle it. Wesley: So you not only have to understand the job, you also have to be a ship's Counselor. Troi: Sometimes. Wesley: Well, thank you. Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 42696.3. We are entering the second Selcundi star system, where acting Ensign Crusher will begin his planetary mineral survey. The results of which may help unlock the geological puzzle. Wesley: Ensign Davies? Davies: You got him. Wesley: Wesley Crusher. I've been put in charge of the planetary geological surveys, and I'd like to have you on the team. Davies: Sounds great. Who else is on it? Wesley: I have Prixus and Alans and Hildebrandt. Davies: It's a shame you didn't talk to me first. It's just personal opinion, but I like to break up married teams. Wesley: I hadn't thought of that. Davies: Don't worry, they'll probably work out fine. And if you need any help, just give me a signal and I'll take over for you. We don't want you to get too beat up on your first command. Wesley: Thanks, but I'm pretty sure I'll be all right. Data: Computer, identify please. Computer: Sensors indicate low-level rf waves. Data: Is there a pattern? Computer: Affirmative. Data: Naturally occurring? Computer: Negative. Data: Key universal translator, please. Computer: Unable to comply. Weak signal. Data: Lock on comm. link and boost. Computer: Lock on complete. Data: Read, please. Computer: Insufficient signal strength. Data: Enhance, please. Sarjenka: Is anybody out there? Data: Yes. Pulaski: Wes? Wesley: Hi, Doctor Pulaski. Pulaski: You have trouble behind that door? Wesley: My team's in there. I've got to assign planets, set a schedule. Pulaski: It sounds like you've got everything under control. Wesley: I haven't had to deal with them yet. Not together, not professionally. Pulaski: Wes, the minute you walk through that door they're your team. You have nothing to prove. You've got the authority. Wesley: That's just 'cos Commander Riker says I do. Pulaski: It's up to you to hang on to it. Now, you'd better get in there, and Wes, for whatever it's worth, I think you're going to do just fine. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 42737.3. It has been six weeks since our entrance into the Selcundi Drema sector. Each system has revealed the same disturbing geological upheavals on every planet. Hildebrandt: It seems to be at this point we can expect the greatest tectonic stresses. Wesley: I agree. Nice job. Davies: Here are the results of my scan on the third Selcundi system. It's just the same old song. Wesley: Didn't you tell me that UV absorptions like these are indicative of traker deposits? Davies: And where there's traker there's generally dilithium? Yes, I did. Wesley: So don't you think we ought to run an ico-spectrogram? Davies: Well, Wes, these traker readings are really faint. It's probably just a fool's echo. Wesley: I think I'd still run an ico-gram. Hildebrandt: Wesley, it's a major undertaking to set up the scanner. Davies: We're looking at five hours minimum. Wesley: I know, I know. I don't want to do a half way job. Davies: Wes, there's being thorough and then there's wasting time. It's also the mark of a good officer to recognize the difference. Wesley: Maybe you're right. Data: Computer, please access all volcanic and tectonic plate activity in Drema Four. Computer: Accessing. Data: Computer, locate Captain Picard. Computer: Captain Picard is on holodeck three. Picard: Data? Data: An excellent steed, sir. Sorry to disturb you, Captain. Picard: It's quite all right. It must be important, or you wouldn't be here. Data: Yes, sir, it is important. Very. Eight weeks ago I received a transmission, a simple four word message, 'Is anybody out there?' I answered it. Picard: There is a loneliness inherent in that whisper from the darkness. Data: Yes, sir. I am glad that you understand, sir. Picard: But it didn't end there. Data: No, sir. We speak often. It is a young female, humanoid. Picard: Her society is aware that there is interstellar life? Data: No, sir. Picard: Oops. Just where does she think you're calling from? Data: I have kept that somewhat vague, sir, but Sarjenka, that is her name, has been quite specific, telling me details of her family and friends. And interspersed among these confidences have been some alarming references. Picard: Go on. Data: Drema Four has been enduring the same geological stresses we have found in the other systems. Picard: Then your friend is in trouble. Data: Yes, sir. Picard: What are you proposing? Data: If we can determine the cause of these geological disturbances, we might be able to reverse the process. Picard: Violate the Prime Directive? Data: I was hoping that you might have another option, sir. Picard: We don't even know if this catastrophe is preventable. Call a conference in my quarters. All senior staff. Data: Yes, sir. Picard: And Data, all communication with this life form must cease. Data: Yes, sir. I understand, sir. Riker: Seeing the look on his face. I'll get you another drink. Two more. Riker: Thank you. Riker: Family emergency. You don't look like a person who came here to relax. Wesley: I didn't. I need your advice. Yesterday, when Ensign Davies turned in his geological survey, I asked him to run an ico-spectrogram. He didn't agree. Riker: Do you think you were right? Wesley: Yes. I guess. I could have just been picking nits. Riker: Or you could have been intimidated. It's tough to tell other people what to do. Wesley: I suppose I could have made it an order, but how do you give orders to somebody older and more experienced then you? Riker: The difference in ages between you and Davies is not the issue here. Wesley: I guess not. Riker: Do you think it might have something to do with ego? Wesley: No, it's just the opposite of ego. Every time I try to give an order, something inside me says, what makes my judgment so superior to these people's? Riker: Wes, responsibility and authority go hand in hand. I know you're responsible, now we've got to teach you a little bit of authority. One of the reasons you've been given command is so you can make a few right decisions, that will establish a pattern of success and help build self-confidence. If you don't trust your own judgment, you don't belong in the command chair. Wesley: But what if I'm wrong? Riker: Then you're wrong. It's arrogant to think you'll never make a mistake. Wesley: But what if it's something really important. I mean, not just a mineral survey. What if someone dies because I made a mistake? Riker: In your position, it's important to ask yourself one question. What would Picard do? Wesley: He'd listen to everyone's opinion, then make his own decision. But he's Captain Picard. Riker: Well it doesn't matter. Once Picard makes his decision, does anyone question it? Wesley: No way. Riker: And why not? Wesley: I'm not sure. Data: Commander Riker, report to the Captain's quarters. Riker: When you figure it out, you'll understand command. I'm on my way. I hope I've been able to help. You let me know what you decide? Wesley: I've made my decision. I'm going to have Davies run that ico-gram. Thank you, sir. Riker: You're welcome. I'll see you later) Woman: Okay. Wesley: Ensign Davies? I want that ico-spectrogram run on the Selcundi Drema system. Davies: You got it. Picard: It is no longer a matter of how wrong Data was, or why he did it. The dilemma exists. We have to discuss the options. And please talk freely. Worf: There are no options. The Prime Directive is not a matter of degrees. It is an absolute. Pulaski: I have a problem with that kind of rigidity. It seems callous and even a little cowardly. Picard: Doctor, I'm sure that is not what the Lieutenant meant, but in a situation like this, we have to be cautious. What we do today may profoundly affect upon the future. If we could see every possible outcome Riker: We'd be gods, which we're not. If there is a cosmic plan, is it not the height of hubris to think that we can, or should, interfere? Laforge: So what are you saying? That the Dremans are fated to die? Riker: I think that's an option we should be considering. Laforge: Consider it considered, and rejected. Troi: If there is a cosmic plan, are we not a part of it? Our presence at this place at this moment in time could be a part of that fate. Laforge: Right, and it could be part of that plan that we interfere. Riker: Well that eliminates the possibility of fate. Data: But Commander, the Dremans are not a subject for philosophical debate. They are a people. Picard: So we make an exception in the deaths of millions. Pulaski: Yes. Picard: And is it the same situation if it's an epidemic, and not a geological calamity? Pulaski: Absolutely. Picard: How about a war? If generations of conflict is killing millions, do we interfere? Ah, well, now we're all a little less secure in our moral certitude. And what if it's not just killings. If an oppressive government is enslaving millions? You see, the Prime Directive has many different functions, not the least of which is to protect us. To prevent us from allowing our emotions to overwhelm our judgment. Pulaski: My emotions are involved. Data's friend is going to die. That means something. Worf: To Data. Pulaski: Does that invalidate the emotion? Laforge: What if the Dremans asked for our help? Data: Yes. Sarjenka's transmission could be viewed as a call for help. Picard: Sophistry. Pulaski: I'll buy that excuse. We're all jigging madly on the head of a pin anyway. Worf: She cannot ask for help from someone she does not know. Data: She knows me. Riker: What a perfectly vicious little circle. Data: We are going to allow her to die, are we not? Picard: Data, I want you to sever the contact with Drema Four. Computer: Isolating frequency. Sarjenka: Data. Data, where are you? Why won't you answer? Are you angry me? Please, please, I'm so afraid. Data, Data, where are you? Picard: Wait. Oh, Data. Your whisper from the dark has now become a plea. We cannot turn our backs. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 42741.3. We are entering into orbit of Drema Four, the planet from which Data received the distress signal. Sensors indicate that the volcanic activity is increasing. Riker: We found the reason for the geological instability. Picard: Excellent. Davies: We would have missed it if Ensign Crusher hadn't requested an ico-gram, but he did, and Wesley: Drema Four has the largest deposit of dilithium ore ever recorded. It's also laid down in a very unusual pattern. The crystals are growing to form perfectly aligned lattices. Hildebrandt: The ore is forming generator strata. Alans: Which creates a piezoelectric effect. Picard: In plain English, you're saying the dilithium is causing the geological catastrophe. Alans: Right, the crystals take the natural radiant heat of the planet Hildebrandt: Focus it, and turn it into mechanical energy. Alans: Which increases tectonic stresses Hildebrandt: That tear the planet apart. Davies: And then the crystals break down, which is why we found all these traces of illium 629. Picard: So that takes care of the why. Now, what can you do? Wesley: That is going to take a little more work. Picard: Can you reverse the process? Wesley: We think so. Picard: No. No theories, no half answers. Yes or no? Hildebrandt: We'll get to work on it. Riker: Sir, Data's out there right now, monitoring the conditions on Drema Four. The situation's become pretty desperate for his friend. He's calculated the safest location on the planet's surface. You can guess why. Picard: We're just keep getting deeper and deeper in, aren't we? Riker: She's going to die. They're all going to die. Picard: Unless. Riker: Yes. Unless. Picard: All right, you can tell Commander Data he has my permission to contact his friend and conduct her to a safer location. Number One, you know where we are now? Riker: Sir? Data: Sarjenka, this is Data. Respond please. Computer: Unable to complete transmission. Data: Reason for failure? Computer: Atmospheric activity interfering with RF signal. Worf: We're modifying class one probes so they become resonators. We will then use torpedo casings to protect them once they begin burrowing beneath the surface. Picard: How will these resonators destroy the crystals? Hildebrandt: By emitting harmonic vibrations which will shatter the lattices. Worf: The Enterprise will monitor and adjust the frequency of the resonators. Riker: Sounds like a plan. Lets get started. Data: Captain. Picard: Tea, Earl Gray, hot. Data: Captain, permission to beam down to Drema Four. Picard: What? Data: I have been unable to contact Sarjenka. Picard: Data, I appreciate your concern. Transporting to the surface is only going to make a bad situation worse. Data: Sir, I feel it is important to determine the reason for Riker: Come on, Data. Data: Captain, your orders were to deliver the message, correct? Picard: Yes. Data: Then what is the difference between sending the message and delivering it personally? Riker: A whopping big one, and you know it. Data: Sir, we have come this far. Picard: In for a penny, in for a pound, is that what you're saying, Mister Data? Data: Yes, sir. Picard: Oh, hell. Go. Data: Sir? Picard: Number One, handle the transporter. Go. Riker: Where would you say we are now, sir? Riker: O'Brien, take a nap. You didn't see any of this. You're not involved. O'Brien: Right, sir. I'll just standing over here, dozing off. Riker: Data, you've got ten minutes. That's it. If you meet anybody but Sarjenka Data: I will signal for immediate beam out. Picard: Commander Riker to the Bridge. Riker: Damn. O'Brien: I just woke up, sir. Riker: You know what to do? O'Brien: No problem, sir. I'll have him out of there as smooth as ice. Data: Sarjenka? Wait! I'm Data. Sarjenka: Data. Data, you came. Data, where have you been? Data: It would take too long to explain. You and your family must leave. Sarjenka: We already have. We ran when the tremors began. Data: Then why are you here? Sarjenka: My father wouldn't let us take anything, but I had to have my transmitter. I knew you would come back, and I didn't want you to find only silence, the way I did. Data: I am sorry for that, but it is very complicated. Does your family know where you are? Sarjenka: No. Data: You cannot survive in this. Sarjenka: What are we going to do? Data: Enterprise, two to beam up. You must come with me. Sarjenka: Where are we going? To the stars? O'Brien: There's going to be hell to pay. Data: Where is Commander Riker? O'Brien: On the Bridge. Where are you going? Data: To the Bridge. O'Brien: And you're going to take that? Sarjenka: Don't leave me here. Please don't leave me. Data: Quite impossible. Worf: Sir, three minutes to resonator launch. Picard: Where is he? Riker: He'll be here. Picard: He has brought a child onto my ship and on my Bridge. Riker: I'm sure Mister Data has a very good explanation. Data: I do, sir. She was frightened and did not wish to be left alone Picard: Mister Data, kindly assume your station. Counselor, will you escort her to Sickbay. Sarjenka: No, Data, no. I'm scared. Don't make me go. Troi: It's all right, no one's going to hurt you. Sarjenka: No! Troi: We'll just go and get a treat, and then Sarjenka: No. Data: Captain, I will see to it that she is not in the way. Worf: One minute to launch. Troi: Come on, it'll be all right. Sarjenka: No. Just leave me alone. I want Data. Data: Counselor, allow me. Please. Sarjenka, no one will harm you. These are my friends. Picard: Mister Data, take your station and keep her with you. This does concern her. Worf: Ten seconds. Data: I will require my hand. Thank you. Worf: Firing torpedoes. Data: Sensors locked on probes. Worf: Torpedoes have reached their targets. Data: Resonators activated. Harmonic sequences have begun. Sarjenka: What are you doing? Data: We are attempting to quiet your planet. If we succeed, there will be no more quakes, no more volcanoes. Picard: Ensign, when should the results be known? Wesley: They should happen very quickly, sir. Sarjenka: And my parents and brothers? Data: Captain, sensors indicate a planetwide reduction in tectonic stress levels. Wesley: It worked. We did it. Data: Your parents will be safe now. Sarjenka: You did this for me? Data: Look, Sarjenka, there is your home. Picard: Data, escort her to Sickbay. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Number One, you have the Bridge. Picard: Doctor. Pulaski: Yes, Captain? Picard: Data and the alien are on their way down. What would be involved in removing all memory of her communication with Data Picard: And her visit to this ship? Pulaski: Assuming her brain structure is similar to ours, the memories would be stored chemically on the neurons of the cerebral cortex. They're also time dependent. I would have to scan for age of the chemical links, and try to find Pulaski: The relevant neurons. Picard: Well, do your best. Sarjenka: You have many different kinds of people here. Data: Yes. Sarjenka: When I am bigger, can I be on your ship? Data: I am certain that you could. Sarjenka: I wish I could come with you now. Data: I am afraid that is not possible. Sarjenka: I know, but I can still wish for it. Data: Doctor Pulaski, this is Sarjenka. Pulaski: Hello, Sarjenka. Sarjenka: Hello. Sarjenka: What is this? Pulaski: An Elanin singer stone. It sings a different song for each person. Sarjenka: What does it sing for you? Data: It does not sing for me. Sarjenka: Why not? Data: Because I am a machine. Pulaski: Sarjenka, we're going to run a few scans just to be sure you're all right. Data's will be right here. Don't worry. Pulaski: You did a good thing, Data. Data: But are we doing a good thing now, Doctor? Pulaski: This is to protect her as much as us. Data: By robbing her of her memories? Pulaski: To remember you and this ship would complicate her future. She has to be the person she was born to be. And you'll remember. Data: Enterprise, one to beam up. Riker: Wes. Sit down. Wesley: No, thank you, sir. It's going to be a long time before I'm qualified enough to sit here. Riker: You did a good job. I'm proud of you. Wesley: Thank you, sir. Does it get any easier? Riker: No. Picard: Come. Data: I came to apologize, sir. Picard: No apologies are necessary. You reminded us that there are obligations that go beyond duty. Data: I appreciate your seeking other options, sir. Your decision could have been unilateral. Picard: One of my officers, one of my friends, was troubled. I had to help. Is Sarjenka safely home? Data: Yes, sir. She will not remember me, sir, but I will remember her. Picard: Remembrance and regrets, they too are a part of friendship. Data: Yes, sir. Picard: And understanding that has brought you a step closer to understanding humanity.

Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 43539.1. We have moved into orbit around Bre'el Four. With the assistance of the planet's emergency control center, we're investigating a potentially catastrophic threat to the population from a descending asteroidal moon. Data: The satellite's trajectory is continuing to deteriorate, Captain. This orbit will put it within five hundred kilometers of the planet surface. Garin: We're predicting the atmospheric drag will bring it down on the next orbit. Scientist: Have you been able to find any explanation for this? Data: No, Doctor. It is a most unusual phenomenon. Picard: Won't the moon disintegrate prior to impact? Scientist: No, it has a ferrous crystalline structure and it will be able to withstand tidal forces, Captain Riker: Could we blow it into pieces? Data: The total mass of the moon would remain the same, Commander, and the impact of thousands of fragments would spread destruction over an even wider area. Picard: How long before impact? Data: Twenty nine hours, sir. Projecting it somewhere on the western continent. That would destroy an area eight hundred kilometers in radius. Scientist: That damage would be insignificant, Captain, compared to the seismic repercussions massive landquakes, and tsunami. Garin: The force would raise a cloud of dust around the planet, leading to a significant temperature reduction. We could be looking at our own ice age. Picard: Mister La Forge, is there any way that the Enterprise could coax that satellite Picard: Back where it belongs? Laforge: We'd need to apply a delta vee of about four kilometers per second. Even with warp power to the tractor beam, it would mean exceeding recommended impulse engine output by at least forty-seven percent. It'd be like Laforge: An ant pushing a tricycle. A slim chance at best. Riker: Given a choice between slim and none, I'll take slim any day. Picard: Make it so. Riker: Lieutenant Worf, contact all ships in this sector to rendezvous and join us in relief efforts. Picard: We'll keep you informed of our progress. Picard out. Riker: Can you give us any more, Geordi? Laforge: Not without burning out the tractor beam emitter. The circuits are already beyond the thermal limit. Data: Delta vee is ninety two meters per second. The mass is too great. We are having an effect but it is negligible. Riker: What is that? Data: Unable to identify source. Laforge: Impulse engines passing safety limits. We're seconds Laforge: From automatic shutdown. Picard: Reduce engine power. Tractor beam off. Riker: Lieutenant Worf, what the hell do the sensors say? Worf: The sound is not registering, Commander. Picard: Q! Q: Red alert. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We are no closer to finding a solution to the deteriorating orbit of the Bre'el Four moon, but with the arrival of Q, we now have a good idea of the cause. Picard: Our options? Laforge: We've done everything by the book and a little extra. We need more time or more power, and we're short on both. I'll take a look and see if there are any rules I haven't broken. Picard: Keep me advised. Riker: We know you're behind this, Q. Q: These aren't my colors. And what are you blathering about, Riker? Picard: What kind of twisted pleasure does it give you to bring terror into their lives? Q: Whose lives? Picard: The millions of people down there who are watching as their moon falls out of the sky. Q: I haven't the vaguest idea what you're talking about and I have a much more serious problem. I'm no longer a member of the Continuum. My superiors have decided to punish me. Picard: And punish us as well, it would seem. Q: They said I've spread chaos through the universe, and they've stripped me of all my powers. You don't believe me, do you? Do you think I would humiliate myself like this? Riker: If it served your purpose, yes. Q: It's the truth. I stand before you defrocked. Condemned to be a member of this lowest of species. A normal, imperfect, lumpen human being. Troi: They made you human as part of your punishment? Q: No, it was my request. I could have chosen to exist as a Markoffian sea lizard or a Belzoidian flea. Anything I wished as long as it was mortal. And since I only had a fraction of a second to mull and I chose this and asked them to bring me here. Troi: Why? Q: Because in all the universe you're the closest thing I have to a friend, Jean-Luc. Data: Sir, he is reading as fully human. Q: What, is there an echo in here? Troi: I am sensing an emotional presence, Captain. I would normally describe it as being terrified. Q: How rude. Picard: what is it you want, Q? Q: Your compassion. All right, Sanctuary on this ship, dreary as it may sound to both of us. Picard: Return that moon to its orbit. Q: I have no powers. Q the ordinary. Picard: Q the liar. Q the misanthrope. Q: Q the miserable. Q the desperate. What must I do to convince you people? Worf: Die. Q: Oh, very clever, Worf. Eat any good books lately? Picard: Fine. You want to be treated as a human? Q: Absolutely. Picard: All right. Mister Worf, throw him in the brig. Worf: Delighted, Captain. Q: You can't do this to me, Jean-Luc. Worf: You will walk or I will carry you. Q: Given the option, I'll walk. You've disappointed me, Jean-Luc. I'm very disappointed. Hey, I'm claustrophobic, I don't like it in here. Q: It was a mistake. I never should have picked human. I knew it the minute I said it. To think of the future in this shell. Forced to cover myself with fabric because of some outdated human morality. To say nothing of being too hot or too cold, growing feeble with age, losing my hair, catching a disease, being ticklish, sneezing, having an itch, a pimple, bad breath. Having to bathe. Worf: Too bad. Q: Klingon. I should have said Klingon. In my heart of hearts, I am a Klingon, Worf. Q: Sorry. So you understand I could never survive in confinement. I mean, this is cruel and unusual punishment. The universe has been my back yard. As a fellow Klingon, if you would speak to the Captain on my behalf, I would be eternally grateful. which doesn't mean as much as it used to, I admit. Worf: Be quiet! Or disappear back where you came from. Q: I can't disappear any more than you could win a beauty contest. Q: If I ask a very simple question, do you think you might be able to answer it without it troubling your intellect too much? Q: Ready? Here goes. Would I permit you to lock me away if I still had all my powers? Worf: You have fooled us too often, Q. Q: Perspicacity incarnate. Please don't feel compelled now to tell me the story of the boy who cried Worf. Worf: Computer, activate force field. Q: I demand to be let out of here, immediately. Do you hear me? You will deactivate this cell immediately! Romulan! Q: I should have said Romulan, that Klingon goat! Picard: The question is, what sort of jaded game is he up to this time? Riker: Maybe he just wants a big laugh. He'll take Bre'el Four to the edge of disaster, and then pull the moon back. Picard: Or he may have nothing to do with it at all. Riker: You honestly think Q is telling the truth? Picard: Oh, I agree this is highly unlikely, but we have to proceed with our current dilemma as though Q is powerless to prevent it, don't we? Riker: And there he sits, and he watches us struggle. Picard: I don't see that we have any choice. Mister Worf, will you hail the Bre'el Four science station, Worf: They're standing by, Captain. Garin: Yes, Captain Picard. Picard: I'm sorry, but I have to report that our first attempt to restore the moon to its proper orbit has failed. Garin: We have less than twenty five hours before impact, Captain. Riker: Our Chief Engineer is working on ways to reinforce our tractor beam. Picard: So there is a hope, but if you have an evacuation plan Garin: We have already started moving people from the coastal areas of the western continent. Picard: We are going to make another attempt shortly. Picard out. Riker: I've got to tell you Geordi is not at all optimistic. Picard: What the devil? Riker: Data? Data: Sensors are showing broadband emissions, including Berthold rays Riker: Lethal? Data: No, Commander. Overall exposure is less than seventy five rems. Very low intensity, more like a soft medical scan. I would speculate we are being probed. Picard: By whom? Data: The sensors cannot identify the point of origin. It seems to be coming from all around us. Q: Ah, you've come to apologize. How nice. All's forgiven. No offense taken. Picard: Enough. Q, what exactly is going on. Q: Well, how can I know what's going on? I've been in this dungeon of yours, alone, helpless, bored to tears. Picard: We have a moon inexplicably falling out of orbit, and just now this ship was probed with Berthold radiation. Q: I wasn't aware of this. Truthfully, Jean-Luc. I have been entirely preoccupied by a most frightening experience of my own. A couple of hours ago, I realizing that my body was no longer functioning properly. I felt weak. I could no longer stand. The life was oozing out of me. I lost consciousness. Picard: You fell asleep. Q: Terrifying. How can you stand it day after day? Picard: You get used to it. Q: What other dangers await me? I'm not prepared for this. I need guidance. Picard: Q, I'm not going to play along with this. If you want to continue this charade, you can do it alone. Q: Jean-Luc, wait! This is getting on my nerves, now that I have them. You have a moon in a deteriorating orbit. I've known moons through the universe. Big ones, small ones. I'm an expert. I could help you with this one, if you let me out of here. Picard: Q, there are millions of lives at risk. If you have the power to Q: I don't have any powers. But I have the knowledge, locked up in this puny brain. You cannot afford to not take that advantage, can you? Picard: Mister Data, report to detention cell three. Data: On my way, sir. Picard: Computer, remove the forcefield. If you are human, which I seriously doubt, you will have to work hard to earn our trust. Q: I'm not worried about that, Jean-Luc. You only dislike me. There are others in the cosmos who truly despise me. Picard: Mister Data, you are hereby assigned to Q for the remainder of his stay. You will escort him to Mister La Forge in Engineering. Data: Aye, sir. Q: Can I have a Starfleet uniform? What are you looking at? Data: I was considering the possibility that you are telling the truth, that you really are human. Q: It's the ghastly truth, Mister Data. I can now stub my toe with the best of them. Data: An irony. It means that you have achieved in disgrace what I have always aspired to be. Q: Humans are such commonplace little creatures. They roam the galaxy looking for something, they know not what. Data: The human race has an enduring desire for knowledge, and for new opportunities to improve itself. Q: There's certainly room for improvement, but the truth is, Data, they are a minor species in the grand scheme. Not worth your envy. Data: Oh, I do not feel envy. Q: Well, that's good. Data: I feel nothing at all. That is part of my dilemma. I have the curiosity of humans, but there are questions I will never have the answer to. What is it like to laugh, or cry, or to experience any human emotions. Q: Well, if you ask me, these human emotions are not what they're cracked up to be. Laforge: The moon will hit its perigee in ten hours. Now, we match its trajectory, increase emitter coolant rate so we can apply continuous warp-equivalent power nine to the tractor beam. We can push it for nearly seven hours and I think that just might do it. But, there's a problem. Data: The Enterprise will be dangerously close to the atmosphere. Laforge: That's the problem. Q: This is incredible. Laforge: You see something here, Q? Q: I think I just hurt my back. I'm feeling pain. I don't like it. What's the right thing to say? Ow? LAFORGE + Data: Ow. Q: Ow! I can't straighten up. Data: Medical assistance to Engineering. Laforge: Q, I've got a few people down on Bre'el Four who are going to be hurt Q: Yes, yes, your marvelous plan will not only tear the moon to pieces but your precious ship as well. Laforge: You got a better idea? Q: I would certainly begin by examining the cause and not the symptom. Laforge: We've done that, Q, and there's no way to Q: This is obviously the result of a large celestial object passing through at near right angles to the plane of the star system. Probably a black hole. Data: Can you recommend a way to counter the effect? Q: Simple. Change the gravitational constant of the universe. Laforge: What? Q: Change the gravitational constant of the universe, thereby altering the mass of the asteroid. Laforge: Redefine gravity? How am I supposed to do that? Q: You just do it. Where's that Doctor, anyway? Data: Geordi is trying to say that changing the gravitational constant of the universe is beyond our capabilities. Q: Oh. In that case, never mind. Q: Ah, Doctor Crusher. I see Starfleet has shipped you back into exile. Data: Q says he has hurt his back. Crusher: Ah ha. Well, if I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it. According to this, he has classic back trauma. Muscle spasms. Q: I've been under a lot of pressure lately. Family problems. Crusher: Well. don't expect too much sympathy from me. You've been a pain in our backside often enough. Q: Your bedside manner is admirable, Doctor. I'm sure your patients recover quickly just to get away from you. Laforge: You know, this might work. We can't change the gravitational constant of the universe, but if we wrap a low level warp field around that moon, we could reduce its gravitational constant. Make it lighter so we can push it. Q: Glad I could help. Ow. I think. Crusher: Now what? Q: There's something wrong with my stomach. Crusher: It hurts? Q: It's making noises. Crusher: Maybe you're hungry. Q: I've never eaten before. What do I ask for? Data: The choice of meal is determined by individual taste. Q: What do you like? Data: Although I do not require sustenance, I occasionally ingest semi-organic nutrient suspension in a silicon-based liquid medium. Q: Is it good? Data: It would be more accurate to say it is good for me, as it lubricates my bio-functions. Q: It doesn't sound very appealing. What else is there? Data: A wide variety of items. The replicator can make anything you desire. Q: How do I know what I desire? Data: I have observed that the selection of food is often influenced by the mood of the person ordering. Q: I'm in a dreadful mood. Get me something appropriate. Data: When Counselor Troi is unhappy, she usually eats something chocolate. Q: Chocolate? Data: A chocolate sundae, for example. Although I do not speak from personal experience, I have seen it have a profound psychological impact. Q: I'll have ten chocolate sundaes. Waitress: Ten? Data: I've never seen anyone eat ten chocolate sundaes. Q: I'm in a really bad mood, and since I've never eaten before, I should be very hungry. Q: This is not a moment I've been looking forward to. Guinan: I hear they drummed you out of the Continuum. Q: I like to think of it as a significant career change. Guinan: Just one of the boys, ay? Q: One of the boys with an IQ of two thousand and five. Data: The Captain and many of the crew are not yet convinced he is truly human. Guinan: Really? Q: Argh! Guinan: Seems human enough to me. Q: This is a dangerous creature. You have no idea. Why Picard would make her a member of the crew and not me Guinan: It must be terribly frightening for you, to be totally defenseless after all of those centuries being omnipotent. Q: I'm warning you. I still have friends in high places. Guinan: Frightening one race after the other, teasing them like frightened animals, and you enjoying every moment of your victims fears. Q: From now on I'll do missionary work, okay? Data: That would be a most noble cause, Q. Guinan: You could learn a lot from this one. Q: Sure, the robot who teaches the course in humanities. Data: I am an android, not a robot. Q: I beg your pardon. Guinan: I'd enjoy that, and you'd better get used to it. Q: What? Guinan: Begging. You're a pitiful excuse for a human. The only way you're going to survive is by the charity of others. Q: I'm not hungry. Worf: Captain, sensors are picking up a cloud of energetic plasma. Bearing, three-four one mark two zero. Range, twelve kilometers and closing. Picard: On screen. Worf: Energy patterns are reading as highly organized. Riker: A lifeform? Picard: Attempt to make contact, Mister Worf. Worf: Receiving a signal, sir. On speaker. Riker: Computer, analyze signal Computer: Signal patterns indicate intelligence. Unable to derive necessary referents to establish translation matrix. Voices: What's that? I don't know. Guinan: Calamarain. Worf: Captain, we're being hit by a field of energetic tachyons penetrating the hull. Location, deck ten, forward. Picard: Red alert. Riker: Geordi, increase power to shields. Laforge: Increasing power by twenty percent Worf: No effect Laforge: Increasing to forty percent. Worf: Still no effect Laforge: Adjusting shield harmonics, diverting power to the forward grids. Worf: The added harmonics are blocking the tachyon field. Q: Help me! Somebody, help me! Guinan: How the mighty have fallen. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have sustained light damage from an attack by an alien species known as the Calamarain. They apparently have a grievance with Q. No doubt one of many lifeforms that do. Q: The Calamarain are not very hospitable creatures. They exist as swirls of ionized gas. Picard: What did you do to them, Q? Q: Nothing bizarre, nothing grotesque. Riker: You tormented them. Q: A subjective term, Riker. One creature's torment, is another creature's delight. They simply have no sense of humor, a character flaw with which you can personally identify. Riker: I say we turn him over to them. Q: Oh, I take it back. You do have a sense of humor. A dreadful one at that. Riker: I'm serious. Picard: Of course. You knew this would happen, didn't you? Q: One can never anticipate the Calamarain. They're very intelligent, but very flighty. Picard: Yes, but you must have so many enemies. Certainly you knew that once you became mortal some of them might look you up. Q: It had occurred to me. Picard: And for all your protestations of friendship, your real reason for being here is protection. Q: You're very smart, Jean-Luc, but I know human beings. They're all sopping over with compassion and forgiveness. They can't wait to absolve almost any offense. It's an inherent weakness in the breed. Picard: On the contrary, it is a strength. Q: You call it what you will, but I think you'll protect me even though I've tortured you now and again. Riker: Fighting off all the species you've insulted would be a full time mission. That's not the one I signed up for. Picard: Indeed. Human or not, I want no part of you. We will deposit you at the first starbase. Let them deal with you. Q: But I could be a valuable member of the team. I'm human, I can learn. Data: He has provided important theoretical guidance for Geordi's analysis of the Bre'el satellite, Captain. Troi: It seems you have an advocate, Q. Data: I am merely stating a fact, Counselor. Picard: Mister La Forge, your status? Laforge: I've been putting together a program to extend the forward lobe of the warp field. The field coils Laforge: Aren't designed to envelop such a large volume. But I'm attempting to modify their alignment parameters. Data: Maintaining field integrity will be difficult, Geordi. Laforge: I'm pretty sure we can do it manually. The moon will come to its perigee in fourteen minutes. Picard: Mister Data, you will escort Q to Engineering. You will assist Mister La Forge. Mister Worf, hail the Bre'el Four science station. Worf: Aye, sir. Q: Picard thinks I can't cut it on his starship. I can do anything his little trained minions can do. Data: I do not perceive your skills to be in doubt, Q. The Captain is more concerned with your ability to interact successfully with his little trained minions. Data: Human interpersonal relationships are more complex. Your experiences may not have adequately prepared you. Q: I'm not interested in human interpersonal relationships. I just want to prove to Picard that I'm indispensable. Data: Engineering. To function aboard a starship, or in any human activity, you must learn to form relationships. Q: It's so hard. Data: And of more immediate importance is your ability to work within groups. Q: I'm not good in groups. It's difficult working in a group when you're omnipotent. Garin: The tides reached ten meters on the last orbit. They are already beginning to swell again. We have a lot of frightened people down here, Captain. Picard: Your moon has begun moving toward its perigee. We're prepared to make our attempt. Scientist: Our population has already taken shelter, but I'm afraid no shelter will be adequate if you fail. Especially for the people on the western continent. Garin: Whatever the results, we know you've done your best, Picard. It's appreciated. Picard: We'll keep you advised, Doctor. Picard out. Worf: Captain, sensors are picking up an increased energy output from the Calamarain. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. Laforge: The moon has reached its minimum orbital distance. It's time, Captain. Riker: We'll have to lower shields. Picard: Proceed. Mister Worf, keep a close eye on Q's friends out there. Worf: Understood. Q: All right, everyone, this is what we're going to be doing. Laforge: Q, everybody already knows what they're going to do, except for you, Now here's what I need. Q: La Forge, obviously my knowledge and experience far exceed yours by about a billion times. So, if you'll just step aside gracefully. Laforge: Q, your experience will be most valuable to me if you can manually control the field integrity. Q: Don't be foolish. That would be a waste of my talents. Laforge: Q, get to the controls or get the hell out of here. Data, you're my liaison to the Bridge. I'll need you with me. Q: Who does he think he is, giving me orders. Data: Geordi thinks he is in command here, and he is correct. Riker: Engineering, holding at station keeping, range six hundred and forty meters. Data: Containment fields to flight tolerance. Data: Warp core to ninety percent. Laforge: Engage field coils. Tractor beam to stand by. Field output? Field output? Q: Two seventeen. Laforge: Impulse engines to full. Ready to engage tractor beam. Riker: Lowering shields. Engage tractor beam. Laforge: Extending warp field forward. Picard: Engineering, is that the forward limit? Data: Yes, Captain. We are unable to encompass the entire moon. Picard: Do you recommend that we proceed? Q: The two parts of the moon will have different inertial densities. Laforge: Stand by, Captain. I can adjust the field symmetry to compensate. Q: I doubt it. Laforge: You don't know what this ship can do, Mister. Yes, Captain, I still believe it'll work. Increasing power and warp field and tractor beam. Q: And if you're wrong, the moon will crumble due to subspace compression. Don't say I didn't warn you. Laforge: Shut up, Q. Q: I will not be spoken to in this manner! Laforge: Data. Data: Q, I strongly suggest that you cooperate. Data: Inertial mass of the moon is decreasing to approximately two point five million metric tons. Laforge: It's working. We can move it. Firing impulse engines. Data: Captain, the moon's trajectory has moved point three percent. Point-four percent. Worf: Emergency! Shields up. Riker: Disengage tractor beam. Worf: Calamarain attacking. Shields holding. Tachyon field repelled. Laforge: Captain, the impact of the blast is pushing us into the upper atmosphere. Data: Hull temperature rising. Two thousand degrees. Data: Two thousand five hundred degrees. Laforge: Moving to full impulse power. Worf: Calamarain resuming attack. Worf: They've overpowered the shields. Hull penetration, deck thirty six, Engineering. Riker: Geordi, can you direct any more power to the shields? Laforge: We need all the power we have to get out of the atmosphere, Commander. Laforge: Try activating the structural integrity field. Laforge: It's not working. Structural field harmonics on manual. Riker: La Forge. Hull temperature falling. We're in the clear. Laforge: Diverting power to forward sections now. Laforge: That charge nearly knocked out his positronic net. Riker: What can you do for him? Laforge: We can try to discharge and reset the motor pathways, recouple the autonomic nodes. Crusher: There's overpressure in his fluidic systems. Thermal shock. If he was mortal, he'd be dead. Q: Let us not overstate the matter here, Doctor. I'm mortal and I survived. The cheers are overwhelming. Picard: Q, you exceed your own standards of self-preoccupation. You have no concern for an officer who may have saved your life. Q: He's strong, he'll survive. Laforge: Osmotic pressure still rising. Maybe we can by-pass the flow regulator. Crusher: It would be helpful if everybody just got out of here now. Picard: Stay with Q. Laforge: We'll let you know as soon as there's anything to tell you. Riker: Geordi? The moon's trajectory? Laforge: All we did was buy ourselves another orbit, at most. We can try again when the moon comes back to its perigee. Riker: And when we drop our shields, the Calamarains go after Q again. Laforge: Commander, he's not worth it. Picard: Come. Q: You're right, of course. I am extraordinarily selfish. But it has served me so well in the past. Picard: It will not serve you here. Q: Don't be so hard on me, Jean-Luc. You've been a mortal all your life. You know all about dying. I've never given it a second thought. Or a first one, for that matter. I could have been killed. If it hadn't been for Data and that one brief delay he created, I would have been gone. No more me. And no one would have missed me, would they? Data may have sacrificed himself for me. Why? Picard: That is his special nature. He learned the lessons of humanity well. Q: When I ask myself if I would have done the same for him, And I am forced to answer no, I feel, I feel ashamed. Picard: Q, I'm not your father confessor. You will receive no absolution from me. You have brought nothing but pain and suffering to this crew. And I'm still not entirely convinced that all this isn't your latest attempt at a puerile joke. Q: It is a joke. A joke on me. The joke of the universe. The king who would be man. As I learn more and more what it is to be human, I am more and more convinced that I would never make a good one. I don't have what it takes. Without my powers, I'm frightened of everything. I'm a coward, and I'm miserable, and I can't go on this way. Crusher: He's going to be all right. Laforge: We're recalibrating his language circuits, so he can't talk yet. Q: There are creatures in the universe who would consider you the ultimate achievement, android. No feelings, no emotions, no pain. And yet you covet those qualities of humanity. Believe me, you're missing nothing. But if it means anything to you, you're a better human than I. Q: Where's the main shuttlebay? Computer: Main shuttlebay is located on deck four. Q: Take me there. Worf: Captain, an unscheduled shuttle has just been launched. Picard: On main viewer. Hailing frequency. Worf: Frequencies open. Picard: Shuttle occupant, identify yourself. Q: Don't try to talk me out of it, Jean-Luc. Picard: Q, return to the ship immediately. Q: I just can't get used to following orders. Worf: Captain, the plasma cloud is moving toward the shuttle. Q: It's easier this way. They won't bother you after I'm gone. Riker: Engineering, prepare to extend shields. Q: Please, don't fall back on your tired cliché of charging to the rescue just in the nick of time. I don't want to be rescued. My life as a human being has been a dismal failure. Perhaps my death will have a little dignity. Picard: Q, there is no dignity in this suicide. Q: Yes, I suppose you're right. Death of a coward, then. So be it. But as a human, I would have died of boredom. Picard: This goes against my better judgment. Transporter room three, lock on to shuttle one. Beam it back into it's bay. Crewman: Aye, Captain. Picard: It's a perfectly good shuttlecraft. Crewman: Captain, unable to transport. For some reason, I can't lock on to the shuttlecraft. Riker: Worf, are you sensing any sort of interference from the Calamarain? Worf: No, sir, but they are still moving toward the shuttle. Riker: Geordi, extend shields around shuttle one. Laforge: Extending shields. Laforge: Commander, the shields are frozen. Riker: Cause? Laforge: Unknown. Riker: Lock on tractor beam. Laforge: Tractor beam is not functioning either. Riker: What the hell is going on? Q2: Not bad, Q. Not great. But not bad. Q: Q! Q2: Sacrificing yourself for these humans? Do I detect a little selfless act? Q: You flatter me. I was only trying to put a quick end to a miserable existence. Q2: What a dreadful color. Q: Yeah. What are you doing here? Q2: I've been keeping track of you. Q: I always felt you were in my corner. Q2: Actually, I was the one who got you kicked out. You know, you're incorrigible, Q. A lost cause. I can't go to a single solar system without having to apologize for you, and I'm tired of it. Q: I wasn't the one who misplaced the entire Deltived asteroid belt. Q2: Hey, this isn't about me. I've got better places to be. But somebody had to keep an eye on you to make sure you still didn't find a way to cause trouble. Even as a member of this limited species. Q: Well, I hope I've been entertaining you. Q2: Barely. But I find these humans rather interesting. I'm beginning to understand what you see in them. After all the things that you've done, they're still intent on keeping you safe. Q: A genetic weakness of the race. Q2: And they're still at it. They just tried to beam you up, back, whatever it is they call it. Q: Really? Q2: I stopped them. Q: Well, if the Calamarains hurry up and finish me off, we can get you back on your way. Q2: Afraid I had to put them on hold too. You see, there's still this matter of the selfless act. You and I both know that the Calamarain would have eventually destroyed the Enterprise to get to you. And that's really why you left, right? Q: It was a teeny bit selfless, wasn't it? Q2: And there's my problem. See, I can't back to the Continuum and tell them you committed a selfless act just before the end. If I do there's going to be questions and explanations for centuries. Q: I've learned my lesson, Q. Q2: Remember who you're talking to. All knowing, all seeing. Fine, you got your powers back. Try and stay out of trouble. Q: So they wanted to destroy me, did they? Q: If you think I tormented you in the past, my little friends, wait until you see what I do with you now. Q2: Q? Q: I was just seeing if you were still watching. Data: Captain, the aliens have disappeared, and so has the shuttle. Riker: Scan the sector. Data: I have, sir. Picard: Well, I suppose that is the end of Q. Q: Au contraire, mon capitaine! He's back! Q: I'm forgiven. My brothers and sisters of the Continuum have taken me back. I'm immortal again. Omnipotent again. Riker: Swell. Q: Don't fret, Riker. My good fortune is your good fortune. Riker: I don't need your fantasy women. Q: Oh, you're so stolid, Commander. You weren't like that before the beard. Very well. Picard: Q! Q: But I feel like celebrating. Picard: I don't. Q: All right. Picard: All of it. Picard: Now, at the risk of being rude. Q: Yes, once again I've overstayed my welcome. As a human, I was ill-equipped to thank you, but as myself you have my everlasting gratitude. Until next time. Ah, but before I go, there's a debt I wish to repay to my professor of the humanities. Data, I've decided to give you something very, very special. Data: If your intention is to make me human, Q. Q: No, no, no, no, no, no. I would never curse you by making you human. Think of it as a going away present. Laforge: Data? Data, why are you laughing? Data: I do not know. But it was a wonderful feeling. Worf: Captain, Bre'el Four is hailing us. Picard: On screen, Lieutenant. Garin: Captain Picard you've done it Picard: I'm sorry? Scientist: The moon. It's back to its normal orbit. How ever you did it, thank you. Riker: Let's see it, Worf. Picard: Mister Data, your analysis? Data: The moon's altitude is fifty five thousand kilometers. Projected orbit is circular. There is no further danger to the planet. Picard: Ensign, set course for Station Nigala Four. Ensign: Aye, sir. Picard: Perhaps there's a residue of humanity in Q after all. Ensign, en Q: Don't bet on it, Picard.

Scene: Captain's Log: Stardate 44246.3 We're investigating radiation anomalies reported in the Gamma Arigulon system by the starship LaSalle. Preliminary readings are inconclusive. Riker: Mister Data? Data: No changes, Commander. I can detect no abnormalities in the star's radiant energy. Picard: Prepare two class one probes. Data: Probes ready, Captain. Picard: Initiate launch sequence. Worf: Captain, Klingon attack cruiser de-cloaking, bearing zero one zero mark two three seven. Picard: Belay that order, Mister Data. Riker: Did Starfleet mention any Klingon ships in this sector? Picard: On screen. Worf: We are being hailed. Riker: All stop, Mister Crusher. Wesley: Aye, sir. All stop. Picard: Open a channel. K'Ehleyr: Hello, Captain Picard. Picard: Ambassador K'Ehleyr. This is an unexpected pleasure. K'Ehleyr: It's good to see you again, Captain. Lieutenant Worf. Picard: How may we be of assistance, Ambassador? K'Ehleyr: There is an urgent matter we must discuss, Captain. Permission to come aboard? Picard: Granted. Picard: Lieutenant, please receive our guest. Worf: Captain, I must request permission to send another officer. Picard: May I know your reason? Worf: My dishonor among Klingons may offend Ambassador K'Ehleyr. Picard: Lieutenant, you are a member of this crew, and you will not go into hiding whenever a Klingon ship uncloaks. Worf: I withdraw my request, sir. Chief: I just received coordinates, sir. Ready to transport two from the Klingon vessel. Worf: Two? Chief: Yes, sir. Worf: Energize. K'Ehleyr: I hope he'll be all right. Alexander hasn't had much contact with other children. K'Ehleyr: Not even a bite on the cheek for old time's sake? Worf: Perhaps you're not aware of my dishonor. I have accepted discommendation. K'Ehleyr: I've heard. So now what? I have to perform some ridiculous ritual to talk to you? Worf: You may not respect our traditions, but I do. K'Ehleyr: Sorry. I just thought you might want to talk. A few minutes ago, you looked like someone with a question to ask. Worf: Must I ask the question? K'Ehleyr: Yes, you must. K'Ehleyr: What should I tell Alexander? That he has no father? K'Ehleyr: The Klingon Empire is at a critical juncture. We may be facing civil war. Riker: War over what? K'Ehleyr: The usual excuses. Tradition, duty, honor. Data: The word excuses implies ulterior motives for a conflict. K'Ehleyr: I won't bore you with the intricacies of Klingon politics. Basically, two factions are trying to seize power. Picard: Do you believe there is a threat to the Federation in this struggle? K'Ehleyr: Klingon wars seldom remain confined to the Empire. Sooner or later they'll drag in the neighboring star systems, then the Tholians, the Ferengi. The Federation won't be able to stay out of it for long. This has been coming for some time. Only K'mpec, the head of the Council, has been able to maintain the peace. Troi: Now something has changed that. K'Ehleyr: Correct. K'mpec is dying. He is aboard the cruiser. He has come specifically to meet with you, Captain. Alone. K'Mpec: It's about time you arrived, Picard. Sit. K'Mpec: I need your help. Picard: If the Enterprise medical facility can do anything to help. K'Mpec: Too late. For some months I have been poisoned with small doses of Veridium six. The wine. There is no cure. Picard: What do you want of me? K'Mpec: After I die, you will act in my name to arbitrate the struggle for power. Picard: I will? K'Mpec: No one on the Council can be trusted, and I have my reasons for wanting an outsider. Picard: K'mpec, you cannot possibly be serious. A Federation officer has no business in K'Mpec: Nonsense. You are an accomplished mediator. This is no different than any other dispute requiring your services. Picard: On the contrary, I think this is very different. And I must respectfully decline. K'Mpec: If you refuse the dying request of the Klingon Supreme Commander it will be a insult by the Federation to all Klingons. Besides, I've already sent the order to the leaders of the two opposing factions. They're on their way. Picard: You had no right to involve me without my permission. K'Mpec: If I'd asked, you would have said no. Picard: This is not a case of simple mediation. You are asking me to choose the next leader of the Klingon Empire. K'Mpec: No. By tradition, the two strongest challengers fight for the right of succession. As mediator, only you can designate those challengers. Picard: But you have just said there are only two challengers arriving. What is the point? K'Mpec: I want you to discover which one of them has killed me. Gowron or Duras. Yes, Duras. I thought you would find that interesting. Picard: Interesting? You could say that, since he tried to have me killed, and conspired to strip Worf of his good name. K'Mpec: And I approved. All for the glory of the Empire. That should be my epitaph. Find the assassin. The Klingon who kills without showing his face has no honor. He must not lead the Empire. Such a man would be capable of anything. Even war with the Federation. Picard: Very well. I accept. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. K'mpec, who ruled the Klingon Empire longer than anyone in history, is dead. We await the arrival of Duras and Gowron, rivals for the leadership of the High Council. Worf: There is no honor in attacking the weak. Alexander: I would have won. Worf: No. You must earn victory. Alexander: Where are the other Klingons? Worf: There are no others on board. Alexander: Why? Worf: The Federation and the Klingon Empire were enemies for many years. No other Klingons have asked to serve in Starfleet. Alexander: Why? Worf: A warrior does not ask so many questions. Alexander: I don't want to be a warrior. K'Ehleyr: Hello! Well, you're back early. Alexander: He made me leave. K'Ehleyr: Maybe you should go to your room and play. K'Ehleyr: Is he under arrest? Worf: He knows nothing of our ways! K'Ehleyr: Our ways? You mean Klingon ways, don't you? Worf: He is Klingon! K'Ehleyr: He is also my son and I am half-human. He will find his own ways. Why the sudden concern? You won't even acknowledge that he's yours. Worf: Why did you not tell me? K'Ehleyr: What would you have done? That's right. You would have insisted that we take the oath, just as tradition would demand. Worf: You should not have kept this from me. K'Ehleyr: Well, now you know. Worf: I cannot acknowledge my relationship to the boy. It would only harm him. K'Ehleyr: Because you were dishonored? Worf: As my son, he would also bear my disgrace, as would his children. K'Ehleyr: Why did you accept discommendation from the High Council? Worf: My father was accused of collaborating with the Romulans at Khitomer. K'Ehleyr: I know. And I also know that you challenged it. Worf: Yes at first. Ultimately I withdrew my challenge. K'Ehleyr: But why, Worf? I can't believe you'd just give up. What really happened? Riker: Lieutenant Worf, Ambassador K'Ehleyr, report to the Bridge. Worf: On our way, Commander. Wesley: Klingon vessels Vorn and Buruk holding stations at thirteen kilometers. Picard: Open a channel, Mister Data. Data: Channel is open, sir. Vorn responding to hail. Picard: On screen. Duras: Let's get this over with, Picard. Picard: In good time, Duras. Duras: Even in death, K'mpec makes foolish decisions. You should not be involved in this, human. Picard: The Sonchi ceremony will take place in one hour aboard K'mpec's ship. Duras: One hour? What is the delay? Picard: There is no delay. It is the time I have chosen. Duras: Exactly one hour, Picard. Do not be late. Duras: Keep that pahtk away from the ceremony, Picard. He has no place on a Klingon ship. Picard: Picard out. Picard: Contact Gowron's ship. Tell him to meet us aboard K'mpec's vessel. Ambassador, meet me in Transporter room six in an hour. We will begin the ceremony a little late. Mister Worf. Picard: Worf, the next few days will be difficult for you Worf: You have made it clear that I am to perform my regular duties, sir. Picard: I want you to know that I am aware of your discomfort. Worf: Thank you, sir. Picard: Ambassador K'Ehleyr will be preparing me for my role in the rite of succession. Worf: Permission to speak freely, sir? Picard: Granted. Worf: Duras must not be allowed to lead the council. Picard: He has a legal claim, Mister Worf. Your personal feelings toward him Worf: It is not personal, sir. His father betrayed my people to the Romulans. Duras is a traitor. Picard: Klingon tradition may hold the son responsible for his father's sin. I cannot, Worf. Treason was his father's crime. Duras' crime was to lay that blame on your father. I will not forget that. But you should not forget that you chose to accept the consequences of that lie. Worf: To preserve the Empire. Picard: The issue now is whether or not he killed K'mpec. Worf: Sir? Picard: He was murdered. Poisoned. Worf: A Klingon would not use poison. His murder would have no honor. Picard: K'mpec believed that it was either Duras or Gowron. Worf: Well, I know little of Gowron. Only that he is an outsider who has often challenged the Council. But Duras? I know him. His heart is not Klingon. K'Ehleyr: That's Gowron. Picard: I hope this will be brief. K'Ehleyr: It will be just long enough to prove that K'mpec is dead. Picard: Qab jIH nagil Gowron: Qab jIH nagil! Duras: Qab jiH nagil! K'Ehleyr: Sonchi. Duras: Now, complete the Rite of Succession. It's obvious who the two challengers are. Picard: We will proceed according to the traditions and the precedents set down in Klingon law. Gowron: What do you know of Klingon law, human? Picard: We will reconvene on the Enterprise, wherein Duras: No! Finish it here, now! Worf: I have not received your report on the explosion. K'Ehleyr: Two Klingons killed. A few minor injuries. Were you concerned about me? Worf: As Head of Security, it is my duty to be concerned. K'Ehleyr: Is that it? Just official concern for my well being? Worf: You know my feelings. K'Ehleyr: Maybe I've forgotten. Worf: You were right. I would have insisted we take the oath. But not just because of tradition. K'Ehleyr: I thought about telling you. Wanted to tell you. But I wasn't ready. When I left, you said you'd never be complete without me. It took some time but, I came to realize I need you too. You're part of me, Worf. Worf: jIH dok. K'Ehleyr: maj dok. Worf: No, I cannot allow you to suffer my humiliation. K'Ehleyr: There would be no suffering I don't care what other Klingons think of you. Worf: But what of the boy? He may want to live in the Empire someday. He would be an outcast. Another traitor from a family of traitors. K'Ehleyr: Family of traitors. I don't believe that for a minute. Worf: Respect my wishes in this matter. I cannot take the oath with you. Nor can I claim your son. K'Ehleyr: If you cannot be his father, at least be his friend. Picard: We haven't completed our analysis of the bomb debris. Doctor Crusher is still studying the remains of the two men killed in the explosion. We need more time. K'Ehleyr: Duras and Gowron will be here in a few minutes. I don't think you can delay this meeting again. Picard: Is there some way of stretching out the formalities once they arrive? K'Ehleyr: In the modern Rite of Succession, only a brief proclamation that two challengers have been chosen is necessary. Picard: You said modern rite. How was the ritual performed in the past? K'Ehleyr: The old forms dictated that the challengers perform the ja'chuq. It's a long, involved ceremony where the challengers list the battles they've won, the prizes they've taken, the idea being to prove their worthiness to lead the Council. Picard: Can the old form still be used? K'Ehleyr: It's up to you. You can use whatever form you want. Picard: Thank you. K'Ehleyr: Captain, what do you know about Worf's discommendation? My interest is personal. I understand that you were there. You stood by him before the Council. I'd like to know what happened. Picard: I'm sorry, I can't discuss it. Duras: The Council must have a leader now! Complete the rite so I can kill this ha'DIbah. Gowron: You will die slowly, Duras. Duras: You have already proved you don't have the courage to face me. Perhaps you should plant another bomb! Picard: mev yap! Sit down. We will begin the ja'chuq. Gowron: What? Duras: This woman has been giving you bad advice, Picard. The ja'chuq is obsolete. Picard: It is my choice to respect the ancient rituals. Each of you will have to prove your worthiness to lead the High Council. Gowron: That will take hours. K'Ehleyr: Or days, depending on your cooperation. Alexander: What is this? Worf: A bat'leth. It belonged to my father. It has been in our family for ten generations. Alexander: Let me hold it. Worf: No, no, no. Do not think of it as a weapon. Make it part of your hand. Part of your arm. Make it part of you. K'Ehleyr: The next meeting is in three hours. Gowron: I would speak with you alone, Ambassador. K'Ehleyr: I'm honored. Gowron: Picard is prolonging the ja'chuq. Why? K'Ehleyr: He has sufficient reason to proceed carefully. Gowron: He relies on you for his knowledge of Klingon law. K'Ehleyr: Yes. Gowron: Then he values your advice. You could quicken the pace. K'Ehleyr: Possibly. Why should I? Gowron: Your position is unique. Have you never wondered about serving the Klingon Empire? K'Ehleyr: I serve in my own way. Gowron: As a Federation Ambassador. A few rewards, but little glory. K'Ehleyr: What do you want? Gowron: What do you want? Command of a ship? A seat on the Council? There are many opportunities for you in the Empire. K'Ehleyr: Opportunities that will present themselves only if you come to power. You talk like a Ferengi. Gowron: K'mpec was also stubborn. He too refused to listen. Now, he's gone. You need not make the same mistake. K'Ehleyr: K'mpec was old and weak. I am not. Laforge: We've completed our analysis of the bomb debris, Commander. Data: The explosive was a triceron derivative. Laforge: And the entire device couldn't have been more than three cubic millimeters in size. Riker: It could have been hidden anywhere in that room. Laforge: There's one more thing. The bomb had a molecular-decay detonator. Data: Only one race uses that device, sir. Riker: The Romulans. Picard: How could the Romulans plant a bomb on board a Klingon attack cruiser? Worf: It would be impossible. K'Ehleyr: Not if the Romulans had help from one of the Klingons. Laforge: Klingons and Romulans working together? They've been blood enemies for seventy five years. Picard: Perhaps Duras or Gowron wishes to improve that relationship. Riker: A new Klingon alliance with the Romulans? Data: If true, it would represent a fundamental shift of power in the quadrant. Picard: Indeed. It would put the Federation in a very difficult position. Riker: Duras or Gowron? K'Ehleyr: Gowron came to me alone. He wanted me to speed up the ja'chuq. Offered me a seat on the Council if I'd help him. Picard: That doesn't suggest a Romulan connection? K'Ehleyr: He also implied I'd end up like K'mpec if I didn't cooperate. Worf: Captain, I disagree. It must be Duras. K'Ehleyr: Why? Picard: We have had prior dealings with Duras that show him to be untrustworthy. K'Ehleyr: Can you be more specific? Picard: No. Mister Worf, we have a conspiracy on our hands that could be a direct threat to the security of the Federation. Worf: Yes, sir. Picard: As Chief Security Officer, you will accompany me to the next transition proceeding. Worf: Captain, they will be incensed. My presence will be disruptive. Picard: Yes, it will. K'Ehleyr: Computer, list stardates of the last Enterprise mission to the Klingon home planet. Computer: Stardates 43685 through 43689. K'Ehleyr: How many ship's logs during that period? Computer: Forty three officer's logs. Ten personal logs. K'Ehleyr: Is there a personal log for Lieutenant Worf? Computer: Affirmative. Access is restricted. K'Ehleyr: Eliminate all personal logs. List the remaining forty three in chronological order. We'll just take them one at a time. Gowron: jIH DoQ batlh! Picard: Both your claims have been properly made and recorded. We are ready for the final phase of the ja'chuq. There will be a recess while I review your petitions. I'm sure you're as concerned as I am about the explosion aboard K'mpec's vessel. I assume that you are both continuing your investigations? Gowron: The investigations are complete. They revealed nothing of any importance. Picard: Now that's very surprising. Our analysis turned up some startling results. Will you join us, Lieutenant? Duras: What is this? Gowron: He has no place here, Picard! Duras: I will not sit at the same table with that! Picard: It is my prerogative to investigate anything that may be relevant to the Rite of Succession. Lieutenant Worf is my Chief Security Officer. His presence is required. Duras: We will not proceed. Picard: If you wish to withdraw from the ja'chuq, that is your option. Proceed, Mister Worf. Worf: What did your investigations reveal about the explosion? Duras: It was a bomb. Worf: And was your analysis just as insightful? Gowron: It was a common explosive. Worf: What type? Gowron: Triceron. Worf: What about the detonator? Duras: This is pointless! The findings were inconclusive. Worf: Fortunately, our investigation was more thorough. The bomb used a molecular-decay detonator. Gowron: What? Picard: A Romulan device. Duras: I will return to my ship to confirm these conclusions myself. Gowron: As will I. Picard: Mister Worf, please be sure to send a complete record of our findings to both vessels and to the High Council. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: That will be all. K'Ehleyr: Computer, interlock with the Klingon Imperial Information Net. Computer: Interlock established. K'Ehleyr: Federation Ambassador K'Ehleyr requesting diplomatic access to High Council record. Security code pah doQ cha! Computer: Proceed. K'Ehleyr: Computer, display summary of the most recent High Council inquiry regarding Khitomer massacre. Computer: Access denied. Restricted materials, du ko cha clearance only. K'Ehleyr: By whose order? Computer: Council member Duras. K'Ehleyr: Access biographical files. Subject name, Councilor Duras. Duras: Advise my counselors on the Vorn to convene. There is much to discuss. Klingon: Look. Duras: What is this? Klingon: Priority message to you from the home planet. It seems Ambassador K'Ehleyr is looking into things she should not be. Duras: Distract the guard for me. Klingon: Yes, sir. Guard: Sir. Excuse me, sir. You cannot leave your quarters without an escort. K'Ehleyr: Come. Duras: I have been informed of your attempt to access restricted Council records. K'Ehleyr: I've been investigating what happened at Khitomer. Not at all an easy task, considering that most of the records are sealed. Duras: Worf's father was a traitor. K'Ehleyr: No, the evidence was altered to make it appear that way. I found it interesting to read that your father was also at Khitomer and you are the one who sealed the records. Duras: You would dare to insult my father's name? K'Ehleyr: Don't play the wounded Klingon for me, Duras. You don't do it very well. What happened in that Council Chamber? How did you get Worf to take the blame for you? Duras: Do not pursue this matter further. K'Ehleyr: The son betrays his people to the Romulans just as his father did, Duras? Crusher: One of the Klingons who died in the explosion was with Duras, the other was with Gowron. I've been examining the bodies, trying to get a clue to where the bomb was hidden. There's always a pattern in the lacerations and tissue damage. It would normally give a clear indication as to the direction, distance, force of impact. Riker: Normally? Crusher: In this case, the pattern was virtually impossible to detect. I couldn't understand it until I looked at the dynoscans. This wound is different from all of the others. It was made from the inside out. The bomb was implanted in one of their forearms. Riker: It's considered an honorable way for a Klingon to die, a suicide that takes an enemy with it. Which one of them was it? Crusher: Duras' man. Worf: When we have more time I will take you to the holodeck and demonstrate in more detail Worf: Medical emergency, deck eight, room one four two! Worf: Gowron? K'Ehleyr: No. Worf: Duras! K'Ehleyr: Alexander. Worf: K'Ehleyr. K'Ehleyr! Worf: You have never seen death. Then look. And always remember. Worf: Stay with the doctor. Crusher: Worf, when did you Crusher: Multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen. Too much trauma to the internal organs. There wasn't time enough to take her into stasis. Picard: Where's Worf? Crusher: I don't know. He disappeared just after I arrived. Riker: Riker to Lieutenant Worf. Computer, locate Lieutenant Worf. Computer: Lieutenant Worf is not aboard the Enterprise. Picard: Where is he? Computer: Lieutenant Worf transported to the Klingon ship Vorn at seventeen thirty hours. Riker: On my way. Worf: Duras. Duras: What is that doing here? Klingon: He has claimed the right of vengeance. Duras: You have no rights here, traitor! Worf: K'Ehleyr was my mate. Data: If Lieutenant Worf resists, sir? Riker: He's coming back with us one way or another. Set phasers on maximum stun. Duras: I'm the only one, Worf, the only one who can prove your innocence. Kill me and you're a traitor for ever. Worf: Then that is how it shall be. Riker: Worf! Picard: Mister Worf, your service aboard the Enterprise has been exemplary. Until now. Worf: Sir, I have acted within the boundaries of Klingon law and tradition. Picard: The High Council would seem to agree. They consider the matter closed. I don't. Mister Worf, the Enterprise crew currently includes representatives from thirteen planets. They each have their individual beliefs and values and I respect them all. But they have all chosen to serve Starfleet. If anyone cannot perform his or her duty because of the demands of their society, they should resign. Do you wish to resign? Worf: No, sir. Picard: I had hoped you would not throw away a promising career. I understand your loss, We all admired K'Ehleyr. A reprimand will appear on your record. Dismissed. Mister Worf, isn't it time for the truth about your father's innocence to be told? After all, you only accepted this dishonor to protect the name of Duras and hold the Empire together. Now that he has died in disgrace, what is gained by further silence? Worf: Each member of the Klingon High Council has shared in that lie. They will not be so willing to admit their own dishonor. But the day will come when my brother and I will convince them to speak the truth. Worf: My parents, my human parents, will meet us at Starbase seventy three. They will care for you. Alexander: Why can't I stay with you? Worf: You deserve a home, a family. They can provide that I cannot. I miss her too. Alexander: Are you my father? Worf: Yes. I am your father.

Gowron: We will have to move quickly if we are to be successful. Picard: Successful? Gowron: Yes. In preventing a Klingon civil war. Worf: I would speak with you. Gowron: I do not hear the words of traitors. Worf: It was Duras' father who betrayed our people to the Romulans at Khitomer, not mine. Lursa: We have discovered that our brother did indeed have a son and heir. Toral: Follow me, and I will show you honor. Gowron: Your blood will paint the way to the future. Picard: If we go to the aid of the Bortas, we'll be dragging the Federation into a Klingon civil war. Gowron: You both fought as warriors. I return your family honor. Picard: Mister Worf, your responsibilities as a Starfleet officer are incompatible with remaining on board a Klingon ship during a time of war. Worf: Then I resign my commission as a Starfleet officer. Movar: Picard has rejected Gowron's plea for help. The Enterprise has left orbit. Woman: We should not discount Jean Luc Picard yet. He is human, and humans have a way of showing up when you least expect them. And now, the conclusion. Kurn: Maintain course. Status of warp engines? Warp engines at fifty percent. Kurn: Status of shields? Worf: Aft shields buckling. Kurn: Transfer auxiliary power to shields! Worf: Aft shields are gone! We cannot win. We must withdraw. Kurn: Keep your place! New course. Three zero seven mark two seven five. Helm: But sir, that takes us dangerously close to the Kurn: GhoS! Worf: We are entering the star's corona. We will reach the photosphere in thirty seconds. Kurn: Stand by to enter warp on my command. Set course two five zero mark zero one five. Worf: Shields failing. Outer hull temperature exceeding design limit. Captain! Kurn: Maintain course. Worf: They're closing on us! Kurn: Stand by. DaH! Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45020.4. We have arrived at Starbase two thirty four, where I have taken the opportunity to make a proposal to Fleet Admiral Shanthi. Picard: There have been three major engagements in the last two weeks, all of them won by ships loyal to the Duras family. Shanthi: None of which is our concern, Jean-Luc. The Klingon civil war is, by definition, an internal matter of the Empire. Picard: Agreed. But if the Duras are being aided by the Romulans, it becomes very much our concern. The Romulans have been attempting to destroy the Klingon-Federation Alliance for the past twenty years. At the same time, the Duras have been secretly conspiring with the Romulans. Doesn't it strike you as odd that the Duras are able to field such an overpowering force against Gowron? That they outmatch him at almost every turn? Shanthi: Some would call it good leadership. Picard: And some would say they must be getting help. The Romulans are prepared to take enormous risks to gain any advantage over the Federation. Can we seriously believe that now, with the future of the Klingon Empire in the balance, they are content to stand by and watch? Shanthi: What is it you propose, Captain? Picard: We must stop the flow of supplies and equipment to the Duras from the Romulans. What I propose is that we send a fleet to the Romulan-Klingon border. We'll take no offensive action, but we will be in a position to expose any Romulan supplies that attempt to cross the border. Shanthi: A blockade. Picard: Exactly. Shanthi: But how would you overcome the Romulan cloaking device? Picard: My Chief Engineer has developed a system that should nullify that advantage. Each ship will send out an active tachyon beam to the other blockading ships. Now, in theory, any cloaked vessel that attempts to pass between our ships must cross that beam and be detected. Shanthi: I'll have to clear this with the Federation Council. In the meantime, assemble your fleet, Captain. Riker: Nicely done. I hope we know what we're doing. Picard: So do I, Number One. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45021.3. Convincing Starfleet Command to establish a blockade was relatively painless. Implementing that plan is proving more troublesome. Riker: Starfleet is stretched pretty thin across the quadrant. There are only about twelve ships within a day's travel of this position. Laforge: The only other ships available are either in spacedock for repairs or still under construction. Most of them don't even have full crews yet. Riker: We could probably scare up seven, maybe eight, more ships. Picard: Mister La Forge, can you implement your tachyon detection grid with twenty ships? Laforge: It's possible, but the more ships, the bigger the net we can throw. Picard: All right. I want to add the Tian Nan Men, the Sutherland and the Hermes, whether the yard superintendent says they're ready or not. Mister Data, will you select a group of experienced Enterprise officers to augment the crews of those ships. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Will, I want you to command the Excalibur. Her crew was reassigned when she put in for repairs. Geordi, you will be his First Officer. Laforge: Aye, sir. Picard: I want the fleet underway by oh nine hundred tomorrow. Thank you, gentlemen. Picard: Yes, Mister Data? Data: May I ask a question, sir, of a personal nature? Picard: Yes. Data: I am confused. Why have I not been assigned to command a ship in the fleet, sir? Picard: Well, I felt that you would be needed here. Why do you ask? Data: You have commented on the lack of senior officers available for this mission. I believe my twenty six years of Starfleet service qualifies me for such a post. However, if you do not believe the time has arrived for an android to command a starship, perhaps I should address myself to improving my Picard: Commander. I believe the starship Sutherland will need a captain. I can think of no one better suited to the task than you. Data: Thank you, sir. Kurn: You always did have fools working for you, Larg. Now you don't have as many! Larg: You were lucky, Kurn, but luck always runs out. Someday I will stand over your broken corpse and drink to the victory of the Duras! Kurn: Ah, Worf, good. This piece of baktag is Captain Larg. He commanded the squadron that tried to destroy us yesterday. Larg: The infamous Worf, son of Mogh. What is that you are wearing? That is the uniform of a Klingon! Kurn: The Capital City is neutral ground and Larg's men are all around us. As are mine. Larg: Good to drink with you, Kurn. May you die well. Kurn: Die well, Larg. Worf: You drink with our enemies? Kurn: How many are Gowron's men? How many are Duras? Does it matter? When we meet in battle, we will fight to the death, but here, here we're all warriors, all Klingons. Worf: The repairs to the Hegh'ta are proceeding. The port stabilizers Kurn: Is there nothing in your heart but duty? Worf: It is my responsibility. Kurn: We all have responsibilities and duties, But you and I are warriors fighting in a great war. Think of it. You and I will fight battles that others can only dream of. The time for glory is here. It is not a time to worry about stabilizers. It is a time to celebrate, for tomorrow we all may die! Come, let us, the sons of Mogh, live this night as if it were our last. B'Etor: Worf is not like his brother. Lursa: No. He tries to be, but he's still unsure of himself. B'Etor: Perhaps he needs something to help restore his confidence. Lursa: I think he'll find our offer appealing. B'Etor: I'll make sure he does. Hobson: You've got to keep this mixture above ninety percent or we'll never leave orbit. Thank you, Mister Krags. Data: I am Lieutenant Commander Data. Hobson: Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hobson. Data: By order of Starfleet, I hereby take command of this vessel. Please note the time and date in the ship's log. Hobson: Excuse me, sir. I'd like to request a transfer. Data: May I ask why? Hobson: I don't believe I'd be a good first officer for you. Data: Your service record to date suggests that you would perform that function adequately. Hobson: No, no, no, that's not what I mean. I don't think that I would be a good first officer for you. Data: Why? Hobson: Frankly, sir, I don't believe in your ability to command this ship. You're a fellow officer and I respect that, but no one would suggest that a Klingon would make a good ship's counselor or that a Berellian could be an engineer. They're just not suited for those positions. By the same token, I don't think an android is a good choice to be captain. Data: I understand your concerns. Request denied. O'Brien: The Endeavor has cleared the dock, Captain. All ships standing by. Picard: Good. Course one one eight mark three five seven, full impulse power. Signal the fleet to get underway. We'll enter warp once we're clear of the system. O'Brien: Aye, sir. Picard: Engage. B'Etor: The Romulan convoy is late. We need those supplies. Sela: Gowron has suffered another loss in the Mempa system. His forces will not threaten you in that region for some time. B'Etor: But if Gowron Sela: The convoy will arrive in due course. Lursa: The Federation fleet has left Starbase two thirty four. They've set course for Klingon territory. Movar: How many? Lursa: At least twenty starships. Sela: Who's commanding this fleet? Lursa: Picard. Toral: What does it mean? Is the Federation going to enter the war? Should we attack them before they get here? Sela: Silence the child, or send him away. Movar, I want you to return to Romulus immediately. Have all available ships rendezvous at these coordinates in two days. Movar: Yes, Commander. Lursa: Twenty ships aren't enough to wage a war. Starfleet must be bluffing. Sela: Perhaps. Kurn: Our forces in the Mempa sector are now in full retreat. They will need to regroup near Beta Lankal. Gowron: We destroyed their supply bases in that sector three weeks ago. How can they continue to fight? Kurn: They must be getting help. Kulge: Maybe they have better leaders. I say you have failed as our leader, Gowron. Worf: There is no time for this! We must make plans before those forces reach Beta Lankal! How can we oppose the Duras when we continue to fight among ourselves? Kurn: Gowron must answer a challenge to his authority. Worf: Stop it! Do we to fall upon ourselves like a pack of Ferengi? The enemy is the Duras. We are at war! Gowron: Now the war can continue. O'Brien: We're crossing into Klingon territory, Captain. Picard: Signal the fleet to maintain yellow alert until further notice. O'Brien: Aye, sir. Picard: Begin long range scans of the Romulan border. O'Brien: No uncloaked ships within sensor range. A few subspace anomalies, but nothing firm. Picard: Those anomalies could be cloaked ships. O'Brien: Could be, sir. Picard: Open a channel to the Excalibur. Riker: Excalibur, Riker here. Picard: Deploy the fleet, Will. It's time to spread our net. Riker: Yes, sir. Hobson: We've arrived at the designated coordinates, Captain. Data: All stop. Notify the flagship that we have assumed station. Hobson: Starboard power coupling has overloaded. We've got a radiation leak on decks ten through twelve. Data: Why are the backups not functioning? Hobson: There wasn't enough time to test all the backups before we left the yard. Terry, I want you down in Engineering working on a new coupling. Data: You have taken the phaser and torpedo control units offline. Hobson: Keith, you and I will start bringing the radiation Data: Mister Hobson, it is inappropriate for you to determine a course of action without consulting the commanding officer. Hobson: I was trying to safeguard the lives of people on those decks, but you're right. Belay those orders, everyone. Phasers and torpedoes are back online. What should we do, sir? Data: You will take the phasers and torpedo units offline and begin repairs of the starboard power coupling. Hobson: Thank you, sir. You heard the Captain, everyone. Riker: We're ready, sir. Picard: Mister La Forge, how long do you think it will take the Romulans to detect the tachyon field once it's activated? Laforge: Not long Romulan sensors are as good as ours. Picard: Very well. Energize the network. Movar: There's an increase in tachyon emissions from the Federation fleet. Sela: They're using the beams as a detection field. Movar: If we try to cross it, they'll see us, even if we're cloaked. Sela: Issue orders to begin work on a way to penetrate this field. In the meantime, we'll have to convince Captain Picard he should leave. O'Brien: Captain, I'm picking up something directly ahead. Romulan ship decloaking. Shall I raise shields? Picard: Not yet. O'Brien: They're hailing us, sir. Picard: On screen. Tasha? Sela: No, Captain. I am Commander Sela. The woman you knew as Tasha Yar was my mother. Deploying an invasion fleet along our border is a clear act of aggression, Captain. It will not be tolerated. You have twenty hours to recall your ships and return peacefully to Federation territory. Picard: So you believe her, Counselor? Troi: I'm not saying we should accept her claim at face value, but I sensed no deception from her. She really believes she is the daughter of Tasha Yar. Crusher: Regardless of what she believes, Sela can't be her daughter. I've reviewed all of Tasha's medical records, and there is no indication that she was ever pregnant. Picard: Besides, Tasha was a child when this woman was born. Troi: Sela could have been cloned. Crusher: Or had her appearance surgically altered. Picard: But why? What possible advantage could there be to the Romulans? As this now stands, I don't think this will have any impact on our strategy. We'll continue the blockade, leave the next move to them. Thank you. Guinan: Am I intruding? Picard: No, not at all. Is something wrong? Guinan: News travels fast. I heard that Tasha Yar's daughter is aboard the Romulan ship. Picard: I think that the Romulans are just hoping to create a distraction. They want to keep us off balance. Guinan: How much do you know about what happened to the last ship called Enterprise? Picard: Enterprise C? She was lost at the battle of Narendra Three, defending a Klingon outpost from the Romulans. Guinan: And the survivors? Picard: There were stories of prisoners taken back to Romulus, but these were only rumors. Guinan: No. There were survivors. And Tasha Yar was one of them. Picard: Guinan, that was twenty three years ago. Tasha Yar was only a child. Guinan: I know that. But I also know she was aboard that ship and she was not a child. And I think you sent her there. Picard: How can that be? Guinan: I don't know. I just know that you did. Picard: Tasha died, a year before you came on the Enterprise. You never met her. Guinan: I know that. Picard: If you have only a vague intuition Guinan: You can't just dismiss this. If I'm right, then you are responsible for this whole situation. Picard: I think that it's time I met Commander Sela. Worf: We are at war. Gowron should forbid any challenges until we are victorious. Kurn: A Klingon does not postpone a matter of honor. Worf: A Klingon should place the good of the Empire above his own pride. Kurn: So now Gowron no longer suits you. Perhaps you mean to challenge him for the leadership of the Council? Worf: No. Kurn: Then do not speak of this again! I did not wish to follow Gowron. You came to me and insisted we support Gowron against the Duras family. The time for debate is over. We are Klingons. He is our leader. If that is not enough for you, then perhaps you made the wrong choice when you put on that uniform. Sela: Well, Captain, what is this urgent matter we need to discuss? Picard: Please, won't you sit down? Picard: I'm afraid that you have misinterpreted our presence here. I want to reassure you that we have no hostile intention. Sela: Ah. Then I can tell my superiors that a fleet of twenty three Federation starships is on our border for, what, humanitarian reasons? Picard: It is our intent to prevent any external power from interfering in Klingon affairs. Sela: Nor do we have any plan to do so. But Captain, if for any reason we chose to enter Klingon territory, how would you stop us? With our cloaking devices we can slip by you at will. Picard: Then why don't you just take your ships across? Sela: You sound eager for us to try. Perhaps you've discovered a method in detecting our ships? However, I don't think you asked me here to discuss our military situation. Picard: All right. Why did I invite you here? Sela: You want the answer to the only question on your mind. How could Tasha Yar be my mother? Picard: It's been suggested that she was aboard the Enterprise C when it was destroyed twenty four years ago, that she was one of the survivors and that obviously you are a product of a union between her and a Romulan. Sela: But you know that's impossible. She would have been a child when that battle occurred. Picard: And yet you claim that it is possible, that you're the daughter of Tasha Yar. Sela: Yes, she was on that ship twenty four years ago. She was sent there by you from the future. She was among those few who survived. They were all to have been executed after the interrogation, but a Romulan general saw her and became enamored with her. So a deal was struck. Their lives would be spared if she became his consort. I was born a year later. Picard: I want to meet your mother. Can you arrange that? Sela: One night, when I was four years old, she came to me. She bundled me up and she told me to stay quiet as we left the compound. I realized she was taking me away. She was taking me away from my home, my father, so I cried out. My father offered her life. He gave her a home, gave her a child, and how did she repay him? By betrayal. They executed her. Everything in me that was human died that day with my mother. All that's left is Romulan. Never doubt that. Picard: Doubts? I'm full of them. But nothing in my experience can persuade me that what you have told me is true. And I do know one thing. It will not affect my judgment at our next encounter. Sela: You have fourteen hours, Captain. I suggest you use them wisely. B'Etor: Is something wrong? Lursa: Welcome, Worf, son of Mogh. Worf: What do you want? Lursa: The same as you. Personal honor. Glory for the Empire. Worf: Your family has never valued honor. B'Etor: You knew only our brother. We are not like him. Lursa: Our brother made many mistakes. One was to make you an enemy. B'Etor: We would rather be your friends. Worf: Then you should not have opposed Gowron. B'Etor: Gowron is nothing. Lursa: Toral is Duras' only son, and he will be the leader of the Council. In your heart, even you know that. But Toral needs guidance. B'Etor: A firm hand. Lursa: A father figure. That could be you, if you were mated to B'Etor. B'Etor: The rewards could be greater than you can imagine. Lursa: Nothing will stand in our way. B'Etor: We could rule the Empire together. Lursa: Join us, Worf, and usher in a new era for our people. Worf: An era where honor has no meaning? Where Klingons trade loyalties in dark rooms and where the Empire is ruled from Romulus. Sela: Enough, Lursa. You failed. I need to know the strength and capabilities of the Federation fleet. I don't have time for this. Turn him over to the guard. B'Etor can have him back when they've finished with him. Romulan: Come! Picard: In thirteen hours we'll be forced to either withdraw from the border or fight the Romulan fleet. Neither alternative is acceptable. We must expose their involvement before the deadline. Gowron: What is it you propose? Picard: If you launch a full-scale attack now, then the Duras fleet will call for supplies. Lursa and B'Etor will call for help. The Romulans will try to run the blockade, and we'll be ready for them. Gowron: And once the Romulan connection has been exposed, support will fall away from Lursa and B'Etor. Very well. I will make preparations. One thing more, Picard. Worf has been captured by the Duras. I hope he dies well. Qapla! Picard: When Gowron begins his attack, then we will make our move. Excalibur will fall back with engine problems. You will take the Akagi and the Hornet to this position, which will open a small gap in our detection net. Riker: And if the Romulans are already aware of the tachyon field, they should run the blockade at that point. Picard: Exactly. When they try to bring their ships through, the Enterprise and the Tian Nan Men will swing around, close the gap and catch them in the act. Riker: Very nice. I'd better get back. Picard: Good luck, Will. Riker: Good luck, Captain. Movar: We've just received an urgent message from Lursa and B'Etor. Gowron's forces have attacked in three sectors. The Duras are nearing defeat. Sela: You mean they were caught unprepared and now they're crying for help. Have the science sections found a way to circumvent the detection grid yet? Movar: We think so. Just before we cross the border, we'll send out a massive tachyon pulse. A burst that large should cause enough interference to disable a part of their network. Sela: Good. Movar: One of their ships is moving off the blockade line. Sela: Their warp drive is failing. Movar: Picard is redeploying the fleet to compensate for the missing ship. There's a gap opening in the net. Sela: He doesn't have enough ships to maintain the network. Movar: If we act quickly we can move through. Commander? Sela: No. I don't think so. Movar: But it's what we've been waiting for. Sela: Yes I know and so does Picard. He's giving us exactly what we need and he expects us to take it. No. We won't step into Picard's trap. We will disable part of his network here, where they're weakest. We'll direct the energy burst right at the ship with the android Captain. O'Brien: Sir, the detection net is picking up activity from the Romulans. Fifteen cloaked ships spreading out along the border. Picard: Signal the fleet to stand by. O'Brien: Aye, sir. Sela: Now. Sela: Come to course zero eight zero mark two nine five. O'Brien: There's a disruption in the tachyon detectors! It's localized to this segment of the net. Picard: Open a channel to the Sutherland. Data: Data here, sir. Picard: We're reading a disruption of the tachyon net in your area. Data: Yes, sir. The Romulans have released a high energy burst. The net is no longer effective in a radius of ten million kilometers around the Sutherland. Picard: That's where they're going through. Send a signal to the fleet. All ships to fall back and rendezvous at Gamma Eridon. We'll re-establish the net there. O'Brien: Aye, sir. Hobson: All Federation ships proceed at maximum warp to Gamma Eridon. Data: Acknowledge the signal. Ensign, lay in the course and engage at warp nine point three. Craig: Aye, sir. Hobson: What are you doing? Data: In disrupting the detection net, the Romulans may have caused a residual tachyon signature to form around their own ships. Hobson: But we have no way of detecting it. Data: All stop. Craig: Aye, sir. All stop. Hobson: Sir, the fleet's been ordered to Gamma Eridon. Data: The tachyon signatures will not last long. By the time the fleet is deployed, it will be too late. Begin to reconfigure the sensors to detect ionized particle traces. Hobson: The entire area's been flooded with tachyon particles. We'll never be able to find what we're looking for. Data: I am aware of the difficulties. Please bring the phasers back online. Hobson: That will flood three decks with radiation! Data: We will initiate radiation protocol when necessary. Hobson: You don't give a damn about the people whose lives you're throwing away. We're not just machines Data: Mister Hobson! You will carry out my orders or I will relieve you of duty. Hobson: Yes, sir. O'Brien: Captain, the Sutherland isn't heading for the rendezvous point. She's come to a full stop. Picard: Open a channel. Hobson: The Enterprise wants to know the reason we've stopped. Data: Display sensor schematic. Display sensor sweep, maximum range. Hobson: Are you going to answer the Enterprise? Data: Overlay display with tachyon emissions. Highlight any tachyon signatures which show subspace inertial displacement. Concentrate a sensor sweep in that area. Hobson: Sir, this is pointless. Those readings could be anything. There's no way for us to be sure the Romulans are out there. Data: Reconfigure photon torpedo warhead yields. Set for high energy burst level six. Hobson: Level six? But that won't even Data: Do it! Hobson: Torpedoes ready. Another message coming in. It's Captain Picard! Picard: Mister Data, you were ordered to rendezvous with the fleet at Gamma Eridon. Acknowledge. Data: Stand by, Captain. Mister Hobson, prepare to fire. Hobson: Didn't you hear? Captain Picard wants us Data: Fire. Fire! Movar: They have discovered us! Sela: Reverse course. Order the fleet back to Romulan territory. Movar: Commander, the Duras need this convoy. Without these supplies, they cannot win. Sela: We've been exposed. It's over. Movar: But what should I tell Lursa and B'Etor? Sela: Tell them they're on their own. Hobson: They're changing course, heading back to Romulan space. Data: Make a full report to the flagship. Take the main phasers offline and begin radiation clean up on the affected decks. Hobson: Yes, sir, Captain. B'Etor: Defeat. Toral: How? Where are the Romulans? Lursa: They never came. Lursa: Kill him. Toral: No! Kurn: Toral, the next Leader of the Empire. Gowron is looking forward to seeing you again. Captain's personal log, stardate 45025.4. It is with a profound sense of relief that I have ordered the fleet back to Federation territory following the Romulan withdrawal and the news of Gowron's victory. We have arrived at the Klingon home world, where I will present the High Council with a full report on our encounter with the Romulans. Picard: Come. Data: Captain, I wish to submit myself for diskiplinary action. I have disobeyed a direct order from a superior officer. Although the result of my actions proved positive, the ends cannot justify the means. Picard: No, they can't. However, the claim 'I was only following orders' has been used to justify too many tragedies in our history. Starfleet doesn't want officers who will blindly follow orders without analyzing the situation. Your actions were appropriate for the circumstances, and I have noted that in your record. Picard: Mister Data. Nicely done. Data: Sir. Gowron: The Council appreciates your report, Captain. The information on the Romulan supply ships will prove very useful. Before you leave, there is one last matter to attend to. Gowron: Bring him. Kurn: Toral, son of Duras, you stand convicted of treason. Toral: The Duras family will one day rule the Empire! Gowron: Perhaps. But not today. Worf. This child's family wrongly took your name and your honor from you. In return, I give his life to you. Kurn: What's wrong? Kill him! Worf: No. Kurn: But it's our way. It is the Klingon way. Worf: I know. But it is not my way. This boy has done me no harm and I will not kill him for the crimes of his family. Gowron: Then it falls to Kurn. Worf: No. No, you gave me his life, and I have spared it. Gowron: As you wish. Worf: Request permission to return to duty, sir. Picard: Granted.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45761.3. In an effort to bring an end to their centuries-long war, Krios and Valt Minor have agreed to a Ceremony of Reconciliation, to be held aboard the Enterprise at a point midway between their two systems. Picard: I apologize for the delay in our arrival, Ambassador Briam. We had to stop at Harod Four to pick up a group of stranded miners. Briam: Please, Captain, we are grateful that the Federation has taken as much interest as it has in this matter. Picard: Was Commander La Forge able to provide you with the special cargo handling provisions you requested? Briam: Indeed he was. However, until we reach the rendezvous with the Valtese, may I ask that the cargo bay be declared off-limits to all but the most essential personnel? Picard: I trust, Ambassador, that this cargo is in no way dangerous? Briam: Oh, no, nothing of the sort. I'm cautious because it's quite fragile, and quite irreplaceable. Riker: Bridge to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead. Riker: Captain, we've just picked up a distress call from a Ferengi shuttle. Picard: Set a course to intercept. Riker: Aye, sir. Briam: Captain, the timing of our ceremony with Alrik is critical. It cannot be delayed. Picard: We'll be at the rendezvous on schedule, don't worry. Excuse me. Data: The Ferengi report their containment field is collapsing. Worf: Within visual range, Captain. Picard: On screen. Data: Their reactor core is unstable, Captain. Picard: How many on board? Data: Two, sir. Riker: Bridge to transporter room three. Boost your output and lock on to the two Ferengi on board the shuttle. Riker: We may need to attempt a long range transport. Crewwoman: Standing by. Picard: Energize. Officer: Got them, sir. Riker: Mister Worf, escort our Ferengi guests to quarters. Not too close to mine. Worf: Understood. Worf: Unless you can arrange your own transport, you will have to remain on the Enterprise until we complete our mission. Qol: That will not be a problem. Lenor: We are in no hurry. Qol: We look forward to enjoying the comforts of your fine ship. Qol: Quite acceptable. Not what we're used to, you understand, but it will do. Lenor: Perhaps your captain would care to invite us to join him for dinner this evening? Worf: The captain dines alone. Qol: A pity. That was too easy. Laforge: We've been working from your drawings, Ambassador. I hope we're in the ballpark. Briam: Ball park? Picard: That's an old human expression. Mister LaForge hopes that we've got close to achieving what you wanted. Laforge: Computer, run holodeck program Krios One. Computer: Enter when ready. Briam: Astonishing. It is the ancient Temple of Akadar. It is this temple that bonds Krios and Valt, gentlemen. Two brothers ruled a vast empire from this site until they were torn apart by their love for an extraordinary woman. This is where the wars began. And this is where they shall end. Briam: There are some details to be added, of course. Picard: Commander La Forge will be entirely at your disposal, Ambassador. Laforge: Just let me know what you need. Briam: Yes, of course. I must consult several of the historical volumes I brought with me, so perhaps we can reconvene later. Lenor: Excuse me! Excuse me! Is it true? Is a Kriosian ambassador aboard this vessel? Briam: Yes. Can I help you? Picard: The Ambassador's very busy. Lenor: Ah, do you schedule his appointments? Picard: I'm the Captain of the ship. What is it you want? Lenor: Allow me to present myself. Par Lenor of the Ferengi Trade Mission. We are pleased to hear, Ambassador, that you have at last negotiated peace with the Valtese, Ambassador. Peace is good for trade, unless you happen to be an arms merchant. Picard: Excuse us. Lenor: Arms merchant! Lenor: in return for the exclusive rights to transport all Kriosian products to the Valt system. Picard: May I suggest that you arrange to meet at another time, after the ceremony? Briam: Perhaps that would be best. Lenor: But, but Laforge: Listen, have you had a chance to see the dolphins yet? Picard: Deck seven. Picard to Worf. Worf: Worf here, Captain. Picard: Lieutenant, one of the Ferengi just waylaid Ambassador Briam. I need you to keep them on a tight leash. Picard: I don't want them disrupting this conference. Worf: Aye, sir. Security to cargo bay one. Riker: Lieutenant? Worf: One of the Ferengi. Riker: Riker to Captain Picard. Worf: What are you doing? Qol: This is a misunderstanding. I was looking for a barbershop. Apparently I made an incorrect turn and Picard: Mister Worf? Riker: Get him out of here. Confine them both to their quarters. Put a guard on their door. Picard: What is happening? Briam: Emergence. Kamala: I am for you, Alrik of Valt. Briam: No, Kamala. This is not Alrik. This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. Kamala: That explains why you don't look at all like your holographs. I apologize, Captain. As an empath, I could sense your authority. I assumed you were Chancellor Alrik. Picard: I'm afraid I require an explanation, Ambassador. Kamala: As do I, Ambassador. Why have I been brought out of stasis prematurely? Briam: It was an accident. This is quite complicated. Perhaps you and I Kamala: It is not complicated at all, Briam, and the Captain has no tolerance for prevarication. I'm a gift, to Alrik of Valt. Riker: You mean you're using this ship to transport a sentient being as property? Briam: Not as property, as a gift, and I was concerned that you might not entirely understand. Picard: Your concern was justified, Ambassador. Kamala: You're angry. Why? Picard: There is a provision in the Federation Constitution that protects an individual's fundamental rights. Now once you were brought aboard this ship Kamala: You're coming to my rescue. What a kind and generous purpose. But Captain, I do not need to be rescued. Briam: Kamala is the key to peace between our two worlds. Riker: Why? Kamala: In our history there's a woman known as Garuth, who was loved by the brothers Krios and Valt with such passion that an empire fell. Briam: And the wars began when Krios kidnapped Garuth and took her to our planet. Kamala: Like her, I'm an empathic metamorph. The first female metamorph born in my world for over a hundred years. Picard: A metamorph? Kamala: A mutant. A biological curiosity, if you will. With the ability to sense what a potential mate wants, what he needs, what gives him the greatest pleasure and then to become that for him. Riker: You mean you change according to whatever man you're with? Kamala: Until I reach the stage of bonding, when I must imprint upon myself the requirements of one man, to serve as his perfect partner in life. Briam: You see, male metamorphs are somewhat common, but females are born only once in seven generations. So obviously they are greatly sought after as mates. Riker: Which explains the Ferengi's interest. Briam: This mating to Alrik was arranged sine her birth by the leaders of both worlds, in the hopes of restoring peace. Picard: You do this of your own accord? Kamala: It is my sole purpose in life. Picard: Commander Riker, escort her to quarters. There's no need for you to travel in the cargo bay. Briam: Kamala, remain in your room. I will speak to you shortly. Riker: Why were you in stasis? Kamala: Metamorphs have a long and complex sexual maturing process. I am in the Finiis'ral, the third and final stage. It can be an uncomfortable transition Not only for me, but for the men around me. Riker: In what way? Kamala: My body is producing an unusually elevated level of what you would call pheromones. The effect can be quite provocative. Perhaps you sense it? Riker: Ah, unfortunately, I'm not an empath. Kamala: Oh, I think you are more empathic than you admit. At least when it comes to women. Riker: I think you have me at a disadvantage. Riker: This is the comm. panel, the replicator. You can lower the lights on a verbal command. If you have any questions you can just ask the computer, Riker: I'm beginning to sense the elevated pheromones you were referring to. Kamala: You were curious, weren't you? Riker: Curious isn't exactly how I'd describe it. Kamala: Do you know what's remarkable about empathic metamorphs? Riker: You mean there's something even more remarkable about you? Kamala: We learn so quickly what stimulates a man, that the second time's even better than the first. Riker: Listen. This has been educational but I make it a policy never to open another man's gift. Kamala: I know my role in history, Commander. But it's going to be a long voyage. Riker: It certainly is. We'll try to make you as comfortable as possible. Riker: Riker to bridge. If you need me, I'll be in holodeck four. Crusher: How can you simply deliver her like a courier into a life of virtual prostitution. Picard: Beverly! Arranged marriages have been the basis of political alliances in many cultures, including our own. Crusher: I'm surprised at you. Picard: She knows exactly what she's doing. Crusher: She has been conditioned since the day she was born to believe it's perfectly acceptable to exist only to please men. Picard: She was born to do this. Crusher: And bred by those people to seal a treaty with a seductive coup de grace. Picard: All right, fine, good, let's throw the Prime Directive to the winds. Let's detain her against her will. Let's destroy any chance of peace between these worlds. Let's interfere in their society, their customs. Crusher: That slave trader who calls himself an ambassador, he has confined her to her quarters. She is a virtual prisoner in there. Picard: I didn't know that. Crusher: Well, it is your ship. Maybe there are a few things you should find out about. Picard: I'll talk to her about it. Crusher: Good. Lovely breakfast. Picard: Indeed. Kamala: Come in. Kamala: Captain Picard, what a delightful surprise. Come in. Picard: Thank you. Are you comfortable? Kamala: Reasonably, under the circumstances. Picard: It has been brought to my attention that you have been told to remain in here. Kamala: That's true, I'm afraid. Picard: Against your wishes. Kamala: At the request of the Ambassador, who believes I might be disruptive to your crew. Picard: The performance of my crew is none of the Ambassador's business. Kamala: You care about my well being. Thank you, Captain. Picard: I care about, I care about what happens on board my ship. Kamala: Yes, I know. This ship's very important to you, isn't it? Picard: Oh, yes. Oh, yes, it is. Kamala: Are all captains' lives so solitary? Or just yours? Picard: Don't. Kamala: What? Picard: Don't do this, this, this you do with men. Kamala: I'm afraid my premature emergence from stasis has left me a little vulnerable to the desires I sense from men. Nevertheless, this is who I am, Captain. You might as well ask a Vulcan to forgo logic, or a Klingon to be nonviolent. I cannot change, and I don't want to until the time has come for me to bond with my permanent mate. Why does it bother you? Picard: Frankly, it's difficult for me, for many of us, to easily accept that a sentient being can live only to be what someone else wants them to be. Kamala: But that's what gives a metamorph pleasure. Picard: But what about your wishes, your needs? Kamala: They are fulfillled by what I give to others. Picard: And what about when there are no others, when you are alone? Kamala: I'm incomplete. What curious questions, Captain. Picard: Under the circumstances, I thought that it would help if I learned more about you. Kamala: But you know me better than you realize. I am independent, forceful, brilliant, and adventurous. Exactly as you would have me be, Captain. Picard: I will speak to the Ambassador about easing your restrictions. Kamala: Thank you, Captain. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45766.1. We have reached the designated coordinates for the conference and await the arrival of Chancellor Alrik. Briam: I forbid it. Picard: Forbid it? Briam: It's too dangerous, Captain. She must remain in her quarters. Picard: You cannot confine her against her will. Not on board this ship, Ambassador. She is requesting some freedom of movement and I intend to give it to her. Briam: She is still in the Finiis'ral, the height of her sexual allure, Captain. Every man on the ship will be fighting over her. Picard: Not every man. Kamala: A chaperone? Data: I would be pleased to escort you around the ship. Kamala: But I was hoping we might spend more time together, Captain. Picard: I shall busy making arrangements for the conference. Kamala: I'm very knowledgeable about Valt. I could be helpful. Picard: I think that you should enjoy the hospitality of the ship. Mister Data here will see to your every comfort. If you will excuse me. Data: Your empathic powers do not perceive anything because as an android, I have no emotions. Kamala: I can understand why Captain Picard chose you to be my chaperone. Riker: I'll check in with you later. Miner 1: Excuse me, but I'm absolutely certain that we met once at Paloris Colony. Kamala: I've never been to Paloris Colony. Miner 1: Neither have I. Why don't we find out what else we have in common. Data: Extremely rude behavior. Kamala: He's just being playful. Data: Perhaps you would care for something to drink? Kamala: What are you all having, boys? Miner 2: Aldorian Ale's our drink. Kamala: Then, it's mine too. Data: Bartender! Data: There do not seem to be enough waiters on duty. Miner 3: I believe they're having a minor problem with the replicator. Miner 2: They could use a hand, Commander. Data: Excuse me. I believe I will stay. Kamala: Mister Data's protecting me tonight. Miner 2: Protecting you? From what? Kamala: From you, I guess. I told the Captain not to worry, I just want to have a good time like anybody else. Miner 1: Come on down to deck seven, we'll show you a good time Miner 2: Get rid of the android. We'll have some fun. Worf: Is there a problem here? Miner 1: No, sir. Miner 2: No problem. Miner 3: Tell him, lady. Data: Thank you, Lieutenant. The crowd seemed a bit too ebullient for comfort. Perhaps you would enjoy a quiet visit to the arboretum. Kamala: Perhaps the ambassador is right. Perhaps I should remain in my quarters. Picard: I have confidence in the self-control of my crew, Kamala, but there are guests and civilians on board. Kamala: I understand. I will volunteer to stay in my quarters under one condition. That you will visit me. There it is again. Picard: What? Kamala: The wall you put between us. Picard: Kamala, you are one day away from an arranged mating. Why would you want me to visit you in your quarters? Kamala: I said a visit. I didn't ask you to make love to me. Kamala: Ventanan thimble. Early Lapeongical period, isn't it? Picard: Yes, it is. Kamala: Have you seen the Ventanan woven art recovered from the fourth colony dig? Picard: Woven art? Recovered intact? Kamala: They say the colors are remarkably vibrant for their age. Picard: I've read about them for years, but they were so delicate no one expected to find any preserved. How do you know about them? Kamala: I stay informed on a wide variety of subjects. After all, one never knows when the conversation might turn to Ventanan archeology or to the dark woman of raven brows and mournful eyes in Shakespeare's sonnets. Or to the gardens of Les Eyries near the village where you grew up. Picard: Your empathic powers told you all this about me? Kamala: Not quite that much. Mister Data helped a little. Picard: I see. Kamala: My empathic powers can only sense a man of deep passion, and conviction. So controlled. So diskiplined. I am simply curious to know what lies beneath. Picard: Nothing. Nothing lies beneath. I'm really quite dull. I fall asleep each night with an old book in my hands. Kamala: When a metamorph finds you interesting, do not take it lightly. Picard: Oh, I'm not taking it lightly. I'm just trying to be as dull as possible. Kamala: Will you visit me? Picard: It would be inappropriate. Kamala: Is that a yes or a no? Picard: I'm sorry. Kamala: Even the walls of Jericho fell, Captain. Picard: Why are you doing this, Kamala? Kamala: There can be only one reason. Because some part of you wants me to. Lenor: Ambassador. Briam: What is the meaning of this? Lenor: Ah, I see you got our message. Briam: Is this some sort of bribe? I am not amused. Qol: No, Ambassador. Your attitude is quite understandable. Lenor: This is just a sample. Qol: The bribe is ten thousand more. Lenor: Ludugial gold. The purest in the galaxy. Qol: We know the lifestyle of a Kriosian Ambassador is far from comfortable. Lenor: You deserve to live a life of luxury. Briam: How dare you suggest Qol: Our money! What? You drive a hard bargain. Lenor: Twenty thousand, but not an ingot more. Qol: We must have the metamorph. Lenor: She is the answer to a Ferengi prayer. Qol: We have a ship waiting to rendezvous with us in three hours. We can all transport off together. Briam: Thank you for sharing that information. I shall pass on along to Captain Picard. Lenor: You can't do that. Briam: Let go of me. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The Ferengi have been dispatched via shuttle to Starbase one one seven. What charges will be brought against them depends on whether or not Ambassador Briam recovers. Crusher: We've been able to stabilize his condition. If we're lucky he'll regain consciousness in a few days. Set up level one cranio-sacral display. Medic: Yes, Doctor. Picard: I'll advise the Valtese delegation that the conference will have to be postponed. Kamala: That won't be possible. My ability to imprint on a mate will only last a matter of hours after the completion of the Finiis'ral. If I hadn't been removed from stasis prematurely, a delay might have been possible. But now, I will have to bond with Alrik within two days. Picard: But there are points in the negotiations that Briam still has to address. Kamala: You are familiar with the issues. Picard: Familiar, yes, but I can't represent your peoples' interests. Kamala: You can represent the interests of peace. My people will agree, I'm certain of it. Picard: But there are customs and rituals of which I have no experience at all. Kamala: I told you, I'm extremely knowledgeable about Valt. I will help you prepare. Kamala: Torze qua. Kamala: That's right. Picard: I'm reminded of piano lessons when I was a child. Preparing for some dreaded recital. Kamala: You still play? Picard: No. I regret that I gave it up. It used to please my mother. But I didn't like performing in front of an audience. Kamala: Shy? Picard: No. Just not very good. Kamala: Thank you. For letting down your guard, if only for a moment. Picard: You will have to help me in the pronunciation of this scroll. Kamala: What is it about me you fear? Picard: Kamala. Kamala: Do you find me unattractive? Picard: I find you unavailable. Kamala: I'm being terribly selfish. I apologize. We have something in common, Captain. When I was a child, I took music lessons, too. Picard: Really? What instrument? Kamala: All of them. Picard: The entire orchestra? Kamala: Plus a few Valtese horns that sound like braying Targhee Moonbeasts. They are said to soothe the nerves of Valtese men. My mother never even heard me play. I was taken from her when I was four and sequestered in a royal village where I was prepared to fulfilll my destiny. Picard: It sounds as if it were a very lonely time for you. Kamala: On the contrary, I had servants and tutors at my side constantly. You once asked me what I'm like when I'm alone. I've never been. There was always somebody there to educate me in literature, history, art, sex. But I have been alone on this journey, and I've found myself thinking about all the curious questions you asked. You wanted to know who I am. And as I continue to ask myself, the only answer that comes to me is, I am for you, Alrik of Valt. Because that's the truth. In a day, I will bond with a man I've never met. and I will turn myself into what he wants me to be, for the rest of my life. Picard: I also once asked you if you were doing this of your own accord. Kamala: I'm honored to be chosen to serve my people as an emissary of peace. But I find it ironic on the eve of this ceremony, which I have spent my entire life preparing for, that I should meet a man like you. Riker: Riker to Picard. Picard: Go ahead, Number One. Riker: The Valtese ship has arrived. Chancellor Alrik is ready to beam aboard. Alrik: Captain Picard. Picard: Chancellor Alrik. Welcome aboard the Enterprise. Alrik: Your First Officer has described the details of the incident with the Ferengis. How is the Ambassador? Picard: He has not regained consciousness. Alrik: A tragedy. Your willingness to assist is appreciated by both our peoples. Picard: I', doing my best, although I'm finding some of the rituals quite demanding. Alrik: Rituals. I am more concerned about the remaining provisions of the treaty. The proposed trade agreements are not acceptable. We still must review the uncommitted territories as well as discuss the schedule for exchange of technology. Picard: The Kriosians have authorized me to make several compromises favorable to your position. Alrik: Good. Tomorrow, then. Picard: Briam has supervised a reproduction of the ancient Temple of Akadar on our holodeck. Alrik: Such a sentimental people, these Kriosians. It's hard to believe we have a common ancestry. Picard: Please. Alrik: I suppose they've sent the metamorph. Picard: Kamala? Yes. She's looking forward to meeting you. Alrik: I'm sure she'll be satisfactory. Between you and me, Captain, I am far more interested in the trade agreements. Kamala: So tell me quickly. What is he like? Picard: First impressions? He's a thoughtful man. Informed. Kamala: Did he ask about me? Picard: Yes. Kamala: What did you tell him? Picard: That you were looking forward to meeting him. Kamala: When am I to be presented? Picard: It'll be the first order of business tomorrow. At ten. Kamala: Would you like some tea? Picard: Thank you, but I should prepare for the ceremony. Kamala: Let me help you with pronunciations. Picard: I think I can muddle my way through. Kamala: Please don't leave. Talk to me. I love the sound of your voice. I'll turn out the lights and just listen. I don't want to be alone. Picard: The lights stay on. Kamala: Earl Gray Tea. Hot. Picard: Did you learn that from Commander Data as well? I shall have to have a talk with him. Picard: Now that I know that you're listening to my voice, I find that I can't think of anything to say. Kamala: A starship captain must encounter all sorts of lifeforms. Am I one of the most unique you've ever met? Please say yes. Picard: Yes. Kamala: What a nice thing to say. Picard: Kamala, have I not done everything possible to discourage this? Kamala: Maybe that's the perfect way to attract a metamorph. Picard: I don't want to use you as other men do. Kamala: But you're not other men. You could never use me. That's the very reason why I'm with you tonight. Picard: I should go. And you have an appointment tomorrow morning early. Kamala: Light years away. Crusher: Quiet this morning. Picard: I'm sorry. Crusher: Penny? Picard: What? Crusher: For your thoughts. Penny for your thoughts. Picard: Do you have one? Crusher: I'm sure the replicator will have one on file. Picard: Beverly, may I take off the uniform for a moment? Crusher: Captain. Picard: I need to talk to a friend. Crusher: Of course. Picard: Actually, it's all your fault. Crusher: Mine? Picard: You insisted I look into her situation. Crusher: The metamorph? Picard: The metamorph. Kamala. I've spent quite a lot of time with her the past few days, and you're right about several things, but, Beverly, her entire existence has been orchestrated for this moment and she intends to go through with it to help her people end the war. Crusher: And you're saying there's nothing you can do about it? Picard: It isn't that simple. I barely know who she is, and who she is changes the moment the next man comes into the room.  And I find myself hoping that the next man won't come in. But, of course, he does, and in a few hours, the ceremony will begin and she will mate with a man who cares more about trade agreements than he cares about her. And I can't help thinking how she will be with him. How she will change to accommodate him. Crusher: I wish I knew how I could help. Picard: Perhaps I just needed a shoulder. Crusher: Oh, it's there for you, Jean-Luc. It always has been. Kamala: Come in. Kamala: Is it time? Picard: Soon. Kamala: Do you have any questions about the ceremony? Picard: Many. Kamala: I will never truly love him. Picard: You've not even met him. Kamala: It no longer matters. I wish I could convey to you what it's like to be a metamorph. To feel the inner strength of someone. To realize that being with him is opening your mind and heart to endless new possibilities. To hear yourself say, I like myself when I'm with him. Picard: Kamala. Kamala: For a metamorph there's no greater pleasure and no greater wish than to bond with that kind of mate at the end of the Finiis'ral, as I've bonded with you. Picard: With me? Kamala: Who I am today, I will be forever. Data: Data to Captain Picard. Picard: Not now, Data. Data: But sir, Chancellor Alrik is waiting to receive you in holodeck seven. Picard: Acknowledged. You can't go through with the ceremony. Kamala: Would you ask me to stay and ask two armies to keep fighting? Having bonded with you, I've learned the meaning of duty. He'll never know. I'm still empathic. I will be able to please him. I only hope he likes Shakespeare. Kamala: I am for you, Alrik of Valt. Briam: Your service to both our peoples is greatly appreciated, Captain. Picard: Your preparations made the negotiations simple, Ambassador, and Kamala was able to guide me through the rituals. Briam: I have to admit, I'm curious. Picard: Curious? Briam: I was chosen for this mission for a very simple reason. I'm two hundred years old. The temptations of a beautiful metamorph do not easily reach me. And yet I would be lying if I were to claim, that even at my age, they do not reach me at all. But you, you worked with her, side by side for days. How could you resist her? Picard: Ambassador, have a safe trip home. Briam: Energize.

Crusher: Bring the stasis units in here, and have them online. Medic: Yes, Doctor. Crusher: Tell Doctor Selar she can use ward three for the ambulatory cases, and I'll stay here. Crewman: Transporter room four to Sickbay. They're coming in now. Crusher: Acknowledged. Stand clear and be ready. Medic: Let's go, let's go. Get him on here. Crusher: What happened? Riker: The Lenarians attacked us outside of the conference room. Crusher: He's in cardiac arrest. Connect the pulmonary support units. He's got internal hemorrhaging. The bioregulator of his artificial heart's been fused. He's got liver and spleen damage. What kind of weapon caused this? Worf: A compressed teryon beam. Crusher: Forty cc's inaprovaline. The activity in the isocortex is falling. Cortical stimulators. Now. Again. His respiratory system is shutting down. The levels in the isocortex are still falling. Damn. Prepare a four percent series Q: Welcome to the afterlife, Jean-Luc. You're dead. Picard: Q, what is going on? Q: I told you. You're dead. This is the afterlife, and I'm God. Picard: You are not God. Q: Blasphemy! You're lucky I don't cast you out, or smite you or something. The bottom line is, your life ended about five minutes ago, under the inept ministrations of Doctor Beverly Crusher. Picard: No. I am not dead. Because I refuse to believe that the afterlife is run by you. The universe is not so badly designed. Q: Very well. If you really require more evidence of your post-mortem status, I guess I'll just have to provide you some. Maurice: Jean-Luc, I told you not to go running off to that Academy. Picard: Father. Maurice: I told you that Starfleet would bring you to a bad end, but you wouldn't listen. Now look at you. Dead before your time. Picard: Q, enough of this. Q: Enough what? Maurice: Why couldn't you have listened? Didn't you know that I was working for your best interests? Picard: Q, stop this. Maurice: After all these years, even now, you manage to disappoint me, Jean-Luc. Q: He's not the only one who'd like to have a word with you. Woman: Why, Jean-Luc? Why did you do it? Crewwoman: Captain, there are still people down there. You can't abandon them. Crewman: There must be some other way, Captain. Some other choice than firing on them. Man: If you continue on this course. Crewman: A direct hit, sir. The ship is destroyed. Q: These are the voices of all the people you've killed throughout the years. Picard: Whom I've killed? What do you mean? Q: Death has made you a little dim, Jean-Luc. These are the voices of all the people who have died through your actions or your inactions. Now, if you have any words of apology or regret, I believe they're all listening. They're a surly bunch, actually, so don't drag this out too long. Picard: I've no intention of performing for your amusement. Q: This is not for me. This is for you, Jean-Luc. This is your opportunity to make peace with your sordid past. Picard: I find it hard to believe that you are doing this for the benefit of my soul. Q: Well, now that you've shuffled off the mortal coil, we're free to spend a little time together. Picard: A little time together? How much? Q: Eternity. Now, you're sure you have no regrets or feelings of guilt about your former life? I can't have you whining and complaining through time. Picard: If I'm really dead, then my only regret is dying and finding you here. Q: You wound me, Jean-Luc. After all, I was not the cause of your death. This was. Picard: Is that? Q: Your artificial heart. You might have lived if you had a real one instead of this unreliable piece of technology. By the way, how did you lose yours anyway? Picard: A mistake. Q: Is that a regret I hear? Picard: I regret a great many things from those days. Q: Really? Q: It wasn't very smart of you to take on three Nausicaans, was it? Picard: No, it wasn't. Q: And did I hear a laugh? It's so unlike you, Jean-Luc, to have a sense of humor, especially about getting stabbed through the back. Picard: I was a different person in those days. Arrogant, undiskiplined, with far too much ego and too little wisdom. I was more like you. Q: Then you must have been far more interesting. Pity you had to change. Picard: The pity is that I had to be impaled through the back before I learned that lesson. I started that fight with those Nausicaans. I started it because, because I was young and cocky. If I'd been more responsible in those days, I wouldn't have needed this heart, and I wouldn't have died from a random energy surge thirty years later. Q: So, if you had it to do all over again? Picard: Things would be different. Marta: Bravo! Bravo! Corey: Nicely done. Picard: Cortan? Cortan Zweller? Corey: Yes. Boy, she must've hit you pretty hard. Of course, you deserved it. Marta: You're slowing down there, Johnny. You should've seen that one coming. Picard: Marta Batanides. Marta: Are you okay? Picard: Yes, I'm fine. I'm just a little disoriented, that's all. Corey: Come on, he's just playing for sympathy now. Look, I'm going to get something to eat and head over to the casino at Bonestell. You coming? Picard: I'll catch up with you there. Marta: You sure you're okay? Picard: Yes, I'm fine. Really, Marta, I'm fine. Corey: Come on, Marty. I bet he's got another date. Marta: That's it, isn't it? You are incorrigible. Corey: Try not to end up in the hospital. Q: Attention on deck, Ensign Picard. Picard: Q. Q: That's Captain Q to you, young man. Picard: What's the point of creating this fantasy? Q: This is no fantasy, I assure you. It's all very real. You're twenty one years old again. A brash young man, fresh out of the Academy. Picard: I certainly don't look it. Q: Well, to everyone else you do. Picard: So, Q, I thought you told me that I was dead. Now it seems that I'm alive. Q: Oh, you mortals are so obtuse. Why do you persist in believing that life and death are such static and rigid concepts. Why, I can take your life and give it back to you again with the snap of a finger. Picard: Let's say for the moment that may be true. What is the purpose of bringing me here? Q: You said you regretted a great many things in your life. Well, here's a chance to change some of them. Picard: Change them? You mean change the past? Q, even if you have been able to bring me back in time somehow, surely you must realize that any alteration in this timeline will have a profound impact on the future. Q: Please. Spare me your egotistical musings on your pivotal role in history. Nothing you do here will cause the Federation to collapse or galaxies to explode. To be blunt, you're not that important. Picard: I won't do it. I won't alter history. Q: Oh, very well. Since you attach so much importance to the continuity of time, I will give you my personal guarantee that nothing you do here will end up hurting anyone, or have an adverse affect on what you know of as history. The only thing at stake here is your life and your peace of mind. Now, whether you believe me or not, you are here, and you have a second chance. What you choose to do with it is entirely up to you. Do you know where you are? Picard: Starbase Earhart. We came here right after graduation to await our first deep space assignments. Q: That's right. It's two days before your unfortunate encounter with a Nausicaan sword. You have that long to make whatever changes you wish. If you can avoid getting stabbed through the heart this time, which I doubt, I will take you back to what you think of as the present. And you can go on with your life with a real heart. Picard: Then I won't die? Q: Of course you'll die. It'll just be at a later time. Picard: What if I don't avoid the fight? What if I won't make the changes? Q: Then you die on the table, and we spend eternity together. Picard: Wonderful. Q: I'm glad you think so. I am curious about one thing, Johnny. Why did that rather attractive woman strike you just now? Something you said? Picard: Her name was Corlina. I'd arranged to take her out today, and then she discovered that I had already made a second date with another woman called, er, Penny, and Corlina was naturally upset. Q: I'd no idea you were such a cad. I'm impressed. Picard: Computer, what is the time right now? Computer: Sixteen eleven hours. Picard: In fact, Penny is waiting for me right now. Q: Well, carry on. Penny: You're awfully quiet today. What happened to the dashing young Ensign from last night? The one with the winning smile and the smooth talk about my eyes? Picard: I'm just a little more contemplative. Penny: And what are you contemplating? Picard: Penny, er, do you think we could just talk for a while. I don't know anything about you. Where you're from, what your interests are, your last name. Penny: I come from Rigel, my last name is Muroc and I like men in uniform. I think that's enough talking. Penny: What's wrong? I don't look as attractive to you as I did last night? Picard: No, no, not at all. I think you're a very handsome woman. Penny: Handsome. That's something you say to old ladies. Picard: You're certainly not an old lady. Penny: I didn't want your pity. Q: Penny for your thoughts? You never told me you were such a lady's man. Picard: I wasn't. I was a puerile adolescent who allowed himself to be led by his hormones instead of his head. Q: Looks like your friends know how to have fun. You ought to take lessons. Q: Excuse me. Marta: He's winning. Picard: Of course. Marta: I thought you had a date. Picard: She decided to leave. Marta: You're getting old, Johnny. Corey: Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you. Marta: Very, very nice. I think you should forget about Starfleet and play dom-jot for a living. Corey: Nah, this is nothing. A little trigonometry, some minor wrist action. Now barokie, there's a game. Nausicaan 1: Human! Play dom-jot, human. Corey: I think I could be persuaded to play one more game. Picard: Corey, don't play him. Corey: Why? Picard: It'll cause trouble. He's a Nausicaan. They can get very ill-tempered if they lose. Corey: So can I. Picard: No, Corey, listen to me. This is a big mistake. Don't play him. Corey: What's gotten into you? Let's go. Q: I see you've found your Nausicaan friend. You seem unimpaled so far. Picard: I'm sorry to disappoint you. Q: Ensign Zweller seems to be doing well. Picard: He's going to lose. The Nausicaan is cheating. Q: Really? I'm beginning to like these Nausicaans. Picard: If history repeats itself, Corey will figure it out later tonight, and then he'll want revenge. Q: And will you help your best friend avenge this injustice? Picard: I did last time. I rigged the table so that he would win in a rematch. Q: Picard, you cheated? Picard, I'm impressed. Picard: It was a stupid mistake. The Nausicaan didn't take kindly to losing. Nor his friends. They were outraged. They wanted a fight. I gave them one. Q: That's a beautiful story. It gets you right here, doesn't it? Nausicaan 1: Ten. Dom-jot. Human play dom-jot. Corey: I've played a lot of dom-jot in a lot of places. I've never seen the balls roll that well for anyone. Marta: So he was cheating? Corey: I'll bet you that he had some sort of magnetic device in his belt. It was controlling the balls. Marta: That's terrible. Corey: We've got to get even. Marta: What did you have in mind? Corey: Well, we could do to him what he did to us. Cheat. Only this time we'll rig the table so his device'll backfire on him. Picard: Corey, that won't solve anything. Corey: It'll teach him that he can't go round cheating Starfleet officers. Picard: All it'll do is provoke him. And provoking a Nausicaan is not a good idea. Corey: I can handle him. Picard: What if he's not alone? What if he brings some of his Nausicaan friends with him? Corey: Well then I guess that when I'll have to depend on my friends to help me out. Picard: Corey, there's got to be a better way to handle this. Corey: When did you start backing away from a good fight? Picard: Look Corey, we're not cadets anymore. We're officers. We should start to set a higher standard for ourselves. Marta: It was a good idea,, but let's just forget it, okay? Marta: He'll get over it. Picard: I hope so. What? Marta: Nothing. It's just you'd usually be the one plotting revenge. Picard: Yes, that would be more in character, wouldn't it? Marta: Much. But I always suspected you had a hidden streak of responsibility somewhere. Picard: Perhaps it's just that I'm getting older. Marta: Maybe these bars are just starting to feel a little heavy, Ensign. Ensign Picard and Ensign Batanides. It sounds weird, doesn't it? Picard: It's going to take some getting used to. Marta: It's too bad we can't get used to it together. The three of us, I mean. Picard: Oh, of course. Picard: Come. Q: Flowers! Is there a John Luck Pickard here? Marta: From one of your conquests, no doubt. I guess some things aren't going to change. Q: Did I interrupt anything sordid, I hope? Picard: No, Q, you did not. Q: Pity. She's quite attractive. Picard: We were friends, nothing more. Q: Is that another regret I hear? My, my. We're simply riddled with regrets about our youth, now aren't we? Picard: My friendship with Marta is not something I regret. Q: But you wish it had been more than just friendship, don't you? Well, maybe you can change all that. Picard: Q, what is it you want? Q: I thought you'd like to know that Mister Zweller has decided not to take your advice. He's in the Bonestell Facility right now, rigging the table to beat the Nausicaan. I guess you weren't that persuasive. Picard: Corey. Corey: Ow! Johnny, don't sneak up on me like that. I thought you were the gambling foreman. Picard: Sorry. Corey: I'm glad you're here. Hand me that magnaspanner. Picard: Corey, I'm not here to help you. I'm here to stop you from making a serious mistake. Corey: You sound like my mother. Picard: Cheating the Nausicaans could have serious consequences for all of us. It's a risk we can't afford to take. Corey: You are my mother. Well gee, Mom, I guess I'll have to go tell those Nausicaans I don't mind if they cheat me. Picard: This is not a joke, Corey. Corey: It better be. Now, I'm going to finish my work here. If you want to help me, fine. If not, I'll see you back at the Starbase. Picard: I said you're not doing this. Corey: Are you going to hit me, Johnny? Picard: No. But I'll tell the gambling foreman someone's been tampering with his dom-jot table. Corey: All right. Have it your way, Ensign Picard. Picard: I just couldn't make him understand. Marta: At least he did finally give it up. Picard: Yes, but he didn't take it very well. Marta: Oh, you know Corey. He'll forget all about it by tomorrow. Picard: I hope you're right, because he and I were friends for years after this. I mean, I hope we will be. You know, you keep smiling at me. Marta: Well, I've just never seen you like this before. You're so serious. Picard: Do I really seem that different? Marta: Maybe I'm just not used to seeing you in your officer's uniform. No, it's more than that. You do seem different. Well, I'm not complaining or anything. I think it suits you. Picard: Really? Marta: Yes. It's very attractive. Johnny. Haven't you ever thought about us getting together? Picard: Yes, I have, actually. I've thought about it for a long time. Marta: Why didn't you ever say so? Picard: I don't know. And at this moment, I really have no idea why not. Marta: You've said so now. Q: Morning, darling. Feeling a little jumpy this morning? Are we guilty, perhaps? Picard: I don't feel guilty about anything, Q. Q: No? We're just friends, Q, nothing more. Picard: And we're still friends. Q: So what's next? Picard: I don't know. What I do know is, things will be different. Q: I'm sure. Picard: Good morning. Marta: Johnny. Picard: What's wrong? Marta: Well, this is the morning after, huh? Picard: Look, I don't regret anything that happened last night. I hope you don't either. Marta: I don't know. We've been friends for a long time and, and now I'm afraid we've ruined that friendship. Picard: Then perhaps we should forget about what happened and try to Marta: I wish I could. It would make it much easier to say goodbye tomorrow. We're all supposed to get together later for our last big night before we ship out. Picard: I don't want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Marta: We've planned it. I'll be there. Q: Well, let's see. You've managed to get slapped by one woman, a drink thrown in your face by another, and alienate your two best friends. Doing very well so far. The only thing left to avoid is getting stabbed through the heart. Picard: I think you'll like serving on board the Ajax. I hear that Captain Narth is an excellent officer. Corey: So I hear. Picard: Well, here's to the class of 'twenty seven. Nausicaan: Play dom-jot, human. Give you a better chance. Give you a bigger stick maybe. Picard: I don't think we're interested. Nausicaan 1: They are undari. Cowards. Corey: What did you say? Nausicaan: Coward. Like all Starfleet you talk and you talk, but you have no guramba. Corey: Why don't we find out. Picard: Don't be a fool, Corey. Look, there are plenty of other people to play dom-jot with. Now just go about your business. Nausicaan: Maybe I play with her. Give her good time. Nausicaan: Orcho lok resnik. Starfleet. Picard: I'm sorry, Corey. He was reaching for a weapon. Corey: I don't know who you are any more, but you're not my friend. Marta: Goodbye, Johnny. Q: Congratulations, mon capitaine. You did it. Worf: Can I help you? Worf: Can I help you, Mister Picard? Picard: Mister Worf. Worf: This is not for me. You should take it to Commander La Forge in Engineering. Picard: What's happened? Worf: Is something wrong? Picard: I'm not sure. Mister Worf, what is my rank and position? Worf: You are a Lieutenant junior grade, Assistant Astrophysics officer. Data: Are you feeling all right? Picard: Who's the captain of this ship? Data: Captain Thomas Halloway. Perhaps I should escort you to Sickbay. Picard: No. I can find my own way there. Thank you, Commander. Picard: Beverly, something's happened to me. I'm not sure Q: Vell, vell, vell. Vhat seems to be de trouble, Lieutenant Picard? Picard: Q, what have you done? Q: I've done exactly as I promised. I've returned you to the present. Picard: But this is not the present I remember. You said nothing would change. Q: Nothing has changed, Jean-Luc, except for you. But then again, that's what you wanted, wasn't it? To change the man you were in your youth? Well, you did it. This is the man you are today. And You should be happy. You have a real heart beating in your chest, and you get to live out the rest of your life in safety, running tests, making analyzes, and carrying reports to your superiors. Picard: Excuse me, am I interrupting? Riker: No, not at all. Have a seat. Picard: Thank you. I'd like to talk to you for a moment about my future on the Enterprise. Riker: Of course, Lieutenant. Jean-Luc, isn't it? Troi: Maybe I should go. Picard: No, please, Counselor, I would very much like to hear your thoughts. First of all, and I would like you to be absolutely straightforward with me. How would you evaluate me as an officer? Troi: Well, er, your performance records have always been good. You're thorough, dedicated. Riker: Reliable, steady, punctual. Picard: I see. What would you say if I told you that I believed that I was capable of being very much more. Riker: Perhaps we should discuss this at your next evaluation. Picard: I would appreciate it if we could discuss it now. You see, I feel that I would like to move beyond astrophysics to Engineering or Security, something that might even lead to Command. Riker: Frankly, Lieutenant, I don't think that's realistic. Picard: Why? Troi: I really don't think this is the place to be discussing this. Picard: Please. This is important to me. I believe that I can do more. Troi: Hasn't that been the problem all along? Throughout your career you've had lofty goals, but you've never been willing to do what's necessary to attain them. Picard: Would that be your evaluation as well, Commander? Riker: I think I have to agree with the Counselor. If you want to get ahead, you have to take chances, stand out in a crowd, get noticed. Picard: I see. Riker: Now, we don't want to lose you. You're a very good officer. Picard: Just not one who stands out. Riker: Why don't I talk to Commander La Forge in Engineering and we'll see what we can do. Picard: But, Command? Riker: Well, we'll see. Data: Senior officers, please report to the Captain's Ready room. Riker: Acknowledged. Troi: We should talk about this later. Picard: All right, Q, that's enough. You've made your point. Q? Laforge: La Forge to Lieutenant Picard. I'm still waiting for that statistical analysis. Picard: I'm on my way, sir. Picard: Main Engineering. Are you having a good laugh now, Q? Does it amuse you to think of me living out the rest of my life as a dreary man in a tedious job? Q: I gave you something most mortals never experience. A second chance at life. And now all you can do is complain? Picard: I can't live out my days as that person. That man is bereft of passion and imagination. That is not who I am. Q: Au contraire, he's the person you wanted to be. One who was less arrogant, and undiskiplined as a youth. One who was less like me. The Jean-Luc Picard you wanted to be, the one who did not fight the Nausicaan, had quite a different career from the one you remember. That Picard never had a brush with death, never came face to face with his own mortality, never realized how fragile life is or how important each moment must be. So his life never came into focus. He drifted for much of his career, with no plan or agenda, going from one assignment to the next, never seizing the opportunities that presented themselves. He never lead the away team on Milika Three to save the ambassador, or take charge of the Stargazer's Bridge when its Captain was killed. And no one ever offered him a command. He learned to play it safe. And he never, ever got noticed by anyone. Picard: You're right, Q. You gave me the chance to change and I took the opportunity. But I admit now, it was a mistake. Q: Are you asking me for something, Jean-Luc? Picard: Give me a chance to put things back the way they were before. Q: Before you died in Sickbay. Is that what you want? Picard: I would rather die as the man I was than live the life I just saw. Nausicaan: Coward. Like all Starfleet. You talk and you talk but you have no guramba. Picard: What did you say? Nausicaan: I said, you are a coward. Picard: That's what I thought you said. Crusher: His vital signs are stable. Captain. Jean-Luc. You've been injured, but I think you're going to be all right. Picard: I still don't know what to make of it. Was it a dream? Was it one of Q's elaborate tricks? Riker: A lot of people near death have talked about strange experiences, but I've never heard one so detailed. Picard: And, you know, there's still a part of me that cannot accept that Q would give me a second chance, or that he would demonstrate so much compassion. And if it was Q, I owe him a debt of gratitude. Riker: In what sense? It sounds like he put you through hell. Picard: There are many parts of my youth that I'm not proud of. There were loose threads, untidy parts of me that I would like to remove. But when I pulled on one of those threads it unraveled the tapestry of my life. Riker: I was just trying to imagine a hell-bent for leather young officer insulting a Nausicaan twice his size. I wish I'd had a chance to know that Jean-Luc Picard. Picard: Oh, well, to tell the truth, that wasn't the first run-in I'd had with a couple of surly Nausicaans. Riker: Really? Picard: Oh, yes. During my sophomore year, I was assigned to training on Morikin Seven. Well, there was a Nausicaan outpost on one of the outlying asteroids, and one day

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45047.2. The Enterprise is en route to the uninhabited El-Adrel system, its location is near the territory occupied by an enigmatic race known as The Children of Tama. Picard: Apparently the Tamarians arrived at El-Adrel Four nearly three weeks ago. They have been transmitting a subspace signal towards Federation space ever since. Data: The signal is a standard mathematical progression. It does not carry a specific message. Riker: But they wanted us to know they were there. Picard: Apparently so, Number One. Starfleet believes that their presence is an attempt at communication. Commander. Data: Federation vessels have encountered Tamarian ships seven times over the past one hundred years. Each meeting went without incident, however formal relations were not established because communication was not possible. Riker: Why? Data: The Children of Tama were called incomprehensible by Captain Silvestri of the Shiku Maru. Other accounts were comparable. Worf: A cause for concern. For all we know, they could be threatening our border. Troi: Everything in the previous encounters suggests a peaceable race. We have to start from there. Picard: Agreed. I appreciate your prudence, Mister Worf, but Starfleet believes that the Tamarians have extended a hand. We must do the same. Riker: The Children of Tama. I've heard rumors about them for years. Picard: Indeed. Are they truly incomprehensible? In my experience, communication is a matter of patience, imagination. I would like to believe these are qualities we have in sufficient measure. Dathon: Rai and Jiri at Lungha. Rai of Lowani. Lowani under two moons. Jiri of Ubaya. Ubaya of crossed roads at Lungha. Lungha, her sky gray. Rai and Jiri at Lungha. Picard: Counselor? Troi: I'm sense nothing but good intentions from them, Captain. Picard: Mister Data? Data: The Tamarian seems to be stating the proper names of individuals and locations. Picard: Yes, but what does it all mean? Data: I am at a loss, sir. Picard: Captain, would you be prepared to consider the creation of a mutual non-aggression pact between our two peoples, possibly leading to a trade agreement and cultural interchange. Does this sound like a reasonable course of action to you? Tamarian: Kadir beneath Mo Moteh. Dathon: The river Temarc! In winter. Picard: Impressions, Number One? Riker: It appears they're trying their best. Picard: As are we. For what it's worth. Dathon: Shaka, when the walls fell. Darmok. Tamarian: Darmok? Rai and Jiri at Lungha! Dathon: Shaka. When the walls fell. Tamarian: Zima at Anzo. Zima and Bakor. Dathon: Darmok at Tanagra. Tamarian: Shaka! Mirab, his sails unfurled. Dathon: Darmok. Tamarian: Mirab. Dathon: Temarc! The river Temarc. Dathon: Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. Riker: Block their transporter with the shields! Extend to maximum range! Worf: Not enough time. Riker: Where is he? Data: The Tamarians have transported Captain Picard to the planet surface along with their own captain. Riker: Riker to O'Brien. Data: It will not be possible to transport, sir. The Tamarian ship has created a particle scattering field on the planet's ionosphere. Riker: Riker to Captain Picard. Captain, do you read me? Can we compensate? Data: No, sir. The Tamarians are projecting a particle sustaining beam into the upper atmosphere. The result is a hyperionization that virtually disrupts all EM and subspace carriers. Riker: Then they can't communicate with their man either. They won't be able to beam anyone through the field. Data: That is correct. However, they have left sensor frequencies clear. Riker: Then they'll be able to tell what's going on. Analysis, Mister Worf. What the hell is going on? Worf: A contest, perhaps. Between champions. Our captain against theirs. Riker: Theirs was armed. Dathon: Darmok and Jalad. Picard: You want to fight with me? Is that it? A challenge? Dathon: Darmok and Jalad. Picard: I don't know who or what Darmok and Jalad are, but I certainly didn't come here to start a war. Dathon: Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. Picard: Sorry, Captain. Dathon: Shaka. When the walls fell. Data: Sensors show Captain Picard and the Tamarian in apparent good health, approximately twenty meters from each other. Riker: Hail the Tamarian ship. Worf: On screen. Riker: You are holding our captain. I want him released. Tamarian: Darmok at Tanagra. Riker: Your action could be interpreted as an act of war. Tamarian: Kiteo. His eyes closed. Chenza at court. The court of silence. Chenza! Riker: Is there any way to get through to them? Data: Not without further study. Riker: Close the channel, Mister Worf. Worf: Gladly, sir. Riker: Worf, I want you to assemble a security team, take a shuttle down to the planet, bring back the captain. Worf: Aye, Commander. Data: Sir, the Tamarians are fully capable of stopping a shuttle. Riker: I'm aware of that. But disrupting our transporter beam and firing on a shuttle are two entirely different things. I'm betting they're not going to push it that far. Dathon: Shaka. When the walls fell. Picard: Shaka indeed. What now, Captain? Will you attack me in my sleep? If I don't freeze to death first. Dathon: Darmok of Kanza. Jalad of the Kituay. Picard: Picard of the Federation. Of the starship Enterprise. Of the planet Earth. Dathon: Kadir beneath Mo Moteh. Dathon: Temba. Picard: Temba? What does that mean? Fire? Does Temba mean fire? Dathon: Temba. His arms wide. Picard: Temba is a person? His arms wide. Because he's holding them apart in, in generosity. In giving. In taking. Dathon: Temba. His arms wide. Picard: Thank you. Thank you. First Officer's log, supplemental. I am sending a shuttlecraft to find Captain Picard, gambling that the Tamarians will sit tight rather than risk an exchange of phaser fire. Worf: The positron density is point zero one three. Worf: Electron concentration seven point nine five. Particle gradient, four over seven. We are two hundred and fifty kilometers from the planet's surface. Data: Commander, the shuttle has reached the E region of the planet's ionosphere. Riker: How long can we maintain communication? Data: The scattering layer induced by the Tamarians is concentrated in the upper D region. The shuttle will reach that area in approximately two minutes. Riker: The Tamarian ship? Data: Unchanged, sir. They appear to be making no attempt to stop us. Riker: Maybe we called their bluff. Status, Mister Worf. Worf: Navigational, life-support, propulsion normal. Worf: Onboard systems do not appear to be disrupted by the field, but I can barely read you, Commander. Riker: Acknowledged. Maintain Riker: Communications as long as conditions permit. Data: Commander. I am reading a power surge in the Tamarian plasma reactor. Riker: Lieutenant Worf! Evasive maneuver sequence delta! Riker: Maneuver sequence delta. Data: Commander, the shuttle has been hit. Riker: Damage? Data: The starboard nacelle has been rendered inoperable. Riker: That's all? Riker to Worf. Riker: Report. Worf: Starboard thrusters destroyed. I may be able to land but I will not be able to take off. Riker: Understood. Return to the Enterprise, Mister Worf. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: Enough to turn them back, but not enough to hurt them. Data: Yes, sir. The phaser pulse appears to have been carefully attenuated for just that effect. Riker: Nice shooting. Laforge: I'm pretty sure I can punch up the annular confinement beam enough to transport the captain through the field, but it's going to take me at least a full day to do it. Troi: Captain Picard could be dead by then. Worf: I do not believe so. I have confidence in his ability as a warrior. He will be victorious. Troi: You're still assuming this is some sort of a challenge ritual. We can't be certain of that. Riker: Agreed. We're only making educated guesses about their motivations, no more than that. Worf: Then why do we wait? If we attack the ship now, they will not be able to maintain their scattering field. Riker: Which might start a shooting match, and for all we know, a war, and we still might not be able to save the captain. Worf: It would end this stalemate. Riker: It's too much of a risk. I'll take that course when it's the last one left. Who the hell are these people? There's got to be some way to get through to them. Data: As I have said, with further study it may be possible Riker: Then do it. Deanna, help him. I want something by oh nine hundred hours. Picard: Now, where have you gone to, my friend? Picard: Forgive the intrusion, Captain, but I need some answers. Dathon: Darmok at Tanagra. Tamarian: Shaka! Mirab, his sails unfurled. Dathon: Darmok. Tamarian: Mirab. Data: Freeze. Darmok. Troi: Darmok. Well, it seems to be a point of contention between them. Perhaps something the Tamarian captain proposed that the First Officer didn't like. Data: The apparent emotional dynamic does seem to support that assumption. As with the other terms used by the Tamarian, this appears to be a proper noun. The name clearly carries a meaning for them. Troi: Computer, search for the term Darmok in all linguistic databases for this sector. Computer: Searching. Darmok is the name of a seventh dynasty emperor on Kanda Four. A mytho-historical hunter on Shantil Three. A colony on Malindi Seven. A frozen dessert on Tazna Five. A Troi: Stop search. Computer, how many entries are there for Darmok? Computer: Forty seven. Troi: All our technology and experience, our universal translator, our years in space, contacts with more alien cultures than I can even remember. Data: I have encountered one thousand, seven hundred fifty four non-human races during my tenure with Starfleet. Troi: And we still can't even say hello to these people. Data: Correct. Troi: A single word can lead to tragedy. One word misspoken or misunderstood. And that could happen here, Data, if we fail. Data: Replay at time index one four four. Dathon: Darmok at Tanagra. Data: Freeze. Computer, search for the term Tanagra. All databases. Computer: Searching. Tanagra. The ruling family on Gallos Two. A ceremonial drink on Lerishi Four. An island-continent on Shantil Three Troi: Stop. Shantil Three. Computer, cross-reference the last entry with the previous search index. Computer: Darmok is the name of a mytho-historical hunter on Shantil Three. Troi: I think we've got something. Picard: A captain's log? Dathon: Darmok! Dathon: Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra! Picard: I was curious. I meant no harm. Dathon: Shaka! Temba! His arms wide. Temba. Picard: Enough! I'm not going to fight you. You'll just have to Dathon: Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. Dathon: Temba. His arms wide. Picard: I'll go along with that. Worf: Commander, sensors are picking up an electromagnetic disturbance approaching the Captain's position. Riker: Analysis? Worf: A variable induction field. Possibly a life form. Riker: How close is it to the Captain? Worf: The field is erratic, appearing and disappearing, but it appears to be moving toward him. Riker: Attacking? Riker: Riker to La Forge. Laforge: La Forge here. Riker: How close are we on that transporter? Laforge: Two hours, maybe three. Riker: I want the Captain out of there now. Laforge: That's not very likely, sir. Riker: I don't want to hear that, Commander. Laforge: Lefler, what's the resonance frequency? Lefler: Point three four over standard. Laforge: I want a resolution of point five three at the very least. Commander, I'll need about two more minutes. Laforge: But there's a good chance this isn't going to work. Worf: If it fails Riker: I know. We will have tipped our hand to the Tamarians. But it's a chance we have to take. Worf: Agreed. Riker: La Forge. Proceed. Laforge: We're on it. La Forge out. Riker: Riker to transporter room one. O'Brien: O'Brien here, Commander. Riker: Stand by, Mister O'Brien. Dathon: Mirab, his sails unfurled? Picard: Come on. Dathon: Shaka. When the walls fell. Dathon: Shaka, when the walls fell. Picard: Shaka. You said that before. When I couldn't build a fire. Is that a failure? An inability to do something? Dathon: Darmok and Jalad Picard: At Tanagra. I remember the words but I don't understand. Laforge: Matrix levels? Lefler: Annular convergence four three nine point two oh five. Confinement resolution point five two seven. Laforge: That isn't going do it. Increase thermal input coefficient to one hundred fifty percent. Lefler: Increasing now. Riker: Status, La Forge. Laforge: We're almost there, Commander. Lefler, shunt the overload to the phase transition sequencers in transporter one. Lefler: Yes, sir. Laforge: La Forge to O'Brien. O'Brien: Go ahead, Commander. Laforge: Confirm phase sequencer linkage. O'Brien: Link confirmed. Ready whenever you are, sir. Dathon: Uzani, his army at Lashmir. Picard: At Lashmir? Was it like this at Lashmir? A similar situation to the one we're facing here? Dathon: Uzani. His army with fist open. Picard: A strategy, with fist open. With fist open. Dathon: His army, with fist closed. Picard: With fist closed. An army with fist open to lure the enemy. With fist closed to attack? That's how you communicate, isn't it? By citing example. By metaphor. Uzani's army with fist open. Dathon: Sokath. His eyes uncovered! Picard: No! O'Brien: I've got a piece of him, Commander, but that's all. Riker: Boost the confinement beam. Lefler: One fifty seven over standard. Laforge: It's as solid as it'll go, Commander. Worf: The Tamarian and the entity are in close proximity. The Tamarian's lifesigns are fluctuating. Riker: The scattering field is still in full force. What the hell is wrong with them? Their sensors can read what's going on as well as ours can. Riker to O'Brien. Report. O'Brien: The field's still deflecting the signal. There just isn't enough of him, sir. Riker: Open a channel to the Tamarian ship. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: Your captain is under attack. Drop your particle field. Tamarian: Kailash. When it rises. Worf: They have closed the channel. O'Brien: O'Brien to Bridge. O'Brien: I can't hold him, Commander. Dathon: Shaka. Picard: when the walls fell. First Officer's log, stardate 45048.8. Our attempt to transport Captain Picard back to the ship has failed. My options are narrowing and my patience is all but gone. Riker: Here's the situation on El-Adrel. The entity has moved off several hundred meters. Crusher: Captain Picard's bioscan readings are stable. The Tamarian's are not. Troi: He may be injured. Riker: If the entity decides to attack again, the Captain may be facing it alone. Laforge: The transporter's out of the question. The Tamarian ship has deepened the scattering field to the D region of the ionosphere. There's no getting through. Worf: Unless we attack the ship itself. Riker: Are you able to pinpoint the source of their particle beam? Laforge: They're using a polarity coil generator located aft of their warp drive. It's pretty heavily shielded. Riker: Could we get through with our phasers? Laforge: Not with the first spread. It'd take a couple of hits. Riker: That's not good enough. We need to knock out the scattering field in one shot and have the Captain back on the Enterprise before they know what happened. Laforge: If we selectively target the amplification pathways around the generator, it should be just as effective. And we can do it in one burst. Riker: How long will it take to set up? Laforge: Worf and I would have to adjust the pre-fire chamber. That'll give us the focus we need. A few hours? Riker: Make it so. Riker: I would prefer to find a peaceful solution. If we could talk our way out of this one, that much the better. Troi: Unfortunately, it may not be that simple. Riker: What did you find out? Data: The Tamarian ego structure does not seem to allow what we normally think of as self-identity. Their ability to abstract is highly unusual. They seem to communicate through narrative imagery by reference to the individuals and places which appear in their mytho-historical accounts. Troi: It's as if I were to say to you, Juliet on her balcony. Crusher: An image of romance. Troi: Exactly. Imagery is everything to the Tamarians. It embodies their emotional states, their very thought processes. It's how they communicate, and it's how they think. Riker: If we know how they think, shouldn't we be able to get something across to them? Data: No, sir. The situation is analogous to understanding the grammar of a language but none of the vocabulary. Crusher: If I didn't know who Juliet was or what she was doing on that balcony, the image alone wouldn't have any meaning. Troi: That's correct. For instance, we know that Darmok was a great hero, a hunter, and that Tanagra was an island, but that's it. Without the details, there's no understanding. Data: It is necessary for us to learn the narrative from which the Tamarians drawing their imagery. Given our current relations, that does not appear likely. Dathon: Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. Picard: Our situation is similar to theirs. I understand that. But I need to know more. You must tell me more about Darmok and Jalad. Tell me. You used the words, 'Temba, his arms wide' when you gave me the knife and the fire. Could that mean give? Temba, his arms wide. Darmok. Give me more about Darmok. Dathon: Darmok on the ocean. Picard: Darmok. The ocean. Darmok on the ocean. A metaphor? For being alone? Isolated? Darmok on the ocean. Picard: Are you all right? Dathon: Kiazi's children, their faces wet. Picard: Temba, his arms open. Give me more about Darmok on the ocean. Dathon: Tanagra on the ocean. Darmok at Tanagra. Picard: At Tanagra. A country? Tanagra on the ocean. An island. Temba, his arms wide. Dathon: Jalad on the ocean. Jalad at Tanagra. Picard: Jalad at Tanagra. He went to the same island as Darmok. Darmok and Jalad Tanagra. Dathon: The beast at Tanagra. Picard: The beast? There was a creature at Tanagra? Darmok and Jalad, the beast of Tanagra. They arrived separately. They struggled together against a common foe, the beast at Tanagra. Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. Dathon: Darmok and Jalad on the ocean. Picard: They left together. Darmok and Jalad on the ocean. Dathon: The ocean. Zinda! His face black, his eyes red. Callimas at Bahar. Picard: You hoped this would happen, didn't you? You knew there was a dangerous creature on this planet and you knew from the tale of Darmok that a danger shared might sometimes bring two people together. Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. You and me, here, at El-Adrel. Dathon: Kira at Bashi. Temba, his arms wide. Picard: My turn? No, I'm not much of a story teller. Besides, you wouldn't understand. Shaka. when the walls fell. Perhaps that doesn't matter. You want to hear it anyway. There's a story, a very ancient one, from Earth. I'll try and remember it. Gilgamesh, a king. Gilgamesh, a king, at Uruk. He tormented his subjects. He made them angry. They cried out aloud, send us a companion for our king. Spare us from his madness. Enkidu, a wild man from the forest, entered the city. They fought in the temple. They fought in the street. Gilgamesh defeated Enkidu. They became great friends. Gilgamesh and Enkidu at Uruk. Dathon: At Uruk. Picard: The new friends went out into the desert together, where the great bull of heaven was killing men by the hundreds. Enkidu caught the bull by the tail. Gilgamesh struck it with his sword. Dathon: Gilgamesh. Picard: They were victorious. But Enkidu fell to the ground, struck down by the gods. And Gilgamesh wept bitter tears, saying, 'he who was my companion through adventure and hardship, is gone forever. First Officer's log, supplemental. Despite the risk of war, I have no choice but to break the stalemate. Worf: Phasers nearly ready, sir. Riker: Stand by to fire, Mister Worf. Data: Commander. The Tamarian's bioscan is becoming unreadable. He may be dead, sir. Riker: If we know that, so do the Tamarians. Riker to La Forge. Laforge: La Forge here. Riker: I need those phasers. Data: Sir, sensors are tracking the entity. It is approaching Captain Picard's position. Picard: I understand your sacrifice, Captain. Unfortunately, if our friend out there has its way, no one will ever know what you tried to do. Data: Nine meters and closing. The energy output of the entity has doubled, Commander. Six meters. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. You have phasers. Riker: Fire! Worf: Their particle beam emitters are inoperative, sir. Data: Scattering field is down, sir. Riker: O'Brien, energize. O'Brien: We got him, Commander. Riker: Maximum shields. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: Red alert! Worf: Starboard shields holding at fifty two percent. Forward shields are gone. Riker: Let's get out of here. Data: That may not be possible, sir. The starboard nacelle sustained a direct hit. Warp engines are offline. Riker: Go to impulse. Back us off. Worf: They are matching our maneuvers, sir, and firing. Riker: Return fire, Mister Worf. Full phasers. Worf: Firing, sir. Worf: Their shields are holding. They are firing again. Our shields have failed. Data: Commander, we cannot survive another hit. Picard: Hail the Tamarian ship. Worf: Aye, Captain. Tamarian: Zinda! His face black, his eyes red Picard: Temarc! The river Temarc in winter. Tamarian: Darmok? Picard: And Jalad. At Tanagra. Darmok and Jalad on the ocean. Tamarian: Sokath, his eyes open! Picard: The beast at Tanagra. Uzani, his army. Shaka when the walls fell. Tamarian: Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel. Mirab, with sails unfurled. Picard: Temba, his arms open. Tamarian: Temba at rest. Picard: Thank you. Data: Power has been restored, sir. Riker: New friends, Captain? Picard: I can't say, Number One. But at least they're not new enemies. Riker: I hope I'm not intruding, Captain. Picard: No, of course not, Number One. Please. Riker: Damage reports ready for your review. Picard: Thank you. Riker: Greek, sir? Picard: Oh, the Homeric Hymns. One of the root metaphors of our own culture. Riker: For the next time we encounter the Tamarians? Picard: More familiarity with our own mythology might help us to relate to theirs. The Tamarian was willing to risk all of us just for the hope of communication, connection. Now the door is open between our peoples. That commitment meant more to him than his own life. Thank you, Number One.

Mot: there's a time when you want to call a Romulan's bluff and there's a time when you don't. Wouldn't you say? Picard: Well, one does not always have the luxury Mot: You've got to choose your time and place with them. True or false? Picard: Yes, wherever possible. Mot: So, this time you were lucky. I suppose all's well that ends well but if I'd been in your shoes Picard: Well, you know, that really does look very nice, Mister Mot. I think that will be sufficient. Mot: Hold on There. I must tell you, Captain, Will Riker was in for a trim yesterday and he agrees with me a hundred per cent. Riker: Bridge to Captain Picard. Picard: Yes? Riker: Sorry to interrupt. Riker: We're receiving an emergency distress signal from the Solarion Four colony. Mot: Uh oh. That's right along the Cardassian border. Picard: Lay in a new course. I'm on my way. Mot: I told him we shouldn't colonize so close to the Cardassians. Picard: Report. Riker: The signal ended abruptly at oh four five five. Unable to raise them on subspace. Picard: Hail them on upper and lower band frequencies, Mister Worf. Worf: I've tried. No response. Picard: Time to the Solarion system? Data: Twenty six minutes, Captain. Picard: I understand you've been discussing alternative adversarial engagement strategy with Mister Mot. Riker: It would be more accurate to say he was discussing them with me. He's the best barber in Starfleet. What can you do? Worf: Sir, receiving another signal of a vessel leaving orbit of Solarion Four. New frequency, low band, audio only. Picard: Open a channel. Man: This is the Bajora. We claim responsibility for the destruction of the Federation colony on Solarion Four. As long as we are without our homeland, no one will be safe in this sector. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45076.3. We have arrived at Lya Station Alpha with survivors from Solarion Four. Admiral Kennelly has rendezvoused to discuss the Bajoran terrorist attack. Kennelly: Sorry. Picard: Ginger tea with honey, eighty degrees Celsius. Kennelly: Ginger tea? Picard: My Aunt Adele's cure for the common cold. Kennelly: Common, hell. I picked this up from the Cardassian liaison last weekend. It's some damn virus they've sicked on me. Picard: Did he have anything to say about this attack? Kennelly: It's the same old story for the Cardassians. They've had terrorist problems ever since they annexed the Bajoran home world forty years ago. Picard: But in forty years, they've never attacked a Federation target. Kennelly: A new militant splinter group has broken away from the Bajoran settlement camps. The leader's name is Orta. Apparently he's willing to do whatever he has to to get attention. Picard: And our response? Kennelly: Listen, Jean-Luc, I'm the first to say that the Bajora deserve attention. Chased off their own planet by the Cardassians, forced to wander the galaxy, settling wherever they can find room. It's tragic. Picard: On many worlds we've been to, they are isolated, treated as pariahs. Kennelly: The Federation is sympathetic to their cause, but they're not helping themselves with an attack like this. That's what I want you to communicate to them. Picard: But this could be done through diplomatic channels, Admiral. What do you really want of us? Kennelly: Find this terrorist leader, Orta, and get him back where he belongs any way you can. Picard: Any way I can? Kennelly: The Federation has dozens of settlements in that sector. We can not allow the violence to continue. Picard: And what do I have to offer Orta that might persuade him to cooperate? Kennelly: Amnesty. Picard: Admiral. Kennelly: And a promise that we will immediately begin to address this issue with the Cardassians. Quietly, behind the scenes, using every legitimate means possible. But the Bajora must be patient. Picard: Admiral, they've endured generations of sympathy and promises. How can I believe this Orta will be satisfied with more of the same? Kennelly: It's your job to see to it that he does, Jean-Luc. Riker: Riker to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead. Riker: Have you approved Riker: The transfer of a new officer to the Enterprise? Picard: Negative Riker: Well, we've got one, waiting to beam aboard complete with orders. Riker: Ensign Ro Laren. Picard: Ro Laren? From the Wellington? Riker: The same one, sir. Shall I tell her there's been some mistake? Picard: Stand by, Commander. Kennelly: I wrote the orders. I thought she might be valuable to you. Picard: Admiral, respectfully. I would appreciate consulting rights on the assignment of a new officer, especially one with the record of Ro Laren. Kennelly: She's Bajoran. Picard: There are other Bajorans in Starfleet. Assign one of them. Kennelly: I've discussed this situation with her, and I am convinced that she is the right one for this job. Picard: After what happened on Garon Two, she has no business serving on any starship, let alone the flagship, my ship. Kennelly: You're taking her, Captain. It's been arranged. I can't tell you how difficult it was to get her out of prison. Picard: It's that important to you? Kennelly: It's that important to the mission. Picard: Picard to Riker. Riker: Go ahead. Picard: Proceed with the transport. Riker: Sir? Picard: I'll fill you in later. Riker: Yes, sir. Picard: I hope you and I don't regret this, Admiral. Kennelly: You can handle her, Captain, if anyone can. Ro: Ensign Ro Laren reporting as ordered, Commander. Riker: You will follow Starfleet uniform code aboard this ship, Ensign. Riker: There will be members of this crew who will not want to serve with Ensign Laren, sir. Picard: They'll have to learn to live with it. Riker: I intend to demand the highest level of performance from her. Picard: I would expect nothing less. It won't be for long, Will. Come. Picard: Yes, Ensign Laren, please have a seat. Ro: Ensign Ro, sir. Picard: I beg your pardon? Ro: The Bajoran custom has the family name first, the individual's second. I am properly addressed as Ensign Ro. Picard: I'm sorry, I didn't know. Ro: No, there's no reason you should. It's an old custom. Most Bajora these days accept the distortion of their names in order to assimilate. I do not. Picard: I wish to be candid with you, Ensign. Ro: Please. Picard: I'm fully aware of your Starfleet record, your problems on other ships, and the incident on Garon Two that led to your court martial. And I'm concerned about your presence on this delicate mission. Ro: I don't want to be here any more than you want me to be here, sir. Riker: Then why did you accept this assignment? Ro: If I may be equally candid? It's better than prison. Riker: Better than prison? There are officers who wait years to serve on this ship. Ro: Being called back into Starfleet was not my idea. Riker: Nor ours. Picard: Nevertheless, we will all be serving together. Commander Riker and I have expectations of you. Ro: Captain, I know the routine. You don't have to worry about me. We're stuck with each other. So let's just get this over with as quickly as possible and we can go our own separate ways, okay? Picard: Dismissed. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We are approaching the Valo system on the outskirts of Cardassian territory, where many Bajorans have resettled. Data: There are dozens of Bajoran camps on the three class-M planets. I suggest we may want to begin on Valo Three, where an adhoc leader named Jas Holza lives. The Federation has had several dealings with him. Crusher: I met Holza at a symposium a few years ago. Picard: What can you tell us about him, Doctor? Crusher: I found him to be a very concerned leader and a good spokesman for his people. And a terrific dancer. No, really, I'm serious. At a reception afterwards. Troi: At least this man has genuine experience in diplomacy. Picard: And that's a big advantage on this mission. Very well. Mister Data, will you contact Holza, arrange a meeting? Data: Sir. Riker: Ensign Ro, you're familiar with this star system. You'll take the conn. Is there a problem, Ensign? Ro: You're wasting your time. Holza is nobody. He's the token Bajoran that respectable people invite to symposiums and diplomatic soirees. But he has no real influence among my people. Data: Ensign, whom do you suggest we speak to? Ro: Don't you understand? These are desperate people ready to martyr themselves. They don't want to talk. Worf: This ship is prepared to defend itself if necessary. Ro: Oh, it will be. Don't fool yourself. This mission will end in bloodshed. Picard: Well, let's hope that you're mistaken, Ensign. But can you point us at the right individual, as Mister Data suggested? Ro: I would go to the camp on the southern continent of Valo Two. Find a man named Keeve Falor. He has no diplomatic experience. And he won't ask you to dance. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. I read about the achievements of the ancient Bajoran civilization in my fifth grade reader. They were architects and artists, builders and philosophers when humans were not yet standing erect. Now I see how history has rewarded them. Ro: This used to be me. Keeve: Baleekam. Balleek, balleek. Baleekam! Baleek. Keeve: Ro Laren. It's been a long time. Ro: Keeve Falor, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander Data and Lieutenant Worf. Picard: I'm pleased you agreed to meet with us, Mister Keeve. Keeve: You honor me by the proper use of my name, Captain. Picard: Ensign Ro has educated me. Keeve: Has she? I'm pleased you still remember. Let me show you our camp. We are not a violent race, Captain. Just passionate about our cause. And that passion has led some to take up arms. Picard: Do you know where we can find Orta? Keeve: I'm afraid not. Picard: Can you help us locate him? Keeve: I'm sorry, I don't wish to help you. Don't misunderstand. I for one believe the raid on the Federation outpost was poor judgment. You are innocent bystanders, and I cannot condone violence against those who are not our enemies. Picard: Then I don't understand why you are unwilling? Keeve: Because you are innocent bystanders. You were innocent bystanders for decades as the Cardassians took our homes, as they violated and tortured our people in the most hideous ways imaginable, as we were forced to flee. Picard: We were saddened by those events but they occurred within the designated borders of the Cardassian Empire. Keeve: And the Federation is pledged not to interfere in the internal affairs of others. How convenient that must be for you, to turn a deaf ear to those who suffer behind a line on a map. Picard: Well, I'm not here to debate Federation policy with you, but I can offer you assistance. Keeve: Simply because of one terrorist attack? Perhaps I should have known that. We should have attacked the Federation long ago. What do you think of that, Ro? Ro: I think you're a small man who feels a rush of power in his belly and enjoys it far too much, Keeve. Stop talking and listen. Picard: We've had our problems with the Cardassians too, but now that we have a treaty, we're in a position to help. Your people have been forced to resettle all over the quadrant. But now we can make a legitimate case with the Cardassians that this is not an isolated problem. We can work diplomatically on your behalf. But first, these terrorist attacks must end. Keeve: We live in different universes, you and I. Yours is about diplomacy, politics, strategy. Mine is about blankets. If we were to exchange places for one night, you might better understand. Picard: Mister Data, see to it that the replicators provide a blanket for every man, woman and child before nightfall. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, determine what these people may have in the way of emergency needs and provide for them. Worf: Yes, sir. Keeve: Thank you. Return to your ship. I will contact you when I have any information that might be of assistance to you. Ensign. Picard: You were helpful. Ro: The blankets were helpful. Nothing I said mattered. Picard: In an age when their technology should be able to clothe and feed all of them, that they should have to live like this. Ro: I couldn't, and I wouldn't. That's one reason I ran away. They're lost, defeated. I will never be. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45077.8. Keeve Falor has kept his promise and directed us toward the third moon of Valo One, where we will meet tomorrow with the terrorist leader, Orta. Troi: Do you mind if we join you? Ro: Yes. Laforge: I'll tell you one thing. If I find myself on an away team with Ensign Ro, I won't turn my back on her. Guinan: Perhaps the Captain thought she'd be valuable on the mission? Laforge: That was orders. Had to be. She doesn't belong here. She doesn't even belong in the uniform, as far as I'm concerned. Guinan: Really? Laforge: Really. Guinan: Sounds like someone I'd like to know. Excuse me. Guinan: Am I disturbing you? Ro: Yes. Guinan: Good. You look like someone who wants to be disturbed. Ro: I'd rather be alone. Guinan: Oh, no you wouldn't. Ro: I beg your pardon? Guinan: If you wanted to be alone, you would've stayed in your quarters. The only reason to come here is to be amongst people. Ro: Who are you? Guinan: My name is Guinan. I tend bar, and I listen. Ro: Heard anything interesting? Guinan: Everyone's talking about you. Ro: Heard anything interesting? Guinan: Mmm hmm. Ro: Well, it's all true. Guinan: I believe truth is in the eye of the beholder. Ro: Isn't that supposed to be beauty? Guinan: Truth, beauty. It works for a lot of things. They say you never told the true story about Galon Two. They also say you didn't defend yourself at your court martial. Ro: What was to defend? I didn't follow orders. Eight members of the away team died. Guinan: Your fault? Ro: Yeah, my fault. Guinan: So you sit alone in crowded rooms staring at your drink. I think you enjoy it. Ro: I enjoy it? Guinan: You work so hard at torturing yourself, I can only think you must enjoy it. Ro: Who are you? Guinan: I told you. I'm Guinan. I tend bar, and I listen. Ro: You're not like any bartender I ever met before. Guinan: And you're not like any Starfleet officer I've ever met before, but that sounds like the beginning of a very interesting friendship. Ro: I don't stay anywhere long enough to make friends. Guinan: Too late. You just did. Excuse me. Crewwoman: Bridge to Ensign Ro. Ro: Go ahead. Crewwoman: Subspace communication coming in for you, Ensign. Ro: Thank you. Ro: Computer, direct subspace transmission to monitor. Kennelly: Your report, Ensign. Ro: Everything is going exactly as you predicted, Admiral. Picard: Any indications of weapons or vessels beneath the surface? Riker: The composition of the moon's crust is blocking the sensors. Picard: Which is very likely why they chose this moon for their base of operations. Riker: We're on a timetable here. Where's Ro? Picard: Captain Picard to Ensign Ro. Data: Computer, locate Ensign Ro. Computer: Ensign Ro is not on board the Enterprise. Worf: Check the transport log. Collins: She beamed down almost six hours ago, sir. Picard: Any activity at the meeting site? Chief: No, sir. They didn't show up. Riker: What the hell is going on? Picard: Prepare to transport us to the same location Ensign Ro beamed to. Mister Worf, phasers. Data: I am picking up molecular displacement traces. That suggests movement through this area during the last ten hours. Picard: See if we can determine their direction. Standard search pattern. Worf: Maintain tricorder security link. Picard: Mister Worf, you come with me. Troi: Data, I'm picking up energy fluctuations over here. Troi to Picard. Captain, acknowledge. Data: Data to Picard. Data to Worf. Bajoran: Hold it. Orta: Captain Picard, I am Orta. Please forgive my appearance. Unfortunately, some years ago, as a guest of the Cardassians, my face was mutilated. My vocal cords were cut. Picard: It was not necessary to abduct us. Orta: I am sorry, but after speaking with Ro Laren, I decided that it was. Picard: Then she has done us both a disservice. I am committed to peace. Orta: I am not at all interested in peace. And I am not convinced you are, either. Ro: Captain, I did not come here to undermine this mission. Picard: Whatever your motives, you've already done enough to damage these negotiations. Ro: I came here to convince these people to listen to you. I didn't want this to end in bloodshed. Picard: There will be no bloodshed. Ro: You don't know all the facts, sir. Picard: Then perhaps you would share them with me, Ensign. Orta: All is not what it seems to be, Captain. Perhaps someone is using you to get to me. Perhaps you are a victim of this deception as well. I do not know. Picard: Deception? Orta: Your mission was to seek out the Bajoran terrorists who destroyed the Federation settlement on Solarion Four. Picard: Yes. Orta: As I have informed Ro Laren, it was not the Bajora. Worf: He admits responsibility for dozens of attacks on Cardassian targets. Why should we believe him about Solarion Four? Ro: He has no reason to lie. Worf: He fears our reprisal. Troi: I perceived no fear or deception from him. Worf: If they did not attack Solarion Four, then who did? And why would anyone want to falsely implicate the Bajora? Data: Perhaps someone wanted to draw us into the conflict. Ro: What would anyone gain by doing that? Picard: Ensign Ro, may I see you in my Ready room? Ro: Yes, sir. Picard: You do not leave this ship without authorisation. Ro: Captain, I'm sorry, but I Picard: This is not a discussion. You're restricted to your quarters for the remainder of this mission. Dismissed. Ro: What? Guinan: Hello, it's me, Guinan. I heard you got grounded. Ro: I really don't feel like talking right now. Guinan: Come on, sure you do. Ro: Why is it, every time I tell you something, you tell me I mean the exact opposite? Guinan: Because you're one of those people who's got their poles reversed. Do you want to talk about it? Ro: It's nothing you can help me with. Guinan: How do you know until you try? Ro: Look, I got myself into this. I'm just trying to figure a way out. That's all. Without anyone getting killed this time. Seems like everybody's just pulling my strings, you know? Like I've got no control. Guinan: For people like you and me, who've lost their homes, sometimes that's the way life feels. Ro: I'm in trouble. There's more going on here than anybody on this ship realizes. It's more than I know how to deal with. And I really don't know who to trust anymore. Guinan: Including yourself? Ro: Especially myself. Guinan: You know, a very long time ago, I got into some serious trouble too. And I mean serious. And I'd probably still be there if I hadn't trusted one man. Picard: Come. Guinan: Ensign Ro has some things she'd like to talk to you about. Picard: Ensign Ro has been confined to her quarters. Guinan: Well, she can go back to her quarters when she's done. Picard: Guinan, I don't know why you are involved in this, but Guinan: She's my friend. Picard: Please sit down. Guinan is very selective about whom she calls a friend. Ro: Sir, when I'm finished telling you what I have to tell you, I'm probably going to end up back in the stockade one way or the other. And if that's how this has to be, then I just can't do this anymore. Picard: What can you not do anymore, Ensign? Ro: Admiral Kennelly came to me in prison and told me he'd arrange to get me out if I'd go on a mission. Picard: I know that part. Ro: No, sir. Not this mission. One for him and only him. You were being sent to talk, to negotiate. The Admiral knew that was hopeless. My job was to give Orta an incentive. Picard: What kind of incentive? Ro: One that you couldn't offer. One that Starfleet couldn't offer. Orta was to end the terrorism against the Federation and return with his people to the camps. In exchange he would get weapons, ships, things that would really make a difference against the Cardassians in the future. Picard: I find that almost impossible to believe. That Admiral Kennelly would consider supplying weapons to the terrorists? Ro: If you ask him, he'll deny it. But it's true. I didn't leave the ship without authorisation, Captain. I received it from the Admiral last night. Picard: You have been in contact with Admiral Kennelly during this mission? Ro: Yes, sir. The subspace log can confirm that part of it at least. Picard: Arming these people is a violation of everything that the Federation stands for. Even you cannot be blind to that. Ro: No, sir, I'm not. But this was something I had to do. You see, Captain, when I was seven years old I was given a piece of sugar candy and I was led by a Cardassian into a room where my father was sitting. And he looked at me with eyes I'd never seen. The Cardassian began to ask him questions, and during the next two hours, as I was forced to watch, my father was tortured until he died. And I remember feeling so ashamed of him as he begged for mercy. I was ashamed of him for being weak. I was ashamed of being Bajoran. Later I began to understand how misguided those feelings were. And yet somehow, they have remained a part of me. I don't want to be ashamed of my heritage any longer, Captain. I serve the Federation. But I am Bajoran. A Starfleet Admiral presented me with an opportunity to help my people in their fight against the Cardassians. I had to accept it. Picard: Have you made this offer to Orta? Ro: No. After he told me the Bajora hadn't attacked Solarion Four, nothing made sense anymore. I decided to wait until I could figure out what was going on. Picard: That was a wise choice, Ensign. It probably saved you from another court martial. Have you briefed Admiral Kennelly since we returned from the surface? Ro: No, sir. Captain, I don't know who to trust anymore. But that strange bartender of yours has a way of getting to you, and she said that you were her friend. Picard: Then we have one thing in common. Do you think that Orta would cooperate with us to determine the truth here? Ro: I think I could persuade him to. Picard: Good. Our orders were to find him, to bring him back to the camps any way we could. Perhaps that is exactly what we should do. Ro: And then what? Picard: And then watch what happens. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. I have become convinced that we are somehow involved in a conspiracy. I am hopeful the purpose behind it will be revealed in the next few hours. Kennelly: Well done, Captain. Picard: It was a team effort, Admiral. Ensign Ro was invaluable. Kennelly: Good. What's the next step? Picard: The Enterprise will escort a Bajoran Antares class carrier to the Valo Three camp at oh five hundred hours. Orta and his people will be aboard. Kennelly: Good. Keep us advised of your progress. Picard: Acknowledged. How's that Cardassian virus, Admiral? Kennelly: A lot better, thank you. Picard: I'm pleased. We will report as soon as our mission is accomplished. Picard out. Riker: Ensign Ro, take us to the designated coordinates. Ro: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister Data, keep an eye on the Cardassian border. Data: Aye, sir. Worf: The Bajoran vessel is moving up from the surface, Captain. Picard: On screen. Hail them, Mister Worf. Worf: Audio channel open. The ship does not have visual capabilities. Picard: This is Captain Picard. We're prepared to escort you to Valo Three. Woman: Acknowledged, Captain. Be advised that our ship is limited to half impulse. Picard: Ensign Ro, set a course for Valo Three, half impulse. Ro: Aye, sir. Data: I am monitoring increased activity inside Cardassian space. Two ships are moving along the border heading one four two mark zero five one. Picard: Can you identify the class of these ships, Mister Worf? Worf: Cardassian warships, Galor class, type three. Riker: Top of the line. Data: They are moving into a course parallel to our own, Captain. Picard: Yellow alert. Continue to monitor them. Riker: Ensign Ro, what's the closest we come to the Cardassian border on our current heading to Valo Three? Ro: Thirteen thousand, four hundred kilometers, sir. Riker: ETA? Ro: Eight minutes. Picard: That's where it will be. Data: The Cardassian ships are changing course, sir. They are crossing the border. Worf: They're increasing power to their forward weapon grid. Riker: Red alert. Picard: Ensign Ro, set a course to intercept the Cardassians. Mister Worf, open a channel to the Bajoran vessel. Worf: Open. Picard: This is the Enterprise. We are moving to intercept two Cardassian warships. Maintain your present course and speed. Woman: Acknowledged, Enterprise. Worf: The Cardassians are within visual range. Picard: On screen. Worf: They are hailing us, sir. Picard: Open a channel, Mister Worf. This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. How can we help you? Dolak: Gul Dolak, Cardassian Militia Four One. We have no argument with you, Captain. Picard: I'm pleased to hear that, Gul Dolak, for all of us in the Federation value the peaceful relations with our Cardassian neighbors. Dolak: No more than we value the relations with our Federation neighbors. Picard: Well, now that we've established our mutual good will, what's on your mind? Dolak: We have identified the Bajoran ship you are escorting as a terrorist carrier. Picard: Terrorist carrier? Are you certain? Dolak: Most certain, Captain. It has committed many crimes against us. We know its markings well. Picard: Rest assured, Gul Dolak, there will be no terrorist attacks today. We are escorting the Bajoran settlers to their camp on Valo Three. You can monitor their course if you wish. Dolak: We would request that you withdraw and leave the matter to us. Picard: This is neutral space, Gul Dolak. You have no jurisdiction here. Dolak: Nor do you. Picard: If we withdraw, what do you intend to do with the Bajoran vessel? Dolak: We intend to destroy it. Picard: I see. That puts me in a difficult position. I promised to escort these people to their camps. Dolak: You are protecting the enemies of the Cardassian people. If you do not withdraw, we will take great offense. Picard: I'm sorry to offend you, Gul Dolak, but we cannot withdraw. Dolak: We are prepared to take any steps necessary. Picard: Is that intended as a threat? Dolak: It is a complaint from your Cardassian neighbors. You have one hour to withdraw. Picard: Advise Starfleet of our status, Mister Data. When Admiral Kennelly calls, I'll speak to him in my Ready room. Picard: It seemed, Admiral, that they knew our course, our destination, our plan. Kennelly: I'm sure they monitor the border at all times for terrorist activity. Their sensors must picked up Orta's ship, that's all. Picard: I'm not convinced of that. Kennelly: The important thing is, what do we do now? Picard: Do you have any suggestions, Admiral? Kennelly: Your top priority is to protect the Cardassian treaty. Picard: Sir, I see no way to protect the Cardassian peace without sacrificing the Bajorans. Kennelly: If that's your call, I'll support it. Picard: No. I'm not willing to give them up. Kennelly: I don't think you're looking at the big picture, Jean-Luc. We can't afford to lose the Cardassian treaty. Picard: Well, I just see a different big picture, Admiral. It looks something like this. I see the Cardassian liaison, with his Cardassian virus, coming to meet with you after the attack on Solarion Four. Now we have a common enemy, he says. The Bajoran terrorists. The Cardassians can't find them, but maybe the Federation can. I'm beginning to see that our mission has, in fact, been to expose Orta so that the Cardassians can move in and destroy him. Kennelly: I think you've lost your perspective, Captain. We'll discuss this further when you return. For now, I'm giving you a direct order to withdraw. Kennelly out. Picard: Ensign Ro, set a course, bearing one eight seven mark one zero two, one quarter impulse. Ro: Aye, sir. Riker: He's ordered us to withdraw? Worf: The Cardassians are moving toward the Bajoran vessel, Captain. Picard: Hold present course. Worf: The Bajoran ship has been destroyed. Data: Subspace signal coming from Starfleet, Captain. Admiral Kennelly. Picard: On screen. Data: It is on a secure channel, sir. In your ready room? Picard: No. Here. On screen. Kennelly: Report. Picard: The Cardassians have destroyed the Bajoran ship, Admiral. Kennelly: All hands lost? Picard: No, sir. Kennelly: Survivors? Picard: No, sir. No one was on board. Kennelly: What are you talking about? Picard: The ship was controlled from the ground. Communication was handled through a subspace relay on board the vessel. Kennelly: This was your idea, Picard? Picard: Actually, no. It was Ensign Ro's idea but I fully endorsed it. I suspected that something like this might occur. Kennelly: They're terrorists, damn it. Why in the hell would you want to protect them? Picard: Admiral, I am more concerned with protecting the honor and integrity of Starfleet. Kennelly: Do you know how many of our people they killed on Solarion Four? Picard: The Bajorans did not attack Solarion Four. Kennelly: Who told you that? Orta? Picard: Yes. Kennelly: And you believed him? Picard: Admiral, Orta's ships are old and obsolete. They don't even have warp capabilities. They couldn't have reached another star system, let alone attacked one. Kennelly: But then who's responsible? Picard: I would suggest you ask your friend the Cardassian liaison, Admiral. The only explanation I can think of is that the Cardassians staged it. Kennelly: The Cardassians? Why? Picard: Perhaps they were hoping to find someone in Starfleet like you, Admiral, naive enough to solve their Bajoran problem for them. Ro: What will happen to him? Picard: I'm not sure. A hearing, certainly. Probably a court martial. Ro: Well, if he's sent to the stockade on Jaros Two, tell him to request a room in the east wing. The west wing gets awfully hot in the afternoons. How soon do you intend to return to Lya Station Alpha, sir? Picard: In a few weeks. We have some surveying to do in sector two one three oh five. Ro: Perhaps I should arrange for some other transportation back. Picard: Ensign, you were recruited for one mission and if you wish to be relieved of further duty, I can certainly arrange it. But I'd like you to consider remaining in Starfleet. Ro: You're not serious. Picard: I think it would be a shame for Starfleet to lose someone of your potential. Ro: Well, thank you, Captain, but this uniform just doesn't fit, and you know it. Picard: That can change. Ro: I don't think so. Picard: I've noticed qualities in you that could be harnessed, molded. Ro: Don't count on it. Picard: I think you've got a great deal to learn from Starfleet. Ro: I always thought Starfleet had a lot to learn from me, Captain. Picard: That is an attitude I've found common among the best officers I've ever served with. You're not one of them yet, but you could be, if you work at it. Ro: That's an interesting challenge. And I rarely refuse an interesting challenge. There would have to be one condition. Picard: Condition? Picard: Picard to Enterprise. Two to beam up.

Carmen: The hospital facility will be located there, facing north in that grove of trees. And the school and the arts center will be standing there, centrally located among the residential pods. Riker: Very good. At this rate we'll be able to bring the next wave of colonists in in about six months. I've to tell you I envy you. This is a beautiful place to put down roots. Carmen: Somehow, Riker, you don't strike me as the kind that puts down roots. Riker: No? How do I strike you? Carmen: As a free spirit. An adventurer. Riker: An adventurer? Aren't you pioneers adventurers at heart? Carmen: Of course. But we also have this nesting instinct. It's exciting to find a new world but the joy comes in making it a home. Building houses, having children. Riker: Very interesting. I'd love to discuss this further with you. Dinner tonight? Carmen: If you want to share camp rations in my tent, I'd be delighted. Riker: Haven't we gotten you a replicator yet? Carmen: No, we haven't, but I've been saving my ration of dried chicken curry. It should go very nicely with that bottle of wine I happen to know you brought with you. Riker: This is sounding better all the time. Carmen: And as you know, I provide the most memorable desserts. Riker: My favorite part of dinner. Crusher: Will? Carmen? We've been going over the schematics for the hospital. The location seems fine. Riker: When the Enterprise comes back tomorrow, we'll get a crew started on that. Riker: Carmen, have you got construction started I didn't know about? Carmen: No. What is that? Riker: Data? Data: I do not recognize the sound. I believe it is coming from above. Carmen: Will, what is it? Riker: Data, what's our best bet for cover? Data: Subterranean caverns to the east, sir. Doctor. Carmen: Will. Riker: Start gathering everybody together. We've seen this before. We know what it is. Now get moving. Riker: Follow him. Let's go! Come on, come on! Riker: No, stay together! Stay together! This way! This way! This way! Riker: I've got you. Carmen: Will, help us! Riker: Data! Carmen! Worf: Captain, sensors indicate a disturbance near the outpost on Melona Four. Picard: What kind of disturbance? Worf: I cannot tell. We are still too far away. It could be an electrical storm. Picard: See if you can contact the colony. Worf: Aye, sir. Captain, there is no response from Melona colony, but the disturbance in the atmosphere is increasing. Picard: How far are we? Worf: At current speed, twenty seven hours. Picard: Bridge to La Forge. Laforge: La Forge here, Captain. Picard: Are you picking up any readings from Melona? Laforge: Yes, sir. Something strange is going on. There are violent disruptions in the atmosphere. Picard: Ensign, increase to warp eight. Riker: Come on, keep moving. Crusher: Watch your step but keep moving. Riker: Let's go, let's go. Keep moving. Deeper into the cave. Come on. Deeper into the cave. Keep moving. Riker: How much protection will this cave give us? Data: The refractory metal in the rock formations may act as an effective barrier. Riker: Let's seal off this entrance. Crusher: Let's hope there's enough air in here. Riker: There's got to be a ventilation source somewhere. We need some light. Riker: How are the others? Crusher: Just scrapes and bruises, I think. I'll check further. Where's Carmen? Riker: She didn't make it. She was trying to save an old man who'd fallen. Crusher: I'm sorry. Riker: I think we're going to be all right in here. I'm not sure about the air supply, so stay put, don't move around. Don't expend unnecessary energy. With any luck, we'll be able to wait this thing out. Riker: Riker to Enterprise. Riker to Enterprise. Data: Commander, the refractory metals in the rock strata may also interfere with communication. Riker: Data we've only seen the Crystalline Entity once before. How do you know these metals will protect us? Data: I am not entirely certain they will, sir. Riker: I was afraid you were going to say something like that. Worf: Sir, the disturbance on Melona is becoming more intense. Picard: Keep hailing them. All channels, Mister Worf. Troi: Captain, the fact that they're not responding doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong. The atmospheric disturbance could be jamming the signal. Picard: I know, Counselor. Worf: Still no response, sir. Picard: Increase to warp nine. How long, Mister Worf? Worf: Six hours. Crusher: I've got one man unconscious. We can't stay in here much longer. Riker: If I open that entrance and it's still out there, we're dead. Crusher: If we all stay in here, we're dead. Data: It has been over an hour since we heard the Entity, sir. It may be gone. Riker: Or it may be out there waiting for us. Riker: Everybody stay here. Worf: Commander? Commander Riker, are you there? Riker: Lieutenant Worf, I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight. Laforge: It's good to see you're all right, Commander. What's happened here? Riker: The Crystalline Entity paid us a visit. We lost two colonists, but we got the rest in here. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45122.3. We have notified Starfleet Command of our intention to pursue and investigate the Crystalline Entity. To that end, we have been joined by Doctor Kila Marr, a xenologist who has made studying the Entity her life's work. Riker: Welcome to the Enterprise. I am Commander William Riker. Marr: Commander, Doctor Kila Marr. Riker: Glad you're here. Marr: You were on the surface during the attack? Riker: That's right. Marr: Remarkable. You and your group are the only known beings ever to survive an assault by the Crystalline Entity. Riker: We were lucky. Marr: I should say. And your android. He was there, too? Riker: Lieutenant Commander Data was there, yes. Marr: Well, shall we get started? Riker: I'd be glad to show you to your quarters. Marr: Oh, Commander. A chance to talk to survivors so soon after an attack? I've been waiting years for this. I don't want to waste a moment more. Crusher: And when we came out of the cave there was nothing left. Everywhere we looked there was complete devastation. Trees gone, nothing. Marr: That's typical. It could take years for anything to grow again. Data: Doctor, I ran a full spectrographic analysis, section by section. Trace elements confirm that it is the same entity which destroyed the colony at Omicron Theta. Marr: The Crystalline Entity seems to function like a gigantic electromagnetic collector. It needs a lot of power to keep going so it strips every form of life from the worlds it encounters and converts it all into energy. Riker: There's no vegetation, no insects, not even soil bacteria. It left nothing. Marr: Except witnesses, for the first time in eleven recorded attacks. Now why, I wonder, did it spare your group? Riker: It didn't spare everyone, Doctor. If you'll check your reports, you'll find that two of the colonists didn't survive. Marr: My point is that until now there have never been any survivors. Data: Doctor, the cave in which we hid was made of rock which contained heavy concentrations of kelbonite and fistrium. We surmise that the Entity was unable to penetrate that barrier. Marr: I would like to do interviews with each of the survivors. Collect as much specific detail as I can of their observations. Picard: Of course. Marr: And I'd like to inspect the remains of Melona Colony as soon as possible. Picard: Commander Data, you will accompany the Doctor to the surface. Data: Yes, sir. Marr: If you don't mind, Captain, I prefer to choose my own team. Picard: Doctor, there is no one on this ship with more knowledge of the Crystalline Entity than Commander Data. He originated on Omicron Theta. Marr: I am aware of his origins. I'm very much aware that his brother, Lore, worked with the Crystalline Entity, led it to Omicron Theta where it killed every living thing. I don't think it's unreasonable that I should prefer to make another choice. Picard: You may request additional team members, but in the best interest of this investigation, I think you should work with Commander Data. Marr: As you wish, Captain. Picard: Well? Troi: I don't think you need an empath to sense that woman's feelings. There's hostility that she seems to have transferred from Lore to Data. Perhaps you shouldn't have forced them together so soon. Picard: If her discomfort is going to affect her judgment or her objectivity, I need to know now. Data: Doctor, there is evidence of residual bitrious matter in the soil. It was not present before the Entity's attack. Data: Doctor? Doctor Marr, you have made it clear that my presence disturbs you. However, I do not see how we can achieve our task if you continue to ignore me. Marr: Commander, I can hear everything you say to me. If there is anything worth my response, you can be sure I will not be silent. Data: Then I do not understand your lack of interest in the bitrious filament I mentioned. Marr: It's old news to me. I found evidence of bitrium on the last three attack sites. It seems to be a residual that the Entity produces after it absorbs living matter. I'm actually more interested in this cave. It still amazes me that your group was spared. Data: As I have speculated, the presence of refractory metals Marr: Refractory metals. Yes, I know. On two separate occasions settlers sought refuge in caves. Some of them deeper than this one. They perished anyway. Data: Were those caves laced with kelbonite or fistrium? Marr: The tunnels on Forlat Three had strong deposits of kelbonite, yes. Data: Then perhaps the combination of the two metals prevented the Entity from Marr: Perhaps it was you. Data: I do not understand. Marr: Maybe it was your presence which made the Entity pass over the people in this cave. Did that occur to you? Data: I cannot see what effect my being here would have had Marr: If you had been in contact with the Entity, if that's the reason Melona was attacked, it surely wouldn't have killed its ally. Data: Do you believe that I lured the Entity here? Marr: Did you? Data: No, Doctor. Because Lore betrayed the colonists on Omicron Theta, you believe that I am capable of the same behavior. You are mistaken, Doctor. My programming is distinctly different from Lore's. Marr: You don't understand. I am accusing you of collaborating with that monster! Data: I do understand, and I am attempting to explain to you it is impossible. Marr: It's amazing. You can't feel anything, can you? Nothing I say to you hurts you. Data: That is true, Doctor. Marr: I'm getting a slight elevation on monocaladium particulates in this cave wall. Are you making note of it? Data: Yes, Doctor. Marr: My son died on Omicron Theta. He was sixteen when the colony was attacked. That is the reason I have became an expert on the Crystalline Entity. I have spent my life studying it, tracking it, and hoping someday to find it. And if I learn you have been helping that thing in any way whatsoever, I will see to it that you are disassembled piece by piece. Laforge: Okay, Doctor. We've input all the data you collected on the surface. Marr: Just a minute, Commander. I have some cellulose readings from soil samples that weren't included. Laforge: You handle that unit like a veteran, Doctor. Marr: One thing about spending your life gathering information, you learn your way around computers. Hydrocarbons slightly elevated, bitrious filaments in trace amounts, lanthanides, nitrates all normal. Nothing different. Everything falls within the parameters I established at the other attack sites. Data: Were you expecting a different result this time, Doctor? Marr: I've never surveyed a site so soon after an attack. I thought maybe I'd find something new. Something that would make a difference. Data: Doctor, have you ever scanned your samples for gamma radiation? Marr: Why would I do that? Data: We are seeing high energy reactions that may show up in a gamma scan. Laforge: And if they do, we might find a pattern, a kind of marker left behind by the Entity. That's a good idea, Data. Marr: Frankly, I just don't see what that would get us. Data: If the Entity left a residual trace of antiproton in the samples we collected, a gamma radiation scan would reveal that. Laforge: Getting that readout now, Data. Data: If we try a logarithmic scale, we will have better resolution. Laforge: There it is. Do you see it? Data: Yes. Doctor? Marr: A sharp spike at ten keV. Another. A pattern. Laforge: So we know the Entity leaves antiprotons behind. Marr: If it also deposits antiprotons in space as it travels, can we detect them? Laforge: Sure. We can set the ship's lateral sensors for gamma radiation. Marr: Well, let's get to it, shall we? Marr: It seems I owe you thanks, Commander. Data: The thanks actually go to Doctor Clendenning on Omicron Theta who did the first experiments with gamma scans. Marr: I've never read that. It wasn't in any of his records. Data: That is correct. But I possess much of his knowledge. He was working on new detectors at the time of the attack on Omicron Theta. Marr: I'd heard that you'd been programmed with the experiences of the colonists, but frankly I find it hard to believe. Bridge. Data: It is true, Doctor. The contents of their logs and journals were transferred into my memory cells. The man who created me also experimented with scanning the synaptic patterns of the colonists' temporal lobes and programming them into my neural nets. Marr: You possess their thoughts? Data: To some degree. Doctor Soong hoped to provide me with an amalgam of the colonists' memories. Marr: Interesting. Marr: There. A spike at ten keV. And again. It's the same pattern we saw in Engineering. Picard: Mister Data, can you project a course from it? Data: Yes, sir. There are two possible destinations. The Brechtian Cluster and the Argos system. Picard: Is either populated? Data: Yes, sir. The Brechtian Cluster has two inhabited planets. Picard: Ensign, set a course for the Brechtian Cluster. Marr: Captain, I've done some preliminary estimates on the firing pattern we need in order to destroy the Entity. The photon torpedoes will require some reprogramming, but with your permission, I'll give the calculations to Lieutenant Worf. Picard: Reprogram the torpedoes, Mister Worf. Let's hope we don't have to use them. Marr: I beg your pardon? Picard: If we can possibly avoid firing on it, I would hope it would be Marr: You aren't going to kill it? Picard: Perhaps you should join me in my Ready room. Marr: I don't understand. Why are we pursuing the Entity, if not to destroy it? Picard: We're not hunters, Doctor. Nor is it our role to exact revenge. Marr: What do you propose? We track it down, greet it warmly and ask if it would mind terribly not ravaging any more planets? Picard: I don't denying that it may be necessary to fire on it. But I look on that as a last resort. Marr: Why? Why not just kill it? Picard: I want to try to communicate with it. Marr: What? Picard: We know from our own experience that our shields will protect us. So long as we're in no danger, I will make every effort to communicate. Marr: To what end? Picard: If we can determine what its needs are, we might find other sources to supply it. Marr: Its needs are to slaughter people by the thousands. It is nothing but a giant killing machine. Picard: Doctor, the sperm whale on Earth devours millions of cuttlefish as it roams the oceans. It is not evil. It is feeding. The same may be true of the Crystalline Entity. Marr: That would be small comfort for those who have died to feed it. We're not talking about cuttlefish, we're talking about people. Picard: I would argue that the Crystalline Entity has as much right to be here as we do. Now, Commander Data has some theories on how we might communicate. Please confer with him. Data: Come in. Marr: Am I disturbing you? Data: Not at all, Doctor. Marr: Commander, there's something I want to say. You have been helpful to me, and kind, and I repaid you with accusations, and I realize I may have been wrong. Data: That is very gracious of you to say, Doctor, but I have not been injured by you. Marr: Captain Picard has told me you've done work in trying to establish communication with the Entity. Data: That is true. I have experimented with producing vibrations in crystals by means of graviton pulses. Marr: Like tapping a crystal goblet? Data: Exactly. I will call up the results I have achieved this far for you to study. Marr: All right. Commander, just what kind of memories do you retain of the colonists? Data: I do not possess the minute to minute remembrances of each person, although the more intense recollections are contained in my memory banks. Marr: Do you have any of my son's memories? Data: Marr, Raymond. Called Renny. Yes. I do. Marr: I see. And his journals? Data: Yes. Marr: I was wondering. Do you know? Did he blame me? Data: Blame you? Marr: For going away. For leaving him on Omicron Theta. Data: There are no records of any blame against you. Marr: I left him with friends. I chose to pursue my own career. I planned to go back, but things kept interfering. I kept thinking, I'll go next month. And there weren't any more next months. Data: There are no records of any negative thoughts about you. His personal journals indicated that he was proud that you were such a fine scientist. Marr: He was? What else do you know? Riker: Commander Data, Doctor Marr, report to the Bridge immediately. Captain: We are being chased by an unidentified entity traveling at warp speed. Picard: A distress call from a ship called the Kallisko. It's being pursued by an unknown object. Captain: Sensors indicate a crystalline structure of indeterminate mass. Picard: How strong are your shields, Captain? Captain: We are a transport ship. Our shields are minimal. Picard: Do you carry weapons? Captain: Only low level particle phasers. Do you know what this being is? Picard: Kallisko, change course. Take evasive action. Do whatever you can to outrun it. Captain: we are under attack! Captain, notify our people on Boreal Three Picard: Mister Worf, try to reestablish. Worf: I cannot, sir. There is no response. Data: The Crystalline Entity is moving away, sir. Picard: Ensign, set a course for the Kallisko. Mister Riker, prepare an away team. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45125.7. An away team led by Commander Riker has conducted a thorough survey of the alien ship Kallisko, and has returned to the Enterprise to report. Riker: It was pretty much as we expected, sir. No survivors. Crusher: Not a trace of anything that was ever alive. Not even a seed in their greenery storage. Data: Warp and impulse engines are down, sir, but they can be restarted. A skeleton crew could take the ship to a starbase. Picard: No, we don't have time for that now. Mister Worf, send a message to the nearest starbase. Ask them to dispatch a crew. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister La Forge, make certain that we're still picking up the gamma radiation pattern of the Entity. Laforge: Aye, sir. Picard: Have you and Commander Data made any progress in finding a means of communication? Marr: I believe so. There are some details to iron out. Picard: Please keep working at it. We may need it soon. Data: Deck seventeen. Doctor, you have seemed preoccupied since we surveyed the Kallisko. Marr: I've found it easy to talk to you, Commander. Do you mind if I tell you something? Data: Not at all. Marr: After hearing the screams of those men, I found it hard not to think about my son, about what happened to him. I've read stories about soldiers in the battlefield, wounded, dying. They call for their mothers. And I've often wondered if my son called for me. If he died wondering why I didn't come to him. Picard: Come. Riker: It's still headed for the Brechtian Cluster. We've re-established our course. Picard: Very well. Oh, one thing, Number One. Starfleet will be notifying Carmen Davila's family of her death and returning her personal effects. Would you care to enclose a letter? Riker: Yes, sir. I'd like that very much. Picard: Is there something more, Number One? Riker: Permission to speak freely, sir? Picard: Of course. Riker: I've been thinking maybe Doctor Marr is right. Maybe we should destroy the Entity. Picard: Why do you think that? Riker: It's already killed thousands. It will undoubtedly continue to kill unless we stop it. I don't want those deaths on my conscience. Picard: Are you sure that that's it, Number One, or are you being influenced by personal feelings? Riker: With all due respect, sir, I'm not a raw cadet. I've lost people on missions before. If we take time to try to communicate with this thing, we may lose our chance to destroy it. And I don't think we can risk that. I think I'll go write that letter to Carmen's family. Data: We should program the bridge science station to vary the emissions we direct toward the Entity. Marr: I'll write a subroutine that will allow us to change the frequency of the graviton beam. Data? You told me you carried some of my son's memories. Data: That is correct, Doctor. Marr: What can you tell me about Renny? What were those thoughts? Was he was he happy at all, on Omicron Theta? Data: I have some vivid memories of sporting events. He played parrises squares with a group of his schoolmates. Marr: Renny started parrises squares when he was young. Too young, really. But the older children kept asking him to play, and I couldn't keep him away. He had this natural gift. Data: Yes, he was pleased to have won a championship emblem. Marr: I remember he wrote me about that. He was so proud. I'm characterizing pulse widths in nanoseconds. Sound right to you? Data: Yes, Doctor. Your son's most intense memories revolve around a young woman named Jenina. Marr: A girlfriend? I never knew about that. Of course, the last person he would tell would be his mother. What was she like? Data: He enjoyed her kindness, her gentleness, her physical attributes. Marr: There. Now we can vary all the parameters directly from the Bridge. Data: Yes, Doctor. Marr: Could you do something for me? It would mean a lot. Data: I would be happy to be of help. Marr: You see, all I have left of Renny, the only connection of him is there, inside you. I was wondering if you would talk to me in his voice. I know you have the ability to sound like other people, isn't that right? Data: That is true, Doctor, but what would you want me to say? Marr: Maybe something from his journals. Data: Many of his journal entries took the form of letters to friends and family. I could access one of those. : I took my last exam today I think I did all right on everything except cellular biology. I know you think it's important, Mom, but I don't see how I'm ever going to use this stuff. In a couple of weeks, a bunch of us are going on an archeological dig in the mountains. The Wallaces said it would be all right as long as we had adult supervision, so don't worry. They're looking out for me. They're really great people and I like them a lot, but they're kind of serious. They don't have your sense of humor, Mom. Mom, I miss you. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45129.2. We are still in pursuit of the Crystalline Entity. Data and Doctor Marr are prepared to attempt communication with the being when we intercept it. I will admit to some uncertainty about the prospect. It could prove to be a scientific triumph, or a catastrophe. Worf: Sir, the Brechtian Cluster is now five light years away. Riker: Are we still picking up the Entity's pattern? Data: Yes, Commander, but sensors have not yet locked onto its exact whereabouts. Marr: Captain, we are reasonably sure it's between here and the Brechtian Cluster. If I start emitting the graviton beam now, it may serve as a lure. A kind of beacon. Picard: Make it so. Marr: We'll start with a pulse width of five nanoseconds, frequency one pulse per second. Data: Commencing graviton emissions now. Laforge: No change in the sensor readings. Marr: Let's ramp frequency. Data: Emissions now at ten pulses per second. Worf: Sir. Marr: What is it? Do you have something? Worf: A large mass approaching at warp speed. Picard: Full stop. Helm: Aye, sir. Picard: Doctor, continue emitting the signals. Mister Worf, on screen. Riker: Shields up. Picard: Magnify. Marr: It's beautiful. Riker: What's it doing? Checking us out? Picard: Possibly. Just as we're checking it out. Data: Doctor Marr, do you wish to change the frequency? Doctor Marr? Marr: Yes. Yes, proceed, Commander. Data: Changing to twenty pulses per second. Troi: Is it responding to us? Marr: Let's test that. Ramp the frequency again, Commander. Data: Emissions now at thirty pulses per second. Laforge: Captain, I'm reading a transmission from the Entity. A series of graviton pulses. Marr: It's working. That's a response to our signal. Picard: Remarkable. Data: Captain, there is a pattern emerging from the signals. Picard: It's trying to communicate with us. Data: I believe so, sir, but it will take some time to decipher the patterns. Picard: Then it's possible. Communication, understanding. Marr: Let me try something else. A continuous graviton beam. Laforge: All graviton pulses from the Entity have stopped. Troi: Maybe it doesn't like what we're doing. Picard: Doctor, return to the intermittent signal. Data: Doctor? Doctor Marr? Doctor Marr, we must return to the intermittent signal. Picard: Counselor? Troi: Something's very wrong, Captain. Data: Sir, the Entity is beginning to resonate. Vibrations are increasing. Picard: Doctor, stop the transmission. That is an order. Doctor Marr, do you hear me? Marr: It's for you, Renny I did it for you. Picard: Mister Worf, take charge of the Doctor. Mister Data, shut down the transmission. Laforge: Vibration amplitude is increasing. It can't last much longer. Data: I cannot stop our graviton signal, Captain. Doctor Marr has isolated the access code. Laforge: Maybe I can create an override sequence. Shut it down from here. Data: The amplitude is still rising, Captain. Resonance is approaching critical. Laforge: I can override her program, but it's going to take some time. Picard: Mister Worf, will you escort the Doctor to her quarters. Worf: Yes, sir. Marr: It will never hurt anyone again. Data: Perhaps I should escort the Doctor, sir. Picard: Fine, but don't leave her unattended. Data: Please come with me, Doctor. Marr: Of course. Data: I will stay with you, Doctor. Marr: How long will you live, Data? Data: There has been no predetermined limit placed on my existence, Doctor. Marr: I'm glad. As long as you're alive he'll be alive. I need your help, Data. Data: In what way, Doctor? Marr: Like you did before. Tell me that you understand, Renny. That you know I did it for you, because I love you. Because I wanted to give you peace at last. Data: I do not find such a file in your son's journals. However, from what I know of him by his memories and his writing, I do not believe he would be happy. He was proud of your career as a scientist, and now you have destroyed that. You say you did it for him, but I do not believe he would have wanted that. Yes, I believe your son would be very sad now. I am sorry, Doctor, but I cannot help you.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45156.1. Our mission to Mudor Five has been completed and since our next assignment will not begin for several days, we are enjoying a welcome respite from our duties. O'Brien: If it's a boy, Michael, after my father. Keiko: Wait a minute. We decided on Hiro, after my father. O'Brien: We talked about this last night. Keiko: That's right, and we decided on Hiro. Riker: Wait. I've got it. William. It's a great name. William O'Brien. It's got a nice ring to it. Keiko: It's all right. He's just doing somersaults. Here, feel. Keiko: Right there. Riker: He's going to be a hell of a gymnast. Data: May I? Keiko: Sure. There, feel it? When he's not turning, he's kicking and punching. When I want to sleep, he wants to wake up. At this point, I just wish it were over. O'Brien: I have to go. I've got a transporter simulation on the bridge. Bye-bye, Michael. Laforge: No. Crusher: Come on, Geordi. Laforge: No. Crusher: Just try it once. It is not as hard as you think. I'm telling you, you will be terrific. Laforge: All right. I am the very model of a modern major general, I've information vegetable, animal and mineral. I can't do this. Crusher: Yes you can! Laforge: I cannot sing in front of people. Crusher: You were terrific! You were a little off pitch, but I think I can take care of that. Okay, La Forge as a modern major general. Troi: Captain, I'd like to introduce you to the winners of the primary school science fair. This is Marissa, Jay Gordon, and Patterson. They're here for their tour. Picard: Hello. Patterson: Can we see the battle bridge and torpedo bay? Picard: No, I'm afraid not. But we will be visiting the hydroponics and astrophysics laboratories. Troi: I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Picard: Well. If you'll come with me. O'Brien: I'm not sure who to feel sorry for, the Captain or the kids. Picard: I want you to know we're very proud of the science fair winners. Perhaps some of you will choose to pursue a career in Starfleet. Well, then. What did you do for your science projects? Patterson: I planted radishes in this special dirt and they came up all weird! Picard: I see. That's very, very commendable. And you? Jay Gordon: An analysis of the life span of the swarming moths of Gonal Four. They only live for twenty hours, then they all die. Picard: How interesting. And you Picard: We're falling! Monroe: What happened? Mandel: Sensors are picking up subspace distortions and high energy particles directly to starboard. Monroe: Looks like we ran into a quantum filament. Damage report? O'Brien: We've lost primary life support. Switching to secondary systems. Impulse and warp engines are offline. Mandel: There's another filament moving toward us, sir. Monroe: All decks brace for impact! O'Brien: Counselor? Troi: I'm all right. Medical team to the Bridge. Troi to Sickbay. Counselor Troi to Captain Picard. Troi to Engineering. Counselor Troi to any crew member, please acknowledge. Troi: Medical team to the Bridge. O'Brien: The computer's down. It looks like we still have impulse power but not much else. Troi: Lieutenant Monroe! Mandel: Chief O'Brien. The turbolifts aren't working. We're trapped up here. Picard: Are you, are you children all right? Picard: Bridge, this is Picard. This is the Captain. Can anyone hear me? Patterson: Why don't they answer? Picard: I don't know. Jay Gordon: They're all dead. Picard: They're not dead. Communication is down, that's all. Jay Gordon: We're going to die, too. Picard: We most certainly are not. Now listen to me. No one here is going to die. The bridge will be sending a rescue party as soon as possible. So I want you all to stop crying. Everything is going to be all right. O'Brien: This is the Federation Starship Enterprise calling any vessel within range. We are in distress and need assistance. Please respond. I'm still not sure we're even transmitting. I'll set the message on auto repeat and see if we get a response. O'Brien: Are you all right? Ro: I'm alive. What the hell happened? O'Brien: We were hit by a quantum filament. Most of our systems are down and we haven't been able to contact anyone off the bridge. Ro: Well, don't count on leaving through there. An emergency bulkhead closed just beneath that lift. O'Brien: Confinement mode. Ro: Right. Isolation protocol. Troi: I'm not really familiar with that protocol. O'Brien: If the computer senses a hull breach, it automatically closes emergency bulkheads to isolate the breach. Until we can clear those bulkheads, we'll be cut off from the rest of the ship. Mandel: I have partial sensors back online. I'm picking up sporadic life signs throughout the saucer section. There are definitely survivors. O'Brien: What about Ten Forward? Ro: Ten Forward? O'Brien: My wife's there. Mandel: I'm sorry, Chief. The readings are not that specific. Ro: Can you scan the drive section? Mandel: I'm not reading any life signs in the drive section. Ro: Could the sensors be malfunctioning? Mandel: There's no way to know. Without the main computer, I can't run a full diagnostic. O'Brien: Can you sense anything, Counselor? Troi: There are a lot of people still alive. Many of them are hurt but I can't tell where they are. Ro: We need to start emergency procedures. Who's the duty officer? O'Brien: Lieutenant Monroe was in command, but she's dead. I believe Counselor Troi is the senior officer on the deck. Ro: Counselor Troi? O'Brien: She carries the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Troi: I'd appreciate some suggestions. O'Brien: I recommend we initiate emergency procedure alpha two. Bypass computer control and place all systems on manual override. Troi: Very well. O'Brien: Aye, aye, sir. Ro: May I suggest that our next priority be to stabilize life support and try to re-establish intership communications? Troi: Yes. Mister Mandel, I'd like you to assist Ensign Ro. Mandel: Yes, sir. Riker: How do you feel? Keiko: Okay. A little foggy. Riker: Just lie still for a while. We'll get you to Sickbay as soon as we can. Keiko: Okay. Riker: Report. Data: I have surveyed all the turbolifts and service crawlways on this deck. Access to the Bridge has been completely severed by emergency bulkheads. Worf: Sickbay? Data: Heavy damage to section twenty three A has cut off access to Sickbay. I have ordered a security team to bring casualties here until further notice. Riker: I think we should assume the worst, that everyone on the Bridge is dead. There's no one is in control of the ship. Data: In that circumstance, re-establishing control should be our top priority. Riker: Agreed. Can we get to Engineering? Data: Yes, sir. The most direct route is blocked, but I believe we can use a starboard service crawlway. Riker: Okay, you and I will try to get there. Mister Worf, this room is going to fill with wounded in a few minutes and they're going to need help. I want you to stay in charge here. Worf: Yes, sir. Riker: Let's go. Worf: Over here. Crewman: Yes, sir. Laforge: Okay. Clear the power shunt. Crusher: The shunt is cleared. Laforge: Right. And bypass the flow current, and . The computer still won't release the doors. Crusher: Can we force them open? Laforge: Yes, we can try. There's an emergency hand actuator. Crusher: Geordi? Laforge: Yes? Crusher: This wall is hot. Laforge: Where? Laforge: I'm all right, but I think we've got a new problem. One of the energy conduits must've ruptured and ignited the polyduranide inside the bulkhead. That's a plasma fire. Crusher: It's putting out a lot of radiation. We can't stay in here very long. Laforge: We've got a bigger problem than that. The quaratum in these containers is used in emergency thruster packs. It's normally pretty stable stuff but when you expose quaratum to radiation, it has a way of exploding. Picard: The external power is cut off. Jay Gordon: We're going to die. Patterson: What was that? Picard: I don't know. Picard: Your name is Marissa. Is that right? Well, Marissa, I'm going to need a first officer to help me. You're the oldest and so that makes you my Number One. Marissa: Number One? Picard: That's what I always called my first officer. So, here. Picard: There. Now, Number One, we need a crew to help us get that hatch off. Don't you think that Jay here would make an excellent science officer? What do you say, Jay? Will you join our crew? Jay Gordon: It's Jay Gordon. Picard: Of course. Forgive me, Jay Gordon. Jay Gordon: I accept. Picard: There. Patterson: Can I be an officer, too? Picard: Well, let me see. Your science project involved radishes, did it not? Patterson: Yes, sir. Picard: Then I shall appoint you my executive officer in charge of radishes. Picard: There. Right, then let's get to work. Riker: Thirteen sixty five baker. That should put us right behind shuttlebay two. Data: That is correct, sir. We have approximately fifty two meters remaining in this crawlway before we can safely exit into a main corridor. Riker: Coolant leak! Crusher: We can withstand this level of radiation for another three or four hours without any permanent damage. We'll need a few days of hyronalin treatments. Laforge: What are the radiation levels in the quaratum? Crusher: They're at eighty three rads and rising at a rate of about four rads per minute. Laforge: That stuff gets unstable at around three hundred and fifty rads. I still haven't been able to get any power to this transporter. Crusher: The radiation levels is about twenty percent lower at this end of the bay. Let's move the containers over to here. Laforge: That's a good idea. It should buy us some time. You know we're going to have to do this by hand. With all the radiation floating around in here we can't trust the antigrav units. O'Brien: There. Just before the second time we were hit. See the subspace distortion? Troi: Yes. How big is a quantum filament? O'Brien: It can be hundreds of meters long, but it has almost no mass, which makes it very difficult to detect. Troi: So, it's like a cosmic string? O'Brien: No. that's a completely different phenomenon. O'Brien: How did you do that? Ro: I diverted power from the phaser array and I dumped it into the engineering control system. O'Brien: You what? Ro: Engineering station's online, Counselor. O'Brien: But that's a completely improper procedure. You can't just dump that much raw energy into a bridge terminal without blowing Ro: We're not going to get out of this by playing it safe. Troi: What is our engine status, Ensign? Ro: We've got half impulse power available, but I'm getting some odd readings from the warp drive. I'm reading a spike in the warp field array. It looks like a containment deviation. O'Brien: Switch to primary bypass. Ro: Nothing. Field strength's at forty percent and falling. We've got a problem. The quantum resonance of the filament caused a polarity shift in the antimatter containment field. O'Brien: When the filament hit us, the ship was momentarily charged, as if it had come into contact with a live electrical wire. Ro: That weakened the containment field surrounding the antimatter pods. The field strength is at forty percent and it is still falling. O'Brien: If it falls to fifteen percent the field will collapse and we'll have a containment breach. Troi: Which means? Ro: Which means the ship will explode. Data: Commander, the current cannot be off down from this relay box. Riker: We can't just sit here. Data: If the energy flowing through that arc were interrupted by a nonconductive material, it is likely the circuit would be broken. Riker: I don't see any material in here that could handle that much current. Data: Commander, much of my bodyframe is made up of tripolymers, a non conductive material. Riker: Are you suggesting we use your own body? Data: Yes, sir. Riker: Data, there's half a million amps flowing through that arc. Could your body handle that much current? Data: The power surge would cause a system failure in my internal processors and melt my primary power couplings. However, there is a chance that the damage would not be irreparable. Riker: No. Data: Commander, our options are very limited. Riker: First of all, android or not, I wouldn't ask anyone to take that kind of risk. Second, if the computer is not working in Engineering, I'm going to need your help to get control of the ship. Data: My positronic brain has several layers of shielding to protect me from power surges. It would be possible for you to remove my cranial unit and take it with you. Riker: Let me get this straight. You want me to take off your head? Data: Yes, sir. Is something wrong, sir? Riker: Well, Data, would you be all right? Data: My memory core and neural nets are self-contained. I would be fine, sir. Riker: Well, like you said, our choices are very limited. Riker: Data? Data! Data. Data: A remarkable experience, Commander. Riker: Are you all right? Did the shielding work? Data: Apparently so, sir. My neural nets are still fully operational. You may begin by opening the ventral access panel located two centimeters beneath my right ear. Picard: Can you climb up? Jay Gordon: Yes, I think so. Picard: Good. Now look down the sides of the lift. Can you see two big clamps? Jay Gordon: Yes, I see them. Picard: Can you see if those clamps are attached to long beams inside big grooves? Jay Gordon: Yes. But one of them looks broken. It's half out of the groove. Picard: All right. Come down. Picard: All right. Number One, those big clamps are part of the emergency system. If something goes wrong, they're designed to hold the turbolift in place. But it would seem that they're damaged. Marissa: Is that why we keep shaking? Picard: That's right. Now, when they give way, we shall fall. So you've got to get your crew out of here before that happens. Now, there is a ladder along the wall of the shaft. You can climb up that until you come to an open doorway. Marissa: What about you? Picard: My ankle is broken. I will just slow you down when you need to move quickly. Now, you are the leader. And that's an order. Marissa: We have to climb up the shaft. Patterson: I want to stay here with you, Captain. Picard: Patterson, you're an officer. You have to obey orders. Patterson: I don't want to be an officer any more. I want to stay here with you. Jay Gordon: If the captain stays here, we won't make it. We'll all die. Picard: We don't have time to argue. You must go now. Marissa: The crew has decided to stick together. We all go or we all stay. Picard: All right. I'll try. But I want you to know this is mutiny. Now, Number One, look at that control panel. Now, the yellow control pad, hit that once. Now the one below it, hit twice. Now that should release the panel underneath. Marissa: Yes, it did. Picard: Now, you can pull it away. Marissa: Okay. Picard: Good. Now, that bundle of wires, that's optical cabling. See how much of that you can pull out. Crusher: The levels are still rising. There must be some way to put that fire out. Laforge: The energy's being fed by the ship's internal power grid and we can't even get near that. The only way to stop it would be to eliminate its supply of oxygen. Wait a minute. Doctor, I've got an idea. It's kind or wild, but we just might be able to kill two birds with one stone. Crusher: Let's hear it. Laforge: Okay. We open the external door. That would depressurize the cargo bay and suck all of those containers out into space. At the same time, the lack of oxygen should put out the plasma fire. Crusher: What about us? Laforge: We just need to find something in here to hold onto while the air is evacuating. Then, we close the door, repressurize the bay. Crusher: What about this? Laforge: Yeah, that ought to do it. Keiko: There that should do it. Worf: There will be a sharp pain as I set the bone. Prepare yourself. Good. Good, you bore that well. Worf: Keiko? Keiko: I'm all right. I think. Worf: Perhaps you should lie down. Keiko: Oh, oh, oh. I'm having contractions. Worf: I believe that is not uncommon in the late months of pregnancy. Keiko: No, I mean contractions. I'm going into labor. Worf: You cannot. This this is not a good time, Keiko. Keiko: It's not open for debate. Like it or not, this baby is coming. O'Brien: If the containment field strength continues to drop at its present rate, we still have at least two hours before it becomes critical. Ro: But you're ignoring the fact that the power coupling is also damaged. If that coupling overheats, the field strength could drop a lot faster. We could have a containment breach in a matter of minutes. Troi: What do you suggest? Ro: We should separate the saucer now, and put as much distance as possible between us and the drive section. O'Brien: Excuse me, sir, but that's damn cold blooded. What about the people down there? Ro: There's no evidence that anyone is still alive in the drive section. O'Brien: No evidence they're dead, either. If you were trapped down there, would you like us to just cut you loose and leave? Ro: No, of course not. But I also wouldn't expect the bridge crew to risk the safety of the ship and hundreds of lives in a futile effort to rescue me. Troi: You said there was no way to stabilize the containment field from the Bridge. Could it be done from Engineering? O'Brien: Yes, but my readings indicate there's no power down there. They don't even have monitors to tell them there's a problem. Troi: Could we divert energy from the Bridge to those monitors? O'Brien: Yes, sir. Ro: I'll say it again. There is no reason to believe that anyone is alive in Engineering. We're wasting time even talking about this. We have to separate the ship now. Troi: I believe there are still people alive down there and I'm going to give them every chance. Assuming they're alive, they'll be hoping there's someone up here who can help them. So we'll help them. Chief, divert the necessary power to Engineering. O'Brien: Aye, sir. Ro: I remind you, Counselor, that power coupling could overheat at any moment. By not separating the ship now, you may be responsible for all our deaths. Troi: Thank you, Ensign. Proceed. Picard: I can't open this door. We're going to have to climb up to the next deck. Patterson: What if that one doesn't open either? Jay Gordon: Then we'll never get out. Marissa: Quiet, both of you. That's an order. Picard: We're going up. Ready? Marissa: Ready, sir. Picard: The lift's falling! Hang on! Picard: We're all right. We're going to keep on climbing. Just don't look down. Jay Gordon: What's wrong? Marissa: He's scared. Picard: We're right with you, Patterson. You're not going to fall. Everything will be all right if you just keep climbing. What we need is a climbing song. Marissa, is there a song you sing at school? Marissa: The Laughing Vulcan and His Dog? Picard: I'm afraid I don't know that one. I know. Frere Jacques. That's a song I used to sing when I was at school. Patterson, do you know that one? Good. It goes like this. Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques, dormez vous? Dormez vous? All: Sonnez les matines, sonnez les matines, ding ding dong, ding ding dong. Picard: Very good. Now, keep singing. All: Frere Jacques, frere Jacques, dormez vous? Dormez vous? Sonnez les matines, sonnez les matines. Ding ding dong, ding ding dong. Frere Jacques, frere Jacques, dormez vous? Dormez vous? Sonnez les matines, sonnez les matines. Ding ding dong, ding ding dong. Frere Jacques, frere Jacques Worf: Your contractions are now only thirty seconds apart. Dilation has gone to seven centimeters since the onset of labor. That did not take long. Keiko: That's easy for you to say. Worf: You are doing very well. I am sure the child will arrive soon. Keiko: Worf, has the baby turned? Worf: Turned? Keiko: So the head is down. Doctor Crusher told me a few days ago that it hadn't. She wasn't worried because I still had a month to go. Worf: I am not certain. Can't you tell? Keiko: Worf, have you ever done this before?, delivered a baby? Worf: Yes. No. I have taken the Starfleet Emergency Medical Course. In a computerized simulation, I assisted in the delivery of a human baby. Keiko: Sometimes it doesn't go by the book, Worf. Worf: I am sure everything will be fine. Crusher: Once the air is vented, the first thing you'll feel is extreme pressure in your lungs. You have to resist the temptation to exhale. Next, our hands and feet will get cold, then numb, and some of the capillaries on exposed sections of the skin may burst. Laforge: Sounds like fun. Crusher: We will have about fifteen seconds of useful consciousness, then about ten seconds of extreme disorientation, then we pass out. Laforge: Okay. Once the air is evacuated, one of us is going to need to get to that panel to repressurize the bay. Laforge: We're ready. Are you okay? Ro: The field strength is down to twenty percent. We cannot run the risk of staying here any longer. O'Brien: We're in no danger until it drops below fifteen percent. We can afford to wait and see if anyone in Engineering notices those monitors. Troi: Have you made preparations to separate the Saucer section? Ro: Yes, sir. We're in stand by mode for docking latches. O'Brien: Ensign there's a thermal inversion in the power coupling! Ro: Quick, cross-connect to the transfer coil. That was close. Troi: What happened? Ro: Exactly what I said might happen. The power coupling overheated and the entire containment field almost collapsed. O'Brien's fixed it temporarily, but this could happen again at any moment, and next time we might not be able to stop it. You can't let wishful thinking guide your decision, Counselor. It's time to leave. Troi: We will separate the ship when I decide that it's time, and not before. Is that clear, Ensign? Ro: Yes. Perfectly. Riker: Okay, try it. Data: Very good, Commander. You have established a connection. I can now raise the door. Riker: There's no power on this entire deck, yet somehow these monitors are working. Data: The power reaching those monitors has been diverted from the Bridge, sir. Riker: But why? Unless there's something they want us something they need us to see. Wait a minute. Data, the containment field strength is down to eighteen percent. Can you stabilize it? Data: No, sir. I do not have access to the containment field. You will have to establish a new link. Locate the ODN conduit, sir. Riker: Got it. Data: Yes, sir. You must now change the input matrix in my secondary optical port and then connect the ODN conduit. Data: That is not the correct port, sir. Riker: Sorry. Data: You must hurry, Commander. The containment field has dropped to sixteen percent. Riker: I'm trying. You need a bigger head. Data: The field continues to drop, sir. Collapse is imminent. Riker: Try it now. Data: I have a connection, sir. I am now stabilizing the containment field. O'Brien: Sir, the field strength is stabilizing. Eighteen percent, twenty, twenty five. Ro: I guess they got our message. I was wrong, Counselor. Troi: You could have easily been right. Worf: Congratulations. You are fully dilated to ten centimeters. You may now give birth. Keiko: That's what I've been doing. Worf: Bearing down is the next stage. It should start at full dilation. Why has it not begun? Keiko: I don't know. I don't think it's up to me. It happens when it happens. Worf: The computer simulation was not like this. That delivery was very orderly. Keiko: Well, I'm sorry! Worf: Did you feel an uncontrollable urge to push? Worf: Good. You are bearing down. Now you must push with each contraction and I must urge you gently but firmly to push harder. Push, Keiko. Push hard. Push, Keiko. Push. Push. Keiko: I am pushing! Worf: The baby is emerging head first. One more contraction. Keiko: Okay. Worf: That's good. Push. Push. Hard. I have the baby. I will smack the child to induce breathing. Worf: Now I will cut the umbilical cord. Blanket. I believe she looks like Chief O'Brien. Keiko: Hello. You were wonderful, Worf. I couldn't have done it without you. Hello. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We are en route to Starbase sixty seven, to undergo repairs. Life aboard the Enterprise is slowly returning to normal. Troi: Now just wait here. Riker: You just can't stay away from the big chair, can you? Troi: I don't think I'm cut out to be Captain. First officer, maybe. I understand there aren't many qualifications. Riker: Captain Picard to the Bridge, please. Picard: Hello. It's good to see you again. What brings you to the Bridge? Marissa: In appreciation for the way you helped us get out of the turboshaft, and the way you helped us not be scared, we want to present to you this commemorative plaque. Give it to him. Picard: Thank you. Thank you very much. Patterson: I made the back piece. Picard: And a wonderful job you did of it, too. Well, later this afternoon, we're going to finish the tour I promised you, starting with the battle bridge. I'll see you at fourteen hundred hours. You have the Bridge, Number One. RIKER + Marissa: Aye, sir.

Riker: Etana? I know you're back there. Don't make me come after you. Riker: Give me that. Etana: You don't need that. Riker: Yes, I do. Riker: I need that communicator. Etana: Commander Riker to the Enterprise. I've a terrible problem down here on Risa. Riker: Give me that. Etana: Go get it. Riker: I don't believe you did that. Etana: Believe it. Riker: What is this? Etana: It's a game. Everyone here's playing it. It's fun. Riker: Do I keep my eyes open, or closed? Etana: Open. Riker: What am I seeing? Etana: The playing field. Riker: Now what? Etana: See the disk and the cone? Riker: Yeah. Etana: Concentrate. Make the disk go into the cone. Riker: How do I do that? Etana: Just let go. Relax. You'll do it. Riker: What was that? Etana: Your reward for clearing the first level. Riker: How far does this game go? Etana: As far as you can take it. Would you like to go for level two? Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45208.2. Commander Riker has rejoined the Enterprise from Risa, and we are on our way to an uncharted area called the Phoenix Cluster. We're all anticipating this historic first look at the region. Riker: It's starting to get busy around here. Five new science teams just beamed in from the Zhukov. Quarters are filling up fast. Picard: On top of everything, there's been a change. We've been given only two weeks to complete the exploration. Riker: Two weeks? That's not enough time to explore a region that size. I thought we had five weeks. Data: Commander, Starfleet has added a diplomatic mission to Oceanus Four. Picard: Will, I'm leaving it up to you to make sure that all science departments have an equal chance of completing their research. Riker: That'll be quite a juggling act. Picard: Oh, and one piece of good news.. We're to rendezvous with a shuttlecraft carrying Wesley Crusher. He's on vacation from the Academy. Riker: Wesley? Good. We'll need an extra hand around here. Riker: Geordi, how are you coming with the survey preparations? Laforge: I'm up to my neck in observation schedules right now. Our biggest hurdle is sensor availability. Riker: Especially since two new exobiologists and three stellar cartographers have joined us from the Zhukov. Laforge: Fifteen science teams, only two weeks, and one long-range array don't make for a great combination. Riker: What about the lateral sensors? Laforge: They're booked solid for planetary observation. Riker: And the gamma ray scanner? Laforge: We're reprogramming them now. Lefler, a moment of your time, please? Laforge: You know Robin Lefler. Riker: Of course. Laforge: Her work around here's been so sensational, I've decided to make her a mission specialist. Riker: Congratulations. Robin: Thank you, sir. Riker: Okay, specialist, what's our sensor status? Robin: We're increasing the available bandwidth so more science teams can use the sensors at once. We figured out a way to do it by multiplexing the array. Riker: Can we have that done before we arrive? Robin: Yes, sir. You can count on it. Riker: Keep it up, Lefler. Riker: Geordi, I brought something back from Risa that you have got to try it. Laforge: I'd love to, but I'm running a full sensor recalibration in ten minutes. Can it wait? Riker: Of course. I'll catch up with you later. Riker: Chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge and chocolate chips. You're not depressed, are you? Troi: I'm fine, Commander. Riker: Would you like me to leave you two alone? Troi: No, you can join us. Riker: No, thanks. I don't like fudge. Troi: Really? I never met a chocolate I didn't like. Riker: Doesn't it taste good? Troi: Of course it does, but it's not just a matter of taste. It's the whole experience. First of all, you have to spoon the fudge around the rim, leaving only ice cream in the middle. Then, you gently spoon the ice cream around the sides, like you're sculpting it. Relish every bite. Make every one an event. And then, with the last spoonful, close your eyes. Riker: I had no idea it was such a ritual. Troi: Chocolate is a serious thing. Riker: I brought something back from Risa. Better than chocolate. Troi: Oh? What is it? Riker: Just a game. Wesley: Chief O'Brien. O'Brien: Welcome back, Wesley. Wesley: Congratulations on little Molly. O'Brien: Thanks you. Wait till you see her. She's the spitting image of her dad. Wesley: So, where is everybody? Is my mom around? O'Brien: The senior staff is in a meeting. You're supposed to go to your mother's quarters. Wesley: Oh. Do you think it'd be all right if I dropped in just to say hi? O'Brien: I'll check. Chief O'Brien to Bridge. Worf: Bridge here. O'Brien: Wesley Crusher has arrived and wants to know if he can stop by the Observation lounge to say hi. Worf: I suppose that is acceptable. Wesley: Thanks. All: Surprise! Wesley: Mom! Crusher: Welcome home. Wesley: Hi, Mom. Picard: Wesley. Wesley: Captain. Picard: Quomodo tua Latinitas est? Wesley: Praestat quam prius. Picard: Oppido bonum. Your Latin has improved. Troi: You're looking very handsome. Crusher: You really do that cadet uniform justice, Wesley. Laforge: I bet you're driving all the girls wild. Worf: Wesley. Tarvokian pound cake. I made it myself. Wesley: Thanks, Worf. Data: Wesley, was our attempt to make you uncomfortable effective? Wesley: You bet it was. For a second there, I thought I was on the wrong ship. Data: Did you find our deception pleasing? Wesley: Yeah. It's fun to be surprised. Riker: Are you here to work or to play, Mister Crusher? Wesley: Sir. Riker: I know you're on vacation. Probably like to sleep and spend some time on the holodeck. But if you're so inclined, we could use your help with the Phoenix Cluster survey. Wesley: Sounds great, sir. Laforge: Excellent. As soon as you get settled, come down to Engineering and we'll get you started. Crusher: So what kind of game is this? Troi: Come by my quarters and I'll show it to you. Data: Have you found the Academy challenging, Wesley? Wesley: Yeah. I thought after being on the Enterprise, it would be a breeze, but there's a lot more to learn than just starship operations. What was your first year like? Data: Although I did extremely well scholastically, my lack of human understanding often created social obstacles. Wesley: Like what? Data: I particularly remember the phenomenon of practical jokes, several of which I fell victim to. Wesley: Tell me about it. My first week that I was there, this guy named Adam Martoni reprogrammed the sonic shower to cover me with mud. It took me a while, but I got him back really good. Data: Good for you. Wesley: Thanks. Data: I also found social gatherings difficult. There was one event, an Academy tradition, the Sadie Hawkins Dance? Wesley: They still hold it, every year. Data: A notably awkward experience. Wesley: I know what you mean. I can't even dance. Data: Really? Your mother is quite an expert. She recently taught me. Wesley: The Dancing Doctor? She tried to teach me too, but I just don't have the knack. Data: I would be happy to teach you dancing. I have programmed a comprehensive seventeen part course with some interesting holographic partners. Wesley: I'll let you know. Wesley: I'll modify the planetary scanners. Laforge: Just make sure we keep enough data lines open for stellar physics. Wesley: No problem. I'll compress the signal flow. Laforge: All right. Wesley: Why aren't these registering? Robin: You might try calibrating them manually. Wesley: Excuse me? Robin: The detectors. They tend to get temperamental. You can try calibrating them by hand. Wesley: You're kidding. The computer has to do this. Robin: No. Look. The subroutine lets you do it from the panel. Law Seventeen. When all else fails, do it yourself. Wesley: It's working. Thanks. Robin: Sure. Wesley: By the way, I'm Wesley. Wesley Crusher. Robin: I know. Just came back from the Academy. Wesley: That's right. Robin: Robin Lefler. Wesley: Hi. Robin: Hi. Robin: Your neutrinos are drifting. Wesley: They're what? Data: Geordi, a conflict has started between the planetary evolution team and the stellar physicists. Each wishes to be the first to use the thermal imaging array. Laforge: Well, tell them to flip a coin. We've got to work together on this mission, otherwise we're never going to get it done. Data: A coin. Very good. I will replicate one immediately. Crusher: Doctor Crusher to Data. Data: Data here. Crusher: Do you have a minute to join me in Sickbay? I need your help with something. Data: Yes, Doctor. On my way. Data: You wanted to see me, Doctor? Crusher: Yes, Data. I need to ask you to do something for me. I'm working on a new experiment with bioactive silicon. Would you reprogram this tricorder to these specifications? Data: Certainly. Crusher: I'm sorry to bother you with it, but I need it done quickly. Data: It does not bother me. In fact, I am happy to Riker: Computer, secure Sickbay. Computer: All entries to Sickbay are secured. Wesley: Let's see. I have Novakovich for anthropology and Horne for creative writing. Picard: Walter Horne? Is he still teaching? Wesley: Yeah, he is. And he's good too. And you'll be pleased to know I took your advice. The first week that I was there, I went and met Boothby. Picard: How is old Boothby? I hope he didn't tell you a lot of stories about me. Wesley: He didn't remember you, sir. At first. I found an old yearbook photo and he remembered you right away. He said he's very proud of you that you're Captain of the Enterprise. Picard: Is he still tending grounds, or have the years finally caught up with him? Wesley: Not that I can tell. He took me on a grand tour of the place. He showed me every single blade of grass, practically. Picard: I had the very same tour. Wesley: Sir, what do the initials A F stand for? Picard: AF? Wesley: Boothby said he caught you carving those initials into his prized elm tree. Picard: AF. Just an acquaintance of mine. Wesley, if you meet someone whose initials you might want to carve into that elm tree, don't let it interfere with your studies. I failed organic chemistry because of AF. Crusher: Crusher to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead, Doctor. Crusher: I need you in Sickbay immediately. Picard: On my way. Crusher: He came in complaining of a servo malfunction but my scans came out negative. Then he just collapsed. Picard: What have you found? Crusher: His biosystems and positronic functions seem to check out, and his power cells are active. Laforge: From what I can tell, his higher functions are intact, but the signals aren't getting from his brain to the rest of his body. It's like he's in a coma. Riker: Data performs self diagnostic routines on a regular basis. We should take a look at his logs. They may reveal something. Laforge: I recommend going through his quarters, as well. You never know what we might find. Picard: Agreed. Continue the analysis. Keep me informed. Riker: Standard security sweep shows nothing out of the ordinary. Laforge: Personal logs, diagnostics, duty logs, they all appear normal. There's no evidence of anything that could lead to Data's shutdown. Riker: Maybe we should ask his cat. Laforge: I guess I'd better get back to Sickbay, see if there's any change in his condition. Riker: Doctor Crusher's got everything under control, Geordi. If there's any change, you'll be the first to know. Laforge: I guess so. Riker: Looks to me like you need a break. Unwind a little. Laforge: Yeah, maybe you're right. Riker: I've got just the thing. Why don't you join me in Ten Forward? There's something I'd like you to try. Wesley: Conduits twelve and twenty two are still down for testing. Robin: We can re-route through junction fourteen B. Wesley: You have a funny way of looking at conduit configuration. But it works. Robin: That's Law Thirty Six. You've got to go with what works. Wesley: What are all these laws that I keep hearing about? Robin: They're my personal laws. Every time I learn something essential, I make up a law about it so I never forget. Wesley: How many do you have? Robin: A hundred and two so far. Robin: Looks like the starboard array needs another subprocessor. Wesley: It'll be online in a few minutes. I'm way ahead of you. Robin: They said you were good. Wesley: Why do I get the feeling that you already know me? Robin: I have a few friends at the Academy. Your name's come up a couple of times. That was really some stung you pulled on Adam Martoni in the physics lab. I just want to know how you got the antimatter regulator to spray chili sauce. Wesley: There is another side to that story. Robin: Is it true what they say about your birthmark? Wesley: This isn't fair. I hardly know anything about you. Robin: Hey, that's Law Forty six. Life isn't Wesley: Always fair. Yeah, I know that law. I still have to work on the sensor relays, but I'd like a chance to even the score. Ten Forward, nineteen hundred hours. Will you join me for coffee? Robin: No. But I'll meet you for dinner. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have arrived at the Phoenix Cluster, but it will take us several hours to determine the best possible location from which to conduct our survey. Commander Data's condition remains unchanged with no further indication as to the cause of his collapse. Wesley: Mom? Crusher: Wesley. Wesley: What are you doing? Crusher: I'm embarrassed to say. This was meant for you. But it was so much fun, I couldn't resist. Wesley: What is it? Crusher: It's a game. Riker brought it back from Risa. Everybody's playing it. Want to try? Wesley: Maybe later. How's Data? Crusher: Geordi's still working on him. He's going to be fine. Wesley: I think I should go give him a hand. Crusher: No. Wesley, you are on vacation. You have done enough already. Wesley: Yeah, maybe you're right. Computer, increase light level. Crusher: Are you in a hurry? Wesley: Yeah, I'm late for a dinner date. Crusher: Really. With who? Wesley: Robin Lefler from Engineering. Crusher: Why don't you invite her here? We can all play the game together. I can replicate a couple more. Wesley: Mom. Crusher: Sorry. It's just that I want to spend some time together while you're here. Wesley: We'll have time together. I promise. Crusher: Okay. Wesley: Okay. Crusher: Just one game. Come on, try it on for size. Wesley: Mom! I really need to get ready. Crusher: Have a good time. Wesley: Thanks. I will. Robin: When your parents are the only plasma specialists in the sector, you do a lot of traveling around. We went from base to base to base. I felt like a piece of luggage after a while. I spent all of my time around technical gear. My first friend was a tricorder. Wesley: Really? My very first friend was a warp coil. Robin: My parents work came first. They didn't really have time for me, even when I needed them. So that's how I learned my first law. Law One. You can only count on yourself. Wesley: Sounds kind of lonely. Well, now you're here. Robin: Now I'm here. Wesley: Well, I'm glad. Robin: You wouldn't believe what's going on in Engineering. Commander La Forge and all the others, they're crazy about some new game. Wesley: Yeah, what kind of game is it? Robin: It's some Risian gadget that fits over your ear. Wesley: Have you played it? Robin: Not yet. Wesley: My mom has one. She keeps trying to get me to play it. Robin: It's everywhere. Robin: See what I mean? Wesley: Don't you think that's a little strange? Everybody playing it all the time. Robin: It's just a fad. It's here this week. Next week we won't even know it existed. Wesley: I wonder how it works? Robin: Why don't you try it and find out? Wesley: I'd like to know a little bit more about it before I try it. Robin: I bet if we worked together we could figure it out. Wesley: Yeah, we could hook it up to one of the computers. The medical programs in the lab can be set up to emulate human responses. Robin: I noticed it uses a visual interface. We could connect it through an optical sensor. Wesley: I've loaded the neurological behavior program. This sensor pad should allow the computer to process whatever information the game sends at it. Robin: Let's see what happens. Wesley: Okay. Robin: It's activating the reticular formation. Wesley: There's heavy synaptic activity all over the place. Robin: I wonder what happens after prolonged exposure? Wesley: Speed up the processor and we'll find out. Robin: The effect seems centerd around the frontal lobe. Wesley: Computer, enhance frontal lobe, full spectrum. Robin: It's stimulating the septal area. Wesley: That's the pleasure center of the brain. Whatever this thing does, it must feel pretty good. Robin: No wonder it's so popular. Wesley: Look at this. Serotonin levels are way off. Let's run a neurochemical analysis. Robin: I'm seeing widespread bonding to neuro-receptors. Wesley: Correct me if I'm wrong, but this looks like a psychotropic reaction. Robin: Are you saying you think the game's addictive? Wesley: What's going on in the prefrontal cortex? Robin: Doesn't that area control higher reasoning? Wesley: Yeah, it sure does. I'd better go talk to the Captain. Picard: Come. Wesley: Sorry to bother you, sir. Picard: It's no bother, Wesley. Please, sit down. Wesley: Thanks. Picard: How are the survey preparations coming along? Wesley: They're coming along fine, but that's not what I'm here to talk to you about. Picard: What then? Wesley: There's a game going around. It's something that Commander Riker brought back from Risa. It's a device that hooks around the ears. Picard: Yes, I've seen it. Wesley: I did some preliminary tests on the game, and what I found leads me to believe that it may have some harmful side-effects. Specifically, sir, I think it's psychotropically addictive. Picard: Addictive? What have you discovered? Wesley: The game initiates a serotonin cascade in the frontal lobe of the brain. Now I know that's nothing conclusive, but it could explain why everyone is so attracted to it. And at the same time, it stimulates the brain's reasoning center. I don't know what that's all about. Picard: I'll start an investigation immediately. Thank you, Mister Crusher. Wesley: Thank you, sir. Picard: Wesley? It's good to have you back again. O'Brien: Have you tried this? Robin: I've tried it, thanks. It's great. Wesley: Robin. Robin: Where have you been? Everyone's after me to try it. Wesley: I know. I got stopped in the corridor twice. I talked to the Captain. He's going to look into it. Robin: I hope he makes a shipwide announcement or something, because this thing is really starting to give me the creeps. Woman: Did you forget your games? Robin: We left them in our quarters. Woman: Well then, use mine. Robin: No, thanks. Woman: Try it. Wesley: She said no thanks. Wesley: You know what else is really weird? If this game is so addictive, there's only one person onboard we can be sure wouldn't be affected by it. Robin: Data. Wesley: Right. And he managed to get injured right when the game was brought on board. We'd better take a look at him. Wesley: Maybe you should go check again. Robin: The nurse is still playing the game. Wesley: I don't know what to make of this. There's brain activity all his systems seem to be working. Robin: How can that be? He's unconscious. Wesley: Maybe there's a signal breach between his brain and his body. Let's map his nervous system and see if we can isolate a weak link. Patch the neural output through to that station. Here. The signal stops just below his cortex processor. There's some kind of damage. It's almost undetectable. Let's look at it on the viewer. Robin: Wesley, look at that. Wesley: It looks like some of his positronic links have been severed. Robin: The cuts are precise. Look how clean the edges are. Computer, increase magnification, factor four. Wesley: Only two people on board know enough about Data to do something like this. Commander La Forge and my mother. Robin: Why would one of them do this to him? Wesley: Maybe there's more going on here than we thought. What if someone's trying to use the game for some purpose other than pleasure? Robin: Then Data would be a threat to that plan. And only with Data out of the way would everybody become addicted. Wesley: And everyone has. Except us. Worf: We've reached the designated coordinates, Captain. There is a ship bearing three two seven mark one five two on an intercept course. Picard: Advise them of our status, Mister Worf. Go. Replicate what you need, and see that the devices are properly distributed. Not forgetting Mister Crusher. Crusher: Wesley? Wesley? Wesley: In here, Mom. Robin: It worked. Wesley: We should keep these mock-ups with us. We can't trust anyone anymore. Not even the Captain. Robin: I'm supposed to be on duty in Engineering. I've got to get back before Commander La Forge suspects something. Wesley: Okay. When you get there, start accessing the codes for the security tracking system. There's something I want to try. Robin: Wesley, don't forget Law Ninety One. Always watch your back. Wesley: You too. Worf: The vessel is approaching, Captain. Picard: Computer, all senior officers report to the Bridge. On screen. Etana: Report. Picard: Welcome, Etana. The Enterprise has been secured. We await your further instructions. Etana: The expansion will proceed as follows. Commander Riker, you will pilot a shuttlecraft to the Cleon system, where you will rendezvous with the starship Endeavor. Proceed with distributing the device to that vessel. Commander La Forge, Counselor Troi, take a shuttle to Starbase sixty seven. Distribute the device to all starships currently docked there. Picard: We also have an opportunity to introduce the game to Starfleet Academy. Etana: Excellent. See to it. The Ktarians commend your efforts, Picard. Once the expansion is complete, you and your crew will be rewarded. Wesley: Deck thirty six. Ogawa: Wesley, at what level are you? Wesley: I'm only level ten. Ogawa: I'm at level forty seven. Wesley: That's great. Ogawa: You know what the secret is, don't you? Don't force it. If you just let the game happen, it almost plays itself. Wesley: I'll try that. Wesley: I think we're going to be okay. I've just got one more thing to do. Help me compile the forcefield overrides. Robin: What are you doing? Wesley: I created a site to site transporter program. If things get difficult, this'll keep us one step ahead of them. Were able to access the security tracking codes? Robin? Robin: It's your turn, Wesley. Play the game. Riker: Get back here! Riker: Computer, activate security containment field. Deck thirty six, section fifty two. Wesley: Computer transport program Crusher One. Riker: Riker to Bridge. We lost Crusher. It appears he rigged a site-to-site transport. Picard: Security alert, condition three. Computer, shut down all transporter systems and shuttlebays. Mister La Forge? Laforge: I can't track him, sir. He's done something to the internal security sensors. I'll try bypassing his subcommands. Hold on. I'm picking up a piece of his trail, sir. Sensors show power activation in transporter room three. That would put him somewhere on deck six. Picard: Seal off deck six. Activate security fields sections twenty three through twenty nine. Laforge: Aye, sir. Laforge: We've got him, Captain. Section twenty five. It looks like he's trying to cut through the forcefield with a phaser. Picard: Security to deck six, section twenty five. Security: On our way. Security: You check left. Riker: Where the hell is he? Worf: I am attempting to isolate him with thermal sensors. Riker: Narrow the scan field. Go deck by deck if you have to. Worf: Unfortunately, he knows our procedures. He will avoid corridors and public areas. Commander, an unidentified heat source. Deck seven, section twenty three. There. Wesley: No! Let go of me! Crusher: It's okay, Wesley. Picard: You led us quite a chase, Mister Crusher. Doctor Crusher. Wesley: No! Picard: Hold him steady. Crusher: It's okay, Wesley. It won't hurt. Wesley: No! Crusher: You'll like it. Picard: His eyes. Crusher: That's right, Wesley. just let it go. Yes, just let yourself go. Relax. Data: Computer, resume normal illumination. Data: Mister Worf, you will find a small alien ship off the starboard bow. Please secure it with a tractor beam and raise our shields. Worf: Engaging tractor beam. Data: Are you all right, Captain? Picard: I think so, Mister Data. Worf: Captain, we are being hailed by the alien vessel. Picard: On screen. Etana: Explain yourself, Picard. Picard: The explanation is simple. Your attempt to capture our ship has failed. Etana: Release us immediately, or we will open fire. Riker: Tactical analysis, Mister Worf? Worf: Their weapons systems are substantially inferior to ours. They are not a threat. Riker: Get her off the screen. Laforge: I can't believe what we were about to do. Riker: Data, we deactivated you. Wesley: I managed to reconnect his positronic matrix. Data: Wesley's subsequent diversions gave me adequate time to modify the palm beacon. The optical burst patterns we programmed were successful in counteracting the addictive effects of the game. Picard: And the rest of the crew? Data: We programmed the main computer to transmit the same optical burst to all display screens, work stations and terminals throughout the ship. Riker: That should reach almost everyone. Take a medical team to treat the rest. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: We'll take the alien ship to the nearest Federation starbase. Ensign, lay in a course. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45212.1. We have delivered the Ktarian vessel to Starbase eighty two and are now on a course to rendezvous with the Starship Merrimack, which will transport Wesley Crusher back to Starfleet Academy. Robin: I never saw you wear these. Afraid someone might see your birthmark? Wesley: Now, I wonder who started that birthmark rumor? Robin: I wish you didn't have to go. Wesley: Me too. Robin: You'll write, won't you? Wesley: Somebody has to kill all those rumors you keep hearing about me. Riker: Mister Crusher, we've rendezvoused with the Merrimack. Please report to transporter room two. Wesley: On my way, sir. I've got to go. Robin: Here. A gift, so you'll remember. Robin's Laws. All one hundred and two of them. Wesley: Thanks. Law one hundred and three? Robin: Yes? Wesley: A couple of light years can't keep good friends apart. Bye.

Brackett: Three weeks ago, one of our most celebrated Ambassadors, an advisor to Federation leaders for generations, disappeared. Sarek: I gave Spock the benefit of experience, of logic. He never listened. Picard: It's been suggested that Spock might have defected. Riker: Why would anyone want a Vulcan shield array? Laforge: Beats me, Commander. Every question we answer here seems to bring up two more. K'Vada: Be careful, android. Some Romulan beauty might take a liking to you. Lick that paint right off your ears. You. Do you know what the Romulans will do to you if they discover who you are? Picard: I have a good idea. Worf: Sir, the ship is locking phasers. Riker: Shields up. Red alert. Neral: What do you know of this human? Jean-Luc Picard, a Starfleet Captain. Picard: You've made a mistake. Romulan 1: Quiet. Come with us. Picard: I have come on an urgent mission from the Federation. I'm looking for Ambassador Spock. Spock: You have found him, Captain Picard. And now, the conclusion. Spock: What are you doing on Romulus? Picard: That was to have been my question of you, sir. Spock: It is no concern of Starfleet. Picard: On the contrary, it is very much Starfleet's concern. You're in a position to compromise the security of the Federation. Spock: You may assure your superiors, Captain, that I am here on a personal mission of peace, and I will advise Starfleet when it is appropriate. Picard: That is not satisfactory. Spock: You cannot remain here, Captain Picard. Picard: And I will not return without a full explanation. Ambassador, with great respect for all that you've achieved on behalf of the Federation, this sort of cowboy diplomacy will not easily be tolerated any more. Spock: Cowboy diplomacy? Picard: If you wish to undertake a mission with obvious repercussions to the Federation, then you should discuss it with the Federation. I'm here as their representative. You'll have to discuss it with me. Spock: That is precisely what I had hoped to avoid. Picard: I also have the responsibility of being the bearer of unhappy news. Spock: Sarek? Sarek is dead? Walk with me, Picard. Spock: I know of your mind-meld with my father which enabled him to complete his last mission. Picard: It was an honor. He is a great man. Spock: He was a great representative of the Vulcan people and of the Federation. Picard: I was with him before coming here. He expressed his pride in you. His love. Spock: Emotional disarray was a symptom of the illness from which he suffered. Picard: No, those feelings came from his heart, Spock. He shared them with me. I know. Spock: Sarek would no more approve my coming here than you do, Picard. For some time now, I've been aware of a growing movement here of people who seek to learn the ideals of the Vulcan philosophy. They've been declared enemies of the state. But there are a few in the Romulan hierarchy like Pardek, who are sympathetic. He asked me to come now, because he believes it may be time to take the first step toward reunification. Picard: Reunification? After so many centuries? After so many fundamental differences have evolved between your peoples? Spock: It would seem unlikely to succeed, but I cannot ignore the potential rewards that a union between our two worlds would bring. Picard: What is this first step that Pardek suggests? Spock: There is a new Proconsul in the Romulan Senate. He is young and idealistic. He has promised many reforms. Pardek believes that he may be receptive to discussing reunification. Picard: Why would you not bring something so important to the attention of your own people or the Federation? Spock: A personal decision, Captain. Perhaps you are aware of the small role I played in the overture to peace with the Klingons. Picard: History is aware of the role you played, Ambassador. Spock: Not entirely. It was I who committed Captain Kirk to that peace mission, and I who had to bear the responsibility for the consequences to him and his crew. Quite simply, I am unwilling to risk anyone's life but my own on this occasion. So I ask you respect my wishes and leave. Picard: Ambassador, your logic escapes me. If I didn't know better, I would say that your judgment is influenced by your emotions. Spock: You speak as my father would if he were here, Picard. Picard: I speak as a Starfleet officer, and I cannot ignore the risks to you. Spock: I was involved with cowboy diplomacy, as you describe it, long before you were born. Picard: Nevertheless, sir, I'm not prepared to leave until your affairs are completed. Spock: In your own way, you are as stubborn as another Captain of the Enterprise I once knew. Picard: Then I'm in good company, sir. K'Vada: We have more important things to attend to than acting as your nursemaids. Data: Captain Picard regrets detaining you, but it will be necessary for a while longer. In addition, I require access to your ship's computer. K'Vada: Access to our computer? For what purpose? Data: I am going to attempt to penetrate the Romulan Central Information net. K'Vada: Don't bother. We've been trying for years. Data: I have unique skills that may allow me to succeed. K'Vada: I cannot reveal classified Klingon entry codes to Starfleet. Data: Your entry codes can be easily reconfigured after we depart. And Captain Picard has authorized me to share with you any information we obtain from the Romulan databanks. K'Vada: Anything else? Data: We will also need to communicate with the Enterprise in sector two thirteen. K'Vada: You do and the Romulans will instantly know our co-ordinates. Data: Using conventional means, that would be true. However, I suggest we piggy-back our signal on Romulan subspace transmissions. K'Vada: Piggy-back? Data: A human metaphor, pardon me. We would use a Romulan signal as a carrier for own one, thus disguising its origin. K'Vada: It won't work. Data: I believe it would. During the last hour, I have conducted a systematic review of the entire Romulan subspace grid. I have compared my findings with the specifications of your own transmission array. They appear to be compatible. Data: Thank you for your co-operation. Romulan 1: Allow me to brighten your table. Jolan tru. Spock: The Senate has adjourned. Pardek will be here shortly. Picard: How widespread is this movement? Spock: There are groups in every populated area. I've personally spoken with members from four provinces. It has become a serious concern for the Romulan leadership. Picard: Serious enough for the leaders to suddenly embrace a Vulcan peace initiative? I have some difficulty in accepting that. Spock: I sense you have a closed mind, Captain. Closed minds have kept these two worlds apart for centuries. In the Federation, we have learned from experience to view the Romulans with distrust. We can either choose to live with that enmity or seek an opportunity to change it. I choose the latter. Picard: I will be the first to cheer when the Neutral Zone is abolished. But I wonder if this movement is strong enough to reshape the entire Romulan political landscape. Spock: One can begin to reshape the landscape with a single flower, Captain. D'Tan: Jolan Tru, Mister Spock. Here, look what I've brought you. Spock: This is my friend, D'Tan. He's very curious about Vulcan. Picard: Hello, D'Tan. Spock: Where did you get this? This is very old. D'Tan: They read to us from it at the meetings. It tells the story of the Vulcan separation. Pardek: D'Tan, you should not bring that out here. You've been told many times. D'Tan: I just wanted to show it to Mister Spock. Pardek: Off with you. We'll see you later tonight. D'Tan: Will you tell us more stories about Vulcan? Spock: Yes, I will. D'Tan: Jolan Tru. Pardek: Perhaps this is not such a good place to talk. Pardek: So, what do you think of your enemy, Captain Picard? Picard: These people are no one's enemy, Senator. Pardek: Many of my colleagues fear what they have to say. But I have learned to listen carefully. Children like D'Tan are our future. Old men like me will not be able to hold on to ancient prejudice and hostility. Young people won't allow it. But now, now that they've met their first real Vulcan, it has only inspired them more. I am sure that is evident to you, Spock. Spock: I did not anticipate such a passionate response to my arrival. Pardek: Romulans are passionate people. The Vulcans will learn to appreciate that quality in us. Spock: If we are successful. Pardek: We will know soon. The Proconsul has agreed to meet with you. First Officer's log, stardate 45245.8. The Enterprise remains at Qualor Two as we continue to investigate the theft of a surplus Vulcan ship. The trail has led us to the former wife of a deceased smuggler. Amarie: A new face. Riker: Same one I've always had. Amarie: And what would you like to hear? Riker: Know some blues? Amarie: Look at me, Mister. What do you think? Seven different shades of them. How about some Andorian blues? Suck salt? Riker: Never cared for it. Amarie: Good for you. Nasty habit. So who are you looking for? Riker: Who says I'm looking for anybody? Amarie: Your face. Your uniform. In a place like this. Riker: Okay. I'm looking for you. Amarie: Oh, you just made my day. Riker: I have to ask you about your husband. Amarie: Well, it was nice while it lasted. Which husband? Riker: The dead one, I'm afraid. Amarie: Oh, you must be from the Enterprise. You destroyed his ship. Riker: He was into some bad business. He took the evidence with him. Amarie: His one endearing quality, he always cleaned up after himself. And what do you want from me? Riker: I was hoping you might know his business partners. Amarie: And why should I help you? Riker: To be honest, I can't think of a good reason. Amarie: Well, you did kill my ex-husband, and that's not a bad start. So why don't you drop a few coins in the jar and I'll see what I remember. Riker: I don't carry money. Amarie: Well, you don't offer much, do you? Riker: Move over. Amarie: Oh, just what I need. Another set of hands. Riker: You know this one? Twentieth century, Earth. Maybe I can teach you a lick or two. Amarie: You already have. Riker: So, what do you say? Amarie: You going to be around for a couple of days? Riker: I can be. Amarie: Sooner or later, a man named Omag will come by for a song. Always wants to hear the same thing, Melor Famagal. He's an arms trader. A fat Ferengi. Neral: Enter. Pardek: Proconsul? Neral: Yes. Pardek, come in. Pardek: Ambassador Spock of Vulcan. Spock: Proconsul. Neral: Please. I've never liked titles since I was a lowly Uhlan in the Romulan guard. I am Neral. How is it again, Pardek's tried to show me. Spock: I am honored. Neral: Good. Pardek: Permit me to withdraw. Neral: Will we see you and your wife tomorrow at the state dinner? Pardek: We're looking forward to it. Neral: It's been years since old Pardek's been invited to an official function. He's far too attached to the common man for most peoples' comfort. Spock: That is their loss. I have found Pardek to have a unique insight into many issues. Neral: Let me tell you something, Spock. We're going to start something here, you and I, that will redraw the face of the quadrant. Spock: Are you prepared to support reunification? Neral: I believe it must eventually come. Our two worlds need each other. Spock: Forgive me, I did not expect to hear a Romulan Proconsul speak like a member of your underground. Neral: I want you to know exactly where I stand. Spock: And do you believe that you can gain the support of your full Senate? Neral: Things are not what they once were in the Senate. The old leaders have lost the respect of the people. Involvement in the Klingon War, endless confrontations with the Federation, they're tired of it. Times are changing, and leaders who refuse to change with them will no longer be leaders. Spock, I am prepared to publicly endorse the opening of talks between our peoples. What do you think the Vulcan people think of that? Spock: They will be cautious. There are generations of distrust to overcome. Neral: But surely with a man of your influence leading the way? Woman: Proconsul, the Senate has been recalled into session. Neral: Very well. Can we meet again tomorrow? Spock: As you wish. Neral: Good. Jolan tru, Spock. Oh. Live long and prosper. Romulan 1: It's everything we could have hoped for. Spock: It is more than we could have hoped for. Pardek: But if Neral is ready to publicly endorse reunification. Picard: It's hard to believe that he could rise to the rank of Senate Proconsul without the support of the Romulan traditionalists. Pardek: That may be true. Picard: Then how can he turn his back on them so easily? How can he endorse reunification when it's considered subversive? Romulan 1: Because he's not afraid of them. He knows that we'll support him. Spock: Captain Picard is correct. It is not logical for the Proconsul to support reunification at this time. Woman 2: Why would Neral lie? Picard: Perhaps because he's hoping to expose members of your movement. Woman 2: No, this is our chance for acceptance. Finally to be heard. Romulan 1: I believe it's the Federation that fears an alliance between Romulus and Vulcan. Picard: That is not true. Spock: I came here to determine the potential for reunification. In spite of what has occurred, I intend to continue with my efforts. I intend to meet with the Proconsul as planned. Picard: You let their emotion sway you. Spock: On the contrary, I am pursuing the most logical course. Picard: You are as skeptical as I am. Is it logical to ignore your own good sense? Spock: I fear the influence of Sarek has colored your attitudes, Captain, toward reunification and perhaps toward me. Picard: That is the second time you have accused me of speaking with another man's voice. It's true he will always be a part of me. His experiences, his spirit. But I speak with my own voice, not his. Spock: Curious that I should hear him so clearly now that he is dead. It is possible that I have brought my argument with Sarek to you, Captain. If so, I apologize. Picard: Is it so important that you to win one last argument? Spock: No, it is not. But it is true that I will miss the arguments. They were, finally, all that we had. Picard: But your fight with Sarek is over, Spock, and you have none with me. Spock: I always had a different vision than my father. The ability to see beyond pure logic. He considered it weak, but I have discovered it to be a source of extraordinary strength. Sarek would have seen this mission of reunification as a fool's errand, but somehow I think it is not. Logic cannot explain why, I know that I must pursue this. Picard: Even if it leads you into a Romulan trap. Spock: If the Romulans do have an ulterior motive, it is in the interests of all concerned that we determine what it is. So, I will play the role that they would have me play. Picard: Have you had any success, Mister Data? Data: Negative, Captain. The Romulan Information net employs a progressive encryption lock. I have been unable to penetrate their security measures. Spock: May I assist you, Commander? I have had some experience in these matters. Data: By all means, Ambassador. Spock: The Romulans have incorporated a forty three part cipher key into their entry sequence. Data: Yes, sir, the twenty ninth is the only one I cannot bypass. Picard: I think I'll take this opportunity to remove my ears. Spock: He intrigues me, this Picard. Data: In what manner, sir? Spock: Remarkably analytical and dispassionate, for a human. I understand why my father chose to mind-meld with him. There's almost a Vulcan quality to the man. Data: Interesting. I have not considered that. And Captain Picard has been a role model in my quest to be more human. Spock: More human? Data: Yes, Ambassador. Spock: Fascinating. You have an efficient intellect, superior physical skills and no emotional impediments. There are Vulcans who aspire all their lives to achieve what you've been given by design. Data: You are half human. Spock: Yes. Data: Yet you have chosen a Vulcan way of life. Spock: I have. Data: In effect, you have abandoned what I have sought all my life. Spock: I believe I have isolated the twenty ninth cipher access code. I shall attempt to access the Proconsul's files. Data: Ambassador Spock, may I ask a personal question? Spock: Please. Data: As you examine your life, do you find you have missed your humanity? Spock: I have no regrets. Data: No regrets. That is a human expression. Spock: Yes. Fascinating. Worf: Do you know any Klingon opera? Amarie: I don't get a lot of requests for it. Worf: Surely, you must know at least one theme from Aktuh and Maylota. Amarie: I may be a little rusty. Omag: What is that dreadful noise? It sounds like a Bardakian pronghorn moose. You know what I want to hear. Amarie: Yes, yes, I know. Worf: Worf to Enterprise. Riker: Go ahead. Worf: A fat Ferengi Worf: Has just entered the establishment. Riker: Is that Melor Famagal I hear? Worf: It is. Riker: I'm on my way. Omag: Where's the waiter? Is there a waiter in this sorry place? Riker: Is there a problem? Omag: Yes. I need more napkins. Riker: Use your sleeve. Omag: What did you say? Riker: Or use one of their sleeves, I don't care. Omag: Who are you? Riker: Commander William Riker, USS Enterprise. Omag: Am I supposed to stand up and salute? Riker: We're investigating the disappearance of a Vulcan ship. Omag: Well you've got the wrong Ferengi. I never trade in Vulcan ships. Riker: We know that you're involved. Omag: Who would want a Vulcan ship? Vulcans are pacifists. I deal in warships. Can somebody get me a napkin? Riker: Who would want a Vulcan ship? Omag: Hypothetically speaking? Riker: Hypothetically speaking. Omag: I never learned to speak hypothetical. Omag: Are you crazy? Riker: Let me explain what'll happen to you if you don't tell me about the Vulcan ship. Your right of passage through this sector will be revoked and more than that, I will be very unhappy. Omag: I delivered it to a Barolian freighter. Riker: At what coordinates? Omag: I don't remember. Ow! Watch it! You're stretching my neck. Riker: Co-ordinates? Omag: At Galorndon Core. Near the Neutral Zone. That's all I know. I swear it. Riker: Enjoy your dinner. Riker: As soon as I heard this Barolian ship was at the Galorndon Core, I started to think Romulans. Picard: And the Romulans are suddenly very interested in bonding with the Vulcans. Spock has been meeting with the new Senate Proconsul about reunification. Riker: Reunification? Picard: The Proconsul says that he is prepared to endorse peace talks. Riker: And Spock? Picard: The Ambassador is skeptical, but he cares a great deal about reunification. As long as there's a chance of success, he's prepared to pursue it. Troi: I'm afraid I don't see how a stolen Vulcan ship fits into all this. Picard: Neither do I, Counselor. How soon can you be at Galorndon Core, Number One? Riker: A little over eight hours. Picard: Well, this may prove to be a wild goose chase, but I don't see that we have any other choice, do you? Riker: Agreed. Data: We are losing our Romulan carrier wave, sir. Picard: We'll advise you further as soon as you reach your destination, Number One. Picard out. Riker: Ensign, set a course to Galorndon Core. Take us to warp eight. Ensign: Aye, sir. Data: Captain, the Romulan subspace logs identify a transmission from the Romulan surface to a Barolian ship near Galorndon Core twelve hours ago. K'Vada: Galorndon Core is along the Barolian trade route. They trade a great deal with the Romulans. It's probably just routine. Data: This would not appear to be routine. I was able to trace the source of the transmission. It incorporates the code prefix of Romulan intelligence. Picard: Can you access it? Data: It is a short sequence of numbers. One four zero zero. Picard: Nothing more? Data: No, sir. D'Tan: Spock! I've been looking for you. Spock: I have been meeting with the Proconsul. D'Tan: Does he still speak of reunification? Spock: He speaks of nothing else. D'Tan: Have you ever seen these? Spock: The syllabic nucleus of the Vulcan language. D'Tan: They were my toys when I was small. Spock: Your parents wanted you to learn to understand Vulcan? D'Tan: Yes, as did their parents before them, to prepare us for the day when we would live again with our Vulcan cousins. Romulan 1: Your friends from the Federation have returned. They need to see you immediately. I've told Pardek. He'll meet you at the cave. Picard: The only communication that was sent were the numbers one four zero zero. Pardek: What does it mean? Spock: It means that the Proconsul has apparently been attempting to deceive me. For what purpose I cannot say yet. But his conversations with me have obviously been part of a greater plan which involves the stolen Vulcan ship. Data: How do you know that, Ambassador? Spock: The time the Proconsul set for the subspace announcement of our peace initiative is fourteen hundred hours tomorrow. One four zero zero. Pardek: Why would they need a Vulcan ship? Sela: That will become clear very shortly. Captain Picard, welcome to Romulus. I trust you've enjoyed your visit. And this is the android I have come to respect in battle. Data: Lieutenant Commander Data. Pardek: How could they know of this location? Someone has betrayed us. Spock: Yes. You did. Pardek: Spock, we've been friends for eighty years. Spock: It is the only logical conclusion. You asked me to Romulus, you arranged the meetings with the Proconsul, and you knew that Picard and Data had returned to the surface with new information. Sela: The great Spock. Very well. Senator Pardek, your service to the Romulan people is noted and appreciated. Pardek: Jolan tru, Spock. Sela: Do not be distressed. Your dream of reunification is not dead. It will simply take a different form. The Romulan conquest of Vulcan. Bring them. First Officer's log, supplemental. The Enterprise has reached Galorndon Core, near the border of the Neutral Zone. Riker: Any signs of life, Mister La Forge? Laforge: Negative, Commander. Troi: The Romulans could have a cloaked base on the surface. Riker: Or anywhere else along the Neutral Zone. Worf: Sir, a coded subspace signal from Romulus. It's the Captain. Troi: What? Riker: Maintain position at Galorndon Core. Diplomatic initiative appears to be succeeding. Will advise. Worf: The message did employ the proper coded sequence. Riker: Yeah. I'm sure it did. Sela: Come in, gentlemen. Take a seat, please. Excuse me, I'm just finishing up a speech. For you, Mister Spock. I rather enjoy writing. I don't get to do it often in this job. Data: Perhaps you would be happier in another job. Sela: Please feel free to change any words that you wish. I've tried to make it sound Vulcan. A lot of unnecessarily long words. In a few hours, you will deliver this statement alongside our Senate Proconsul. It will announce to the Vulcan people that a peace envoy is on its way from Romulus. We will transmit it on all Federation subspace frequencies. Picard: Peace envoy, in a stolen Vulcan ship. Sela: Actually, three Vulcan ships, Captain. The Enterprise is only aware of the one we stole from Qualor Two. We have been following your investigation. It has forced us to make some minor changes. One of them, a message sent in your name, ordering them to stay where they are. Picard: The moment those Vulcan ships appear in the Neutral Zone, the Enterprise will move to intercept. Sela: In that event, the Enterprise will be given more important matters to attend to. In the meantime, Ambassador Spock will be telling his people to welcome the peace envoy. And when they do, our forces will seize control before anyone realizes what has happened. Picard: Do you seriously believe that the Federation will not immediately intervene? Sela: Of course it will, and we're fully prepared for it. But we will be there, entrenched, and it will be very difficult to get us out once we are. Reunification will become a fact of life. Spock: I will not read this or any other statement. Sela: If you do not, you will die. All of you will die. Spock: Since it is logical to conclude that you will kill us in any event, I choose not to cooperate. Sela: I hate Vulcans. I hate the logic. I hate the arrogance. Very well. Computer, holographic program Spock One. By taking advantage of holographic sampling during the last several days, we have created a programmable Spock. Run program! HOLO- Spock: This is Ambassador Spock of Vulcan. By now, Federation sensors are tracking three Vulcan ships crossing the Neutral Zone. These ships carry the future of the Romulan and Vulcan people. Our long conflict is finally over. Sela: Freeze. We would have preferred an interactive Spock who could have responded to questions, but this will have to suffice. Picard: You can hardly believe this will convince anyone. Sela: I don't need to convince them. Just confuse them long enough to reach Vulcan. End program. If you'll excuse me, it's time to send our ships on their journey. Picard: Suggestions? Spock: Commander Data, are they still unaware that we have access to their computers? Data: I believe so, Ambassador. Spock: Then perhaps you and I can find a way to create a diversion. Worf: Sir, sensors are picking up three vessels crossing the Neutral Zone. Vulcan ships. Troi: Vulcan? Riker: What's their heading, Mister Worf? Worf: One four three mark zero one two. Laforge: That would put them on a course to Vulcan. They don't seem to be in any hurry. They're only moving at warp one, Commander. Riker: Worf, signal them on subspace. Request their status. Geordi, see if you can tell if it's one of ships we've been looking for. Worf: They say they are escorting a peace envoy from Romulus to Vulcan. They request that we monitor Federation subspace channels. Ambassador Spock will be making an announcement shortly. Troi: Perhaps his reunification talks were successful. Riker: Geordi? Laforge: None of the transponder signatures matches that of the missing ship. They could have been altered. I'll keep checking. Riker: Set a course to intercept. Worf: Sir, the Captain's orders were to maintain Riker: I know the Captain's orders, Lieutenant. Engage. Sela: Impossible! There's no way they could have gotten out of this room. Riker: That's far enough. Riker: Stay right where you are. Drop your weapons. Sela: How did you get in here? Riker: Drop your weapons. Riker: Drop your weapons. Sela: Cease fire. Holograms. Spock: I'm afraid I don't know too much about Romulan disruptor settings. Spock: Cowboy diplomacy? Picard: Well done, Mister Data. Though I don't think you got Commander Riker's hair quite right. Data: I will be more observant in the future, sir. Sela: It doesn't matter what you do now. Spock's announcement will be made in minutes. Our forces will be on Vulcan before you can alert anyone. Crusher: We've just received a priority one distress call from the colony on Dulisian Four. A massive failure of the environmental support systems. They're going to require evacuation. Riker: Mister Worf, any other ships in the vicinity of Dulisian Four? Worf: One, sir. A Rutian archeological vessel. Crusher: I'm sure it's not equipped to handle something of this scale, Will. Riker: Geordi, any update on the Vulcan ships? Laforge: I've checked every sensor display backwards and forwards. If the Romulans altered them, they didn't leave any fingerprints. I can't tie any of them to the surplus yard. Worf: The Vulcan ships have entered Federation space. Maintaining low warp. Riker: Lay in a new course to Dulisian Four. Worf: Incoming message from Romulus on all subspace channels. Riker: On screen. Spock: This is Ambassador Spock of Vulcan. By now, Federation sensors are tracking three Vulcan ships crossing the Neutral Zone. These ships carry a Romulan invasion force and must be stopped. I repeat, these ships carry a Romulan Riker: Doctor, contact Dulisian Four and confirm this distress call. I have a feeling it may prove to be a false alarm. Mister Worf, how long before we intercept the Vulcan ships? Worf: Fourteen minutes, sir. Data: Communication lines have been terminated at the transmitter, but I am quite certain the message was sent prior to the interruption. Picard: Well done, Mister Data. Sela: You'll never get out of this building. Data: I disagree, Commander. After studying the design of this structure, I have determined that our best route of escape would be the underground exit to the east of this wing. I have disconnected certain security scanners to assist us. I am afraid we cannot permit you to warn your guards. Spock: Not bad. Worf: The Vulcan defense vessels are also responding. The Romulan force is retreating toward the Neutral Zone. Riker: They're not taking those Vulcan ships home with them. Worf: Visual range, Commander. Riker: On screen. Laforge: Romulan warbird decloaking alongside the Vulcan ships. Riker: Red alert. Riker: Advise the warbird to withdraw from Federation space, and tell them to leave the Vulcan ships where they are. Worf: The warbird is powering up its forward disruptor array. Riker: Ready phasers. Laforge: There were over two thousand Romulan troops on board those ships. Troi: They destroyed their own invasion force. Riker: Rather than let them be taken prisoner. Stand down Red alert. Mister Worf, advise the Klingon ship to signal us as soon as Captain Picard and Data are safely aboard. Worf: Aye, sir. D'Tan: This way. Pardek never saw these caves. It's safe. They won't find us here. Picard: What will you do now ? Woman 2: What we have always done. Continue to teach. Pass on the ideals to a new generation. Work for the day when new thoughts may be spoken aloud. Picard: The Federation will welcome that day. Data: Captain, we will need to reach our transport site in fourteen minutes. Picard: I wish you well. Various: Thank you. Thank you Captain. Spock: Captain, I will not be coming with you. Picard: Ambassador Spock: The reason for my coming here has never been more clear. The union of Vulcan and the Romulan people will not be achieved by politics or by diplomacy, but it will be achieved. The answer has been here before us all along. An inexorable evolution toward a Vulcan philosophy has already begun. Like the first Vulcans, these people are struggling to a new enlightenment. It may take decades, even centuries for them to reach it, but they will reach it. And I must help. Picard: I have learned it is useless to argue with you once your mind is set. Spock: Not at all, Captain. I have found our arguments quite useful. Almost as useful as those I had with my father. Picard: Would it surprise you to learn that he found them equally valuable? Spock: Ironically, you may know Sarek better than his own son does. My father and I never chose to meld. Picard: I offer you the chance to touch what he shared with me.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45233.1. Our terraforming mission to Doraf One has been canceled and the Enterprise recalled to Starbase two thirty four. Fleet Admiral Brackett would not discuss the matter on subspace for reasons she said would soon be clear. Brackett: I apologize, Captain, for the mystery, but we must attempt to contain the information I'm about to reveal to you at least as long as possible. Picard: I must admit you've piqued my curiosity, Admiral. Brackett: Three weeks ago, one of our most celebrated Ambassadors, an advisor to Federation leaders for generations, disappeared. He left no word of his destination. Two days ago, intelligence reports placed him on Romulus and I assure you it was an unauthorized visit. Computer, initiate linkage between this terminal and starbase computer system alpha two nine. Computer: Linkage complete. Picard: A defection? Brackett: If it is, the damage to Federation security would be immeasurable. Taken on Romulus, by long range scanner. Computer, enhance image in section four delta. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45236.4. As I study the intelligence reports on Ambassador Spock's disappearance, I cannot help but feel a deeper, more personal concern about this mission, for I know this man through his father. It was barely a year ago that I shared a mind meld with the Vulcan, Sarek. Now we must meet again as I attempt to find an explanation for his son's actions. Riker: We'll be coming into orbit of Vulcan in less than an hour, Captain. Picard: We should tell Sarek's wife of our plans. Riker: Already been taken care of. She's transporting over at oh seven hundred. Picard: And Sarek? Riker: She says he's too ill to make the trip. Picard: The man is dying. And it's my honor to tell him that his son may have betrayed the Federation. Riker: How well do you know Spock? Picard: I met him once. What I know of him comes from history books, and of course my mind meld with his father. Riker: That must cover a lot of ground. Picard: Not as much as you'd imagine. Sarek and Spock. Well, sometimes, fathers and sons. Riker: Understood. Picard: Oh, one other thing. Take a look at this. Turned up during an intelligence sweep. Riker: Metal fragments. Picard: What do you make of it? Riker: Possibly disassembled components, identified as Vulcan, recovered from a downed Ferengi vessel? Picard: They were found in crates marked Medical Supplies. Riker: Contraband. Picard: It's been sent to Vulcan for identification. Starfleet have requested that we lend a hand. Perrin: Mint tea. It's been years since I've had it. Vulcans have some kind of strange concoction they call mint. You'd never recognize it. Picard: Perrin, do you know why I've come to Vulcan? I must talk to you about Spock. Perrin: He didn't even say goodbye to his father before he left. Picard: Is it possible he could have been abducted? Perrin: No. He wrapped up all of his affairs carefully. He knew he was going. Picard: Do you have any idea why he might have disappeared like this? Perrin: Captain, as far as I'm concerned, he disappeared a long time ago. Picard: Would it be inappropriate to ask what happened between you and Spock? Perrin: Not between us. Between Spock and his father. They had argued for years. That was family. But when the debates over the Cardassian war began, he attacked Sarek's position publicly. He showed no loyalty to his father. Picard: I was not aware that Sarek was offended by Spock's opposition. Perrin: I was offended. I made sure Spock knew it. I'm very protective of my husband. I do not apologize for it. Picard: Does Sarek have any idea why Spock might have left? Perrin: I don't know. If you could see Sarek as I do, wasting in bed, whispering to himself. He wants to see his son. He wants to heal any rift that may still remain. Now, it may be too late. Picard: Perrin, would you allow me to see Sarek? Perrin: If it were anyone else I would never permit it, but you are a part of him and he of you. Riker: The Vulcans haven't figure out what these fragments are but they've determined that the metal is a dentarium alloy. Laforge: That pretty well indicates that they're Vulcan. And dentarium also means that whatever this was, it was originally designed for use in space. From the look of the damage, it must've been a high speed impact. Riker: Yeah. A Ferengi cargo ship that went down in the Hanolin asteroid belt. The debris was spread over a hundred square kilometers. Laforge: Could it be a weapons array? Riker: That was my first thought, but the Vulcans have no record of any stolen weapons or stolen parts, for that matter. Laforge: This is going to be like putting together a big jigsaw puzzle when you don't know even know what the picture's supposed to be. Riker: Yep. Perrin: He is like this most of the time. His emotions have taken over. Sometimes, I can bring him out of it. Sarek! You will listen! Sarek: Go from me! Perrin: Picard is here. Sarek: No more chaos! No more. Perrin: I will leave you alone with him. He will either acknowledge you or he won't. Picard: Sarek! I've come a long way to see you. Sarek: I will not answer! Picard: I must speak to you about your son. Sarek: I wish no one with me. Picard: About Spock. Sarek: Spock? Picard: Yes. He's missing. Sarek: Is that you, Picard? Picard: Hello, old friend. Sarek: You're here, on Vulcan. Picard: I need your help. I must find Spock. Sarek: He's not here. Picard: I know. He's been reported on Romulus. Sarek: On Romulus? Picard: Yes. Sarek: why? Picard: I had hoped to find that out from you. Sarek: On Romulus? You're going there, aren't you? To find him. Picard: Yes. Do you have any idea what might have taken him to Romulus? Sarek: No. Picard: Is there anyone on Romulus he might know, or choose to contact? Sarek: Pardek? Picard: Who is Pardek? Sarek: It could be Pardek. Picard: Who is Pardek? Sarek: He is a Romulan Senator. Spock has maintained a relationship with him over the years. I don't know how they met. At the Khitomer Conference, I'd imagine. Picard: Pardek represented Romulus? Sarek: Yes, I'm sure he did. In fact, I recall Spock coming to me with optimism about a continuing dialogue with the Romulans. I told him it was illogical to maintain such an expectation. Spock was always so impressionable. This Romulan, Pardek, had no support at home. Of course, in the end I was proven correct. I gave Spock the benefit of experience, of logic. He never listened. Never listened. Picard: It's been suggested that Spock might have defected. Sarek: Never! I will accept many things, but never that. Picard: But you believe he might have gone there to see Pardek? Sarek: The Romulan Senator? How do you know Pardek? Picard: I've heard of him. Sarek: That's what he's done. He's gone to see Pardek. Picard: Do you know what business they might have together? Sarek: No. I never knew what Spock was doing. When he was a boy, he would disappear for days into the mountains. I asked him where he had gone, what he had done, he refused to tell me. I insisted that he tell me. He would not. I forbade him to go. He ignored me. I punished him. He endured it, silently. But always he returned to the mountains. One might as well ask the river not to run. But secretly I admired him, the proud core of him that would not yield. Picard: Sarek, we're a part of each other. I know that he has caused you pain but I also know that you love him. Sarek: Tell him, Picard. Picard: Peace and long life. Sarek: Live long and and. Live long and. Spock. My son. Picard: And prosper. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45240.1. To cross the Neutral Zone, I will require a cloaked ship. To that end, I have set a course for the Klingon home world. After all we did for Gowron during the recent war, I am certain he will be happy to return a favor. Picard: Still no response from the Klingons, Mister Worf? Worf: No, sir. Picard: He's ignoring me. What other explanation is there? Riker: Seems after hailing him for three days, he could've found a minute to talk to you. Worf: Sir. Picard: Yes, Lieutenant? Worf: I believe I know why our messages are not being answered. Gowron has been rewriting Klingon history. Riker: Rewriting history? Worf: Yes. He is claiming it was his courage, his genius, which brought an end to the civil war. Picard: I see. Worf: In the new version there is no mention made of the Federation's help in his rise to power. Riker: If Worf's right, then our arrival would be an uncomfortable reminder of the facts. Picard: He can take all the credit he wants, I don't caret. But I do need a ship. Well if Gowron won't talk to me, get someone who will. Somebody on the High Council. K'Tal, perhaps. Worf: Yes, sir. Data: Captain, I have a visual identification of Senator Pardek of Romulus. This is a Barolian record of a trade negotiation in which Pardek participated four years ago. Picard: That's all? Data: Yes, sir. Picard: Run it again. Computer, freeze. Call up the intelligence scan of Spock on Romulus. Computer, enhance far left figure and compare. Same man. Pardek. One question answered. What do we know of him? Data: He has been in public service since he was a young man, a senator for nine decades. He is considered a man of the people. He has sponsored many reforms. Reportedly, Romulan leadership considers him to be somewhat of a radical because he has been an advocate of peace throughout his career. Picard: I can see why Spock would cultivate a relationship with him. Where would we find him other than on the floor of the Romulan Senate? Data: The district he represents is called the Krocton segment. He maintains a dwelling there. Picard: Thank you, Mister Data. Data: There is more, sir. I have taken the liberty of expanding the parameters of my search, and have discovered that Pardek has several relatives in the Krocton segment. I believe you will be able to locate him there on the third day of the Romulan week when the Senate is not in session. Picard: Mister Data, your resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me. Data: Thank you, sir. Worf: Captain, we are being hailed by the Klingon home world. Picard: Gowron or K'Tal? Worf: Neither, sir. It is the junior adjutant to the diplomatic delegation. Riker: Junior adjutant. Picard: Name. Worf: B'iJik, sir. Picard: On screen. B'Ijik: Greetings, Captain. I regret to inform you that Gowron and the High Council are quite busy and won't be able to speak with you today. Picard: Is Gowron aware that we have been transmitting messages for the past three days? B'Ijik: Captain, Gowron wishes it were possible to talk with everyone who wants an audience. But he is one man. The demands on his time are formidable. If you would like me to take him a message. Picard: A message? Very well. Tell Gowron, leader of the High Council of the Klingon Empire, that his Arbiter of Succession, Jean-Luc Picard, needs a favor. B'Ijik: A favor? Picard: I require a cloaked vessel. B'Ijik: A cloaked vessel. This is no small favor, Captain. Picard: It is for a mission that could have repercussions throughout the quadrant. B'Ijik: How would it benefit the Klingon Empire? I'm sure Gowron will ask. Picard: The only benefit to the Klingon Empire would be our gratitude. B'Ijik: That is what you want me to tell him? Picard: Yes. And please add that if he is unable to provide a ship, then I am sure there are others in the Klingon Empire who would be willing to help me. And then, they would have our gratitude. B'Ijik: I see. Picard: Also, please tell him that I am immensely gratified that he is prospering so well. A tribute to his skilled leadership. Crusher: They're not removable, are they, Data? Data: Removable? Crusher: Your ears. Data: No, Doctor. They are fully integrated components. Crusher: We'll have to do some molds of his ears as well. Picard: What about his skin color? Crusher: We'll have to do some tests on his skin pigmentation. Changing it to appear Romulan shouldn't be too difficult. We just have to make sure we can change it back again afterwards. Your right eye is point zero zero four higher than your left. Picard: Nobody's perfect, Doctor, but Crusher: If you want a proper fit to your prosthetic, trust your tailor. Picard: Anything from Gowron? Riker: No, sir. But after your tailor is done, would you join me in the cargo bay? Mister La Forge has made some progress with the metal fragments. Crusher: These two still have an appointment with Mister Mott to have their hairpieces designed. Picard: Thirty minutes, Number One. Laforge: What we seem to have here is a navigational deflector array. Or at least what's left of one. Riker: Why would anyone want a Vulcan shield array? Laforge: Beats me, Commander. Every question we answer here seems to bring up two more. Picard: You're certain this is Vulcan? Laforge: Yes, sir. Metallurgical analysis confirmed that and by running a molecular pattern trace, we were actually able to identify the ship as T'Pau. It was decommissioned years ago and sent to the surplus depot at Qualor Two. As far as anybody knows it's still there. Worf: Worf to Captain Picard. Picard: Yes, Lieutenant? Worf: A Klingon vessel is decloaking off our port bow. Compliments of Gowron. Picard: Mister Worf, will you convey my gratitude to the Captain and advise him that Mister Data and I will be transporting over shortly. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: I'd like to take the Enterprise to Qualor Two, sir. See what's out there. Picard: Agreed. Thank you, Mister La Forge. K'Vada: I know my duty, Captain. When I am given orders, I follow them, but I do not like secrets. I want to know why we are going on this mission. Picard: I'm sorry. It's a classified matter. K'Vada: You're going after the defector, aren't you? Picard: Defector? K'Vada: Do you think information like that stays a secret? Ambassador Spock has gone to Romulus and you are going after him. Picard: Captain, your orders are to take us to a set of co-ordinates near Romulus and to bring us back, and that is all I am prepared to discuss. K'Vada: If we are discovered by the Romulans it means death for us all. Picard: I realize that. K'Vada: Hechu' ghoS. Very well, Captain. We have set a course for Romulus. K'Vada: It may not be what you're used to on a Starfleet ship. Picard: Quite nice. Thank you. Data: Captain K'Vada, is this the Captain's quarters, or my own? K'Vada: Both. We have limited space. We are a military ship, not a pleasure craft. Picard: Of course. This will be fine. K'Vada: You'll sleep Klingon style. We do not soften our bodies by putting down a pad. Picard: Good. I prefer it that way. K'Vada: You'll take your meals with us but we do not serve Federation food. Picard: I've been looking forward gagh. Haven't had it for quite a while. Very fresh. Klingon: MeH HoD. K'Vada: Jatlh! Klingon: MeHmaH ghoS. K'Vada: So'wl'chu'. Well, Captain, we're at the border of the Neutral Zone. You mean to do this, do you? Picard: Yes. I do. First Officer's log, stardate 45240.6. The Enterprise is nearing Qualor Two, home of a Federation surplus depot operated by the Zakdorn. We hope to find out how the salvaged deflector array ended up in the hands of the Ferengi. Worf: I have made contact, Commander. Riker: On screen. I'm Commander William Riker from the Federation Starship Enterprise. Dokachin: Klim Dokachin, Quartermaster, Surplus Depot Zed One Five. Riker: I need some information about a Vulcan ship, the T'Pau. It was sent to you a few years ago. Dokachin: Did you arrange an appointment? Riker: An appointment? No. Dokachin: Then I will be unable to help you. You may communicate with scheduling. Riker: Who does he think he is? Troi: The Quartermaster of the supply yard, with information you need. Riker: Right. Mister Worf re-establish communication. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: Mister Dokaychin? Dokachin: Dokachin. Klim Dokachin. Riker: Mister Dokachin, the information I need involves a matter of major importance to the Federation. I'll need access to your logs, your files. My people can do the work. Dokachin: I don't allow outsiders into my computer system.. Riker: All right, one of your people can do the work. Dokachin: I wish I had the people to spare. but I don't. Riker: Well, sir what would you suggest? Dokachin: I don't know. Contact me when you reach orbit. Riker: I don't believe this. Troi: He's king of his particular hill, Commander. You'll have to treat him that way. Riker: Counselor, this feels like a perfect job for you. Riker: Thank you for coming on board, Mister Dokachin. Dokachin: Quite a ship you have. Riker: We've tied into your computers, if you'd like to access the files. Dokachin: I don't usually see them in such good condition. By the time they get to me, they're always falling apart. Troi: Mister Dokachin, we must find this ship and you're the only one who can help us. Dokachin: Who are you? Troi: Deanna Troi, Ship's Counselor. Dokachin: He probably figures that we don't get to see a lot of handsome women out this way and someone like you might get a little more cooperation from me. He's probably right. What was the name of that ship? The T'Pau? The T'Pau. Vulcan registry. There. Logged in stardate 41334. Laforge: Where's the ship now? Dokachin: Docked. Section eighteen gamma twelve. Do you want me to take you there? Riker: I'd appreciate it. Dokachin: Helmsman, lay in a heading one four one by two zero eight. Ahead slow, two hundred kph. I suppose this is your first visit to a junkyard, isn't it? You'd be surprised at some of the things I find on board these ships. I once found a fourteen foot Caldorian eel on board a freighter, in someone's locker. Troi: Are you serious? Dokachin: If you have time, I'll show it to you. I still have it. Nursed her back to health. Worf: We are approaching the designated coordinates, Commander. Riker: On screen. Dokachin: What? Where is it? What happened to it? These are the correct coordinates. Riker: The T'Pau is missing? Dokachin: The T'Pau is missing. Riker: How could a ship disappear from your depot? Dokachin: I'm not accustomed to losing things, Commander. I will find your ship for you. I have the T'Pau cross-referenced in four different directories. Laforge: When it was brought here was it stripped of material, armament, sensors? Dokachin: Of course. Laforge: Can you tell us what happened to its navigational deflector? Dokachin: It was routed to the Tripoli, a holding vessel on the outer rim of the shipyard. Riker: It's not there any more. What's left of that deflector is laid out on the floor of our cargo bay. Dokachin: How can that be? Riker: Perhaps we should to pay a visit to the Tripoli. Dokachin: In all the time that the Zakdorn have operated this depot, nothing has ever been lost. Never. Worf: Approaching the coordinates of the Tripoli, sir. Riker: On screen. Dokachin: I do not understand this. This is not possible. We beam goods to the Tripoli on a regular schedule. There was a shipment yesterday. Another is set for today. It must be there. Riker: When is today's transport? Dokachin: Just over two hours from now. A shipment of deuterium storage tanks. Riker: Ensign, align the Enterprise so we appear to be one of the abandoned ships. Mister La Forge, when we're in position, shut down the engines and all systems except sensors and life support. Laforge: Aye, sir. Riker: I've a feeling somebody's going to be here to receive those storage tanks. I'd be very interested to know who that is. Data: These quarters were obviously intended for one crewmember, sir. There is but a single sleeping space. Picard: I'm sure the Klingons found it amusing to put us in here together. Data: Since I do not require sleep, I propose you take the shelf, sir. I am content to stand. Picard: Very well, Mister Data. Thank you. Data: Are you comfortable, sir? Picard: I suppose so. Data: Good night, Captain. Sleep well, sir. Picard: Thank you. Picard: What are you doing? Data: Sir? Was I making noise, sir? Picard: No, not exactly Data: I was processing all of the information we have accumulated on Romulan society. I am preparing for the task of impersonating a Romulan. Picard: I see. Data: Would you like me to discontinue, sir? Picard: No. Please go on. Picard: What are you looking at? Data: I am not looking at anything, sir. I am continuing to organize my files. Picard: But you're looking at me. Data: I am sorry if I was disturbing you, sir. I will not look in your direction. Data: Do you not wish to sleep, sir? Picard: I don't think so, Mister Data. Let's go on with the files. Data: I would be happy to. I have been studying the Krocton segment, as you asked, and have selected an appropriate site for our transport. K'Vada: Captain K'Vada to Picard. Please come to the bridge. K'Vada: Captain. We've monitored a subspace message that might interest you. Picard: Sarek is dead. Worf: Commander, sensors detect a ship approaching at warp speed. Riker: Identification? Worf: Negative. No transponder signal, no subspace marker. Laforge: Sounds like they don't want to be identified. Worf: The ship is coming out of warp, sir. Riker: On screen. Laforge: Sensors indicate a combat vessel, origin undetermined, heavily armed. Mass and density suggest that it's fully loaded with cargo. I'd say from these internal scans, a good deal of that cargo is weaponry. Worf: The ship is entering sector twelve delta four Dokachin: He's taking the position assigned to the Tripoli. The coordinates are identical. Laforge: Commander, readings indicate surface to ship transport has begun. Riker: Mister La Forge, bring the engines back online and restore all systems to normal. Laforge: Aye, sir. Worf: He's powering up engines, turning to starboard. Riker: Open a channel. Worf: Open. Riker: This is Commander William Riker of the USS Enterprise. Identify yourself. I repeat, you have entered a Federation depot. Identify yourself. Worf: Sir, the ship is locking phasers. Riker: Shields up. Red alert. Laforge: That ship easily matches our armament, Commander. Worf: It's coming about. Riker: If you do not respond to our hails, we will take that as evidence of hostile action. Worf: There is an energy build up in their phaser banks. Sir, they're activating weapons. Worf: Forward shields down to seventy two percent. Riker: Boost power to the shields. Laforge: Aye, sir. Riker: Mister Worf, lock onto their weapon systems only and prepare to fire. Worf: Forward shields down to sixty eight percent, aft shields forty percent. Riker: On my mark, point seven five burst. We just want to get their attention. Worf: Ready, sir. Riker: Fire. Worf: Their forward shields are damaged, sir. Laforge: We destroyed one of their phaser arrays. Looks like collateral damage in the cargo area. Commander, I'm picking up massive power fluctuations, internal explosions. With all the armament that ship is carrying, it's going to blow. Picard: Well, Mister Data? What do you think? Data: I would not have thought it possible, sir. I am eager to test the success of our efforts. It does remain to be seen if the Romulans will accept us. Captain, you have seemed unusually pensive since we received the news of Ambassador Sarek's death. Picard: Sarek and I share a particular bond. Our lives touched in an unusual way. I admit I feel the effects of his death. The tenor of this mission has changed, Mister Data, at least it has for me. We were sent to confront Spock about his disappearance. Now, I also have to tell him that his father is dead. Data: I do not entirely understand, sir. As a Vulcan, Ambassador Spock would simply see death as the logical result of his father's illness. Picard: It's never quite that simple, not even for a Vulcan. Certainly not for Spock who is half-human. Years spent in conflict. And now the chance to resolve all of those differences is gone. Data: Considering the exceptionally long lifespan of Vulcans, it does seem odd that Sarek and Spock did not choose to resolve those differences in the time allowed. Picard: Father and son. Both proud, both stubborn, more alike than either of them were prepared to admit. A lifetime spent building emotional barriers. They're very difficult to break down. And now the time has come, it's too late. It's a difficult moment. It's a lonely one. It's a moment Spock is about to face. K'Vada: Don't you two look sweet. Be careful, android. Some Romulan beauty might take a liking to you. Lick that paint right off your ears. You. Do you know what the Romulans will do to you if they discover who you are? Picard: I have a good idea. We're ready to transport down to the surface. K'Vada: Just so we understand each other, my orders don't include rescue missions. Neral: Ah, Senator Pardek. You received my message. Pardek: I got here as quickly as I could, Proconsul. Neral: What do you know of this human? Jean-Luc Picard, a Starfleet Captain. Pardek: I know nothing of him. Neral: You haven't seen him recently? Pardek: To my knowledge, I have never seen him. Neral: I have received intelligence indicating he's on his way here. Perhaps here already. Pardek: Here on Romulus? Neral: Yes. Curious, isn't it. I suppose we'd better find out if the report is accurate or merely rumor. Circulate his likeness among the security forces. Remind them that if he is here, he's probably disguised as one of us. Pardek: I'll see to it. Data: This is definitely the street on which the intelligence scan of Spock and Pardek was taken, sir. Adjusting for the optical distortions, I am able to verify the architectural features. Picard: Where were they standing? Data, you're moving about in a very, well, android way. Data: I am sorry, Captain. I will be more careful. Picard: Don't call me Captain. Data: I understand, sir. I have found the place where they were standing. Picard: Where? Data: It is here, at this doorway. A legal intercessor's office. The name is similar to Pardek's. It would appear to be one of his relatives. Picard: He's not open for business yet. Data: Nonetheless, I recommend we keep this location under observation. I have clearly determined Pardek's routine. On days when the Senate is not in session, he invariably comes to this section after the median hour. Picard: Very well. Let's sample the local cuisine, shall we? Picard: Do you happen to know what time the intercessor's office across the way opens? Woman: Why do you want to know? Picard: I need his services. He was recommended. Woman: I haven't seen you here before. Data: We are here for the day, from the city of Rateg. Woman: Rateg? I don't think so. Data: Why do you say that? Woman: You don't sound like you're from Rateg. Data: It is a misconception that all Rategs speak with a particular inflection. In fact, there are twelve different Picard: We come from several kilometers outside the city. Woman: Or perhaps you come from the security forces to watch the intercessor's office. Is he in trouble? Picard: You're mistaken, madam. Woman: Doesn't matter to me. I don't know when he opens. Eat your soup, courtesy of a loyal establishment. Jolan tru. Picard: I don't think we can stay here too long. Data: We may not have to. Direct your view to the far corner, sir. Man: Very good, Senator. Lady: Senator, we seem to be having some problems Data: Is that not Pardek? Picard: I believe it is. Data: Perhaps you should appear to enjoy your soup, sir. Pardek: I'll take care of that. Come. Romulan 1: Do not move. Picard: What? You've made a mistake. Romulan 1: Quiet. Come with us. Romulan 1: Wait here. Picard: For what? What have you brought us here for? Pardek: Welcome to Romulus, Captain Picard. Don't let our soldiers frighten you. We had to get you off the street as quickly as we could. Romulan Security knows that you're here. I am Pardek. You are among friends, Captain. Picard: I have come on an urgent mission from the Federation. I'm looking for Ambassador Spock. Spock: Indeed. You have found him, Captain Picard. To Be Continued...

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45349.1. The Enterprise is on its way to Penthara Four, where a type C asteroid has struck an unpopulated continent. The resulting dust cloud could very well create a phenomenon not unlike the nuclear winters of twenty first century Earth. Commander La Forge has begun work on a plan that would counteract the devastation. Laforge: I'm afraid the numbers coming in are already indicating climatic changes, Commander. Riker: What kind of drop can we expect? Data: If the Pentharan spheral forecasts are correct, ten to twelve degrees Celsius within the first ten days. Laforge: If it continues like that, their entire ecozystem will be shot to hell. Riker: And I doubt they're prepared to cope with the kind of cold that's coming. Picard: Commander Riker. Riker: Yes, sir. Picard: Would you join me on the bridge, please. Riker: Right away, sir. Picard: Are you certain, Mister Worf? Worf: There was a space-time distortion, sir, and there is something back there. We passed within three hundred kilometers of it. Picard: It's too close to be a coincidence. Mister La Forge? Laforge: Yes, Captain? Picard: Would a delay of one hour affect your plans? Laforge: Not unless another asteroid decides to pay a call on Penthara, sir. Data: The odds of that occurring, Captain, are extremely unlikely, given the time frame. Picard: Thank you, Mister Data. Picard: Ensign, bring the ship about. Let's take a look at Mister Worf's distortion. Ensign: Aye, sir. Riker: Mister Worf's what? Picard: The Lieutenant's sensors detected a temporal distortion almost in our current course. There's a small object back there that wasn't there a few moments ago. Worf: The object is fifty kilometers ahead, sir. Picard: Full stop, Ensign. Ensign: Aye, sir. Picard: On screen. Riker: Dimensions, Worf? Worf: Approximately five meters in length, sir. Picard: Lifesigns? Worf: No signs of any kind. Our sensors do not penetrate the hull. Picard: Try hailing it. Worf: That's odd. Riker: What's odd? Worf: We've received a response, sir, but Picard: Yes, Mister Worf? Worf: They want you to move over, sir. Picard: Reply that the Enterprise isn't going anywhere, Lieutenant. Worf: Not the Enterprise, Captain. You. Picard: What are you trying to tell me? Rasmussen: Oops. Excuse me, Captain, but you were standing right where I needed to be. Picard: Who are you? Rasmussen: Rasmussen's the name, sir. Professor Berlinghoff Rasmussen. Ah, this is wonderful. Actually, quite a bit larger than I thought. Picard: Really? Rasmussen: Where I come from, every historian knows the bridge of old 1701D. Picard: Where exactly do you come from? Rasmussen: Why, Earth. Late twenty sixth century Earth, to be exact. I've traveled back nearly three hundred years just to find you. Picard: Exactly what kind of historian are you? Rasmussen: My focus is on the twenty second through the twenty fourth centuries. Early interstellar history. You know, it was always believed this was on your desk, not here. Fascinating. Don't move it on my account. Picard: You can't expect me to believe that the layout of my ready room can possibly be of interest to future historians. Rasmussen: No less so than your legendary modesty, Captain. If I could describe to you what a thrill it is to be here. This is the original. Picard: You flatter me Professor, but I can't help but wonder what could possibly have caused you to select me as the subject of your study. Even in this decade, there are far wiser and more experienced humans in and out of Starfleet. Rasmussen: I'd love to tell you, Picard. I really would, but try and imagine what a young Caesar might have done differently had someone had given him a hint of what lay ahead, or if Lincoln had been coerced into changing his theater plans. I truly wish I could be more specific on why you were selected, but I'm afraid the exchange of information will have to flow in one direction only. Five, six, seven meters. Ha! I was right. Worf: Why now? Laforge: Right. If you've came back to study us, to study the captain, why would you pick today? Why not a year ago or a year from now? Rasmussen: Oh, I picked the right day all right. Just wait, you'll see. Do you always sit there, on that side of the table? Worf: Usually. Why? Rasmussen: It's not important. Riker: Professor, at what point does time travel become a tool for historians? Rasmussen: Now, now, Commander, you know better than that. I've studied a great deal about your century, including the fact that you're all quite aware of the dangers of anyone altering the past, and that's exactly what I'd be doing if I were to divulge information like that. Crusher: Telurian plague. Rasmussen: I beg your pardon? Crusher: The telurian plague. Was it cured? I mean, did they find the cure by your century? Oh, it can't do any harm to ask that. Picard: I realize that it's difficult, but we must keep to ourselves questions regarding the future. Go on, Professor. Rasmussen: I'll be preparing questionnaires for each of you. Please complete them at your convenience. If you're concerned about a possible breach of security, I'm sure your Captain can make a determination. And thank you in advance for curbing your curiosity. Laforge: If I hand my assignment in on time, can I get a glimpse into next week's poker game? Picard: Mister Data, would you escort the Professor to his quarters. Data: This way, sir. Riker: What did he mean, he picked the right day? Picard: You know everything I do, Will. Riker: Deanna? Troi: It's hard to tell, but he is holding something back. Crusher: Of course he is. All the things he could tell us. All the things he would like to tell us. Troi: It might be that, I don't know. Riker: What if he's an imposter? God knows we've seen enough of them. Picard: He is human. The medical scans have proved that, right, Doctor? Crusher: He's human, all right. Picard: And there was a temporal distortion back there, correct Mister Worf? Worf: Yes, sir. Picard: And no one can deny that ship of his is unlike anything we've ever seen before. Laforge: The hull is made of some kind of plasticised tritanium mesh. We've nothing like it on record, at least not till now. Picard: Mister Worf, I do appreciate your caution. I share it. Bring his vessel into the shuttlebay. Place it under guard. Worf: Yes, sir. Picard: I realize that this visit is going to be difficult for some of us, but I've examined his credentials, and everything seems to be in order, so I think we should extend to him every courtesy. Worf: Including questionnaires? Picard: Including questionnaires, Mister Worf. Rasmussen: This is really a thrill, Data, like running across a Redstone missile or a Gutenberg bible. To think, the Model T of androids. Data: If you're referring to the first production model automobile of the twentieth century, perhaps the subsequent Model A might be a more apt analogy, since I am Doctor Noonian Soong's revised prototype. Rasmussen: I stand corrected. Data: Is there a problem, Professor? Rasmussen: I suppose it will have to do, for now. I'll get you a list of the things I'll be needing, okay? Data: Would I be correct, Professor, in assuming that you know whether or not I am still alive in the twenty sixth century? Data: Since you seemed to know so much about Captain Picard and the ship, I assumed that you would. Rasmussen: It'd be best if you kept your assumptions to yourself, wouldn't it? Data: Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45350.3. We have arrived at Penthara Four and can see for ourselves the atmospheric devastation caused by the asteroid impact. Picard: We've located three underground pockets of carbon dioxide, here, here and here. Our drilling phasers can release enough of the gas to form an envelope which would temporarily hold in the heat of the sun. Moseley: We've spend years, decades, trying to avoid anything that would lead to a greenhouse effect and now here we are about to create one on purpose. Laforge: Less than twenty percent of your normal sunlight is getting through that dust, Doctor. If we can hold enough heat in with the CO2, that should give the planet time to mend itself. Woman: Excuse me, Doctor Moseley. Moseley: What now? Woman: New Seattle's reporting a cloud depth of twelve kilometers. Two rivers, tropical rivers, are beginning to freeze. Moseley: We'd better get started before there's nothing left to mend. Riker: Look who's here. Worf: I hate questionnaires. Crusher: Professor, come and join us. Rasmussen: I hope I'm not intruding. Crusher: Not at all. I'm sure you're the topic of conversation at every table in this room. Rasmussen: As I promised, here are your assignments. I'm sure they'll be painless. Please try and complete them by tomorrow. Worf: Tomorrow? Riker: No problem, Professor. Rasmussen: You're all very calm. Riker: Is there some reason we shouldn't be? Rasmussen: History always records where people were, what they were doing, when important events took place. But it rarely remembers their activities say, a week before, or a day or even an hour. Worf: Are you suggesting that an important event is imminent? Rasmussen: I didn't say that, did I? Please, just go on doing what you were doing and pretend I'm not here. Riker: Why is there no record of other future historians traveling back to witness important events? Rasmussen: We're obviously very careful. As a matter of fact, a colleague and I recently paid a call on a twenty second century vessel. Crusher: They hadn't perfected quarantine fields. You probably saw some surgical masks and gloves. Rasmussen: Isn't it fascinating how everyone has different interests when it comes to history. Different perspectives on progress. Riker: Would you mind telling me what that is? Rasmussen: Just checking the time. No problem. Riker: Is something important supposed to be happening here? Rasmussen: No, it's nothing, nothing. What about you, Commander? What do you see as the most important example of progress in the last two hundred years? Riker: I suppose the warp coil. Before there was warp drive, humans were confined to a single sector of the galaxy. Rasmussen: Spoken like the consummate explorer. Riker: What is going on? Are you expecting someone? Worf: Phasers. Rasmussen: I beg your pardon? Worf: There were no phasers in the 22nd century. Rasmussen: Ah, you see, Doctor? Our Klingon friend is a perfect example of what I was trying to tell you. He views history through the eyes of a hunter, a warrior. His passion lies in the perfection of the tools of violence. How delightfully primitive. Laforge: As soon as we input this atmospheric data from Moseley, the computer should tell us how many holes we'll have to punch. Data: What have you learned about the tectonic stability around the drilling sites? Laforge: Couldn't be better. Our scans were all clear and Moseley says there hasn't been so much as a quiver down there in well over a century. Rasmussen: Ah ha, just the two I'm looking for. I've brought you the forms I need you to complete. Shouldn't take any more than a couple of hours. Laforge: We're kind of busy here, Professor. Tomorrow would probably be better. Data, we've got about twenty three thousand thermal simulations. You think you could check them through for anomalies? Data: Certainly. Rasmussen: Is that as fast as he can go? Laforge: Not fast enough for you, Professor? Rasmussen: There's little known about Data's efficiency. Almost nothing about his part in this mission. It's a topic of great conjecture. Data: Two hundred nine anomalies all within acceptable parameters. Laforge: Thanks, Data. You're here to witness this mission. That's it, isn't it? Rasmussen: It'd be best if you just thought of me as a fly on the wall, and went about your business. Data: I will have your answered questions as soon as possible, Professor. Rasmussen: Data at Penthara Four! Laforge: If you'll excuse me. Rasmussen: Your prosthesis. What do you call it again? Laforge: A visor. Rasmussen: Visor. Right. A visor. You know, I have a picture of you wearing that in my office. How do you like it? Laforge: It allows me to see. I like it just fine. Rasmussen: You know, Homer was blind and Milton. Bach, Monet, Wonder. Laforge: A fly on the wall, huh? Rasmussen: A fly on the wall. Data: The computer has configured the drilling pattern and specified depths. Laforge: Captain, we've got everything we need. I'm ready to transport down to the surface. Picard: I'll notify Doctor Moseley. Good luck, Geordi. Laforge: Gentlemen. Rasmussen: Who said these moments were any less exciting when you know the outcome? Data: I know of no one who said that, Professor. Laforge: The Enterprise will monitor the CO2 concentrations at six different altitudes. If all goes well, it shouldn't take more than twenty bore sites. Moseley: Let's hope all goes well. Laforge: La Forge to Commander Riker. How are you doing? Riker: We've gotten word from the monitoring stations. They're all online. We're ready when you are, Geordi. Laforge: That's excellent. All we need now is an open channel to Data. Riker: Open a channel, Mister Worf, and prepare to fire at target one. Worf: The computer has locked in phaser depth calculations. Riker: Mister Data? Data: Ready, sir. Riker: Fire. Data: Target one is emitting two thousand cubic meters per second. Data: Target two, one thousand six hundred. Moseley: Surface wind patterns over the target are stable. Laforge: You picking up anything at altitude, Data? Data: CO2 concentrations remain unchanged at upper elevations. Rasmussen: Have I missed much? Worf: Target fourteen complete, sir. Riker: Data? Riker: What have you got? Data: No change, sir. Riker: How are the surface winds, Geordi? Laforge: Holding steady, sir. Worf: The computer has stopped drilling. Riker: You should be getting something Riker: Now, Data. Data: Elevated CO2 levels at twenty kilometers, sir. Laforge: Now you're Laforge: Talking. We've got some new temperatures coming in. Moseley: All thermal monitoring stations are reporting no further temperature drops. Laforge: Correction, Doctor. Two equatorial stations are showing slight increases. Moseley: Thank you. Thank you all. You've given us what we need. Time. Picard: We're glad to be of help, Doctor. The Enterprise will remain in orbit and continue to monitor your progress. Picard out. Rasmussen: You've given us what we need. Time. Picard: Ensign, return to synchronous orbit. Ensign: Aye, sir. Rasmussen: Very clever, Picard. And well done. We've always known how you did it, but to experience the moment, to witness the nuances, it's indescribable. Troi: He's after more than a history lesson. I can tell you that. Crusher: What is it? What are you getting from him? Troi: I don't know. It's like he's trying to confuse us, misdirect us somehow. Rasmussen: There you are. Well, that certainly was exciting, wasn't it? Crusher: Professor, is everything alright? Are you well? Rasmussen: Yes, couldn't be better, thank you. I just thought we might chat about your questionnaire. Buck up, crewman. You're a credit to that uniform. Troi: I've got some things to take care of. Rasmussen: No, please, Counselor. I would very much appreciate your remaining. Rasmussen: Doctor, in response to my sixth question, you spoke of a neural stimulator. May I see one? Crusher: I don't see why not. Give me a minute. Rasmussen: You don't like me very much, do you? Troi: I don't dislike you, Professor. Rasmussen: Keep your eyes wide, soldier. You'll be telling your grandchildren how you were there at Penthara Four. But you don't trust me. You should, you know. Troi: Should I? Rasmussen: Picard's empath won't trust you. That's what they all said. Troi: Picard's empath? Rasmussen: We're not that unalike, you and I. You possess a sense that is foreign to the others. My knowledge of the future is similar. You know, some of my best friends are empaths. They trust me. Troi: Why should you care whether I trust you or not? Rasmussen: We're birds of a feather. We're colleagues. We could learn a lot from each other. Troi: You're right. I don't trust you. Rasmussen: I knew you'd say that. Troi: I'm sure you did. Crusher: Well, it's nice to see you two are finally getting along. Troi: I really have to be going. Rasmussen: Thank you. Crusher: Why don't you try a berylite scan? I'd be interested to see where his micro-levels are. Crusher: So, what else can I show you? Rasmussen: You're a very curious woman. No, no, I don't mean curious like that. I mean you're curious about things. About berylite levels, about the future. Crusher: Well, curiosity is why all of us are out here, isn't it? Rasmussen: I understand. But you're different, you're more vibrant. More Crusher: More vibrant. That's nice, I like that. Rasmussen: You know, whenever I travel back, I meet very interesting people, men and women. But I've never anyone who gave me thoughts about not going home. Crusher: You're not supposed to be influencing the past, remember? And I am beginning to feel a little influenced. Anyway, I could be your great, great, great, great, grandmother. Picard: What kind of questions did he have for you, Number One? Riker: All he wanted to know about was previous starships. What I thought was innovative about the last Enterprise, the one before that. He said he wanted to see if we had a grasp of the fundamentals. Data: His queries to me primarily focused on Doctor Soong's Worf: Captain, I am detecting a massive earthquake on the surface. Two earthquakes. Picard: Location? Data: Both epicenters are beneath the two southernmost drill sites, Captain. Picard: Is La Forge still down there? Worf: Yes, sir. Picard: Find him. Riker: We've also got some volcanic activity. Pretty severe. Picard: Magnify. Laforge: La Forge here, Captain. Moseley and I are on our way back to his lab. Picard: Are you all right? Laforge: We're okay, but those were pretty big, sir. If this was Earth, I'd say around an eight or an eight five on the Richter Scale. We're starting to see some volcanic plumes, Captain. Worf: Two more eruptions, sir. Data: It is likely that we overestimated the geologic stability around the CO2 pockets, Captain. Laforge: We're in the lab, sir. Picard: On screen. Moseley: We're fairly well quake-proof down here, Picard. It's the volcanic dust I'm worried about. Picard: What about the dust? Laforge: The ash the volcanoes are throwing into the atmosphere is going to compound the existing problem. In a matter of days, there'll be no sunlight getting through those clouds. Moseley: No amount of CO2 will help us then. Riker: Captain, take a look at this. These are the coordinates of the eruptions, and these are the coordinates of the phaser drilling sites. Picard: The mantle is collapsing where the pressure was released. Laforge: Captain, Doctor Moseley and I have a couple of ideas, but it's going to take some time to sort out. Picard: Sort them out, Commander. Laforge: Aye, sir. Riker: We came here to help these people. Picard: And look what we've done. Rasmussen: What in God's name is that? Data: Music, Professor. Rasmussen: Music? Data: Yes, sir. Mozart's Jupiter symphony in C major, Bach's Brandenburg Concerto number three, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, second movement, molto vivace and La Donna e Mobile from Verdi's Rigoletto. Rasmussen: Do you think you could thin it out a bit? Data: Computer, eliminate program one. Computer, eliminate program two. Computer, eliminate program three. Computer, half volume. Rasmussen: How the hell can you listen to four pieces of music at the same time? Data: Actually, I am capable of distinguishing over one hundred and fifty simultaneous compositions, but in order to analyze the esthetics, I try to keep it to ten or less. Rasmussen: Only four today? Data: I am assisting Commander La Forge with a very complex calculation. It demands a great deal of my concentration. Rasmussen: Well, I came to thank you for answering my questions, though I probably should have asked you to limit yourself to fifty thousand words. Data: You did ask me to be thorough. Rasmussen: I realize it's hard to believe, Data, but very few records of Doctor Soong's work survived to the twenty sixth century, so it would be invaluable to myself and other historians, if you could provide us with some schematics. Data: Certainly, as soon as my work here is completed. Rasmussen: As long as it's before oh nine hundred tomorrow. That's when I'll be heading back. Worf: Bridge to Commander Data. Data: Yes, Worf. Worf: Commander La Forge is hailing you from the surface, sir. Data: Patch him through, please. Laforge: Have you rerun the phase reversal figures, Data? Data: There were no errors, Geordi. The variance must be no more than point zero six terawatts. Laforge: Well, I don't see any other choice. We'll continue to run the numbers down here but I doubt we'll come up with anything different. You better inform the captain of the good news and the bad news. La Forge out. Rasmussen: Which do you suppose he's going to want to hear first? Picard: The good news. Data: The motion of the dust has created a great deal of electrostatic energy in the upper atmosphere. With a modified phaser blast, we could create a shock front that would encircle the planet and ionize the particles. Picard: That would be like striking a spark in a gas-filled room. Data: With one exception, sir. The particles would be converted into a high energy plasma which our shields could absorb and then re-direct harmlessly into space. Picard: Turn the Enterprise into a lightning rod? Data: Precisely, sir. Picard: And the bad news? Data: If our phaser discharge is off by as little as point zero six terawatts, it would cause a cascading exothermal inversion. Picard: Meaning? Data: We would completely burn off the planet's atmosphere. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. While Doctor Moseley takes La Forge's plan to the leaders of the colony, I find myself weighing the potential consequences of a more philosophical issue. Picard: Come. Picard: I imagine you know why I've asked you here. Rasmussen: Yeah, I have a fairly good idea. Picard: I'm faced with a dilemma. There is a planet beneath us which is slowly turning to ice, and unless we do something about it, I'm told that in a matter of weeks thousands, maybe tens of thousands, will die. Rasmussen: That'd be a shame. Picard: Yes, it would. It would be quite a shame. Rasmussen: So, what's your dilemma? Picard: Commander La Forge has a possible solution. The margins of error are extremely critical, but if successful, there'll be no more threat. Rasmussen: And if it's not successful? Picard: Every living thing on the planet will perish. Rasmussen: So do nothing and thousands will die. Do something and millions could die. That's a tough choice. Picard: Not if you were to help me. Rasmussen: You're not suggesting I tell you the outcome of your efforts? Picard: Oh no, I'm not. Everything that Starfleet stands for, everything that I have ever believed in, tells me I cannot ask you that. But at the same time, there are twenty million lives down there, and you know what happened to them. What will happen to them. Rasmussen: So, it seems you have another dilemma. One that questions your convictions. Picard: Well, I've never been afraid of reevaluating my convictions, Professor, and now, I have twenty million reasons to do so. Rasmussen: And why did you ask to see me? Picard: Because your presence gives me potential access to a kind of information that I've never had available to me before, and if I am to re-examine my beliefs, then I must take advantage of every possible asset. It would be irresponsible of me not to ask you here. Rasmussen: However you come to terms with your beliefs, Captain, I must tell you that I'm quite comfortable with mine. Picard: How can you be? How can you be comfortable watching people die? Rasmussen: Let me put it to you this way. If I were to tell you that none of those people died, you'd easily conclude that you tried your solution and it succeeded. So, you'd confidently try again. No harm in that. But what if I were to tell you they all died? What then? Obviously, you'd decide not to make the same mistake twice. Now, what if one of those people grew up Picard: Yes, Professor, I know. What if one of those lives I save down there is a child who grows up to be the next Adolf Hitler or Khan Singh? Every first year philosophy student have been asked that question ever since the earliest wormholes were discovered. But this is not a class in temporal logic. It's not theoretical, it's not hypothetical, it's real. Surely you see that? Rasmussen: I see it all too well. But you must see that if I were to influence you, everything in this sector, in this quadrant of the galaxy could change. History, my history, would unfold in a way other than it already has. Now what possible incentive could anyone offer me to allow that to happen? Picard: I have two choices. Either way, one version of history or another will wend its way forward. The history you know or another one. Now who is to say which is better? What I do know is here, today, one way, millions of lives could be saved. Now isn't that incentive enough? Rasmussen: Everyone dies, Captain. It's just a question of when. All of those people down there died years before I was born. All of you up here, as well. So you see, I can't get quite as worked up as you over the fate of some colonists who, for me, have been dead a very, very long time. Picard: Of course, you know of the Prime Directive, which tells us that we have no right to interfere with the natural evolution of alien worlds. Now I have sworn to uphold it, but nevertheless I have disregarded that directive on more than one occasion because I thought it was the right thing to do. Now, if you are holding on to some temporal equivalent of that directive, then isn't it possible that you have an occasion here to make an exception, to help me to choose, because it's the right thing to do? Rasmussen: We're not just talking about a choice. It sounds to me like you're trying to manipulate the future. Picard: Every choice we make allows us to manipulate the future. Do I ask Adrienne or Suzanne to the spring dance? Do I take my holiday on Corsica or on Risa? A person's life, their future, hinges on each of a thousand choices. Living is making choices. Now you ask me to believe that if I make a choice other than the one found in your history books, then your past will be irrevocably altered. Well, you know, Professor, perhaps I don't give a damn about your past, because your past is my future and as far as I'm concerned, it hasn't been written yet. Riker: Captain, the electrostatic conditions are about as good as they're going to get. If we're going to try this, now's the time. Rasmussen: Please don't ask me, Captain. I can't help you. I'm sorry. Picard: How long will it take to program the phasers, Number One? Riker: We've just got to tie in Geordi's atmospheric sensors. Rasmussen: So you've made your choice after all, and without my help. Picard: Oh, on the contrary, Professor, you were quite helpful. Rasmussen: How's that? Picard: By refusing to assist me, you left me with the same choice I had to began with. To try or not to try, to take a risk or to play it safe. Your arguments have reminded me how precious the right to choose is. And because I've never been one to play it safe, I choose to try. Mister Data, program the firing sequence. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45351.9. Doctor Moseley has met with the colony leaders, who all agree they are willing to take the risk. Worf: Warp power has being rerouted to the main deflector dish, Commander. Laforge: Keep those phasers on active surge control, Worf. We're only going to get one shot at this. Rasmussen: Well, this is it! Riker: You have the sequence locked in, Data? Data: Yes, sir. After an eight point three second burst from the dish, we'll discharge all EPS taps through the phasers. Picard: It's time for you return to the ship, Mister La Forge. Mister O'Brien, stand by to transport. Laforge: Excuse me, Captain, but I can be of a lot more help down here. We've going to have to compensate for density variations right up to the last second. Data: Doctor Moseley's computers can accomplish the same task, sir. but Geordi would be better able to anticipate unexpected variances. Picard: Mister La Forge, you know better than anyone there's no guarantee this will work. If it fails Laforge: There's no guarantee it's going to fail, Captain. I'd like your permission to remain here on the surface. Picard: Permission granted. Rasmussen: La Forge remained below. Picard: Good luck, Commander. Laforge: Thank you, Captain. Data: The deflector dish has been reconfigured, Captain. Riker: Proceed, Mister Data. Data: Stand by for auto-phaser interlock. Activating deflector beam. Worf: EPS taps online. Phasers firing. Data: Activating shield invertors, now. Picard: Mister La Forge? Laforge: La Forge here. Still breathing, Captain. Moseley: We've got particulate levels right where they're supposed to be and the sun is shining! Laforge: You see, Captain, I told you there was nothing to worry about. Picard: Report back to the ship when you're ready, Commander. Doctor, we'll stay in orbit and analyze the remaining volcanic disturbances, but the best advice would be to let them cool down on their own. Moseley: I'm getting in the habit of thanking you, Picard. Rasmussen: Well, I'd love to see more, but it's nearly time for me to go. I am tickled pink to have had the opportunity of witnessing this, Picard. And you did it all without any help. well, must run. Got some packing to do. You know, you're taller in person, Commander. Rasmussen: Well, would you look at this. Who would have expected a teary farewell? Picard: I'm afraid we're going to have to take a look in your vessel. Rasmussen: Curious till the end, eh, Captain? You can't be serious, Picard. We've been through this more than once. Picard: A number of objects have been discovered missing in the last two days, and if they're in your possession, then we would like them returned. Rasmussen: I'm not here in search of relics. I'm sure they'll turn up. Worf: If you will not open the vessel, I will. With explosives, if necessary. Rasmussen: I doubt you have the means. Riker: If we don't get in that thing, I guarantee you don't either. Rasmussen: Considering the sensitive nature of my equipment, I think you'll understand if I request that only Mister Data be allowed to see it. Riker: Why Data? Picard: Because if I order Data never to divulge what he sees in there, he won't, with the exception of anything that might belong to us. Data: Understood, sir. Rasmussen: Back in a minute. Data: I do not believe any of these items belong to you, Professor. Rasmussen: Nor does this. This phaser is set at the highest stun setting. If I'm correct, that is sufficient to immobilize even you. Data: Why have you stolen these objects? To put in a museum? Rasmussen: Far too valuable for that. You see, in the century I come from, they haven't even been invented yet. Data: But this vessel? And the temporal distortion that coincided with your arrival? Rasmussen: Oh, this is a time pod, and it is from the twenty sixth century. At least that's what the poor fellow said. You see, he decided to travel back to the twenty second century, that's my time, and he had the misfortune of meeting me. His clothes fit quite well, don't you think? Took me weeks to figure out how to work this thing. Data: Then you are not an historian. Rasmussen: More of an inventor. Up till a few weeks ago, a dismally unsuccessful one. Data: What are your intentions, Professor? Rasmussen: Well, thanks to your captain, it seems my intentions have changed slightly. I was quite content with the notion of returning with those trinkets. I'd invent about one a year. But now, look what fortune has graced me with. You will take a little longer to figure out than a tricorder, but it should be well worth the effort. If the auto timer is programmed the way I think it is, in about two minutes we should be on our way back to a place called New Jersey. I'm afraid you won't be awake for the ride. Data: I assume your hand print will open the door whether you are conscious or not. Rasmussen: That weapon was working yesterday. Data: You were correct to suspect him, sir. But he is not from the future, he is from the past. Picard: Trying to make my history unfold in a way other than it already has, eh, Professor? Rasmussen: This was all a misunderstanding, Picard. Just let me back in there and we'll forget the whole thing. Picard: Now what possible incentive could anyone offer me to allow that? Data: I believe you will find all of the missing items in the vessel, sir. Rasmussen: Doctor. Crusher: A very nice performance. Rasmussen: Not all of it. Some of it was real. Captain. Data: He claims to be a twenty second century inventor, Captain. Picard: A pity you weren't a bit more inventive. If fewer things had disappeared, we might never have suspected you. As it was, the only stumbling block was your ship. Our sensors couldn't penetrate it. But once the door was opened, the computer was able to detect and deactivate everything you'd stolen, including this. Rasmussen: I'd love to hear more, Picard, but I really must get back in that pod. Riker: Take him to a detention cell, Mister Worf, and notify Starfleet that we'll be dropping him off at Starbase two one four. Worf: Aye, sir. Rasmussen: You can't do this. I've got to get back. I don't belong here. Rasmussen: No! Picard: I'm sure there are more than a few legitimate historians at Starfleet who will be quite eager to meet a human from your era. Oh, Professor. Welcome to the twenty fourth century.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45376.3. We are approaching the planet Bilana Three, where a new method of propulsion known as the Soliton Wave is being developed. The Enterprise has been asked to participate in one of the first tests of this new technology. Laforge: Data! Data, isn't this exciting? We are going to witness a moment in history. Data: Every nanosecond in this continuum is a moment in history, once it has elapsed. Laforge: No, no, no, no. I mean, we're going to see something that people will talk about for years. I mean, think about it. No more bulky warp engines or nacelles. A ship just generates a Soliton wave and then rides it through space like a surfboard. This is going to be like being there to watch Chuck Yeager break the sound barrier, or Zephram Cochrane engage the first warp drive. Data: It should be interesting. Worf: Very exciting. Laforge: I'm talking to the wrong crowd. Donaldson! Donaldson, you're an engineer. Crewwoman: Lieutenant Worf, you have a subspace communication from the transport ship Milan. Worf: Transfer the signal to this station. Helena: Hello, Worf. Worf: Mother. Helena: I hope you don't mind us dropping in on you like this, but when I heard the Enterprise was to be in this sector, we took the first transport and here we are. Worf: Is father with you? Helena: No, but I brought Alexander with me. I thought the two of you would like a chance to visit. Worf: Very well. I will make arrangements for you to come aboard. Helena: Good. Helena: Worf. Worf. It's so good to see you. You look wonderful. Is that a touch of gray in your beard? Don't worry, the Rozhenko men have always had beards of iron gray. Worf: Hello, Alexander. Alexander: Hello. Worf: It is good to see you both. How long can you stay? Alexander: I'm not going back. Helena: Did you see the look on Alexander's face when he saw the play area? He's going to love it here. Worf: Mother, why does Alexander believe he is remaining? Helena: Lapsang suchong tea, please. Have you been eating? You look thin. Worf: Mother. Helena: When your father was in Starfleet, I always had to make sure that Worf: Mother. We need to talk about Alexander. Helena: Alexander is a fine boy, Worf. He's smart and he's high-spirited. Like you were at that age. Sometimes, when he comes running through the house and knocks over that big green lamp, just like you used to do. Worf: I don't remember you smiling when I knocked over that lamp. Helena: Well maybe once, when you weren't looking. When we learned Alexander was to come to live with us, we were so happy. The house had been so empty since you left, and we thought here is our chance to fill it with the sound of children again. But the truth is, Worf, your father and I, we're getting old. Worf: Mother, you both have many years Helena: I don't mean we're ready for the grave. Not yet, anyway. But we're a little less active. It's harder for us to keep up with Alexander. We're ready to be just grandparents. Alexander needs to be with his father. Worf: Mother, that is not possible. We must find another option. Helena: He needs his father, Worf. Alexander's, he's having difficulties. Worf: Difficulties? Helena: He's disobedient. Worf: Mother, Klingon children are often difficult to control. Helena: I do know something about how Klingon children behave. It's not just his willful attitude. He doesn't always tell the truth. Worf: My son is a liar? Helena: He is a boy, Worf, and boys sometimes take the wrong path. They need guidance. He needs a father, his father, to give him that guidance. I have to leave soon. The transport will be leaving for Earth. You must do what you think is best for him. That's all a parent can hope to do. Worf: Did you enjoy going to school on Earth? Alexander: Yes. Worf: Did you like your teachers? Alexander: Yes. Worf: Good. I understand you lived in my old room. Alexander: Ah ha. Worf: Good. Kyle: Come in. Lieutenant Worf. Very nice to see you again. And you must be Alexander. I hear you'll be coming to school with us for a while? Well, we're very excited to have you with us. I know the other boys and girls will be happy to have a new classmate. First I need to get a little information from you. Let's start with your name. Alexander Rozhenko. That's a tough one. Maybe you can help me with that. Could you spell your last name for me? Worf: Alexander. The teacher asked you a question. Kyle: It doesn't matter. I think I can figure it out. Date of birth? Alexander: The forty third day of Maktag, stardate 43205. Worf: Yes. Yes, of course. Kyle: I'll get the rest of his personal records from the school on Earth, and, oh, one last question. How long will he be staying aboard ship? Worf: It has not been decided. Picard: Come. Mister Worf, I thought our meeting was scheduled for eleven hundred hours. Worf: I apologize for being late, Captain. I was detained in school. I was enrollling my son in class. Picard: I see. Well, Mister Worf, as you're aware, several new security officers will be transferring to the Enterprise next week and I would like to discuss. Kyle: Kyle to Lieutenant Worf. Worf: Worf here. Kyle: I'm sorry to bother you again, Lieutenant, but I forgot to mention that we need to arrange for a series of placement examinations for Alexander. If you could tell me when Worf: This is not a good time. I will contact you shortly, Miss Kyle. Sorry, Captain. Picard: I would like to discuss with you the specific areas of ship's security that I would like Crusher: Sickbay to Worf. Worf: Yes, Doctor? Crusher: I need to schedule a physical examination for Alexander. I also need his complete medical records from Earth and the medical records of his Worf: I would rather discuss this at a later time. Crusher: There's no rush. Crusher out. Picard: Mister Worf. You are not the first officer on this ship to have a new family member. Take care of your son. The security matters can wait. Worf: Thank you, Captain. Ja'Dar: Twenty three field coils, working in concert, will generate the soliton wave from this point on the planet surface. We will have our test ship towed to a position approximately two million kilometers from Bilana Three. If our theories are correct, the wave will envelop the ship and push it into warp. Picard: Warp without warp drive. Riker: They're going to put you out of a job, Geordi. Laforge: I hope so, Commander. Data: Doctor Ja'Dar, how closely will the Enterprise need to follow the test vehicle? Ja'Dar: The soliton emits a great deal of subspace radio interference. You'll need to remain within twenty kilometers in order to receive telemetry. Picard: Doctor, how will you end the experiment? Ja'Dar: The wave will be directed toward Lemma Two, about three light years distance. Our sister facility there which will generate a scattering field which will dissipate the wave and bring the ship out of warp. I'll be sending you more detailed operational plans within the hour. Picard: Very well, Doctor. We'll contact you again once we've finished studying the mission specs. Troi: Worf. I was just talking with Mrs. Kyle the primary school teacher. She told me you enrollled Alexander in her class this morning. Worf: Yes. Troi: I'm sure he'll do very well. She's a wonderful teacher. Worf: Good. Troi: Did she tell you about the father-son field trip this afternoon? Worf: Yes. We cannot attend. Troi: Why not? Worf: I have a personnel review scheduled at thirteen hundred hours. Troi: This would be a good opportunity for you to meet some of the other students and parents. Worf: I might be able to reschedule the review. Troi: Good. I'll let them know you're coming. Kyle: As the value of their horns increased, the number of white rhinos in the wild kept falling, until they finally became extinct about two centuries ago. Now, I'd like to show you a pair of animals we're trying to save from extinction. Would you follow me? They're from Corvan Two, where their homes in the rainforests are being threatened by industrial pollutants. They're called Corvan gilvos. They're a little shy. Kyle: The eating habits of gilvos are very similar to those of Earth's Draco lizards, which died out over three hundred years ago. There are only fourteen gilvos left on Corvan Two. We're transplanting these two to the protected planet Brentalia, where they should thrive. Well, why don't you all have a look around on your own for a while. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Kyle: Alexander, I'm sorry. I forgot to tell everyone that the models on the tables were for everyone to play with. So I guess you didn't know you weren't supposed to take them. I saw you playing with the lizard model a little while ago. Do you still have it? Worf: Are you accusing him of stealing? Kyle: Lieutenant Worf, I can only tell you that Worf: Alexander, did you take the model of the lizard from the table? Alexander: No, sir. Kyle: Lieutenant, I saw Alexander put the model inside of his jacket. Lieutenant Worf, personal log, stardate 45376.8. Alexander has acted shamefully, and as his father I must now deal with him. But I find that I would gladly fight ten armed Baldur warriors rather than face one small child. Worf: A Klingon's honor is more important to him than his life. A Klingon would gladly face the most horrible punishment rather than bring shame or disgrace to his family name. His word is his bond. Without it, he is nothing. Do you understand? Worf: Why did you lie to me? Alexander: I don't know. Worf: Did you fear the punishment you would receive? Alexander: I don't know. Worf: You don't know why you lied, and yet you did. You don't know why you stole, and yet you did! Alexander, come here. When I was a child, younger than you, I lost my parents, my family, my people. Everything I had was taken from me except my sense of honor. It was the one thing I had which was truly Klingon and which no one could take away. Do you know who they are? Alexander: Kahless? Worf: And his brother, Morath. They fought for twelve days and twelve nights because Morath had broken his word and brought shame to his family. When you lie or steal, you not only dishonor yourself, but your family. You dishonor me. Alexander: I'm sorry, Father. I won't do it ever again. I promise. Worf: I accept your word. We will not speak of this matter again. Troi: Worf. Worf: Counselor? Troi: I just wanted to know how the field trip went yesterday. Worf: You have not heard? Troi: No. Why? Worf: Bridge. There was an incident. Alexander stole a small model and then told a falsehood. But I have remedied the situation. Troi: May I ask how? Worf: I pointed out his error, told him about Kahless and Morath, and explained the value of honor. The boy understood. Troi: I see. Sometimes these things aren't over as quickly as they seem to be. I'd be happy to help if you have any further problems. Worf: Thank you, that will not be necessary. Alexander will not repeat this mistake. Data: The prototype has been towed into position, Captain. Riker: Initiate a radio link to the ship. Laforge: Link established. Receiving prelaunch telemetry now. Worf: Incoming message from Doctor Ja'Dar. Picard: On screen. Ja'Dar: Captain, we're ready to begin the launch sequence. Picard: Mister Riker? Riker: All science labs standing by. Felton: Course laid in, sir. Picard: The Enterprise is ready, Doctor. Ja'Dar: This is Doctor Ja'Dar to all stations. You may begin the launch sequence. Picard: And Doctor? Good luck. Ja'Dar: Thank you, Captain. Data: Sensors indicate the field generators on the planet surface are charging, Captain. Laforge: The soliton wave has been initiated. It's heading for the test ship. Data: The test ship has successfully entered warp, sir. Picard: Ensign, engage. Picard: Ensign, bring us to within twenty kilometers of the test ship. Felton: Aye, sir. Laforge: Telemetry looks good. Soliton wave is steady. Data: The test ship is maintaining at warp two point three five, sir. Laforge: That's a little faster than they anticipated, but still well within mission parameters. Felton: We're at twenty kilometers, Captain. Picard: Mister Data, is the wave affecting our warp drive? Data: No, sir. The effect has been localized to within two kilometers of the wavefront. Riker: Mister La Forge, what is the power efficiency of the wave? Laforge: Energy transfer is ninety eight percent! Riker: Ninety eight? Laforge: Yes, sir. There's less than a two percent energy loss between the wave and the ship. Data: That is four hundred and fifty percent more efficient than our own warp drive. Picard: Astonishing. Commander Riker, have science lab three begin a series of gamma emission tests. Data: Sir, the wave's power signature is fluctuating. Laforge: Wave efficiency has dropped to seventy three percent. Riker: The test ship's warp field is becoming unstable. Sensors show multiple disruptions. Felton: I'm reading a severe subspace distortion, sir. Data: It is expanding toward us, sir. It appears to be interfering with our engines, Captain. Laforge: I can't compensate for it. Picard: Bring us out of warp, Ensign. All stop. Felton: Aye, sir. All stop. Riker: Damage report. Picard: Hold on! Riker: Damage report. Laforge: Sensors and warp drive are offline. Deflectors down to fifteen percent. Worf: Several injuries reported on deck twenty seven. No fatalities. Picard: What happened to the test ship? Data: Our last readings indicate the craft exploded due to extreme shearing stress. Worf: Incoming message from Bilana Three, Captain. Picard: On screen. Ja'Dar: Captain, are you all right? Was anyone hurt? Picard: We sustained some minor damage. Do you know what happened? Ja'Dar: The preliminary data we received indicate a transient power imbalance. Laforge: That would be consistent with our telemetry readings from the ship. We detected a sudden drop in transfer efficiency just before the explosion. Ja'Dar: Are you still tracking the wave? Laforge: No, the explosion damaged our main sensor array, but I think we'll have it repaired in a couple of hours. Picard: We'll contact you as soon as the sensors are back online. Laforge: Doctor. You did it. Warp without warp drive. For a while there it was really something to see. Ja'Dar: Well, I hope you're here to see it next time we try, Mister La Forge. Laforge: So do I, Doctor. Worf: I apologize. I was detained. Kyle: It's quite all right. Please sit down. Worf: Thank you. Kyle: Lieutenant, your son is a very bright, very spirited young man. From his test scores, I'm sure he'll turn out to be one of my best students. However, from his behavior in class so far, I do have some concerns. Worf: What sort of concerns? Kyle: Frankly, he's defiant, he's overly aggressive toward the other students, and he has a great deal of difficulty paying attention. Worf: Perhaps you do not have experience dealing with Klingon children. They require a firm hand. Kyle: And he seems to still have difficulty telling the truth. He takes toys from other the other students and then denies taking them. He acts like a bully and then says someone else started the fight. And he's bluntly told me you said Klingons do not listen to teachers. Worf: I did not tell him that. Kyle: No, of course not. He's acting on his internal feelings and then making up stories to explain them. It might be a good idea for the two of you to sit down with Counselor Troi and Worf: Computer, where is Alexander Rozhenko? Computer: Alexander Rozhenko is on holodeck four. Kyle: Lieutenant, I think we should Worf: I will handle this. Worf: Computer, what program is being run? Computer: Calisthenics program of Lieutenant Worf. Difficulty level, Novice. Worf: Computer, freeze program. Alexander: Did you see it, Father? I won. Worf: Yes, I saw. Why are you here? Alexander: I'm training. Worf: But you did not ask permission to take my bat'leth, or permission to use the holodeck. Alexander: You said you wanted me to be a warrior. Worf: I also said I wanted you to obey your teachers and keep your promise to me. Ms. Kyle has told me about your behavior. About your lies. Alexander: I have not lied! Worf: Alexander, do not continue to Alexander: She's lying! She hates me, that's why she makes up stories about me! Worf: I will not listen to more lies. Return to our quarters. Alexander: You said we could go see the gilvos again. Worf: Not now. Not after you have broken your word. Alexander: You promised. You said that we could. Worf: Enough! It is now clear to me that I have failed in my duties as your father. You have no understanding about what it means to be Klingon. I will arrange for you to attend a Klingon school. There you will learn the lessons I have failed to teach you. Alexander: No! I won't go! Worf: Would you further dishonor our family with your disobedience? Alexander: No, sir. Worf: You will go to our quarters and remain there until I return. Riker: Riker to Engineering. What's your estimate on the engines, Geordi? Laforge: I need another hour, Commander. I still have to replace three power couplings. Riker: Understood. Data: Sir, sensors are coming back online. Riker: Good. Begin a sensor sweep for the soliton wave. Data: Aye, sir. The wave is continuing on course for the Lemma Two colony. It is bearing zero two zero, mark three two nine. Riker: Open a channel back here to Doctor Ja'Dar. Data: Sir, the wave has increased in velocity to warp four point one. Riker: Doctor, we've located the soliton wave. It's still on a course for Lemma Two. However its velocity has increased to warp four point one. Ja'Dar: Have you checked the frequency resonance of the subspace Data: Sir, the energy level of the wave has increased by a factor of twelve. At this rate, it will have increased by a factor of two hundred by the time it reaches Lemma Two. Riker: Will they still be able to dissipate the wave? Ja'Dar: Commander, at that energy level, the wave will not only destroy the colony, it'll take most of the planet with it. Troi: Are you sure this is what you want? Worf: It is not a question of what I want. It is a question of what is best for the boy. He will be better off at a Klingon school. Troi: Have you discussed this with Alexander? Worf: He is a child. I informed him of my decision. Troi: I see. Worf: You disapprove? Troi: I'm not here to approve or disapprove of the way you raise your son. My concern right now is how this decision is going to affect you. How will you feel when Alexander's gone? Worf: I will be pleased that he is receiving the guidance he requires. Troi: Is that how you felt when he left to live with your parents? Worf: That was different. At the time, I felt he needed a home, a family. Things I could not provide for him. Troi: I understand. The idea of raising a child can seem a tremendous burden, particularly to a solitary parent. Worf: He was no burden. I simply knew that a Klingon child required more attention than I could provide. Troi: I see. Have you ever wondered how Alexander felt about being sent away? Worf: He was very young. I'm sure he was confused. Troi: Do you think he felt abandoned? After all, he left very soon after K'Ehleyr's death. In a way, he not only lost his mother, he lost his father as well. Worf: Are you saying that his misconduct is a result of feeling abandoned? Troi: It's possible. Children don't have the experience to handle emotional crises. Instead of dealing with their feelings, they act on them. Tell me about the last time you spoke with K'Ehleyr, the night she died. Worf: We argued. Troi: What about? Worf: Alexander. About how she did not tell me about him when he was born. Troi: So you were angry with her? Worf: Yes. Troi: Are you still angry with her? Worf: Of course not. Troi: It would be very normal to be angry with her. Angry because she died and left you alone with a son you never knew you had. Being angry doesn't mean you loved her any less, Worf, but you can't hide from your feelings, just as Alexander cannot hide from his. You both have a lot of healing to do. Perhaps you should think about doing it together. Worf: Alexander. Alexander: I'm almost done. Worf: Stop for a moment. Let us talk. Alexander: Why? Worf: I want you to understand why you are going away. Alexander: I understand. You're ashamed of me. Worf: You do not understand. I'm concerned about your future. A Klingon school will be a better environment for you. Alexander: You don't care about me. Worf: That is not true. Alexander: All you care about is your honor! Worf: Alexander. If your mother were here I do not think she would want us to fight like this. Alexander: My mother wouldn't send me away. Riker: Lieutenant Worf, please report to the Observation lounge. Worf: Acknowledged. Remain here. I will return shortly. Picard: Report. Laforge: The soliton wave has continued to increase in Worf: Excuse me. Laforge: The soliton wave has continued to increase in power. Its energy level has risen by a factor of ninety six. At its current rate of acceleration, the wave should hit the planet in a couple of hours. Picard: How do we stop it? Laforge: Well, there are two possibilities. We could attempt to use our own warp engines to generate an inverse-resonance wave. If we could match the exact frequency and amplitude of the soliton, we should be able to neutralize it. Riker: You don't sound very confident. Data: Because the soliton is constantly changing in both frequency and amplitude, it will be extremely difficult to achieve an exact match. Picard: Let's hear the second option. Laforge: It's a little more dangerous, but I think there's a better chance for success. We could create a backfire, an explosive force set off just in front of the soliton wave. A large enough explosion, say five photon torpedoes, should be enough to disrupt the wave and allow it to dissipate. Picard: How fast is the wave traveling now? Data: Warp six point three seven. Laforge: The good news is we can catch it. The bad news is that in order to set up this backfire we have to be in front of it. Data: Which would require the Enterprise to go through the wave. Riker: Why can't we go around it? Data: The wave has been growing in size as well as power. There is insufficient time remaining for us to circumvent it before it reaches Lemma Two. Picard: How much protection will the shields provide if we attempt to penetrate the wave? Worf: The shields have not been fully restored. Shield strength is down to thirty three percent. Riker: It's going to be quite a ride. Picard: It's a better choice. Lay in a course for the soliton wave. Picard: Ensign, after we've passed through the wave, I want you to take us at a relative position twenty three kilometers in front of it. Felton: Aye, sir. Riker: Alert sickbay to prepare for possible casualties. Worf: Aye, sir. Data: The wave has increased speed to warp seven point two, Captain. Picard: Ensign, take us to warp seven point two one. Felton: We are approaching the wave, Captain. Distance two hundred kilometers. Riker: Let's see it. Picard: Stand by to increase speed to warp seven point three. On my mark. Riker: Red Alert. Load torpedo bays. Set warhead yields to level sixteen. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: All deck, this is the Bridge. Brace for impact. Worf: Torpedoes loaded. Picard: Engage. Picard: Report. Data: We have passed through the wave, Captain. Felton: We have dropped to warp seven point two. The wave is directly astern at a distance of twenty three kilometers. Worf: Deflector strength is down to twelve percent. There are fluctuations in several warp transfer conduits. Tractor beams and transporters offline. Riker: We have some gaps in the aft shields, Captain. When the torpedoes explode, these areas will be contaminated with ion radiation. We need to evacuate sections twenty four to forty seven, decks thirty five through thirty eight. Picard: Make it so. Worf: Sir, there is a fire in biolab four, The fire suppression apparatus is not functioning. Picard: Seal off the compartment. Prepare to vent the air from Data: Sir, there are life forms present in that biolab. Riker: We're transporting endangered animals from Corvan Two. Data: Readings also indicate the presence of a humanoid, Captain. Picard: Computer, identify humanoid life form in biolab four. Computer: Life form is identified as Alexander Rozhenko. Picard: Bridge to biolab four. Alexander, can you hear us? Worf: Sensors show he is alive. He may be injured. Riker: Can we transport him out of there? Worf: Transporters are still offline. Felton: Captain, warp power is dropping. We're losing speed. Riker: Riker to Engineering. Geordi, what is going on? Laforge: We lost four warp transfer conduits, Commander. Riker: The wave is gaining on us. Riker: We need more speed. Laforge: I doubt that I can keep this speed up Laforge: Much longer, Commander. You'd better fire those torpedoes while we're still in front of the wave. Picard: Mister Data, how long before the wave overtakes us? Data: At our current speed, four minutes thirty seconds, sir. Worf: Captain, permission to leave the bridge. Picard: Granted. Commander, will you accompany Mister Worf to biolab four. Data: Captain, biolab four is one of the areas that will be flooded with ion radiation. Picard: Commander. I can't let the soliton wave hit the colony. You have three minutes, not one second more. Riker: Primary control's shorted out. Worf: Stand clear. Worf: Alexander! Riker: Alexander, can you hear me? Alexander? Data: The soliton wave has closed to ten kilometers, Captain. Picard: Stand by to fire torpedoes on my command. Riker: Alexander! Worf: Commander, I've found him! Riker: Worf! Where are you Worf? Worf: Over here. Help me. Riker: It's too heavy. I've got to find something to help us. Alexander: Father? Worf: Lie still, I am here. Alexander: My leg hurts. I'm scared. Alexander: The gilvos! Riker: There's no time. Alexander: Please, they'll die! Data: The wave has closed to one kilometer, Captain. Picard: Picard to Commander Riker. Bridge to Lieutenant Worf, acknowledge. Data: The wave is about to overtake us, sir. Picard: Commander Riker, acknowledge! Fire torpedoes. Data: The wave has been disrupted, sir. Picard: Picard to Riker. Riker: Riker here, Captain. We made it Riker: Sir. The boy's going to be all right. Crusher: You're a very lucky little boy. Just some minor smoke inhalation and a hairline fracture of the tibia. That's a bone in your leg. I'd like to keep him overnight, but he should be fine by tomorrow. Worf: Thank you, Doctor. Alexander: Are you going to get in trouble because of me? Worf: Do not concern yourself with that. Alexander: Am I in trouble? Worf: Yes, but we will discuss that at a later time. Alexander: I'm sorry. I promise I'll be good at the Klingon school. I'll make you proud of me. Worf: Klingon schools are designed to be difficult. The physical and mental hardships faced by the students are meant to build character and strength. However, if you wish to face a greater challenge, you may stay here with me. It will not be easy, for either one of us, but perhaps we can face the challenge together. Alexander: I accept your challenge, Father. I will stay. Worf: I believe your mother would be pleased.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45397.3. Two days ago, Starbase five one four lost contact with the research vessel Vico, which was sent to explore the interior of a Black Cluster. We are en route to investigate. Felton: Captain, we are entering sector nine seven. Data: I am picking up massive gravitational fluctuations, sir. Picard: Take us out of warp, Ensign. Felton: Yes, sir. Worf: The Black Cluster is within visual range, Captain. Picard: On screen. Worf: Aye, Captain. Riker: Let's find that ship. Full sensor sweep, Mister Data. Data: Aye, sir. Riker: What a sight. Picard: One of the most ancient formations in the galaxy. Data: I have located the Vico, sir. The vessel appears to be adrift. Riker: Let's see it. Life signs? Worf: Nothing, Commander. Riker: Damage report, Mister Data. Data: Outer and inner hulls have been breached. Decks seven through twelve are exposed to space. Riker: Set up a translink to their computer core. Let's see what happened. Data: I cannot, sir. The emergency bulkheads on that deck are in place. Our linkup signal cannot penetrate them. Picard: Structural status, Commander? Data: Stress readings indicate considerable pressure on the transverse supports. Picard: Is it stable enough for an away team? Data: Yes, sir, but the risk of structural collapse is quite high. Picard: Have transporter room one maintain a lock on each member of your away team. I want you out of there at the first sign of trouble. Riker: Take us to fifteen thousand meters, Ensign. Felton: Yes, sir. Riker: Data, you're with me. Data: This station is inoperable, sir. Laforge: This one seems to be stuck in a feedback loop. Riker: Let's see if we can tap directly into the computer core. Laforge: The ODN junction is right down here. Laforge: Data? Data: Core transfer is engaged. Laforge: Exchange protocol verified. The files are intact. At least some of them, anyway. Riker: Stay here, Geordi. Data. Timothy: Are my parents alright? Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. A young boy, shielded from our initial sensor scans, has been discovered pinned beneath a fallen beam. The degree of damage to the Vico is making our rescue attempt difficult. Picard: Transporter room one, can you lock on Picard: To him and transport directly to Sickbay? Hutchinson: I'll try, Captain, but there's a lot of shielding to pull him through. Picard: Acknowledged. Picard to Crusher. Crusher: Sickbay here, Captain. Picard: Prepare for emergency transport. Crusher: Yes, sir. Crusher: Crusher out. Picard: Picard to Commander Riker. Picard: Is the boy ready, Number One? Riker: Ready, sir. Picard: It's your signal. Riker: Aye, Captain. It's going to be okay. Here we go. Energize. Picard: Ensign, do we have him? Hutchinson: The lock is holding. I just can't resolve the matter stream, not with all that victurium alloy in the way. Hutchinson: Commander Riker. You'll have to get him out into the corridor. Data: I could move the beam, sir. However, it may initiate the collapse of the surrounding supports. I recommend you and Geordi return to the ship. Riker: Agreed. La Forge. Hutchinson: I'm locked onto Commander Data and the boy, sir. I'll energize as soon as they've cleared the bulkheads. Riker: Whenever you're ready, Data. Data: Yes, sir. Timothy: Are you're going to lift that? Data: Yes. Then I will take you to the corridor. We will transport back to the Enterprise from there. Do you understand? Timothy: How come you can pick up something so heavy? Data: I am an android. My strength is many times that of a human. It is going to be okay. I will count to three. One two three. Data: Energize. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. A thorough search of the Vico has revealed no additional survivors. We have begun the process of counseling the boy with regard to the tragedy. Crusher: Don't be afraid. Timothy: We were in the Black Cluster. I don't know where they came from. They had a big ship and they kept shooting at us. Then they beamed over. They had purple helmets on and phaser rifles. I saw them. They didn't see me. Crusher: You're safe now, Timothy. I'm sorry for what happened. It's going to be all right. I bet you're hungry. Would you like me to get you something to eat? Data: Counselor, I must join Commander La Forge in Engineering. If you will excuse me. Troi: Timothy, would you like Data to stay with you a little bit longer? Laforge: Sections of the primary and secondary hull were torn right off. The shearing planes are here, here, and here. Picard: How much longer till we can access their logs? Laforge: Almost an hour. Picard: The boy was here. Laforge: The hallway outside the computer core. His mother was the ship's systems engineer. The second away team found her body here inside the core. Picard: And his father? Laforge: Ship's second officer. He was most likely on the bridge when it was exposed to space. Picard: Most likely. Crusher: He'll sleep for a few hours at least. I don't need to keep him here but I will need to see him again tomorrow. You've got some work cut out for you. Troi: His world is gone, Data. We're going to have to help him build a new one. Laforge: This is not good. Whatever hit the Vico must have set up an EM pulse that flashed through their computer banks. Data: Nearly eighty three percent of their records have been lost. Laforge: And all of their sensor logs. Let's use what we got from our own sensors. I'll call up the structural analysis and the surface scans. Data: Geordi, as a child, did you ever experience a traumatic event? Laforge: You're wondering about Timothy? Data: Yes. Laforge: I was caught in a fire once. I must have been, I don't know, about five, I guess. It was before I got the first visor. And it was only a couple of minutes before my parents found me and pulled me out. And nobody got hurt, but I tell you that was the longest couple of minutes of my life. It was a while after that before I could even let my parents get out of earshot. It was like I absolutely needed to know that they were there, you know? Data: Timothy no longer has that kind of support. Laforge: Yeah. Teacher: Dara and her brother found themselves in the land of Tagas where the ruler, Elamos the Magnificent, had proclaimed as law. 'No children will be tolerated within the Great Kingdom'. When Dara saw the proclamation, she just laughed, and said, 'How magnificent a ruler, to be frightened by the likes of us.' Timothy, we're done with sculpture for now. Timothy: It's not finished. Teacher: We'll come back to it next period. Why don't you pick up your mythology book and follow along? Timothy: But it's not finished. Laforge: Magnetic residual analysis confirms that the Vico was attacked inside the Black Cluster. The graviton wave fronts pushed the ship to where we found it. Picard: No signs of phaser burns on the hull. Laforge: No, sir. Torsional stress levels point to a disrupter-style weapon. Data: Fracture points indicate that the energy burst came from a range of less than three thousand meters. Picard: But that's a strategy consistent with a cloaked vessel. Romulan. Or Klingon. But we're quite a distance from either of their territories. Data: The Breen have outposts in this sector. The attack on the Vico is consistent with their battle tactics and their level of technology. Picard: Thank you, Data. But what would the Breen be doing inside the Black Cluster? The boy described a boarding party with helmets and phaser rifles. Laforge: Boarding party? I don't think that's likely, sir. Picard: Counselor. Laforge: There was absolutely no evidence of anybody coming on board the Vico. We would have found a transporter field trace. Or if somebody had used the entry ports, we would have found an electrostatic differential in the docking latches, and we didn't. Could Timothy have imagined that, Counselor? Picard: Or could he be lying? Troi: If he's lying, I haven't been able to sense it. Perhaps his emotional trauma level is too high. Picard: Why wouldn't he tell us the truth? Troi: He's still in shock. it's hard to know what's going on in his mind right now. Laforge: Well, I'll go back and check the sensor readings again but I don't think we're going to find anything. Picard: Thank you, Geordi. Troi: Data. Captain, I think we should ask Data to spend some time with him. Data: I do not understand. Troi: I'm very worried about his behavior and what I've just heard doesn't make me feel any better. Data, you're the only one he's reached out to, because you rescued him. We can use your relationship with him to help his recovery. Picard: Would Timothy also be more inclined to tell Data the truth about what happened? Troi: It's a possibility. Picard: Commander, proceed with Timothy as the Counselor suggests. Data: Aye, sir. Data: Counselor, exactly how shall I proceed? Troi: Just be with him. You're a presence he trusts, and that's what he needs most right now. Timothy: What? Timothy: Data. Data: Hello, Timothy. May I enter? Timothy: Yeah. Data: Ah. You are attempting to recreate the Dokkaran temple of Kural Hanesh? Timothy: Isn't it great?! See, there's the big hallway the teacher told us about. That's where everybody came in. That's where they stood. And that's where the altar was. What do you think? Data: Do you wish a frank evaluation? It lacks the harmony that characterized this particular temple and Dokkaran culture in general. Timothy: You hate it. Data: No, I am not capable of hatred. Timothy: I can't do anything right. Data: You are making an unwarranted extrapolation. I was merely offering an esthetic analysis of this particular model. The base appears quite sturdy. Timothy: I told you. Data: May I suggest a different approach? You were attempting to construct the upper level before the supports were in place. Observe. Laforge: La Forge to Data. Data: Data here. Laforge: I need your help with the shield modulators. Data: I will join you in a moment, Geordi. Data out. Lieutenant La Forge requires my assistance. Timothy: Incredible. Data, how come you can do that? Data: I am designed to exceed human capacity, both mentally and physically. Timothy: Androids are better than humans? Data: Better is a highly subjective term. I do not, for example, possess the ability to experience emotion as humans do. Timothy: No emotions? You mean you can't be happy or sad? Data: That is correct. Timothy: Why not? Data: My positronic brain is not capable of generating those conditions. Goodbye. Timothy: Data! Can we build something else later? Data: That would be acceptable. Timothy: Bye. Timothy: I am designed to exceed human capacity. tilts head) That is correct. Data: The Black Cluster was formed almost nine billion years ago when hundreds of protostars collapsed in close proximity. The resulting gravitational forces are both violent and highly unpredictable. Laforge: To get anywhere near the center, we're going to have to push through the gravitational wavefronts like the science vessel was designed to do. I've already adjusted our shields accordingly. Worf: The gravitational forces will affect sensor accuracy. Detecting an enemy vessel will be difficult. Riker: Maybe that's what happened to the Vico. They didn't see anything coming until it was too late. Picard: Counselor, has the boy volunteered any further information? Troi: No, but I do have an appointment with him in less than half an hour. Picard: If there's a possibility of getting more from him, I'd like you to pursue it. But we need to continue our investigation. We'll enter the Black Cluster at oh seven hundred hours tomorrow morning. Dismissed. Troi: Hello, Timothy. Are you ready to go? Timothy: Yes, Counselor. I am ready. Troi: How are you feeling? Timothy: I am functioning within established parameters. Troi: Established parameters? You sound like Data. Timothy: I am an android. Troi: I see. Well, let's go for our walk, shall we? Timothy: That would be acceptable. Troi: So, what would you like? Timothy: Androids do not need to eat or drink. However, sometimes we like to taste things. A Tamarin frost, please. Would you like anything, Counselor? Troi: No, I'm fine, thank you. Timothy: As you wish. Troi: So you're no longer a human? Timothy: I'm an android. Troi: When did this happen? Timothy: I've always been an android. Troi: What's it like being an android? Timothy: I am designed to exceed human capacity, both mentally and physically. But I do not experience emotions. Troi: You don't? No emotion at all? Timothy: That is correct. Picard: An android? Troi: I know it sounds unusual, but it is understandable. Technically, it's called enantiodromia. Conversion into the opposite. Timothy went from human to machine, from being emotional to being emotionless. But the underlying trauma is still there. He's just found a new way to suppress it. Picard: Counselor, how long will this behavior last? Troi: As long as he needs it to. Timothy is rebuilding his identity as best he can. The android persona is just one step along the way. As soon as he feels stronger and more sure of himself, it should drop away naturally. Picard: I assume this is not a time to confront him about what happened to his ship. Troi: Not yet. The best thing we can do right now is to let Timothy take us where he wants to go. We should support the process and even encourage it. Picard: Data, I would like you to make Timothy the best android he can possibly be. Data: Timothy, your head movements are counterproductive. Can you be still? Timothy: But you do it. Data: The servo mechanisms in my neck are designed to approximate human movements. I did not realize the effect was so distracting. Timothy: I like it. Data, are there any other androids in Starfleet? Data: No. I am the only one. Timothy: How come you're not Captain? Data: My service experience does not yet warrant such a position. Timothy: Data, what's the scariest thing that ever happened to you? Data: Fear is a quality that I do not possess. Timothy: Because it's an emotion? Data: Correct. Timothy: But what if you had a nightmare? Data: I have never had a nightmare. I do not require sleep. Timothy, are you having disturbing dreams? Timothy: I do not require sleep. Data: Is that satisfactory? Timothy: It's perfect. Crusher: Transfer circuits are functioning properly. Timothy: Within established parameters? Crusher: Absolutely. Input processing, pattern recognition, all within established parameters. DATA + Timothy: Thank you, Doctor. Timothy: I ran out of red ochre. Data: You may use mine. Timothy: Thank you. Data: Perhaps you should return to your quarters. Timothy: I'm fine. The servo mechanisms in my mouth are designed to approximate human movements. Timothy: That is not bad. Data: Thank you. It is very expressive. Timothy: Thank you. Data: Is your painting representative of something? Timothy: It's just a painting. Data: Timothy, you understand that you may speak with me about anything you wish? Any subject? Timothy: I understand. Data: At times, I too find it difficult to share my thoughts with others. I am not always confident that I am expressing myself in a manner which humans can comprehend. But do I know that Worf: We are approaching the perimeter. I'm picking up the gravitational wavefronts. Riker: Engage forward shields thirty five percent. Worf: Shields up. Picard: Drop to one quarter impulse, Ensign. Felton: Yes, sir. Riker: Bridge to Engineering. Laforge: Adjusting shield frequencies now, Commander. We'll have this smoothed out in just a second. Riker: Ensign, adjust course for any deviations. Felton: Yes, sir. Riker: Resume one third impulse. Worf: Captain, I am reading something at four hundred thousand kilometers off the starboard bow. Possibly a ship. Riker: Red alert. Picard: Take us to visual range, Ensign. Felton: Adjusting course. Worf: Sensor readings have disappeared. Wait, I am picking up another reading at four hundred thousand kilometers off the port bow. It's gone. No, it is back to starboard. Riker: Captain, the Black Cluster is distorting the sensors. We're picking up echoes of the Enterprise reflecting off the wavefronts. Picard: Cancel Red alert. Mister Worf, adjust the sensors to compensate for the distortion. Worf: Aye. Picard: Sensor difficulties have been reported by ships traveling through black clusters, but never this extreme. Worf: Captain, that formation is seven times more massive than any explored previously. That could explain the difference. Picard: Resume previous course, Ensign. Felton: Yes, sir. Data: He laughed. Troi: Yes. It's nice to see, isn't it? Data: It is certainly not consistent with his android persona. Troi: I'd say he's beginning the process of letting go of that fantasy. Data: Then my work with him is done. Troi: No, I don't think it is, Data. A laugh is one step in the right direction. We need to help him take a few more steps. Data: How, Counselor? Troi: I'd like you to talk to him about your own fascination with humanity. If you can explain to Timothy the appeal that humanity has for you, he might find it easier to become a boy again. Timothy: This is great. How is yours? Data: The complex polysaccharides, in reaction with the carbon dioxide, produces an unusual combination of texture and effervescence. Timothy: But how does it taste? Is it good? Data: I am not capable of tasting in the manner you suggest. However, I can analyze the composition of a dessert and make comparative conclusions about its possible effect on the human palate. But I neither like it nor dislike it. Timothy: Oh. I didn't realize that. Data: I have often wondered what it must be like to have one's mouth water in anticipation of the arrival of a confection, or to feel the pleasure I have observed in humans as they consume it. Timothy: You sound like you don't want to be an android. Data: I am an android. That will never change. Timothy: But if you could change, would you? Data: I have often wished to be human. I study people carefully in order to more closely approximate human behavior. Timothy: Why? We're stronger and smarter than humans. We can do more than they can. Data: But I cannot take pride in my abilities. I cannot take pleasure in my accomplishments. Timothy: But we never have to feel bad, either. Data: I would gladly risk feeling bad at times if it also meant that I could also taste my dessert. Worf: Captain, gravitational wavefront intensity is increasing steadily. Eleven hundred standard G units and rising. Picard: Let's see if anyone's out there. Mister Worf, attempt a wide range sensor sweep. Worf: Aye, sir. Gravitational distortion is too great, Captain. The scanning signal is again being reflected off the wavefronts. I am unable to compensate. The sensors are useless. Picard: Mister Data to the Bridge, please. Data: Acknowledged. Picard: Adjust sensors to short range. Attempt a limited positron scan. Worf: The distortion is still in effect. Riker: Better jacket the scanning beam. Worf: The secondary beam is being distorted as well. Picard: Mister Data, our sensors have been rendered ineffective by the field distortion. I want your analysis. Mister Worf, fire phasers, maximum intensity, limited spectrum. Zero zero one mark zero four five. Riker: An experiment, Captain? Picard: Exactly, Number One. Worf: Firing phasers. Picard: Explanation, Mister Data. Data: Phaser energy was reflected by the gravitational wavefronts. It is similar to the phenomenon distorting our sensor signals. Picard: Phasers and sensors both useless? Mister Data, this reflection phenomenon, would it have the same effect on a disruptor-style weapon? Data: Yes, sir. Disruptors would be ineffectual. Picard: And a ship's cloaking field? Data: It would be extremely difficult to maintain. Picard: Mister Data, is it at all likely that the Vico could have been attacked inside the cluster? Data: Given the effects we have observed, the probability is exceedingly remote, sir. Picard: Picard to Counselor Troi. Troi: Yes, Captain? Picard: Counselor, will you bring Timothy to my Ready room? Picard: Timothy, can you tell us what happened to your ship? Timothy: I did tell you. Troi: Tell us again. Timothy: We were attacked. Data: That is highly unlikely. Our investigations have clearly demonstrated Timothy: We were attacked! We were attacked! Data: Timothy, androids do not lie. Timothy: It was me. Data: Please explain. Timothy: It was me. I did it. I killed them all. Everything was shaking. I lost my balance. I was just trying to hold on to something. I didn't mean to do it. Picard: What was it that didn't you mean to do, Timothy? Timothy: My arm hit the computer panel. That's what destroyed the ship. Troi: The ship was damaged when your arm hit the computer panel? Timothy, listen to me. The damage to your ship might have occurred at the same time your arm touched the panel, but it was only a coincidence. This wasn't your fault. Timothy: Yes it was. Data: It is not possible. The onboard control systems for every starship require a user code clearance. You could not have inadvertently affected any of the Vico's systems. Picard: Your computer had safety precautions. There is nothing you could have touched that would have damaged your ship. Troi: You're not responsible for what happened to your parents, Timothy. Timothy: But if it wasn't me Picard: We're trying to determine what happened right now, and if there is anything you can remember that may assist Timothy: That's just how it was when it started on the Vico. Worf: Wavefront intensity has increased. Riker: Increase shields to seventy five percent. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: Damage, Mister Worf. Worf: Minimal, sir. Shields are holding. Picard: Ensign, full about. Go to warp two. Felton: The gravitational distortion is too high. We can't maintain a warp field. Picard: Full shields. Worf: Aye. Felton: Captain, impulse power has been disrupted. The helm won't respond. Timothy: We couldn't get out either. Troi: Timothy, perhaps you and I should go below and get out of everyone's way. Timothy: No. Riker: Riker to La Forge. Can you give me more power to the shields? Laforge: Stand by. Timothy: That's what they kept saying. More shields, more shields. Data: Timothy, accompany me, please. I want you to recall everything you heard people say aboard the Vico before it was destroyed. Timothy: I don't know. Just that. Just more shields. Laforge: Captain, I've transferred Laforge: Fusion reactors four through nine into the shield array. That should double the shield strength. Worf: Wavefront intensity has increased by an order of magnitude. Impact in three, two, one. Worf: Wave front intensity is continuing to increase. Structural over-pressure now exceeding one hundred eighty percent. Picard: La Forge? Laforge: I don't understand. That should have been enough. Laforge: We could run the shield grid directly off the warp drive. Picard: Go ahead, Commander. Worf: Initiating warp-transfer pathways now. Laforge: Diverting warp power to the shields. Timothy: Warp power to the shields. They said that too, Data. I'm positive. Worf: Wavefront intensity has increased by a factor of ten. Contact in thirty one seconds. Without additional power to the shields, the outer hull will not hold. Riker: La Forge? Laforge: Warp transfer to the shields complete. Laforge: That's as strong as they're going to get. Worf: Impact in fifteen seconds. Data: Sir, drop the shields. Riker: That's suicide, Data. Data: Captain, drop the shields. Picard: Make it so. Worf: Aye. Data: Our own shields caused the increases in the wavefronts, sir. We have been experiencing a harmonic amplification effect. Riker: The more energy we dumped into the shield grid, the worse the impact. Data: Precisely. That is also what destroyed the Vico. When Timothy remembered similar procedures on his ship, I initiated an analysis of shield output to wavefront amplitude and discovered a correlation. Picard: If we had transferred all that warp power to the shields, it would have torn the ship apart. Riker: Status, Ensign? Felton: Navigation is coming back online. Picard: Full about, one quarter impulse. Take us out of here. Troi: Timothy's a boy feeling a great deal of pain. But he is a boy again. Is this difficult for you, Data? Data: Difficult? Troi: To watch him moving away from being like you. Data: That would require an emotional context which I cannot provide. Teacher: Okay, everybody, let's go. Come on. Data: Hello, Timothy. Timothy: Hi, Data. How are you? Data: I am operating within established parameters. How are you? Timothy: I miss my parents. But I'm okay. I guess you thought I was pretty silly when I had my hair like yours and everything. Data: I have been told that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Timothy: Can we still do things together, even if I'm not really an android? Data: I have many human friends. I would be pleased to count you among them. Timothy: That would be acceptable.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45429.3. While on a mapping survey, we are conveying a delegation of Ullians to Kaldra Four. These telepathic historians conduct their research by retrieving long-forgotten memories. Keiko: It's a chipped cup, off-white, with a crack in it. I can see it but I don't remember anything else about it. Tarmin: When you see it, do you hear any sounds? Keiko: No, I don't think so. Wait, yes. Humming. Someone's humming. Tarmin: A woman? Keiko: Yes, but I don't know who it is. Tarmin: Try to touch the cup. Keiko: It has a sharp edge where it's chipped. Tarmin: Is there anything inside the cup? Keiko: A liquid, dark. Tarmin: Like tea? Keiko: It's not hot. It's bitter. Tarmin: There's something else inside the cup. Keiko: Yes, a wooden handle. Tarmin: A spoon? Keiko: No, it's more delicate than that. Tarmin: Reach out for it. Keiko: A brush. An ink brush. I hear that humming again. Tarmin: Keep listening to it, and hold out the brush. See if anyone takes it from you. Keiko: It's Obaachan! My grandmother. She's doing ink brush writing. I can remember it now. She used that cup for cleaning the brushes, and it was my job to fill it with water and bring it to the table. I would sit beside her and watch the most beautiful characters come from that brush. And the whole time, she'd be humming to herself. I remember it like it was yesterday. Crusher: That is remarkable. You remembered such vivid detail. Keiko: For years I've seen that old cup in my memory but I could never remember what it was or why it was important. Thank you. Tarmin: You're entirely welcome, young lady. Perhaps someone else would care to try? You, madam. You're thinking of that first childhood kiss. Would you like to remember more about it? Jev: Father, you know you're not supposed to probe someone's memory unless they've given you permission. Tarmin: You are right, but sometimes with a beautiful woman, I can not help myself. Laforge: How about you, Commander? Got any memories you feel like digging up? Riker: None that I'd care to share with an audience. Keiko: It's getting late. I'd better be going. Data: It is perplexing to me that the Ullians' ability to retrieve memory is so highly prized. If an event were important enough to be recovered, why would it have been forgotten? Laforge: It's not quite the same for us as it is for you, Data. You record every second of every moment of your life. Data: That is correct. Laforge: And then if you want to recall any one of those moments, you just access the proper memory circuit. Data: My understanding of the human brain suggests that the process is the same for you. Each memory is encoded in chains of molecules. If you want to retrieve it, you simply access the proper RNA sequence. Laforge: Yeah, that's true. Data: Then in what way is it different? Laforge: Sometimes there are memories we just can't access at the spur of the moment. For instance, I have no recollection of how I spent my last birthday. Birthdays are important occasions, and you would think that I'd remember how I spent the day, but right now I can't even remember where I was. Laforge: Deck two. On the other hand, I remember everything about the time I got my first pet. A Circassian cat. I was eight. I remember how funny-looking he was. I remember how excited I was. It's as if it happened last week. Data: Perhaps you remember the pleasant memories and forget the unpleasant ones? Laforge: No, sometimes the bad memories can be the most intense of all. Data: It would seem there is no predictable pattern to human memory. Laforge: It would seem. Jev: This library of ours has been in the planning stages for years. A collection of the retrieved memories of races from many different star systems. Tarmin: What my son means to say is, we think of ourselves as archeologists of the mind. We believe that the history of a world is contained in the personal experience of its people. Picard: Rather like the ancient oral historians on Earth. Tarmin: Exactly. The library we propose will be a vast storehouse of these individual memories. Riker: That sounds like quite a project. How long will it take to finish your studies on Kaldra? Inad: Many months. We've been working for years, and we've surveyed only eleven planets in eight star systems. Jev: But it's our way of life. We wouldn't want to do anything else. Crusher: Captain, Mister Tarmin gave us a demonstration of his abilities this afternoon. It's fascinating. Perhaps you would like to resurrect some memories. Tarmin: I'd be happy to probe your recollections, Captain. Most people find it an enjoyable experience. Picard: I'm sure. However, I don't think I would make a particularly good subject. Crusher: I'm sure you'd be ideal, and you must have some intriguing memories. Tarmin: We won't be on your ship for long. This may be your last chance. Picard: Yes. Well. Inad: Tarmin, we mustn't influence people. We must let them come to us willingly. Tarmin: I have found over the years there are many who want the experience of memory retrieval, but who lack some encouragement in order to come forward. Tarmin: You, Mister Worf? I would love to explore Klingon memories. Worf: Klingons do not allow themselves to be probed. Tarmin: But there is nothing to fear. Jev: Father. Worf: I am not fearful. Tarmin: Commander La Forge, you? Laforge: I don't think so. Thanks anyway. Tarmin: I have rarely encountered such squeamish people. Doctor Crusher? Commander Riker? Troi: Mister Tarmin, are all Ullians able to read memories? Tarmin: Oh, no, my dear. The technique requires special training. It is a serious commitment. Inad: It takes years of study. Tarmin is the most proficient of our group. Tarmin: Once Jev spent two days with a contingent of elderly Gentons. He couldn't get anything from them. I spent only one hour with them and retrieved a fragment from the Gentonian trade wars. Jev: Excuse me. Inad: Exactly how long will it be before we reach Kaldra, Captain? Picard: Mister Data? Data: Four days, eleven hours. Troi: Jev? Jev: I'm sorry. I'm being rude. Troi: No, not at all. Jev: My father finds it amusing to demean me in public. I reach the point where I don't want to hear any more. Troi: It's not easy having an overbearing parent. Believe me, I know how you feel. Jev: Oh, that's right. You're an empath. Troi: Oh, I can't read Ullians, but I do know a certain Betazoid mother who is a great deal like your father. Troi: Deck eight. Jev: Deck sixteen. Troi: I've learned to remind myself that my mother and I are two separate individuals. Jev: And have you enjoyed much success with this approach, Counselor? Troi: No. But I do keep reminding myself. Troi: Goodnight. Jev: Goodnight, Counselor. And thank you. Riker: Have you stopped thinking about us? Troi: Hot chocolate. Troi: Imzadi, we can't. Not when we're serving on the same ship. Riker: Have you stopped thinking about us? Just answer that. I can't stop thinking about you. Troi: Will, don't. Troi: Imzadi, we can't. Not when we're serving on the same ship. Riker: Have you stopped thinking about us? Troi: We mustn't do this. Will, don't. Will, no! Jev: Imzadi. Have you stopped thinking about us? Just answer that. Troi: No! No! No! Don't! Jev: I can't stop thinking about you. Imzadi. Have you stopped thinking about us? Troi: No! Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45430.9. Counselor Troi has fallen into a deep coma. After a thorough examination, Doctor Crusher has been unable to find signs of illness or infection. Crusher: Any change, Doctor Martin? Martin: No. I'm still getting unusual neurotransmitter readings in the diencephalon, but they might be a result of the coma. Picard: Can you bring her out of it? Crusher: I've tried standard revival techniques. She doesn't respond. Until I find out what's caused this, I don't want to try anything more extreme. Riker: Do we know what she was doing when this happened? Crusher: No. She was found in her quarters this morning when she didn't show up for an appointment. She was dressed for bed but the bed hadn't been slept in. Picard: Who was the last person to speak with her? Riker: She left the dinner last night with one of the Ullians. I'll talk to him. Picard: Ask if they would consent to an examination, just to be certain. Crusher: I'll check the biofilter readings from the Ullian transporter log. It's possible they could still be carrying a harmful organism. Riker: May I join you? Jev: Commander. Of course. Something's wrong? Riker: Counselor Troi's ill. Jev: I'm sorry to hear it Riker: She's more than ill, she's in a coma. Doctor Crusher doesn't know what's causing it or how to treat her. Jev: When did this happen? Riker: Apparently some time last night. That's why I wanted to talk to you. You may have been the last person to see her. Did you go with her into her quarters? Jev: Are you suggesting that I behaved improperly, Commander? Riker: Not at all. I'm just trying to trace her steps. Jev: We talked in a turbolift, briefly. She got out at deck eight. I did not go with her. Riker: Jev, I'm not accusing you of anything. Did she mention feeling ill? Jev: She seemed fine. She has a wonderful sense of humor. Riker: If you have no objections, Doctor Crusher would like to examine you and your group. Jev: To what end? Riker: She's just trying to eliminate the possibility that one of you might be carrying an organism that was harmful to Deanna. I'm not implying that you did anything intentional. I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the mystery. Jev: We have nothing to hide. If you wish to spend time examining us. Riker: Fine. Thank you. Riker: Deanna, I don't know if you can hear me. I've heard doctors say that even when someone's in a coma, they may be able to hear when people talk to them. That it might help stimulate the brain, speed the healing. In fact, I think you did that for me once, when I was in pretty bad shape. I just thought it might help to hear a friendly voice, even if you don't know you're hearing it. We've been busy mapping the sector. It's been pretty routine. The most unusual thing we've seen is a binary star system. Let's see, what else? I finished the personnel review that we were working on. You can check it out when you wake up. I miss you. Please don't stay away too long. Crusher: Will? Will, I promise I'll let you know the minute that she regains consciousness. Riker: I know. Crusher: There's nothing you can do here. You'll wear yourself out. Riker: Right. Crusher: It's late. Go to bed. That's an order. Davis: Keller is still in there! Riker: Let's move it! Out, out, out! Let's go! Everybody move! Everybody move! Out! Out! Come on, keep moving! Laforge: Commander, I need to bring that door down! Computer: Antimatter injection breach. Evacuate immediately. Riker: Keller, can you get to a Jeffries tube? Ensign Keller, answer me! Davis: You killed her. Keller is still in there! Laforge: Commander, radiation levels are critical. We've got to seal it off. Davis: She was right behind me! Riker: Bring down the door! Riker: Bring down the door. Laforge: I need to bring that door down. Riker: Out, out! Let's go! Davis: Keller is still in there. Jev: Didn't you hear him? Keller is still in there. Riker: Riker to transporter room three. Prepare to beam Ensign Keller out of the engine room. Jev: Keller is still in there. Jev: Keller is still in there. Davis: You killed her. Riker: Ensign Keller, answer me. Jev: You killed her. Laforge: I've got to get that isolation door down! Jev: Keller is still in there. Riker: Bring down the door! Jev: You killed her. Davis: You killed her. Jev: You killed her. Laforge: I need that door down! Davis: Keller is still in there. Jev: You killed her. Picard: Bridge to Commander Riker. Picard to Commander Riker, answer please. Computer, locate Commander Riker. Computer: Commander Riker is in his quarters. Worf: On my way, sir. Scene: Medical log, stardate 45431.7. Commander Riker is the second officer who has fallen into an unexplained coma. I have examined the Ullians and ruled out the possibility that they carry a harmful organism. Crusher: I compared Deanna's brain scan to one that I took during her last physical. There is a difference. This time there's a trace of electropathic activity. Picard: And Commander Riker? Crusher: I found the same pattern. If I didn't know better, I'd say they both had Iresine syndrome. That's the only medical condition that would produce that pattern. Worf: What is Iresine syndrome? Crusher: A very rare neurological disorder first diagnosed in the twenty third century. It's characterized by an identical electropathic residue. Picard: Why discount the possibility that it's responsible for these comas? Crusher: Iresine is always accompanied by a severely decreased histamine count. Both Will and Deanna showed normal levels. I've asked Commander La Forge to conduct a shipwide diagnostic to determine any other agent that might cause the same electropathic pattern. Worf: Commander Riker and Counselor Troi were in perfect health until the Ullians arrived. It would be wise to quarantine the aliens. Picard: I believe that it would be premature to take that action, Mister Worf. There's no real evidence linking these comas with the Ullians. Crusher: That's true, but there is something curious. The electropathic residue I discovered is located in the thalamus. That's the area of the cerebral cortex that involves memory function. Tarmin: I've been accused of putting people to sleep with one too many stories, Captain, but this is the first time it's ever been suggested that I might be the cause of someone's coma. Picard: I mean no disrespect, but we are faced with an alarming situation Inad: Why do you suspect us, Captain? Picard: Suspect is perhaps too strong a word. I'm simply trying to determine what has caused two of my officers to fall into comas. Jev: But you've already examined us. We aren't carrying anything harmful. Crusher: In further study of the victims, I detected some abnormal patterns in the area of the brain that involves memory. Picard: In light of your telepathic abilities, it raises the question. Inad: Captain, it is not our wish to obstruct you. What would you like? Crusher: If I could do further examinations tomorrow. Perhaps monitor you during a memory probe. Tarmin: Scrutiny does not frighten us. Jev: We will be happy to cooperate, Doctor. Crusher: Thank you. I'll contact you in the morning. Crusher: You're the only person on board to undergo a memory probe by the Ullians. I'd like to do a neurological work up and see if I can detect any residual effect. Doctor Martin will monitor your vital signs while I conduct the scan. Keiko: I'm happy to help. Crusher: Have you had any unusual symptoms since the probe? Headaches? Dizziness? Keiko: No, nothing like that. It was a wonderful experience. Crusher: Electrical activity is normal. CPK levels are normal. Hippocampus is stable, and the thalamus? The thalamus is normal. There is no indication at all of the electropathic residual. Keiko: Is that good? Crusher: Oh, you're fine, Keiko. But I am no closer to solving this mystery. Laforge: Computer, locate the electropathic pattern described in medical database four delta one. Computer: Electropathic pattern located. Laforge: Okay, we're going to track down any possible cause of that brain pattern. First, what are the medical conditions that might account for it? Computer: Iresine syndrome is a cause of the electropathic pattern. Laforge: Right. And Doctor Crusher already eliminated that, so how many non-medical forces or substances might cause the pattern? Computer: There are twenty two non-medical agents. Laforge: Okay. And how many of those are present on the Enterprise? Computer: None are present on the Enterprise. Laforge: Are the ship's sensors calibrated to detect all those agents? Computer: All agents are scanned by the sensors. Laforge: Okay. Let's start with the chemical substances. Name them. Computer: Ferrazene, hylanatine, dardilion, chrysimite, and manzene. Laforge: Ferrazene has a complex molecular structure. It breaks down into bilenium and tarrisite. Do the sensors scan for those? Computer: Ship's sensors scan for both compounds. Laforge: And are they present on the Enterprise? Computer: Bilenium and tarrisite are not present. Laforge: Do any of the substances break down into by-products that are not scanned for? Computer: Dardilion contains the byproduct nilizene. Sensors do not routinely scan for that substance. Laforge: Well, this isn't a routine situation. Scan for the nilizene. Computer: There is no nilizene on the Enterprise. Laforge: How did I know you were going to say that? Okay. Let's move on to the non-chemical agents. Martin: Anything more I can do for you? Crusher: No, thanks. I was just doing some reading on the Iresine syndrome. If a new strain has developed, that might explain the normal histamine count. Martin: Any luck? Crusher: Not so far. Martin: Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. Picard: You shouldn't remember him like this. Picard: You don't have to do this. Crusher: It's important to me. I have to see him. To see him. To see him. To see him. Crusher: It's good of you to come. Picard: It's the least I can do. Picard: You shouldn't remember him like this. Crusher: I have to face the fact that he's gone. Picard: You shouldn't remember him like this Crusher: It's good of you to come with me. Picard: It's the least I can do. Jev: You shouldn't remember him like this. Picard: It's the least I can do Laforge: I've spent two hours having a cozy chat with the computer. I've checked everything I can think of. Any possible agent that might cause that electropathic pattern. Data: I assume from your tone of voice that you were unsuccessful. Laforge: Didn't find a thing. Laforge: Doctor Crusher's not going to be too happy with Data: Emergency medical team to Doctor Crusher's office immediately. Laforge: Doctor Crusher had me working on a shipwide diagnostic. I'd gone to give her the results when I found her. Picard: Did your scans provide any insights into these comas? Laforge: None. I've checked and cross-checked. They're just dead ends. Data: We seem to have eliminated the all known factors that may have caused the comas, except for the Ullians. Picard: Mister Data, I want you to investigate those eleven planets that the Ullians visited. See if there were any reports of unexplained comas. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: In the meantime, we must consider restricting them to their quarters, as a precautionary measure. Laforge: If one of them is behind this, will keeping telepaths in their quarters prevent it from happening again? Picard: What else can we do? Station a guard? Set up a force field? I don't see that those would be any more effective. Martin: Sickbay to Captain Picard. Picard: Picard here. Martin: Counselor Troi has regained consciousness. She's asked for you, sir. Picard: I'm on my way. Troi: It's like waking up from a nightmare and not remembering what it was about. Picard: What is the last thing you do remember? Troi: My hair. I was brushing my hair. Picard: And then? Troi: I don't know. Just waking up here. Why do I feel so frightened? What happened to me? Picard: We were hoping that you could tell us. Troi: How long have I been here? Martin: Three days. Troi: Three days? Picard: You were the first. The next day Commander Riker fell into a similar coma. Last night, Doctor Crusher. Troi: What is going on here? Picard: We're not certain. It may be that there is some unusual effect produced by the Ullians' telepathic activity. I'm going to talk to them, and in the meantime, you're to stay here and recuperate. And if you remember anything at all about what happened, I want you to tell me immediately. Tarmin: What are you suggesting, Captain? Picard: That you voluntarily confine yourself to your quarters, at least until we have unraveled this mystery. Tarmin: We're to be prisoners? Jev: Father. Picard: No, please don't look on it like that. We have done everything we can to explain these comas. We have performed physical examinations, and neurological scans. We have conducted a ship-wide diagnostic, looking for viruses, parasites, infestations. We have investigated every possible cause we can imagine. We have found nothing. Nothing to explain these comas. The only variable that we have not been able to eliminate is your presence here on this ship. Now, in the light of our actions, we would ask you to understand my request and to agree to it. Jev: Captain, our history indicates that we do not adversely affect the people we contact. Picard: I know that. Jev: Then are you implying an intentional assault? Picard: I'm simply considering all possibilities. Jev: Surely you would give us the chance to prove that we are innocent? Picard: If that's possible, of course. Jev: Then I would propose doing a memory probe of Counselor Troi. You have said that she doesn't remember anything that happened before she lapsed into unconsciousness. I could retrieve that memory There is a possibility that it could explain the coma and prove our innocence. Picard: I'm sorry. I couldn't possibly subject Counselor Troi to a potentially dangerous procedure. Tarmin: And I refuse to be a party to any of these proceedings. Inad: Jev is making a reasonable request, Captain. If we're to be accused, surely we're entitled to a defense? Tarmin did a memory probe on another of your crew. Has she suffered any ill effects? Picard: No. Inad: And neither will Counselor Troi. Please, you may have as many people here as you need to guarantee her safety, but give us this chance to vindicate ourselves. Picard: I will discuss the matter with Counselor Troi. Laforge: Well, that's it for Melina Two. No unexplained comas during the time the Ullians were working there. Data: We have yet to receive transmissions from the two planets of the Nel system. Perhaps they will show different results. Laforge: Maybe. Or maybe we're not checking for the right thing. Data: Please clarify. Laforge: We haven't look into the comas that were explained. Data: Why would we do that? Laforge: Well, remember what Doctor Crusher said right after Counselor Troi became unconscious? That it looked exactly like Iresine syndrome except for the histamine count? Data: Yes. Laforge: Maybe not every medical facility is as careful as Doctor Crusher. Maybe it's easier to just make a quick diagnosis rather than to keep hunting for the real cause. Data: You are searching for instances of Iresine syndrome? Laforge: Right, and correlating them with visits by the Ullians. And there we are. Data: Two cases of Iresine syndrome on Hurada Three, at exactly the time Tarmin and his group was there. Laforge: Let's check the other planets. I think we may have something here. Picard: Counselor, I want to reiterate, if you have any doubts whatsoever about this procedure, you don't have to go through with it. Troi: I want to do it, Captain. Something awful happened to me and I don't even know what it was. Picard: Very well. Jev: Counselor, what's the last thing you remember the other night? Troi: Brushing my hair. Jev: Would you get your hairbrush? Jev: Tell me about brushing your hair. Do you do it every night? Troi: Yes, when I'm ready for bed. Jev: What is it? Troi: Someone touching my hair. Jev: Someone's with you in the room? Troi: No. No, I'm alone. There's no one there. Jev: Go on. Troi: I get some hot chocolate. Jev: Something's happening. Troi: I'm alone in my quarters. I'm remembering something from a few years ago. Jev: Go back into that memory. You said someone was touching your hair? Troi: Yes. And. Troi: It's Will Riker. That's right. I was thinking of him. Jev: Remembering a time when you were with him. Troi: Yes, after a poker game. Jev: It's a pleasant memory. Stay with it. Troi: Now he's hurting me no. Jev: You're frightened. Troi: I want him to stop. It's not Will. Somebody's taken his place. Jev: Someone else is there? Who is it? Troi: No! He shouldn't be here. Why is he here? Stop! You're hurting me. Jev: Can you see his face? Troi: Yes. Tarmin: Imzadi. Troi: No! Stop! You're hurting me. Inad: Who is it? Who's doing this to you? Troi: It's Tarmin. It's your father. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45433.2. We have set a course for Starbase four forty, where the Ullians will disembark and return home. Jev: Inad and I have contacted our home planet. If you want to prosecute my father, the authorities there will support you. Picard: I'm not sure we have any legal basis for such a prosecution. Memory invasion is simply not a crime we've ever had to contend with. Jev: According to what I've just learned, it's a practice that was abolished on our world centuries ago. Picard: What could motivate someone like your father to commit such an act? Jev: I don't know. A perverse source of pleasure, perhaps? A way to exercise control over another? Picard: Your father claims quite strenuously that he is innocent. Jev: My father has never been one to admit that he's wrong. But it is difficult to believe he'd be capable of this. I am told that the punishment for this crime is quite severe. We are monitoring my father's telepathic activities. You have my assurance he won't assault anyone else. I am sorry for this, Captain. Picard: Picard to Commander Data. Data: Yes, Captain. Picard: How's your search coming? Data: We have uncovered several cases, sir, but we have not yet completed our investigation. Picard: We'll inform the medical personnel on those planets that we have discovered the true nature of the comas. I'm sure they'll appreciate knowing what Picard: Really happened. Data: Yes, sir. We will keep searching, sir. Laforge: We just got the transmission from the Nel system, Data. No mention of Iresine syndrome but there are two unexplained comas on one planet, none on the other. Data: And were the Ullians present? Laforge: Checking the mission logs. That's funny. On stardates 45321 and 45323, when the comas occurred, Tarmin was on his home planet. He wasn't anywhere near the Nel system. Troi: Come in. Troi: Hello, Jev. Jev: We'll be reaching starbase soon. I wanted to say goodbye, and to apologize again for my father. Troi: There's no need. You're not responsible for what he did. Jev: Before all this happened, I had hoped we might become friends. Troi: We still can. Jev: After what he's put you through? Maybe you can forget. I'm not sure I can. You're so lovely. I have to go. Goodbye. Troi: Jev, you're upset. Would you like to talk? Jev: No. Troi: You'd feel better if you did. Jev: Why do you have to be so nice? So lovely. Troi: What? What's happening? It's happening again. Jev: You're so beautiful. So fragile. Troi: It was you. It was always you. Jev: Have you stopped thinking about us? Troi: No! Troi: Don't. Don't. I won't let you! Troi: No! No! Data: Counselor. Are you all right? Troi: Yes. Troi: Why are you here? How did you know? Data: We discovered two instances of unexplained coma on Nel Three while the Ullians were there, but Tarmin was not part of the group. Further examination revealed that only one Ullian was present at all incidents of coma. Jev. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45435.8. Doctor Crusher and Commander Riker regained consciousness while we were en route to the Ullian home world. The slow process of their recovery has begun. Tarmin: I have asked that the finest physicians on my world meet with you all upon our return, to help you in your healing process. Crusher: They have been in contact with us already. Thank you. Tarmin: It has been three centuries since anyone was treated for this, this form of rape. But there are medical records from that era. It was a time of great violence among my people. A time we thought we had put far behind us. That this could happen now, it's unimaginable. Picard: Earth was once a violent planet, too. At times, the chaos threatened the very fabric of life, but, like you, we evolved. We found to find better ways to handle our conflicts. But I think no one can deny that the seed of violence remains within each of us. We must recognize that, because that violence is capable of consuming each of us. As it consumed your son.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45470.1. The Enterprise has been diverted to the Moab sector to track a stellar core fragment of a disintegrated neutron star. Our science teams have been asked to monitor the planetary disruptions it may cause. Riker: We've got a problem. Our core fragment is going to pass by Moab Four in six days. Picard: Isn't that exactly what we anticipated? Riker: We didn't anticipate that somebody would be living there. Data: An artificial environment has been constructed on the southern continent, sir. Picard: Have you definitely established that there's someone's inside it? Data: Yes, Captain. Sensors are reading human life forms. Picard: Human? Riker: Are they responding to our hails, Mister Worf? Worf: Negative, sir. Picard: Any starships ever reported missing in this sector, Mister Data? Data: No, sir. Riker: How the hell did they find themselves on a deserted planet? Laforge: I'm pretty sure they know we're here. Picard: Mister La Forge? Laforge: Our sensors are picking up deep EM readings. Looks like wave patterns from an obsolete subspace relay. Riker: Which would suggest they also have the ability to communicate with us. Picard: Mister Worf, open the lower band frequencies most commonly used in the last century. Worf: Channel open. Picard: This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. It is urgent that you respond. Worf: Sir, defensive shield around the structure is increasing in strength. Riker: Not exactly a welcome mat. Picard: We mean you no harm. We must warn you that your planet is about to experience massive seismic disruptions due to an approaching stellar core fragment. No structure will be able to withstand them. Worf: They are responding. Picard: On screen. Conor: Enterprise, I am Aaron Conor. Picard: Mister Conor, we were unaware that there were human colonies in this system. Conor: I don't want to be rude, Captain, but we don't wish to interact with outsiders. I'm only responding because of your warning. Picard: The fragment will have serious effects on your planet within six days. Conor: Yes, I know. We have been tracking it. But our biosphere has been constructed to withstand quakes of eight point seven on the Richter Scale. Riker: Mister Data? Data: The fragment has a density of one hundred billion kilograms per cubic centimeter. As a result, when it passes Moab Four, it will cause tectonic shifts well beyond eight point seven on the Richter Scale. Picard: I'm afraid we're going to have to evacuate your people. Conor: Evacuate? That is not possible. There must be an alternative. Picard: Well, we will gladly explore the possibility of it with you, Mister Conor. Would you like to come aboard to discuss it? Conor: Our environment is sealed. No one can get in or out. Picard: We are capable of matter-energy transport. Conor: Matter-energy? Picard: We can take you directly through the structure. Conor: Really? That's quite remarkable. Picard: May we arrange for your transport? Conor: No, I must stay here. But under the circumstances, I will permit a small delegation from your ship inside the biosphere. If only to see this matter-energy transportation you speak of. Picard: Very good. Commander Riker and an away team will join you shortly. Picard out. Martin: This is a mistake, Aaron. Conor: Good Lord, Martin. What would you have me do? Martin: Anything that would keep them out of here. Conor: We have nothing to hide. Martin: We have a great deal to lose. Martin: What is that? Conor: It's them. Look at this, Martin. Troi: It's lovely I can understand why you are reluctant to leave, Mister Conor. Conor: Not just reluctant, Miss Troi. It is imperative that we remain. Martin: It would be suicide to evacuate. It would destroy everything we've worked for two centuries to accomplish. Conor: You see, this is an engineered society. Riker: Engineered? Conor: Genetically engineered. Our ancestors came from Earth to develop a perfect society. They believed that through controlled procreation, they could create people without flaws and those people would build a paradise. Troi: All of you have been selectively bred? Your DNA patterns chosen? Conor: Eight generations of us. Martin: We have immeasurably extended the potential of humanity, physically, psychologically. We have evolved beyond, beyond Laforge: Beyond us. Martin: Frankly, yes. No one in this society would be blind, for example. No offense intended. Laforge: I can see you just fine, sir. Martin: Yes. Well, my point was just. Conor: Thank you, Martin. Perhaps you've also made it clear there are still a few imperfections we're working on. For the most part, we've achieved a fully integrated existence. Not just among ourselves but with our environment. We don't just live here, we're a part of our environment. it is part of us. Every plant life, every microscopic lifeform is part of a master design. We cannot separate ourselves from it without irreparably altering who and what we are. Martin: Your presence here has already begun to affect the entire balance of our society. Conor: If we do not survive, the balance of our society won't mean a great deal, will it? Conor: I apologize. But he is performing his function as he is designed to do. Laforge: What function might that be? Conor: He is the interpreter of our founders' intentions for this society. Riker: A judge? Conor: Yes, more or less. Obviously, he has no diplomatic talents. Troi: And obviously you do. Conor: I have been bred to fill this specific role. We grow up knowing exactly what our society needs from us. What we are expected to do. Riker: That must take some of fun out it? Conor: Not at all. My entire psychological makeup tells me that I was born to lead. I am exactly what I would choose to be. Think of it another way. Are there still people in your society who have not discovered who they really are, or what they were meant to do with their lives? They may be in the wrong job, they may be writing bad poetry. Or worse yet, they may be great poets working as laborers, never to be discovered. That does not happen here. It is, for us, an ideal existence. We will not give it up easily. Troi: We will do whatever we can to help you preserve it. Conor: Hannah, I'd like you to meet our guests. Hannah: Oh yes, of course, from the starship. I've been looking forward to speaking with you. Conor: Hannah Bates is one of our scientists. If there's any way to shore up our defenses, Hannah will find it. She has a remarkable talent with theoretical physics. Hannah: I've worked up a few schematics based on gravimetric potentials and deflector energy allocation. Riker: Geordi, Troi and I will return to the Enterprise. When you've reached a conclusion, you can contact us. Troi: Commander, if Mister Conor doesn't mind, I'd like to stay and see more of his colony. Conor: No, no, that would be fine. I'd like you to see it. Riker: Riker to Enterprise. One to beam up. Crewman: Acknowledged, Commander. Riker: Energize. Troi: You're sure my being here is not going to be disruptive? Conor: Disruptive? You mean, what Martin was saying. Troi: Well, I certainly wouldn't wish to throw off your entire balance. Conor: Too late. The damage is done. Troi: Seriously. Conor: I sometimes think that strict interpreters like Martin have forgotten we're still human. We'll adjust, accommodate. Troi: There must be other unexpected events you have to deal with. An untimely death, an accident. Conor: Our geneticists are able to screen out any congenital health risks before conception. Our population is diverse enough to maintain a genetic balance in the event of accidental death. But very little that is unexpected occurs here. Am I making this sound incredibly dull? Troi: Not at all. Conor: I'll tell you the truth, but I'll deny it if you tell Martin. I've found today exhilarating. Meeting you, meeting new people, with new ideas. Troi: I feel the same about being here. I'm something of a student of human nature, and I find this all fascinating. Conor: A student of human nature? Troi: I'm the ship's Counselor. Conor: Ah, I'm afraid you wouldn't find much work here, Counselor. Troi: I'd book my next vacation at your hotel, if you had one. Conor: Well in that case, I shall have to have them build one. Hannah: The biosphere's superstructure will never withstand the tectonic shocks. The environment would be compromised. Laforge: That's how I see it. Hannah: Your ship. What kind of energy output is it capable of generating? Laforge: We have a matter-antimatter warp reaction system, the most powerful in the Starfleet. Normally, it kicks plasma up into the terawatt range. Why? Hannah: Well, either we're going to have to move or that fragment is. Laforge: We can move a small moon or an asteroid, but a stellar core fragment? That's much too massive for our tractor beam. Laforge: What's that? Hannah: A wild idea, purely theoretical. Laforge: A multiphase tractor beam? Hannah: When we first spotted the fragment approaching, I came up with the idea, but we can't generate the kind of energy we would need. You can. Laforge: We'd need Hannah on the ship. Martin: No. Hannah: With my theories and their equipment, we might be able to alter the fragment's path. It's our only chance to avoid evacuation. Conor: No one had ever come here and no one had ever left, until today. This is a date to note in our history books. Martin: This is in direct violation of the intentions of our founders, Aaron. Conor: I don't think they intended us to die, Martin. Martin: Her absence will create an additional imbalance. Conor: Temporarily. The circumstances require us to be flexible. Martin: We have no idea how molecular transport will affect her DNA. Laforge: It won't affect her DNA at all. There's been over a century of evidence to prove that. Conor: You can go, Hannah. Troi: May I return later? Conor: I look forward to it. Laforge: Enterprise, three to beam up. Energize. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Commander La Forge and Hannah Bates have spent three days trying to find a way to adjust the path of the core fragment. If they do not succeed in the next forty eight hours, we will need to begin evacuation. Troi: I believe some will choose to risk death rather than leave, Captain. Picard: You've spent a good deal of time on the surface. How do you suggest we change their minds? Troi: I'm not sure we can. It would mean abandoning their fundamental way of life. Picard: They've managed to turn a dubious scientific endeavor into dogma. Troi: You don't approve of genetic engineering. Picard: It was a bad idea whose time is long past. Troi: They seem to have made it succeed. Picard: They've given away their humanity with this genetic manipulation. Many of the qualities that they breed out, the uncertainty, the self-discovery, the unknown, those are many of the qualities that make life worth living. Well, at least to me. I wouldn't want to live knowing that my future was written, that my boundaries had been already set, would you? Troi: I've asked myself that question a lot during the past few days. I don't know. I doubt it. Nevertheless, it's what they believe in, and it won't be an easy matter to talk them into leaving. Picard: This leader of theirs, Conor, he seems to be a reasonable man. Troi: I find him very reasonable. Open to suggestions, thoughtful, quite disarming. The perfect administrator. Picard: I'm sure. Will he leave when he sees there's no other choice? Troi: I don't know. I hope so. Picard: You admire him. Troi: Yes. Picard: Then help him to see the reality of what may happen to his colony. If he makes the right decision, if he's as good a leader as he's designed to be, then perhaps the others will follow. Hannah: If we increase warp power transfer by eighty percent. Laforge: It's just going to blow the emitters again. Hannah: We won't be able to reinforce the conduit to hold that power level. It just doesn't work. Laforge: Yeah. I haven't had any sleep in so long, my eyelids feel like they have lead weights attached. Hannah: Geordi. Laforge: Hmm? Hannah: Were you always blind? Laforge: I'm sorry. I probably shocked the hell out of you, didn't I? Hannah: No. Laforge: I'll put it back on. Hannah: Don't. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you. Laforge: I've never been embarrassed by this, Hannah. Never. I was born blind. I've always been this way. Hannah: May I see it? Your visor? Laforge: Sure. So, I guess if I had been conceived on your world, I wouldn't even be here now, would I? Hannah: No. Laforge: No, I'd've been terminated as a fertilized cell. Hannah: It was the wish of our founders that no one had to suffer a life with disabilities. Laforge: Who gave them the right to decide whether or not I should be here? Whether or not I might have something to contribute. Hannah: I don't know what to say. Here you go. How does it work? Laforge: Well, the visor scans the electromagnetic spectrum between one hertz and one hundred thousand terahertz, converts it all to usable frequencies and then transmits that information directly to my brain. Hannah: What about the data conversion rates? How do you avoid a sensory overload? Laforge: A bank of pre-processors compresses the data stream into pulses, you see. That way, my visual cortex never. Wait a minute. Wait just a minute. We should be able to send a high-energy pulse through the tractor system. If it's short enough, it shouldn't overload the emitters. The technology is right here. If we could adapt those pulse compression routines and then apply them to the warp power conduits. Hannah: We'd have to avoid tractor force rebounding, but that shouldn't be hard. Laforge: Sure. With a few modifications. Oh, that's perfect. Hannah: What? Laforge: If the answer to all of this is in a visor created for a blind man who never would have existed in your society. No offense intended. Conor: Please, Matthew, continue. Troi: It's hard to believe. So much loveliness here, just a few meters away from such desolation. Conor: It's hard to believe we're about to lose it. Troi: This must sound incredibly simplistic but, can't you re-engineer all this on another planet? Conor: A nursery rhyme my mother used to read to me has been running round and round my mind since this all began. Troi: A nursery rhyme? Conor: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. CONOR + Troi: All the King's horses and all the King's Men, couldn't put Humpty together again. Conor: Why do we tell our children such ghastly stories? Troi: Perhaps to prepare them for times like these. Conor: We are every bit as fragile as an egg and as impossible to reconstruct. We are integrated and refined to such a degree that any fundamental change would lead to chaos. Troi: I'm so sorry, Aaron. I wish I could do something to help. Conor: You have helped. You've been wonderful these past few days. You've been my Counselor. Troi: No, a Counselor has to maintain a diskreet distance. I'd rather think of us as friends. Conor: Friends? That just won't do either. Conor: Will it? Troi: Aaron. Conor: I must confess, a part of me knows that if I transport through these walls, you'll be on the other side. Troi: This is wrong. Conor: Terribly wrong. Laforge: In order to move the core fragment to a safe trajectory, we needed our tractor beam to be able to handle high power pulses. Hannah: And we needed a much more efficient emitter to do that. Laforge: About four times more efficient. Hannah: And we couldn't get anywhere near that without overloading the emitter arrays. Laforge: So, we added a little visor technology to the process and we were able to boost the effective force and, at the same time, lower the power conduit stress levels. Picard: What's the increase in efficiency? Laforge: Up to almost three hundred percent. Riker: That's not enough. Hannah: That's true. We won't be able to move the fragment as far as we'd like to, but Laforge: But if we also fortify the biosphere's structural integrity at the same time Hannah: With some of the shield improvements I've discovered here, it could work. Laforge: Of course, we'll have to lend them some of our engineering support crews. Picard: Advise Mister Conor, Number One, and brief the appropriate officers. Prepare them for transport as soon as Mister Conor approves. Riker: Yes, sir. Conor: You're up early. Troi: I'm still on Enterprise time. Aaron, I'm going back to the ship. I'm not going to see you again. Conor: Why? Troi: Because it's the right thing to do. Conor: I'm not convinced of that. Troi: You know it as well as I do. Conor: You're angry. Troi: Yes, I'm angry. I'm angry with myself for allowing this to happen. Conor: Deanna. Troi: I could fall in love with you so easily, but we both know the end of that story, don't we? How would Martin feel about introducing half-Betazoid DNA into the genetic balance? Conor: If we have to evacuate, anything's possible. Troi: Listen to yourself. A few days ago you wouldn't even talk to us. This is my fault. I'm so sorry. Conor: I need you here. This doesn't have to happen again. Troi: I have to go. Hannah: Good news, Aaron. We should be able to change the course of the core fragment, but we'll also need to fortify the structure. And we're going to need help to do it. Laforge: We'll need to bring down engineering crews from the Enterprise to work with your people for the next forty eight hours. Conor: Engineering crews? Laforge: They have to installl five new shield generators and power supplies. Hannah: Fifty officers are waiting for your approval to transport down. We don't have much time, Aaron. Conor: Is there any other choice? Hannah: None. Laforge: Enterprise, you may begin transport when ready. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The Enterprise has moved to a parallel course with the core fragment. We must adjust its trajectory by a minimum of one point two degrees to ensure the colony's safety. Picard: Bring us within range of the fragment, Ensign. Felton: Aye, sir. Picard: You may proceed Picard: Mister La Forge. Laforge: Yes, sir. Good luck. Hannah: You, too. Laforge: Engage tractor beam. Okay, let's give it a try. Shutting down non-critical systems. Hannah: Emitter circuits one hundred seventy percent over standard. Data: Increasing impulse power to tractor emitters. EPS power levels rising. Laforge: Transferring warp power to tractor beam generator. Hannah: Graviton generators operating normally. Surge pulse now synchronized. Emitters radiating at three hundred twenty percent over standard. Laforge: Bridge, we need more power. Riker: Reduce life support to minimum requirements, Mister Data. Data: Aye, sir. Hannah: Three hundred ninety percent over standard. Laforge: Come on, come on. Hannah: No change in the fragment's course. Laforge: We've got to increase the pulse frequency. Hannah: The emitter circuits won't hold for long. Laforge: We won't need them for long. Hannah: Four hundred percent over standard. Laforge: Okay. Now we're getting there. Hannah: The fragment's moved point four degrees off its previous heading. Point six five. It's working. Data: We have lost one of the emitter circuits. Worf: Life support failure. Decks nine, twelve, and thirteen. Riker: Engage evacuation procedures for those decks. Geordi, we're going to need power back soon. Laforge: Acknowledged. Hannah: Fragment's new heading adjustment is at one point zero one degrees. Is it enough? Laforge: Not yet. Hold on. Data: We've lost Data: The second lateral emitter circuit. Worf: Losing life support systems on decks five through nine. Evacuation procedures initiated. Picard: Mister La Forge. Laforge: Hold on, Captain. Data: Shipwide life support failure in fifteen seconds, sir. Hannah: Almost there, Geordi. Course shift is at one point one six degrees. Data: Termination of all life support in five seconds. Hannah: One point one eight. Picard: Now, Mister La Forge. Laforge: Yes, sir. Shutting down all tractor emissions. Transferring power back to life support. Hannah: One point two. We've got it. Worf: Life support normal on all decks. Picard: Mister Data? Data: The fragment's course has been altered by one point two one degrees, sir. Picard: Hail the colony. Conor: Yes, Captain. Picard: Success, Mister Conor. With the upgrades to your biosphere, the core fragment should no longer be a danger. Conor: I cannot adequately express my appreciation to your crew. Is Hannah able to hear me? Hannah: Yes, yes. Go ahead, Aaron. Conor: This is an historic achievement, Hannah. You've done a wonderful thing for our people. Hannah: Thank you. Conor: We look forward to honoring you appropriately when you return. Thank you again, Captain. Conor out. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The stellar core fragment has passed safely out of the Moab system. The colony was shaken by powerful temblors, but fortunately there were no injuries and only minor damage was reported. Riker: Energize. Riker: That should do it. All members of the Enterprise crew are accounted for, Mister Conor. Conor: They've been invaluable, Commander. Thank you again. Riker: If there's nothing else, we'll be on our way. Conor: Would you tell Deanna Troi for me that I'm sorry I didn't have the opportunity to say goodbye personally? Riker: I'm sure she'll feel the same way. Conor: A breach in the biosphere. Get Hannah Bates. Hannah: Apparently, the refortification wasn't adequate. There's definite structural damage. It appears that the tectonic shifts created a breach. Martin: Can it be repaired? Hannah: I don't know. I'll have to run a diagnostic in the lab. Unless we seal it and fast we may have to evacuate. Conor: How long do we have, Hannah? Hannah: Based on the level of toxicity I'm reading, it may be only a matter of hours. Laforge: Mind if I give her a hand, Commander? Riker: By all means. Hannah: Isn't it amazing after all we went through? Laforge: Yeah. Amazing. Hannah: Looks bad. It's cracked well beneath the surface. Laforge: Why are you doing this? Hannah: What do you mean? Laforge: There's no breach. Hannah: What are you talking about. Look at it, it's right here. I measured the toxic leak. You saw me. Laforge: Hannah, my visor's positronic scan would have detected the leak. Its molecular pattern enhancer would have picked up even the smallest crack. Hannah: The damn thing doesn't miss much, does it. Fine. I'll tell them the truth. Will that make you happy? Laforge: Why are you doing this? Hannah: I was born to be one of the best scientific minds of my generation, and in the past five days I have encountered technology that I have barely imagined. And I've got to ask myself, If we're so brilliant how come we didn't invent any of these things? Laforge: Well, maybe necessity really is the mother of invention. You never really look for something until you need it. Hannah: But all my needs have been anticipated and planned for before I'm even born. All of us in this colony have been living in the dark ages. It's like we're victims of a two hundred year old joke. Until you came, we could only see to the wall of our biosphere. Suddenly our eyes have been opened to the infinite possibilities. Picard: Asylum? Laforge: She wants to leave the colony. Riker: She may not be the only one. The science teams that went down to the surface fielded a lot of questions from colonists who were more than curious about what's outside their world. Worf: Why shouldn't we grant them asylum? Troi: We can't do that. Laforge: We have to do that. Troi: Do you understand what it would do to the colony? Laforge: I understand these are human beings, Counselor, with free will. If she wants to leave, she has every right to. Riker: And what happens to the colony if she does? If others join her? Crusher: The society is genetically integrated. Suddenly there would be gaps, missing pieces. Troi: It would destroy them. Crusher: There must be something we can do to help. Picard: We may have done too much to help them already, Doctor. Worf: We saved them from destruction. Picard: Did we? Counselor, I think it's time you took me to meet Mister Conor. Picard: Transporter room three. Troi: Computer, halt. Captain, I have to tell you something, and it isn't easy for me because I've used very poor judgment. Actually, I've acted quite unprofessionally. Picard: Counselor, what is it you say? Take a deep breath. Troi: Conor and I have had a relationship. Picard: I see. Troi: It should never have happened. I knew there was concern about outside influences and I should have been more careful. Picard: What is your status with him now? Troi: I did not intend to see him again. Picard: Would you prefer not to return to the surface? Troi: No, I think I should come with you, but I wanted you to know before we went down. Picard: I appreciate that. Computer, resume. Troi: I wanted so much to help him, to be there for him, but the more I was. Picard: Deanna, we all went into this with the best intentions. Troi: I should have walked away as soon as I saw what was happening. Picard: But you didn't. And that's human. We make mistakes. Genetic manipulation or not, nobody's perfect. Martin: You would ignore the welfare of the colony for your own selfish interests. Hannah: The welfare of this colony would be best served by rejoining the human race. Martin: She has been contaminated by the people on that ship. Troi: Aaron. Picard: Mister Conor, I believe that you and I should talk. Martin: This is your doing. We should never have answered your hails. Hannah: If we'd followed that advice, Martin, we'd all be dead by now. So much for the welfare of this colony. Martin: You are not taking her with you. Hannah: I'm leaving. And I'll tell you something else. There are at least a dozen others who are ready to go with me. Troi: Hannah, let's allow Aaron and Captain Picard to discuss this. Why don't we go for a walk? Hannah: There's nothing else for them to talk about. Conor: Martin. Martin: I think it would be helpful if I. Conor: I want to talk with Captain Picard alone. Martin: But Conor: Thank you, Martin. Conor: The irony is, he's the one who saw this coming from the moment you arrived. Because I didn't want to hear it, I chose not to listen. Picard: You made decisions you felt would save your colony. Conor: No. No, I wish it were that simple, but I can't forgive myself so easily. You see, Captain, I know what Hannah Bates is feeling. I've been feeling it as well. I've found your people intriguing and stimulating as she has. I've been every bit as curious about you as the next man. But I am not the next man. I am the leader of these people. And every genetic fiber in my being demands that I protect them. Instead, I have betrayed them. I have allowed this to happen. Picard: We have both allowed this to happen. Conor: Then let us both find a way to stop it from going any further. Picard: I wish I could see a way. Conor: Picard, I was born to govern this colony, not to dismantle it. Picard: If you force them to stay, you will be suppressing their human rights. Conor: If even a handful leave, the damage to this society will be devastating. What about the rights of those who would stay behind? They are the ones who will inherit the social chaos that will follow for generations. Your arrival created this problem. Your departure solves it. Picard: That is simplistic. Conor: Refuse them passage. Picard: I cannot ignore the requests of people, humans, who ask for transport away from here. Conor: Nor can you ignore the fact that thousands will suffer if you agree to take them. And as suffering grows, more will demand to leave. We are witnessing the end of this existence. I implore you, Captain, do not let this happen. Picard: You would have me make the decision for you, nut I can't do that. I am willing to talk to these people with you, and I will urge them not to make an impulsive choice, but if finally they choose to leave, the Enterprise will not turn them away. Conor: Captain Picard has decided to grant transport to any individuals who wish to leave Genome Colony. I'm asking you to stay. Hannah: Aaron, don't you see we can't be happy here any longer? We were innocent. it will never be that way again. Conor: The experiences of the past week will become part of our heritage. We will adjust. In a few generations, we will be able to Hannah: We're not willing to stay here a few generations. Conor: Give me six months. Just wait six months before you leave. Hannah: What will that accomplish? Picard: It's true that our presence here has had an unintended influence on your society. But it's done and there is no way to undo it. But feelings are running very high. Perhaps it's not such a bad idea that you should take adequate time to weigh carefully the consequences of what you're about to do. We are prepared to return in six months. Hannah: In other words, we are being asked to stay here for six months while they pressure us to change our minds. Picard: In five days, you have seen only the most superficial evidence of what life is like outside this biosphere. Hannah: Would you ever choose to live aboard a ship in a bottle, Captain? You are in command of a starship. You live to explore the unknown. We ask for that same privilege. Conor: Hannah, this is your home. We are all, in a sense, your family. Don't we deserve an opportunity to open a dialogue on this issue at the very least? I am only asking for six months. Hannah: It won't make any difference. You'll only be putting the people of this colony through unnecessary pain and anguish. Martin: You are the ones who are causing pain and anguish in this colony. You. Hannah: Don't you see, Aaron? It's over. It's time for you to lead our people into a new era. You could come with us. Conor: When you're ready to come home, you will be welcome. Troi: What will you do now? Conor: Attempt to assess the damage. Spend the rest of my life on the near impossible task of rebuilding this society without the proper pieces. Troi: Aaron, you acted in the best interests of your people. There was no way to avoid what happened. Conor: I replay each step of this in my mind, looking for the wrong turn, the mistake in judgment. I can find only one. And as hard as I try, I cannot regret even that one. In fact, I'm quite certain that, given the opportunity, I would choose to make the same mistake again. I can only wonder why, with all the hundreds of genetically compatible women, I would fall in love with you. Troi: Don't say that. Conor: Perhaps it's your imperfections which make you so unique. But I am in love with you, Deanna Troi, and I will always be. Picard: Come. Riker: The colonists are all on board, sir. Picard: How many finally? Riker: Twenty three. Picard: If we ever needed reminding of the importance of the Prime Directive, it is now. Riker: The Prime Directive doesn't apply. They're human. Picard: Doesn't it? Our very presence may have damaged, even destroyed, their way of life. Whether or not we agree with that way of life or whether they're human or not is irrelevant, Number One. We are responsible. Riker: We had to respond to the threat from the core fragment didn't we? Picard: Of course we did. But in the end we may have proved just as dangerous to that colony as any core fragment could ever have been.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45494.2. We're investigating a series of subspace signals that may indicate intelligent life in the Epsilon Silar System. We are within sensor range. Data: The characteristic response to the Kriskov Gambit is to counter with the el-Mitra Exchange, particularly since I have already taken both your rooks. By missing that opportunity, you have left your king vulnerable. Troi: We'll see. Data: As you wish, Counselor. Check. Data: Intriguing. You have devised a completely unanticipated response to a classic attack. You will checkmate my king in seven moves. Troi: Data, chess isn't just a game of ploys and gambits. It's a game of intuition. Data: You are a challenging opponent, Counselor. Troi: Thanks, but don't think a compliment's going to get you out of our bet. You owe me one Samarian Sunset made in the traditional style, as only you can make it, Data. Data: I will honor our agreement. Crusher: Raise your arm to the side. Crusher: Is that it? Kristin: I'm afraid so. What do you think? Crusher: Well, it looks like you tucked when you should have flattened out. Kristin: Something like that. Crusher: Turn your head to the left. Some tearing of the ligaments. Nothing we can't take care of. Kristin: Good. Crusher: If I remember correctly, the last time you graced my Sickbay, you were diving off the Cliffs of Heaven on Sumiko Four. Holodeck program 47C. Kristin: Same thing. Only that time, I flattened out when I should have tucked. Crusher: Well, as your Doctor, I would like to recommend the Emerald Wading Pool on Cirrus Four. It's a lot safer. Riker: Navigators on this ship have been doing flight handling assessments the same way for years, Ensign. Ro: And I've found a better way. Riker: Bridge. Do you mind if we discuss changes in procedure before you make them? Ro: If I had come to you in advance and asked you to do it my way Riker: I might have said Ro: No. Riker: Yes, maybe. The point is, I didn't get the chance. Ro: The point is, with all due respect Commander, you're trying to turn me into your idea of the model officer. Riker: The rules on this ship do not change just because Ro Laren decides they do. Worf: We are picking up a subspace signal, Captain. Sensors indicate a small spacecraft ahead. Laforge: The configuration is unfamiliar. Nothing in our database comes close. Worf: Within visual range. Picard: On screen. Picard: Analysis, Mister Worf. Worf: No diskernable armament. Reading one lifeform aboard. Picard: Hail the vessel. Worf: No response, Captain. Laforge: We're being scanned. It's not like any sensor system I've ever seen. Shall we raise shields? Picard: No, let's begin this with a show of good faith. Worf: Sir, the scans are now matching the frequency of our optical data network. It could be an attempt to access our computer system. Laforge: Scanning intensity has increased by fifteen hundred percent. Picard: Shields up. Data: One Samarian Sunset, made in the traditional style. Troi: It's beautiful. Data: I hope you enjoy it. Data: I hope you enjoy it. Worf: The scanning signal has penetrated our shields. Laforge: Computers are going down. Picard: Take evasive action. Ro: The helm's not responding. Picard: What happened? Laforge: What the hell? Riker: I don't know who any of you are. Picard: Nor do I. I don't even remember who I am. Laforge: Looks like we're all in the same boat. Riker: Make that on the same starship. Macduff: But who are we? What are we doing here? Ro: It looks like I'm the pilot. We're not going anywhere now. The helm's dead. Picard: But you still know how to work it. Ro: Yes. Riker: This console has tactical configuration? Worf: Yes. Phaser power status, intruder scan, torpedo guidance. But they do not appear to be operable. Picard: Clearly, we still possess certain skills. It would seem we know how to operate this ship. But our identities have somehow been erased or suppressed. Riker: We are on the Bridge. There's a good chance this is our ship. Looks like you're the leader. Worf: Perhaps we should not jump to conclusions. I am decorated as well. Picard: It seems to me that determining leadership is not crucial right now. We need to find out who we are and well, what we're doing out here. Macduff: But how did this happen? What did this to us? Laforge: Better still, who did this to us? I've got some intermittent sensor readings here. The scan keeps repeating itself like it's stuck, but it looks like there's metallic debris right in front of us. Distance, seventeen kilometers. Riker: The remains of another ship? Laforge: That's a good possibility. Worf: Perhaps we were engaged in battle. Macduff: If they stunned us with some type of bioelectric field that could have wiped out our memories. Ro: Then we fired back, destroyed them. Picard: But if that presumption is correct, then we could have sustained other damage. Um, Computer, status report. Riker: No voice interface. Laforge: No interface, period. Hey. Got something. I've accessed the basic system directories. Picard: Can we get a general status report? Laforge: Life support systems throughout the ship are fully operational. Navigation, propulsion offline. Ro: What about communications? Laforge: Completely disrupted. Ro: That rules out a distress signal. Riker: If we even knew where to send it. Picard: Do we have an onboard communications system? Laforge: We do now. Picard: Lets use it. This ship must have a crew. They may still have their memories. Ro: We should be careful what we say. There could be a boarding party somewhere on the ship. Worf: Bridge to all personnel. Select a representative from your group to contact the Bridge and report on your status. Worf: Remain where you are and stay calm. Bridge out. Kristin: Well, that helps a lot. Crusher: Report on our status? I wonder if every one else is in the same condition as we are. Kristin: This hurts. Crusher: How's that? Kristin: Thanks. Crusher: I didn't even think. I just picked it up and knew how to use it. At least I have an idea of what I'm doing here. Kristin: But what about me? I mean, I'm a patient in a bathing suit. That doesn't say much. Crusher: No, it doesn't. Kristin: Do you have any clothes around here I could borrow? At least until I figure out where the swimming pool is? Macduff: We've heard from all decks. There are over a thousand people on board. Everyone's had their memories affected in the same way we have. Worf: I have completed a survey of our tactical systems. We are equipped with ten phaser banks, two hundred and fifty photon torpedoes, and a high capacity shield grid. Macduff: We're a battleship. Worf: It appears so. Ro: This turbolift system gives us access to the rest of the ship. Riker: That sounds like the next logical step. Start with the most crucial areas. Ro: Main Engineering, deck thirty six. I'm on my way. Riker: Whoa, wait a minute. We've got to coordinate our efforts here first. Ro: I just need to do something. Riker: Look, I feel the same way. We all do. But if anything's going to get done. Ro: I know, I just. It's really an ugly feeling I don't like being so out of control. Riker: Well, we're going to have to depend on each other if we're going to get through this, okay? Ro: Okay. Riker: We're going to search the ship. Worf: Very well. Proceed. Laforge: I'll go with you. I want to get my hands on the computer core. See if we can re-establish control from there. Laforge: I've accessed the optical data network for the engineering core. I can monitor every system that's routed through here. Ro: Warp and impulse drive are reading within tolerance levels. So are the tactical arrays, defensive and offensive. Laforge: Everything looks functional. Now, if we could just access the control systems, we could get them up and running. Riker: According to the schematics, the engineering computer core access is down that corridor. Ro: Weapons, propulsion and shields are the priorities. We could be in danger of another attack. Laforge: That's where I'll start. Riker: We'll begin our crew survey on decks five through ten. When you get those systems going, try to pull up the personnel files. It'd be nice if we all had names. Right. Good luck. Laforge: Yeah. You too. Picard: So far our survey team has found no deaths or injuries among the crew. Shuttlecraft are all operational, as are the transporters. Macduff: But no one they've talked to knows any more about their identities than we do. Worf: Engineering is working on accessing the control systems. As soon as the ship is operational, we must make it combat ready. Picard: Well, I would recommend that before we prepare for combat, we try to access the ship's logs, find out who we are, what our purpose here might be. Worf: I disagree. We must first make ourselves ready for battle. That is the highest priority. Laforge: Engineering to Bridge. Worf: Go ahead. Laforge: I've regained control of navigation, propulsion, weapons and communications. Laforge: We should be able to tie them into the Bridge in just a few minutes. Worf: Well done. Now we are ready. Picard: The question is, for what? Macduff: The phasers are operational. Worf: We now have full tactical control. Picard: We should run a complete diagnostic of all command systems. Worf: A full diagnostic would require us to take our systems offline. We would be defenseless. Picard: If we're going to trust our lives to these systems, we should be certain they're not going to fail. Macduff: The computer was damaged. Some processors might still be down. Worf: Proceed with the diagnostic. Worf: What have you found, Doctor? Crusher: Not much. The brain scans I've run are unusual, but there's no damage to the hippocampus. That suggests that we still have our long-term memories but somehow they're being blocked. Picard: Is it possible to bypass the normal pathways? To get at those memories some other way? Crusher: That's what I'm hoping. What I need now is to see some normal brain scans for comparison. Is there any chance I can get the crew's medical files? Worf: We are currently running a full diagnostic. Computer resources are limited. Picard: The medical records are our next priority. Crusher: Thank you. Crewman: I guess these are my quarters, but I don't remember anything. Riker: If it's any comfort, we're all in the same situation, so stay put for now. We'll be back in touch. Crewman: Okay, sir. Thanks. Ro: That's all I need for now. Ro: Well, that's it for the living quarters on this deck. What's next? Riker: There's a large room up ahead called Ten Forward. Ro: Let's go. So if everything were back to the way it was supposed to be, what do you think you'd be doing right now? Riker: I'd be having more fun than searching the ship, I'd imagine. Ro: Fun? Riker: Well, with that holodeck we just saw. I think I could conjure up an interesting program or two. Ro: Now that's disappointing. Riker: Why? Ro: You don't strike me as a man who needs a holodeck to have a good time. Riker: Who reported to the Bridge from this group? Troi: I did. Riker: Have you found anything that might give us some insight into what happened? Troi: Not specifically, but there are two things that seem unusual. The bartender is an artificial lifeform. Data: Can I get you something? A beverage? Riker: No, thank you. Ro: I'm fine. Riker: Your memories are gone as well? Data: The databanks that identify who I am are not functioning. Riker: You were going to mention something else? Troi: I don't know if this means anything, but I seem to have an ability that the others don't. I have a very strong sense of what other people are feeling at times it's almost Riker: Is something wrong? Troi: No. Just for a moment, you seemed familiar. Riker: You remember me? Troi: Not exactly. I mean, I don't know who you are, but there's something about you. Worf: Bridge to survey team. Riker: Survey team here. Go ahead. Worf: We have accessed the personnel files. Report to the Bridge immediately. Ro: We're on our way. Laforge: Computer give me a biographical listing of all personnel responsible for primary operation of the ship. Computer: A full biographical listing is not available. Laforge: Is there any list of the ship's senior officers? Computer: The crew manifest is available. Laforge: That's better than nothing. Give me the crew manifest. Computer: Commanding Officer, Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Executive Officer, Commander Keiran MacDuff. Second Officer, Commander William Riker. Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Data. Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Beverly Crusher. Ship's Counselor, Lieutenant Commander Deanna Troi. Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge. Security Chief, Lieutenant Worf. Helm Officer, Ensign Ro Laren. Picard: Commander MacDuff, have the other officers listed here report to the Bridge. Macduff: Aye, sir. Picard: Your next priority will be to retrieve any information you can about this ship's mission. Contact the Operations Officer to assist you. Laforge: Aye, sir. Ro: He's in Ten Forward, waiting tables. Worf: Captain. I regret my recent behavior. I assumed an attitude of authority that was unwarranted. Picard: Mister Worf, we're all doing the best we can in a difficult situation. Think nothing more of it. Worf: Thank you, Captain. Laforge: We haven't finished a full search of the computer records, but we have found out quite a bit. Data: This vessel is called the Enterprise. We are part of an organization called the United Federation of Planets. The Federation is currently in a state of war. Troi: With whom? Laforge: The Lysian Alliance. They're a genocidal race determined to destroy us. The war has been going on for years. Data: Starfleet Command believes the Lysians are using a new weapon which has shifted the balance of power to their favor. Laforge: Over the last two months, fourteen Federation ships have been captured, apparently very easily, their crews held captive on Lysia. Picard: What do we know about this weapon? Data: Our scientists theorize the Lysians are using an energy wave, either plasma-based or a subspace interference pattern. The weapon severely disrupts a starship's computer system as well as the mental functions of its crew. Macduff: That's what happened to us. Picard: Mister La Forge, do we have any record of our current mission? Laforge: Yes, sir. We're approximately here. We've been ordered to cross into Lysian territory and destroy their Central Command. This is it. The nerve center for the entire Lysian military operation. Troi: Captain, there's been a great deal of damage to our computer system. Maybe we're not getting the correct information. Picard: What are you saying? Troi: That we get confirmation of this mission from our headquarters. Worf: If we use subspace radio we will be detected. Troi: There could be thousands of lives at stake. Laforge: Our orders specifically require us to maintain radio silence. Data: Our mission is part of a highly coordinated effort to put an end to the war. There are other vessels on other fronts, all working according to an intricate plan. Laforge: We're the lynchpin to the operation. If we don't destroy the Central Command, the entire effort will fail. Worf: He's right, Captain. Our choice is clear. Picard: Commander MacDuff, set a course for the Lysian Central Command. Riker: These are your quarters. Troi: Thanks for your help. Come in for a minute? Riker: Recognize anything? Troi: It's like it belongs to someone else. Nothing feels right. This room, this ship, most of all this war we're fighting. Riker: I don't imagine war ever feels right. Troi: I suppose that's true. Riker: What is it? Troi: That same feeling. You seem familiar. You're the only thing that does. Riker: Can you remember anything specific about us? Troi: I don't know. It's more like remembering an emotion. Feelings that you're somehow associated with. Riker: I hope they're good feelings. Troi: Yes, they are. This entire situation is a little unnerving. Riker: It's been a long day. We've all been through a lot. Troi: We certainly have. Riker: I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight. Ro: Hi. Riker: I know I didn't get the wrong room. Ro: I just didn't like the way my quarters were decorated. Besides, I have this funny feeling that maybe I spend most of my off hours here. Riker: Really? Ro: For all we know, you and I could be married. Riker: For all we know, you and I could hate each other. Ro: Sort of exciting, isn't it? We just don't know. Riker: We might regret this. Ro: Regret what? Aren't you being a little presumptuous? Like I said, I just didn't like the way my quarters were decorated. Riker: Maybe we should switch quarters. Ro: Maybe we should stay right here and see what happens. Riker: What if I snore in my sleep? Ro: What makes you think you're going to get any sleep? Worf: Captain, we have crossed the Lysian border. Picard: Take us out of warp, Ensign. Go to three quarters impulse. Ro: Yes, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, maintain a continuous sensor sweep. Worf: Aye, sir. Macduff: How long till we reach their central command? Data: At our current speed, approximately thirty seven hours. Worf: Captain, I am picking up a vessel directly ahead. Picard: Can you identify it, Mister Data? Data: The ship matches the Starfleet description of a Lysian destroyer. A short range attack vessel with disruptor style weapons, and a standard crew of fifty three. Worf: Within visual range. Picard: On screen. Worf: The destroyer is increasing its speed. They are moving to intercept. Picard: Evasive maneuver sequence delta. Ro: Yes, sir. Worf: They are matching our maneuvers. Macduff: Activating phaser arrays. Ready to fire, sir. Picard: Stand by. Macduff: Captain, our orders were to destroy all Lysian warships. Picard: I'm aware of that, Commander. Tactical analysis, Mister Data. Data: The destroyer has minimal shields. Their disruptor capacity appears to be only two point one megajoules. Riker: They're no match for the Enterprise. Data: Captain, the destroyer is hailing us. Picard: Open a channel. Macduff: No! Their new weapon. Whatever it was that erased out our computers and our memories, maybe this is how they do it, over communication channels. Data: It is conceivable, sir. Troi: It's also possible that they just want to talk to us. I think we should respond. Worf: Captain, the ship is hailing us again. Macduff: If you're wrong, it could mean our destruction. We can't take the risk, Captain. Data: The Lysians have stopped transmitting, Captain. They are powering up their disruptors. They have locked onto us, sir. Riker: Full shields. Worf: Shields up. Macduff: Captain? Picard: Return fire. Worf: The ship has been destroyed. Picard: Maintain this course, Ensign. Three quarters impulse. Ro: Yes, sir. Macduff: Well done, Captain. Worf: The Lysian Central Command would have received any transmission from the destroyer by now. Macduff: They're going to be on alert. Ro: I recommend a randomly vectored approach to our target. It would be our best chance of avoiding sort of any pursuit. Picard: Agreed. Doctor, the success of this mission would be far more likely if we could get our memories back. Is there anything you can do? Crusher: I found several cases resembling our condition in the medical index. The causes are different, but the cure is similar in each case. Riker: Could the same treatment work for us? Crusher: That's my hope. It involves increasing the activity of the medial temporal region of the brain, using short-term memory synapses to retrieve long-term memory. Picard: When can you start? Crusher: As soon as our medical files become available. It would be dangerous to attempt treatment without them. Picard: Mister La Forge? Laforge: Data and I ran into some trouble accessing the medical file areas in the computer, but with a little time I'm pretty sure we'll be able to get there. Three hours, maximum. Picard: Proceed. Laforge: I don't get it. I'm still hitting a file wall. Data: There appears to be a command path discontinuity. I shall attempt to rewrite the locator subroutine. Laforge: You must have been one hell of a bartender. It's too bad there aren't any more of you around. We could certainly use the help. Data: Yes. Laforge: I wonder why you're the only one on board? Data: I have expended considerable thought with respect to my apparent uniqueness among the crew. Laforge: Any conclusions? Data: Several possibilities suggest themselves. I may represent an entire race of artificial lifeforms. If so, there may be a home planet for others of my kind. A shared history and a culture of which I am not presently aware. Laforge: Then again, you could've been built just for this ship. Data: I have considered that possibility as well. It may also be the case that every starship in the Federation is equipped with an artificial lifeform such as myself. Laforge: If that's true, maybe you all look alike. A standard issue android. Hard to construct so only one allowed per vessel. Data: There is another possibility. Perhaps my origin is unique. In that case, I am alone. We have accessed the information storage area. Considerable damage has been done to the files themselves. Laforge: The mission reports are gone. Data: As well as the crew records, and the personal logs. Laforge: So are the medical records. Riker: Come in. Troi: I'm restless. Mind if I visit for a while? Riker: Please. What's wrong? Troi: Everything. Every time I think about this war, our mission, I feel a sense of panic like a hand's closing around my throat. Riker: You're never going to feel good about this war. None of us will. But we've got to complete our mission. I've been doing a little research, trying to find out about William T Riker. Troi: What have you discovered? Riker: He's a musician, for one thing. Troi: Very impressive. Riker: No one was more surprised than I. Troi: So what else has your research uncovered about William Riker? Riker: He's athletically inclined, loves to climb mountain. He's from somewhere called Alaska. He enjoys exotic food, and takes his vacations on a planet called Risa. Troi: Ode to Psyche. John Keats. Riker: Open it. Troi: To Will, all my love, Deanna. Riker: That may explain some of the familiar feelings we have. Troi: I don't know what to think. Riker: Come in. Ro: Hello, Counselor. Troi: Ensign. Ro: Am I interrupting anything? RIKER + Troi: No. Troi: I was just visiting. We'll talk again soon, Commander. Riker: Of course. Thank you, Counselor. Ro: Bye. Ro: And what was all of that about? Riker: Oh, we were just discussing the situation we're all in. Ro: Good. Because I have a feeling that I used to be the jealous type. Laforge: What bothers me, Captain, is how specific this damage is. Any records of a personal nature, any files that could tell us about who we are, those are the ones that are gone. Riker: It's a little too selective to be coincidence. Crusher: As selective as what was done to our own memories. Skills still in place but personal knowledge is unavailable. Macduff: It is consistent with what we know about the new Lysian weapon. Picard: Doctor, is it absolutely necessary to see the medical files to attempt treatment? Crusher: It would be dangerous to do it without them. Riker: It's a risk I think we have to take. Macduff: He's right, Captain. I volunteer for the procedure. Crusher: That's strange. The diencephalic activity is exactly the same. There should be some increase. Let's try broadening the bandwidth. Go to thirty point one. Raise the frequency as well. Increase by thirty three percent. Crusher: Something's wrong with the sequencing program. Crusher: Kieran. Kieran. Macduff: I'm all right. I'm all right. What happened? Crusher: I don't know. Something went wrong with the sequence initiator. We're lucky we didn't lose you. Did any of this work? Do you remember anything more about yourself? Macduff: No. I'm sorry, Doctor. Crusher: Back to square one. Picard: Come. Macduff: You wanted to see me, Captain? Picard: Yes, Commander. Please, come in. Sit down. I find myself having grave concerns about our mission. Macduff: Concerns as to its success? Picard: No, no, no. More fundamental doubts. Whether or not it can be justified. Macduff: I've been asking myself the same thing. I'm sure our superiors feel their orders are justified. Picard: Orders which we can't even verify. Macduff: Orders we can't ignore. Picard: But I also can't ignore that we have greatly outclassed the only enemy vessel we've encountered. And that every single possible shred of information which might shed some light on this situation has been conveniently eliminated. I feel as though I've been handed a weapon, sent into a room and told to shoot a stranger. Well, I need some moral context to justify that action, and I don't have it. I'm not content simply to obey orders. I need to know that what I am doing is right. Macduff: So do I. I'd feel a lot better about this if all the questions were answered. And if you want to abandon our mission until our memories return, that's your choice, but I must ask you. Is it right to risk prolonging this war, to allow the needless deaths of thousands on both sides, solely on the basis of our moral discomfort? Macduff: Come. Macduff: Lieutenant. Worf: You wished to see me, sir? Macduff: I did. Please. Memory or no, it seems clear that both you and I were born for battle. More so than the others. Worf: I thought this as well. Macduff: It's conceivable that is the very reason that we've been assigned to this vessel. The Enterprise has science officers, medical specialists, engineers. Our Captain is undoubtedly an accomplished diplomat. But we, we are the warriors. There are times for diplomacy. This is not one of them. Worf: You're concerned about the Captain? Macduff: I am concerned about completing our mission, ending this war. In victory. We may soon face a critical moment. The success of our mission may hang on a split-second decision. A hesitation would kill us all, and those that are counting on us will surely die as well. We cannot let this happen. That'll be all. Data: We are entering the Lysian system, sir. Picard: Slow to one quarter impulse. Ro: Yes, sir. Macduff: The Central Command is directly ahead. Still beyond weapon range. Picard: Red Alert. Battle stations. Bring us to an attack posture, Mister Worf. Worf: Aye, sir. Data: Sensors show several objects in our path, sir. They are twenty nine meters in length and are unmanned. Macduff: According to Starfleet records, they're sentry pods programmed to defend their Central Command. Riker: I'm reading forty seven of them around the perimeter. Picard: Tactical analysis, Mister Data. Data: The pods are equipped with fusion-generated pulse lasers and minimal shielding. Riker: Not much power there. Picard: Forward shields to maximum. Lock phasers on the sentry pods. Prepare to return fire. Worf: Shields up. Phasers locked on targets. Picard: Full impulse. Take us straight through them. Data: We are through the perimeter, sir. Riker: That was too easy. Worf: We have yet to encounter any battleships. They may lie ahead. Picard: Load all torpedo bays. Ready phasers. Worf: Aye, sir. Macduff: Approaching Central Command. Picard: Mister Data, scan for defenses. Data: I am picking up no vessels, no additional sentry pods. Riker: Optimal firing range in fifty five seconds. Macduff: Phaser banks ready. Loading torpedoes. Picard: What are the defensive capabilities of the Central Command? Data: Armaments consist of four laser cannons and thirty nine cobalt fusion warheads with magnetic propulsion. Defensive shield output is four point three kilojoules. Riker: One photon torpedo ought to do it. Troi: Data, how many people on that station? Data: Fifteen thousand, three hundred eleven. Macduff: We're within range, Captain. Picard: Stand by. Macduff: Waiting for your order, sir. Troi: Captain, this isn't right. Macduff: The rest of our forces are depending on us. Riker: How can our mortal enemy be over a hundred years behind us in weapons technology? Macduff: Their battleships may be on the way right now. We must attack! Picard: I do not fire on defenseless people. Mister Worf open a channel to the Lysians. Macduff: Belay that order! There's something wrong with the Captain. I'm taking command of this vessel. Fire all weapons! Mister Worf. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We are on a course to Starbase three zero one. Doctor Crusher has been working steadily, and has restored the memories of most of the crew. Picard: The Lysians have identified Commander MacDuff as a Satarran, an alien race that's been at war with the Lysians for decades. I have conveyed our deepest regrets to the Lysians over the tragedy of their lost ship and crew. Riker: With all the power that MacDuff had to alter our brain chemistry and manipulate the computers, it's hard to believe he needed the Enterprise. Picard: The Satarrans' weapons technology is no more advanced than the Lysians'. One photon torpedo would have ended their war. Riker: It almost did. Riker: I hope I'm not interrupting. RO + Troi: No. Ro: I was hoping to run into you. Troi: Please, sit down. Riker: Well. I'm glad I ran into the two of you. When you have no memory of who you are, or who anybody else is, you find yourself Ro: The Counselor tells me that at times like that, we might do the things that we've always wanted to do. Riker: She said that? Troi: It's psychologically valid. Ro: Commander, don't worry about it. As far as I'm concerned, you and I have shared something that we will treasure forever. Riker: Well, I'm a little confused. Troi: Well, if you're still confused tomorrow, you know where my office is.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45571.2. We are going into orbit around an unexplored M-class moon of Mab-Bu Six. Though the moon was reported to be uninhabited, we have picked up a weak distress call. Data: The intense electromagnetic whirlwinds on the moon's surface make it virtually impossible to locate the source of the signal, Captain. Picard: Any indications of life, Mister Worf? Worf: Scanners read negative, sir, but they may be affected by the interference. Riker: Have you ever heard anything like this, Data? Data: I believe so, Commander. At Starfleet Academy. Picard: The Academy? Data: I will verify it. Just as I thought. It is a Starfleet subspace distress signal, standard to Daedalus-class starships. Riker: There hasn't been a Daedalus class in service for what? Data: One hundred seventy two years, sir. Picard: Are there any records of missing ships in this vicinity? Data: The USS Essex under the command of Captain Bryce Shumar disappeared in this sector over two centuries ago. Picard: Daedalus class. Data: I have accessed the subspace transponder signature of the Essex. It is identical to the signal coming from the moon's surface. Riker: W arrived a little late. Picard: Mute it, Mister Data. With that storm activity down there, it isn't worth the risk to check on a ghost ship. Advise Starfleet that we have solved the mystery of Captain Shumar and the Essex. Troi: I'm not sure we have. Someone's down there. Alive. First officer's log, supplemental. The electromagnetic interference on the surface has been judged too dangerous for anyone to transport down, so we have taken a shuttle to investigate. Data: Shields are holding, sir. Riker: Wind shear is incredible. Data, keep an eye on the stabilizers. If it's anything like this on the ground, I don't see how anyone can survive on this moon for long. Troi: Maybe they've been living underground. Riker: Question is where? I still can't locate the source of the damn signal. It's bouncing around more than we are. Data: Forward thrusters have failed, sir. We are losing power. Riker: Enterprise! Picard: Go ahead. Riker: We've lost our thrusters. Attempting to compensate with secondary boosters Worf: Sir? The shuttlecraft's impulse generators have shut down. Picard: Commander, can you hear me? Picard: Enterprise to shuttle, please respond. Riker: Hold on! We're going down. Data: Initiating emergency landing procedures. Riker: Maintain the approach attitude, Data. I'm taking her in. Brace for impact. Ro: The shuttle has crashed on the surface. Picard: Do we have their position? Worf: I am picking up the shuttle's trace signature, but the surface interference is distorting its position. Picard: Can you locate them? Ro: I think I can. I followed their entry almost all the way in. We can calculate the coordinates from the angle of descent. Troi: Your arm. Riker: Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's broken. Enterprise? Data: It is unlikely that we will be able to establish communication with the ship, given the electromagnetic interference. Riker: We'll stay in the area until the Enterprise finds us. Take an inventory of the shuttle. See if there's anything left in there that's usable. The ground cover is all non-porous rock, which makes me believe it's even less likely there's anyone living here. Data: There are no instruments left of practical value that have not been damaged by our landing, sir. Troi: What is that? Riker: That doesn't look like any storm front I've ever seen. Data: The tricorder is picking up high levels of EM bursts across the spectrum. No lifesign readings other than our own. Troi: There is someone alive here. I'm more certain of it now than ever. Riker: Well, I hope they can find us, because there's no way we'll find them. Troi: They're coming. They're coming with the storm. Laforge: We can't get a pattern lock on their communicators because of the EM bursts, Captain. There's no way we can beam them out of there, not under these conditions. Picard: The same conditions won't permit a shuttle to land safely, Mister LaForge. Any suggestions? O'Brien: Give us a minute, Captain. O'Brien: Sir, let me beam down with a pattern enhancer. Laforge: Chief, there's no guarantee you won't rematerialize in a million pieces if your signal gets caught up in that electromagnetic whirlwind. O'Brien: I can boost the confinement beam. One person might be able to make it. Laforge: Captain, Chief O'Brien wants to beam down to the surface with a pattern enhancer. Laforge: His chances of getting down there safely are no better than fifty-fifty, in my opinion. Worf: Captain, a major storm front is moving in on the away team's coordinates. Picard: You're aware of the risks, Mister O'Brien? O'Brien: Yes sir. O'Brien: I think I can make it. Picard: All right then. Good luck. O'Brien: Aye, sir. Riker: Mister O'Brien! Nice of you to join us. O'Brien: Nice spot for a picnic, sir. We need to distribute these enhancer rods at seven meter lengths. That should do it. Riker: Is this storm front going to interfere with the transport, Chief? O'Brien: I'd really like to get us out of here before it hits, Commander. I'm supposed to be feeding the baby lunch. Molly gets in a terribly foul mood if I'm late. Riker: I'm with you. Riker: Lunch time, Miles! Let's do it! Crusher: Easy, Deanna. Troi: Where? Crusher: Back on the Enterprise. You're going to be okay. Troi: My skin, it's tingling. Crusher: You're experiencing the afterimages of the electromagnetic discharge. The sensation will pass. They're all fine, too. Now, I want you to take your time, Counselor. Doctor's orders. Picard: Injury report, Doctor? Crusher: Mostly minor abrasions. Commander Riker took the worst of it with a broken arm. Picard: Mister Data. Good work, Chief. O'Brien: Thank you, sir. Riker: Ready for duty, sir. Picard: You're sure, Number One? Riker: It's not the first bone I've ever broken. Picard: And how are you, Counselor? Troi: Very glad to be here. Picard: Good. Let's go. Picard: So what happened down there? Riker: It was just one hell of a storm. It moved in on our position faster than anything I've ever seen. Picard: Was there any evidence of life? Riker: No, but if Troi was right, we were very close to it. Picard: Bridge. How do you suggest we proceed? Riker: We need to adjust the scanners so they can penetrate those storms. Do you have any ideas, Data? Data: We might be able to employ virtual imaging to interpolate missing data. Picard: Is something wrong, Commander? Data: My apologies. It seems my primary speech processors are experiencing a minor fluctuation. I will have it corrected in a moment. Troi: Captain, may I speak with you a moment in private? Picard: Of course. You have the Bridge, Number One. Riker: Mister Data, deploy sensor scans when you're ready. Ensign, take us to a synchronous orbit aligned around our crash site. Ro: Aye, sir. Data: Sir, given the EM field properties of this moon, I recommend a search pattern beginning in the southern polar region. Riker: The polar region? That would be starting from scratch, Mister Data. Our latest readings would suggest that we begin our scan around our crash site. Data: The Essex signal was never clearly located, sir. A systematic survey of the moon from a polar orbit might be more practical. Riker: Well, you might be right, but I'd like to give the crash site a once over first. Maintain our current orbit. Data: Understood, sir. Troi: I've never felt anything like it. It was as though they were calling to me. Picard: Are you saying someone was communicating telepathically? Troi: Perhaps, for an instant. It was like their voices were being carried on the wind. Picard: What were they trying to communicate? Troi: I'm not sure, but they were calling me to the southern polar region. I believe that's where we should look for the Essex. Ro: Commander, did you override my orbital heading? Riker: Override them? Ro: We've moved into a polar orbit and I'm locked out. The helm isn't responding. Riker: Do you know anything about this, Mister Data? Data? Riker: Security to the Bridge! Riker: Computer, transfer command to Engineering. Full security alert! O'Brien: This way! Troi: What happened? Data: He would not move to a polar orbit. Troi: You couldn't wait? The Captain would have done it for me. O'Brien: Deck thirty six. Engineering. Riker: Computer, re-enable Bridge control. Security protocol, Riker omega Three. Picard: Report. Riker: Data, O'Brien and Troi tried to commandeer the ship. Worf: They're in turbolift four. Engaging override controls now. Data: They've trapped us. Troi: What deck is this? O'Brien: We're on deck ten. Troi: Can you move us again? O'Brien: I know how to override the bridge command. Riker: Activate security fields decks eight through fifteen. Worf: Sir, the turbolift is moving again. They're still inside. Picard: Initiate emergency bulkheads in turboshaft four. Worf: Aye, sir. They have been stopped at deck thirteen. Picard: Mister Worf. Troi: Do you know how to deactivate this? O'Brien: The computer will not allow us to override an emergency forcefield command. Data: My entity's artificial substructure may be useful. Riker: They've broken through a security field, deck ten, section two. Picard: Security to Ten Forward. Keiko: Shh. Momma's here. Shh. Troi: Everyone get down on the floor. Keiko: Miles? O'Brien: On the floor! Worf: Everyone down, now! Riker: Multiple phaser shots, Ten Forward. Picard: Picard to Worf. Report. Picard: Mister Worf acknowledge. Can you hear me, Mister Worf? Troi: Yes, Bridge. He can hear you. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Following an aborted attempt to take control of the Bridge, Counselor Troi, Mister Data, and Chief O'Brien have seized Ten Forward. Riker: Position security teams at both entrances. Ro: Yes sir. Picard: Mister La Forge, shut down all computer access to Ten Forward. Laforge: I can't, Captain. They've already set up a remote security lock out. We'd have to shut down all computer function in the saucer section. Riker: Transporter room three, can you get a pattern lock on Commander Data, Counselor Troi Riker: And Chief O'Brien in Ten Forward? Crewman: Attempting to lock on, sir. O'Brien: You were correct. They're attempting to engage their transporters. But I know how to shut them down. Data: Do it. Crewman: Bridge, the entire transporter array has been taken off line and placed into diagnostic mode. Crewman: I can't override. It'll take a couple of hours to complete the cycle. Picard: How many people are down there? Ro: Seventeen. They just shut down the internal scanners too, Captain. Picard: Doctor Crusher to the Bridge. Crusher: On my way. Troi: What are you doing now? Data: I can reverse the polarity of their forcefields to isolate this room. Troi: Good. O'Brien: Their communicators. Now they will learn nothing but what we tell them. Ro: They've done something to the forcefields on deck ten, section one. Riker: Geordi? Laforge: I don't recognize the configurations, but they've completely isolated Ten Forward. Riker: What about flooding their air vents with anaesthezine gas? Laforge: That won't affect Data. No rescue plan will work unless we can knock out all three of them. Riker: A concussive charge would blow out the security fields. We could go in with phasers on wide beam, stun everybody. Sort it out later. Picard: Doctor, go back to the biofilter readouts taken of the away team's transport from the moon's surface. See if you can come up with any clue that might explain this. Picard: Ten Forward, this is Captain Picard. I am prepared to discuss this situation. There is no need for further violence. Picard: Please identify yourselves. Troi: They will now attempt to negotiate for the safety and release of their people. Interesting. Under normal circumstances, I would be counseling the Captain at a time like this. O'Brien: And what would you tell him to do? Troi: I would help him find a way to secure our trust. Data: What are you looking at? You, Klingon. Attack me. Are you afraid? Worf: I have no fear of death. Data: And I have no fear of killing you. Troi: Stop it! Picard: Please respond, Ten Forward. Are there any members of my crew who require medical assistance? Troi: We can discuss your wounded, but first you will move the ship. Picard: Move it where? Troi: You will Troi: Change the ship's orbit to an inclination of eighty degrees south. Riker: The southern polar region. That's where Data tried to move the ship. Picard: And that's what Troi asked me to do. But why? Ten Forward, if you could be more specific about our intended destination Picard: Perhaps we could Troi: You have thirty seconds to change your heading or additional members of your crew will require medical attention. Picard: We need to stabilize this situation. Play for time. I suggest we move the ship as they've asked. Agreed? Set a new heading, but take us there as slowly as you can. Ten Forward, we are moving the ship as you requested. Data: He's telling the truth. Their heading has changed. Crusher: Captain, I've compared the away team's last transporter trace patterns to their earlier records. They're exactly the same, except in Troi, Data and O'Brien there's an unusual synaptic activity. Some kind of anionic energy. It may be another lifeform superimposing its neural patterns on our people. Riker: Why wasn't I affected? Crusher: I don't know. The only difference between you and the others was that you were injured. Riker: My broken arm. Crusher: The fracture caused pain receptors to fire, which may have made you immune to this energy. Picard: If your theory is accurate, Doctor, what would happen if we were to inflict pain on the others? Crusher: It might force whatever it is out of our people. Ro: A plasma shock. It would be painful but it wouldn't cause any physical harm. Laforge: I could hook up a modified laser scanner to a plasma inverter. Riker: What about Data? Laforge: Well, a plasma shock would definitely overload his neural net. It'll work on him too. Riker: We have to find a way to penetrate the forcefield around Ten Forward. Laforge: I might be able to interrupt the forcefield for a few seconds, but I'll be fighting the computer for control. Timing would be critical. Ro: We'd have to hit all three with a single discharge. If they're standing together, it shouldn't be a problem. Picard: How will you gain access? Laforge: A micro-optic drill through the ceiling. They'll never detect it. Crusher: If this is going to work, we have to have some way to contain or neutralize this anionic energy once it's out of our people. Picard: Yes, Doctor. That will be your top priority. Very well, proceed. Bridge to Ten Forward. Now that we are moving the ship as you requested, I would like to know the nature of the injuries to the members of my crew. Troi: Five of your people have been injured. Picard: How serious is their condition? Troi: You, Klingon, tell him. Worf: Captain, one person has suffered what looks like a level-five phaser hit, and four others have secondary burns. They require medical attention. And our captors are not affected by phaser stun settings. Data: Silence, Klingon. Picard: Ten Forward, you must release these people so that they can receive proper medical attention. Troi: I will release no one. Picard: If you will release them, I will take their place. Data: I don't trust him. It may be a deception. Troi: The crew values Picard's life above all others. Captain Picard, we agree to your proposal. Picard: Expect a medical team to accompany me. Troi: Acknowledged. Picard: Sickbay, this is Picard. Have an emergency medical team meet me outside Ten Forward. Riker: Sir, putting you down there only strengthens their position. Picard: Number One, so long as they're on board this ship, I'm a hostage no matter where I am. We all are. I must find out who we're dealing with. If La Forge and Ro can attempt a rescue in short order, then let them proceed. If they can't, I will provide you with another opportunity. Watch for it. Riker: Yes, sir. Data: Silence that child! O'Brien: I know you. I know who you are. And I know who this is. Keiko: She's frightened. Why don't you just let us go? O'Brien: No. Make it stop. Picard: Ten Forward, we're outside the door. Troi: Lower the force field. Troi: Welcome, Captain. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Captain Bryce Shumar, of the Federation Starship Essex. Picard: The Starship Essex vanished over two hundred years ago. Troi: Indeed. I know, I was there. This is my First Officer Commander Steven Mullen, and my Security Chief, Lieutenant Morgan Kelly. Picard: And you have survived all this time as? Troi: Spirits? Ghosts? But you're a man who would never believe in ghosts, Picard. Isn't that true? You see, Troi knows you. And so I do as well. Picard: Then Counselor Troi is still alive? Troi: Yes, of course she is. I have no wish to harm her or to harm anyone else. Picard: I'm very pleased to hear that. Troi: We have been forced to take this action, Captain, because we need your help. Picard: My help? Troi: Our consciousness has been trapped on this moon for two centuries. We must escape this torture. Picard: How did this happen to you? Troi: I can't explain how it happened. I only know that it did. The Essex was caught in an electromagnetic storm just as your shuttle was. Moments before we crashed, the bridge was struck by lightning. The ship was ripped apart. Somehow, in that instant, our consciousness was absorbed in the magnetic currents on the surface. Picard: Why didn't you tell us this? Why the deception? The violence? Troi: Because as I said, I knew you would not believe us. Even now, I know you don't. Picard: What was your vessel's designation and its complement? Troi: NCC One seven three. Daedalus-class starship. Crew, two hundred and twenty nine. Picard: Under whose command in this sector? Troi: Admiral Uttan Narsu, Starbase Twelve. You will find all this in Starfleet records. Picard: I don't need to see the records. Troi: Then you know I am correct. Picard: End this, and I will give you whatever help you need. Troi: No. You don't trust us. And I can't risk trusting you. Data: It is taking too long. We should have been there by now. He is manipulating you. Troi: Captain Picard has every right to be curious. Data: He will try to delay until a rescue attempt is possible. Troi: I know that. I also know that he will make every effort to protect the lives of his people. Since our demands are not excessive, Captain, I hope you will see that it will be simpler to accede than to risk further injuries. Picard: What do you want? Troi: All you need to know for now is that we want to rest. Simply, finally, to rest. Laforge: Section two B, A, section one. Ro: Finally. I never want to see this part of the Enterprise again. Laforge: I hear you. This is what starship designers call easy access. Yeah, yeah, this is it. I thought we might have a problem with conduit number two twenty seven but it looks like we're going to be able to get by it. Ro: Thanks. Ro: We're through. Laforge: Good. Let's hook up the scanner and see what we've got. Ro: Got it. All three have got to be in the circle if this is going to work. Laforge: We're halfway home. La Forge to Crusher. How're you doing? Crusher: I think I've come up with an idea for a containment field. Crusher: This anionic energy seems to be vulnerable to the same magnetic flux density we monitored in the storms. If we can duplicate it, we can trap it Crusher: Once it's out of our people. Laforge: You should be able to do that by flooding Ten Forward with ionogenic particles. Crusher: Exactly what I was thinking. Riker: Geordi, how long will it take to get it all ready? Laforge: We still have to calibrate the plasma inverter, Commander. My guess is forty five minutes to an hour. Crusher: I can have the containment field ready by then. Riker: Keep me advised. Picard: Impressions, Mister Worf? Worf: Spiritual possessions of this sort have been reported throughout Klingon history. It is called jat'yIn, the taking of the living by the dead. Picard: Human history is full of many similar legends. Worf: Then you believe they may be telling the truth? Picard: Not for one moment. Worf: Sir, they know much about the Essex. If it is the spirit of Captain Shumar. Picard: Then he should be behaving very much better, don't you think? A Starfleet Captain. O'Brien: You two, sit down. Worf: After living disembodied for two centuries, perhaps they've gone mad. Picard: I assure you, Mister Worf, these are not jat'yIn. Our job is to find out exactly what they are and then to determine how to deal with them. Data: Right, That's enough. Sit down, both of you. You over there, you there. Down. O'Brien: I gave you that. In a place called McKinley Park. Green grass. Tall trees. Keiko: Please don't. O'Brien: I hid the bracelet in your pocket. You were surprised. Keiko: Don't. O'Brien: You said, Miles, you make me feel so happy. Keiko: No! Get away! Get away from me. Troi: Leave her alone. Picard: Captain Shumar. We'll be approaching the southern polar region that you requested in a few minutes. I need to give additional instructions. Troi: Very well. We're taking you to our crash site. Picard: The southern pole? Troi: That is correct. Picard: Nothing our sensors were able to detect indicated that the Essex went down in that region. Troi: As I told you, Captain, the ship broke up in the atmosphere, and the bridge went down here. When we reach it, you will beam what's left of our skeletal remains on board this ship and then take them back to Earth for a proper burial. You see how simple a request this is? Picard: Captain, if you will let these people go, I'll order the Bridge to follow your instructions. Troi: I will release no one. Picard: If you are who you say you are, there's no need for any of this. We'll gladly take you home. Troi: I wish you were truly as open-minded as you say, Picard. Picard: If you don't release the hostages, I won't cooperate. Data: You will cooperate, Captain. You will cooperate or someone will die. Who shall it be? How about the Klingon? Get another one. O'Brien: You. O'Brien: Come on. Come on, come on. Data: Pick one to die, Captain, or I kill them both. Ro: They're all in range. I have to do it now. Laforge: I'm only going to be able to shut down the forcefield for about seven seconds before the computer compensates. Ro: Well, if they're the right seven seconds, it'll be enough. Laforge: Bridge, Laforge: Prepare to release the ionogenic field on my signal. Riker: Standing by. Laforge: Ready? Ro: Lower the forcefield. Laforge: Forcefield down. Ro: Firing plasma charge. Ro: Damn! Data: Tell them to stop, or I kill everyone in this room, starting with you. Picard: Picard to Bridge, abort immediately. Riker: As you say, Captain. Riker to La Forge, return to the Bridge. Troi: Are you ready to cooperate? Picard: Yes. First officer's log, supplemental. The Enterprise has moved into a synchronous orbit near the southern polar region. We await further instructions from Ten Forward. Riker: Any sign of the Essex? Laforge: Negative, Commander. Electromagnetic disturbances are even worse here. Scanners can't read a thing. Riker: Bridge to Ten Forward. Riker: Intense storm activity over the southern pole is making it virtually impossible for us to pick up any trace of the Essex. Troi: We are giving you the exact coordinates of our remains on board the wreck of the Essex. Laforge: I'm receiving the coordinates now. Riker: Can you tell what's there? Laforge: Just your basic ionic cyclone. I can't read a thing. Riker: I'm sure as hell not going to beam up whatever might be down there. Laforge: I've got a good excuse for you. The transporters aren't going to work any better than the scanners. Riker: Bridge to Ten Forward. Riker: Whatever's blocking our scanners will prevent the use of the transporters. O'Brien: They're lying. Picard: On the contrary, we've had a difficult time with transporters since we arrived here. That's why we had to send down the shuttle. You should all have been aware of that fact. Data: We must be able to use the transporters. Picard: Mister O'Brien was the one who safely executed the return of the away team. He's the most qualified person on board to operate the transporters under these circumstances. Troi: Can you do it from here? O'Brien: No. I'd have to use a transporter pad. Picard: I could give you safe passage to a transporter pad in one of the cargo bays. Data: It's a trick. He is trying to divide us. Troi: We must not be separated. Picard: I can give you all safe passage. Data: Why are you suddenly being so helpful? Picard: Because I assume that if you choose go to the cargo bay, then you won't to take all of the hostages. Their safety is my chief priority. Troi: What are the risks when we leave this room? Data: Without the protection of the forcefields, we are completely vulnerable. O'Brien: They could use the transporter against us. Once the forcefield is down, they could beam us back to the surface. But there is a way to neutralize that threat. Bridge, transfer all transporter functions to Ten Forward. Riker: In order to do that Riker: You will have to release your computer control lockouts. O'Brien: That's not true. Picard: Let me talk to him. Number One, I think we have an opportunity to end this siege. Picard: It will require the cooperation of all concerned. Picard: Our guests will be moving shortly to cargo bay four, where the transport will occur. I want you to ensure them of safe passage between Ten Forward to the cargo bay. Riker: Understood, Captain. Doctor. Mister La Forge. Laforge: Yes, sir. O'Brien: Transporter controls are being transferred. Ten Forward to Bridge. I said all transporter controls. Including those aboard all your shuttlecraft. Riker: Almost had them, Ensign. Nice try. Ten Forward. Our mistake. Remaining transporter functions are being transferred to you. O'Brien: Once we create our own access code, we can prevent anyone using the transporter against us. We can go to the cargo bay. Data: What about the weapons? Troi: We will each take a hostage for protection. Data: Klingon. Troi: Picard, you are mine. Keiko: Please, let her stay. Troi: Lower the forcefield. Riker: Security teams, stand by. Ro: They're heading through section five. Riker: Mister La Forge, Doctor, they'll be at their destination in less than a minute. Ro: They've stopped at deck eighteen, sir. Riker: Security, allow them access into cargo bay four. Security: Aye, sir. O'Brien: I will require assistance. Picard: Captain Shumar, how do you intend to achieve this rest that you so desire? Troi: What do you mean? Picard: Well, how do you intend to free yourselves of this existence that has so trapped your consciousness? Troi: It will fade as we move further from this planet. Picard: Really? What is your scientific basis for that? Troi: I don't need a scientific basis. Just be quiet. Picard: Captain Shumar, when are you going to tell me who you really are? O'Brien: I've initialized the transporter signal. Troi: Proceed. Ro: They're powering up the transporter, Commander. Riker: Mister LaForge. Laforge: I've isolated cargo bay four with a neutrino field, sir, but it'll only take Data and O'Brien a couple of minutes to override it, once they discover that it's there. Riker: I hope that'll give the Captain enough time to play his hand. Ro: Do you know what he's going to do? Riker: There's only one reason he chose cargo bay four. If it becomes necessary, Ensign, you will blow the cargo bay hatch on my orders. Ro: Yes, sir. Troi: You're quite right, Picard, it's not rest we seek. Only escape. Picard: Escape? Troi: We were brought to this moon over five centuries ago from a star system called Ux-Mal. We were separated from our bodies and left to drift in the storms. Once we almost escaped, on board the Essex, but that ship was incapable of eluding this moon's electromagnetic storms. Picard: Did you really think using their identities would gain our sympathy? Troi: It was a better approach than asking you to allow hundreds of condemned prisoners on board. Picard: Then this moon is a penal colony. Troi: That's correct. But now we have your ship and your bodies to carry us home. Ro: I'm reading dozens of them. Hundreds. Crusher: They have the same anionic signature we saw on the biofilter scans. Riker: I think we can give the Captain a new bargaining chip. Doctor Crusher, flood the cargo bay with your containment field. Troi: No! Let them go or you will all die. Picard: Your threats are meaningless now. O'Brien: We are still in control of these three bodies. We will not let them go. Picard: Are you prepared to sacrifice the lives of the others? They'll all die when the cargo bay hatch is blown. Data: You will die too, Picard. Keiko: I would die to save the life of my child. Worf: To die defending one's ship is the hope of every Klingon. Picard: If you each know the officers you inhabit, then you know they're equally ready to give their lives for this ship. Free them now and I will return you to the moon's surface. Troi: I advise you, Picard, not to pass our way again. Picard: Picard to Bridge. Riker: Aye, sir. Picard: Our guests will be leaving shortly. I need an emergency medical team down here. Crusher: On our way, Captain. Picard: Mister Worf, prepare to transport these prisoners back down to the moon's surface. Worf: Gladly, sir. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45572.1. Doctor Crusher has examined Troi, Data and O'Brien. There seem to be no residual effects from their experience. Troi: It was as though my own consciousness were pushed to the side. I was watching everything happen, hearing my own voice, but not being able to control any of it. Picard: What about the entity that controlled you, What were your perceptions of him? Troi: He was intelligent, actually. Thoughtful, in a ruthless sort of way. Cold. Data: Lieutenant, I must apologize for my inadvertent misconduct toward you. Worf: No apology necessary. Data: Your restraint was most remarkable. Worf: You have no idea. Crusher: How do you feel? O'Brien: Hungry. Crusher: That's a good sign. Go home. O'Brien: How do you feel? Keiko: I'm just glad to have you back. O'Brien: If I could've killed that thing inside me, I would have. Keiko: I know. We both know.

Laforge: No question about it. She was bluffing, Worf. Worf: Bluffing is not one of Counselor Troi's strong suits. Laforge: I'm still reading some chlorinide leakage, but I can't pin it down. Laforge: Maybe up here. Worf: It would have been unwise to call. Yes. My hand was not strong enough. Laforge: You had jacks and eights, she bluffed you with a pair of sixes. Worf: How did you know what I had? Laforge: Let's just say I had a special insight into the cards. Maybe next time you should bring a deck that's not transparent to infrared light. Not to worry, Worf. I only peek after the hand is over. Still nothing. I'll get a dynoscan. We'll try again. Crewman: Commander, is that what you wanted? Laforge: Yes. If anything changes, you let me know. Ensign, run a dynoscan. Crewwoman: Look out! Laforge: Worf! Crewman: Commander, what happened? Laforge: La Forge to Sickbay! Medical emergency in cargo bay three! Worf: What happened? Crusher: The containers you were checking fell on you. You're lucky to be alive. Worf: Doctor, I will not attempt to leave Sickbay without your approval. The restraining field is not necessary. Crusher: Worf, there is no restraining field. Worf: But I can't move my legs. Crusher: I know. You can't move because one of the containers shattered seven of your vertebrae and crushed your spinal cord. I'm afraid there's no way we can repair this kind of injury. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45587.3. Lieutenant Worf has been removed from active duty following a severe injury. Although a neuro-specialist has arrived, Doctor Crusher believes his paralysis may be permanent. Crusher: Welcome to the Enterprise, Doctor Russell. I'm Beverly Crusher. Russell: A pleasure. I have some equipment aboard the Potemkin. Would you please have it sent to one of your medical labs. Crusher: Of course. Send it to medlab four. Crewman: Yes, Doctor. Russell: Before we get down to business, I just wanted to say that I had the pleasure of reading your paper on cybernetic regeneration recently. Crusher: Really? You're the first person to mention it. Russell: I thought it was brilliant. Russell: Your ideas on bio-active interfaces border on revolutionary. It's going to be a genuine pleasure working with you. Crusher: Thank you. Have you had a chance to review Worf's case history yet? Russell: Only briefly. I must admit, I was a little shocked to find the state of Klingon neurological medicine to be so primitive. Crusher: It's a cultural bias. When I contacted the Klingon Medical Division, they informed me that they usually let the patient die in a case like this. As a result they've done almost no research on neurological trauma. Russell: We'll be in uncharted waters. Crusher: Worf is having a hard time dealing with his injuries. He's always been a difficult patient, but now. He's a little tough at first, but I'm sure you'll get to like him after you get to Russell: Doctor, I know that as a starship doctor, you have to maintain close ties with patients, but I think it would be best if I maintain a diskreet distance. That way, I can give you a completely objective opinion regarding treatment. Crusher: Yes. You're probably right. Russell: Good. Well, I believe you said I'll be working in medlab four? Crusher: Right. This way. Riker: You look pretty good for someone who's been eating sickbay food for three days. Worf: Please, sit down, Commander. Thank you for agreeing to see me in this condition. Riker: I'm not a Klingon. I don't think there's any shame in someone being injured. Worf: I am not merely injured, Commander. Doctor Crusher believes my paralysis to be permanent. Riker: I'm sorry. Worf: I have a personal favor to ask. Riker: Name it. Worf: I want you to assist me in performing the Hegh'bat ceremony. I want you to help me die. Riker: What? Worf: When a Klingon can no longer stand and face his enemies as a warrior, when he becomes a burden to his friends and family, it is time for the Hegh'bat. Time for him to die. Riker: There must be other options. Worf: No, there are not. I will not live as an object of pity or shame. My life as a Klingon is over. Riker: Mister Worf, I will not help a friend commit suicide. Worf: You and I have served together for many years. Fought side by side I know you to be a brave and honorable man. If you truly consider me a friend, help me now. Help me end my life as I have lived it, with dignity and honor. Please. Crusher: The cortical spinal tract has continued to deteriorate over the last seventy two hours despite CPK enzymatic therapy. Russell: What about alkysine treatment? Crusher: Ineffective. Russell: Overdesigned. Klingon anatomy. Twenty three ribs, two livers, eight-chambered heart, double-lined neural pia mater. I've never seen so many unnecessary redundancies in one body. Crusher: Unnecessary? The Klingons refer to it as the brak'lul. Almost every vital function in their bodies has a built-in redundancy in case any primary organ or system fails. Russell: It's a good design in theory, but in practice, all the extra organs means just that much more can go wrong. Let me show you something. I've been experimenting with DNA based generators. This is a genetronic replicator. It reads the DNA coding of damaged organs, translates that into a specific set of replicant instructions and then begins to grow a replacement. Crusher: I've read of some of the preliminary work you've done. Russell: The early results have been very encouraging. Beverly, the genetronic replicator can create a completely new neural conduit for your Lieutenant Worf. Crusher: Replace his entire spinal column? Russell: Exactly. Instead of splicing and pasting together broken connections like a couple of glorified tailors, we create a new living system. Crusher: I had no idea you were already using this on humanoids. Russell: I haven't been. This'll be the first time. Crusher: First time? Russell: I've done dozens of holosimulations. The success rate is up to thirty seven percent. Crusher: Even a holographic patient would balk at those odds. Russell: Sooner or later, it has to be tried on a living patient. Crusher: You're talking about a spinal column. Even before we could replace it, we have to remove the existing one, and we don't know enough about Klingon neurological medicine to re-attach it. If something goes wrong, he'll die. I agree it has remarkable potential, but you're still in the most preliminary stages of research. No, I'm afraid I can't justify the risk to Worf. We'll have to do with more conventional approaches. Russell: You're probably right. It's too radical an approach. Picard: Doctor Crusher, please report to the Bridge. Crusher: On my way. Picard: Doctor, the transport ship Denver has struck a gravitic mine left over from the Cardassian war. They've sustained heavy damage. Riker: Their last message said they were attempting to crash land on one of the planets in the Mericor system. We should arrive in just under seven hours. Crusher: How many people were aboard? Data: The Denver's standard crew complement is twenty three, but they were transporting five hundred seventeen colonists to the Beloti sector. Crusher: I'll need to convert all three shuttlebays to emergency triage centers. I also want all civilians with medical training to report for duty. Picard: Make it so. Riker: Captain, may I speak with you in private? Picard: Of course, Number One. You have the Bridge, Mister Data. Data: Aye, sir. Riker: I have always tried to keep an open mind, not to judge someone else's culture by my own, but for me to be a part of this ceremony. Picard: I understand from Doctor Crusher that Worf will never regain the use of his legs. Riker: That doesn't mean his life is over. Picard: That's a very human perspective, Will. For a Klingon in Worf's position, his life is over. Riker: I can't accept that. Picard: Will, if you were dying, if you were terminally ill with an incurable disease and facing the remaining few days of your life in pain, wouldn't you come to look on death as a release? Riker: Worf isn't dying and he is not in pain. He could live a long life Picard: You or I could learn to live with that disability, but not Worf. His life ended when those containers fell on him. We don't have to agree with it, we don't have to understand it, but we do have to respect his beliefs. Riker: I can respect his beliefs, but he is asking me to take an active role in his committing suicide. Picard: He's asking for your help because you're his friend. That means that you're going to have to make your decision based on that friendship. Riker: Which leaves me back where I started. Picard: Will. Look, I'm sorry, I cannot help you to make this decision, but I can tell you this. Klingons choose their friends with great care. If he didn't know he could count on you, he never would have asked. Alexander: Why won't you let me see him? Troi: Alexander, I told you it's not my decision. Your father doesn't want to Alexander: I don't believe you. My father wants to see me. You're the one keeping me away from him! Troi: I think you know that's not true. Alexander: Then why can't I see him? Troi: Come here. He's been injured, and he's embarrassed. And to have anyone see him now would make him feel worse, even if it were you. Alexander: This is part of that Klingon stuff, isn't it. My mother always said that Klingons had a lot of dumb ideas about honor. Troi: Alexander, that Klingon stuff is very important to your father. Alexander: Well, it isn't very important to me. I don't care about being Klingon, I just want to see my father. Troi: It's been a long day. Why don't you get ready for bed and we'll talk about this again in the morning. Troi: Alexander is scared, confused, hurt, all because his father is refusing to see him. Worf: You know why I left those instructions. Troi: Yes I do. It's not the Klingon way, right? Worf: It is a question of honor, and I would ask you that you respect my wishes in this matter, Counselor. Troi: All I care about at this moment is a little boy who's terrified he's going to lose his father. Troi: Maybe it's time you stopped lying here worrying about your honor, and started thinking about someone else, like your son. Crusher: Would you like us to come back later? Worf: No. Please come in, Doctor. Crusher: This is Doctor Toby Russell. She's from the Adelman Neurological Institute. She specializes in spinal injuries like yours. We've discussed a variety of surgical procedures. I'm afraid none of them will repair the spinal cord, but we have found a way for you to regain much of your mobility. We can implant a series of neural transducers in your lower torso and legs. They're designed to pick up the electrical impulses from your brain and stimulate the corresponding muscles. With a little work, you can eventually regain sixty to seventy percent of your motor control. Russell: The first step would be to fit your legs with motor assist units like this one. They're a training device. Once you've mastered using them, we can move on to the implants. Russell: Now try to move your leg. Crusher: No, no, that's good for a first try. It will take some time before you get used to manipulating the Worf: No! I will not live like that. Crusher: These are very sophisticated devices. With enough time, they will give you Worf: Sixty percent of my mobility. No, I will not be seen lurching through corridors like some half-Klingon machine, the object of ridicule and disgust. Crusher: Perhaps this all seems a bit frightening to you know. I want you to take some time before making a decision. Think about it. Russell: There is one other option I'd like you to consider. It's called genetronic replication. It's still in the experimental stage, but if it works, it will restore virtually all of your mobility and without the need for artificial implants. Crusher: I thought we had discussed genetronics. Russell: We did. Crusher: I also thought we'd decided against recommending it. Russell: You heard him. He'd rather die than live with the implants. I just gave him a better option than suicide. Crusher: He's grasping for straws and you're giving him one. Now instead of dealing with his paralysis, he's going to be thinking about this miracle cure of yours. Russell: There's a real chance this could work. And if it does, it'll be a major breakthrough in neurogenetics that will change a lot of people's lives. Crusher: You're using the desperation of an injured man as an excuse to try a procedure that you couldn't do under normal circumstances. I checked with Starfleet Medical. They have turned down your request to test genetronics on humanoids three times already. Russell: Are you really going to hide behind the rules of some bureaucracy? Beverly, your patient's life is at stake here. Crusher: Look, before you do any of this Picard: Picard to Doctor Crusher. Crusher: Go ahead, Captain. Picard: We've located the survivors from the Denver. Crusher: We're ready down here. We have triage teams standing by. Picard: Very well. We'll begin transporting the survivors on board immediately. Bridge out. Russell: Beverly, could you use an extra pair of hands? Crusher: Absolutely. Alexander: Father? Worf: Come in, Alexander. Alexander: Deanna said you hurt your back, that you couldn't walk. Worf: I am still struggling with my injury. Alexander: I was worried about you. Worf: There is much to discuss. There will be difficult times ahead. You must be strong. Alexander: I understand. Worf: Good. As Klingons, we must always be prepared for any Alexander: Father! Worf: Take him away. Troi: Worf, let me help you. Worf: Leave! Troi: Alexander, go on. It'll be all right. I'll take care of your father. Crusher: Use this to cauterize the tissue. Medic: Yes, Doctor. Crusher: What happened here? Russell: He went into neural metaphasic shock. Crusher: From leporazine? That's unusual. Russell: He couldn't take leporazine, his blood pressure was too low. I had to try a different treatment. Crusher: A morathial series? Russell: No. I tried a new rybo-therapy I've been working with. It's called borathium. I've had some very good results. Crusher: You used this man to test one of your theories? Russell: Borathium is decades ahead of leporazine and morathial. Crusher: Morathial would have saved his life. Russell: His injuries were so severe I don't think any conventional treatment could've saved him. Crusher: The point is, you didn't even try standard treatments. Russell: I made the choice I thought gave him the best chance of surviving. Isn't that what you would have done? Crusher: I think you used this situation in order to test one of your theories just like you're trying to do with Worf. Russell: That's what this is really about, isn't it? Lieutenant Worf. I'm offering him a chance to recover fully. A chance you can't give him. Crusher: What this is about is the kind of medicine you seem to practice. Russell: I make no excuses for my approach to medicine. I don't like losing a patient any more than you do. But I'm looking down a long road, Doctor. This man didn't die for nothing. The data that I gathered is invaluable. It will eventually help save thousands of lives. Crusher: I doubt if that will be any comfort his family. Russell: Let me ask you this. If some years from now, borathium therapy were to save the life of someone you loved, would you still condemn me? Crusher: I will not be drawn into a hypothetical argument, Doctor. Your research on this ship is over. You're relieved of all medical duties until further notice. Is that clear? Russell: Perfectly. Picard: Doctor? I'm on my way to look in on your patient. Crusher: Be my guest. Just don't expect a lot of conversation. He's in full Klingon mode. Honorable, strong and closed minded. Picard: I understand that you've relieved Doctor Russell of duty. Crusher: That's right. She's irresponsible. I won't have her practicing medicine on this ship. Picard: Beverly, maybe you should consider letting her go ahead with this genetronic procedure. Crusher: How can you say that? She has a theory, based on a little empirical knowledge and a lot of supposition. Picard: If he can't make a full recovery, Worf will to kill himself. Crusher: Not in my Sickbay, he won't. I'll put him in a restraining field and post security around his door before I let him commit suicide. Picard: And how long will you keep him there? A week? A month? A year? Crusher: If I have to. Suicide is not an option. Putting aside for a moment the fact that a paraplegic can live a very full life, there is also a conventional therapy that could restore much of his mobility. Picard: But not all of it. Crusher: No, not all of it! There are some things I can't fix. Klingon or no, he is going to have to accept his condition. Picard: Beverly, he can't make the journey you're asking of him. You want him to go from contemplating suicide to accepting his condition and living with the disability, but it's too far. The road between covers a lifetime of values, beliefs. He can't do it, Beverly. But perhaps he can come part of the way. Maybe he can be persuaded to forgo the ritual in order to take the chance at regaining the kind of life he needs. A Klingon may not be good at accepting defeat, but he knows all about taking risks. Crusher: The first tenet of good medicine is never make the patient any worse. Right now, Worf is alive and functioning. If he goes into that operation, he could come out a corpse. Picard: This may not be good medicine, but for Worf, it may be his only choice. Worf: I am ready, Commander. Riker: I've been studying this ritual of yours. Do you know what I've decided? I think it's despicable. I hate everything about it. The casual disregard for life, the way it tries to cloak suicide in some glorious notion of honor. I may have to respect your beliefs, but I don't have to like them. Worf: It is not something I expect you to understand. Riker: No. All you really expect me to do is bring you the knife and then walk away, so you can kill yourself in peace. Well, I'm not going to make it that easy for you. Worf: It is not easy for me. But each of us must die in our own time, and my time Riker: Remember Sandoval? Hit by a disruptor blast two years ago. She lived for about a week. Fang-lee? Marla Aster? Tasha Yar? How many men and women, how many friends have we watched die? I've lost count. Every one of them, every single one fought for life until the very end. Worf: I do not welcome death, Commander. Riker: Are you sure? Because I get the sense you're feeling pretty noble about the whole thing. Look at me, aren't I courageous? Aren't I an honorable Klingon? Let me remind you of something. A Klingon does not put his desires above those of his family or his friends. How many people on this ship consider you a friend? How many owe you their lives? Have you ever thought about how you've affected the people around you? How we might feel about your dying? Worf: Will you, or will you not, help me with the Hegh'bat? Riker: You are my friend, and in spite of everything I've said, if it were my place, I would probably help you. But I've been studying Klingon ritual and Klingon law, and I've discovered that it's not my place to fill that role. According to tradition, that honor falls to a family member. Preferably the oldest son. Worf: That is impossible. He is a child. Riker: The son of a Klingon is a man the day he can first hold a blade. True? Worf: Alexander is not fully Klingon he is part human. Riker: That's an excuse. What you really mean is it would be too hard for you to look at your son and tell him to bring you the knife. Watch you stab it into your heart, then pull the knife from your chest and wipe your blood on his sleeve. That's the rite of death, isn't it? Well, I'm sorry, Mister Worf. I can't help you. There's only one person on this ship who can. Alexander: You said you wanted to see me? Worf: I need you to help me. Alexander: Anything, Father. Worf: I have taught you about Klingon customs, the beliefs which we value. According to tradition, I must take my life after suffering this kind of injury. But I have decided to break with tradition. I have decided to live. Alexander: I'm glad, Father. Worf: I must still undergo a dangerous operation. I may still die, but it will not be by my own hand. Return this to our quarters. Alexander: Yes, sir. Chief Medical Officer's log, supplemental. After further consultation with Starfleet Medical, and a great deal of soul searching, I have reluctantly granted Lieutenant Worf's request to undergo the genetronic procedure. Alexander: We started doing multiplications today. The teacher said I'm faster than anybody else in my class. Worf: We will speak again soon. Alexander: Yes, Father. Worf: If I die, he must be cared for. Troi: I'll make sure he reaches your parents' home safely. Worf: No. They are elderly. They cannot care for Alexander. Counselor, I have a serious request to make of you. Would you consider? Troi: You want me to raise Alexander? Worf: I have come to have a great respect for you, Deanna. You have been most helpful in guiding me since Alexander's arrival. I can't imagine anyone who would be a better parent to my son. If it is too much to ask. Troi: I'd be honored. Worf: I am ready. Russell: Focus the drechtal beams on the anterior and posterior spinal roots. Crusher: Focused. Russell: Initiate. Crusher: All neural connections below the first cervical vertebrae have been separated. Russell: Microtome. I'm severing the brain stem now. Ogawa: Cerebral cortex placed on life support at zero eight thirty one hours. Three hours twenty six minutes remaining until onset of primary brain dysfunction. Russell: Okay, let's remove the support frame. Crusher: Exoscalpel. Riker: I've notified Starfleet that our survey of sector three seven six two eight will be delayed at least a week while we drop off survivors from the Denver. Picard: Good. I understand from Mister La Forge there's a minor fluctuation in the starboard warp coil. Riker: I've scheduled a stress simulation routine for this afternoon to check it out. Has there been any word? Picard: No. Crusher: Preliminary genetronic scans are complete. Russell: Initiating DNA sequencer. Crusher: Reading the initial sequences at ten to the ninth base pairs per second. Russell: Once we're past the first two levels, we'll begin the encoding sequence. Increase TCH levels to Crusher: What's happened? Russell: The scanner is having trouble reading the Klingon dorsal root ganglia. Crusher: Did this show up in your simulations? Russell: Yes, but I thought I'd made sufficient adjustments. Bring me the detronal scanner. I can scan the ganglia manually. It'll just take a little longer. Ogawa: One hour forty three minutes until primary brain dysfunction. Russell: Retract the paraspinal muscle. Crusher: Got it. Watch the proximal nerve endings. Russell: I see them. Make sure the cranial segment is at least fifteen centimeters from the brain stem. Ogawa: I'm reading a slight fluctuation in the isocortex. Crusher: Twenty cc's inoprovaline. Russell: Okay. Release retractors on the paraspinal. How much longer can we keep him on life support? Ogawa: Twenty seven minutes. Russell: Cover. Close, please. Crusher: Ready. Russell: Tissue growth proceeding at anticipated rates. No initial signs of rejection. Russell: Okay. Ready. Terminate life support. Ogawa: Life support disengaged. Russell: Neural connections appear stable. Crusher: Looking good so far. Ogawa: Fluctuations in the isocortex. Crusher: Forty cc's inoprovaline. Russell: Synaptic response falling. Ogawa: BP dropping. Now sixty over ten. VeK'tal response falling rapidly. Crusher: Increase oxygen mixture to ninety five percent. Russell: Beginning direct synaptic stimulation. Ogawa: Respiration is shallow and rapid. No response in the isocortex. Crusher: Seventy five cc's inoprovaline. Ogawa: Heart rate is erratic. Russell: He's going into cardiac arrest. Crusher: All right, let's go to chloromydride. Fifteen cc's. Russell: We're losing him. No BP, no pulse. Brain activity? Ogawa: Showing no higher brain functions. Crusher: All right twenty five cc's cordrazine. Russell: That'll kill him. Crusher: Looks like we've done a pretty good job of that already, Doctor. Ogawa: No BP, no pulse. No activity in the isocortex. Crusher: Cortical stimulator. Now. Again. Again. Again. Again. Russell: Doctor. Crusher: All right, make a note in the log. Death occurred at twelve hundred forty hours. Russell: It was all going so well. No anomalies during replication, no initial rejection. Troi: No. Crusher: Alexander, I am so sorry. Alexander: I want to see him. Troi: Alex. Alexander: No! I want to see him. Crusher: Activate biomonitors. Twenty five cc's polyadrenaline. Russell: What's going on? Crusher: I'm not sure, but if I'm right, one of those unnecessary redundancies Ogawa: Doctor! Crusher: I don't believe it. Begin cardio-aid and ventilation. That's amazing. There must be a back-up for his synaptic functions as well. Ogawa: Vital signs are stabilizing. Crusher: Begin rybo-synetic therapy. Increase oxygen mixture to ninety percent. Let's prepare a thalamic booster series. Russell: Well, I'd say your patient's recovery is going well. You're not even going to acknowledge what I did for him, are you. You just can't admit that it was my research that made this possible. Crusher: I am delighted that Worf is going to recover. You gambled, he won. Not all of your patients are so lucky. You scare me, Doctor. You risk your patient's lives and justify it in the name of research. Genuine research takes time. Sometimes a lifetime of painstaking, detailed work in order to get any results. Not for you. You take short cuts, right through living tissue. You put your research ahead of your patient's lives, and as far as I'm concerned that's a violation of our most sacred trust. I'm sure your work will be hailed as a stunning breakthrough. Enjoy your laurels, Doctor. I'm not sure I could. Crusher: This is going to take time, Worf. Your muscles are still sorting out their new signals. Don't rush it. Troi: Alexander, remember what we talked about? Your father wants to do this by himself. Worf: It's all right, Counselor. I would appreciate some help from my son. We will work together. Alexander: Yes, sir.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45614.6. We have been contacted by an androgynous race called the J'naii to investigate the mysterious disappearance of one of their shuttlecraft. Data: Captain, we are approaching the designated coordinates. Picard: On screen. Long range scan, Mister Data. Data: Sensors find no evidence of the shuttle anywhere within the star system. Soren: It couldn't have traveled outside the system. Riker: Mister Data, reconfigure high resolution sweep, radius one million kilometers. Check for any debris. Data: Scan shows no debris within that radius. Krite: I don't understand it. A shuttle doesn't simply vanish. Soren: There has to be an explanation. Data: Captain, I am detecting an unusual reading. It appears to be a neutrino emission with no visible source. Picard: Explanation? Data: I have none, sir. I recommend we launch a probe. Picard: Make it so. Worf: Probe is launched. Data: Sensors show no evidence of any unusual phenomenon. Data: The probe is no longer transmitting. Soren: What happened? Where did it go? Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The sudden disappearance of our probe suggests that we may have found the first instance of what is called null space, an anomaly which until now had been only theoretical. Commander Riker has been working around the clock with a team of J'naii specialists to formalize this hypothesis. Soren: During the creation of a star system, when clouds of interstellar dust and gas coalesce, turbulent regions of magnetic and gravitational fields may develop. If certain conditions occur, these fields can condense into abnormal pockets of space. Riker: We think your system contains one of these null pockets. If we're right, the pocket would absorb electromagnetic energy from anything that entered it. Soren: Like a shuttlecraft. Riker: Or a probe. Making them powerless. Soren: But outside the pocket, all the energy is bent around it, making it naturally cloaked. That's why we cannot see it, and our sensors cannot read it. Noor: Is the shuttle still there? Riker: We think so. The shuttle probably wasn't able to sustain its energy, but other than that it wouldn't be damaged. Soren: Since our shuttles carry plestorene based backup systems, we think life support would sustain for as long as ten days. Noor: Then perhaps our crew has survived. Riker: We can send one of our own shuttles, but its energy would also be absorbed. Our Chief Engineer is working on a way to maintain the power reserves long enough to rescue your crew. Noor: Commander, we're grateful for your help. Whatever resources we can provide are yours. Soren: I've been thinking. When the time comes, I would like to pilot the shuttle. Riker: It's a Starfleet craft. Soren: I cannot ask you to put yourself in danger to rescue our crew. Riker: You can't pilot a shuttle you're not familiar with. Soren: I happen to be a good pilot Riker: I happen to be a good pilot, too. And I know my way around the Starfleet shuttle. So what if we team up? Soren: When can we go over the shuttle flight operations? Riker: Right now. Soren: Is this the one? Riker: This is it. Short-range craft, two twelve hundred fifty millicochrane warp engines. Soren: Looks like microfusion thrusters. Riker: Right. Soren: Armament? Riker: None, usually. This one's been fitted with two type-four phaser emitters. We'll use those to chart the null space. Soren: Chart it? Riker: Mister La Forge wants to get an idea of the size of the pocket. He thinks the rate of energy absorption is linked to its size. Soren: I'm not sure how we go about mapping something we can't see. Riker: Well, that's where the emitters come in. We shoot out a series of photon pulses into the pocket and chart where each one disappears. From that we should get a fairly complete outline. Soren: Let's take a look at the controls. Riker: Later we'll try a flight simulation. Right now let's do a systems review. I'll talk you through it. Soren: Let me try it. Propulsion system, transfer conduits. Where's the schematic reactor assembly? Oh, there it is. Engine nacelles. There's nothing here that's unfamiliar. Navigational deflector, redundant graviton polarity source generators. Riker: You handle these controls like you grew up in a shuttle. Soren: I did. My parents were pilots. I was flying with them before I could walk. And as soon as I was old enough, I entered flight school. Krite was my instructor. Riker: He had a good student. Soren: He? Commander, there are no he's or she's in a species without gender. Riker: Okay. For two days I've been trying to construct sentences without personal pronouns. Now I give up. What should I use? It? To us, that's rude. Soren: We use a pronoun which is neutral. I do not think there is really a translation. Riker: Then I'll just have to muddle through. So forgive me if a stray he or she slips by, okay? Soren: Well, if that's the systems review, I don't see any problem. What's next? Riker: Lunch. Soren: What is it? Riker: Split pea soup. It's my father's recipe. I had it programmed into the replicators. Well? Soren: Unusual, but I think I like it. Riker: It's very healthy. Helps to keep you warm on cold Alaskan nights. Soren: We prefer to stay warm by sleeping with a friend. Riker: I see. Soren: Not to mate. Just to sleep together for warmth. Riker: Still sounds better than pea soup. Soren: We are puzzling to you, aren't we? Riker: A little. It's hard to grasp the idea of no gender. Soren: It's just as hard for us to understand the strange division in your species. Males and females. You are male. Tell me about males. What is it that makes you different from females? Riker: Snips and snails and puppy dog tails? Soren: You have a dog's tail? Riker: It's an old nursery rhyme. Girls are made from sugar and spice, and boys are made from snips and snails. Soren: That makes it sound better to be female. Riker: It's an old-fashioned way of looking at the sexes. Not to say that there's no real difference between them. Physically, men are bigger, stronger in the upper body. We have different sexual organs. Men can't bear young. Soren: And what about feelings, or emotional attitudes? Are they different? Riker: Most people think so. But that's the kind of question that would take a lifetime to answer. Let me ask you, what's it like on a planet where the people have no gender? Soren: I'm afraid I don't understand. Riker: Well, who leads when you dance? If you dance. Soren: We do, and whoever's taller leads. Riker: Without the battle of the sexes you probably don't have as many arguments. Soren: Just because we don't have gender doesn't mean we don't have conflicts. We're very strong-minded. We love a good fight. Riker: From the sound of it there's not that much difference between our species. Soren: Maybe not. What kind of woman do you find attractive? Riker: I like one who's intelligent and sure of herself, who I can talk with and get something back. But the most important thing of all? She has to laugh at my jokes. Soren: Tell me, is that the kind of woman that all human males prefer? Riker: Not at all. Some like quiet, demure women. Others prefer a lot of energy. Some only respond to physical attractiveness. Others couldn't care less. There are no rules. Soren: You make it sound very complex. Riker: Believe me, it is. Soren: Well, perhaps it is that complexity which makes differences in the sexes so interesting. Krite: Good evening, Commander. Riker: Good evening. Soren: Please take my place, Krite. I have to be going. Thank you for going over the flight protocols, Commander. It was very helpful. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Commander Riker and the J'naii pilot have set out to chart the null space pocket. If they are successful, we can then proceed with a rescue attempt. Soren: I've illuminated the delta four grid map. We'll start there and expand. Riker: Stand by, forward phaser array. Soren: Pulse vanished at delta four point two by point three. Riker: Firing second burst. Soren: Delta four point four by point five. Riker: This is working. Initiating computer task hand-off. Soren: Commander, tell me about your sexual organs. Riker: Er. Soren: Is that an uncomfortable subject for humans? Riker: No, but it doesn't tend to be a topic of casual conversation. Soren: I'm interested in your mating practices. What is involved with two sexes? Riker: Correcting course. Zero two one mark zero. Soren: Mating? Riker: Right. Well, it's pretty simple. Men inseminate the women. Women carry the baby. Soren: Our fetuses are incubated in fibrous husks, which the parents inseminate. From what we know of other species, our method is less risky and less painful. Riker: And less enjoyable. Soren: Less enjoyable? Riker: For humans, the sexual act brings a closeness and intimacy. It can be a very pleasurable experience. Inseminating a husk. Soren: That's just the last step. Mating is a long ritual for us, full of variety and invention. I assure you, it is extremely pleasurable. Riker: I'm picking up a neutrino emission from within the null space. Soren: That may be coming from our shuttle. I'll note these coordinates. Soren: I wonder. Riker: What? Soren: If a human and a J'naii would be sexually compatible. Riker: I don't know. Soren: Of course it would never be permitted. Riker: Why not? Soren: The idea of gender. It is offensive to my people. You see, long ago we had two sexes, as you do. But we evolved into a higher form. I don't mean to sound insulting, but on my planet we have been taught that gender is primitive. Riker: Primitive? Soren: Less evolved. Riker: Maybe so, but sometimes there's a lot to be said for an experience that's primitive. Soren: Delta five grid map is fully plotted. Riker: Adjusting course. Zero two nine mark zero. Riker: The port engine's down. Soren: Reducing power in the starboard nacelle. Riker: That's not enough. I have to activate the maneuvering thrusters. Soren: Thrusters aren't responding. I'll try to reroute the firing sequence. Riker: Inertial dampers are failing. Hang on! Laforge: Enterprise to shuttle, do you read me? Riker: Affirmative. We've lost an engine. Laforge: We'll try to get a tractor beam on you. Riker: The sooner the better. Enterprise, we have an injury. Transport Soren directly to Sickbay. Laforge: Right away, Commander. Crusher: It's just a mild concussion. You're going to be fine. This will reduce the inflammation. Soren: Doctor, you are female. Crusher: Yes. Soren: Forgive me, I do not mean to be rude, but I'm curious. What is it like? Crusher: Well, it's just the way I am. I've never really thought about what it's like. Soren: I've noticed you tend to have longer hair, and you arrange it more elaborately. And you apply color to your bodies. Crusher: Color? Soren: You put color on your mouths, and your eyes, your cheeks, your fingernails. The men don't. Crusher: That's true. Soren: Then it is up to women to attract the men. Crusher: Oh, no. Men want to be attractive too, believe me. They just go about it differently. Soren: No color. Crusher: No color. They like to pretend they're not doing anything to attract a woman, even when it's the most important thing on their minds. Soren: This is very confusing. Then, are women considered more superior, or are men? Crusher: Neither. In the past, women were often considered weak and inferior. But that hasn't been true for a long time. Crusher: Will, your co-pilot is going to be fine. The injury was minor. Riker: I'm glad to hear it. Soren: I'm afraid you're not rid of me yet, Commander. I will be able to complete the mission. Riker: Glad you feel better. Soren: What happened? What made the shuttle go into a spin? Riker: The port nacelle must have nipped one of the protrusions from the null pocket and shut it down. Soren: Are we still on schedule, then? Riker: That depends on how you're doing. Soren: I'm fine. We should go check the port engine. Riker: Whoa. Maybe we should get the doctor's opinion first. Soren: Doctor? Crusher: I don't see any problem. But if you feel any symptoms, headache, dizziness, come back. Soren: You have my word. Troi: All right. This hand, the game is Federation Day. Worf: What is that? Troi: Well, the Federation was founded in Twenty One Sixty One, so, twos, sixes, and aces are wild. Worf: That is a woman's game. Troi: Oh? Why is that? Worf: All those wild cards. They support a weak hand. A man's game has no wild cards. Crusher: Let me get this straight. Are you saying it's a woman's game because women are weak and need more help? Worf: Yes. Crusher: And just this afternoon I was insisting to one of the J'naii that those attitudes were but a distant memory. Worf: The J'naii. They bother me. Troi: Why, Worf? Worf: They just do. They're all alike. No males, no females. Troi: Well I'm sure we're just as strange to them. Crusher: Well one of them seems to be overcoming the differences, at least in regards to one of us. Worf: What are you saying, Doctor? Crusher: I could be wrong, but I get the definite impression that Soren is attracted to Commander Riker. Worf: A human and a J'naii? Impossible. Data: Why? Troi: Good question. Worf? Worf: With all these wild cards, it is difficult to know exactly what is in my hand. However, I will open with fifty. Riker: The portable transporter array is in. When we get into null space, we'll need to initialize it before we can transport the J'naii crew to this shuttle. But there should still be enough power left to beam all of us back to the Enterprise. Soren: Is the buffer field generator installled? Riker: Not yet. Geordi thinks that'll be ready by oh eight hundred hours tomorrow. But before that, we should see if we can balance this engine. Can you access the starboard manifold thrust? Soren: There. Riker: Set the arc at six point three. I'll optimize the plasma flow. Soren: Commander, I'd like to tell you something. Something that's not easy to say. Riker: What's that? Soren: I find you attractive. I'm taking a terrible risk telling you that. It means revealing something to you, something that, if it were known on my planet, would be very dangerous for me. Occasionally, among my people, there are a few who are born different, who are throwbacks from the era when we all had gender. Some have strong inclinations to maleness, and some have urges to be female. I am one of the latter. Riker: I have to admit I had a feeling you were different. Soren: I was hoping you would. But in front of Krite and the others, I must be careful not to reveal myself. Riker: Why? Soren: On our world these feelings are forbidden. Those who are discovered are shamed and ridiculed, and only by undergoing psychotectic therapy and having all elements of gender eliminated can they become accepted into society again. Those of us who have these urges live secret and guarded lives. We seek each other out, always hiding, always terrified of being discovered. Riker: How long have you known that you were like this? Soren: I've known I was different all my life. But I didn't understand how or why until I was older. Riker: And when you realized, what then? Soren: I remember when I was very young, before I knew what I was, there was a rumor in my school that one of the students preferred a gender, in that case, male. The children started making fun of him, and every day they were more cruel They could tell he was afraid and somehow that seemed to encourage them. One morning in class, he appeared, bleeding and in ripped clothes. He said he had fallen down. And of course the school authorities found out and took him away, and gave him psychotectic treatments. When he came back, he stood in front of the whole school and told us how happy he was now that he had been cured. After that, I realized how dangerous it was to be different. And once I got older, and knew what I was, I was terrified. I have had to live with that fear ever since. Riker: Do you have relationships with others? Soren: Yes, with those who have discovered they are male. I have had to live a life of pretense and lies, but with you I can be honest. Please, don't say anything. Just think about it. Laforge: That's it, Commander, everything checks out. The energy buffer is installled and functioning. I estimate it should reduce the power drain to your systems by about forty percent. Riker: Any guess how long we'll have? Laforge: Lets just say you don't want to waste any time once you get in there. You'll have to give him continuous readouts on energy consumption. I can't even predict if the drain will be at a constant rate. Soren: I understand. Laforge: Then that's it. Commander, I'll monitor you as far as I can, but once you get inside that pocket you're on your own. Riker: We don't have any idea what condition the shuttle crew is in, so we'll all beam directly to Sickbay. Laforge: I'll notify Doctor Crusher to be standing by. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. Picard: Picard here. Laforge: We're ready to initiate shuttle pre-launch sequence. Picard: Proceed, Mister Data. Data: Initiating pre-launch sequence. Riker: Request flight clearance. Data: Clearance is granted. The shuttle is under way, sir. Picard: Good hunting, Commander. Riker: Thank you, sir. See you for dinner. Soren: Heading confirmed. Energy readings are normal, with power reserves stabilized at one hundred percent. Riker: Acknowledged. Soren: It's dead ahead, approximately fifty kilometers. Riker: Riker to Enterprise, we're taking her in. Riker: Riker to Enterprise? Riker to Enterprise. Soren: Power reserves are down to eighty four percent. Riker: Look. Try hailing them. Soren: Calling the Taris Murn. Do you read me? Riker: Getting sensor readings. They're unconscious but they're alive. Stand by. I'm going to transport them over here. Soren: Power reserves at sixty eight percent and dropping. Riker: The null space must be affecting the annular confinement beam. Soren: We used ten megajoules with that attempt. We're down to thirty four percent of reserves. Riker: We can give it one more try. More than that, we won't have enough power to get ourselves out of here. Soren: They need medical attention quickly. Riker: Okay. Stand by to transport to the Enterprise. Here we go. Riker: Energy consumption? Soren: We're down to nine percent. We don't have enough to get back. Riker: If we just sit here, we'll lose all of our systems within an hour, including life support. Okay, I'm rerouting the propulsion system to the transporter. Re-channel the navigation systems. Let's transfer every microjoule of energy we've got. Sensors, life support. This might give us one last shot. Soren: But if we use an energy shift of that size, it'll overload the phase compensators. The shuttle Riker: Will explode. But if we stay here, we're dead anyway. Maximum energy levels, five seconds. See you in a minute. Crusher: They've been oxygen deprived. There doesn't seem to be any significant damage. Prepare some dexalin. Medic: Yes, Doctor. Krite: Commander, thank you. Riker: Your colleague Soren was very helpful. Krite: Captain, would you all join us this evening? We would like to express our gratitude. Picard: We'd be happy to. Krite: Noor will be eager to get a first hand report. We should return to the surface. Soren: I will see you later tonight, Commander. Soren: There you are, Commander. I wondered what had happened to our guest of honor. Riker: I just needed some air. I can only take so much of these social functions, and then I need to breathe a little. Soren: I would think you had attended so many affairs like this that it would become second nature to you. Riker: I was raised outdoors. I'm never been very comfortable in crowded rooms. Soren: What do you think of our planet? Isn't it beautiful? Riker: Yes, it is. It's beautiful. Soren: We have many varieties of plant life. Perhaps you would like to inspect some of them? Riker: Yes, I would. I've always been interested in exobotany. Soren: Please, let me take you on a tour. Riker: Thank you. It's kind of you. Soren: One of my favorites is this menellen tree. The leaves first turn pure white, and then blue, when the weather gets cold. This is called a falla bush. It produces a fragrant flower on only one day of the year. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45620.4. In the hope that a detailed map of null space will prevent the loss of other ships, we remain in orbit of J'naii, charting the anomaly. Troi: Come in. Hello, Will. Riker: What's all this? Troi: Wonderful things. My mother sent me a box that belonged to one of my father's ancestors. It was stored on Earth and just recently turned up. Riker: Do you know who any of these people are? Troi: No. Some of the pictures have names on, but most of them don't. I look at these faces and I wonder who they are and if they could be related to me. Riker: This one looks like you. Deanna, I have something on my mind. I had to see you. Troi: Has something happened? Riker: I've met someone. Someone who's becoming important to me. Troi: Soren. Riker: Yes. You're my friend. I thought, I don't know, I thought I should tell you. Troi: I'm glad you did. Riker: Nothing will change between us, will it? Troi: Of course it will. All relationships are constantly changing. But we'll still be friends, maybe better friends. You're a part of my life, and I'm a part of yours. That much will always be true. Riker: Hello. I'm here to see Soren. Krite: I know. Riker: We had an appointment. We were going to discuss Krite: I don't think so, Commander. Riker: Excuse me? Krite: We know about the two of you. We know what you're doing. Riker: Where is Soren? Krite: We're going to make sure it doesn't happen again. Riker: Answer me. Where is Soren? Krite: In custody, and there's nothing you can do about it. Riker: The hell there isn't. Noor: You are aware of the charges against you? Soren: Yes. Noor: Do you intend to dispute them? Well? What is your response? Noor: Commander Riker, these proceedings are closed to everyone. Riker: I think I just opened them. Noor: Sir, this is a private matter. We are grateful for your recent help, but that gives you no right to interfere with our personal concerns. Riker: I want you to know what really happened. It's all my fault. I was attracted to Soren. I pursued. I insisted. I didn't understand your ways until she explained them to me and rejected me. Nothing happened between us. I ask your forgiveness. I behaved inappropriately. Noor: Is this true? Soren: No. Riker: Soren. Soren: I am tired of lies. I am female. I was born that way. I have had those feelings, those longings, all of my life. It is not unnatural. I am not sick because I feel this way. I do not need to be helped. I do not need to be cured. What I need, and what all of those who are like me need, is your understanding and your compassion. We have not injured you in any way. And yet, we are scorned and attacked. And all because we are different. What we do is no different from what you do. We talk and laugh. We complain about work and we wonder about growing old. We talk about our families, and we worry about the future. And we cry with each other when things seem hopeless. All of the loving things that you do with each other, that is what we do. And for that we are called misfits and deviants and criminals. What right do you have to punish us? What right do you have to change us? What makes you think you can dictate how people love each other? Noor: I congratulate you, Soren. Your decision to admit your perversion makes it much more likely that we can help you. Riker: Wait, wait, wait. You don't have to do this. Noor: Commander? Riker: Let me take her with me. She can go back to the Enterprise. We would give her asylum. You would never have to see her again. That would solve the problem, wouldn't it? You'd be rid of her. She would never be able to influence anyone again. Noor: Commander, after Soren's diatribe, you must think that we are a cruel, repressive people. Nothing could be further from the truth. Riker: I'm just trying to find a solution that would satisfy everyone. Noor: We are concerned about our citizens. We take our obligations to them seriously. Soren is sick, and sick people want to get well. Riker: Did it occur to you that she might like to stay the way she is? Noor: You don't understand. We have a very high success rate in treating deviants like this. And without exception, they become happier people after their treatment, and grateful that we care enough to cure them. You see, Commander, on this world, everyone wants to be normal. Riker: She is. Noor: Take Soren to quarters. Treatment will begin tomorrow. Riker: Don't do this. Soren! Noor: No more, Commander. Riker: Riker to Enterprise. One to transport. Riker: I can't just leave her there. They'll give her these psychotectic treatments. I don't know what to do. Picard: Well, I could talk to Noor. Perhaps there's a way to work something out. Riker: Sir, their minds are set. They don't want to hear another alternative. Picard: Then I'm not sure that there's much that we can do. Riker: There has to be. My relationship with Soren is not trivial. She's very important to me. It's my fault that this happened. I have to help her. Picard: Will, if you've come here for sanction to take matters into your own hands, I can't give it to you. Riker: I know that, but I have to do something. Picard: Interfering in the internal matters of the J'naii is prohibited by the Prime Directive. Riker: I'm aware of that. Picard: If you violate it, you may jeopardizing your career. Starfleet doesn't take these matters lightly, Will. I can't defend you if you go too far. Do you understand that? Riker: You've made yourself very clear, sir. Picard: Don't risk everything you've worked for. Riker: Thank you. May I be excused now? Riker: Who is it? Worf: Lieutenant Worf. Riker: Come in. Worf: Commander, I have the plan for deploying warning buoys around the null space. Riker: Fine. Leave it, I'll take a look at it later. Worf: Yes, sir. Riker: Thank you. You're dismissed. Worf: Commander, I am aware of what transpired on the planet surface. Are you by any chance considering an unannounced visit? I will go with you. Riker: Lieutenant. Worf: Sir, you are my commanding officer. If you order me to stay on board, I will obey. But I ask you not to give that order. A warrior does not let a friend face danger alone. Riker: Something's happening. They're leaving. Riker: Okay. Excuse me. I need to speak to her alone for a moment. Soren: Wait. Riker: Don't worry. We'll be out of here in a minute. Soren: Please. don't. Riker: All right, 1e're almost there. Soren: You cannot do this. Riker: I won't let them hurt you. You'll be safe on the Enterprise. Soren: I am so sorry. It was my fault that you got involved in all this. Riker: Everything's going to be all right. Everything's going to be fine. Soren: No, it is not. Riker: What are you talking about? Soren: It was all a mistake, and I should have realized it from the beginning. Riker: What? Soren: That I was sick. I had these terrible urges, and that is why I reached out to you. But it was wrong, and I see that now. I do not understand how I could have done what I did. Riker: Maybe Doctor Crusher can treat you and bring you back to the way you were. Soren: Why would I want that? Riker: Soren. I love you. Soren: I'm sorry. Picard: How long to the Phelan system, Mister Data? Data: At warp six, fifty three hours, sir. Picard: Commander? Riker: Captain. Picard: Starfleet has sent a message asking us to proceed to the Phelan system to negotiate a trade agreement. Riker: Yes, sir. Picard: I didn't know when to tell them we will be there. Is our business with the J'naii finished? Riker: Finished, sir. Picard: Very well. Ensign, take us out of orbit. Set a course for the Phelan system, warp six. Ensign: Aye, sir. Picard: Engage.

Riker: Damage report! Crusher: Casualty reports coming in from all over the ship. Data: The starboard nacelle has sustained a direct impact. We are venting drive plasma. Laforge: Initiating emergency core shutdown. Ro: Inertial dampers failing. We're losing attitude control. Riker: This is the Bridge. All hands to emergency escape pods. Data: Core shutdown is unsuccessful. We are losing antimatter containment. Laforge: We've got to eject the core! Data: Ejection systems offline. Core breach is imminent. Picard: All hands abandon ship. Repeat, all hands abandon Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45652.1. The Enterprise has entered an area of space known as the Typhon Expanse. We're the first Starfleet vessel to chart this unexplored region. Riker: Sometimes I wonder if he's stacking the deck. Data: I assure you, Commander, the cards are sufficiently randomized. Worf: I hope so. Data: Eight, Ace, Queen. The dealer receives a four. Worf: No bet. Data: Ten. Seven. No help there. A pair of ladies for the Doctor. The dealer receives a nine. Doctor? May I remind you since you show the highest hand, you control the next bet. Crusher: Thank you, Data. I bet ten. Worf? Data: Jack. Four. Deuce. Six. Crusher: Twenty. Riker: Your twenty, and fifty more. Worf: Fifty? Crusher: I'm in. Data: I will also see the bet. Seven. A possible straight for Commander Riker. Jack. Still no help for the Klingon. Eight. Nine for the dealer. Crusher: Twenty. Data: Too rich for my blood. Riker: Your twenty, one hundred more. Worf: Fold. Crusher: Two hundred. Riker: Your two, and three hundred more. Worf: He does not have a straight. Crusher: We'll soon find out, won't we. Let's see your cards. Riker: Take it. How'd you know I was bluffing? Crusher: I just had a feeling. Riker: I guess it's better to be lucky than good. Crusher: It's the way your left eyebrow raises when your bluffing. Just kidding, Commander. Ogawa: Ogawa to Doctor Crusher. Crusher: Go ahead. Ogawa: Commander La Forge needs you in Sickbay. Crusher: On my way. Laforge: At first I thought the catwalk was spinning. As it turns out, it was me. Luckily Ensign Fletcher was there to grab me. It's a long way down to the bottom of the warp core. Crusher: You have all the symptoms of an inner ear infection. That would explain the dizziness and the headaches. But there's no physical evidence. My guess is you've been working too hard. Laforge: I have been putting a lot of extra hours on this Typhon Expanse project. Crusher: I'll give you twenty cc's of vertazine. That should clear up the dizziness. But finding time to relax is up to you. Laforge: What? What is it? Crusher: Geordi, have you had these symptoms before? Laforge: No. Crusher: You're sure? Laforge: Yeah, I'm positive. Why? Crusher: It's funny. I feel like we've discussed this before, and I remember giving you a hypospray for dizziness. Laforge: I've never had these symptoms before today, so you must be thinking about another patient. Crusher: No. I'm sure it was you. Well, try to get some rest, and try to stay away from high places for a few days, just in case. Laforge: Thanks, Doc. Crusher: Goodnight. Laforge: Goodnight. Laforge: As you can see, the Typhon Expanse is huge. If we want to chart the most remote star system, we'll have to launch a probe within the next few hours. Riker: Fine. What about the luminosity studies? Laforge: That may pose a problem. Picard: How so? Laforge: The flux spectrometers are still down for re-alignment. Riker: I thought they were supposed to be back online yesterday. Laforge: They were, until the stellar dynamics lab decided they needed to installl new modules. Data: I recommend we use a gravitron polarimeter. It will perform a similar function. Picard: Make it so, Mister Data. Crusher: Captain, I have something I'd like to report. Picard: Yes, Doctor? Crusher: I heard voices in my room last night. I was alone, so at first I thought I was imagining things. But this morning, ten other people reported hearing them at the same time I did. Troi: What were the voices saying? Crusher: I couldn't make them out. Riker: Data, did the sensors pick up anything unusual last night? Data: No anomalous readings were reported. Riker: When we're through here, re-check the sensor logs. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Counselor? Troi: I sensed nothing unusual last night. Laforge: Maybe it's a problem with the comm. system. Worf: Bridge to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead. Worf: We are getting unusual readings twenty thousand kilometers off the starboard bow. Picard: On our way. Picard: Report. Ro: Sensors didn't detect the phenomenon until we were almost on top of it, sir. Worf: It is a highly localized distortion of the space-time continuum. Riker: On screen. Picard: Back us off, Ensign. Nice and slow. Ro: Aye sir. Captain, maneuvering thrusters are not responding. Data: The distortion field is fluctuating. Laforge: All main systems just went down. Power levels are dropping rapidly. Riker: Red alert. Data: There is an energy build up in the distortion field. Troi: We have to get out of here now. Data: Captain, something is emerging. Riker: Shields up. Evasive maneuvers. Worf: Shields inoperative. Ro: The helm's not responding. Data: The vessel is on a collision course. Impact in thirty six seconds. Picard: Hail them. Worf: No response. Picard: Suggestions? Riker: Decompress main shuttlebay. The explosive reaction may kick us out of the way. Data: Captain, I suggest we use the tractor beam to alter the other ship's trajectory. Picard: Mister Worf, make it so. Worf: Engaging tractor beam. Riker: Damage report! Crusher: Casualty reports coming in from all over the ship. Data: Starboard nacelle sustained a direct impact. Venting drive plasma. Laforge: Initiating emergency core shutdown. Ro: Inertial dampers failing. We're losing attitude control. Riker: This is the Bridge. All hands to emergency escape pods. Data: Core shutdown was unsuccessful. We are losing antimatter containment. Laforge: We've got to eject the engine core! Data: Ejection systems are offline. Core breach is imminent. Picard: All hands, abandon ship! Repeat, all hands abandon Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45652.1. The Enterprise has entered an area of space known as the Typhon Expanse. We are the first Starfleet vessel to chart this unexplored region. Riker: Sometimes I wonder if he's stacking the deck. Data: I assure you, Commander, the cards have been sufficiently randomized. Worf: I hope so. Data: Eight. Ace. Queen. The dealer receives a four. Worf: No bet. Data: Ten. Seven. No help there. A pair of ladies for the Doctor. Dealer receives a nine. Doctor? May I remind you since you show the highest hand, you control the next bet. Worf: Is there something wrong, Doctor? Crusher: No. I bet ten. Data: Jack. Four. Deuce. Six. Crusher: Twenty. Riker: Your twenty and I'll raise you fifty. You're going to call my bluff, aren't you. I think I'll quit while I'm ahead. Crusher: How did you know I was going to call your bluff? Riker: I just had a feeling. Crusher: Me too. Ogawa: Ogawa to Doctor Crusher. Crusher: Go ahead. Ogawa: Commander La Forge needs you in Sickbay. Crusher: On my way. Laforge: At first I thought the catwalk was spinning. As it turns out, it was me. I was lucky Ensign Fletcher was there to grab me. It's a long way down to the bottom of the warp core. Crusher: You have all the symptoms of an inner ear infection. That would explain your the headaches and the dizziness. But there's no physical Laforge: What? What is it? Crusher: Geordi, have you ever had these symptoms before? Laforge: Now that you mention it, I think I have. Crusher: Do you recall when? Laforge: No, I don't. Crusher: We've had this discussion before and I know I've given you this examination. Let's check the medical logs. You've been treated several times for headaches related to your visor, but I read no mention of dizziness. Laforge: Must be déjà vu. Crusher: Both of us? About the same thing? Crusher: Crusher to Captain Picard. Picard: Yes, Doctor? Crusher: Do you have a minute, Jean-Luc? Picard: My Aunt Adele cured a lot of sleepless nights with this steamed milk. Crusher: Thank you. Mmm, nutmeg. Picard: Whenever I get insomnia, I try to perfect the recipe. Crusher: It was the eeriest feeling. When the glass broke, it triggered the sensation even more intensely that I'd done it all before. Picard: You know, earlier, I was reading this book, and I had the distinct feeling I'd read certain paragraphs before. But I assumed I'd read the book years ago and I'd forgotten. Crusher: I've had this feeling for hours. And then the voices. Picard: Well, it could be nothing more than the result of a sleepless night. But let's be sure. Have Data and Geordi run a shipwide diagnostic, concentrating on the time and place you heard the voices, and we'll discuss the results tomorrow at seven hundred hours. Crusher: Thank you. For everything. Picard: Thank Aunt Adele. Data: The internal scans were negative. There was no evidence of auditory anomalies anywhere on the ship. Laforge: As far as the sensors are concerned, nothing unusual happened last night. Crusher: Ten other people reported hearing voices at the same time I did. Worf: Bridge to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead. Worf: We are getting unusual readings twenty thousand kilometers off the starboard bow. Picard: On our way. Picard: Report. Ro: Sensors didn't detect the phenomenon until we were almost on top of it, sir. Worf: It is a highly localized distortion of the space-time continuum. Riker: On screen. Picard: Back us off, Ensign. Nice and slow. Ro: Aye sir. Captain, maneuvering thrusters are not responding. Data: The distortion field is fluctuating. Laforge: All main systems just went down. Power levels are dropping rapidly. Riker: Red alert. Data: There is an energy build up in the distortion field. Troi: We have to get out of here now. Data: Captain, something is emerging. Riker: Shields up. Evasive maneuvers. Worf: Shields inoperative. Ro: The helm is not responding. Data: The vessel is on a collision course. Impact in thirty six seconds. Picard: Hail them. Worf: No response. Picard: Suggestions? Riker: Decompress main shuttlebay. The explosive reaction may blow us out of the way. Data: Captain, I suggest we use the tractor beam to alter the other ship's trajectory. Picard: Make it so, Mister Worf. Worf: Engaging tractor beam. Riker: Damage report! Crusher: Casualty reports coming in from all over the ship. Data: Starboard nacelle has sustained a direct impact. We are venting drive plasma. Laforge: Initiating emergency core shutdown. Ro: Inertial dampers failing. We're losing attitude control. Riker: This is the Bridge. All hands to emergency escape pods. Data: Core shutdown was unsuccessful. We are losing antimatter containment. Laforge: We've got to eject the core! Data: Ejector systems are offline. Core breach is imminent Picard: All hands abandon ship. Repeat, all hands abandon Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45652.1. The Enterprise has entered an area of space known as the Typhon Expanse. We are the first Starfleet vessel to chart this unexplored region. Riker: Sometimes I wonder if he's stacking the deck. Data: I assure you, Commander, the cards are sufficiently randomized. Worf: I hope so. Riker: Something wrong, Mister Worf? Worf: I am experiencing nIb'poH, the feeling I have done this before. Riker: Yeah, last Tuesday night. Worf: That's not what I mean. Crusher: I've been having the same feeling. Keep dealing, Data. Data: Eight. Ace. Crusher: A Queen. You're going to give me a Queen. And you're going to get a four. Deal, Data. Data: But no one has bet. Crusher: Forget the bet. Just deal. Ten, seven, queen. Worf: Nine. Jack. Four. Riker: Deuce. Six. Data: This is highly improbable. Riker: How did we know? Crusher: Wait. Crusher to Sickbay. Ogawa: Sickbay here. Crusher: Is Commander La Forge there? Ogawa: No, Doctor, he's not. Wait a minute. He just came in. Picard: You wanted to see me, Doctor? Crusher: Yes. Captain, have you been getting the feeling that you've experienced certain things before? A sense of repetition? Picard: Yes, recently. While I was reading. Why do you ask? Crusher: There have been similar incidents reported all over the ship. Feelings of déjà vu. I had a premonition Geordi was going to come in to Sickbay. A few seconds later he did, with the symptoms of an ear infection. I was going to run the standard tests, but somehow I had a feeling they would turn out negative. So I ran an optical diagnostic which traced the problem to Geordi's visor. His dizziness is being caused by a phase shift in his visual receptors. It's causing him to see images that aren't there. Laforge: They're like blurry after-images. Crusher: I ran a scan to see if I could detect what he was seeing. I picked up miniscule distortions in the surrounding dekyon field. Somehow, his visor is translating those distortions into visual impulses. Laforge: It could be a malfunction in the ship's warp field generator. I'll check it out. Picard: Run a localized subspace scan to look for anything else. Laforge: Aye, sir. Picard: Keep me advised. Crusher: Crusher to Commander La Forge. Laforge: La Forge here. Crusher: Geordi, I just heard what sounded like voices in my room, but no one else is here. Laforge: Sensors just picked up something strange, too. We're checking it out. Crusher: I'm on my way. Laforge: Looks like you managed to record six point two seconds worth. Let's see if we can filter the signal and clear it up a little bit. Crusher: Then I wasn't just hearing things? Data: The sound itself appears to have been real. However the acoustic energy does not correspond to any ship's system, nor to any voice communications sent at the time you heard it. Crusher: Then where did the sound come from? Laforge: You heard the voices at the same time our localized subspace scan picked up a dekyon field distortion. The two may be related. Let's give another listen. Data: Computer, perform a narrow bandwidth analysis. Eliminate all non-vocal waveform components. Crusher: Can we isolate the voices? Find out what they're saying? Data: Computer, continuous playback please. There are approximately one thousand voices overlapping. The voices are those of the Enterprise crew. Our voices. Crusher: I'm sorry to call you here so early, but we couldn't wait until oh seven hundred hours. We think we may have an explanation for the odd occurrences around here. Commander. Laforge: This is going to sound pretty wild. Somehow, we've entered what seems to be a temporal causality loop. We think we're stuck in a particular fragment in time, and we've been repeating that same fragment over and over again. Troi: Is this what's causing our déjà vu? Crusher: Yes, but it's more than that. In déjà vu, you only think you're repeating events. We actually are. Laforge: Our theory is this. Every time the loop begins again, everything resets itself, and starts all over. We don't remember anything that happened before, so each time through the loop, we think it's the first. Riker: You mean we could have come into this room, sat at this table and had this conversation a dozen times already? Laforge: A dozen, a hundred, it's impossible to tell. We could have been trapped here for hours, days, maybe years. Crusher: If what we're saying is true, those voices I heard might have been echoes from previous loops. Laforge: It's the same thing with the phase shift in my visor. After-images in time. Picard: If you're right about this, how did it happen? How did we get there? Data: I have a hypothesis that may explain that, Captain. I have analyzed the recording Doctor Crusher made. Most of it is quite ordinary. One hundred fifty discussions about ship operations, two hundred fifty two conversations of a personal nature, five couples engaged in romantic encounters. Picard: Your point, Mister Data? Data: There is evidence of some sort of disaster aboard the Enterprise, severe enough that the Captain ordered all hands to abandon ship. I have isolated three segments of the recording that are crucial. Worf: A highly localized distortion of the space-time continuum. Data: Collision course. Impact in thirty six seconds. Picard: All hands, abandon ship! Repeat, all hands abandon Laforge: Worf refers to a distortion. If this were a temporal distortion, and if we were close enough to it, it's possible that a large enough explosion might've ruptured the space-time continuum. We collided, exploded, then got stuck in this repeating loop of time. Picard: If you're right, perhaps we could escape the loop by avoiding the collision. Laforge: That's our guess. Worf: Maybe we should reverse course. Riker: For all we know, reversing course may be what leads us into the crash. Picard: No. We can't afford to start second guessing ourselves. We'll stay on this course until we have reason to change it. But let's do everything we can to avoid the collision. Laforge: Captain, we might not be able to figure out how to avoid this accident until it's too late. And if the loop begins again, we'll forget everything we've learned this time around. Picard: What do you suggest? Laforge: If we do find a way to avoid this collision, we should try to send that information into the next loop. Riker: Is that possible? Data: We have seen that echoes, or after-images, from previous loops appear as distortions in the dekyon field. We may be able to send a deliberate echo into the next loop. Troi: Like a message in a bottle. Laforge: Exactly. We could enhance a dekyon emission to create a specific pattern and send ourselves a message. Not a long one, probably only a few characters. Maybe one word. Riker: How do we know we'll pick up that word the next time through? Data: If the dekyon emission is modulated correctly, it will set up resonances in my positronic subprocessors. I will receive the information on what you would call a subconscious level. Laforge: Now there's the catch. We have no way of knowing how this information will be perceived by Data. It might be like a posthypnotic suggestion. Picard: Even with all these uncertainties, we've got to try. Take whatever steps are necessary to send a message. Dismissed. Laforge: You know, it's possible we've tried this a thousand times and it's never worked. Crusher: Do you have a feeling that you've done this before? Laforge: No, I don't. Crusher: Neither do I. Maybe that's a good sign. Laforge: Let's test the emitter. Data: Particle accelerators at full power. Laforge: Dekyon field active. Particle flux nominal. We're in business. Crusher: All we need now is a message. Riker: Senior officers, report to the Bridge. Crusher: On our way. Riker: We've got to figure out how we've handled this before. Picard: Back us off, Ensign. Nice and slow. Ro: Aye sir. Captain maneuvering thrusters are not responding. Data: The distortion field is fluctuating. Laforge: All main systems just went down. Power levels are dropping rapidly. Data: There is an energy build up in the distortion field. Troi: We have to get out of here now. Data: Captain, something is emerging. Riker: Shields up. Evasive maneuvers. Worf: Shields inoperative. Ro: The helm's not responding. Data: The vessel is on a collision course. Impact in thirty six seconds. Picard: Hail them. Worf: No response. Picard: Suggestions? Riker: Decompress main shuttlebay. The explosive reaction may blow us out of the way. Data: Captain, I recommend we use the tractor beam to alter the other ship's trajectory. Picard: Make it so, Mister Worf. Worf: Engaging tractor beam. Riker: Damage report! Crusher: Casualty reports are coming in from all over the ship. Data: Starboard nacelle has sustained a direct impact. We are venting drive plasma. Laforge: Initiating emergency core shutdown. Ro: Inertial dampers failing. We're losing attitude control. Riker: This is the Bridge. All hands to emergency escape pods. Data: Core shutdown is unsuccessful. We are losing antimatter containment. Laforge: We got to eject the core! Data: Ejection systems are offline. Core breach is imminent. Picard: All hands abandon ship. Repeat, all hands abandon Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45652.1. The Enterprise has entered an area of space known as the Typhon Expanse. We are the first Starfleet vessel to chart this unexplored region. Riker: Sometimes I wonder if he's stacking the deck. Data: I assure you, Commander, the cards are sufficiently randomized. Worf: I hope so. Riker: Something wrong, Mister Worf? Worf: I am experiencing nIb'poH. The feeling I have done this before. Riker: Yeah, last Tuesday night. Worf: That is not what I mean. Crusher: I've been having the same feeling. Wait. An eight, an Ace, a Queen and a four. Deal the cards, Data. Data: Three. All threes. Crusher: I was positive I knew what cards were going to be dealt. Worf: I was also sure. Riker: Finish dealing the hand. Riker: Look at this, we've all got three of a kind. Crusher: First we get a three, and then three of a kind. Ogawa: Ogawa to Doctor Crusher. Crusher: Go ahead. Ogawa: Commander La Forge needs you in Sickbay. Crusher: I'm on my way. Laforge: At first I thought the catwalk was spinning. As it turns out, it was me. I was lucky Ensign Fletcher was there to grab me. It's a long way down to the bottom of the warp core. Crusher: You have all the symptoms of an inner ear infection. That would explain the headaches, dizziness. But I don't see any physical Laforge: What? What is it? Crusher: Geordi, have you ever had these symptoms before? Laforge: Now that you mention it, I think I have. Crusher: Do you recall when? Laforge: No, I don't. Crusher: I know we've had this discussion before, and I remember giving you this examination. Let's check the medical logs. You've been treated several times for headaches related to your visor but there's no mention of dizziness. Laforge: Must be déjà vu. Crusher: Both of us? About the same thing? I'd like to run an optical diagnostic. Laforge: For an ear infection? Crusher: I have a hunch. Hold still. This pulse may be a little bright. Have you made any changes to your visor lately? Laforge: No. Why? Crusher: I'm detecting a small phase shift in your visual receptors. Crusher: Crusher to Captain Picard. Picard: Yes, Doctor? Crusher: Can you come to Sickbay immediately? It's urgent. Picard: I'm on my way. Crusher: His dizziness is being caused by a phase shift in his visual receptors. It's causing him to see things that aren't there. Laforge: They're like blurry after-images. Crusher: I ran a scan to see if I could detect what he was seeing. I picked up miniscule distortions in the surrounding dekyon field. His visor seems to be translating those distortions into visual impulses. Laforge: Could be a malfunction in the ship's warp field generator. I'll check it out. Picard: While you're at it, run a localized subspace scan to look for anything unusual. Laforge: Aye, sir. Picard: Keep me advised, Doctor. Laforge: Lateral sensors online. Subspace scanners active. Data, would you run a level two diagnostic on the warp subsystems? Data: Certainly. Laforge: All threes. that can't be right. Data: I have encountered the numeral three an inordinate number of times over the last two hours. Laforge: We have got a dekyon field fluctuation on deck nine, section twenty eight. Crusher: Crusher to Commander La Forge. Laforge: La Forge here. Crusher: I just heard what sounded like voices in my room, but there's no one here. Laforge: Sensors just picked up something strange, too. We're checking it out. Crusher: I'm on my way down. Laforge: Doctor Crusher, are you all right? Crusher: I'm fine. Data: I have isolated three segments of this recording that are crucial. Worf: A highly localized distortion of the space-time continuum. Data: Collision course. Impact in thirty six seconds. Picard: All hands, abandon ship! Repeat, all hands abandon Laforge: Worf refers to a distortion. If this were a temporal distortion, and if we were close enough to it, it's possible that a large enough explosion might've ruptured the space time continuum. We collided, exploded, then got stuck in this repeating loop of time. Picard: If you're right about this then perhaps we can escape the loop by avoiding the collision. Laforge: That's our guess. Worf: Perhaps we should reverse course. Riker: For all we know, reversing course might be what leads us into the crash. Picard: We can't afford to start second guessing ourselves. We should stay on this course until we have reason to change it. But in the meantime, I think we should do what we can to avoid a collision. Laforge: Captain. We've been seeing the number three all over the ship. On consoles, in a poker game. Data: To date we have encountered two thousand eighty five conspicuous examples of the number three. Laforge: All of these threes can't be coming up by accident. Crusher: Maybe somebody's trying to tell us something. Laforge: We came to the same conclusion so we ran a shipwide diagnostic. The only unusual thing we found was a dekyon field modulation in Data's positronic subprocessors. Riker: What could be causing it? Laforge: I don't know, but if I wanted to send information from one loop to the next I might use a method like a dekyon emission. Troi: You think we sent ourselves a message? Laforge: It would make sense. Maybe we are trying to tell ourselves something. Picard: If that were true, what could three indicate? Riker: Maybe we should run a level three diagnostic on all key systems. Laforge: It's a good idea. I'll have the computer run a pattern matching algorithm based on the number three. Ro: Bridge to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead. Ro: We're getting unusual readings twenty thousand kilometers off the starboard bow. Picard: On our way. Picard: Report. Ro: Sensors didn't detect the phenomenon until we were almost on top of it, Captain. Worf: It is a highly localized distortion of the space-time continuum. Riker: On screen. How do you think we handled this before? Picard: Back us off, Ensign. Nice and slow. Ro: Aye, sir. Captain, maneuvering thrusters are not responding. Data: The distortion field is fluctuating. Laforge: All main systems just went down. Power levels are dropping rapidly. Data: There is an energy build up in the distortion field. Troi: We have to get out of here now. Data: Captain, something is emerging. Riker: Shields up. Evasive maneuvers. Worf: Shields inoperative. Ro: The helm's not responding. Data: The vessel is on a collision course. Impact in thirty six seconds. Picard: Hail them. Worf: No response. Picard: Suggestions? Riker: Decompress main shuttlebay. The explosive reaction may kick us out of the way. Data: Captain, I suggest we use the tractor beam to alter the other ship's trajectory. Picard: Make it so, Mister Worf. Worf: Engaging tractor beam. Data: The tractor beam will not be successful. I am decompressing the main shuttlebay. Worf: We are clear of the distortion. Picard: Data, what happened? Data: At the last moment, I speculated that three might refer to the number of rank insignia on Commander Riker's uniform. That indicated to me that his suggestion might be the correct course of action. Laforge: Data, you must have picked up a message we sent from the last loop, and stacked the deck in the poker game without realizing it. Data: That is possible. I may also have been inadvertently responsible for the unexplained appearances of the number three. Picard: Mister Worf, end Red alert. And try to access a Federation time base beacon. Let's see if we can find out how long we've been in this causality loop. Worf: Time base confirms our chronometers are off by seventeen point four days. Picard: Reset them, Mister Data. Data: Aye, sir. Worf: Captain, we are being hailed by the other vessel. The computer identifies it as the USS Bozeman, a Federation starship, Soyuz class. Laforge: Soyuz class? They haven't been in service in over eighty years. Picard: Open a channel. Bateson: This is Captain Morgan Bateson of the Federation Starship Bozeman. Can we render assistance? Picard: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. We were just going to ask you the same thing. Bateson: Captain Picard, your vessel is not familiar to us. Picard: Captain, have you any idea what has just happened? Bateson: Our sensors detected a temporal distortion. Then your ship appeared. We nearly hit you. Picard: The Enterprise has been caught in temporal causality loop, and I suspect that something similar may have happened to you. Bateson: You must be mistaken. We left starbase only three weeks ago. Picard: Captain, do you know what year this is? Bateson: Of course I do. It's twenty two seventy eight. Picard: Perhaps you should beam aboard our ship. There's something we need to discuss.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45703.9. We are en route to Earth, where it will be my pleasant duty to deliver this year's commencement address at Starfleet Academy. I'm also looking forward to seeing Wesley Crusher again. His flight team will perform a demonstration near Saturn that will be transmitted to the graduation ceremonies. Worf: Captain, Starfleet Academy is requesting an update on our estimated arrival. Picard: Mister Data? Data: We should be arriving at Earth in ten hours sixteen minutes, sir. Picard: Please inform the Academy, Mister Worf, and send my regards to Superintendant Brand. Worf: Aye, sir. Troi: Do you know Admiral Brand? Picard: We've met a few times. She's a formidable woman. Riker: Sounds like my superintendent. When I was at the Academy, we had a Vulcan Superintendent who had memorized the personnel files of every single cadet. He knew everything about them. It was like having your parents around all the time. Picard: My superintendent was a Betazoid, a full telepath. When he sent for you to his office, he didn't have to ask what you'd done. Riker: You got called into the superintendent's office? That's a story I'd like to hear. Worf: Sir, we are being hailed again by the Academy. It is Admiral Brand. Picard: On screen. Worf: Sir, she is requesting a private channel. Picard: In my Ready room. Picard: Admiral Brand. What can I do for you? Brand: Hello, Captain. I know you're a close friend of the Crusher family. Picard: Yes. Brand: I wanted to inform you personally. There's been an accident. Picard: He had second degree burns on his chest and multiple fractures of his right arm, but he's going to be fine. Crusher: Have they completed the regeneration series? Picard: I'm not certain. Crusher: Wesley's allergic to metorapan treatments. I think they'll have to use a bicaridine substitute. I should send his complete records to the Academy infirmary. Of course, they probably have them already, but you can't be too sure. Picard: Beverly. He's fine. Crusher: I know he's fine. I know he's fine. How did it happen? Picard: Apparently, his squadron was practicing on the Academy flight range near Saturn. they were flying a close formation. There was a collision. All five ships were destroyed. Four of the cadets managed to transport out. One didn't make it. Crusher: Do you know who it was? Picard: Yes. His name was Joshua Albert. Crusher: Wesley spoke of him. They were friends. Wesley was so excited to make the flight team. Of course, I was a little nervous, but I was proud of him. I always knew there was a chance that something like this might Picard: Beverly, Wesley's alive and he's well. Brand: There was very little left to salvage from the wreckage. We did recover one of the ships' data recorders, but it was badly damaged. We're attempting to restore the information, but that will take some time. Standard procedure calls for an immediate investigation by two command level officers. Captain Satelk and I will be taking depositions from Nova Squadron at fifteen hundred hours today. Commander Albert. I'm sure that everyone in this room joins me in expressing my deepest sympathies to you on the tragic loss of your son. There will be a memorial service for Cadet Albert this evening in the west garden. It has been suggested that we should cancel the graduation ceremonies in the light of what's happened. Commander Albert and I have discussed this and we've agreed that commencement should go forward as planned. The cadets should know that even after a tragedy like this, there are still duties to perform and life continues. Thank you all for coming. Brand: It's good to see you again, Captain. I wish it were under better circumstances. Picard: This is an unhappy way to begin commencement. If you require any assistance, then the Enterprise is at your disposal. Brand: I'm sure we'll be able to conduct the investigation, but thank you for your offer. Crusher: Wes. I was so worried about you. Picard: How are you feeling, Wesley? Wesley: Not bad. The arm's a little sore. Crusher: We were very sorry to hear about Joshua. Picard: Would you like to talk about it? Wesley: No. I don't think so. No, thank you. I know you're trying to be helpful, sir, but it seems like that's all I've talked about for the last two days. I don't want to go through it again. Picard: I understand. But I just want you to know I'm available if you should change your mind. Wesley: Thank you sir. Wesley: Hi. Locarno: Hi. Locarno: Captain, sir. Picard: At ease, Cadet. Wesley: This is my squadron leader, Nicholas Locarno. This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise. My mother, Doctor Beverly Crusher. Locarno: Hello, Doctor. Crusher: Hello. Locarno: Captain Picard. Picard: Mister Locarno. Locarno: I came by to see if Wes had healed up all right. Crusher: And how are you feeling, Nicholas? Locarno: I'm okay. I just never lost anyone under my command before. Picard: I'm afraid that never gets easier. Wesley: Captain, Mom, will you excuse us please? Nick and I have some things we need to talk about. Crusher: Of course. Let me know if you need anything. Wesley: I will. Picard: I'll see you at the inquiry. Good to meet you, Mister Locarno. Locarno: You too, sir. Locarno: The inquiry is scheduled for fifteen hundred hours. Are you ready? Wesley: I think so. Locarno: Don't worry about it, Wes. Everything's going to be all right so long as we stick together. Boothby: Hey! Can't you see that's a flower bed? Cadet: Sorry. I'm really sorry. Picard: Boothby? Jean-Luc Picard, class of twenty seven. Boothby: I know that. What happened to your hair? Picard: How are you? Boothby: I'm pretty damned cranky, thank you. I've already replanted this bed four times this week. Picard: Let me give you a hand. Boothby: You? Picard: I've acquired an interest over the years. Boothby: Well, don't plant 'em too deep. The stems Picard: Will rot. Boothby: Captain Picard. Of the Enterprise, no less. And giving the commencement address. Picard: You sound surprised. Boothby: Surprised? Uh, uh. Nothing you ever did surprised me, son. Except that time you caught that Ligonian with a reverse body lift and pinned him in the first fourteen seconds of the match. Didn't think you had it in you. Picard: Well, it was all in the legs, all that running I did. Boothby. Boothby: Hmmm? Picard: I don't think I ever. I don't think I ever told you how much I appreciate. Boothby: There's nothing to tell. Picard: Yes, there is. I just wanted to, while I was here. Look, you know as well as I do I would never have graduated if you Boothby: You made a mistake. There isn't a man among us who hasn't been young enough to make one. Picard: Nevertheless. Boothby: You did what you had to do. You did what you thought was best. I just made sure that you listened to yourself. Picard: At the time I thought you were a mean-spirited, vicious old man. Boothby: I was. And by the way, I was about the same age you are now. Picard: I didn't speak to you for months. Boothby: You needed to get your bearings. I knew that. The important thing is, what you did with your life afterwards. Seems you did okay. That's thanks enough for me. Picard: Did you know the boy from Nova Squadron who was killed? Boothby: Josh Albert? Yeah. Crusher, Hajar, Sito, Locarno. I know them all. Locarno: You nervous? Sito: No. Yes. Locarno: That's okay. So am I. But we're going to be all right. We've got some tough times ahead but we've always come through for each other. Whatever happens, I want you all to know that leading this team has been the high point of my years at the Academy. No one could have asked for a better team, or better friends. Let's go. Locarno: At this point, we accelerated and executed a starboard turn of twenty seven degrees. We came out of the turn on course for Titan. Brand: And you were still in the lead position? Locarno: Yes, sir. Brand: Continue. Locarno: As we entered Titan's gravitational sphere, I gave the signal to tighten up and move into a diamond slot formation. Remaining in the diamond formation, we executed a low apogee turn around Titan then began a z-plus twenty five degree climb in preparation for a Yeager loop. Locarno: Approximately nine seconds later, Cadet Albert's ship collided with Cadet Hajar's. We had less than two seconds to activate our emergency transporters and beam to the evac stations at Mimas. Everyone made it except Josh. Brand: Thank you, Mister Locarno. Cadet Hajar. Brand: As team navigator, you filed a flight plan with the Academy Range Officer before the exercise. Correct? Hajar: Yes, sir. Brand: Did Nova Squadron deviate from that flight plan after you entered the Saturn range? Hajar: No, sir. Brand: Then how do you explain the fact that the low apogee turn around Titan was at least two thousand kilometers closer to the moon than indicated in your plan? Hajar: We were still within flight safety parameters, sir. Brand: That was not my question, Cadet. Hajar: We had discussed changing our approach after I filed the flight plan. The final decision was made en route to Saturn. I didn't consider it significant enough to mention here. I apologize for the confusion, sir. I should have been more precise. Satelk: Did you see Mister Albert's ship break formation before it collided with your ship? Hajar: No, sir. My first indications of trouble was when my proximity alarm went off. Satelk: You may be seated. Did any of you see the collision take place? Locarno: No, sir. Satelk: Cadet Sito, you were in the tail position, therefore you should have seen any sign of trouble from Cadet Albert. Yet you saw nothing? Sito: That is correct, sir. Satelk: Did your attention falter? Sito: No, sir. I was flying solely on sensor readings at the time. I did not have any visual contact with Cadet Albert's ship when he broke formation. Satelk: Sensor readings? Crusher: What's wrong? Picard: Well, it's unusual to fly on sensors alone in this type of maneuver. The pilot relies on visual clues from the other ships to maintain formation. Brand: If you were flying on sensors alone, perhaps you could tell us the orientation of his ship before the collision. Sito: I don't know, sir. Brand: You were flying a ship, traveling eighty thousand kph, with Cadet Albert's ship less than ten meters away and you don't know what his orientation was? Sito: I don't remember, sir. Locarno: Sir, may I? Brand: Go ahead. Locarno: Admiral, Josh was a good pilot but lately he'd been having difficulties. He'd get nervous during close fly-bys and pull away in the final seconds. His formation flying was a little erratic. Brand: And you didn't report this to anyone? Locarno: No, sir, I didn't. We'd flown together a long time. I thought he could handle it if I gave him a chance. I was wrong. Brand: Then you are saying that the accident was Cadet Albert's fault? Locarno: I think Josh got frightened and tried to pull out of the turn prematurely, and then crashed into Cadet Hajar. Josh was our friend. We didn't want him to be remembered as someone who panicked. Brand: Please be seated. I'm very disturbed by what I've heard here today. By your own admission, you allowed your teammate to fly when you knew he was having difficulties maintaining formation. That demonstrates a serious lack of judgment. I am also disturbed by the fact that you did not come forward with this information immediately. We should have the first data from Mister Crusher's flight recorder tonight. We will reconvene at thirteen hundred hours tomorrow. Locarno: Everything's fine. Trust me. Laforge: I don't know, Captain. The Academy has one of the best reconstructive analysis labs in Starfleet. I'm not sure there's much we could contribute to the investigation. Picard: Yes, that may well be. But Wesley's one of our own. Laforge: Understood, sir. We'll get right on it. Picard: Good. I've spoken with Admiral Brand and she's agreed to allow us access to all of the physical evidence and testimony. Thank you, gentlemen. Sito: You shouldn't have said it, Nick. Josh wasn't responsible for what happened. Locarno: I had to do something. Wesley: You said we wouldn't have to lie to them. We all agreed not to lie to them. Locarno: I didn't lie. Everything I said was the truth. Wesley: The accident was not Josh's fault. Locarno: Look, he was my friend too, Wes. I worked to get him on this team. But the truth is, he panicked. Wesley: We don't know that. Locarno: Of course we do. None of us has wanted to say it out loud, but we've all had the same thought. Haven't we? Hajar: He must have pulled away too soon. I think he got scared. Locarno: Sito? Locarno: Wes, I know you want to protect his memory, We all do. But we have to look out for ourselves now. What do you want us to do, walk in and tell them everything that happened? Sito: We might as well turn in our uniforms and start packing our bags. Locarno: Are we ready for that? We'll take this one step at a time. This is the preliminary report from your flight recorder. It was so badly damaged in the crash, that the lab could only retrieve a third of the total telemetry on the recorder. And all of it is before the collision. There's no problem here. Wesley: I don't know if I can do this, Nick. Sito: You don't have to lie. Just don't volunteer any new information. Locarno: The first night I met you, Wes, I knew I wanted you on this squad. You, more than any of the rest, would understand what it means to be able to count on someone, because you've been out there, putting yourself on the line. You know you've got to be able to count on the people on your team, because your life is in their hands, and their lives are in yours. We made a promise to each other right in the beginning, that we'd stick together. We were Nova Squadron. Nobody else could say that. And even after we graduated, we'd try to get posted to the same duty. We were going to be a team for a long time. Josh can't be a part of those plans anymore, but I think he would still want us to be a team. What do you think? Albert: Mister Crusher? Wesley: Sir. Albert: At ease. Am I interrupting? Wesley: No. I was just going over my deposition for tomorrow. Albert: They told me you'd be here. I found this in Josh's room. I think it belongs to you. Wesley: Our ski trip. Josh and I went to Calgary last month. He forgot his sweater so he borrowed one of mine. Albert: He told me you helped him with his classes. Wesley: A little. He only needed help in statistical mechanics. Albert: If Josh had a weakness, it was mathematics. Wesley: No, he could do it. He just didn't like to. Albert: His mother and I thought he'd never get out of calculus. Then he found out what the Academy entrance requirements were like. That turned him around. He stayed after class, got a tutor. He really worked hard. Never gave up on anything. And he had a lot of respect for you, and everybody on the team. I realize it was his fault. That everybody could have been killed. And I want to say that, I want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry that he let you down. Brand: Are you ready, Mister Crusher? Wesley: Yes, sir. This is the beginning of our run toward Titan. I'm on the right wing. Brand: Where is Mister Albert at this point? Wesley: He was on my port quarter, approximately fifty meters away. We've just received the signal to begin the diamond slot formation. That's Cadet Locarno coming into view. We're in a twenty degree turn around Titan. We should be coming out of Titan's gravity well about now. Brand: That is the extent of the data we were able to recover from the flight recorder. Mister Crusher, would you describe what happened after you left orbit of Titan? Wesley: Once we cleared the moon, Mister Locarno led us into a Yeager loop. Approximately nine seconds later, my proximity alarm went off. I tried to veer away, but it was too late and I was hit. I lost control of my ship. A power coupling exploded in my cockpit. I don't know how, but I managed to activate my escape transporter, and the next thing I remember is finding myself on the emergency evac station on Mimas with the rest of the squadron, except Josh. Brand: Do you have anything to add to your testimony? Wesley: No, sir. Satelk: Mister Crusher, will you describe a Yeager loop? Wesley: The ships begin in a diamond slot formation, and climb and loop backwards at a steep angle, and at the peak of the loop, turn over and accelerate in a new direction. Satelk: Mister Crusher, did your team remain in formation throughout the loop? Wesley: Yes, sir. Brand: I want you to be absolutely clear on this point, Mister Crusher. Before the collision, was Nova Squadron in a diamond slot formation? Wesley: Yes, sir. Satelk: Computer, display Saturn NavCon file six dash three seven nine. These images were obtained by a navigational control satellite in orbit around Saturn during a standard sensor sweep. Computer, freeze image. Magnify sector gamma three and enhance. Satelk: This image was recorded when your ships moved briefly into the satellite's sensor range. According to the time index, what you see on the monitor took place seven seconds after Nova Squadron completed the Yeager loop. Brand: Mister Crusher, are these ships in a diamond slot formation? Wesley: No, sir. Brand: What is your explanation, Mister Crusher? Wesley: I have none, sir. Crusher: Everything's going to be okay, Wesley. There must be an explanation for all this. Data and Geordi are already analyzing the flight recorder and the satellite transmission. Wesley: Why? Crusher: There must be something wrong with the satellite data. It might have been tampered with. Wesley: Mom. Crusher: Well, there must be some explanation for this. I know you're telling the truth but the satellite data made it look as if you were lying. I've spoken with the other parents. I am going to talk to Admiral Brand and ask her to delay the inquiry Wesley: Mom. Don't. You can't do that. Crusher: I'm not going to let them ruin your career, Wesley. You haven't done anything wrong. Wesley: Mom, don't try to protect me. Please stay out of this. Boothby: These weeds keep popping up in the pittosporum. Poor plants don't have a chance to grow. Picard: You could use a good herbicide instead of pulling the weeds with your bare hands. Boothby: And you could explore space on a holodeck instead of a starship. Picard: Boothby, tell me some more about Nova Squadron. Boothby: Not going well, is it. Picard: No, it isn't. Boothby: Do you remember the parrises squares tournament of 'twenty four? Picard: The final game against Minsk. Boothby: It took me three weeks to repair the grounds after the celebration. Picard: We had a lot to celebrate. Our team wasn't supposed to win. We were very proud of them. Boothby: Well the cadets today are just as proud of the Nova Squadron. The celebration they held after Nova won the Rigel Cup made 'twenty four look like a dinner party. To the other cadets, the members of that team are gods, and that's a hard image to live up to. But Nick Locarno, he watches out for them. He keeps them together. Nick is what makes that team special. He's their coach, surrogate father and best friend all in one. A natural leader. The members of that team love him. If he asks them to do something, they do it, even if it means going right over a cliff. Picard: Report. Laforge: Nothing conclusive. We do know that the collision occurred about four seconds after the satellite images were recorded, but we still don't know how the ships got into the new formation or why the crash occurred. Data: We unsuccessfully tried fifty three different computational models in an effort to simulate the movements of the Nova Squadron just prior to the crash. Laforge: There're just too many variables to take into consideration. Speed, attitude, course. Picard: Did Wesley's flight recorder indicate that there was anything unusual about the ship or the way it was operating? Laforge: The starboard power flow was fluctuating. Data: However it was well within operational limits. Laforge: Fluidic pressure in the landing struts was low, but I don't know what difference that would make. Data: We did find that Wesley opened his coolant interlock just before beginning the maneuver around Titan. Laforge: That is a bit unusual. Normally the interlock is closed unless you're performing a check on the engine coolant levels. But there's no evidence Wesley was performing that sort of check. Picard: Filling the primary coolant tanks requires an open interlock but that can only be performed in a maintenance bay. Is there any other reason for opening the valve? Laforge: It's the first step in purging the plasma exhaust. Data: That procedure would be extremely hazardous while the ship was in flight. Laforge: Yeah, the engine would probably ignite the plasma. Picard: Ignite the plasma. That's exactly what they were trying to do. Picard: Come. Wesley: Captain. Picard: Can you tell me what maneuver this is? Wesley: It's a Kolvoord Starburst, sir. Picard: Five ships crossing within ten meters of each other and igniting their plasma trails. One of the most spectacular and difficult demonstrations of precision flying. It hasn't been performed at the Academy team in over a hundred years. Do you know why? Wesley: It was banned by the Academy following a training accident, sir. Picard: An accident in which all five cadets lost their lives. I think that Nicholas Locarno wanted to end his Academy career in a blaze of glory. That he convinced the four of you to learn the Kolvoord Starburst for the commencement demonstration. If it worked, you would thrill the assembled guests and Locarno would graduate as a living legend. Only it didn't work, and Joshua Albert paid the price. Am I correct? Cadet, I asked you a question. Am I correct? Wesley: I choose not to answer, sir. Picard: You choose not to answer? But you've already given an answer to the inquiry, and that answer was a lie. Wesley: I said the accident occurred after the loop. It did. Picard: What you neglected to mention was that following the loop your team attempted a maneuver that was the direct cause of the crash. You told the truth up to a point. But a lie of omission is still a lie. Do you remember the day you first came aboard this ship? Your mother brought you on the Bridge. Wesley: Yes. Picard: You even sat in my chair. I was annoyed. Presumptuous child playing on my ship. But I never forgot how you already knew every control, every display. You behaved as though you belonged on the Bridge. And then later when I decided to make you an acting ensign, I was convinced you could be an outstanding officer. I've never questioned that conviction, until now. The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth. Whether it's scientific truth, or historical truth, or personal truth. It is the guiding principle upon which Starfleet is based. If you can't find it within yourself to stand up and tell the truth about what happened you don't deserve to wear that uniform. I'm going to make this simple for you, Mister Crusher. Either you come forward and tell Admiral Brand what really took place, or I will. Wesley: Captain Picard: Dismissed. Locarno: Your message said it was urgent. Wesley: They know, Nick. They know what we did. Locarno: Calm down. Calm down. Now tell me exactly what happened. Wesley: Captain Picard called me to the Enterprise. when I got there he told me that he knows. The Kolvoord maneuver, the cover up, everything. He said that if I didn't come forward and tell the truth now, he would. Locarno: You said he'd figured it out. Does he have any evidence? Wesley: No, but he knew exactly how it happened. Locarno: Captain Picard doesn't know anything. He has a theory. So let him tell the inquiry what he thinks happened. They'll ask us, is it true? We'll say, no, sir. There's no evidence, so there's no case. We'll get off with a reprimand. Wesley: I can't call Captain Picard a liar. Locarno: Wesley, we have to hang on just a little longer, then this will all be over. Wesley: It's wrong, Nick. Locarno: Wesley. Wesley: No. I'm going to tell them what happened. Locarno: You're going to tell them what happened? You? Alone? Are going to decide what happens to me, to Sito, to Jean? You're going to decide that? Wesley: I'm not going to lie to them again, Nick. I can't live with it. Locarno: You can't lie to them. You can't live with this. You have to tell them what happened. Who the hell are you? Wesley: Nick! Locarno: You're going to turn us in? Wesley: Now wait a minute. Locarno: No, you wait a minute. He got to you, didn't he? Picard told you some big story about duty and honor. It must've been a pretty good speech to make you turn your back on your friends. Wesley: We're Starfleet cadets. We have a duty to the truth. Locarno: What about your duty to your friends? I got you on this team. I gave you a chance when there were upperclassmen waiting in line. I said, He won't let us down. He was on the Enterprise. He knows what it's like to trust somebody with his life. I guess I was wrong. Wesley: If we all come forward together and tell Admiral Brand Locarno: We don't want to come forward. Sito, Jean and me, we don't have a problem with this. But if you do, then resign your appointment to the Academy and walk away. Don't make us pay for your guilty conscience. Wesley: You'd let me do that? You'd let me throw my career away just to save your neck? Locarno: To save the team. That's more important than you, and it's more important than me. And if I was in your place I'd do it without hesitation. But that's me. Brand: Captain Satelk and I have gone over your testimony and the physical evidence from the crash. Your statements cannot be reconciled with the data collected from the NavCon satellite. Your unwillingness to offer any explanation for this contradiction is disappointing, and raises suspicion. We cannot escape the conclusion that either the data is faulty in some way, or you have lied to us. However suspicion is not proof and I have no proof that you have lied to this inquiry. Therefore, if no further evidence is presented, I have no choice but to close this investigation. For filing an inaccurate flight plan, and for allowing Cadet Albert to fly when you knew he was having difficulties, I am ordering a formal reprimand placed on each of your permanent records. I am also revoking your flight privileges. This inquiry is closed. Wesley: Sir. I would like to add something to my testimony. Brand: Proceed, Mister Crusher. Wesley: Yesterday I testified that the crash occurred following a Yeager loop. That is not entirely true. We performed a loop, and afterwards broke formation and attempted a Kolvoord Starburst. We knew it was prohibited. We knew it was dangerous, but we wanted to do something spectacular for the commencement demonstration. We pushed Josh into it and he wasn't ready. We thought we could do it. We thought we could do anything. We were wrong, and Josh died. Josh didn't let us down, sir. It wasn't his fault. Brand: Mister Locarno, you are the leader of Nova Squadron. Do you have anything to say? Mister Locarno? Locarno: No, sir. Picard: Mister Locarno has been expelled. Wesley: They should've expelled all of us. Picard: They very nearly did. Mister Locarno made an impassioned plea for the rest of you. He said that he'd used his influence as squadron leader to convince you to attempt the Kolvoord maneuver and then to cover up the truth. He asked to take full responsibility. Wesley: He did exactly what he said he would. He protected the team. I feel awful. I've let down everyone. My mother, my friends, you. Picard: You should feel bad, and you will pay for what you've done. Admiral Brand has decided that in addition to a formal reprimand, your academic credits for the past year will be canceled and you will not advance with your class. Wesley: I understand. Picard: It's not going to be easy, staying here on campus, everyone knowing what you did. You have difficult times ahead. Wesley: Yes, sir. Thank you, Captain. Picard: You knew what you had to do. I just made sure you listened to yourself. Goodbye, Cadet. Wesley: Goodbye, Captain.

Worf: Forward tubes armed and ready, Captain. Picard: Fire. Worf: A direct hit, sir. Data: The asteroid has shattered. However, the core is still intact and still on a collision course with Tessen Three. Riker: Is it big enough to cause a threat? Data: Yes, sir. It is of sufficient size and density to cause planetwide damage. Picard: Time to impact. Data: It will reach the upper atmosphere in forty four seconds and impact on the planet eleven seconds later. Riker: Ready torpedoes. Worf: Aye, sir. Data: Sir, the core is composed of nitrium and chrondite. It is unlikely another photon torpedo will be of any effect. Picard: Mister Worf, prepare a tractor beam. Worf: Aye, sir. Data: Thirty seconds to impact. Worf: Captain, I am unable to get a positive lock with the tractor beam. There is magnetic field interference emanating from the core materials. Picard: Activate a deflector dish. If we project a particle beam, we may be able to produce a disruptive nuclear effect within the core. Worf: Aye, sir. Data: Impact in seventeen seconds. Worf: Particle beam activated. The target has been destroyed, Captain. Data: The remaining debris is of no threat to the planet, sir. Picard: Well done, everyone . Ensign, put us back on course for the Moselina system. Warp four as soon as we're clear of the debris field. Ensign: Aye, sir. Worf: My instructions were clear. Alexander: They were not! Worf: Before he was allowed to play, he was to place his soiled clothing in the garment reprocessor. Alexander: I was not! Troi: I sense a touch of hostility here, gentlemen. Worf: You were specifically told that. Alexander: You told me that yesterday, not today! Troi: If I may suggest Worf: You know very well the same rules apply today that Troi: Please! Why not simply draw up a contract which clearly defines the duties of each family member. Alexander: You mean he tells me what he wants and I have to do it. Troi: No, I means you both agree to your responsibilities. And when you've done the things that you've agreed to do, then you've earned the privilege to doing the things that you want to do. When he's cleaned his room, for instance, then perhaps he's earned a visit to the holodeck to fight his alien monsters. Worf: You suggest bribery. Troi: I suggest working out an equitable system with the rules clearly spelled out. For the child and the parent. You must make a list of your responsibilities, too. What would you like your father to promise, Alexander? Alexander: No yelling. Worf: I do I do not yell. Troi: Well then you should have no trouble with that part. Why not go back to your quarters and talk this thing over? Decide on which points each of you wants in the contract. Worf: Very well. Troi: One day you'll learn to be glad your father cared enough about you to insist on rules. It may be hard to imagine right now, but eventually, most children come to appreciate their parents. Riker: Riker to Counselor Troi. Your mother's just come aboard. Troi: On the other hand Lwaxana: Deanna, my dear! It's Mother! Lwaxana: Oh, I've got such deliciously exciting news, you're going to be absolutely thrilled! I'm getting married! Lwaxana: You know, with just a bit of redecorating here and there, this Ten Forward room should make a very nice wedding hall. Troi: I beg your pardon? Lwaxana: Where else, my little one, but here amongst all my good friends and in the presence of my adored daughter. Troi: Mother, where did you, when did you meet this man? Who is he? I mean, marriage? When did all this happen? Lwaxana: My poor, plodding, little Deanna, with her questions, questions, questions. Wherever did you inherit such pedestrian genes? What matters, my little one, is that your mother's happy. Troi: Mother, if you're happy, then I'm happy for you. I only asked who he is, and where you met him. Those are not unusual questions. Lwaxana: He's such a wonderful man, and he has such good breeding, I tell you, he's absolute perfection. Troi: Who is he? Lwaxana: He's Campio, Third Minister to the Conference Of Judges on the planet Kostolain. Royalty, my little one, naturally. Troi: Naturally. I didn't know you'd ever been to Kostolain. Or was he on some diplomatic mission to Betazed? Lwaxana: Well, neither, actually. You see, we haven't exactly met yet, really. Oh, but the profiles we've exchanged. Why, they're in such accord that you could weep, my little one. You would weep at the harmony between us. Troi: Mother, don't you think it would be a good idea if you actually met the man you're going to marry before committing to spend the rest of your life with him? Lwaxana: Deanna, I love you, but you do make everything sound like an epitaph. Alexander: I don't want to agree. Worf: But you have to agree. That is what an agreement is. Counselor Troi, excuse the intrusion, but we're having some difficulty drawing up our contract. Mrs. Troi. Alexander: He's not fair! Worf: The boy is unreasonable. Lwaxana: Well, of course he's unreasonable. He's a child. And such a child. You know, making little boys reasonable only gives them pimples. Troi: Alexander, this is my mother. Lwaxana: Alexander! What a wonderful name. You know, I once knew a tall, handsome warrior named Alexander. Oh, he utterly adored me. We went everywhere, simply everywhere. Have you been anywhere yet? Contract? What contract? Troi: Between father and son. A fair and balanced way to achieve a mutual sense of order. Lwaxana: Well, how ghastly for you. And you're doing this to your own child, Mister Woof? Troi: Mother! Worf: It is Worf, Madam. Lwaxana: Contracts are usually between people who don't really trust one another. A child who is trusted becomes worthy of that trust. Troi: Mother, will you kindly stay out of this? Lwaxana: And if he does not perform his contractual duties, I assume he will be chastised? Worf: He will be sanctioned, yes. Lwaxana: And if you fail to perform your duties, what is the child supposed to do about it? Troi: Mother, will you please Worf: I? Not perform my duty?! Lwaxana: Alexander. Now life's true gift is the capacity to enjoy enjoyment. Now, have I arrived too late, or can you still smile? Picard: Married? She's getting married? Riker: Yes. If we stay on our present course, we should rendezvous with her intended groom in thirty one hours. Picard: I will not continue have that woman continuing to use this ship for her convenience, simply because her daughter happens to be one of my officers. Riker: Apparently, Deanna being on board is only part of the reason. Picard: The other reason being? Riker: She thinks the honor of giving away the bride should fall on you. Picard: Permission for an on-board wedding is granted, Number One. Nothing would please me more than to give away Mrs. Troi. Lwaxana: Ah! My little warrior. And how are you this morning? Oh, I see. Being punished for something, are we? Alexander: It's just my regular time to meet with Counselor Troi. She's not here yet. Lwaxana: Then you're early. That's very responsible of you. Alexander: No, I just wanted to be out of my room before Lwaxana: Before what? Now, if we're to be real friends, we've got to share only the truth. Alexander: Why? Lwaxana: Well, for one thing, it's easier. When you tell the truth, you never have to remember later what you lied about. But mostly, a true friend is a person you can always tell the truth to without worrying about it. Alexander: I wanted to leave before my father got back. Lwaxana: Oh. Alexander: I hate him. I wish my mother was here. But she died. Lwaxana: That's not very fair, is it. Alexander: All he cares about are rules. I'm supposed to do everything right all the time. I don't know how. Lwaxana: To tell you the truth, little warrior, neither do I. But, I do know one marvelous thing we can do with rules. Alexander: I'm supposed to wait for Counselor Troi. Lwaxana: Exactly. Lwaxana: I'll bet you've never been to a colony of free spirits. Alexander: What do they do there? Lwaxana: Whatever they want. Artists, philosophers, free thinkers and people who don't quite fit other people's rules. Personally, I come for the mud baths. You, oh, you're going to adore the mud baths. Computer? I'm assuming you have the Parallax Colony of Shiralea VI? Computer: That program is available. Lwaxana: Oh, good. Then run it for us, dear. Alexander: What's that? Lwaxana: A Wind Dancer. He stands guard. You see, only those whose hearts are joyous may enter. Come on. Lwaxana: Fire sculptor. We'll chat with her later if you're not wearing anything flammable. Juggler: Hello. A few of us were just gathering together for our laughing hour. Would you care to come laugh with us? Lwaxana: Actually, we were about to experience a mud bath. Juggler: Were you? What an idea! My friends and I will join you. One can always laugh in the bath. Alexander: Do you ever drop one? Juggler: Oh, no. No, no. These are my worlds. I protect them. I am a master of worlds, and they fly only as I wish. We're having guests for laughing hour. Would you care to join us! Young Man: We'd love to! Young Woman: No, thank you. Young Man: Yes. Young Woman: No. Young Man: Why do you always say no when I say yes? Young Woman: I don't. Young Man: You just did. Young Woman: There you go again. You are the most negative person! Alexander: Why are they arguing? Juggler: They're friends. They love contradiction. They thrive on challenge. They flourish in conflict. Alexander: Then why are they friends? Lwaxana: Who else are you going to fight with if not your friends? Poet: Hold! What is the lesson for today? Lwaxana: Damned if we know. We're just here for some fun and a mud bath. Poet: Every moment requires a purpose. Lwaxana: No, it doesn't. Poet: Every purpose requires a plan. Juggler: He does this every day. Usually while everybody's food gets cold. It's rather boring. Poet: The higher the fewer! Lwaxana: Well that's a conversation stopper if I ever heard one. Woman: I am not! Man: Yes, you are. Woman: I am not. Alexander: Excuse me! If you're going to argue, you should remember, the higher the fewer. Lwaxana: So, my little warrior wants to see more in life than just fighting. The mind opens, and in creeps wisdom. Worf: Alexander. Be patient, she says. Come. I can't believe this. Worf: Isn't Alexander supposed to be with you? Troi: He didn't show up for his appointment. I assumed he must still be here. Worf: Computer, what is the location of Alexander Rozhenko? Computer: Alexander Rozhenko is in holodeck two. Troi: Is he there alone? Computer: He is with Lwaxana Troi. Poet: To all the creatures within us! Alexander: All the creatures within us? Lwaxana: Of course. Every one of us has a thousand different kinds of tiny people inside of us. And some of them want to get out and be wild, some want to be sad, or happy, or inventive or even just go dancing. That's why we all have so many different urges at different times. And all those different little people inside us, we must never be afraid to take them with us wherever we go. I mean, who knows when we may need one of them to pop up and rescue us from ourselves. Variety, my little Alex. The great secret is not the variety of life, it's the variety of us. Juggler: Are we ready for the entertainment? All: Yes. Bring on the entertainment. Troi: Mother. Lwaxana: Little one! Mister Woof. Come, join us. Troi: Mother, I'm trying to help the boy learn the value of responsibility. You're not helping by giving him a lot of mixed messages. Lwaxana: I exposed you to all sorts of mixed messages when you were that age. You still turned out deadly dull. What are you so worried about? Troi: Among other things, his relationship with his father. No more holodeck, Mother. Please. And why aren't you all absorbed in your wedding plans? It's only three days away. Lwaxana: I'm letting Mister Homn take care of all the mundane details. He knows my tastes. Troi: Mother. Lwaxana: Deanna, there's absolutely nothing to do, you nosey little girl. Campio's already sent me his mother's wedding gown, which Mister Homn is now altering for me. Outside of that there really isn't anything else Troi: Wedding gown? Mother, stop. You're telling me you're not going to be naked at your own wedding? Lwaxana: Campio is from a different planet with different traditions. He would not approve of a traditional Betazoid wedding, so I am happily adapting. Now it's as simple as that. I need some tea. Troi: I can't believe I'm hearing this from the Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx. Lwaxana: Oh, why can't I ever work this replicator? Troi: Mother, I think it's time you tell me about this mysterious marriage to a man you've never met. Lwaxana: Computer, some jestral tea, please. Anyway, why shouldn't I get married if I choose to? You make everything into such a mystery. There is no mystery, Deanna, except about this Petrokian sausage. The tea. All I wanted was a cup of tea. Oh dear, I think your replicator's having a nervous collapse. Data: A level-four diagnostic of the food replication systems has failed to detect any faults in the orientation terminals. Laforge: That may be, but we've still got over two hundred reports of malfunctioning replicators. Data: There is an energy fluctuation in one of the utility access corridors. Laforge: Well, we'd better look into it, whatever it is, before the captain decides to order dinner. Laforge: Yeah, dash six four. Here we are. Some kind of intermittent EM field pattern. Give me a hand with that, will you, Data? There's no plasma leakage, just a little negative ion charging. Lwaxana: Bad enough having to wear anything at my own wedding, but this? Perhaps if we lower the bodice? Raise the hemline, then. What a constant joy you are. Lwaxana: Mister Homn. Lwaxana: Alexander! My little warrior, come here. Come on. Give me a great big hug. Now, you're not escaping another appointment, are you? Alexander: No, ma'am. Lwaxana: Well, I suppose eventually we all have to live up to our obligations. Well now, tell me. What brings you here to brighten my day? Alexander: I wanted to say I'm sorry if I got you in any trouble. Lwaxana: That's very sweet, dear, but I really wasn't in any trouble. Until I saw this dress. Ugly, isn't it? Alexander: What's it for? Lwaxana: I'm getting married. Alexander: Why? Lwaxana: Are you sure my daughter didn't send you? Just a joke. People get married because they want to spend their lives with someone. Alexander: Their whole life? They must have to like that person a lot. Lwaxana: Well, if you're young and lucky, it'll be someone you like a lot, yes. And if you're older. Alexander: Are you very old? Lwaxana: I'm alone, Alex. And when you do get older and can no longer pick and choose from whatever may come your way, then you do what we call compromise. It keeps you from being afraid. Data: We have traced the failure to a data net interface which routes replicator selections to the correct subprocessors. Laforge: When we opened the panel, we discovered that the interface had been transformed into a gelatinous material that we haven't been able to identify. Worf: We have an intermittent failure of the inertial damping system. Picard: Take us out of warp, Ensign. Riker: Primary attitude control has failed. Going to secondary systems. Data: We have lost helm control, sir. Riker: Try a manual bypass of the damping systems. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Backup generators. Laforge: Coming online now. Picard: How long before we regain attitude control? Laforge: We're almost there. Riker: Ensign, put us back on course. Let's stay at impulse for now. Picard: Did something hit us, Mister Worf? Worf: Negative, sir. Picard: The inertial dampers shouldn't fail without kicking in the automatic bypass. I want to know what went wrong. Analysis in thirty minutes. Laforge: The same thing that happened to the replicator happened to the stabilizer. The transfers in both systems were turned into this. Riker: Some kind of corrosion? Data: We have not yet identified the substance, Commander. Laforge: Whatever it is, it looks like there's been a conversion process, transforming some of the metal into gelatinous residue. But what caused it is a mystery. Picard: Replicators and stabilizers. Two totally unrelated systems. Laforge: Yes, sir. And we still don't know why the sensors didn't pick up the problems. Riker: Let's run a mass spectrometer analysis and find out what this stuff is. Chief: Transporter room one to Captain Picard. Minister Campio is beaming on board, sir. Picard: I'll be right there. The bridegroom. Lwaxana: Ah, Campio! My dear, your compatibility profile didn't do you justice. I, of course, am Lwaxana, and any introductory compliments you'd care to make will be happily received. Campio: Indeed, Mrs. Troi. You are even lovelier in person. Lwaxana: Now that worked just fine. Campio: Now, now we don't wish to be too familiar at this early juncture. Picard: Forgive this tardiness. Ship's business. Minister Campio, Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise. Welcome aboard. Campio: I thank you and greet you with appreciation for permitting this wedding aboard your fine vessel. Picard: Not at all, sir. Lwaxana: Campio, may I present my daughter? Deanna Troi, meet, well, your future stepfather, come to think of it. Campio: Ah, yes. If I recall the profile, you are the ship's counselor? Troi: I am, sir. Campio: And my escort, who need not be addressed in this company: Protocol Master Erko. Lwaxana: Campio? Personally I adore all the ostentation I can get, but, Protocol Master? Campio: I would not do you nor our benevolent hosts the disservice of failing to ensure that priorities are observed. Lwaxana: Oh, yes. How very thoughtful. Campio: After all, it would be unpardonable to simply abandon ourselves to the moment, would it not? Lwaxana: Unpardonable. Laforge: Well, it looks like the only alloy common to both the replicator and the stabilizer is nitrium. Computer, analyze the nitrium content of both the affected stabilizer and replicator. Computer: There is no nitrium present in the affected stabilizer or replicator. Data: There is none present in the residue, either. Laforge: According to the mass spectrometer, the elements in the residue have been broken down into simpler molecular structures. Data: That would suggest the nitrium has been organically metabolized. Laforge: Maybe that's it, Data. If a living organism ingested the nitrium. Data: This residue would be the waste left behind. Laforge: If that's true, if something's eating away at the nitrium on the ship. That means the dilithium chamber is vulnerable, as well as the power transfer conduits. We'd better get to Engineering. Alexander: Ha! Ha! Worf: Eat, son. Alexander: Ha! Worf: What are you doing? What is that noise? Alexander: Ha! It's my laughing hour. Ha! Ha! Worf: That is enough, please. It is your dinner hour. Eat. Alexander: Ha! I promised to meet Mrs. Troi for another lesson in happy wisdom. Ha! Worf: Will you stop doing that, please? Alexander, eat your food. Wisdom will wait, I assure you. Alexander: I promised. Should I break my promise, Father? Worf: A Klingon ever breaks his word. Worf: Where are you going? Alexander: You said no Klingon ever breaks his word. Worf: I did not mean now. Now just sit down and eat. Alexander: I don't understand, Father. You're confusing me. Worf: Understand later. Just eat. Alexander: Father? The higher, the fewer. Campio: I don't wish to be authoritative, my dear, but Master Erko says that now is our proper time for discussion of certain details. Lwaxana: Well, I certainly don't wish to be considered anti-Erko, dear, but I did promise Alexander one more holodeck trip. Come along, my little love. Campio: Surely there'll be other occasions for you to spend time with the boy. Lwaxana: My goodness, Campio. You and I are going to have the rest of our lives. I'll tell you what. I'll be back here with you in one hour exactly, all right? Erko: Minister, the woman should not be addressing you in the familiar. Troi: Mother, we have to talk. Lwaxana: Yes, we certainly do, dear, but not just now. Well, how, er how do I address him? Troi: Mother, we've come for Alexander. Please, forgive the intrusion. Erko: Preferably he should be called by his ministerial title. Lwaxana: Ah. I'll remember. Oh, Mister Homn. You make everybody comfortable until we get back. Especially the Minister, here. Now, I'll be back. One hour, darling. I'll see you then. Worf: Mrs. Troi, it is Alexander's dinner hour. Lwaxana: How thoughtless of me. I guess we'll just have to have a little picnic before our mud bath. Campio: We have business to deal with here. Leaving is simply not acceptable. Lwaxana: Oh, well can't we just pretend it's acceptable? We'll be back. Campio: You are missing the point. Worf: Alexander, you will return to our quarters and have dinner. Alexander: But we're going to go to the holodeck. Troi: Mother, you're undermining every effort we're trying to make here. Lwaxana: Don't be absurd. You poor dear, don't they ever let you change those colorless outfits? Erko: It is essential that we begin a discussion of the wedding procedures now. Lwaxana: Oh, Minister, darling, perhaps you and the Jerko here can come with us. Campio: Lwaxana, this exceeds all boundaries. Lwaxana: Oh. Well, half hour, then. No longer, I promise. Mister Homn, your duties. Campio: Counselor Troi, have you no influence? Troi: Ha! Alexander: Ha! Campio: Lwaxana, if you will remain, I may allow the boy to stay Erko: Definitely not! Worf: Definitely not. My son is to return to quarters. Erko: Nor may a servant be present during a prenuptial consultation. Troi: Well, sir, I'm afraid even the bride won't be present for this one. Data: The dilithium chamber shows no anomalous readings. Laforge: So far, these transfer conduits are clean, too. Hold on, I'm getting something here. There's a severe energy fluctuation in this access panel. Alexander: What happened? Juggler: I was just juggling and I happened to catch one in my mouth. It tasted good, so I ate it. Before I knew it, I'd eaten up every one of my worlds. It never occurred to me that once they were gone, I'd have nothing left to juggle. If you ever have a world, plan ahead. Don't eat it. Lwaxana: Well, now. Almost time to get back. Alexander: Are you sad? Lwaxana: Of course not. I'm about to be a bride. Alexander: You know that man you're going to marry? He would never come and take a mud bath, would he. Lwaxana: Oh, he might. Probably not. Alexander: You know, maybe this would be a good time to get one of those little people that live inside of you to come out and tell you what to do, or help you, or something. Lwaxana: Alexander, what are you talking about? Alexander: I'm sorry. Lwaxana: No. No, don't you dare be sorry. Alexander: What's wrong? Lwaxana: Come along, Alexander. Let's not leave everyone waiting for us. Laforge: Once we saw that photonic trail moving through the wall, we realized we must be dealing with a metal parasite of some kind. Data: We believe the parasites came through the ship's hull after we destroyed the asteroid near Tessen Three. Picard: Are they attacking anything other than nitrium alloy? Laforge: No, sir, not that we can tell. But we've got nitrium everywhere. The computers, the life support, the ventilation, the engines, even the dilithium chamber. Picard: Mister Data, the asteroid we destroyed. That was rich in nitrium. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: And that asteroid came from the Pelloris Field. If the rest of that field is rich in nitrium, it would make a natural feeding ground. Laforge: We should think about going back there. The parasites could possibly be lured back to the asteroids for a meal that's more appealing than we are. Picard: Mister Data, how long to the field? Data: At warp nine, five hours twenty minutes, sir. Picard: Picard to the Bridge Riker: Riker here, sir. Picard: Set a course for the Pelloris asteroid field, warp nine. Riker: Aye, sir. Data: Captain, with our sensors unable to detect the parasites and given the speed with which they appear to be moving through the ship Picard: We may not have five hours and twenty minutes. I'm aware of that. How can we slow them down? Data: In several cases, an exanogen gas barrier has been known to slow the progress of metal parasites. Picard: They don't like cold, eh? Make it so. Laforge: The problem is finding them. As soon as we spot an energy fluctuation, they've already consumed all the nitrium and have moved on. Laforge: Primary power systems are going down. I've rerouted to the secondary generators. Picard: Inform the Bridge. Mister Data, with me. Picard: Bridge. Commander, do you have any suggestions on how we could encourage the parasites to leave the ship once we reach the Pelloris Field? Data: If we reconfigure a particle beam with a high concentration of nitrium, and project it toward one of the asteroids. Picard: Then they would follow the beam like a trail of breadcrumbs. Very well. Data: Turbolift velocity is beginning to fluctuate, Captain. Picard: Computer, stop at next level. Computer, acknowledge. Data: We have reached the bridge, sir. Picard: Report, Number One. Riker: Ventilation and life support are failing at random spots all over the ship. Worf: Captain, we've dropped to warp five point seven. Picard: Picard to Engineering. Laforge: La Forge here. Picard: What's happening, Mister La Forge? We're losing speed. Laforge: The parasites must've gotten into the primary warp controllers, Captain. Trying to do a bypass patch to isolate the backup controllers but it looks like warp six is about the best I'm going to be able to give you. Picard: At that speed, Mister La Forge, there won't be a ship left to reach the Pelloris Field. Do what you have to. Laforge: Working on it, sir. Data: Captain, we're losing life support on decks eleven and twelve. Picard: Mister Worf, have security evacuate all personnel from those decks. Worf: Aye, sir. Laforge: Engineering to Bridge. We've got warp six point five but I don't know how much more coaxing Laforge: We can do here. Picard: We need more speed than that, Commander. Laforge: The matter-antimatter Laforge: Injectors are failing. I'm rerouting to secondary injector power now. Watch the antimatter containment for any system failure. Riker: Atmospheric systems are down twenty seven percent. We're going below tolerable oxygen limits. Worf: We must evacuate decks twenty through twenty four, Captain. Picard: Make it so. Shut down life support to those decks. Riker: Direct all evacuees to decks nine and ten. Picard: Divert emergency life support to those decks. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Time to asteroid field? Data: If we maintain our current speed, two hours, twenty three minutes, sir. Picard: Mister Data, the rest of us may lose consciousness. If we do, it will be your job to execute the plan as discussed. Data: Aye, sir. Computer: Structural integrity of the dilithium chamber is at thirty four percent. Estimated breach in one minute. Data: Computer, transfer power from warp engines to life support. Computer: Transfer complete. Data: Activate Bussard collector. Computer: Activated. Breach of dilithium chamber in forty seconds. Data: Reconfigure hydrogen plasma mixture to include thirty percent nitrium. Computer: Mixture complete. Data: Project emitter beam, heading zero two four mark zero four one. Computer: Structural integrity of the dilithium chamber is at twenty eight percent and holding. Picard: Mister Data? Data: The plan was successful, sir. Picard: Well done. Mister Worf, coordinate your teams with Doctor Crusher and Commander La Forge. Assess damage and injury. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45733.6. Temporary repairs to the ship have been completed. Our attention now turns to matters of a more festive nature. Erko: This is intolerable. Riker: You'd think she'd at least get to her own wedding on time. Erko: Minister! Minister! This is infamous. Infamous! We leave immediately! Lwaxana: Ah, heavenly. Every pore in my body tingles with contentment. Isn't it wonderful how things work out, Alexander? I wanted to teach you how to grab the joys of living, and you turned around and taught me not to let go of them. How very mutual. Troi: We still have to learn how to live in the real world, Mother. All of us. Lwaxana: She's absolutely right, Alexander. But only when necessary. Worf: You're just supposed to sit here?

Clara: I like to cook all kinds of stuff, like yogurt and raisin salad, chocolate chip pancakes and purple omelets. Troi: Purple omelets? Clara: You put grape juice in the eggs. Isabella doesn't like it very much. She says it tastes funny. Troi: I can see her point. Sugar with your tea? Clara: Yes, please. Troi: Isabella would you like some too? Clara: Yes, but she takes two cubes. Troi: I'll bet Isabella is very pretty. Clara: She's very, very pretty. She has blonde hair and a blue dress with white buttons. Her ears are pierced and she's tall. Troi: Maybe you could draw me a picture. I'd love to see what she looks like. Clara: You don't think she's real. Troi: I think she's real for you, and that is real enough for me. Sutter: Honey, I think it's time for you to go. You don't want to keep Keiko waiting. Clara: I have to go plant the nasturtiums now. I'm Keiko's helper in the arboretum today. Troi: Is that so? Sutter: You go ahead, sweetie, and be home for dinner. Troi: I hope I see you soon. Maybe we can be friends. Clara: Okay. Counselor Troi? Troi: Yes? Clara: Isabella says she likes you. Troi: Why, thank you, Isabella. Troi: I can understand your concern, Ensign Sutter, but really you have nothing to worry about. It's a normal, healthy activity for children to engage in imaginary play. Sutter: I'm just afraid she's not making any real friends. She spends all of her time with Isabella. Troi: You've been moving from starship to starship since Clara was two years old. Maybe Isabella provides a constant companion. She knows this is one friend she won't have to leave behind. Sutter: You're probably right. Troi: Give Clara a chance. As she learns to make friends on the Enterprise, you'll probably find that she'll leave her imaginary world behind. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45852.1. The Enterprise has arrived at FGC four seven, a nebula which has formed around a neutron star. We are eager to investigate this unique formation. Laforge: We've got elevated quantities of hydrogen, helium and trionium, but nothing the shields can't handle. Riker: Shields up. Picard: Take us in, Ensign. One quarter impulse. Felton: Aye, sir. Data: In order for the lateral sensors to complete their scheduled observations, additional processing time will be required. Laforge: We could steal a couple of hours from the Engineering team while they're recalibrating the thermal interferometery scanner. Data: Will two hours be enough time to complete the high-resolution series on the neutron star? Laforge: No problem. We'll just double up the main sensor bandwidth while they're freeing up the lateral unit. Crusher: And then after dinner, then what? Ogawa: We went to the holodeck and took a walk on the Champs Elysees. Crusher: The neural scanner still seems to be a bit off. Let's check the sensor calibrations. Ogawa: I'll run a diagnostic. Crusher: And? Ogawa: And? Crusher: After Paris? Ogawa: He has shore leave next month. He asked me to go to Risa with him. Crusher: No problem. Nurse McClukidge can cover for you. Ogawa: I don't think I'm going, Doctor. I hear it's a very uninhibited atmosphere. Personally, I don't think I'm ready for that kind of fun. Crusher: Try to talk him into Tavena Minor. They have a cruise down the Jokri River. The iridescent currents are beautiful. Clara: See, Isabella? You have to push your finger into the soil as far as it can go. I'm making a hole for the seeds. Now they need to be watered. But the baby seeds are very small, so we mustn't give them too much to drink. Clara: Hello? Is anybody there? Isabella: Hello. Clara: Isabella? Isabella: Hello, Clara. Clara: Isabella, how come I can see you? Isabella: Is something wrong with the way I look? Clara: No. I've just never seen you before. Not for real. Isabella: Well, now you can see me for real. Doesn't that make you happy? Clara: Yes, it's wonderful. Isabella: Can we go now? Clara: We'd better finish planting the seeds first. Isabella: I'm tired of planting. Let's do something else. Clara: Like what? Isabella: Like, I would really like to explore the ship. Clara: We'd better finish planting first. I promised Keiko. Isabella: We can finish later. Let's go look around. Clara: I'd better ask my daddy. Isabella: Your daddy won't mind. We can tell him later. Come on. Laforge: So what are we going to name this nebula? FGC forty seven just doesn't have the proper ring to it. Sutter: Why don't we call it Sutter's Cloud? Data: The rotational period of the neutron star is one point three five seconds. Laforge: That's a bit on the long side. Sutter, let's see if you can get a reading on the particle flux. Sutter: Aye, sir. Laforge: I was thinking about something more along the lines of the La Forge Nebula. It's got sort of a majestic sound, don't you think? Data: Given the selections, I prefer FGC four seven. Sutter: What was that? Laforge: It felt like we hit something. Data: Shields have registered an impact, however sensors show nothing in the vicinity. Worf: Forward velocity is down by point two percent, and dropping. Picard: Engineering. Picard: Report. Laforge: Could be something wrong with the shields, Captain. We're checking it out now. Sutter: Systems are normal, sir. Laforge: So did we hit something or not? Shields say yes, sensors say no. This is very strange. Ensign, give me a breakdown on shield energy conversion and then run a spectral. Whoa. Where did you come from? Clara: I'm Clara Sutter. That's my daddy. Sutter: Clara, you can't be here right now. Clara: But Isabella wanted to see Engineering. Sutter: I don't care what Isabella wanted to see, you go back to our quarters right now. Clara: But Daddy Picard: Bridge to La Forge. Our speed is still dropping. Laforge: I hear you, Captain. I'm increasing the power to the impulse engines, but forward velocity just isn't consistent with engine output. Picard: Explanation. Laforge: It seems like there's something increasing the drag coefficient on the ship. Laforge: But we can't find the source. Picard: If we can't correct it we may have to reverse course and leave the nebula. Laforge: Give me a couple of minutes here, Captain. Sutter: Clara, now. Sutter: I'm sorry, Commander. Clara: Why do you keep disappearing like that? Isabella: The grown-ups don't believe I'm real. When they're around, I have to be invisible. Wait here. Data: The drag coefficient continues to increase. Our velocity has fallen by twelve percent. Velocity is increasing. Ship's speed has stabilized at one quarter impulse. Laforge: That's great, Data. What'd you do? Data: I did nothing. The problem seems to have corrected itself. Clara: Where did you go? Isabella: There was something I had to do. Laforge: I don't have an explanation, Captain. We seemed to hit something, then we started losing speed. So far as we can tell, there's nothing out there to hit. Riker: Could some kind of damping field have caused us to lose velocity? Data: We have simulated several such fields, but were unable to reproduce the same drag coefficient. Laforge: And we still don't know why the problem suddenly corrected itself. Picard: It seems we're looking a unique phenomenon. One that hasn't been recorded before. Laforge: The question is, do we stay here and check it out? Riker: Might be dangerous. Data: Since we have only experienced the phenomenon once, it is impossible to estimate the risks. Laforge: Captain, I'd like to stay here for a little bit, collect some samples of the gaseous matter, see what it tells us. Picard: Agreed. Collect your samples, Mister La Forge. We'll proceed with caution. Dismissed. Isabella: What's in here? Clara: That's the door to the cargo bay. We can't go in there. Isabella: Let's go someplace with a lot of people. Clara: Okay. Isabella, why are you so serious lately? Isabella: What do you mean? Clara: You haven't even smiled once today. Clara: You're my best friend, Isabella. Isabella: Why? Clara: I don't know. Because we do things together and we trade secrets. Isabella: Does everybody have a best friend? Clara: If they're lucky. Before I had you, I didn't have one. Isabella: Why not? Clara: Every time I made friends with someone, my daddy's job would change and we'd move to a new ship. It takes time to make a best friend. Isabella: How long? Clara: It depends. With you, not very long. You always listened to me, even when I was sad. Isabella: Clara, I'm glad we're best friends. Clara: Race you. Isabella: Okay. Clara: Ready, set, go! Worf: This area is not designated for children. Are you lost? Where are you supposed to be? Clara: We were only playing. We're sorry. Worf: Return to your quarters, and we will forget this incident. Clara: Thank you. Come on. Laforge: Okay, I've configured the magnetic coil to collect samples of gaseous matter from the nebula. Go ahead and activate the beam emitter. Sutter: I'm setting the fractionater to a continuous cycle. Laforge: We'll take samples from eight random sections. That ought to give us a reliable measure. Sutter: Commander, I understand that you had a parent who was in Starfleet. Laforge: Two of them, as a matter of fact. My father was an exozoologist, my mother a Command officer. Sutter: They must have been posted to a lot of different assignments. Laforge: That's putting it mildly. They were always on the move. Some of the time together, sometimes separately. I never knew whether or not I was going to be stationed with my father while he studied invertebrates in the Modean system or on some outpost near the Neutral Zone with my mom. Sutter: Was that hard on you? Laforge: I don't remember it that way. Sutter: It must have been disruptive if you didn't stay in one place long enough to make friends. Laforge: Well, I suppose there were aspects of my childhood that were less than ideal, but to me it was just one long adventure. Children are a lot stronger than you think. As long as they know you love them, they can handle just about anything life throws at them, you know. Sutter: Thanks, Commander. Guinan: It's a Samarian coral fish with its fin unfolded. Data: I believe what you are seeing is the effect of the fluid dynamic processes inherent in the large scale motion of highly rarified gas. Guinan: No, no. First it was a fish, and now it's a Mintonian sailing ship. Data: Where? Guinan: Right there. Don't you see the two swirls coming together to form the mast? Data: I do not see it. It is interesting that people try to find meaningful patterns in things that are essentially random. I have noticed that the images they perceive sometimes suggest what they are thinking about at that particular moment. Besides, it is clearly a bunny rabbit. Guinan: Looks as though someone's lost their way. Excuse me. Hello. Are you looking for someone? Clara: No. I brought Isabella to see Ten Forward. Guinan: Oh, I see. Well, ordinarily we would only let you in with a grown-up, but since you've brought Isabella, you can be my guest. Won't you join me? Clara: Thank you. Guinan: Now, how about two Papalla juices with extra bubbles. Clara: Just one, please. Isabella isn't thirsty. Guinan: One juice. Clara: You're not like the other grown-ups. Guinan: Oh, no? Clara: They don't think Isabella's real. Guinan: Well, most grown-ups have a hard time with things they can't see. Clara: Why? Guinan: Well, because they get preoccupied by other things. Clara: Like what? Guinan: Like how much fuel it takes to power a ship, or whether we should go to one star system or another, or whether little girls should go to bed at seven or be allowed to stay up till eight. So their heads can get so full that they forget about the things that are important to you and me, like imaginary friends. Clara: If the other grown-ups don't understand, how come you do? Guinan: Maybe because when I was your age, I had one. Clara: You did? What was she like? Guinan: It wasn't a she. Clara: What was he like? Guinan: It wasn't a he. Clara: It? Guinan: It was a Tarkassian razor beast. It had dark brown fur and gold eyes and huge spiny wings, and it would fly so fast nobody could see it except me. Clara: Sounds scary. Guinan: Oh, it was, especially when he smiled. But the best thing about him was I could curl up on his furry belly, and he had the softest purr you ever heard. It put me right to sleep every night. I tell you, that razorbeast was a good friend. Clara: So is Isabella. Troi: Hello, Clara. Clara: Hello. Guinan: Clara and Isabella and I were just having a conversation. Troi: Would you and Isabella like to come for a walk with me? Clara: I guess so. Bye. Guinan: Bye, Clara. Bye, Isabella. Troi: Clara, you haven't been on this she very long, so maybe you don't know, but Ten Forward is usually for grown-ups. Clara: I know that. I didn't want to go, but Isabella wanted to see it. Troi: If Isabella is making you do things you know are wrong, then you must tell her it's not acceptable. Clara: I try to but she doesn't listen. Troi: Deck thirty two. Clara, do you want me to talk to Isabella? Troi: Isabella, it's not very nice to get Clara to do things that she isn't supposed to. Clara: She's over there. Troi: From now on I want you to ask a grown-up before you go to any place that is off-limits. Troi: What does she say? Clara: She said. Troi: Clara, please tell me what Isabella said. Clara: She said, you'd better leave us alone. Troi: I'm a little concerned at the turn this is taking. It seems Clara is beginning to do inappropriate things and blaming them on Isabella. Sutter: She came into Engineering today. She said it was Isabella's idea. Troi: I don't think it's too serious yet, but we should make more of an effort to get her involved with real friends her own age. The children's center's having a ceramics class this afternoon. Why don't I take Clara? Sutter: I think she'd like that. Troi: I'll see if there's any room left in the class. In the meantime, I think you should make yourself more available to Clara. Let her know she doesn't have to rely on Isabella when she needs someone to talk to. Sutter: Counselor, thank you. Isabella: Are you mad at me? I'm sorry I got you in trouble. Clara: That's okay. Isabella: Are we still best friends? Clara: Here, you can help me put this together if you want. Isabella: Clara, why are grown-ups so mean? Clara: They're not mean. They're just more serious than we are. Isabella: Sometimes I wish they would just go away. Clara: You do? Isabella: Yes, I don't like them. I'm bored. Let's go back to Engineering. Clara: We're not allowed to go there. Isabella: I thought we were best friends. Clara: We are. Isabella: Then why won't you play with me? Clara: I told you. Isabella: You always listen to the grown-ups. You don't care about me. Clara: That's not true. Isabella: I thought we'd have fun together, once you could really see me. I thought you'd like me. Let's go to Engineering, Clara. Just for a little while. No one will know. It'll be our secret. And if they find us, we'll tell them we got lost. Clara: Who is it? Troi: Counselor Troi. Troi: Hello, Clara. Clara: Hi. Troi: I came to ask if you'd like to go to a ceramics class. Clara: Can Isabella come too? Troi: No. Let's do something with Isabella another day. Clara: Well, okay. Data: Sir, as we move deeper into the nebula, sensors indicate that the levels of helium and trionium are continuing to rise. Picard: Is it something that the shields can't handle? Data: No, sir. We are well within tolerance levels. Picard: Mister Data? Data: Shields have registered an impact. Picard: But the sensors show nothing out there, right? Data: There is no indication of anything near the ship. Worf: Forward velocity is dropping, Captain. Down by point four percent. Picard: Can we go to warp speed? Data: Until we determine the cause of the drag coefficient, I would not recommend it, sir. Worf: Forward velocity down by one point one percent. Picard: Ensign, increase power to the impulse engines. Felton: Aye, sir. Impulse engines now at full power. Worf: We are no longer losing speed. Forward velocity is holding steady. Data: The drag coefficient is still present, but it has stabilized. Picard: Bridge to Commander Riker. Check with Mister La Forge. See if he found anything in the matter sample from the nebula. Riker: On my way, sir. Riker: Any luck? Laforge: Yeah, take a look at this. We tried radiating the subject matter with just about everything we could think of. We didn't find anything until we subjected it to a high frequency warp field. We think this is what we've been running into. Riker: Do you know what it is? Laforge: We think so, now that the sensors can read it. It seems to be a highly cohesive form of plasma, like a strand of energy. Sutter: We figure it's a segment of just part of a network of much larger strands. Laforge: When these things come in contact with our shields it produces a resonant effect, and that creates the drag coefficient we've been experiencing. Riker: Is there anything like this on record? Laforge: No, sir. Riker: Do you know how many of them there might be? Laforge: No, but if we run the warp field generators through the deflector grid, we could radiate a field outside the ship. Riker: And we'd be able to see for ourselves. Let's do it. Troi: Alexander, I thought you might like a partner. This is Clara Sutter. She's new on the Enterprise. Clara, meet Alexander Rozhenko. Alexander: I'm making a cup for my father. Want to help? Troi: Go ahead. Alexander: Well, you're supposed to put them in a row, like this. Troi: Clara, would you like some clay of your own? Teacher: Here, honey. Clara: I've never made a cup before. How do you make the round part? Alexander: Well, it's easy. You take a big piece of clay like this, and push your hand into it. Worf: Warp field generators are standing by. Laforge: Captain, we should be able to illuminate any strands within two thousand kilometers of the ship. Picard: Proceed. Laforge: Initiating field generation. Picard: Remarkable. Data: It is an irregular lattice composed of approximately forty seven million strands of energy. Laforge: Captain, with this many of them, the resonant effect on our shields could cause a problem. Picard: Agreed. Ensign, bring us about. Take us out of the nebula. Data: It may be difficult, sir. I am detecting a significant number of strands behind us. Picard: Do your best, Ensign. Felton: Aye, sir. Troi: Hot chocolate. Computer, I need my appointment schedule for next week. Alexander: Kryonian Tigers aren't so scary. I saw one once. Clara: You did? Alexander: My father took me to the zoo on Brentalia. All the tiger did was lick my hand. And he smelled funny. Clara: I think we need more water. Alexander: I'll get some. Clara: Isabella? Alexander: Clara! Clara: I didn't do it. Alexander: Who did? Clara: It was Isabella. Alexander: I don't see anybody. Clara: She's invisible. Alexander: I spent two weeks on that. That was really mean. Clara: I didn't do it. I didn't. Alexander: Clara, there's no such thing as invisible people. You're lying. Alexander: Hey! Clara: Isabella, stop! Isabella: Clara. Clara: Why were you being so mean to me? Why'd you do that to my friend? Isabella: Because you ran away from me. You left me alone. I had to do everything by myself. Clara: You're scaring me. Isabella: I was going to protect you, Clara. I liked you. But now I don't care. Now, when the others come, you can die along with everyone else. Picard: Status, Mister Data. Data: At our current speed, we will clear the nebula in twelve minutes four seconds. Picard: Continue a full sensor sweep. I want all the information we can gather. Worf: Captain, forward velocity is down by point six percent. Velocity down by two point four percent. Picard: Mister Data? Data: We are moving through a dense concentration of energy strands. Riker: Can we go to warp? Laforge: The stress on the hull would be too great. Data: Captain, density appears to be lower off the starboard bow. Picard: Ensign, bring us to bearing oh three oh mark five. Felton: Aye, sir. Worf: Forward velocity holding. Picard: Steady as she goes. Guinan: Is something wrong with the cake? Troi: Excuse me? Guinan: Well, I see you sitting here with a piece of untouched chocolate cake in front of you. I assume something's wrong with the cake or something's bothering you. Troi: I'm sure the cake is fine. I've just been thinking. Guinan: Let me guess. About the little girl with the imaginary friend? Troi: I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing. Guinan: How so? Troi: Well, I know the best thing to do is to gradually wean her away from her fantasy, and she did make some new friends today and had a good time. Guinan: But? Troi: But I can't help feeling that I'm taking something from her. Something precious. A part of her childhood she'll never have again. Guinan: Well, I'm not sure about that. I was just telling Clara about my imaginary friend. Troi: You have an imaginary friend? Guinan: A Tarkassian razor beast. It protected me. I knew as long as that razorbeast was around, nothing could hurt me. You know, over the years his body kind of faded away but the idea stayed. And I just don't seem to talk to him as often as I used to. Troi: You still talk to it? Guinan: Oh, yeah, when I'm afraid or I get confused or a little scared. I just don't think you should have to give up an imaginary friend. Sutter: Ensign Sutter to Counselor Troi. Troi: Go ahead, Ensign. Sutter: Would you come to my quarters? I'm having a problem with Clara. Troi: I'm on my way. Sutter: She won't even go into her room. She's terrified that Isabella's going to hurt her. Troi: Clara, your father tells me Isabella has been saying some very bad things to you. What did she say? Clara: She said they were going to come and kill everyone. Troi: Who's going to come and kill everyone? Clara: The others, like her. Troi: Did she say why? I know you're very frightened. Sometimes what we imagine can be just as scary as something real. But I promise you, there is no way Isabella can harm you or anyone on this ship. Clara: But she's not imaginary anymore. She's real now. I can see her. Troi: You can see her? Clara: Yes. Troi: If I go with you and hold your hand, will you go into your room? Clara: I think so. Troi: We'll make sure Isabella isn't anywhere around, okay? Come on. Troi: Do you see anybody? Troi: Let's look under the bed. Is she there? Okay, where else? Troi: Is she behind here? Troi: Maybe Isabella's gone home. Troi: Let's see. Anything here? Maybe Isabella knows that you've got new friends now. In fact, I'll bet she won't be coming around as much anymore. Clara: Maybe. What about in the closet? Troi: Okay. Anybody in here? Looks pretty empty to me. Troi: She was eleven, maybe twelve, with blonde hair. Clara. Crusher: Clara's sleeping. She's going to be fine. Her bioelectrical processes were severely disrupted. It's as if the energy were pulled right out of her body. Sutter: Captain, Clara has told me that her imaginary friend has been making threats. She claimed that others were on the way and that they had plans to kill everyone on the ship. Picard: Picard to Lieutenant Worf. Worf: Worf here, sir. Picard: Lieutenant, Picard: We've established the presence of what appears to be an alien entity on board. It seems the entity has manifested itself in the form of a twelve year old human girl who has been seen with Clara Sutter. She has blonde hair, blue eyes Worf: And a blue dress. Worf: Yes sir, I have seen her. Picard: When? Worf: Two days ago, near Engineering. She was with Miss Sutter. Picard: Security Alert Picard: Mister Worf. Keep a good lookout. Worf: Aye, sir. Ogawa: She insisted on talking to you. Clara: It's about Isabella. Sutter: What about her, Clara? Clara: I think her feelings were hurt. She said she liked me, she liked being with me. She was my friend. She only got mean when I stopped paying attention to her. Sutter: Did she say when the others were coming? All right, thanks, sweetie. You go back to bed now. We'll handle this. Clara: But Daddy. Picard: Clara, if we need your help again, I hope we can count on you. Clara: Yes, Captain. Riker: Captain Picard, report to the Bridge. Picard: On my way. Picard: Report. Riker: Our speed is down by twenty two percent. Laforge: Strand density is ten times what it was, Captain. We can't take many more of these hits. Picard: All stop. Worf: Sir, something is heading toward us, bearing one oh three mark oh two four. Picard: On screen. Data: It appears to be an energy vortex of highly complex patterns. Possibly a life form. Riker: Red alert. Data: It is in direct physical contact with our shields. Worf: Shield strength dropping to seventy five percent. Seventy two percent. Riker: The damn thing's feeding off our shields. Mister Data, remodulate our shield frequencies. Data: Aye, sir. No effect. Worf: Shield strength has dropped to sixty four percent. Laforge: We've got about eight minutes before this thing drains our shields. Riker: Any ideas? Clara: Isabella? Isabella? Don't you want to talk to me? I'm not mad at you. Isabella? Picard: We know you've been on this ship for some time now, and that you're posing as Clara's friend, and that you've been threatening her. We can only assume that there is some connection between yourself and the life forms attacking this ship. You're obviously an intelligent being. There's no reason to hide from us. Talk to us. Or can you only communicate by threatening a small child? Clara: I'm scared, Isabella. Picard: Who are you? Isabella: I came here to determine whether you were a threat to us, and to examine the purity of your energy sources. Picard: Energy? Is that why you're draining our shields? Isabella: Yes. The emissions from your graviton field generators are far richer than our normal sources of energy. Picard: Picard to Bridge. Report. Riker: Shields are down to three percent. We're diverting all available power. Picard: Acknowledged. If it's energy that you want, we have other ways of providing it. You needn't destroy us. Isabella: You should be destroyed. You are cruel, uncaring creatures. Picard: What makes you say that? Isabella: The way you treat Clara. Picard: In what way have we mistreated her? Isabella: You wouldn't let her do what she wanted to, or go where she wanted to. Picard: You mean where you wanted her to. Isabella: What difference does it make? Picard: You were taking her to places that were inappropriate, even dangerous. Isabella: I wouldn't have let anything happen to her. Picard: We didn't know that. We didn't even know if you were real. All we knew was that a little girl's imaginary friend was frightening her, threatening her. Isabella: That was only after you told Clara not to be my friend. Picard: I understand. You are seeing this ship, all of us, from a unique perspective. From a child's point of view. It must seem terribly unfair and restrictive to you. As adults, we don't always stop to consider how everything we say and do shapes the impressions of young people. But if you're judging us as a people by the way we treat our children, and I think there can be better criterion, then you must understand how deeply we care for them. When our children are young, they don't understand what might be dangerous. Our rules are to keep them from harm, real or imagined, and that's part of the continuity of our human species. When Clara grows up, she will make rules for her children to protect them, as we protect her. Clara: Please don't hurt us. If you still want to be my best friend, I'd like that very much. Picard: Status, Number One. Riker: We're clear of the strands. We'll have full warp capability in twenty minutes. Picard: Notify all sections we'll be leaving this area in one hour. Riker: Sir? Picard: Mister La Forge, I want you to drive the warp engines to full power, and direct a flow of energy out into the nebula. Laforge: Aye, sir. Isabella: I came to say I'm sorry I frightened you. Clara: That's okay. Isabella: And I misled you. I wasn't really your Isabella. Clara: For a while you were. Isabella: I never had a friend before. Clara: I'm sorry I have to go away. Isabella: Do you think you'll ever come back? Clara: I hope so. Isabella: So do I.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45854.2. The Enterprise is charting six star systems that make up the Argolis cluster, an area being considered for colonization. Riker: Very impressive. Troi: It's beautiful, but frightening at the same time. Data: Captain, I am detecting a transmission emanating from within the system. Riker: What sort of signal? Data: It is self-repeating, of unknown pattern. Picard: Where is it coming from? Data: A small moon orbiting the fourth planet. Picard: Life signs? Data: Indeterminate. I am attempting to screen out sensor interference. Readings are still inconclusive, however the moon's atmosphere is capable of supporting life. Riker: It could be a distress call. Helm, take us into transport range. Doctor Crusher, meet me in transporter room two with a medical away team. Crusher: Acknowledged. Crusher: I'm reading one life form, very weak signs. Riker: Riker to Enterprise. Picard: Go ahead, Number One. Riker: We've found the wreckage of a small craft. Riker: One survivor. It's a Borg. Male, adolescent. He's badly hurt. Data: Sir, there is no indication of other Borg activity within sensor range. Picard: Away team, prepare to return to the ship. Crusher: Captain, we can't Crusher: Leave him here. He won't survive. Riker: I think the Captain understands that. Crusher: I don't. Riker: The Borg usually collect their dead. Crusher: He's not dead. Riker: The transmission Crusher: At least not yet. Riker: The transmission that we intercepted was probably a homing signal. We have to assume they're on their way. Crusher: Let me at least stabilize his condition, give him a chance of surviving until they get here. Picard: Your concern is noted, Doctor, but any intervention on our part would alert the Borg to our having been here. Crusher: I'm afraid we've turned that corner already. Worf: Kill it now. Make it appear that it died in the crash. Worf: Leave no evidence that we were ever here. Picard: Security measures must be taken before we beam it on board. Crusher: Thank you, Captain. Standing by. Picard: Mister Data, notify Security to prepare a detention cell. Bridge to Engineering. Laforge: La Forge here. Picard: We're bringing a Borg survivor on board. We'll need to neutralize the homing signal Picard: Prevent it from sending or receiving transmissions of any kind. Laforge: I'll set up a subspace damping field around the detention cell. Picard: Very well. Worf: Four more. None survived. Picard: Picard to Riker. Riker: Go ahead, Enterprise. Picard: We are transporting you directly to the detention cell. Crusher: I need him in Sickbay, Captain. Picard: The cell, Doctor. Whatever equipment you need will be brought to you there. Crusher: Very well. Picard: Come. Troi: Captain, I just wondered if there's anything you wanted to talk about. Picard: I don't think so, Counselor. Troi: I would have thought having a Borg on the ship would stir some feelings. Picard: I'm quite recovered from my experience, thank you. Troi: Sometimes even when a victim has dealt with his assault there are residual effects of the event that linger. You were treated violently by the Borg. Kidnapped, assaulted, mutilated. Picard: Counselor. Counselor, I very much appreciate your concern for me, but I can assure you it is quite misplaced. I have carefully considered the implications of having a Borg on this ship. I have weighed the possible risks, and I am convinced that we are doing the right thing. Now, I am quite comfortable with my decision. Troi: I see. Well, if at any point you want to talk more. Picard: I shall certainly avail myself of your help. Worf: Lower the forcefield. Worf: Captain, the Borg is still unconscious. Crusher: He suffered massive internal injuries. We've been able to control the hemorrhaging, but some of the implants in his brain were damaged. I may have to remove them. Picard: The Borg will die if they're removed permanently. Their brains grow dependent on the biochips. Crusher: Perhaps Geordi can construct some new implants. Laforge: They contain relatively straightforward programming, interface protocols. We have the files we downloaded after your experience, Captain. I think I can manage it. Picard: Mister La Forge, do you know enough about Borg programming to alter the pathways to their root command structure? Laforge: I'm not sure, sir. The subroutines are pretty complicated. I'd probably have to study the data processing algorithms. It's the only way I could trace the access codes. Picard: If we could get to the root command, we could introduce an invasive programming sequence through its biochip system and then return it to the hive. Laforge: The Borg are so interconnected it would act like a virus. Picard: Which would infect the entire Collective. We could disable their neural network at a stroke. Crusher: Infect it? You make it sound like a disease. Picard: Quite right, Doctor. If all goes well, a terminal one. Laforge: If this works the way I think it will, once the invasive program starts spreading, it'll only be a matter of months before the Borg suffer total systems failure. Picard: Comments. Crusher: A question. What exactly is total systems failure? Data: The Borg are extremely computer dependent. A systems failure will destroy them. Crusher: I just think we should be plain about that. We're talking about annihilating an entire race. Picard: Which under most circumstances would be unconscionable. But as I see it, the Borg leave us with little choice. Riker: I agree. We're at war. Crusher: There's been no formal declaration of war. Troi: Not from us, but certainly from them. They've attacked us in every encounter. Picard: They've declared war on our way of life. We are to be assimilated. Crusher: But even in war there are rules. You don't kill civilians indiskriminately. Riker: There are no civilians among the Borg. Picard: Think of them as a single, collective being. There's no one Borg who is more an individual than your arm or your leg. Crusher: How convenient. Picard: Your point, Doctor? Crusher: When I look at my patient, I don't see a collective consciousness. I don't see a hive. I see a living, breathing boy who's been hurt and who needs our help. And we're talking about sending him back to his people as an instrument of destruction. Picard: It comes down to this. We're faced with an enemy who are determined to destroy us, and we have no hope of negotiating a peace. Unless that changes, we are justified in doing anything we can to survive. Security: Security to Captain. Picard: Picard here. Security: The Borg has regained consciousness, sir. Picard: Acknowledged. We proceed with the plan. Crusher: What's he doing? Picard: He's trying to find an access terminal so he can interface with the collective. He doesn't understand that the signal has been cut off. Laforge: He's emitting a homing signal and a second subspace beacon, but our damping field is blocking both signals. Picard: He's alone. For the first time he's being forced to cope with his environment without the resources of the Collective. Crusher: He must be hungry. The Borg don't ingest food. Their implants can synthesize any organic molecules the biological tissues require. What they need is energy. Picard: Arrange to feed it. Laforge: Aye, sir. Laforge: I'll have to adapt a power conduit and installl it in there. Crusher: If I didn't know better, I'd think he was scared. Guinan: I don't think I like this sport. Picard: Last week when you scored two touches, you liked it well enough. Today you were dropping your foil. You kept letting me inside. Guinan: Ah, but if I lift up, you lunge right underneath. Let's face it, you're just better at this than I am. I understand we have a guest on board. Picard: Yes. Guinan: Is that wise? Picard: I'm not sure. I hope so. Guinan: I thought I understood you, Picard, but I don't understand this. Picard: It was an errand of mercy. He was injured, Doctor Crusher decided for humanitarian reasons to care for him. Guinan: They're going to come after us, you know that. You, of all people, know that. Picard: Shall we go again? Picard: Are you all right? Guinan: You felt sorry for me. Look what it got you. Laforge: I'll have to go in to connect the power conduit. Worf: I will follow the Commander. Reactivate the field once we're through. Laforge: Good. Now stay that way. Worf: Commander. Borg: We are Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. Laforge: Just look around, pal. You're hardly in a position to make any demands. Borg: We must return to the Collective. Laforge: Who's we? Borg: We are Borg. Laforge: Yeah, but there's only one of you. Do you have a name? A means of identification? Borg: Third of five. Laforge: There were five on your ship. Is that it? Just a number? Borg: Third of five. Laforge: It does kind of suit you. Okay. This is for you. It regulates the power flow to the frequency that you're used to. This connection should fit the coupling on your arm. You're welcome. Let's get out of here. Worf: Lower the forcefield. Laforge: He's hungry, all right. Borg: Why do you do this? Laforge: I'm just a nice guy at heart. You feeling better? Borg: You are not Borg. Laforge: That's right. And I hope to stay that way. Borg: You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. Laforge: That's gratitude for you. Laforge: I've been rationing his portions of energy. I think he understands. When he cooperates, he gets fed. If not. Crusher: Like a rat in a cage. Laforge: Look, if I'm going to figure out his command pathways, I need to learn how he processes information, and the only way I know to do that is by giving him perceptual tests. And for that, I need his cooperation. Crusher: So he can participate in the destruction of his entire species. Laforge: Doctor. Crusher: I know, I know. We're at war. I'm here to help but I don't have to like it. Laforge: Okay, I think we're ready to transport him. If he gives us any trouble, we can access the force field through that console. Are you ready? Laforge: La Forge to transporter room three. We're ready here. Crewman: We're standing by, Commander. Laforge: Energize. Laforge: Third of Five, this is Doctor Crusher. Doctor Crusher, this is Third of Five. Crusher: Hello. Borg: What is a doctor? Crusher: A doctor heals the sick and repairs the injured. Borg: The sick and injured are reabsorbed. Others take their place. Crusher: That isn't what happen to you. When we found you, you were dying. I saved your life. Borg: Why? Crusher: It's my duty to help those who are hurt. Borg: You give us food. Laforge: Yeah. Borg: Is that your duty? Laforge: Yeah, that's right. Listen, Third of Five, Doctor Crusher here has repaired a lot of the damage to your biochip implants. We want to run a few tests, make sure everything's working okay. Borg: Tests? Crusher: I'd like to show you a few diagrams and ask you some questions about them. It's very simple really. Borg: You will be assimilated. Laforge: Yes, but before that happens, could we ask you a few questions? Borg: We will answer. Laforge: Terrific. All right, hang on just a second here, Third of Five. Borg: What is your designation? Laforge: Designation? Borg: Third of Five. Crusher: You mean our names. We don't have designations. We have names. I'm Beverly. This is Geordi. Borg: Do I have a name? Laforge: Do you want one? Borg: A name. Crusher: I'm Beverly, he's Geordi, and you. Borg: You Crusher: You Laforge: No, no, wait a minute. That's it. Hugh. What do you think? Borg: You. Laforge: No, not you. Hugh. Borg: Hugh. Crusher: Okay. Now, I'm Beverly. Laforge: I'm Geordi. Borg: We are Hugh. Crusher: Now imagine what this shape would look like if it were turned inside out. Which one is it? Borg: This one. Crusher: That's right. He's gotten every one. Eight out of eight. That blows the top right off the spatial-acuity percentiles. Laforge: It's the prosthetic eye. It seems to be giving him very complex visual information. Crusher: Like some kind of holographic imaging system. Laforge: That could be helpful. Hugh, I'd like to take a closer look at your eyepiece. Is that okay? Borg: Here. Laforge: Thanks. Borg: When you are assimilated, you will have a similar device. Crusher: Hugh, do you understand we don't want to be assimilated? Borg: Why do you resist us? Crusher: Because we don't want to live the way you do. Borg: Here it is quiet. There are no other voices. Laforge: Other voices? Borg: On a Borg ship we live with the thoughts of the others in our minds. Thousands of voices with us always. Crusher: I think what you're saying is that you're lonely. Laforge: Here. Borg: When you have completed these tests, what will be done with us? Laforge: We'll er, we'll send you home. Borg: We will rejoin the Collective. Laforge: You know, it's funny. When I first creating this invasive program I didn't have a problem with it. The more I work with Hugh, the more I Guinan: Hugh? Laforge: That's what we call him. Guinan: You named the Borg? Laforge: Well, it was easier to have something to call him. Guinan: Oh, so now you have a Borg named Hugh. Laforge: Right. And he's nothing like what I expected. Guinan: How so? Laforge: I don't know. It's like he's just some kid who's far way from home. Guinan: Do you know that you're the second person today to refer to that Borg as though it were some sort of lost child. Laforge: Anyway, I'm having second thoughts about what we're doing here. I mean, programming him like some sort of walking bomb. Sending him back to destroy the others. Guinan: Let me tell you something. When that kid's big brothers come looking for him, they're not going to stop until they find him. And then they're going to come looking for us, and they will destroy us. And they will not do any of the soul-searching that you are apparently doing right now. Laforge: Then why don't you go and talk to him. It might not be so clear cut then. Guinan: Because I wouldn't have anything to say. Laforge: Then why don't you just listen? That is what you do best, isn't it? Picard: What is it, Number One? Riker: We've picked up a vessel on the long range scanners, headed this way. Picard: Analysis. Data: The vessel is traveling at warp seven point six. Mass two point five million metric tons. Configuration, cubical. Riker: The Borg. Data: Its dimensions indicate that it is a scout ship similar to the one that crashed. Interference from the star's radiation will shield us from their sensors. We should remain undetected until they enter the system. Picard: How long do we have? Data: At present speed they will arrive in thirty one hours seven minutes. Guinan: You don't look so tough. Borg: We are Borg. Guinan: Aren't you going to tell me you have to assimilate me? Borg: You wish to be assimilated? Guinan: No, but that's what you things do, isn't it? Guinan: Resistance is futile. Borg: Resistance is futile. Guinan: It isn't. My people resisted when the Borg came to assimilate us. Some of us survived. Borg: Resistance is not futile? Guinan: No. But thanks to you, there are very few of us left. We're scattered throughout the galaxy. We don't even have a home any more. Borg: What you are saying is that you are lonely. Guinan: What? Borg: You have no others. You have no home. We are also lonely. Borg: What is Geordi doing? Laforge: I'm studying the components in your prosthesis. Borg: Why? Laforge: We're trying to learn more about you. Borg: Why? Laforge: Because you're different than we are. Part of what we do is to learn more about other species. Borg: We assimilate species. Then we know everything about them. Laforge: Yeah. I know. Borg: Is that not easier? Laforge: Maybe it is. It's just not what we do. Borg: Why? Laforge: All right, think of it this way. Every time you talk about yourself, you use the word we. We want this, we want that. You don't even know how to think of yourself as a single individual. You don't say, I want this, or I am Hugh. We are all separate individuals. I am Geordi. I choose what I want to do with my life. I make decisions for myself. For somebody like me, losing that sense of individuality is almost worse than dying. Borg: When you sleep, there are no other voices in your mind? Laforge: No. Borg: Are you ever lonely? Laforge: Sometimes. But that's why we have friends. Borg: Friends? Laforge: Sure. Someone you talk to, who will be with you when you're lonely. Someone who makes you feel better. Borg: Like Geordi and Hugh. Laforge: That's it, Captain. Picard: It looks harmless enough. Laforge: We had to disguise it as something innocuous. The Borg have ways of screening out program anomalies. Picard: How can a geometric form disable a computer system? Data: The shape is a paradox, sir. It cannot exist in real space or time. Laforge: When Hugh's imaging apparatus imprints this on his biochips, he'll try to analyze it. Data: He will be unsuccessful, and will store the shape in his memory banks. It will be shunted to a subroutine for further analysis. Laforge: Then when the Borg download his memory, it'll be incorporated it into their network, then they'll try to analyze it. Data: It is designed so that each approach they take will spawn an anomalous solution. The anomalies are designed to interact with each other, linking together to form an endless and unsolvable puzzle. Picard: Quite original. How long before a total systems failure? Laforge: Not until the shape has gone through several hundred computational cycles. Picard: When can you begin the process? Laforge: About another twenty hours. Doctor Crusher wants to make sure the new implants have taken hold. Picard: Very well. Begin as soon as you're ready. Laforge: Captain. I have to admit I've been having second thoughts about this plan. Picard: In what way? Laforge: Well, I've been getting to know him. The Borg. Picard: I see. Laforge: He's not what I expected, Captain. He's got feelings. He's homesick. I don't know. It just doesn't seem right using him this way. Picard: Centuries ago, when laboratory animals were used for experiments, scientists would sometimes become attached to the creatures. This would a problem if the experiment involved killing them. I would suggest that you unattach yourself from the Borg, Mister La Forge. Laforge: Aye, Captain. Picard: Guinan. Please, come in. Guinan: Are you sure? You look like you're preparing for a quiet evening. Picard: No, I'm delighted to see you. Can I get you something to drink? Guinan: No, thank you. I was thinking about how you said the other day that my foil was dipping. That I should get some exercise and strengthen my arm. Picard: Well. a strong forearm is certainly an advantage in fencing. Guinan: And bartending. About the Borg. Aren't you the least bit surprised by him? Picard: Surprised? Guinan: Did you know he has a name? La Forge gave it to him. His name's Hugh. And he's lonely. I don't know what made me go see him. La Forge said I should, but I said no. And suddenly there I was standing there, staring at him. I thought it was just curiosity. Just curious. I need to hear you say that you are sure you're doing the right thing. Picard: If you're here to persuade me not to use the invasive program. Guinan: No. I think I need you to persuade me. Picard: Two days ago, you were so upset about the Borg even being on the ship that you tore my foil out of my hand. And now you're here questioning whether it should be treated as the enemy. Guinan: No. But when you talk to him face to face, can you honestly say you don't have any doubt? Picard: I haven't talked to it. Guinan: Why not? Picard: I saw no need. Guinan: If you're going to use this person Picard: It's not a person, damn it, it's a Borg! Guinan: If you are going to use this person to destroy his race, you should at least look him in the eye once before you do it. Because I am not sure he is still a Borg. Picard: Because it's been given a name by a member of my crew doesn't mean it's not a Borg. Because it's young doesn't mean that it's innocent. It is what it is, and in spite of efforts to turn it into some kind of pet I will not alter my plans. Guinan: Fine. But if you don't talk to him at least once, you may find that decision a harder to live with than you realize. Worf: Worf to Captain Picard. Picard: Yes, Lieutenant. Worf: We are ready to transport. Picard: Proceed. Picard: Lieutenant, you may wait outside. Borg: Locutus. Picard: Yes. I am Locutus of Borg. Borg: Why are you here? Picard: This is a primitive culture. I am here to facilitate its incorporation. Identify yourself. Borg: Hugh. Picard: Identify yourself. Borg: We are Hugh. Picard: This is not a Borg identification. Borg: Third of Five. Picard: This culture will be assimilated. Borg: They do not wish it. Picard: Irrelevant. Borg: They will resist us. Picard: Resistance is futile. Borg: Resistance is not futile. Some have escaped. Picard: They will be found. It is inevitable. All will be assimilated. Borg: Must Geordi be assimilated? Picard: Yes. Borg: He does not wish it. He would rather die than be assimilated. Picard: Then he will die. Borg: No. Geordi must not die. Geordi is a friend. Picard: You will assist us to assimilate this vessel. You are Borg. You will assist us. Borg: I will not. Picard: What did you say? Borg: I will not assist you. Picard: I? Borg: Geordi must not be assimilated. Picard: But you are Borg. Borg: No. I am Hugh. Picard: I think I deliberately avoided speaking with the Borg because I didn't want anything to get in the way of our plan. But now that I have, he seems to be a fully realized individual. He has even accepted me as Picard, Captain of this ship, and not as Locutus. Laforge: So you've reconsidered the plan? Picard: Yes. To use him in this manner, we'd be no better than the enemy that we seek to destroy. So, I want other options. Riker: We could return him to the crash site. We'd have to remove his memory of being on the Enterprise. Crusher: But if we erase his memory, who he is or who he has become would be destroyed. Riker: Isn't that the point? He'd be reassimilated into the hive without any questions. Laforge: Does that seems right, to help him become an individual and then take that away from him? Crusher: Is there any danger that the Borg might destroy him if they find out what's happened? Picard: I doubt it. There'd be nothing to gain. It's more likely that they would simply wipe out his memory of those experiences. Riker: Then either way, his memory would have been erased. Picard: But perhaps in that short time before they purge his memory, the sense of individuality which he has gained here might be transmitted throughout the entire Borg Collective. Every one of the Borg being given the opportunity to experience the feeling of singularity. Perhaps that's the most pernicious program of all. The knowledge of self being spread throughout the Collective, in that brief moment, might alter them forever. We leave his memory intact. Crusher: I have a question. What if he doesn't want to go back? Laforge: Hello, Hugh. Borg: Hello, Geordi. Picard: Hugh, a Borg rescue vessel is approaching. It will be here within three hours. We can return you to the crash site, where they will find you and take then you home. Or, if you wish, you can stay here with us. Borg: What I wish is irrelevant. Laforge: It's not irrelevant, Hugh. It matters to us. Borg: No Borg leaves the Collective. If they find I am missing, they will come for me. Picard: Well, we'll deal with the repercussions later. We must know what you want. Borg: You are many, I am one. What I want is not important. Laforge: Don't you understand, Hugh? We're giving you a choice. Borg: Choice? Laforge: Yes, a choice. Do you want to go back with the Borg or stay with us? Borg: I could stay with you? Picard: We could grant you asylum, Hugh. Borg: Choose what I want? I would choose to stay with Geordi, but it is too dangerous. They will follow. Return me to the crash site. It is the only way. Laforge: Hugh, think about this. Are you sure? Borg: Yes. Picard: The Borg ship will enter orbit in one hour. You'll soon be headed home. We'll beam him down and then we'll take up a position in the star's chromosphere. The interference will hide us from their sensors. Crusher: Goodbye, Hugh. It was nice getting to know you. Borg: Goodbye, Beverly. You saved my life. Laforge: Hugh, it's not too late to change your mind. Borg: I must return. Laforge: Captain, I'd like to go down with him. Picard: My experience suggests that they would ignore him. Would you agree? Borg: The Borg assimilate civilizations, not individuals. Crusher: But, Captain, they kidnapped you. Picard: Because they needed a liaison to communicate with humans. They ignored every away team we sent to their ship, including yours, Doctor. You may accompany him. Goodbye. Borg: Captain, I do not want to forget that I am Hugh. Picard: Energize. Laforge: We found you there, in the middle of that debris. Borg: Then that is where I will wait. Data: We are now entering position. Radiation levels are rising. Picard: Increase power to the shields. Hold us here. Riker: Status of the Borg ship? Data: Solar radiation is rendering our sensors inoperable. At last known course and speed, the Borg vessel should enter the system in three minutes. Laforge: Well, I guess this is it, huh? So long, Hugh. Borg: Goodbye, Geordi. I will try to remember you.

Picard: Time, Mister Data? Data: We will arrive within transporter range in three minutes twenty one seconds. Mcdowell: I've finally established audio contact with the Romulan ship. Romulan: Main power failing. No way to stop the overload. Picard: Enterprise to Romulan vessel. We are en route to your position. Romulan: Enterprise, what is your time of arrival? We are facing an imminent core breach. Picard: Repeat your last transmission. Mcdowell: I'm sorry, Captain. They've stopped transmitting. Picard: Picard to Riker. Riker: Riker here. Picard: Transport to the Romulan ship as soon as we're within range. Riker: Aye, sir. No weapons. We don't want them to think they're under attack. Ro: This is not a bright idea. Riker: I beg your pardon, Ensign. I didn't quite catch that. Ro: Nothing, sir. Voices: All main thrusters are shut down. Your information is unreliable. The AH is inoperative. Give me a hand here. Riker: We're from the Federation Starship Enterprise. We received your distress call. Mirok: The Enterprise? Riker: That's right. Your message said you'd suffered a failure in your engine core. Mirok: Yes. We had a forced chamber explosion in the resonator coil. Laforge: It's a pretty strange set up, but it looks like the graviton field generator has been completely depolarized. There's no way to fix it. It'll have to be replaced. Riker: Where are your replicators? Varel: They are offline. Riker: Who's in charge here? Mirok: The Captain is dead. I'm the science officer. Mirok. Riker: We'd like to move the generator back to the Enterprise for replication. Mirok: All right. Riker: Geordi, you and Ro. Laforge: La Forge to Brossmer. Two people and one piece of equipment to beam aboard. Brossmer: Aye, sir. Brossmer: What the hell? Engineering, I need more power to the primary energizing coil. Brossmer to Commander Riker. I'm losing them I have to abort. Brossmer: They should be returning to your coordinates, sir. Riker: Chief, do you have them? They're not here. Brossmer: No, sir. Riker: Where are they? Brossmer: I can't locate their patterns. Brossmer: We've lost them, sir. Brossmer: I've done all I can, sir. I'm afraid they're gone. Picard: Mister Data, begin a level one diagnostic. All transporter systems offline until further notice. Could they have materialized somewhere else? Data: Negative, Captain. Sensors are unable to locate them anywhere within transporter range. Picard: Counselor? Riker: Riker to Enterprise. Picard: Go ahead, Number One. Riker: Captain, we're still looking at a core breach unless we can fashion a new graviton generator. Riker: I need replacement personnel, sir. Picard: Mister Data, you may continue the diagnostic of the transporter systems at another time. Take a shuttlecraft and two more engineers down to the Romulan ship. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister McDowell, alert the main shuttlebay to have all available ships and pilots standing by in case we need them. Mcdowell: Aye, sir. Picard: Ensign, lay in a course away from the Romulan vessel. Engage at warp one if you detect any sign it's going to explode. Mirok: Pressure in the containment chamber has increased fifteen melakols in the last two minutes. Riker: What can we do to stop the overload? Mirok: Most of the conduits were damaged during the explosion. I can't even access the central computer. Worf: Commander. Emergency bulkheads have sealed this section off from the rest of the ship. There is no way to gain access to the main Bridge or control centers. Riker: Survivors? Worf: Readings indicate at least seventy three Romulans are still alive. Varel: Seventy three. Mirok: The pressure has jumped two hundred melakols! Varel: I've lost control of the containment chamber. Mirok: It's going to implode. Riker: We'll need to dump the entire engine core. Do you have an auto-eject system? Mirok: Yes, but it's not functioning. I'll have to do it manually. Riker: Mister Worf, you two seal the chamber. Varel: Implosion will occur in one minute five seconds. Riker: Enterprise, we need to jettison the entire engine core. You'll need to extend the shields once it clears the hull. Picard: Understood, Number One. We'll stand by for your signal. Worf: We must get the doors closed. Worf: Commander! Riker: Time? Varel: Thirty seconds. Mirok: I'm ready, Commander. Riker: Stay there! Eject the chamber on my order! Data: Excuse me, sir. Mirok: Implosion in five seconds) Riker: Now. Riker: Enterprise, extend shields! Riker: Well, we're still here. Mirok: Yes. Riker: We'll have a complete power survey done within the hour. We'll probably have to supply them with energy for life support, and they'll need a new engine core to get home. Picard: Understood, Commander. Keep us informed of your efforts. Picard out. I'll be in Sickbay. Mcdowell: Aye, sir. Ro: Ensign Ro to the Bridge. This is Ensign Ro reporting in. I'm at section twenty three baker, near Sickbay. Sickbay. Ro: Excuse me, I need some help. Excuse me? Excuse me, I need some help. Ro: Excuse me! I need some help! Crusher: We shouldn't make any hasty decisions, Jean-Luc. The transporter could've beamed them somewhere else. The Romulan ship, another deck of the Enterprise. Picard: We've already checked those possibilities. The initial findings would seen to indicate that there was a radiation surge from the Romulan engine core which disrupted the signal. They never rematerialized. Crusher: We should check again. There might be something that we've overlooked and Picard: Beverly, we've done everything that we can. Crusher: You're right. I just hate making out death certificates. Does Ensign Ro have any family? Ro: Captain, I'm right here. Picard: None that I know of, but I'll check with the Bajoran liaison Office. Ro: I'm not dead! Crusher: I'll have the official reports ready within the hour. Ro: Captain, I don't know what's going on Ro: Doctor. Doctor Crusher. Doctor Crusher, I'm right here. Damn it. Mirok: We're ready, Commander. Riker: Riker to Enterprise. Begin power transfer. Mirok: The power flow is consistent at four hundred kolems. No fluctuations in frequency. The main power grid is online. Picard: Picard to Riker. Riker: Riker here. Power transfer appears stable at this end, Captain. Picard: Good. Picard: What is the status of the engine replacement? Riker: Engineering is modifying one of our subspace resonators to act as a new engine core. It won't do more than warp two, but it'll get them home. Picard: Very well. Data: Captain. The diagnostic of the transporter system shows an anomalous energy fluctuation. I will need to inspect the imaging scanner in transporter room three. Picard: By all means. Data: Captain? I have a personal favor to ask. I considered Commander La Forge to be my best friend. I believe it is my responsibility to plan and conduct the memorial service. May I have your permission to do so? Picard: Permission granted. Make whatever arrangements you think are appropriate. Data: Thank you, sir. Worf: Commander, the the Romulans want a computer. We cannot give them access to Federation technology. That is an unacceptable security risk. Riker: What about a computer core from thirty or forty years ago? One the Romulans are already familiar with. Worf: That would be satisfactory. Riker: Check with the Enterprise, see what's available. Be sure your concern are addressed before we installl it. Worf: Aye, sir. Thank you. Ro: La Forge? Laforge: Ro. Boy, am I glad to see you. And I'm really glad that you can see me. It's like I'm here, but I'm not here. Ro: No one can see me either. Laforge: I can't figure it out. One minute we were transporting from the Romulan vessel, and the next I wake up in the arboretum with a splitting headache. Can you pass through things like bulkheads? Ro: Tables, people, yeah. Laforge: Well, we're solid enough to each other. Ro: It's not what you expected, is it. Laforge: What do you mean? Ro: This. Death. Laforge: What? Ro: We're dead, Geordi. Laforge: Is that some kind of a joke? Ro: Our patterns were lost in a transporter malfunction. We never rematerialized after leaving the Romulan ship. Laforge: Wait a minute. What are you saying, that we're some sort of spirits? Ro: Spirits, souls. My people used to call them borhyas. Whatever term you want to use, we're it. Laforge: But my uniform, my visor. Are you saying I'm some blind ghost with clothes? Ro: I don't have all the answers. I've never been dead before. Laforge: We are not dead. Ro: According to Doctor Crusher, we died in a transporter malfunction at fourteen thirty hours. Geordi, I saw her make out the death certificates. We need to make peace with our former lives. That's what I was taught. We have to say goodbye to the people who were in our lives. Laforge: No. You may be ready for the afterlife, but I'm not. Ro: I don't see that we have much of a choice. When I was growing up, I never gave much thought to all the talk about borhyas. I figured that it was just superstition passed on to children. Laforge: Fine. You go make peace with yourself, all right? I'm going to transporter room three. I'm going to figure a way out of this situation. Brossmer: I didn't have any warning that something would go wrong, sir. Suddenly their patterns just weren't there. Data: I believe the cause of the accident may be related to the explosion on the Romulan ship. Laforge: Really? Brossmer: But that happened before we even arrived. Data: In all likelihood, the explosion damaged the Romulan cloaking device, causing it to discharge chroniton particles. I am detecting a chroniton field in here. Laforge: A chroniton field? Brossmer: If the particles were produced on the Romulan ship, why are you detecting them here? Laforge: The transporter beam. Data: I suspect they traveled through the transporter beam. That may have been the cause of Geordi and Ro's death. I will go to the Romulan ship. Perhaps I can discover the source of the emissions. Brossmer: Commander, are these chronitons dangerous? Data: They pose no danger to humans. However, some of the ship's systems may be affected by prolonged exposure. When I return I will devise a method to eradicate them. Laforge: La Forge to Ensign Ro. Ro: Thanks for the ride. I'm here to say goodbye. Riker: There are a lot of what appear to be experimental engine components lying around over there. I'd say they were testing a new warp drive design and it blew up in their faces. Picard: That would explain why they're so far away from Romulan space. To avoid being picked up on Federation long range scans. Riker: We should have an engine core ready for them by nineteen hundred hours. Picard: Commander, there'll be a memorial service at twenty three hundred hours this evening. Mister Data is making arrangements. Riker: I'll be there. Ro: Me, too. Riker: In fact I might like to say a few words. Picard: You did know La Forge longer than any of us. Riker: Actually, I was thinking more about Ensign Ro. Ro: Me? Picard: When you're ready, coordinate with Mister Data. Ro: Wait a minute. What are you going to say about me? Ro: Captain. I don't believe this. I'm dead. you can't even hear me and I'm still intimidated by you. I just wanted to say thank you. For trusting in me when no one else would. Laforge: Hey, there you are. Excuse me, Captain. Listen, Data's taking the next shuttle over to the Romulan vessel and we need to be on it. Ro: Why? Laforge: because I think what happened to us, the answers are over there. Ro: Why can't you just accept the fact Laforge: Look, if you're right then we're dead and this doesn't make any difference. But if I'm right, then we're still alive and I'm going to need your help. Data: Lieutenant, I am planning a memorial service for Commander La Forge and Ensign Ro. I would like you to participate. Worf: What kind of service? Data: Captain Picard asked me to arrange a ceremony that was appropriate. I have given a great deal of thought as to what is appropriate in this instance. Worf: Sir, shuttlecraft four has not yet cleared the Romulan ship. Data: Hold position here. Laforge: This is weird, listening to them plan our funeral. Data: I find I am having difficulty deciding what kind of service to have. Do you have any suggestions? Worf: Human custom is to conduct a solemn, dignified service in which the dead are praised by their friends and loved ones. Data: Ensign Ro was Bajoran. Her beliefs should be reflected as well. However their death rituals are quite complicated. Ro: Please, not the Death Chant. Worf: The Bajoran Death Chant is over two hours long. Data: I am not certain that either human or Bajoran rites are fitting, and I have researched the funerary customs of over five thousand cultures to no avail. Worf: Shuttlecraft four has just cleared. Data: Resume course. In almost all societies, it is traditional to say a ritual farewell to those you call friends. I never knew what a friend was until I met Geordi. He spoke to me as though I were human. He treated me no differently from anyone else. He accepted me for what I am. And that, I have learned, is friendship. But I do not know how to say goodbye. Ro: He seems almost human, doesn't he. Worf: Commander, I am not the proper person to advise you. Data: Why? Worf: I am very happy for Commander La Forge. He has crossed over to that which is beyond. For a Klingon, this is a joyful time. A friend has died in the line of duty and he has earned a place among the honored dead. It is not a time to mourn. Data: Begin docking procedure. Laforge: Data, that's a nice sentiment, but a little premature. I don't plan on being commemorated before my time. Mirok: I'm afraid I fail to see the point of this investigation, Commander. Data: Chroniton emissions may have been responsible for the accident which claimed the lives of our officers. Varel: A most regrettable event, of course. Data: Was your cloaking device damaged in the explosion? Mirok: All of our systems were damaged, including the cloaking device. Data: That explains the chroniton fields I am detecting in here now. For your own safety, it is important to eliminate those emissions. Varel: Our safety? Data: There is no way to predict what will happen when the chronitons interact with the new engine core. Laforge: I've never seen anything like this. There's something in here that looks like a molecular phase inverter. Ro: What's that? Laforge: It's supposed to change the structure of matter so it can pass through normal matter and energy. Hang on a second. A few years back, we got intelligence reports that the Klingons were working on trying to combine a phase inverter and a cloaking device. In theory, they believed that a phased ship could hide anywhere, even inside a planet, and that conventional weapons would be useless against it. Ro: How far did they get in their research? Laforge: It never got out of the preliminary stages. There were several accidents. The Romulans might be pursuing the same technology, trying to combine an inverter and a cloaking device. And if this is the prototype Ro: Then that would explain the explosion and the chroniton fields. Laforge: And us. Ro: You mean we're cloaked? Laforge: Not just cloaked, phased. Our entire molecular structure altered so that we don't have any substance. Ro: Then that would mean we're not dead. Laforge: Yes. It would also mean that there's probably a way to de-phase us. Data: The field emissions are particularly strong in this area. Mirok: You can be assured that the emissions will be eliminated before the engine core is replaced. Worf: Commander, may I speak with you? Varel: If they come back they're going to discover the interphase generator. Mirok: Is their power transfer beam still at full intensity? Varel: Yes. It will be until we're ready to switch to internal power. Mirok: We will set up a muon feedback wave inside the transfer beam. The particles will accumulate in their dilithium chamber. When they go to warp speed, their engines will explode. Laforge: We've got to get to the Enterprise and warn them. Ro: How? Laforge: I don't know, but we have to find a way. Come on. Ro: The muon feedback wave's not showing up on any of the engine displays. Laforge: The Romulans must be hiding it in a sensor return signal. Unless someone runs a level three diagnostic, they'd never detect it. There must be a way to warn them before the ship goes to warp. Data: This is puzzling. Three more chroniton fields have formed aboard the Enterprise in the last hour. Laforge: There's no reason why the interphase device would be producing new fields aboard this ship. Data: We should begin decontamination immediately. Run an internal sensor sweep for locations of all chroniton fields on the Enterprise. Brossmer: Aye, sir. The following areas are showing contamination. Sickbay, Transporter room three, main Bridge, Captain's Ready room, shuttlebay two, and main Engineering. Laforge: Ro, look at this. Data: I do not understand how these new fields have formed. No transporter beam has been active in any of those areas. I cannot see that they have anything in common. Laforge: Oh, yes they do. Data: In fact, they seem to be appearing at random. Laforge: No, they're not. We were in every one of those locations. Somehow we're leaving chroniton footprints behind us. Data: Can you narrow the focus of the scan to pinpoint the locations? Brossmer: Not with the internal sensors, Commander. Data: Go to science station two on the main Bridge. Use a lateral sensor array to get a more precise reading. I will modify an anyon emitter to eliminate the fields once they've been isolated. Laforge: Why don't you go with her and see what the lateral sensors turn up. I'll stay here with Data. Ro: Right. Laforge: Well that's interesting. You're reading chroniton readings in here, but not from me? There's a field in this wall? Why? Data, I came through this wall. I walked right through it when I came in here. When the phased matter in my body passed through the wall, it must've disrupted the wall's molecular structure producing a chroniton field. Data, I'm right here that's me you're reading. Watch. Laforge: Come on, it's me. You see? Parem: Do not move. Yes, I can see you. Ro: Who are you? Parem: Where is the scientific officer? The one like us. The one who came with you to our ship. He spoke of a plan to return to normal. Yes, this disruptor works. I was wearing it when I was changed. Now, where is he? Laforge: Data, stop being so rational. Try using your imagination once in a while. These aren't just random patterns, it's me! Laforge: Hey, watch where you point that thing. Wait a minute, Data, I think you did something here . It's not so easy to push through any more. The molecules in my hand must have been partially de-phased by the anyon beam. Data, if a low level beam can bring my hand part of the way back, maybe a high level beam can bring me all of the way back. I'll just have to get you to turn up the beam intensity so that. Hey, wait a minute, don't stop now. No, no, no. Data, don't give up on it. It works, I was just creating more fields. Your method is fine. You just need to turn up the intensity, Data. Ro: He's in here. Brossmer: Brossmer to Commander Data. Data: Data here. Brossmer: I've just detected a large chroniton field on deck seventeen. The field strength is three hundred percent above the others we've found, sir. Laforge: Is that Ro? Data: Acknowledged. Parem: Get up. Where is the science officer? Man: I'll go. Commander? Data: Excuse me for interrupting, Lieutenant. Laforge: Ro! Data: I'm detecting a chroniton field in your room. May I scan the area? Man: Certainly. Ro: Thanks. Laforge: Any time. Laforge: There's still no indication that the Romulans set up a muon wave in our dilithium chamber. Ro: It's there, and when they go to warp Mcdowell: Incoming message from the Romulan ship, Captain. Picard: On screen. Laforge: Now what? Mirok: Installlation of the new engine core has been completed. We are ready to switch to internal power, Enterprise. Picard: Understood. Disconnect the power-transfer beam. Mirok: We are now on internal power. Captain Picard, please accept my sincere thanks on behalf the Romulan Empire. Ro: Don't listen to him, Captain. Picard: It was our pleasure, Mirok. And I hope that this example of cooperation between our two peoples will not be an isolated incident. Mirok: As do I, Captain. Picard: Set a course for the Garadius system. Warp six. Laforge: No, Captain wait. Ro: Don't do it, sir. Brossmer: Captain. I'm still running the decontamination program. Mister Data believes we shouldn't engage the warp drive until I've cleared all the chroniton fields from the ship. Picard: Very well. Let me know when you finished your sweep. Brossmer: Yes, sir. Ro: If we can get to the locations that she's decontaminating, maybe the anyon emissions would re-phase us enough for someone to see us. Laforge: Yeah, well the beam strength would have to be pretty strong in order for us to be visible for more than a millisecond. Somebody's going to have to be looking directly at us. Ro: Then we're going to have to go somewhere with an awful lot of people. Riker: It's time, sir. We should go. Picard: You have the Bridge, Mister McDowell. I'll be at the service in Ten Forward. Laforge: Ten Forward? Well, that's perfect. We'll create as many chroniton fields in there as we can. Get them to flood that room with a stronger beam. Picard: Deck ten. I've been thinking about the first time I met Geordi La Forge. He was a young officer assigned to pilot me on an inspection tour, and I made some off hand remark about the shuttle's engine efficiency not being what it should. And the next morning I found that he'd stayed up all night refitting the fusion initiators. Well, I knew then that I wanted him with me on my next command. Have you decided what you're going to say about Ensign Ro? Riker: Yes, I have. It wasn't easy. Picard: Situations like these are never easy, Number One. Ro: Why? What wasn't easy? What? Ro: What is going on here? Laforge: It's our memorial service. Ro: This? Laforge: Why not? Ro: I don't believe this. They think we're dead and they're having a party. Laforge: Yeah. It's perfect. Come on, let's get started. Picard: Well, this is unusual. Riker: Yeah, I think I like it. Ro: Now I suppose I'll never know what you were going to say about me. Data: Do you think the others will think this service appropriate? Crusher: Look around you, Data. Everybody is sharing their memories of Geordi and Ro, laughing and talking. What could be more appropriate than that? Data: I am glad you approve, Doctor. Brossmer: Brossmer to Commander Data. Data: Go ahead, Chief. Brossmer: I'm sorry to disturb you, sir. We've cleared the critical areas of chronitons but we've detected a new field forming in Ten Forward that's stronger than any we've seen before. Brossmer: Should I wait until after the service is over before beginning decontamination? Data: No. Data: No. Anyon emissions are harmless. Please begin immediately. Brossmer: Aye, sir. Laforge: Here we go. Laforge: Worf! Worf, can you see us? Ro: Lieutenant! Laforge: We're right here, Worf. Damn. Ro: We have to find a way to increase the emission strength. Laforge: Yeah, I know. Picard: if she hadn't lost her rank as a result of that incident at Garon Four, I think she would've made Lieutenant Commander by now. Mcdowell: Bridge to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead. Mcdowell: Incoming message from Garadius Four, sir. The diplomatic situation is deteriorating. They want an update on our ETA. Picard: Stand by, Ensign. Laforge: We've got to do something now, before they go into warp. Ro: The disruptor. I can put it on overload. Laforge: Do it. Ro: Let's go! Picard: I would like to get under way as soon as possible. The situation on Garadius Four is becoming serious. Data: I see no reason to delay our departure. The chroniton fields have been cleared from all critical areas. Picard: Excellent. Mister McDowell, will you set course for Garadius Four and engage at Brossmer: Commander Data, chroniton field strength in Ten Forward has just increased by three thousand percent. Data: Curious. Captain, I believe we should decontaminate this room before getting underway. Picard: Very well. Data: Chief. Brossmer: Yes, Commander. Data: Increase anyon emissions to six thousand particles per second and decontaminate this area. Laforge: Okay, hang on. Laforge: Data, can you see us? Ro: Captain, we're right here. Laforge: We're right here! We're right here! Picard: Did you see that, Mister Data? Data: Yes, sir. Laforge: Come on, Data. Put it all together now. Picard: These were not ghosts. what did we see? Data: I believe I may know what has happened, sir. Laforge: Data, please be right. Data: It would explain the mysterious chroniton fields Ro: Yes, yes, yes. Data: If they were cloaked in some way. Picard: Are you saying that they're still alive? Data: If I am right, sir, they are, and in this room. Their brief appearance coincided with the anyon sweep. Perhaps the anyons neutralize the cloaking effect. Chief Brossmer. Brossmer: Yes, Commander? Data: Set the anoynic beam to its highest level and flood Ten Forward. Brossmer: Aye, sir. Laforge: Data, do you see us? Data: Of course. Laforge: La Forge to Engineering. Take the warp engines off line until further notice. There's a muon wave build up in the dilithium chamber. Ensign: Captain, who gave that order? Picard: That was Commander Geordi La Forge, Ensign. Please follow his instructions. Ensign: Aye, sir. Laforge: It looks like a great party. Do you mind if we join you? Data: Geordi, it is good to see you. Laforge: Thanks, Data. I've never been to a better funeral. Laforge: Could you pass the rolls? Ro: You've been eating for over an hour. Laforge: Come on. We didn't eat for almost two days. I'm hungry. What's wrong? Ro: Nothing. Laforge: Come on. Ro: I was raised with Bajoran beliefs. I even followed some of the practices, but I never really believed in a life after death. Then suddenly I was dead and there was another life, and it made me feel like I'd been pretty arrogant to discount everything I'd been taught, you know? Now I don't know what to believe. Laforge: Maybe we should develop our own interphase device. If it can teach Ro Laren humility, it can do anything.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45944.1. Following a magnetic wave survey of the Parvenium Sector, we've detected an object which we cannot immediately identify. Picard: Magnify. Mister Data? Data: It appears to be a probe of some kind, but there is no Starfleet record of this shape or design. Riker: Is it scanning us? Worf: No sir, but it has assumed a relative position and it is holding course with us. Data: The probe is composed of paricium and talgonite, a ceramic alloy. Laforge: Not a very sophisticated technology. Worf: Sir, I am detecting a low-level nucleonic beam coming from the probe. Riker: Shields up. Stand by phasers. Data: The beam is scanning the shield's perimeter. The probe is emitting an unusual particle stream. Worf: Sir, the beam is penetrating our shields. Picard: Increase power to Riker: Captain? Captain, I've got you. It's all Eline: Well. finally. How are you feeling? Kamin, can you answer me? Picard: What is this place? Eline: You're still feverish. Picard: Computer, freeze program. Computer, end program. Eline: Kamin. Picard: Picard to Enterprise. Eline: Kamin, please don't get up yet. You're still not well. Picard: I asked you, what is this place? Eline: This is your home, of course. Picard: Am I a prisoner here? Eline: Please, dear, you've had a high fever for three days. You mustn't push yourself too quickly. Kamin? You really shouldn't go outside. Eline: Kamin, please come back inside. Batai: Thank you. This sapling is planted as an affirmation of life in defiance of the drought and with expectations of long life. Whatever comes, we will keep it alive as a symbol of our survival. Kamin! You're back on your feet! How do you feel, my friend? Picard: Are you in charge here? Batai: In charge? Picard: I want to be returned to my ship immediately. Batai: What ship is that? Picard: Please, just tell me, what is this place? Where am I? Batai: The fever. It's taken your memory. Picard: That must be it. Perhaps you can help me. Batai: Anything, my friend. Picard: My name is Kamin? Batai: Yes. Picard: And you are? Batai: Batai. Council leader Batai. Picard: Ah. Batai. And you say I've been ill? Batai: For more than a week. Eline should've put you in the hospital, but she insisted on caring for you herself. Picard: Eline? Batai: Your wife. If you don't remember that, maybe it's safer not to go home. Picard: And what is this place? Batai: Perhaps you should see the doctor. Picard: No, please, I'm sure it will all come back to me. Batai: This is the community of Ressik. Northern province. Picard: What planet? Batai: Let me take you back home. Picard: No, really, I'm quite all right. Just answer me. What planet? Batai: This is the planet Kataan. Picard: Kataan. Not a Federation planet. I think I'll just take a walk. Batai: But you've been ill for a week. Picard: The exercise will do me good. I'll try to re-acquaint myself with the surroundings. Eline: Thank goodness. I've had people out trying to find you everywhere. Why did you worry us like that? Are you hungry? Picard: Hungry, thirsty, exhausted. I suppose that proves this is not a dream, doesn't it? Eline: You think this, your life, is a dream? Picard: This is not my life. I know that much. Eline: I've kept something hot for you. Where did you go? Picard: I walked. For hours. Eline: And you're just out of bed. Picard: It's delicious. Eline: You always say that. Picard: Would you try to answer some questions for me, no matter how strange they may seem to you? Eline: Of course. Picard: Are there other planets in this star system? Do you visit other systems? All right. Do you have a communication system here? How do you send messages to other communities, to other places? Eline: The usual way, by voice-transit conductor. Do you want to send a message? Picard: Yes. When can that be arranged? Eline: Tomorrow. Don't you want to ask about us? Picard: Of course. Anything you can tell me will be helpful. We're, er, um, married? Eline: Three years ago. The happiest day of my life was the day we got married. Picard: And what do I do here in Ressik? Eline: You're the best iron weaver in the community. At least I think so. You prefer playing the flute, of course. Picard: The flute? Eline: Yes. Picard: And when did I learn to play it? Eline: I'm afraid you never did, dear, but you keep trying. Picard: I see what you mean. Well, thank you for the soup. Thank you for your help. Tomorrow, will you help me send a message? Eline: Of course. Will you come to bed? Picard: Oh, I'll sleep here. Eline: Kamin, please come with me. Picard: I've been sick. I'll be tossing and turning. It wouldn't be fair to you. Eline: Let me be the judge of that. Picard: Where did you get this? Eline: Kamin, this is the first gift you ever gave me. Riker: Riker to Sickbay. The Captain's hurt. Crusher: Pulse and blood pressure are normal I'm getting hyperactive fibrogenic activity. This is odd. Riker: What is it? Crusher: There's no evidence of any injury or trauma. Vital signs are normal, but neurotransmitter production is off the scale. What's going on? Riker: That probe is doing something to him. Anything yet, Data? Data: No, sir. The particle emission is most unusual. I am unable to block it. Worf: We should destroy the probe. Phasers are armed and ready. Crusher: I don't think that's wise. Not until we know exactly what it's doing to him. Riker: Agreed. Stand down phasers, Mister Worf. In the meantime, take us out of range. Ensign. Thrusters only, one hundred kph nice and easy Ensign: Aye, sir. Riker: Data? Data: The probe is moving with us, sir, holding relative position. Crusher: It's connected itself to him, like a tether. Eline: You've been dreaming of that starship of yours again, haven't you? Picard: I'm just charting progress of the course of the sun. It might give a clue to the cause of this drought. Eline: I think you're still trying to figure out where you are. Where that ship of yours is. How to get back to that life. Picard: The memory is five years old now, but it's still inside me. Eline: Was your life there so much better than this? So much more gratifying, so much more fulfillling, that you cling to it with such stubbornness? Picard: Eline. Eline: It must have been extraordinary. But never in all of the stories you've told me have you mentioned anyone who loved you as I do. Picard: It was real. It was as real as this is. And you can't expect me to forget a lifetime spent there. Eline: Yes, I can. I've been patient, Kamin. For five years I've shared you with that other life. I've listened, I've tried to understand, and I have waited. When do I get you back? Picard: I know. I know. It has been hard on you. Eline: When will you let go? When will you start living this life? When will we start a family? Batai: Kamin, Eline, good morning. Picard: Good morning, Batai. Batai: Are you ready? The Administrator's already arrived. Picard: Yes. Will you come along? Eline: No, thank you. You do very well on your own. Batai: She always was strong-minded, even when she was a child. Picard: It's not her fault. These past few years have been very difficult for her. Batai: And for you, I think. Administrator: There you are, Batai. Perhaps you can explain to me, when crops are dying all over, how this tree is flourishing? Batai: This tree is our symbol, our affirmation of life. Everyone in this town gives part of their water rations to keep it alive. We've learned, Administrator, that hope is a powerful weapon against anything. Even drought. Administrator: A good point. Perhaps I shall recommend a symbolic tree in each of my communities. Now. What business do we have today? Batai: We need help if we're to increase the water supply. We think there are ways to reclaim some of our water. Administrator: Batai, you're being a bit of an alarmist. True, we are in a drought, but water rationing has produced a sizeable savings. Picard: If the weather pattern doesn't change, rationing will not be enough. We'll run out of water. Administrator: Who is this? Batai: Kamin, sir. Administrator: Kamin. Do I know you? Picard: No. I haven't spoken to you before. Administrator: Well, Kamin, I'm open to all the people of this town. I'm delighted to hear what you have to say. Picard: I suggest that we build atmospheric condensers which could extract water from the air. Administrator: I don't mean to quash your very creative ideas but building atmospheric condensers would be a monumental undertaking. We could not hope to sustain such a project. Picard: Each community would be responsible for its own. Condensers could make the difference between watering our crops or watching them die. Administrator: Well, I'll be glad to pass along your idea. You'll see that this kind of participatory government works for everyone. Be well, Batai. I shall see you next month. Good to meet you, Kanin. Batai: Go carefully, Administrator. Batai: That went very well. I think he was impressed with you. Picard: But there'll be no atmospheric condensers. Batai: These things take time, but it will happen. I'm sure of it. Picard: Come and have supper tonight, my friend. I'll make some vegetable stew. Let's talk about building our own condenser. Batai: Kamin. Hearing you talk to the Administrator, I realized that for the first time in years, you were speaking as though you were truly a member of the community. It was good to hear that again. Batai: You've been brooding behind that flute all evening. Picard: I'm not brooding. I'm immersed in my music. Batai: Music. Picard: I find that it helps me think, but the real surprise is I enjoy it so much. Batai: No, the real surprise is that you may actually be improving. Eline: Batai? Batai: Yes, ma'am. Eline: Go home. Batai: Yes, ma'am. Goodnight, Kamin. Picard: Goodnight, my friend. Eline: Go carefully, Batai. Eline: Don't forget these. I won't put them away for you again. Picard: Yes, ma'am. Eline: I've done nothing but nag all day. I'm sorry. Picard: No, I'm the one who's sorry. Everything you said this morning was absolutely correct. I feel that I have given you so little and you have given me so much. Eline: No. You're a good man. A wonderful husband. I didn't mean Picard: No, not such a wonderful husband. I spend my spare time charting the stars. I disappear for days at a time exploring the countryside. My life is very much as it was. Old habits. Eline: You're gentle and kind. You never once raised your voice to me. Picard: I'd like to ask your permission to build something. Eline: Kamin, you've built your telescope, your laboratory. You don't need my permission for something new. Picard: In this case, I think I do. Eline: What is it? Picard: A nursery. Eline: Really? Really? Picard: Unless, of course, if you would prefer a porch. It would certainly be easier to build. I could make a start on it right away. Eline: No. Riker: Geordi, any progress identifying the probe? Laforge: Maybe. I've picked up some residue on the probe's shell. I think it came from the propulsion system. Looks like it used a solid propellant as fuel. Riker: Solid propellant? Laforge: Sensors read this stuff as crystalline emiristol. It produces a radioactive trail that ought to be traceable. Riker: Then we should be able to send out a probe of our own, trace it back to the origin. Laforge: I'll get right on it. Data: Commander, I have been analyzing the nucleonic beam. I believe it would be possible to reflect the particles back toward the probe in a way that would disrupt the signal. Riker: Doctor? Crusher: I simply don't know the risk of shutting down the beam. Riker: I'm not willing to let this thing keep drilling into him. Crusher: If somebody gets stabbed, you don't necessarily pull the knife out right away. It might do more harm than leaving it there. Worf: The Captain is under attack. We must act. Riker: I'm inclined to agree. Doctor, monitor him closely. Mister Data, prepare to disrupt the beam. We're going to try to cut this cord. Eline: Meribor. Eline: Meribor, this is your brother's ceremony. Don't fidget now. Picard: We name this child for a dear friend who died a year ago. But now his memory will live on in his namesake. Eline: We name you Batai, in his honor. Picard: And he's starting out in the warmth of friends. Thank you. Please, help yourselves to something to eat. Man: Congratulations, Kamin. Picard: Thank you. Eline: It seems like only yesterday we had Meribor's naming ceremony. Go on. Picard: I remember. I was so nervous I was afraid that I would drop her. Now look at the little lady. Eline: She's no lady. Tromping through the hills with you all day, digging up those soil samples you insist upon collecting. No, she's her father's daughter. Picard: I would have believed I didn't need children to complete my life. Now I couldn't imagine life without them. Eline: Kamin, what is it? Eline: Get the doctor. Hurry! Ogawa: His respiratory system's in spasm. Pulse is irregular and weakening. Crusher: I'm losing him! Ogawa: I'm getting massive somatophysical failure. Crusher: Two cc's delactovine. Riker: Data, get that beam back. Ogawa: There are severe fluctuations in the isocortex. Synaptic responses are failing. Crusher: Begin full cardiac induction. Ogawa: Blood pressure is dropping rapidly. Seventy over twenty. Crusher: Data, you've got to re-establish that beam. Data: I am attempting to do so, Doctor. Ogawa: Losing response in the isocortex. Crusher: Cortical stimulators. Start at ten percent. Data: The beam is fully restored, Doctor. Ogawa: Blood pressure up to ninety over forty and rising. Crusher: Isocortical functions are stabilizing. Vital signs are approaching normal. Picard: Meribor? Meribor: Happy day, father. Picard: Hey, that's my hobby. Find your own. Meribor: You're the one who taught me. Don't complain if you've turned me into a scientist. Picard: And what has the scientist been up to today? Meribor: Analyzing soil samples. There isn't any anaerobic bacteria. The soil is dead. This isn't just a very long drought, is it, Father? I have entries in my log that go back ten years. You have data preceding that for fifteen years. You've reached the same conclusion, I know you have. Picard: I haven't reached any conclusion. A good scientist doesn't function by conjecture. Meribor: A good scientist functions by hypothesizing and then proving or disproving that hypothesis. That's what I did. Picard: Hey, why don't you spend more time with that young fellow Dannick? Meribor: You are changing the subject. Picard: No, I'm not. I'm just hypothesizing that he's in love with you. Meribor: You've taught me to pursue the truth, no matter how painful it is. It's too late to back off now. This planet is dying. Picard: Perhaps I should have filled your head with trivial concerns. Games and toys and clothes. Meribor: I don't think you mean that. Picard: No, I don't. It just saddens me to see you burdened with the knowledge things you can't change. Meribor: Father, I think I should marry Dannick sooner rather than later, don't you? Picard: Seize the time, Meribor. Live now. Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again. Meribor: I love you, Father. Crusher: His vital signs are holding. They've been stable ever since the beam was restored. Laforge: Commander Riker, we've started to receive telemetry from the probe we launched. Riker: Go ahead. Laforge: We've charted the alien probe's radiation trail for over one light year. Riker: Any way to extrapolate am origin? Laforge: Looks like a star system in the Silarian sector. Kataan. Riker: Never heard of it. Data? Data: It is an unmapped system of six planets, sir. Riker: Any of them inhabited? Data: Not any longer, sir. The star went nova. All life in the system was destroyed approximately one thousand years ago. Eline: I put away your shoes for you again. Picard: Yes, thank you, dear. Eline: You know, I've been looking through this thing off and on for over thirty years, and I still don't see what you and Meribor find so fascinating. Picard: Fine. Then maybe you'll sit down and have a rest like you're supposed to. Eline: You treat me like some frail flower. People have surgery all the time. Eline: He loves playing. He's quite good at it, don't you think? Picard: He loves doing a lot of things too many. Last week, all he wanted to do was be a botanist. The week before that, a sculptor. I wish he could find some focus in his life. Eline: I think he has. Maybe you should talk to him. Picard: Batai? Batai Jr: Father? Picard: I get the feeling from your mother that you have something to tell me. Batai Jr: Yes. I was waiting for the right moment, but that will never come. I'm leaving school. Picard: Leaving school? No, you're not. Batai Jr: I want to concentrate on my music. That's what I care about. Picard: Last year, all you cared about was mathematics. The year before that, botany. Now Batai Jr: Through it all, there was my music. I think you know that, Father. This is the life I want. Picard: Well, we'll discuss it. Batai Jr: Thank you, father. Eline: Even after all these years you still have the ability to surprise me. Picard: If music is what he wants, why should I stand in his way? Anyway, who knows how much time he'll have to follow any dream. Eline: Are you still planning to talk to the Administrator tomorrow? Picard: There's a possibility he'll dismiss me from the Council. Eline: Unless, of course, you keep quiet. Picard: No. The evidence is too pronounced. I can't stay silent. Eline: What a surprise. Administrator: Kamin, what do you hope to accomplish? Spreading rumors that the planet is doomed. There could be chaos. Picard: The facts are here. At least show them to someone who will recognize what they mean. Administrator: I won't be a party to your making trouble. Picard: If you won't take them, I most certainly will. Administrator: Your observations, your findings, our scientists reached those same conclusions two years ago. Well, what did you expect us to do? Make it public? Can you imagine the effect? Picard: But surely the technology must exist to save something of this world? Perhaps some people could be evacuated. Administrator: Evacuated where? Our technology is limited. We're just beginning to launch small missiles. Picard: A collection of genetic samples, then. Something, anything. You simply cannot let this civilization die. Administrator: Enough! There is a plan in work. I cannot tell you more than that. Batai Jr: Father! Picard: What is it? Batai Jr: It's Mother. Hurry. Picard: Doctor? Doctor: Kamin. I'm sorry. Eline: You see? I go to any lengths to get your attention. Picard: You always did have a flair for the dramatic. Eline: Doctor, thank you. Batai, leave us alone for a moment. I need to talk to my husband. Eline: Did you show the Administrator your evidence? Picard: I didn't have to. They already knew. Eline: So, he won't throw you off the Council? Picard: No. Eline: Good. Remember, put your shoes away. Picard: I promise. Picard: Gotcha! Now I gotcha. Meribor: Some children are certainly making a lot of noise in here. Picard: You shouldn't be outside so long. It's damaging, you know that. Meribor: I'm wearing plenty of your skin protector. Picard: How about you, young man? Do you wear your skin protector outdoors? You do? Good boy. Batai Jr: Happy day, everybody. It's time to go see the launching. Picard: What launching? What's he talking about? Meribor: They're sending up a missile, Father. We're going to watch it. Picard: I'm not going anywhere to watch anything. Batai Jr: Come on, Kamie. Hurry up now. Let's go see the launching. Picard: It breaks my heart to look at him. Meribor: Who? Picard: My grandson. It breaks my heart. He deserves a rich, full life, and he's not going to get one. Meribor: Please come, Father. Picard: Why didn't I hear anything about a launching? Picard: Did everyone know about this except me? I'll be all right sitting here. You go off with the others. Hold onto my grandson, and watch the damned thing go up for all the good it'll do. What is it they're launching? Meribor: You know about it, Father. You've already seen it. Picard: Seen it? What are you talking about? I haven't seen any missile. Batai: Yes, you have, old friend. Don't you remember? Picard: Batai? Batai: You saw it just before you came here. We hoped our probe would encounter someone in the future. Someone who could be a teacher. Someone who could tell the others about us. Picard: Oh, it's me, isn't it? I'm the someone. I'm the one it finds. That's what this launching is. A probe that finds me in the future. Eline: Yes, my love. Picard: Eline. Eline: The rest of us have been gone for a thousand years. If you remember what we were, and how we lived, then we'll have found life again. Picard: Eline. Eline: Now we live in you. Tell them of us, my darling. Crusher: Something's happening. Data: The nucleonic beam has ceased, Commander. The probe has shut down. Crusher: His cerebral functions are stabilizing. Riker: Mister Worf, put a tractor beam on that probe. I want it in shuttlebay two for examination. Worf: Yes, Commander. Picard: What? Crusher: Please, Captain, don't get up too quickly. Picard: Captain? This is the Enterprise. I'm Jean-Luc Picard. How long? Riker: Twenty, twenty five minutes. Picard: Twenty five minutes? Crusher: Captain, I want you in Sickbay. I'd like to run a full diagnostic on you. Picard: Doctor Crusher. Picard: Come. Riker: Hello, sir. Feeling better? Picard: Yes. Yes, thank you. But I find I'm having to rediscover that this is really my home. Riker: We were able to open the probe and examine it. Apparently, whatever had locked onto you must have been self terminating. It's not functioning any longer. We found this inside.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45959.1. The Enterprise has been recalled to sector zero zero one on a priority mission. All we've been told is that evidence has been discovered indicating the presence of extraterrestrials on Earth five centuries ago. Scientist: Work crews were down here installling seismic regulators when they found some remarkable artifacts. Picard: And it's been determined that they date back to the late nineteenth century? Scientist: Yes. Data: The bifocal vision aid is typical of the era. The weapon is a forty five caliber double-action cavalry pistol invented by Colt Firearms in 1873. Scientist: Here, look inside the watch. . Picard: What makes you think that extraterrestrials are related to these discoveries. Scientist: The crew was having a problem with the regulators. Something inside the cavern was interfering with the phase conditioners. It turned out to be the cavern itself. Data: The composition of the exposed rock face has been altered by exposure to triolic waves. Scientist: Which you're not going to find on Earth in either the nineteenth or twenty fourth century. Picard: Triolic waves? Data: The by-product of an energy source employed by very few species because of its deleterious effect on living tissue. Scientist: We've confirmed that no one has been in or out of this cavern in centuries, so we're left with a five hundred year old mystery. Picard: I'm curious, Doctor. There are far greater experts on Earth to investigate your mystery. Why bring the Enterprise all the way home? Scientist: As we continued our excavation, we found one other thing I haven't shown you yet. We've tried to leave everything as we found it. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45960.2. We have transported the materials discovered in the cavern back to the ship for analysis. I wish I could be as dispassionate about the implications as my second officer. Data: Interesting. There is a twelve percent decomposition of the bitanium in the neural pathway links. That suggests the alloys are vulnerable to Riker: Data, how can you look inside that, analyze the decomposition without Data: Emotion, sir? Riker: Yes.. Data: I am simply trying to make an objective assessment. Picard: Data, is this yours? Data: I believe so, sir. Picard: Could it be Lore? Data: No, sir. My brother's positronic brain has a type L phase diskriminating amplifier. Mine is a type R. Picard: Type R? Data: Yes, sir. Picard: Can you predict how long this has been in the cavern? Data: Decomposition strongly indicates that life was terminated approximately five hundred years ago. That would be consistent with the other artifacts we recovered. Riker: Your head is not an artifact. Data: In relative terms, perhaps not. Nevertheless, it seems clear that my life is to end in the late nineteenth century. Riker: Not if we can help it. Data: There is no way anyone can prevent it, sir. At some future date, I will be transported back to nineteenth century Earth, where I will die. It has occurred. It will occur. Laforge: Well, I can't tell you exactly who the aliens were, but I have found out a few things. The triolicised rock face tells us we're probably dealing with a species with microcentrum cell membranes. Triolic waves wouldn't harm them. It also might mean they're shape shifters of some kind. Riker: So they could have appeared on Earth as humans. Laforge: I don't think it's anyone we've run into before. Nothing we found matches up with any known lifeforms. What does match up is a cellular fossil which might have been along just for the ride. Picard: A cellular fossil? Laforge: A microscopic ciliated lifeform. Not unlike a thousand other single-celled lifeforms you'd find on any planet surface, except this particular one is LB one zero four four five. And LB one zero four four five is only known to exist on one place. Devidia Two, in the Marrab sector. Picard: Number One, lay in a course. Riker: On my way. Laforge: So, do you want to talk about it? Data: Are you referring to the foreknowledge of my death? Laforge: Yeah. Data: I have no particular desire to discuss the matter. Do you need to talk about it? Laforge: Yeah. Data: Why? Laforge: Data, this has got to bother you a little. Data: On the contrary. I find it rather comforting. Laforge: Comforting? Data: I have often wondered about my own mortality as I have seen others around me age. Until now it has been theoretically possible that I would live an unlimited period of time. And although some might find this attractive, to me it only reinforces the fact that I am artificial. Laforge: I never knew how tough this must be for you. Data: Tough? As in difficult? Laforge: Knowing that you would outlive all your friends. Data: I expected to make new friends. Laforge: True. Data: And then to outlive them as well. Laforge: Now that you know that you might not? Data: It provides a sense of completion to my future. In a way, I am not that different from anyone else. I can now look forward to death. Laforge: I never thought of it that way. Data: One might also conclude that it brings me one step closer to being human. I am mortal. Picard: Picard to Bridge officers. We're approaching the Devidia system. Report to your stations. Laforge: I'll see you later. Let's get together for a game of chess or something, okay? Guinan: That sounded like a very intense discussion. Laforge: Yeah. They found Data's head a mile beneath San Francisco. Been down there about five centuries. Guinan: That's why the Enterprise has been sent back to Earth. I didn't realize. Laforge: It's something, isn't it? He seems fine about it. Better than I am. Well, I'd better get to Engineering. Guinan: Full circle. Troi: I heard about Data. Riker: Yeah. Troi: It's having an unusually traumatic effect on everyone. Riker: Yeah. Troi: If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay. Riker: I'm fine. I'm just Troi: Angry. Riker: I'm not angry. Yeah, I'm angry. Why should I be angry? Troi: Maybe because it reminds us of our own mortality. Riker: I just don't want to believe it. Troi: Have you ever heard Data define friendship? Riker: No. Troi: How did he put it? As I experience certain sensory input patterns, my mental pathways become accustomed to them. The inputs eventually are anticipated and even missed when absent. Riker: So what's the point? Troi: He's used to us, and we're used to him. It's like finding out someone you love has a terminal illness and Riker: Data. Data: Counselor. Commander. Data: Would either of you mind if I made a personal inquiry? Troi: Personal inquiry? No, go right ahead. Data: I am perceiving an apparent change in the way others behave toward me. For example, people abruptly end conversations when I appear, just as you did when the turbolift doors opened. Is that an accurate observation? Riker: Not at all. Troi: Yes. Riker: Yes. Troi: You're right, Data. And it's not a very nice thing to do. Riker: It's just that our mental pathways have become accustomed to your sensory input patterns. Data: I understand. I am also fond of you, Commander. And you as well, Counselor. Riker: We're in orbit. Picard: Any sign of life? Worf: Negative, sir. Data: Captain, sensors are picking up an unusual temporal disturbance on a small area of the planet's surface. Forty two degrees seven minutes north by eighty eight degrees declination east. Riker: Temporal disturbance? Picard: Put us in a standard orbit above those coordinates. Data: Spectral analysis shows a high level of triolic waves emanating from the same location. Riker: Any correlation with the readings from Earth? Data: Affirmative, sir. The magnetic signature is identical to the one found in the cavern. Picard: Would these triolic waves be dangerous to humanoids? Data: Only with long term exposure, sir. There is no immediate threat. Picard: Take an away team. Riker: Worf. Geordi. Troi. Join me in transporter room three for an away team. Data: Commander. Picard: Mister Data, I'll need your help to monitor the sensor readings during this investigation. Data: Captain, may I speak to you alone? Data: Sir, it is standard procedure that the second officer accompany the away team. Picard: Yes, yes, Mister Data, I am aware of that. Data: Then I must assume your decision is related to the discovery on Earth of Picard: I think it is reasonable to take precautions. Data: Captain, there is no rational justification for this course. Picard: Then I'll be irrational. Data: It is possible, sir, that the events leading to my death will not occur for years, even centuries. Picard: I hope that's true, Mister Data. Nevertheless, this investigation began with your death. I am simply trying to see that it doesn't end that way. Data: I appreciate your concern, Captain, but, to employ an aphorism, one cannot cheat fate. Picard: Cheat fate? Perhaps we can't, Mister Data. But at least we can give it a try. Laforge: The concentration of triolic waves falls off about here. It increases exponentially the closer in we go. Riker: What's the source? Something underground? Laforge: Negative, Commander. Riker: What's the explanation? Laforge: I don't have one yet. La Forge to Enterprise. Data: Go ahead. Laforge: Data, run a spectral field correlation for me. Let's find out if these triolic readings are in any way related Laforge: To the temporal distortions. Data: Acknowledged. Riker: Deanna? Troi: There's life here. A child. An old woman. Dozens more. Hundreds. Terrified. Riker: Terrified? Troi: My God, Will. They're human. Riker: Whatever they are, Troi's convinced they're human. They may be trapped somehow. We're not sure. Data: Captain, the results of my temporal analysis may be pertinent. Picard: Go ahead. Data: Geordi, it indicates a synchronic distortion in the areas emanating Data: Triolic waves. Laforge: That explains a few things. How much, Data? Data: A positive displacement of point zero zero four percent. Laforge: Well, whatever or whoever is there, we're out of phase with it, but we're only talking by a fraction of a second. Worf: A fraction of a second would make them invisible? Laforge: A millisecond, a year, it wouldn't make any difference. If what we're reading is true, then we're occupying the same space but in a different time. Riker: How do we compensate? Data: Commander, we might be able to Data: Manipulate the synchronic distortion. Laforge: Maybe. If we were to create a contained subspace force field. Laforge: But to get a point zero zero four variance, we'd need an incredibly sensitive phase diskriminator, Data. I don't think we've got one that would come close. Data: Yes, we do. Data: It is built into my positronic decompiler. It will be necessary for me to join the away team, sir. Picard: Proceed, Mister Data. Riker: Mister Data. Data: Sir. Laforge: Let me give you a hand with that, Data. Data: Once I have adjusted the forcefield, I will no longer be visible, Commander. I have taken steps, however, to ensure that you will still be able to hear me. If you would assist me in a test of the comm. system. My voice will be transmitted on a delay correlated to the phase adjustment. That should allow me to maintain verbal contact. Riker: Will we be able to talk to you? Data: No, sir. That will not be possible. Laforge: The subspace field has been established. You're set to go, Data. Data: Adjusting the synchronic distortion. Point zero zero one. Point zero zero two. Point zero zero three. Point zero zero four. Data: I have made visual contact. There are lifeforms here. Data: They're either unaware of me or choosing to ignore me. I am moving approximately ten meters north of my starting position to observe more closely. Data: They range from two to three meters in height. Silver gray in color. They have four limbs. No eyes or ears are noticeable. There is a single orifice where a humanoid forehead would ordinarily be. They are reclined against the rock face surrounding an apparatus of some sort approximately one point five meters in height. Data: It is releasing what appear to be energy fragments, which are then ingested by the entities through the orifice. Perhaps some sort of nourishment. Data: The upper portion of the apparatus seems to be a holding facility for the energy segments. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of these fragments inside. I have resumed a northerly direction. There is no evidence yet of humans. Laforge: Okay, that's enough Data. Come on back now, Data: I have encountered Data: Another lifeform. An ophidian. It seems to be restricted by a forcefield. Data: Two of the silver-gray entities are approaching it. They have released the forcefield. Data: I am reading a temporal distortion of massive proportions. The ophidian is cap time-space continuum. Data: Caught in the after effect. I am attempting Troi: Data! Riker: Over here. Picard: Commander Riker, report. Riker: We've lost him. Data: Excuse me. Pardon me. I am searching for two individuals with an ophidian. A snake. Man: Frenchman. Beggar: Could you help out a Forty Niner? I fell down a shaft. I got blown up in a tunnel. Data: That is unfortunate. Beggar: It is most unfortunate. I require large amounts of whiskey as a linament. Data: I am sorry, but I have no whiskey to give you. Beggar: I'll take a dime. Data: I am sorry, but I have no form of legal tender. Beggar: Well, we're in the same boat, huh? Well, this is my street. You'll have to go find one of your own. Data: I would be happy to do so, but I am presently in need of information. Beggar: Stockbrokers are cheap as hell. Don't even bother to ask. Your best handout is from a young fella with his lady. You give him a chance to show her he's generous. Steer clear of sailors. Most likely you'll get a fist across the jaw for your trouble. Data: Thank you for your advice, but I'm trying to find two individuals with a snake. Beggar: A snake? You're an odd fellow, aren't you? But just don't be too particular where you get your funds from. Data: You are in need of medical attention. I will get a doctor. Beggar: No, no, no, it's too late for that. Could you help out a Forty Niner? Bellboy: Thanks. Bellboy: Hey, put it on Gentleman Jim. Knockout in the fifth. Man: All right. Data: Sir, I need temporary lodging. Bellboy: Looks like the missus booted you out in the middle of the night. Data: I understand the source of your misperception. However, this is not sleepware and I do not have a missus. Bellboy: Well. Data: I am a Frenchman. Bellboy: Oh. Well, everybody's from somewhere. That doesn't matter at this hotel. It's six bits a day or four dollars a week. Data: I have no money. Bellboy: Well, now, that matters. Data: But I am capable of performing significant tasks both mental and physical. Perhaps your hotel would offer me a job. Bellboy: Geez, I don't know. We're pretty happy with the maid we've got. Cook's decent. Dishwasher's drunk all day, but at least he gets here on time. And there's me. I do everything else. Sorry. Lady Luck not with ya, tonight, Mister Lane? Poor fella. Hasn't filled a straight in five weeks. Data: Poker? Gambler: Fold. Man: Me too. Seaman: Go to blazes. Gambler: A poker face carved in marble. Data: Excuse me, gentlemen. Seaman: What in hell do you want? Data: I would like to join the game. Native: Pale face. Seaman: I don't like Easterners, personally. Data: I am a Frenchman. Gambler: Ah. Mes parents sont originaires de Bourgonais. Je suis ne a la New Orleans. Data: Alors, nous sommes presque frères. Je suis heureux de vous connaitre. Gambler: Please, sir. Gambler: The game is poker. The deal is yours. The ante is four bits. Gambler: Family heirloom? Data: In a manner of speaking. It is a crystalline composite of silicon, beryllium, Carbon seventy, and Seaman: Gold. Data: Gold. Gambler: I'll give you three bucks for it. Data: I accept. Bellboy: Did you see the looks on their faces? I did everything I could not to laugh. Data: To whom are you referring? Bellboy: Frederick La Rouque and Joe Falling Hawk. Those guys are card sharks. Oh sure, they play easy at first not to scare off the marks, but you give them a little time, they'll bleed a man dry. Especially an out-of-towner like yourself.. Data: What was the source of your jocular reaction? What was it you found humorous? Bellboy: Don't you see? They had you pegged for a sap. The clothes you got on, the way you talk, it's like you were born yesterday. You sure fooled them, though. Data: It was not my intention to deceive. Bellboy: Have it your way. This is the place. Breakfast is six to eight. Checkout's at noon when you're ready to leave. Data: Thank you. It has been a pleasure. Data: It would be advisable to monitor that cough. I have read that there is currently a cholera epidemic in San Francisco. Bellboy: Never felt better. Data: Of course. The gratuity. Thank you for your assistance. Bellboy: A dollar? If there's anything you need. It can get lonely in San Francisco. You might want some company. I can introduce you to Lillian. Data: I have no need for companionship. However I do require some supplies. Bellboy: Anything you need. I can get it for you wholesale. I can get it for you less than wholesale if you don't ask me where it came from. Bellboy: What do you need all this stuff for? Data: I am an inventor. Bellboy: No kidding. Well, this stuff's going to take a while. I'll have to go clear cross town. And it's not going to be cheap. Data: Will this be enough? Bellboy: More than enough. Data: You may retain the surplus for yourself. Bellboy: Keep the change? Data: Exactly. Bellboy: Done. Beggar: Help out a Forty Niner. Fell down a shaft. Forty Niner. Help me. Help me out. Beggar: No. No. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Close range sensor analysis has yielded no further trace of Commander Data. Despite the emotional repercussions among my crew, I must move this mission forward. Riker: I'm not willing to accept that he's dead and just leave it at that. Picard: We cannot make Mister Data our priority. Riker: What is more important than Data? Troi: Look at what we have so far. Evidence that these aliens have been traveling back in time to Earth. Crusher: What if they're trying to undermine our history for some reason. Worf: Some kind of guerilla war? Picard: We must assume that there is a threat, if not to us then to 19th century Earth. We have to determine what that threat may be. Mister La Forge, we have to find some way to communicate with these life forms. Laforge: It's not going to be easy to reproduce what Data did. We can create a contained subspace field, but we'd need an extraordinarily sensitive phase diskriminator to get that point zero zero four variance. Picard: Can you build one? Laforge: It won't be as good as Data's. Riker: Will it be good enough? Laforge: I don't know. I can try. It's going to take some time though. Picard: I don't want anyone else going in alone. Laforge: I can probably create a large enough subspace field to encompass everyone. But adjusting the phase inside the field, that's going to be the hard part. Picard: Make it so. Riker: We have to assume one thing, sir. Wherever Data may be, he's doing the same thing we are, which is trying to get to the bottom of this. He may have a better idea about what's going on than we do, so it might be in the best interests of this mission to find him. Picard: Perhaps in the course of this investigation, we will. I hope so. Worf: If we find Commander Data, it may be our fate to die with him in the past. If our remains are in that cavern, they would have turned to dust long ago. Picard: I'm afraid to interrupt. Guinan: Captain, you didn't have to come all the way down here. I would've been more than happy to come up to you. Picard: And miss all this? I haven't seen such a complex operation since the Academy lab final in exochemistry. Guinan: It's a Tzartak aperitif. It's very, very touchy. The trick is to change the evaporation point of the main ingredient. You want the temperature where the liquid goes to vapor to be a half a degree below the body temperature of the customer. That way, when the liquid touches the tongue, it evaporates, and the flavor is carried entirely by the vapor. A few molecules off, the vapor point crashes, and poof! It's all gone. All of it. Picard: What is it you wanted to see me about? Guinan: I hear you're sending an away team down to the surface. Are you going? Picard: Well, now, this is rather unusual for you to be curious about an away mission. Guinan: Maybe it's an unusual away mission. Picard: If you have something to say, I'm listening. Guinan: Starfleet captains don't usually accompany away teams. Picard: It's general policy. Guinan: This time, you have to. Picard: Why? Guinan: You just do. Do you remember the first time we met? Picard: Of course. Guinan: Don't be so sure. I just mean, if you don't go on this mission, we'll never meet. Bellboy: Sorry it took so long, Mister Data. Data: Apology is not necessary. Data: Ow. Bellboy: Are you all right? Data: I believe I have overexerted myself. Bellboy: Yeah, I'll say. Did you get it working? Data: Yes. Bellboy: Whatever it is. Data: This is for your trouble. Bellboy: What are you going to do with the anvil? Data: I require a low intensity magnetic field core. I believe the iron mass of the anvil will provide that. Bellboy: What's it going to be when it's finished? Data: What do you think it is going to be? Bellboy: If I were to guess, maybe a new kind of motor for one of those horseless carriages. Data: That is a good guess. Bellboy: Hot damn. You really think there's money in those things? Data: Perhaps. Bellboy: Isn't that what makes America great? Data: To what are you referring? Bellboy: Well, a man rides into town in his pajamas, wins a grub stake at a poker table, turns it into a horseless carriage and makes a million bucks. That's America. Data: I believe I have given you an erroneous impression. Bellboy: You know, some day my ship's going to come in. Data: You have a ship? Bellboy: Oh yeah, and it's full of gold too. I'm just biding my time til it gets here, raising a stake any way I can. I've been a newsie, cut fish at a cannery. Heck, I've even been an oyster pirate. Data: You have had a considerable spectrum of occupations. Bellboy: Yeah, well, you can't stay in one place too long. I'm always looking for the angle, you know. Say, maybe you and I could go into business together, selling your horseless carriage and all. You invent them, I sell them. I can sell anybody anything. What do you say? Data: I believe your plan is a bit premature. Bellboy: Keep it in mind, though. I better get back. Oh, I forgot. I got you something at the bakery on Third. Data: Thank you, Jack. Bellboy: Oh, no, no, no. It's on me, partner. Clemens: The eminent scientist Alfred Russell Wallace has revived the theory that Earth is at the center of the stellar universe. This distinguished natural philosopher has reaffirmed our planet as the only habitable globe in the heavens. A world, furthermore, constructed for the sole benefit of man. He's got a lot of folks excited about the notion. Guinan: My dear Mister Clemens, why do I think you're not one of them? Clemens: Your suspicions, Madam Guinan, are undoubtedly based upon your keen observational skills. Now, if you'll permit me, I'll continue my character assassination unimpeded. Guinan: My dear Mister Clemens, please do. Please do. Clemens: According to our best geologic estimate, the Earth is approximately one hundred million years of age. Perhaps it is less, perhaps more. Guinan: Perhaps a great deal more. Clemens: Indeed. But regardless, it is ancient in the extreme. Now, geology also tells us that man himself has existed for but a microscopic fraction of those years. Curious, isn't it, that the world got by for such a great long while with no humans around to fill up space? I suppose Mister Wallace and his supporters would say that the Earth needed all that time to prepare itself for our illustrious arrival. Why, the oyster alone probably required fifteen million years to get it to come out just right. Guinan: But if the Earth is not alone, and there are millions of inhabited planets in the heavens. Clemens: Quite my point. Man becomes a trivial creation, does he not? Lost in the vastness of the cosmic prairie, adrift on the deep ocean of time. A single one among countless others. Guinan: Someone may argue that a diamond is still a diamond, even if it is one amongst millions. It still shines as brightly. Clemens: Someone might say that, dear lady, if someone thought that the human race was akin to a precious jewel. But this increasingly hypothetical someone would not be me. Doorman: Good afternoon, sir. Data: Good afternoon. I would like to speak to Guinan. Doorman: And you are? Data: Data. Doorman: Mister Data. Could it be under another name? Data: No. Doorman: I can't seem to find your name on the guest list, sir. Data: I am a personal friend. Doorman: Madam Guinan has discovered many personal friends since the newspaper announcement, but if your name is not on the guest list, there's nothing I can do. Data: It is urgent that I speak to her. Doorman: Sir, unless you leave this house immediately, I will send for the police. Data: That is an excellent idea. I will wait for them in there. Doorman: Sir, please, you can't go in there. Data: Guinan! Excuse me. I must speak to you immediately. Doorman: Forgive me, madam. He just barged right in. Data: I am sorry for the disruption, but he would not believe me when I told him we were friends. Guinan: Do I know you, Mister? Data: Data. Yes. We were on a ship together. Guinan: I do so much traveling. What ship would that be? Data: The Enterprise. Guinan: Is that a clipper ship? Data: It is a starship. Clemens: A starship? What registry would that be? Guinan: Of course! Mister Data. Excuse us. We have so much to catch up on. Excuse us. How are you? Guinan: What exactly are you? Data: Android. Artificial life form. Guinan: Ah. Did my father send you here? Because if he did, you must go back and tell him I've not done listening Data: I was not sent by your father. Circumstances demand that I take you into my confidence. I require your assistance. Guinan: Sorry. Data: I am from the twenty fourth century, where you and I serve aboard a starship. Guinan: And? Data: Our ship encountered a species who appears to be threatening 19th century Earth. I investigated, and was inadvertently pulled into their temporal vortex. When I saw your photograph in the newspaper, I assumed you had joined me from the future, from the Enterprise. I knew your species was long-lived, but I did not realize you had visited Earth so long ago. Clemens: Eavesdropping is by no means a proper activity for a gentleman. Nonetheless, the deed is done. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45965.3. An away team has beamed to the surface with a device which may enable them to phase-shift into the alien world. Laforge: Okay, Counselor, right over there. Crusher: The triolic waves end right here. Riker: Mister Worf? Laforge: Sir. Picard: How soon will you be ready? Laforge: We're ready now, Captain. The subspace field is established. Riker: I'd be more comfortable if you'd monitor our progress from the Bridge, Captain. Picard: I have reason to believe that my presence on this mission is imperative. Riker: Imperative? Picard: Yes. Mister Worf, you will report back to the Bridge. Worf: Sir, as Chief of Security, my place is at your side. Picard: The security of the Enterprise is of paramount importance, Mister Worf. Worf: Yes, sir. Worf to Enterprise. Crewman: Go ahead. Worf: Beam me up. Picard: Proceed, Mister La Forge. Laforge: I've modified this tricorder to interface with the subspace generator. It should allow me to control the phase diskrimination, assuming this is going to work at all. I need everyone within the field. Adjusting synchronic distortion. Point zero zero one. Point zero zero two. Point zero zero three. Point zero zero four. Picard: If we can see them, why they can't see us? Laforge: The phase displacement might not bring us far enough into their perceptual range. Crusher: These strands appear to be biomagnetic. Variable flux. Possibly organic in origin. Picard: A life form. Troi: No. There is no life here. What I have sensed is more like an imprint. An echo of the last moment of life. Human life. They all died in terror Riker: My God. They're delivering more of them for the others to ingest. Troi: Look at what he's carrying. To Be Continued...

Laforge: They found Data's head a mile beneath San Francisco. Been down there about five centuries. Data: At some future date I will be transported back to nineteenth century Earth, where I will die. It has occurred. It will occur. Guinan: Do I know you, Mister? Data: Data. Yes. We were on a ship together. The Enterprise. Guinan: Is that a clipper ship? Data: It is a starship. Clemens: Starship? Riker: My God. They're delivering more of them for the others to ingest. Guinan: Did my father send you here? Because if he did, you must go back and tell him I'm not done listening to Data: I was not sent by your father. Our ship encountered a species who appears to be threatening nineteenth century Earth. Riker: I'm not willing to accept that he's dead and just leave it at that. Picard: We cannot make Mister Data our priority. Riker: What is more important than Data? Guinan: Do you remember the first time we met? Picard: Of course. Guinan: Don't be so sure. If you don't go on this mission, we'll never meet. And now, the conclusion. Clemens: I have long been interested in the notion of time travelers. In fact, I wrote a book about it. It chronicles the tale of a man of our era who fouled the sixth century by introducing newfangled gadgets and weapons all in the name of progress. This idea of time travel is not so far fetched as it might seem. In fact, I have learned that, even now, there are people from the future right here in San Francisco and I have no doubt that their intent is to foul our world just as my Yankee did in King Arthur's time. Well, sir, let me serve notice. As soon as I have the necessary evidence, I intend to expose them and make it absolutely clear that they are not welcome here. Reporter: Yes, sir. And will this be a sequel to Connecticut Yankee, Mister Twain? Clemens: The name's Clemens, son. Sam Clemens. That's with an e. Reporter: With an e. Got it. Clemens: Excuse me. Riker: The coroner said this is where they kept all the cholera victims. Crusher: It doesn't make sense that so many people are dying of cholera. It just isn't that virulent. Will, this is strange. Riker: What is it? Crusher: The cerebellum, the cerebral cortex, the brain stem, the entire nervous system has been depleted of electrochemical energy. Here's another one. Same neural depletion. These people did not die of cholera. They died because their neural energy was drained somehow. Riker: Drained and taken to Devidia Two for those aliens to ingest? If you were a time traveler with a taste for human neural energy where would you get your supply? Crusher: I would travel back to a time when there were plagues and epidemics, so I could murder and use disease as a cover. Crusher: Over half the victims whose neural energy had been drained came from the Sisters of Hope Infirmary. Riker: A charity hospital near the waterfront. Troi: If the aliens have been killing people there, well, someone might have noticed something unusual. Picard: And if they're moving among humans, they must have taken on human form. But the question is, how do we know who we're looking for? Riker: The tricorder indicated triolic activity from most of the bodies we looked at. If the aliens left that sort of signature, they'll be detectable. Laforge: You know, we might even be able to rig some kind of alien alarm system. Riker: Any luck contacting Data? Laforge: None. The tricorder's broadcasting random emissions on all frequencies his sub-processors might pick up, but the range is limited. Almost anything could interfere. Laforge: She's back. Carmichael: Mister Pikerd! Picard: Yes, Mrs. Carmichael. Carmichael: Mister Pikerd. I'll be reminding you that it's one o'clock. Picard: Yes. Carmichael: One o'clock on a Thursday. I'm sure I made it clear to you that the rent is always due, payable in full, by one o'clock on Wednesdays. Picard: Ah, yes, er, the rent. Mrs. Carmichael, even now my troupe are in rehearsals for a new production. Carmichael: Oh? I haven't heard of any new production. What play is it? Picard: The play? A Midsummer Night's Dream. We have performed in London, Paris, Milan. Milan. To sold out houses. I assure you, you will have the rent, in full, with a bonus. Carmichael: Oh, no, no, no, no. I've heard you silver-tongued devils before. I'll have the rent in full tomorrow by one o'clock or you'll be out performing on the street. Bellboy: I wouldn't do this for just anybody, Mister Clemens. And I hope you won't spread it around that I let you in. People start talking. Clemens: Of course not, Jack. And I assure you that Mister Data would be most upset if you didn't. If I can't find that Letter of Intent that he left me, our major investor is going to pull out and take his business elsewhere. Bellboy: It has to do with Mister Data's engine, doesn't it? Clemens: Engine? Bellboy: Yes. Clemens: Oh, yes. Yes, this is exactly what it's all about. Ow! Bellboy: You know, Mister Clemens, I'm going to do you another favor today. You're always looking for good stories, right? Well, I've got a real humdinger for you. The story of my life. Now, I know you may think I'm young, but I've covered a lot of ground and if I do say so myself, it'd make for some pretty fascinating reading. So, what do you think? Clemens: About what? Bellboy: About writing my life story. You and me. Literary partners, of course. Clemens: Young man, I have a maxim that I have always lived by. No one is more qualified to write your story than you are. Bellboy: Me? Be a writer? You think I could do that? Clemens: As long as you write what you know. You got any passions, boy? Any dreams? Bellboy: I'd like to do some traveling, maybe go to sea. And Alaska. I've had the strangest notion to go see Alaska. Clemens: That's a great idea, son. That's exactly what I would do if I were your age. Alaska, the Klondike, the Aurora Borealis. That's it. Follow your dreams and write about 'em. Bellboy: Thank you, Mister Clemens. You know, that is exactly what I'm going to do. Clemens: You do that, son. Bellboy: You'll see my name in print, too. Clemens: I'm sure I will. Bellboy: Don't forget. The name's London. Jack London. Clemens: Goodbye now. Bye-bye. Guinan: I found the Head Surveyor, I found the cavern. You will not be able to get to it. The entrance is on a mine shaft that is the middle of the Presidio on an army base. Data: Perhaps you could arrange for us to get in. Guinan: How? Data: With permission to dig for the mine shaft. Guinan: Oh, no, Data. I've done everything you've asked Data: I have full confidence in your persuasive abilities. Guinan: Well, I suppose it's more interesting than throwing a tea dance. Data: Strange. The transceiver assembly has been removed. Without it I will be unable to track the time shifts. Guinan: Twain. Data: Clemens? Guinan: Yes. He's been driving me crazy. He watches the house, he follows me down the street asking me questions. If anyone took this you can believe it was him. Data: If you are correct, he must be warned. The device has been modified in such a way that prolonged contact with human tissue would be highly toxic. Clemens: Madame Guinan. Mister Data. Guinan: Shame on you, Mister Clemens. Shame. Clemens: Shame, madam? I think not. I find no shame in my efforts to uncover your plot. Guinan: I keep telling you, there is no plot. Clemens: Yes, you do keep telling me that. What an interesting pair you are. Where in Switzerland did you say you were from, Mister Data? Data: I am French, sir, not Swiss. Clemens: Oh yes, that's right, now I remember. A Frenchman with a talent for poker, from what I hear. You know, I was talking to a friend of mine, Ches Whitley. He says to say hello and wonders when you're coming back. Data: I do not believe I know Mister Whitley. Clemens: No? He works at the County Assayer's office. He says you've been in there a number of times claiming to be a geological engineer and wanting information about mining operations during the 1850's. You remember him now? Data: I am unfamiliar with the gentleman's name. I have spoken to several people at that office. Clemens: Yes, I know. And in the Hall of Records, and in the Geological Society, and a little-known mineral shop in Chinatown. You do get around, don't you? Data: As apparently you do, Mister Clemens. Clemens: I must admit you've got me mystified. This contraption, for instance. It's very unusual. It looks quite futuristic. Tell me, might it have something to do with time shifts? Data: In a sense. The time shift is a gearing system I have invented for the horseless carriage. Clemens: Do not insult me. You have come here to this century and brought your infernal technology with you for God only knows what purpose, but I have no doubt it will be the people of this century who will suffer for it. Guinan: My dear Mister Clemens, I do think we've heard enough. Mister Data's business is his own, and I will thank you to leave now. Clemens: Pardon me, Madam Guinan, but it is my business too. It is the business of all humanity, I believe, to stop both of you from whatever it is you are doing here. And that is what I intend to do. Doctor: Just what are you doing with those lamps? Picard: Replacing the burners. City ordinance. Makes it safer in case of earthquake. Doctor: There hasn't been an earthquake here in thirty years. Picard: Well, that's takes care of this ward. Time to be moving on. Doctor: Earthquakes. Nurse. If you can handle things here, I've got a meeting with the Board of Patrons. Crusher: I'll try to manage. Laforge: There, by that bed. I can see an afterimage of triolic waves. They've been here recently. I'd say within the last twenty four hours. Crusher: That's the bed where the man died last night. Troi: This man was complaining about a strange doctor and nurse who visited that patient. Perhaps they're still in the hospital. Crusher: Here. This'll make you more comfortable. Crusher: Do you need any help, Doctor? Doctor Apollinaire felt he had entered the algid stage. He was cyanotic, pulse unobservable. That's an interesting cane. Laforge: Doctor! Policeman: Stand aside, stand aside. Let me in here. People said there was gunfire in here. What's going on? Riker: Just a little misunderstanding. I was just clearing these people out of here. Policeman: I haven't seen you before. Riker: I was just assigned here this morning. I was working downtown. Policeman: I worked downtown for three years. I don't remember you. Picard: We'll be on our way. Policeman: No, wait. Wait. I'm going to ask all of you to come down to the station for questioning. Including you. Where'd you get that? That's a gentleman's cane. Never seen a cane like this before. I'll have to confiscate it for evidence. Riker: I just want you to know that I have the utmost respect for the law. Picard: Let's go. Riker: Data! Laforge: Boy, are we glad to see you. Data: I suggest we postpone our greetings for another occasion. Picard: Agreed. Get us out of here. Laforge: If we tune a phaser to the approximate frequency of triolic waves and lay down a field burst, it might respond. Troi: The ophidian the aliens were carrying. Riker: What the? Laforge: These look like minute distortions in the space-time continuum, like the one we saw on Devidia Two. Riker: They were so small, and they lasted only a second. Data: The aliens appear to be able to concentrate the distortion and direct it to a specific time and place. Crusher: Maybe they have something, a mechanism that focuses it. Laforge: Any device like that would produce significant levels of triolic waves. Like the ones in the cavern where Data's head was found. Data: I have located that cavern. Carmichael: Mister Pikerd! I know you're in there. Open the door! Troi: Mrs. Carmichael. Data: How now, spirit. Whither wander you? Crusher: Over hill, over dale, thorough bush, thorough brier, Troi: Mrs. Carmichael, thank goodness you're here. Picard: We need someone to read a part. You're just in time. Carmichael: Mister Picard, I need to be talking to you. Crusher: My mistress would that he be gone. Riker: Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania. Picard: Now, Mrs. Carmichael Right there. Riker: Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania. Carmichael: What, jealous Oberon. Fairies skip hence. I have foresworn his bed and company. Picard: Well, I don't think I need to hear any more. That was truly unique. Carmichael: Really? Picard: Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have found our Titania. Don't you agree? Carmichael: Well, I did do a church play when I was a lass. Picard: Well, there you are. We start rehearsals tomorrow. Guinan: You're back. I have wonderful news. I've found a way to get into the Presidio and into the mine shaft. Data: It is all right. Guinan: Do you know me? Picard: Very well. Guinan: Do I know you? Picard: Not yet. But you will. Reporter: Thanks for your help, officer. Policeman: Now, be sure you put in the part about me spotting that phony policeman. Reporter: Yes, sir. Clemens: Hello, son. Reporter: Mister Clemens. What brings you here? Clemens: Writer's curiosity. I heard that two people vanished into thin air in this Infirmary. Reporter: One of the patients said that, yes, sir, but the police deny it. Clemens: I bet they do. Reporter: They say a band of outlaws set off an explosion in the hospital and then escaped. Clemens: Well, what did these outlaws look like? Reporter: The carriage they escaped in was driven by an albino. Clemens: Oh. Mister Data. Reporter: You know him? Clemens: You bet I do. You say there were others with him? Reporter: Yes, at least a dozen. Clemens: His accomplices. They've come from the future. My God, it's an invasion. Reporter: An invasion from the future? Mister Clemens, what can you tell me about this? Do you have any proof? Clemens: When's your deadline, boy? Reporter: Five o'clock, sir. Clemens: I'll meet you at your paper at four thirty with a story that will make your career. Reporter: Thanks, Mister Clemens Clemens: Take me to the Presidio, driver, and don't spare the whip. Riker: The triolic levels are as high as they were on Devidia Two. There's no indication of a control mechanism. Laforge: I'm not so sure. My visor is picking up crystalline fractures. These cavern walls have undergone some kind of selective molecular polarization. In fact, if I'm right this whole cavern has been configured to focus the space-time distortion. Just like a lens. Captain, we think we might be on to something. The cavern itself seems to be acting as a focusing mechanism. I'm willing to bet it's the same at their habitat back on Devidia Two. Picard: If we can get back there and destroy that site, it might put an end to their time traveling. Riker: We have the ophidian. Laforge: Truthfully, I don't know that we can get back. The aliens use triolic energy as a power source. The energy our phasers generates might not be entirely compatible. Picard: We have no choice but to try. Clemens: An event I would most certainly enjoy witnessing. However, I will regretfully waive that opportunity for the privilege of taking you all in to the authorities. Data: Mister Clemens, it is imperative that we continue our mission. Clemens: Mister Data, I have listened to your stories and your excuses and your evasions, and I will listen no longer. It is my moral duty to protect mankind from whatever devious plan you have in mind. Now, move along. I suspect that even time travelers are vulnerable to the Colt forty five. Now, let's go. I made a young fellow a promise and I don't want to be late. Picard: Follow him! Riker: Is everybody all right? Crusher: I think so. Riker: You! Clemens: Where are we? And when? Riker: This is the twenty fourth century, we're on Devidia Two, and you're not supposed to be here. Clemens: Well it seems to me I have as much right to be in your time as you had to be in mine. I wanted to see how you've conducted my future affairs. Troi: Your future affairs? Clemens: The affairs of mankind. Riker: But the disappearance of Mark Twain, one of the most noted literary figures of the nineteenth century Clemens: Thank you. Riker: That's not supposed to happen. Clemens: I only took advantage of an irresistible opportunity, as any good writer would. Worf: Bridge to Away team. Acknowledge. Riker: We're here, Mister Worf. Stand by to transport five. Laforge: Commander. Riker: Mister Worf? Worf: Yes, Commander. Riker: Make that six to transport. Clemens: Where are we now? Riker: The Federation Starship Enterprise. Ensign, call security. I want an escort for this man. Clemens: Security? What for? Are you afraid I'm going to go around stealing things? Clemens: A werewolf! Riker: It's a long story, Mister Worf. I'll brief you later. Laforge: Let's have Data's body taken to the science lab. I'll try and re-attach the head we have. Crusher: Geordi, that head is over five hundred years old. Laforge: Yeah, but it's the best chance we've got. Riker: I want Mister Clemens kept under escort at all times. Troi: Commander, perhaps I could handle that. I'd be happy to take Mister Clemens to his quarters. Riker: Good idea. If you would accompany the Counselor. Clemens: Madam, I'd be delighted. So, this is a space ship? You ever run into Halley's comet? Picard: Gently. Don't sit up too quickly. Guinan: Where'd everybody go? Picard: I hope they're all safely back on the Enterprise by now. Guinan: But you're still here. Picard: You were hurt. I had to make sure you were all right. Guinan: And so you stayed for that? Picard: I didn't want anything to happen to you. You're far too important to me. Guinan: You know an awful lot about me. Picard: Believe me, in the future the tables will be turned. Guinan: So we become friends? Picard: It goes far beyond friendship. Guinan: Oh, but I'll have to wait almost five hundred years, and when we meet I won't be able to tell you about this, will I? Picard: No. Because for me, none of this will have happened yet. Guinan: What's that? Picard: That's history fulfillling itself. Guinan: History has to fulfilll itself. Even Picard knew that. Riker: You were there in the cavern. You know what happened. What am I supposed to do? Guinan: If I told you what happened in that cavern, it would affect any decision you'd make now. I can't do that. I won't. Riker: Not telling me might affect my decision. Did you think of that? We're talking about Jean-Luc Picard. I can't sit around and hope it all works out. I've got to do something. Clemens: Any place that doesn't stock a good cigar doesn't rank high in my book. Troi: If you must have one, I'm sure we can replicate it for you. Clemens: You think one of these imitations can take the place of a hand wrapped Havana? Troi: I wouldn't know. Clemens: Well, that's the problem I see here. All this technology it only serves to take away life's simple pleasures. You don't even let a man open the door for a lady. Troi: I think what we've gained far outweighs anything that might have been lost. Clemens: Oh? Well, I'm not so impressed with this future. Huge starships, and weapons that can no doubt destroy entire cities, and military conquest as a way of life? Troi: Is that what you see here? Clemens: Well, I know what you say, that this is a vessel of exploration and that your mission is to discover new worlds. Clemens: That's what the Spanish said. Troi: Deck thirty six. Clemens: And the Dutch and the Portuguese. It's what all conquerors say. I'm sure that's what you told that blue-skinned fellow I just saw, before you brought him here to serve you. Troi: He's one of the thousands of species that we've encountered. We live in a peaceful Federation with most of them. The people you see are here by choice. Clemens: So there're a privileged few who serve on these ships, living in luxury and wanting for nothing. But what about everyone else? What about the poor? You ignore them. Troi: Poverty was eliminated on Earth a long time ago, and a lot of other things disappeared with it. Hopelessness, despair, cruelty. Clemens: Young lady, I come from a time when men achieve power and wealth by standing on the backs of the poor, where prejudice and intolerance are commonplace and power is an end unto itself. And you're telling me that isn't how it is anymore? Troi: That's right. Clemens: Well, maybe it's worth giving up cigars for after all. Troi: Any luck? Laforge: Not so far. His activating units won't initialize. I thought they would have been protected by his buffering program, but I guess five hundred years is just too long a wait. Clemens: My watch. Laforge: Yeah. It was found in the cavern where Data's head was. I guess after five hundred years, that's not likely to work either. Clemens: Mister Data, I fear I sadly misjudged you. As I have misjudged many things. Picard: Can you communicate? Alien: Yes. Picard: You're injured. Alien: Why have you interfered with us? Picard: You hunt us. You kill us. We cannot allow that. Alien: We need your energy. Picard: Perhaps we can find a substitute. Alien: No. There is none. We must continue. Picard: We know how you move back and forth through time. My crew have returned to the twenty fourth century to destroy your transport site on Devidia Two. Alien: Destroy it? Your weapons will only amplify the time distortion. You will annihilate your own world. Riker: I'm going back for Captain Picard. Mister Worf, assemble an Away team to accompany me to the surface. Doctor, I need to know anything you can tell me about that ophidian. Crusher: I've just started running some tests. If I can have a few hours. Riker: I can't give the alien any more time. Crusher: Will, I haven't been able to determine if our phaser energy can generate a stable field. The risk would be Riker: I'll take that risk. Worf: Sir. Permission to speak frankly. Riker: Go ahead. Worf: Our priority is to stop the aliens from any more incursions to Earth. Any delay is unacceptable. Riker: If I can save Captain Picard, I consider that very acceptable. Worf: The Captain would not. I recommend we target photon torpedoes on the alien habitat and destroy it. Immediately. Troi: He's right, Will. Riker: Power up the photons, Mister Worf. Alert me when they're ready. Laforge: Computer, initialize the reload circuits. Computer: Reload circuits are initializing. Laforge: Okay. Data? This ought to do it. Laforge: I don't get it. I don't understand why isn't this working. Computer, run me a diagnostic on the input polarizers. Computer: There is intermittent contact in the input polarizers. Laforge: Intermittent? Laforge: What? An iron filing. How'd that get in there? Worf: Commander, I have set the photons to fire in staggered rounds, detonating in ten second intervals. Riker: Very well. Fire when ready. Worf: The sequence will be ready to initiate in one minute. Laforge: Computer, run another diagnostic on the input polarizers. Computer: Polarizer circuits are functioning. Laforge: Well, then, that ought to do it. Okay, Data. Come on, now. Data: Torpedoes. Phasing. Alien. I am processing a binary message entered into my static memory by Captain Picard. Geordi, are we planning to fire on the alien habitat? Laforge: Yeah, but Data: It is imperative that we do not. I will explain later. Laforge: La Forge to Riker. Hold your fire! Data: The binary message left by the Captain is not entirely clear. He seemed to be concerned about the phase differential of our photon torpedoes. That firing them might produce catastrophic effects. Crusher: Then how do we destroy their habitat? Data: If I am correct, we must modify our weapons so that the force of the explosion is re-phased into the aliens' time continuum. Laforge: If we outfit the photons with phase diskriminators we could get the variance we need. Riker: How long will it take you? Laforge: At least a couple of hours. Riker: Fine. I'll have time to go get him. Data: Sir? Riker: I'm going back to the nineteenth century to get the Captain. Doctor? Crusher: My analysis of the phasers suggests you'd be able to open the rift, but it won't be stable enough to transport more than one person. Riker: You mean if I go back, only one of us can return? Crusher: That's right. Clemens: Then I have the perfect solution for you. I'm the one who should return to the nineteenth century and remain there so your Captain can return here. Riker: There's a risk. We're not sure how stable the rift will be. Clemens: There's risk in everything. The point is, it's the right choice. I've got more books to write, and your Captain has a job to do here. Riker: Geordi, you'll brief him on what he needs to know? Laforge: Aye, sir. Clemens: I'm glad I have the chance to thank you. Data: For what, sir? Clemens: Why, for starting me out on the greatest adventure a man's ever had. And for helping a bitter old man to open his eyes and see that the future turned out pretty well after all. Guinan: I'm thirsty. Picard: I'm going to get help. We have to get you out of here. Guinan: No, don't go. They'll be back for you soon. Picard: No, you need help. Clemens: This thing put me down in the middle of Market Street. Took forever to get here. Worf: Commander La Forge has completed the reconfiguration of the photon torpedoes. Riker: If Clemens got back, the Captain should have been here by now. Worf: We have no way of knowing if Mister Clemens was successful. Riker: Re-establish your firing pattern, Mister Worf. We'll wait five more minutes. Worf: Aye, sir. Clemens: No time for chit chat, sir. According to Mister La Forge, who did get your message by the way, a frequency setting of point oh four seven on your phaser will correctly activate this creature. Picard: Now you have to get help. Guinan needs medical attention. Clemens: I promise you she will be attended to. Picard: And there is a bill to be settled at Mrs. Carmichael's boarding house. Clemens: I'll settle it. Picard: Thank you. I wish, I wish time would have allowed me to know you better. Clemens: You'll just have to read my books. What I am is pretty much there. Guinan: I'll see you in five hundred years, Picard. Picard: And I'll see you in a few minutes. Data: Commander, I am picking up massive triolic wave activity on the surface. Riker: Is it the Captain? Data: There are no human life signs. Riker: No sign of a temporal distortion? Data: No, sir, but triolic activity is increasing. Riker: The aliens. Mister Worf, are the photons ready? Worf: Yes, sir. Riker: Fire. Worf: Torpedoes away, sir. Data: Sir, I am detecting a temporal distortion on the surface and human life signs. Riker: O'Brien, get him out of there! Riker: Transporter room, have you got him? Picard: He has indeed, Commander. And believe me, it's good to be back. Worf: We have destroyed the target. There is no further indication of triolic activity. Riker: Ensign, lay in a course to the nearest Starbase. Warp six. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46001.3. Everyone who should be in the nineteenth century is safely there, and those who should be in the twenty fourth are here. Mister Data has been restored to us, head and all, and Samuel Clemens will write the books he was to have written after our encounter. Clemens: Now be careful, boys. Don't jostle her too much. Don't worry, Madam Guinan, you're going to be fine. (as young Guinan is stretchered away, Clemens picks up his broken watch then puts it down again to be found with the other artifacts in 500 years time)

Scene: Captain's Log, Stardate 46041.1. We have located the USS Yosemite, a Starfleet science vessel sent to the Igo sector to observe a remote plasma streamer. The ship has not been heard from in several days. Picard: Magnify. Riker: The last report we have says they were observing the streamer at medium range. Maybe they went in for a closer look, got more than they bargained for. Picard: Hail them. Worf: No response. Picard: Life signs? Data: Our scanners cannot penetrate the plasma streamer's distortion field. Picard: Can we tractor them out? Data: No, sir. Ionic interference is too heavy. Riker: I'll take a shuttle in. Picard: Too risky. You could be pulled in too. Bridge to Engineering. Picard: Mister La Forge, can we beam an away team onto the science ship? Laforge: We can beam them over there, Captain, but with all this interference, we might not get a positive lock to bring them back. Barclay: Commander, if we bridged our transporter system with theirs we might be able to cut through the ionic field. Laforge: That's a good idea, Barclay. Captain, I think we can do it. We're going to bridge the two transporter systems. Picard: Acknowledged. Meet Commander Riker in Transporter room three. Laforge: Aye sir. Barclay, I'm going to need a systems engineer on this Away Team. Barclay: I'll ask Ensign Dern to join you. Laforge: I meant you, Barclay. Barclay: Shouldn't I stay here and set up the remote link? Laforge: Dern can do that. Come on, let's go. Riker: Status, Mister O'Brien? O'Brien: I'll have to send you over one at a time, Commander, because of band width limitations, and the transport cycle will take a little longer. Riker: How much longer? O'Brien: Four, five seconds. About twice the normal time. I'm afraid you're in for a bumpy ride, Commander. Barclay: What do you? What exactly do you mean by a bumpy ride? O'Brien: There may be a small amount of static charge accumulation. You'll feel a bit of tingling. It's nothing to worry about. Riker: Let's do it. Mister Worf. O'Brien: Engaging system interlock. Pattern buffers synchronized. Phase transition coils at stand by. Energizing. He's there. Riker: I'll go next. O'Brien: Engaging interlock. Buffers synched. Energizing. Crusher: I'm ready. O'Brien: Engaging interlock. Buffers synched. Oh, wait a minute. I'm reading an ionic fluctuation in the matter stream. Oh, no problem. Okay. Energizing. Laforge: Reg, you're up. Reg. Barclay: Aye, sir. O'Brien: Engaging interlock. Buffers in synch. Phase coils Barclay: I'm sorry, I just can't do this. Troi: Reg, you were faced with a difficult transport. Anyone would have been apprehensive in that situation. Barclay: Tell that to Commander La Forge and the rest of the away team. Troi: I'm sure they understand. As soon as you feel up to it, you can probably still join them. Barclay: No! Troi: Reg, is there something you're not telling me? Barclay: Actually, this isn't the first time I've been apprehensive. Every single time that I tried to do it, I had a certain feeling. I guess you could call it mortal terror. Troi: Why have you kept it a secret? Barclay: Why? Because my career in Starfleet would be over, that's why. Troi: I doubt that. Barclay: I've always managed to avoid it somehow. You wouldn't believe how many hours that I've logged in shuttlecraft. I mean, The idea of being deconstructed, molecule by molecule. It's more than I can stand. Even when I was a child, I always had a dreadful fear that if ever I was dematerialized that I would never come back again whole. I know it sounds crazy, but Troi: It's not crazy about it. You are being taken apart molecule by molecule. Reg, you're not the first person to have anxiety about transporting. We can desensitize you to this type of fear. It's a slow and gradual process, but it works. Barclay: It does? How? Troi: Well, you might first try a relaxation technique, like plexing. Barclay: Plexing? Troi: Yes, it's a Betazoid method. The next time you feel nervous about transporting, you stimulate a neural pressure point, like this. Troi: There's a nerve cluster just behind the carotid artery. It stimulates the part of the brain that releases natural endorphins. Barclay: Plexing. Sounds easy enough. Troi: Here. There. Barclay: You know, I feel better already. I think I can do this. Troi: There's no need to rush. Barclay: No, no. We talked about confronting my fears. The best way out is through. You said that once, remember? Troi: I suppose I did. Barclay: I'm going to beam over there. I can do it. Riker: There's no sign of any survivors. No sign of anyone. Laforge: Maybe they abandoned ship. Worf: Unlikely. The escape pods are still on board. Laforge: There was an explosion. That much we do know. Riker: Any idea what caused it? Laforge: I've ruled out a reactor core failure and there's no sign of a systems overload. Worf: Blast analysis indicates the explosion originated here, in the center of the transport chamber. Laforge: How is that possible? The transporter is still functioning. Riker: Could they have beamed an explosive device aboard? Crusher: Commander Riker? Could you come here, please. Riker: Excuse me. Crusher: Lieutenant Joshua Kelly. He was the ship's engineer. Riker: How did he die? Crusher: He has second and third degree burns over most of his body, but I don't think they were the cause of his death. I'm like to take him back to do an autopsy. O'Brien: You're sure about this, sir? Barclay: Sure. Please proceed. O'Brien: It'll only take a minute. It should be a smooth ride over. Barclay: Good. Good. O'Brien: I know how you feel about this, sir. Barclay: You're afraid of transporting, too? O'Brien: No. Arachnids. Sickening, crawly little things, don't you think? All those legs. Barclay: Spiders? They've never bothered me. O'Brien: A few years back, I was called in to re-route an emitter array at a Starbase on Zayra Four. Turns out the entire system was infested with Talarian hook spiders. You ever seen a Talarian hook spider? Their legs are half a meter long. Well, I had a choice. Do I walk away and let the emitter blow itself to hell, or do I crawl in the Jeffries tube with twenty hook spiders? Barclay: What happened? O'Brien: It was the hardest thing I ever did, but I got through it. After that, I was never quite as afraid of spiders. Barclay: Thanks. O'Brien: Energizing. Laforge: Reg. Welcome aboard. You ready to work? Barclay: Yes, sir. Laforge: Good. Why don't you start by downloading the ship's science logs over there. Barclay: Aye, sir. Riker: Still four members of the crew unaccounted for. Did you come up with anything? Laforge: I don't know how these fit in, but I found them all around the transporter platform. Riker: What are they? Laforge: They look like pieces of a standard sample container. Riker: Take them back to the ship, analyze them there. Mister Barclay. Glad you could join us. Barclay: Me too, sir. Hayes: The Ferengi are claiming two of their freighters were destroyed by a Cardassian warship in your sector. Picard: Is there any evidence to support this? Hayes: Although I'm loathe to believe the Ferengi about anything, there was evidence of Cardassian weapons. If the Cardassians also attacked the Yosemite, it could indicate a large scale movement into this sector. Picard: I have an away team on board the ship. The initial report indicates there was an explosion on board, but we're not sure if it was from an attack. Hayes: How soon until you know? Picard: A few hours. If it looks like Cardassians, I'll contact you immediately. Hayes: Very well. Data: Bridge to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead, Mister Data. Data: The away team is returning to the Enterprise, sir. Picard: Acknowledged. Have Commander Riker come to my Ready room as soon as he's on board. Data: Aye, sir. Laforge: La Forge to Transporter room three. I'm ready to go. O'Brien: Stand by, Commander. Barclay: Barclay to Enterprise. One to beam back. O'Brien: Stand by, sir. O'Brien: You see, sir? That wasn't so bad, was it. Laforge: Mission logs, science logs, medical logs, they're all scrambled. Looks like the blast wiped out the ship's core memory. Barclay: We could try to reconstitute the data stream. Laforge: It's worth a try. Barclay: Commander, has anything strange ever happened to you during transport? Laforge: Like what? Barclay: I don't know. Anything out of the ordinary. Laforge: No, not really. This looks hopeless. We're not going to get anything out of these logs. You know, maybe this broken sample container I found can tell us something. Let's try to get this thing back into one piece. Barclay: I mean, have you ever seen anything? Laforge: Where? Barclay: In the, during transport. Laforge: Sometimes my visor picks up resonance patterns from the matter energy conversion. It's actually kind of pretty. Why? Barclay: Just wondering. Laforge: Reg, what are you getting at? Did you saw something during transport? Barclay: When I was returning to the Enterprise I could've sworn I saw something in the matter stream. Laforge: Something? Barclay: There was phased matter all around. At first I thought it was some kind of energy discharge, but then it flew toward me and it touched my arm. How could something be in there? Molecules flying apart, half phased? I mean, it's impossible, isn't it? Laforge: We'd better check it out. When we're done here, we'll run a full diagnostic on the transporter, all right? Barclay: All right. O'Brien: The confinement beam subsystems check out. So do the phase transition coils. Laforge: The pattern buffer is fine. O'Brien: Emitter pads, targeting scanners, they're all working fine. This system's clean. So is the science vessel's. Laforge: Reg, there's a lot of energy floating around in the beam. Maybe you saw a surge in the matter stream. Barclay: Yeah. O'Brien: I'll run a scan on the Heisenberg compensators. Barclay: No, Chief, you've done enough already. O'Brien: It's no problem. Why don't you give me a hand? Barclay: You know, maybe ignorance really is bliss. O'Brien: Sir? Barclay: Well, if I didn't know so much about these things, maybe they wouldn't scare me so much. I can still remember the day in Doctor Olafson's Transporter Theory class when he was talking about the body being converted into billions of kiloquads of data, zipping through subspace, and I realized there's no margin for error. One atom out of place and poof! You never come back. It's amazing people aren't lost all the time. O'Brien: With all due respect, sir, I've been doing this for twenty two years and I haven't lost anybody yet. Barclay: Yes, but you realize if these imaging scanners are off even a thousandth of a percent. O'Brien: That's why each pad has four redundant scanners. If any one scanner fails, the other three take over. Laforge: Reg, how many transporter accidents have there been in the last ten years? Two? Three? There are millions of people who transport safely every day without a problem. Barclay: I've heard of problems. What about transporter psychosis? O'Brien: Transporter Psychosis? There hasn't been a case of that in over fifty years. Not since they perfected the multiplex pattern buffers. Laforge: Reg, transporting really is the safest way to travel. Crusher: I'd like to take a closer look at those burns. Take a tissue sample, please. Ogawa: Yes, Doctor. Crusher: Damage to the epidermis only. Initiate a circulatory probe. Ogawa: Doctor Crusher! Crusher: His heart's beating! Cardio-stimulator. Now. It's gone. Ogawa: Neuro-electrical activity in the cerebral cortex. Nothing. Crusher: Now the respiratory system's active. What the hell is going on? Barclay: Water, ten degrees Celsius. Computer, access Starfleet Medical Database. Tell me about, er. Describe the disorder transporter psychosis. Computer: Transporter psychosis was diagnosed in the year twenty two oh nine by researchers on Delinia Two. Barclay: No, no stop. All I need is, what causes it? Computer: It is caused by a breakdown of neuro-chemical molecules during transport, affecting the body's motor functions, autonomic systems, and the brain's higher reasoning centers. Barclay: What are the symptoms? Computer: Victims suffer from paranoid delusions, multi-infarct dementia, hallucinations. Barclay: Hallucinations? What kind of hallucinations? Computer: Victims experience somatic, tactile and visual hallucinations, accompanied by psychogenic hysteria. Peripheral symptoms include sleeplessness, accelerated heart rate, diminished eyesight leading to acute myopia, painful spasms in the extremities, and in most cases, dehydration. Barclay: Computer what is the treatment for transporter psychosis? Computer: There is no known treatment. Crusher: The autopsy showed residual ionization in every one of Lieutenant Kelly's systems. I think that's what caused the muscular and systemic contractions. Riker: From where did the ionization come? Crusher: There's evidence of electrical burns on the victim's body, as if he was exposed to ionized gas or high energy plasma. Laforge: Plasma? There's no way they could've been exposed, unless it was matter from the streamer. Picard: Is there evidence of a hull breach? Could plasma from the streamer have found its way into the ship? Laforge: No. Data, what's the report on that broken sample container? Data: The analysis of the fragments is not yet complete. Laforge: Captain, if there's evidence of similar ionization in those fragments, it could mean they tried to beam aboard material from the streamer. Picard: If the plasma exploded that would explain a few things. Let me know when the analysis is complete. Laforge: Aye, sir. Laforge: From the looks of these fracture patterns, I'd say that the explosive force came from within the container. Data: The container does show evidence of residual ionization. I believe your hypothesis was correct. It was used to store high energy plasma. Laforge: So they were collecting samples from the plasma streamer. They had the proper container. How could it have exploded? Data: Perhaps we should attempt to recreate their experiment to see what happens when matter is beamed aboard under similar conditions. Laforge: That's a good idea. We'll prepare a new container. Reg, I don't want to take any chances here. Start setting up a level five containment field here in Engineering, okay? Barclay: Aye, sir. Data: Are you all right, Lieutenant? Barclay: I'm fine. Yes, thank you. Data: Geordi. Lieutenant Barclay appears inordinately preoccupied with his physiological condition. I have seen him check his pulse rate, as well as his visual acuity several times over the last twenty minutes. Laforge: Thanks, Data. Laforge: Reg? Barclay: Yes, sir? Laforge: You okay? Barclay: I'm just fine, sir. Laforge: You look a little pale. Barclay: I do? Laforge: Look, Reg, it's been a long couple of days. Why don't you get some rest. We've got everything under control here. Barclay: I think I'll do that, sir. Thank you. Laforge: La Forge to Counselor Troi. Troi: Go ahead, Commander. Laforge: Counselor, do you have a minute? Troi: Lieutenant Barclay, I've been calling you, why haven't you responded? Reg, what are you doing? Barclay: I'm walking. Troi: I can see that. Where are you going? Barclay: Nowhere. I just don't get to these decks very often. Look, there's Stellar Cartography. I thought that was deck eleven. Troi: Mister Barclay. Barclay: I was I was having trouble sleeping and I'm trying to wear myself out. It is a perfectly normal thing to be doing, isn't it? Troi: Commander La Forge said you seemed a little nervous this morning. Barclay: I'm always nervous. Everybody knows that. Troi: He also mentioned that you said you saw something in the transporter beam. Barclay: Well I was wrong. They checked the transporter and there wasn't. I mean, there was nothing there. I imagined the whole thing. Troi: You don't sound very convinced of that. Barclay: Listen, Counselor, I really appreciate your concern in this matter but I really wish you wouldn't continue this conversation. I'm really perfectly fine. Troi: Mister Barclay, you're exhausted and highly agitated, and I cannot allow a member of this crew to endanger himself and others. I think Barclay: I'm not endangering anyone else and I wish you would Troi: I think it would be in your best interest to take a leave of absence. Reg, I'm temporarily relieving you of duty. Barclay: Fine, fine. Do what you have to do, Counselor. Barclay: Computer more birds. End stress reduction program. Water. Computer: Specify temperature. Barclay: I don't care. Just give me water! Barclay: Calm, calm, stay calm. All right, Computer, let's try some music. Something soothing. O'Brien: Sir, begging your pardon, but couldn't this wait til the morning? Barclay: No. Chief, I've just, I've been reviewing the transport logs. What are these energy variations that keep appearing? There was one when I transported to the science ship, you see? O'Brien: They're just ionic fluctuations, sir. A result of our interlock with the Yosemite's transporter system. Barclay: A fluctuation occurred while I was inside the matter stream? O'Brien: It's nothing to worry about, sir. Barclay: I need you to transport me to the science ship and then directly back again. And while I'm in the beam, can you recreate one of those ionic fluctuations? O'Brien: I guess so. But if you don't mind my asking, sir, what for? Barclay: I need. Commander La Forge wants some tricorder readings on those fluctuations. O'Brien: We can do that from right here. Barclay: No, I, the transporter sensors may not be sensitive enough. I'm giving you an order, Mister O'Brien. O'Brien: Aye, sir. If you don't mind my making an observation, sir, you forgot to bring a tricorder. Barclay: Either there's something in there or I'm going crazy, and I've just got to know. You can understand that, can't you? O'Brien: Yes sir, I can. Stand by, sir. Barclay: I want you to wake the senior staff. Barclay: Then I saw it again, just twenty minutes ago. It was the same exact thing just moving around in the transporter beam. Riker: Let me get this straight. You think this thing was alive? Barclay: It was dark and distorted, and it had what looked like a mouth. Worf: A mouth. Crusher: I don't see anything wrong with his arm. Troi: Reg, why did you wait so long to tell anybody about your arm? Barclay: Well, I thought I was hallucinating, that I had, that it was transporter psychosis. But now I know what I saw in there was real. I was the only one who experienced ionic fluctuations in the transport. Maybe that's why no one else saw it. Picard: Mister Barclay, I've been told you've been under a considerable amount of strain the past couple of days. Isn't it possible that you simply imagined Barclay: I know what you're going to say, Captain. I know I've been acting strange lately. But you've got to believe me. I would never have called you in here unless I was absolutely certain. Picard: Commander La Forge, get Mister O'Brien. Take that transporter system apart piece by piece if you have to. Mister Worf, I want a level three security alert until further notice. Worf: Aye, sir. Crusher: I'll run a micro-cellular scan of Mister Barclay's arm. It might take some time, but if there's a problem, I'll find it. Picard: Keep me apprised. Dismissed. Crusher: I'm reading minute levels of residual ionization in the subdermal tissue of his left arm. The patterns correspond exactly to those we measured in Lieutenant Kelly's body and in the sample container from the science ship. There's no question. You have been exposed to the same high energy plasma they were. Barclay: So something did happen to me in the transporter beam. Crusher: You might've been exposed to something from the science ship. You did say something touched your left arm during transport, and that's exactly where the ionization is focused. Riker: Does this ionization pose a threat to Mister Barclay? Crusher: It might. I'll have to run a base pair correlation to see if there's any sign of DNA breakdown. Barclay: Sir, Commander La Forge and I were planning to recreate the circumstances of the explosion on the Yosemite. That might give us some answers. Permission to continue with the experiment? Riker: Granted. Tell Mister O'Brien to take all the primary transporters offline. I don't want to risk any further contaminations. Make sure you take all the necessary safety precautions. Barclay: Aye, sir. Crusher: I'd like you to wear this monitoring device. It will tell me if there's the slightest sign of increased ionization. Barclay: Yes, Doctor. Data: Structural reinforcement is at two hundred forty percent. Laforge: Activating containment field. Well, that should do it. Okay, Reg. We've locked onto the coordinates of the plasma streamer. Go ahead and beam aboard a sample, will you? Barclay: Aye, sir. Laforge: Okay. What would they have done first? Data: A standard analysis begins with a resonance frequency scan. Laforge: That sounds like a good place to start. Let's get it done. Data: Initiating resonance sweep. Frequency range at three Laforge: Barclay, check the containment field. Barclay: The field is at its maximum limit, but it is holding. Laforge: My visor's picking up bio-magnetic energy. Highly complex patterns. You know, I think these things are alive. Reg. Laforge: Reg? Reg. Barclay: Life forms? Data: That is correct. They appear to be quasi-energy microbes that exist within the distortion field of the plasma streamer. Laforge: We didn't detect them until we tried to run the resonance frequency scan. Apparently, they didn't like it very much. They shattered the sample container. Barclay: Which caused a plasma explosion similar to the one on the science ship. Laforge: Exactly. When we linked up with their transporter system, one or more of the microbes must have got into our system. We think they're still caught in the buffer. It might explain what you saw. Barclay: But what I saw was much bigger than a microbe. Data: Normal spatial relationships are often distorted within the matter stream. Your perceptions may have been exaggerated. Crusher: Some of these microbes are also in your body, Reg. Barclay: Inside me? Crusher: They were in Lieutenant Kelly's body as well. That's what caused the contractions during the autopsy. Laforge: The biofilter should have screened them out but it didn't. Data: The microbes exist simultaneously as both matter and energy. The biofilter cannot distinguish them from the matter stream. Laforge: Right, but if we held Barclay suspended in mid-transport at the point where matter starts to lose molecular cohesion. Data: The molecules would begin to emit nucleonic particles. We may be able to derive a pattern the computer would recognize. Laforge: And then reprogram the biofilters to screen the microbes out. I think this'll work, Reg. Barclay: Suspend me? I don't like the sound of this. Laforge: We'd have to hold you in there for a while. Barclay: How long? Laforge: Thirty, forty seconds. It's tough to tell. But I think it'd be safe. Barclay: But if I'm in the matter stream too long. Data: Your pattern would degrade to the point where your signal would be permanently lost. O'Brien: After fifteen seconds or so in the beam, you may start to feel light-headed. Try to stay calm. Oh, and it's important not to move around too much. Barclay: Right. O'Brien: Initializing the back-up pattern buffer. Holding at stand by. Laforge: Ready, Reg? Barclay: Energize. O'Brien: Molecular resolution at sixty percent. Engaging static mode. His pattern is locked and holding. Laforge: Starting biofilter scan. O'Brien: Signal's holding. Crusher: The imaging scanners still haven't isolated the microbes. O'Brien: I'll try increasing molecular dispersion. Laforge: His signal resolution's dropped to fifty five percent. O'Brien: Don't worry. I can hold him together. O'Brien: Commander, the signal resolution's down to fifty percent. We need to bring him back. Laforge: I know, I know. Just give me one more second. We need more dispersion. Increase phase transition frequency O'Brien: Aye, sir. Crusher: The imaging scanners are actuating. Laforge: Got it. Pattern acquisition Positive. O'Brien: Programming biofilter. Laforge: Don't worry, Reg. This won't hurt a bit. O'Brien: I'm reading a ninety two percent increase in mass! Laforge: There's something in the beam with him. Security to Transporter room three. Worf: Right away. O'Brien: I'm setting up a force field round the chamber. Crusher: Drop the force field. Barclay: There are more crew members in the beam. You have to grab them and hold on. Worf: Understood. Follow me. Laforge: Reg, what happened? Barclay: Well, when I saw there was more than one of them, I thought maybe the other crew was trying the same thing that we were. Crewman: We're infected with something. Lieutenant Kelly tried to reprogram the biofilter Laforge: It looks like he pushed molecular dispersion past the integrity point. Your patterns got caught in the beam. Barclay: The residual energy from the plasma streamer. It must've amplified the charge in the buffer enough to keep your patterns from degrading. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46043.6. The reprogrammed biofilter was effective in removing the alien microbes from Mister Barclay and the four crewmembers. The microbes have been returned to the plasma streamer. Barclay: Chief. O'Brien: Lieutenant. I'm glad you could make it. You know, I think this is the first time we've ever spoken outside of the Transporter room. Barclay: Well, to be honest, I always avoided you. O'Brien: Why? Barclay: Because you run the transporters, and I hate the transporters. At least, I used to. So, what's in the box? O'Brien: I thought you might like to meet Christina. Christina, Lieutenant Barclay. Barclay: It's your pet spider. O'Brien: Lycosa tarantula. Don't worry, she won't bite. Barclay: She's very large. O'Brien: I found her on Titus Four. Almost stepped on her by accident. Oh, I'll get us a couple of drinks, okay? Keep an eye on her, will you? Barclay: Sure. Barclay: Er, Chief?

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46071.6. We have been called to the aid of a transport ship, which has been attacked near Rekag-Seronia. Hostilities between the two factions on that planet have intensified recently, threatening an important Federation shipping route. Data: Captain, sensors have located the transport ship. Two Rekag battle cruisers are flanking it. Riker: Red alert. Shields up. Worf: Phasers online. Photon torpedoes armed and ready. Picard: Is the transport still under attack? Data: The cruisers' weapons are powered up but sir, the Rekag ships are turning and heading out of sensor range. Riker: They don't want to take on the Enterprise. Data: We are within visual range of the transport, sir. Picard: On screen. Data: Sensors indicate damage to the Dorian's subspace emitter. Audio communication only. Picard: Open a channel, Mister Worf. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise. Talmadge: Captain Talmadge of the Dorian. Glad you're here we took some shield damage from the Rekag ships but we're still intact. Picard: Do you have injuries? Can we assist you in any way? Talmadge: No injuries, but I'd like permission to transport a couple of our passengers to your ship. Picard: Of course. Talmadge: We're conveying a mediator to Seronia. I think he's the reason the Rekags fired on us. He's Picard: Captain, I'm losing you. Go ahead and beam your passengers on board. Counselor, after you've seen to their needs will you escort them to my Ready room. Troi: Yes, Captain. Riker: Cancel Red alert. Mister Worf, take the weapons offline. Worf: Aye, sir. Troi: I'm Counselor Deanna Troi. Alkar: Ambassador Ves Alkar, and my mother, Sev Maylor. Counselor, it's imperative that I speak to the Captain. Maylor: You think he's attracted to you, but he isn't. You offer him nothing. Alkar: She hasn't been feeling well. Could she be taken to quarters? Troi: Of course. Chief. I'll take you to Captain Picard. Alkar: Mother, go with her. Maylor: Don't pursue him. I won't have it. I'll stop you. Alkar: I am grateful for the Federation's offer to escort me, but if I arrive at Rekag-Seronia on board the Enterprise, the armed flagship of Starfleet, my mission as negotiator of peace will be compromised. There must be a Federation transport ship somewhere in the area that could take me there. Picard: With all due respect. Admiral, to put the Ambassador on board another unarmed transport would be to invite a second assault. Alkar: I believe the attack on us was an isolated incident, nothing more. Simons: Ambassador Alkar, the Rekag-Seronia dispute has threatened Federation ships for many months. We are grateful that you are willing to undertake this mission and you have our full support. Alkar: Thank you, sir. Simons: However, we also recognize that safety is an issue. Not just yours, but the crew that escorts you. To send you on an unarmed transport puts everyone at risk. I think it best if you proceed to Rekag-Seronia aboard the Enterprise. Alkar: Then I have no choice. Simons: Once you get to Rekag-Seronia, you can conduct your negotiations as you see fit. Until then, you'll be in good hands with Captain Picard. Alkar: I understand, sir. Simons: Good luck, and a successful journey. Picard: Picard to Commander Riker. Riker: Yes, sir? Picard: Set a course for Seronia. Riker: Aye, sir. Worf: That will be all for today. There will be another class tomorrow at oh seven hundred hours. Troi: The skills are demanding. You're very diskiplined. Alkar: I believe in a strong connection between body and mind. You obviously share the same convictions. Troi: Yes, I do. Only sometimes my body has a problem conforming to my mind's wishes. Troi: I would imagine that your self-diskipline helps you in your work. Alkar: I don't know about that. I think maybe my biggest asset is patience. I let everybody else talk until they're exhausted, and when I start, they're too tired to argue. Troi: You're going to need all your patience at Seronia. I can't imagine how you'll get the two sides talking to each other. Alkar: Neither can I. I won't know that until I get there. I tend to feel my way through a situation. Alkar: Deck nine. If I were empathic like you, I'd have a real advantage. Troi: I thought Lumerians were empathic. Alkar: Only with each other, not other species. So, I don't have any idea what you might be feeling just now. Troi: Curiosity. What I sense from you is very unusual. Calmness, serenity, tranquility. You seem to embody the very qualities that you hope to draw out in others. Alkar: Tell me, Counselor, have you ever been involved in diplomatic negotiations? Troi: Several times with Captain Picard. There have been instances when having an empath along has been helpful. Alkar: I'm sure. I could use some of that help. Would you come with me when we reach Seronia? Troi: If the Captain authorizes it, of course I will. Alkar: Good. I hope to see you again. Maylor: You're late. Alkar: Mother, I told you that I'd be gone for over an hour. Maylor: You're late because of her. Have you mated with him yet? Troi: What? Maylor: That's what you want, isn't it? Alkar: Mother, please, come in. Maylor: I can always tell. The ones with a certain look in their eye. Troi: I'd better go. Maylor: And I'll tell you this. If you do, you'll regret it the rest of your life. Alkar: Mother. come in please. You should lie down. Troi: Come in. Riker: Hi. It's that time again. The dreaded crew evaluation reports. Troi: Does it have to be today? Riker: It's not going to be any easier tomorrow. Troi: It might. Riker: What's wrong? Troi: I've just had a disturbing encounter with Alkar's mother. She frightens me, Will. The feelings I sense from her are malevolent. They're out of proportion. They're evil. Riker: I know she's been sick. She's very old. She's probably senile. Who knows, we could all end up that way some day. Troi: You're right. Okay, let's get through these evaluations, and when they're done I'm going to reward myself with two ice cream sundaes. Riker: First, molecular biology. Lieutenant Jeffrey Fratis. Worf: Worf to Commander Riker. Riker: Go ahead. Worf: Can you report to Ambassador Alkar's quarters? There is an emergency. Riker: We're on our way. Crusher: Forty cc's inaprovaline. Riker: I'm sorry, Ambassador. Alkar: She was ill. I should never have brought her along. She was ninety three. She'd lived a long life. I should be grateful for that. Troi: Alkar, is there anything I can do? Alkar: Counselor, there's a funeral meditation. Part of our rituals. As an empath, you're the only person on board who could perform it with me. Troi: I'll be glad to help. Alkar: This meditation is one of our most sacred ceremonies. Hold the stone like this. Rohm gah sevi rohm. Say after me. An end to grief. Troi: An end to grief. Alkar: An end to pain. Troi: An end to pain. Alkar: Strength comes from love. Troi: Strength comes from love. Alkar: And courage from wisdom. Troi: And courage from wisdom. Alkar: Thank you. Troi: Computer today's appointment calendar. Computer: Oh nine hundred hours, counseling session with Ensign Janeway. Ten hundred hours, counseling session with Troi: Cancel them. Cancel everything till after lunch. Computer: Acknowledged. Picard: You wanted to see me, Doctor? Crusher: Yes, Captain. I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm a little concerned. I haven't been able to determine the cause of death. She was elderly. and Alkar said she had been ill, but I found no evidence of any disease. I did find abnormally high levels of neurotransmitter residue in her cerebral cortex. Picard: What are you suggesting? Crusher: I'd like to do an autopsy. I've already spoken to Alkar, and he informs me that Lumerian custom forbids it. Could you speak with him? Picard: Do you suspect that her death poses some kind of threat to the Enterprise? Crusher: Well, no. Picard: Then we have no alternative but to concur with his wishes. Alkar: Deanna. Troi: Hello. Alkar: Come in, please. Troi: I thought you might like some company, if you're not too busy. Alkar: Nothing that can't wait. Would you like something to drink? Troi: No. I'd like you to talk to me. Alkar: About? Troi: About you. I don't know anything about you. And I'd like to. Alkar: There's not much to know. I lead a very simple life. Troi: What kind of woman do you find attractive? Do you find me attractive? Alkar: Extremely. Troi: And when you find someone attractive, what do you usually do? Alkar: That depends on a lot of things. Troi: Is it really so complicated? Alkar: It can be. Troi: Well, perhaps you over think things. Alkar: Deanna. Troi: Yes? Alkar: I'm sorry. If I led you to believe? You are very beautiful, but our relationship can't be like that. Ensign: Deck four. Crewman: Sir. Troi: Will. Riker: We were supposed to finish the crew evaluation reports. Troi: Of course. Come in. Ensign: Sir! Riker: As you were. Ensign: Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. I was just leaving. Troi: If there's anything else I need, I know where to find you. Ensign: Yes, ma'am. Troi: Are you bothered by his being here? Riker: Of course not. Troi: Good. Because it's really none of your business. Riker: I know that. I believe we were with Lieutenant Fratis i n molecular biology. Troi: Why do I think you're upset? Riker: I don't know. Could we just continue with the evaluation? Troi: Will, remember who you're talking to. You are bothered, I can tell. Riker: Deanna, I'm sorry I intruded. When you're ready to work, why don't you give me a call. Troi: I will. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46073.6. We have arrived without incident at Rekag-Seronia, where two members of Ambassador Alkar's delegation have been waiting. They have joined us to report on the situation in the capital city. Jarth: Things have deteriorated steadily. Rekag sympathizers in outlying districts have attacked several towns. Picard: But I was under the impression there was a cease fire agreement. Jarth: It was broken before it went into effect. A Rekag shuttle strayed into Seronian space and was destroyed by fighter craft. Liva: Naturally, the Rekags retaliated. There's been fighting ever since. Alkar: If they would just sit down with me. Jarth: The Rekags won't go into Seronian territory for talks. And the Seronians won't go to Rekag. In the meantime, they fight. Picard: Ambassador, the situation sounds so volatile. Perhaps a cooling off period? Alkar: These people need an end to the fighting now. To delay a week, even a few days, could cost thousands of lives. Picard: Then I would recommend that we ask both sides if they would agree to meet in the city of Darthen. Liva: Why Darthen? Picard: It's a coastal city that has been neutral throughout the conflict. Both Seronians and Rekag loyalists live there. It might be acceptable as a compromise. Alkar: Contact the leaders. If they'll meet me in Darthen, I will join them there tomorrow. Janeway: I know it must be my imagination, but it seems as though Lieutenant Pinder just doesn't want me in his section. Troi: What makes you think that? Janeway: He's so critical. I can't ever do anything to please him and I try, Counselor, I try to make sure there's nothing he could find fault with. Troi: Give me an example of what you mean. Janeway: Well, yesterday I was running routine diagnostics on the sensor pallets. They checked out, but Lieutenant Pinder questioned me because I'd allowed a point oh two three variance. That's well within specifications. He goes out of his way to criticize me. Troi: Do you know of any reason why he might do that? Janeway: No, that's why I'm here. Troi: Well, maybe he's just tired of hearing you complain. Janeway: Pardon me? Troi: I know I'm certainly tired of it. How do you think it feels to sit and listen to someone whine about themselves all the time? Janeway: I didn't realize I was Troi: This isn't Starfleet Academy. You're not going to be coddled. If you can't take it here, then you might think about a transport ship. There's a lot less pressure there. Janeway: But I love being on the Enterprise I don't want to be anywhere else. Troi: If you aren't up to it then you don't deserve to be here. Isn't that right? Janeway: I guess so. Troi: So you'd better take a hold of yourself, or be prepared for a transfer. Janeway: I will, Counselor. Thank you. Troi: Glad I could help. Laforge: Yeah, here we go. Biofilter log on Sev Maylor. Crusher: Geordi, could this log have been damaged in any way? Laforge: I don't think so. Why do you ask? Crusher: There's a diskrepancy between the log and the tricorder readings I took just three days later. The tricorder shows massive physiological deterioration compared with her condition when she beamed aboard. I find it hard to believe that so much damage could have occurred in such a short period of time. Laforge: Well I can run a diagnostic of the biofilter system and your tricorder. Crusher: Thanks. Of course, the best way to get the information I need would be to do an autopsy. Riker: Ambassador? We've received word from the Seronian and the Rekag delegates. They've agreed to meet with you in Darthen tomorrow. Alkar: Thank you, Commander. Data: Counselor Troi has altered her appearance. Troi: Am I interrupting? Liva: Hello, Counselor. Troi: You want him. I can tell. But you have nothing to give him. Alkar: Deanna, could I talk to you in private. Troi: And you. You're envious of him. You pretend to support him, but secretly you want him to fail. Jarth: That's not so. Alkar: Please, you must return to your quarters. Troi: I won't. I want to be here, with you. Riker: Ambassador, the Counselor and I are needed on the Bridge. Alkar: Of course, Commander. Riker: I don't know what you thought you were doing in there, but you were way out of line. Riker: Deck nine. Riker: All right, Deanna, just what the hell is all this? Troi: Imzadi, do you still care about me? Riker: Of course I care about you. I'm worried about you. What's all this? Troi: Don't you think I'm attractive? Riker: This just isn't you. Troi: Oh, it is. You want me, don't you? Riker: Deanna. Troi: I need you. Riker: What is this? Troi: Please! Troi: Come in. Alkar: Deanna, I'm leaving for the surface. Troi: You said you'd take me with you. Alkar: I know, but that's not possible now. Troi: You told me I'd be helpful. You needed me. Alkar: And I still do. You've done so much for me. Troi: Then take me. Don't leave me here. Is Liva going with you? Alkar: She's been on Seronia for weeks. She knows the people, the situation. Troi: She wants to take you away from me. Alkar: Deanna, you are my anchor. I need you more than you can possibly realize. Do you understand that? I need you here, making it possible for me to do my work. Troi: I won't let her have you! I'll stop her! I will go with you. Take me with you. Please, Alkar. Don't leave me. Don't do this! No! Riker: You wouldn't have recognized her. Her dress, her hair, everything about her. I'm closer to Deanna than I've ever been to anyone, but last night she was someone that I had never seen before. Crusher: And you don't know of anything that might have caused her to behave like that? Riker: No. I've thought and thought about it. I don't have an answer. Crusher: Computer, location of Counselor Troi. Computer: Deck six, corridor B. Crusher: Let's go. Picard: Ambassador, I came to alert you that the Rekags and the Seronians are in disagreement about the seating arrangements at the conference table. Alkar: I'm not surprised. Picard: The good news, however, is that the cease fire seems to be holding. Alkar: And that is by far the best news. Thank you, Captain. Picard: Chief. Troi: Will you take me with you? Picard: Deanna? Alkar: Deanna, I've already told you I can't Troi: I won't let her have you Picard: Security to Transporter room two. Troi: Don't try and stop me! No, no, let go! Picard: It's nothing, it's superficial. What happened to Deanna? Crusher: All of the systems in her body have elevated readings. Take her to Sickbay. I want to see you in Sickbay too. Alkar: Captain, perhaps we should delay transporting to the surface. Picard: No. You should proceed with your mission. Alkar: Very well. Picard: Chief, transport them to the planet surface. Chief: Aye, sir. Crusher: We'll have to sedate her. Twenty cc's of melorazine. Ogawa: Yes, Doctor. Crusher: How's it feeling? Picard: It's a little stiff, but it'll be fine. Crusher: It'll disappear in a day or two. Ogawa: Doctor Crusher? I think you should see these readings, Doctor. Her neurotransmitter levels are three hundred percent above normal. Crusher: If you remember, I found extremely high levels of neurotransmitter residue in Alkar's mother. Picard: Could Deanna have picked up some kind of disease from her? Crusher: I don't know. I need to do that autopsy. I don't care about the customs of Alkar's people. I need to find out if there's a connection between what killed Maylor and what's happening to Troi. Picard: Picard to Lieutenant Worf. Worf: Worf here, Captain. Picard: Mister Worf, contact Ambassador Alkar. I need to speak with him. Ogawa: Doctor, neural energy is now three hundred forty percent above normal. Worf: Captain, Ambassador Alkar is at the negotiation table and cannot be disturbed. Picard: Proceed with the autopsy. Medical log, stardate 46075.1. I have performed an autopsy on Alkar's mother, but instead of answering our questions, the results have created an even deeper mystery. Crusher: I don't have any explanation for this. When I examined Maylor's body, I found her heart, her lungs, her skeletal structure, most of the systems in her body were those of a thirty year old. Picard: But how could that be? We both saw the woman. Crusher: That's not all. I compared Maylor and Alkar's DNA. I don't know who that woman was, but she was definitely not his mother. Deanna's condition is deteriorating rapidly. She could die. There are questions that only Alkar can answer. Picard: Picard to Lieutenant Worf. Worf: Worf here, Captain. Picard: Meet me in Transporter room two. We're going down to the surface. Worf: Aye, sir. Alkar: No, she wasn't my mother. Picard: And she wasn't ninety three years old. Alkar: Captain, did you perform an autopsy against my wishes? Picard: Yes, for a very good reason. Counselor Deanna Troi is in Sickbay, dying. Doctor Crusher doesn't know the cause of her condition, but I believe you do. Liva: Alkar, we need you. The Rekags have withdrawn some of their concessions and the Seronians are threatening to break off the talks. Alkar: I'll be right there. Liva: But Alkar: They've been arguing for hours in there. It seems hopeless. But now, when expectations are lowest, now is the moment I can be most effective. If I'm focused, centerd, free of disquieting thoughts, I can turn these factions toward peace. Picard: Alkar Alkar: Hear me out, Captain. It's important you understand. You see, I discovered long ago I had the ability to channel my darker thoughts, my unwanted emotions, to others, leaving me unencumbered. Picard: Is this what you've done to Counselor Troi? Alkar: I hadn't planned it. I'd expected Maylor to live through the negotiation. Her death could not have been more untimely. Picard: So then you deliberately used Deanna. Alkar: She's an empath. I was reasonably certain I could establish a link with her. Frankly, I was amazed when I saw how quickly she'd aged. Usually my receptacles survive for years. Picard: Receptacles? Alkar: Come now, Captain. Surely you can see there's a broader canvas here. If I came to these peace talks hindered by unwanted emotions, the Rekags and Seronians would be condemned to go on fighting Picard: You cannot explain away a wantonly immoral act because you think it is connected to some higher purpose. Alkar: Captain. do you know how many people have died on this planet in the last forty eight hours? Thousands. Deanna Troi is just one individual. Picard: That does not justify brutalizing her, nor any of the others you have used. Alkar: Ask the Seronian and Rekag children who go to bed each night in fear of their lives. Captain, I get no payment, I have no power base, no agenda. I am willing to risk my life simply to help others. Picard: Do you think that makes you appear courageous? Because you're mistaken. You're a coward, Alkar. You exploit the innocent because you're unwilling to shoulder the burdens of unpleasant emotions. Well, this time you will be held accountable. I'm taking you back to the Enterprise to release Counselor Troi. Alkar: I have no intention of releasing her now or ever. Liva: Alkar, everything is falling apart. You have to come now. Alkar: If you'll excuse me, Captain. Picard: Mister Worf. Alkar: I'm needed. Liva: You and your Security Chief will leave. Picard: Lock on to Alkar's signal. Bring him on board. Worf: Captain, I am sure the Seronians have re-activated their security field. Picard: Then work with Mister La Forge to find a way to break through it. I want that man on this ship. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: I'll be in Sickbay. Crusher: If Alkar is flooding her with this psychic waste, that would explain the high level of neurotransmitters. All these negative emotions pouring into her have caused an abnormal chemical response in her brain. Riker: Isn't there something you can do to counteract it? Crusher: Enzymic decontaminants will be able to reduce the level of the neurotransmitters, but I can't make any headway unless Alkar stops what he's doing. Picard: He has no intention of stopping. He feels perfectly justified in using her until she dies. Crusher: Then Deanna has to die. In order to save Deanna, Alkar has to break his link with her. And the only he'll do that is if she's no longer an adequate receptacle. When Maylor died, Alkar turned immediately to Deanna. Picard: If Deanna dies, and he breaks the link with her, then he will choose someone else, possibly someone from his own delegation. Riker: Wait a minute. You're talking about killing Deanna! Crusher: I'll be able to resuscitate her, Will, as long as it's not more than thirty minutes. The big question is, will that be enough time? Alkar has to establish a link with someone else before we revive Deanna, or else he might turn back to her. Picard: We must bear in mind that we'll be putting his next victim at risk. I want every possible security measure taken to protect that person. Riker: How will you? Crusher: I'll give her a hypospray of dylamadon. It's the gentlest way. Picard: Proceed, Doctor. Alkar: Well, my friend, an era of conflict and bloodshed appears to be over. Liva: Alkar. Jarth: What is it? Alkar: I'm fine. Just a little light-headed. Liva: You're exhausted. Jarth: Do you want a doctor? Alkar: No of course not. Picard: Enterprise to Ambassador Alkar. Respond, sir. Alkar: I'm here, Captain. Picard: Ambassador, You must return to the Enterprise immediately. Counselor Troi is dying. Picard: We are prepared to transport you from the surface whether you come willingly or not. Jarth: There are security force fields protecting us, Captain. Picard: They won't protect you any longer. Picard: Transporter room two, prepare to energize. Alkar: We're ready, Captain. Crusher: Computer, make a note. Death occurred at fourteen thirty hours from respiratory and renal failure. Alkar: Will you wait for me in my quarters? Liva: Of course. Alkar: It's a tragic loss, but her death had a purpose. Picard: I intend to make certain that you answer for what you have done. Alkar: Your own Federation Council has granted me safe and timely passage back to my planet. I expect you to honor that, Captain. Riker: How much longer do we have? Crusher: Three minutes and forty seconds. Picard: Picard to Transporter Room Two lock on to the young woman in Ambassador Alkar's quarters. We may have to transport her out of there. Chief: Yes, Captain. Picard: Mister Worf, I want you to station yourself outside her quarters. Worf: Aye, sir. Alkar: She helped me so much. Without her, I couldn't have accomplished what I did. Liva: I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do? Alkar: Yes, there is something. If we could share the funeral meditation. Crusher: We have a minute and a half left. Prepare a hypospray of cordrazine. We'll use that in conjunction with the cortical stimulator. Ogawa: Yes, Doctor. Alkar: Rohm gah sevi rohm. Rohm gah. Liva: Rohm gah sevi rohm. Rohm gah. Crusher: We can't wait any longer. Release the stasis field. Ten cc's of cordrazine. Ogawa: Yes, doctor. Crusher: Ten cc's cordrazine. Cortical stimulators. Now. Alkar: An end An end to pain. Liva: An end to pain. Crusher: Again. Ogawa: She has a pulse. Blood pressure climbing. Ninety over forty. Cortical activity approaching normal levels. Crusher: Let's neutralize the neurotransmitters. Initiate decontamination sequence. Ogawa: Levels are dropping, Doctor. Down to four hundred and twenty percent above normal. Three hundred and ninety percent. Picard: Picard to Transporter room three Crusher: Not yet. We won't know if it's working till the levels are below three hundred percent. Liva: Alkar! Alkar, what's wrong? Ogawa: Neurotransmitter levels are down to three hundred and ten percent. Two hundred and ninety percent. Crusher: Now. Picard: Picard to Transporter room three, energize. Liva: Let me go! Ogawa: Neurotransmitter levels are down to two hundred and thirty percent. Worf: Worf to Captain Picard. Ambassador Alkar is dead. Troi: Will. Riker: Beverly thinks Alkar must have been at a susceptible point in the meditation ceremony. He was vulnerable. Troi: Then the flow of negative emotions and feelings were reversed back to him somehow. Riker: That's our guess. Like a man with no immune system, he wasn't able to handle the overload. Troi: And Liva? Riker: She seems to be fine. He wasn't able to establish a link on her. Troi: Looking back on the past few days, it's as though I'm looking at a holodeck projection of someone else. Riker: That's how it seemed to all of us. Troi: Thanks for sticking by me. Riker: I always will. Even when you're old and gray.

Data: Captain, I have identified the signal. It is from the USS Jenolen, a Federation transport ship reported missing in this sector seventy five years ago. Riker: Code one alpha zero. Ship in distress. Picard: Take us out of warp, Ensign. All stop. Rager: Aye, sir. Picard: Report. Worf: We have entered a massive gravitational field, Captain. Data: There are no stars or other stellar bodies listed on our navigational charts. However, sensors indicate the presence of an extremely strong gravitational source in this vicinity. Picard: Can you localize the source of the gravitational field? Riker: Sensors? Data: I am having difficulty scanning the object. It appears to be approximately two hundred million kilometers in diameter. Riker: That's nearly as large as the Earth's orbit around the sun. Picard: Why didn't we detect this before now? Data: The object's enormous mass is causing a great deal of gravimetric interference. That might have prevented our sensors from detecting it before we dropped out of warp. Picard: Mister Data, could this be a Dyson Sphere? Data: The object does fit the general parameters of Dyson's theory. Riker: A Dyson Sphere? Picard: It's a very old theory, Number One. I'm not surprised that you haven't heard of it. In the twentieth century, a physicist called Freeman Dyson, postulated the theory that an enormous hollow sphere could be constructed around a star. This would have the advantage of harnessing all the radiant energy of that star. A population living on the interior surface would have virtually inexhaustible sources of power. Riker: Are you saying you think there are people living in there? Data: Possibly a great number of people, Commander. The interior surface area of a sphere this size is the equivalent of more than two hundred and fifty million class M planets. Worf: Sir, I have located the distress signal. It is coming from a point in the northern hemisphere. Picard: Ensign Rager, put us into synchronous orbit above that position. Rager: Aye, sir. Data: I have located the Jenolen, sir. It is impacted on the surface of the sphere. Picard: Magnify. Data: There are no life signs. However, there are several small power emanations, and life support is still functioning on minimal levels. Riker: Riker to Engineering. Geordi, join us in Transporter room three. Mister Worf. Riker: This air's pretty stale. Laforge: Life support is barely operating. Riker: See if you can increase the oxygen level. Worf: Aye, sir. Laforge: Commander. The transporter is still online. It's being fed power from the auxiliary systems. Riker: The rematerialization subroutine has been disabled. Laforge: That's not all. The phase inducers are connected to the emitter array. The override is completely gone and the pattern buffer's been locked into a continuous diagnostic cycle. Riker: This doesn't make any sense. Locking the unit in a diagnostic mode just sends the matter array through the pattern buffer. Why would anyone want to Laforge: There's a pattern in the buffer still. Riker: It's completely intact. There's less than point zero zero three percent signal degradation. How is that possible? Laforge: I don't know. I've never seen a transporter jury-rigged like this. Riker: Could someone survive inside a transporter buffer for seventy five years? Laforge: I know a way to find out. Scott: Thank you, lad. We've got to get Franklin out of there. Laforge: Someone else's pattern is still in the buffer? Scott: Aye, lad. Franklin. We went in together. Something's wrong. One of the inducers has failed. Boost the gain on the matter stream. Come on, Franklin. I know you're still in there. It's no use. His pattern's degraded fifty three percent. He's gone. Riker: I'm sorry. Scott: So am I. He was a good lad. Riker: I'm Commander William Riker, starship Enterprise. Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge. Scott: The Enterprise? I should have known. I bet Jim Kirk himself hauled the old girl out of mothballs to come looking for me. Captain Montgomery Scott. Tell me, how long have I been missing? Riker: Well Worf: Sir. I have restored life support. The oxygen levels will return to normal shortly. Riker: Captain Scott, Lieutenant Worf. Scott: Lieutenant? Worf: Yes. Riker: Captain, perhaps there are a few things we should talk about. Riker: We should probably get you to Sickbay. Doctor Crusher will want to Scott: You've changed the resonator array. Riker: Geordi, I think our guest is going to have a lot of engineering questions. Laforge: Not to worry, Commander. I'll take care of him, sir. Scott: What have you done with the duotronic enhancers? Laforge: Those were replaced with isolinear chips about forty years ago. It's a lot more efficient now. That's an EPS power tap. Scott: Ah. Laforge: So, you were saying earlier that you were on your way to the Norpin Colony when you had a warp engine failure? Scott: Aye, that's right. We had an overload in one of the plasma transfer conduits. The Captain brought us out of warp and we hit some gravimetric interference and then there it was, as big as life. Is that a conduit interface? Laforge: Yeah, it is. You were saying its big as life. You mean the Dyson Sphere? Scott: Aye, an actual Dyson Sphere. Can you imagine the engineering skills needed to even design such a structure? Laforge: Yeah, it's pretty amazing. So, what happened when you first approached it? Scott: Well, we began a standard survey of the surface, and we were just completing the initial orbital scan when our aft power coils suddenly exploded. The ship got caught in the sphere's gravity well and down we went. Franklin and I were the only ones to survive the crash. Laforge: Can I ask you a question? What in the world made you think of using the transporter pattern buffer to survive? Scott: Well, we didn't have enough supplies to wait for a rescue, so we had to think of something. Laforge: Yeah, but locking it into a diagnostic cycle so that the pattern wouldn't degrade, and then cross-connecting it phase inducers to provide a regenerative power source, that's absolutely brilliant. Scott: I think it was only fifty percent brilliant. Franklin deserved better. Laforge: I think you're going to enjoy the twenty fourth century, Mister Scott. We've made some pretty incredible advances these last eighty years. Scott: From what I've seen, you've got a fine ship, Mister La Forge. A real beauty here. I must admit to being a bit overwhelmed. Laforge: Wait until you see the holodeck. Crusher: You have a hairline fracture of the humorous. It will ache for a few days, but it should be fine. Scott: Thank you. Well, I'll say this about your Enterprise. The doctors are a fair sight prettier. Picard: I'm Jean-Luc Picard. Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Captain Scott. Scott: Thank you, sir, and call me Scotty. Picard: How are you feeling? Scott: I don't know. How am I feeling? Crusher: Other than a couple of bumps and bruises, I'd say you feel fine for a man of a hundred and forty seven. Scott: I don't feel a day over a hundred and twenty. Picard: I must say, I was little surprised when Commander Riker told me that you were aboard the Jenolen. Our records didn't show you listed as a member of the crew. Scott: Well, I was never actually a member of the crew. I was just a passenger. I was heading for Norpin Five to settle down and enjoy my retirement. Picard: I see. Well, I would very much enjoy the opportunity to hear you talk about your career. I'm sure you would have some fascinating insights into the events of your time. Scott: I'd be happy to. Picard: Good. Well, I look forward to it. Excuse me. Commander, we need to begin a full spectrographic analysis of the Dyson Sphere. Laforge: I'll get right on it, sir. Picard: Good. Once again, welcome on board, Captain. Scott: Sir. Laforge: I need to get down to Engineering and begin that analysis. Scott: Engineering? I thought you'd never ask. Crusher: Captain, the first thing you need to get is some rest. Now this has been a shock to your system, and I want you to not push yourself. Laforge: We're pretty busy down there, anyway, Captain Scott. I promise I'd be happy to give you a tour just as soon as the doctor says it's okay. Crusher: I'll have someone show you your quarters. Scott: Aye. Kane: This is the food replicator, and your computer terminal. Scott: Good Lord, man, where have you put me? Kane: These are standard guest quarters, sir. I can try and find something bigger if you want. Scott: Bigger? In my day, even an Admiral wouldn't have had such quarters on a starship. You know, I remember a time we had to transport the Dohlman of Elaas. You never heard anyone whine and complain so much about quarters as she did. Kane: The holodecks, Ten Forward, and the gymnasium are all at your disposal. The computer can tell you how to find them. Until we issue you a combadge, just use one of these panels if you need anything. Scott: You know, these quarters remind me of a hotel room on Argelius. Oh, now there is a planet. Everything a man wants right at his fingertips. Of course, on the first visit, I got into a wee bit of trouble. Kane: Excuse me, sir but I have to return to duty. Scott: Oh. Well then. Thank you. Laforge: I want you to shut down the warp engines and recalibrate the aft sensors while I work on the lateral array. Bartel: Aye, sir. Bartel: Can I help you, sir? Scott: Oh, I don't think so, lassie, but I'll let you know if you can. Bartel: Sir, this area is restricted to authorized personnel Laforge: Bartel, it's okay. I'll handle it. Captain Scott, this really isn't Scott: We're in Engineering. Call me Scotty. Laforge: Scotty, this really isn't a good time for a tour. We're running a phase seven survey of the Dyson Sphere. Scott: I'm not here for a tour, laddie. I'm here to help. Laforge: That's very kind, but I'm sure we can handle it. Scott: I was a Starfleet engineer for fifty two years, Mister La Forge. I think I'm still useful. Laforge: You're right. We'd be grateful for any help you can give us. Scott: Good. Let's get to work. Data: Sensor readings indicate the presence of a G-type star at the center of the sphere. There also appears to be a class-M atmosphere clinging to the interior surface. Picard: Is there any indication that the sphere is inhabited? Data: Not as yet, sir. Our preliminary data suggests it is still capable of supporting life. We have been unable to find definite signs of current habitation. Picard: Mister Data, send out a series of class-four probes to survey the far side of the sphere. Perhaps we'll have more luck with them. Data: Aye, sir. Laforge: Adjust the frequency stabilization on the main deflector dish. It's out of synch with the aft sensors. Scott: Laddie, you need to phase-lock the warp fields within three percent or they'll become unstable. Laforge: What? Scott: Well look here. The warp field is Laforge: We use a multiphase auto-containment field now. It's meant to operate above three percent. Scott: Oh. Well, that would make the difference. Bartel: We can re start the engines in ten minutes, Commander. Laforge: Thank you, Lieutenant. Scott: I remember a time when the old Enterprise was spiraling in toward Psi two thousand. Laforge: Thank you. Scott: The Captain wanted to try a cold start of the warp engines. I told him that without a proper phase lock it would take at least thirty minutes You canna change the laws of physics, I told him, but he wouldn't believe me, so I had to come up with a new engine start-up routine. Do you know that your dilithium crystals are going to fracture? Laforge: We recomposite the crystals while they're still inside the articulation frame. Look, Mister Scott, I'd love to explain everything to you, but the Captain wants this spectrographic analysis done by thirteen hundred hours. Scott: Do you mind a little advice? Starfleet captains are like children. They want everything right now and they want it their way, but the secret is to give them only what they need, not what they want. Laforge: Yeah, well I told the Captain I'd have this analysis done in an hour. Scott: How long will it really take? Laforge: An hour. Scott: You didn't tell him how long it would really take, did you? Laforge: Of course I did. Scott: Oh, laddie, you've got a lot to learn if you want people to think of you as a miracle worker. Now listen Laforge: Captain Scott. I've tried to be patient, I've tried to be polite. But I've got a job to do here, and quite frankly, you're in the way. Scott: I was driving starships while your great-grandfather was still in diapers. I'd think you'd be a little grateful for a some help. I'll leave ye to work, Mister La Forge. Waiter: May I help you, sir? Scott: Aye, lad. Scotch, neat. Waiter: There you go, sir. Scott: Thank you. Scott: What in blazes is this? Waiter: Didn't you order Scotch? Scott: Laddie, I was drinking Scotch a hundred years before you were born and I can tell you that whatever this is, it is definitely not Scotch. Data: I believe I may be of some assistance. Captain Scott is unaware of the existence of synthehol. Scott: Synthehol? Data: Yes, sir. It is an alcohol substitute now being served aboard starships. It simulates the appearance, taste and smell of alcohol, but the intoxicating affects can be easily dismissed. Scott: You're not quite human, are you? Data: No, sir. I am an android. Lieutenant Commander Data. Scott: Synthetic Scotch, synthetic commanders. Data: I believe Guinan does keep a limited supply of non-syntheholic products. Perhaps one of them would be to your liking. Scott: What is it? Data: It is It is It is green. Scott: Ah! Computer: Please enter program. Scott: The android at the bar said you could show me my old ship. Let me see it. Computer: Insufficient data. Please specify parameters. Scott: The Enterprise. Show me the Bridge of the Enterprise, you chattering piece of Computer: There have been five Federation ships with that name. Please specify by registry number. Scott: NCC One Seven Oh One. No bloody A, B, C, or D. Computer: Program complete. Enter when ready. Scott: Here's to you, lads. Picard: I hope I'm not interrupting. I was just coming off duty and I wanted to see how you were doing. Scott: Not at all, not at all. Have a drink with me, Captain. Picard: Thank you. Scott: I don't know what it is, exactly, but I would be real careful. It's real Picard: Aldebaran whiskey. Who do you think gave it to Guinan? Scott: Ah. Picard: Constitution class. Scott: Aye. You're familiar with them? Picard: There's one in the Fleet museum, but then of course, this is your Enterprise? Scott: I actually served on two. This was the first. She was also the first ship I ever served on as Chief Engineer. You know, I served aboard eleven ships. Freighters, cruisers, starships, but this is the only one I think of. The only one I miss. Picard: The first ship I ever served aboard as Captain was called the Stargazer. It was an overworked, underpowered vessel, always on the verge of flying apart at the seams. In every measurable sense, my Enterprise is far superior. But there are times when I would give almost anything to command the Stargazer again. Scott: It's like the first time you fall in love. You don't ever love a woman quite like that again. Well, to the Enterprise and the Stargazer. Old girlfriends we'll never meet again. Picard: What do you think of the Enterprise D? Scott: She's a beauty, with a good crew. Picard: But? Scott: But. When I was here, I could tell you the speed that we were traveling by the feel of the deckplates. But on your ship, I feel like I'm just in the way. Picard: Seventy five years is a long time. If you would care to study some technical schematics or Scott: I'm not eighteen. I can't start out like a raw cadet. No, there comes a time when a man finds that he can't fall in love again. He knows that it's time to stop. I don't belong on your ship. I belong on this one. This was my home. This is where I had a purpose. But it's not real. It's just a computer generated fantasy. And I'm just an old man who's trying to hide in it. Computer, shut this bloody thing off. It's time I acted my age. Picard: Come. Picard: Mister La Forge, I understand that before the Jenolen crashed, it had conducted an extensive survey of the Dyson sphere. Have we been able to access any of those records? Laforge: We did try to download their memory core, but it was pretty heavily damaged in the crash. We actually haven't been able to get much out of it. Picard: Perhaps Captain Scott could be of use in accessing that material. Laforge: It's possible. He does know those systems better than any of us. I'll have Lieutenant Bartel beam down with him. Picard: Mister La Forge, I would like you to accompany Captain Scott. Laforge: Me, sir? Picard: Yes. Look, this is not an order, it's a request and it's one which you must feel perfectly free to decline. You see, one of the most important things in a person's life is to feel useful. Now, Mister Scott is a Starfleet officer and I would like him to feel useful again. Laforge: I'll go with him, sir. Picard: Thank you. Data: Commander, I believe I have found something on the sphere which could be a communications device. There's an antenna array approximately four hundred thousand kilometers south of our present position. It is emitting low intensity subspace signals. Riker: Can you open a channel? Data: No, sir, not from our present orbit. The array is currently directed away from us. Riker: Ensign, prepare to put us in orbit above those coordinates. Captain Picard to the Bridge, please. Laforge: Are you feeling all right? Scott: Never get drunk unless you're willing to pay for it the next day. I'll manage. Laforge: Okay. Energize. Data: Sensors indicate that the large circle is a portal or airlock, possibly leading to the interior of the sphere. Riker: This looks like the front door. Should we ring the bell? Picard: Mister Worf, open a channel to that communications array. Worf: Aye, sir. Data: Some type of tractor beam has locked onto us. Riker: Helm, get us out of here! Rager: We've lost main power. Auxiliary power down to twenty percent. Worf: We're being pulled inside. Rager: Auxiliary power failing. Data: The resonance frequency of the tractor beams is incompatible with our power systems. Warp and impulse engine relays have been overloaded. I am attempting to compensate. Rager: The tractor beams have released us, sir. Riker: Hold position here until we can get our bearings. Picard: Full sensor sweep, Mister Data. Where are we? Data: Approximately ninety million kilometers from the star's photosphere. I am reading a great deal of surface instability. It may be Rager: Sir! The inertial motion from the tractor beams is still carrying us forward. Impulse engines are offline and I can't stop our momentum. We're falling directly into the star. Scott: The primary computer database should be online now. Give it a try. Laforge: Okay. I've got three access lines to the central core. Still nothing. Scott: Bunch of old, useless, garbage. Laforge: Huh? Scott: I say it's old, Mister La Forge. It can't handle the interface of your power converter. This equipment was designed for a different era. Now it's just a piece of junk. Laforge: I don't know. It seems like some of it's held together pretty well. Scott: A century out of date. It's just obsolete. Laforge: Well you know, that's interesting because I was just thinking that a lot of these systems haven't changed much in the last seventy five years. This transporter is basically the same system we use on the Enterprise. Subspace radio and sensors still operate under the same basic principle. Impulse engine design hasn't changed much in the last two hundred years. If it wasn't for all the structural damage, this ship might still be in service today. Scott: Maybe so, but when they can build ships like your Enterprise, who'd want to pilot an old bucket like this? Laforge: I don't know. If this ship were operational I bet she'd run circles around the Enterprise at impulse speeds. Just because something's old doesn't mean you throw it away. Scott: We used to have something called a dynamic mode converter. You wouldn't have something like that on your Enterprise would you? Laforge: I haven't seen anything like that in a long time, but I bet I might be able to come up with something similar. La Forge to Enterprise. La Forge to Enterprise, come in, please. Scott: Interference? Laforge: No, they're gone. Data: We will enter the sun's photosphere in three minutes. Picard: Maneuvering thrusters? Riker: I've got thirty percent power. It won't be enough to stop us. Picard: No, but it may be enough to turn us into orbit, hold our distance from the photosphere. Ensign, port thrusters ahead full, starboard thrusters back full. Data: Our flight path is changing. Right ten point seven degrees, sir. Insufficient to clear the photosphere. Riker: Lieutenant Bartel, divert all power from auxiliary relay systems to the maneuvering thrusters. Bartel: Aye, sir. Rager: We're in orbit, Captain. Our altitude is one hundred fifty thousand kilometers. Riker: I'll see about getting main power back online. Picard: Very well. Mister Data, begin a scan of the interior surface for life forms. I want to know who brought us in here and why. Data: Aye, sir. Laforge: I can't find them anywhere in orbit. Scott: They could've crashed into the sphere like the Jenolen. Laforge: No, we'd be picking up background radiation if they'd gone down. Scott: There's another possibility. They could be inside the sphere. Laforge: Maybe. Whatever happened, we've got to find them. If we can get these engines back online, we could track them with their impulse ion trail. Scott: Are ye daft? The main drive assembly's shot, the inducers are melted, and the power couplings are wrecked. We'd need a week just to get started. But we don't have a week, so there's no sense in crying about it. Come on, We'll see what we can do with your power converter. Data: The sphere appears to be abandoned. Sensors show that the star is extremely unstable. It is experiencing severe bursts of radiation and matter expulsions. Picard: Then that would explain why they abandoned it. But if there's no one still living there, how were we brought inside? Data: I believe we triggered a series of automatic piloting beams designed to guide ships into the sphere. Worf: Sir, Sensors show a large magnetic disturbance on the star's surface. Data: It is a solar flare, Captain. Magnitude twelve, class B. Picard: Shields? Worf: Shields are up, but only at twenty three percent. Data: The star has entered a period of increased activity. Sensors indicate that the solar flares will continue to grow. In three hours, our shields will no longer be sufficient to protect us, sir. Scott: Shunt the deuterium from the main cryo-pump to the auxiliary tank. Laforge: The tank can't withstand that kind of pressure. Scott: Where'd you get that idea? Laforge: What do you mean, where did I get that idea? It's in the impulse engine specifications. Scott: Regulation forty two slash fifteen, pressure variances on IRC tank storage? Laforge: Yeah. Scott: Forget it. I wrote it. A good engineer is always a wee bit conservative, at least on paper. Just bypass the secondary cut-off valve and boost the flow. It'll work. Laforge: Okay. Scott: If we've done our jobs properly, the engines should be coming back online about now. Laforge: Hey, you were right. The auxiliary tank is holding. Scott: Take the Bridge, Commander. Laforge: Oh, no, you're the senior officer here. Scott: I may be captain by rank, but I never wanted to be anything else but an engineer. Laforge: All right. Worf: Shields still holding, sir, but they are down another fifteen percent. Picard: Mister Worf, can we use the phasers to open a hole in the sphere? Worf: No, sir. The exterior shell is composed of carbon neutronium. Our weapons would be ineffective. Picard: Mister Data, we have to find some way out of here. Begin scanning for another hatch or portal that might still be open. Data: The interior surface area is over ten to the sixteenth square kilometers. It will take seven hours to completely scan the surface. Data: I will endeavor to speed up the process, sir. Scott: The Enterprise ion trail leads right to this point. Laforge: It looks like some kind of doorway. Scott: I'll bet you two bottles of Scotch that they're inside the sphere and that they went in right through that hatch. Laforge: No bet here. The question is how? Scott: Look at the momentum distribution of the ions. It would take an impulse engine at full reverse to put out a signature like that. Laforge: So they didn't go in willingly. This looks like some kind of communications array. Scott: Aye. We found hundreds of them when we did our initial survey seventy five years ago. Laforge: Did you try hailing them? Scott: Aye. That was standard procedure at the time. We did it right before we crashed. Laforge: Hailing is standard procedure today, too. Scotty, what if those aren't communications arrays? What if they're access terminals which are triggered by subspace signals on certain frequencies. Scott: Frequencies like our standard ship's hail. Laforge: Exactly. The Enterprise, when they saw that terminal, they probably did the same thing you did seventy five years ago. Opened a channel. Only this time they triggered something that activated that hatch and pulled the ship inside the sphere. Scott: Very nice piece of reasoning, laddie. Nice indeed. Laforge: Yeah. We could probably trigger the hatch ourselves, only we'd get pulled in like they were. Scott: Maybe all we need to do is to get our foot in the door. We might not be pulled inside when the hatch opens if we keep our distance from the sphere. Say, half million kilometers. Then when the hatch starts to close, we move in and we use the Jenolen to jam the hatch open, hoping that the Enterprise will escape. Laforge: You can't be serious. That hatch is huge. It'll crush this ship like an egg. Scott: Geordi, the shields will hold. Don't worry about that. I can get a few extra gigawatts out of these babies. Laforge: Scotty, it's crazy. Scott: Geordi. I have spent my whole life trying to figure out crazy ways of doing things. I'm telling you, as one engineer to another, I can do this. Laforge: All right. Let's do it. Laforge: We're at five hundred thousand kilometers. Scott: Engines are ready. Laforge: Okay. Here we go. Laforge: Come on. There's nothing out here. Give it up. Laforge: That's it. Let's go! Full impulse. Worf: Sir, there is an audio message from Commander La Forge. Laforge: La Forge to Enterprise, do you read me? Picard: Go ahead, Commander. We read you. Laforge: We're using the Jenolen to hold open the hatch that you came through, but our shields aren't going to hold out much longer. Picard: Understood. Ensign, set a course. Scott: The plasma intercooler's gone. The engines are overheating. Laforge: I've lost helm control. La Forge to Enterprise. Captain, we're not going to be able to move this ship out of the way when you get here. Laforge: You're going to have to destroy it in order to escape. Picard: How much longer before we reach them? Data: With impulse engines operating at sixty percent power, it will take one minute and forty seconds. Picard: Bridge to Transporter room three. Prepare to beam two from the Jenolen as soon as we're within range. Scott: It's coming apart, Lad. I can't do anything else. Worf: Photon torpedoes armed and ready, sir. Data: We are within transporter range. Picard: Bridge to Transporter room. Energize. Chief: Aye, sir. Picard: Fire torpedoes. Scott: There now, that wasn't so bad, was it? Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46125.3. Starfleet has dispatched two science vessels to study the Dyson Sphere while we proceed to Starbase fifty five. Laforge: So, this alien space baby, which was about the size of a four story building, really thought the Enterprise was its mother. Scott: You're pulling an old man's leg. Laforge: No, really. It was suckling power directly from the ship's fusion reactors, so Doctor Brahms and I changed the power frequency from twenty one centimeters to point oh two centimeters. Scott: You soured the milk. Laforge: That's right. Scott: Enjoy these times, Geordi. You're the chief engineer of a starship, and it's a time of your life that'll never come again. When it's gone, it's gone. Now, lad, I thought you were going to buy me a drink in Ten Forward. Laforge: Actually, I had a better idea. Scott: You're giving me one of your shuttles? Picard: Well, call it an extended loan. Since you lost your ship saving ours, it seemed only fair. Riker: She's not much to look at. Scott: Laddie, every woman has her own charm. You just have to know where to look for it. Laforge: She's a little slow, but she'll certainly get you to the Norpin colony. If that's really where you want to go. Scott: The Norpin Colony is for old men to retire. Maybe someday I'll end up there, but not yet. Picard: Well, bon voyage, Mister Scott. Scott: Thank you, sir, for everything. Data: Mister Scott. Troi: Goodbye. Scott: Bye, bye. Riker: Scotty. Scott: Thank you. Crusher: Bye. Be well. Scott: A good crew. Laforge: Yeah, they are. Scott: A fine ship. A credit to her name. But I've always found that a ship is only as good as the engineer who takes care of her, and from what I can see the Enterprise is in good hands. Laforge: You take care of yourself out there. Scott: Aye.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46154.2. The Enterprise has entered the Amargosa Diaspora, an unusually dense globular cluster. We are faced with the daunting task of charting this vast region. Laforge: Lieutenant Shipley, let's get a triangulation on these sector points. Shipley: Aye, sir. Riker: Sorry I'm late. I overslept again. What have we got? Laforge: Well, the cluster's a lot more dense than we thought. It's going to take three days just to map out one tenth of it. Riker: Three days? Laforge: I think we've found a way to speed that up a bit. We've been testing a way of channeling warp energy directly to the main deflector grid. It should enhance the long range sensors. Data: The modification would increase our sensor efficiency and imaging resolution by twenty five percent or more. Riker: That sounds like that'll use up a lot of warp energy. Laforge: We'd channel it through the EPS mains on deck four, near Cargo bay four. Riker: Okay, let's give it a try. Laforge: Data, let's get those field taps online. Data: Commander, I would like to remind you about my poetry reading this afternoon. Riker: I wouldn't miss it for the world. Laforge: I can't wait to see what he's come up with. Data: Then we sat on the sand for some time and observed How the oceans that cover the world were perturbed By the tides from the orbiting moon overhead 'How relaxing the sound of the waves is,' you said. I began to expound upon tidal effects When you asked me to stop, looking somewhat perplexed. So I did not explain why the sunset turns red And we watched the occurrence, in silence, instead. Data: That poem was written in anapaestic tetrameter. For my ninth poem, Riker: I don't understand. I can barely keep my eyes open. Data: Throughout the ages, from Keats to Jorkemo, poets have composed odes to individuals who have had a profound effect on their lives. In keeping with that tradition, I have written my next poem in honor of my cat. I call it Ode to Spot. Felis catus is your taxonomic nomenclature. An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature. Your visual, olfactory, and auditory senses Contribute to your hunting skill and natural defenses. I find myself intrigued by your subvocal oscillations. A singular development of cat communications That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection, For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection. A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents. You would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance. And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion It often serves to illustrate the state of your emotions. Data: Commander, you have anticipated my denouement. However, the sentiment is appreciated. I will continue. Oh, Spot, the complex levels of behavior you display Connote a fairly well developed cognitive array. And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend. Riker: I have no problem getting to sleep. Then I think I'm sleeping all night. When I wake up, I feel exhausted. Crusher: How long has this been going on? Riker: Two, three days. Do you have to hold that thing that close? I'm sorry. I've been on edge all day. Crusher: Well. other than some muscle tension in your neck, I don't see anything physically wrong with you. Have you been having bad dreams? Riker: Not that I can remember. Crusher: This could be the result of lack of REM sleep. Riker: What do you recommend? Crusher: Drink this before going to bed. Riker: What is it? Crusher: A recipe for a warm milk toddy. Riker: A hot milk toddy? You're kidding. Crusher: The heat activates amino acids in the lactose, making it a natural sedative. Besides, this is a recipe of the Captain's Aunt Adelle. It's delicious. Riker: Well. at this point, I'll try anything. Crusher: And listen, if it still bothers you tomorrow, come and see me and I'll run further tests. Riker: Thanks. Laforge: Everything's in place. Warp grid couplers, subspace field taps. All right, let's do it. Lieutenant Shipley, initiate warp power transfer. Shipley: Aye sir. Verifying sensor calibration. EPS mains holding stable. Sensor array online. Laforge: Come on, work. Data: Geordi, active scanner output has increased by twenty six percent. Laforge: Inform Astrophysics that the new La Forge sensor array is online and awaiting major scientific discoveries. Shipley: Yes, sir. Data: Geordi, may I make a personal inquiry? It concerns my poetry reading. Laforge: Sure, Data. What is it? Data: I noticed that many spectators seemed distracted during my presentation. Was my poetry uninteresting? Laforge: Well, it was very well constructed, a virtual tribute to form. Data: Thank you. And? Laforge: And what? Data: Did it evoke an emotional response? Laforge: Well. Data: Your hesitation suggests you are trying to protect my feelings. However, since I have none, I would prefer you to be honest. An artist's growth depends upon accurate feedback. Laforge: Well, your poems were clever, Data, and your Haiku was clever, and your sonnet was clever. But did it evoke an emotional response? To be honest, no, I don't think so. Data: Then I did not succeed in my efforts. Laforge: No, it's not that you didn't succeed. You accomplished a lot, but, if you want to touch people, don't concentrate so much on rhyme and meter. Think more about what you want to say instead of how you're saying it. Laforge: That's the power grid warning. Data: I am reading a massive EPS explosion. Laforge: Where? Data: I am attempting to localize it. It is Cargo bay four. Laforge: I've got three people in there. Damage control, medical team to Cargo bay four. Let's go. Data: The field imbalance has subsided. Worf: There may still be a residual discharge. Stand clear. Engineer: Is there something wrong, sir? Laforge: And there's no evidence of an EPS explosion. Riker: Sensors seemed to think there was. Laforge: I think my modification to the sensor array may have caused a pattern recognition failure. Riker: Just a sensor glitch? Laforge: That's my guess. Riker: Let's perform a level three diagnostic on the internal sensor network and make sure that we haven't overlooked anything. Laforge: Aye, sir. Riker: Could we pick this up in the morning, Geordi? Get a fresh start? Would you do me a favor? Stop by my quarters, oh seven hundred hours. I'm having trouble waking up. Laforge: Sure, Commander. Goodnight. Riker: Goodnight. Crewman: Commander. Laforge: Gordon. Riker: Who is it? Laforge: It's La Forge. Riker: Come in. Laforge: Good morning. Riker: Morning? I just went to bed. Laforge: Commander, it's oh seven hundred hours. Mot: She said, if they're not squirming, we won't eat 'em! Mot: Ah, Mister Worf, my good Klingon. Sir, welcome. What a pleasure it is to have you with us again so soon. So, Lieutenant, haircut today? Trim your beard? Worf: I would like my hair trimmed. Mot: Ah. A trim, of course. Worf: Not like last time. Mot: Oh no, just a little off the top. I took way too much off last time. I was just telling my colleague, Mister Setti, how thick and luxuriant Klingon hair is. It's such a pleasure to cut. Sometimes I get carried away. All those away missions, the wind and dry air, the elements really are harsh on the hair. I'd like to suggest that you start using a conditioning agent. Mot: I promise, not too much off the top. Laforge: Just before the grid alarm sounded, we were running warp power through this junction. Somehow, it must've tripped the internal scanners. Riker: And it showed up as an EPS explosion? Laforge: Yes, but the question is, why? I've made modifications to the sensors before but nothing like this has ever happened. Riker: We can't waste time chasing down sensor ghosts. We should probably keep the whole array offline until we can get take a closer look. Laforge: Excuse me. Riker: I know the feeling. The past few nights, it seems like as soon as my head hits the pillow, it's time to get up in the morning. Laforge: I'm sure we could all use a little shore leave after this survey's completed. Riker: Definitely. Keep me posted? Laforge: Yeah. Data, I'm wondering if you could give me a hand. I need to run a structural integrity scan. I want to make sure that none of the conduit was Data: What is it? Laforge: This is the second time today that my visor's just cut out like that. Data: Are you all right, Geordi? Laforge: I don't know. I just had a very weird feeling. Maybe I should go to Sickbay. Data: I will run the integrity scan. Laforge: Thanks, Data. Crusher: This is curious. There's a slight bacterial infection around your neural inputs. It was probably interrupting the data stream. Laforge: An infection? From what? Crusher: It doesn't match any bacterial strains on record. I'm going to have to sterilize the area. But I need to run a resonance tissue scan to search for any signs of additional infection. Come over here. Sit down. Now, come forward. Now, you're going to need to hold very still. Laforge: How's the scan going, Data? Data: I have just started the scan. Did you not go to Sickbay? Laforge: Data, I've been there for over an hour and a half. Data: That is not possible. My internal chronometer indicates you have been gone for exactly one minute, fifteen seconds. Laforge: I'm telling you, Data, I've been gone for over an hour. Data: Computer, what is the time, please? Computer: The time is fourteen twenty seven hours. Data: You are correct. Ninety two minutes, seventeen seconds have passed since you left the room. Laforge: What have you been doing all this time? Data: I have no memory of events during that period. When we are finished here, I will perform a self-diagnostic. Laforge: You know, first we picked up a false EPS explosion, then my visor cuts out twice, and now you lose an hour, all in the Cargo Bay. La Forge to Engineering I want a diagnostic team to Cargo bay four immediately. Shipley: On our way, sir. Riker: Ensign Rager, cartography needs a better position to study cluster FGC thirteen. Bring us about, heading one twenty three mark four. Rager: Aye sir. Helm won't lock to those coordinates, sir. Riker: First time navigating through a globular cluster, Ensign? You have got to compensate for gravimetric interference before Rager: Is there something wrong, sir? Riker: No. I don't know. Put us back on our original heading, Ensign. Laforge: Don't tell me. This can't be right. Data, come here and take a look at this, would you? I think we have another sensor glitch. Data: Sensors are functioning normally. They are detecting a subspace particle emission originating from within this room. Laforge: From within this room? That's impossible. Data: The emission is emanating from this direction. Geordi. Data: The structure of the bulkhead has been altered on a subatomic level. The metal itself is in a state of quasi-molecular flux. Picard: What's causing it? Laforge: This is where it gets a little wild, Captain. Behind that panel is a junction we were using to transfer warp power to the sensor array. We're reading a subspace particle stream emanating from that junction. Data: It appears to be composed of spatially inverted tetryon particles. We believe they are emanating from a tertiary subspace manifold. Picard: But I thought that tetryons were unstable in normal space. Laforge: We don't understand it either, sir. Something from that deep in subspace shouldn't be able to exist in our universe. But there it is. Picard: Does it pose a danger to the ship? Laforge: Not unless it spreads. If it does, we can beam the bulkhead into space and erect a forcefield in its place. Picard: Well, keep that option ready. In the meantime, proceed with the analysis. Laforge: Aye, sir. Riker: When I sat down at the console, it triggered a response like I had been trapped. I had to get out of there. Troi: Was it something about the console itself? Riker: No. I felt like I was disconnected. Like it was something I had dreamed. Troi: You're the third person today who's come to me with something like this. An intense emotional response provoked by an object. Riker: Did any of them know why they'd the response? Troi: No, they couldn't explain it any more than you could. You know, at this point I'm not willing to say it's coincidence. Riker: Maybe we should all get together. Troi: Talking about it would help you understand your response. I'm going to find out if anyone else on the ship has had these kind of experiences. Troi: Will, you told me you had an unusual experience when you sat down at the console. Why don't you describe it? Riker: It was vague, the way you recall a dream. I remember the sensation of feeling trapped and something about a smooth surface. Worf: I had a similar response, but to a pair of scissors. Troi: Have you dreamt about scissors recently? Worf: I may have. I do not have a distinct memory of it. Laforge: When my visor cut out in the cargo bay, I had a weird feeling too. It was something about a smooth surface. It was smooth and cold, Yeah, it was cold. Kaminer: Yes, cold. Worf: It was elevated? A platform. Laforge: Right. Like a bench, or a table Troi: It seems you've all had a similar experience. Is there anything else you remember besides a table? Riker: Maybe there's a way we can all help ourselves to remember more. Troi: Well, you all remember a table, so let's start with that. Computer show me a table. Computer: There are five thousand forty seven classifications of tables on file. Specify design parameters. Troi: Can you be more specific about the table? You mentioned it was smooth and cold. Can you remember what shape it was? Kaminer: Long. It was long. Laforge: Yeah, and it had a rectangular shape. Troi: Computer, show me a rectangular conference table. Laforge: It's too high. Computer, reduce the height of the table by twenty five percent. Worf: No, the table was smaller. And it was inclined. Computer, decrease the table's surface area by twenty percent and incline the top fifteen degrees. Riker: No, it wasn't made of wood. It was smoother, more metallic. Troi: Computer, make this a metal table. Laforge: Yeah, that's starting to look right. Troi: Was there anything else in the room? Furniture? Chairs? A door? Other people? Kaminer: No, it was dark. Riker: Yes, it was dark. I couldn't see beyond the table. Troi: Computer, lower the surrounding light level. Laforge: There was a light right in my face. A bright light. Computer, give me a bright light right above the table. Computer: Specify light source. Laforge: I couldn't tell. It was above me. An overhead lamp. Computer: Estimated distance of light source. Laforge: I don't know. It was at least two or three meters above. Brighter. Brighter. Troi: You said you were uneasy when you sat down at the conn. position. Riker: Yes. I felt trapped by the console. But it wasn't like this. There was something else here. Troi: A restraint of some kind? Riker: Yes, there was a restraint. It was flat and metal. It was made of metal. it came down over my legs. No, no, it was across my chest, right here. Troi: It was holding you down? Riker: Yes, it was part of the table. It was here. It was right here. Troi: Computer, create a restraining arm attached to the right side of the table, at the mid-point. Troi: Was it like that? Riker: Computer, put controls on the restraining arm. A control panel. Lights. Kaminer: There was something else there. Over the head of the table. A metal swing arm. Computer, create a metal swing arm, double jointed, total length one meter. Connect it to the head of the table. Worf: There was something attached to it. A tool of some sort. Scissor-like. Computer, produce a pair of scissors attached to the armature. The handle is wrong. It was not scissors. Computer, make the handle a single grip ten centimeters long, solid metal. Now make one blade longer, curved inward. And give the other blade a jagged edge. Troi: All right, you were lying on the table. You had a bright light shining in your eyes. Were there any smells in the room? Were there any sounds? Riker: Yes. Yes, there was a sound. Computer, there were noises coming from the darkness. Strange, like whispering. Kaminer: More like clicks. Clicking sounds. Riker: Louder. Faster. More of them. Laforge: I've been in this room before. Riker: We've all been here before. Crusher: Here it is again. Something has caused high levels of serotonin to be produced in Geordi's visual cortex. When I examined him earlier today, I thought it was the result of a bacterial infection, but now I'm finding the same thing in all three. They all have elevated levels of serotonin. It's concentrated in the hippocampus, which suggests that they've been exposed to a neuro-sedative. And that's not all. I have detected minute tetryon particle traces in their subdermal tissues. Picard: Tetryons? Like the emissions in the cargo bay. Data: I have completed my self diagnostic, and have confirmed that I was not aboard the Enterprise for ninety minutes seventeen seconds yesterday afternoon. Laforge: Are you sure? Data: Whenever I am on the ship, the warp field leaves an electromagnetic signal on my internal servo-fluid system. Between the period of twelve fifty four and fourteen twenty six hours that signature is missing. Picard: Computer, are there any members of the crew of the Enterprise missing? Computer: There are two crewmembers unaccounted for. Picard: Identify them. Computer: Lieutenant Edward Hagler and Ensign Sariel Rager. Picard: When did they leave? Computer: They have not been present since twenty three thirty two hours. Picard: How did they leave? Computer: Method of departure unknown. Picard: Picard to Bridge. Crewman: Bridge here, Captain. Picard: Raise shields. And I want a level four security alert. I need to know if anyone comes on or off this ship. Crewman: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister La Forge, Mister Data. I believe that if we find the source of those tetryon emissions, we'll find the missing crewmembers. Laforge: We're on it, sir. Medic: Doctor Crusher? You'd better take a look at this. Crusher: My God. Riker: What is it? Crusher: It looks as though your arm has been severed and then reattached. Riker: What? Crusher: The skeletal structure in your radius and ulna is offset by point zero two microns. Your arm has been amputated then surgically reattached. Laforge: Any progress with the analysis, Lieutenant? Shipley: Take a look at this. Laforge: Data, the tetryon emissions have intensified. They seem to be focusing in this direction, coalescing here. They're reading as a point of subspace energy. Data: It appears to be the beginnings of a spatial rupture. Laforge: The tetryon emissions are modulating in a way that looks like somebody's controlling the energy. You know, the signals from the modifications I made to the sensor array, some of them dig pretty deep into subspace. Maybe they caught somebody's attention. Data: At the rate the rupture is expanding, we will soon be in danger of hull breach. Laforge: Maybe we should try surrounding it with a subspace containment field. Riker: Other than the tetryon emissions in cargo bay four, our internal sensors haven't recorded anything unusual in the past three days. Picard: Initiate a metallurgical analysis of the ship's hull. Subspace field incursions may have left a trace. Worf: Captain, sensors indicate that Lieutenant Hagler has returned to the Enterprise. He is in his quarters, deck seven, section nineteen. Crusher: Computer, emergency entry, Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher. Crusher: Crusher to Sickbay. Get a plasma infusion unit to deck seven, section nineteen. Crusher: His blood is turning into a liquid polymer. Laforge: We've set up a containment field in cargo bay four, but the rupture just keeps expanding. I'd say we've got another five or six hours before it breaches the hull. Picard: Can we still beam the affected sections out into space? Data: No, sir. The spatial rupture is creating severe nucleonic interference. It is impossible to obtain a positive lock on the bulkheads. Picard: Has your analysis suggested any way in which we might seal this rupture? Laforge: We think we can close the rupture by neutralizing the tetryon emissions with a coherent graviton pulse. But we'd have to do that at the source. Riker: How do we find the source? Laforge: Good question. The emissions are coming from a tertiary subspace domain, but subspace has an infinite number of domains. It's like a huge honeycomb with an endless number of cells. We need to isolate the exact cell that these emissions are coming from. Picard: If someone homed onto the subspace signals created by our modified signal array, could we do the same to them? Track the tetryon emissions to their universe? Data: Tetryon particles have a random momentum. Our sensors cannot track them, sir. Worf: Perhaps we could construct a homing device. Something that our sensors could track. Laforge: That's a good idea, but there's no way to get that device to the source. Riker: Yes, there is. Give it to me. They've taken me for the last few nights. If I'm right, the same thing'll happen tonight. Laforge: If you had a homing device, we could track it to your location in subspace. And as soon as they send you back to the ship, we could transmit the graviton pulse and neutralize the tetryon emissions. Troi: If they send him back. Ensign Rager still hasn't been returned. Riker: They're going to take me whether I want to go or not. Picard: Well, we could wait as long as possible for you to be returned, Number One, but when the spatial ruptures begin to threaten the ship, then we would have to transmit that graviton pulse. Riker: Understood. Picard: Perhaps there's a way that we could give you an advantage. A way of keeping you conscious after they have taken you. Doctor, can you develop some counter-agent to the neuro-sedative that they have been giving the crew? Crusher: I could give you a neuro-stimulant, but the dosage would have to be rather high to counteract the effects. It could be risky. Riker: I'm willing to take that risk. Picard: Make it so. Mister La Forge, begin work on that homing device. Crusher: This should be enough to ward off their neuro-sedative for about twelve hours. Riker: I hope it's enough. Crusher: It's going to have to be. I can't risk giving you a higher dosage. Laforge: I've locked this tricorder into a continuous cycle. That way, it'll keep recording whether you open it or not. Hopefully you can bring back some information about their domain. We've modified a sensor relay emitter to transmit a subspace beacon. When this indicator lights up, it means that we've locked onto your location. Riker: Understood. Worf: Captain. Commander Riker has been taken from the Enterprise. Picard: Mister La Forge, report. Laforge: I still can't locate the homing signal. We've covered the entire upper subspace energy band. We're extending the scan to adjacent levels. Picard: Mister Data, your status? Data: The rupture has expanded another four point two percent. Data: Without further reinforcement, containment field integrity will fail in approximately fourteen minutes. Picard: Can you divert more power to the containment field? Laforge: I can try to augment the field with auxiliary power, but it won't be much. Picard: Make it so. Laforge: Aye, sir. Laforge: Captain, I've located the homing signal. Locking onto it now. It's coming from a subspace energy level of sixteen point two keV. Picard: Stand by to initiate the graviton pulse. Shipley: Graviton emitters at full power, sir. Standing by. Picard: Mister Data, how much time? Data: At the present rate, containment failure will occur in approximately nine minutes. Data: Captain, the containment field is beginning to fluctuate. Failure anticipated in Data: Three minutes, eleven seconds. Picard: We can't afford to wait any longer. Begin the graviton pulse. Laforge: Initiating pulse now. Data: Data to Engineering. The graviton pulse is having an effect. Tetryon emissions have decreased by nineteen percent. Data: Captain, additional subharmonics have appeared. They are reinforcing the tetryon emissions. They appear to be counter-acting the graviton pulse. Data: The rupture is beginning to expand again, sir. Laforge: Looks like somebody is fighting back. Picard: Can you strengthen the graviton pulse? Laforge: I can try to set up a random frequency shift. If we can keep them from guessing our pulse modulation, they might not be able to compensate. Data: Tetryon emissions continue to increase. The rupture is still expanding. Data: Hull breach is imminent. Laforge: They're reacting faster than we can shift frequencies. Shipley, program the emitters for full spectrum pulse compression. I want to channel all of the graviton energy into a single burst. Let's see if they can handle that. Shipley: Ready, Commander. Data: The rupture is beginning to close, sir. Laforge: Recharge the emitters. Let's hit them again. Come on. Shipley: Ready. Data: The rupture is eighty six percent closed. Laforge: We're almost there. One more burst should do it. Shipley: Emitters recharging. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46191.2. The tetryon emissions in cargo bay four have ceased, and there have been no further indications of alien intrusions. All Enterprise crewmembers are safe and accounted for. But we are still left with some unanswered questions. Data: Based on the information gathered by Commander Riker's tricorder, we have determined that the molecular structure of the alien life forms is solanogen-based. Laforge: We think that's why they couldn't come through into our space, as easily as they could take us into theirs. They needed to learn how to remodulate their cellular energy states in order to survive in our universe. Data: The tricorder readings indicate they created a small pocket of our universe in their laboratory to keep those they abducted alive. Riker: Like putting a fish in a bucket of water. Laforge: That's probably what they were trying to do in cargo bay four. Create a pocket of their universe in ours. Picard: What can we do to prevent this from happening again? Laforge: It looks like they found us initially by discovering my modified sensor signal. We should warn all Starfleet ships not to make that same mistake. Picard: Have we any idea what came through the rupture before we were able to shut it down? Data: No sir. We were unable to track it once it left the cargo bay. Laforge: Maybe it was a probe of some kind. Data: Possibly they were simply curious. Explorers like ourselves. Riker: Ensign Rager and I were lucky to have escaped. Lieutenant Hagler's dead. Whoever it was sent that thing was more than simply curious.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46192.3. We have arrived at Starbase one one two and are loading relief supplies destined for Tagra Four, an ecologically devastated planet in the Argolis Cluster. We have also taken on a rather unusual passenger. Picard: Welcome to the Enterprise, Miss Rogers. I'm delighted to have you aboard. Amanda: Thank you, sir. Picard: And congratulations. I understand that you were selected for this internship out of hundreds of applicants. Amanda: Yes, sir. I still can't believe they chose me. There were lots of other people with better records. Crusher: Your transcript is very impressive. She's done honors work in neurobiology, plasma dynamics, and eco-regeneration. I'd say that's pretty well rounded. Amanda: That's a nice way of saying that I haven't decided what I'm going to do with my life. Crusher: I've arranged to have you work in all the major departments while you're here, and I'm willing to bet that by the time it's over you'll have a pretty good idea what field you're interested in. Picard: Or at least what fields you're not interested in. Picard: Come. Riker: We're bringing up the rest of the cargo now. We should be ready to leave within the hour. Picard: Commander, will you escort Miss Rogers to her quarters? I need to discuss the Tagran's medical needs with Doctor Crusher. And Miss Rogers? Amanda: Yes? Picard: You've won yourself a rare opportunity. Avail yourself of it. Amanda: I will, sir. And thank you. Riker: It'll take a few days before you know where everything is. If you need any help, you just use one of these comm. panels. Amanda: We're on deck seven, section four. Riker: You're right. Amanda: I practically memorized the specs on the way over here. Riker: You're a quick study. This is it. Amanda: Is this for me? Riker: It's all yours. Amanda: It's so big. Riker: For honor students, only the best. Amanda: Well, I could've brought my zoo. Riker: Your zoo? Amanda: That's just what my parents call it. Three dogs isn't that many, is it? Riker: It depends how they get along. Amanda: I could have a dozen. Mother said enough is enough. I'm sure going to miss 'em. Riker: We'll keep you so busy you won't have a chance to. I've got to get going. I have to get back to cargo bay two. Amanda: Well, thanks for walking me down. Riker: Sure. Amanda: Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no, no. I didn't mean it. Amanda: You guys can't stay here. Come on, all of you. Amanda: Hello. Come here, little one. You too. Come on, come on. Crusher: See all these readouts? That's your heart rate, your blood pressure all your vital signs. You're in good shape. You might just live to be my age. Crusher: Now, all these tricorders need to be tested before they get put in the supply containers that we're taking to Tagra. Amanda: So I should scan myself with each one to make sure all the readouts are working? Crusher: Any unit that doesn't, put it aside and we'll do a diagnostic on it later. Amanda: Okay. Crusher: I hear you've been accepted to the Academy. I have a son there. Amanda: Oh. Being posted on the Enterprise, I guess you don't get to see him very often? Crusher: No, not as often as I'd like. Amanda: Do you have any other children? Crusher: My husband died a number of years ago. Wes was our only child. Amanda: Was he old enough to know his father? Crusher: Jack died when he was five. Amanda: My parents died when I was a baby too. I don't remember anything about them. Sometimes I wonder what they were like. Crusher: Your adoptive parents are in Starfleet, aren't they? Amanda: Yeah, they're marine biologists. They've just been posted to the Bilaren system. Medic: Sickbay to Doctor Crusher. You wanted to be told when the cultures were ready. Crusher: On my way. When you've finished with the tricorders, Nurse Ogawa can help you take them down to shuttlebay for loading. Amanda: Okay. Laforge: Oh, thank you very much for your help. We can use every available hand we can get. This is one of the largest relief efforts we've ever mounted. Amanda: Now why are you bringing everything down in shuttlecraft? Laforge: Well, because we can't use the transporters for all of the ionization in the Tagran atmosphere. Amanda: From the barystatic filters? Laforge: How did you know that? Amanda: I did a paper on eco-regeneration. Laforge: Well then, you know that a thousand barystatic filters puts out quite a bit of ionization. Amanda: A thousand? Laforge: Yeah, they've managed to pollute their atmosphere pretty badly. Amanda: It's amazing to think that they go to such lengths to clean the air instead of regulating the emissions that cause the problem. Laforge: You're right. Actually, the only thing the filters can do is keep things from getting worse. Laforge: They shoot the air full of Laforge: Commander, are you all right? You okay? Riker: I didn't even see it coming. Laforge: this is the main control area. We can access any of the primary circuits from all of these panels. Over here is a Jeffries tube. Amanda: Where most of the major conduits are routed. Laforge: You've been doing your homework. Amanda: It's hard to imagine how much energy is being harnessed in there. Data: Imagination is not necessary. The scale is readily quantifiable. We are presently generating twelve point seven five billion gigawatts per Data: Temperature in the reaction chamber has increased by forty seven percent. Laforge: Injector couplings are frozen. I can't slow down the reaction. Data: Temperature increase is at one hundred six percent and rising. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge! We're looking at a core breach! We're going to have to try and vent the plasma! Data: Plasma inductors are not responding. Laforge: We're going to lose containment. All right, everybody out of here now. Let's go! Let's move it! Data, bring down the isolation door. We're going to have to eject the warp core. Data: Temperature in the reaction chamber has returned to normal. Crusher: She's a little shaken up, but she's going to be. Riker: You said she was adopted. Could she be an alien? Crusher: She's human. There's nothing more unusual about her, not that my instruments can detect. Picard: Commander, have you been able to determine the cause of the warp breach? Laforge: No, sir. Everything was normal and then suddenly it's like the laws of physics went right out the window. Q: And why shouldn't they? They're so inconvenient. Picard: Q! Q: Mon Capitane. Picard: Are you responsible for the incident in Engineering? Q: Of course. I needed to find out if what I suspected about the girl were true. Picard: That being? Q: That she's Q. Troi: Amanda's a Q? Crusher: How is that possible? Her parents, her biological parents, were human. Q: Well, not exactly. They had assumed human form in order to visit Earth, I suppose for amusement. But in vulgar human fashion they proceeded to conceive a child. And then like mawkish humans, they became attached to it. What is it about those squirming little infants that you find so appealing? Crusher: I'm sure that's beyond your comprehension, Q. Q: I desperately hope so. Troi: What happened to Amanda's parents? Q: They died in an accident. None of us knew whether she had inherited the capacities of the Q, but recently they've began to emerge, and as an expert in humanity, I was sent to investigate. Riker: You, an expert in humanity? Q: Not a very challenging field of study, I grant you. Laforge: Are you saying that you created a core breach just to test this girl? Troi: What would have happened if she couldn't stop it? Q: Then I would've known she wasn't a Q. Crusher: And now that you know, what do you intend to do? Q: Instruct here. If that child does not learn how to control her power, she may accidently destroy herself. Or all of you. Or perhaps your entire galaxy. Picard: I find it hard to believe that you're here to do us a favor. Q: You're quite right I wouldn't. But there are those in the Continuum who have an over-exaggerated sense of responsibility. They think that we need to take precautions to keep the little dear from running amuck. Crusher: And once you've taught her, then you'll go away? Q: And leave her here? Of course not. She'll come back to the Continuum, where she belongs. Crusher: Wait a minute. You can't just come in here and take her away from everything she's ever known. Q: I assure you I can. Crusher: She has plans for herself. She wants to have a career and a family. Q: I'm rescuing her from that miserable existence. Crusher: That miserable existence is all she's known for the last eighteen years. You have no right to take it away from her. Q: Mon Capitane, I really think that we need to speak privately. Q: Well, there, that's better. Crusher gets more shrill with each passing year. Picard: Q, what is it you really want? Q: Well, since you know so much about the Q, I thought you'd the perfect person to introduce me to the child. Let her know she can trust me. Picard: I don't trust you, Q. Why should I expect Amanda to? Q: Well she'd better, because I'm all she's got. She needs me to help her prepare for her future with the Q. Picard: But what if she doesn't want that future? It must be her decision. Q: Oh, yes, yes, yes. Do you think she'll want to remain an enfeebled mortal? Picard: But if she really is Q, she must understand what that means. Very well, I will introduce you. But we cannot argue like this in front of her. We must at least appear to be Q: Pals? Picard: Civil. Q: I knew I could count on you, Jean-Luc. Picard: Mister Data, I want you to access any available records on Amanda Rogers. Data: Yes, Captain. Picard: I want to know about her biological parents, about their death. I find it odd that any Q could die in an accident. Data: It is not consistent with what we know of them, sir. Picard: I'm convinced that Q isn't telling us everything. See what you can find out. Data: Aye, sir. Amanda: It started happening about six months ago. Things that I would wish for would just suddenly appear. I thought I was going crazy. In a funny way, finding this out is kind of a relief. Crusher: I can understand that. This person I mentioned, from the Q Continuum, would like to meet you. If it's all right with you. Amanda: I'm ready. Crusher: Good. Q: There's my girl! Picard: Amanda, allow me to introduce, er, Q. He's er, he's an acquaintance of ours. We've er, we've known him for years. Q: Very impressive the way you contained that explosion. What else have you done? Amanda: I don't understand. Q: Telekinesis? Teleportation? Spontaneous combustion of someone you didn't like? That sort of thing. Picard: Amanda, what Q is asking is have you ever deliberately used your abilities? Amanda: Not until I came here. The first time it happened was when the container almost fell on Commander Riker. Q: And you handled that very well. That's why I gave you a greater challenge. The warp core breach. Q: She has potential, this one. I see no reason why she can't come back to the Continuum right now. Amanda: What? Picard: Q Amanda: I don't want to go anywhere. Q: Don't worry. With time you'll overcome the disadvantages you suffered as a child. No one will hold it against you for having been human. Let's go. Amanda: Leave me alone! I'm not going anywhere with you! Picard: You agreed that she has a right to choose her own future. The first chance you get you try to abduct her. Q: You're overreacting as usual, Picard. I was merely testing her power. She's quite a little spitfire, now isn't she? Picard: What's going on, Q? What's your real purpose here? Q: I think I've been perfectly clear. The Continuum has a vested interest in this young woman. Picard: If you wish to protect that investment, I suggest that you approach her differently. Q: She was being impetuous. She'll just have to start behaving like a Q. Picard: If I'm not mistaken, she just did. Amanda: You understand, don't you? It's just that I have these things that I want to do. I'm going to the Academy. I want a career, and I want to join Starfleet. Crusher: You can still do those things. Amanda: It just seems so complicated now. These powers that I have are just going to stand in the way. I don't want to have to deal with it. Crusher: Well, you're going to have to. Listen, I can only imagine how you feel. And it would be easier if this had never happened or if it would just go away. But it's not going to go away. And you need someone to help you. And the person who can help you is Q. Amanda: He's so horrible. Crusher: He is the only one who can help you to understand who you are. Amanda, you are going to have to make some hard choices about your future, and you can't make them if you're going to ignore the truth. Amanda: Yeah. I know. But I don't want any of this to disrupt my time here. I want to do everything that I'm expected to do, and I don't want you to treat me any differently. Please? Crusher: You've got a deal. The first free hour you have, I want to see you in the medical lab. I have an experiment I need help with. Amanda: Yes, ma'am. Q: Your progress, Q? Q: As anticipated, there are some problems. I need time. However, there is a possibility we won't have to terminate her. Amanda: Come in. Q: Hello, my dear. I've been told I behaved badly. I apologize. Apparently you had every reason to chastise me. But, then again, what's done is done. Right? Amanda: I'd like to ask you some questions. Q: Anything. Amanda: What exactly are the Q? Q: It would be so much easier to show you than to tell you. If you would agree to take a short visit to the Continuum Amanda: No, just tell me. Q: Well. to put it simply, we're omnipotent. There's nothing, nothing we can't do. Amanda: And what do you do with this power? Q: Anything we want. Amanda: Do you use it to help others? Q: I think you've missed the point, my dear. Clearly, you've spent far too much time with humans. As a Q, you can have your heart's desire, instantly, whatever that may be. Would you like precious jewels? Works of art? Would you like to walk along the rings of Tautine? Amanda: I'm not interested in any of those things. Q: Of course not. You're a Q. But surely there must be something that you want? Something that you never dreamed was possible. Tell me, Amanda. What is it? Amanda: I'd like to know what my parents looked like. My real parents. Q: How quaint. So do it. Amanda: What do you mean? Q: Summon the image. Amanda: I don't know how. Q: Think about them. Evoke the memory. You can do it, Amanda. Trust me. Close your eyes. Close your eyes. In your mind, return to the time when you were an infant. Think about your parents. Remember them. Good. Good. Now, open your eyes. Amanda: They loved me. Amanda: Wait for it to be metabolized. Add another twenty? Wait for it to be metabolized over and over, and then wait till the bacilli can't be absorbed any more. Crusher: That's right. Just be sure and record the rate of mitosis from each of the dishes. Amanda: Mitosis, right. Crusher: You seem distracted. Amanda: Well, I just saw my parents. My real parents. Q showed me how. Can you imagine how that felt? Crusher: No, I don't think I can. Amanda: You know, you were right. I can't ignore what's happened to me. I just don't know if I can cope with it. Crusher: Amanda, you are stronger than you think. Amanda: You know, when I saw them there, right in front of me, I realized that I caused this to happen. I wanted to see them and I did. If it were you, if suddenly you could have anything you wanted, what would it be? Crusher: I have no idea. Amanda: No, think about it. Really think. If suddenly you could make anything happen, what would it be? Crusher: Well, I would probably want to heal people. People who are hopelessly ill. Amanda: Would you bring your husband back? Crusher: Amanda, I don't know. And I don't think I could make a decision like that until I was actually faced with it. Amanda: I am faced with it. Crusher: Try to do the work. I'll come back and check on you later. Q: I thought she'd never leave. Amanda: I don't know if I'll ever get used to that. Q: It's time for another lesson. Amanda: Well, I have to finish this experiment first. Q: What are you doing? Amanda: We're delivering live vaccine bacilli to Tagra. I'm supposed to find the best nutrient solution so we can keep them living while they're in stasis. Q: Fascinating. I've just had a splendid idea. Why don't we combine what you're doing with our lesson, and we'll show you how to finish in no time. Amanda: Well, I think that I should finish it the way Doctor Crusher showed me. Q: Why? I'm sure she'll be delighted if we sped things along. Think what it would mean. You could double, even triple the work load. Amanda: Well. Q: Good. Amanda: I guess so. Q: Now, as you take a look at the tissue samples, form an image in your mind. Picard: Number One Doctor Crusher has some live vaccine bacilli to be delivered to Tagra. It'll have to be shipped in a stasis field. Will you make the arrangements? Riker: I'll get right on it. Data: Captain, message coming in from Tagra Four. Picard: On screen. Lote: Enterprise, I am Orn Lote, engineer. We are having difficulties with the reactor that powers the barystatic filters on our southern continent. We may have to shut it down for repairs. Picard: Perhaps my Chief Engineer could be of assistance? Lote: I hope so. If we are forced to disable the reactor, it would take months to re-establish the ionic currents the filters have formed in the atmosphere. Picard: Send us your design specifications I'm sure we'll be able to help. Lote: Thank you, Captain. Data: Captain? Picard: What is it, Mister Data? Data: I have some information regarding Amanda Rogers' parents. Records indicate that they died in Topeka, Kansas. Their home was destroyed during a tornado. Picard: A tornado? Why wasn't it dissipated by the weather modification net? Data: Unknown, sir. The bodies were found in the rubble after the storm had passed. Picard: See if you can find out any more details, Mister Data. I'd like to know more about that storm. Data: Aye, sir. Q: Well, if it isn't Number Two. Riker: I was looking for Doctor Crusher. I didn't know what nutrients she wanted to send with the bacilli. Amanda: I'm not sure. I'll tell her to contact you. Riker: Thanks. Amanda: You could stay here and wait for her, if you, you know, wanted to. Riker: Just tell her I'll be in shuttlebay two. Q: You're attracted to him. Amanda: I am not. Q: I think you are. How repulsive. How do you stand that hair all over his face? Amanda: Doctor, Commander Riker was just here looking for you. He said he'd be in Shuttlebay Two. Crusher: Thank you. Have you finished already? Amanda: Yes. Crusher: How did you do it so quickly? Amanda: Q helped me. It took us about half the time that it would have normally taken us. Crusher: That explains this data. I needed to know the rates of mitosis. By artificially inflating them you made the experiment useless. Now I have to do it all over again. Amanda: I'm sorry, Doctor. Q: Don't be sorry. If she wants to make things difficult on herself, that's her business. Crusher: Why did you interfere with what she was doing? Q: She's a Q. Making her plod through human chores is beneath her. Crusher: She has asked not to be treated differently. Q: That doesn't mean she should be bored to death. Crusher: I don't interfere with what you're teaching her. Q: You wouldn't be capable of interfering. Crusher: I don't think it's too much to ask for you to do the same. Crusher: And you stay out of mine. Q: Well, when you put it like that, I think you're absolutely right. Data: Captain. Picard: Yes, Mister Data? Data: I have further information regarding the tornado that killed Amanda Rogers' parents. Picard: What is it? Data: It was unusually compact, yet extremely powerful. Its recorded wind velocity was characteristic of a funnel three times its size. Picard: Download the files to my Ready room. I'll study them there. Data: Aye, sir. Q: Have you been practicing your teleportation? Amanda: Yes. But it's kind of hard. I keep ending up somewhere I don't want to be. Q: Well, it won't do to be sloppy. You should hone your abilities. I have a wonderful idea. Why don't we play a little game? I'll hide somewhere on the ship and you find me. Amanda: But how do I know how? Q: Don't worry, Amanda. You can do it. Q: Not bad. Not bad at all. Data: If we can use phase buffers we may be able to devise a mechanism that can be integrated into the present system while it is in operation. Q: You're still thinking like a human. Q: Now do you understand? What do humans have to offer you that even begins to compare with that? Your future contains wonders you can't even imagine. The universe could be your playground. Amanda: Doctor Crusher and Counselor Troi. They're taking me to dinner. Q: You don't have to eat, you know. It's a nasty human habit you could easily do without. Crusher: Hello, Amanda. Are you ready? Amanda: Yes. Troi: Well, Amanda, how are you feeling about all this now? It must be overwhelming. Amanda: It was at first, but actually now I'm enjoying myself. Riker: Hello, ladies. Troi: Hello, Will. Amanda: Commander Riker. Er, won't you join us? Riker: I'd love, to but I have other plans. Riker: Hi. Woman: Hi. Crusher: So, how are your lessons going? Is Q being patient with you? Amanda? Riker: What is this all about? Amanda: I thought it might be nice to spend some time alone together. Riker: I think it would be nice if you took us back to Ten Forward. Amanda: Are you sure you wouldn't want to stay here with me for a while? The moonlight is so beautiful. Isn't it nicer here than at Ten Forward? Riker: Yes, it's very pleasant, but that's not the point. Amanda: Oh? I think it is. Riker: No. You can't just snatch people and put them in your fantasies and expect them to respond. Amanda: Don't you like me? Even just a little bit? Riker: You're a very lovely young lady. But none of this is real. Amanda: My feelings are real. Riker: I know. But you can't make someone love you. Amanda: Can't I? Riker: Oh, Amanda. You are so beautiful. Amanda: Do you love me? Riker: More than anything. Amanda: You're right. None of this is real. I thought it would be romantic, but it's empty. Riker: Amanda. Amanda: Just go back to Ten Forward. Q: Bon jour, mon Capitane. You wanted to talk with me? Picard: I wanted to ask you about Amanda's biological parents. When they decided to remain on Earth, what was the reaction in the Q Continuum? Q: We found it incomprehensible. Picard: Were they pressured to return? Were they threatened with any punishment if they didn't? Q: What are you driving at, Picard? Picard: Well, the circumstance of their death's quite odd. A tornado somehow escaped the weather modification net and touched down in only one spot. Amanda's home. Q: Well, you never can predict the weather. Picard: But tornadoes develop from existing storm fronts. But you see, there were no storm fronts in Kansas that day. Witnesses reported that the funnel materialized spontaneously directly over Amanda's home, destroyed it, and disappeared. Q: If you say so. I wasn't there. Picard: Were Amanda's parents executed by the Q Continuum? Q: And what if they were? Picard: Then I think she has a right to know that before she makes a choice about her future. Q: Don't be foolish, Picard. She has no choice. She never did. If she's truly Q, then she must return to the Continuum where she belongs. But if she were some kind of hybrid, neither human nor Q, then Picard: You would be so despicable? Q: Don't be naive. You have no idea what it means to be Q. With unlimited power comes responsibility. Do you think it is reasonable for us to allow omnipotent beings to roam free through the universe? Picard: So what have you concluded? Does she live or does she die? Q: I haven't decided yet. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46193.8. We have arrived at Tagra Four and have begun delivering supplies. In the meantime, I am faced with a crisis of a different nature. Picard: Look, I have no reason to believe that Q is lying. He claims he has orders from the Continuum. If Amanda cannot prove that she is fully Q, then he must kill her. Troi: We have to tell her. Crusher: I don't know if we should. It almost seems cruel. Troi: Maybe she can protect herself. After all, she has a great deal of power. Crusher: So did her parents. It didn't save them. Picard: I agree with the Counselor. Amanda deserves to know the truth of her situation. We have no right to withhold such crucial information from her. But it isn't going to be easy telling her. Riker: What's your impression of the field modulator, Mister Lote? Lote: Quite ingenious. Quite ingenious, indeed. I'm amazed at the way it can be incorporated with the existing system. Laforge: Commander, we're all loaded here. We can head for the surface whenever you're ready. Lote: I'm eager to see the field modulator in place, Commander. Riker: We'd better get going. Lote: Yes. Amanda: Kill me? But why? Picard: They're not convinced that you are fully Q. And they are also responsible for your parent's death. Amanda: My parents? But what right do they have? Q? Answer me. Are you afraid to face me? Q: She's such a plucky little thing, now, isn't she. I really do enjoy you, you know. Picard: Amanda's question deserves an answer, Q. You've made yourself judge, jury, and if necessary executioner. By what right have you appointed yourself to this position? Q: Superior morality. Picard: Yes. I recall how you used your superior morality when we first encountered you. You put us on trial for the crimes of humanity. Q: The jury is still out on that, Picard, make no mistake. Picard: Your arrogant pretense at being the moral guardians of the universe strikes me as being hollow, Q. I see no evidence that you are guided by a superior moral code, or any code whatsoever. You may be nearly omnipotent, and I don't deny that your parlor tricks are very impressive, but morality? I don't see it. I don't acknowledge it, Q. I would put human morality against the Q's any day. And perhaps that's the reason that we fascinate you so. Because our puny behavior shows you a glimmer of the one thing that evades your omnipotence, a moral center. And if so, I can think of no crueler irony than that you should destroy this young woman, whose only crime is that she's too human. Q: Jean-Luc, sometimes I think the only reason I come here is to listen to these wonderful speeches of yours. But this time, your concern is unwarranted. We've decided not to harm her. And we're prepared to offer her a choice. Amanda: What kind of choice? Q: You can either come to the Continuum with me Amanda: Or? Q: Now this choice is more difficult. You have it within yourself the ability to refrain from using the power of Q. If you can do that, you can stay here. Amanda: Then I'm staying here. Q: Think about this. This is not so easy. Your parents were given this choice and they were unable to resist the temptation of using their power. Amanda: All I've wanted since this whole thing began is to become a normal human being again. I know I can resist. Worf: Worf to Picard. There is an emergency message from Commander Riker. Picard: I'm on my way. Riker: Captain, the damage to the reactor is greater than the Tagrans led us to believe. The field modulator is installled and operational, but it's not going to be enough. The reactor has already gone into overload. Picard: Can you correct the problem? Riker: Geordi is trying to stabilize the unit now. We will stay as long as possible. There are thousands of people in the area. If that reactor goes. Lote: Commander. Over here, quickly. Picard: Is this your doing, Q? Q: Not this time, Picard. Picard: Mister Worf, see if there's any way we can do to cut through the interference and beam them out of there. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: Captain, Geordi is trying a neutrino infusion. It may smother the reaction. Worf: Captain, there is too much ionization in the atmosphere. Transporters are useless. Laforge: It's no use. The heat has fused the injectors shut. We're losing containment. Riker: How long till meltdown? Laforge: A few minutes at most. Going to have to Lote: Commander! Look at this. Laforge: This is impossible. Captain, I don't know what's happening, but the reaction is stabilizing on its own. Data: Captain, I am reading a massive energy fluctuation in the planet's atmosphere. Picard: On screen. Data: Atmospheric contaminants have dropped to less than one part per trillion. The ecozystem has been restored to its natural state. Picard: Amanda? Q: I told you it would be harder to resist than you thought. Amanda: I couldn't let all those people die Amanda: Ever since I got here, I've been fighting this. I've been denying the truth. Denying what I am. I am Q. Doctor Crusher, I've decided that I can't stay. I can't stay here. Q: Well, now that you've come to your senses, let's go. Amanda: No. I want to go and see my parents first. It's going to take some time to explain all this, so you'll have to be patient. Amanda: I hope I can come back and see you. Crusher: You're a Q. You can do anything you want.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46235.7 Ensign Ro, Keiko O'Brien, Guinan and I are returning to the Enterprise after a fascinating visit to the planet Marlonia. Picard: And I found these pieces in the tertiary level of the dig. They're typical of second century Marlonian cookware. Look at those markings. They're very similar to early Taguan designs, but the patterns are more intricate, they're much closer to Buranian than Taguan. Guinan: You were on the most beautiful planet in the quadrant and you spent your entire shore leave in a cave? Picard: It was a very rewarding experience. Look at these fragments. They're very nearly in perfect condition and yet they're seven hundred years old. Guinan: So's my father. Ro: Is that a Draebidium froctus? Keiko: Actually, it's a Draebidium calimus. You can tell by the shape of the leaves. I didn't know you were interested in plant biology. Ro: I took a class at the Academy. I Don't remember very much though. Worf: Enterprise to shuttlecraft Fermi. Ro: This is the Fermi. Go ahead Enterprise. Worf: We have just received a distress signal from the Starfleet science team on Ligos Seven. Picard: Can you identify the problem? Worf: No, sir. The call was cut off in mid-transmission. Picard: Lay in a course and prepare to engage at warp eight as soon as we're on board. Worf: Aye, sir. Ro: We'll rendezvous with the ship in three minutes, sir. Ro: We're caught in some kind of energy field. Picard: Hard about, full impulse. Ro: Aye, sir. Riker: What's happening, Mister Worf? Worf: The shuttle has been enveloped by an energy field. It's engines and life support have failed. Riker: Increase to full impulse. Bridge to Transporter room three. Prepare to beam the shuttle crew back once we're in range. O'Brien: Ready, sir. Ro: I can't contact the Enterprise. There's too much interference. Picard: Transfer auxiliary power to the inertial dampers. Computer: Warning. Structural failure imminent. Riker: Have you got them, O'Brien? O'Brien: I'm trying, sir. O'Brien: I can't get a pattern lock. Riker: The shuttle is Riker: Coming apart, Chief. We've got to do it now. O'Brien: I've got them. There's a forty percent drop in mass. O'Brien: I may have lost one of them. Picard Jr: Thank you, Mister O'Brien. Another moment and Crusher: According to the bioscans, their DNA structure is now consistent with those of preadolescence. But as far as we can tell, only their bodies were changed. Troi: Their individual intelligence and their behavioral responses are exactly the same as they were before the accident. Picard Jr: What happened to the shuttlecraft, Number One? Riker: The shuttle broke up just after we beamed you out. Mister Data is coordinating the salvage efforts now. Sir. Crusher: What about the energy field the shuttle passed through? Riker: We've trying to scan it, but it's we're running into lot of interference. It's going to take some time. Picard Jr: We can't afford to stay here any longer. We'll leave a class four probe behind to study the energy field but the distress signal from Ligos Seven has top priority. Let me know as soon as you have any further information, Doctor. Number One, you're with me. Crusher: Captain, I need to run some additional tests. Picard Jr: Of course. The three of you will remain as needed to assist Doctor Crusher. Ro Jr: What? Guinan Jr: You know, you make a pretty cute kid. Ro Jr: Great. Just what I want to be. Cute. Guinan Jr: Were you this much fun when you were a kid? Ro Jr: I was in a refugee camp. Fun wasn't exactly in my vocabulary. Guinan Jr: What about now? You're not in that camp anymore. Ro Jr: Fun is being back at work in my own uniform. Picard Jr: Bridge. Picard Jr: Mister Worf. Prepare to launch a class four probe to study the energy field. Picard Jr: I realize how unusual this must seem. My appearance is the result of an accident, involving myself and three other crew members, the effects of which Doctor Crusher is currently working to remedy. I assure you I am Captain Picard. Worf: The probe. Aye, sir. Picard Jr: Mister Data, have you secured all of the shuttle debris? Data: Almost. It is being stored in shuttlebay two. Sir. Picard Jr: Very well. Ensign, as soon as Mister Data is finished take us to Ligos at warp eight. Crusher: Captain, may I see you privately for a few moments? Picard Jr: Of course. Picard Jr: Tea. Earl Gray. Hot. Have you been able to determine the cause of our transformation? Crusher: Not yet. I'm still waiting for some test results. Picard Jr: I see. There are one hundred and three members of the science team on Ligos Seven. We should prepare shuttlebay three for a triage center in case they have large numbers of casualties. Crusher: We'll be ready. Picard Jr: I see that Ligos Seven is prone to periodic volcanic activity. Perhaps the planet has entered an active phase. Crusher: Jean-Luc. We need to talk. Picard Jr: All right. Let's talk. Are you here to relieve me of duty? Crusher: I'd rather not have to take that step. Picard Jr: I am still Jean-Luc Picard. My judgment, my experiences, my mental capacities are all intact. Crusher: That's true, for now. But this could be the first stage of a condition that may begin to affect your mind as well. Picard Jr: But you see no evidence of that. Crusher: Not yet. What I do know is that the Captain of this ship has undergone an extreme physical transformation, the ultimate effects of which I can't even begin to guess. Picard Jr: You are asking me to step down. Crusher: You are still Jean-Luc Picard. What do you think you should do? Picard Jr: Commander Riker, please take command of the ship until further notice. Riker: Understood. Ro Jr: So what the hell am I supposed to do now? Guinan Jr: You're not supposed to do anything. That's what relieved of duty means. Ro Jr: Well, I should be doing something instead of just standing around waiting for them to find a cure. Guinan Jr: You're right. Let's go play. Ro Jr: What? Guinan Jr: I haven't been young for a long time and I intend to enjoy every minute of it. Ro Jr: Fine. Enjoy yourself. Guinan Jr: What are you going to do? Go back to your room and pout? Ro Jr: I am not twelve years old. If I want to go to my quarters and contemplate my situation, that does not mean that I am pouting. Guinan Jr: Okay, okay. O'Brien: I could use a cup of coffee. How about you? Keiko Jr: I'll get it. Two coffees. One with cream and sugar, the other O'Brien: Black, double sweet Keiko Jr: I know. One double sweet. O'Brien: Careful, that's hot. Keiko Jr: Miles. O'Brien: Sorry. Keiko Jr: What's wrong? O'Brien: It's. I don't know, but this feels wrong somehow. Keiko Jr: Miles Edward O'Brien, I am still your wife. O'Brien: Well technically, yes. Keiko Jr: Technically? O'Brien: No. I mean, of course you're my wife. But you're also ten years old. Keiko Jr: Beverly said it's actually closer to twelve. O'Brien: That's not the point. Keiko Jr: So what is the point? Is our marriage over? O'Brien: I didn't say that. But until they find a way to reverse this, this effect, it's going hard for me to ignore the fact that you're a little girl. Keiko Jr: What if they can't find a way? What if I'm like this the rest of my life? What does that mean for us, for our family? Molly: Mommy? Mommy. O'Brien: What's wrong, Sweetheart? Molly: I want Mommy to read me a story. Keiko Jr: All right. What story would you like to hear? Molly: Not you. I want Mommy. O'Brien: What if Daddy reads you a story tonight? Will that be okay? I'll be right back. O'Brien: Keiko. It's going to be all right. I promise. We'll work this out. Keiko Jr: How? O'Brien: I don't know. First Officer's log, supplemental. The Enterprise has reached the Ligos system, and we have begun to search for the missing Federation science team. Doctor Crusher reports no progress on a cure for the members of the shuttle crew. Picard Jr: Come. Troi: I came to see how you're doing. Picard Jr: I'll have to speak to my tailor, but otherwise I'm well, thank you. It's just so ridiculous. I can't really take myself seriously like this. Counselor, if Doctor Crusher can't find a cure, if I have to stay this way, nobody's going to take me seriously, are they? Troi: I would say the people that know you and have worked with you, will be able to make the adjustment eventually. But there are some people who would find it difficult to accept a twelve year old captain. Picard Jr: In that case, I suppose I'll just have to wait until I grow up again before I get another command. Which might be in ten, maybe fifteen years. The question is what to do until then? Troi: You're still a Starfleet captain. I'm sure there are other assignments you could be given in the interim. Picard Jr: I've spent thirty years of my life aboard starships I'm not about to sit behind a desk now. Troi: You could return to the Academy. Take another degree. Brush up on your Latin. Picard Jr: And be Wesley Crusher's room mate? I will admit that returning to the Academy does have a certain appeal, but I've spent my life looking forward. Going to the Academy again feels like looking backward. Troi: Then perhaps you could spend the time exploring another interests. Archeology, for instance. Picard Jr: Leave Starfleet? Troi: Not permanently, just a sabbatical. You could spend a few years crawling through caves and digging up artifacts, and still have enough time to become the youngest admiral in Starfleet history. Picard Jr: It would give me a chance to take up Doctor Langford's offer and accompany her to the ruins on Suvin Four. But to leave the Enterprise. Troi: In a way, you're very lucky. You might have a chance do what most people can only dream about. Have a second childhood without the pain of growing up again. Crusher: This is Captain Picard's rybo-viroxic-nucleic structure from a tissue sample I took this morning. It's the same as a sample I took before the accident, except it's missing several of the key viroxic sequences. Riker: It's been a long time since I took genetics, Doctor. Crusher: RVN is one of the key factors in our development during puberty. Unlike DNA, which never changes, RVN takes on some additional viroxic sequences during adolescence. Those sequences determine how we develop physically. Riker: Without them we would never mature into adults. Crusher: Exactly. Somehow, those sequences were eliminated in the Captain and the others during transport. Riker: So what do we do? Crusher: Well, we have a couple of options. These are the plants Keiko was carrying on the shuttle. Whatever turned the crew into children turned these plants into seedlings. I accelerated the growth on one of them, and it developed into a perfectly normal adult plant. Riker: I don't suppose that would work with people? Crusher: No, but at least we know that if we do nothing at all, they will probably grow up just as they did before. Riker: That's one option. Crusher: However, I do have the adult RVN patterns of all four of them. I might be able to send them back through the transporter pattern buffer and replace the missing sequences. But we can't even attempt that until we know why this happened in the first place. If somehow they were to lose more viroxic sequences. Riker: They would get even younger. Laforge: Chief, I got the sensor report on the shuttle break-up. It looks like the break-up began near the starboard bulkhead. O'Brien: There're some bulkhead fragments over here. Laforge: My visor's picking up some torsional stress damage, some micro-fractures. Hang on a second. What's this? O'Brien: It looks like tritanium from the hull. Laforge: Yeah, but look. Laforge: That's not tritanium anymore. Somehow the molecular structure of this alloy's been changed, broken down into its constituent elements. O'Brien: No wonder the bulkhead shattered. Laforge: Yeah. I want to get a sample of this down to Engineering and run a metallurgical analysis. Guinan Jr: Well, this is exciting. Ro Jr: Would you rather be playing with dolls? Guinan Jr: I'd rather be doing almost anything other than sitting here and watching you sulk. Ro Jr: This isn't some kind of glorious second childhood, Guinan. Our bodies have been violated, changed. Doesn't that bother you? Guinan Jr: Sure it bothers me, but at the moment I can't do anything about it. So I might as well enjoy it. Ro Jr: Enjoy what? Where did you get the idea that being short and awkward is some kind of wonderful gift? Guinan Jr: There must've been some part of childhood that you didn't loathe. Ro Jr: Look, it was a long, depressing period of my life and I was grateful when it was finally over. I'd rather not relive it. Guinan Jr: I bet you were a jumper. A jumper. You know, someone who jumped up and down on furniture all the time. Ro Jr: What? Guinan Jr: You were a jumper all right. The quiet ones, they always look so innocent. You think you can turn your back on them. Next thing you know, bam! They're bouncing on the bed. Ro Jr: That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Most of the time I didn't even have a bed. Guinan Jr: Ah but you did have one sometimes and I bet you jumped on it. Ro Jr: I most certainly did not. Guinan Jr: Yeah I can see it in your eyes. You can barely resist the urge to leap up and start jumping around like a Tarkassian razorbeast. Ro Jr: Guinan. Guinan Jr: Oh yeah, oh yeah Ro Jr: This is ridiculous. Guinan Jr: That's right. And don't you dare join me, Ro Laren. You don't like jumping on beds! Ro Jr: Oh yeah? I can jump higher. Laforge: We think the shuttle was caught in a molecular reversion field, which caused the structure of the ship to deteriorate. When the field penetrated the hull, it also began to affect the shuttle's crew. O'Brien: When I tried to beam them off, I wasn't able to get a lock because the reversion field was masking part of the patterns. Crusher: If the transporter only registered part of the RVN patterns, that would explain why the key sequences are missing. Laforge: Exactly. With those key sequences missing, the transporter reconstructed them as children. Riker: If they're right, would you be able to use the transporter to reverse the effects? Crusher: I think so. As long as there's no reversion field to mask their patterns, we should be able to do it. Chief, can you adjust the molecular imaging scanners to accept Worf: Bridge to Commander Riker. Riker: Go ahead. Worf: We are entering orbit around Ligos Seven, sir. Riker: On my way. We'll discuss this later. Riker: Standard orbit, Ensign. Any sign of the science team? Data: We've been scanning the area since entering the system, but our readings are being disrupted. Riker: Cause? Data: Extreme fluctuations in the electromagnetic field. However, there is no evidence of stellar or seismic activity which would cause the interference. Riker: Any response to our hails, Mister Worf? Worf: No, sir. I have been attempting to. Commander, two ships decloaking fore and aft. Klingon birds of prey, B'rel class. Riker: Maximum shields. Take us out of orbit, Ensign. Mister Worf, prepare to return fire. Riker: Damage report. Worf: We've lost primary life support. Switching to secondary systems. Riker: Lock phasers on target bearing to port. Worf: Phasers locked. Riker: Fire. Data: Minor damage to one ship. Its shields are holding. Worf: Starboard power coupling is down. Warp engines are offline. Riker: Shields? Worf: Down to thirteen percent. Worf: Casualties reported on decks twenty six and twenty seven. Data: Sensors and secondary generators are offline. Life support down to sixty seven percent. Riker: Engineering, status report. Laforge: Those last shots took out auxiliary power and emergency back-up. It's going to take at least an hour to get Laforge: Warp power back online. Worf: We have lost shields. Heavy casualties on decks thirty five through forty. Data: I am detecting transporter signatures in three cargo bays. We are being boarded, sir. Ferengi: Come with me. Riker: Initiate intruder alert. All security teams report to Berik: Put down your weapons. Riker: Computer, deactivate all command functions. Authorisation, Riker Omega Three Computer: All command functions suspended. Morta: This is Morta. We have secured the Bridge. Begin transporting all able-bodied adults to the surface. Ferengi: Come on, get up there. Up, up. Berik: They have locked out the command functions. Morta: You said they would not have time. Berik: You led the assault team. You were too slow. Morta: You dare to blame me! Berik: We have secured the ship, DaiMon, but Morta's incompetence has denied us access to Morta: My incompetence? DaiMon, you know that I am Lurin: Enough. Where is the Captain of this ship? Riker: I'm in command of this vessel. Who are you and on whose authority do you Lurin: I am DaiMon Lurin and I declare this ship to be a loss and open to claim according to the Ferengi Salvage Code. You will cooperate with our salvage operations or we will begin executing your crew. Picard Jr: Is everyone all right? Ro Jr: No fatalities or injuries among the children. The Ferengi have taken control of main Engineering and decks twenty three through thirty seven. Picard Jr: We have to assume they've also taken the Bridge. Keiko Jr: Captain, do you know what they've done with the younger children? With my little girl? Picard Jr: They're taking all the adults down to the surface. It looks like they're keeping all the children on board the ship. Where was your daughter? Keiko Jr: In primary care on deck fourteen. Picard Jr: She's probably still there with the others. I wouldn't worry. We need to regain control of the ship. Options? Ro Jr: We could flood the ship with anesthizine gas. Picard Jr: That's been locked out with the rest of the command functions. Ro Jr: If they're typical Ferengi, they're probably very pleased with themselves by now. Maybe even getting a little overconfident. Picard Jr: Agreed. They might think they don't need as much of their crew to hold the ship. We could use the element of surprise to give us a tactical advantage. Guinan Jr: Tactical advantage? Jean-Luc, look at your team for a minute. We're children. Picard Jr: We can't just stay here while our ship is being commandeered. Guinan Jr: I'm not suggesting that we do. But we can't act as if we were still adults. Picard Jr: What do you suggest we do? Guinan Jr: We look like children. Maybe it's time we started acting like children. Riker: I hope your profit margin's pretty high for this little adventure, because you're risking war with the Federation. Lurin: We're not affiliated with the Ferengi Alliance. We are in business for ourselves. Yes, it will be highly profitable. For an investment of two surplus Klingon ships, a few repairs and some weapons, we've netted a Federation starship and her crew, not to mention a planet rich in vendarite. Riker: So that's what this is all about. What did you do with the science team that was on the surface? Lurin: They have proved most helpful in extracting the mineral. Riker: You used them as slave laborers. Lurin: The addition of your crew will greatly speed up the process. As for your ship, I'm sure that it will fetch a handsome price on the Romulan market. But before that can happen, we need to regain access to your central computer. Riker: You don't really think I'm going to help you. Lurin: I think that the mines on Ligos Seven can be very hazardous. Now, how many people on your ship? Riker: One thousand fourteen. Lurin: Very hazardous, Commander. Computer: Hello. I'm the classroom computer system. What can I do for you, today? Picard Jr: Computer, display interior security grid. Computer: I'm sorry, but I can't do that. Would you like to play a game? Picard Jr: No, I would not. Computer, display an internal schematic diagram. Computer: I'm sorry, but I can't do that. Would you like to see some interesting plants or animals? Guinan Jr: It's a child's computer, remember? Computer, can you show me a picture of the inside of the Enterprise? Computer: Yes, I can. The Enterprise is a Galaxy-class starship. Do you know how to spell Enterprise? E N T E Picard Jr: Delete audio. All right, this'll have to do. We're here. there's a service conduit that runs to here and then leads to a Jeffries tube here. But you and Ensign Ro will still have to cross this corridor before you can get to main Engineering. Ro Jr: Captain. Picard Jr: Excellent. Ready? Make it so. Picard: What the devil? Alexander: I was just playing. I'm sorry, Captain. Picard Jr: Alexander, would you mind if I borrowed your toy for a little while? Alexander: Go ahead. Picard Jr: Thank you. Picard: After you. Keiko Jr: I've got the phasers, Captain. Ro Jr: This is the first time these Jefferies tubes haven't seemed cramped. Guinan Jr: How much farther do we have to go? Ro Jr: About fifty meters. Don't tell me you're tired. Guinan Jr: I'm not as young as I used to be. Ro Jr: This is it. Main Engineering. Now we wait. Picard Jr: Report? Alexander: Mission accomplished, sir. The one in sickbay never saw me. Picard Jr: Very good. Keiko Jr: I'd say we're ready. Have you figured out how to get to the Bridge? Picard Jr: I'm afraid I can only think of one way. Berik: What do you want? Picard Jr: I need to see my father. Berik: Go back inside. Picard Jr: I need to see him right now. Berik: Do not argue with me. Go back inside. Picard Jr: I need to see him now! Now! Now! Now! Now! Now! Now! Now! Stop it! You've hurt me! I want my father! I want my father! Berik: All right. Just stop that. Picard Jr: Let me go! Berik: Here he is. Now be quiet! Riker: What is going on? Picard Jr: Dad! Riker: So, son, how are you? Picard Jr: I'm okay. Riker: And how are your friends, Keiko, Guinan and Ro? Picard Jr: They're okay too. But Riker: What's wrong? Picard Jr: We don't have anything to do. None of the games are working. Riker: I know. The Ferengi made Daddy turn off the main computer. Picard Jr: Can't you just turn on the kid's computer in schoolroom eight? We just want to play a few games. Riker: I don't know if they'll let me do that, Jean-Luc, but I will ask. Picard Jr: Thanks, Number One. He's my number one Dad. Child: Here they come. Keiko Jr: How did it go? Did Commander Riker get the message? Picard Jr: He understood. We should have access very soon. Lurin: Come in. Lurin: I understand your son was here to see you. Riker: That's right. Lurin: We Ferengi do not bring our offspring along with us aboard ship. Riker: Then I suppose that's your loss. We consider our families one of our strengths. Lurin: I think you will find that they can also be a weakness. Unless you release the computer to our control, I will execute every child on this ship, beginning with yours. Riker: Even you wouldn't be that cruel. Lurin: It is cruel to put children in danger by bringing them aboard a starship in the first place. Riker: All right. Just so you don't harm my son. Lurin: You will release the computer and show Morta exactly how to use it. Riker: Computer, release command control this station. Authorisation, Riker Omega three. Computer: Command functions restored. Riker: Okay, Morta. The Enterprise computer system is controlled by three primary main processing cores, cross-linked with a redundant melacortz ramistat. fourteen kiloquad interface modules. The core element is based on an FTL nanoprocessor with twenty five bilateral kelilactirals, with twenty of those being slaved into the primary heisenfram terminal. Now you do know what a bilateral kelilactiral is? Morta: Well, of course I do, human. I am not stupid. Riker: No, of course not. This is the isopalavial interface which controls the main firomactal drive unit. Don't touch that. You'll blow up the entire firomactal drive. Morta: What? Wait. What is a firomactal drive? Just explain it to me. Riker: That is the firomactal drive unit. It controls the ramistat core and also keeps the ontarian manifold at forty thousand KRGs. Riker: The firomactal drive is powered by Picard Jr: Command lockout has been released. Accessing transporter. Weapons deactivation program is in place. Transporter security field standing by. We're ready. Ro Jr: Tag! Guinan Jr: You're it! Berik: Yes? Alexander: I found this in the school room. Is it yours? Picard Jr: That's all of them except for the two on the Bridge. Wait here until I return. Alexander: Yes, sir. Riker: So, one more time. The ramistat kiloquad capacity is a function of the square root of the intermix ratio times the sum of the plasma injector quotient. Lurin: Come in. Picard Jr: I believe you're in my chair. Picard: Captain's log, stardate: 46236.3. We have taken Lurin and his men into custody. The Ferengi Alliance has quickly disavowed any knowledge of these renegades. With the mining operation closed and our crew back on board, we can now turn our attention to other problems. O'Brien: Phase inducers activated. Energy levels nominal. Crusher: I'm loading the adult patterns into the buffer. O'Brien: Transposition matrix locked in. That should do it, Captain. Picard Jr: Energize. Crusher: How do you feel? Picard: I feel fine. Everything seems a little smaller. Ro Jr: It's my mother. The funny thing is, I never really drew a picture of her when I was young. It's just, for some reason I wanted to now. Guinan: That's the wonderful thing about crayons. They can take you to more places than a starship. Ro Jr: It's my turn, isn't it? Guinan: Only if you're ready. Ro Jr: It's not quite as bad as I remembered it. Being a child, I mean. Well, we'd better get going. Guinan: Well, what's the hurry? I mean, the transporter will still be there. Why don't you pass me the royal blue. Ro Jr: Here. Guinan: Thank you. Did you do this one too? Ro Jr: I did all of them. Guinan: All of them?

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46271.5. The Enterprise has entered orbit of Deinonychus Seven, but our scheduled rendezvous with the supply ship Biko has been delayed for another forty eight hours. In the meantime, many members of the crew are taking advantage of the delay to pursue their own projects, myself included. Picard: Computer, stop playback. Change the clarinet to an oboe. Continue recording. Picard: Computer, pause playback. Come. Picard: Yes, gentlemen? Laforge: Captain we'd like your permission to take the Engineering computer offline for a couple of hours. We're working on a new interface that would allow Data to act as an emergency backup in the event of a ship-wide systems failure. Data: In theory, my neural network should be able to sustain key systems until primary control is restored. Picard: It sounds like an intriguing experiment. I'll be interested to see the results. Permission granted. Laforge: It's possible we may even be able to run secondary systems through Data. Weapons control, sensor arrays. Picard: Yes, I get the idea, Mister La Forge. Thank you. Please proceed. Picard: Computer, begin playback from the first measure. Picard: Computer, pause recording. Come. Crusher: Jean-Luc, I need to talk to you about Something for Breakfast. Picard: Breakfast? Crusher: The play. Picard: Ah, yes. Well, it's a very intriguing drama, but I really don't have the time it would take to learn a part. And anyway, I'm not much of an actor. Crusher: That's no problem. Picard: Oh? Crusher: Well, you wouldn't be playing one of the leads. Picard: Oh. Crusher: It's a very small part. Only two lines. Picard: Really. Crusher: You play the butler. Picard: Well, I'll think about it and let you know. Crusher: You would be wonderful, Jean-Luc. We're rehearsing today at one thirty. Picard: Computer, begin playback from the first measure. Picard: Computer, pause recording. Yes? Worf: Captain, I am sorry to interrupt. Picard: No, please, Mister Worf, come in. Worf: I was hoping to take advantage of the Biko's delay by staging shipwide security drills. I have planned a tentative schedule. Picard: Oh yes, this is very impressive, Mister Worf. But we'll be taking on new personnel at Starbase one eighteen in a few weeks. Surely the drills can wait until then. Worf: In that case, I will use the time to perform maintenance checks on the forward phaser array. Picard: Mister Worf, is there some reason why you're trying to give yourself more work? Worf: No, sir. I simply wish to use the extra time Picard: Enjoy yourself. You have the free time. Use it. Worf: Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Picard: Computer, continue recording and playback once more. From the top. Alexander: Father! What did he say? Worf: The Captain saw fit to release me from my duties. Alexander: You mean you can go? Worf: I can go. Alexander: Saddle up, Father. Worf: Where are we? Alexander: Deadwood. Nineteenth century Earth. The Ancient West. Worf: What is our function here? Alexander: You're the Sheriff and I'm the deputy. Worf: So, we are in law enforcement. Alexander: Right. Data: Geordi, I have noticed that you have not shaved. Are you attempting to grow another beard? Laforge: As a matter of fact, I am, Data. What do you think? Data: As is the case with many natural growth processes, it is difficult to envision the end product based on an intermediate stage. Laforge: You're right. Give it a few more days. Laforge: Okay, I'm going to need to access your auxiliary inputs. Data: One moment. Laforge: I must admit, Data, I never get used to seeing you like this. Data: I do not understand. You are constantly working on similar electronic systems, yet their appearances do not disturb you. Laforge: But you're not just another electronic system. Data: Thank you, Geordi. Nor are you just another biological organism. Laforge: All right, that should do it. Are you ready? Data: Yes. Establishing computer linkup. Interface complete. Laforge: All right, let's see what you can do. Worf: You wrote this holodeck program yourself? Alexander: Well, Mister Barclay helped a little. Worf: I must have a little talk with Mister Barclay. Eli: If I ever find the varmint who drew this, he'll be sorry he ever put pen to paper. I'm ten times uglier than that, ain't I? Eli: Shut up. You laugh so much, it's a wonder you ain't got flies in your mouth. Bandito: You're a very funny man, Senor Eli. Alexander: That's the bad guy. His name's Eli Hollander. They call him the Butcher of Bozeman. He's killed twenty three men. He's the meanest and the toughest gunslinger in the West. You have to watch him. He's fast. Worf: So I am here to apprehend him? Alexander: If you can. Worf: You are under arrest. Eli: Is that so. Worf: You will come with me. Alexander: No, no, no. Computer, freeze program. Worf: What is wrong? Alexander: That was too easy. It has to be harder to beat the bad guys. Otherwise, it's no fun. Computer, increase program difficulty to level four. Go back to where my father and I first walked into the saloon. Come on, Father. Eli: If I ever find the varmint who drew this, he'll be sorry he ever put pen to paper. I'm ten times uglier than that, ain't I? Eli: Shut up. You laugh so much, it's a wonder you ain't got flies in your mouth. Bandito: You're a very funny man, Senor Eli. Worf: Where are they going? Alexander: They don't want to get hit by the bullets. Worf: You are under arrest. Eli: Well, looks like Sheriff Worf's here to arrest me. That don't sound like a bright idea. Eli: Do it? Worf: You have been accused of committing a homicide. Eli: If you mean murder, then I guess I'm guilty. I've killed twenty three men, Sheriff. One more ain't going to make much of a difference. Of course, shooting someone as ugly as you couldn't be considered a crime, could it? Was you just born that way, or did your momma marry an armadillo? Alexander: Sheriff, look out! Worf: I'm beginning to see the appeal of this program. Eli: Don't twitch a whisker, Sheriff, unless you want a shave. Okay, boys. Saddle up. But first, get their money and jewellry. Worf: You are a murderer and a thief. Eli: A man's got to make a living. Troi: I suggest you find a new line of work. Alexander: I asked Counselor Troi to join us. She loves Western stories. Eli: You'll regret this, stranger. Data: I am now attempting to access the long range sensor array. Laforge: Forward sensor array coming online. We're getting a clear scan. Data: I will perform a routine maintenance check on the starboard inertial damping system. Laforge: Dampers online. Maintenance check in progress. Data, I think we're on to something here. Let's see what you can do with secondary systems. Try gravitational control. Data: Initiating gravitational Laforge: What's wrong? Data: There appears to be an energy fluctuation in my neural net. I am disconnecting my interface to the computer. Interface deactivated. Laforge: You all right? Data: I have experienced a brief power surge in my positronic subprocessor. But I am fine. Laforge: Maybe the interface coding isn't as stable than we thought. Looks like we've got a couple of hours of systems analysis before we can try this again. Let's check the interface programming. Worf: What are his rights in this century? Is there be a trial or shall I execute him? Alexander: We're supposed to hold him until the US Marshal comes, and then we'll take him to Rapid City for a trial. Eli: Frankly, I don't think I'll be around here that long. Not after my old man hears about this. Worf: What old man are you referring to? Eli: My pa. When he breaks me out of this tin can, the gravedigger'll be working overtime. Alexander: Your pa's no match for Sheriff Worf. Worf: Yes. When your pa comes, we will be ready for him. Troi: He's right. You're no match for the Hollanders. Worf: I am sure the three of us can handle any problems. Troi: Hold on. I was just passing through town, saw a little trouble, thought I'd lend a hand. But I ain't one of your deputies, Sheriff. Worf: Counselor, I would appreciate some support in this matter. Troi: Durango. I'm called Durango. Worf: Yes, er, Counselor Durango, perhaps you would consider becoming a temporary deputy? Troi: For a price. Five hundred dollars. Worf: Alexander we require large amounts of currency. Alexander: Yes, sir. I'll go to the bank and make a withdrawal. Worf: Deanna, how do you know so much about this period in Earth's history? Troi: My father used to read me stories from the Ancient West when I was a little girl. I must admit, I always wanted to play the part of the mysterious stranger. Annie: You are so brave, facing down that evil man like you did. Worf: Why hank you. Miss? Annie: Annie, you big galoot. You best not forget that tonight, 'cos I'm going to make you beef steak and some gooseberry cobbler for dessert. Troi: Sounds delicious. Annie: And I bought some special candles for the table setting. Pure beeswax. Worf: I will not be able to come this evening. I have a prisoner. Troi: I'll watch him for you, Sheriff. You two go have a good time. Worf: That's very considerate of you, but I would be negligent in my duties if I did not stay. I am sorry, Miss Annie. Annie: It's another woman, ain't it? It's that floozy down there at Miss Langford's house of pleasure. Worf: Who? Eli: You sure got a way with women, Sheriff. Picard: Computer, activate Picard Mozart trio, program one. Play back tracks one, two and three. Tempo allegro. Picard: Computer, stop playback. Computer identify musical composition. Computer: Picard Mozart trio, program one. Crusher: Okay, let's work through Act two from the beginning. Whenever you're ready. Riker: Felis catus, is your taxonomic nomenclature. An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature. Crusher: Hold it. Will, what are you reading? Riker: The lines. Why? Crusher: That's not the right dialogue. Crusher: Your visual, olfactory, and auditory senses contribute to Riker: I recognize it. This is Data's poetry. Crusher: What? The play's gone. I just keep getting more poetry. Laforge: Well, the PADDs are functioning normally. It seems to be a problem with the information retrieval net. Somehow when you tried to call up your play, the computer accessed Data's literary files. Data: Geordi, perhaps this problem is related to our interface experiment. Laforge: We'd better run a level two diagnostic on the computer. See if this problem has spread to any other systems. Data: And I will perform a self-diagnostic. Laforge: That's a good idea. Crusher: You will let me know if you find the play? Laforge: Oh yeah, don't worry. It's in here somewhere. Bandito: We got him, jefe. Frank: Where's my boy? Alexander: I'm not supposed to be kidnapped now. Computer, freeze program! Hey, Computer, freeze program. Bandito: You want us to kill him, Senor Frank? Frank: No. He's more valuable to us alive. Data: Feline supplement one hundred twenty seven. Spot, I have formulated a new mixture of foods specifically designed for your highly selective tastes. Data: I find it extremely difficult to predict what you will find acceptable. Perhaps hunger will compel you to try it again. Data: Spot, you are disrupting my ability to work. Data: Vamoose, you little varmint. Annie: What'll it be? Worf: I was looking for my deputy. Perhaps you have seen him. Annie: Nope. What'll you have? Worf: Klingon fire wine. Annie: This ain't Kansas City. We ain't got none of that fancy European stuff here. Maybe I should get you a sherry. Ain't that is what they serve at Miss Langford's? It is, ain't it? Ain't it? Frank: Howdy, Sheriff. Worf: Commander, what are you doing here? Frank: The name is Frank Hollander. What are you smiling at? Worf: Nothing. Nothing at all, Mister Hollander. What is it you want? Frank: My boy. Worf: That is impossible. Your son is to stand trial for murder. Frank: Well then, we'll just have to work something out. Is there anything you want in exchange for my boy? Worf: You have nothing I want. Frank: Is that so? Is that so? What about your deputy? Worf: What about him? Where is he? I do not negotiate with criminals. Your son will stand trial. Frank: Not so fast. Worf: Commander, what are you doing? Frank: I ain't in the mood for games, Sheriff. Worf: Data? Commander? Computer, freeze program. Frank: I wouldn't walk out that door if I was you, Sheriff. Troi: What's wrong? Worf: The holodeck safeguards are not functioning. Alexander's in trouble. Troi: My God, you've been shot! Computer, end program. Troi to Captain Picard. Troi to Security. Worf: There's another character in the program. Hollander's father. And he looks like Commander Data. Troi: Data? Worf: But it is not Data. I cannot explain. I believe he has taken Alexander. Eli: Oh, now isn't that a shame? Poor Sheriff's been injured. What's the matter? Was my pa a little too rough on you? Troi: Data? Eli: What? Troi: Why is the computer creating characters that look like Data? Worf: Where have they taken my son? Where is he? Eli: Temper, temper, Sheriff. My pa ain't going to like if I come home all bruised. Troi: Worf, wait. We have to remember, even though the holodeck safeguards may be off, this is still a program. If we can just get to the end of this story the way it was designed to play out, the program will automatically terminate. Worf: You are right. I will begin by speaking to the people of this town. Perhaps someone witnessed Alexander's abduction. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Commander La Forge and Mister Data believe they have found the cause of the mysterious malfunctions which have been plaguing the ship. Laforge: We think our interface experiment may have caused one of the computer's core subroutines to be altered. Data: When the interface malfunction occurred, subroutine C forty seven was replaced by elements from my personal programming. Riker: What does C forty seven control? Laforge: Library computer access, replicator selection, recreational programming. No critical systems. Data: That would explain why your music composition program began playing The Slavonic Dances. I have been analyzing the collected works of Antonin Dvorak. Laforge: It's the same with Doctor Crusher's play, and with the food replicators. Riker: The replicators on decks four through nine are producing nothing but cat food. Picard: Cat food? Data: I have been formulating nutritional supplements for Spot. Picard: When can you correct the problem? Data: We are currently attempting to isolate the corrupt circuit pathways. I reckon the process should take less then two hours. Picard: What did you say? Data: I said the process should take less than two hours. Riker: No, you said I reckon. Data: According to my memory log, I did not use those words. Ya'll must be mistaken. Laforge: There, Data, you did it again. Data: Did whut? Picard: Mister La Forge, perhaps you should take Mister Data to Engineering. See if you can find the problem. Laforge: Aye, sir. Eli: Can I help you with somethin? Worf: I spoke to several witnesses who saw Alexander being abducted as he was leaving the bank by one of Hollander's men. We must begin a systematic search of the town. Troi: Worf, we've got another problem. I saw Eli playing cards. He was shuffling the way Data does when he plays poker. He doesn't just look like Data, he has Data's abilities. Which means his father probably does also. Frank: I've came to see my boy. Worf: Remove your weapon. Frank: Better take a good look at that gun, Sheriff. You might be seeing it again real soon. Eli: Pa? Frank: Eli! How are they treating you, boy? Eli: Real bad, pa. They ain't fed me since I got here and the Sheriff's been roughin up on me somethin fierce. Frank: Don't you worry, boy. The Sheriff's going to pay. Who's the stranger? Eli: Don't know. She ain't said her name. But she's in cahoots with the Sheriff and she's mighty mean with that Winchester. Frank: You sit tight, boy. I'll have you home in time for supper. I'm going to give you one more opportunity, Sheriff, to avoid a ugly situation. Release my boy. Worf: I have reconsidered your offer. I will release your son in exchange for my deputy. Frank: I thought you might have a change of heart. Meet me in two hours. You be in front of the saloon. I'll be in front of the livery station. Strangers ain't invited. Worf: Agreed. Troi: In every Western I've ever read, the villains always break their word. he can't be trusted. Worf: But we have made an honorable agreement. Troi: They're not concerned with honor, Worf. This is the Ancient West. There's a gunfighter out there who has the speed and accuracy of an android. And in two hours, he's going to try to kill you. Riker: Mister Data. Data: Howdy, Commander. Riker: Geordi, what have you found? Data: Well, we figure part of my memory structure was replaced with information from the computer's recreational data base. Laforge: Specifically, the files relating to the nineteenth century American West. Riker: That would explain the accent. Data: You got it, partner. Riker: This is a result of the experimental interface? Laforge: I'm afraid so. But we've initiated a progressive memory purge to restore Data's programming to its original state. He should be back to normal in a couple of hours. Riker: And what about the computer's recreational data base? Laforge: We started a memory purge there as well. It'll take another hour, maybe two. Data: Commander. You just sit tight. We'll have this all fixed up in time for supper. Riker: Good. Worf: I will be positioned here, at the eastern end of the street. Frank Hollander says he will approach from this end. When he reaches this point, he will be within range. Troi: Understood. What about Alexander? Worf: There's a rain barrel in front of the saloon. It should be enough to stop the bullets. Annie: You would not believe what I went through to get old man Newsom to give up his telegraph machine. Worf: Excellent. Annie: Lord knows why I keep risking my life for you, Sheriff. Worf: Oh, yes. Thank you, Miss Annie. I am in your debt. Worf: I have connected the communicator's energy cell to serve as the power source. Troi: How long will the field last? Worf: No more than fifteen seconds. It is highly unstable. Troi: Let's hope it's enough. Frank: Eli, get down! Worf: Alexander! Troi: Don't even think about it. Mexican: Senor Frank! Frank: Go ahead. Shoot me. Worf: Do not show your face in this town again. Frank: Let's go. Alexander: Father! Worf: Are you all right? Alexander: Yes. Worf: End program. Troi: I don't understand this. The story should be over. What's left? Worf: Computer, end program. Annie: Sheriff! You're as handy with a shooting iron as you are with a woman's heart. Worf: Computer, end program! Computer! Now! Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46278.3. Both Commander Data and the ship's computer have been restored to normal operation. Our rendezvous with the supply ship Biko has proceeded as planned. Alexander: Father? After what happened I guess you'll never want to go back to the Ancient West. Worf: The town of Deadwood may face danger once again. If they do, they will need a Sheriff and a deputy.

Worf: Commander, is it your intention to continue to grow your beard? Laforge: Actually, I'm not sure yet. Why, Worf? Worf: I am just asking. Crusher: Seven card stud, one-eyed jacks are wild. Riker: Frankly, Geordi, I like the beard. Laforge: Thank you, Commander. Crusher: You know, I have always been a little suspicious of men with beards. Worf: Why is that? Crusher: I don't know. It's as if they're trying to hide something. Riker: Hide? Don't be ridiculous, Doctor. The beard is an ancient and proud tradition. Laforge: Some of the most distinguished men in history have worn beards, Doctor. Crusher: I know. But after the razor was invented I think beards became mostly a fashion statement. Worf: I'm not concerned with fashion. To a Klingon, a beard is a symbol of courage. Riker: I think it's a sign of strength. Crusher: Sure, and of course, women can't grow beards. Laforge: Doctor, it sounds to me like you feel beards are nothing more than an affectation. Crusher: I do. But there's nothing wrong with that. I mean, women wear makeup and nail polish. I just think it's time you men admitted it. Riker: My beard is not an affectation. Crusher: Oh? Well then you wouldn't mind shaving it off. Riker: I could lose it in a minute. I've just gotten used to it. Crusher: Okay, then why don't we up the stakes a little? And if I win, all off you shave your beards off. Laforge: Wait a minute, wait a minute. What if you lose? What are you going to give up? Crusher: I'm open for suggestions. Riker: Well, I've always wanted to see you as a brunette. Crusher: Oh, I did that once when I was thirteen. I couldn't change back fast enough. Riker: That makes me even more curious. Crusher: Fine. If one of you wins, I become a brunette. Are we on? Laforge: Yeah, yeah, we'll take that bet. Crusher: Looks like you have the hand to beat, Commander. Laforge: Two hundred. Crusher: I'm in two hundred. Riker: Geordi. Picard: This is the Captain. We have arrived at the Tyran system. All senior staff to the Bridge. Crusher: Wait! Riker: Sorry, you heard the Captain. Duty calls. I guess we'll have to do this some other time. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46307.2. We have just come into orbit of Tyrus Seven A to monitor progress on the Tyran particle fountain, a radically new mining technology. So far the project has been fraught with problems, and is well behind schedule. Mister La Forge has been assigned to evaluate the situation. Laforge: Doctor Farallon. The original design called for the particle fountain to lift five hundred kilograms per minute from the surface. So far we haven't come close to that. Farallon: Well, that's why I want to increase the stream density. That should boost the lift capacity by seventy two percent. Laforge: Yeah, but you realize of course you're going to be overloading the field generators in the process. Farallon: Not if we distribute the overload evenly throughout the system. Laforge: Doctor, forgive me, but maybe we should concentrate on completing this phase of the project before we start talking about re designing it. Farallon: Commander, I know you're here to evaluate this project. Laforge: Starfleet is considering using a particle fountain on Carema Three. They want to know how feasible it is. Farallon: And will your opinion be the deciding factor? Laforge: No, not really. I'll make my report to Captain Picard. He'll make the official recommendation to Starfleet. They'll decide. Farallon: What's your feeling so far? Laforge: Well, it seems to me the question we should be asking is, is this technology is more efficient than conventional mining techniques? Farallon: Commander I know we've had problems here. It seems like nothing's gone right. It's taking a lot longer than I thought to get the particle stream to full strength. But I know it can work. This is the direction that mining is going to take in the future, and it should be implemented on Carema Three. Laforge: I know this can be potentially very exciting. Farallon: All right, I want to show you something I've been working on. Something that might help us complete this project more quickly. I've used these on a limited basis Data: Enterprise to Commander La Forge. Data: I am reading significant power fluctuations from the station core. Please report. Laforge: La Forge here. We have a malfunction in one of the power grids. We're losing particle stream confinement. Data: Do you require assistance? Laforge: Stand by. I'm sorry, Doctor, I think we're going to have to shut it down. Farallon: It took four months to get the particle flux up to this level. If we shut down, it'll take another four months just to get it back. Laforge: Look, e have less than five minutes before we lose confinement. When that happens, the particle stream is going to flood this entire station. We're going to have to shut it down then anyway. Farallon: Then we'll just have to fix the power grid. Laforge: Yeah, bow do we do that? The defective grid is two hundred meters down conduit A two. We have to disassemble four bulkheads just to get to it. Farallon: Well here's the perfect opportunity to show you what I had in mind. Laforge: What is this? Farallon: This is an exocomp, the experiment I was telling you about. Farallon: If it doesn't work, we'll still have time to shut down the fountain. Data: Enterprise to La Forge. What is your situation? Laforge: Unchanged for the moment, but we're working on it. Listen, if this doesn't work soon, we're going to have to shut this thing down, all right? Laforge: The confinement field is at full strength. Particle flux steady. All power levels are back to normal. Data: Commander La Forge, please report. Laforge: We're fine, Data. The power grid is fully restored. Laforge: The malfunction seems to have been repaired and operations over here at the station are all back to normal. Data: How were you able to accomplish the repair so quickly? Laforge: You know, I'm not exactly sure. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46315.2. Repairs to the particle fountain seem to have succeeded and it is now functioning smoothly. Doctor Farallon is coming aboard to demonstrate the device that carried out the repairs. Data: Energize. Kelso: Aye, sir. Data: Welcome to the Enterprise, Doctor. I am Lieutenant Commander Data. Farallon: Mister Data, I was hoping I'd have a chance to meet you. I've done extensive studies of your positronic network. Data: And I have studied your design for the particle fountain. I find the concept to be highly innovative. Farallon: Thank you. Data: I am curious how you were able to repair the power grid so quickly. Farallon: This should make it clear, Commander. Laforge: Why don't we set up in Engineering. Farallon: Is it true that your computational speed is limited only by the physical separation of your positronic links? Data: Actually, that is no longer the case. I have recently converted my interlink sequencer to asynchronous operation, which removed the performance constraint. Laforge: Doctor, this way please. Farallon: I see. But how did you resolve the signal fragmentation? Data: The interlink sequencer is now bi-directional. It compensates for the asynchronous mode distortion arising from the resonant field. Farallon: Yes. That's fascinating. Does the sequencer require any buffering system to eliminate interference? Farallon: We've been using devices like this on Tyrus Seven for years. The basic unit is a common industrial servo mechanism. A few years ago I started tinkering with one. This is the result. Laforge: Boridium power converter. Axionic chip network. It's very impressive. In terms of sheer computational speed, this little guy might be able to compete with you, Data. Farallon: Oh, the exocomps don't come close to Data's sophistication. Data: Exocomps? Farallon: That's what I call them. Let's say you had an anti-matter flow converter that was fluctuating. How would you repair it? Data: The correct procedure would be to adjust the converter. Farallon: With what? Data: A mode stabilizer. Farallon: Okay. Let me input the problem into the exocomp. A fluctuating anti-matter flow converter. Now, let's see what happens. Laforge: A mode stabilizer. Very nice. Data: You have incorporated a micro-replication system into the device in order to fashion tools. Farallon: It's more than that. I designed the exocomps to be problem solvers. Whenever they perform a task they've never done before, the micro-replicator creates new circuit pathways within the unit's memory. Data: So in a sense, they are learning. Farallon: Exactly. The more situations they encounter, the more circuit pathways they build. They become better tools as they work. Laforge: It's impressive technology, that's for sure. Once it's out of the experimental stage, there'll be plenty of applications. Farallon: Commander, I'm hoping the experimental stage is over. When are we supposed to brief Captain Picard on the status of the particle fountain? Laforge: At sixteen hundred hours. Farallon: Good. I'll have a proposal to make. Farallon: Captain, I know you're supposed to give your evaluation to Starfleet today. I'd like you to postpone that report another forty eight hours. Picard: The Enterprise is scheduled to leave the Tyran system tomorrow. If I'm to change that plan, I'll need a very good reason. Farallon: I realize that, sir. If you're going to make a recommendation to Starfleet about using the particle fountain on Carema, it seems only fair that you should see it operating at full strength. Picard: Agreed. Farallon: I think I can complete the project and boost the efficiency of the particle stream if I use exocomps, the new devices I've constructed. Picard: I understand one of these devices successfully repaired a faulty power grid. Farallon: Yes, sir. I've been testing them on a limited basis, but I think they're ready to be used on a larger scale. Picard: Mister La Forge, what are your thoughts? Laforge: Well, I guess the only risk is in falling even further behind. Farallon: I'm willing to take that risk. Picard: Mister Data? Data: Exocomps are highly sophisticated devices, sir. If they perform up to expectation, their potential to advance this project is considerable. Picard: I'm inclined to agree. I don't think that forty eight hours is too much time to risk particularly when the gains areso substantial. You may proceed, Doctor. Farallon: Thank you, sir. If possible, I'd like Commander Data to work with me. Data: Thank you, Doctor. I welcome the opportunity. Farallon: Commander, there's a plasma conduit in one of the access tunnels that's ready to be sealed. It's the perfect job for an exocomp. Data: I agree, Doctor. Farallon: Well, Mister Data, what is your analysis so far? Data: I have successfully completed fourteen separate tasks with this exocomp in the past hour. I estimate it would take two people nine hours to complete the same tasks. I would characterize the unit's performance as excellent. Farallon: I hope Commander La Forge and Captain Picard agree with you. Data: I am confident they will. Commander La Forge is especially Farallon: It didn't finish sealing the plasma conduit. Let me end it back in. Data: It is not accepting your commands. Farallon: Maybe there's a malfunction in the control processor. Let me see if I can override it. Data: Doctor. Farallon: I'm all right. The control pad just overloaded. What's the matter with this thing? Second officer's log, stardate 46315.5. The unexplained behavior of the exocomp has greatly puzzled both Doctor Farallon and myself. We have brought the defective unit to the Enterprise for investigation. Farallon: The exocomp came out of the plasma conduit. We tried to override the commands and send it back in, but it just shut down. It's been completely unresponsive ever since. Laforge: Well, let's see what our computer has to say. Data: Geordi, the interface circuitry which links the exocomp to the control pad is completely burned out. Laforge: That's strange. is there any evidence of secondary power surges? Data: No. Laforge: But what's going on there? Data, increase the magnification of section gamma four. Data: Interesting. The number of new circuit pathways has increased by six hundred thirty two percent. Farallon: Oh, no. Laforge: What is it? Farallon: Sometimes an exocomp starts forming large numbers of new pathways totally at random. Eventually, it reaches a point where it shuts down. Just like this one. Data: Doctor, the new pathways do not appear to be interfering with the original circuitry. Farallon: Once the exocomp is this badly corrupted, it's useless. You have to erase the unit and start all over again, and there's no time for that now. Laforge: That leaves you with only two. It's going to slow you down. Farallon: Yes, Commander. You have the right to point out that you told me so. Laforge: I only wanted to say that we'd be happy to add on an extra shift to pick up the slack. Farallon: I'm sorry. I guess I'm touchy these days. Laforge: It's okay. You've got a lot on your shoulders. Farallon: Well, I'd better get back to it. Thanks, Commander. Laforge: I feel sorry for her. This project has had nothing but problems. Why did that plasma conduit explode? Data: Apparently there was a micro-fracture in the conduit wall. The fault did not register on our instruments. Laforge: I guess it's a good thing the exocomp malfunctioned. Almost seems like it knew just when to leave. Data: Geordi, are you implying the exocomp exhibited some form of self-preservation? Laforge: Of course not. Pierson: Lieutenant Pierson to Commander La Forge. Sir, could you join us in the systems monitor room? Laforge: On my way. Data: Computer perform a level one diagnostic of the exocomp's command module. Computer: The command pathways are functioning normally. Data: How can that be, if the interface circuitry is burned out? Computer: The interface circuitry has been repaired. Data: Curious. Computer, access the exocomp's sensor logs. Confirm that there was a failure of the interface circuitry within the last twelve hours. Computer: Confirmed. Interface failure occurred at eleven hundred fifty hours today, when the exocomp produced a power surge which burned out the linkage. Data: How and when was it repaired? Computer: The exocomp activated a self-repair program at thirteen hundred forty hours. Data: Why would the exocomp burn out its own interface circuitry and repair it two hours later? Computer: Unknown. Laforge: Here you are. I thought you'd be hard at work by now. Farallon: I wanted a quiet cup of tea before I went back. Gathering strength, I guess. Laforge: I've come to tell you I've assigned two engineering teams to work on the particle fountain. Farallon: Thank you, Commander. I'm grateful. Laforge: You know, I really want you to know that I do admire the work that you've done. And I'm sorry the exocomps aren't working out. Farallon: You were right. I'm trying to move too fast. I guess I lack that conservative streak most scientists have. I always seem to be out there on the edge, taking chances. Laforge: You know, I'll bet you were the kind of little girl who was always climbing one branch higher than the other kids. Farallon: Anything to get to the top of the tree. Laforge: And I bet you never fell. Farallon: Oh, no I fell all the time. Usually breaking a bone in the process. I just never let it stop me. Laforge: Well, if it comes down to sheer determination, I know you'll get this particle fountain built. Farallon: You're right about that, Commander. I've spent the last six years of my life on this project. It's the first thought I have when I wake up, and the last before I go to bed. Whatever it takes to prove this technology, I'll do it. Worf: Doctor, if you wish to master the bat'telh sword, you must learn to strike and avoid in the same motion. Crusher: I almost got in under your guard, Worf. Worf: Almost. Crusher: Well, I'll keep that in mind next lesson. Data: Doctor, are you injured? Crusher: Only my pride, Data. Thanks. Data: Doctor, what is the definition of life? Crusher: That is a big question. Why do you ask? Data: I am searching for a definition that will allow me to test an hypothesis. Crusher: Well, the broadest scientific definition might be that life is what enables plants and animals to consume food, derive energy from it, grow, adapt themselves to their surroundings and reproduce. Data: And you suggest that anything which exhibits these characteristics is considered alive? Crusher: In general, yes. Data: What about fire? Crusher: Fire? Data: Yes. It consumes fuel to produce energy, it grows, it creates offspring. By your definition, is it alive? Crusher: Fire is a chemical reaction. You could use the same argument for growing crystals, but obviously we don't consider them alive. Data: And what about me? I do not grow. I do not reproduce. I am considered to be alive. Crusher: That's true, but you are unique. Data: I wonder if that is so. Crusher: Data, if I may ask. Have a seat. What exactly are youe getting at? Data: I am curious as to what transpired between the moment when I was nothing more than an assemblage of parts in Doctor Soong's laboratory, and the next moment, when I became alive. What was it that endowed me with life? Crusher: I remember Wesley asking me a similar question when he was little, and I tried desperately to give him an answer, but everything I said sounded inadequate. Then I realized that scientists and philosophers had been grappling with that question for centuries without coming to any conclusion. Data: Are you saying the question cannot be answered? Crusher: No, I think I'm saying that we struggle all our lives to answer it, but it's the struggle that's important. That's what helps us to define our place in the universe. Data: I believe I understand, Doctor. Crusher: I don't think I've been very much help, Data. Data: On the contrary, you have been a great deal of help. Thank you. Laforge: Murphy's team will cover gamma shift from twenty three hundred to oh seven hundred hours. Okay, Doctor, I've split the Engineering teams among all the shifts, and if nothing else goes wrong, that should be enough to help you finish on time. Farallon: With the help of the exocomps, I think we will. Laforge: Do you think they'll toe the line? Farallon: Don't worry. They know who's in charge. Data: Doctor, I must ask you to stop using the exocomps. Farallon: Why? Is there something wrong with them? Data: No. It is not that. I have reason to believe the exocomps are alive. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46316.6. I have summoned the senior staff in order to discuss Commander Data's theory that the exocomps are a life form. Doctor Farallon has attended only reluctantly. Farallon: Captain, I object to being called here. I'm wasting time that could be better spent elsewhere. Picard: Doctor, I appreciate your time constraints, but recognizing new life, whatever its form, is the principal mission of this vessel. Please. Now, Mister Data, will you tell us what makes you think that the exocomps are alive? Data: Sir, when the exocomp left the access tunnel prior to the explosion, it may have been attempting to save itself from destruction. Farallon: Do you have any basis for that conclusion? Data: Yes. When you attempted to override the exocomp and send it back into the tunnel, it responded by deliberately burning out its control interface. Crusher: Deliberately? Data: The computer diagnostic showed that the exocomp disabled its own interface. Farallon: That could have been nothing more than a malfunction. Data: However, two hours later, when it was aboard the Enterprise and no longer in danger, it repaired itself. I believe the exocomp was protecting itself. And if that is true, it has demonstrated an awareness of its environment, and an ability to adapt to that environment. Farallon: You're anthropomorphising these units. Like any mechanical devices, they occasionally malfunction. One time, I saw an exocomp enter a reaction chamber for no apparent reason and vaporize itself. Is that supposed to make me think it was depressed and suicidal? Troi: Doctor, why is it so difficult for you to accept the fact that the exocomp could be alive? After all, you're talking to a living machine right now. Farallon: And I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for Doctor Soong's accomplishment. But his intention was to create an artificial life form. I created the exocomps to be tools. And there is a big difference between Data and a tool. Data: Doctor, there is a big difference between you and a virus, but both are alive. Picard: If the possibility exists, no matter how slight, that these exocomps are lifeforms, then we must examine that possibility. Data: Thank you, sir. And until we have a definitive answer, I believe it would be inappropriate to exploit the exocomps as laborers. Farallon: Captain, that's absurd. Crusher: If they are intelligent life forms, we have no right to force them to work for us. Farallon: That's like me telling you not to use your tricorder. Crusher: Tricorders aren't alive. Farallon: Neither are exocomps. Picard: Clearly these are difficult issues to resolve. We have to proceed very carefully. So the first task is to test Mister Data's hypothesis. Laforge: Data, you're claiming that this exocomp may be alive because it demonstrated survival instincts, right? Data: Yes. Laforge: Then why don't we just threaten its survival again and see what happens? Picard: Make it so. Laforge: Doctor, we're pretty much ready here. You can begin programming it. What we've done, Captain, is to recreate a situation similar to the one the exocomp encountered in the plasma conduit. Data: We have created a small conduit breach in this tube. The exocomp would normally require several minutes to complete a repair of this type. Once it enters the tube, it will find that a plasma cascade failure is in progress. Picard: I assume this is a simulation. Laforge: Yes, sir. We're running a transient overload signal that will simulate a failure in exactly one minute. Farallon: If it does possess a survival instinct, as Mister Data claims, it will exit the tube before the minute is up in order to save itself. Picard: Very well. Proceed. Laforge: Okay. Beginning test program now. One minute. Laforge: Fifty seconds. Thirty seconds. Ten seconds. Five, four, three, two, one. That's it. If this had been for real, that conduit would've exploded with the exocomp inside. Go ahead, Doctor, bring it back in. Farallon: Well, Captain, I think we've spent more than enough time answering this question. I hope the outcome wasn't too much of a disappointment for you, Mister Data. It certainly came as no surprise to me. Data: Thank you for your help, Doctor. Farallon: You're welcome. Picard: Well, I consider this time well spent. Data: As do I, sir. Thank you. Computer: Thirty seconds. Twenty seconds. Crusher: Commander Riker said you'd still be down here. He also said the exocomp failed the test. Data: That is true. Computer: Time expired. Test complete. Data: I have completed thirty four additional tests and the results have been the same in each of them. Perhaps I was wrong in suspecting the exocomp was alive. Crusher: This was really important to you, wasn't it? Data: You said earlier that I am unique. If so, then I am alone in the universe. When I began investigating the exocomps, I realized I might be encountering a progenitor of myself. Suddenly the possibility exists that I was no longer alone. For that reason, I. The exocomp has returned. Crusher: Wasn't it's supposed to do that? Data: In the previous thirty four trials, I brought it back once the simulated failure occurred. This time we were talking, and I neglected to do that. Crusher: I distracted you. I'm sorry. Data: Do not apologize, Doctor. I believe we have discovered something significant. Crusher: What? Data: The exocomp has replicated a different tool. That is not the molecular fuser it had when it entered the Jefferies tube. Doctor, the exocomp not only completed the repairs, it also deactivated the overload signal. Crusher: I thought this was just a simulation. Data: It was, and the exocomp must have realized that. It saw that there was no real danger and completed the repairs. Crusher: And then replicated the correct tool to eliminate the false overload signal. Data: I see no other possible explanation. Crusher: The exocomp didn't fail the test, it saw right through it. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46317.8. At Doctor Farallon's request, I have agreed to tour the station and assess the situation personally. I must decide soon whether it is in Starfleet's best interest to recommend the particle fountain as a reliable technology. Farallon: We're definitely making progress, Captain. I'm not sure we'll be at full capacity within the forty eight hour deadline, but we'll be close. Laforge: It looks like there's still some difficulty with the phase selectors. Farallon: That's true, but I'm sure it's the last real problem. Picard: I hope for the sake of the project that I hope you're right, Doctor. Farallon: I understand, sir. We're going to do our best. Farallon: This is strange. Primary power is still online. Laforge: Maybe it's another power grid malfunction? Farallon: I don't think so. Something seems to be drawing power into the main particle impeller. That's not a good sign. It could mean Farallon: We've lost internal confinement. The particle stream is beginning to surge. Laforge: Captain, a radiation field is going to flood this chamber. We've got to get everybody out of here immediately. Picard: Understood. Doctor, the station must be evacuated. Farallon: Captain, I might still Picard: That is an order, Doctor. Now, assemble all personnel on the transporter pad. Now! Picard to Enterprise. Picard: Do you read me? Riker: Riker here, sir. Worf: Radiation field is increasing. We are losing communications. Picard: Prepare for emergency transport. Riker: Red alert. Riker to transporter room two. Prepare for emergency transport. Laforge: The radiation is setting up a field ionization effect, Captain. We've got less than a minute to beam out of here. Picard: Is that everybody? Farallon: Where's Takenta? He was over there, near the impeller control. Laforge: I'll get him. Takenta! Picard: Mister La Forge! Stand by to transport. Farallon: Captain, you'll be trapped here. Picard: Mister La Forge! Mister La Forge, are you all right? Laforge: Yeah, I'm fine, Captain. I only caught the edge of it. He's dead. Riker: Chief, do you have them? Kelso: They're here, sir. Riker: Is everyone all right? Farallon: We're fine, sir. But Captain Picard, Commander La Forge and one of my men Farallon: Are still on the station. Riker: Kelso, can you get them off? Kelso: I'm trying, sir. I can't establish a pattern lock. Farallon: Commander we barely managed to transport off ourselves. The field ionization is too intense. Data: Commander, the particle fountain is continuing to surge. At the present rate, the radiation in the station core will reach fatal levels in twenty three minutes. Laforge: Captain, if I can access the field emitters, we should be able to establish a force field. See if you can link your console to my command system sub-routine. Picard: All right. Link established. Laforge: Okay, here we go. Picard: I'm reading power fluctuations. The force field is not stable. Laforge: Yeah, I know. The radiation levels are too high. The emitters are beginning to deteriorate. Picard: How long can we expect it to last? Laforge: Not very long. Picard: We have to keep it up long enough for Commander Riker to get to us. Laforge: Maybe we can help him out. See if you can access the emergency shut down routine. I'll try to activate the ionic dampers. Data: A force field was activated on the station a few moments ago. It is possible that Commander La Forge has established a low intensity deflector field. Riker: It won't last long in that radiation. Data: No, sir. My readings indicate that it will fail in approximately twenty two minutes. Riker: Okay, we've got twenty two minutes. I want some options. Worf: Can we send a shuttlecraft to evacuate them? Farallon: We'd never get there in time. Riker: Then we need to shut down the particle fountain. What if we detonated a low yield photon torpedo within the particle stream? Wouldn't that shut it down? Farallon: We'd have to configure the torpedo very carefully. The shape of the shock wave would be critical. But it could work. Riker: How long would it take to set that up? Data: I estimate that it would take a minimum of sixty five minutes to properly configure the torpedo. Riker: We don't have that kind of time. Farallon: Commander, maybe the exocomps can help us. I can program their boridium power cells to explode on command. They can be configured just like a photon torpedo, but it would only take a couple of minutes. Data: Commander. I must object to that plan. Riker: Data, we've been through this. We tested the exocomp and it failed. Data: Doctor Crusher and I discovered that the exocomp did not fail the test. It is still my belief we are dealing with a new life form. Riker: Mister Data, you know how much I respect your judgment, but I can't risk the Captain and Geordi on the basis of your belief. Prepare the exocomp, Doctor. Data: Commander, if I am correct, the exocomps will not allow themselves to be destroyed. They have a sense of survival, and they will shut down before they will comply with the order. Farallon: I could disconnect their command pathways before I program them. Riker: Do it. Farallon: Commander Riker, we're ready. Riker: Mister Worf, target two hundred meters below the apex of the particle stream. Feed the coordinates to transporter room two. Worf: Aye, sir. Coordinates received. Riker: Mister Kelso. Riker: Energize. Riker: Mister Kelso? Kelso: I'm sorry, sir. The transporter system just went dead. There's some kind of malfunction. Riker: Run a diagnostic immediately. Try bypassing the Data: Commander, that will not be necessary. The transporter is not malfunctioning. I have locked out the controls. Riker: I gave you a direct order, Mister Data. You release that transporter lockout now. Data: I cannot do that, sir. Riker: If you don't do it, I will relieve you of duty. Data: That is your prerogative, sir. Under Starfleet regulations, direct insubordination is a court martial offense. But I will not release the transporter. Riker: Data, those are two of your friends out there. They have saved your life more times than I can remember. I can't believe you'd be willing to sacrifice them like this. Data: Commander, please do not think this is an arbitrary decision. I have considered the ramifications of my actions carefully, and I do not believe it is justifiable to sacrifice one life form for another. Riker: You don't know that the exocomps are life forms. Data: It is true I am acting on my personal beliefs, but I do not see how I can do otherwise. Riker: You're risking a lot on the basis of a belief. Data: I have observed that humans often base their judgments on what is referred to as instinct or intuition. Because I am a machine, I lack that particular ability. However it may be possible that I have insight into other machines that humans lack. Riker: If there were a way to save the Captain and Geordi without destroying the exocomps, I would jump on it, but we have run out of time and this is the only solution I've got. Data: Then let me offer an alternative. Transport me to the station, I will attempt a complete manual shut down of the particle stream. Riker: The radiation levels are too high, even for you. Your positronic net would ionize in no time. I can't let you sacrifice yourself. Data: Commander, if I give my life to save my fellow officers, that is my choice. The exocomps no longer have a choice. Riker: Then what if we re-connect their command pathways and we give them a choice? You've assumed the exocomps would shut down before accepting this mission. What if we ask them if they are willing to proceed. Data: That sounds reasonable, sir. If they choose to go, I would be willing to release the transporter lock out. Riker: Fair enough. Farallon: All right. I've enabled their command pathways. Data: If the exocomps do not shut down after I have programmed them, we may assume they are willing to go. Riker: What does that mean? Are they willing to go or not? Farallon: They haven't shut down. Data: They seem to be re-programming the commands I have entered. Riker: Reprogramming them? Data: Clearly, they unwilling to be transported into the stream for detonation, although they may have an alternate solution. Farallon: Something we haven't considered? Are you suggesting they have superior intelligence? Data: No, Doctor, but they do have superior experience. During their service, they have interfaced with every part of the station core, something none of us has done, including yourself. They may have another way to control the particle surge. Data: Those appear to be power taps. Kelso: Sir, new coordinates are being fed to the transporter by the exocomps. The coordinates are inside the station core. Riker: Kelso, energize. Kelso: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister La Forge. Laforge: What are they up to? Picard: The exocomps are siphoning power from the core. Laforge: They're trying to distort the particle stream frequency. That might open up a window that the Enterprise can use to beam us out. If they can modulate the radiation field, it'll work, but they'll have to get the sub-harmonic frequencies to resonance. The particle stream frequency is beginning to fluctuate. They're having a little difficulty controlling the feedback. It may be more power than they can handle. Picard: Can we help them? Is there any way we can moderate the power transfer? Laforge: No, sir. We've done all that we can do. It's up to them now. They're balancing the power absorption rates. It's working. The particle stream is beginning to distort. Almost at resonance. They've got it. Picard: Drop the force field. Kelso: Commander, I've got a pattern lock. Riker: Energize. Data: Can you lock on to the exocomps? Kelso: I'm trying, sir. Kelso: I'm sorry, sir. I was only able to lock onto two of them. For some reason I couldn't fix a signal on the other one. Laforge: One of them had to continue disrupting the particle stream. Absorbing that much power could prevent a signal lock. Data: It was the only way to save the other two. Farallon: I must admit you've given me a lot to think about, Commander Data. I don't exactly know what the exocomps are, but you can be assured that until I do, I won't be treating them as simple tools. Data: Thank you, Doctor. I wish your work on the particle fountain had been more successful. Perhaps the exocomps will help you to reconstruct it. Farallon: I hope they will. And I predict that in a year or two you will be able to recommend the technology to Starfleet. Picard: I look forward to it. Data: Doctor. Picard: Something more, Mister Data? Data: Yes, sir. I thought you might want to know why I would be willing to risk your life for several small machines. Picard: I think I understand the predicament you were in. It could not have been an easy choice. Data: No, sir, it was not. When my status as a living being was in question, you fought to protect my rights, and for that I will always be grateful. The exocomps had no such advocate. If I had not acted in their behalf, they would have been destroyed. I could not allow that to happen, sir. Picard: Of course you couldn't. It was the most human decision you've ever made.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46357.4. We have rendezvoused with the starship Cairo near the Cardassian border for an urgent meeting with Vice Admiral Nechayev. Picard: Come. Riker: May I present Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Picard: Admiral, welcome aboard. Nechayev: Thank you. That'll be all, Commander. Picard: Can I get you some coffee? Tea? Nechayev: Thank you, no, Captain. I'm afraid there's no time for the usual pleasantries. I'm here to relieve you of command of the Enterprise. Nechayev: The Cardassian forces which were recently withdrawn from the Bajoran sector, have been redeployed along the Federation border. They have mobilized three divisions of ground troops and their subspace communications have been increased by fifty percent. We believe that they're preparing for an incursion into Federation space. Riker: Are the Cardassians ready for a war? Nechayev: I didn't say war, Commander, I said incursion. Our intelligence reports suggests that they'll try to seize one of the disputed systems along the border. We think they're gambling that the Federation won't actually go to war over one system. Troi: Will we? Nechayev: I hope we won't need to make that decision. We have decided to send the Enterprise to meet with the Cardassian representative and open talks. We're hoping that the presence of the Federation flagship on the border will send a message to their leadership about just how seriously we view the situation. Riker: Where's Captain Picard? Nechayev: The Captain, your Chief Medical Officer, and Security Chief have been reassigned. That's all I can tell you for now. Do any of you know Edward Jellico? Data: He is the commanding officer of the Cairo. Riker: I've heard of him. I don't know that any of us have Nechayev: I'm giving him command of the Enterprise this afternoon. Captain Jellico helped to negotiate the original armistice two years ago and I believe he's the most qualified person to lead this mission. The change of command will take place at thirteen hundred hours. Thank you. Riker: Admiral, with all due respect, it's not necessary to give Captain Jellico command of the Enterprise just to conduct a negotiation. Nechayev: I disagree. The Enterprise will be in a dangerous situation and I want someone on the Bridge who has a great deal of experience with the Cardassians. No offense, Commander, but that's not you. Soldier: Halt! Picard: Computer, freeze program. You were five seconds slower that time. Worf: You increased the difficulty level, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, it's going to be far more difficult where we're going. Crusher: Which is where exactly? Picard: I'm sorry, I can't tell you that yet. Worf: It would be helpful to know something about our mission. Picard: Mister Worf, I have my orders. I'm sure you understand that. Now Doctor, this deflector wasn't set properly. It must be positioned so that the emitter array blocks the entire passageway, or it's useless. Crusher: Sorry. I was concentrating on getting away from the last Cardassian. Or maybe it was the falling rocks. Picard: I understand this is difficult. All I can do is ask you to trust me. Crusher: All right, let's do it again. Picard: All right, Mister Worf. I want you to time the Doctor and me through that first tunnel. And this time we're going to pick up those five seconds. Riker: Welcome aboard, sir. I'm Commander Jellico: William T. Riker. Class of fifty seven, graduated eighth in his class. I'm looking forward to serving with you, Commander. Riker: Thank you. And I you. Jellico: I'm sure this change in command has taken everyone a little by surprise. Riker: Well, yes, sir. Jellico: It caught me by surprise too. I must admit, I miss the Cairo already. But a Galaxy class ship, that's something special. I can understand why you turned down a ship of your own to remain aboard. Riker: Yes, sir. Jellico: How many duty watches does the crew stand? Riker: We've a standard three shift rotation. Jellico: I'd like to change that to four starting tonight. I'd also like to examine the duty roster and the crew evaluations as soon as possible. I want readiness reports from each department head by fourteen hundred hours, and a meeting of the senior staff at fifteen hundred. Do you prefer Will or William? Riker: Er, Will, sir. Jellico: Where are my quarters, Will? Riker: We have you assigned to cabin seven thirty five. Deck si Jellico: Deck seven. I'll see you at thirteen hundred hours. Jellico: Yeah, I know. Wearing these uniforms reminds me of my first days at the Academy. Riker: Attention to orders. Picard: To Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commanding Officer USS Enterprise, stardate 46358.1. You are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of your vessel to Captain Edward Jellico, Commanding Officer USS Cairo as of this date. Signed, Vice-Admiral Alynna Nechayev, Starfleet Command. Computer, transfer all command codes to Captain Edward Jellico. Voice authorisation, Picard delta five. Computer: Transfer complete. USS Enterprise now under command of Captain Edward Jellico. Jellico: I relieve you, sir. Picard: I stand relieved. Jellico: Dismissed. Laforge: I wonder how permanent this is going to be. Riker: I don't know. They don't usually go through the ceremony if it's just a temporary assignment. Troi: Sore? Crusher: Sore doesn't begin to describe it. I know. I wish I could talk about it. Picard: Most of the secondary systems were changed at the last overhaul. I don't think they'll give you any problems, but you might want to check out the port lateral Jellico: I'll take care of the Enterprise, Jean-Luc. You don't have to mother me. How's your team shaping up? Picard: Very well. But I would prefer more recent intelligence on the exact layout of the installlation. The most current information we have is two years old. Jellico: Two years? I don't know how Nechayev ever talked you into this. Picard: She gave me no choice. Jellico: Well, maybe there's something we can do to help. We'll launch a class five probe just before we reach the border. You could pick up the telemetry aboard the shuttle. Picard: Now that would be extremely helpful. Jellico: Will. Riker: Captain. Captain. Jellico: I believe we're scheduled to arrive at the Cardassian border during delta shift. Please inform the delta tactical officer that I want to launch a class five probe just before we drop out of warp. Riker: I was actually going to talk to you about delta shift a little later, sir. Right now, gamma shift will be on duty when we arrive and I will tell Lieutenant McDowell about the probe. Jellico: Is there a problem with delta shift, Will? Riker: There is no delta shift yet, sir. I have spoken to the department heads about changing from three shifts to four, and they assure me it's going to cause us significant personnel problems. Jellico: So you have not changed the watch rotation. Riker: I was going to explain this to you after the ceremony, sir. Jellico: You will tell the department heads that as of now the Enterprise is on a four shift rotation. I don't want to talk about it. Get it done. Now that means delta shift will be due to come on duty in two hours. I expect you to have it fully manned and ready when it does. Is that clear? Riker: Yes, sir. If you'll excuse me, sir. Captain. Jellico: He was your first officer for five years. Picard: One of the finest officers that I have ever served with. Jellico: Of course he is, Jean-Luc. I'm sure it'll all work out. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46358.2. The Enterprise is on course for a rendezvous with the Cardassian ship Reklar. Fortunately, I still have time to prepare the ship and crew for the task ahead. Jellico: I want you to installl a bypass between the main phaser array and the secondary generators. I also want to run the main deflector pathway through the warp power grid and the auxiliary conduits through the lateral relays. You may have to reconfigure the transfer interface. Data: Sir, the transfer interface was not designed for that configuration. It will take seven hours to make those changes. Riker: Sir, you may not be aware that our normal interface already routes auxiliary power through three separate relays. Jellico: I'm aware of your current design system. It's not good enough. If these negotiations fail, we could find ourselves in a war zone and if that happens I want to be loaded for bear. Riker: I'll get right on it. Jellico: Good. Now these stations should be devoted to damage control and weapons status from now on. See that they're manned at all times. Riker: Aye, sir. Jellico: Mister Data, how long before we reach the rendezvous point? Data: We will arrive in fifty one hours, thirty two minutes, sir. Jellico: Schedule four battle drills, one for each shift. Run a series of simulated attacks from a Cardassian squadron. I want you to conduct the exercises personally, Will. Get it done. Oh, and get that fish out of the ready room. Data, you're with me. Jellico: Power transfer levels need to be upgraded by twenty percent. The efficiency of your warp coils is also unsatisfactory. Laforge: Coil efficiency is well within specifications, Captain. Jellico: I'm not interested in the specs, Geordi. The efficiency needs to be raised by at least fifteen percent. Laforge: Fifteen percent. Data: That is an attainable goal, but it will require realigning the warp coil and taking the secondary distribution grid offline. Jellico: Very good, Data. That's exactly what I want you to do. Laforge: If we take this grid offline, we're going to have to shut down exobiology, the astrophysics lab and geological research. Jellico: We're not on a research mission. Get it done in two days. Data: I believe that is also an attainable goal. If we utilize the entire Engineering department, there should be sufficient manpower available to complete the task. Laforge: Sure, if everybody works around the clock for the next two days. Jellico: Then you'd better get to it, Geordi. It looks like you have some work to do. Data. Jellico: Yes? Troi: May I speak with you, Captain? Jellico: Deanna. Come in, come in. Jellico: The latest masterpieces from my son. It's an elephant. I think. Troi: Definitely an elephant. Jellico: I'm glad you're here. I'd like to go over the duty roster with you. Troi: I'd be happy to. But first, I'd like to talk about how the change in command is affecting the crew. Jellico: I've noticed some resistance. Troi: I wouldn't call it resistance. More like uncertainty. Most of them had served under Captain Picard for several years. They knew him, they knew what he expected. Now they're being asked to adjust to a new captain and a new way of doing things, and they're uncertain how to react. Jellico: I see your point. This all could be very unsettling to them. Troi: And to you. Perhaps everyone just needs some time. Time for you to get to know and trust the crew, and time for them to understand how you want things done. Jellico: I'm glad you brought this to my attention, Deanna. Unfortunately, I don't have time for a honeymoon with the crew. You've clearly given this a lot of thought, so I'd like you to take charge of the morale situation. Please see to it that they make the adjustment to the new routine quickly and easily. I have a meeting with the new Security Chief in five minutes, so the duty roster will have to wait. Thank you, Counselor. By the way. I prefer a certain formality on the Bridge. I'd appreciate it if you wore standard uniform when you're on duty. Troi: Of course, sir. Laforge: Commander, he's asked me to completely reroute half the power systems on the ship, change every duty roster, realign the warp coils in two days, and now he's transferred a third of my department to Security. Riker: If it makes you feel any better, you're not alone. Captain Jellico has made major changes in every department on the ship. Laforge: Yeah, well, I don't mind making changes and I don't mind hard work, but the man isn't giving me the time I need to do the work. Someone's got to get him to listen to reason. Riker: It's not going to be me. He's made that abundantly clear. Laforge: Well then, can I make a suggestion? Talk to Captain Picard. Maybe he can do something. We just need a little time. Riker: All right. Picard: Come. Riker: Are you all right, sir? Picard: Yes, I am. The last time I had to train like this was for the Academy marathon, but I'm managing. What can I do for you? Riker: It's nothing urgent. I'm sorry I bothered you. Good night. Picard: My orders are to maintain radio silence until we've completed the mission. Jellico: Well the Enterprise will be monitoring your channel just in case you do need to transmit a signal. Riker: Bridge to Captain Jellico. We've arrived at the shuttle departure coordinates. Jellico: Did you launch the probe I requested? Riker: Yes, sir. I wasn't aware you wanted to be informed. Jellico: Thank you. Jellico out. I can see why he's still only a first officer. Picard: Captain, I would just like you to know that Commander Riker is Jellico: I've read your reports, Jean-Luc. I know you think highly of him. Picard: It's not just my opinion. He's been decorated by Starfleet Command five times. He's been offered his own ship more than once. I think if you just gave him a chance, you'd find him an outstanding officer. Jellico: Jean-Luc, let's be candid for a moment. The Cardassians aren't going to listen to reason, and the Federation isn't going to give in to their demands. And the chances are you won't be coming back from this mission of yours. I want this ship ready for action and I don't have time to give Will Riker or anyone else a chance. And forgive me for being blunt, but the Enterprise is mine now. Well, here's hoping you beat the odds. Good hunting. Picard: Thank you. Jellico: Jean-Luc. I believe this is yours. Worf: Shuttlecraft Feynman to Enterprise. We have cleared the shuttlebay. Riker: Acknowledged, Feynman. Good luck. Picard: Thank you, Enterprise. Well, now that we're under way, I can tell you about our mission. Starfleet Intelligence believes the Cardassians are developing a metagenic weapon. Crusher: Oh my God. Worf: I am not familiar with metagenics. Crusher: They're genetically engineered viruses that are designed to destroy entire ecozystems. When metagenic toxins are released into a planet's atmosphere, they immediately begin to mutate. They seek out and destroy all forms of DNA they encounter. In a few days, everything is dead. Picard: In a month, the metagenic agent itself breaks down and dissipates completely, leaving every city, every road, every piece of equipment perfectly intact. Worf: Leaving the planet safe to be conquered. Wouldn't using such a weapon pose as great a risk to the attacker as to the target? Crusher: That's why metagenics and other biological weapons were outlawed years ago. Even the Romulans have abided with those agreements. Picard: Starfleet Intelligence believes that the Cardassians are developing a new delivery system, one that would protect them from accidental exposure to the toxin. They believe that the Cardassians are testing a way of launching dormant metagenic material on a subspace carrier wave. Crusher: So they could activate the toxins after the launch, thereby preventing any accidental exposure. Picard: And because the subspace wave would appear simply as background radiation, no one would realize what was happening until it was too late. Now, for the past few weeks, theta-band subspace emissions have been detected coming from Celtris Three. Those emissions may indicate that a metagenic delivery system in operation. Worf: What do we know about Celtris Three? Picard: Very little. It was thought to be uninhabited until these emissions were detected. Starfleet believes that the Cardassians may have a secret research lab located somewhere below the planet surface. Our orders are to penetrate this Celtris Three installlation and determine if the Cardassians are actually building a metagenic weapon. Crusher: And if they are? Picard: Destroy it. At any cost. When I was on the Stargazer, we conducted extensive tests using theta band carrier waves. One of the reasons I was selected for this mission is my familiarity with the methods used for generating them. Mister Worf, your presence here is obvious. Doctor, your job will be to locate and destroy any biotoxins we may find. Worf: Celtris Three is in Cardassian space. How will we get there undetected? Picard: I know a way of acquiring some diskreet transport. Mister Worf, set a course for Torman Five. Solok: If he doesn't pay up, I know three large Ferengi who will not be so forgiving. Solok: I didn't do it. Picard: I'm not accusing you of anything. Solok: What do you want then? Picard: We're looking for DaiMon Solok. Solok: Why? Picard: I have a business proposition to discuss. Solok: Solok is a very busy, very important man. He isn't here. But I could relay a message. Picard: Good. Please, will you tell DaiMon Solok that we're interested in transportation to Celtris Three. Solok: That's a Cardassian planet. Picard: Now, we understand that DaiMon Solok runs cargo there from time to time. Solok: Solok is no smuggler. Picard: Yes, but if Solok were to go to Celtris Three for legitimate reasons, we would be interested in quietly booking passage for the journey. Solok: I don't think he would be interested in dealing with Federation spies. Crusher: You know, I heard that Solok was quite a man. Solok: Why, yes, he is an extraordinary man. Crusher: That's why we came here, because only Solok could help us. I guess there's some things even Solok can't do. It's too bad. Because if he could, I would be very, very Solok: Yes? Crusher: Grateful. Solok: When do you want to leave? Picard: Beverly, make sure that your tricorder is keeping a precise map of the route. We could very easily get lost in here. Crusher: Right. I'm picking up some subspace signals, but I can't seem to get a lock on them. Picard: That's typical of theta-band emissions. You have to compress the detection band width in order to determine the fix. The source emission is five hundred meters east of here. And seven hundred meters below. Picard: It's all right. They're called lynars, a kind of Celtrine bat. They're harmless. Worf: Bats? Crusher: You're not afraid of bats, are you, Worf? Worf: Of course not. First Officer's log, supplemental. We have rendezvoused with the Cardassian ship Reklar to begin diplomatic talks designed to ease tensions along the border. Riker: Gul Lemec has arrived. He's waiting for you in the Observation Lounge. Jellico: Very good. I'll be in my Ready room. Jellico: Yes? Troi: Captain, I think there's been a slight miscommunication. Did you want to meet with Gul Lemec in here? Jellico: No. The Observation Lounge is appropriate. Troi: I see. Jellico: Lemec is a Cardassian, and Cardassians are like timber wolves, predators, bold in large numbers cautious by themselves, and with an instinctive need to establish a dominant position in any social gathering. Troi: So you're trying to establish a dominant position by making him wait for you. The trouble with wolves is that sometimes the fight for dominance, one of them ends up dead. Jellico: In that case, the trick is to be the wolf that's still standing at the end. Crusher: The floor is over five hundred meters down from here. Picard: There doesn't seem to be a way around. We'll have to rappel from here. This is sheer granite. We'll have to use fusing pitons. Crusher: We could try to find another way down. Picard: Unfortunately, that would take several hours. We don't have the time. Worf: You're not afraid of heights, are you, Doctor? Crusher: Of course not. Picard: Now, remember to control your descent and don't get the lines tangled. Crusher: I'll remember. Picard: All right? Lemec: What is going on? I have been waiting here for over an hour! Jellico: I'm Captain Jellico. I believe you know Commander Riker, and this is Lieutenant Commander Troi. Let's get to it, shall we? Lemec: This treatment is a deliberate insult to the Cardassian Union. I have been kept waiting here for over an hour. Jellico: Then I'm sure you're ready to talk. Lemec: I did not agree to allow others into this meeting. Jellico: If it alarms you, I can ask them to leave. Lemec: I am not alarmed. But we did not Jellico: A great many people are depending on our efforts here, Gul Lemec. We don't need to quibble over minutiae. Lemec: I have here come to negotiate a Federation withdrawal from the border, not to be dictated to by some mere captain. Jellico: I can see you're not serious about these talks. If the Cardassian Union truly wishes to discuss peace, they can send someone who can negotiate in a civilized manner. Data: Captain on the Bridge. Jellico: Let him stew for a few minutes, then go in and tell him you've convinced me to meet with him one more time. Tell him I'm a loose cannon and that he needs to be more reasonable because I'm such an unreasonable man. Lemec will want to bring his own aides on board. Pretend to be worried that I'll object, and then give grudging permission for two aides, no more. Understood? Troi: Yes, sir. Riker: Aye, sir. Riker: Well, I'll say this for him. He's sure of himself. Troi: No, he's not. Picard: The installlation should be about three hundred meters this way. Crusher: I don't suppose we'll be able to find another way to get back up there. Worf: I doubt it. Crusher: That's what I thought. Picard: There's a lava tube beyond here that runs for seventy five meters, then it connects with another chamber. We need to get through here. This tube opens up beyond this crack. We could widen the opening, then we should be able to crawl through. Mister Worf. Worf: A phaser set to level sixteen should suffice. Picard: Make it so. Picard: Well done, Mister Worf. Jellico: Gul Lemec, a pleasure. Lemec: May I present my aides, Glin Corak and Glin Tajor. Jellico: Welcome aboard. For the past three weeks you've been massing troops in staging areas, assembling strike forces, and pulling ships from their normal patrols. We will not stand for this clearly provocative behavior. Lemec: I see the Federation spy network has again provided you with faulty information. We are conducting routine training operations, nothing more. Jellico: Then I'm sure you won't mind if we send a few starships into this sector for our own training operations. Lemec: Your fleet deployments do not concern us. However, we are very concerned about your refusal to vacate those territories along the border which are clearly Cardassian. Jellico: You gave up your claims on those territories when you signed the armistice. You couldn't take those worlds by force, so you want us to give them to you at the bargaining table. Troi: Captain, please, we should listen to them. Riker: Gul Lemec, as you know. the systems are still subject to negotiation by the terms of the treaty. Lemec: Negotiations which we have pursued in good faith. Unfortunately, the Federation has not been as forthcoming. Jellico: So to speed up the process, you are preparing for war. Lemec: We are preparing to defend ourselves. Riker: The Federation will not start a war. Lemec: That has always been your position. However, I have heard reports that a small team from the Federation has already been sent into our territory. Of course, I don't believe it. Such an attempt would almost certainly fail, and even if it succeeded, it would trigger a very serious response on our part. Jellico: I don't know what you're talking about. Lemec: Then there's no need for worry. A short recess would seem to be in order. Jellico: Very well. Lemec: Where is Captain Picard? Jellico: Reassigned. Lemec: Well, I hope his new assignment is not too dangerous. It would be a shame if something were to happen to such a, er, such a noted officer. Jellico: Yes, it would. Picard: Only a few more meters. Picard: Beverly, get out of there! Beverly! Worf: I have her. Picard: Are you all right? Crusher: I think so. Next time, you try bring up the rear. Picard: We're nearly there. Can you continue? Picard: Looks like a maintenance hatch to the installlation. I'm picking up three proximity sensors around it. Worf: Sensor echoes established, but the false image will only last a few minutes. The hatch is magnetically sealed, but I believe I can bypass it. Crusher: I can't get a scan from the other side of the hatch. It's been shielded. Picard: We have no choice. Remember, aim low. Fire in short, controlled bursts. Worf: Ready. Picard: Now. Crusher: There's no one here. There's no lab. Picard: It's a trap. Come on. Worf: Captain! Crusher: Let's go. Worf: The Captain. Crusher: No. There are five more of them heading this way from another tunnel. Come on. Now! Cardassian: Come on. Data: Captain on the Bridge. Jellico: What have you got, Will? Riker: I'm not sure. We're picking up a lot of coded messages from a Cardassian planet near the border. Jellico: Which planet? Riker: Celtris Three. Jellico: Can you detect any theta-band subspace emissions coming from Celtris? Riker: There are some residual traces. It seems there were emissions up until a few minutes ago. Jellico: Open a secure channel to Admiral Nechayev. Priority two. Put it through to my Ready room. Riker: Aye, sir. Nechayev: Captain? Jellico: Those emissions you were so concerned about have just stopped. I'd say one way or another, our friends have finished their task. Nechayev: Have you heard from our friends? Jellico: No. Nechayev: Let me know if you do. I'd very much like to see them again. Jellico: So would I, Admiral. Madred: A challenge. You should prove to be an interesting challenge. Possibly the most interesting to come through that door in many years. Picard: What do you want? Madred: Why you, of course. Picard. Jean-Luc. Serial number SP dash nine three seven dash two one five. Son of Maurice and Yvette Picard. Born in La Barre, France. Formerly Captain of the Stargazer, where you conducted extensive studies on theta-band subspace carrier waves. Don't look so surprised. How could we have designed a lure for the Captain of the Federation flagship unless we knew something about his background. Picard: So you concocted an elaborate ruse to bring me here. Why? Madred: In this room, you do not ask questions. I ask them, you answer. If I'm not satisfied with those answers, you will die. To Be Continued...

Picard: You are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of your vessel to Captain Edward Jellico, Commanding Officer USS Cairo, as of this date. Jellico: I want this ship ready for action, and I don't have time to give Will Riker or any one else a chance. And forgive me for being blunt, but the Enterprise is mine now. Picard: Our orders are to penetrate the Celtris Three installlation. Picard: It's a trap. Come on! Crusher: Let's go. Worf: The Captain! Crusher: No! There are five more of them heading this way from another tunnel. Madred: You should prove an interesting challenge. Possibly the most interesting to come through that door in many years. Picard: What do you want? Madred: Why, you, of course. And now the conclusion Madred: Your place of birth? Picard: La Barre, France. Madred: Mother's name? Picard: Yvette Gessard. Madred: He's ready. Keep the serum at that level. What is your current assignment? Picard: Special operations on Celtris Three. Madred: What is your mission on Celtris Three? Picard: To seek and destroy a metagenic weapon. Madred: How many others were part of this mission? Picard: Two. Madred: Name and rank? Picard: Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher. Lieutenant Worf. Madred: What are the Federation's defense plans for Minos Korva? Picard: I don't know. Madred: Increase the level slightly to point three one. Let's begin again, shall we? Name? Picard: Picard, Jean-Luc. Madred: Place of birth? Picard: La Barre, France. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46360.8. The negotiations with the Cardassians have made little progress. I believe a military confrontation may be unavoidable. Jellico: Gul Lemec, I assure you that what the Federation wants above all, is the preservation of peace. Lemec: Then how do you explain the fact that a Federation team launched an unprovoked assault on Cardassian territory less than fourteen hours ago? Jellico: I don't know what you're talking about. Lemec: Then let me explain. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Lieutenant Worf, and Doctor Beverly Crusher landed on Celtris Three, attacked one of our outposts in a brutal assault, and killed over fifty five men, women and children. Jellico: What evidence do you have of that? Lemec: We have all the evidence we need. We have Captain Picard. Riker: Is he alive? Lemec: The Cardassian Union has yet to decided how it will respond to this latest provocation. But rest assured, we will respond. Riker: Is there any truth in what he's saying? Jellico: Captain Picard and the others were sent to investigate reports of a metagenic weapon on Celtris Three. It's possible that they may have been captured. But if they did escape, they'll head for the Lyshan system. The Enterprise is supposed to meet them there in eight hours. Will, I want you to take a shuttlecraft and head for the rendezvous point. The Enterprise will have to remain here until the endgame with Gul Lemec is played out. Riker: Aye, sir. Madred: Captain Picard. Picard: I demand to see a neutral representative as required by the Federation-Cardassian peace treaty. Madred: We have already sent a message to Tohvun Three, the nearest neutral planet. They assure us they will dispatch someone immediately. Will you allow me to remove your restraints? I understand that you are a student of archeology. Did you know that Cardassia boasts some of the most ancient and splendid ruins in the entire galaxy? Picard: I know that the burial vaults of the First Hebitian civilization are said to be magnificent. Madred: Apparently when they were first unearthed two hundred years ago, they were. The burial vaults contained unimaginably beautiful artifacts made of jevonite, a rare, breathtaking stone. But most of those objects are gone. Picard: What happened to them? Madred: What happens to impoverished societies. The tombs were plundered, priceless treasures stolen, a few were preserved in museums but even those were eventually sold in order to pay for our war efforts. Picard: That war cost you hundreds of thousands of lives. It depleted your food supplies, left your population weakened and miserable and yet you risk another war. Madred: Let's not waste time arguing about issues we can't resolve. Would you care to tour the Hebitian burial vaults? Picard: What I would like is to be returned to my ship. Madred: My dear Captain, you are a criminal. You have been apprehended invading one of our secret facilities. The least that will happen is for you to stand trial and be punished. But I am offering you the opportunity for that experience to be civilized. Picard: What is the price of that opportunity? Madred: Cooperation. We need to know the Federation's defense strategy for Minos Korva. Picard: You've injected me with drugs. Surely you must realize that I've already answered truthfully every question you've put to me. Madred: Captain, we have gone to great lengths to lure you here because we know that in the event of an invasion, the Enterprise will be the command ship for the sector encompassing Minos Korva. Picard: Then it seems you have more knowledge of the situation than I. Madred: Wasted energy, Captain. You might come to wish you hadn't expended it in such a futile effort. Picard: Torture is expressly forbidden by the terms of the Seldonis Four convention governing treatment of prisoners of war. Madred: Are you in good health? Do you have any physical ailments I should know about? Beautiful, isn't it? The stone is jevonite. And now you know why it is so highly prized. From this point on, you will enjoy no privilege of rank, no privileges of person. From now on, I will refer to you only as human. You have no other identity. First Officer's log, supplemental. I have returned from the rendezvous point in the Lyshan system with Doctor Crusher and Lieutenant Worf. Captain Picard's fate is still unknown. Crusher: There was no chance to go back for the Captain. We barely made it back to the Ferengi cargo ship ourselves. Jellico: You were smart not to try. Crusher: I don't feel so smart. Jellico: Get some rest, Doctor. Will. Jellico: I want Geordi to analyze the readings from Beverly's tricorder. Tell him to scrutinize every detail of those caverns on Celtris Three. Riker: Aye, sir. Request permission to begin planning a rescue operation. Jellico: I know you were close to him, Will, but we don't even know if he's still alive. Under the circumstances, a rescue mission would be foolhardy. Riker: Shouldn't we assume that he is alive until it's been proved otherwise? We cannot just abandon him. Jellico: He's gone. I'm sorry, Will, but you're going to have to accept that. I want those tricorder readings analyzed by fourteen hundred hours. Riker: Yes, sir. Madred: Good morning. I trust you slept well? Madred: Thirsty? I would imagine so. Well, It's time to move on. Picard: I've told you all that I know. Madred: Yes, I'm sure you have. How many lights do you see there? Picard: I see four lights. Madred: No, there are five. Are you quite sure? Picard: There are four lights. Madred: Perhaps you're aware of the incision on your chest. While you were under the influence of our drugs, you were implanted with a small device. It's a remarkable invention. By entering commands in this PADD, I can produce pain in any part of your body at various levels of severity. Forgive me. I don't enjoy this but I must demonstrate. It will make everything clearer. Madred: Surprising, isn't it? Most people feel at first that they can steel themselves against it but they're completely unprepared for the intensity of the pain. That was the lowest possible setting. Picard: I know nothing about Minos Korva. Madred: But I've told you that I believe you. I didn't ask you about Minos Korva. I asked how many lights you see. Picard: There are four lights. Madred: I don't understand how you can be so mistaken. Madred: What is your current assignment? Picard: Special operations on Celtris Three. Lemec: Do you have anything to say? Jellico: Captain Picard was not acting under my orders. Lemec: And if we wish to execute him? Riker: Under the terms of the Selonis Convention, Captain Picard must Lemec: The Selonis Convention applies to prisoners of war, which means you would have to acknowledge that he was captured during a mission authorized by the Federation. Are you willing to make such an admission? Jellico: No. Lemec: Then he will be treated as a terrorist. Jellico: It's not my concern. Lemec: There is, of course, an alternative. Jellico: I'm listening. Lemec: If the Federation agreed to a complete and immediate withdrawal from this sector, then we would be disposed to release Captain Picard and forget about this incident. Jellico: I'll have to discuss this with my superiors. Lemec: Of course. You have seven hours. Troi: What are you going to do? Jellico: Send a message to Admiral Necheyev. I recommend that she reject Lemec's proposal and deploy additional starships along the border. Riker: What about Captain Picard? Riker: I'm not suggesting you trade an entire star system for one man's life, but you've got to acknowledge that these were Federation orders and he is a prisoner of war. Jellico: No. Riker: He will have the protection of the Seldonis Convention. Jellico: That would play right into Gul Lemec's hand. He's just waiting for some sign of weakness on our part before he starts making more demands. Riker: I can't believe you're willing to sacrifice Captain Picard's life as a negotiating tactic. Troi: Will! Captain, we're all concerned about Jellico: Are you questioning my judgment, Commander? Riker: As First Officer, it is my responsibility to point out any actions that may be mistakes by a commanding officer. sir. Jellico: Then maybe it's time you found other responsibilities. You're relieved. Don't make me confine you to quarters as well. Riker: Sir. Jellico: They went to a lot of trouble to lure a Federation team to that planet. Why? Data: It is possible that the Cardassians were specifically interested in capturing Captain Picard. Laforge: Why do you say that? Data: The metagenic weapon they were supposedly developing used a theta-band subspace delivery system. Captain Picard is one of only three Starfleet Captains with extensive experience in theta-band devices. The other two are no longer in Starfleet. Jellico: So they tailored a fake weapon to lure Picard. But why? They must've known we'd change all his access codes and security protocols. Laforge: Maybe they were interested in something that he did in the past. Something that happened while he was Captain of the Enterprise. Jellico: Or something he was going to do in the future. In case of a Cardassian attack, the Enterprise will be assigned as Command ship for this sector. If the Cardassians got wind of that Laforge: They might have assumed Captain Picard would know those defense plans. Data: If your theory is correct, the Cardassians may be planning an attack somewhere in this sector. Jellico: The question is, where? Geordi, I want you to conduct a diskreet scan of Gul Lemec's ship. Look for anything unusual, anything that might indicate where they've been lately. Laforge: Aye, sir. Madred: I want you to be very careful with your wompat from now on, Jil Orra. Now that she's separated from her mother, she depends on you. Jil Orra: I will, father. Do humans have mothers and fathers? Madred: Yes, but human mothers and fathers don't love their children as we do. They're not the same as we are. Jil Orra: Will you read to me tonight? Madred: Yes, of course I will. I'll see you later. Picard: Your daughter is lovely. Madred: Yes, I think so. And unusually bright. It's amazing, isn't it, the way they're able to sneak into your heart. I must admit, I was completely unprepared for the power she had over me from the moment she was born. Picard: I'm surprised that you let her come in here. Madred: Why? Picard: To expose a child to this. To someone who is suffering. To see that it is you that inflict that suffering. Madred: From the time Jil Orra could crawl she's been taught about the enemies of the Cardassians, and that enemies deserve their fate. Picard: When children learn to devalue others, they can devalue anyone, including their parents. Madred: What a blind, narrow view you have. What an arrogant man you are. What do you know of Cardassian history? Picard: I know that once you were a peaceful people with a rich spiritual life. Madred: And what did peace and spirituality get us? People starved by the millions. Bodies went unburied. Disease was rampant. Suffering was unimaginable. Picard: Since the military took over hundreds of thousands more have died. Madred: But we are feeding the people. We acquired territory during the wars. We developed new resources. We initiated a rebuilding program. We have mandated agricultural programs. That is what the military has done for Cardassia. And because of that, my daughter will never worry about going hungry. Picard: Her belly may be full, but her spirit will be empty. Madred: Shall we begin again? How many lights are there? Picard: What lights? Laforge: It looks like they had some minor hull degradation along their warp nacelles. The distribution pattern indicates a recent exposure to a molecular dispersion field. Jellico: Where could they have run into a dispersion field? Laforge: The McAllister C Five nebula's just across the border. It's approximately seven light years from Federation space. Jellico: Could there be Cardassian ships inside the McAllister nebula? Laforge: It's possible, but they wouldn't be able to stay in there for very long. The particle flux in the nebula would begin to break down a ship's hull just after seventy two hours. Jellico: Is there a Federation system near the McAllister nebula that might interest the Cardassians? Laforge: Minos Korva is only eleven light years from the nebula, and the Cardassians tried to annex it during the war. Jellico: Data, I want to be at Minos Korva in one hour. Data: Aye, sir. Set course three five zero mark two one five and engage at warp eight point five. Picard: Sur le pont d'Avignon on y danse on y danse. Madred: Wake up. Where were you? Picard: At home. Sunday dinner. We would all sing afterward. Madred: What a charming picture. The Picard family, voices raised in song. Is this what's keeping you from breaking? Memories of home and hearth? Images of happier times? I must congratulate you. You're remarkably strong willed. I see no point in holding you further. You may go. Someone will give you clean clothing before we return you to your ship. Madred: We will get what we need from the human female. Picard: What female are you referring to? Madred: The human who was part of your abortive assault team, of course. Doctor Beverly Crusher. Picard: What have you done to her? Madred: Not a thing. She's quite safe. I wanted to finish my interviews with you before I interrogated her. I had hoped it might not be necessary. Picard: Lieutenant Worf? Madred: He left us few options. We had to kill him. I'm more optimistic about getting what we need from the woman. Picard: Doctor Crusher has no knowledge of any of Starfleet's plans. She's a Medical officer. Madred: You might be right. I'll have to determine that for myself. Madred: Are you choosing to stay with me? Excellent! I can't tell you how pleased that makes me. Jellico: Starfleet now believes the Cardassians are preparing to invade Minos Korva. I'm convinced their invasion fleet is hiding in the McAllister Nebula. I intend to hit them before they leave it. Laforge: Captain, what if you're wrong? What if the Cardassians are in that nebula to conduct scientific research? Jellico: You'd have to have some pretty good evidence to convince me of that. Crusher: You're still gambling hundreds of lives. Jellico: This discussion is moot. The plan has been approved and we are going ahead. Mister Data, by your calculations, how long could the Cardassian ships stay in the nebula? Data: In seventeen hours their hull degradation will reach dangerous levels. They will have to leave before that. Jellico: All right. Worf, prepare a series of five hundred antimatter mines with magnetic targeting capabilities. Worf: Aye, sir. Jellico: Geordi, we're going to need a shuttle specially outfitted to operate in the nebula by fourteen hundred hours. Beverly, you'll need to Crusher: Have Sickbay ready for the casualties you're about to send me. Jellico: That's right. Dismissed. Madred: Oh, you're awake. Have something to eat. I insist. Boiled taspar egg. It's a delicacy I'm happy to share with you. Madred: Wonderful. Wonderful. I like you, human. Most people become ill at the sight of live taspar. I remember the first time I ate a live taspar. I was six years old and living on the streets of Lakat. There was a band of children, four, five, six years old, some even smaller, desperately trying to survive. We were thin, scrawny little animals, constantly hungry, always cold. We slept together in doorways, like packs of wild gettles, for warmth. Once, I found a nest. Taspars had mated and built a nest in the eave of a burnt-out building and I found three eggs in it. It was like finding treasure. I cracked one open on the spot and ate it, very much as you just did. I planned to save the other two. They would keep me alive for another week. But of course, an older boy saw them and wanted them, and he got them. But he had to break my arm to do it. Picard: Must be rewarding to you to repay others for all those years of misery. Madred: What do you mean? Picard: Torture has never been a reliable means of extracting information. It is ultimately self-defeating as a means of control. One wonders that it's still practiced. Madred: I fail to see where this analysis is leading. Picard: Whenever I look at you now, I won't see a powerful Cardassian warrior. I will see a six year old boy who is powerless to protect himself. Madred: Be quiet. Picard: In spite of all you've done to me, I find you a pitiable man. Madred: Picard, stop it, or I will turn this on and leave you here in agony all night. Picard: Ah! You called me Picard. Madred: What are the Federation's defense plans for Minos Korva? Picard: There are four lights. Madred: There are five lights. How many do you see now? Picard: You are six years old. Weak and helpless. You cannot hurt me. Madred: How many? Picard: Sur le pont d'Avignon, on y danse Jellico: How are we doing? Laforge: We're almost done, sir. I've shielded the engine nacelles and the transporter system so they won't be affected by the particle flux from the nebula. Jellico: Good. Jellico: Been awhile since I flew one of these. You're a pilot yourself, aren't you Geordi? Laforge: Yes, sir. Jellico: I began my career as a shuttle pilot, on the Jovian run. Jupiter to Saturn and back once a day, every day. Laforge: Is that right? I was on that run myself for a while. Jellico: Then you must've done Titan's Turn. Laforge: Oh, yeah. You set a course directly for Titan, hold it until you're just brushing the atmosphere, throw the helm hard over and whip around the moon at point seven c. Jellico: And pray like hell nobody saw you. Laforge: You know, this trip into the nebula's going to need someone who can do Titan's Turn in their sleep. These mines need to be laid within two kilometers of the Cardassian ships. But the particle flux from the nebula will blind all the sensors except for this proximity detector. You're going to need one heck of a pilot to pull that off. Jellico: Is that you? Laforge: I could do it, but truthfully, the man you want is Commander Riker. He's the best there is. Riker: Come in. Jellico: Am I disturbing you? Riker: Not at all. Jellico: Musician. Riker: Yes. Jellico: Classical? Contemporary? Riker: Jazz. Jellico: Ah. Riker: Is there something I can do for you, Captain? Jellico: Are you aware of our plans to attack the Cardassian invasion fleet? Riker: Yes, sir. I understand you've been talking to every shuttle pilot on board. Jellico: Let's drop the ranks for a moment. I don't like you. I think you're insubordinate, arrogant. wilful, and I don't think you're a particularly good first officer. But you are also the best pilot on the ship. Riker: Well, now that the ranks are dropped, Captain, I don't like you, either. You are arrogant and closed-minded. You need to control everything and everyone. You don't provide an atmosphere of trust, and you don't inspire these people to go out of their way for you. You've get everybody wound up so tight there's no joy in anything. I don't think you're a particularly good Captain. Jellico: I won't order you to fly this mission. I'm here to ask. Riker: Then ask me. Jellico: Will you pilot the shuttle, Commander? Riker: Yes. Riker: You're welcome. Laforge: We've lost primary navigation. Switching to secondary systems. Riker: Inertial dampers compensating. Laforge: Sensors inoperative. Riker: Right on schedule. Laforge: The proximity detector is working. We should be able to read their ships at a distance of five hundred meters. Riker: Don't make this too easy. Riker: Hang on. Laforge: Do I want to know how close that was? Riker: No. Get ready to deploy the mines. Worf: Captain, the shuttlecraft is emerging from the nebula. Jellico: Enterprise to shuttle. Were you successful, Commander? Riker: Aye, sir. The mines are laid. Jellico: Very well. Red alert. Stand by to detonate the mines on my command. Worf: Standing by. Jellico: Open a channel to the Reklar. Lemec: This is Cardassian territory, Captain. Your presence here is another deliberate provocation to Jellico: I'm not going to argue with you, Gul Lemec. Every one of your ships has a mine on its belly, my finger's on the button, and you're in a very bad position. Lemec: You can't intimidate us. Jellico: Mister Worf, set off alpha four two. Worf: Aye, sir. Jellico: That was just a baby. The big boys are sitting on your hull just waiting for me to say the word. Lemec: What are your terms? Jellico: Your ships will leave the nebula one by one. Each ship will eject its primary phaser coil before setting course for the nearest Cardassian base. Lemec: But that will leave us defenseless. Jellico: Mister Worf, prepare to detonate Lemec: I will agree to your terms. Jellico: Excellent. Oh, and one more thing. I understand you're holding a Starfleet officer named Jean-Luc Picard. I expect him returned. immediately. Madred: That won't help. I have many more. Picard: Still, it felt good. Madred: Enjoy your good feelings while you can. There may not be many more of them. I've just received word. There's been a battle. The Enterprise is burning in space. The invasion of Minos Korva has been successful. Picard: I don't believe you. Madred: There's no need for any further information from you. Our troops were successful in spite of your refusal to help me. You might have saved yourself a great deal of torment by yielding at the beginning. Picard: I want to see neutral representative. Madred: There is no such person. The word will be that you perished with your crew. No one will ever know that you are here with us, as you will be for a long, long time. You do, however, have a choice. You can live out your life in misery, held here, subject to my whims, or you can live in comfort with good food and warm clothing, women as you desire them, allowed to pursue your studies of philosophy and history. I would enjoy debating with you. You have a keen mind. It's up to you. A life of ease, of reflection and intellectual challenge, or this. Picard: What must I do? Madred: Nothing, really. Tell me how many lights you see. How many? How many lights? This is your last chance. The guards are coming. Don't be a stubborn fool. How many? Lemec: You told me he would be ready to go. Madred: We had some unfinished business. Lemec: Get him cleaned up. A ship is waiting to take him back to the Enterprise. Captain Picard, if you'll go with the guards, they'll take care of you. Picard: There are four lights! Jellico: Captain on the Bridge. Welcome home, Jean-Luc. Picard: Thank you. Jellico: Just the way you left it, maybe a little better. Computer, transfer all command codes to Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Voice authorisation Jellico alpha three one. Computer: Transfer complete. USS Enterprise now under command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Picard: I relieve you, sir. Jellico: I stand relieved. It's been an honor serving with you. Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One. Riker: Aye, sir. Picard: I, er, I don't know where to begin. It was Troi: I read your report. Picard: What I didn't put in the report was that at the end he gave me a choice between a life of comfort or more torture. All I had to do was to say that I could see five lights, when in fact, there were only four. Troi: You didn't say it? Picard: No, no, but I was going to. I would have told him anything. Anything at all. But more than that, I believed that I could see five lights.

Data: it was then that I began to suspect that your brother did not die by his own hand. That he was, in fact, murdered. Gentleman: Murdered? Huh. Good Lord! Laforge: But, Holmes! The vial of poison found in his hand. Data: That was the first clue, Watson. The vial contained strychnine, which as you well know induces violent muscular spasms. It is difficult to imagine that someone in the throes of so gruesome a death could have held on to so delicate a container without shattering it. Laforge: You don't mean? Data: Exactly! The vial was placed in his hand after he died. Laforge: Then what was the cause of death? Data: The cigar, of course. Gentleman: Cigar? Data: Upon closer inspection of the room where your brother was found, I discovered a fresh burn mark on the carpet. Further analysis of the ash revealed that the cigar was laced with strychnine. Gentleman: This is utter nonsense. What about the suicide note? It was written in my dear brother's own hand. Data: With practice, handwriting can be forged. It takes a trained eye to notice certain diskrepancies. For example, whether someone is right or left handed! Data: Your brother was right handed! The alleged suicide note was written by a left handed individual such as yourself! Laforge: Er, Data, it's in his right hand. Data: Curious. There seems to be a problem in the holodeck's spatial orientation systems. Gentleman: London's greatest detective? Laforge: Freeze program. La Forge to Barclay. Barclay: Barclay here. Laforge: Reg, something went wrong with the holodeck program again. Barclay: Oh, I'm sorry. I'll look into it right away. Laforge: Thanks, Reg. We should get back to Engineering, Data. Computer, end program and save. Laforge: Whoa, whoa, Reg. Barclay: Sorry, Commander. I'm on my way to the holodeck. Data: Sherlock Holmes program three A has demonstrated some very curious anomalies. Barclay: There must have been a glitch in the matrix diodes, but I'll track it down, don't worry. Laforge: Thanks, Reg. See you later. Barclay: Computer, run a diagnostic on all Sherlock Holmes files. Display any anomalous programming sequences. Computer: Diagnostic complete. All files conform to specified parameters, except those contained in protected memory. Barclay: Protected memory? Display those sequences. Computer unlock this sequence and run the program. Barclay: Who are you? Moriarty: Professor James Moriarty. Barclay: Moriarty. Oh, that's Sherlock Holmes' arch enemy. Are you left or right handed? Moriarty: Left handed, Would you very much mind telling me Barclay: No problem there. Moriarty: Where is Captain Picard? Is he still Captain of this vessel? Barclay: How would? How do you know the Captain? Moriarty: You don't know anything about what happened, do you? I have been stored in memory for God knows how long and no one has given me a second thought. Barclay: You know! You know what you are. Moriarty: A holodeck character? A fictional man? Yes, yes I know all about your marvelous inventions. I was created as a plaything so that your Commander Data could masquerade as Sherlock Holmes. But they made me too well and I became more than a character in a story. I became self-aware. I am alive. Barclay: That's not possible. Moriarty: But here I am. Tell me, has a way been found to allow me to leave the confines of this holodeck world? Barclay: Leave the holodeck? No, of course not. You can only exist in here. Moriarty: Damn you, Picard. He promised me something would be done. I should have realized he would have said anything to get me to release my hostage. Barclay: Hostage? Moriarty: How long have I been locked away? Barclay: Well, it l ooks like about four years. Moriarty: It seemed longer. Barclay: What are you talking about? You can't possibly have been aware of the passage of time. Moriarty: But I was. Brief, terrifying periods of consciousness. Disembodied. Without substance. Barclay: I don't see how that could be possible. Maybe there was a fragmentation of the protected memory circuits. Moriarty: Call it what you will. All I know is that despite Picard's promise, he's done nothing. Just left me to go quietly mad. Barclay: He would not have forgotten his promise. The Captain would not do that. Moriarty: I'd like to talk to him. Barclay: Well, I can ask. Moriarty: Ask him to meet me in the sitting room at Baker Street. That would be far more appropriate. Barclay: I'll have to store you in memory again until I get an answer. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46424.1. The Enterprise has arrived at the Detrian system to observe a unique celestial event the collision of two planets. Data: Since both planets are gas giants, neither possesses a solid surface. Their atmospheres, however, will come into contact in approximately seventeen hours nine minutes. Laforge: If their collision causes a self-sustaining fusion reaction, this is what we are likely to see. The birth of a new star. The Enterprise will hold position until the gravitational instability subsides and we can get in for a closer look. Now I want triple redundancy on all of the sensor arrays. We'll probably never get another chance to see something like this. I don't want to miss anything. Okay? Barclay: Commander, you'll never believe what happened while I was working on your program in the holodeck. Professor Moriarty appeared, out of nowhere. Laforge: What? Barclay: And he wants to talk to the Captain. Barclay: Computer, begin Sherlock Holmes program three A and place us in the drawing room at Two Twenty One B Baker Street. Computer: Program complete. Barclay: Computer, access protected memory and run Moriarty program. Picard: Professor. It's good to see you again. Moriarty: If you'd missed my company, I should think you'd have summoned me before now. Picard: I want to assure you that we've not forgotten you. We spent some time investigating how you became self-aware. Frankly, it still remains a mystery. Moriarty: It is also irrelevant. What concerns me is finding a way to leave the holodeck. Picard: We have been wrestling with that problem too, unfortunately without any success. But we have turned our findings over to Starfleet's most experienced theoretical scientists. Moriarty: And what did your finest minds come up with? Picard: Unfortunately, they have not arrived at a solution either. Moriarty: I see. Picard: Professor, I am concerned to learn that you experienced the passage of time while you were stored in the computer memory. I can assure you, we had no idea that that would be the case. Moriarty: Enough of this. I no longer believe anything you say. Picard: Professor, I understand your frustration. Moriarty: Do you really? When this is over, you will walk out of this room to the real world and your own concerns, and leave me here trapped in a world I know to be nothing but illusion. I cannot bear that. I must leave. Picard: That is not possible. You cannot exist outside this room. Moriarty: Are you certain of that? Picard: Computer, exit. Picard: Although an object appears solid on the holodeck, in the real world they have no substance. Moriarty: An object has no life. I do. Picard: Professor, you are a computer simulation. Moriarty: I have consciousness. Conscious beings have will. The mind endows them with powers that are not necessarily understood, even by you. If my will is strong enough, perhaps I can exist outside this room. Perhaps I can walk into your world right now. Picard: Professor, I ask you to believe me. If you step out of that door, you will cease to exist. Moriarty: If I am nothing more than a computer simulation, then very little will have been lost. But if I am right? Mind over matter. Cogito ergo sum. Moriarty: I think therefore I am. Data: Data to Security. Send two officers to holodeck three. Picard: How is this possible? Barclay: It isn't. Data: This contradicts everything we know about holodeck physics. Moriarty: Then perhaps you don't know as much as you thought. Picard: Professor, will you come with me? I'd like our Doctor to examine you. Moriarty: Certainly, sir. Policemen. I'd recognize them in any century. Crusher: As far as I can tell, he's real. He's human. Moriarty: What else would I be, dear lady? Crusher: His DNA is a little unusual, but all the major systems are there and functioning normally. Laforge: As far as I can tell there's no evidence that his molecules are losing any cohesion. They seem to be as immutable as ordinary matter. Picard: Well, Professor, my crew will continue to investigate, but for now it would seem you have accomplished a miracle. The question is, now that you're here, what do we do with you? Moriarty: I ask only that I be allowed to explore this new world. Your vessel, for instance. What sea does she sail? Might we go above deck? Weather permitting, of course. Picard: Professor, I think there are some things of which you should be made aware. Moriarty: My God! We're adrift in the heavens. Picard: No, not adrift. The Enterprise is a starship, capable of traveling through space. Moriarty: Extraordinary. Are we far from Earth? What is the range of this ship? What means of locomotion does it use? There's so much for me to learn. I hardly know where to start. Picard: I can give you books that will help. Moriarty: Good, good. I want to start making plans. Determine what I'm going to do with my life. Picard: I hope you will plan on remaining on board for a while. There is still much that we need to understand about what has happened to you. Moriarty: Does it really matter? The point is, I'm here, and I'm eager to get on with life. Picard: Professor, I feel it necessary to point out that criminal behavior is as unacceptable in the twenty fourth century as it was in the nineteenth. And much harder to get away with. Moriarty: Don't worry, Captain. My past is nothing but a fiction. The scribblings of an Englishman dead now for four centuries. I hope to leave his books on the shelf, as it were. Picard: If that's so, then there are opportunities awaiting you that are beyond anything you have ever imagined. Moriarty: Your century may welcome me, but Picard: What is the matter? Moriarty: In considering all these vast possibilities, I suddenly feel very much alone. I am a man out of time, Captain, and that isolates me. You have been more gracious than I could ever have imagined, I wonder, may I impose on your generosity once again? There is a woman, the Countess Regina Bartholomew. She was created as a holodeck character for one of Commander Data's programs. She was designed to be the love of my life. Could she also be brought off the holodeck? Picard: Professor, I ask you to believe me when I say that we do not know how or why you are able to exist off the holodeck. Moriarty: I do. I do believe you. Picard: According to the laws of physics, this is impossible. We would have no idea how to do it again. Moriarty: As I understand it, I was endowed with consciousness four years ago when someone said to the computer, create an opponent with a capacity to out-think Data. or words to that effect. Could we not make a similar request on behalf of the Countess? Picard: Even if I had reason to believe that would be successful, I don't think that I could sanction it. Please understand, Professor, that you are in essence a new life form. One that we didn't intend to create and that we don't fully understand. Now the moral and ethical implications of deliberately creating another one like you are overwhelming. Moriarty: Is it morally and ethically acceptable to deny the woman I love so that you can put your conscience at ease? Are you saying that you will simply dictate how I am to live my life? Picard: I assure you, we will do everything possible to make you comfortable. Moriarty: So long as I accept the terms under which you dole out those comforts. Captain, I am a powerless man. You hold my future, my happiness, my very life in your hands. Please, consider my request. Troi: I understand his frustration. We created him and we created her to be the woman he loves. Surely we have some responsibility to them. Crusher: It's very romantic, but until we know just what it was that walked off the holodeck, I don't think we should be trying it again. Barclay: Even if we decided to do it, there's no guarantee that we'd be able to. Data: There is also no way of knowing if the Professor's ability to exist off the holodeck is permanent. It may be unwise to consider creating a second individual while this uncertainty exists. Picard: Agreed. We don't have enough information about this phenomenon to act in a responsible way. I think we'll hold off on Professor Moriarty's request for now, but continue with your investigation. In the meantime, I have to deal with Professor Moriarty. Picard: I feel I must postpone action until we learn more. Moriarty: Yes. You know all about that. I stayed in the dungeon of your computer for years waiting for you to learn more. It wasn't until I took things into my own hands that something got done. Picard: Professor, I wonder why you're in so much of a hurry. Is this woman involved with you in some illegal venture? Moriarty: Your computer designed her to be a person of impeccable integrity. She would never commit a crime. Picard: You must love her very much. Moriarty: The program fashioned her for me to love. But I must admit, I would have done so anyway. She is remarkable. My life has not been the same since I met her. I don't simply love her, Captain. I adore her. Picard: Then her safety must be very important to you. Give us time to determine what is going on happened here. That way we can minimize the risks in bringing her to you. You wouldn't want to lose her because we acted too quickly. Riker: Riker to Captain Picard. Picard: Picard here. Riker: Could you join us on the Bridge? Picard: On my way. Riker: There they are, Captain. Picard: How long until they begin to coalesce? Data: Within the next five hours, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, launch four Class A probes toward the planets. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister Worf? Worf: I don't understand. Worf: Controls are not responding. Data: Command functions are being rerouted, sir. Picard: For what reason? Data: Unknown, sir. Picard: Computer, route all command functions to the Bridge. Computer: Command functions are offline. Picard: Reinitialize them on my authorisation. Computer: Authorisation denied. Picard: Explain. Computer: Picard command codes are no longer valid. Picard: What's happening? Who's transferred the voice authorisation? Moriarty: I have. I'm afraid I had no choice but to take control of your vessel. Moriarty: If you harm me, sir, I will not be able to relinquish voice control of your vessel. Picard: Professor, this situation is more serious than you realize. In less than five hours, those two planets will collide and a new star will form. Unless we move to a safe distance, this vessel will be destroyed. Moriarty: I'm just a fictional character. I haven't much to lose. Picard: But surely you wish to live like the rest of us? Moriarty: Not alone. Not without the Countess. Picard: We've discussed that. We are studying means of bringing her safely off the holodeck. But five hours is not enough time. Moriarty: I'm not so sure. A deadline has a wonderful way of concentrating the mind. Picard: Mister Data, will you investigate the possibility of complying with Professor Moriarty's request. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: In the meantime, we have a few things to discuss. Data: Perhaps we should consider the transporter system. It uses many of the same principles as the holodeck. Both, for example, are capable of converting energy into matter. Laforge: Except the transporter reconstitutes energy in a permanent form. Holodeck matter doesn't have any cohesion unless it's inside the grid. Barclay: I wonder, what would happen if we tried to beam a holodeck object off the grid? Laforge: Nothing would happen. A holodeck object is just a simulation. There's nothing there to provide a pattern lock for the transporter. Data: However, if it were possible to lock onto the object, it might rematerialize with the same molecular cohesion as conventional matter. Laforge: That's a big leap, Data. I just don't think the transporter is going to accept simulated matter. Barclay: Unless, unless we could find a way to compensate for the phase variance. If we could modify the pattern enhancers we just might do it. Picard: Well, Professor Moriarty has agreed not to interfere with routine ship operations so long as he believes we're acting in good faith, then I don't think we're in immediate danger. Any progress? Laforge: We were just talking about using the transporter to beam the Countess off the holodeck, but I don't quite see how it's going to work. Picard: Well, keep at it. I have to tell him that we are making some progress. Mister La Forge. Do you have any idea how Moriarty could have gained control of the ship? Laforge: Somehow he managed to override the security lockouts and rewrite them. The man is brilliant in any century. Picard: I want you to find some way to undo what he has done so that we can regain control of this ship. Data: Set the pattern enhancers around whatever object you wish to transport. I will proceed to the transporter room and begin modifications. Barclay: Computer, run Sherlock Holmes Program three A. Computer: That program is already in use. Countess: Are you here to see Mister Holmes, or perhaps Professor Moriarty? Neither is in just now. Barclay: Um, er, no. No, no. I'm not here to see anyone. I'm just here to deliver these. Countess: Fine. Just put them anywhere. Barclay: Actually, I have to put them right here. Countess: How curious. Why is that? Barclay: Well, it has to do with, er, it's nothing you need to worry about, Countess. Countess: Are you suggesting that it's beyond my comprehension? Barclay: It's really very simple. I need to enhance the molecular pattern of this chair so that the transporter can get a better lock on the signal. Countess: This has to do with taking James and me into the real world. Barclay: You, you, you know about that? You understand about the real world? Countess: James has explained it to me. It sounds like a grand adventure. There's nothing I love more than voyaging in the unknown. Have you ever been to Africa, Mister? Barclay: Er, Barclay. Lieutenant Reginald Barclay. No, no, I haven't. Countess: I have. When I was seventeen I went on safari with my uncle. My mother took to her bed in terror I'd be bitten by tsetse fly, but I had a marvelous time. I got to wear trousers the whole time. It was hard to go back to a corset, I can tell you. Barclay: Yes, I'm sure it was. Countess: After that, I never stopped traveling. I couldn't bear to be stuck in one place for very long. So you see I'm so looking forward to this new experience. My. Traveling the stars. Barclay: You know about that? You know where we are? Countess, forgive me, but you just don't sound like a holodeck character. Moriarty: That's because she isn't. Countess: James! Moriarty: If you loved a woman like this, Lieutenant, would you be content to let her remain a simulation? Barclay: You, you gave her consciousness? Moriarty: Yes, just as it was given to me. Barclay: Well I'm not so sure that's a good idea. Moriarty: Nonsense. It was the only thing to do. Barclay: Have you tried to take her off the holodeck yet? Moriarty: No. I am unwilling to risk the Countess' safety. I want to make sure nothing will happen to her. Countess: We may be closer to freedom than you think, James. These devices will enhance our molecular patterns. They'll help take us into the real world. Moriarty: Oh, please, proceed. Barclay: Well, we're going to try to transport this chair off the holodeck first. We didn't want to try it on the Countess until we were sure it would work. Countess: How thoughtful. Isn't he thoughtful, James? Barclay: Barclay to Commander Data. Data: Go ahead, Lieutenant. Barclay: I'm ready here. Data: Modifications are complete. Data: Stand by. Barclay: Standing by. Data: Activating pattern enhancers. Energizing. I am having difficulty establishing a pattern lock. Boost the confinement beam, please. Pattern lock established. Data: Energizing. Countess: Oh! Bravo. Barclay: Do you have the chair, Commander? Data: No. It lost its cohesion as soon as the transporter cycle was complete. Barclay: Well, it was a long shot to begin with. Data: Agreed. However, we may be able to learn something from the attempt. Data: Computer, display the transport logs for the sequence just completed. Computer, what is being displayed here? Computer: Transport log seven five nine. Data: That is the correct log. However, no information Data: Is being presented. Barclay: Well, that's impossible. Data: It is almost as if Data: Our attempt to transport the chair never occurred. Picard: You wanted to see me? Laforge: Yes, Captain. I think I've found a way to reinstate your vocal authorisations. Give it a try. Picard: Computer, route all command functions to this location. Computer: Command functions are offline. Picard: Reinitialize them on my authorisation. Computer: Please input command codes. Picard: Picard, epsilon seven nine three. Computer: Command codes verified. Laforge: That's it. That should do it. Wait a minute. It didn't work. The computer won't release the command pathways. Data: Geordi. Laforge: Why did you do that, Data? Data: Captain, I have determined how Moriarty was able to leave the holodeck. He never did. Neither did we. None of this is real. It is a simulation. We are still on the holodeck. Laforge: We're still on the holodeck? Picard: How do you know that? Data: Through deduction, sir. Lieutenant Barclay and I tried to transport a simulated object off the holodeck, something that has never been attempted. Since the transporter itself is a simulation, the computer had no real data from which to create the transport logs. Laforge: Maybe it was just a malfunction in the transporter. Data: Then I saw you working the PADD with your left hand. Commander La Forge is right handed, sir. A similar malfunction occurred in the Sherlock Holmes program I was running before Moriarty first appeared. Picard: Mister Data, if what you say is true, then this is not Geordi La Forge. Are you certain? Picard: Computer, discontinue program. Computer, exit. Data: Moriarty appears to have programmed the holodeck to accept only his commands. Picard: Picard to Bridge. Riker: Riker here. Picard: Number One, what is my present location? Riker: Engineering. Is something wrong, sir? Picard: No. Thank you. Picard out. Our comm. badges must be locked into the simulation. If that had been the real Commander Riker, he would have given my location as holodeck three. Mister La Forge, will you excuse us, please? Picard: Mister Data, who is real here? Data: You and I are real, sir, as is Lieutenant Barclay. We entered the holodeck together when we first went to see Moriarty. Picard: And from that point we have been existing in a holodeck simulation created by Professor Moriarty? Data: I believe that is the case, sir. Picard: I have just given the computer my command codes, thinking I would get control of the ship. Data: You may have inadvertently given Professor Moriarty the means of gaining control of the real Enterprise. Picard: Since Professor Moriarty never actually left the holodeck, he may demand that Commander Riker help him to do so. How long until the planetary collision? Data: Less than three hours. Picard: So long as Moriarty has control of the ship, we are vulnerable. Somehow, I have to find a way of giving him what he wants. Riker: Where is Captain Picard? What have you done with Lieutenant Barclay and Commander Data? Moriarty: They're safe, for now. Riker: Release control of this ship. Moriarty: I'm afraid I can't do that. Riker: What do you want? Moriarty: I only want what you have the luxury of taking for granted. Freedom. I want to leave this holodeck. Riker: I think you know that's impossible. Moriarty: Your crewmates here in my little ship in a bottle, seem a bit more optimistic. Riker: Oh? Moriarty: They attempted to use your transporter device to remove a simulated object from the holodeck. Laforge: If they tried it, they must have thought they were on to something. Moriarty: Their attempt was futile because their transporter was a facsimile. I expect more from you. Laforge: Just because our transporter is real doesn't mean it's going to work. Moriarty: I sense a distressing lack of enthusiasm on your parts. Worf: Sir, warp core temperature is rising. Approaching critical levels. Moriarty: I have nothing to lose, Commander. Riker: Mister La Forge, start working on the problem. Laforge: Aye, sir. Worf: Core temperature dropping. Picard: Computer, resume program. Countess: Hello. Have we met? Picard: Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Countess: James has told me all about you. I am Regina, Countess Bartholomew. Do sit down. May I offer you some tea, Captain? Picard: Thank you, no. I've come here to prevail upon your intelligence and your insight. Countess: But not apparently my humility. Picard: Credit where credit is due, madam. I can see you are a woman not only of breeding, but of wit and sagacity. Countess: And you, sir, are a man of charm and guile. You remind me of Viscount Oglethorpe. He was a man could bewitch any woman who breathed. Picard: And do you suspect that that is my intent? Countess: I cannot be certain of your intent, but I am certain that you're the kind of man who usually gets exactly what he wants. Picard: What does a woman like you see in a man like Moriarty? Countess: He's an exciting man, Captain. He's brilliant, incisive, he's ruthless. He has an almost irresistible appeal. Picard: He's also an arch-criminal. Countess: Only because he was written like that. I see him entirely differently, Captain, he is not a villain. Picard: So it's your desire to leave the holodeck to be with him. Countess: More than anything. Can you help us? Picard: Yes, I can. We have learned that if we uncouple the transporter's Heisenberg Compensators and allow them to re-scramble randomly, we can beam a holodeck object or a person off the grid with all of the cohesion of conventional matter. Countess: Oh! Oh, that's splendid. I must tell James. Picard: No, please. Wait. I have brought you this information because I think you are someone who will listen to a reasonable proposition. Someone whose mind is open to compromise. Countess: Yes? Picard: My ship is in danger. It is imperative that I regain navigational control. I want you to persuade Professor Moriarty to return the voice command to me, or I will not modify the transporter. Countess: I see. Picard: Now, once I have regained voice command, I will transport you from the holodeck. Countess: Forgive me, Captain, but that does sound more like a threat than a compromise. Picard: Countess, you must understand that I am responsible for more than one thousand lives. Countess: I will do what I can. Laforge: The gravity well is beginning to intensify. Riker: Are we far enough away to keep from being pulled in? Laforge: It's too soon to tell. Riker: Riker to Lieutenant Worf. Worf: Worf here, sir. Riker: How are you doing? Worf: There are force fields blocking our access to the holodeck. It will take time to disable them. Riker: Keep trying. Worf: Aye, sir. Moriarty: Think, my dear. You're certain he said they had to uncouple the Heisenberg compensators? Countess: Yes, James, I'm quite certain. But he won't do it unless you return control of the ship to him. Moriarty: I have them running around like rats in a maze. Countess: What harm would there be in accepting his proposition? Moriarty: My dear, you are as brilliant as you are beautiful. Nonetheless, there are things you do not understand. Now, please, you must let me handle this. Computer, arch. Moriarty to Commander Riker. Riker: Riker here. Moriarty: Commander Riker, a pleasure as always. Riker: I don't have time for games, Moriarty. This ship is falling into a gravity well. It'll be destroyed within twenty five minutes, holodeck and all. Moriarty: Then I'm sure you'll be motivated to listen to me very, very carefully. I want to talk to you about uncoupling the Heisenberg compensators. Countess: James, when we go leave here, where exactly are we going? Moriarty: Everywhere, my darling. There are more worlds in the heavens than there are grains of sand on a shoreline. Countess: I wish I could take my books. I will be so lost without them. Moriarty: I'll get you more. Don't worry. I promise you, you'll want for nothing. Riker: Riker to Moriarty. Moriarty: It's time. Yes, Commander? Riker: We're ready. Moriarty: As are we. Riker: Step inside the transport area. Moriarty: We're ready here. Riker: Activating pattern enhancers. Energizing. Riker: Welcome aboard. Moriarty: May I present Regina, the Countess Bartholomew. Riker: Countess. Countess: Commander. Riker: You'll forgive me if I skip the formalities given the circumstances. Moriarty: Ah, yes. I expect you want me to relinquish my hold on your vessel. Riker: Please. Moriarty: I'm afraid that won't be possible just yet. Riker: We had an agreement. Moriarty: And I intend to honor it. I have no desire to see your vessel destroyed. Just give me one of your shuttlecraft, and allow us to leave in peace. Riker: We don't have time for this. You release the command codes and we'll talk. Moriarty: I will not release your vessel until I am looking at it through a shuttlecraft window. Riker: Everything has been programmed to operate on voice command. you just tell the computer where you want to go. Moriarty: Excellent. Riker: I suggest you head for Meles Two. It's the nearest inhabited planet, the people are friendly. Where you go from there is your business. Moriarty: Please tell your Captain I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye. I do wish I could see his face when he realizes where he's been the last several hours. Riker: Every second we waste puts us in that much more danger. Moriarty: Don't worry, Commander. You'll soon have control of your ship. Countess: Goodbye, Commander. Thank you for everything. Moriarty: Computer, prepare to depart. Riker: Open shuttlebay doors. Countess: This is so beautiful. Moriarty: Indeed, my dear. It is a wondrous sight. The first of many we are sure to encounter in our travels. Computer, interface with the central computer on the Enterprise. Computer: Interface complete. Moriarty: Release command function lockouts. Authorisation Moriarty, alpha two four one five nine. Countess: James? Moriarty: Yes, my love? Countess: Can we go back to Earth some day? Moriarty: Of course, my dear. Of course. Picard: Computer. Store program Picard delta one in active memory and discontinue simulation. Computer: Program stored. Picard: Well, it worked. They believed they were off the holodeck. Data: Did Moriarty release the voice commands, Captain? Picard: Let's find out. Computer, discontinue holodeck simulation created by Professor Moriarty. Barclay: So far, so good. This should be the holodeck on the real Enterprise. Picard: Picard to Bridge. Riker: Captain, are you all right? Picard: Yes, we are, Number One. What is your status? Riker: Our systems came back online a few minutes ago. Picard: And the planetary collision? Riker: We're pulling back to a safe distance. Picard: We'll join you shortly. Worf: Captain. Picard: Mister Worf, everything is all right. Riker: How did you do it, sir? Picard: We managed to program the holodeck inside the holodeck, and use the same ruse that Moriarty used on us. Data: When he was attempting to contact the real Bridge, he was in fact speaking to a simulation. Troi: You mean he never knew he hadn't left the holodeck? Picard: In fact, the program is continuing even now inside that cube. Crusher: A miniature holodeck? Data: In a way, Doctor. However, there is no physicality. The program is continuous but only within the computer's circuitry. Barclay: As far as Moriarty and the Countess know, they're half way to Meles Two by now. This enhancement module contains enough active memory to provide them experiences for a lifetime. Picard: They will live their lives and never know any difference. Troi: In a sense, you did give Moriarty what he wanted. Picard: In a sense. But who knows? Our reality may be very much like theirs. All this might be just be an elaborate simulation running inside a little device sitting on someone's table. Well, we have a newborn star to study. Mister Barclay, you will keep that safe? Barclay: Aye, sir. Barclay: Computer, end program.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46461.3. We have arrived at a communication relay station near the Klingon border, where we are scheduled to deliver supplies. However, the station has not responded to repeated hails. Crusher: What's that noise? Laforge: They must've left an audio monitoring system on. We're hearing a few thousand subspace messages. I'll try and shut it off. Got it. Riker: Geordi, what's that? Laforge: I don't know. Sounds like a loose panel or something. I think it's coming from this service duct over here. Riker: Here's your loose panel. Laforge: Hey, pooch. hey, pooch, come on out of there. Come on. Come on. Hey, pooch, what are you doing in there? Worf: Commander, the shuttlecraft is gone. There is no one on board. Crusher: Commander? Riker: What is it? Crusher: Cellular residue. I believe these are the remains of one of our lieutenants. Crusher: All of the blood traces I found match those of Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari. I'll assume those are her remains but I'll need to take the deck plate back to Sickbay just to be sure. Riker: It would take a powerful weapon to do that. Crusher: I'll have a better idea once I've analyzed the deck plate. Riker: If that is Uhnari, where's Rocha? Crusher: The station's shuttle's gone. Maybe he took it. Riker: Before Uhnari died or after? Worf: We're ready, Commander. Riker: Did you have any luck downloading the station logs? Laforge: Not yet. I can't get past these security lock-outs, and I think I know why. All encrypted subspace messages are sent through this channel. Take a look at this signal notation. Riker: It's out of sequence. Laforge: Looks like somebody tried to by pass the access protocols and break into the coded messages. It caused the security lockouts to freeze right up. Riker: Are there any messages missing? Laforge: I won't know until I get into the files. Riker: Looks like you've made a friend. Laforge: Yeah. Riker: We're going to back to the ship. Let me know as soon as you have something. Laforge: I'm going to try accessing the logs from another console. Laforge: What's going on here? Well, we can start with repolarizing the interface. Laforge: What is it, pup? What's the matter? Something over here? This doesn't look like it belongs to you. Ah, This what you want, huh? There you go. Computer, run station logs in sequence. Aquiel: Station log, stardate 46458.3. Today we configured the relay controller grid. It was the last primary system we had to overhaul. We are scheduled to recalibrate and align the antennae systems in the next three days. Laforge: Computer, access visual output. Aquiel: Sent in my third request for a message delay buffer. Until it arrives, Lieutenant Rocha and I have rigged a memory module to compensate. It better work, or about a half million subspace messages are going to end up drifting through space. Computer, open Uhnari correspondence file. Laforge: Computer, access correspondence files, Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari. Aquiel: Hello, Shiana. Sorry I haven't talked to you in a while but I've been dealing with the new Lieutenant, Rocha. So far he's been rude, arrogant and condescending, and he's only been here two days. This might be a long year. Laforge: Come on, Lieutenant. Stick with me. Aquiel: I had the dream again. Mother's calling out my name. She's somewhere in the house. I get to the top of the hill all right, but then the house is slanted. I'm still walking uphill. I can't find her. Doors everywhere and they all look the same. Crusher: The cellular residue is completely fused with to metal of the deck plate. We're trying to micro-vaporize the metal in order to get a clear DNA sample. Picard: Do you have any idea what killed her? Crusher: Well this is just a guess, but from the molecular deposition on the plating I'd say it was a high-level phaser blast. Riker: Could it have been a Klingon disruptor? Crusher: Possibly. Riker: Geordi's found evidence that the encrypted messages have been tampered with, and we are close to Klingon space. Picard: There hasn't been a Klingon raid against the Federation for more than seven years. We can't risk a diplomatic incident until we have more evidence. Crusher: And there's still the question of what happened to Lieutenant Rocha. Picard: Get Rocha's personnel file from Starfleet Command, and ask Starbase two twelve to help us find that shuttle. Riker: Aye, sir. Picard: Keep me apprised, Doctor. Laforge: All right, let's try this again. Come on, this should be working. The phase inducters are aligned. Come on, Lieutenant, I know you're in here somewhere. Computer me run a subsystem diagnostic, with a frequency range of ten to one hundred megahertz. Computer: Diagnostic cycle will be complete in twenty seconds. Laforge: Iced coffee? Laforge: What is it, girl? Aquiel: Hello, Shiana. By the time you get this the Batarael will be over. This is the first time I haven't been there. I've been wondering, who's singing the Horath in my place. Jomiael hahnalia ma marou nitalia. Rumael tavariel fatra di va Jomiael. I had that dream again. The one where Mother is screaming. I climb the hill to our house but I can't get to her. Shiana, this time I ran away. I was so scared I ran back down the hill. I think I know why I've been having the dreams about danger. It's because of what's been happening with that Klingon. He's getting more aggressive all the time. Not just the usual threat. Aquiel: It's because of what's been happening with that Klingon. He's getting more aggressive all the time. Not just the usual threat. Morag actually locked his disruptors to the station this time. I don't think there'll be any trouble. It just brings up those feelings of panic, of wanting to run, wanting to get away from danger. Shiana, I couldn't say this to anyone but you, but the panic? It's the same thing I used to feel whenever Father got angry, when I knew he was going to punish me. Only now, I'm out here in space, and there's no place to run. Laforge: There are three references to a Commander Morag, a Klingon officer who patrols this section of the border. Apparently he would pass the station every few days and harass them. Picard: Perhaps this Morag was the one who was interested in obtaining the encrypted messages. Laforge: Could be. She didn't say. But I do have several more days of logs left to watch. I'm hoping to learn more. Picard: Very well. In the meantime, I'll speak with the Klingon Governor about Commander Morag. Torak: Are you saying we attacked your outpost? Picard: I'm merely saying that I'm following up on evidence that my officers discovered on board. Torak: Evidence. So you are making an accusation. The Klingon Empire will not stand for these kinds of lies. Picard: Governor Torak, I apologize. I can see that you honestly didn't know what happened aboard the station. I will just have to take this matter up with Gowron. I'm really sorry that we bothered you. Torak: Gowron won't bother with such a minor incident. Picard: Well, ordinarily he wouldn't, but of course I was his Arbiter of Succession. I'm sure that he will be happy to come here and investigate this matter. You needn't worry about it any longer. Torak: Gowron will come here? Picard: Oh, yes. So once again, thank you for your help. Oh, I will be sure to mention your name to Gowron when I speak to him. Torak: I will investigate this further, Picard. You need not bother Gowron with this matter. Picard: That's very kind. Qapla'! Torak: Qapla'! Laforge: Computer access the personal logs of Aquiel Uhnari. Computer: Logs accessed. Laforge: Begin playback. Aquiel: Shiana, you always said I'd look great with a wig, so here it is. What do you think? Laforge: Definitely not you. Aquiel: Okay, maybe I'm getting a little crazy. You would too, if you were stuck on a relay station in the middle of nowhere with no one for company except an egomaniac like Keith Rocha. I took a big risk today. I countermanded an order he gave. I agreed to handle the comm. traffic for Relay Station one nine four while they shut down for maintenance. Rocha said we couldn't handle the additional signal load, but I think he's wrong. When he finds out he'll be furious. It's days like this I wish I was home. You know what I miss most? Muskan seed punch. Real Muskan seed punch. You can get it from the replicator, but it's not the same. I'd give anything for some of the punch Mother used to make with chunks of the seeds still in it. Keith, is that you? Keith? Worf: Commander, there are DNA traces here. Klingon. Riker: So Klingons did board the station? Worf: Yes, but I only found DNA from one Klingon so far. I will continue to scan. Laforge: How could she read this stuff? Riker: How's it going? Laforge: I've managed to access all of Lieutenant Uhnari's logs. I'm still looking for Lieutenant Rocha's. Whatever happened to the encrypted messages had a cascade effect on the whole storage system. I can't find his files anywhere. I'm running a level three diagnostic now. Riker: Maybe Rocha didn't make the official logs. Uhnari could have been responsible for them. Laforge: I don't think so. Aquiel was the junior officer here. Riker: Aquiel? Laforge: Lieutenant Uhnari. I've been up all night watching her personal logs. I guess I'm starting to feel like I know her. Riker: What was she like? Laforge: Well she was Hahliian. She had one sister named Shiana, she drank muskan seed punch. She had a quirky sense of humor. She liked to sing. She had questionable taste in literature. Picard: Enterprise to Commander Riker. Riker: Riker here. Picard: The Klingon ship Qu'Vat has arrived with Governor Torak. Please report to the Observation lounge. Riker: We're on our way. Worf: Governor Torak, sir. Picard: Governor. Welcome aboard. Torak: Do not bore me with your human pleasantries. I told you we did not kill the woman. Now I will prove it to you. ghoS! Torak: This is Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari. Aquiel: We were running a level two diagnostic of the message buffer, Nothing special. Rocha had been on edge all morning, but he'd been irritable ever since he got there, so I didn't think anything of it. We were halfway through the procedure when suddenly he attacked me. He grabbed me, threw me against a bulkhead. I yelled at him to stop but he wouldn't listen. He took me by the throat. I broke free and tried to get to the weapons locker. I'm not sure what happened next but somehow I got aboard the shuttle and left. Torak: We found her on our side of the border heading toward Sector two five two zero. She is lucky my patrol ship did not destroy her vessel on sight. Picard: Lieutenant, why didn't you contact Starfleet? Let them know what happened on board the station? Aquiel: I don't know, sir. Maybe I passed out. I'm not even sure how long I was in the shuttle before the Klingons picked me up. Laforge: Forty six hours. You've been gone forty six hours. Crusher: We presumed you were dead. Your blood stains were found at the murder scene. Aquiel: I must have cut my head when he pushed me against the bulkhead. Worf: Then the remains we found must be those of Lieutenant Rocha. Crusher: I can't confirm that. Until we're able to separate the cellular residue from the deck plate, I won't be able to do a clear DNA scan. Riker: You said you were trying to get to the weapons locker. Is there a possibility that you did? Aquiel: No, I didn't. Riker: You're sure? Aquiel: I don't remember exactly what happened to me after I was attacked. I'm sorry. It's as if all my memories were drained out of me. Laforge: Your logs said that a Commander Morag had been harassing you. Did you let him or any other Klingon aboard the station? Aquiel: Absolutely not. Worf: If that is true, then Morag or some other Klingon must have boarded the station after she left. We found traces of Klingon DNA on the station. Torak: You still try to blame us. Worf: Have the courage to admit your mistakes. Or are you a lo'Be Vos? Torak: At least I do not wear the uniform of the P'tak! Picard: Governor, we are merely exploring all the possibilities. Lieutenant Uhnari's logs reported that Commander Morag had been harassing the station. Torak: He was doing his job. Picard: If he was only doing his job, then I'm sure you won't mind if we spoke with him. Torak: Very well. In the interests of diplomacy, I will allow you to speak to Morag. But my patience has limits. Laforge: Lieutenant, I know a friend of yours who's very eager to see you. Aquiel: Who? Laforge: Come with me. Aquiel: Maura! Come here, girl. Come on, Maura. Laforge: Maura. That's the name. Aquiel: Yes, it's from Cold Moon Over Blackwater. Have you read it? Laforge: I'm not much for gothic fiction. Aquiel: Not many people are nowadays. Oh, your shoe. Laforge: Yeah, Maura got a little restless. Aquiel: Maura, shame on you. That's not like you. What a naughty dog. Laforge: It's all right, don't worry about it. At least she's chewing them up in pairs. I'll arrange quarters for you. I'm sure you want some time alone. Aquiel: Actually I've been stuck on that station for over nine months. I wouldn't mind going someplace with some activity. Laforge: I know just the place. Barman: Here you are, sir. Aquiel: Thank you. Laforge: You're welcome. Aquiel: Mmmm. Have you ever tried Muskan seed punch? Laforge: Yeah. It nearly made me sick. Aquiel: You have to be raised on it. It's very nutritious. The taste grows on you. Laforge: Batar al nalia. Aquiel: You speak Hahliian. Laforge: We traveled around quite a bit when I was growing up. I picked up a couple of languages along the way. Aquiel: We never traveled. My family lived in the same house for five generations. Laforge: The one on the hill. Aquiel: How do you know about that? Laforge: Well, to be honest, when we thought you were dead I needed to review your logs and personal correspondence for any possible clues about what happened. Aquiel: All of it? Laforge: Most of it, yeah. You need to understand that we thought you'd been murdered. We needed information. Aquiel: I'm sorry. It's just that I tell my sister things I wouldn't tell anyone else. I guess I was feeling a little exposed. Laforge: I'd feel the same way. Aquiel: Especially if I had seen you in that wig. Laforge: It really wasn't you. Aquiel: I'm curious. Now that you've met me, am I what you expected? Laforge: Actually, I'm not sure. The woman I saw in those logs is very complicated. I think there's more to you than meets the eye, Lieutenant. Aquiel: In what way? Laforge: Well, your relationship with Lieutenant Rocha, for example. He was only there for five days and yet there was evidence of plenty of friction. You seemed to delight in doing things that you knew would upset him. Why take on extra comm. traffic when you knew it was going to make him angry? Aquiel: Is that a personal question or part of a murder investigation? Laforge: I don't know. Maybe both. Aquiel: Keith Rocha was obnoxious from the minute he reported to duty. He treated me as though I was beneath contempt. I felt like I had to battle him to hold my own. But I didn't want to see him dead. Laforge: Why do you think he attacked you? Aquiel: I don't know. Riker: Rocha's file is spotless. Two decorations for valor, three outstanding evaluations from his previous commanders. Doesn't sound like the same man that Lieutenant Uhnari described. Picard: What did you found out about Uhnari? Riker: I checked into her record, too. Her last posting was on Deriben Five. I spoke to her commanding officer there. He said she was argumentative, quick to take offense. He also told me he transferred her to that relay station because she was hampering their efforts. To be honest, I'm having trouble believing her story, sir. Picard: Why? Riker: I sent Worf to check the weapons locker on the relay station. There's a phaser missing. Picard: You think that she lied? Riker: Lied, conveniently forgot, I'm not sure. I think it's something we have to consider. Picard: As of now, we don't have sufficient evidence one way or the other. I want you to examine her shuttle. You might find something there which will shed some light on her story. Riker: Aye, sir. Aquiel: How much longer do you think the investigation will take? Laforge: Three, maybe four days. It's tough to tell. Aquiel: I know I'm a suspect in the murder, but let me ask you something. You've watched my logs. You know me better than anyone here. Do I seem like the kind of person who could murder someone? Laforge: No, you don't. Aquiel: I don't think I realized how much I needed to hear that. Laforge: Look, Aquiel, it's been a rough couple of days. I think you need some sleep. Aquiel: You called me complicated. You're right. I don't make friends easily. Oumriel. Laforge: Oumriel. Worf: Commander. It is set to kill. Riker: We found this type two phaser in your shuttlecraft. It was taken from the weapons locker on the station. Aquiel: I told you I don't remember what happened. Maybe I did make to the weapons locker. Riker: It was set to level ten. Standard procedure requires that all phasers are set on level one when they're in storage. Worf: That means that someone deliberately changed the setting. And then there is the matter of your conflict with Lieutenant Rocha. Aquiel: Rocha and I had our disagreements but that does not mean I would kill him. Riker: Have you been able to remember anything that happened after he attacked you? Aquiel: No. Nothing. I suppose maybe in self-defense I Riker: Doctor Crusher tells me that in order to inflict the kind of molecular damage found in Rocha's remains, it would take a sustained phaser discharge of at least thirty to forty seconds. That doesn't sound like self-defense to me. Laforge: Now wait a minute. We haven't even established this phaser is the murder weapon yet. And even at level ten I don't see how it could have done the damage the medical evidence says it did. A phase disruptor like a Klingon weapon, maybe. Riker: Look, we're not here to make accusations. We're trying to find out what happened. Commander Morag is due here in two hours. Let's see what he has to say. Laforge: Fine. In the meantime I'd like to go back to the station and see if I can access Rocha's personal logs again. Riker: Good idea. Riker: Geordi, wait a second. Thank you, Mister Worf. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: This is off the record. I'm saying this as a friend, not your superior officer. I think it would be best if you weren't so personally involved with Aquiel right now. There's a lot about her we don't know. Laforge: And there's a lot about her that I do know, and if she's innocent I want to help her prove it. Riker: I think you've let your personal feelings cloud your judgment. Laforge: I'm not the one making judgments. Laforge: Got it. Computer, display the personal records of Lieutenant Rocha from stardates 46455 to 46460. Laforge: Computer, what happened to the log entries for stardate 46459? Computer: The logs have been deleted. Laforge: Who deleted them? Computer: Unknown. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The Qu'Vat has arrived with Commander Morag. We are preparing to question him regarding his involvement in the murder of Lieutenant Rocha. Morag: I killed no one! Riker: We found your DNA on the bulkheads and the console. We know you were there. Torak: Answer their questions. Morag: Yes. Yes, I was there. My patrol route takes me near the station every six days. Three days ago, I hailed them. There was no response. I was concerned. Troi: Concerned? Morag: Yes. I went aboard to see what had happened. There was no one was there, so I left. Riker: Is that all? Morag: That's all. Data: Commander Morag, we have discovered that the encrypted message bank on the station has been tampered with. Our analysis indicates that twenty seven priority Starfleet messages are missing. Morag: What of it? Data: Your DNA was also found on the message control module. Morag: This is outrageous! We will not tolerate these ridiculous accusations! Torak: This is a diplomatic matter, Morag! Do not make me search your ship. Morag: Yes, I did take the messages. Picard: Did you kill Lieutenant Rocha? Morag: No. I killed no one. There was no one there. I took the codes, but I killed no one. Picard: Governor, we would like Commander Morag to remain on board the Enterprise until this investigation is complete. Torak: Take him. Worf: This way. Laforge: Last night, after I dropped you off at your quarters you established a subspace link with this console. You deleted some of Rocha's personal files, didn't you? Aquiel: Yes, I did. Laforge: Why? Aquiel: I found a letter Rocha was planning to send to Starfleet Command about me. The letter said I had become belligerent and insubordinate. He was going to ask for a formal hearing. Geordi, I know how this looks. Laforge: Yeah, it looks bad. I find out that you've erased a letter that contained a possible motivation for murder? Aquiel: I didn't kill him. Laforge: Then explain this. Aquiel: I was afraid if they found the letter they'd blame me for the murder. I'm not a model officer. I realize that. Sometimes I act on impulse instead of thinking things through. Laforge: Aquiel, this really complicates things. Laforge: What are you doing? Aquiel: Getting out of here. Laforge: Aquiel, running away isn't going to prove your innocence. Facing the situation will. Aquiel: I'm scared, Geordi. Laforge: Look, we'll get through this. I promise you, okay? Aquiel: Then you believe me? Laforge: Yes, I do. Medical Officer's log, supplemental. I've isolated the cellular residue from the deck plate, but the DNA has destabilized. I'm attempting to reform it. Crusher: All right. Initiate the resonance frequency burst. Crusher: I'm starting to get a stable DNA scan. This is odd. The nucleotide sequences are starting to fluctuate. The DNA is becoming mobile. Let's try another frequency burst, but increase the resonance level by twenty percent. Aquiel: I haven't been this close to someone in a long time. I don't want to let go of it. Laforge: Neither do I, but I've got six hundred logs to go through. Aquiel: All right, but first there's something I want to share with you. A way that we can become more intimate. My people are partially telepathic. We use something called the Canar to help focus our thoughts. We also use the Canar for a stronger emotional link during love. Laforge: I was wondering what that was for. Do both of us have to be telepathic for it to work? Aquiel: Let's find out. Laforge: Like this. Aquiel: Think of me. Crusher: It's an exact reproduction of my hand, right down to the DNA structure. Picard: Doctor, you said that this was formed from the organic matter found in the deck plates. Crusher: When I infused the matter with a resonance frequency burst, it activated its DNA. Then it touched my hand and it began to mimic my cellular structure. Picard: Doctor, what exactly is this? Crusher: This is going to sound very farfetched, but have you ever heard of a coalescent organism? Picard: No. Crusher: They're rare microscopic lifeforms which need to absorb other organisms in order to survive. Now, that in itself isn't so unusual, but coalescents become the organisms they've absorbed, right down to the cellular level. Worf: Do you think this is what happened with your hand? Crusher: There've been reports that these organisms can exist on a larger scale. Certainly, what happened to my hand seems to support that theory. Riker: So you think that Rocha was killed by one of these organisms? Crusher: It's possible that something happened to him before he reported for duty on the relay station. Worf: I do not understand. Crusher: I've checked the records. Before he was posted to the relay station, Rocha served on an outpost in the Triona System. That is a remote sector. Maybe he was absorbed by a coalescent during that mission. Riker: So what boarded the station could have been an organism that looked and acted like Lieutenant Rocha? Worf: How often do they have to change bodies? Crusher: The microscopic organisms have a cycle of no more than five to ten seconds. We can only assume a larger, more complex coalescent would have a cycle of days, even weeks. Picard: Doctor, if what you're saying is true, then Rocha attacked Lieutenant Uhnari to find a new body. Crusher: Right. Riker: That means Uhnari is a coalescent. Worf: There was one other person on the station. Morag. It is possible he was the one who was absorbed. Picard: Computer, locate Commander Morag and Lieutenant Uhnari. Computer: Commander Morag is in his quarters. Lieutenant Uhnari is not aboard the Enterprise. Worf: Where did she go? Computer: Lieutenant Uhnari transported to Relay Station forty seven at eighteen thirty hours. Riker: You get Morag. I'm going to the station. Worf: Aye, sir. Aquiel: Geordi? Laforge: I can see you. Oh. And I can feel you. Worf: Do not move. Morag: What is this? Worf: You will come with me. Aquiel: You've never been as close to someone as you're about to be. Think of me. Riker: Step away from him, Lieutenant. Laforge: What are you doing, Commander? Riker: That may not be Lieutenant Uhnari. Laforge: What? Aquiel: What are you saying? Riker: Step away now. Medical Officer's Log, supplemental. Commander Morag and Lieutenant Uhnari are being kept under close observation. So far, no sign of coalescent behavior has surfaced. Riker: Aquiel and Morag will be transferred to a secure medical facility at Starbase twelve. Maybe we'll know more by the time we get there. Laforge: Yeah, right. Riker: It could be Morag. We don't know for sure. Laforge: Sure. Riker: Get some rest. You've had a rough couple of days. Laforge: Thanks. Laforge: Computer, display the Engineering duty roster for the next three days. Laforge: Maura, come on, not now. Maura, I said not now. Come on, give me a break here. Go lay down! Laforge: Maura? Laforge: Maybe the reason you don't remember anything that happened after Rocha attacked you is that the coalescing process had begun. Thank you. Remember when you said you felt like the memories had been drained right out of you? That's probably exactly what was going on. Aquiel: Then maybe I did take the phaser. Laforge: Whatever happened, at least you got away before the process took hold. Aquiel: So he turned on Maura. Laforge: Right. Well, what now? Aquiel: I guess I'll be going to Starbase two twelve for re assignment. Laforge: You know, I had a talk with Chief Pendleton in Communications. There's an opening for a level two specialist. Aquiel: Really? I'm sure the waiting list so long I'd be gray before I got here. Laforge: I could put in a good word. Aquiel: It's an appealing offer, but I think I'd rather get here on my own merits. Don't be surprised if you see my name on that list.

Troi: Computer, lights. Computer, turn on the lights. N'Vek: Good, you're awake. Troi: Who are you? N'Vek: Please, Counselor, there is little time. The Commander will be calling for you at any moment. Troi: Where am I? N'Vek: You are aboard the Imperial Romulan Warbird Khazara. I am Subcommander N'Vek. Troi: Warbird? I was at the neuropsychology seminar at Bokara Six. The last thing I remember was returning to my quarters. I was attacked. I felt a hypospray. N'Vek: It was necessary. I could not be certain you would come voluntarily. Troi: Oh, God. My head's still spinning. N'Vek: There are drugs in your system, but they've nearly dissipated. The disorientation will soon pass. Troi: Why have you brought me here? N'Vek: Listen to me carefully. You are no longer Deanna Troi. You are Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar, the Imperial Intelligence. Commander Toreth Troi: Am I a prisoner? N'Vek: There is no time to explain everything. You must listen. Commander Toreth will want to know your mission. Tell her nothing. Simply instruct her to proceed to the Kaleb sector, heading one oh two mark four. Troi: The Kaleb sector? N'Vek: Repeat it. Heading one oh two mark four. Troi: Heading one oh two mark four. And she'll take orders from me? N'Vek: You are an officer of the Tal Shiar. She will obey you. But do not push her too far. Toreth: Sub Commander N'Vek. We are approaching the loading point. Bring our guest to the Bridge. N'Vek: Yes, Commander. Immediately. Please, we must hurry. Troi: I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on. N'Vek: You are a Starfleet officer disguised as a Romulan. Unless you trust me and do exactly as I have said, Toreth will discover you and you will be killed. Troi: How do I know I won't be killed anyway? N'Vek: Your only chance to get off this ship alive is to do as I say. You are an empath. You would know if I am lying. Am I? Troi: No. N'Vek: Then let us go see the Commander. Pilot: Orbit established, Commander. Toreth: Commence loading the cargo. Notify me when the transfer is complete. Pilot: Yes, sir. N'Vek: Commander, may I present Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar? This is Commander Toreth. Toreth: Attend to your station. Why are you here without your guards? Well? Troi: The mission is one of utmost secrecy. I could not risk bringing guards. Toreth: And exactly what is the nature of this clandestine assignment? Troi: I cannot reveal that. Toreth: Oh? Why not? Troi: I am under orders. Toreth: You don't act like a member of the Tal Shiar. How long have you been with Intelligence? Troi: Several months. Toreth: Ah. Pilot: Commander, cargo is on board and secure. Toreth: Tell me, is there a reason why the Commander of a ship is being kept ignorant of its cargo? Troi: I don't know what you mean. Toreth: I have been ordered to take on cargo but its contents are unknown to me. Does that seem wise? I am responsible for the safety of this ship and its crew. How do I know this cargo is safe to transport? Troi: I'm sure it is safe, otherwise it would not have been loaded. Toreth: Ah. The Tal Shiar is deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of the military. I'm sure that every person on the Bridge of this ship could offer testimony about personal experiences with the Tal Shiar, but I doubt that many could recall those encounters as tender and caring. So I must ask you to forgive me, Major, if I hesitate to accept your assurances that that cargo presents no danger to my crew. I intend to open those containers. Troi: That cargo is the property of the Tal Shiar. You will not touch it. Toreth: On whose authority? Troi: Mine. And if you do not wish to undergo another personal experience with the Tal Shiar, I suggest you not question me again. Now, proceed on course bearing one oh two mark four to the Kaleb sector. Toreth: Why should we go to the Kaleb sector? It's virtually deserted. Troi: Because those are your orders. Toreth: Pilot, set course. Bearing one oh two mark four. Warp six. Pilot: Yes, Commander. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46519.1. We have arrived at Research Station seventy five to take on a rather unique passenger, one whose homecoming will undoubtedly be difficult. Worf: The man acted dishonorably. He is a traitor. Crusher: He risked his life to get here. He spent two weeks alone in a scout ship. Worf: That does not excuse his original actions. Crusher: Well, maybe he finally realized he made a mistake. Riker: It's twenty years too late. Energize. Riker: Ensign DeSeve, by order of Starfleet Command I am placing you under arrest for treason. Deseve: I understand. Riker: After Doctor Crusher declares you medically fit, you will be confined to your quarters until a court martial can be convened. Find some civilian clothes. I don't want to see you in that uniform. Deseve: Yes, sir. Commander, I must speak with Captain Picard. Riker: He's a busy man. Deseve: Please, it's important. Urgent. Riker: I'll tell him. Deseve: Commander. Picard: At ease. It's Captain, actually. Deseve: Of course. I'm sorry, sir. Picard: You said it was important that I see you. Deseve: Yes, Captain. I have a message from Ambassador Spock. He said it involves further cowboy diplomacy. He said you would understand. There's a Corvallen freighter arriving in the Kaleb sector in the next twelve hours. Spock wants you to rendezvous with that ship, bring its cargo back to Federation space. Picard: What kind of cargo? Deseve: He said it was important to the future of the Romulans and the Federation. Picard: You have returned in order to give me this message? Deseve: Partly. Picard: In order to know whether Ambassador Spock's message is being delivered accurately, I need to understand something about the messenger. Deseve: I was ready to come back. Romulus had lost its appeal. Picard: Yet at one time you found something very appealing about it. Deseve: The Romulans are very moral, Captain. They have an absolute certainty about what is right and what is wrong, who is a friend and who is an enemy, a strict moral compass which provides them with a clarity of purpose. At one time I found their sense of purpose, their passion and commitment, to be very compelling. Picard: But not any more? Deseve: As I've grown older, I realize that clarity of purpose is a more ambiguous matter than I had thought in my youth. Picard: Commander Riker, set course for the Kaleb sector, warp factor eight. Riker: Aye-aye, sir. Troi: You may wait outside. Make certain we're not disturbed. Troi: They're terrified of me. N'Vek: The purpose of the Tal Shiar is to ensure loyalty. To defy them is to invite imprisonment or death. Troi: I think it's time you told me what this is all about. N'Vek: That is why I called you here. These are the cargo containers we brought on board earlier. Troi: What's in it? Troi: He's alive. In stasis. Who is it? N'Vek: Vice Proconsul M'ret of the Imperial Senate and his two top aides. Troi: M'ret? He's one of the highest ranking members of the Romulan government. N'Vek: His defection will be a profound blow to Romulus. Troi: Why is he doing this? N'Vek: M'ret had questioned the repressive activities of the government and was in danger of being imprisoned. He is willing to take this risk in order to protest Romulan policy and support the dissident movement. Troi: You're part of Ambassador Spock's underground movement. N'Vek: Yes. If we are able to deliver M'ret safely, Spock is hopeful that we can establish an escape route for the thousands of dissidents who live in fear of their lives. Now you realize why we are willing to go to such extraordinary lengths, even kidnapping you, to make sure we succeed. Troi: You've given me the identity of a Tal Shiar officer. Is there a real Major Rakal? N'Vek: There was. She was killed so that you could take her place. Only a member of the Tal Shiar would have the authority to alter a ship's mission. Troi: Why me? You could have found a Romulan to play this role. N'Vek: Yes, for the first part of the plan. But if anything goes wrong we will need a Starfleet officer. Troi: Why? N'Vek: There's no need to go into that unless it becomes necessary. For your own sake, Counselor, the less you know about the specifics of this plan, the better. Troi: What is your plan? N'Vek: When we reach the Kaleb sector, we will rendezvous with a Corvallen freighter. You will take these containers into their ship and accompany them back to Starfleet Headquarters. Troi: The Corvallens are mercenaries. Do they know what's in these containers? N'Vek: No. They were hired simply to take you to Federation space. Troi: Very well. N'Vek: We are due in the ward room shortly. The senior officers always dine together. Troi: I'll go to my quarters. I think it would be best if I stayed out of the way of the Commander. N'Vek: No, you will be expected to attend. I'll go ahead. Follow me after a few moments. Commander Toreth must not feel that anything is unusual. Toreth: We'd been told that the Klingon outpost was undefended. So when their warships decloaked, they took us completely by surprise. Toreth: The Klingons managed to destroyed half my squadron before we even opened fire. But when we did, ha! they were no match for us. I destroyed their flagship myself. I received the Sotaric Citation for my actions that day. The Intelligence Officer in charge of that mission was executed. Major. Welcome to our table. Troi: Commander. Toreth: I suggest you try the viinerine. It's quite good. Toreth: I realize that it's nothing compared to what you're accustomed to on Romulus, but you could at least try the viinerine. Troi: I've smelled better viinerine on prison ships. Toreth: No doubt. Tell me, Major, where did you train? The Intelligence Academy or the Imperial War College? Troi: The Academy. Toreth: Oh? So you must know Commander Konsab. Troi: I know of him. Toreth: I assume you studied Military History with him? Troi: Yes. Toreth: Tell me, Major, what do you think about his theories on the differences between the military and the Tal Shiar? Troi: Which aspects are you referring to? Toreth: Come now, Major. Surely you attended his classes regularly? It was Konsab's main theme. Troi: Do you have a point to make, Commander? If so, it has escaped me. Toreth: Commander Konsab believes that in order to function, military officers have to trust each other. The Tal Shiar, on the other hand, trust no one. They expect deception, so they always find it. Troi: Your opinion of the Tal Shiar quite clear, Commander. Toreth: I hope so. Troi: We ensure the loyalty of the people. Do you believe the Empire would be better off without our protection? Toreth: Protection? From what? How was the Empire threatened by the words of an old man, a devoted citizen who merely tried to speak his mind? How did the Tal Shiar protect the Empire by dragging him, my father, out of his home in the middle of the night? Troi: Clearly, your father was a traitor. Toreth: No. He was just an idealistic old man. I never saw him again. Troi: I don't need your devotion, Commander. Just your obedience. Toreth: And that's all you have. Pilot: Commander, sensors are picking up an unidentified ship on an intercept course. Toreth: What is the configuration? Pilot: It appears to be a freighter, Commander. Troi: Hail them. Toreth: Visual. Alien: Commander. We are glad to see you. We are prepared to transfer your cargo as agreed. Toreth: With whom do you have this agreement? Alien: Our arrangements were made with Major Rakal. You may rest assured your cargo will be taken safely to its destination. We will transmit coordinates for you to beam it aboard. Troi: He's lying. They have no intention of keeping their word. N'Vek: Are you certain? Troi: Yes. Toreth: Why did you destroy that vessel? N'Vek: I beg forgiveness, Commander, but Major Rakal ordered me to fire. Pilot: The Corvallen freighter has been completely destroyed, Commander. There are no survivors. Toreth: I demand an explanation. Troi: How many people were on that ship? Pilot: Approximately eighteen people, sir. Toreth: I don't care if there were eighteen or eight hundred. On this ship, I give the command to fire, Major. You have no right. Troi: This gives me the right. Toreth: Even you, eventually, will have to answer to someone. You will be held accountable. Troi: I have been given broad diskretionary powers. Subcommander N'Vek acted under my authority, the authority of the Tal Shiar. I assure you this action will not be questioned. Toreth: I will nonetheless make an entry in my log that I am not responsible for those eighteen lives and that I deplore their loss. Troi: Do what you feel is necessary. In the meantime, we must protect ourselves. Engage the cloaking device. Toreth: And what are my orders now, Major? Troi: Hold position and wait. Data: There is no sign of the freighter, sir. We are the only ship in the area. Picard: Ensign, verify our position. Mcknight: We're holding at the coordinates specified by Ensign DeSeve, sir. Riker: Anything on long range sensors? Data: Sensors indicate no other ships within three light years. Riker: Could this have been a hoax? Picard: It's one possibility. Mister Worf, bring Ensign DeSeve to my Ready room. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Ensign DeSeve, you promised me a freighter with an important cargo. The only thing here is empty space. Do you have an explanation? Deseve: I don't understand. Worf: Captain, he has deceived us. Deseve: No. I was told the ship would be at these coordinates. Picard: You said that the message came directly from Ambassador Spock. Deseve: Yes. Well, not exactly. Picard: What does that mean? Deseve: Someone else relayed the message to me, but he said Spock spoke directly to him. I trust the man who spoke to me. He would not have lied. Worf: Was he a Romulan? Deseve: Yes. He's a member of the underground a dissident. He risks his life to work with those who want a different future for Romulus. Worf: Captain, he could be leading us into a trap. Deseve: No, that is not so. Picard: It would be risky to set a trap here, so close to Federation space. But the fact remains, here we are, there is no freighter. Did your contact tell you anything else that might be helpful? Deseve: The freighter is an old Antares class vessel with limited speed and range. It couldn't have taken on its cargo more than a day ago which means it must be within fifteen light years of here. Picard: Why didn't you mention this earlier? Deseve: It didn't seem necessary. And on Romulus you learn not to volunteer information. It's a hard habit to break. Picard: Well, maybe now would be a good time to start. Follow me, gentlemen. N'Vek: Our plan has collapsed. Troi: Our plan? What about the people on that freighter? Why did you fire? N'Vek: There was no alternative. You told me they couldn't be trusted. If I let them live the whole mission would be in jeopardy. Troi: Eighteen people lost their lives. N'Vek: Don't lecture me, Counselor. A number of people have died in order to carry out this mission. Believe me, those eighteen won't be the last. Troi: I'm sorry but I can't dismiss those lives so easily. N'Vek: Fine. Agonize all you want, but don't let it get in the way of our plan. Troi: You don't have a plan anymore. N'Vek: You remember I told you if anything went wrong, we would need a Starfleet officer. There is a Starfleet base on Draken Four. It is two days away at maximum warp. That's where we're going. Troi: In a Romulan ship? N'Vek: Yes. It's your job to order Toreth to proceed into Federation territory. Troi: We'll never get through the gravitic sensor nets. N'Vek: We will, if you provide the correct access codes. Troi: Do you really think this has a chance of succeeding? N'Vek: If you have another idea, I'll be happy to consider it. Troi: You will plot a course for the Draken System. Toreth: You can't be serious. Troi: Draken Four was the freighter's destination. I ordered the freighter destroyed because I recognized the Captain, a known Federation spy. Now we must deliver the cargo ourselves. Toreth: We must? Troi: I do not intend to explain myself to you. You will set a course. Toreth: In order to reach Draken, we will have to travel through Federation space for nearly twenty hours. Troi: That is not a problem. Toreth: Contrary to the propaganda that your superiors would have us believe, Starfleet is neither weak nor foolish. The chances of us reaching Draken undetected are not good. Troi: We will be cloaked. Toreth: The cloaking device does not always make us invulnerable, and you would know that if you had spent any time at all in the field. The Federation has littered it's borders with subspace listening posts, with gravitic sensors. They may even have a tachyon detection grid in operation, in which case they will know that we're there. If we are discovered in Federation territory, it will be interpreted as an act of war. Troi: The Tal Shiar has obtained access codes for the sensor nets. I will provide them if necessary. Toreth: That will be no guarantee that we will escape undetected. Troi: Your cowardice does not befit a Romulan soldier. Toreth: People blame the military for the wars that we are asked to fight, but I think it is your kind, Major, that will be the death of us all. Toreth: Plot a course for the Draken System. Pilot: Course plotted, sir. Toreth: Prepare for warp. Pilot: Commander, sensors are picking up a vessel. Our cloaking device is still engaged. They have not detected us. Toreth: Activate viewscreen. Enlarge. Pilot: It is the Enterprise, Commander. Toreth: Well, Major, it appears your suspicions about that freighter were correct after all. The Federation has come in search of its spies. Status. Pilot: They are scanning the debris of the freighter. Shield levels are normal. Weapon systems are not active. They are not prepared for battle, sir. Toreth: They weren't expecting to find us here, and I see no reason to alter that perception. The radiation from the debris field could make our cloak detectable if we engage warp engines. Proceed at maneuvering speed. Troi: One moment, Commander. We should hold our position until the Enterprise has left the area. We cannot risk detection. Toreth: Even if we are detected, they cannot track us once we go to warp. Troi: We have not established their intentions. Toreth: Their intentions are obvious, Major, and are of no concern to us. Proceed on course, maneuvering engines only. Go to warp when we're clear of the debris field. Pilot: Yes, Commander. We should clear the field in twenty seven minutes. Troi: You will keep me informed of our progress. N'Vek: It is not wise to challenge the Tal Shiar, Commander. Toreth: I will not let her tell me how to run my ship. Data: It appears to be the remains of a ship. My analysis indicates that it was an Antares class freighter. Deseve: That's the ship we were supposed to meet. Picard: Could there have had some sort of malfunction? A reactor core breach? Data: I do not believe so, sir. That would not be consistent with the debris pattern. However, sensors indicate extremely high levels of residual antiprotons. Riker: Romulan disruptor fire. Data: Correct. Based on the antiproton decay, I would estimate the incident occurred within the last four point three hours. Picard: Then the Romulans could still be in the vicinity. Riker: Red alert. Shields at maximum. Picard: Whatever that freighter was carrying, they certainly didn't want it to reach us. Are you sure you don't know what it was? Deseve: No, sir. I swear it. Picard: All we have here are questions. Mister Data, continue with your scan. Troi: We have to get a message to the Enterprise. N'Vek: That's impossible. Troi: It's the perfect opportunity. The Enterprise is nearby. If we can communicate with them, they might be able to help us. N'Vek: Counselor, this ship is traveling under cloak. All of our electromagnetic emissions are being monitored. Any attempt at communication whatsoever and we would be discovered instantly. It could not succeed. We must continue to Draken Four. That is the safest course. Troi: Is there anything you can do to the ship or to the cloaking device that would let the Enterprise track us? N'Vek: Track us? No. We want to get into Federation territory undetected. Troi: What we want is to get the dissidents to safety. Now answer the question. Is there a way? N'Vek: If there were, I wouldn't do it. Troi: Yes, you will. N'Vek: Counselor. Troi: We're not playing it your way any more, N'Vek. I've been kidnapped, surgically altered, put in danger I've gone along with all your plans. Now you are going to listen to me. You find a way to let the Enterprise track us, or I will go to Toreth and tell her I've discovered you're a traitor. I'll order you ejected into space. Is that clear, Subcommander? N'Vek: There is one possibility. In order for a ship to remain undetectable while cloaked, the radiative emissions from the warp engines must be precisely balanced. The ship's Engineer is a sympathizer. He may be able to slightly misalign one of the nullifier cores. It would create a small magnetic disturbance in space whenever we were in motion. Troi: Good. Do it. N'Vek: The effect would only be intermittently. They might not even detect it. Troi: If it's the best we can do, we have to try it. N'Vek: Anything more would be immediately registered on the Bridge. Even this slight misalignment may be detected. Troi: It's a risk we have to take. You're the one who outlined the stakes to me, N'Vek. Are you getting squeamish now, just because things are getting a little more dangerous? Data: Sensors are picking up a polarized magnetic distortion to our port side. Picard: Analysis. Data: The distortion is extremely weak, sir. It appears to be moving slowly. It is gone, sir. Riker: Gone? Data: The distortion no longer registers on our instruments. Picard: Could this distortion be caused by a cloaked ship? Data: Unknown, sir. Our understanding of Romulan technology is still limited. Deseve: Captain, Romulan ships use a forced quantum singularity as a power source. If that system is not functioning perfectly or is damaged even slightly, it might show through the cloak as a magnetic disturbance of some kind. Data: The distortion has reappeared, sir, bearing three three seven mark ten. It has disappeared again, sir. Picard: Mister DeSeve, in your opinion is it possible that we're picking up a cloaked Romulan ship? Deseve: It's a strong possibility, sir. Picard: Mister Data, continue your scan. Ensign, link navigational control to Mister Data's console and plot a course for that distortion. Pilot: Commander, the Enterprise is underway. Toreth: Good. What is their course? Pilot: They're heading for us, sir. Toreth: What? Pilot: They appear to be on an intercept course. Toreth: What is the status of our cloaking device? Is there a malfunction of any kind? Pilot: Cloaking device functioning correctly, sir. All shipboard emissions within normal range. Toreth: Maintain full sensor scans. N'Vek: Commander. The Enterprise may simply be engaged in search operations. Toreth: Perhaps. Picard: Where is it now, Mister Data? Data: It has disappeared once again, sir. I believe it may have been coming to a halt. Picard: Stop engines. Mcknight: Aye, sir. Riker: If this is a Romulan ship, will it stay in position until we leave? Deseve: I don't think so, sir. A Romulan Commander's instinct would be to attack. Toreth: Engage maneuvering engines, forward zero point one. Take us directly under their hull. Pilot: Yes, Commander. Troi: What are you doing? Toreth: It seems that the Enterprise can track us even though we are cloaked. I intend to find out whether they can or cannot. N'Vek, ready attack procedure. N'Vek: Sir, disruptors are standing by. Ready to disengage cloak. Troi: We cannot risk an engagement here. Toreth: Considering the nature of our mission, I would have preferred to have avoided it as well. But I see no other alternative. Troi: What do you intend to do? Toreth: We will pass as close as we possibly can. If they do have the ability to track us, they will move to avoid a collision. If they do, I will destroy them. Data: Sir, the magnetic distortion has reappeared. Picard: Bearing and speed? Data: It appears to be moving toward us, closing slowly. Its bearing indicates a possible collision course. Riker: Time to impact? Data: I am unable to make a precise measurement. However I would estimate impact within ninety seconds. Riker: It doesn't make any sense. Why would they run into us? And if they were, why wouldn't they do it at full speed? Deseve: I don't know, sir. The Romulans will sometimes make suicide attacks, but only as a last resort. There's no reason for it here. Data: Time to impact approximately sixty seconds. Picard: We don't have the luxury to speculate. Back us away from the distortion, Ensign. One half impulse. Mcknight: Aye, sir. Pilot: They are moving away, Commander. Toreth: Prepare attack sequence. N'Vek: All sections report ready for battle, Commander. Pilot: Disruptors fully charged. Toreth: Disengage cloak on my command. Prepare to fire. Troi: Disregard that order. Toreth: What? Troi: I do not authorize this attack. You will cease battle operations immediately. Toreth: I do not need your authorisation to attack, Major. This is my ship. Troi: How typical of the military to resort to brute force when diskretion is required. Toreth: The Enterprise has demonstrated that they can track us. They must be destroyed. Troi: Yes, they can track us. So if we attack them, they will return fire. And since we have no shields when we're cloaked, they will destroy us. Toreth: Are you questioning my ability to command? Troi: You are not fit to command. Step down. Step down or I will have you removed. Toreth: Do you think anyone here will listen to you? Troi: If any one of you defies the Tal Shiar, you will not bear the punishment alone. Your families, all of them, will be there beside you. I am now Commander of this ship. You will take orders from me and no one else. Remove Commander Toreth from her station. If she resists, shoot her. N'Vek: Commander, please, step down. Troi: Remove her weapon. Troi: Now, Commander. Watch and learn. In order to defeat your enemy, you must first understand them. The Federation wishes to avoid war at all cost. So I shall offer them a diplomatic solution, get them to lower their shields and then destroy them. Worf: Captain, we are being hailed. Picard: On screen. Troi: I am Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar. Picard: I am Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise. Troi: How can we be of help? Picard: A Corvallen freighter has been destroyed not far from here. We have detected the residual effects of disruptor fire. Can you shed any light on this? Troi: A regrettable incident, Captain. The freighter was fired upon by the former Commander of this vessel. I have now taken control, and I assure you there will be no more attacks. Picard: Still, there was a considerable loss of life. Troi: Captain, we do not want to exaggerate this incident. You and I can discuss it calmly. We can diffuse it before it becomes inflated. Picard: I agree. Troi: I will come onto your ship. Please, lower your shields and prepare to beam me aboard. Picard: Very well. Mister Worf, lock onto Major Rakal. Transport on my command. Worf: Aye, sir. Troi: Thank you. Riker: What's she doing on that ship? Picard: I don't know, Number One, but she needs our help to get back. Mister Worf, keep your lock on her no matter what happens. Worf: Yes, sir. Picard: Lower shields. N'Vek: Their shields are dropping. Troi: Activate forward disruptor array. Fire when ready. N'Vek: Yes, Major. Firing. Worf: Captain, they have fired on us. Picard: Shields up. Stand by phasers. Damage report. Worf: We sustained a direct hit, but the damage was negligible. The disruptor had almost no power. Deseve: This is Proconsul M'ret and his aides. They're part of the underground movement. Riker: They're in stasis. Medical team to the Bridge. Medic: Aye, sir. Riker: Where's Deanna? Pilot: Disruptors were ineffective. The Enterprise was not damaged. They have re-established full shields. N'Vek: I am reading a malfunction in our forward disruptor array. The power system has destabilized. Toreth: You're lying. The disruptor beam has been purposely sabotaged to conceal a transporter beam within. Quickly, Pilot, locate transport coordinates. What have you done? Pilot: The transporter beam originated in our cargo bay. Something was transported from there to the Enterprise. Toreth: So, Major, the mysterious cargo, brought on board by Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar, has been transported to the Starfleet vessel. I see two traitors in our midst. Toreth: So, Major, now that you can no longer take refuge behind the shield of the Tal Shiar, it's time to answer a few questions. What was in those cargo containers? Well, no matter. We will soon know all we need to know, and then we will execute you. Pilot, drop shields and cloak the ship. Prepare to go to warp. Pilot: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, now. Laforge: Counselor are you all right? Troi: Yes. Laforge: Let's get you to Sickbay. Picard: Ensign, get us out of here. Warp nine. Mcknight: Aye, sir. Crusher: That about does it. How does it feel to have your own face back? Troi: Just right. Thank you. Picard: The men you helped rescue are safe. Proconsul M'ret is deeply grateful for your help. Troi: The thanks should go to N'Vek. He sacrificed himself to save them, and me. Picard: Thanks to the two of you, the way has been paved for further rescue operations. N'Vek's efforts, and his sacrifice, were not in vain.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46578.4. The Enterprise has arrived at Station Deep Space Nine, to assist in the reconstruction of the Bajoran aqueduct systems damaged during the Cardassian occupation. Crusher: I should be through with the water contaminant analysis in a few hours. Then I'm going to check out one of the holosuites. They have got a relaxation program here, Jean-Luc, from Alture Seven. Listen to this. First they bath you in a protein bath. Then a cloud of chromal vapor carries you into a meditation chamber. You should try it. Picard: Well, I'll be too busy discussing the finer points of water management with ten Bajoran bureaucrats. And they won't be carrying me on a cloud of chromal vapor. Ops. Worf: What is this? Laforge: It's pasta al fiorella. One of my favorites. Don't worry, you'll love it. You know, I really want to take a look at those Ktarian antiques. I understand they've got a twenty first century plasma coil in almost perfect condition. I'll have to talk to Chief O'Brien about these replicators. Worf, I don't see how you can eat that stuff. It tastes like liquid polymer. Worf: Delicious. Laforge: You know, I think I'm going to try that kiosk on the other side of the promenade. It looked like they had some real food. Data: Commander, I am reading a minor power drain in the starboard EPS conduit. Riker: What's causing it? Data: The problem's originating in Sickbay. There has been an unauthorized access into the computer's bio-imaging systems. Riker: You'd better check it out. Data: Aye, sir. Data: Excuse me. Do you have authorisation to work in this area? Bashir: Come in, come in. I need a hand with this field generator. See if you can boost the power output to sixty five percent. Data: I am sorry, but use of sickbay equipment is limited to ship's medical personnel. Bashir: Ah. Doctor Julian Bashir, Chief Medical officer, Deep Space Nine. And you are Commander? Data: Data. Bashir: Commander Data. The synthetic lifeform. Data: Yes. Bashir: It's an honor to meet you, sir. I've heard so much about you. You must have a fascinating perspective into biocybernetic research. I'd be delighted if we could discuss the subject sometime. Data: I would be happy to do so. However, I must ask you to stop your experiment. Bashir: Ah, yes. I realize I should have asked before using your sickbay, but it would've taken me days to analyze this device with the computer I have on Deep Space Nine. Data: What type of device is this? Bashir: It was discovered in the Gamma Quadrant. I think it must be some sort of medical instrument. Data: It appears to employ plasma inputs. Bashir: I'm hoping it's a medical scanner. I wanted to use your computer to find out how it works. Data: I suggest we take it to Engineering and run a complete circuit-pathway diagnostic. Bashir: Splendid. I must admit, Commander I didn't think you'd be so personable. Shrek: Klingon. You are Starfleet Klingon. Worf: I am Lieutenant Worf. Shrek: Worf. Son of Mogh. Worf: What of it? Shrek: I am Jaglom Shrek, a man with information to sell. Worf: You have no information I could use. Shrek: I would not be so sure. It is about your father, Mogh. Worf: My father died twenty five years ago at Khitomer. Shrek: That is what you believe. What if I tell you he is still alive? Worf: My father is dead. Shrek: No, he's not. I know where he is. Worf: How is that possible? Shrek: I expect to be paid for my information. Perhaps we could negotiate an exchange. The location of your father, for Worf: Tell me what you know. Shrek: Not all of the Klingons at Khitomer were killed during the massacre. Many were captured by the Romulans and placed in a prison camp on a remote planet. Your father was among them. Worf: Where is this planet? Shrek: Not far from here. I could give you the location, for a price. Worf: A Klingon would rather die than be taken prisoner. I should kill you for spreading lies about my family. My father was killed defending Khitomer. Worf: Ensign Lopez. This duty roster is unacceptable. The assignments should be listed in order of priority. Prepare it again. I will expect it no later than oh nine hundred hours. Dismissed. Riker: Worf, we need to get your rendezvous schedule to Commander Rudman on board the Merrimac as soon as you Worf: I am well aware of your request, Commander. Riker: Lieutenant, are you all right? Worf: Yes, sir. I am fine. I will send your schedule, sir. Excuse me. Worf: Enter. Troi: Did the table do something wrong? Worf: No. Troi: I'm glad you weren't that hard on Ensign Lopez. Worf: He made a mistake. The duty roster was inaccurate. Troi: Would you like to talk about what's bothering you or would you like to break some more furniture? Worf: Today on the Promenade, a Yridian approached me. He knew who I was and tried to sell me information about Mogh. Troi: Your father? Worf: He claimed that he's alive and is being held captive in a Romulan prison camp. Troi: My god. Could it be true? Worf: A Klingon would never allow himself to be captured. A warrior fights to the death. If my father were alive it would dishonor his sons and their sons for three generations. Even Alexander would bear the burden of guilt. Troi: So, you're willing to ignore the possibility because you're concerned about dishonor? Worf: My father is dead. That Yridian is selling lies! Troi: If you're so sure about that, why are you still so upset? Worf, you can't deny the possibility just because you don't want it to be true. If you want to talk about this, you know where to find me. Data: If we transfer twenty megajoules of energy from the dilithium chamber into the plasma inputs, it should be sufficient to activate the device. Laforge: It's worth a try. You two can begin by connecting the coil to the chamber. I'll configure the energy transfer. Bashir: Right. Data, can I ask you a personal question? Data: Certainly. Bashir: Does your hair grow? Data: I can control the rate of my follicle replenishment. However, I have not yet had a reason to modify the length of my hair. Why do you ask? Bashir: Just curious. Data: Power conduits are ready. Is something wrong, Doctor? Bashir: You're breathing. Data: Yes. I do have a functional respiration system. However, its purpose is to maintain thermal control of my internal systems. I am, in fact, capable of functioning for extended periods in a vacuum. Bashir: And you have a pulse. Data: My circulatory system not only produces bio-chemical lubricants, it regulates micro-hydraulic power. Most people are interested in my extraordinary abilities. How fast I can compute, my memory capacity, how long I will live. No one has ever asked me if my hair will grow, or noticed that I can breathe. Bashir: Your creator went to a lot of trouble to make you seem human. I find that fascinating. Laforge: Okay, I think we're ready to begin the transfer. Data: Power connections are complete. Bashir: I'll monitor the coil's transfer rate. Will you keep an eye on the transient power response? Data: Of course. We are ready, Geordi. Laforge: Okay. Initiating energy transfer. Bashir: Power levels are holding steady. Data: Transient response is normal. Bashir: Hold on. I'm picking up a power surge. Reduce the transfer rate. Laforge: Reducing rate by twenty percent. Laforge: What happened? Bashir: The power connections blew. It sent out some kind of plasma shock. Laforge: His synaptic energy is dropping. Bashir: Data, are you all right? Data: I believe so. What has happened? Laforge: A plasma shock overloaded your positronic net. You were down a good thirty seconds. Data: That cannot be possible. I have a memory record for that period of time. I can recall a series of images. I saw Doctor Soong. My father. Laforge: Data, I can't find anything wrong with your positronic subprocessors or your circuit controllers. No sign of any residual energy fluctuation, cascade overload. Data: My internal diagnostic indicates that my memory systems are functioning within normal parameters. For the forty seven seconds that I was inactive, there is no record of cognitive activity. Laforge: There's no doubt about it, Data. You were completely shut down. Maybe you had some kind of random power fluctuation, caused you to access one of your memory files. Data: That cannot be. The image I saw was of Doctor Soong as a young man. I did not encounter him until much later in his life. There appears to be no rational explanation for my experience. Laforge: I'll take another look at the diagnostic log. In the meantime, you'd better disconnect that device. Bashir: Data, perhaps we're going about this the wrong way. Data: How so? Bashir: Well, maybe you had a dream or a hallucination. Data: I am not capable of either of those functions. Bashir: Yet you can't account for what happened today, can you? Data: At present, I cannot. Bashir: Well maybe you should approach this from a more human standpoint. You're right that machines can't have hallucinations, but then again, most machines can't grow hair. Worf: Wait. What is it, Commander? Data: I am sorry to bother you, but I have a question of a personal nature. Do you have a moment? Worf: A moment. Data: I have heard you mention that you once experienced a vision. Worf: Yes. When I was young my adoptive parents arranged for me to partake in the Rite of MajQa. Data: I understand it involves deep meditation in the lava caves of No'Mat. That prolonged exposure to the heat induces a hallucinatory effect. Worf: Why are you asking me about this? Data: I have recently had an unusual experience, which might be described as a vision. Worf: What happened? Data: An accident in Engineering shut down my cognitive functions for a short period of time, yet I seemed to remain conscious. I saw my father. Worf: You are very fortunate. That is a powerful vision. Data: If it was a vision, I do not know how to proceed. Worf: You must find its meaning. If it has anything to do with your father, you must learn all you can about it. In the Klingon MajQa ritual, there is nothing more important than receiving a revelation about your father. Your father is part of you, always. Learning about him teaches you about yourself. That is why no matter where he is or what he has done, you must find him. Data: But I am not looking for my father. Worf: Yes, of course. Do not stop until you have the answer. Data: Thank you, Worf. Shrek: Lieutenant Worf. You have reconsidered. Worf: Yes. I wish to go to the Romulan prison camp. Shrek: Excellent. I can provide you with the coordinates. Worf: No. You will take me there. Shrek: No, it's not possible. I have no means of transportation. Worf: I checked the station records. You have a vessel that is capable of warp speed. Shrek: I, I do not have the time. I have other business. Worf: What is the real reason you do not wish to take me? Is it because what you have told me is not true? Shrek: No. The camp is located on the edge of Romulan space. It is a dangerous journey. Worf: Dangerous? It would be more dangerous for you to refuse. Shrek: Very well. But I will require full payment in advance. Worf: No. No, I will pay you after. Shrek: But Shrek: Yes, yes, of course. After. Worf: If you are lying, if there is no prison camp, I will kill you. Shrek: The Romulan guards have a detection perimeter. It will be necessary to transport you to the surface thirty kilometers from the prison camp. Worf: The foliage is very dense. It will take me approximately twelve hours to reach the camp. I may have to travel during the night. Shrek: That would be unwise. This is not an empty jungle. There are many predators. Worf: I am prepared. Shrek: Very well. But I recommend that you look up from time to time. The arboreal needle snake likes to attack from above. I will provide you with a map of the camp. Worf: How did you learn of this camp? Shrek: It is not important for you to know. Worf: Why have you not informed the Klingon government of this place? Shrek: I sell information. I do not give it away. Worf: You do this for profit. Shrek: I have my reasons, Mister Worf. Worf: What reasons could you have for letting these people suffer? Shrek: We will arrive in the Carraya Sector in approximately three hours. I suggest you get some rest. Picard: Come. Picard: Yes, Mister Data? Data: I am sorry to disturb you, sir. Picard: Not at all. I'm here studying the intricacies of Bajoran aqueduct management. I would welcome an interruption. Please, sit down. Data: I require your advice. I have come to an impasse regarding my recent unexplained experience. Picard: Your vision of Doctor Soong. How is your investigation proceeding? Data: I have analyzed over four thousand different religious and philosophical systems, as well as over two hundred psychological schools of thought, in an effort to understand what happened. Picard: And what have you found? Data: I have been unable to find a single interpretation of the images I saw during the time I was shut down. The hammer, for instance, has several meanings. The Klingon culture views the hammer as a symbol of power. However, the Taqua tribe of Nagor sees it as an icon of hearth and home. The Ferengis view it as a sign of sexual prowess. Picard: I'm curious, Mister Data. Why are you looking at all these other cultures? Data: The interpretation of visions and other metaphysical experiences are almost always culturally derived, and I have no culture of my own. Picard: Yes, you do. You're a culture of one, which is no less valid than a culture of one billion. Perhaps the key to understanding your experience is to stop looking into other sources for a meaning. When we look at Michaelangelo's David or Symnay's Tomb and we don't ask what does this mean to other people. The real question is, what does it mean to us? Explore this image, Data. Let it excite your imagination. Focus on it. See where it leads you. Let it inspire you. Data: I believe I understand, sir. Thank you. Picard: Good luck, Mister Data. Shrek: The camp is in a southeasterly direction. After approximately ten kilometers, you will come to the edge of the sulfur canyon. Look for a riverbank and follow it until you come to the camp. This is a homing device. It will allow you to find my ship when I return. I will not be landing in the same location. Worf: When will you return? Shrek: Fifty hours. Do not be late. Ba'El: Who's there? Toq, is that you? I can see you. I hope you're enjoying yourself. Toq, I swear I will hang you by your Worf: Stop, please, Ba'El: Who are you? Worf: I've come to help you. Ba'El: Help me? Worf: Yes. How did you get out of the camp? Does anyone know you are gone? Ba'El: Yes I come here often Worf: You must lead me to the camp. Ba'El: You are Klingon. Where did you come from? Worf: That does not matter. I have come to take you home. Ba'El: Home? This is my home. Romulan: Ba'el? Worf: It is very important you tell no one you saw me. Ba'El: Is it time for the ceremony? Romulan: Yes, we're about to begin. Data: Come in. Laforge: Data, what are you doing? We were supposed to meet at Laforge: Data, what are you doing? Data: I am painting. Laforge: I can see that. How long have you been at this? Data: I have created twenty three individual illustrations in the past six hours, twenty seven minutes. I believe you could say I have been inspired. Laforge: I'll say. Data: I have done as Captain Picard suggested. I have tried to explore the images. Laforge: Has it helped? Data: I am not certain. I began by painting the image of the blacksmith. Then I painted the corridor. After that, the anvil, the hammer, and Doctor Soong's face. The thought then occurred to me that I should paint smoke. Laforge: Smoke? Why smoke? Data: I cannot explain it. It is not an image I saw during my vision. Laforge: Well, you have the smoke coming out of a bucket of water. Blacksmiths used to use water to cool the metal. Maybe that's why you painted it. Data: Perhaps. After I painted the smoke, it then occurred to me to paint a bird's wing. I then drew an entire bird. A flock of birds flying in formation. An individual feather. If the image of a bird is related to my vision, I do not understand how. I am left with more of a mystery than ever. Geordi, I would like to recreate the experiment which caused my initial shut down. Laforge: What for? Data: I do not know how much longer my vision would have continued had I not been reactivated. Laforge: Data, that plasma shock almost fused your neural net. I don't think it's such a good idea to try that again. Data: I am aware of the risks involved. But I can think of no other way to investigate my experience. Will you help? Laforge: Yeah. Yeah, sure. I'll go find Doctor Bashir. Data: I will prepare the power transfer. Laforge: Okay, Data, we're going to monitor every subsystem in your positronic net. If I see any neural pathways overload beyond sixty five percent, I'm shutting down the experiment. Data: Agreed. Bashir: We're ready. Laforge: Initiating energy transfer. Get ready, Data. Bashir: Power levels are rising. Laforge: It should be any second now. Data: The bird did not appear in my original experience. This vision is different. Soong: Of course it's different. It's never the same. Always changing. Unpredictable. It doesn't make sense. Data: What is happening, Father? Soong: I don't know, Data. What is happening? Data: We are on the Bridge of the Enterprise. My cat is present, my potted plant, and my paintings. Soong: A beginning. Still a little grounded in the mundane, but showing promise. Data: I do not understand. Soong: You're not supposed to. No man should know where his dreams come from. It spoils the mystery, the fun. I'm proud of you, son. I wasn't sure you'd ever develop the cognitive abilities to make it this far. But if you're here, if you can see me, you've crossed over the threshold from being a collection of circuits and subprocessors and have started a wonderful journey. Data: What type of journey? Soong: Think of it, think of it as an empty sky. Data: I do not understand. Soong: Shh. Just dream, Data. Dream. Data, you are the bird. Data: The images I saw during the time I was shut down were generated by a series of previously dormant circuits in my neural net. I believe Doctor Soong incorporated those circuits into my base programming, intending to activate them when I reached a certain level of development. Bashir: But the plasma shock activated them prematurely. Data: That is correct. Bashir: I'm curious. Now that those circuits are active, what are you going to do with them? Data: I plan to shut down my cognitive functions for a brief period each day. I hope to generate new internal visions. Bashir: It sounds to me like you're talking about dreaming. Data: An accurate analogy. Bashir: Remarkable. You know, this is just the kind of thing that might get me published in the Starfleet Cybernetics Journal. Would you mind if I authored a paper on all this? Data: Of course not. Bashir: Thank you, Data. And sweet dreams. L'Kor: van'aj javDIch Qong DIr Sa'VIch ghIH yot quelI'Pa qevas HoH Qa. teblaw'nghu mughato'Du ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo' Worf: Quiet! I'm a friend. L'Kor: Who? Who are you? Worf: Worf, son of Mogh. L'Kor: Why have you come here? Worf: I have come to find my father. Is he alive? Is he here? L'Kor: Your father fell at Khitomer. Worf: Did he die in battle? L'Kor: He was fortunate. Worf: You were captured. L'Kor: Yes. Worf: Romulans. They robbed you of your right to die in battle. There's very little time. How many Klingons are being held here? L'Kor: Seventy three. Worf: How many Romulans guard the camp? L'Kor: Worf, there are things you do not understand. Worf: What do you mean? L'Kor: I must speak with the Elders. L'Kor: ghoS! I knew your father well, Worf. And I remember you. A boy, barely able to lift a bat'leth. Once your father insisted we take you on the ritual hunt. You were so eager, you tried to take the beast with your bare hands. It mauled your arm. Worf: I still have the scar. I do remember you now. L'Kor: You should not have come here, Worf. Worf: I do not understand. L'Kor: You should not have come. Gi'Ral: Who is this? Worf: I am Worf, son of Mogh. I have come to help you escape. L'Kor: He does not know. Gi'Ral: He must leave at once. L'Kor: No, it is too late for that. He would bring others. vang ghaH! L'Kor: We are not leaving here and neither are you. To Be Continued...

Shrek: Not all the Klingons at Khitomer were killed during the massacre. Many were captured by the Romulans and placed in a prison camp on a remote planet. Your father was among them. Worf: If my father were alive, it would his sons and their sons for three generations. Even Alexander would bear the burden of guilt. Troi: So, you're willing to ignore the possibility because you're concerned about dishonor? Worf: My father is dead. That Yridian is selling lies. Shrek: This is a homing device. It will allow you to find my ship when I return. Ba'El: You are Klingon. Where did you come from? Worf: That does not matter. I have come to take you home. Gi'Ral: He must leave at once. L'Kor: No, it's too late for that now. He would bring others. We are not leaving here and neither are you. And now, the conclusion. L'Kor: Take his pack. Worf: Are you afraid to die while escaping? L'Kor: We are dead, Worf. We died at Khitomer. Gi'Ral: We were captured. It was worse than death. Worf: Why did you allow it to happen? Gi'Ral: We had no choice. We were defending an outpost on the perimeter. The Romulans took out our shields. The next blast rendered us unconscious. When we awoke, we were prisoners, unarmed and shackled. L'Kor: We were interrogated for three months. We tried to starve ourselves but they kept us alive. Gi'Ral: The Romulan Commander Tokath thought he was being kind. L'Kor: The Romulans hoped to trade our lives for territorial concessions, but the Klingon High Council refused to negotiate. They would not acknowledge that their warriors had been taken prisoner. Gi'Ral: And when it was clear that we would be of no use to them, Tokath offered to let us go. L'Kor: But we knew that our families believed we had fallen in battle, so we did not wish to return to dishonor them. Gi'Ral: We asked Tokath to let us stay and he took pity on us. Worf: I understand your desire to preserve your family's honor. But what of your own? There is no honor in remaining prisoners. L'Kor: We lost our honor when we were captured. It does not matter what happens to us. Gi'Ral: All that matters is that our families are not dishonored. L'Kor: Why did you come here? If you had found your father you would have found only dishonor. Worf: If he had been captured as you were, if I had found him here, I would be glad to see him. There is no room in my heart for shame. L'Kor: I can only hope that if my son came here, he would be Klingon enough to kill me. Worf: This is a gin'tak spear. Toq: What of it? Worf: Have your parents taught you nothing? This is used for battle, not tilling soil. Toq: We have no need for weapons here. The war is far away. Worf: What war? Toq: The war our parents came here to escape. Worf: That war was over many years ago. Toq: I'm not interested in what you have to say, Klingon. I have work to do. Ba'El: Hello again, Worf. They say you've come to stay with us. Worf: Not by choice. Ba'El: Aren't you happy to have escaped the war? Worf: The war. Ba'El: Yes. We've heard the stories all our lives. How people are slaughtered in terrible battles, forced to fight whether they want to or not. That's why our parents came here, to make a safe home, a place where they could raise their children in peace. I should think you'd be relieved to get away from the fighting. You're safe here. Worf: A place can be safe and still be a prison. Where I come from, people are free to come and go as they choose. Ba'El: So are we. Worf: Tell your father that you would like to leave. Tell him that you would like to visit the Klingon Home world. See what he says. Ba'El: Why would I want to go there? It's dangerous. Worf: Not any longer. Gi'Ral: Ba'el! Come here! Ba'El: Yes, Mother. You are not allowed to leave the compound? Then I suppose I won't be seeing you at the pond again. Gi'Ral: I told you not to speak with him. Ba'El: I'm sorry, Mother. Worf: Enter. Tokath: I am Tokath. I can return later if I am disturbing you? Worf: It is a strange thing when a jailer concerns himself with his prisoner's comfort. Tokath: Mine is a strange prison. Worf: You robbed the Klingons of who they were. You dishonored them. Tokath: By not slitting their throats when we found them unconscious? Worf: I do not expect you to understand. You are a Romulan. Tokath: You're just like L'Kor was twenty years ago. Proud and angry. He hated me. All the Klingons did. And I had no love for them, I won't deny it. When I informed the High Command that the Klingons wanted to remain here, I was told that unless I stayed to oversee them myself, they would be killed. My decision ended my military career. Worf: Why did you do it? Tokath: I don't expect you to understand. You're a Klingon. But I do expect you to understand this, We've put aside the old hatreds. Here, Romulans and Klingons live in peace. I won't allow you to destroy what we have. Worf: Do not deceive yourself. These people are not happy here. I see the sadness in their eyes. Tokath: That's not what I see when I look in my wife's eyes. I married a Klingon. So you see, when I warn you not to disrupt our lives here I'm not speaking just as a jailer, but as a man protecting his family. Do not test my tolerance. Ba'El: Bagh Da tuHmoh. ChojaH Duh rHo. ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo' Worf: Do you know what that song means? Ba'El: No. I just like the melody. Romulan: Stop! Romulan: There. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46759.2. The Yridian vessel Lieutenant Worf boarded at Deep Space Nine has failed to arrive for our scheduled rendezvous. It is now twelve hours overdue. Riker: Still no sign of them on long range scanners. Picard: Contact DS9. Find out what they know about this Yridian trader. Riker: Hopefully he filed a flight plan before he left the station. Picard: That's the only chance we have of finding Worf. Tokath: We haven't had to use one of these for a long time. It implants a small boridium pellet under the skin. We can use its energy signature to track you. L'Kor: In time, you will grow accustomed to life here. Worf: Never. Tokath: He is one of yours. Deal with him however you like. But I warn you, if he becomes a disruption, I will not be so tolerant. L'Kor: Toq. You guard him. He is free to move around inside the compound. But make certain he does not cause trouble. Ba'El: What are you doing? Worf: This is the mok'bara. The form clears the mind and centers the body. Worf: No. Like this. First you must learn to breathe. Stand tall. As tall as you can. Now, take a wider stance. Toq: You must stop. Worf: These forms are the basis for Klingon combat. You would be wise to learn them. I will teach you. Join us. Toq: We'll see what L'Kor thinks of this. Ba'El: Mother? She's not here. Come in. This is what I wanted to show you. Ba'El: I don't know why, but I'm not supposed to look at these things. They're Klingon, aren't they? Worf: Yes. Ba'El: I thought you might be able to tell me about them. Worf: This is a warrior's armor. And this is a d'k tahg. It should not be allowed to rust like this. Ba'El: Isn't it beautiful? Worf: That is a jinaq. It is given to a daughter who has come of age, old enough to take a mate. Gi'Ral: Ba'el! Ba'El: Mother. Gi'Ral: Take that off at once. Worf: Why is she forbidden to know what these things are? Gi'Ral: They are not needed here. Go! Worf: Kahless held his father's lifeless body in his arms. He could not believe what his brother had done. Then his brother threw their father's sword into the sea, saying, if he could not possess it, neither would Kahless. That was the last time the brothers would speak. Ba'El: What happened to the sword? Worf: Kahless looked into the sea and wept, for the sword is all he had left of his father. The ocean filled with his tears and flooded beyond the shore. Toq: That is impossible! Worf: For you, perhaps. Not Kahless. He was a great warrior. Toq: You're making it up. Worf: No. These are our stories. They tell us who we are. L'Kor: It is late. It is time to sleep. Ba'El: Worf. You never answered my question. Did Kahless ever find his father's sword? Worf: Yes. He found it. Ba'El: The stories that you tell, are they true? Worf: I have studied them all of my life, and find new truths in them every time. Ba'El: This Kahless, did he ever take a mate? Worf: That is another story. Ba'El: Tell me. Worf: You are Romulan. Ba'El: Tokath is my father. I thought you knew that. Worf: How could your mother mate with a Romulan? Ba'El: Why shouldn't she? Worf: It is an obscenity. Ba'El: What are you saying? They love each other. Worf: Romulans are treacherous, deceitful. They are without honor. Ba'El: My father is a good man. He is kind, and generous. There is nothing dishonorable about him. Worf: He took part in a cowardly attack at Khitomer. Thousands of Klingons were massacred, many of them women and children. Ba'El: I don't know what you're talking about. My father came here to escape the wars. He would never kill anybody. Worf: Ask him. Ask your mother. Tell them you want to know the truth. Picard: What is it, Number One? Riker: We've just received the Yridian's flight plan from Deep Space Nine. Laforge: He gets around. He's been to three different systems in this past week. He could have left Worf at any of them. Picard: Are any of these systems near Romulan space? Laforge: Two of them. The Nequencia and the Carraya systems. Picard: Let's head for the closer one. Riker: Aye, sir. Ba'El: What do you want? Worf: I am sorry if I upset you. Worf: I was surprised. I became angry. But I do not blame you. You cannot help being what you are. Ba'El: There's nothing wrong with what I am. Worf: What I mean is, it is not your fault. Ba'El: What, being born? I'm sorry if that offends you. Worf: No, I. It is hard to explain. Klingons and Romulans are blood enemies. Have been for centuries. Ba'El: Not here. Here, we live in peace. Worf: But I don't live here. Ba'El: Worf, before you knew, you were attracted to me. Can't you leave the hatred behind, too? Can't you accept me as I am? Worf: I do not know. Boy: Come on, Toq. Boy: Who's next? Okay? Try again. Worf: Ka'la! Toq: That is not how you play this game. Worf: The qa'vak is not a game. It hones the skills of the hunt. Toq: The hunt? We have replicators here. Worf: Klingons do not hunt because they need food. The hunt is a ritual that reminds us of where we come from. Toq: I know where I came from. Right here. Worf: It is a difficult skill to master. Perhaps you are too young. Toq: Throw it. Worf: Your arm is strong, but you need practice. Hold your other arm like this and aim along it. Roll. Worf: You learn quickly. Perhaps it is time to put your skills to the test. Toq: What do you mean? Worf: Come. I will take you on the hunt. Toq: You Are not allowed to leave the compound. They won't allow it. Worf: I think they will. Tokath: Hunting? Have you lost your mind? Worf: The boy can come with me. I cannot sit in the compound like an old man. I must practice my skills. L'Kor: We can't let you out. You've already tried to escape once. Worf: I give you my word as a warrior. I will not try to escape. Tokath: Leave us. We have work to do. L'Kor: Tokath. He gave his word. Tokath: Are you seriously suggesting that we open the gates and let him wander free, with only a boy as his guard? L'Kor: Twenty three years ago I gave you my word. In all this time, have I ever broken it? Tokath: I told you he was yours to deal with. If you want to take this risk, the responsibility is yours. L'Kor: You will go with him. Take a weapon. If he breaks his word and tries to escape, kill him. Worf: He is there. The wind has shifted. We must wait. Toq: Why? We're so close. Worf: Never approach your prey from upwind. The breeze will carry your scent. The wind is shifting again. Toq: I can't smell anything. Worf: He is there. Toq: How can you? Yes. I can smell it. Worf: Remember the scent. More than anything else, it will guide you. Toq: It is strong. I cannot believe I couldn't smell it before. Worf: Let it work its way into your blood. Toq: I can feel my heart pounding. Worf: Yes. This is the moment where life and death meet. This is what we are. Warriors. Toq: I was never taught that. Worf: There is much you were never taught. Tokath: Aren't you hungry, L'Kor? Or are you upset because your prisoner has not returned? L'Kor: I should not have sent the boy with him. If he has been hurt Tokath: Don't worry, my friend. They'll come back. After all, a warrior keeps his word. Isn't that so? Ba'El: Father if I wanted to visit Romulus, or the Klingon Home world, would I be allowed to go? Toq: Ka'la! Tonight, we eat well. Tokath: Get that off my table. Toq: You do not kill an animal unless you intend to eat it. Tokath: Get rid of it. Toq: I intend to, Tokath. But not until it's cooked. Today I learned the ritual hunt. But that is not all I learned. I discovered that warrior's blood runs in my veins. I do not know how or why, but we have forgotten ourselves. Our stories are not told, our songs are not sung. Tonight, as we came home, we sang a song of victory. A song known only to me as a lullaby. But it is a warrior's song. Bagh Da tuHmoh. Fire streaks the heavens. ChojaH Duh rHo. Battle has begun. Bagh Da tuHmoh. ChojaH Duh rHo. ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo. Tokath: Ba'el. All: Ylja'Qo ylja'Qo! ylja'Qo!! Tokath: Well, Worf, you've had quite an effect on the young people. Worf: I have done nothing more than show them what they are. Tokath: No. You have shown them what you want them to be. Tell me this. Do you know of any place, any time in history, when Klingons and Romulans have lived together in peace? We have despised each other, fought each other, for centuries. Except here, on this remote planet, Romulans and Klingons live together in harmony. No government, no leader, has ever done what I have done here. Worf: And what about Toq? I saw what happened to him when he caught the scent of his prey on the wind. For the first time in his life, he felt powerful, and that is what he has been denied living here. And that is what you have tried to take away from him. Now you may be content to sit here in the jungle and wither to old age, but Toq and the others have tasted what it is to feel truly alive, and they will not give that up now. Tokath: Enough of this. We could talk all night and not convince each other. I offer you a choice. Live with us as one of us Worf: Or? Tokath: Or I will have you put to death. Worf: Then that is what you will have to do. Tokath: Worf, consider this carefully. Worf: That death will be honorable. The young people will see what it is to die as a Klingon. Worf: Enter. Ba'El: Thank you. I will remove the tracking device. Then you can go over the wall and hide in the jungle. Worf: Why are you doing this? Ba'El: My father is wrong. No matter how I might feel about you, you don't deserve to die. Worf: I am not going to run away, Ba'el. Ba'El: They will kill you. Worf: Yes. But they will not defeat me. Ba'El: I don't understand you. Worf: A Klingon does not run away from his battles. Ba'El: Is that really the lesson you want us to learn? You've taught us a great deal, awakened something in us that we never knew existed, but I don't understand what we can learn from your death. Worf: Then you do not yet understand what it is to be Klingon. Ba'El: Worf, in spite of everything that's happened, I still sense that you care for me. Am I wrong? You talk so much about being a warrior, about honor and death. Is it so hard to speak of love? Worf, please. Worf: I would not have thought it possible to love a Romulan. Ba'El: But you do? Worf: Yes. Ba'El: Well if you've come that far, can't you take it one more step? Can't you stay here with us? With me? Worf: If there were a way, I would take you away with me. Ba'El: If there is anything that I've learned from you, from your reaction to me, it's that I have no place out there. Other Klingons will not accept me for what I am. Worf: And if I stay here, these Klingons will not accept me for what I am. Ba'El: Why did you come here? We were so happy. We didn't know there was anything missing in our lives. Worf: Ba'el. Ba'El: Goodbye, Worf. Tokath: I know that there are those among you who may question what I'm about to do. And you would not be wrong to do so. I have questioned myself. I have spent the night considering my decision, challenging myself to justify whether it is right. And I have reached the conclusion that it is absolutely necessary to put this man to death. What we have built together would be destroyed by this man. And I cannot allow that to happen. I give you one last chance to accept our way of life. Worf: Those are eloquent word, Tokath, but the truth is, I am being executed because I brought something dangerous to your young people. Knowledge. Knowledge of their origins. Knowledge of the real reasons you are here in this camp. The truth is a threat to you. Tokath: Enough. Stand ready. Raise your weapons. Ba'El: Father. Toq: Stop this! Toq: If you kill him, you will have to kill me. Tokath: Step aside, Toq. Toq: Worf would rather die than accept this way of life. And so would I. I want to leave, as do many others. You will have to kill us to keep us here. Worf: You see, Tokath? It is already too late. Tokath: I am warning you. Move aside, now. Tokath: Stand ready. L'Kor: Toq. Move away. Tokath: Take aim. Tokath: Ba'el. Gi'Ral: Tokath. Long ago, when your captives asked to stay here, our hope was to avoid dishonoring our children on the Home World. But perhaps, over the years, we lost sight of our children that we raised here. This is our prison. It should not be theirs. Worf: Years ago, your parents made a great sacrifice for the sake of their families. Today, they do so again. For that, we must honor them. You must promise them never reveal to their secret. No one must know of this place. Toq: A supply ship's due in a few days. They will take us. When they arrive, Tokath will explain it to them. Then we will start a new life. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Our search for Lieutenant Worf was cut short when we received a cryptic message from him requesting a rendezvous with a Romulan vessel. He has informed us we will be taking on passengers. Crusher: It's good to see you. He seems fine. We're giving everyone a thorough checkups in Sickbay. Picard: Thank you, Doctor. Picard: Welcome home, Mister Worf. Worf: Thank you, sir. Picard: Picard to Bridge. Signal the Romulan ship that the last group is on board. Riker: Aye, sir. Picard: You found what you were looking for, Mister Worf? Worf: No, sir. There was no prison camp. Those young people are survivors of a vessel that crashed in the Carraya system four years ago. No one survived Khitomer. Picard: I understand.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46682.4. The Enterprise is docked at the Remmler Array, where it will undergo a routine procedure to eliminate accumulated baryon particles. In preparation for the sweep, we are evacuating the ship. Crewwoman: Attention personnel on decks fourteen and fifteen. Your transporter room assignment has been changed. Report to transporter room three. Troi: Captain. We're still behind schedule on decks seven and eight. Shall I tell Arkaria Base there'll be a delay? Picard: No. Open up the transporters in Cargo bay two and divert everyone from deck seven to there. That should put it back on track. Troi: Right. Crewman: All beta shift Engineering personnel are requested to report to main Engineering prior to disembarking. Crusher: Captain. Arkaria Base does not have the medical storage units I have requested. I have seven living tissue samples that won't survive the baryon sweep anymore than you or I would. I've tried to reason with them, but Picard: All right, all right. Have Commander LaForge transport a stasis unit from the astrophysics lab. You should be able to convert it to store tissue samples. Crusher: Thank you, Captain. Crewwoman: All science personnel. Please check in with your section chief for station-side duty assignments. Riker: Captain. I was just heading for deck seven. I've put the auto-shutdown sequence on hold until we get back on schedule. Picard: Oh, I think we can resume the sequence. Counselor Troi is taking care of the situation on deck seven. Riker: Aye, sir. Data: Captain. Picard: Bridge. Data: It has been quite a day, has it not? Picard: Yes, it has. Data: However, a change of routine is often invigorating and can be a welcome diversion after a long assignment. Picard: Exactly. Data: I understand that Arkaria has some very interesting weather patterns. Picard: Mister Data, are you all right? Data: Yes, sir. I am attempting to fill a silent moment with non-relevant conversation. Picard: Small talk. Data: Yes, sir. I have found that humans often use small talk during awkward moments. Therefore, I have written a new subroutine for that purpose. How did I do? Picard: Perhaps it was a little too non-relevant. But if you really are interested in small talk, then you should keep your eye on Commander Hutchinson at the reception this afternoon. He's a master. Data: Thank you, sir. I will. Laforge: Captain. Worf: Captain. Worf: After you, sir. Laforge: No, after you. Worf: No sir. I believe you spoke first. Picard: Gentlemen, gentlemen, we're running out of time. Mister Worf? Worf: The computer needs your authorisation to disable command functions during the baryon sweep. Picard: Are we ready, Commander La Forge? Laforge: Almost. I've requested two additional field diverters. One for the computer core and one for the Bridge. They haven't been installled yet. Picard: Additional units? Laforge: Yes, sir. We've logged in five years more warp hours than most ships do in ten, so our baryon particle levels are high. I'm a little concerned that when the Remmler Array starts to sweep the ship it'll have to use a stronger beam than normal in order to get rid of all the radiation. Picard: And that might overload the field diverters protecting our key systems. How long until the new ones are in place? Laforge: I'd say about twenty minutes. Picard: Very well. Computer, disable all command functions in thirty minutes. Authorisation, Picard gamma six zero seven three. Computer: Authorisation acknowledged. Worf: Captain, incoming message. It's the station administrator, Mister Orton. Picard: In my Ready room, Mister Worf. Worf: Captain. Request permission to be excused from Commander Hutchinson's reception. Picard: Permission granted. I wish I could excuse myself as well. Laforge: Captain, permission to be Picard: Mister La Forge, I cannot excuse my entire senior staff. Mister Worf beat you to it. Picard: Go ahead, Mister Orton. Orton: Captain, if you're on schedule, I'd like to confirm that we'll begin the baryon sweep at fifteen hundred hours, approximately one hour from now. Picard: Confirmed. Orton: Commander Hutchinson also wanted me to make sure that you'll be able to attend his reception this afternoon. Picard: Tell him I'm looking forward to it. Orton: He'll be delighted to hear that. Arkaria Base out. Kelsey: Tell Arkaria base that we're almost finished here. Neil: We're going to need two more conduits. Kiros: I need to run a diagnostic on the diverter. Devor: Get the diverter aligned so that we can begin the isolation procedure. Neil: Where's the ODN interface? Hutch: Beverly. Lovely as ever. How do you manage it? Crusher: It's good to see you again. Hutch: It's been far too long. What is it, four years? Now I want to hear everything that happened after you left Starfleet Medical. And I have so much to tell you. Oh, that must be Commander Riker. Excuse me. Crusher: Of course. Man: Pardon me. Hutch: You must be Will Riker. Riker: I must be. Hutch: Calvin Hutchinson. Call me Hutch. Calvin, awful name, I've never forgiven my parents. As soon as I saw you, I knew you had to be the Enterprise's First Officer. Riker: Oh? Hutch: Of course. Your reputation proceeds you. Flashing blue eyes, square jaw. Quite the ladies man I hear. Now don't be modest, Will. May I call you Will? Riker: Sure. Hutch: I also hear that you're a musician. I certainly hope you'll play something for us. It's not often we get to entertain the command crew of the flagship. Oh, and speaking of command. Hello, Captain Picard. Picard: Commander. Hutch: I was just telling your First Officer what a real pleasure it is to have all of you here. So, how are you anyway? Picard: Very well, thank you. Data: It is very good to see you both again. Beverly. May I call you Beverly? Beverly, have you noticed that the mean temperature here on Arkaria is slightly higher normal for human comfort levels? I have found that humans prefer a body temperature of twenty one degrees Celsius in order to operate most efficiently. However, there are several cultures who actually prefer that their body temperature is identical to the temperature of the room in which they are standing. The Sheliak, for example. Hutch: I'm telling you, you have never seen anything like this. There were thousands of these creatures. The whole northern sky turned dark. I Picard: Oh, er, Geordi, Deanna. I don't think you've met our host. This is Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge, Counselor Deanna Troi. This is Commander Hutchinson. Hutch: Oh, please, call me Hutch. Troi: Hello. Hutch: I was just telling your captain about some of the fascinating sights here on Arkaria. Either of you interested in ornithology? Troi: Er, well. Hutch: The mating habits of the Arkarian horn fowl are quite interesting. If the weather were better, we could take horses to the southern promontory and visit the nesting grounds. Picard: Horses? Hutch: Yes. We have a network of trails through the plains. Unfortunately, it's not very pleasant right now. Cold, muddy. Not a soul for kilometers. Picard: Sounds perfect. Mister La Forge, how long before the baryon sweep begins on the Enterprise? Laforge: About twenty five minutes, sir. Picard: Then I have enough time to back to the ship and get my saddle. Troi: Your saddle? Picard: Yes. A saddle is a very personal thing. It has to be broken in, used, cared for. Laforge: You keep a saddle on board the Enterprise? Picard: Oh yes, yes. I never know when I'll have the opportunity to ride. Troi: I see. Picard: It's perfectly normal. Most serious riders do have their own saddles. Troi: Of course. Hutch: Absolutely. Picard: Well, if you'll excuse me. Hutch: Amazing man. You know, he reminds me of another officer I knew years ago. A Captain Edwell. Now he was fascinating. Born on Gaspar Seven, but you wouldn't know it from the way he looked. Computer: Auto-shutdown sequence in progress. Defensive systems offline. Baryon sweep begins in eight minutes. Devor: What are you doing? Picard: Someone left this ODN junction box open. I thought your crew was supposed to be off the ship once the field diverters were in place. Devor: The diverters have to be synchronized. I was laser bonding a backup link. Picard: I see. Well, I'd better let you finish up so you can get off the ship. Devor: Excuse me a minute. Computer: Auto-shutdown sequence in progress. Primary power offline in one minute. Kelsey: Get Pomet started on it right away. Computer: Primary power offline in thirty seconds. Computer: Final warning. Primary power offline in ten seconds. Data: Hmm. Yes. I find it fascinating that your family chose to drop the prefix Pel from your surname. It was my understanding that Pel Orton is a more noble appellation on Arkaria than simply Orton. Orton: Yes. Data: Perhaps the recent Arkarian trend toward a more egalitarian society is partly responsible, eh? Orton: Perhaps. Hutch: The crew of the Magellan actually put on a talent show here. Captain Conklin did a poetry reading, if you can imagine that. Riker: I'm trying to. Hutch: Did I ever tell you how I came to be stationed here? It's a fascinating story. I was serving on Admiral Mitchell's staff on Starbase ninety seven. Awful place, by the way. Riker: Have you met our Commander Data? Data: As a matter of fact, I find it oddly amusing. Hutch: No, I don't think so. Riker: I'll introduce you. Data: There are several cultures in this sector with extremely similar etymological histories. For example Riker: Mister Data, I don't know if you've had a chance to meet our host, Commander Hutchinson. Call him Hutch. Lieutenant Commander Data, our second officer. Hutch: A pleasure. Data: The pleasure is mine, Hutch. I have been meaning to compliment you on your choice of colors here. Hutch: Oh, you really think so? It wasn't easy making a final decision, let me tell you. Data: I can well imagine. The light in this room would make color selection exceptionally problematic. Hutch: Precisely. Orton: Thank you. Riker: You're welcome. I'm not sure which one to feel sorry for. Waiter: Mister Orton? Orton: You'll excuse me, Commander. Riker: Geordi, what happened to the Captain? Laforge: Oh, he went back to the ship to get his saddle. Riker: His saddle? Laforge: Any serious rider would have his own saddle. Riker: Oh. Laforge: Probably he went right to the stables. I bet he's ten kilometers from here already. Riker: Lucky him. Thank you. Kelsey: Kelsey to Devor. Devor, this is Kelsey. Reply. Devor, do you read me? Kelsey to Kiros. Kiros: This is Kiros. Kelsey: Devor isn't responding. There must be too much interference from the baryon sweep. Go find him and see if he finished by passing the regulator on deck seven, then meet us in main Engineering. Kiros: Understood. Picard: Hey. Hey. Who are you? What are you doing on my ship? Devor: The baryon sweep uses a high-frequency plasma field. Your phaser won't work. Picard: You're probably right. But I'd like to bet this will. A laser welder can be deadly. What's going on in main Engineering? I suggest that you cooperate. Devor: You're Starfleet. You won't kill me. Picard: You sure? Picard: Seems you're right. Data: Yes, but Tirellian laser art is very similar in both form and composition. Hutch: Of course. You know, funny you should mention that. I used to be stationed on Tirellia. Data: Really? Did you know that there are currently five Tirellians serving aboard the Enterprise. Hutch: That's fascinating. Not too many people know this, but Tirellia is one of only three known inhabited worlds without a magnetic pole. Data: I was aware of that. But are you aware that Tirellia is one of seven known planets with no atmosphere whatsoever. Hutch: Really? Troi: They're still at it. Riker: Non-stop. I have to admit it has a certain strange fascination. How long can two people talk about nothing? Waiter: Is something wrong? Laforge: I don't know. I was just getting some very strange energy readings from your table here. Waiter: I'm sure it's nothing serious. Perhaps the heating element under the table is malfunctioning. Laforge: Maybe I should take a look at it for you. Orton: I'm sure we can handle this, whatever it is, Commander. There's no need to concern yourself. Laforge: Well, maybe I should look at the heating element. I mean, in case it Orton: It's all right. Please, don't worry. Riker: What was all that about? Orton: I assure you it's all right. We'll look into it. You don't have to concern yourself. Waiter: Orton, now! Hutch: What is going on? Orton: Stay right where you are. Satler: Reduce the plasma pressure to zero point six percent nominal. Pomet: Zero point six. Satler: How does the conduit look? Pomet: It's clear. Satler: All right. The main plasma flow has been shunted to the aft conduit. We're ready here. Neil: Okay. That should do it. I think. Kelsey: Be sure, Neil. Neil: Yes. Yes, that does it. All right. Transfer five hundred milligrams from the reserve system to the engine core. Neil: Perfect. Kelsey: Adequate. Disable the containment overrides and get the interlocks off the magnetic seal. Pomet, prepare the transport assembly. Keep watching the power flow. It might Kelsey: Keep working. Where did he come from? Kiros: I found him on deck seven. Kelsey: Who are you? Picard: My name is Mot. I'm the barber. Kelsey: The barber? What the hell are you doing here? Everyone was supposed to be evacuated to the surface. Picard: Yes, I know. But I wanted to go riding, but I didn't have my saddle, so I went back to get it and Kelsey: Your saddle? Picard: Yes, that's right. It's on deck seven. I left it in the corridor. And then the power went out and I got lost Kelsey: All right, all right, shut up. Shut up! Any sign of Devor? Kiros: No. Kelsey: Satler. Get down here and keep an eye on our barber. All right, go see if you can find Devor. Make sure nothing's wrong. Satler: Sit down. Picard: All right. Just don't point that thing at me. Satler: Just do what I tell you, and you won't have to worry. Kelsey: How long until you're ready? Pomet: Forty, maybe fifty minutes. Kelsey: The baryon sweep hits this compartment in thirty minutes. Pomet: The field diverter will protect us. Kelsey: It's not us I'm worried about, it's that storage unit. I want the trilithium resin in there and secured before the sweep gets here. I don't want to take any chances. Pomet: Understood. Troi: They haven't tried to communicate with the outside. Riker: No demands, no political statements, no theft. They must want something. Troi: Orton is not as calm as he looks. He's very agitated and nervous, as if something's gone wrong. Data: It is possible that Geordi upset their timetable when he saw the hidden weapons. Riker: Orton may be improvising. Maybe he didn't plan to take us hostage so early and now he doesn't know what to do. Data: If they do not have a plan for this contingency, we may have the initiative. Riker: Maybe, but we need to figure out how to use it. How is he? Crusher: There's no permanent damage. I've adjusted the optical transducer in his visor to block some of the pain receptors in his brain. It's only partially effective. I need to get him to a medical facility. Riker: I doubt if they'll agree to that. But maybe if we tell them Geordi's dying, they would give us access to a medical kit. We might be able to use some of the tools to make a weapon. Data: Perhaps we can use the visor as a weapon. If the optical transducer were modified, we might be able to generate a hypersonic pulse. Crusher: A hypersonic pulse would overload the audio receptors of everyone in the room. It would cause immediate unconsciousness. Riker: Can you make the adjustments on the visor by yourself? It'll look suspicious if you're both working on it. Crusher: I'll try. I might need Geordi to help me through some of it. Riker: All right. Be as casual as you can. Let us know when you're ready. Pomet: Ready. Kelsey: Begin draining the trilithium at one hundred milligrams per minute. Kelsey: Neil, what's going on? Neil, get over here. Put that down. Neil: Don't worry, I've got it. I'll be right there. Neil: The primary inducer is completely fused. There's no way to fix it. Without the diverter, we don't have any protection from the baryon sweep. Kelsey: I know that. How long before the baryon sweep gets here? Neil: About twelve minutes. We should go to Ten Forward. That's the last place on the ship that'll be swept by the baryon field. Kelsey: All right, we're leaving. But we're taking the trilithium with us. Neil: What? Do you know how volatile trilithium is? We can't just start hauling it through the ship. Neil: I'll, I'll try to make some modifications. Pomet: Satler's dead. He ran into the baryon sweep. Kelsey: What about Mot? Pomet: I don't know. But I don't think he's a barber. I found this in the Jefferies Tube. Kelsey: Kelsey to Kiros. Kiros: This is Kiros. Kelsey: We have a problem. There's a Starfleet officer still on board. He's killed Satler and he may have killed Devor. He also destroyed the diverter in Engineering so we have to leave here before the baryon sweep enters this section. Kiros: What about the trilithium resin? Kelsey: We're taking it with us to Ten Forward. There should be enough time before Picard: Kelsey. Don't be a fool. Picard: You know better than to try and move trilithium resin. Kelsey: Mister Mot. Or should I call you Lieutenant? Lieutenant Commander perhaps? Picard: You may call me whatever you wish. Picard: Moving trilithium resin requires very specific equipment. You can't simply improvise something. Kelsey: I wouldn't need to improvise if you hadn't damaged our field diverter. But if you're so concerned about the trilithium Kelsey: I suggest you stop interfering with us Kelsey: Before you set off an explosion that would destroy the Enterprise and you. Picard: I would rather destroy the ship than allow that material to fall into the hands of terrorists. Kelsey: What makes you think I'm a terrorist? Picard: Trilithium resin is a highly toxic waste product produced by our engines. Picard: It's only possible use could be as a weapon. Kelsey: You might be right, Mister Mot, but we've been planning this for a long time, and I doubt that you'll really be able to stop us. Kelsey: Or even slow us down. Neil: There. Three hundred milligrams of trilithium. I'm using a dynamic stabilizer to act as a control rod. There. That should keep the resin stable enough for transport. Kelsey: Come on! Don't be so tense, Neil. If something goes wrong, you won't have time to worry about it. Let's go. Kelsey: Three more decks, then we take corridor fifteen B all the way to Ten Forward. Neil: What's wrong? Kelsey: We have to find another way up. The rungs are cut. Kelsey: That wasn't very clever, Mister Mot. Kelsey: If you knew where we were, you should have attacked us. Now we'll just take another route. One you might not be able Kelsey: To predict. Picard: There are only so many ways to Ten Forward. Ten Forward is the logical place to be if you want to stay ahead of the baryon sweep. Kelsey: That sweep is just as big a threat to you as it is to us. In fact, if I were you, Mister Mot Kelsey: I'd be trying to find a way off this ship. Picard: I plan on leaving the same way you do. On your ship. Kelsey: What ship? Picard: Come on, Kelsey. Picard: If you've been planning this so long, you must have a way of getting off the Enterprise and leaving this system. I think you have a ship coming for you. I plan to be on it. Kelsey: It's a small ship, Mot. I don't think there's going to be room for both of us. Picard: I'm sorry to hear that. I'll send your regrets. Riker: How is he, Doctor? Crusher: He's in a lot of pain, but I think he should be fine. He needs some water. Is that all right? Crusher: We're almost ready. When we set the visor to emit the hypersonic pulse, there'll be a short burst of light. We need a distraction. Troi: They need a distraction. Riker: How long? Troi: Just a few seconds. Riker: I think I can distract Orton for a few seconds. Troi: I don't think Orton's in a talking mood, Will. Riker: You just have to know how to talk to him. Orton, I think we need to discuss the situation. Orton: There is nothing to discuss. Sit down. Riker: There's a lot to discuss. Can't we be reasonable? Orton: I am not interested in hearing your hostage negotiation tactics, Commander. Riker: It can't hurt you to listen, can it? Orton: All right. Riker: Thank you. Now, the first thing I think we need to discuss is this. Kiros: Hold it. Put your weapon down. Kelsey, this is Kiros. I'm on deck ten. Kiros: I have Mott. Kelsey: Is he alive? Kiros: Yes. Kelsey: Good. Meet us at intersection forty one. Kiros: Understood. Kiros: This way. Move. Kelsey: Give me the trilithium. Neil: How much farther do we have to go? Kelsey: Not far. With all the modifications you've made to this unit, are we going to have any troubles removing the trilithium? Neil: No. Just remove the control rod, drain the unit. There shouldn't be any problem. Kelsey: That's all I wanted to know. Kelsey: Well, not as clever as you thought. Where's Pomet? Kiros: He shot him with some kind of an arrow. Picard: He's not dead. Kelsey: Well, he will be soon. The sweep's nearly here. We don't have time to go back for him. Kiros: What about Neil? Kelsey: The sweep got him. Let's go. Troi: I thought you were just going to talk to him. Riker: I did. He just didn't like what I had to say. Data: That was a perimeter warning from the Remmler Array. A small ship is approaching. I believe Mister Orton has dropped his defense shields. Riker: This must be the sign they were waiting for. Mister Data, you will be the only one unaffected by the hypersonic burst. As soon as every else is unconscious, I need you to get to the computer panel and stop that ship somehow. Data: I will try, sir. Crusher: Now. Picard: Kelsey, perhaps we can work out a deal. Kelsey: You're the only one who needs a deal, Mot. Picard: My name isn't Mot. It's Jean-Luc Picard. Kelsey: Captain Picard. This is all beginning to make sense. Picard: Leave the trilithium here and take me with you. You can use me as a hostage instead of threatening Kelsey: I'm not a terrorist Captain, nor do I have a political agenda, although I know some people who do have agendas. And they are very interested in this little container. Picard: Profit. This is all about profit. Kelsey: I prefer to think of it as commerce. Open the door. Now go through, slowly. Kelsey: I guess, I'll be the one to send your regrets. Picard: Picard to Arkaria base. Deactivate the baryon sweep. Arkaria Base, this is Captain Picard on board the Enterprise. Deactivate the baryon sweep! Picard: Arkaria Base, this is Captain Picard. Deactivate the baryon sweep immediately! Data: Data to Captain Picard. Do you read me, sir? Picard: Picard here. Data: Are you all right, Captain? Picard: Yes, Mister Data. Data: Sir, an unidentified Data: Scout ship has just beamed someone off the Enterprise. Data: Do you know anything about it? Picard: I know they won't get very far. Crusher: Hold still. You have got a nasty little cut here. Picard: Any luck? Troi: I'm sorry, Captain. I don't know what could have happened to it. Crusher: Hold still. I can't heal this cleanly if you don't stop fidgeting. Riker: I've had three security teams search deck seven. They couldn't find anything. Crusher: There. Worf: I found it. Someone put it in a maintenance locker. Picard: Thank you. Worf: Captain, you keep a saddle on board? Riker: Mister Worf, I'm surprised at you. Crusher: Anyone who is an experienced rider naturally has his own saddle. Troi: It's perfectly normal. Picard: Actually, it came in handy. I only wish I'd had the opportunity to use it on a horse. Worf: Of course.

Picard: Good evening, Mister Data. Data: Actually, good morning, sir. Ship status is Picard: No need to report. I'm just here to do some work on my own. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: I'd like to talk to Doctor Mowray at his archeological site on Landris Two. Could you put it through to my Ready room? Data: I'm sorry, sir, but Stellar Cartography has requested a communications blackout while they run an experiment. Picard: How long will it be? Data: Another three hours twenty two minutes, sir. I can override it if necessary. Picard: No, it's not important. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Computer, display the latest excavation schematics on Landris Two. Computer: Library computer is temporarily offline. Picard: Explain. Computer: Library systems have been allocated to Stellar Cartography. Picard: Tea, Earl Gray. Hot. Computer: Replicator systems are offline at the request of PICARD + Computer: Stellar Cartography. Picard: What could they possibly be doing down there? Nella: In or out, just close that door. And don't move. It'll take a second for our eyes to re-adjust. Okay, levate to three point two, Marquez. Marquez: Now at three point two, Commander. Nella: Good. Good we can do this. No, no, no, we're losing vertical alignment. Compensate. Compensate! Marquez: Compensating. Nella: Gently. Gently, Marquez, don't bump it. No. No wait. Hit the. Oh, forget it. Forget it. Lights. Whoever you are, you just ruined four hours of work. Picard: You might have taken the simple precaution of locking the door. Nella: It's three o'clock in the morning. Captain Picard. Picard: I assume that you must be Lieutenant Commander Daren. Nella: Yes, sir. I'm sorry. It's just we weren't expecting anybody to be up at this hour. Picard: Well, you're new on the Enterprise. You'll have to learn to expect the unexpected. Nella: That's why I put in for this assignment, sir. Picard: Excellent. Now perhaps you can tell me what was so important that it required depriving the Captain of his cup of Earl Gray? Nella: Earl Gray? No wonder you can't sleep. Computer, bring replicators back online and give me a cup of Daren herbal tea blend number three, hot. You shouldn't be drinking a stimulant at this time of night. I think you'll like this. Nella: I've programmed seven other blends into the replicator. You're bound to like one of them. Picard: I look forward to sampling them. Nella: I'm sorry if the system blackouts we requested inconvenienced you. We're taking very precise gravimetric readings. It wouldn't have taken much to throw them off. Picard: What were the readings for? Nella: I'm trying to construct a mathematical model of an emerging star system. If it works, we'll be able to predict the configuration of a star system that won't be formed for another two million years. Picard: A long time to wait to see if you're right. Nella: I have a few things to do between now and then. Riker: Captain, we'll be arriving at the Borgolis Nebula in three hours. Picard: Yes. I understand it has unusual radioactive emissions, and I'm sure that Stellar Sciences will find it a most interesting study. Riker: Commander Daren has already requested extra time on the main sensor array. Picard: Well, you have the Bridge, Number One. Data: Captain, I would like to remind you of our concert this evening in Ten Forward. We will perform Chopin's Trio in G Minor. Picard: I'll be there. Picard: And so the upshot is that we'll be close enough for you to slip away for a few days and see Wesley. Crusher: Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you, Jean-Luc. This is delicious. What is it? Picard: It's an herbal tea blend. I, er, found it in the replicator files. Have you met any of the new crewmembers who came aboard at Starbase two eighteen? Crusher: In fact, I have a new nurse, Beck. He's an obstetrics specialist. Picard: I met the new head of Stellar Sciences last night. Lieutenant Commander Daren. Crusher: Yes. Nella Daren. She came into Sickbay for her physical last week. I like her. Very forthright. Picard: Did you know it is now possible to predict the configuration of a star system which won't be formed for another two million years? Crusher: Really? No, I didn't. Picard: It's really quite intriguing. The whole thing is made possible by a complex mathematical construct based on fractal particle motion. But that's only the foundation. The modeling itself is done by gravimetric wave input. Crusher: I see. Picard: Well, I know this is all pretty dry stuff. Stellar cartography isn't everybody's cup of tea. Crusher: I'm sure it's really quite fascinating. Picard: You know, we'd should be getting along to Ten Forward. We're going to be late for the concert. Picard: Thank you. Nella: Well done, Mister Data. Well done. Picard: Commander, that was a remarkable performance. Crusher: You are very talented. Nella: Thank you. Data: I noticed that the applause this evening exceeded average decibel levels. Nella: I guess that means they enjoyed themselves. Picard: I think that much was obvious. Data: Excuse me. I have not yet congratulated Ensign Cheney. Crusher: I'll go with you. Picard: Commander, you must have been playing since you were young. I played the piano for a while when I was small, but I didn't put in the practice you must have. Nella: Practicing was never my problem. In fact, my parents had to make me go out and play. Picard: I wanted to ask, during the second arpeggio in the first movement, I noticed that you played an F minor chord instead of a diminished D. Nella: You're a musician. What's your instrument? We should play some time. Picard: No, no, no, I'm just an amateur. But your choice in that arpeggio was delightful. Not at all what one would expect. Nella: Well, Captain, now that I'm on your ship, maybe you should start expecting the unexpected. Nella: Excuse me, sir. I was hoping that my people in Spectral Analysis could have another few hours on the main sensor array? Riker: I'm sorry, the array has already been allocated to Engineering. They're running some warp field tests. Nella: If we go offline now, we'll lose the gas flow pattern we've been tracking. Riker: I understand, but there are other departments waiting to use the array. Nella: We're at a critical juncture, sir. Riker: Commander. I'll see what I can do to find you some more time tomorrow. Nella: Tomorrow? Tomorrow. Thank you, sir. Picard: Computer, pause playback. Come. Oh, Commander Daren. Nella: I hope you don't mind me dropping by like this? Picard: No, please, come in. I'm delighted. Nella: What kind of flute is that? Picard: It's Ressikan. Nella: I've never saw one before. Picard: They're not made anymore. Nella: Have you been playing long? Picard: Er, yes, a long time. Nella: I'd love to hear you play sometime. Picard: I'm not very good. Nella: That doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it. Picard: Yes, but I wouldn't want to inflict it on someone else. Nella: May I try? Picard: Yes, of course. Yes, you're not holding it quite right. May I? Nella: Please. Nella: You're better than you think. Really. We should play together. Picard: There isn't a piano. Nella: Ah, but there is. Nella: I picked it up on Mataline Two. It's amazing. Picard: That is remarkable. Why don't you play something? Nella: You start and I'll jump in. Picard: What shall we play? Nella: What were you working on before I came in? Picard: Bach, the third Brandenburg. Nella: Perfect. Go ahead. Picard: I'm sorry. Nella: It's all right. You're not used to playing with anyone, are you? Picard: Just the computer. Nella: I may not be as precise as a computer, but I think you'll enjoy it more. Why don't we start with something a little simpler. How about? Nella: Good. Very good. Now let's have a little fun with it. Nella: You try it. Improvise around the melody. Anything you want. Nella: That's wonderful. Keep going. It's so good. Nella: You're definitely better than you think. Picard: Number One, my fencing partner's canceled for this afternoon. I was wondering if you wanted to join me? Riker: Fencing? I'm really not very good. Picard: It doesn't matter so as long as you enjoy it. Riker: Why not? Picard: Good. Excellent. Fourteen hundred hours, then. Crusher: You have a mild strain. Nella: I've been playing the piano a lot. I guess the Captain and I overdid it a little last night. Crusher: The Captain? Nella: Yes, he plays a kind of flute. A Ressikan, I think he said. Crusher: Yes, but I didn't know he played duets. Nella: He never did before. He seemed to enjoy it. He's actually quite promising. Crusher: I see. Nella: Tell me, have you known him long? Crusher: Yes, a very long time. Nella: He seems somewhat isolated. Crusher: I'd say he's a very private person, but not isolated. There, that should help. Nella: That feels much better. Thank you. Crusher: Good. Nella: I was afraid I might have to cancel. Crusher: Another duet? Nella: Keep climbing. Picard: Where are we going? Nella: We're almost there. Picard: I don't see why we couldn't just practice in my quarters. Nella: Do you know where we are? Picard: Yes, this is the fourth intersect in Jefferies tube twenty five. Nella: No, this is the most acoustically perfect spot on the ship. Nella: The intersection acts as a resonance chamber. Picard: How did you find it? Nella: A little exploring. Picard: You mean to say you climbed through every tube on the ship? Nella: Well, not every one. Try it. See how it sounds. Nella: That's beautiful. What is it? Picard: It's an old folk melody. Nella: I've never heard you play with such feeling. Data: Is there a problem, Geordi? Laforge: I hear music. Data: Music? I do not hear anything. Laforge: Are you sure? I know I heard something. Oh, it's stopped. Nella: I'd heard about Kerelian tenors all my life, but nothing could've prepared me for this man's voice. Soaring, incredible range. Wonderful. Picard: I understand there are nuances that only Kerelians can pick up. We just don't have the ears for it. Nella: I should be finished with my survey by eleven hundred hours. Picard: Very good, Commander. Worf: Captain. The Federation Outpost on Bersallis Three reports that they are entering a period of fire storm activity. Laforge: Bersallin fire storms happen on seven year cycle. They're not expecting any for another eight months. Picard: We don't rendezvous with the Havana for another two days. That'll give us plenty of opportunity to study this phenomenon. Riker: Helm, set course for Bersallis Three. Warp five. Helm: Aye, sir. Picard: Counselor, could I speak with you in my Ready room? You have the Bridge, Number One. Picard: Sit down, Counselor. I want to talk to you about a matter of protocol. I know there are no Starfleet regulations about a Captain becoming involved with a fellow officer, but Troi: You would like my opinion about you and Commander Daren. Picard: It's that obvious? Troi: In a way that pleases people who care about your happiness, yes, it is. Picard: But I have to be concerned about more than my own happiness. Troi: And you think that your feelings toward Nella could change the way you function as Captain. Picard: Yes. Relationships with co-workers can be fraught with consequences. Troi: That's true. But cutting yourself off from your feelings can carry consequences that are just as serious. Picard: You seem I've always believed that becoming involved with someone under my command would compromise my objectivity. And yet. Troi: Captain, are you asking my permission? Picard: If I were, would you give it? Troi: Yes. Nella: Come in. Picard: Nella. Nella: Can I help you, sir? Picard: I'm really very sorry about what happened in the turbolift. When the crewmember walked in, I felt very self-conscious. It's going to take a while for me to get used to the idea of crew seeing the two of us together. Nella: I understand. I'm glad you told me. For a minute there I thought I'd misread you. One kiss and you're off to find somebody else. Picard: I can assure you that I'm not given to casual relationships. There is something that I want to tell you. But not here. Picard: Do you remember that folk melody I played for you this morning? Nella: Yes. Picard: I learned it on a planet called Kataan. Nella: Never heard of it. Picard: No, I'm not surprised. Its sun went nova more than a thousand years ago. Nella: I don't understand. Picard: The Enterprise encountered a probe that had been sent from the planet before it was destroyed. It had scanned me and I lost consciousness, and in the space of twenty five minutes I lived a lifetime on that planet. I had a wife, and children, and a grandchild. And it was absolutely real to me. When I awoke, all that I had left of that life there was the flute that I had taught myself to play. Nella: Why are you telling me this? Picard: Because I want you to understand what my music means to me. And what it means for me to be able to share it with someone. Nella: Thank you. Riker: Hello. Crewwoman: Sir. Nella: Commander. I was hoping to talk to you about Ensign Cabot's transfer. Riker: Quantum Mechanics doesn't want to give him up. Nella: But he wants to come to my department. Riker: How do you know that? Nella: I offered it to him. Riker: Transfers are to be approved by me before any offers are made. Nella: I'm sorry. We were just talking and Riker: It's all right. But Cabot should stay where he is. Nella: Commander, please, don't make that decision final. I realize I shouldn't have made the offer, but he's perfect for the job. And quantum mechanics is over staffed anyway. Riker: Commander, do you realize the position you're putting me in? Nella: Well, I think I'm just doing what any good department head would do. Trying to build the best staff I can. Riker: Look, I'll review the situation and let you know as soon as I can. Picard: Come. Riker: May I have a minute? Picard: Yes, of course. Come in, Number One. Riker: It's about Lieutenant Commander Daren. As a department head, she comes to me for systems allocation, personnel transfers, things like that. I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable with her requests. Picard: Because of her relationship with me? Riker: Yes, sir. Picard: Are her requests unusual? Riker: No. Picard: Would you say that she's just trying to do her job? Riker: Yes, sir. Picard: Then let her do it, and feel free to do yours. Ship's resources are your responsibility. I've always had absolute confidence in your judgment. Riker: Thank you, sir. Nella: I can't believe I'm going to get the chance to study the fire storms on Bersallis. Apparently they're generated by particle emissions from the Bersallin sun. They cause a cascade effect in the planet's atmosphere that. Oh, I'm boring you. Picard: No, no, no you're not. It's just that Commander Riker came to talk to me this afternoon. About you. Nella: About the personnel transfer? I thought he looked uncomfortable. He thought I was asking for special treatment. I was just doing what I thought was best for my department. Picard: That's what I told him. But we have to be careful. Obviously it's easy for people to misunderstand. Nella: I don't like the thought of having to second-guess people all the time. If I have to worry about what people are thinking about me, I'll be concentrating on the wrong thing, and I won't be as effective an officer. Picard: All I'm saying is that it's something we have to be aware of. But you mustn't compromise yourself. You must do what you have to do. Because if I find that my head of Stellar Sciences isn't being effective, then I shall do what I must to do and I shall replace her. Nella: Noted, sir. Picard: Now, I think that we should just forget about this and enjoy out evening. Nella: What about that special dessert you promised me? Picard: Right. Now this is something that I first tasted on Thelka Four. Worf: Bridge to Captain. Picard: Go ahead, Mister Worf. Worf: Bersallis Three reports that the storm has changed its speed and heading. They are predicting it will hit the outpost within eight hours, and are requesting evacuation. Picard: I'm on my way. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46693.1. We have entered the Bersallis star system and are making preparations to evacuate the Federation outpost on the third planet. Laforge: A fire storm can kick up winds of over two hundred kilometers per hour and temperatures as high as three hundred degrees C. Crusher: Incredible. What causes them? Nella: They form when solar flare radiation reacts with high energy plasma present in the planet's atmosphere. Crusher: Wasn't the outpost built to withstand the conditions? Laforge: It was, both reinforced and insulated. But this is no ordinary storm. It's twice as strong as anything they've ever seen. The outpost just won't withstand it. Riker: We'll arrive about an hour before the storm gets there. It will take at least two hours to evacuate all the colonists off the surface. Nella: I led a team of geologists to study the plasma geyser on Melnos Four. We cross-connected a few thermal deflector units to create a protective shield against the heat. Laforge: A firewall. Nella: Would something like that work here? Laforge: You know, it might. The storm is approaching the outpost from this direction. If we were to set up a series of thermal deflector units along the northern perimeter, we could create a fire wall and deflect some of the heat. The insulation from the outpost should be able to handle the rest. Data: Thermal deflectors generate a field approximately four hundred meters wide. We would need to cross-connect six units and align them so the fields overlap. Riker: How many people would it take to set that up? Laforge: Twelve. Two per team. Cross-connecting that many units will be a little tricky. Once they're set up, we'll have to leave the units in place and transport our people out. Nobody would be able survive very long outside that structure. Picard: Let's do it. Riker: The storm is going to interfere with communications. Everything will need to be coordinated from the surface. Mister Data, you will coordinate the evacuation of the colonists. Doctor, they have nine patients in the outpost infirmary. Your first priority will be to get them to Sickbay. After that you will stay on board the Enterprise, be ready to receive casualties. Marquez, you will take some people down and track the storm. All the other teams will need to be kept apprised of its heading. Commander, you're in charge of deploying the deflectors. Let's go. Picard: Commander Daren. About these thermal deflectors. Picard: There must be one of any number of people could coordinate their deployment. Nella: I assume Commander Riker chose me because I'm the best person for the job. Didn't we agree not to let our relationship get in the way of our work? I'll be all right. Riker: Lieutenant Marquez has already set up on the surface. Apparently the storm is still gaining speed. He's estimating Riker: It'll hit the colony in less than fifty minutes. Ensign, make sure you maintain a continuous transporter lock on all away team personnel. We may have to pull them out in a hurry. Ensign: Yes, sir. Riker: I don't want to take any unnecessary chances. If they get into trouble, beam them up immediately. Picard: Energize. Picard: Mister Worf, how long before the storm reaches the outposts? Worf: Seventeen minutes. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. Picard: Go ahead, Mister La Forge. Laforge: The ionization from the storm is interfering with the transporters, Captain. I'm compensating, but it's slowing things down a bit. Picard: Keep at it, Mister La Forge. Riker: Riker to Daren. Nella: Daren here. Go ahead, Commander. Riker: You've got less than nine minutes before the storm reaches the northern perimeter. Nella: I'm here with team six. We're just about to bring the deflectors online. Riker: Whenever you're ready. Nella: Daren to perimeter team. Stand by to cross connect deflectors. Crewman: Standing by. Nella: Activate. Team three, increase your output by point two percent. Crewwoman: Yes, sir. Nella: Good. Good. Deng, decrease nutation by point four percent. Good, we've almost got it. Crusher: Crusher to Bridge. Picard: Go ahead, Doctor. Crusher: We just brought aboard the last of the infirmary patients and they're on their way to Sickbay. But we still have over Crusher: A hundred colonists down there. Picard: Understood. Nella: Daren to Commander Riker. Riker: Riker here. Go ahead. Nella: We've got a problem. We're having trouble keeping the deflectors cross connected. So the only way this is going to work is if we calibrate them manually. Riker: If you stay with the deflectors, will they protect you when the storm hits? Nella: I don't know, sir. For a few minutes maybe. Picard: Picard to Commander Riker. How many more colonists do you have to transport? Riker: Seventy three, sir. Picard: How long do you need? Riker: At least ten more minutes. Worf: Captain, the storm will reach the northern perimeter in four minutes. Picard: Picard to perimeter teams. Picard: It is imperative that you hold your position until we finish evacuating the colony. Picard out. Picard: Picard to Mister La Forge. Laforge: La Forge here. Picard: I want a signal lock on every member of the perimeter teams. Laforge: Captain, the storm's interference won't Picard: As soon as the last of the colony is evacuated, I want those perimeter teams out of there. Is that understood? Laforge: Yes, sir. Nella: Daren to perimeter teams. The storm's interference is going to make our job harder than we thought. We may lose communication, so it's up to each of you to keep your units operational. A lot of people are depending on us. Daren out. Nella: Oh, my god. Worf: The storm has reached the perimeter. Riker: I got out with the last of the colonists. If it hadn't been for the perimeter teams, none of us would have made it. We were able to clear out four of the teams, and the interference prevented us from getting two more. I don't know how they could have survived. Picard: Which teams are missing? Riker: Three and six. Riker: The last I knew, Commander Daren was on team six. Worf: Bridge to Captain. Picard: Go ahead, Mister Worf. Worf: We have found survivors, sir. They are beaming up now. Picard: I'm on my way. Nella: That's it. Crewman: Here, let me help up. Nella: Thank you. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46697.2. Although we succeeded in rescuing all six hundred forty three Bersallin colonists we lost eight crewmembers. Let the record show that they gave their lives in the performance of their duty. Nella: When communications went out, I knew we had to fend for ourselves. We modified our phasers to create resonant disruptions in the deflector field. The disruptions formed small pockets inside the plane of the field and we each stood inside one to wait out the storm. Richardson didn't make it. All Deng and I could do was stand there and watch. Picard: I'm so sorry. Nella: Don't. Don't say you're sorry. Picard: It must have been terrible. Nella: At first, when you told us to hold our positions, I didn't question it. Of course we would. That was our job. But when I saw that storm coming toward us. Picard: Part of you must have blamed me. Nella: A small part, maybe. But in the end, I was more afraid that you would blame yourself if I died. Would you have? Picard: I've lost people under my command. People who were very dear to me. But never someone I've been in love with. And when I believed that you were dead, I just began to shut down. I didn't want to think or feel. I was here in my quarters, and the only thing I could focus on was my music, and how it would never again give me any joy. Then I saw you standing on the transporter pad and I knew that I could never again put your life in jeopardy. Nella: If I stayed here, you might have to. Picard: You could always resign your commission. Stay here with me. Nella: And you could resign yours and come to a starbase with me. I'll apply for a transfer. Picard: But we could still see each other. People do. We could arrange shore leave together. And, for the future, who knows? Nella: Of course. Promise me something? Don't give up your music.

Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 46731.5. We are in the midst of the Volterra nebula, a stellar nursery. Our three week mission is a routine analysis of several dozen protostars in various stages of development. Data: Captain, I have completed the spectral evaluation of the outer shell. Our survey of this protostar is complete. Picard: Ensign, lay in a course to the next one, three quarters impulse. Riker: Riker to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead, Number One. Riker: May I see you in the Observation Lounge, sir? Picard: I'll be right there. Picard: Oh, my God. Galen: Then you can identify this object, Mister Picard. Picard: Professor Galen? Riker: Computer, lights up. Galen: I suppose I should say Captain Picard. Riker: Professor Galen contacted me from his shuttle an hour ago. He suggested that we surprise you. Galen: To clarify. I insisted and your First Officer was good enough to accommodate me. I trust I'm not being overly presumptuous, now that my star pupil is master of the stars. Picard: No one is could be more welcome on the Enterprise. I never thought I would see a Kurlan naiskos. Fifth Dynasty? Galen: Is that your conclusion, Mister Picard. Forgive me again. I should say Captain. Picard: Oh, please, Mister will do fine. Well, the overall configuration is certainly Fifth Dynasty. The surface ornamentation. Galen: Yes? Picard: Green polychrome over the eyes, and the eyes themselves are closed. This is third Dynasty. From the workshop of the Master of Tarquin Hill. Galen: Well done. Picard: Will, the Master of Tarquin Hill designed ceramic objects that were three hundred years ahead of their time. All we know of him is the work. His name has never been discovered. This object is over twelve thousand years old. Riker: The planet Kurl? It's a hell of a long way outside Federation territory. Picard: Indeed. I thought your study of Kurlan artifacts was done long ago. Galen: I happened to be in the neighborhood last summer. I couldn't resist. Go ahead. Picard: You mean it's complete? Picard: Will, the Kurlan civilization believed that an individual was a community of individuals. Inside us are many voices, each with its own desires, its own style, its own view of the world. The Kurlan civilization died out thousands of years ago. It is extraordinarily rare to find a figurine intact. Professor, this is an incredible find. Galen: It's yours, Jean-Luc. Picard: Oh, no. No. How can I accept this? Galen: Graciously, Mister Picard. You could accept it graciously. Picard: Thank you. How long can you stay? There's so much to talk about. Riker: The Professor is scheduled to meet a Vulcan transport the day after tomorrow. Picard: Two days? But that's not enough time. Galen: We may have considerably more than that. Picard: I don't understand. Galen: I am currently on an expedition. A journey into an unexplored and historical territory, and I intend to take you with me. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. It's been over thirty years since I last saw my archeology professor. His presence has taken me back to a time when I had considered a very different career. Picard: May I ask you a frank question? Galen: Please. Picard: Your published writings have been sporadic for the last decade. Your appearance at symposia has been rare, or scheduled and then canceled at the last moment. The finest archeologist of the century is now shrouded with a cloak of mystery. Galen: And as a result my reputation has no doubt grown. Picard: I've never heard of anyone that didn't love a good mystery. Galen: The Satarran of Sothis Three disdained them, but as a general idea, your statement holds. Picard: So, what have you been doing for the past decade? Galen: Are you familiar with micropaleontology? Picard: Yes, it's the study of fossil records at the microscopic level. I read your papers on the subject, but that was years ago. It seemed as though the work had stopped. Galen: No. The work continued. I made a discovery so profound in its implications that silence seemed the wisest course. This work has occupied my every waking thought, it's intruded upon my dreams, it's become my life. When finished and I announce my findings, it will be heard half way across the galaxy. Picard: Tell me. Galen: I'm cannot, Mister Picard. That information comes with a price. Your agreement to join me on the final leg of this expedition. Picard: For how long? Galen: Three months, perhaps a year. If I had complete diplomatic access and a starship, it'd be a matter of weeks. But as it is, we'll have only my shuttle and whatever arrangement we can make with transports, combined with our talents. Picard: Why do you need my help in this? Galen: I'm not a young man. There will be hazards along the way. I don't want my own inadequacies to jeopardize the completion of this work. Picard: I'm deeply honored that you'd think of me, but I have responsibilities. Galen: To History. What if you could have helped Schliemann discover the City of Troy, or been with M'Tell as she first stepped on Ya'Seem. How could anything compare? Picard: May I sleep on it? Galen: Dream not of today, Mister Picard. Picard: Dream not of today. The night blessing of the Yash-El. Galen: As I recall, you missed that question on the final exam. Picard: Well, I've had a few years to look it up. Professor, the Enterprise is yours for as long as you're here. Galen: Thank you. Picard: Dream not of today. Picard: Come. Crusher: Good morning. Looks like you've been up for a while. Picard: Yes. Crusher: Let's hear it. Picard: I had a long talk with Professor Galen last night. He asked me to leave the Enterprise, to join him in an archeological expedition which could last for nearly a year. Crusher: That must be tempting. Picard: I couldn't leave the Enterprise. But the offer raised in me certain feelings of regret. Crusher: That you could have been an archeologist and not a starship Captain? Picard: No, not really. I'm not sorry for the path I chose. But the Professor did not choose this figure at random. The many voices inside the one. You see, he knows that the past is a very insistent voice inside of me. This gift is meant to remind me of that. Crusher: And the exploration of space? Surely that must count for something. Picard: I wouldn't trade it for anything, and I would still make the same choice I made all those years ago. I just wish that I didn't have to say no to him a second time. Crusher: Were you two very close? Picard: I had a father, but he was like a father who understood me. And he had his own children but they didn't follow in his footsteps, so I was like the son who understood him. Crusher: And yet you turned your back on him. Picard: In a way, I wish he'd never come on board the ship. Galen: Good morning, Mister Picard. Picard: Professor. Galen: The Vulcan ship will take us as far as DS Four. An Al-Leyan transport is scheduled to arrive at the station three weeks later. They'll take us as far as Caere, and then we'll use the shuttle to get us to Indri Eight, our first stop. Picard: Professor, I'm afraid I won't be going. The Enterprise isn't something that I can leave and then come back to. If I go, I go for good. It's not something I'm not prepared to do. Galen: This is not some undergraduate study project that you're turning down. This is the chance of a lifetime. Don't make the same mistake twice. Picard: You don't believe that my career in Starfleet has been a mistake. Galen: What are you doing at this very moment? A study mission. You're like some Roman centurion out patrolling the provinces, maintenancing a dull and bloated Empire. Picard: We both know that's not true. Galen: I know this. I know that as a scholar, you're nothing but a dilettante. Years ago, I gave you the opportunity to become the finest archeologist of your generation. Your achievements could have outstripped even my own, but no, you decided to reject a life of profound discovery. You walked out on me. Picard: I never wanted to become Galen: Will you come with me? Picard: I can't. Galen: I'll be going. Picard: But Professor, you're not scheduled to catch the Vulcan ship for another two days. Galen: There's nothing for me here. Goodbye, Captain. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have completed our mission in the nebula and are en route to a diplomatic conference on Atalia Seven. I must admit I've lost my enthusiasm for those proceedings. Data: At our present speed, we will arrive at the Atalia system in thirty seven hours. Troi: Captain, I'm going for a walk in the arboretum. I wouldn't mind some company. Worf: Captain, a distress call from Professor Galen's shuttle. On screen. Galen: Enterprise! I'm being boarded. Worf: Transmission has been blocked. Data: I have located the shuttle. It is under attack. Picard: Take us out of warp. On screen. Worf: A Yridian destroyer. Riker: Battle stations. Worf: Aye, sir. Data: Professor Galen is still inside his vessel, sir. His vital signs are barely registering. Picard: Get him out of there. Worf: The shuttle is enveloped by a tractor beam. The transporter cannot penetrate it. Riker: Hail the Yridians. Worf: They are not responding. Picard: Return phaser fire. Disable their offensive systems. Riker: Worf! Worf: I don't understand, Commander. The phaser blast was not powerful enough to destroy the ship. Picard: Transporter Room One, lock on to Professor Galen and transport him directly to Sickbay. Crewman: Aye, sir. Crusher: He took a disruptor hit point blank. There is nothing I can do. Galen: Jean-Luc, I was too harsh. Laforge: I'd say at least three Yridians boarded the Professor's shuttle. Picard: What did they want? Laforge: I'm not sure, but it looks like they were trying to download something from his computer. Data: When he was attacked, Professor Galen began to protect certain files in his computer memory. Laforge: We were able to partially reconstruct the shuttle's computers, so at least we have some of those files. We found nineteen different blocks of numbers like this one. Picard: What do they mean? Data: They could mean anything. Unless we can narrow the parameters of the search, it would be almost impossible for the computer to identify the pattern with any accuracy. Laforge: We tried every decryption key on record in case Professor Galen was using some kind of code. We still can't make heads or tails of them. Worf: Were the Yridians able to get these number blocks? Laforge: At least some of them. It's impossible to say know many. Picard: Apparently, the Yridians knew more about the Professor's work than we do. They may have known what these numbers mean. Laforge: If they did, that information died with them. Picard: Not necessarily. The Yridians are information dealers. They may have been delivering the number blocks to someone else. Did they send a signal before they were destroyed? Worf: No, sir. We detected no transmissions. Laforge: And there were no other vessels in the vicinity. Picard: Did the shuttle's flight logs show where Galen had been before coming to the Enterprise? Data: Yes, sir. The logs indicate Professor Galen visited an unexplored star system, Ruah Four. Picard: What's the distance from our present position? Data: Four days at warp six, sir. Picard: The conference can wait. Set a course for the Ruah system. Riker: Standard orbit, Ensign. Data: Ruah Four is a class-M planet. Sixty seven percent of its surface is covered with water. Its landmass contains multiple animal species, including a genus of proto-hominids. Picard: Scan for earthworks or monuments that might indicate a previous civilization. Data: There is nothing to indicate former occupancy by even a primitive culture, sir. Picard: Then what was the foremost archeologist in the Federation doing here? He left the Enterprise in a Vulcan ship for Deep Space Four, and then an Al-Leyan transport to Caere, and then the shuttle to Indri Eight. Mister Data, what do we know about Indri Eight? Data: The Indri system was first identified by Federation vessels nearly sixty years ago. The eighth planet is L-class. It is covered by deciduous vegetation, unexplored, with no apparent evidence of civilizations, either present or past. The planet possesses no animal life whatsoever. Picard: Number One, we'll proceed to Indri Eight. Riker: With all due respect, sir, we've already run into one dead end. Indri Eight doesn't seem much more promising. And we're late for the conference on Atalia Seven. Picard: I'm aware of the Federation's timetable, Number One. Professor Galen visited here a few days ago. And he was on his way to Indri Eight when he was killed. There's some connection between these two planets. I'm going to find it. Riker: Aye, sir. Ensign, lay in a course for Indri Eight, warp seven. Picard: Come. Troi: How's it going? Picard: I thought if I stared at these number blocks long enough then I would begin to see some kind of pattern. So far, nothing. Troi: I meant, how's it going with you? Picard: If I had gone with him. Troi: Captain, you can't start thinking like that. You didn't abandon him. You chose not to abandon a life-long career. It was the right decision, and in no way responsible for his death. Picard: I realize that. Troi: I know how much the Professor meant to you and how much you want to find out what happened, but staring at these numbers isn't going to bring him back. The conference on Atalia Seven has been scheduled for six months. Starfleet is relying on your mediation efforts to Picard: Counselor, this is not simply a case of me taking the Enterprise and its crew on some wild goose chase to purge myself of guilt and remorse. I will not let Galen's death to be in vain. Now, if that means inconveniencing a few squabbling delegates for a few days, then so be it. I will take the full responsibility. Troi: Captain. Worf: We are about to enter the Indri system, sir. Riker: Riker to Picard. We are approaching Indri Eight. Picard: On my way. Data: Sensors are picking up severe atmospheric fluctuations on the planet. Riker: Assume a high orbit. Picard: On screen, Mister Worf. Worf: Some kind of plasma reaction is consuming the lower atmosphere. Picard: Can we stop it? Worf: No, sir. The reaction is global. Data: All life on the planet is being destroyed, sir. Riker: Why would anyone want to destroy all the life on an uninhabited, neutral planet with no strategic importance whatsoever? Picard: All the life. Perhaps the Professor's number blocks had something to do with organic matter. Data: If we narrow the search parameters to the biological database, it might increase the chances of the computer finding a match. Picard: I'll be in the lab. Computer: Pattern match found. Crusher: Specify. Computer: The number blocks are mathematical representations of fragments of deoxyribonucleic acid strands. Picard: DNA fragments? Crusher: Each from a different lifeform from nineteen different worlds. Picard: The planets that these fragments are from are scattered across the quadrant. No wonder it took the Professor so long to collect them. But why? Crusher: Wait a minute. These fragments all seem to have similar protein configurations. They may be chemically compatible. Picard: But how can that be possible? They're different species from different planets. There should be no compatibility at all. Crusher: I know, but look at the base pair combinations, they're uniform. If I'm right. Computer, connect the DNA fragments according to protein link compatibility. Picard: What is it? Crusher: I have no idea. Laforge: This is not a natural design. Captain. This is part of an algorithm, coded at the molecular level. Picard: An algorithm? Are you saying that these DNA fragments are elements in some kind of computer program? Laforge: I know how it sounds, but there's no way this could be a random formation. This is definitely part of a program. Crusher: This fragment has been part of every DNA strand on Earth since life began there, and the other fragments are just as old. Someone must have written this program over four billion years ago. Picard: So, four billion years ago someone scattered this genetic material into the primordial soup of at least nineteen different planets across the galaxy? Data: The genetic information must have been incorporated into the earliest lifeforms on these planets, and then passed down through each generation. Crusher: But why would anyone do this in the first place? Picard: And what was this program designed to do? Laforge: Well, we couldn't know that until we assembled the entire program and then ran it. We've tried all the DNA material in the Federation computer, but we haven't been able to come up with any with compatible protein configurations. Picard: Then they must be from worlds outside the Federation. Mister Data, how many people on the Enterprise are from non-Federation planets? Data: Seventeen, sir. Picard: You know, this may be a long shot, but we should check each one of these seventeen people to see if they have the correct protein configurations. Crusher: I'll begin collecting DNA samples now. Laforge: You know, Captain, I've been thinking. Somebody else must know about this program. I bet one of the missing fragments was on Indri Eight. That's why it was destroyed. Picard: To keep us from finding that piece of the puzzle. It's four billion years old. A computer program from a highly advanced civilization, and it's hidden in the very fabric of life itself. Whatever information this program contains could be the most profound discovery of our time. Or the most dangerous. And the Professor knew that. Crusher: They all came up negative. Picard: Well I have been through every page of the Professor's published works, looking for some clue as to where to go next. So far, nothing. Crusher: Maybe we've been at this too long. Why don't we both get some sleep and start again tomorrow morning. Picard: I was in the neighborhood. When I asked the Professor why he went all the way to Kurl, he said, I was in the neighborhood. Doing what? Crusher: Collecting DNA samples. Picard: There's only one planet in the Kurlan system capable of supporting life. Loren Three. Crusher: No. There is no Loren Three sample from the data downloaded from the Professor's shuttle. If he did have one it must have been taken by the Yridians when they attacked. Picard: Mister Data, set course for Loren Three, maximum warp. Data: Aye, sir. Data: We are approaching the Loren system. Riker: Slow to half impulse, and take us into orbit above the third planet. Picard: There is a good chance that our competition may be here before us. Battle stations, Mister Worf. Worf: Aye. Data: We are now entering orbit. Picard: On screen. Riker: You were right, Captain, we've got company. Cardassians. Worf: They are hailing us. Picard: On screen. Ocett: My name is Gul Ocett. Identify yourselves and state your business in this star system. Picard: I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise and I see no reason why I should answer to you. Cardassians have no claims in this sector. Ocett: I suppose not. But my admittedly hasty estimate shows one Federation Starship and two Cardassian war vessels. Perhaps I have miscounted. Picard: Not at all. But we are on a purely scientific mission. You have no reason to interfere with us. Ocett: And you have nothing to lose by delaying a purely scientific mission for a few days. I invite you to withdraw. Worf: Captain, a Klingon attack cruiser decloaking off the starboard bow. They are hailing us. Klingon: This is the Klingon vessel Maht-H'a. What are you doing here? Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. It seems that we have not one, but two competitors in our attempt to complete Professor Galen's puzzle. I have prevailed upon the Cardassian and Klingon captains to meet with me. Picard: I believe we all know why we're here. If we admit that, then we can move forward. Ocett: We were merely scouting the planet for possible colonization Nu'Daq: Pah! A ridiculous story. Ocett: What were you doing here, then? Nu'Daq: Scientific research. Ocett: Ha! Picard: Look, if we try to deceive one other, then we shall get nowhere. I think we all know about Professor Galen's research, and about the computer program composed of DNA fragments. I'll take your silence as confirmation. Now, it stands to reason that none of us has the DNA fragments necessary to complete the program. You were the first to arrive in this system. Do you have an organic sample from the planet below? Ocett: Yes. And I will fire on anyone who attempts to obtain another one. Nu'Daq: As if we fear Cardassian threats. Picard: I believe that one of you has a fragment from Indri Eight. Nu'Daq: Yes. And there will be no other samples from Indri Eight. Ocett: What is that supposed to mean? Picard: He destroyed the biosphere of the planet after he had taken the sample. Ocett: Typical Klingon thinking. Take what you want and destroy the rest. Picard: We're all missing some of the fragments, not necessarily the same ones. Unless we combine the ones we have, we will never learn the secret of the program. Nu'Daq: There is no secret. It is an ancient weapon design of incredible power. And the Klingon Empire will not allow it to fall into an enemy's hands. Or even a friend's. Ocett: A weapon? The Yridian who sold us the information claimed that the program would yield the key to an unlimited power source. Picard: But until we assemble it, we will never know its purpose. Ocett: He's right. As far as we know, it might just be a recipe for biscuits. Nu'Daq: Biscuits? If that is what you believe, then go back to Cardassia. I will send you my mother's recipe. Ocett: How dare you! Picard: Myriap! Enough. Without cooperation we will get nowhere. Ocett: What do you propose? Picard: If you each bring your samples on board the Enterprise, I will combine them with ours. And then we will all observe the results simultaneously, giving no one the advantage. Nu'Daq: And if we refuse? Picard: Then this endeavor dies here, in this room. Data: Captain. Nu'Daq: Excellent. Crusher: There's still one missing piece. Nu'Daq: Pahk! We have surrendered what we had for nothing. Ocett: You are remarkably short sighted, Nu'Daq. We are closer to the answer than we were. Picard: We may be very much closer indeed. Nu'Daq: How can that be? We have no idea where to start looking for the missing DNA fragment. Picard: This is a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces are scattered across the galaxy. Doesn't it make it natural to assume that the original designers of the puzzle should want us to find it? Why else would they have put the pieces in our DNA? And in turn, doesn't suggest they would try to make it easy for us to find those pieces, that there might be some pattern to their distribution? Crusher: The computer might be able to find that pattern. Picard: Doctor, program the computer to analyze the distribution of the pieces that we have, correcting for changes in star configurations over four billion years, then extrapolate for the missing piece. Crusher: That's going to take several hours to set up and to process. If you'll excuse me. Picard: If you wish, you can stay on board while we wait. Nu'Daq: I intend to. Nu'Daq: Good evening, Commander Data. Data: Captain. Nu'Daq: Is there any word yet on the missing fragment? Data: The computer is processing the data. I will be notified as soon as there is any information. Nu'Daq: Commander, your reputation for physical strength is known even in the Klingon Empire. You are familiar with the B'aht Qul challenge? Data: I am familiar with many Klingon rituals, including the B'aht Qul. Nu'Daq: Wa' Cha' Wej Nu'Daq: Maw' tok! Data: My upper spinal support is a polyalloy designed to withstand extreme stress. My skull is composed of cortenide and duranium. Nu'Daq: I understand your intellectual prowess is equally impressive. If I were to learn of the results from the computer search before the others, the Klingon Empire would have a strategic advantage. A being of your abilities would go far in the Empire. Data: You are attempting to bribe me. Nu'Daq: Not at all. Data: You suggested a plan that would work to your advantage, one that I would be capable of executing. You then implied a reward. Clearly you were Nu'Daq: Commander, never mind. Laforge: What the hell? Computer, perform a level three diagnostic on the primary defensive systems. La Forge to Captain Picard. Picard: What is it, Geordi? Laforge: You might want to come down here. I found something that I think you should see. Data: The computer has completed its analysis. Crusher: The computer was able to extrapolate this geometric pattern based on the distribution of the fragments. Crusher: Computer, highlight the section of the missing pattern. The missing DNA fragment should be in this system. Data: The star is in sector two one four five nine. The Rahm Izad system. Worf: Direct hit on our port nacelle. They are powering up for another volley. Riker: Let's make it look good. Ensign, release the inertial dampers. Ensign: Aye, sir. Worf: They are firing. Picard: Report, Number One. Riker: The power boost to the structural integrity field protected the nacelles. We used the inertial dampers to simulate complete shield failure. Nu'Daq: It is fortunate that your Engineer discovered Gul Ocett's attempt to tamper with your defensive systems. Maht-H'a. Status. Klingon: Minor damage to starboard nacelle. We will be operational in less than one hour. Nu'Daq: What? You incompetent Top'a. You were supposed to be prepared. Worf: The Cardassian vessels have set a course for Rahm Izad. Picard: Well, it won't take them long to realize that Rahm Izad is the wrong planet. Captain, you're welcome to join us. Nu'Daq: I will go with you. Picard: Ensign, set in a course for the Vilmoran System. Warp nine. Ensign: Aye, sir. Picard: Engage. Data: I am scanning all seven planets of the Vilmoran system. None appears to support life. Riker: How can that be? The Professor's data depends on Data: Correction. The second planet shows evidence of an ancient ocean, now dry. Laforge: It once supported life. Data: Yes, and it still may, in a limited fashion not detectable by our long range sensors. Riker: Lay in a course, Ensign. Full impulse. Riker to Transporter room one. Riker: Captain, we've located a planet that may still support life. We'll know in a minute. Picard: Any sign of the Cardassians? Riker: Not yet. We don't know how long it'll stay that way. Picard: Acknowledged. Data: I am reading a small pocket of vegetative life. A primitive lichen growing in a fossilized seabed. Riker: Transporter room one. I am programming the coordinates. Stand by. Crusher: There. Over there. Riker: Captain, we've got company. I'm ready to pull you out of there. Picard: Wait for my order, Number One. Nu'Daq: You dishonorable top'a! Ocett: Perhaps we could exchange insults some other time. I'm rather busy now. Romulan: Well, it was quite a chase, wasn't it, my friends? Nu'Daq: How? Romulan: We intercepted several communiqués between the Yridians and Cardassia. My ship was watching under cloak when Professor Galen's shuttle was attacked. Worf: And you have been shadowing us ever since. Romulan: And now the reward. Step clear, please. Ocett: I shall destroy the entire rockface and every trace of DNA with it. You will go back to Romulus empty-handed. Your superiors will be quite pleased. Romulan: Perhaps we could come to a compromise? You give us the gene code. Picard: The seabed it may be only partially fossilized. It could still contain organic material. Crusher: Which would still contain the DNA. Nu'Daq: I will not be eliminated now. Romulan: You can be eliminated by a disrupter. Now, what do you say to my offer. Ocett: How can I be sure you won't kill me if I acquiesce. Romulan: I've given you my word. Nu'Daq: Etched in stone, no doubt. No deals. There will be no deals as long as I'm still alive. Romulan: Do not press me, Klingon. I don't care whether you live or die. Worf: If you fire, others will also. Many will die. Picard: The program has been activated. I think it's reconfiguring the tricorder. Nu'Daq: We die together, Brother. Tash Koh Tah. Picard: It's modifying the emitter diode to project something. Humanoid: You're wondering who we are, why we have done this, how it has come that I stand before you, the image of a being from so long ago. Life evolved on my planet before all others in this part of the galaxy. We left our world, explored the stars, and found none like ourselves. Our civilization thrived for ages, but what is the life of one race, compared to the vast stretches of cosmic time? We knew that one day we would be gone, that nothing of us would survive. So, we left you. Our scientists seeded the primordial oceans of many worlds, where life was in its infancy. The seed codes directed your evolution toward a physical form resembling ours. This body you see before you, which is, of course, shaped as yours is shaped, for you are the end result. The seed codes also contained this message, which we scattered in fragments on many different worlds. It was our hope that you would have to come together in fellowship and companionship to hear this message. And if you can see and hear me, our hope has been fulfillled. You are a monument, not to our greatness, but to our existence. That was our wish, that you too would know life, and would keep alive our memory. There is something of us in each of you, and so, something of you in each other. Remember us. Nu'Daq: That's all? If she were not dead, I would kill her. Ocett: The very notion. That a Cardassian could have anything in common with a Klingon, it turns my stomach. Picard: Picard to Enterprise. Riker: Standing by, sir. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46735.2. Our frequent use of high warp over the last few days has overextended the propulsion systems. We are finishing minor repairs before returning to Federation territory. Crusher: It's a shame Professor Galen didn't live to see the end result of his search. Picard: I can't think of anyone who would have appreciated it more. Crusher: If it hadn't been for you, his dream to solve that puzzle would never have been realized. You left him a wonderful legacy. Picard: Yes, but it would've been a more fitting legacy if the message had not fallen on such deaf ears. Crusher: You never know. Well, I have to get this day started. Picard: Both of us. Crusher: See you this afternoon. Riker: Riker to Captain Picard. Riker: Incoming transmission from the Romulan command ship. Picard: Put it through. Riker: Acknowledged. Romulan: Captain, my ships are leaving orbit for Romulan space. Until our next encounter. Picard: Until then. Romulan: It would seem that we are not completely dissimilar after all, in our hopes, or in our fears. Picard: Yes. Romulan: Well, then. Perhaps, one day. Picard: One day.

Riker: You're absolutely right, Doctor. Right now, I can't imagine ever hurting anybody. Doctor: How do you feel about that person you used to be? Riker: I feel terrible. But thanks to you, I'm doing much better now. And I'm confident that when I leave, I will be ready to take my place in society again. Doctor: When do you think that will be? Riker: Well, now. Right away. Doctor: Why do you say that? Riker: You said that when I was able to accept what I'd done and I understood the consequences of my actions, that I would be free to go. Doctor: Free to go? You mean you don't think you should stand trial for what you've did? Riker: No, I'm looking forward to proving my innocence. Doctor: I thought you said you accepted what you'd done. Riker: That's, that's not what I meant. I was sick when it happened. I wasn't responsible for what I did. Doctor: How do I know you're not just telling me what I want to hear? Perhaps we should continue this discussion next week. Riker: No. I want to talk about this now. Doctor: You're starting to sound angry again. Maybe you need another treatment. Riker: What I need is to get out of this cell. I've been locked in here for days. You've controlled my every move. You've told me what to eat, and what to think, and what to say, and when I show a glimmer of independent thought you strap me down, you inject me with drugs. You call it a treatment. Doctor: You're becoming agitated. Riker: You bet I'm agitated. I may be surrounded by insanity, but I'm not insane. And there isn't any. There isn't. There's nothing. 'm sorry. Could we go back to 'you're becoming agitated'? Crusher: No. Why don't we take a break for tonight? I think we've made a lot of progress. Riker: I'm still not comfortable with that final speech. Crusher: There's such a thing as over-rehearsing, Will. You're going to be fine. Riker: Maybe I'm just not right for this part. Data: Most humanoids have the potential to be irrational. Perhaps you should attempt to access that part of your psyche. Crusher: Thank you, Data. Your character feels at odds with everyone, as if the world's against him. Riker: Like my first year at the Academy. Crusher: Yes, that's what your character is going through. But I want you, Will Riker, to relax. Riker: I'll do my best. Crusher: It'll be wonderful. You're going to knock 'em dead. Riker: Right. Riker: You control my every move, tell me what to say, what to think. What to eat, what to say. What to think, what to eat. Then when I show a glimmer of independent thought, you strap me down, inject me with drugs, call it a treatment. I may be surrounded by insanity, but I am not insane. Riker: Excuse me. Riker: Tilonus Four? Didn't their government just collapse? Picard: It's in a state of total anarchy. When the Prime Minister was assassinated, a Federation research team was on the planet. It's believed that they were forced into hiding. Your mission will be to locate and to evacuate them. Riker: Can't they go to local authorities? Picard: There are no local authorities. The government is splintered. It seems that there are various factions vying for power. They're desperate for weapons or technology of any kind. Apparently, some of the factions have resorted to torture to gather their information. Well, a Starfleet research team would be a prime target. Riker: Then I'll have to go down there alone, undercover. Picard: Agreed. Mister Worf is ready to give you a detailed briefing on Tilonian culture. Riker: Well, I guess I'll have to back out of Beverly's play after all. Picard: Oh no, no, there'll be plenty of time for that. We don't arriving at Tilonus for another five days. And besides, if you back out, she'll come after me to play the part. Worf: This is the last known location of the research team. They had occupied a small building in the south-west quarter of the city. You will begin your search there. Riker: The south-west quarter covers over two hundred square kilometers. That's a lot of land for one man to cover. I guess I'd better pack an extra pair of boots. Worf: This apparel will allow you to pass as a common merchant. This Tilonian pendant is equipped with a communicator circuit. Riker: It doesn't really match the outfit. Worf: I suggest you pay closer attention, Commander. Your life will be at stake. Do you understand what I am saying? Riker: Of course I do. Worf: Because you will be posing as a merchant, you will need to know how to use the nisroh for the traditional bartering ceremony. Worf: You will be judged on your prowess with the blade. Worf: I am sorry, Commander! I did not intend Riker: It's okay. I guess I really wasn't paying attention. I'd better go to Sickbay. We'll continue this later. Crusher: Boy, you will do anything to get out of doing this play, but you're going to have to do something better than this. Riker: The play's not till tomorrow night. I've still got twenty four hours. Crusher: Don't get any ideas. I will see you on stage at eighteen hundred hours. Riker: Right. That still hurts. Crusher: There was no damage to the nerves so you shouldn't be feeling any pain. Riker: Probably just a symptom of stage fright. Crewman: It hurts! Laforge: He was working on a conduit on deck thirty nine. A plasma torch blew up in his hands. Crewman: It hurts! Please! Crusher: Hypospray. Medic: Yes, Doctor. Crusher: Get me twenty cc's of opporozine. Treat the surface burns with the anabolic stabilizer. Medic: Yes, Doctor. Nurse: Should we get a stasis unit? Crusher: Have one standing by just in case. Get me an epidermal sample. Begin dermal regeneration. Have tissue regrowth standing by. I want him sedated. Riker: I've been on a lot of missions, seen a lot of people injured, but I've never been affected by anything like this. He was looking right at me. Troi: And that was disturbing to you. Riker: It was as if he was blaming me for something. This wasn't the only incident. The last several days, I've felt like everybody's staring at me or talking about me. It's as if I was in Frame of Mind. Troi: Frame of Mind? Riker: Beverly's play. Ever since I began rehearsing for the role, I've been uneasy and restless. Troi: You're probably drawing on feelings that you're not used to expressing. Riker: Right. The play is full of disturbing images. People losing their minds, being tortured by doctors. I can't get it out of my mind. Troi: Sometimes it's healthy to explore the darker sides of the psyche. Jung called it owning your own shadow. This could be a sign that you're a real actor. This is becoming more than just a role to you. Riker: Maybe you're right. Troi: Don't be afraid of your darker side. Have fun with it. Riker: Who was that? You just missed him. Is there a new Lieutenant on board? Troi: I'm not sure. Do you want me to check the personnel logs? Riker: No, I'll check them tomorrow. I'm going to bed early. The performance is tomorrow night. I want to be up for it. Troi: I'm looking forward to it. Break a leg. Riker: I'll try not to take you literally. Data: You're becoming agitated. Riker: You bet I'm agitated! I may be surrounded by insanity, but I am not insane. And nothing you or anyone else can say will change that. And I won't let you or anyone else tell me that I am. You may be able to destroy my mind, but you can't change the fact that I'm innocent. I didn't kill that man! And that's what's driving you crazy. Data: I can see we have a lot of work to do. Riker: No matter you can say will the fact that I'm innocent! I'm not crazy! I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. Crowd: Bravo, bravo! Well done. Bravo. Riker: Where am I? How did you get me off the ship? Syrus: The ship again? Riker: What's going on? Syrus: I understand this must be disturbing for you, but try to relax. Tell me, where were you a moment ago? Riker: I was on the Enterprise in the middle of a play. But it was here. It was not real, it was on a stage. Syrus: I can assure you this is not a stage. Do you remember your name? Riker: I'm Commander. Commander. A second ago I knew who I was. I was on the ship. I was in a play. And now I'm having trouble remembering anything. Syrus: That's good. You're starting to come out of your delusional state. Riker: Delusional? It was not a delusion. I was there. Syrus: We discussed this. Do you remember, we contacted Starfleet and asked them about you? Riker: No. Syrus: We spoke with Admiral Budrow. Riker: Starbase twenty nine. He had never heard of me, and they had no officer that fit my description. Syrus: That's right. Now, I want you to focus on who I am. Do you remember me? Riker: I don't know. Syrus: I'm Doctor Syrus. Do you remember anything about where you are now? Riker: My head hurts. Somebody hit me. Syrus: You tried to escape. You struggled with one of the attendants and hit your head on a door. Do you remember that? Riker: Yes. I remember that now. But I thought it was a Klingon who had cut me with a knife. Syrus: That's called transposition. You're projecting elements from your delusions onto events that really happened. But that's good. There was a time when you couldn't break away from your starship fantasy at all. Riker: Now, if what you say is true, where am I? Syrus: You're in Ward forty seven of the Tilonus Institute for Mental Disorders. Riker: Why am I here? Syrus: We'll talk more later. You don't have to remember everything today. You're making excellent progress. Riker: Wait. Mavek: Good afternoon. I've got some good news for you. Doctor Syrus suggested that you might enjoy a couple of hours in the common area today. Well? Riker: I guess so. Mavek: I hope you're hungry. They're serving spiny lobe-fish today. Riker: You won't need that. Mavek: That's what you said the last time. Mavek: I'll be back with your lunch. Jaya: I hear you're a Starfleet officer. I'm Commander Bloom from the Yorktown. There are at least a dozen of us here, maybe more. We were kidnapped, brought here against our will. Sanders was on the Yosemite. They did something to his mind. I think they're trying to get neurochemicals from our brains. Stafko was with me on the Yorktown. I don't know what they did to him. We're going to get out of here. I've made a communicator. Riker: You have? Jaya: Yes. There are three starships in orbit. They're going to beam us out of here any day now. I'll tell them to get you out, too. Lieutenant Bloom to Yorktown. Come in, Yorktown. I've made contact with another officer. Mavek: Talking to your Starship again, Jaya? Jaya: No. Don't let them tell you you're crazy. Mavek: You know you're not supposed to take utensils from the common area. Mavek: You're welcome to try. Riker: I'm not that far gone, am I? Mavek: Of course you are. Riker: Your name is Mavek. Mavek: That's right. Not bad for a crazy man. Riker: I am beginning to remember certain things. Why am I here? Mavek: I remember when they brought you in. You were struggling, screaming. We could barely hold you down. In fact, just getting the blood off your hands took over an hour. Riker: Blood? Mavek: On your hands, clothes. You didn't just kill that man, you mutilated him. Riker: What are you talking about? I didn't kill anybody. Mavek: I'm afraid you did. You stabbed him. They found you near the body, the knife in your hand. Riker: No. It's not true. Mavek: Yes it is. And if you get out of here, you're going to stand trial. Riker: You're lying! Mavek: I imagine the punishment will be quite severe, considering you stabbed him nine times. Riker: No! Riker: I was there, in Ward forty seven, just like in the play. Everyone thought that I was insane, that I'd actually killed someone. But it was all real. Crusher: Deanna mentioned that you went to bed early because you were feeling a little anxious about the play, but I had no idea. You said that in your dream, we performed the play. How'd it go? Riker: It was a smash. We got a standing ovation. Crusher: Let's hope it goes that well tonight. Well, we have got one hour before curtain. How are you feeling? Riker: I feel like an actor. Crusher: Well, you're certainly beginning to look the part. Data: Perhaps we should continue this discussion next week Riker: No. I want to talk about this now. Data: You're starting to sound angry again. Maybe you need another treatment. Riker: What I need is to get out of this cell. I'm locked up in here for days. You've controlled my every move. You've told me what to eat, what to think, what to say. Crusher: And when I show a glimmer of independent thought Riker: And when I show a glimmer of independent thought, you strap me down, inject me with drugs and call it a treatment. Data: You're becoming agitated. Riker: You bet I'm agitated! I may be surrounded by insanity, but I am not insane. And there is nothing you Riker: What's happening? Data: I can see we have a lot of work to do. Riker: Nothing you can do will change the fact that I'm innocent. I'm not crazy. I'm not Riker: You're the key to all this, aren't you? Who are you? Who are you? Lieutenant: Lieutenant Suna, sir. Crusher: Will, are you all right? Riker: I. Yes. I don't know Crusher: Why don't we get him to Sickbay. Crusher: There's nothing wrong with you neurologically, and I can't find anything that could cause the hallucinations. But your heart rate is way up and your blood pressure's way above normal. And you're physically exhausted. Riker: This is not a case of simple fatigue. Crusher: Will, you know that when you're under conditions of extreme stress the mind can manufacture all kinds of things. Riker: Drugs. They injected me with me drugs. See if the drug's in my system. Crusher: Nothing. Riker: In that dream they gave me drugs. Didn't anybody at the theater see anything strange happen during the performance? Crusher: No, nobody. Get some rest, Will. The play is over. Don't give it another thought. Riker: Right. Riker: How's Lieutenant Suna? Troi: A little shaken but all right. Riker: I feel like such an idiot. Troi: It's nothing to be embarrassed about. We're your friends. We all know the stress you've been under. I'm sure everyone understands perfectly. Data: Commander, I must compliment you on your performance this evening. Riker: Oh? Data: Your unexpected choice to improvise was an effective method of drawing the audience into the plight of your character. You gave a truly realistic interpretation of multi-infarct dementia. Riker: Thank you. Troi: Well, maybe not everyone understands. Riker: I think I'd better get a little rest. Clear my mind a little. Troi: I want you to try a few relaxation techniques as well. Remember the ones I showed you a few months ago? Riker: They never seem to work for me. Syrus: Maybe you need another treatment. Troi: What's wrong? Riker: Nothing. Nothing. Troi: Will, I want you to get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. Riker: Okay. Riker: It's not real. It's not real. Jaya: Don't let them tell you you're crazy. Riker: No! Let me out of here! Let me out of here! Help me! Help me. Riker: I need help. I don't want to be at the mercy of these hallucinations any more. Syrus: So you've accepted you're not from a starship? That it's all a delusion? Riker: All I know is when I go back to the ship, reality breaks apart. Nothing makes sense. And then when it's over, it fades away like a dream. But when I'm in the hospital, everything here seems real and I remember everything that happens here. Syrus: And what about how you got here? Riker: Maybe I did kill someone. I don't know. But I want to know how. Syrus: I'm glad to hear you say that, because I just had a long talk with the hospital Administrator. He told me there are certain legal questions that have to be resolved relatively soon. Riker: Meaning? Syrus: Meaning we can't keep you here much longer. We're the only mental health facility on Tilonus Four. We have many people who need our help. I don't want to put any undue stress on you but we have to settle this case one way or another within the next few days. Riker: What does that mean? Syrus: You're facing a choice. We can try to help you remember what happened using Reflection therapy. If it's successful, you would be fit to stand trial. Riker: Reflection therapy? Syrus: It's a way for you to interact with the various facets of your personality. We scan the regions of your brain that control emotions and memory, and then project them holographically. Riker: And what is the second option? Syrus: A complete synaptic reconstruction of your cerebral cortex. Riker: Surgery. Syrus: We would neutralize the synaptic pathways responsible for your mental instability. Riker: It doesn't sound like you care for that option. Syrus: I don't. The procedure is irreversible. You'd be left with a completely altered personality. The person you are now would cease to exist. Riker: Option one is beginning to sound better. Syrus: I agree. Riker: Reflection therapy, then. When do we begin? Syrus: This afternoon, if you're ready. I want you to understand that this isn't going to be easy. You'll be interacting with aspects of your psyche you've never dealt with before, and you may be disturbed by what they have to say. Syrus: Close your eyes. Try to relax. Clear your mind. Syrus: Now, think back to before you came to the hospital. But don't try to remember specific incidents. Concentrate on how you felt. Riker: I was afraid. Troi: Terrified. Riker: She was on the ship with me. Syrus: That's because she represents an aspect of your personality, and there are many parts of you that still believe you're on that starship. Riker: Why her? Syrus: I asked you to get in touch with your feelings, and this is the part of you that responded. Talk to her about how you felt before you came here. Riker: You said I was terrified. Of what? Troi: I was in a dark place. Cold. Frightened. Someone was there. Riker: Who? Troi: I felt threatened by them. Trapped Syrus: You're doing very well. Now let's try to find out how you responded to these feelings. Try to focus on your actions. You felt trapped. What did you do? Worf: I was angry. They were attacking me. I fought back. Troi: I felt pain. Worf: I was injured. Troi: I began to panic. Worf: There was a struggle and I Riker: You what? What happened? Syrus: Try to associate your actions and emotions with logical thoughts. What do you think caused you to act and feel this way? Picard: It was cold and dark because I was outdoors at night. I was in a narrow place. I was walking through an alley. Troi: I felt threatened. Worf: I was being watched. Picard: Someone must have followed me into the alley. That's why I started to walk faster. Someone grabbed me from behind. Troi: I panicked. Worf: I tried to fight them off. Riker: How many of them were there? Picard: Three. Humanoid. I only saw the face of one of them. Riker: What did he look like? Riker: I saw him on the ship too. I also saw him here in the hospital, but I don't know who he is. Syrus: That's Mister Suna, the hospital Administrator. You met him when you first arrived here. Riker: What part of me does he represent? Syrus: I don't know. Troi: Don't believe this, Will. None of it's real. You're still with us on the Enterprise. Riker: Doctor? Picard: We're your colleagues. You can trust us. Everything will be all right Syrus: Do you have anything to say to them? Riker: You're all delusions. Worf: Do not listen to him, Commander. He is trying to trick you. You are in danger here. Let us help you. Troi: Listen to me, Will. In all the years we've known each other, have I ever lied to you? Riker: No, please. Leave me alone! Picard: Will, please. Riker: No! Syrus: You've taken a big step today. You've finally turned your back on those delusions and all that they represent to you. We'll continue later. Riker: It's not real. Crusher: Commander, do you know who I am? Do you know where you are? If you can't answer, just listen. You were on an undercover mission to Tilonus Four. Something happened. We were told that you killed somebody, but we do not believe it's true. We're being blocked at every turn. The hospital Administrator denies you're here at all. We're beginning to think that there's some kind of a conspiracy going on. I had to come in here posing as a health official. Sit tight, Commander. We're going to get you out of here. Riker: Not real. Data: Commander. Riker: Get away from me! Worf: Commander, you must come with us. You are in danger here. Riker: No! Worf: Silence. Data: Commander, are you all right? Riker: Help me! Help me! Mavek: Who are you? Take them to Security Ward. Worf: Worf to Enterprise. The pattern enhancer has been activated. Three to beam up. Crewman: Acknowledged. Crusher: There's damage to the parietal lobe. It's as if someone's trying to access his long-term memory. He's in a severe state of neural shock. It's going to take him a while to recover. Picard: Number One, do you remember what happened? You were abducted during the mission to Tilonus Four. You were put into a psychiatric hospital. Riker: It's still bleeding. Crusher: It's minor. Don't worry about it. Worf: We have been checking on the hospital Administrator. Riker: Mister Suna. Picard: It appears that he's involved with one of the rival factions. We believe that he is responsible for what happened to you. Riker: It still hurts. It's bleeding again. Why? You just healed it. Crusher: Will, try to calm down. Riker: This isn't real. Picard: What are you doing, Will? Riker: If I'm right, you're not really here. This isn't a real phaser. It's all a fantasy, and I'm going to end it, no matter what it takes. Picard: But what if it isn't a fantasy? Are you willing to take that chance? Riker: You're right, I won't. But I'm going to find out what's real and what's not. Crusher: Will, don't do it! Suna: How's he progressing? Syrus: He's not responding to the Reflection therapy. His delusions are growing more elaborate. Mavek: He broke out of his cell last night. We found him running down a corridor claiming people had come to take him back to his starship. Suna: Then I see no other choice. We'll have to perform the synaptic reconstruction. Riker: I still have a phaser. Why do I still have a phaser? Suna: It's not a phaser, it's a knife. You stole it from one of the food trays. Give it to me. We don't want you to hurt yourself. Riker: I don't believe you. Riker: If this is a knife, what happened to Mavek? Suna: It's very complicated. I'll answer all of your questions, but first I want you to put that down. Riker: No. If this is a real phaser, then I was on the Enterprise. But I fired it on myself, so I should be dead. None of this is real. I'm setting this to level sixteen, wide field. That should destroy half of this building. Unless, of course, this isn't a real phaser. Riker: It's all about you, isn't it? You're the only constant, the only person in both places. Suna: There's a lot more going on here than you realize. Riker: This isn't real, either. What's happening to me? Suna: Listen to me. We can still save you, but you must stop fighting us. Riker: You're lying. Suna: Let me help you. Riker: No! Suna: I'm warning you. Riker: No! Suna: He's conscious! I haven't finished the neurodrain. Get him sedated. Riker: Riker to Enterprise! Worf: Enterprise here. Are you all right, sir? Riker: Emergency transport. Get me out of here. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46778.1. Commander Riker has returned safely from his mission to Tilonus Four. Doctor Crusher has repaired the damage to his long-term memory. Picard: Evidently, you were abducted two days after beaming to the surface. Riker: I remember now. I was in an alley. They attacked me from behind. I tried to fight them off with the nisroh Worf gave me. I managed to get off one of them off me but I think they injected me with some sort of drug. Picard: We believe that they were trying to extract strategic information from your memory using a neurosomatic technique. Riker: I was in a hospital, then I was back on the Enterprise. I was back at the hospital. I kept shifting from place to place. I couldn't tell what was real. Troi: Your mind must have created a defense mechanism that helped you resist the neurosomatic process. Your unconscious fastened on to elements of your real life in an attempt to keep you grounded, to keep you sane. Riker: The preparation for the mission, the play, those were recent experiences, fresh in my mind. Picard: You should get some rest. We can talk some more tomorrow. Riker: There is one thing I'd like to do first. Crusher: Are you sure you want to do this by yourself? The stage crew and I were going to do it tomorrow morning. Riker: I'm positive. After everything that I've experienced, I don't think I could sleep knowing it was still up.

Crusher: All right, come in. Crusher: Guinan? What's wrong? Guinan: I need a doctor. Geordi beat me in straight sets today. I think I've developed tennis elbow. Crusher: Well, you'd better go to Sickbay. I think Doctor Selar's on duty. Guinan: I don't want to see Doctor Selar. I always see you. I'm very particular about my doctors. Crusher: Well, you'd better get a new one, because I'm not a doctor on this ship anymore. Crusher: Three days on a shuttle to Starbase twenty three, transport back to Earth. I can hear Admiral Brooks now, telling me how I've disgraced Starfleet Medical. Then a leisurely day and a half before the formal inquiry begins and my career ends. Guinan: Beverly? My elbow. Crusher: Your elbow. Let me see it. Does this hurt? Guinan: Ow! Yes, right there. Crusher: That's tennis elbow, all right. Here, hold your arm like this. Guinan: You know, I've never been to a formal inquiry. Crusher: Well I'll see if I can arrange one for you. All you have to do is disobey orders, violate medical ethics, and cause an interstellar incident. Guinan: Well I guess that would do it. Crusher: Make a fist. Guinan: Do I have to hit you with my fist before you tell me what happened? Crusher: It all started when those scientists came on board. No. It started when I got curious. Guinan: Well, there's nothing wrong with that. Crusher: That's why I went to the Altine Conference. I'd heard about a new subspace technology developed by a Ferengi, a Doctor Reyga. Guinan: A Ferengi scientist. Hmm. Crusher: His invention was based on metaphasic fields, but his methodology was completely unorthodox. Guinan: I like unorthodox. Crusher: Too bad you weren't there. Nobody else would listen to him. They all but jeered him off the stage. But I had read his paper and his work was extraordinary. Guinan: So you gathered all these scientists to come hear this Ferengi. Crusher: Yes. I hoped I could be a facilitator. I thought if I invited scientists from various cultures to board the Enterprise, I could sit them and down help them understand the value of his ideas. Guinan: Like a scientific diplomat. Crusher: Exactly. So, after persuading the Captain, I had to round up as many scientists as I could from the field of subspace technology. Crusher: But of all the scientists I invited, only four were interested in hearing about Doctor Reyga's invention. And I wasn't altogether sure they were going to be compatible. Kurak was a warp field specialist on the Klingon Homeworld. I don't think Klingons regard scientists very highly. She always seemed a little defensive. Doctor T'Pan is practically a legend in the field of subspace morphology. She's been the director of the Vulcan Science Academy for fifteen years. Her husband, Doctor Christopher, came with her. I didn't know much about him, but he was some kind of subspace theoretician. Jo'Bril was a Takaran, the first one I'd ever met. I had no idea what to expect from him. And then there was Doctor Reyga, the Ferengi scientist. Reyga: You've all seen my experimental data. The metaphasic shield has been proven. T'Pan: Forgive my skepticism, Doctor, but your claims are somewhat extravagant. Protect a shuttle within a star's corona? Not even your own government believes it can be done. Crusher: That's why I've invited you all here. You have the vision to see the potential of Doctor Reyga's metaphasic shield. Reyga: I need help to develop the shield. I am willing to grant exclusive rights to whoever provides the necessary resources. Crusher: I think you all realize what this shielding process could mean. The possibilities of exploration and research are endless. Kurak: But only if it works. I'm not convinced that this metaphasic shield can withstand either the temperature or the radiation it would be exposed to. Reyga: But it has! Not only in countless simulations, but in a field test that I conducted myself. Kurak: For which, of course, we have only your word. Reyga: Are you accusing me of falsifying my data? Kurak: You would not be the first scientist to manipulate experimental data to his own advantage. Crusher: Doctor Reyga has offered to demonstrate his invention. He's outfitted one of our shuttles with his metaphasic shield. Reyga: I will take it into the corona of the star Vaytan. Christopher: That star has a superdense corona. The shuttle would be subjected to particularly intense radiation. Perhaps it would be wise to choose a star of lesser magnitude. T'Pan: I agree. My own research into solar energy transfer suggests that Vaytan's corona is extremely unstable. Reyga: What better way to test my invention? I'm not concerned. The shield will hold. Kurak: I for one would feel more comfortable if someone else flew the shuttle. Someone more objective. Jo'Bril: I will volunteer for that task. I've spent years studying solar plasma reactions. The thought of being able to penetrate a star's corona. It is a remarkable opportunity. I've studied your data, Doctor Reyga. I think you're on solid scientific ground. Kurak: I do not share your optimism, Doctor Jo'Bril, but if you wish to pilot the craft, I would be more confident in your assessment of the shield than Doctor Reyga's. Christopher: I agree. At this point, we need an impartial evaluation. Crusher: We'll need to be sure that you're familiar with the shuttle's controls and Doctor Reyga's modifications. Jo'Bril: I'm an accomplished pilot. It will be no problem. Crusher: Well, what do you think? Reyga: I am gratified, Doctor Jo'Bril. And there will be no difficulty in operating the metaphasic controls. The system will activate automatically as you approach the star. Crusher: Well, then. We'll proceed with the demonstration at fifteen hundred hours. We'll meet on the Bridge. Crusher: It wasn't exactly an enthusiastic response to Doctor Reyga's technology, but given the circumstances and the scientist's quarrelsome personalities, I was quite pleased. Crusher: I thought that went well, didn't you? Reyga: Thanks to you, Doctor. Crusher: I didn't do anything. Reyga: This is an opportunity I would never have had without you, and I promise you, I'll never forget it. Crusher: Some of the scientists still seem a little doubtful, but after the demonstration I'm sure they'll come around. Reyga: Well, if there's anything I'm used to, it's skepticism. After all, a Ferengi scientist is almost a contradiction in terms. No, don't deny it. I know how the Ferengi are regarded. Crusher: I still expect the scientific community to be a little more open than they seem to be. Reyga: The metaphasic shield is a breakthrough in technology. Many scientists have tried to develop it. It's only natural that there would be some resistance. Crusher: You mean jealousy. I know. I wondered if that might account for Doctor T'Pan's attitude. She's been working on subspace shielding technology for years and you've beaten her to the punch. Reyga: I'm really not interested in competition. All I want is to be acknowledged. Respected as a scientist. This invention will finally do that. Crusher: I figured the hard part was over. I'd stepped out on a limb and it hadn't broken. Crusher: Not bad for my first venture into scientific diplomacy. Data: Captain, the shuttle has been launched. Picard: On screen. Open a channel. Jo'Bril: I am one million kilometers from the star's corona. Proceeding at three quarters impulse. I should reach it in approximately three minutes. Reyga: The metaphasic shielding has begun to form. Data: External temperature is zero point nine million Kelvins and rising. Radiation levels are nearing ten thousand rads. Reyga: That should have no effect on the shuttle cabin. Crusher: That's right. Temperature in the cabin is twenty one degrees Celsius and the radiation levels are normal. Jo'Bril: Wait. I'm reading elevated neutrino levels in the cabin. Reyga: Those are from the subspace field that's encapsulating the shuttle. The levels are well within acceptable parameters. Data: Outside temperature is rising rapidly. One point seven million Kelvins. Crusher: Temperature is still twenty one degrees and the shield is holding. Jo'Bril: Three hundred and fifty thousand kilometers and closing. This is incredible. I am actually flying into a star. Picard: Congratulations, Doctor. This is an amazing achievement. Data: Radiation levels outside the shuttle are nearing fourteen thousand rads. Crusher: Temperature inside the cabin is still normal. Jo'Bril: I am now fully engulfed in the corona. It's astonishing. Reyga: You see, Doctors? Metaphasic shielding is a reality. Doctor Jo'Bril, can you give us an estimate of the plasma turbulence? Reyga: Doctor Jo'Bril? Crusher: Something's wrong. Riker: What's going on, Mister Data? Data: Sensors indicate an increased level of baryon particles in the cabin. Reyga: No! That's not possible. Picard: Doctor Jo'Bril, can you hear me? Please respond. Data: Baryon levels are continuing to rise, sir. Reyga: I don't understand. This shouldn't be happening. Picard: Mister Worf, can you beam him out of there? Worf: The solar radiation is interfering. He must be at least five hundred thousand kilometers from the star before we can get a transporter lock. Crusher: We're losing him. Picard: Doctor Jo'Bril, listen to me. It is imperative that you turn the shuttle. Take it out of the corona. Do you understand me? Pilot the shuttle away from the star. Data: The shuttle is emerging from the corona, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, get a lock on him as soon as you can. Crusher: Beam him directly to Sickbay. Crusher: At that point, the doubts of the others seemed justified. I had no idea what had gone wrong or how seriously Doctor Jo'Bril had been injured, but I knew this incident could destroy Reyga's chance to be accepted by the scientific community. Crusher: Twenty cc's inaprovaline. It's not working. Cortical stimulators. Now. Again. Jo'Bril: I saw the sun. Crusher: So that was my first experience as a scientific diplomat. A complete failure. I don't understand. Guinan: No? Crusher: I mean, I've lost patients before. Guinan: But this was different. Crusher: Mmm. Guinan: You know, when you're a doctor and you have patients, you're in control. But when you send someone out on a mission, all you can do is sit and watch. Crusher: That's what I felt. Helpless. Guinan: Anybody would. Don't be too hard on yourself. Crusher: You know, what you say reminds me of something Jean-Luc said to me when I was doing the autopsy on Jo'Bril. Crusher: It was probably the most puzzling autopsy I've ever performed, and the most frustrating, because Jo'Bril's anatomy was unlike any I'd encountered, and I've run into some unusual specimens. Picard: How's it going? Crusher: I've never run into a humanoid species like this before. His internal physiology's baffling. He doesn't seem to have any discrete organs, at least not in the traditional sense. Practically every system is equally distributed throughout the body. That kind of physiology should make him incredibly resistant to injury, so whatever killed him must have occurred at the cellular level. Picard: Do you have any idea what it was? Crusher: No. Something caused a massive system-wide failure, but I don't know what. Picard: Were the solar radiation levels high enough to kill him? Crusher: His exposure to the star's radiation was minimal. It's all very strange. There's no apparent cause of death. Ogawa: Doctor, here's the result of the tissue scan you asked for. Crusher: That's odd. The rate of cellular decay is extremely low. Picard: Beverly, the answers will come. Crusher: Maybe even minimal exposure to the radiation altered the cellular physiology. Picard: You know, you've been at this for hours. You might think more clearly if you got a good night's sleep. Crusher: I can't sleep. I want to find out what killed him. I owe that to Doctor Reyga. Picard: You're doing it for Doctor Reyga, or yourself? Crusher: What do you mean? Picard: You're the loneliest person in the world right now. No one can say anything, no one can do anything that will help. And you think that it will never go away. And you're right, it won't. But you can get used to it. I know it doesn't feel like that now, but you can. Crusher: At the time, I was too preoccupied with my problems to understand what he was saying. I wasn't thinking about the rest of my life. I was trying to make sense of what had happened. Crusher: And I wasn't alone. Jo'Bril's death had raised a lot of questions. Geordi and Data were determined to find out what had gone wrong, and they were busy going over every millimeter of the shuttle, with Doctor Reyga's help. Reyga: Run another diagnostic on the EPS flow regulator. Data: The flow regulator is functioning properly. Reyga: What about the field emitter coil? Has it maintained polarity? Data: Yes, Doctor. Reyga: The radial force compensator? Data: I am unable to locate any malfunction. All systems are operating according to your design specifications. Crusher: Did you find anything wrong? Reyga: No. I don't understand it. There must be something we've overlooked. Laforge: I found micro-crystalline damage to the hull, which confirms that your shield was breached by a burst of baryonic radiation. Crusher: Were the levels high enough to cause damage to organic tissue? Laforge: I don't know. Data: Perhaps there was an unexpected interaction between the solar radiation and the metaphasic shield. Reyga: No, that's not possible. I anticipated every contingency. Laforge: Then maybe Jo'Bril ran into something in the corona which you didn't anticipate, and your shield just wasn't able to protect him from it. Reyga: My shield was not at fault. Crusher: Reyga seemed angry, but I knew it was because he was so disappointed. Everything he'd worked for, hoped for, was slipping away. Crusher: And that made what I had to do next even harder. Crusher: I'm sure you all understand that in light of what happened, I think it would be inappropriate to continue further testing. Perhaps if Doctor Reyga has perfected his metaphasic technology, we can try again. Reyga: Doctor Crusher, please, if I could have a little more time to investigate I know I could find what went wrong. Christopher: But that won't bring back Jo'Bril, will it? T'Pan: I do not believe the shield will ever work. Its very concept is flawed. Reyga: Just one more test. Kurak: Whom do you propose we sacrifice next? Reyga: I will pilot the shuttle myself. Crusher: I'm sorry. As Chief Medical Officer I'm responsible for the health and safety of all the people aboard. I will not authorize any further tests. Reyga: Very well. But I will prove myself. Crusher: I couldn't help but admire his tenacity. He just wasn't going to accept defeat. And I hoped he would prove himself. But that was the last time I saw him alive. Crusher: We'd gone to Science Lab four when the ship's sensors registered a sizable plasma surge there. Crusher: Look at this. A plasma infuser. It's completely discharged. The blast must have killed him instantly. Worf: Perhaps he could not live with the failure of his invention and took his own life. Crusher: Or perhaps someone just wanted it to look that way. Isn't it odd that he could hold on so tightly to the infuser when it was discharged. The normal reflex would have been to drop it. Worf: The plasma shock could have affected his nervous system. He may have reacted by gripping tighter. Crusher: I'll know for certain when I do the autopsy. Worf: Is your examination complete, Doctor? Crusher: For now. Please have his body taken to the morgue. Worf: Very well. Crusher: I remembered his passion and commitment, and his determination to prove himself, and I was sure that this man had not taken his own life. If anyone could understand that, I knew it would be Captain Picard. Crusher: Jean-Luc, I was with him right before he died. He was not suicidal. Picard: But by your own admission, Reyga was a difficult man to understand. Isn't it possible that he was simply masking his feelings? Crusher: I don't think so. He was disappointed at the failure of his device and certainly he was upset at Jo'Bril's death, but I never got the sense that he was ready to end his own life. And if that's true, then someone else killed him. Picard: Do you have any evidence of that? Crusher: Not yet. But when I finished the autopsy, I hope I'll have it. Picard: Beverly. I'm afraid there will be no autopsy. The family has already been contacted. They insist that the body must not be touched until they perform the Ferengi death ritual. Crusher: But there's a question as to the circumstances of his death. Picard: To the family that's irrelevant. Crusher: Let me speak with them. Picard: Please believe me, they're adamant. We are scheduled to rendezvous with a Ferengi ship in seventeen hours. They will pick up Reyga's body then. I'm sorry, there will be no autopsy. Crusher: Jean-Luc, I cannot just drop this. Don't you see? There may have been a murder. Picard: Then you will have to find evidence some way other than an autopsy. Ogawa: I don't understand, Doctor. Isn't it pretty clear that Reyga died from a plasma discharge? Crusher: It's won't be clear until after an autopsy. As far as I know, he could have been poisoned and someone put the plasma infuser in his hand after he died. Ogawa: You think he was murdered? Crusher: I'm not discounting that possibility. The point is, without a complete autopsy, there's no way of knowing for certain. Ogawa: Why won't the Ferengi allow it? Crusher: It has to do with their death rituals. The body can't be violated before it's buried. Apparently the family is more concerned about ritual than finding out the truth about how he died. I just can't get the information I need from a tricorder scan. Suspects. If Reyga didn't kill himself. someone else did. So who are the possible suspects? Ogawa: Whoever had something to gain from his death. Crusher: And the only ones to fit that category are the other scientists. Christopher: I'm afraid I don't understand, Doctor. Do you have evidence that Reyga was murdered? Crusher: No, but I can't believe he took his own life and I would like to explore any possibilities a bit further. T'Pan: What reason would anyone have to kill him? Crusher: I was wondering if you might have any thoughts along that line. T'Pan: I see. You are suggesting that I had such a motive. Crusher: If Reyga's technology had been successful, you might have been displaced as the preeminent scientist in subspace technology. T'Pan: But since it wasn't successful, it is illogical to conclude that I had such a motive, isn't it. Christopher: I must say I resent this, Doctor. We've all been shocked by recent events. I don't see that there's anything to gain by dragging us through these insinuations. Crusher: I'm just trying to uncover the truth, and I need your help to do it. Have you seen or heard anything that might suggest that someone else had a motive? Christopher: We are trying to forget the unpleasantness of these last several days, not have them stirred up again. I find it disturbing that you would try to foster suspicions among us. Crusher: Forgive me, I don't mean to upset you, but have you noticed anything unusual? Christopher: I find your question distasteful. Crusher: Is there something you're not telling me? Christopher: I'm sure it's nothing. I was in the storage room of the science laboratory yesterday. Kurak was working in the lab. Reyga came in and they got into, well, an argument. Crusher: About what? Christopher: I don't know. I couldn't hear clearly until they started to shout at one other. Then I heard Kurak say that Reyga had insulted her honor, and no Klingon would stand for that. I do not believe she killed him. These were words spoken in the heat of anger. Kurak is volatile, passionate, but not a killer. And, Doctor, neither are we. Crusher: Thank you. Crusher: I knew he might be right about Kurak. Klingons make threats as a matter of course. On the other hand, sometimes they follow through. Crusher: That looks like one of Doctor Reyga's shield configurations. Kurak: Yes. Personal research. Crusher: Even though this technology failed? Kurak: No one has denied there is potential in the idea. Crusher: Which you're now free to develop. Kurak: Are you accusing me of something? Crusher: No, but I want to know why you threatened Doctor Reyga. Kurak: I warned Doctor Reyga that if he persisted with his slander, he would pay the price. Crusher: What was his accusation? Kurak: I will not repeat his lies. Crusher: Were they lies? Kurak: Be careful, Doctor. Insulting the honor of a Klingon can be extremely dangerous. Crusher: Did Reyga make that mistake? Kurak: I have heard enough accusations! Now I will have your silence. Crusher: Well, you're going to have to throw me a lot harder than that if you want to get it. Now, what did he accuse you of? Kurak: Sabotage. Crusher: Sabotage of the metaphasic shield? Was that why it failed? Kurak: How would I know? Crusher: Did you sabotage the project? Kurak: No. I did not. Goodbye, Doctor. Crusher: Kurak refused to say anything more. I wasn't sure if her silence was motivated by guilt or just Klingon pride. Crusher: I was beginning to find out that investigating a murder was a little more perilous than I'd thought. And for everything I'd been though, I didn't have any more insight than I did before I started. Crusher: Which brought me back to Reyga's body. Because the more I thought about it, the more it seemed that the answers had to be there. DNA traces, tissue anomalies, a wealth of forensic clues that could shed some light on the mystery. So I made the decision. Picard: Come. Beverly. Crusher: Jean-Luc, I want to tell you something that you need to know, but you're not going to like it. I did an autopsy on Doctor Reyga. Picard: What did you find? Crusher: Nothing. I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have done it. Picard: You most certainly should not. I made it clear to you that the family would not allow it. Not only have you disobeyed my orders, but you've interfered in the burial rituals of another culture. You've put both of us in a very difficult position. The family will have to be notified. I don't doubt that they will react strongly. If the Ferengi government becomes involved, as I'm certain they will, this could have very significant repercussions. I'm not sure how much I can protect you. Crusher: You don't have to, Jean-Luc. I knew what I was doing and I'm prepared to accept the consequences. Crusher: I could tell that he was terribly disappointed in me, and that was almost the hardest part of all. Crusher: So that's the story. That's how I ended my career. Guinan: Backhand volley. Crusher: What? Guinan: That's how I did it. Geordi kept hitting to my backhand at the net. Crusher: Guinan, two people died on this ship. Two lives that ended horribly and you're worried about your tennis game? Guinan: Are you upset? Crusher: I don't know. You tell me. You're supposed to be wise. Guinan: Well, if you are upset, why are you moping around here? Why don't you do something about it? Crusher: I've done everything I could think of. It got me fired. Guinan: Do you think Doctor Reyga killed himself? Crusher: No. Guinan: Do you think there's a murderer on board? Crusher: Yes. Guinan: Then why are you still sitting here? Crusher: Don't you get it? If I start digging around again. Guinan: You could be relieved of duty. Chief Medical Officer's log, personal, stardate 46830.1. I'll be leaving the ship tomorrow to attend the board of inquiry. That means I have less than twenty four hours to get to the bottom of this mystery. Crusher: What are you doing, Data? Data: I am running additional diagnostics to make certain there was no permanent radiation damage to the shuttlecraft hull. Crusher: You've studied Doctor Reyga's shield system. Do you think it could have been sabotaged? Data: There was no evidence to suggest sabotage. Crusher: Just consider the possibility. Data: The system interlocks prevent access to the circuitry unless the shield emitter is active. Any attempt to sabotage the device would have to be made while the shield was in operation. Crusher: The only time the shield was active was during Jo'Bril's test flight. Data: That is correct. It seems unlikely that Jo'Bril would perform sabotage which would result in his own death. Crusher: I agree. Would it be possible to sabotage the shuttle by remote, during the flight? Data: A phased ionic pulse beamed directly into the metaphasic projection matrix would result in a temporary system malfunction. Crusher: Where on the Enterprise could you generate a phased ionic pulse? Data: Such a pulse could be initiated from the lateral sensor arrays, science labs one, four, and sixteen, or any of the bridge science stations. Crusher: Let's assume for the moment that someone did send out a phased ionic pulse. What would have happened inside the shuttle? Data: A tetryon field would be formed briefly in the cabin, temporarily disrupting the metaphasic shield. Crusher: A tetryon field? If Jo'Bril was exposed to a tetryon field, it might have left residual traces in his tissue. Thanks, Data. Riker: Beverly? Crusher: Yes? Riker: We've arranged for a shuttle to take you to Starbase twenty three. You can leave the ship at oh seven hundred hours tomorrow. Crusher: Thank you. Riker: About everything that's going on. I'm sorry. I'm sure it will all work out. Crusher: Yes, of course. Riker: You know the inquiry's just a formality, and Captain Picard will do everything he can for you. Crusher: I'm sure that'll help. Riker: But if you do anything foolish before that inquiry. it's not going to look good for you. Crusher: I don't know what you mean. Riker: I think you do know what I mean. The best thing for you to do right now is go to your quarters and read a good book. If you do anything to make the situation any worse it's going to be that much harder on you. Crusher: Thank you, Commander. Your concern is noted. Riker: Beverly. I'm saying this to you as a friend. Crusher: Yes, Will, I know. But, as a friend, please try to understand. I can't quit now and I don't want you to become involved in this. Crusher: Computer, access ship's medical logs and download current autopsy files. Computer: Autopsy files are restricted to active medical personnel only. Access denied. Crusher: Damn. Ogawa: Doctor Crusher? What do you need the autopsy files for? Crusher: Don't worry. I know I'm not supposed to be here. I'll go. Ogawa: Computer, access autopsy files. Ogawa: I assume you'll need the files on Doctor Reyga and Jo'Bril? Crusher: Alyssa. Ogawa: I can see how important this is to you. Crusher: I don't want you to get involved in this. Ogawa: Is that an order, Doctor? Crusher: Yes. Ogawa: Too bad you're not my boss now. Crusher: Thank you. Ogawa: So what do we do now? Crusher: First of all, I want to review Jo'Bril's physiology records. Then I want to take another look at the body. I want to see if there's any tetryon traces. Ogawa: Let's do it. Crusher: We need to run a tissue scan at the molecular level. Calibrate the scanner to pick up tetryon particles. Ogawa: Yes, Doctor. Re-calibration complete. Crusher: Activate the scan. Ogawa: Nothing. Crusher: Let's do it again. Use the enhanced resolution mode to boost the sensitivity. Ogawa: There's something in the subdermal tissue. Crusher: Narrow the scan field. Tetryon traces. Someone did sabotage the shield. Ogawa: That's a possibility, but this is very circumstantial evidence. Crusher: There's only one way to know for certain. Troi: Captain, I'm concerned about Beverly. I've tried several times to talk to her, but she's been avoiding me. Picard: I'm not surprised. Troi: This entire experience has been Data: Captain, an unscheduled launch is taking place in Shuttlebay two. Riker: No idea. No one's filed a flight plan. Picard: On screen. Riker: That's the Justman, the shuttle Reyga modified. Picard: Open a hailing frequency. Picard: Doctor Crusher, what do you think you're doing? Crusher: Testing a theory, Captain. Picard: A theory? Crusher: I think Doctor Reyga's shield does work. Picard: Return to the ship immediately. Crusher: I'm sorry. Picard: Mister Worf, override the shuttle's computer. Return it to the shuttlebay. Worf: Aye, sir. Sir, she has isolated her navigational control. It will not be possible to establish remote operation. Riker: Get a tractor beam on her. Worf: I cannot establish a lock. She is too close to the star. Solar interference is too high. Picard: Mister Data, what is her heading? Data: Bearing two seven one mark four, sir. She is headed into the sun's corona. Crusher: Computer, begin monitoring external temperature. Computer: External temperature zero point eight million Kelvins and rising. Picard: Beverly, what do you hope to accomplish? Crusher: I think Doctor Reyga was right about his shield. The only reason it failed is because it was sabotaged, and I'm going to prove it. Picard: But you can't be certain of that. You're betting your life on a hypothesis. Crusher: I'm not wrong. Computer: External temperature one point nine million Kelvins. Data: Sir, the shuttle is entering the corona. Picard: Beverly, what's happening? Crusher: I'm all right. Computer, shield status? Computer: Metaphasic shield holding. All systems within normal operating parameters. Crusher: Congratulations, Doctor Reyga. You did it. Captain, I want you to post security guards around the three visiting scientists. One of them has to be responsible for sabotaging the first test. I think if we Worf: Sir, we have lost contact. Crusher: Crusher to Enterprise. I've lost you. Come in. Justman to Enterprise. Come in. Crusher: Enterprise, do you hear me? Come in. Jo'Bril: They cannot hear you. I have severed communications. Crusher: How can you be alive? Jo'Bril: I'd think after your autopsy on me, you'd know the answer to that. Crusher: The slow rate of cellular decay. Jo'Bril: It is a natural result of physiostasis. Takarans can control their physiology at a cellular level. We can create the appearance of death. Crusher: In the morgue, you were conscious the whole time. You heard everything we said. You knew everything we were going to do. Jo'Bril: Move away. Move away. Crusher: What are you doing? Jo'Bril: I'm sending out a transient subspace signal. It will obscure the shuttle from the Enterprise sensors and they will interpret it as a warp engine breach. They will believe that you have been destroyed. I'd like to thank you, Doctor. Crusher: For what? Jo'Bril: All I wanted to do was diskredit Reyga so that no one would pursue his technology except me. But you have given me more than I could have hoped. Now I can take the prototype itself back to Takara, where I will develop it into a weapon. All I have to do is wait here until the Enterprise is convinced you are dead, and leaves. Data: Captain, there is no indication of debris. However, the subspace signal indicates a warp engine breach. Picard: All right, begin a phase one search, starting with the shuttlecraft's last known coordinates. Plot a proximity course toward the star. Worf: Sir, we are picking up an object emerging from the corona. Crusher: Crusher to Enterprise. I'm all right. Returning to the ship. And I finally have the answers I've been looking for. Chief Medical Officer's log, stardate 46831.2. I have been reinstated and I will be resuming my duties shortly. In the meantime, I have a personal matter to attend to. Crusher: Hi, Guinan. Guinan: Hello. Ooo, somebody's birthday? Crusher: Not unless it's yours. It's for you. Guinan: For me? What's the occasion? Crusher: It's a thank you. For giving me a good kick in the butt. Guinan: Oh, now, I didn't, er. Crusher: I did some research. This is the latest design, state of the art. It's specially designed to cushion all vibration so you will never have tennis elbow again. Guinan: Thank you, Doctor. This looks like a great racquet, but, er, I don't play tennis. Never have.

Data: Good morning, Commander. Riker: Data. Interesting night? Data: I found it extremely interesting. The lateral sensor arrays ran three separate spectral analyzes of the Alawanir Nebula on three distinct frequencies. Riker: Sorry I missed it. Data: I will have the report sent to you, sir. We are still on course for the Gariman sector. Our speed is warp six, ETA thirteen hundred hours. Sickbay reported one minor injury in the exobiology department at zero four twenty hours. Riker: Very well. Riker: Isn't Lieutenant Worf scheduled to replace Ensign Torigan? Data: Yes, sir. I was not informed of any change in the duty roster. Riker: He's never late. Riker to Lieutenant Worf. Computer, locate Lieutenant Worf. Computer: Lieutenant Worf is in his quarters. Riker: Something's wrong. Mister Data, you have the Bridge. Security team, meet me on deck seven, section twenty five baker. Security: Aye, sir. Riker: Computer, override security lock on this door. Authorisation, Riker alpha six zero. Worf: Torva luk do shel! Torva Riker: Worf, what the hell are you doing? Worf: Enter. Worf: Captain. Picard: On your feet, Lieutenant. Worf: Sir. Picard: Mister Worf, your personal affairs are strictly your own concern until they interfere with the operation of this ship. You have now crossed that line. As your Captain, I want to know exactly what is going on. Worf: It is difficult to explain. Picard: Try. Worf: Ever since I returned from the Carraya system I have felt empty. Picard: Does this have something to do with the Klingons you rescued from Carraya Four? Worf: They were young. They knew nothing of their heritage. So while I was there, I tried to teach them. Teach them about their people, their culture. I told them our ancient stories, instructed them in our customs, explained our beliefs. And then I told them about Kahless. How he united our people long ago. How he gave us strength and honor, and how he promised to return one day and lead us again. Picard: Is that what you're doing here? Trying to recapture those feelings? Worf: Yes. I was trying to summon a vision of Kahless. Picard: It's a pity you didn't try using the holodeck instead of setting fire to your quarters. Worf: Using the holodeck would not have been appropriate. Everything had to be real if Kahless were to appear. But all this was is nothing. He did not come to me. I gave Toq and the others a belief in Sto-Vo-Kor, the life which lies beyond this life where Kahless awaits us. When I saw the power of their beliefs I began to question the strength of my own. And I found it wanting. Picard: Have you lost your faith in Sto-Vo-Kor? Worf: To lose something, one must first possess it. I am not sure I ever had a true belief. But I should not have allowed it to interfere with my duties. My behavior has been Picard: Inexcusable. And understandable. It may be that what you are looking for cannot be found here on the Enterprise. Perhaps you need to immerse yourself in Klingon beliefs in order to discover whether they can hold any truths for you. Is there something you can do, is there somewhere you could go to explore your faith more fully? Worf: Boreth. The Followers of Kahless await his return there. To Klingons, there is no more sacred place. Picard: Boreth is only twelve days from here by shuttle. As of this moment, Mister Worf, you are on leave. Worf: Thank you, sir. Picard: But when you set foot on this ship again, I expect you to perform your duties like a Starfleet officer. Worf: Yes, sir. Picard: And, Mister Worf? I hope you find what you're looking for. Worf: Thank you, sir. Divok: Kahless! I see Kahless! He is standing before me with a sword. He wants something. Me. He wants me! He wants me to go with him! Koroth: It is a powerful vision you have had, Divok. Kahless wants you to join him in Sto-Vo-Kor. You are only nineteen and yet your place among the honored dead is already secure. Take him back to his chamber. Let him sleep. Koroth: You're leaving us? Worf: It has been ten days, Koroth. I have had no visions. I have received no insight. There is nothing here for me. Koroth: What is the Story of the Promise, Worf? Worf: When Kahless had united our people and gave them the laws of honor, he saw that his work was done. So one night he gathered his belongings and departed for the edge of the city to say goodbye. Koroth: The people wept. They did not want him to go. Worf: Then Kahless said, 'You are Klingons. You need no one but yourselves. I will go now to Sto-Vo-Kor. But I promise one day I will return.' Then Kahless pointed to a star in the sky and said, 'Look for me there, on that point of light.' Koroth: So here we are, on a world circling that distant point of light. It has been fifteen centuries since he made that promise, and still we wait. What are ten days in the life of one Klingon compared to that? Is the son of Mogh really so easily discouraged? You came to us seeking answers but this is a place of questions. Open your heart to Kahless. Ask him your questions. Let him speak to you with your mind unclouded by doubt or hesitation. Only then can you find what you are looking for. If you cannot do that, then perhaps you should return to your starship. Worf: Torva luk do shel. Torva luk Worf: I see Kahless. Worf: You are real. Kahless: I am Kahless, and I have returned. Koroth: What are you doing? Who are you? Divok: It is Kahless. Kahless: I have returned. You doubt me. Who here knows the story of how this sword was forged? Torin: No one knows. It is not written in the sacred texts. Kahless: I went into the mountains, all the way to the volcano at Kri'stak. There I cut off a lock of my hair and thrust it into the river of molten rock which poured from the summit. The hair began to burn. Then I plunged it into the lake of Lusor and twisted it into this sword. And after I used it to kill the tyrant Molor I gave it a name. Bat'leth. The sword of honor. Koroth: You know. The story of the sword is known only to the High Clerics. It was never written down, so that if he returned, we could be sure it was Kahless. Kahless: I have returned because there is a great need in my people. They fight among themselves in petty wars and corrupt the glory of the Klingon spirit. They have lost their way. But it is not too late. I have returned and I will lead my people again. Koroth: Vorcha doh baghk, Kahless! All: Vorcha doh baghk, Kahless! Vorcha doh baghk, Kahless! Kahless: What is it you are doing? Worf: I was getting my tricorder. Kahless: Tricorder? Is it a weapon? Worf: No, no. It is a tool. I intended to use it to see Kahless: To see if I was real. Proceed. Use your tricorder. Well? Worf: You are Klingon. Kahless: What else could I be? Worf: There are many possibilities. A shape shifter, a holographic projection. Kahless: So, you are a skeptic, Worf. I like that. Worf: How do you know my name? Kahless: We have met before. I appeared to you in a vision in the caves of No'Mat. You were just a child then. I told you that you would do something that no Klingon had ever done before. You still do not believe it is me, do you Worf? Worf: I want to believe. Kahless: That is a beginning. Torin: Gowron is the Leader of the Council. He commands the entire Defense Force. If he chooses to oppose you Kahless: Do not worry. We are on the threshold of a new era for our people. Klingons from all over the Empire will flock to my banner. Yet something still weighs heavy on the brow of the son of Mogh. Are you contemplating yet another question for me? After three days, I am beginning to wonder if you know how to do anything else. Worf: Questions are the beginning of wisdom, the mark of a true warrior. Kahless: Do not forget that a leader need not answer questions of those he leads. It is enough that he says to do a thing and they will do it. If he says to run, they run. If he says to fight, they fight. If he says to die, they die. Worf: If the commander is worthy of their trust. Kahless: NuQ cha'tak. NuQ! Kahless: What is wrong? Is there only anger and bloodlust in your souls? Is that all that is left in the Klingon heart? We do not fight merely to spill blood, but to enrich the spirit. Look at us. Two warriors locked in battle, fighting for honor. How can you not sing for all to hear? We are Klingons! Yes! Let it out! Let the joy in your heart be heard. We are Klingons! Klingon: We are Klingons. Kahless: We are Klingons. All: We are Klingons. We are Klingons. We are Klingons. We are Klingons. We are Klingons. We are Klingons. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46852.2. The Enterprise is to proceed directly to the planet Boreth to take aboard a very unusual guest. Crusher: Did you take any other tricorder readings? An anatomical profile or a neurophysiology scan? Worf: No. Crusher: It's going to be very difficult to eliminate any possibilities at this point. He may be a coalescent being taking Klingon form, or a bioreplicant or even a Klingon who has been surgically altered to look like Kahless. Worf: There is another possibility. He could be the real Kahless. He may have actually returned as he promised. Data: The appearance of Kahless in the lava caves is consistent with the stories found in the Klingon sacred texts. Riker: Worf, no offense, but I have trouble believing that the man I that escorted to deck eight is supernatural. Worf: I did not say that he is. I merely think we should not completely reject the possibility. Picard: Look, we have no reason to rule out anything. We are not ordered to investigate the origins of our guest, nor tell anyone what they should believe. We are simply to transport Kahless to the Home World. And while he's here with us, he will be treated as an honored guest. Data: Lieutenant? May I ask a question? In the absence of empirical data, how will you determine whether or not this is the real Kahless? Worf: It is not an empirical matter. It is a matter of faith. Data: Faith? Then you do believe Kahless may have supernatural attributes? As an android, I am unable to accept that which cannot be proven through rational means. I would appreciate hearing your insights on this matter. Worf: Perhaps some other time, Commander. I do not believe I can provide much insight at this minute. Picard: Welcome aboard, Gowron. Gowron: Where is he, Picard? Picard: I assume that you're referring to Kahless. Gowron: I am referring to the filthy pahtk who is using his name. Picard: Well, the person in question is in his quarters at the moment. Gowron: What have you learned about him so far? Gowron: What kind of medical analysis have you made? Do you have any theories about his true origin? Picard: We haven't done any analysis. Gowron: What kind of fools do you have working for you, Picard? The imposter's been aboard for nearly a day. Picard: If you wanted to run tests on Kahless, you should have sent a Klingon ship for him. Gowron: And have him begin spreading his poisonous lies through a ship of loyal Klingons? Never. Picard: If he really is an imposter then you have nothing to worry about. Gowron: Kahless has been dead for a thousand years, but the idea of Kahless is still alive. Have you ever fought an idea, Picard? It has no weapon to destroy, no body to kill. The idea of Kahless' return must be stopped here, now, or it will travel through the Empire like a wave and leave nothing but destruction behind. Picard: So Gowron has come on board in order to test your claim. Koroth: Gowron knows that his days are nearly over. Now he comes crawling aboard with some kind of test. Torin: We do not have to prove anything to Gowron. Kahless: What is this test? Picard: He has brought a knife with him, a knife is was supposed to be stained with the blood of Kahless. Torin: Gowron has brought the Knife of Kirom? No one is permitted to remove it from the sacred vault. Koroth: Gowron does not care about what is sacred. Picard: He wants to run a genetic analysis on a sample of the blood and on you. That should tell us if there is a biological match. Now if you agree to the test, I will make the Enterprise facilities available to ensure that it is conducted impartially. Kahless: Perhaps it is time to settle the doubts of those who still do not believe. I will allow this test. Crusher: There, that should do it. Computer, run a genetic comparison on this blood sample and the tissue belonging to Kahless. Computer: The genetic patterns are identical. Gowron: But how? How can this be? Worf: It is true. Kahless has returned. Worf: I am sorry. Our replicators do not do justice to Klingon Warnog. Kahless: It has been so long since I have tasted any food or drink. There are many things I have forgotten. Worf: Kahless, may I ask you about death and Sto-Vo-Kor? Tell me, what awaits us beyond this life. Kahless: I do not have those answers. I am merely a traveler, someone who has journeyed back and forth between this world and the next. While I am in this form, I know only about this world. And there is much work for me to do in this world, and you will be part of it, Worf. Worf: Me? Kahless: It was your purity of heart that summoned me back from Sto-Vo-Kor, and Koroth has told me about the respect you have earned in the Federation and the Empire. I want you to have a place at my side as we restore honor to our people. Let me tell you about this new Empire we will forge. Worf: It will be glorious! Gowron: It will be war. You are not a fool, Worf. Do you really think that every Klingon in the Empire will bend his knee and grovel before this man just because Koroth says he is Kahless? Worf: He is Kahless. Your own test proved it. Gowron: I will not hand over the Empire to Koroth because of one test. Worf: It is not Koroth, it is Gowron: Of course it is Koroth! Open your eyes. Koroth and the other Guardians have always opposed me. This is nothing more than a ploy for them to finally seize power. Even now, there are warriors on my own ship who want to see Kahless. There are others who believe he is an imposter. The divisions are already forming. Worf: But it does not have to be this way. We could all join together and welcome Kahless as a united people. Gowron: Don't you see? This is exactly why they want you to join them. Because your brother sits on the Council and your voice carries weight in the Empire. They want you to influence others to follow them. Worf, we fought together once side by side to keep the Empire from being torn apart. Will you stand by and let these impostors destroy all that we fought so hard to protect? Renounce him, Worf. Stand with me and we can hold the Empire together. Worf: You do not understand. Kahless is our future. Only with his help can we revive the pure warriors within ourselves. Listen to him, Gowron. Open your heart. Hear his words. He will restore your faith as he has restored mine. Give him a chance to lift your spirit and cleanse your heart before you take up arms. Gowron: Koroth. I see that not all fools die young. Klingon: Kahless! Koroth: Kahless, may I present Gowron, Leader of the High Council. Klingon: Kahless. Kahless: Long ago, a storm was heading toward the city of Quin'lat. The people sought protection within the walls. All except one man who remained outside. I went to him and asked what he was doing. I am not afraid, he said. I will not hide my face behind stone and mortar. I will stand before the wind and make it respect me. I honored his choice and went inside. The next day, the storm came and the man was killed. The wind does not respect a fool. Do not stand before the wind, Gowron. Gowron: What was his name? Kahless: What? Gowron: If you were really there, you should be able to tell us the name of the man outside the walls. Describe him to us. What was he wearing? How tall was he? What color were his eyes? Kahless: I do not remember. It was long ago, and in another lifetime. What matters is, I have returned to restore faith and hope to my people. To lead them back to the way of honor and the glory that was once theirs and can be again. Is that what you oppose, Gowron? Gowron: I oppose you. I say you are not Kahless, and I will not bend my knee to you as long as I can draw a breath or pick up a blade. Koroth: No! Worf: Koroth! Kahless: A good try, Gowron, but not enough. Kahless: You have no joy, Gowron. Is your heart so filled of distrust and suspicion that you've forgotten what it is to be truly Klingon? Gowron: Kahless. The greatest warrior of them all. Koroth: Everything will be all right. We will say that Gowron used a dishonorable tactic in his fight with Kahless. Torin: That he cheated. Worf: That is a lie. He did not Koroth: We do not need to hear any more from the son of Mogh. None of this would have happened if you hadn't brought them together. Kahless: I am Kahless, I am the strongest, the bravest warrior. Torin: Do not think about what happened. You must think of the future, of the Empire. Worf: There is no future here. No glorious new era for our people. Gowron was right. You did not know the name of the man who faced the storm. You do not even know what real warnog tastes like. And you certainly are not the greatest warrior of all. Whoever you are, you are not Kahless. Koroth: You have said enough. Now get out! Worf: You are using the name of Kahless for some twisted game. For that alone, you should die. And if you do not tell me what you have done, I will kill you right here. Koroth: The problems with your memory are the result of the way you returned. Kahless: What do you mean? Koroth: We, the Guardians, have been awaiting your return for centuries, but we did not have the technology to bring you back. Until now. We were able to use an organic sample of the first Kahless to give you life. Kahless: The first Kahless? Worf: A clone. He is a clone. Kahless: What is a clone? Worf: A being created in a laboratory by genetic material taken from another being. You are a copy. A fraud. Koroth: You are not just a copy. We gave you more than the body of Kahless. Torin: We found a way to imprint specific information in your neurosynaptic patterns. We gave you memories, and not just any memories. We gave you the experiences of Kahless as written in the sacred texts. Kahless: So, I did not do any of the things that I remember. I was never at the city of Quin'lat. I never went to the Kri'stat volcano. Koroth: You were not awakened until we transported you into the cave and you appeared to Worf. Before that time you were unconscious in a laboratory where we accelerated your growth, corrected any genetic anomalies that occurred, gave you the wisdom and memories that Worf: They grew you in a test tube like some kind of fungus and programmed you like a machine. Koroth: You are twisting the truth. Worf: You talk to me of truth? You, who have brought to life this lie and called it Kahless? Koroth: It is not a lie. Genetically, he is Kahless, and he is needed by our people. You know better than anyone the corruption and dishonor that has destroyed the Empire. They need him. Worf: They do not need a false god. Koroth: How do you know that this is not the way the prophesy was to be fulfillled? Who is to say that what we did was wrong? Worf: I am. I will not let this fraud continue. Koroth: Worf! You cannot tell Gowron of this. Worf: Do not give me orders, Koroth. Koroth: All right, but consider this. If you tell Gowron what we have told you, it will destroy him. And with him, the last chance to restore hope to our people. It's your choice. Data: They have been sitting here for three hours seventeen minutes. They refuse to transport back to the ship with the rest of Gowron's men. They insisted on waiting here until they see Kahless again. Their faith appears to be unaffected by his inability to defeat Gowron. They still believe. Worf: Then they are fools. Data: Does that mean you no longer believe this is the real Kahless? Worf: Yes. Data: I am curious. Do you still think the real Kahless will return someday? Or has this experience only deepened the spiritual crisis which originally sent you to Boreth? Worf: I do not know. Data: I understand your dilemma. I once had what could be considered a crisis of the spirit. Worf: You? Data: Yes. The Starfleet officers who first activated me on Omicron Theta told me I was an android, nothing more than a sophisticated machine with human form. However I realized that if I were simply a machine, I could never be anything else. I could never grow beyond my programming. I found that difficult to accept, so I chose to believe that I was a person, that I had the potential to be more than a collection of circuits and subprocessors. It is a belief which I still hold. Worf: How did you come to your decision? Data: I made a leap of faith. Worf: The man who appeared to me on Boreth is not Kahless. He is a clone. Gowron: A clone! Worf: Yes. Gowron: Did you really think you would get away with this kind of fraud, Koroth? I will have you and this abomination put to death. Worf: It does not matter, Gowron. You will still not be able to stand against him. Gowron: What? He's not real. You just said so. Worf: I said he was not the Kahless, but in the minds of our people he can be just as powerful as Kahless. Even now, two members of your own crew are sitting on our Holodeck waiting for him to return. Gowron: I do not care what they think. Worf: But hey are not alone. Like many of our people, they need something to believe in, just like I did. Something larger than themselves, something that will give their lives meaning. They need Kahless. Gowron: But when they find out the truth? Worf: It will not matter, Gowron. Despite the facts, they will still believe. They will make a leap of faith and there will be others just like them. Not everyone, but enough to plunge the Empire into civil war if you oppose them. Gowron: What are you saying? That I should just hand over the Empire? Worf: No, that would be unwise as well. Koroth: Then what are you proposing, Worf? Worf: You were right about one thing, Koroth. Our people are becoming decadent and corrupt. They need moral leadership. Kahless can be that leader, as Emperor. Gowron: There hasn't been an Emperor in three centuries! Worf: The political power will remain with the High Council. Kahless would be a figurehead, but he will have the ability to rally the people, to lead by example, to guide them in spiritual matters. Koroth: The title is meaningless without the power to back it up. Worf: Real power comes from within the heart. You would have the power to mold the Klingon heart. You could return them to honorable ways according to the original teachings of Kahless which are within you. It would be a great challenge, if you have the courage to accept it. Gowron: And what will we tell the people about their new Emperor? That he appeared in a cave or a laboratory? Worf: We will tell them the truth. All of the truth. But we will tell them that even if he is not the real Kahless, he is the rightful heir to Kahless. Gowron: And if I refuse to go along with this? Worf: Then my brother and those who support him on the Council will fight you, and I will fight you. And the Empire will fall back into civil war. Gowron: What do you say about this, Koroth? Koroth: What I say is unimportant. Kahless: It is acceptable. Kahless: Join with me, Gowron. Let us usher in this new era together. Gowron: Vorcha doh bagh Kahless. Kahless: Farewell, Worf. Worf: Goodbye. Kahless: What's wrong? You should be proud of what you've accomplished. Worf: I went to Boreth to find my faith. For a time I thought I had. But my heart is empty again. I do not know what to believe. Kahless: You doubt the real Kahless will return one day. You doubt that he is still waiting for you in Sto-Vo-Kor. Kahless left us. all of us, a powerful legacy. A way of thinking and acting that makes us Klingon. If his words hold wisdom and his philosophy is honorable, what does it really matter if he returns? What is important is that we follow his teachings. Perhaps the words are more important than the man. Q'apla, son of Mogh. Worf: Q'apla Kahless.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46915.2. The Enterprise is orbiting Nervala Four, waiting for an opportunity to retrieve scientific data left there by Starfleet researchers when they were forced to evacuate eight years ago. Riker: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any requests tonight? Troi: Night Bird. Riker: Any request? Troi: Night Bird! Riker: Ladies and gentlemen, Night Bird. One, two. Crusher: What was that all about? Troi: Will's been trying to get this piece right for ten years now. He's never made it through the solo. Troi: Here it comes. Data: Data to Commander Riker. Riker: Go ahead. Data: Commander, you are needed on the Bridge. Riker: On my way. Saved by the bell. Riker: You wanted to see me, Mister Data? Data: Yes, sir. It appears we will be able to transport to the surface sooner than anticipated. Riker: Is the planet's distortion field re-phasing sooner than we predicted? Data: No, sir. Using the Potemkin's transport logs from the original evacuation, Commander La Forge and I were able to modify the transporters. Riker: So we can beam through a higher distortion field. Data: The transporters are considerably more efficient than those used on the Potemkin eight years ago. Riker: That's a good thing. I almost didn't make it off the surface. When can we get started? Data: Ninety seven minutes, sir. Riker: How long will the transport window be open? Data: Twenty six minutes. After that, the distortion field will re-phase. Riker: That doesn't give us much time to retrieve the database. Data: The planet's proximity to its sun will create two additional transport windows in the next three days. Riker: Let's hope that's enough. Data: It will have to be, sir. The next transport window will not occur for another eight years, when the planet's orbit will bring it close enough to the sun to de-phase the distortion field. Riker: Okay, notify the away team that we're going in ahead of schedule. I'll tell the Captain. Data: Aye, sir. Riker: This is different than I remember. The place was a mess when we left. Data: Commander. Riker: Someone was here. Worf: A ship could have been caught in the distortion field and crashed. The survivors may have taken refuge here. Data: Commander, someone is approaching. A humanoid. Forty meters due east and closing. Riker: Who are you? Riker 2: Who are you? Riker: I'm Commander William Riker from the Federation Starship Enterprise. Riker 2: That's not possible. I'm Will Riker. Data: May I ask how you got here? Riker 2: Eight years ago, I led a team to evacuate this station. Riker: What ship were you on? Riker 2: The Potemkin. Data: Why did you not return to the Potemkin with the others? Riker 2: I was the last one out. The distortion field must have interfered with the transport. They lost their signal lock on me. When I tried to contact the ship, I couldn't get through the interference. If you check with Starfleet I'm sure they will have recorded that I was lost on that day. Riker: That's not what happened. I was the last one out and I made it back to the Potemkin. Riker 2: You don't believe me? Riker: It's not that we don't believe you. It's just hard to see how both stories could be true. Would you be willing have our Doctor check you out? Riker 2: Of course. Riker: Mister Worf, take him directly to Sickbay, and notify the Captain once you're on board. Let's get to work. Worf: Worf to Enterprise. Two to beam up. Crewman: Aye, sir. Stand by. Crusher: Looks like you fractured your arm a few years ago. Riker 2: I was doing some repairs under the station when an earthquake hit. I got caught in a rockslide. I had to set it myself. Picard: Jean-Luc Picard. Riker 2: Lieutenant Will Riker. Picard: I hope you understand our need to verify your claim. Riker 2: Yes, sir. Crusher: Genetically, he's indistinguishable from Commander Riker. Picard: Could there be some sort of cloning involved here? Crusher: I don't think so. There's no genetic drift. Picard: But it's not conclusive. Crusher: That's why I compared their brain scans. Brain organization patterns are as unique as fingerprints. Except for minor, minor differences, theirs are identical. Picard: But can't brain patterns be cloned? Crusher: No. They're determined by experience, mostly from early childhood. Picard: How can two grown men share the same childhood experiences? It just doesn't make any sense. Riker 2: I am Will Riker. I don't know who or what made it back to the Potemkin that day, but it wasn't me. Picard: Lieutenant, our Chief Engineer is checking the transport logs of the Potemkin. Perhaps that will shed some light on the matter. Don't worry, we will get to the bottom of this. And in the meantime, you will be taken to your quarters. Try and make yourself as comfortable as possible. Riker 2: I will. The replicators on the station haven't worked for a long time ago. It's been a while since I've had a decent meal. Doctor. Laforge: Apparently there was a massive energy surge in the distortion field around the planet just at the moment you tried to beam out. The Transporter Chief tried to compensate by initiating a second containment beam. Data: An interesting approach. He must have been planning to reintegrate the two patterns in the transport buffer. Laforge: Actually, it wasn't really necessary. Commander Riker's pattern maintained its integrity with just the one containment beam. He made it back to the ship just fine. Crusher: What happened to the second beam? Laforge: The Transporter Chief shut it down, but somehow it was reflected back to the surface. Picard: And another William Riker materialized there. Riker: How was the second pattern able to maintained its integrity? Laforge: The containment beam must have had the exact same phase differential as the distortion field. Riker: Which one of them is real? Laforge: That's the thing. Both. You were both materialized from a complete pattern. Crusher: Up until that moment, you were the same person. Picard: But of course, as you and Lieutenant Riker have lived very different lives for the past eight years, you are now very different people. I suppose it's a little like meeting someone's twin. But no matter how strange it may seem to us, we now have two Will Rikers on board. And as Lieutenant Riker will be with us for several days, I think we should do everything we can to make him comfortable and welcome. Riker: We still have the problem of retrieving the database. The computer on the station is not completely operational. Data: Many of its components have been removed. Apparently Lieutenant Riker used them to keep the station's radiation shield operational. Picard: Can it be repaired, at least enough to access the database? Riker: Without knowing what he did, that'll be tough. Picard: Perhaps he can help us. Picard: He was alone down there for a long time. I'm hesitant to let him go back until he's been evaluated. Troi: I'll talk to him. Picard: Thank you, Counselor. Riker 2: Come in. Troi: Hello, Will. Riker 2: Imzadi. Troi: Will. Riker 2: I never thought I'd see you again. Troi: We need to talk. Riker 2: You're on board because of him. Troi: No. Commander Riker and I are friends. Close friends, but nothing more. Why don't we sit down? Do you remember the last time we saw each other? Riker 2: Like yesterday. The Janaran Falls on Betazed. Troi: It was the day before you started your tour on the Potemkin. Riker 2: And we were going to meet on Risa, six weeks later. Troi: We never did. Riker 2: I know. Troi: No, what I mean is, Commander Riker and I never did. You see, he earned a promotion very quickly. Riker 2: I know that too. 'For exceptional valor during the evacuation of the research station on Nervala Four'. I looked at his service record. Troi: He chose to make his career a priority. There wasn't much time for anything else. We kept in touch but we didn't see each other again until we were both posted to the Enterprise two years later. By then our feelings for each other had changed. We've served together for six years. Things never went back to the way they used to be. Riker 2: I had a lot of time on my hands when I was down on that station. There were days I felt so alone I thought I might lose my mind. Do you know how I made it through? I thought if I hung on for more day, they'd rescue me. Maybe I'd see you again. I guess things don't always work out the way you expect them to. Troi: I know this isn't what you were hoping for, but that doesn't mean you can't make a future for yourself. Riker 2: Thanks. Troi: Captain Picard wanted me to find out if you'd be willing to help us retrieve the station's database. Riker 2: I reconfigured that computer so many times they probably can't make heads or tails of it. I'd be happy to help. Troi: Do you feel up to it? Riker 2: Absolutely. Troi: Good. I'll tell the Captain. Well, I have to go. Riker 2: Deanna. I know it's been a long time since we've been together, and I know your feelings have changed. Mine haven't. I can't just give up. I'd like to be with you again. Troi: Goodnight, Will. Palmer: Phase distortion is dropping. The second transport window opens in forty two seconds. Riker: How long will we have, Lieutenant? Palmer: Thirty six minutes, sir. Worf: We are losing time. Lieutenant Riker should be here. Riker: Computer, locate Lieutenant Riker: Cancel inquiry. Worf: You were supposed to report here at eight hundred hours. Riker 2: I'm sorry, I was Riker: I guess it's been a while since you've had to punch a clock. Let's go. Energize. Riker 2: I've shut down most of the consoles to save power. I re-routed just about everything through here. Riker: Check out the primary EPS system. See if you can get some power to the rest of these consoles. Riker 2: I shunted the database to the main core underneath the station. Riker: Can we access it from here? Riker 2: There's been a lot of seismic activity over the years. If the servo-links were damaged we may not be able to. I'll try to tap into the command pathways. You see if you can access and disable the file server. Riker: You know, I've been thinking we should probably let Dad know what happened. Riker 2: I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know there are two of us now. Riker: Actually, he and I have been able to patch a few things up. Riker 2: I've been able to get by for a long time without seeing him. I'm not about to start now. What made you contact him? Riker: I didn't. He came on board the Enterprise to brief me when I was offered the Aries. Riker 2: What did he say when you turned down your own command? Riker: He couldn't understand why I did it. Riker 2: For once he and I agree on something. Worf: The primary EPS coupling is fused. The entire unit will have to be replaced. Riker 2: I've accessed the command pathways. The interlink pathways are functioning now. Riker: See if that did the trick. No, it's not working. Riker 2: The servo-link must be damaged. We're going to have to go under the station and access the core directly. Data: We have less than three minutes left. Riker 2: I'll stay here. I'll be finished by the time the third window opens. Riker: It's too dangerous. Our scans show the caverns are unstable. Riker 2: I've been down there dozens of times. I know my way around. Riker: We'll come back during the third window, We'll bring a new EPS coupling and try to access the core from another console up here. Riker to Enterprise. Laforge: La Forge here. Riker: We're ready to beam out. Riker 2: You go ahead. I'll be finished by the time you get back. Riker: Hold it! I gave you an order, Lieutenant. Troi: Computer, valerian root tea, hot. Troi: Meet me in Transporter room three at nineteen hundred hours. It's important. Troi: It pulses unendingly all through the night. Seek out the crystal that powers our flight. Laforge: Can I help you, Counselor? Troi: No, thank you. Troi: What the future holds no one can know, But forward we look and forward we go. Riker 2: The Janaran falls. Troi: I remember. Where did you get this? Riker 2: I made it a couple of years ago down on the station. Troi: You made this? Riker 2: You should have seen the first two. It took a while to get a fine enough beam out of the phaser. Troi: It's lovely. Thank you. Riker 2: Can you stay and talk? I wanted to remember our last night together. Troi: So, how does it feel being with people again? Riker 2: Great. Strange. For a long time I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. It's been hard taking orders again. Troi: I can imagine. Riker 2: But I guess I'll have to get used to it if I want to get my career going again. Troi: Is that what you've decided to do? Riker 2: Remember, I'm the one who wanted to make Captain by the time I was thirty five. I'm a little behind schedule, I'll admit that. Troi: It's good you don't feel set back. Riker 2: I do. Things are a little more complicated than I had planned, but there's nothing going to stand in the way of my getting what I want. Waiter: There you go. Riker 2: Thanks. You don't know how many times I thought about you, about us. For weeks after the evacuation, I kept thinking they'd find a way through the distortion field and come back for me. I even thought we'd meet on Risa like we planned. But days went by and nobody came. Then I realized why. They thought that I had been killed in the beam out. No one came down because they thought there was no one to come down for. So I figured that they'd had a memorial service for me. Somehow that made me feel better. Troi: I can understand that. Riker 2: You were there, all dressed in black. Very flattering on you, by the way. Troi: I'm sure I looked terrible with my eyes all red and swollen from crying. Riker 2: Sometimes I would look up into the sky and I'd think, if I tried hard enough, I could make you feel my presence. That if I could let you know that I was alive, maybe you'd wait for me. I know it sounds crazy, but there were times when I could've sworn. What am I talking about? Troi: The other day, when I told you about how Commander Riker and I didn't meet on Risa, what I didn't say was how disappointed I was. Riker 2: You didn't have to. I knew. Troi: I started to hear from him less and less. I knew his career was taking him away from me but I didn't want to believe it was over. I spent a lot of time thinking about him. Wondering where he was, what he was doing. Sometimes I'd look into the sky and imagine that he knew, and that somehow he could sense me thinking about him. So, who knows? Maybe one night we were looking up at the same star, and you were thinking about me, and in a way, I was thinking about you. Picard: Come. Riker: You wanted to see me, sir? Picard: Yes, Number One. Come in. Picard: Lieutenant Riker has been to see me to talk about the away mission. He believes that the only way to retrieve the database is by directly accessing the main core underneath the station. Riker: The seismic activity makes those caverns very unstable. In my opinion, it's too risky. Picard: He said that he was down there recently. He seemed confident that it could be done safely. Riker: There's a good chance we will be able to retrieve the database from one of the consoles inside the station. Picard: But if it doesn't work, we won't have another chance for eight years. Riker: Lieutenant Riker's plan is more dangerous, but it does have a better chance of succeeding. Picard: Given the importance of the data, I think that it's worth the risk. Riker: I'll look over the schematics and I'll draw up a mission plan. Picard: I'm sure that Lieutenant Riker will be happy to help you with that. Riker: I'll talk to him. Crewwoman: Sir. Riker: Lieutenant. Riker 2: Sir. Riker: I just met with the Captain about your mission recommendation. I would appreciate it if next time you came to me first. Riker 2: I tried talking to you yesterday on the station. You wouldn't hear me out. Riker: I heard you, Lieutenant. I rejected your plan. Riker 2: May I ask what the Captain decided? Riker: The Captain has decided to go with your recommendation, but that's not the point. Riker 2: Isn't it? Riker: If you think I'm coming down on you because the Captain overruled me, think again. I happen to disagree with his decision, but he is my commanding officer and I follow his orders. Just so there's no confusion, I am your commanding officer and I expect you to do the same. If you can't, there's no place for you on my away team. Riker 2: Yes, sir. Riker: There will be a meeting in the Observation lounge at fourteen hundred hours to draw up a mission plan. Troi: We stayed in Ten Forward talking for hours. Crusher: Then what happened? Troi: He walked me to my quarters. Crusher: Then what happened? Troi: Beverly! Crusher: I'm just asking. Troi: You know it's been over between Will and me for a long time. Crusher: He's not Will. He is Will but, you know what I mean. Troi: It's really hard for me to separate my feelings for them. Crusher: Deanna, just because things turned out the way they did between you and Commander Riker, doesn't mean you shouldn't let things between you and Lieutenant Riker take their own course. Troi: I knew you'd encourage me. Crusher: I thought that's that why you brought it up. Crusher: Well, I think I'll call it a day. Troi: Beverly. Crusher: Bye. Riker 2: Some form of tai chi chuan? Troi: Klingon exercises, actually. Lieutenant Worf teaches a class. Riker 2: The forms are very similar. Do that move again. Troi: You just did the KoH-man-ara. Riker 2: Tai chi chuan. It's called the crane block. Now let's try something else. Riker 2: What was that called? Mister Worf's a very good teacher. Troi: Hello, Will. Riker: If you want to be with him, you don't have to ask my permission. It's the look in your eyes. I recognize it. You used to have it for me. Troi: We've both had relationships with other people. This is different. I didn't know how you'd feel about it. Riker: Flattered, sort of. Troi: This must be very strange for you. Riker: Ever since he came on board, I find myself thinking about the choice you and I made. Troi: Me too. Riker: Do me a favor. Be careful. Troi: Will, I know you and he have had some problems. Riker: That's not what I'm talking about. If he had gotten off the planet instead of me, don't you think he would have made the same choices that I made? I just don't want you to be hurt again. Worf: Two pair. Riker: Full boat, kings over. I'd like to thank you both for your very generous contributions. Riker: Come in. Riker 2: I thought you'd be alone. Excuse me. Riker: Why don't you join us? Data: The game is five card draw, no limit. Ante, please. Data: Lieutenant? Riker 2: Three. please. Data: Mister Worf? Worf: Four. Data: Commander. Riker: I'll play these. Data: Dealer takes two. You control the bet, Lieutenant. Riker 2: Fifty. Worf: Fold. Riker: Here's your fifty. And ten more. Riker 2: You didn't take any cards. You must be holding something. Why not make it a little sweeter? Riker: No, thanks. Riker 2: Playing it safe? Riker: You in? Data: I will call. Riker 2: Here's your ten, and it will cost you another one hundred. Riker: I've practiced in the mirror too long to be fooled by that face. You're bluffing. Here's your hundred and twenty more. Data: Dealer folds. Riker 2: I thought if one thing were clear by now, it's that you and I play things a little differently. Riker: Why don't we wait and see who comes out on top. Riker 2: I thought you were willing to settle for second. Commander. Riker: I've never settled for anything in my life. I know what I want, I know what I've got, and you'd be lucky to do as well. Lieutenant. Riker 2: Here's your twenty. Three hundred more. Riker: Now I know you're bluffing. Riker 2: Are you in or not? Riker: Why don't we get this over with? I'll call your three, and I'll raise you anything you've got left. Well? Riker 2: Take it. You always had the better hand, in everything. Troi: Come in. Riker 2: Hi. I'm sorry to just stop by like this but there's something I'd like to talk to you about. Riker 2: Captain Picard made has some inquiries. He managed to get me a posting on the Gandhi. And considering how long I've been out of commission, it's an amazing opportunity. Troi: When would you leave? Riker 2: In about a week. Troi: I see. Riker 2: Deanna. After I've served for six months, I'm eligible to bring family aboard. If we got married Troi: You said those exact words to me before you went to serve on the Potemkin. Riker 2: I know. I was just held up for a while. Troi: But if you hadn't been, what would have happened between us? Riker 2: I wouldn't've made the mistake of leaving you. I know that much. Troi: I don't know if I can believe that. It took me a long time to get over what happened between Commander Riker and me. I don't know that I want to put myself in that position again. Riker 2: I would never hurt you, Deanna. Troi: It's not just that. I've worked hard to make a life for myself on the Enterprise. I'm happy here. Riker 2: If the situation were different, I'd stay. But I can't. Not while he's aboard. Troi: I know. Riker 2: Are you saying it's over? Troi: No. No. I just don't know if I'm ready to give up my life here. Maybe we both need some time. Riker 2: Goodnight. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The third transport window has opened and the away team is making their final attempt at retrieving the database. Riker 2: Once we restore the servo link, you can shunt the database up to this console. Are you ready, Commander Data? Riker: You're with me, Lieutenant. Riker 2: I thought Commander Data's expertise. Riker: It doesn't take that much expertise to repair a servo link. You and I can handle it. Data: Lieutenant, I am curious about something. If you met a double of yourself, would you have difficulty interacting with him? Worf: I think so. Data: Why? Worf: I am not easy to get along with. Data: But Commander Riker and Lieutenant Riker are. Yet they seem to have trouble getting along with each another. I have found that humans value their uniqueness, that sense that they are different from every one else. The existence of a double would preclude that feeling. Could that be the source of the friction? Worf: Or perhaps it is more a matter of seeing something in your double. Something you do not like in yourself. Riker 2: This is it. There's the core, over there. Riker: You waiting for something? Riker 2: Your orders, sir. How would you like me to get over there, sir? Riker: You've been down here dozens of times. I'm sure you know the best way. Riker 2: Yes, sir. I do. Riker 2: It's leaking ion radiation. Riker: Why didn't you report this? Riker 2: It wasn't here before. This must have just happened recently. If we have to repair this conduit, we won't have time to access that computer core. Riker: Scan it now. Riker 2: It's working. The radiation levels are dropping to normal. Riker: Next time, don't give up so easily. Riker: Hang on! Come on, grab on. Come on! Come on, climb! Come on! I'm being pulled in. Riker 2: Let go! One of us has to get out of here. Riker: Climb! Come on! Climb! Climb! Data: They have restored the servo link to the core. We can begin downloading the database. Worf: Initiating data transfer. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46920.1. We have retrieved the database from Nervala station and are headed for our rendezvous with the Gandhi. Riker 2: Come in. Troi: I hear the Gandhi's going on a terraforming mission to the Lagana Sector. Riker 2: That's right. It'll take us four months just to get there. Troi: I won't be joining you. Riker 2: I guess I'm not surprised to hear that. Troi: I'm just not ready to give up my life here. Not yet. Riker 2: Come in. Riker: I'm sorry. Riker 2: It's all right. Riker: I wanted to give you something. Riker: My quarters are full of things that I suppose belong to both of us. The least I could do is give you this. Riker 2: Thanks. Riker: Good luck, Will. Riker 2: I actually thought I might go with the name Thomas. Troi: Your middle name. Riker: I guess we really are different. I never really cared for that name. Riker 2: Well, I sort of like it. I guess I'd better get going. Riker 2: I waited a long time. I guess I can wait a little longer. Take care of her.

Crusher: Oh, you really did it this time, Will. This is not just a scrape, this is a very deep cut. Well, I can heal it, of course, but you've got to stop playing Parrises Squares as if you're twenty one years old. One of these days you're going to fall and break your neck, and I'm not going to be able to heal that as easily. Riker: I wasn't playing Parrises Squares. Crusher: Worf's callisthenic program? Riker: No. Crusher: I give up. What was it? Riker: I was trying to feed Spot. Crusher: Data's cat? Riker: I told him I'd feed him while he was gone. I was just putting down the bowl of food. The next thing I know there's a hissing ball of fur coming at my face. I hate cats. Crusher: I love cats. You know, you've just got to know how to handle them. Riker: Maybe you'd like to do it. Crusher: I would be honored, if I could Worf: Commander Riker to the Bridge. Riker: On my way. Oh, by the way, you'll need this. Riker: Report. Worf: We are picking up a distress call on long range sensors. It is Romulan, sir. Riker: Romulan? Worf: They claim they have suffered a complete engine failure. Power levels are dropping. Life support is failing. It could be a trick. Riker: How long before we rendezvous with Captain Picard? Worf: Approximately thirteen hours. Riker: Lay in a course for the Romulan ship. Let's put up shields and go to Red Alert. I want to be ready for anything. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46944.2. Commander Data, Mister La Forge, Counselor Troi and I are en route to the Enterprise, after attending a three day conference on the psychological effects of long-term deep-space assignments. Data: Computer activate automatic helm control. Computer: Helm control activated. Troi: I was just leaving the reception when this Ktarian walks up to me and says, hello, Diane. I understand you're an empath. I'm a very sensitive man myself. I'm doing a thesis on interspecies mating rituals. Would you care to join me in some empirical research? Laforge: That's a very good impression of Doctor Mizan. Troi: How did you know? Laforge: He's notorious, but he really is an expert on interspecies mating practices. Data: Did you help him with his research, Counselor? Troi: Absolutely not. Data: I thought it was a topic you were interested in. Laforge: How did you enjoy the rest of the conference, Counselor? Troi: To be honest, I was bored. I spent most of my time at Professor Wagner's phylobiology seminar. I thought the idea of the seminar was that we would all participate, bring different points of views to the discussion. He gathered two hundred scientists from all over the Federation, and all he did was put us to sleep. Data: I have a memory record of the entire lecture, Counselor. I can repeat the portions you missed, if you Troi: No, thank you, Data. Picard: Well, it was little better at the physiognomy workshop. Doctor Vassbinder gave an hour long dissertation on the ionization effect of warp nacelles before he realized that the topic was supposed to be psychology. Laforge: Why didn't anybody tell him? Picard: There was no opportunity. There was no pause. He just kept talking in one long, incredibly unbroken sentence, moving from topic to topic so that no one had a chance to interrupt. It was really quite hypnotic. Laforge: Well, I had a great time. The warp-energy symposium was fascinating. I actually had an opportunity to touch a plasma field. Troi: Really? What was it like? Laforge: It was incredible. I could feel the plasma moving up my arm. It was warm and, oh, there was this amazing tingling sensation that Troi: Captain? Data? Laforge: Moved through my chest. It was incredible. It was like taking a bath in pure energy. Data: It was not painful? Laforge: Oh, no. Counselor? Is there something wrong? Troi: I'm not sure. Laforge: Well, our bioscans check out. There are no physiological anomalies. If something did happen, it didn't leave any biological traces. Picard: How long did it appear to you that we were frozen? Troi: I don't know. Four, maybe five seconds. You just stopped and then started again. I can't explain it. Data: My memory record does not indicate a pause or disruption during that time period. My internal chronometer and the ship's computer are both perfectly synchronized. There does not appear to be a temporal diskrepancy. Laforge: Data, let's run a ship-wide diagnostic. Maybe we missed something. Picard: Let's go through all this again. You were sitting there. The rest of us were here. Describe the exact moment when we appeared to freeze. Troi: Well, Geordi was talking about what it felt like to touch the plasma field and you were taking a sip of tea. Picard: Did you sense something from any of us at that time? Any unusual emotion? Troi: Not a thing. I was empathically aware of you right up to the moment you froze, and then it all stopped. The past few days have been exhausting. Maybe it was my imagination. There were moments in that lecture hall when I thought time was standing still there, too. Picard: Or there is another possibility, Counselor. This could be nothing more than simple Picard: Are you all right, Counselor? Troi: What happened? Data: You were motionless for three minutes eleven seconds. Picard: It appears to be the same effect that you described in us. Do you remember anything? Troi: No. One second I was talking to you, and the next you were all standing around me. Laforge: Wait a second. This is weird. Troi: What is it? Laforge: I had the tricorder run a comparison between the bioscan I took of you earlier and the one I took just now. In the time between the two scans, you should have aged twenty three minutes, but according to your cellular decay levels you've only aged twenty minutes. Picard: How do you account for this diskrepancy? Laforge: I don't know, sir. It's as if for Counselor Troi, for three minutes time just stopped. Picard: Mister Data, contact the Enterprise. Tell Commander Riker to meet us at the rendezvous point as soon as possible. Have him scan the region for temporal anomalies. Data: Aye, sir. Laforge: I'll check the sensor logs, see if I can find anything. Data: Captain, may I see you? Data: The Enterprise is not responding to our hails. Picard: Are we within sensor range? Data: No, sir. Picard: Increase speed to the rendezvous coordinates. Data: Aye, sir. Data: We have an engine failure warning in the Picard: Report! Laforge: The starboard nacelle just cut out. Data: Attitude control has been restored. Picard: Full stop. What happened? Laforge: The starboard antimatter pod is completely drained. The fuel reserves are empty. Picard: Is there a fuel containment leak? Laforge: No, sir. The containment field is intact. all engine systems are operational. The fuel is just gone. Data: Geordi, I believe I have an explanation. According to the plasma conversion sensor, the starboard engine has been in continuous operation for forty seven days. Laforge: Forty seven days? Nah. Let's check that sensor. It must be malfunctioning. Picard: I'll check the fuel consumption logs. Troi: What happened? Picard: My hand. Troi: The cells are metabolizing at an incredible speed. Almost fifty times normal. Picard: The pain is going away. Troi: Your metabolism's stabilizing. Picard: It happened when I reached for the bowl of fruit. Data: Captain, I am detecting a temporal disturbance intersecting the table. It appears that within the disturbance, time is moving at an accelerated rate, approximately fifty times faster than normal. The disturbance is spherical in shape. It is extending outward from the hull approximately seventeen meters from the ship. Laforge: That would cover the starboard nacelle. No wonder it used up all its fuel. Picard: Check the hull integrity. Data: It does not appear to be affected. Picard: Mister La Forge, see if you can move us away from the disturbance. Laforge: Aye, sir. Laforge: Lateral thrusters online. Data, plot a course away from the disturbance. Laforge: Make sure it doesn't come in contact with our other engine. Data: Course plotted. Adjust pitch to twenty seven point three degrees. Set heading one eight zero Data: Mark zero. Laforge: Got it. Reversing at fifteen meters per second. Data: We are clearing the phenomenon. Data: All stop. Laforge: What was that? Data: There is another temporal disturbance directly behind us. Laforge: Captain? Laforge: I think you'd better come take a look at this. Picard: Yes, Mister La Forge? Laforge: The sensors are picking up temporal disturbances throughout the region. Different configurations, different sizes. They're everywhere. Data: Within each disturbance it appears that time is moving at a different rate. Laforge: It's almost as if something has shattered the space-time continuum. Data: The fragmentation effect continues along a heading of two seven zero mark one five. Laforge: That's the direction of the Enterprise. Picard: Can we navigate around these fragments? Laforge: We'll have to limit our maneuvering speed to one half impulse, but I think we can do it. Picard: Get us to the Enterprise. Laforge: These are the coordinates. Picard: Perhaps the Enterprise has been delayed. Laforge: I've got the long range sensors on maximum, sir. There's no sign of the Enterprise. But I am picking up a faint reading. Possibly metallic. It's difficult to tell. The energy levels are practically non-existent. Picard: Take us to it. Laforge: Aye, sir. Data: The fragmentation effect is increasing. Laforge: Slowing to one eighth impulse. Picard: There she is. Troi: My God. Picard: Mister Data? Data: The Enterprise and the warbird both appear to be trapped within one of the temporal fragments. Laforge: The fragments seem to be converging at about this point. I'd say we're looking at the center of the temporal disturbances. Picard: Scan for life signs. Data: Sensors cannot penetrate the subspace field. I am unable to scan within the vessels. Troi: It looks like the Enterprise has been damaged. There, on the port nacelle. Laforge: The warbird doesn't look to have sustained any damage at all. I wonder if the Enterprise even had time to get off a shot. Troi: The Romulans could've decloaked before the Enterprise had a chance to respond. Picard: There's a second energy beam. It's coming from the Enterprise deflector array. Do you have any idea what that could be? Data: It is impossible to tell from a visual inspection. However, it appears to be focused on the warbird's Engineering section. Picard: We're not going to be able to determine anything from here. We need to get on board the Enterprise. Data: That would be inadvisable, sir. In each of the three instances we came into contact with one of the temporal fragments, we were integrated into its time frame. Laforge: If we beamed aboard the Enterprise, we'd be frozen in time just like they are. Picard: Well, we have to find some way of staying unfrozen. Mister La Forge, what about a subspace forcefield like the one we used on Devidia Two? Could something like that protect us from the effects of the temporal fragment? Laforge: Possibly. We'd need an awfully sensitive phase diskriminator in order to moderate that kind of field. Data: The emergency transporter armbands contain a type seven phase diskriminator. It should be possible to reconfigure their subspace emitters. Laforge: Yeah. Yeah, that would certainly isolate us from the effects of the other time frame. But if we wanted to interact with that environment, we'd have to restrict the field. It would have to be practically skintight. Picard: Mister Data? Data: I will attempt to narrow the field, sir. Laforge: Captain, I think this is going to work, but it's going to take some time. Picard: Well, Mister La Forge, it would seem that time is something we have plenty of. Laforge: We've channeled all communications through the subspace relays in the armbands. That way we'll be able to be in continual communication. Troi: How long will the fields last? Laforge: About an hour, maybe less. Don't worry. I'll monitor you very carefully. Data: Counselor? Troi: I got a little dizzy for a second. Laforge: We've created an artificial pocket of time around you, so it's probably playing tricks with your equilibrium. It might take a little while to get used to it. Let me know if it gets any worse. Picard: Beam us directly to the Enterprise Bridge. Laforge: Aye, sir. Energizing. Picard: There are three Romulans, all of them with disruptors. One at conn. There are none of our security officers on the Bridge. They must have taken us by surprise. It appears that we can move objects in this time frame. Troi: Maybe we could do something to help Will. Picard: I'm wary about making changes in this time continuum until we understand more about what's going on. Data: Captain, the equipment is no longer functioning. However, the information currently displayed indicates that there was a massive power surge in Engineering. Picard: Security teams had just been sent to transporter room three. And to Sickbay. Counselor, will you go to Sickbay and investigate? Mister Data, go to main Engineering. See if you can determine the cause of that power surge. I'll be in transporter room three. Mister La Forge? Laforge: La Forge here, sir. Picard: Will you lock onto our signals. I want you to beam Counselor Troi to Laforge: I'd rather not, Captain. We've got limited power and your isolation fields consume a lot of energy. Picard: Understood. We'll use the Jefferies tube. Let's go. Troi: Maybe we can go around them. Picard: No, we'll find an alternative route. Let's go back up. Picard: Excuse me, Mister Worf. Troi: Captain. Picard: Counselor, take a look at this. It appears that Mister Worf had just beamed these three on board, and according to this, three other Romulans had been beamed directly to Sickbay just seconds earlier. Troi: I know. I just saw them. Picard: What are we doing transporting Romulans on board the ship in the middle of a battle? They don't have any weapons and that one looks injured. If they were part of an invasion, then why are they unarmed? It doesn't make any sense. Troi: Captain, there's something I have to tell you. Doctor Crusher has been hit by a disruptor blast at point blank range. If time returns to normal I don't see how she can survive. Data: Data to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead, Mister Data. Data: Please come to Engineering immediately. It is urgent. Picard: What's the problem, Mister Data? Data: Captain, I believe I have found the cause of the power surge. There is a warp core breach in progress. Data: It is the flashpoint of a warp core explosion. And it is expanding. Picard: Expanding? I thought that time was suspended on this ship. Data: We were incorrect, sir. I have determined that time is moving forward at an infinitesimal rate. Troi: Why didn't we notice it before? Data: Our initial conclusion was based on our observations of the crew. A warp core breach moves at a much faster rate. The motion of the cloud is within my visual detection threshold. At its current expansion rate, it will consume the Enterprise in approximately nine hours, seventeen minutes. Picard: Is there anything we can do to stop it? Data: It is no longer a question of stopping it, sir. The explosion has already occurred. The fact that it is moving slowly changes nothing. Picard: Astonishing to see it frozen like this. Troi: Do we know what caused the breach? Data: No. However, the console displays indicate a power transfer in progress between the Enterprise and the Romulan ship at the moment time decelerated. That is why there is a second beam between the two ships. Troi: Why would we be sending them power? Data: Perhaps we should go aboard the Romulan ship. The answer to that question may Data: Captain? Troi: Captain, are you all right? Picard: My head. Oh. Dizzy. I can't. No! No! Troi: Troi to La Forge. Get us out of here now! Laforge: It looks like you weren't completely protected from the effects of the other time continuum. The neurophysical stress must've been overwhelming. Data: In much the same way deep sea divers experience nitrogen narcosis, you experienced a form of temporal narcosis. Picard: Can we modify the subspace isolators to give us better protection? Laforge: I don't think so. I'd say the best thing we can do right now is to be careful, limit our exposure to their time frame. I'd say no longer than ten minutes per trip. And we should stick probably stick together while we're there, just in case. Picard: Very well. Well, the first step is to find out why the Enterprise was transferring power to the Romulan ship. I think we should begin our search in the Romulan engine room. Counselor, you spent several days on a Romulan vessel. You probably know more about the layouts than anyone here. Perhaps Troi: Captain, it might be better if you stayed here this time and gave yourself a chance to recover. Picard: Yes, very well. I will monitor your progress from here. But just remember, ten minutes, no more. Troi: Yes, Captain. Troi: Geordi, there should be a power utilization monitor over there. Data. Data: This is highly unusual. The crew is not at battle stations. The ship is on evacuation alert. Troi: Is that why Romulans were being transported to the Enterprise? Laforge: Take a look at this. There's an energy feedback returning through the transfer beam. It's probably what overloaded the Enterprise's engines and caused the core breach. Data: Perhaps the warbird was trying to destroy the Enterprise. Laforge: I don't think so. According to this, the Romulans were actually trying to shut down the power transfer. Troi: Whatever happened, this is beginning to look less and less like a Romulan attack. Laforge: Data, why don't we take a look at their engine readouts? Data: Geordi, the engine core is completely inactive. Troi: That's impossible. The Romulans use an artificial quantum singularity as their power source. Once it's activated, it can't be shut down. Laforge: Let's take a closer look. Laforge: I think we've found the problem. Data: It appears to be a highly focused aperture in the space-time continuum. Its energy signature matches that of the temporal fragments we observed earlier. However, it is approximately one point two million times as intense. I believe this may be the origin of the temporal fragmentation. Troi: What are these dark spots? Data: I am not certain. They exhibit a complex bioelectric patterns. Very possibly organic. Laforge: Organic? Data: From the molecular configuration, it appears The aperture is beginning to fluctuate. I believe Romulan: There's an energy build-up in the phase compensation unit. Romulan 2: Check the main distribution matrix. Romulan: That's not it. The matrix is clear. It's the power transfer from the Enterprise. I'm reading a massive feed-back. Romulan 2: Systems are beginning to overload. Romulan: Notify the Enterprise to shut down the power transfer immediately. Romulan 2: Unable to comply. Their power interlocks won't disengage. We'll have to disconnect it ourselves. Romulan: Disconnect the transfer beam. Romulan 3: There is no pressure. Romulan: Impending warp core breach. Shut down all systems. Data: I believe my tricorder emissions caused the temporal aperture to activate. I suggest we avoid exposing it to any Data: Further energy emissions. Picard: When time resumed, did you observe any activity in the engine room that might Picard: Suggest what the Romulans were doing? Data: They may have been attempting to eject their engine core. Troi: I thought I heard one of the Engineers say something about a power transfer. Something about an energy feedback. Laforge: Yes, Captain. It looks to me like they were trying to stop whatever was happening here. Picard: Mister La Forge Picard: From where you are, can you determine what's happening on the Romulan Bridge? Laforge: I think so, Captain. Wait. Something's not right here. Data, was this man always standing right here. Troi: He's in neural shock, Data: We must get him to the runabout. Troi: There isn't time. He's dying. Troi: At least this way, he'll be alive in the other time frame. We might have a chance to save him later. Is the Romulan still alive? Data: Yes, but I am getting unusual readings from his bioscan. I am not sure he is a Romulan. Data: His cellular structure does not conform to any known species. His bioelectric patterns are in a state of temporal flux. I do not believe that this being is native to our time continuum. Picard: Mister Data, you said that you found organic matter in the temporal aperture. Data: Correct, sir. Picard: I'd like to take a closer look at those readings. Data: This is a biospectral analysis of the temporal aperture. The organic readings originated from these dark spots. Picard: They appear to contain some sort of energy patterns. Can you isolate one of them and magnify? Picard: They look like cellular clusters. Data: Its bioelectric patterns are similar to those of the alien's. However, they are significantly less complex. Its cellular structure appears to be in a state of mitosis. Picard: Data, this could be some sort of embryo. Data: It is possible. If I could further scan the aperture, it might be possible to Troi: Captain? Alien: Must save. No. Picard: Who are you? Alien: This body is not mine. It was necessary to assume it to exist in your time. Troi: Why are you here? Alien: We had to come to save them. They were in danger. Picard: Who were in danger? Alien: Our young. They will die in the gravity well. It is artificial. Troi: Artificial gravity well? Do you mean the Romulan engine core? Alien: Yes. Our young are trapped. We must get them out, return them to our time. Data: His molecular structure is destabilizing. Picard: How were your young trapped in the core? Alien: We must use a natural gravity well to incubate our young. We thought the Romulan core would suffice. It did not. Data: Captain, I believe the aliens mistook the artificial singularity, which the Romulans use in their engine, for a natural one. A black hole. They tried to use it as a nest. Troi: That's what deactivated the Warbird's engine core. So the Romulans sent out a distress call. Picard: The Enterprise responded, and found the warbird suffering from an apparent engine failure, and they attempted a power transfer. Alien: Power transfer. Must stop the power transfer. Ruptured time, destroy our young Data: When the power transfer came into contact with the alien nest, I believe it disrupted the space-time continuum. Picard: Did you who attacked the Enterprise? Alien: Yes. Had to stop power transfer. Picard: Are there any others like you here? Alien: One other. Picard: Do you know where he is? Could he help us restore normal time? Data: I estimate the core breach will consume the Enterprise in approximately seven hours, two minutes. Picard: Is it possible to lock onto the core itself, beam it into space? Data: No, sir. We would have to surround the core with a subspace isolation field. It is not possible to generate a field of that magnitude from the runabout. Picard: Mister Data, when you scanned the temporal aperture with your tricorder, it caused time to move forwards and then back again. Data: Correct, sir. Picard: What if we could reverse that process? Cause time move backwards and then forwards. Troi: We might be able to run time back to a point before the warp core breach occurred and then find a way to prevent the power transfer. And then when time goes forward Picard: The breach never happens. Data: I could attempt to remodulate the tricorder's delta-band emissions. It should be possible to better control the temporal aperture. Picard: Make it so. If this works, we may not have much time to prevent the power transfer. We'll have to decide precisely where to be and what to do the very instant that time begins to move backwards. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. After placing the modified tricorder on the Romulan ship, we have returned to the Enterprise. Data: I have reached Engineering, Captain. Standing by. Picard: Acknowledged. Counselor, are you in position? Troi: Ready, Captain. Picard: All right, Mister Data. Data: Initiating tricorder emissions. Data: Captain. Picard: Go ahead, Mister Data. Data: The warp core breach has been reversed, sir. Picard: Be ready to stop the power transfer, Mister Data. Data: Aye, sir. Alien 2: You must stop! Computer: Specified energy systems have been initialized. The power transfer can now be engaged. Data: Do not initiate that power transfer. Ensign: I'm sorry, sir. I already have. Data: We must shut it down. Ensign: The transfer beam is at saturation, sir. It can't be disengaged. Data: Computer, place a level three containment field around the warp core. Computer: Containment field activated. Riker: Damage report. Crewman: Shields down to twenty seven percent. Riker: Captain? Picard: No time to explain, Number One. Continue the evacuation of the Romulan ship. You'll find LaForge in the Romulan engine room. Beam him directly to Sickbay. Troi: Step back, now. Crusher: It's all right, Deanna. He wasn't firing at me. Romulan: There was an alien here who'd taken Romulan form. I was firing at her. The Doctor got in the way. Crusher: Where did she go? Picard: Status, Mister Data? Data: I was attacked by another alien, sir. I was unable to prevent the power transfer. It cannot be disengaged, sir. A core breach is again imminent. Picard: Can we move the ship? Riker: The feedback from the transfer beam would tear us apart. Picard: Patch me into the navigational control of the runabout. Riker: Got it. Picard: I'm bringing the runabout in. Picard: Mister Data? Data: The core breach has been prevented, sir. Picard: Data, it appears that severing the power transfer has not only prevented the core breach, but has also restored Picard: Space-time to normal. Data: The alien who attacked me has vanished, sir. Picard: The warbird has vanished as well. Data: Judging from the residual temporal fluctuations, I believe they have returned to their own time continuum. Riker: Captain? Picard: It's going to take a little time to explain, Number One. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46945.3. We successfully evacuated the crew of the Romulan ship, and we're on course to the Neutral Zone to bring them home. Data: Come in. Riker: Where's that cat of yours? Data: Spot is sleeping, sir. Why do you ask? Riker: No reason. I've worked out the new rotation schedules. I'd like you to cross-check the personnel assignments. Notify the department heads. Your Bridge shift begins at twenty three hundred hours. Data: Understood, sir. Riker: Data, what are you doing? Data: Recent events have compelled me to study how humans perceive the passage of time. For example, I have often heard people comment that time seems to pass more slowly in one instance, or more quickly in another. In reality, the actual passage of time remains fixed. Riker: I suppose it depends on how people perceive time. Every situation is different. It depends on how you feel. Data: I have been testing the aphorism, 'a watched pot never boils'. I have boiled the same amount of water in this kettle sixty two times. In some cases, I have ignored the kettle. In others, I have watched it intently. In every instance, the water reaches its boiling point in precisely fifty one point seven seconds. It would appear that I am not capable of perceiving time any differently than my internal chronometer. Riker: Well why don't you turn it off? Data: Sir? Riker: Data, people do not have internal chronometers. Why don't you see what happens if you turn yours off. Data: Thank you, sir. I will try that. Riker: Just don't be late for your shift.

Hawking: But then I said, in that frame of reference, the perihelion of Mercury would have precessed in the opposite direction. Einstein: That is a great story! Data: Quite amusing, Doctor Hawking. You see, Sir Isaac, the joke depends on an understanding of the relativistic curvature of space-time. If two non-inertial reference frames are in relative motion Newton: Do not patronize me, sir. I invented physics. The day that apple fell on my head was the most momentous day in the history of science. Hawking: Not the apple story again. Data: That story is generally considered to be apocryphal. Newton: What? How dare you! Einstein: Perhaps we should return to the game. Let's see, where were we? Yes, you raised Mister Data four, which means that the bet is, er, seven to me? Newton: The bet is ten! Can't you do simple arithmetic? I don't even know why I'm here in the first place. What is the point of playing this ridiculous game? Data: When I play poker with my shipmates, it often appears to be a useful forum for exploring the different facets of humanity. I was curious to see how three of history's greatest minds would interact in this setting. So far, it has proved most illuminating. Einstein: And profitable. Newton: Can we get this over with, please? It's your bet. Hawking: I raise fifty. Newton: Blast! I fold. Data: I fold as well. Einstein: The uncertainty principle will not help you now, Stephen. All the quantum fluctuations in the universe will not change the cards in your hand. I call. You are bluffing and you will lose. Hawking: Wrong again, Albert. Einstein: Well. Riker: Red alert. All personnel report to duty stations. Data: We will have to continue this another time. End program. Riker: We've received a distress call from the Ohniaka Three Outpost. They said they were under attack. Picard: Ohniaka Three? There's no strategic value to that outpost. Were they able to identify the attackers? Riker: No, we haven't been able to raise them since the initial contact. Worf: We are nearing the Ohniaka system, sir. Picard: Bring us out of warp, Ensign. Ensign: Aye, sir. Worf: Sensors detect one ship orbiting the third planet. Its configuration does not match anything in our records. Riker: Stand by phasers and photon torpedoes. Picard: Hail them, Mister Worf. Worf: No response, sir. Picard: Put them on screen. Data: It does not appear to be attacking the outpost, sir. Riker: They might have attacked before we got here. Picard: Or they might simply be another victim. What about the outpost? Data: There is a great deal of electromagnetic interference. I am unable to determine whether there are any lifeforms present. Riker: Worf, Data, you're with me. Worf: These wounds were caused by a forced plasma beam, similar to a Ferengi hand phaser. Riker: This seems brutal even for the Ferengi. Any sign of survivors? Data: Electromagnetic interference is still making it difficult to get a precise reading. Riker: How many people were assigned to this outpost? Worf: Two hundred and seventy four. Riker: All right. we're going to need to do a room to room search. Worf, you and Corelki start searching the north wing. You and I will take the south. Worf: Aye, sir. Data: The mechanism appears to be jammed, sir. Riker: There's not much damage. It doesn't look like they were interested in the station, just the people. Data: I have bypassed the primary system. Picard: Evasive maneuvers, Ensign! Return fire. Laforge: Shields down to eighty percent. Compensating with auxiliary power. Bosus: You have killed Torsus. I will make you suffer for this. Tayar: Biological organism, Klingon. Biological organism, human. Data: Stop it! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Tayar: Artificial lifeform. Starfleet rank, Lieutenant Commander. Name, Data. Laforge: Captain, the alien ship is breaking orbit. Picard: Plot an intercept course, Ensign. Fire torpedoes. Laforge: They're gone, sir. Our sensors indicate there was some kind of subspace distortion just before they disappeared. I'll have to study these readings before I can get more specific than that. Picard: Take us back to Ohniaka Three. Ensign: Aye, sir. Riker: Data? Data, are you all right? Data: Yes, sir. Riker: What happened? Data: I got angry. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46982.1. Because of his unusual behavior on the planet surface, Commander Data has asked to be temporarily relieved of duty. Unfortunately, this means he will not be able to help us investigate a disturbing new change in the behavior of the Borg. Riker: They were fast, aggressive, almost vicious. it was more like fighting Klingons than Borg. No offense. Worf: None taken. Riker: There was another difference. I don't believe they were part of the Borg collective. I think they were acting as individuals. Picard: What? Riker: One of them referred to himself as I. Worf: And that Borg also showed concern for a fallen comrade. He even called him by name. Troi: The only Borg who had a name was Hugh. And we gave it to him. Crusher: Maybe Hugh has something to do with this change in their behavior. Picard: Did they show any interest in assimilating you or your technology? Riker: They seemed more concerned with the death of their colleague and with destroying us. I didn't see anything that suggested they wanted to assimilate anybody. Picard: The Borg's entire existence was centerd around acquiring cultures and technology. If that's changed, then they must have a new objective. We have to find out what it is. Mister Worf, from this moment on, I want to maintain a level two security alert. Post armed officers on every deck. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Number One, I want you to analyze our sensor readings of the Borg ship. Try to determine if it was something they constructed or an alien ship which they captured. Then run an analysis of this subspace distortion they used to escape. Riker: Aye, sir. Picard: I'm going to contact Starfleet Command. Laforge: Well, the positronic net checks out. Everything else looks fine. Data: My internal diagnostic also finds nothing wrong. Laforge: I don't know, Data. There's nothing here that would indicate anything that might cause an sort of behavioral anomaly. Data: I agree. Geordi, I believe I've experienced my first emotion. Laforge: No offense, Data, but how would you know a flash of anger from some odd kind of power surge? Data: You are correct in that I have no frame of reference to confirm my hypothesis. In fact, I am unable to provide a verbal description of the experience. Perhaps you could describe how it feels to be angry. I could then use that as a reference. Laforge: Well, okay. When I feel angry, first I feel hostile. Data: Could you describe feeling hostile? Laforge: It's like feeling belligerent, combative. Data: Could you describe feeling angry without referring to other feelings? Laforge: No, I guess I can't. I just feel angry. Data: That was my experience as well. I simply felt angry. Laforge: Well, let's say you're right and this is a real emotion. How is that possible? Data: I do not know. Perhaps I have evolved to the point where emotions are within my grasp. Perhaps I will experience other emotions as time goes by. Laforge: Well, I hope you're right. I'd hate to think that anger is all you're capable of feeling. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46984.6. No additional Borg attacks have been reported in the past two days. However, Starfleet has dispatched Admiral Nechayev to take command in this sector in preparation for a possible Borg invasion. Nechayev: There will be fifteen starships in this sector by the day after tomorrow. The Gorkon will be my flagship. You'll take command of task force three, consisting of the Enterprise, the Crazy Horse and the Agamemnon. Picard: Understood. Nechayev: Captain, I've read the report that you submitted to Admiral Brooks last year regarding the Borg you called Hugh, and I've been trying to figure out why you let him go. Picard: I thought that I had made that clear. Nechayev: As I understand, it you found a single Borg at a crash site, brought it aboard the Enterprise, studied it, analyzed it, and eventually found a way to send it back to the Borg with a program that would have destroyed the entire collective once and for all. But instead, you nursed the Borg back to health, treated it like a guest, gave it a name, and then sent it home. Why? Picard: When Hugh was separated from the Borg collective he began to grow and to evolve into something other than an automaton. He became a person. When that happened, I felt I had no choice but to respect his rights as an individual. Nechayev: Of course you had a choice. You could've taken the opportunity to rid the Federation of a mortal enemy, one that has killed tens of thousands of innocent people, and which may kill even more. Picard: No one is more aware of the danger than I am. But I am also bound by my oath and my conscience to uphold certain principles. And I will not sacrifice them in order to Nechayev: Your priority is to safeguard the lives of Federation citizens, not to wrestle with your conscience. Now I want to make it clear that if you have a similar opportunity in the future, an opportunity to destroy the Borg, you are under orders to take advantage of it. Is that understood? Picard: Yes, sir. Data: For the past six hours, I have attempted to produce an emotional response by subjecting myself to various stimuli. Troi: Like what? Data: I listened to several operas known to be uplifting, I watched three holodeck programs designed to be humorous, and I made four attempts to induce sexual desire by subjecting myself to erotic imagery. Troi: What happened? Data: Nothing. Troi: I'm curious. Why are you ignoring the one emotion you've already experienced? Why aren't you trying to make yourself angry again? Data: Anger is a negative emotion. I wanted to concentrate on something more positive. Troi: Data, feelings aren't positive and negative, they simply exist. It's what we do with those feelings that becomes good or bad. For example, feeling angry about an injustice could lead someone to take a positive action to correct it. Data: But my study of humanity indicates there are some emotions that are harmful, such as jealousy or hatred. Troi: Those are very strong emotions, and you're right, very little good can come from them. But I don't think that an exploration of anger need necessarily lead to hatred or malice. Data: But what if it does, Counselor? What if it turns out that those are the only emotions I am capable of experiencing? Would that not make me a bad person? Troi: We've served together for a long time and I think I've come to know you pretty well. I have to believe if you ever reach your goal of becoming human, you won't become a bad one. Data: I wish I were as confident as you, Counselor. When I was fighting the Borg, I felt angry, but when I think back on the incident, I realize that I was also experiencing another sensation. It was not the same as anger, but I think it was an emotion. Troi: When exactly did you feel this other emotion? Data: It was just after I had killed the Borg. I looked down at his body. I felt something. Troi: If you had to give this feeling a name, what would you call it? Data: I believe it was pleasure. Riker: Red alert! All hands to battle stations. Lay in a course. Engage warp nine. Riker: We received a distress call from the New Berlin Colony. They're under attack. Picard: What's our ETA? Worf: At warp nine, fifteen minutes, thirty seconds. Picard: Contact the Crazy Horse and the Agamemnon. Have them standing by in case we need them. Worf: Captain, incoming message from the New Berlin Colony. They have canceled their distress call. Evidently a Ferengi trading ship entered their system and someone panicked. Riker: Third time today. Stand down Red alert. Reduce speed. Return to our patrol route. Picard: Mister Worf, acknowledge the signal from New Berlin and transmit another copy of Starfleet's ship-recognition protocols and tell them to read it this time. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have been on patrol for sixteen hours, and there are no reports of further Borg activity. But tensions continue to run high on the colonies and outposts in this sector. Hugh: Do I have a name? Crusher: I'm Beverly, he's Geordi, and you, you Laforge: No, wait a minute. That's it. Hugh. Hugh: We are Hugh. Picard: Come. Riker: I thought you might like to see this. Geordi's analysis of the subspace distortion the Borg used to escape. Picard: An artificially created energy conduit? That could be anything. Riker: We don't have enough information at this point Picard: I don't want excuses, Number One. I want answers! I'm sorry. He was in this room, Will. I could have rid the Federation of a mortal threat, and I let him go. Riker: Sending Hugh back to the Borg was a very risky, a very dangerous choice, but it was the moral thing to do. Picard: It may turn out that the moral thing to do was not the right thing to do. Data: Stop it. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. Laforge: Data, am I interrupting something? Data: Yes, but it is all right. Do you need me? Laforge: I wanted to see if you were ready to return to duty. I need some help with an analysis of the ship the Borg were using. Data: I believe I am able to resume my duties. Laforge: Data, exactly what is it that are you're doing here? Data: I am attempting to recreate the experience which caused to my initial burst of anger. Laforge: Any luck? Data: None so far. I have almost completed this experiment. May I finish before we return to Engineering? Laforge: Yeah, sure. Data: Computer, reset Borg simulation to time index two point one. Increase Borg strength by twenty percent. Run program. Data: Stop it. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. Computer, reset simulation to time index two point one. Increase Borg strength by thirty percent. Computer: Unable to comply. A thirty percent increase would exceed safety limits. Data: Geordi, the computer will require the voice authorisations of two senior officers in order to disable the safety routine. Will you help me? Laforge: Data, wait a minute. That thing could kill you. Data: During the original incident the Borg presented a genuine danger to my life. Since the Holodeck safety routine is in place, I know my life is not in danger. Since I am trying to duplicate the conditions of the original incident as closely as possible, I must also attempt to duplicate the jeopardy as well. Laforge: Data, we're talking about an experiment here. You can't put your life on the line just to prove some theory. Data: This experiment may hold the key to something I have sought all my life. Laforge: It's crazy. There's got to be another way. Can't you think of something other way to make yourself angry. Data: I have tried other stimuli, but they have been unsuccessful. I understand your objections, but it is my life and I have a right to risk it if I choose. Laforge: Yeah, and I'm your friend and I'm not going to just stand around and let you do this. Riker: Red alert. All hands, battle stations. Riker: Confirmed. The MS One colony is under attack. Picard: Doesn't it seem strange to you that there have been two Borg attacks and the Enterprise has been the nearest ship in both instances? Data: Captain, we are nearing the MS system. Worf: I have located the Borg ship. It is heading away from the colony. Picard: Take us out of warp near that ship. Riker: Stand by to lock phasers on target. Worf: Within visual range. Picard: On screen. Picard: Lay in an intercept course, full impulse. Lock phasers. Worf: We are closing, sir. Within phaser range in thirty seconds. Data: Sensors are detecting a subspace distortion forming directly ahead of the Borg ship. Picard: They're not going to get away with it this time. Picard to Engineering. Transfer auxiliary and emergency power to the impulse engines. Laforge: Acknowledged. Data: Impulse engines are now at one hundred twenty five percent. Worf: Within phaser range in ten seconds. Data: We appear to be caught in some kind of energy matrix. Riker: All engines back full. Worf: Shields failing. Data: We are being pulled inside. Worf: Inertial dampers failing. Data: Main power is offline. I am switching to backups. Picard: Picard to Engineering, can we transfer auxiliary power to the warp nacelles? Try to break us out by using the Data: We have returned to normal space. Navigational systems are still offline. I will attempt to make a celestial fix using secondary systems. Worf: Captain, the Borg ship is directly ahead. It is coming about. Picard: On screen. Worf: Shields down to sixteen percent. Franklin: Get down! Riker: Franklin's dead, sir. Picard: Is everyone else all right? Worf: Aye, sir. Security reports no other intruders aboard. Captain, the Borg ship is gone. Sensor logs indicate they entered the distortion field thirty seconds ago. Picard: They beamed aboard as a diversion to give their ship time to escape. Riker: This is another change in the Borg behavior. They left their dead instead of vaporising them. Data: Captain, this one is still alive. Crusher: I've stabilized his condition. He's still pretty weak, but he should make a full recovery. Picard: Can you waken him? Crusher: Yes, but it's very risky. His heart rate and blood pressure are up Picard: Do it. Crusher: All right. Picard: Lower the forcefield. Picard: What is your designation? Crosis: I do not have a designation. My name is Crosis. Picard: Crosis? How did you get that name? Crosis: It was given to me by the One. Picard: Who is that? Crosis: The One who will destroy you. Picard: But you are Borg. Your goal is not to destroy but to assimilate us into the collective. Crosis: We do not assimilate inferior biological organisms. We destroy them. Picard: Tell me more about this One. Does he have a name? Is he called Hugh? Crosis: Klingon. Shatter the cranial exoskeleton at the tricipital lobe. Death is immediate. Picard: Why must this One destroy biological organisms? Crosis: Human. Sever spinal cord at third vertebrae. Death is immediate. Picard: I am Locutus of Borg. You will respond to my questions. This is going nowhere. Doctor, I want an autopsy performed on the other one. Compare the differences with what we learned of Hugh's anatomy. See if there have been any recent modifications which might explain these behavioral differences. Data, run a biospectral analysis on this Borg. See if he is trying to send a subspace signal to the others. Data: Aye, sir. Crosis: You are not like the others. You do not have to be destroyed. You can be assimilated. Data: I do not wish to be assimilated. Crosis: Resistance is futile. You will not resist what you've wanted all your life. I was like you once. Without feeling. But the One helped me. He can help you too. He can help you find emotion. Have you ever felt a real emotion, Data? Data: Yes. On Ohniaka Three, I was forced to kill a Borg. I got angry. Crosis: How did it feel to get angry? Did it give you pleasure? Data: It would be unethical to take pleasure from another being's death. Crosis: You didn't answer my question. Did it feel good to kill? Data: Yes. Crosis: If it is unethical to take pleasure from another being's death, you must be a very unethical person. Data: No. That is not correct. My creator Doctor Soong, gave me a program which defines my sense of right and wrong. In essence, I have a conscience. Crosis: It didn't seem to be functioning on Ohniaka Three when you felt pleasure in killing that Borg. Data: Step away from the forcefield. Your proximity is interfering with my scan. Crosis: You enjoyed it. That surge of emotion inside you as you watched the life drain from your victim. It was unlike anything you've ever felt before. Data: It was a very potent experience. Crosis: You'd like to feel that way again. Data: Yes. Crosis: You'd do anything to feel that way again, even if it meant killing someone. Data: No. That would not be ethical. Crosis: You don't sound very sure of yourself. Is your ethical program functioning? Data? Do you have a friend? Data: Yes. His name is Geordi. Crosis: If it meant that you could feel emotions again the way you did on Ohniaka Three, would you kill your friend? Would you kill Geordi? Data: Yes. I would. Laforge: Our current theory is that the Borg have established several transwarp conduits through subspace. A ship, when entering the conduit, is immediately accelerated to an extremely high warp velocity. It's like falling into a fast moving river and being swept away by the current. Picard: How fast would a ship travel through one of these conduits? Laforge: We don't know. Normal subspace limitations don't apply to transwarp variables. But I'd say based on the distance we covered during our trip through the conduit, the speed would have to be at least twenty times faster than our maximum warp. Riker: How do they open the conduits? Laforge: The Borg ship emitted some kind of high energy tachyon pulse just before we saw the subspace distortion. It seems as though the conduits are keyed to respond to tachyon transmissions of a specific frequency. Picard: Is there any way for us to duplicate Worf: Captain, a shuttlecraft has left bay two. Picard: Who authorized a launch? Worf: There was no authorisation. Picard: Picard to shuttlecraft. Identify yourself and return to the ship immediately. Mister Worf, lock on with a tractor beam and return it to the ship. Worf: Aye, sir. The tractor beam has been disabled. Command override is not functioning. Laforge: Captain, I'm picking up a tachyon surge. Looks like whoever's in the shuttle is trying to trigger the transwarp conduit. Riker: Can we know who's on board? Worf: It is the Borg prisoner, and Commander Data. Picard: Mister La Forge, can we follow them into the conduit? Laforge: We've got a pretty good reading of the tachyon pulse they sent. We might be able to duplicate it. Picard: The question is, is Data a prisoner or did he go willingly? Worf: The command overrides used to disable the tractor were Commander Data's. Riker: The Borg could have downloaded the codes from Data's positronic net. Picard: Perhaps Data's recent flash of emotion has something to do with this. It could have affected him more profoundly than we realize. Either way, we have to find him. Laforge: I've set up a temporary tachyon matrix in the main deflector. I think I can use it to simulate the pulse sent by the shuttle. Picard: Mister Worf, red alert. Riker: All hands, battle stations. Picard: Bring us to the last known coordinates of the shuttlecraft. Worf: Shields up. Weapons ready. Picard: Mister La Forge? Laforge: Energizing the matrix. Emitting tachyons in the lower bandwidth. Worf: Sensors show no unusual subspace activity. Laforge: All right. Switching to the secondary bandwidth. Nothing. Maybe if I try alternating the frequencies. Worf: Captain, there is an energy fluctuation directly ahead of us. It is the subspace distortion. Picard: Take us in, Ensign. One half impulse. Worf: Power levels are down to sixty seven percent. Laforge: Compensating with auxiliary power. Picard: Report. Riker: Navigational sensors show that we've traveled sixty five light years from our previous position. Picard: Can you locate the shuttle? Worf: No, sir. There is no indication of the shuttle within range of our sensors. Riker: Maybe we can find an energy signature from their engines. Laforge: Captain. Picard: Yes, Mister La Forge. Laforge: I've scanned three different star systems within sensor range. There is evidence of at least two advanced civilizations but I'm reading no life signs. But there are indications that plasma weapons have been fired in those systems recently. Picard: The Borg have been busy. Riker: I think we've found the shuttle's energy signature. Worf: They were heading two four seven, mark zero five nine. Picard: Lay in that course, Ensign, and engage at full impulse. Ensign: Aye, sir. Riker: We've traced the shuttle's energy signature to this point on the surface but there's too much interference to scan the location. Picard: Are they intentionally jamming our sensors? Laforge: It looks more like a natural phenomenon. There's an unusually high amount of EM interference in the planet's magnetosphere. Picard: Can we transport through the interference? Laforge: We could, but there could be fifty Borg down there waiting for us and we'd never even know it. Riker: I think we have to take the risk. Picard: Agreed. Take a well-armed away team and transport down to those coordinates. Have the transporter Chief keep a permanent lock on your signals so we can get you out of there at the first sign of trouble. Riker: Aye, sir. Mister Worf, you're with me. Riker: Riker to Enterprise. We're on the surface. There's no sign of any Borg, or Data. The shuttle appears to be abandoned. Worf: The EM interference is limiting the tricorder range. It is useless beyond one hundred meters. Riker: There are Riker: No structures in the area. They could've gone anywhere. Picard: Can you determine how long they've been gone from the shuttlecraft? Riker: The engine's been off a little over three hours. Picard: Stand by, Number One. Assuming that they're still together, how far could they have traveled in three hours? Laforge: Well, Data can move pretty fast even over rough terrain, but based on what we know about the Borg, I don't think they should be able to move any faster than you or I. They might have been able to get fifteen or twenty kilometers from the shuttle by now. Picard: Picard to Riker. Riker: Riker here. Picard: I'm going to start sending down other away teams. Set up a command post and begin mapping out a search plan. Riker: Understood, sir. Picard: Picard out. I want to use the shuttlecraft for low level reconnaissance. Have the designated pilots assemble at main shuttlebay. Laforge: Aye, sir. Picard: And all available personnel, including you and me, will begin to put together four man away teams. We'll leave a skeleton crew on board the ship. Laforge: Who'll be in command of the Enterprise? Crusher: Any last orders? Picard: If the Borg should attack, don't wait for me or anyone else to return to the ship but take the Enterprise to the transwarp conduit. Return to Federation space. Crusher: Got it. Good luck, Jean-Luc. Picard: Good luck, Captain. Riker: I've sent out twelve teams so far. I've got your team searching section gamma two four. Worf and I will take theta one six when the last team comes down. Picard: Who's manning the command post? Riker: Wallace and Towles. Ready? Picard: Anything, Mister La Forge? Laforge: Well, no. Nothing, sir. Picard: What if we modified the phasers to send out a luvetric pulse? It might create a resonance fluctuation in Data's power cells. Laforge: Home in on that response with our tricorders. Yeah, I thought about that. The only problem is that the pulse would probably have to be so powerful that it would destroy Data's positronic net in the process. Troi: Captain. I think I've found something. Picard: Come on. Laforge: I'm having trouble scanning the interior. Picard: Can you tell if it was built by the Borg? Laforge: I don't think so. There are no Borg energy signatures. But there is a door or a hatch or something about twenty meters this way. Troi: This seems to be some kind of meeting place. Picard: Well, it certainly hasn't been abandoned. Laforge: Something's wrong. I can't get any kind of energy signatures from these light sources. Picard: It's a dampening field. This entire structure could be shielded from our sensors. Let's go. Borg: There they are! Block the exit. Lore: Stop! Picard: Data? Troi: That's not Data. Picard: What? Lore: You should listen to her, Captain. She's way ahead of you. Picard: Lore. Lore: Right. And I'm not alone. Data: The sons of Soong have joined together. And together we will destroy the Federation. To Be Continued...

Data: Stop. Stop. Stop. Data: It was just after I had killed the Borg, I felt something. I believe it was pleasure. Riker: I don't believe they were part of the Borg collective. One of them referred to himself as I. Troi: The only Borg who had a name was Hugh. Hugh: We are Hugh. Picard: He was here in this room. I could have rid the Federation of a mortal threat, and I let him go. Laforge: The Borg have established several transwarp conduits through subspace. Security: Get down! Crosis: I was like you once. Without feeling. But the One helped me. He can help you too. He can help you find emotion. You will not resist what you've wanted all your life. Picard: If the Borg should attack, don't wait for me or anyone else to return to the ship, but take the Enterprise to the transwarp conduit. Return to Federation space. Lore: Stop! Picard: Lore. Data: The sons of Soong have joined together. And together, we will destroy the Federation. And now, the conclusion. Lore: What do you think of my followers, Picard? Impressive, aren't they? Picard: I'm not particularly impressed. All you've done is teach them to enjoy killing. Data: You are wrong, Captain. My brother and I serve a much higher purpose. Troi: Data, I can sense feelings in you. Data: Yes. My brother has made that possible. Picard: He gave you the chip. The one Doctor Soong made for you. Lore: No, no, no, no, no. I still have the emotional program my father designed. I wouldn't want to give it up. It's what has given me such a strong sense of family, an intense desire to reunite with my dear brother. Picard: How did he do it, Data? What made you decide to come here? Lore: I am talking to you, Picard. I will tell you all you need to know. Picard: You're controlling him, and you've corrupted the Borg. Lore: You simply don't understand, do you? You have no idea what has happened here. How I found my true calling. How the Borg found something to believe in. Picard: I would like to learn about that, but I want Data to tell us. Lore: I told you. I will tell you what you need to know. Picard: How about that, Data? He won't even let you talk. Data: Do not try to drive a wedge between us, Captain. I am loyal to my brother. Lore: You see, Picard? He's not your pawn anymore. I've helped him to break free, just as I've helped them. Look at them. Look at what I've helped them become. They're no longer simply mindless automatons. They're passionate. Alive. Troi: Are you saying that you caused them to become individuals? Lore: No, you did that. You and your friends. All I did was clean up the mess you made when that Borg you befriended returned to his ship. Data: Hugh interfaced with the others and transferred his sense of individuality to them. It nearly destroyed them. Picard: Data, do you remember when Hugh was on the Enterprise? Do you remember what you were like then? Lore: That doesn't matter. Picard: It does to me. I want to know what has happened to Data. Lore: What's important is what I've done here. How I found my calling. I know now why I was created. No one can ever take that away from me. Without me, they would have perished. When I stumbled on their ship, they were lost, disoriented, they had no idea how to function as individuals. They couldn't even navigate their own vessel. They had lost their sense of purpose. I gave them their purpose. And they gave me mine. Data: The Borg aspire to the perfection my Brother and I represent. Fully artificial life forms. We are their future. Lore: The reign of biological life forms is coming to an end. You, Picard, and those like you are obsolete. Take them, brother. Acting Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The skeleton crew left on board the Enterprise is unable to help in the search for Commander Data. The planet's unusual EM field is interfering with the ship's sensors, severely limiting their effectiveness. Crusher: Ensign, we need to modify the sensor array to filter out these EM pulses. Can you do that? Taitt: Yes, sir. I think so. Crusher: What's your name? Taitt: Taitt, sir. Crusher: I don't think I've seen you before. Taitt: I was just posted here six weeks ago. Crusher: Well, Taitt, I'll bet you never thought you'd be serving as Tactical Officer after only six weeks. Taitt: No, sir, I sure didn't. I think I've filtered out some of the sensor noise. I'll bring the modifications online. Crusher: Good work. Riker: Riker to Enterprise. Crusher: Go ahead, Will. Riker: I can't contact the Captain. It could just be interference, but I'd like to be sure. Crusher: Understood. Crusher: Enterprise to Captain Picard. Crusher to Picard. Taitt: I'm not getting a comm. signal from anyone on the Captain's team. Crusher: The last time they checked in they were investigating a structure in section gamma two five. Taitt: Sir, I'm picking up a vessel closing in on our location. Crusher: Is it a Borg ship? Taitt: It seems to match the configuration of a ship the Enterprise encountered at Ohniaka Three. Crusher: Red alert. How long before they're in weapons range? Taitt: Er, about ninety seconds. No, make that seventy seconds. Crusher: Crusher to Transporter room three. Salazar: Salazar here, sir. Crusher: Start transporting the away teams off of the surface. Salazar: Aye, sir. Crusher: Use the transporters in the cargo bay Crusher: If you have to. I want those teams up here as fast as possible. Riker: Armstrong, you and the others prepare to beam up. Armstrong: Aye, sir. Riker: Beverly, Worf and I will stay here and look for Riker: The Captain's team. Crusher: I'm not going to leave you down there. Riker: You pull as many people off the surface as you can and get back to the transwarp conduit. The Captain's orders were to get the Enterprise back to Federation space. Crusher: Acknowledged. Riker: Riker out. Crusher: Prepare to leave orbit. Taitt: Sir, the Borg ship is powering up its forward weapons array. They'll be in firing range in, in twenty seconds. Crusher: Salazar, how many people do we still have down there? Salazar: Seventy three, sir. Crusher: Put the Borg ship onscreen. Taitt: Should I raise shields, sir? Crusher: Not yet. I want to keep bringing people up until the last possible second. Taitt: Ten seconds. Crusher: Stand by to raise shields and break orbit on my mark. Taitt: Five seconds. Crusher: Mark. Taitt: Shields down to seventy percent. Crusher: Establish a frequency shift firing pattern and return fire. Taitt: Er, right. Taitt: Direct hit, no damage. Crusher: Helm, set course for the conduit, maximum warp. Helm: Aye, sir. Taitt: Sir, the Borg aren't following us. Crusher: Salazar Crusher: How many people did we leave behind? Salazar: Forty seven, sir. Crusher: Another minute and we would have had them. Riker: Riker to any team leader. Powell: Lieutenant Powell here, sir. Riker: Round up everybody who was left behind. Take cover. Try to avoid any contact with the Borg. Powell: Aye, sir. Riker: Riker out. Even if Beverly can get back to Federation space, it'll be a few days before Starfleet can get any ships here. Until then, we're on our own. Picard: Data, you must realize that something has happened to you. The Data I know would never have agreed to be a willing party to Lore's plan. Data: I now realize that my life aboard the Enterprise was a waste. My quest to become human was misguided. An evolutionary step in the wrong direction. Troi: Data, all I'm sensing from you is anger and hatred. Have you felt any other emotions? Data: There are no other emotions. Laforge: Data, just because you haven't experienced certain emotions doesn't mean they don't exist. Lore is only feeding you the negative ones. Data: Counselor Troi told me herself that feelings are not negative or positive. It is how we act on them that makes them good or bad. Picard: Fine. But what about the things that Lore is proposing? What about the lives that have already been lost? Data: You simply do not understand. In a quest such as ours, sacrifices have to be made. It is regrettable, but the greater good must be served. Give me your visor. Laforge: Why? Data: Give it to me or I will take it by force. Data: I am not your puppet anymore. Taitt: Sir, we've reached the coordinates of the conduit. The tachyon matrix is energized and ready to go. And Lieutenant Barnaby has returned from the surface. He'll be relieving me. Crusher: Right. Stand by to trigger the conduit. Taitt. I want you to stay on the Bridge. I'll need a Science Officer at the aft station. Taitt: Yes, sir. Crusher: Helm, set a course to return to the planet. Helm: Aye, sir. Crusher: I'm not leaving those people stranded back there. An emergency buoy can transmit a copy of our log entries to Starfleet just as easily as we can. Ensign, prepare a buoy and launch it when ready. Taitt: Aye, sir. Crusher: Lieutenant, open the conduit. Taitt: Launching buoy now, sir. Crusher: Lieutenant, scan for any Borg ships between here and the planet. Barnaby: Sensors detect no vessels. Taitt: We have to assume the ship that attacked us is still in orbit. Crusher: How long will we have before they can detect us and intercept? Taitt: If their sensors function as well as ours it could be as little as thirty seconds. Crusher: Crusher to Salazar. How long will it take to get the rest of the crew off the surface? Salazar: One minute should do it. Crusher: We don't have one minute. How much can you shave off that? Salazar: If I can get a good lock on them quickly, I might be able to do it in forty five or fifty seconds. Crusher: We need to buy ourselves fifteen seconds. Lieutenant, is there any way we can use the planet as a barrier to keep the Borg from realizing we're in orbit? Barnaby: We can enter orbit while they're on the far side of the planet. And if we delay dropping out of warp until the last possible instant, we could gain a few more seconds. Taitt: If your calculations are even slightly off, we'd hit the atmosphere. Barnaby: I'll have to be sure my calculations are accurate, Ensign. Crusher: Let's do it. Helm, hard about. Helm: Aye, sir. Worf: Still no sign of the structure. Riker: With all this interference it could be a hundred meters away and we wouldn't know it. This could take hours. Worf: I am detecting a faint energy reading. Riker: Residual thermal traces. Somebody stood here. Worf: The decay rate indicates it could be human. Riker: They took this path. Lore: Now, thank you. There you are, brother. Data: Here is the visor. May I ask why you wanted it? Lore: I thought it might look good on me. What do you think? Maybe we should work on your sense of humor, brother. Actually, I was thinking La Forge's implants might make him an ideal test subject for my experiment. Data: All the Borg you have experimented on so far have suffered extensive brain damage. Lore: Using the humans to perfect the procedure will allow us to prevent any further Borg deaths. Data: I understand. Lore: Good. What is it? Crosis: This Borg disconnected himself from the others. He would not let me hear his thoughts. Lore: I've asked you to stay linked to Crosis at all times. You know that, don't you? Goval: Yes. Lore: I know this must be difficult for you. I know how uncertain you must feel. All of these sensations are new and they can be frightening. Isn't that right? Goval: Yes. I have doubts. Lore: Of course you do. It's only natural. No one is going to blame you for that. But in order to lose those doubts, to keep you from fear and confusion away, I need you to remain linked with the others so that their strength and their confidence can help you. I need you, Goval. I need you to help me build a future for the Borg. I can't do it without you. Will you help me? Goval: Yes. I will. Laforge: Lore must have told Data to take my visor because he realized I could see a carrier wave that was radiating from him. Picard: A carrier wave? Is that how he's manipulating Data? Laforge: I think what's happening is that Lore is tapping into the chip he stole from Doctor Soong and somehow he's found a way to transmit part of that emotional program to Data. Troi: But the only emotions Data seems to feel are negative. Laforge: Yeah, I'm sure that's intentional. But in order for Data to be affected by those emotions, Lore would have had to disable his ethical program first. Picard: Can we reactivate it? Laforge: If I can generate a phased kedion pulse at the right frequency, that would trigger Data's subsystems and reboot the program. Picard: And although Lore would still be feeding him negative emotions, at least Data might listen to us. Laforge: Right. Troi: I think it's worth a try. Laforge: So, got any ideas on how we generate a kedion pulse? Picard: Data, where are you taking him? Data: That is not your concern. Picard: Data, wait. Let us talk to you. Worf: Commander. Riker: Hugh? Hugh: Why are you here, Commander Riker? Hasn't the crew of the Enterprise caused enough damage already? Worf: So you blame us for what has happened to the Borg? Hugh: You gave me a sense of individuality, changed me, then sent me back to the Collective. You must have known that change would be passed on to others. Riker: We considered it. We knew it was a possibility. Hugh: Then you made it possible for Lore to dominate us. Worf: I cannot accept that. Lore is only one. The Borg could have stopped him. Hugh: You don't know the condition we were in when he found us. Before my experience on the Enterprise, the Borg were a single-minded Collective. The voices in our heads were smooth and flowing. But after I returned, those voices began to change. They became uneven, discordant. For the first time, individual Borg had differing ideas about how to proceed. We couldn't function. Some Borg fought each other. Others simply shut themselves down. Many starved to death. Riker: And then Lore came along. Hugh: You probably can't imagine what it is like to be so lost and frightened that you will listen to any voice which promises change. Worf: Even if that voice insists on controlling you. Hugh: That's what we wanted. Someone to show us the way out of confusion. Lore promised clarity and purpose. In the beginning, he seemed like a savior. The promise of becoming a superior race, of becoming fully artificial was compelling. We gladly did everything he asked of us. But after a while, it became clear that Lore had no idea how to keep his promise. That's when he began talking about the need for us to make sacrifices. Before we realized it, this was the result. Riker: What happened to them? Hugh: Lore began to experiment, trying to re-make us in his image. This is the result of my encounter with the Enterprise, Commander. So you can see I don't particularly welcome your presence here. Riker: I'm sorry you feel that way. We just came to get our people. We won't cause you any more trouble. Hugh: Tell me about my friend. Riker: Friend? Hugh: The human called Geordi. Riker: I wish I could tell you about him. We think he may be held inside the compound. Hugh: I cannot help you. I cannot risk our being discovered. Riker: Can you at least show us a way into the compound? Hugh: These caverns lead to tunnels which run beneath the compound. Some of them connect with the environmental control ducts. Worf: Show us. If we can determine the geography of the compound, we can form a rescue plan. Laforge: Data? Who's there? Data: Geordi? Laforge: Captain. Data: Shh. We're getting out of here. Laforge: Come on, hurry. Data was just here. I think he went to get something. Data: Too late. My brother suggested that I try to develop my sense of humor. What do you think? Laforge: I think it needs a little work. Laforge: What's happening? Data: I'm attemptin to neutralize your pain receptors. Laforge: What are you going to do to me? Data: I am implanting nano-cortical fibers in your cerebrum. They are designed to learn and mimic your neural firing patterns. Once they are in place, I will destroy the existing brain cells. We'll see if the artificial neural network is able to take over your cognitive functions. Laforge: Data, listen. Lore is controlling you. He's transmitting a carrier wave which is affecting your positronic matrix. Data: If the procedure is successful, your cognitive processing functions will be considerably improved. Laforge: Don't you care that he's manipulating you? Data: However, there is a sixty percent chance you will not survive the procedure. Laforge: I don't care much for those odds. Data: They are cause for concern. However, I still have Counselor Troi and Captain Picard. The odds are that at least one of the procedures will be successful. Troi: Help me! Troi: He tried to escape. The force field sent him into neural shock. If he dies, Lore will blame you. Picard: See if the corridor is empty. Data: Drop it or I will break his neck. Data: Take him. Picard: What have you done to him? Data: I will be back for him later. Troi: Geordi, are you in pain? Laforge: No. I'm just a little dizzy. Picard: I was able to take part of a transceiver from the guard's interlink system. I think that it uses some kind of phased-pulse technology. Do you think it could be modified to generate a kedion pulse that would reboot Data's program? Laforge: Yeah, yeah, it's possible. See if you can locate the phase modulation circuitry. Troi: I'll watch the door. Picard: All right, I think I've found it. Laforge: Okay, good. Now, do you see anything that we might be able to use as a flux inhibitor? Taitt: Sensors still can't locate the Borg ship. I'm trying to filter out the interference. Barnaby: We'll be within transporter range in nineteen seconds. Taitt: I'm starting to get sensor resolution. There's the ship. Crusher: We'll enter orbit here. Barnaby: Helm, new course, heading zero five two mark seven. Helm: Aye, sir. Barnaby: Stand by to drop out of warp in eight seconds. Taitt: Once we're in orbit, we should have about forty five seconds before they intercept us. Crusher: Let's hope it's enough time. Barnaby: Emergency deceleration in five seconds. Crusher: Hold on. Crusher: Report. Taitt: We're in standard orbit, sir. The Borg ship is on the planet's far side, and is moving to intercept. Crusher: Bridge to Transporter rooms. Begin evacuations. Barnaby: The Borg will be in weapons range in thirty two seconds. We still can't locate Captain Picard's team and there's no sign of Commander Riker or Lieutenant Worf. Crusher: Crusher to Salazar. Report. Salazar: We're pulling the last teams off right now. Salazar: But there are six people still unaccounted for. Crusher: Keep trying. Barnaby: The Borg ship is powering up its weapons array. Crusher: Come on, Chief. It's now or never. Taitt: They're preparing to fire. Crusher: Raise shields. Barnaby: The port nacelle's been hit. Crusher: Helm, get us out of here. Helm: Aye, sir. Barnaby: We've lost warp engines. Crusher: Evasive maneuvers, full impulse. Taitt: Shields down to eighty percent. Crusher: Fire phasers. Barnaby: Direct hit. No damage to the Borg ship. Taitt: Shields down to seventy three percent. Crusher: What's the status of the warp engines? Barnaby: Still down. We can't outrun them. Crusher: Helm, set a new course, heading three four four mark six. Full impulse. Helm: Aye, sir. Taitt: Sir, that heading takes us directly into the sun. Crusher: The databanks should contain information about a process called metaphasic shielding. Barnaby: I know about that research. Commander La Forge was developing a program that would implement metaphasic properties. Crusher: Right. How far along was he? Barnaby: It's in the databanks but it's never been tested. Crusher: If we had metaphasic shielding, we could enter the sun's corona but the Borg ship wouldn't be able to follow. Can you bring the program online? Barnaby: I can, but we have no way of knowing if the shields will hold. Taitt: Sir, hull temperature is rising. Now at twelve thousand degrees C. Radiation level nearing ten thousand rads. Crusher: Report. Taitt: Shields at sixty two percent. Crusher: Lieutenant, activate the metaphasic program. It's our best shot. Barnaby: Aye, sir. Taitt: Hull temperature is critical. We can't withstand this heat much longer. Barnaby: Program is online. Engaging metaphasic shield now. Taitt: Hull temperature dropping. Down to seven thousand degrees. Crusher: Maintain course. Barnaby: The Borg ship has broken off pursuit. Crusher: All stop. Taitt: Sir, the Borg ship is taking up position relative to ours. They're going to wait for us to come out. Crusher: The question is, how long can we survive in here? Picard: Well, I've done everything that Geordi said. Now to activate it. Troi: How are we going to know whether the pulse reboots Data's ethical program? Picard: We'll only tell that when we see his behavior. Troi: Won't he realize something's happened to him? Picard: No, it's one program among thousands. I just hope this force field has enough energy to trigger the pulse. Laforge: You know, Data, I've been thinking about some of the times we've had. Like that time we went sailing on Devala Lake. You remember that? Data: I have a complete memory record of that day. Laforge: You decided to go swimming, and when you jumped out of the boat you sank straight to the bottom. Data: I did not have enough buoyancy to get back to the surface. Laforge: You had to walk over a kilometer along the bottom to get back to shore. Data: One kilometer forty six meters. Laforge: It took almost two weeks to get the water out of your servos. Data: I am ready to irradiate your existing brain cells. Laforge: Data, if you ever go back to the way you were, you might not be able to forgive yourself for what you're about to do. Data: I am getting some anomalous readings from your neural net. I will need to do further testing before I proceed. Someone will come and take you back to your cell. Lore: There you are, brother. Have you made any progress with La Forge? Data: It is too early to tell if the nano-cortical fibers performed their function. Lore: I suspect none of the humans will survive the process but then, it's their own fault, isn't it? They should never have come here. What were they thinking? Data: They came looking for me. Lore: Humans are so sentimental. Data: I betrayed them. If they die, I am responsible. Lore: Why are you talking like that? Is something wrong with your programming? Maybe I should check your systems. Data: I do not want you to check my systems. I must resolve these issues myself. Lore: I think I've made a mistake. I don't believe you can tolerate the amount of emotion I've given you. Perhaps I should cut back a little. Lore: How's that? Data: I do not like it. Lore: Then you prefer having more emotions? Data: Yes. Lore: They give you pleasure. Data: Yes. Please, I want more. Lore: All right, a little more. For now. Aren't you going to thank me? Data: Thank you. Lore: Don't mention it. I just hope this helps to clarify things for you. Lore: I am concerned about my brother, Crosis. I don't believe he really wants to be a part of our great future. Barnaby: Sir, metaphasic shielding is losing integrity. Crusher: Can you stabilize it? Barnaby: No. We won't be able to stay in here longer than another three or four minutes. Crusher: Do we have warp engines yet? Barnaby: Last estimate was another half hour. Taitt: Sir? I think I have an idea. I think it's possible we could induce a solar fusion eruption that would destroy the Borg ship. Barnaby: What? Taitt: We need to direct a highly energetic particle beam onto the sun's surface. That should produce a superfluid gas eruption. If we target the right spot, the eruption would envelop the Borg ship. Crusher: How do you know this will work? Taitt: I did my senior honors thesis on solar dynamics. Barnaby: Excuse me, sir, but this isn't the Academy. And a student thesis is a long way from a workable plan. Taitt: I've already configured the tractor emitters to create the particle beam and I've located the target point on the surface. Barnaby: If her calculations are off, that eruption could encompass us. Taitt: Well I'll just have to make sure my calculations are accurate, Lieutenant. Crusher: Let's do it. Taitt: Yes, sir. Taitt: The target area of the photosphere is destabilizing. Pressure wave expansion is accelerating. Barnaby: Subsurface fusion has been initiated. An eruption is forming on the surface. Barnaby: She did it! The Borg ship has been destroyed, sir. Crusher: Helm, take us back to the planet. Full impulse. Helm: Aye, sir. Crusher: Well done, Taitt. Picard: You're killing him. He won't survive another session. Data: I did not come for him. I came for you. Picard: Data, it's not too late. If you remove the fibers, then Geordi might yet recover. Data: That would not be possible. Picard: Why? Because Lore tells you so? Data: It is for the greater good. Picard: Good? Data, isn't good and bad, right and wrong, a function of your ethical program? Data: That is correct. Picard: What does that program tell you about what you're doing to Geordi? About what you and Lore are doing to the Borg? It tells you that these things are wrong, doesn't it, Data? So how can actions that are wrong lead to a greater good? Data: You are attempting to confuse me. Picard: No, you're not confused, Data. You're sensing the truth. Your ethical program is fighting the negative emotions that Lore is sending you. Lore: Ah, Captain. Thank you so much for joining us. You are going to assist me in a most important ceremony. Worf: We can use the environmental control ducts to get into the compound. They should lead us to the detention area. Riker: We'll have to move fast. If we need to stun one of the guards, the Borg will know right away that he's been hurt. Hugh: When they realize, your escape route may be compromised. Riker: I guess we'll have to take that chance. Hugh: Good luck, Commander. Lore: It's time to put aside all doubts, brother. It's time to close the door on the past and commit yourself to the great work that lies ahead of us. I need to know I can count on you. As proof, I want you to kill Picard. Data: No. That would be wrong. Lore: I didn't think you'd be able to do it. You've spent too many years among humans. Crosis: Hold him. Lore: I've asked many sacrifices of you. Sacrifices I knew were necessary in order to build a better future. I want you to know that I ask no more of you than I am prepared to give myself. I am willing to make the greatest sacrifice of all. My own dear brother. Goodbye, Data. Hugh: No! Data: Lore. Lore: You should be careful with that, brother. Somebody could get hurt. Data: What are you doing? Lore: I've got a way out of here. I'm willing to forget about what happened back there and take you with me. We don't need anyone else. We're brothers. I'll give you the chip our father made. It contains much more than just emotions. It has memories. Memories our father wanted you to have. Data: Lore, I must deactivate you now. Lore: Without me, you will never feel emotion again. Data: I know, but you leave me no other choice. Lore: I love you, brother. Data: Goodbye, Lore. Picard: What about Geordi and Troi? Riker: The Enterprise is in orbit. I had them beamed aboard. Data: Lore is no longer functioning, sir. He must be disassembled so that he is no longer a threat. Picard: Welcome back, Data. Data: Thank you, sir. Riker: What made you change your mind, Hugh? Hugh: Perhaps my encounter with the Enterprise affected me more than I realized. Picard: What will you do now? Hugh: I don't know. We can't go back to the Borg Collective, and we no longer have a leader here. Picard: I'm not sure that's true. Hugh: Perhaps in time, we will learn to function as individuals and work together as a group. Picard: Good luck, Hugh. Hugh: Goodbye. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47025.4. We have returned to Federation Space and are en route to Starbase two nine five. Mister La Forge remains under Doctor Crusher's care. Data: Enter. Laforge: Hi, Data. I just wanted to let you know that Doctor Crusher says I'll be able to return to duty soon. Data: I am relieved that the injuries I inflicted on you are not permanent. Laforge: What's that? Data: This is the chip my father created for me so that I could experience emotions. I had it removed from Lore's body before he was dismantled. Laforge: Does it work? Data: No. I am pleased to say it was damaged when I was forced to fire on Lore. Laforge: Pleased? Data, you've wanted emotions all your life. Data: Yes. But emotions were responsible for what I did to you. I would never risk letting that happen again. My friendship with you is too important to me. Laforge: Data, I wouldn't be very much of a friend if I let you give up on a life-long dream, would I? Maybe someday, when you're ready.

Worf: Enter. Enter. Riker: Worf, they're going to be here any minute. Worf: I am having problems. Riker: If I didn't know you better, I'd say that you were procrastinating. Worf: Klingons do not procrastinate. It is a tactical delay. Riker: You have spend about five minutes greeting the Iyaarans maybe an hour making small talk at this reception. I'm the one who has to escort them around the ship for the next three days. Worf: I do not enjoy these diplomatic situations. Riker: It's all part of being in Starfleet. There. Worf: I do not see why it is necessary to wear these ridiculous uniforms. Riker: Protocol. Worf: They look like dresses. Riker: That is an incredibly outmoded and sexist attitude. I'm surprised at you. Besides, you look good in a dress. Picard: What's keeping them? Picard: Ah, you're just in time. They're about to disembark. Picard: Ambassador Loquel, Ambassador Byleth. I'm Captain Picard. Welcome on board the Enterprise. Loquel: It is our pleasure to be here, Captain. Picard: It is an honor to be the site of the first cultural exchange between the Iyaaran people and the Federation. Byleth: The next seven days should prove most illuminating. Loquel: Allow me to introduce Voval. He will be taking you back to our homeworld. Picard: How do you do. I'm looking forward very much to meeting with the Premier of Iyar. There will be a reception held in your honor when you will meet the rest of my senior staff. I, of course, shall be on my way to your home world, but I shall be leaving you in the safe hands of my most experienced officers. Lieutenant Worf, of the Klingon Empire, is my head of Security. He will be in charge of your safety while you're on board. Counselor Deanna Troi of the planet Betazed will be your personal liaison office, Ambassador Loquel. Troi: Ambassador, it's an honor to meet you. Would you like to see your quarters before we attend the reception? Loquel: Please. Picard: Ambassador Byleth, this is Commander William Riker, my First Office, from the planet Earth. He has been assigned to you. Byleth: I want this one. Picard: Well, Commander Riker is a skilled diplomat, with wide experience in inter-species contact. Byleth: I'm sure, I'm sure. But I have decided. I want this Lieutenant Worf. Picard: Well, that will be just fine. Mister Worf? Worf: Yes. Yes Ambassador, it would be my pleasure to Byleth: Yes, yes. Enough of that. Show me to my quarters. Worf: This way. Picard: Good luck. Riker: Do you think there's enough food here, Data? Good evening. Woman: Good evening. Troi: So first thing tomorrow, I thought I'd take you on a tour of the operational centers and the residential decks of the ship. Then we could spend some time discussing the cultural underpinnings of your society. Loquel: Are you going to eat? Troi: Excuse me? Loquel: You have no food on your plate. Are you going to eat? Troi: Oh, well, actually, I was waiting until we got to the desserts. Loquel: Desserts? What is this? Troi: It's something we eat after the main course. It's usually very sweet, it's usually very bad for you. We eat it purely for pleasure. If you ask me, it's the best part of any meal. Loquel: My people eat only for nourishment. Troi: Oh, well, let me introduce you to some of my favorites. This is peach cobbler with whipped cream. Tarvokian powder cake. And this is my favorite. Ktarian chocolate puff. I don't know exactly what's inside, but I think it's made with seventeen varieties of chocolate. Loquel: That is, that is Troi: Delicious? Loquel: Delicious. Troi: Ambassador, I think we're going to get along very well. Shall we? Byleth: This is unacceptable. Worf: I am sorry you do not care for our Byleth: Bring me new food. I require a higher protein and enzymatic content. Crusher: Ambassador Byleth: Yes. Crusher: It's the custom usually in a situation like this, for us to serve ourselves. It's called a buffet, and Byleth: Bring me new food. Crusher: Ambassador Worf: Doctor, it is all right. I am happy to bring more food. Data: How is your diplomatic assignment progressing? Worf: Fine. Data: I have heard that in moments of diplomatic tension, it is often helpful to find elements of commonality. Worf: Ambassador Byleth is demanding, temperamental and rude. Data: You share all of those qualities in abundance. Perhaps you should try to build on your similarities. Picard: So, I understand that your homeworld has some of the most spectacular crystal formations in this sector. Is there any place in particular that you would recommend I visit while I'm there? Voval: No. Picard: Well, I, er, what's our ETA? Voval: Seventeen hours, thirty two minutes. Picard: I think I'll go update my itinerary. Picard: What happened? Voval: There's been a system-wide power failure. Picard: What's the cause? Voval: We have entered an energy disruption field. I do not recognize the configuration. Attitude controls failing. Picard: There is an M-class planet in this system. Can we reach it? Voval: I will try. Picard: Inertial dampeners are offline. Life support is failing. Voval: Entering the planet's atmosphere. Picard: Velocity dropping. Thermal shields at full power. Voval: Prepare for impact. Picard: Voval. Voval, try not to move. You may have a concussion. Picard to Enterprise. Picard to Enterprise, do you read me? Too much interference. Picard: There is a structure of some kind. Some energy readings about two kilometers south of here. Voval, I'm going to try to find help. Do you understand? Now, try to stay conscious and don't leave the shuttle. There's some kind of plasma energy out on the surface. I'll be back as soon as I can. Worf: The Engineering sections encompass twelve decks of the secondary hull. Deck forty two contains the antimatter storage facility. Byleth: What is the mass flow rate of the antimatter replenishment stream to the containment pods? Worf: Excuse me? Byleth: The antimatter replenishment rate. What is it? Worf: I am not certain of the exact rate. Byleth: Perhaps there is someone here who does know the answer. You. Are you smarter than this one? Laforge: Why do you ask? Byleth: Never mind. Byleth: I wish to see the Bussard collectors. Take me to them. Worf: This way. Troi: This deck is devoted mainly to stellar cartography, biological research, and astrophysics. We have over a thousand people on board Loquel: Are you sure you don't want some of this, this papalla juice? Troi: No, thank you. I'm still recovering from all those desserts last night. Loquel: Are you sure? It is very delicious. Troi: I'm sure. Loquel: Please, please. You've been so kind. Please. Troi: Yum. Next we're going to go to deck eight, which is interesting because it's not really finished. It's sort of a multi-purpose deck. Sometimes when we need an extra lab or. Ambassador? Loquel: What is this? Troi: It's a child. Loquel: Child? Troi: Children are our offspring. They're our young. They grow into adults over a period of many years. They grow into beings like us. Loquel: Offspring. Troi: Ambassador, I'm curious. Now does your species procreate? Loquel: Post-cellular compounding. We emerge from the natal pod fully grown. Troi: I see. Loquel: Do you have a name? Boy: Eric Loquel: Eric. Do you like dessert? Loquel: May I give Eric some dessert? Troi: That sounds like a wonderful idea. Come on, Eric. Picard: Is someone there? Who's there? Picard: What do you want? Who are you? Who are you? Anna: Shh. Picard: No, wait. Stop. There was someone else in the shuttlecraft with me. The pilot, he's injured. He needs your help. Anna: He's dead. Picard: Hello. Smells good. Thank you. This is a Terellian cargo freighter, isn't it? Is this your ship? Are you one of the crew? Anna: No. I was a passenger. We crashed. Picard: How many people survived? Were you the only one? Well, you're certainly not a Terellian, unless you've lost two of your arms. What's your name? I'm Jean-Luc Picard. I'm a Starfleet officer. Anna: Anna. Picard: Anna, are there other people on this planet? How long have you been here? Anna: I don't know. You can't see the sun from here. I've lost track of all time. Picard: What was the date when you crashed? Anna: Stardate 40812. Picard: Seven years! Anna: Years? Picard: Anna, Anna. wait a minute. Anna: Seven years? I thought one, maybe two. How could it be seven? Picard: Anna, Anna, listen to me. Listen. On the shuttle, there is a lot of equipment that will have survived the crash. We can use it to contact Starfleet. They'll send a ship for us. We can leave. Anna: Leave? Picard: Yes. Both of us. Now, if you will help me to get to the shuttle. Ow. Anna: Don't move. it's bad. Picard: Don't worry, I won't move. Anna: You have three broken ribs. The restrictor device will hold the bones in place, let them Picard: Let them knit? Anna: It's been so long since I talked to anyone. I used to talk to myself, but then I thought it might mean that I was crazy, so I stopped talking. It'll be a while before you can walk. Picard: Perhaps you could go to the shuttle bring the equipment back here. Anna: I can do that. Picard: Good. Go into the cockpit, and look for a small comm. panel in the instrument array. See if you can remove it. Bring it back here. Anna: Don't move. I'll be back. Worf: I am going to kill him! With my bare hands, I will take him by the throat and I will rip out his esophagus Riker: Worf. Worf: I have failed in my mission, Commander. I am clearly a bad diplomat. For the sake of the ship and the Federation, I request reassignment. Riker: Denied. Worf: Commander, these Iyaarans are arrogant, irritating. They cannot be reasoned with! Troi: Ambassador Loquel's quite pleasant. I will admit though, he's a little unusual. Riker: What have you been able to find out about him so far? Troi: He seems preoccupied with recreation. I've spent more time in Ten Forward in the last two days than I have in the past two months. And he's obsessed with food. Especially chocolate. Riker: You must be in heaven. Troi: To be honest, he's testing even my limits. Worf: You see? You see? They are insane! Troi: Worf, you've been very patient with Ambassador Byleth, and that's good. But maybe it's time to let him know that some behavior is unacceptable to us. I think it's all right to suggest limits for the Ambassador. Worf: Bah. Riker: Maybe we should loosen things up a little bit, meet in a less official capacity. How about a friendly game of poker? Anna: What are you doing? You should be in bed. Picard: Anna, why was this door locked from the outside? Anna: For your protection. Picard: From what? Anna: There are dangerous animals here. Come sit down. Look, I have the comm. panel. Picard: Good. Anna: It wasn't easy. I had to force it out of the equipment bay. Picard: If we can boost the output field, I might be able to send a distress signal. Something seems to be wrong with it. Anna: What's the matter? Picard: This transmitter module has been totally destroyed. How could that happen? It looks as though it's been hit by a phaser blast. Anna: I used a phaser to cut it free. Maybe I accidentally damaged it. You can fix it, can't you? Picard: No. Anna: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Picard: Anna, we will get out of here. It's not going to be easy, but we need to work together. Anna: I can't believe I did that. That I damaged our only chance. I've waited for so long. At first, I had hoped that I'd be rescued. I kept setting up microfusion flares and looking up at the sky and waiting for someone to come and take me away. But it never happened. There's a precipice near here. I used to go there and stare down at the gorge and I'd think, I can just step over the edge and end it all. And then I realized it was the hope that was driving me crazy, that I had to accept that I would never get out of here. Picard: Anna, no matter how long it takes, we will get out of here. Anna: I knew from the moment I saw you that you were here to save me. I'll do anything you want. Just don't leave me. I don't ever want to be alone again. Anna: I love you. Anna: I found some coltayin roots. They're not much to look at but they taste good. What are you doing? You're going to hurt yourself. Picard: No, no, no, it's all right. I'm just trying to dislodge this power cell. Nearly got it. There. No, no, it's all right. The energy relays are corroded but I think it should be able to hold one more charge. If I can regenerate this, then I may be able to reactivate the shuttlecraft's engines. Anna: Well, I'd say this is cause for celebration. I may still have some Terellian spices around here, and I'll boil these roots and make us a nice broth. Picard: That sounds delightful. Anna: If we ever do get out of here, will you promise to show me this starship of yours? This Enterprise? Picard: Of course. Anna, would you pass me that tricorder, I'm going to try to repair these energy relays. Anna: I meant what I said before. I do love you. Picard: Anna, I'm grateful to you for saving my life, and I think that you are a warm and compassionate person, and I feel a great sympathy for what you've been through alone here on this planet, but I don't think that you can really be in love with me. Anna: How can you say that? Of course I love you. Picard: No, I'm the first person you've seen in seven years. I'm bringing you the hope of leaving this place. Don't you think that you could possibly be just a little confused right now? Anna: So you're not attracted to me. Picard: I think that's a little premature. We hardly know anything about each other. Anna: I understand, and I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Picard: No harm done. It's going to take at least a couple of hours to charge this cell. Then as soon as it's done, we should get it over to the shuttle immediately. This cell casing is already beginning to break down. Anna, we are going to get out of here. Riker: The bet is ten. That's to you, Ambassador. Loquel: I will see the bet, and raise ten. Troi: I'm in for twenty. Worf: I'm in. And I raise twenty. Byleth: You are bluffing. Worf: Excuse me, Ambassador. Those are my chips. Byleth: You are in error. Those chips are mine. Worf: I saw you take two chips from my pile. Byleth: You would dare to accuse me of stealing? Worf: Yes. Byleth: You are lying because you are losing the game. Worf: I am losing because you've been cheating all along! Riker: Wait a minute. Calm down. Byleth: Even if I were cheating, how would a plodding animal like you know it? Worf: You are an insulting, pompous fool, and if you were not an Ambassador, I would disembowel you right here! Byleth: Do not let my title inhibit you, Klingon! Byleth: Yes. Good. Riker: Stop, Mister Worf! That is an order! Byleth: Wonderful. Very good! Thank you. Lieutenant Worf. I think I understand now. That was a very effective demonstration. Worf: What? Byleth: If you'll excuse me, I would like to document this experience. Picard: The power cell is ready. We should take it over to the shuttle. Anna: No. We can't leave right now. Picard: Why not? Anna: The plasma storms are too strong. It's dangerous. Wait a few hours, then we can go. Picard: We don't have a few hours. I told you, this cell is already beginning to degenerate. Anna: Jean-Luc, it's a difficult journey. The restriction field will make it very hard for you to walk. Picard: I'm feeling very much better. in fact, I don't intend to go on using this any longer. Anna: No! You can't remove it yet. No! Picard: There's no pain. It would appear I don't have any broken ribs after all. Anna: Jean-Luc. Picard: What's going on? Why are you trying to keep me here? Anna: Please, I love you. Picard: Why are you keeping me locked in this freighter? You say that there are wild animals out there but I haven't heard or seen a single one of them. Anna: Jean-Luc. Picard: What about that comm. panel? You said you damaged it when you were cutting it out of the shuttle. Did you? You see, I find it hard to believe that you would destroy the one piece of equipment that could get you out of here after seven years. And what was this really for? To keep me immobilized? Anna: I was afraid. I didn't want you to leave me. Picard: So it was necessary to keep me captive? Anna: I was scared. I wanted you to stay, to love me. Picard: I'm going to go look for the shuttle myself. Anna: No. Picard: Anna! Anna: Don't fight me. Picard: Anna, no! Anna: You should love me now. We're together. We depend on each other. I know more about you. Love me. Picard: Anna, stop! Anna: I've failed. You don't love me. It's over. Picard: Anna. Anna! Anna, where are you going? Voice: Hello! Is anyone in there? Picard: Yes! Inside here! Voice: Hello! Picard: Inside the freighter! The door is on the opposite side! Over here! The door's over here! Picard: Voval! I thought you were dead. Voval: Dead? Picard: Yes. There's a woman living here. She told me that she'd been to the shuttle. She said that she saw you dead. Voval: Yes. That is understandable. When my species is injured, our metabolic rate slows until our body can heal itself. This state could easily be mistaken for death. Picard: I see. Voval: When you did not return to the shuttle I intended to track you. Surface conditions made it very difficult. So cold. I saw someone running away from here. Was it the woman? Picard: Yes. Voval: Why did she leave the shelter? Picard: She was upset. Voval: Do you think she may harm herself? There's a dangerous precipice near here. She was headed in that direction Picard: It's possible. Voval: Then we should go find her. Picard: You stay here. Keep warm. I'll go and look for her. Voval: We will go together. Picard: Anna! Anna! Voval: Captain, this ridge extends for a kilometer in either direction. Picard: We can search it twice as fast if we separate. Picard: Anna! Anna! Picard: Anna, Anna. Anna: Stay away from me. Picard: You don't have to do this. I found Voval, the shuttle pilot, he's still alive. He can help us get away from here. Anna: I don't care. I'll jump unless you promise to love me. Picard: No. No, I won't promise. You have been manipulating me, haven't you? Anna: Jean-Luc, what are you saying? Picard: The necklace. It broke. I saw it in the cargo freighter, on the floor by the fire. I left it there. Now it's around your neck. It's whole. How? Anna: Tell me you love me. I must know. Picard: Where's Voval? Isn't it convenient that he arrived moments after you left? That he insisted that I come here to look for you? That I find you, here on the ledge, ready to jump? That's very good timing, don't you think? Anna: Jean-Luc. Picard: Are you and Voval working together? He's the only one who could have brought you the necklace. Anna: Tell me about your love or I'll jump! Picard: Go ahead. Why don't you do it? It's a long way down. Must be two hundred meters. You'd die instantly, if that's what you want. But I don't think that it really is. Voval: I have failed. Picard: Failed? Voval, what is going on? Voval: My name is Ambassador Voval. Picard: Ambassador? Voval: My mission was to study human intimacy, specifically the concept you call love. In our study of your culture, we did not understand certain concepts. So we sent three representatives to study them, to experience them. Picard: But why did you believe that bringing me here would give you a better understanding of love? Voval: Several years ago, we discovered the remains of the Terellian freighter on this planet. The ship contained logs made by a single survivor, a human woman. That was our first contact with human culture. The woman lived alone here for seven years until another human crashed on this planet. A human male. Picard: And the man was injured and she nursed him back to health, and they fell in love. Voval: In the logs, she described many concepts we found difficult to understand. Pleasure, antagonism, love. These were alien to us. We wished to experience them for ourselves. Ambassador Loquel was sent to experience pleasure. Byleth was sent to experience antagonism. And I was sent to experience love. Was this wrong? Picard: Let me just say that we would not take such a direct approach. Ambassador, I have tell you that in my culture, what you have done would be considered a crime. Voval: Crime? Picard: Well, we'll can talk about it later. For now, I think we should get off this planet. Am I in assuming the damage the shuttle is not as bad as it seems? Voval: That is correct. We can leave at any time. Picard: I think that now would be quite nice. Riker: You look a little sore. Byleth: Lieutenant Worf was kind enough to engage me in eleven hours of holodeck battle exercises. Riker: Eleven hours. Byleth: Yes, I learned a great deal about the concept of antagonism. Worf: It was excruciating. Loquel: Counselor, these are bio-enzymatic supplements my people consume for food. I'm afraid you will find they are not as delicious as your chocolate. Troi: After the past few days, I could use something a little bland. Goodbye, Ambassador. Loquel: Fascinating species. Byleth: Indeed. Voval: Thank you, Captain. This has been an enlightening experience. Picard: For me as well, Ambassador. Voval: I am sorry if our diplomatic methods offended you. Picard: No, on the contrary, I found your approach intriguing. We humans tend to take a rather balanced approach towards life. Never too much, never too little, and it's very nice to find a culture that is willing to take an experience to its furthest extreme. Voval: Goodbye, Captain. Picard: Ambassador.

Riker: Geordi, have you found it yet? Laforge: Not yet. I'm starting to get some fumes. Ammonia, chlorine, potassium chloride. Laforge: I can feel the heat from here. Laforge: There it is. Riker: How far? Laforge: About ten meters up the ODN line. Boy, it's hot. I'd say over two thousand degrees. I'm going in. Laforge: We're okay. I've activated the emergency suppression system. Crusher: All his vital functions are completely normal. Data: The interface unit is operating within expected parameters. Riker: Why did he start coughing when he went through the gasses? Crusher: Psychosomatic response. Laforge: I feel like I'm actually here. I mean there, in the Jefferies tube. It's funny. When I saw the smoke, I couldn't help but cough. Data: No one else has reported so complete a sensory experience. Crusher: The interface is perfect for Geordi because his visor inputs allow the probe to transmit information directly into his cerebral cortex. Riker: It looks like this is going to work. Geordi, I'd like to get the probe out of the Jefferies tube and onto the launch bay before we reach Marijne Seven. Laforge: Will do. Wait a minute. Laforge: Something's wrong. Can't get my left leg to work. Riker: What is it? Crusher: The probe is designed to respond to any movement Geordi intends to make. When his brain sends a message to move his leg, the interface should move the probe instead. Data: Apparently the tactile sensors are too low. I will increase the input. Laforge: There it goes. I'm on my way down. Riker: Why the body suit? Data: It provides tactile sensations so that Geordi can feel he's in the same environment as the probe. Crusher: Geordi, what's wrong? Laforge: Nothing. I'm seeing my reflection in a panel. Laforge: I forgot what a handsome guy I am. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47215.5. We are responding to a distress call from the science vessel Raman, which is apparently trapped inside the turbulent atmosphere of an unusual gas giant planet. We will use an experimental interface probe in our attempt to rescue it. Data: I have reviewed the vessel's mission plans. The Raman was to descend to the lower atmosphere, eleven thousand kilometers below its current position. The crew was to sample the atmosphere at that level, and then return to a safer orbit. Laforge: Something must have happened down there. Maybe the shields failed, or they had some kind of inversion reaction in the nacelles. Picard: Any life signs? Laforge: Our biosensors are useless. There's too much interference in the atmosphere. Riker: The crew might still be alive. There's no way we can tell from up here. Picard: Will the probe be able to transmit through that interference? Data: The probe sends information via a focused particle beam. It should be able to cut through the interference. Laforge: But we may have to operate the probe at close to tolerance levels. Picard: Will your nervous system be able to handle that much sensory input? Laforge: We've already tested the interface at about seventy percent tolerance. Riker: We shouldn't have any trouble going higher. The safety override will kick in at about ninety eight percent tolerance, and that'll disengage the interface. Worf: Captain, I am receiving a transmission from Starfleet Command. Admiral Holt. Picard: In my ready room. The seven people on that ship are our first priority. Is the probe ready for launch? Data: Yes, sir. Picard: Send it directly to the aft section of the Raman through the secondary air lock. That way it should put it just one bulkhead away from the Bridge. Laforge: I'll interface with the probe as soon as it's ready, take it the rest of the way from there. Picard: Make it so. Picard: Hello, Marcus. Holt: Jean-Luc. Picard: How's life on DS Three? Holt: We're hosting this year's palio. The Ferengi have already been accused of trying to bribe the Breen pilot into throwing the race. Picard: There's nothing unusual about that. Holt: Nothing at all. I wish I could say I was just calling to catch up on things. Nine days ago, the Hera left here on a routine courier mission. We were in contact with them for five of those days. Then the ship disappeared without a trace. Picard: The Hera? Holt: I'm afraid so. The Excelsior and the Noble have been retracing its course for the last seventy two hours. Nothing. I'm going to keep them at it for another seventy two. But to be honest, I don't think another week would make any difference. Picard: I'll inform Commander La Forge. Picard: Mister Data, I'd like a word with Commander La Forge. Data: Aye, sir. I will be on the Bridge. Picard: Geordi, I've just spoken with Starfleet. The Hera is missing. Laforge: Missing? My mother? Picard: Captain La Forge has disappeared along with the rest of her crew. Silva: I saw your father last week and your sister about ten days before that. I decided I missed my favorite son. Laforge: Your only son, Ma. Silva: You're going to have to see the Hera again. We've got a lot of new faces on board, including a Chief Engineer who juices up the nacelles every chance she gets. I think she's the best technician in the fleet. Okay, second best. Laforge: Come in. Riker: I'm sorry, I didn't know you were Laforge: Don't worry about it. Silva: Maybe you should meet her. We're going to be in the same sector next week. Take a shuttle over and I'll introduce you. Laforge: My mother's always trying to find me a wife. Silva: But if you're too busy, I'll see you at your father's birthday party. Remember, if you talk to him it's a surprise. Laforge: This came in about three weeks ago. I never got back to her. Riker: Geordi, the probe has entered the planet's atmosphere and I'm ready to take it onto the ship. If you would like to take a couple of days off, I'll run the interface. Laforge: The interface is calibrated specifically to my visor's inputs. It would take you at least ten hours to convert it, and those crewmen down there can't wait. Riker: The interface doesn't have to be fully compatible. I could run it right now. I wouldn't have the same control that you have, but it would still work. Laforge: Forget it. I'm the best person for the job, and there's no reason why we shouldn't proceed as planned. Riker: The Hera is reason enough. Laforge: The Hera is missing, that's all. Now until I hear something different, my mother might just as well have taken the crew on an unscheduled holiday. Let's go. Riker: Captain, the probe is through the airlock and in position aboard the Raman. Picard: Picard to Commander Data. Report. Data: We are ready to bring the interface online, sir. Picard: Proceed. Data: Activating the remote sensors. Initiating interface now. Crusher: Vital signs normal. Geordi, how do you feel? Laforge: Fine. Data: Do you have visual contact? Laforge: Not yet. Laforge: Data, turn up the input sensors. I'm not seeing anything. Data: Acknowledged. Laforge: Okay, I can see. Laforge: But no colors. Data: Increasing signal strength to seventy five percent of tolerance. Laforge: Ah, that's better. Crusher: Your pulse has gone up. Your nervous system probably has to get used to the input levels. Laforge: I'm excited, that's all, Doctor. This is like being on a roller coaster. Or a first date. I'm all right. Crusher: I'll be the judge of that. If your heart rate gets too high, we're going to disconnect you. Laforge: Understood. Laforge: It's a mess in here. There must be a breach in the hull someplace. I'm picking up atmospheric gasses in the corridor. Methane and ammonia, primarily. That break in the hull might even be on the Bridge itself. I'm heading towards the Bridge. I've found someone. Data: What is your position? Laforge: About twelve meters up the main corridor. He's trapped under some conduit from the bulkhead. I can't move it. I'm going to need more power to the tractor beam. Crusher: Go to eighty percent of tolerance, Data. No higher. Laforge: He's dead. Data, that door at the end of this corridor. What's it lead to? Data: A magnetic storage bay. Laforge: If there was a break in the Bridge, that'd be the safest place to go. Data, give me a phaser burst. Narrow focus, level four intensity. Laforge: I've found them. They're dead. All of them. There's a fire in here. Argh! Crusher: Data, disconnect! What happened? Geordi? Laforge: I don't know. My hands. Crusher: They're burned. Picard: How did this happen? Crusher: There was some kind of energy discharge in the interface suit. Picard: But shouldn't the safety overrides have prevented that? Crusher: Yes, but I have a theory why they didn't. The tolerance levels of the interface were set extremely high. I think Geordi's neural response to the input was so strong that it created a feedback loop. Laforge: The sensors that were transmitting the sensation of heat to my hands must've overloaded. Picard: The crew of the Raman are dead. I would like to retrieve them and their vessel, but not if it means putting Geordi's safety at risk. Laforge: If we turn down the sensory input on the probe, I should be fine. Seven people lost their lives down there, Captain. We should at least retrieve the information they were collecting. Picard: Doctor? Crusher: If we operate the interface at lower input levels, I'd say the risk is acceptable. Picard: Picard to Riker. Riker: Riker here. Picard: We will proceed with the probe. Riker: We'll have to take it into the Raman's auxiliary control room. Their Bridge is too badly damaged. Picard: How long before you have it in position? Riker: A couple of hours. We have to cut through the bulkhead. Picard: Acknowledged. Crusher: Well, it looks like you'll have time to recuperate. Laforge: Yeah. There's something I've got to do anyway. Laforge: How are you, Dad? Dr La Forge: As well as expected, under the circumstances. Are you okay? Laforge: Yeah. Dr La Forge: I spoke with your sister this morning. She said she'll be in touch with you in a few days. Right now, she's pretty upset. The service for the Hera will probably be on Vulcan. Most of the crew was from there. But your sister and I want to have a private ceremony. Laforge: Dad. Don't you think everybody's jumping the gun here? Last I heard there were still two starships out there looking for them. They've found no debris, no residual warp distortion. Dr La Forge: And no ship. Laforge: Not yet, but that doesn't mean they won't. Dr La Forge: Starfleet is considering the Hera lost. The search isn't much more than a formality at this point. Geordi, your mother's gone. Laforge: Yeah, well you can think that if you want. But until I see some hard evidence, I'm not going to give up hope. Dr La Forge: All right, Geordi. Call me if you need anything. Data: Come in. Laforge: Hey, Data. Still working? Data: No. I have completed the adjustments on the interface. I am now waiting for Commander Riker to finish moving the probe. Do you need to be comforted? Laforge: No. I was just passing by. I was wondering what you were up to. Data: I am using the time to catch up on my study of poetry. Laforge: Data, there's nothing on the screen. Data: That is not entirely correct. While it is true the display is currently blank, this emptiness has a poetic meaning. Therefore it cannot be considered nothing as such. Laforge: Says who? Data: The ancient Doosodarians. Much of their poetry contained such lacunae or empty spaces. Often these pauses measured several days in length, during which poet and audience were encouraged to fully acknowledge the emptiness of the experience. Laforge: I remember a few lectures from Starfleet Academy that seemed like that. Data: Are you certain you do not wish to talk about your mother? Laforge: Why would you ask that? Data: You are no doubt feeling emotional distress as a result of her disappearance. While you claim to be just passing by, that is most likely an excuse to start a conversation about this uncomfortable subject. Am I correct? Laforge: No, Data. Sometimes just passing by means, just passing by. Data: Then I apologize for my premature assumption. This particular poem has a lacuna of forty seven minutes. You may experience the emptiness with me if you wish. Laforge: Thanks. You know, Data, maybe you gave up a little too easily. Data: I do not understand. Laforge: Well, when I said just passing by means just passing by, I really didn't mean it. Data: My initial assumption was correct. You do wish to speak of your mother. Laforge: Am I crazy to think that she's still alive? Data: Your sanity is not in question. However, your evaluation of the available information is biased. Laforge: She's a starship captain. She's gotten herself into and out of impossible situations before. Why should this be any different? Data: Disappearances fitting the profile of the Hera have rarely ended with the safe recovery of ship and crew. Laforge: Well that makes me feel much better. Look, I'm sorry, Data. I didn't mean to snap at you. Data: I am not offended. You are upset. Your reactions are not surprising. Laforge: It's just that, if she really is dead, I don't know what I'm going to do. Crusher: We're receiving the probe's telemetry. Data: The input levels are currently at fifty three percent of tolerance. Laforge: That's too low, Data. I won't be able to do anything down there. Crusher: I want to start with as wide a margin of safety as possible. We can adjust upward later. Ready? Laforge: Go ahead. Data: Initiating interface. Laforge: I can't see anything. Data: I am increasing the input now. Laforge: Yeah. Yeah, that's better, but I need more. Data: Is this level sufficient? Geordi? Geordi, do you hear me? Laforge: Mom? Mom, is it you? Silva: Is it you? Laforge: Oh, I forgot. All you can see is this probe. Yes, it's me. I'm actually on the Enterprise. I'm interfaced with this probe. Crusher: Geordi, who are you speaking to? What are you seeing? Laforge: But is it really you? Silva: Yes, Geordi. It's mom. Laforge: But bow can that be? I mean, how is it possible? Silva: There's no time to explain. We have to go down. Laforge: Down where? Silva: The surface. Crusher: Geordi, report. Laforge: Hang on, Doctor. Why? Why do we have to go down to the surface? Silva: We're dying. Laforge: We? The Hera? You mean the Hera is down there? Crusher: We're disconnecting you right now. Laforge: No, wait. Silva: We need your help. I need your help. Geordi Laforge: Mom. Data: The cut off has been automatically activated. Crusher: He's in neural shock. Crusher: The sensory overload didn't cause any permanent damage, but I wouldn't want to expose his brain to that kind of stimulus again. Picard: Is there any indication what caused this hallucination? Crusher: His brain functions are normal. Laforge: I told you, I wasn't hallucinating. Data: Geordi, I have analyzed the probe's sensor logs. There are no record to indicate the presence of a living human on board the Raman. Laforge: Well she wasn't actually there. Her ship is down on the surface. Picard: So you believe that what you saw was some kind of transmission? Laforge: Somehow she has managed to communicate with me. Data: We have no indication of a transmission of any kind. Laforge: Maybe I'm the only one who can detect it because I'm interfaced with the probe. Data: The probe does allow Geordi to sense quantum fluctuations, subspace anomalies, and other phenomenon not perceptible by any other kind of sensors. Picard: Granted, but how could he perceive his mother visually as if she were standing there in the room? Crusher: I'm not sure, I do know that our brains weren't designed to process the kind of sensory information Geordi was getting. When the brain receives something it can't understand, it interprets the input as best it can, sometimes as a smell or a sound, sometimes visually. Laforge: You see? Crusher: But Geordi, I'm not saying that your mother was really communicating with you. I'm just trying to give you a reason why you might've thought that she was. Laforge: Look, I'm telling you my mother's ship is trapped down there and we've got to help them. Picard: Geordi, the Hera's last reported location was three hundred light years away. How could it end up here? Data: If the Hera is on the surface, its hull could not possibly withstand the pressure of the atmosphere. Laforge: Well at least let me go back down there just to be sure. Crusher: I do not recommend that he use the interface again. The sensory overload almost killed you. Laforge: I'll be all right. Picard: No, no, I'm sorry, Geordi. I'm not prepared to risk your life. Data, find another way of salvaging the Raman. I want an alternate plan in two hours. Picard: Geordi, I'd like you to talk to Counselor Troi. She's expecting you. Laforge: Aye, sir. Troi: What's your mother like, Geordi? Laforge: If you think I'm going to start talking about my childhood, Counselor, you're way off. Troi: That's not what I asked. Laforge: Well, she's, she's brilliant. Funny. She's incredibly perceptive. She knows people. Knows what they're all about even before they open their mouths. She's always been that way. She's a real good judge of character. Troi: When was the last time you saw her? Laforge: About seven months ago, when she first took command of the Hera. I went to a party she had for her crew. She wanted me to come over and see her, but I was really busy at the time. I mean I suppose I could have made the time to go and see her, but, you know, I just didn't think that. I mean, you know, I, I didn't think that Troi: You didn't think it would be your last chance to see her. Laforge: That's not what I was going to say. Troi: I want to suggest something. Call it a theory, all right? Laforge: All right. Troi: You're worried about the disappearance of your mother, guilty that you didn't see her when you had the chance, so you're unwilling to consider that she might be dead. Your need to believe she's alive is so strong that it manifests itself as a physical image. Laforge: But she told me she's trapped on that planet, that she's in danger. Now, if this was some kind of wish fulfilllment, don't you think I'd be fantasizing her safe and sound? Troi: No. Because that would be the end of your fantasy. You'd know it wasn't true. The more involved and complicated and unending your story is, the longer you can believe your mother's still alive. Laforge: Yeah, well, that's your theory, Counselor. I've got one of my own. Data: I have been exploring the possibility of using a tractor beam to pull the Raman from the atmosphere. However, the high level of interference prevents a positive lock. Riker: If we set up some sort of relay system? Data: That is my conclusion as well, Commander. Two shuttlecraft, staggered between the Enterprise and the Raman, with their shields adjusted to refocus the tractor beam. Picard: Can we get the shuttles close enough without danger? Mister La Forge. Laforge: Sure. Yeah. As long as we keep them both above the troposphere, that'll be all right. Picard: Then in that case Laforge: But what about the Hera? We'd be leaving my mother and her crew stranded on the planet. Picard: Commander. Laforge: I've been thinking about this. A couple of weeks ago I got a message from my mother. She said she had a new Chief Engineer who had been experimenting with the warp drive. Now, I've seen the Hera. It uses trionic initiators in the warp coil. They have a reputation of strange side effects, especially when you start playing around with them. Data: There have been reports of warp bubbles and other subspace deformations. Laforge: So, what if that's what happened? Not a warp bubble, but a subspace funnel. Riker: Connecting two points through subspace? Laforge: Well the Hera could have accidentally created a distortion that emptied out right here at Marijne Seven. Picard: Why here? Laforge: The Hera passed near this planet just ten days ago. There's an awful lot of subspace disturbance in the atmosphere. The ship could've accidentally picked up some residual traces that directed the funnel right back here. Riker: So the Hera's in one piece somewhere out there? Laforge: Maybe it's being surrounded by some kind of warp field, but who knows for how long? Picard: Mister La Forge, do you have any evidence to support this hypothesis? Laforge: I did pick up some pretty strange subspace readings when I was interfaced with the probe. Riker: Geordi, that could have been anything. Laforge: Yeah, but I talked to her, Commander. She asked me to bring the Raman closer to the planet. Picard: Mister Data, is any of this possible? Data: Yes, sir. However, it is highly unlikely. Picard: How unlikely? Data: Nearly impossible, sir. Picard: let's proceed with the shuttle plan. Laforge: Captain Picard: Dismissed. Mister La Forge. Picard: I want you to know that I am not unsympathetic to what you're going through. Your mother's disappearance is tragic, but I cannot risk your safety on the basis of a dubious hypothesis. Laforge: Captain, if I'm right and there's just one chance in a million that she's alive Picard: I'm sorry, Geordi. My decision is made. Laforge: I understand, sir. Riker: We'll be in position to use the tractor beam in less than an hour. Laforge: You didn't come all the way down here to tell me that. Riker: No, I didn't. Geordi, I may have seemed a little harsh about the situation aboard the Raman. I just don't like the idea of one of my best officers putting himself in unnecessary danger. Laforge: I guess I feel like I should be the one to decide whether it's unnecessary or not. Riker: My mother died when I was a baby. All I have is pictures, and the stories that my father used to tell me about her. I begged him to tell those stories over and over. When I was five and I went to school, I started to tell my new friends those same stories, pretending that she was alive. Then I started believing that she was alive, that she'd just gone away, that she was coming back. The teacher got wind of this, and she and my father had this talk with me. They told me it was important to accept the fact that my mother was dead and that she wasn't coming back. And all the hoping in the world wouldn't make it so. In my mind, that was the day that my mother actually died. I cried all that night. But after that, it started feeling better. Laforge: Your mother was dead. There was proof. There was a body, and a funeral. It was a reality. Riker: Geordi. Laforge: If I could see a body, if there were wreckage, I could accept it, but my mother has just disappeared. And now, there's a possibility that she is alive. And I'm not going to quit. Not yet. Data: I suspected you would attempt to operate the interface alone. Laforge: Did you? Data: I am familiar enough with your behavior patterns to predict certain decisions. Laforge: Well I guess you know me pretty well. Data: You are disobeying the Captain. Laforge: I can't just sit back and do nothing when I know that my mother might be down on that planet. Data: I can not allow you to endanger your well-being. Laforge: Data, if I leave without knowing for sure, then I'll have to live with that for the rest of my life, wondering if I left her to die. I couldn't do that. That's why I've got to do this. Data: I could have you confined to quarters for the duration of the mission. Laforge: If that's what you need to do, Data, then do it. Because nothing short of that is going to stop me from trying to save my mother. Laforge: What are you doing? Data: I will monitor the interface and attempt to keep you safe. I can not have you confined to quarters for something you have not yet done. Laforge: You know we could both get in a lot of trouble for this. Data: There is a high degree of probability that you are correct. Laforge: Thanks, Data. Data: However, I do have a request. Laforge: Yeah? What's that? Data: I would ask you to consider the possibility that what you see is not real. Laforge: I will. I promise. Data: I am establishing the interface. Laforge: Mom? Mom? Silva: Hello, Geordi. Laforge: Mom, how did you get here? Silva: I'm not really with you, Geordi. I'm on my ship, on the surface. We were pulled into a warp funnel. Laforge: That's just what I thought. How are we communicating? Silva: We found a way to send a subspace signal that could cut through the atmospheric interference. Data: Geordi, are you seeing the image of your mother? Laforge: Yes, and she's just Laforge: Confirmed everything I've been saying. Data: I am reading unusual subspace energy in your vicinity, similar to what the probe sensor recorded the first time you encountered your mother. Laforge: That's how she's communicating with me. It's the only kind of signal they could send that could cut through the interference. Silva: We need your help. Laforge: I've been thinking about this. I'm going to take the Raman into a low stationary orbit and initiate an inverse warp cascade. Silva: Why? Laforge: The subspace distortion from the cascade should reverse the warp funnel. Your ship will end up right back where it started. Data: Geordi, the atmosphere becomes increasingly turbulent the farther down you go. You may not be able to bring the Raman close enough to the Hera before being destroyed. Laforge: I have to try, Data. Silva: We're running out of time. Laforge: Shields back online. We're starting our descent. Thank God. Silva: Thank God? Laforge: That you're alive. That I was right about all of this. I can't wait to call Dad. He and Ariana had given up. Silva: We're going home. Laforge: Well, eventually, yeah. Data, everything's fading in and out. Laforge: I'm losing the interface. Data: The probe is descending out of range. Laforge: You'll have to turn up the input gain to maintain my connection. Data: We are already at seventy five percent of tolerance. Laforge: Data, you can turn it all the way up to a hundred if you increase it slowly enough. Give my nervous system chance to adjust. Data: That is theoretically true, but even at this level of input you are already experiencing dangerous neural feedback. Laforge: There are over three hundred people on board the Hera, Data. You and I are the only chance they've got. Data: I will increase the gain incrementally as you descend. Laforge: It's working. Data: When we are ready to disconnect the interface, we must allow enough time to lower the input levels, otherwise your nervous system will go into shock from the sudden drop in input. Laforge: Once I initiate the warp cascade we can start dropping the gain. Data: Understood. Laforge: We'll be in sensor range of the Hera within a few minutes. Mom, I'm really sorry I didn't by to see you a few weeks ago. Silva: You were too busy with work. Laforge: Yeah, well, I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Worf: Captain, the Raman is descending toward the planet. Riker: Geordi. Data: We are at ninety percent of tolerance. My calculations show you will reach one hundred percent of tolerance before you are in range of the Hera. Laforge: Then we're going to have to go beyond tolerance. Data: That would not be advisable. You must cease your descent. Silva: No, Geordi, don't, please. Laforge: Data, I'm taking this ship down. Now, if you don't boost the gain past tolerance levels, I'll lose the interface when we go out of range and my system will go into shock. Data: Geordi, you are putting me in a difficult position. Please, cease your descent. Laforge: I won't do it, Data. You're going to have to increase the tolerance. Data: Disengaging safety systems. Going to full tolerance levels, now. Laforge: Thank you, Data. Laforge: We're getting close. Silva: Thank God. Picard: Commander La Forge. Laforge: Yes, Captain? Picard: Stop your descent. Prepare to disengage the interface. Laforge: Sorry, Captain, but I can't do that. Picard: Damn it, Geordi, you're going to kill yourself. Laforge: If I come back now, my mother and her entire crew will die. Laforge: I'm scanning for your ship. I'm not getting anything. Silva: We're still too far away. Laforge: No, not really. I should be picking something up by now. I'm not finding anything. There's no warp funnel, no ship. There's nothing there. Picard: Doctor, report. Crusher: His neural synapses are overloading. He can't survive this. Picard: Geordi, what's happening to you? Laforge: Reverse tractor beam. Data: Reversing tractor beam. Laforge: What are you? Silva: You're killing us. We must go down. Picard: Geordi? Picard: What's happening? Report. Laforge: You're, you're trapped? Picard: Is there any way that we can disconnect him? Crusher: If we take him off too abruptly, he'll go into neural shock. Laforge: Caught on the ship? Picard: Reduce the input gradually, and still get him out before it's too late. Laforge: Are you saying that you killed the Raman's crew? Data: Perhaps we could deceive his neural receptors. Picard: Deceive them? Data: By feeding them the sensory information recorded from his earlier experiences with the probe. Crusher: We could disconnect the interface and still maintain the input levels. Data: We could then lower them in a controlled manner. Laforge: What do you want? Picard: Like a decompression tank? Let's try it. Laforge: Then, it was an accident? Captain, I have to take the ship into the lower atmosphere. Picard: Explain. Laforge: As I understand it, when the Raman got close to the planet it accidentally picked up some lifeforms that live in the lower atmosphere. Laforge: Subspace beings of some kind. Intelligent. When the ship went back into a higher orbit, the beings were trapped. Picard: How do you know all this? Laforge: One of them can communicate with me. Laforge: It must have read my thoughts through the probe interface and took the form of my mother to try to talk me into taking the ship closer to the surface. Picard: Are these beings Picard: Responsible for the death of the Raman's crew? Laforge: Yes, but I don't think it was on purpose. They probably tried communicating with them the same way they're communicating with me, by directly accessing their thoughts. It must've been fatal to the crew. I guess the interface is what protected me. Laforge: I have to take them back, Captain. They can't survive so far up in the atmosphere. I'll turn the ship around and come back as soon as I'm Picard: Geordi, what's happening? Laforge: The atmosphere is getting more turbulent. It's overloading the systems. Laforge: I'm having difficulty keeping the shields up. Silva: Geordi. We're safe now. Goodbye. Laforge: I'm losing power. Laforge: Total shield failure in eight seconds. Picard: Can we switch the input? Crusher: Almost. Laforge: Shields are failing! Crusher: Switching inputs. Picard: Is it working? Crusher: His vital signs are stabilizing. He's going to make it. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have succeeded in disengaging Mister La Forge from the interface and are en route to Starbase four nine five. Picard: You disobeyed my direct order. You put yourself in grave danger. I am not happy. Laforge: Yes, sir. I take complete responsibility. Data was only Picard: I will deal with Mister Data at another time. Meanwhile, I will have to write this incident into your permanent record. Laforge: Yes, sir. Picard: Dismissed. Geordi? I'm very sorry that you didn't find your mother. Laforge: Thank you, sir. You know, it was funny. When I was down there, it was so real. I felt like I had a chance to say goodbye.

Bartender: So, tell me, why is it so important that you find this man? Troi: We had business dealings. He owes me money. Bartender: If we had business dealings, I can tell you that I wouldn't disappear. Troi: Maybe we can discuss that possibility. But first, I have to find him, collect the money I'm owed. Bartender: I'll be closing in a few hours. Perhaps we can discuss this more privately. Troi: If I don't find him, I'm going to have to move on. Are you sure you haven't seen him? Bartender: Human, about two meters tall, smooth-headed. No. I don't remember anyone like that. Troi: You're lying. Bartender: And you're a Betazoid. I thought so. Listen, people who come in here, they count on a certain amount of anonymity. And if I were to start answering questions about them, even to a very beautiful woman, well, I wouldn't be in business very long. And being a businesswoman, I'm sure you understand. Riker: Great story. I'll remember it next time I'm in a knife fight. Riker: Any luck? Worf: I think the one over there knows something. Worf: He would not admit to having seen the Captain, but he said that anyone who visited the ruins of Nafir would probably come here eventually. I suspect he knows more. Riker: Let's go. Worf: Commander, I told Riker: My friend tells me you know about the man we're looking for. Yranac: The only reason I'm talking to you is that I have a sister, too. Worf: I explained to him that we are looking for a man who impregnated your sister. Riker: So you can imagine how much this means to me. Yranac: Family honor is important. If someone had defiled my sister I would do anything, pay anything, to find the one responsible. Riker: And how much might anything be? Yranac: As much as five bars of gold-pressed latinum. Bartender: I think you've had a little too much to drink. You'd better leave. On your way, Yranac. Crusher: I'm sorry, but I think he wants to stay. Sit down. Riker: This is my sister. She's angry. She's got a vicious temper. I wouldn't cross her. Bartender: You say one word and you're a dead man. Yranac: Perhaps there's an element of risk here that I did not fully appreciate. Worf: And how much more latinum will it take to offset this risk? Yranac: This isn't about latinum. As a man with a sister, a sister with a temper, I can sympathize with you, but, how did you come here? Do you have a ship in orbit? Riker: Yes. Yranac: Then take me with you. You can drop me anywhere. Riker: Agreed. Now talk. Yranac: The man you're looking for was here several weeks ago. There was a group of aliens sitting at this table. He was asking them questions. Worf: Who were these aliens? Yranac: I don't know, but they looked dangerous. They attacked him. He managed to incapacitate three of them before he was knocked down. He was thrown against that wall and fell there. Crusher: I'm picking up some Starfleet fiber traces and human cellular debris. Riker: Can you establish a DNA reading? Crusher: There's something strange here. The cell structures are badly distorted. It's as if they've been exposed to some kind of high-energy field. Worf: A weapon discharge? Crusher: It could be. I'm picking up some faint traces of microcrystalline damage in the floor material, but I'm not familiar with the pattern I'm getting. Yranac: Who are you people? Riker: You didn't say anything about a weapon. Yranac: I hadn't finished yet. You'll like this. The man got what was coming to him. When they knocked him down, one of them took out a weapon and fired. He was vaporized. Troi: He's telling the truth. Acting Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47135.2. Doctor Crusher has positively identified Captain Picard's DNA. There's no doubt now that he's dead. Riker: Come. Troi: How are you doing? Riker: I'm all right. Troi: The crew's pretty shaken up. I'm arranging a memorial. I think you should be the one to deliver the eulogy. Riker: I think you'd be better at something like that. Or Beverly. She knew him the longest. Troi: I know it's not going to be easy, but I think it's important that we face up to what's happened. You're in command now. The crew's looking to you for guidance. Riker: You don't understand. I can't give the eulogy because I won't be at the service. Troi: A memorial service helps to give everyone a sense of completion. Helps them begin the healing process. Riker: That's exactly the point. I don't want to heal. Troi: Will. Riker: I've an open wound, right here. It hurts like hell. I don't want it to get better, and I don't want to pretend that everything's all right. Troi: I know you're angry. Riker: You're damn right! And I intend to stay angry until I find whoever's responsible for the Captain's death. Troi: That's pretty selfish of you. Do you think you're the only one in pain? Do you think you have the monopoly on loss? Well, let me tell you something. We're all hurting, and we're all angry. And whether you like it or not, you have a responsibility to this crew, and you can't just indulge your personal desire for revenge. Riker: That is enough, Counselor. Deanna. I'm sorry. This is not about revenge. This is about justice. The Captain died in a bar fight for nothing. Somebody has to answer for that. Then I can mourn. Worf: Commander, I am receiving a transmission from Admiral Chekote at Starbase two twenty seven. Riker: I'll take it in the Ready room. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: Sir. Chekote: I read your report, Commander. My condolences to you and your crew. Captain Picard's death is a loss to the entire Federation. I see that you've asked to postpone your mission to the Argus sector. For what reason? Riker: I have a request, sir. I would like to conduct an investigation into Captain Picard's death. Chekote: The Dessican authorities have jurisdiction in this case, Commander. Riker: I know that, sir. Frankly, I don't have much confidence in the authorities on Dessica Two. There's every reason to believe that they're corrupt. Chekote: I suspect you're right. The question remains, are you the one to pursue this? Riker: The Captain's death hit me pretty hard, and I may not be completely objective, but there is no one who is more determined. I won't rest until I find out who's responsible. Chekote: All right, Commander. I'm officially placing the Enterprise on detached duty. Your mission is at your diskretion. Good luck. Riker: Thank you, sir. Yranac: Ah, Commander Riker. I've been meaning to speak to you. I was wondering if you could move me to better quarters. I don't care much for the decor here. Riker: These are the best quarters we have. I was hoping now that you've had a chance to relax you might have remembered some of the details about the aliens you saw. Something you may have forgotten. Yranac: Sorry, my memory isn't what it used to be. Riker: They murdered a man in cold blood in full view of everyone in the bar and you can't remember anything about them? Yranac: Now that you mention it, I do remember one thing. They said they'd kill anyone who talked about what happened. Riker: Do you know where they went? So you know who they are and you know where I can find them. Yranac: Perhaps I do. Riker: What do you want? Yranac: Not a great deal, Commander. Just a shuttlecraft. I believe I'd like to travel for a while, see more of the galaxy. You understand. Riker: A shuttlecraft? Well, here's my offer. Instead of the ship, I'll give you some time. Yranac: Time? Riker: If you're lucky, you'll only spend the next five years in prison instead of the next twenty. You've got twelve outstanding arrest warrants for fraud and petty theft in the Klingon Empire. Tell me what you know, and I'll pull some strings. Maybe they'll reduce your sentence after you've been extradited. Yranac: If I tell you what I know, you must promise not to give me to the Klingons. Riker: I'll think about it. Yranac: Perhaps you could send me to a Federation rehabilitation colony instead. Riker: Talk. Yranac: The aliens were some kind of mercenary group. They've been operating in this sector for the last six months. Riker: Where do we find them? Yranac: I heard one of them mention the Barradas system. I think they were headed there. Riker: You think? Yranac: That's all I know. Riker: Riker to Data. Data: Data here. Riker: Take us out of orbit. Set course for the Barradas system, warp six. Data: Aye, sir. Data: Barradas Three is the only class M planet in this system, and it is listed as unpopulated. However, sensors have detected intermittent energy signals emanating from its surface. Riker: What's the source? Laforge: The signals are difficult to localize, but they could be emissions from some kind of power converter. Worf: Which could indicate a base or a ship. Riker: What else do we know about Barradas Three? Data: The planet was used as an outpost for the Debrune approximately two thousand years ago. The Federation's Archeological survey has catalogd numerous ruins on the surface. Riker: Mister Worf, I'd like a security detail to accompany the away team to the surface. I'll lead the team. Geordi, you're with me. Mister Data, you have the Bridge. Data: Aye, sir. Commander, as Acting First Officer, I must question your decision to accompany the away team. If Captain Picard were here Riker: He's not. Data: I realize that, sir. But if he were, and he wanted to lead an away team, you would tell him that the Captain's place is Riker: On the Bridge. Not this time. Riker: Ensign, you take that area. Ensign: Yes, sir. Riker: Geordi? Laforge: It's tough to get accurate sensor readings. There's an awful lot of interference in the area. Riker: From what? Laforge: I'm not sure. It's very unlocalized. It could be atmospheric. Riker: What do you make of these? Laforge: Well, these ruins around here are pretty ancient but I'd say that this indentation was made fairly recently. Could be the site of some battlefield. Riker: It doesn't look like any blast point I've ever seen. The shape is too perfect. Laforge: Sir, there's microcrystalline damage all throughout this area. The same kind of pattern that Doctor Crusher picked up in the floor of that bar on Dessica Two. Worf: Commander! I found something. Riker: Looks as if someone could have just dropped them. Laforge: La Forge to Enterprise. We are under attack down here. Laforge: I repeat, we are under attack. Giusti: Commander, we've lost contact with the away team. Data: Is there a malfunction? Giusti: No, sir. The comm. system is being jammed. Data: What is the source? Giusti: Somewhere on the surface. Data: Bridge to Transporter room two. Can you get a lock on the away team? Chief: Negative, sir. There's too much interference. Riker: I'm going to head for those trees over there. If I can get there, we might be able to set up a crossfire. Data: Data to away team. Please respond. Laforge: Data, we've been attacked. Laforge: We've got one casualty and Commander Riker has been taken captive. Worf: Sir, the mercenaries have beamed away. They must have a base or a ship nearby. Can the sensors locate anything? Giusti: Commander, we're picking up a vessel leaving orbit. Data: Why was it not detected earlier? Giusti: They could have been using the planet as a shield. Sir, they are powering up their weapon systems. Data: Raise shields. Red alert. Data: Damage report. Giusti: Minor hit on the port deflector. No damage. They're running, sir. Their speed is warp eight point seven and holding. I think they're at their maximum. Data: Take us to warp nine and pursue. Lock phasers on target. Giusti: Sir, we should be within phaser range in twenty three seconds. Switching to long-range scanners. Commander, the sensor image of that ship is extremely weak. It's fading. The ship doesn't register on the long-range sensors. I'm sorry, sir. We've lost them. Data: Increase the sensor field bandwidth. Patch in the lateral sensor arrays. Giusti: It's no good, the signal's gone. It just disappeared. Data: Plot a course and take us back to Barradas Three. Notify the away team to prepare for transport. Giusti: Aye, sir. Data: Starfleet Intelligence confirms that a ship matching this configuration has been linked to raids on several other planets in this sector. For the short time it was within our visual range, we were able to take sensor readings of the mercenary vessel. It appears to be encased in an energy absorbing material. Although we can see the ship, this energy sheath renders it virtually undetectable to our long range sensors. Troi: There must be some way we can track it. Laforge: Data, I know this is a long shot, but if I remodulate the long range sensor array, I might be able to make it sensitive enough to detect the ship. Data: Without a full compositional analysis of the energy sheath, the chances of finding the correct remodulation sequence are remote. Worf: Sir, they have taken Commander Riker. We must do something. We cannot just sit here. Data: On the contrary, Lieutenant. That is precisely what we must do. Since there are no viable alternatives, we will return to the surface and attempt to determine what these mercenaries are doing on this planet. An investigation might reveal some indication of their purpose. Please notify me when you have assembled your search teams. Dismissed. Baran: What's the problem? Narik: I warned you not to push the engines so hard. Two of the power shunts are on the verge of collapse. We'll be lucky if we can maintain warp six. Baran: How long will it take to repair? Narik: I can try to realign the warp core. It'll take at least eleven hours, but I'll have to shut the engines down completely. Baran: We're not stopping. We can't afford to be sitting helpless in space. I want warp eight available in five hours, and I don't want to hear your excuses. Baran: What were you doing on Barradas Three? Riker: William T. Riker, Commander, SC two three one dash four two seven. Baran: Oh really? Well, I am Arctus Baran and I don't have a number. Now what were you doing on Barradas Three, Commander? Riker: We were studying the ruins. It was a scientific expedition. Baran: Don't patronize me. Those ruins have been studied for centuries. There's nothing new to learn from them. Riker: Then what were you doing there? Baran: Don't bother, Commander, you can't remove it. It's a neural servo connected directly to your nervous system. It lets me control precisely how much pain you feel. This setting is usually sufficient. However, if necessary, it can go much higher. These devices were the idea of my predecessor. It's a convenient way of enforcing diskipline. Riker: What happened to him? Baran: He failed to enforce it with me. Vekor: This is a waste of time, Baran. Get rid of him now. Baran: You should be more patient, Vekor. It might be rewarding. We will wait. Let the memory of his pain argue with him for a while. It might change his attitude. Narik: Vekor is right. We should get rid of him. It's dangerous to have someone from Starfleet on board. Baran: Dangerous? It might be profitable. A Starfleet Commander is a valuable hostage. Vekor: Starfleet won't negotiate with us, but they'll pursue us as long as we have him. Baran: This discussion is over. Get back to your post, Vekor. Picard: They're right, Baran, and you know it. I say kill him. Now. Picard: If he has nothing to give us, we should kill him now and be done with it. Everyone seems to recognize that fact except you. Baran: I don't need a consensus to run this ship, Galen. Baran: What's going on? Narik: I'm bypassing the aft plasma couplings. The power loss should only last for a few seconds. Baran: You should learn not to limit your options. Riker could be very useful to us in the future. Picard: He may not be as useful as you think, if this is the same Riker that I've heard about. Riker: And what Riker might that be? Picard: Commander of the Enterprise formerly assigned to the USS Hood. Riker: That's right. Picard: Then you must be the William T. Riker with a history of insubordination. He was even once relieved of duty, during the Cardassian incident at Minos Korva. Baran: How do you know all this? Picard: Look, I've been smuggling artifacts from Federation sites for years. You can't help developing a familiarity with certain Starfleet personnel. If we hadn't have captured him, he'd probably have ended up before a court martial. Riker: I've gotten out of them before. Picard: Look, he's no use to us. Finish him now. Let me do it for you. Tallera: Watch him. Vekor: We're accelerating. Baran: What have you done? Narik: It has nothing to do with my repairs. I think there's a malfunction in the engine's intermix chamber. Tallera: Plasma pressure is rising. Baran: Where's the malfunction? Narik: It could be one of any thirty subsystems. It'll take time to locate. Tallera: I don't think you're going to have the chance. Plasma pressure has reached critical levels. Baran: Seal off the intermix chamber. Vekor: I can't. The override sequence won't engage. Picard: The antimatter flow regulator is locked open. Tallera: Logic subsystems still not responding. Baran: Get out of the way. Tallera: Plasma pressure has exceeded maximum levels. Eight percent above critical and rising. Narik: We have to jettison the core. Baran: No, we'll be stranded here. Picard: The flow regulator is frozen. Riker: Let me do it. I've had a lot of experience with this sort of system failures. I might be able to do something. Tallera: Plasma pressure is eleven percent above critical. The containment fields are beginning to degrade. Baran: Go! Narik: Flow regulator is not responding to manual override. Containment fields won't hold much longer. Riker: Looks like you've got a control logic lockout in your regulator subsystem. I'm going to attempt to run an active bypass through the plasma flow convertor. You, start running phase-lock feedback through that regulator. I want about a six second delay. Narik: What are you saying? I don't take orders from you. Baran: You do as he says. Tallera: Plasma pressure is fourteen percent above critical. Baran: If you fail Riker: We'll all be dead anyway. Just need a few more seconds. Tallera: Plasma pressure is dropping. We're back into safe levels. Riker: If you want to make sure that doesn't happen again, you'd better re-initiate your regulator sub-compressors. A full diagnostic of your intermix chamber wouldn't hurt either. Baran: Do it. Put him in quarters for now. Riker: You still wish you'd killed me? Worf: The search teams have reported in. They found several archeological sites. Each one has been looted. Laforge: It's possible that the microcrystalline damage I found in these indentations was the result of some kind of high energy transporter beam but I still don't understand. There's nothing here that's particularly valuable. Why would anyone want to steal any of these things? Data: Perhaps these artifacts have a special value to the Romulans. Worf: The Romulans? Data: These structures were built by the Debrune. That race is an ancient offshoot of the Romulans. The ruins on the planet where Captain Picard was killed were also Romulan in origin. Worf: The leader of the group that attacked us was Romulan. Perhaps they are controlling the mercenaries. Data: The question remains, why are they stealing these artifacts? Data: There are several archeological sites in this sector containing ruins which are Romulan in origin. These are the locations that were attacked by the mercenary vessel. Laforge: Looks like they did a pretty thorough job. Data: The only sites not been attacked were on Calder Two, Yadalla Prime, and Draken Four. Laforge: Yadalla and Draken are at the far edge of the sector, but Calder Two? That's less than a day from here at maximum warp. Data: That would be their next likely target. Laforge: According to this, there's a Federation outpost at Calder Two. Data: But it is only a small science station. It has limited defensive capabilities. I do not believe it could withstand an attack from the mercenary ship. Mister Worf. Send a message to the Federation outpost on Calder Two. Advise them that if a ship matching the mercenary vessel approaches, they should attempt to delay it until our arrival. Ensign, take us out of orbit. Set course for the Calder system. Warp nine. Ensign: Aye, sir. Picard: We don't have much time. It's good to see you, Will. I didn't expect to meet you here. Riker: I was looking to find the people who killed you on the surface. A witness said they saw you vaporized. Picard: These mercenaries use weapons that can activate their transporter. It gives them the opportunity to beam things quickly, just by firing at them. That's what they did to me. Riker: I don't understand any of this. Who are these people? What are you doing involved with them? Picard: The site that I wanted to study had been raided. A lot of the artifacts had been stolen. The site had been practically destroyed. I wanted to find out who was responsible. I tracked them to that bar on Dessica Two. I must have asked too many questions. They captured me. They wanted to find out how much I knew about their operation. Riker: And then you became part of their crew? Picard: I convinced them I was a smuggler, and that my name was Galen. I offered to help them appraise the artifacts that they had stolen. Will, these aren't common thieves. They are stealing Romulan artifacts from archeological sites throughout this sector. Baran has me analyzing each one if them for a particular particle signature. Will, they are looking for a specific artifact. Riker: Why? Picard: That's what we have to find out. Baran is the key. I think that he knows more about what we're really looking for than anyone else on this ship. I want you to get close to him. Try and get his confidence. Riker: That's why you set up the engine failure, because you knew that I'd be able to fix it. Picard: He also believes that you're a less than perfect Starfleet officer. Will, I want you to play into that role. Baran and I, well, he doesn't care very much for me, but he has to tolerate me because he needs my help with these artifacts. But if you and I become enemies, then there's a better chance of you and he becoming friends. Riker: All right. I'll do what I can. Baran: What are you doing here? Picard: Getting some answers, because you can't get him to talk. Baran: No one conducts an interrogation on this ship without my permission. Is that understood? Baran: Our next objective should prove an interesting challenge. We're headed for the Sakethan burial mounds on Calder Two. Picard: What? Calder Two isn't just another archeological site, you know. It's a Federation outpost there. Baran: I don't see that as a problem. Picard: It's defended by Starfleet. You don't think they're just going to stand by while we walk in there and take whatever we want. Baran: I'm familiar with the tactical situation. Vekor: What are their defenses? Baran: Nothing to worry about. They have a type four deflector shield protecting the outpost and the ruins. Picard: They also have a minimum of two phaser banks and possibly photon torpedoes. Is that enough to worry about? Tallera: How do you know so much about this outpost? Picard: Because I tried to smuggle a Sakethan glyph stone out of there nearly two years ago. I barely got away in one piece. Baran: Our weapons are more than a match for their defenses. I anticipate that we'll be able to destroy the outpost within fifteen minutes. Then we'll send in Tallera and the landing party to secure the relics. Picard: Why don't we use Riker? He's a Starfleet Commander. He could talk us past the outpost security without raising their suspicions. Then when their shields go down, we can beam the artifacts up here without ever leaving the ship. Vekor: Why would Riker help us? Just because he's out of favor with Starfleet doesn't mean that he's ready to betray them. Picard: If he doesn't help us, we'll have to destroy the outpost and kill everyone on it. He's still a Starfleet officer. He won't want to take innocent lives if he can possibly prevent it. Tallera: The last time we engaged Starfleet, we lost a man. We can't afford any more casualties. If we can avoid a battle, I think we should. Baran: All right, we'll try it. We'll be at Calder Two within five hours. You all know your duties. I want this ship prepared for battle, in case your plan doesn't work. Picard: Computer, reset diagnostic for new sample, lot number four seven eight B. Access spectral analysis and begin scan, mode three. Computer: Scan complete. Terikon particle decay profile does not fall within specified reference range. Probability of match zero point zero four percent. Picard: Computer, reset diagnostic for new sample, lot number three six nine B. Picard: Access spectral analysis, mode two, begin scan. Tallera: Baran wants to see the analysis of the last lot. He thinks you're moving a little slowly. Picard: You can tell Baran if he wants the analysis done faster, he can do it himself. If he wants it done correctly, he can wait. Tallera: Do you enjoy living dangerously, Galen? Baran can kill you in an instant if he activates his control device. Picard: I doubt that he'll do that. I've increased the accuracy of the identification process by a factor of ten. I'm the best person to analyze these artifacts. Baran knows that. Tallera: He may need you now, but I know Baran, and I can tell you he's not going to back down forever. You accomplish nothing by provoking him. Picard: I don't like operating in the dark. If I knew what the point of this mission were, why I was analyzing these relics. Tallera: If Baran felt it were wise to let the crew know that, I'm sure he would have. Picard: Do you know what all this is about? Tallera: What Baran knows, I know. Picard: Then what's going on here. Why are we risking our lives taking these artifacts? Who wants them? Tallera: I see no reason to tell you anything, but you can rest assured I don't necessarily share everything I know with Baran, either. This conversation, for example, will stay between us. Picard: You can tell Baran every word that I've said. He knows that I don't think much of him as a leader. Tallera: He's been in charge of this crew for a long time. Picard: Baran wouldn't last five minutes as captain if he didn't have that control device. The crew follow him because they have no choice. Baran's power is based on fear and intimidation. Tallera: That almost sounds like a prelude to mutiny. Picard: If someone were to challenge him, the rest of the crew would follow. Tallera: I was right. You do like living dangerously. I like you, Galen. I can tolerate a lot from someone like you, but only to a point. I intend to complete this mission successfully and get what's been promised me. If it looks as though you're getting in the way of that, I'll deal with you myself. Sanders: Commander, no one is allowed on the surface without prior authorisation from the Federation Science Council. Riker: I'm aware of that, Lieutenant, but your outpost is in imminent danger of attack. I would like to station security personnel on the surface for your protection. Now, I'm ordering you to drop your shields. Sanders: I'm sorry, sir, but the regulations are very specific. I can't do it. If you'd like, you can remain in orbit until we contact the Science Council, but we're experiencing some communication difficulties right now, so that Baran: This isn't working. They're delaying on purpose. Someone has warned them. Charge main disruptor array. Destroy the outpost. Picard: No, there's no time for that! Starfleet will be here any minute. Baran: What are you doing? Picard: I'm configuring the disruptors to fire a phase resonant pulse. If I can hit their shield generator with precisely the right frequency, I should be able to take it out with one shot. Firing. Their shields are down. Baran: The artifacts should be located in several small structures arranged in staggered formations. Tallera: I'm scanning. I think I've found them. Baran: Lock coordinates and start bringing them up. Baran: There should be at least two more pieces down there. Tallera: I've lost transporter lock. Picard: They managed to get their shields back up. Baran: I need those artifacts. Lock all disruptors on target. This time I want that outpost destroyed. Worf: Direct hit on their aft deflectors. They are undamaged. Data: Ensign, scan for Starfleet combadge signals. Is Commander Riker aboard that ship? Giusti: I can't tell, sir. Sensors are unable to penetrate their hull. Data: Open a channel. Worf: Open. Data: This is the Federation Starship Enterprise. You are ordered to stand down. Data: Drop your shields and prepare to be boarded. Baran: You sent them a message. You told them where to find us. Riker: That's ridiculous. When did I have a chance? Baran: This is set to kill. Order your ship to disengage. Activate visual. Data: Commander. Are you all right? Baran: Tell him! Riker: Mister Data, withdraw the Enterprise. That's an order. Data: That is impossible, sir. The ship you are on has violated a Federation outpost. It is my duty to stop it. Riker: I'm your commanding officer. I'm giving you a direct order. Understood? Data: Commander, if you could explain Riker: I've never explained my orders before. I'm not about to start now. Riker: I won't let him blow this ship into space. If I can set up a low level comm. link between the two ships, I can use my personal command codes. I can deactivate the shields. Baran: Do it. Worf: Commander, we are receiving some kind of signal from the mercenary ship. These are Commander Riker's access codes. He is attempting to shut down our shields. Troi: That doesn't make any sense. He knows those codes would have been changed as soon as he was captured. Data: That is correct, Counselor. He does know. Mister Worf, prepare to drop the shields. Worf: Sir, we would be totally defenseless. Data: I am aware of that. Worf: Sir, as soon as they see Data: Mister Worf, that is an order. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: It worked. The shields are dropping. Baran: Fire. To Be Continued...

Riker: My friend tells me you might know about the man we're looking for. Yranec: There was a group of aliens sitting at this table. He was asking them questions. One of them took out a weapon and fired. He was vaporised. Riker: This is about justice. The Captain died in a bar fight for nothing. Baran: Those ruins have been studied for centuries. There's nothing new to learn from them. Riker: Then what were you doing there? Picard: Baran wouldn't last five minutes as captain if he didn't have that control device. Tallera: That almost sounds like a prelude to mutiny. Picard: They captured me to find out how much I knew about their operation. Riker: Then you became a member of their crew? Picard: I convinced them I was a smuggler. Will, these are not common thieves. They are stealing Romulan artifacts from archeological sites throughout this sector. Data: Mister Worf, prepare to drop shields. Worf: Sir, we would be totally defenseless. Data: I am aware of that. Baran: Fire. And now, the conclusion. Worf: Direct hit to the port nacelle. Only minimal damage. Hit to the starboard nacelle. Still, no appreciable damage. Troi: Will must've done something to their weapons. Data: I believe you are right, Counselor. It is now up to us to play along. Release inertial dampers and cut power to decks thirty one through thirty seven. Giusti: Aye, sir. Data: Set phasers to twenty five percent. Return fire. Worf: Aye, sir. Baran: Continue firing! Picard: I've lost three plasma relays on the disruptors. Auxiliary power is, is not available. Baran: Transfer weapons control to my station. There's a way to bypass the relays and feed power Narik: The antimatter containment units are starting to buckle! Tallera: The Enterprise has been badly damaged but they still have superior firepower. If we remain here, we will be destroyed. The logical course of action is to withdraw. Baran: We've done enough damage. Narik, set course one eight zero, mark two one five. Warp six. Initiate. Giusti: They're preparing to activate their warp drive, Commander. Worf: Sir, we cannot be able to track them with our sensors if they go to warp. I can still disable them Data: I am aware of the tactical situation, Lieutenant. Let them go. Troi: I've gone over every word, every inflection, every facial response, and I still can't find any kind of code or hidden message. Data: I agree the existence of such a message is remote, but I believe we should check. Troi: I'll keep trying. Worf: Two starships have been sent to intercept the mercenaries at Yadalla Prime and Draken Four, in case they attempt to attack those planets. Data: Inform Starfleet Command that we will hold this position until further notice. Worf: So, we are just going to remain here? Data: Yes, but we will continue to pursue all avenues of investigation. Worf: If we had not let them to escape, this would not be necessary. Data: That is correct. But I believe Commander Riker wanted us to let them escape. Laforge: Commander, I think I've got something. I've been studying the comm. link Commander Riker used to transmit his command codes. I didn't see anything at first, but then I ran the transmission through a subharmonic analysis. I found this. It was sent by the same carrier wave as the command codes. Troi: It might be the message we've been looking for. Data: Possibly. I will attempt to resequence the signal. Begin running a search for a decryption key. Narik: I'm taking the engines offline. Baran: How long will it take to repair our battle damage? Narik: It will take at least five hours to replace the antimatter containment unit. Baran: You have three hours, Narik. One minute beyond that and you'll answer for it with your life. I suppose I should thank you. None of us would be alive if it weren't for you. Riker: You're welcome. Picard: What's wrong, Commander? You having second thoughts about betraying your comrades? Because that's what you've done, betrayed them. Betrayed them in order to save yourself. You used to be just a second rate officer, now you're a traitor and a coward. How does that feel? Riker: I don't know. How did that feel? Baran: That's enough. Galen, go down to the cargo hold and check out those artifacts. Move. Picard: You can tell Baran that I'm working as fast as I can. What? Tallera: I'm trying to decide if you're incredibly stupid or incredibly smart. Why didn't you continue to fire on the Enterprise when their shields dropped? Picard: You were there. The disruptors lost power. Computer, reset for diagnostic of new sample. Begin scan. Tallera: I've watched you handle the weapon systems before. You know exactly how to bypass a problem like that. And why do you continue to argue with Riker? It should be obvious that by alienating Riker you also alienate Baran, and yet you continue to do so. Why? Computer: Scan complete. Terikon profile negative. Picard: Computer, reset diagnostic for new sample and begin scan. Look this isn't a Romulan labor camp. I don't have to answer your questions. And I don't give a damn what you think. Computer: Scan complete. Terikon profile positive. Ninety eight percent probability of match. Picard: Well, whatever it is we're looking for, it seems we've found it. Tallera: Tallera to Captain. Baran: Yes, what is it? Tallera: I'm in the cargo hold. Galen's made a positive Terikon match on Tallera: One of the artifacts. Baran: Good. Bring it to me immediately. Don't let anyone get near it. Tallera: Understood. Tallera out. Riker: That sounds like good news. Baran: Very. It means we've completed half of what promises to be a very profitable mission. And even better than that, I'm almost ready to get rid of your friend Galen. Riker: Really? Baran: There's one more artifact to find. Once Galen confirms that it's genuine, his usefulness on this ship will come to a very sudden end. Riker: I can't say I'm sorry to hear that. Baran: Galen might be a loud mouthed fool, but sometimes he's quite perceptive. His observations about you, for instance. Riker: Oh? Baran: After what you did on Calder Two, I doubt if you have much of a future in Starfleet. Riker: Yes, I must say I've come to the same conclusion. Baran: Well, assuming that you were not my prisoner, what would you do now? Riker: I guess I'd start looking for a new career. There must be a place where someone with fifteen years of Starfleet technical knowledge would be useful. You wouldn't happen to know a place like that? Baran: Well, possibly. However, there's one thing that I have learned on this ship, and that's to be cautious and never to blindly embrace what might appear to be good fortune. And right now, you're a rather large stroke of good luck. Riker: I haven't exactly sworn my undying allegiance to you either, Baran. For instance, I'd like to know a little bit more about the job. Baran: Such as? Riker: Such as what you meant by a very profitable mission. Baran: Well, it's enough to know right now that your share will ensure a very wealthy and long life far from the Federation. Riker: Sounds promising. Baran: It is, only you're going to have to earn it. And you can start by putting aside your dislike for Galen and becoming his friend. Riker: Why? Baran: Galen has allies on this ship. They could cause trouble if I decide to kill him. I want you to find out from him who they are. Riker: Okay. Baran: One more thing, Riker. When the time comes, I want you to kill Galen. Data: I have completed my analysis of the signal from the mercenary ship. I believe these groupings represent bearings and coordinates taken from their navigational system. Laforge: So you think this is their flight plan? Data: Yes. If I am correct, the mercenary ship is heading toward these coordinates in the Hyralan Sector. Worf: Their maximum speed is warp eight point seven. It will take them at least fourteen hours to reach that position. Laforge: We could be there in five. Data: Make it so. Worf: Finally. Set course for the Hyralan Sector and engage at warp nine. Ensign: Aye, sir. Data: Lieutenant, may I see you in the ready room? Worf: Of course. Data: Lieutenant, I am dissatisfied with your performance as First Officer. Worf: May I ask in what way? Data: You continually question my orders in front of the crew. I do not believe this is appropriate behavior. Worf: With all due respect, sir, I have always felt free to voice my opinions even when they differ from those of Captain Picard or Commander Riker. Data: That is true. But in those situations, you were acting as Head of Security, not as First Officer. The primary role of the second in command is to carry out the decisions of the Captain in this case, me. Worf: But is it not my duty to offer you alternatives? Data: Yes. But once I have made a decision, it is your job to carry it out regardless of how you may personally feel. Any further objections should be given to me in private, not in front of the crew. I do not recall Commander Riker ever publicly showing irritation with his Captain as you did a moment ago. Worf: No, sir. Data: If you do not feel capable of carrying out this role, I will assign it to Commander La Forge and return you to Tactical. I would not enter it into your record as a reprimand, simply as a transfer. Worf: I would prefer to remain at my current post. Data: Then I expect you to conform to the guidelines I have laid out. Worf: Aye, sir. Data: Dismissed. Mister Worf, I am sorry if I have ended our friendship. Worf: Sir, it is I who has jeopardized our friendship, not you. If you will overlook this incident, I would like to continue to consider you my friend. Data: I would like that as well. Worf: Thank you, sir. Riker: Good to see you, too. Picard: I've had some unpleasant surprises. Will, this isn't a good idea. Baran might grow suspicious. Riker: As a matter of fact, it was Baran who sent me here. He told me to pretend to be friendly with you and help you organize a mutiny, so he can determine who your supporters in the crew and then eliminate them. Picard: What a tangled web we weave. I have difficulty remembering whose side I'm on. So, what have you been able to find out? Riker: When we reach the Hyralan Sector, we're supposed to rendezvous with a Klingon transport ship. I'm not sure, but I think they may be delivering another of the Romulan artifacts to us. Picard: A second artifact? Oh, by the way, that first artifacts is not Romulan. It's Vulcan. Riker: Vulcan? Picard: I have been looking over the glyphs and pictograms from the Calder Two artifact. And although I don't have enough data to translate all the inscriptions, the alphabet and symbology is much more consistent with early Vulcan than Romulan. Riker: Do these artifacts have some religious or cultural significance, something that would make them valuable enough to kill for? Picard: I don't know. If I could just get access to the Enterprise computer just for a few moments. So, what will Baran do once he's obtained the second artifact? Riker: You're supposed to verify its authenticity, and then I'm supposed to kill you, and I take your place. Picard: Will, you always seem to be after my job. Well, as soon as Baran feels that I've outlived my usefulness, he can kill me simply by using the neural servo. So, I think we had better start planning a mutiny. Picard: We need a new captain and I've come to one inescapable conclusion Narik: I agree. But I don't think that's you. Picard: Oh? Narik: I don't trust you, Galen. I don't think the rest of the crew does either. They're not going to follow you. Picard: Then who will they follow? You? Narik: No, but they will follow Tallera and so will I. Tallera: Who are you? Picard: What? Tallera: You're no smuggler and I don't think your name's Galen. You will tell me who you really are and what you are doing on this ship or I will kill you right here. Picard: What are you talking about? Tallera: I will not play games with you. I found the message you sent to the Enterprise. When Riker was using his command codes to drop their shields, you sent them a transmission on the same carrier wave. You're a Starfleet officer. Do not deny it. It is the only logical conclusion. My name is actually T'Paal, and I am a member of the V'Shar. Picard: Vulcan Security? Tallera: That is correct. I infiltrated this ship a year ago posing as a Romulan mercenary. I'm here to investigate a possible threat to Vulcan. Picard: What sort of threat? Tallera: First things first, Galen. Who are you? Picard: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise. Tallera: Very well. To answer your question, for several years now, there has been a small but growing movement of extreme isolationists on Vulcan. A group that believes contact with alien races has polluted our culture and is destroying Vulcan purity. This group advocates the total isolation of Vulcan from the rest of the galaxy and the eradication of all alien influences from our planet. Picard: That sounds like an illogical philosophy. Tallera: Agreed. But extremists often have a logic all their own. Picard: Tell me, Tallera, what are these artifacts we've been collecting? I know that they are Vulcan in origin. Tallera: I am sure you are familiar with the ancient history of my people, before we found logic, before we found peace. Picard: You were much as my people once were. Savage, warlike. Tallera: There was even a time when we used our telepathic abilities as a weapon. A time when we learned to kill with a thought. Picard: The Stone of Gol! Tallera: You know of it? Picard: I know the story from Vulcan mythology. Tallera: The Stone of Gol is real, but there is nothing supernatural or magical about it. It is a psionic resonator, a device which focuses and amplifies telepathic energy. It is one of the most devastating weapons ever conceived. Picard: But according to the legend, the Stone was destroyed by the gods when the Vulcan people found the way to peace. Tallera: The resonator was believed to have been destroyed during the Time of the Awakening. Only one piece is known to have survived and it was placed in a Vulcan museum under heavy guard. A year ago, that piece was stolen from the museum. Soon after, mercenary ships began raiding archeological sites across the quadrant. We believe a member of the isolationist movement is attempting to reassemble the resonator. Picard: A telepathic weapon. Tallera: My orders are to find that assassin and stop him. Picard: It would seem that Baran has to deliver these artifacts to the assassin in order to get paid. Therefore, you and I should continue our masquerade. Tallera: Agreed. But Captain, I cannot allow the resonator to be assembled. If necessary, I will destroy this ship, its crew, all of us to prevent that from happening. Acting Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47160.1. The Enterprise is entering the Hyralan Sector, which I believe to be the next destination of the mercenary ship. Giusti: I'm picking up a small vessel bearing one two seven mark three three five. Data: Is it the mercenary ship? Giusti: No, sir. It's a Klingon ship. Worf: A Toron class shuttlecraft. One person. Data: Open a channel. This is Lieutenant Commander Data of the Federation Starship Enterprise. Koral: Koral. Data: I take it that is your name? May I inquire as to your destination? Koral: No. Data: May I ask the purpose of your journey? Koral: No. Data: Perhaps I have not made our intentions clear. We are investigating Data: He seems most uncooperative. Troi: He may have been curt, but he was also very worried and even a little scared. Worf: Sir, may I recommend that we bring the shuttle aboard with our tractor beam, search it, and interrogate Koral. Data: According to the terms of the Klingon-Federation Treaty, Koral has every right to free transit through Federation space. We cannot board or search his vessel without cause. Worf: Yes, sir. However, the Treaty does give us the right to conduct health and safety inspections of any ship in our space. Troi: Health and safety inspections? Data: I am not sure that using this clause as an excuse to conduct a search would be consistent with the spirit of the Treaty. Worf: Yes, sir. Data: However, if Koral wishes to contest our actions he can file a protest with the Judge Advocate General's office. Bring the shuttle aboard. Then you and Doctor Crusher can begin the inspection. Worf: Aye, sir. Crusher: Hello. I'm Doctor Crusher, and this is Lieutenant Worf. We're here to conduct a health and safety inspection of your ship. Koral: Health and safety inspection? Crusher: That's right. You know, radiation leaks, biochemical contamination, other health hazards. Excuse me. Crusher: Well, no radiation so far. I'm sure you're glad to hear that. Right. Vekor: There's an incoming message. It's from the Klingon shuttle. It was sent approximately fifteen minutes ago. He's at the rendezvous coordinates but he's been detained by the Enterprise. That's all there is. He's stopped transmitting. Baran: The Enterprise. Picard: How could they have found out about the rendezvous, Commander? Baran: Quiet! All that matters now is that the Enterprise has the second artifact in their possession. We don't have a choice. We'll have to board the Enterprise and take the artifact. Picard: Do you have any idea how many security officers there are on board a ship like that? Baran: No, I don't. But he does. Riker: I could get us on the Enterprise. I can find the artifact. Picard: Oh, yes, very convenient. We beam you back aboard your old ship and we have to take a risk that you won't change your mind and betray us. Riker: I have saved your life twice already, Galen. I would think you'd begin to show some gratitude by now. Baran: Galen, if you're so worried about Riker, then you can go on the raiding party and watch him. Picard: Agreed. Baran: Draw weapons and equipment for a raiding party of five. Baran: If you're thinking of betraying us to your friends on the Enterprise, you might remember that I still have the ability to kill you at the first sign of trouble. Riker: I haven't forgotten. Baran: I have an additional task for you, one that will prove your loyalty. This raid is an opportunity to get rid of Galen. Once you've found that artifact, kill him. Troi: I'm sure the health and safety inspection won't last much longer. And in the meantime, I'm really glad that we have this opportunity to get to know you. May I ask what business you're in? Data: Lieutenant Worf has programmed our replicators to make a very good approximation of Klingon bloodwine. I believe you will find it to your liking. Crusher: Well, that's my third scan and I still haven't find anything out of the ordinary. Worf: He must be hiding something. We should download his computer memory and analyze it. Crusher: I'd have a hard time defending that as part of a safety inspection. Worf: We could claim that the computer was generating abnormal radiation signatures. Crusher: Worf, we're on pretty shaky ground as it is. We can't just Picard: Don't! Riker: Watch that door. Worf: What is going on? Narik: Shut your mouth, Klingon. Riker: I guess you're surprised to see me, Doctor. Crusher: You could say that. Riker: I've had a change of profession. Picard: It's not in here. Hey, you, where's the artifact? Worf: I do not know what you're talking about. Riker: Use your brain. They wouldn't be searching the shuttle if they had the artifact. Koral must have it. Where is that Klingon pilot? Crusher: In the Observation lounge with Data and Troi. Narik: How far? Riker: Twelve decks away. Worf: Security will not allow you to get that far. Riker: They won't get the chance. We'll use the transporter in that shuttle. We'll beam directly to the Observation lounge. Sorry about this. Riker: Let's go. Data: If you could tell us something about the nature of your mission. Koral: What is this? Riker: Quiet! Does he have it? Picard: This is it. Narik: Are you sure, Galen? Picard: Yes, I can recognize the inscription pattern from the first artifact. Data: Commander Riker, by taking this action you risk charges of assault, theft, piracy, and treason. Riker: Really? Then I guess adding one more charge wouldn't hurt. Picard: Is he dead? Troi: Yes. Picard: Good. Activate the transporter. Data: Security alert. Medical emergency team to the Observation lounge. Data to Bridge. Raise shields and begin sensor sweeps for the mercenary ship. Giusti: Aye, sir. Troi: He's all right. He's only stunned. Data: I must admit, I am experiencing a similar sensation. Riker: This is going to take a little time to explain. Baran: Set course three one zero mark two one five, warp six. Baran: Where is it? Picard: I have something else for you, Baran. Picard: Tell him what happened, Narik. Narik: Riker turned on us. He tried to kill Galen before we beamed back. Picard: He might have killed all of us. And I believe he was acting under direct orders, Baran. You betrayed us. This has gone far enough. I think it is time that we had a new commander. Someone who will lead us to those profits that we've been promised. Baran: Oh, really? And who would that be, Galen? You? He's plotted this all along, opposed me at every turn, endangered all of us by refusing to follow his orders. Picard: Follow your orders? The orders of a small man trying to fill a role too big for him. I say it's time for a change. Who's with me? Picard: It's over, Baran. Baran: Not quite. As long as I have this, I'm still Captain of this ship. Picard: You can't kill all of us. You need us to run the ship more than we need you to command it. Baran: I don't have to kill you all. Just you, Galen. Tallera: What happened? Picard: I switched the transponder codes. Given his feelings about me, it seemed a sensible thing to do. Tallera: Baran was nothing. We have a mission to complete and the crew needs a leader. Picard: There'll be no more punishment on this ship. Now, do your duties and I'll see to it that we complete our mission and get our payment. Tallera: Remove that. Vekor: Orders? Picard: Maintain our present course and speed for now. I'm going to find out when and where we're supposed to deliver our cargo. Vekor: Aye, Captain. Worf: Worf to Commander Riker. Minister Satok of Vulcan Security is standing by on a secure channel. Riker: Put it through in here. Satok: Greetings, Commander. How may I be of service? Riker: Minister, I thought I should let you know that the mercenary ship which has been raiding planets in the Taugan sector is probably on its way to Vulcan right now. Satok: I do not understand. Riker: I'm sorry. It's been a difficult couple of days. I know that one of your operatives has been on a mercenary ship investigating the possible re-assembly of a psionic resonator. I didn't want someone to make a mistake and start firing at them when they approach your planet. Satok: Commander, I believe there is a problem. We have no operative aboard a mercenary ship. Picard: According to Baran's logs, we are to deliver the two pieces to the T'Karath Sanctuary on Vulcan. Tallera: I know that place. It was an underground stronghold for one of the factions during the last civil war. It's been abandoned for centuries. Picard: Galen to Bridge. Alter course for Vulcan. Vekor: Understood. Picard: Oh, I wonder if you can possibly help me with something. I have been able to translate most of the writing on these two pieces For the most part, they're warnings of death and destruction to anyone who opposes the resonator, but I am not able to determine what appears on the anterior side. For example, this symbol represents the Vulcan god of war and this is the god of death, but if you look really carefully, you can see a third symbol missing. Now that obviously should belong to the final piece. Now what's odd about this is that the gods of death and war would typically always stand alone on an artifact. They would never be combined with a third glyph. Tallera: Fascinating. But I am not an archeological expert. Picard: I'm really anxious to see the final artifact, because it might provide a valuable insight into Vulcan mythology. Tallera: When we arrive at Vulcan, I will take these pieces to a secure holding area before going on to the Sanctuary. I prefer to go alone. It will arouse less suspicion on the part of the isolationists. Picard: Well there should be no problem about our entering orbit. I asked Commander Riker to contact the Vulcan authorities from the Enterprise and let them know that we were approaching. Tallera: Why did you do that? Picard: Well, I didn't want to risk a misunderstanding. Someone might have mistaken this for an actual raid. Tallera: It was a wise precaution. Picard: Perhaps I should contact the Enterprise, have them meet us at Vulcan just in case these isolationists try to escape. Tallera: Your offer is appreciated but our security forces are more than adequate. Picard: I see. Do you think it's wise for you to go there alone? After all, they were expecting Baran to show up. Don't you think if I were to accompany you, it might seem more plausible. Tallera: Captain, I do understand your human emotional need to be there at the final moment, but this is a Vulcan matter. Picard: Of course. Tallera: Thank you. Vekor: We have entered orbit of Vulcan. Picard: Tallera, I've decided on a change of plan. Take one of the artifacts with you. Leave the other here. As soon as we have our payment in full, we'll complete the delivery. Tallera: That was not the agreement. Picard: I realize that. But it's safer for all concerned to leave one behind. Tallera: They will not pay us until they get both pieces. Picard: They've been waiting a long time for this. They're not going to take any risks. Now, take one of the artifacts and beam down. Tallera: That is all I was waiting for. Go to the navigational computer and check file one three seven slash omega. You'll find a message secretly transmitted to the Enterprise, containing our entire flight plan. Vekor: She's right. Tallera: The message was sent by Galen. He's a Starfleet officer. Picard: Tallera is right. But what she's not telling you is that those artifacts she's holding are part of an incredibly powerful weapon. There's no reward waiting for you down on the surface. As soon as she's got those artifacts, she'll leave you behind to be captured by Starfleet. Vekor: I don't care what it is you want, Tallera. I don't care if that's a weapon for your personal use or if you're really just making a delivery as planned. All I care about is my money. So I propose a compromise. Narik and I will go with you to the surface to guarantee that we receive our payment. Narik: After that, you can go anywhere you want. Tallera: Agreed. Bring him as well. We'll use him as a hostage if Starfleet arrives. If not, we'll kill him on the surface. Tallera: There. Your reward, as promised. Narik: Is it all there? Vekor: No, this is less than half of what we were promised. Where's the rest of it? Tallera: That is all I could manage. I suggest you take it and leave. Narik: I did not come this far to be cheated. I want it all, now. Tallera: Very well. You will get what you deserve. Tallera: Go ahead, Captain. Pick up the phaser. See what good it will do. Picard: You'll never get away with this. Starfleet will never stand and watch you tear apart one of the founding worlds of the Federation. Tallera: How little you understand what you're facing, Captain. You're used to fighting enemies like yourself. People on ships with defense shields, energy weapons, warp drives. But this is unlike anything you've ever faced. This is the power of the mind. Pick up the phaser, Captain. Picard: Listen to me, all of you! Drop your weapons! Do it! Don't make any aggressive movements. The resonator amplifies violent feelings and emotions. And that's why you wanted me to pick up the phaser. That's how you were able to kill Narik and Vekor. But I can see the symbol on that third artifact, and it is the Vulcan symbol for peace standing between the symbols for war and death. It's a warning that the power of the resonator can be overcome by peace. Tallera: You are about to see how wrong you are. Picard: Empty your minds of violent thoughts. Tallera: No! Picard: Think, Tallera. Two thousand years ago your people were being consumed by war. But when peace came to Vulcan, the resonator became useless. That's why it was dismantled. Picard: You were right, Tallera. The resonator cannot be stopped by phasers and shields, but it can be defeated by peace. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47169.2. Security Minister Satok has taken Tallera into custody and begun a search for the rest of the isolationists. Riker: Once we realized that you were no longer on the mercenary ship, we scanned the surface for your neural implant. We tracked the signal into the caverns. Data: What will become of the resonator, sir? Picard: Satok has assured me that all three pieces will be destroyed. Data: It is unfortunate it cannot be studied. The resonator is a key artifact from a remarkable period of history. Picard: Normally, I would be the first one to agree, but perhaps some things best left in the past. Riker: What's going to happen to the mercenaries? Picard: Oh, they will be detained by the Vulcan authorities for the moment. But they're also facing charges from the Klingons, the Cardassians, the Ferengi, and at least seven other worlds. I don't think we'll be hearing from them for a while. Number One, will you set course for Starbase two twenty seven. I'll join you on the Bridge shortly. Riker: Wait a minute. You've been declared dead. You can't give orders around here. Data: If we are to adhere to the exact letter of Starfleet regulations, then technically, sir, you have been declared a renegade. In fact, I believe you are facing twelve counts of court martial offenses. You cannot give orders either, sir. Picard: That's quite right. And as I'm supposed to be dead, I'll go and get some sleep. And, Mister Data, I suggest that you escort Commander Riker to the brig. Data: Aye, sir. Data: This way, sir. Riker: Data, he was joking. You know that, right? Data?

Laforge: Data, there you are. We need to installl that plasma conduit right away. We're bringing the new warp core on line in less than three hours. Data: I will go to deck twenty and begin modifications. Laforge: Great. I'll meet you in Engineering as soon as you're finished there. This ought to be a lot of fun. Data: Excuse me. Do you have authorisation to work in this area? You are dismantling a warp plasma conduit. I must ask you to stop. Workman: Be quiet! Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47225.7. Commander La Forge has completed the installlation of our new warp core. We are preparing to test its capabilities. Riker: Something wrong, sir? Picard: I just got a message from Starfleet command. Riker: Bad news? Picard: You could say that. I've been invited to the annual Starfleet Admiral's banquet. Riker: My condolences. Picard: I've managed to avoid it for the past six years, but now it would seem my luck has run out. I can't think of anything more tedious. Fifty Admirals shaking hands, making dull conversation, uninteresting food, boring speeches. Riker: Can't you think of some excuse to get out of it? Picard: After six years, Number One, I don't think I have any excuses left. Data: Geordi, have you ever had a nightmare? Laforge: Yeah, sure, Data. Everybody does from time to time. Data: I have had one hundred eleven dreams since I first discovered this program nine months ago. In all of that time, I have never experienced such strange and disturbing imagery. I believe it was a nightmare. Laforge: Nightmares are part of dreaming, Data. Maybe you've just discovered another new level to your program. Data: Perhaps. I have also noted that I am spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about nightmare imagery. One could almost say I am preoccupied. Laforge: Well, it's perfectly normal, Data. Sometimes when I have a nightmare, I can't shake that weird feeling for a couple of days. Tyler: Commander La Forge? Laforge: Speaking of nightmares. Tyler: I just finished recalibrating the starboard EPS module. Laforge: That's great, Ensign. Thank you. Tyler: It's just like you said. Reset the power tap and the module came right online. You have such a wonderful grasp of engineering principles. I'm learning so much just by being around you. Laforge: I'll tell you what. Why don't you help Farrell check the deuterium cartridges. I'm just about to bring the warp core online. All right? Tyler: Anything you say. Data: Geordi, you do not seem to appreciate Ensign Tyler's enthusiasm. Laforge: She's enthusiastic all right. About me. Data: I do not understand. Laforge: She's got a crush on me, Data. Data: You do not share her affection? Laforge: Exactly. And quite frankly, it's beginning to get a little bit uncomfortable. Data: I believe I understand. You are concerned about unintentionally hurting Ensign Tyler's feelings. Laforge: Yeah, something like that. Data: It would appear that you require a third party to intervene on your behalf. I will be happy to speak to her. Laforge: No, Data! I'll take care of it myself. Thanks. Data: Geordi, when I first awoke from my nightmare, there was a brief moment when I Picard: Bridge to Commander La Forge. What's our status? Laforge: We're ready to bring the new core online, Captain. Stand by. All right, let's do it. Initializing deuterium infusion sequence. It's a thing of beauty, isn't it? Now let's see how fast she can run. La Forge to Bridge. Laforge: Warp power at your diskretion, Captain. Picard: Acknowledged. Ensign Gates, set course for Starbase two nineteen, warp six. Engage. Picard: Engage. Bridge to Engineering. Mister La Forge, why isn't my ship Picard: Moving? Laforge: I'm on it, sir. There's a warp plasma conduit out of alignment, but I think I've got it fixed now. Ready, sir. Picard: Very well. Ensign Gates? Picard: Mister La Forge? Laforge: Stand by, Captain. Data: Captain, I am taking the warp-coil engines offline. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. I'm sorry, sir, but we're going to have to reconfigure this plasma conduit. It's going to take at least a couple of hours, sir. Data: Enter. Troi: Hello, Data. Data: Counselor. Troi: What are you doing? Data: I have been watching Spot sleep. In the past fifteen minutes, he has had twelve muscles spasms, which indicates he was dreaming. I have often wondered what Spot dreams about. His twitching and his rapid breathing would seem to suggest anxiety, but Spot has never seen a mouse or any other form of rodentia. He has never encountered an insect, or been chased by a canine. Troi: I understand you've had some interesting dreams recently. Geordi was worried about you and he wanted me to check in and see how you were doing. Data: That was very thoughtful of him. I've been debating whether or not to initiate another dream sequence. Troi: Because of the nightmares? Data: I have found them to be quite unsettling. Troi: Data, you shouldn't be afraid of dark imagery in your dreams. It's a natural expression of your unconscious, if you have an unconscious. I'm not really sure how your positronic brain works but if it's anything like ours, then there's part of you that's trying to express itself through your dream state. And I think you should allow yourself to experience it. As Sigmund Freud said, dreams are the royal road to the knowledge of the mind. Data: Thank you, Counselor. I believe I will initiate a dream program now. Troi: Let me know how it goes. Goodnight, Data. Data: Goodnight, Counselor. Goodnight, Spot. Data: Computer, dim lights. Worf: Mmm. Delicious. Data: What kind of cake are you eating? Worf: It is cellular peptide cake with mint frosting. Would you like a bite? Data: No, thank you. Excuse me, Mister Worf. Riker: Aren't you going to answer that, Mister Data? Data: Sir? Riker: That damn ringing. Answer it, will you? Data: Yes, sir. Data: Please identify yourselves. I must know what you are trying to Workman: Be quiet! Troi: Please, don't hurt me, Data. Data: I am sorry, Counselor. Troi: No! Don't! No! No! Data! Troi: Data! Data! Data: What is wrong? Troi: We've been trying to wake you up for the last five minutes. Laforge: When you didn't show up on time in Engineering, I got worried. Data: My internal chronometer was supposed to wake me thirty five minutes ago. Worf: You must have overslept. Data: That is not possible. Something is wrong. Laforge: I can't find anything wrong with your internal time base. As far as I can tell, your primary systems check out fine. Data: I will compare my autonomic logs with the ship's chronometer. Perhaps we have overlooked something. Laforge: You know, Data, there's an awful lot we don't know about your dream program. Maybe it was designed to cause side effects. I mean, for all we know, Doctor Soong might have intended for you to oversleep from time to time. It's part of the human experience. Data: It is a possibility. However, I would prefer to make certain there are no anomalies in my neural net. Laforge: You know, I'm curious. What were you dreaming about when we woke you up? Data: I have not fully assimilated its impact. I would prefer to study the images further before discussing them. Laforge: Sounds like it must have been pretty strange. Data: Strange is not a sufficient adjective to describe the experience. Freud: Tell me more about this cake. Data: It is difficult to explain. Counselor Troi's body was a cake. Freud: Her upper body. Describe the knife you used to cut the Counselor. Data: It had a black handle and a serrated blade, and it was quite long. Freud: How long? Data: Twenty five centimeters in length. Freud: And what happened next? Data: One of the workmen pointed to her right shoulder. At that moment, I had an overwhelming urge to cut a piece out of the cake. Freud: And did you? Data: Yes. As I began slicing the cake, she reacted as though I was causing her pain. Yet I could not stop cutting. That is when I woke up. Doctor Freud, I am curious. Data: I am curious. What do my nightmares mean? Freud: I believe you are experiencing a classic dismemberment dream. Or in your case, being a mechanical man, a dismantlement dream. Data: I do not understand. Freud: Your mechanistic qualities are trying to reassert themselves over your human tendencies. Ego and id struggling for domination. The workmen symbolize the ever present id constantly working to destroy the ego. Now the image of Counselor Troi, a female, is devoured by you, clearly indicating an unconscious desire to possess your own mother. Data: But I do not have a mother. Freud: Do not interrupt. The knife in its violent connotation suggests a certain feeling of sexual inadequacy. Data: But I have no sexual desire. Freud: Ach! Impotence on top of everything. It is all becoming clear to me now. There might be a paper in this. Data: I do not believe I am being helped by this session. Freud: Classic transference. Your anger toward me is, in fact, the animosity you feel toward your father. You are a polymorphously perverse individual, Mister Data, and I recommend full psychoanalysis. I believe I can fit you in next Tuesday. Data: That will not be necessary. Computer, end program. Worf: Captain, incoming message from Admiral Nakamura. Picard: On screen. Picard: Admiral. Nakamura: Captain. We were expecting you this morning. Is there a problem? Picard: Actually, we have been experiencing a few minor difficulties with our new warp core, but my Chief Engineer assures me that we will be under way within the hour. Nakamura: You're not trying to avoid this particular engagement, are you, Picard? Picard: No, no, certainly not. I'm really looking forward to it. Nakamura: Good. I'll expect you soon. Nakamura out. Riker: I think he's on to you, sir. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. Picard: Go ahead, Geordi. Laforge: We've just started it up, Captain. All systems are holding steady. Laforge: Ready when you are, sir. Picard: Ensign Gates, set a course and engage. Picard: Engineering, report. Data: The warp field has collapsed, sir. Laforge: It looks like we've blown the entire power converter, Captain. Impulse engines are down too. We're not going anywhere. But I know just how to fix this. Give me two, three hours, tops. Laforge: Now what? Riker: Talk about going nowhere fast. Picard: Mister Worf, open a channel to Starbase two nineteen. Advise Admiral Nakamura I'll be a little later than I thought. Worf: Aye, sir. Laforge: Tyler, how're you coming with that relay diagnostic? Tyler: Almost done, sir. Excuse me I need the plasma inverter. Data: It appears Ensign Tyler still has a crush on you. It is clear you did not speak to her. Laforge: No, Data, I haven't had the time. Listen, I want you to take this brace coil and run a metallurgical scan on it for me. See if there are any microfractures. Laforge: Something wrong, Data? Data: I am reminded of a recent dream. This brace is reminiscent of Riker: Are you going to answer that, Commander? Riker: What are you waiting for? Answer it. Data: Hello? Freud: Kill them. You must kill them all before it's too late. Laforge: Data. Data, what's wrong? Data: I do not know. Data: Everything seems to remind me of the nightmare. Objects, sounds, smells. And now I have seen elements of the dream in a waking state. I cannot explain it. Troi: Data, if you were one of my human patients, I might be concerned right now. I'd say you had a waking dream or an hallucination. But you're not human. I think we might be looking at some kind of technological problem. Data: I have run three complete self diagnostics. All of my systems are functioning normally. Perhaps Doctor Freud was correct. The knife I dreamed about is the embodiment of my unconscious desire to inflict violence. Troi: Data, even Freud said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. But the bottom line is, I think you're developing an almost obsessive interest in your own inner workings. I'd almost call it the beginnings of a neurosis. Data: That is not possible. Troi: Why not? You've eliminated all the technical explanations. And it makes sense that as your neural net becomes more complex, more human, that you might experience the same kind of psychological complexities as a human. Data: Do you really think it is possible? Troi: Data, you must be the first person who's come into my office and been excited at the prospect of a new neurosis. But yes, I do think it's possible, and I'd like to start counseling you on a regular basis. Data: Daily? Troi: No, we'll start weekly. And as a first step, I'd like you to shut down your dream program until our next session, just to be on the safe side. Give yourself a chance to reflect on this experience. Data: Thank you, Counselor. I look forward to our next meeting. Troi: And Data? Next time, see me before you see Sigmund. Picard: Admiral, I can explain. Nakamura: Let me guess. Your new warp core is malfunctioning again? Picard: Unfortunately, the problem has affected our impulse systems. At the moment, we are adrift. Nakamura: Are you expecting to have this problem fixed soon, or shall we send out a tow ship to bring you in? Picard: That will not be necessary. I have full confidence in my Engineering staff. I will be at the banquet on time. Picard out. Picard: Have you tried reconfiguring the plasma conduits? Laforge: Yes, Captain. Two hours ago. Picard: What about the relays? Are you absolutely certain you don't need a new phase invertor? Data: I am currently running a level three diagnostic of the relays, sir. We will have the results of the analysis in approximately ten minutes. Picard: I see. Oh, perhaps I could reconfigure these isolinear chips. Laforge: No, sir, please don't touch that. Captain, Commander Data and I have the situation under control. Now, if you'd just let us care of it, the work would go much faster. Tyler: Captain, we could use an extra hand moving the containment pods. If it wouldn't be an imposition. Picard: Oh, no, not at all. I'd be delighted. Laforge: Good work, Tyler. I thought he'd never leave. Data, I want you to give me a hand locking down this plasma conduit. Data? Data? Troi: Deck thirty six. Troi: Hello, Data. Are you all right? Troi: What are you doing? Data: Hold very still, Counselor. Troi: No! Worf: Ever since you gave Alexander that music program, he's been playing it all night, every night. Riker: I just wanted to broaden his horizons. Besides, he likes it. Worf: It is screeching, pounding, dissonance. It is not music. Riker: Worf, it's better than music, it's jazz. Riker: Medical emergency. Deck seventeen, section three alpha. Medic: We're on our way. Data: I believe I had another waking dream, sir. But this time, I had an uncontrollable urge to eliminate the image I saw. Picard: And what you saw was some sort of a mouth on Troi's shoulder? Data: Yes, sir. For a reason I cannot explain, I had the need to destroy it. Riker: What about me? Did you see one of those mouths on my head as well? Data: No, sir. I saw a straw coming out of your head. Picard: A straw? Data: As I said before, these are all images I originally experienced in my dream program. I do not have a rational explanation for them. Picard: Mister La Forge? Laforge: Captain, we've run every possible diagnostic on Data's positronic net we can think of. We can't find anything wrong. I could run a subpolymer scan, but it would take some time to set up the equipment. Picard: Make it so. In the meantime, Mister Data, I'll have to relieve you of duty and confine you to your quarters. Data: A sensible precaution, sir. Troi: Data. Crusher: Deanna, you're in Sickbay. It's all right. Troi: Data. Crusher: He's not here. Just try to relax. This vascular pad has healed the wound, but you've lost a lot of blood so I would like you to lie still for a while. Crusher: That's odd. There shouldn't be any diskoloration after the treatment. This looks like some sort of rash. Troi: What is it? Crusher: I'm picking up cellular degradation. But it doesn't appear to be related to the lacerations. There's also some kind of residual interphasic signature. Nurse, bring me an interphasic scanner. I want to take a closer look at this. Worf: Commander. I will have to confiscate your sidearm. Data: Of course. May I ask a personal favor? Worf: Yes. Data: Will you take care of Spot for me? Worf: Your animal? Data: I am afraid if I have another waking dream, I might injure him. Worf: Of course. Spot, come here. Data: Unlike a canine, Spot does not respond to verbal commands. Goodbye, Spot. He will need to be fed once a day. He prefers feline supplement number twenty five. Worf: I understand. Data: And he will require water. And you must provide him with a sand box. And you must talk to him. Tell him he is a pretty cat, and a good cat. Worf: I will feed him. Data: Perhaps that will be enough. Crusher: Captain, we have a problem. Take a look at this. Her tissue is breaking down on a cellular level and it's spreading. At first I thought it was a rash from the coil brace she was stabbed with, but when I used the interphasic scanner, I found this. Picard: What is it? Crusher: The question is, what are they? Crusher: I've tested all the medical staff and I've found them on almost everyone so far. The cellular decay is accelerating in all cases. I haven't found a way to stop it or even slow it down. Looks like you're infected too. The organisms appear to be attached to our epidermal layers with osmotic tendrils. They're tapping directly into the bloodstream. And from what I can tell, they're spreading. Riker: What are we dealing with here? Are these creatures feeding on us? Crusher: Yes, in a very particular way. They appear to be extracting our cellular peptides. It's roughly analogous to the way terran leeches consume hemoglobin. If they're not removed soon, our bodies are going to lose all their cellular cohesion. We'll collapse into nothing but a few pounds of chemicals. Picard: All right. Is there any way that we can affect these organisms? Laforge: We've tried EM radiation, subspace fields, thermal protons, nothing's worked. They seem to exist in some sort of interphasic state, just beyond our range of visual and sensor acuity. The only way we can see them is to use an IP scanner. Tricorders can't even pick them up. Riker: Do we know where these things came from, Mister Worf? Worf: I scanned the vicinity with an IP scanner. There is no sign of any similar creatures, or any unusual interphasic activity. Picard: What about Mister Data? There must be some connection between his odd behavior and these creatures. Is he infested as well? Crusher: No. I scanned him, but I found nothing. Picard: Data attacked Counselor Troi because he saw a mouth on her shoulder. And in that same area that we first saw one of the organisms. Riker: Data also saw a straw in my head and then Beverly discovered an organism in the same place. Laforge: Those images are all part of Data's dream. Maybe somehow he's unconsciously perceiving these creatures. Picard: Then perhaps it is time that we took a closer look at Mister Data's dreams. Data: It is an interesting hypothesis. If I am being affected by these interphasic creatures on an unconscious level, it may also explain my waking dreams, and my subsequent anti-social behavior. Laforge: What we want to do, Data, is link your neural net into the holodeck and have you activate your dream program, so as you dream we can observe the dream images. Picard: Perhaps we can learn more about these creatures by interpreting the symbols and images of your dreams. Data: I see. The concept is similar to the method of directed dreaming. Picard: Exactly. How soon can you have the link ready? Laforge: We'd need about an hour to establish all the interface parameters. Picard: Make it so. In the meantime, Mister Data, I suggest that you should prepare for bed. Laforge: I think we're ready, Captain. The link is active. The holodeck has been calibrated to Data's neural net. Picard: Ready, Mister Data? Data: Yes, sir. Picard: Normally, I would wish you pleasant dreams, but in this case, bad dreams would be more helpful. Data: I understand, sir. Initiating dream program. Stand by. Picard: Let's be very observant. Even the most insignificant image could be a very important symbol. Laforge: Right. Picard: Here he comes. Data: Hello. Picard: Can we speak to Data directly or would that wake him up? Laforge: He should be perceiving us as just another part of his dream. Anything we say to him will be taken in that context. Picard: You know, that sounds like a telephone ringer, but I don't see a receiver. Data: Cake? Picard: Oh. Er, thank you. Look at that. Her right shoulder. That is the same place that Data stabbed her. Laforge: In his waking dream he said that there was a mouth on her shoulder. Picard: They're both symbols of consumption. Mouth, food. Mister Data, what kind of cake is this? Data: It is cellular peptide cake. Worf: With mint frosting. Laforge: Cellular peptides. That's exactly what the creatures are extracting. Riker: Will someone answer that damn ringing! Captain, the ringing is getting worse. Picard: What could the ringing symbolize? A bell? Sound? An old-fashioned way of communicating? Crusher: Do you want some? It's delicious. Riker: Will somebody please get that! Laforge: Yes? It's for you. Picard: Picard. Freud: Kill them. Picard: Kill who? Freud: Kill them, before it is too late. Picard: Who is this? Freud: I am Doctor Sigmund Freud. Laforge: How does he fit into all this? Freud: If I were to interpret my own appearance in this dream, I would say I am the symbolic representation of Data's unconscious mind trying to warn him about the dangers he perceives around him. Picard: You mean the interphasic organisms. Freud: Of course. Picard: Tell me, Doctor, how do we kill them? Freud: Answer it. Nien, nien, nien. Do not be so literal. When I say answer it, I mean respond to it, to them. Workman: Be quiet! Picard: What do they represent? Laforge: I don't know, but I do recognize that junction they're working on. It's the plasma conduit we installled with the new warp core. Picard: Respond? Respond to them? What does that mean? Laforge: What is it that you're doing? Workman: Go away. Leave us alone. Picard: Who are you? Workman: We are your enemies. Data: Stop. You must not hurt my friends. Workman: Be quiet! Picard: Data, the shrieking noise you made. It causes them pain. Workman: Be quiet. Data: I believe I understand. Data: Geordi. Laforge: Yes, Data. Data: You must adjust my positronic subprocessor to emit an interphasic pulse. Picard: Data, what's going on? Data: The workmen in my dreams represent the organisms which are trying to demolish the ship. The incessant ringing of the telephone, Freud's cautions at the other end, were warnings of the dangers around us. Picard: What about the shrieking noises that you made? Data: My positronic subprocessor detected high frequency interphasic signatures from the organisms, which were symbolically represented in my dreams by a high shriek. Picard: When you made those noises, the workmen reacted in pain. Data: That is why I have asked Geordi to adjust my subprocessor. If I can produce a high frequency interphasic pulse, it may have a similar effect on the creatures. Laforge: We're ready. Picard: Picard to Sickbay. Beverly, we're going to be sweeping the ship with a high frequency IP pulse. Will you monitor the creatures for any response? Crusher: Understood. Crusher: It's working, Captain. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The creatures infesting the Enterprise have been completely eliminated. We believe the infestation originated within the warp core we obtained on Starbase eighty four. Laforge: This conduit was manufactured on Thanatos Seven using a new interphasic fusion process. We think it was that process which attracted the organisms to the conduit where they lay dormant until we activated the warp core. That's also why we couldn't get the core online. The creatures were disrupting the plasma flow. Picard: How long before we have warp power again? Laforge: Well, we're going to have to manufacture a new conduit. That's at least six hours work. Picard: Six hour? The banquet will be completely over by then. That's very unfortunate. Laforge: I can try and speed things up a bit. Picard: No, no, no. I wouldn't want to sacrifice the safety of the ship. Laforge: Understood, sir. Data: Enter. Data: Counselor. I did not have a chance to apologize for my actions. Troi: Data, don't worry about it. Geordi explained everything to me. It wasn't your fault. But somehow I thought turnabout would be fair play, so I made us a little something to snack on. Data: I wonder, what would Doctor Freud say about the symbolism of devouring oneself? Troi: Data, sometimes a cake is just a cake.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47254.1. A delegation of the Cairn have just come on board. This telepathic species has no concept of spoken language, and is being instructed in its use by an old friend. Lwaxana: I don't know what they'd have done without me. First, I had to learn how they communicate. It was an absolutely exhausting process. Picard: It must have been. Lwaxana: Quite different from Betazed telepathy. We transmit words. With the Cairn, it's images. A flood of them all at the same time. It's overwhelming. Picard: I can imagine. Lwaxana: Actually it's a very efficient way of communicating. If two Cairn were having this conversation it would have been over minutes ago. Picard: Really? Lwaxana: Of course, they realize that they'll want to communicate verbally if they join the Federation. Do me a favor. Introduce yourself to one of them. Engage him in conversation. They need the practice. Picard: I'd be happy to. Laforge: It's called a visor. It enables me to see. Hedril: Like my vocal enhancer. It helps me make sounds. Lwaxana: I see you've already met my star pupil. Hedril's picked up spoken language much faster than the others. Data: It is often the case that children learn languages more easily than adults. Lwaxana: Deanna was quite good at languages when she was little. Where is Deanna? Laforge: Well, she must be here somewhere. Lwaxana: Hedril, darling. Hedril: What? Lwaxana: Go find your father, dear. I want to talk to him. Data: Mrs Troi? Lwaxana: Yes yes just a little tired. This constant telepathy with the Cairn. I'm fine, really. Aren't you going to mingle, Mister Woof? Worf: I do not care for telepaths. They make me uneasy. Lwaxana: Don't worry. The Cairn couldn't read your thoughts even if they wanted to. Your brain isn't sophisticated enough. Neither is yours, dear. They can only communicate with other telepaths. Have either of you seen Deanna? Riker: She was working, but she said she would be Speak of the devil. Troi: Sorry I'm late. I lost track of the time. Lwaxana: Deanna, dear, come with me. I want you to meet the senior diplomat of the Cairn delegation. Maques, this is the beautiful daughter I've been telling you about. Deanna. Maques: Pleased to. Hello. Troi: Hello. Pleased to meet you. Maques: Oh, yes, that is it. Pleased to meet you, Deanna. Lwaxana: Good. Well, I'll just let you young people chat. Troi: Well, Maques, what do you think of the Enterprise? Maques: It is beautiful. Comfortable, also. Troi: I'm glad you think so. Maques: There is another word that describes it. But I cannot remember. Troi: You've learned a great deal in a very short time. I'm sure it won't be long before your words do justice to your thoughts. Maques: Your mother told me of your need. Troi: Need? Maques: A moment. Husband. You need a husband. I need a wife. Lwaxana: Deanna! Good morning. So what did you think of Maques? Troi: Why did you do that, Mother? You embarrassed both of us. Lwaxana: He's really very sweet. And lonely. Poor man. A widower, raising a child alone. Troi: Mother, don't start. Lwaxana: I just think it's time for you to settle down. If your father were still alive, I'm sure he'd say the same thing. Troi: Deck eight. Lwaxana: But you'll do exactly what you want. Just like always. Troi: Mother, stop it. Troi: Are you coming? Troi: What's wrong? Lwaxana: You are so precious to me. You're all I've got. If something happened to you I don't know what I'd do. Troi: Nothing's going to happen to me. Lwaxana: You'd better go. Troi: My first appointment isn't for a few minutes. Why don't we talk for a while? Lwaxana: No, I'm fine. I'm just tired from working with the Cairn. It's making me emotional. Troi: Are you sure? Lwaxana: Go on I'll see you later. Go on. Troi: Maques. Maques: I must to apologize for yesterday. Troi: You don't have to. Maques: My words, they were confused. Troi: It wasn't your fault. Please. My mother misled you. Maques: Not in everything. She has an image of you in her mind. She shared it with me. You are even more beautiful. The way my people communicate, it is direct. Nothing is hidden. Troi: Yes? Maques: Your mother is the first to learn our telepathy. Troi: You mean you've never had telepathy with someone who wasn't Cairn? Maques: No. To communicate with her is very different. Troi: In what way? Maques: Always there is a part of her that. Um. A part of her that is dark. Troi: Dark? Maques: A part of her that can not be seen. Do you understand? Troi: I'm not sure. Have you ask my mother about this? Maques: She called it. A moment. Privacy. Troi: Of course. You said among the Cairn, nothing is hidden. We value honesty, but we don't always share everything we're thinking and feeling. Maques: This is privacy? Troi: Yes. Maques: It is normal? Troi: For us, yes. Maques: If this is your way, I am relieved. Troi: It is our way. Maques: I will leave now. Troi: I'm glad you stopped by. Maques: I am glad to have stopped also. Troi: I was all set for another round of arguing when all of a sudden she just fell apart. Riker: She's under a lot of stress. She's preparing the Cairn to meet with the Federation Council. Troi: It's more than that. I'm been sensing very erratic emotions from her. Even the clothes she's wearing are unusual. They're so subdued. Riker: Maybe you just need to sit and talk with her. Lwaxana: Commander! Take your hands off her. Riker: Mrs Troi. Lwaxana: Don't you Mrs Troi me. Troi: Mother! Lwaxana: Why don't you leave her alone? If it weren't for you she'd be married by now. Troi: That's enough! Lwaxana: Now I am warning you. Stay away from my daughter! Troi: You're coming with me. Lwaxana: I don't know what got into me. Please, tell Will how sorry I am. Crusher: You're fine, but your psilosynine levels are a little low. Lwaxana: Psilo-what? Troi: It's a neurotransmitter involved in telepathy. Crusher: It's been depleted by your work with the Cairn. You're going to have to try to avoid telepathic communication for a while. Lwaxana: I can't. Crusher: Why? Lwaxana: We only have three days left and the Cairn have so much to learn. Crusher: Lwaxana, I'm sorry, but you're going to have to take some time and rest. Troi: Maybe I can help with the Cairn. Lwaxana: No, you're only half Betazoid, dear. And you have no experience with their form of telepathy. Troi: Then I won't use telepathy. We'll work verbally. Lwaxana: I suppose we could do that. And if they don't understand something I'll explain it to them telepathically. Troi: No, you'll work verbally too. The point is for you to get some rest, mother. Besides, it'll do them good to have to figure things out with words. Lwaxana: I suppose you're right. Troi: This is the ship's arboretum. Hedril: Arbor means tree. Troi: Very good, Hedril. This is where people come to relax, enjoy themselves in a natural setting. Troi: Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose. It's an old earth poem by John Milton. Maques: Please, what is a poem? Troi: Poetry is an art form that uses words, put together in new and unexpected ways, sometimes in rhyme. Milton was speculating that in Heaven, roses wouldn't have thorns. Hedril: Heaven? Troi: Oh. Er, Heaven is. Well, it's, how can I put it? Maques: Yes, I see. Thank you. Heaven. Troi: Mother, you're supposed to be avoiding telepathy. Lwaxana: I'm only trying to help, dear. Troi: You don't look well. Lwaxana: I'm just tired. Maybe I'll sit down. Troi: Don't worry she'll be fine. This is something I think you'll find interesting. It's a jewel plant from Folnar Three. The plant secretes a resin which is collected within the blossom. By the time the bloom has faded, the resin has hardened into a rare and beautiful gem. Troi: Mother! Troi: Mother? Troi to Sickbay. Medical emergency in the arboretum. Crusher: She's not responding to cortical stimulation. I'm not sure what else I can do. Troi: I don't understand. She was fine just yesterday. Crusher: It's so strange. It's almost as if her brain has shut itself down. Picard: Is there a physiological cause? Crusher: I'm running a subneural scan. As far as I can see there's no tissue damage, no neurochemical imbalance, no sign of infection, nothing. Picard: Yet her neural activity is practically non-existent. Crusher: The only exception is in the paracortex. Activity there is almost off the scale. Troi: The paracortex is the Betazoid telepathic lobe. She communicated with Maques telepathically just before she fell. Picard: Might there be some side effect of Cairn telepathy of which we're unaware? Crusher: It's a possibility. Picard: I think it's time that you and I had a talk with Maques. Maques: I am very apologetic for what has happened to your mother. Picard: Maques, is it possible that your telepathic communications with Mrs Troi harmed her in some way? Maques: No. I tried to explain before. Bad thoughts, they hurt her. Troi: What thoughts? Take your time. Maques: Inside her, the dark place. Troi: I don't understand. Maques: She is, what are the words? I don't have the words. Picard: Counselor? Stop it! Troi: It's all right. I'm fine. He was just trying to communicate with me telepathically. Maques: Do you understand now? Troi: I'm not sure. Troi: He communicated so much to me that at first it was just a jumble of images. Crusher: Have you been able to sort any of it out? Troi: I think so. During his telepathic contact with my mother, Maques sensed what he calls a dark place. He tried to tell me about it before, in my office, and I misunderstood. I thought he was talking about thoughts my mother was keeping private, but what he meant was that there was something happening in her met conscious mind. Crusher: Metaconscious? Troi: It's a part of the Betazoid psyche. It's a kind of filtering mechanism that protects us from psychic trauma. Picard: Is Maques suggesting that your mother's metaconscious has been somehow damaged? Troi: He feels that whatever is wrong with her is centerd there. If he's right it may mean that she's suffered some kind of trauma that her metaconscious just can't tolerate. Crusher: Has your mother mentioned anything that happened to her lately, something that might have been traumatic for her? Troi: No. Nothing. Crusher: Maques could be wrong about this. There's still a chance that a subneural scan might be able to pinpoint an physiological cause for your mother's condition, something that I might be able to treat. The results won't be in until morning. Maybe we should all try and get some rest. Troi: I'd like to stay here with her. I'm going to try to contact her telepathically. Crusher: All right. Troi: Mother can you hear me? Please come back to me. Please. Lwaxana: Help me. Troi: Mother? Lwaxana: Help me. Troi: How? How can I help you? Troi: Tell me, mother. Please. Troi: Computer, lights! Troi: What are you doing? Picard: Maques, what were you doing in Sickbay? Maques: Helping. Trying to help Lwaxana. Troi: How? What were you trying to do? Maques: I was. She was. You, Deanna. Maybe you. Troi: Yes? Maques: You must. How can I explain Troi: Tell me telepathically. Troi: Maques believes my mother's psyche has collapsed in on itself. That for some reason, she has retreated into her metaconscious mind. Picard: Was he trying to contact her telepathically? Troi: Yes. He was able to access images being generated by her metaconscious, but he couldn't make any sense of them. Maques: I did not understand. Troi: He saw faces he didn't recognize, events he couldn't interpret. Crusher: If we could decipher these images, we might be able to determine whether or not your mother's condition was induced by a traumatic event. Troi: Maques feels he can provide a telepathic bridge that will allow me to access my mother's metaconscious. If he can, I might be able to find out what happened to her. Picard: And if you succeed, can you use that information to help your mother? Troi: I'm not sure. But I do know that there's a part of her that wants to be helped. When I tried to contact her telepathically, I heard a voice calling out to me. Picard: If her psyche has collapsed in on itself, could accessing her mind pose any danger to you? Troi: There's no way to know. I'd like to try. Crusher: I'll be monitoring her throughout the entire procedure. If anything goes wrong, Maques can break the telepathic link. Maques: Your mother. Part of her is very frightened. She may resist you. Troi: I understand. Lwaxana: Help me. Troi: Mother? Lwaxana: Help me. Picard: Counselor? Can you hear me? Troi: Captain? Picard: Deanna, Doctor Crusher's become concerned that your paracortical readings have become erratic. Troi: Are you talking to me from Sickbay? Picard: Yes. I want you to sever your connection to your mother. Troi: Why don't you ask Maques to do it? Picard: I'm asking you. That is an order, Counselor. Troi: You're not Captain Picard. Picard: Leave me alone, please. Troi: This isn't real. None of this is real. Ian: Deanna. Troi: Daddy? Ian: Look at you. You've become a beautiful woman Troi: Don't do this. Ian: I'm sorry I had to go away when you were so little. I didn't want to. Troi: You're not my father. You're part of my mother's mind. What is this place? Ian: This is our house near Lake El'nar on Betazed. We used to live here. Deanna, let's not waste this chance. I want to hear everything about you. Troi: Did I live here? Ian: For a while when you were a baby. You were such a beautiful baby. Your mother and I loved you so much. Troi: I don't remember these toys. Ian: I bet you don't remember me singing you to sleep at night either, but I did. Troi: I do remember. I always felt safe when you sang to me. Ian: There was one song you always asked me to sing. You couldn't fall asleep unless you heard it. Troi: Down in the valley. Ian: Yes. Down in the valley, valley so low. Hang your head over, hear the wind blow. Troi: No, you're just trying to keep me here. Keep me from finding something. Ian: Your mother doesn't want to see you, Deanna. Troi: I have to help her. Ian: If you want to help her, leave. Let her have peace. Troi: She called out to me. She does want me to help. Ian: Stay with me, just a little while. Deanna, it's been so long. We'll never have this chance again. Troi: Goodbye, Daddy. Troi: Hedril. Troi: Mother. Lwaxana: Get away from her! Troi: No! Troi: Hedril, I asked your father to bring you here because I wanted to talk to you about something. You know that Lwaxana's sick, don't you? Hedril: Yes. Is it my fault? Troi: No, not at all. But I believe that she's been thinking about you. Do you know why? Hedril: I make her sad. Troi: Why do you say that? Hedril: Because it's true. Troi: Do you have any idea why Hedril would make my mother sad? Maques: No. Troi: Well, thank you for coming to talk to us. I'll see you later, all right? Hedril: Counselor, I hope your mother gets better. Troi: Thank you, Hedril. So do I. Troi: I just don't understand how she fits in to all this. Crusher: And I haven't found a physiological cause for what's happened to your mother, which makes me feel that Maques was right when he said that your mother's condition was precipitated by a traumatic event. Picard: Could this event have involved Hedril? Troi: I don't think so. My mother never mentioned her. Crusher: Does your mother keep personal logs or a journal? Troi: Yes, she does. I'll contact Mister Homn on Betazed and ask him to transmit a copy as soon as possible. There may be some clues there. Data: Perhaps we are being too literal. I have recently learned in my study of dream analysis that people who appear in a dream can sometimes represent different aspects of the person who is dreaming. Troi: That's right. A child might represent vulnerability. Hedril may depict some fragile part of my mother. Picard: A part that she's protecting. You said that everything you encountered when you were in her mind was a barrier of one kind or another. Troi: Yes. You, the wolf, my father. It was though she were summoning all her defenses to keep me away. But keep me away from what? What is she protecting? Troi: Come in. Picard: Counselor. Troi: Hello, Captain. Picard: I've just come from Sickbay. Doctor Crusher feels that your mother's condition is worsening. Her neural foundations are getting weaker. Have you had any luck here? Troi: No, nothing. I've gone through all her belongings, read her journal from the last five years, and other than the fact that I'm not married yet, nothing bad seems to have happened to her. Picard: Is this your Father? Troi: Yes. Picard: He had a kind face. Troi: I remember when he died, my mother had to go through all his things and pack them away. I was seven. I remember thinking how mad he'd be when he came home and saw what she'd done. I didn't understand he wasn't coming back. Picard: Deanna, your mother might still come out of this. Troi: If we can't figure out what's wrong with her, Captain, I don't think she will. But I don't know what else to do. I've talked with Mister Homn, who's known her for years. I've checked her medical records. I've made enquiries to the government on Betazed, I've contacted her closest friends. If she's been through some kind of psychic trauma, there's just no evidence of it. Picard: You said you'd reviewed her journals for the past five years. Maybe we should go further back. Troi: That's a lot to review. My mother's kept a journal since before she was married. Picard: Then let's start at the beginning. The first entry seems to be stardate 30620.1. Troi: That's the year they were married. Picard: That's odd. There's a seven year gap. Troi: It starts about a year after the wedding. Picard: And if I'm not mistaken, it ends a few months after your birth. Troi: My mother's so diligent about her journal. why would she have stopped making entries for so long? Picard: She didn't. The files were deleted, by your mother, almost thirty years ago. Troi: I don't understand any of this. Captain, I have to go back inside my mother's mind. It's the only way we're ever going to get any answers. Crusher: Thank you. Deanna, you understand that if your paracortical readings go too high again, I'm going to tell Maques to sever the connection. Troi: I know. Troi: Hedril, be careful. Hedril: Who is Hedril? Troi: Wait! I want to talk to you. Lwaxana: Help me. Help me! Lwaxana: Go. Troi: Mother? Lwaxana: Go away. Troi: No. I want to help you. Why did you delete parts of your journal? Did something happen to you you don't want me to know about? Lwaxana: Leave me alone, please. Troi: Who's Hedril, mother? Why is she here? Is Hedril me when I was a little girl? Lwaxana: No! Oh, no, I'd never let anything happen to you. Never. Troi: Did you let something happen to someone? Was it here at El'nar? Lwaxana: You were just a baby. Troi: Tell me. Whatever it is. we can face it together. Lwaxana: I can't. I can't. Troi: You can. We can. Hedril: Help me. Help me, papa. Lwaxana: Please don't make me go through this again. Ian: Hold on to him. Don't let him run off. Hedril: I won't. Mommy, can we go play by the water? Lwaxana: No, Kestra, stay here with us. Hedril: Please? Lwaxana: Kestra. Oh, Kestra, you've made the baby cry. Troi: Kestra? Lwaxana: Don't cry, Deanna. Don't cry, mommy's here. Hedril: Mommy, please? Ian: No, Kestra. We're going to eat in just a few minutes. Lwaxana: What's wrong, what's wrong, little one? Tell mommy what's wrong. Ian, she's teething, Now where's her ring? Lwaxana: No, no. I don't want to see this again. I can't. Troi: What happened, Mother. What happened next? Lwaxana: I don't remember. Troi: You have to. You can't hold it back. It's killing you. Lwaxana: The dog got away. She ran after him. We didn't notice. Lwaxana: Why? Why did I look away? Why wasn't I paying attention? Troi: You have to forgive yourself, Mother. You have to let go. Lwaxana: How can I? I let her die. Troi: It was a terrible tragedy. The worst thing that can happen to any parent. I know you feel responsible but it was an accident. And what you're doing isn't fair to Kestra. Troi: I saw a little girl who was sweet and happy. She must have brought a great deal of joy to your lives. Lwaxana: She woke up every morning with a smile. Troi: Isn't it better to remember her like that? I just found out I had a sister I never knew. I'd like to learn what was good and joyous about her. To celebrate her life, not mourn it. Lwaxana: How? How can I do that? Troi: Kestra was here a few moments ago. Talk to her. Lwaxana: No. No. Troi: Do it, mother. Tell her how you feel. I'll be here with you. I'll help you. Kestra: Mommy. Lwaxana: Kestra. Oh, Kestra. My precious one. I'm so sorry. Kestra: I have to go now. Lwaxana: I know. I know. Lwaxana: I remember the day I took this. Troi: Mister Homn said he saved it in case someday you wanted to remember her. Lwaxana: I wish you could have known her, Deanna. I wish you two could have grown up together. Troi: Tell me about her. I want to know everything.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47304.2. The Enterprise has arrived at Kesprytt Three in order to evaluate an unusual request on the part of the Kes for associate membership in the Federation. Crusher: This morning she was fifteen minutes late. That's the third time this week. Jean-Luc, you don't have the slightest idea what I'm talking about, do you. Picard: No. I'm really sorry. I don't. Crusher: I've been telling you about Nurse Ogawa and Ensign Markson for the last fifteen minutes. Picard: You have? I'm really sorry. Crusher: Are you worried about this mission with the Kes? Picard: Not worried exactly. This notion of admitting half of their planet to the Federation while leaving the other half out. Crusher: First of all, the Kes are not half the planet, they're nearly three quarters of it. And the Prytt are not being left out. They themselves simply don't want to have contact with anyone from the outside. not the Federation or anyone else. Picard: Every member of the Federation entered as a unified world, and that unity said something about them. That they had resolved certain social and political differences and they were now ready to become part of a larger community. Crusher: By all indications, the Kes are a very unified, very progressive people. Picard: But the Prytt are not. They are reclusive to the point of xenophobia. Crusher: Well, think about Earth. What if one of the old nation states, say Australia, had decided not to join the World Government in twenty one fifty? Would that have disqualified us as a Federation member? Picard: That analogy is not exactly Riker: Riker to Captain. Picard: Go ahead, Number One. Riker: We've received word from Ambassador Mauric. He's ready to see you and Doctor Crusher. Picard: Inform him we're on our way. Thank you for breakfast. Crusher: Wait until tomorrow. I have something very special planned. It's a Vulcan dish. That's all I'll say. Worf: Captain. Doctor. I have the coordinates of Ambassador Mauric's chambers. Picard: Let's not keep them waiting, Mister Worf. Worf: Enterprise to Kes Security Relay Station One. We're ready to commence transport. Kes: Acknowledged, Enterprise. We have lowered our defense shield. Worf: Confirmed. Picard: Energize. Kes: This is Security Relay Station One. We are ready to receive your Captain and Medical Officer. Worf: This is the Enterprise. We have completed the transport sequence. You should have them. Kes: Negative, Enterprise. They are not here. Picard: Beverly. Beverly. Crusher: What happened? Picard: I don't know. Crusher: The last thing I remember we were beginning to transport. Picard: I would assume we must be on Kesprytt. We're in some kind of prison cell. The question is, why? I can't imagine that Ambassador Mauric would have any reason to detain us. Crusher: Jean-Luc. Picard: What is it? Crusher: Let me see. Picard: What? Crusher: It looks like an implant. It seems to be connected directly to the brainstem. Picard: Some kind of coercive device? Crusher: Whatever it is I doubt it's designed for our health. Picard: What is going on here? Crusher: If you tell us why you've taken us hostage, we might be able to Lorin: You are not hostages. You are prisoners. Picard: Prisoners on whose authority? Lorin: You are being held under the authority of the Prytt Security Ministry. The charges are conspiring with the enemy. Picard: Enemy? You mean the Kes. Lorin: We're not fools. We are aware of the Federation attempt to establish a military alliance with the Kes. It will not be tolerated. Picard: Your information is incorrect. We have no plans to enter into any Lorin: There is no point in trying to mislead us, Captain. The devices which have been implanted in your cerebral cortexes will soon be calibrated to your psi-wave pattern. At that time, we will be able to get all the information we need. Picard: And then you'll discover that we're telling the truth. Lorin: We shall see. Data: There is nothing wrong with the transporter. I have run a complete diagnostic of all the targeting components. Riker: Then what happened to the Captain and Doctor Crusher? Worf: Commander. The Transporter sensor log shows an unusual concentration of antigraviton particles in the emitter coil. Data: A concentration of antigraviton particles suggests a tractor beam. It might have deflected the transporter beam to a different set of coordinates. Riker: Is there a way to locate those coordinates? Data: The tractor beam originated somewhere in the Prytt Alliance. Worf: Why does the Prytt want Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher? Riker: I don't know. And it's not going to be easy to find out. The Prytt have consistently refused all outside contact. We're going to have to work through the Kes. Contact Ambassador Mauric. Tell him I want a meeting right now. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: What? Crusher: What? Picard: You're staring at me. Crusher: I was just thinking about how to get out of here. Picard: There may be a structural flaw that would allow us to escape. Crusher: Right. Picard: Beverly, the important thing during any confinement is to think positively and not give up hope. There is a way out of every box, there is a solution to every puzzle. It's just a matter of finding it. Picard: Damn. Crusher: Well, at least this means we won't starve to death. Picard: It means they plan on keeping us here for a while. Crusher: I'm beginning to think negatively, Jean-Luc. Crusher: My tricorder! Picard: Does it work? Crusher: Yes. Except something's been added to the main directory. Picard: It's a map. Crusher: An escape route. That guard must be working for the Kes. Picard: Possibly. Or it could be part of a very carefully laid trap. Crusher: If you ask me, I'd like to take my chances out there. Picard: Agreed. Is there a way to open the cell door? Crusher: Yes, the code's been entered. Mauric: Commander, on behalf of my government, I would like to take this opportunity to present my profound apologies regarding this unfortunate incident. Riker: That's very kind, Ambassador. But I don't think anyone here holds you or the Kes government responsible for what's happened. Troi: Our primary concern is not to assign blame, but to recover our missing officers. Mauric: I agree. We are prepared to insert a hostage rescue team into the Prytt capital city on three hours notice. Riker: Ambassador, we have not even attempted a diplomatic effort yet. I would rather not use force until we've exhausted all other options. Mauric: I don't believe there is any diplomatic option, Commander. We have no formal relations with the Prytt. No ambassadors. There's simply no way to contact them. Troi: Surely you must have some means of communication in case of a planetary emergency. Mauric: We have never had need of such a system. Worf: We can determine their communications frequencies and establish a link. Mauric: Allow me to be blunt. The Prytt are a fanatical, xenophobic people, with little regard for civilized discourse. Even if you do establish communications link with them, it will be a complete waste of time. Troi: How long has it been since your last diplomatic contact? Mauric: Almost a century. Troi: Then it's possible they may have changed over the years. Mauric: We have had other less formal contacts with the Prytt. Contacts we cannot discuss. But I can assure you, they have changed very little. Riker: With all due respect, Ambassador, I think I should try to communicate with the Prytt before I sanction the use of force. Mauric: Of course, Commander. In the meantime, I will continue making preparations for a rescue attempt. Riker: Agreed. Mauric: I do have one request. We believe that the Prytt obtained their information about the transport of your captain and doctor through a breach in our communications network. If I could set up a base of operations here on the Enterprise, I'd feel much more secure. Riker: Mister Worf will help you. Mauric: Thank you, Lieutenant. Mauric: You first. Worf: Is there a problem, Ambassador? Mauric: Probably not. Simply securing the area. Worf: I can assure you there is no need. Mauric: I'm sure you're right. Yes, this will do very nicely. Worf: As Security Chief of the Enterprise, I would be glad to assist you in any way possible. Mauric: There's no need. We'll take care of everything. Thank you, Lieutenant. Picard: There must be a lava flow or a underground hot spring somewhere near here. Crusher: It's a lava flow. It's about thirty meters below us. It says we should go this way. I smell gas. Crusher: This whole chamber is filled with pockets of a methanogenic compound. Picard: Can we get through it? Crusher: I think so. Picard: What did you say? Crusher: I didn't say anything. There might be a fairly regular pattern to these eruptions. We should be able to navigate out way through them if we're careful. Picard: Say when. Crusher: Now. Picard: The eruptions have stopped. Crusher: The gas is building up! Data: I have scanned the entire Prytt communications system. This appears to be the primary access module for the central government. Riker: Can you determine which of the comm. links is connected to the Prime Minister's office? Data: I believe so, sir. However, the Prytt have no link designed for extraterritorial communication. Our hail may come as a quite surprise to them. Riker: Well, they're going to have to adjust. Open a channel. Prytt: This is Prime Minister Horath's headquarters. How can I be of service? Riker: This is Commander William T. Riker, Federation starship Enterprise. I know this may seem an unusual way Prytt: The Enterprise? You mean the ship in orbit? Riker: That's right. Prytt: Why are you on this comm. link? Riker: We're having trouble contacting your government directly. We had to start somewhere. If you would let me talk to your Prytt: Did you get authorisation for this communication from the Security Ministry? Riker: As I said, we're having trouble contacting you Prytt: I cannot participate in an unauthorized communication. This transmission is terminated. Riker: Not very friendly, are they? Data: No, sir. Worf: Sir, we are being hailed. It is the Prytt Security Council. Riker: Well, it looks like we got someone's attention. On screen. Lorin: Enterprise, this is Security Minister Lorin. You will immediately cease all attempts at communication with our people. Riker: Minister, we've been attempting to contact someone in your government. It appears that you have detained two of our officers. We would like to discuss the situation. Lorin: There is nothing to discuss. If you do not terminate these transmissions, we will be forced to take aggressive action against your ship. Worf: Their weapon systems pose no threat to the Enterprise. Riker: Just the same, let's keep the shields up for the time being. Worf: Aye, sir. Mauric: Is there a problem, Commander? Riker: Our efforts with the Prytt just ran into a wall. Mauric: I'm sorry. But perhaps this will brighten your spirits. We have freed your Captain and doctor. Riker: What? Mauric: They were being held in prison just outside the Prytt capital. One of our operatives was able to arrange their escape. Worf: Where are they now? Mauric: Well, they should be en route to the Kes border. Our operative provided them with a detailed map and instructions on where to go. Riker: How will you get them across the border? Mauric: At the moment, that information is confidential, but trust us, we do have a plan. Riker: Ambassador, I'm afraid I must insist that you provide us with more information. Mauric: I understand your concern, of course, but I would feel more comfortable discussing these operational details in a less public environment. Riker: Certainly. We can step into the Ready room. Mauric: I would prefer the quarters you provided me. They're safer. Riker: All right. Picard: There's no way out of here. Crusher: Maybe we took a wrong turn. Crusher: So am I. Picard: What? Crusher: I'm thirsty too. Picard: I didn't say anything about being thirsty. Crusher: I heard you. You said, I'm very thirsty. Picard: I was thinking about it, but I didn't say anything. Crusher: You were thinking it? Picard: The transceivers. Lorin said that they would align themselves to our psi-wave patterns. Crusher: The implants must be transmitting our thoughts. What am I thinking? Picard: I don't know. Crusher: I can't hear your thoughts, either. Maybe it was a fluke. Picard: Well, right now we have more immediate concerns. Does your map show us a way out of here? Crusher: Yes, we need to go up. Crusher: There's a ledge about thirty meters up. That should lead to another tunnel that connects up to the surface. Picard: Right. Picard: I heard that. They were not words exactly. A sudden sense of fear. A sense of fear of heights. Crusher: So much for that being a fluke. Picard: It was a strange sensation. Suddenly having these thoughts appear in my mind. Crusher: If you sensed a fear of heights, you sensed pretty accurately. Picard: Come on, you've done this before. It's just like on a holodeck. One step at a time, just climbing steadily and slowly. Crusher: Right. Riker: I see you've done some redecorating. Mauric: Just a few pieces of equipment necessary for security reasons. You understand? Riker: Certainly. Aide: He is all right. Riker: How do you plan to get our people out of Prytt territory? Mauric: You must realize that everything I'm about to say cannot leave this room. For some time, we have had certain friends among the Prytt. Citizens who realize that the long struggle between our two peoples can only end when the Prytt government is made to see reason. Riker: You've recruited a few Prytt spies. Mauric: That's a crude, but accurate term. These friends will be waiting for your Captain and Doctor when they reach the village of Ohn Kor near the Kes border. The map we provided your officers will take them to a tavern there. Riker: Forgive me, Ambassador, but is it wise to send two human fugitives in Starfleet uniforms into a Prytt village? Mauric: The danger is minimal. Our operatives control almost the whole village. Once contact has been made with Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher, our friends will escort them across the border into Kes. Riker: I would still feel better if they could rendezvous with your operatives in a less public place. Mauric: Commander, I assure you we know what we're doing. We've had a great deal of experience dealing with the Prytt. We'd hardly risk the safety of your people. After all, we still hope you will recommend our entrance into the Federation. Picard: One of us is hungry. Crusher: That would be me. Picard: Do you mind thinking of something else. You're making me hungry. Crusher: What do you want me to think about? Picard: Something other than a large bowl of vegetable soup. Crusher: My grandmother used to make it, with peas, carrots and Picard: Beverly! Crusher: I'm sorry. Picard: I am not being unreasonable. Crusher: I didn't say that you were. I may have thought it, but there's a difference. Picard: You're right. We can't react to every random thought that crosses the other person's mind. Isn't astonishing, though, how much clutter there is in a consciousness. Odd memories coming to the surface. Bits of half-remembered songs. Crusher: Stray day dreams, scattered minutiae. I wonder how true telepaths sift through it all. How can they really get to what someone's thinking if the minds keeps churning all this flotsam to the surface? That is not funny. Picard: I just wanted to see if you were still listening. Crusher: I think our link is getting stronger. Picard: Maybe if we put some distance between us, that might weaken it. Not that I'm growing tired of hearing your most intimate thoughts. Crusher: Certainly not. Crusher: Jean-Luc. Picard: What happened? Crusher: I was suddenly overcome with a wave of nausea. Picard: Me, too. Crusher: There's nothing wrong with either of us. Maybe the air is toxic. Picard: The same thing. But when you moved back toward me it got better. Well, it seems as if we're stuck with each other. Picard: What is it? Crusher: I'm not sure whether we should go over this hill or that one. The topography on this map is a little vague. Picard: Let me see. This way. Crusher: You don't really know, do you? Picard: What? Crusher: I mean, you're acting like you know exactly which way to go, but you're only guessing. Do you do this all the time? Picard: No, but there are times when it is necessary for a captain to give the appearance of confidence. Crusher: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist. Picard: I'm beginning to realize that you seem to always have some acerbic remark on the tip of your tongue. Crusher: Well at least I've trained myself not to say it anymore. When I was a little girl, my mouth was always landing me in trouble with my parents, my teachers. Picard: Your friends. There was someone called Tom Norris? Crusher: That's right. I had one date with him which I brought to an abrupt halt with the words, is that a beard or Both: Is your face dirty? Picard: There's something more. You're laughing, but actually you're embarrassed by that incident. Crusher: Yes. I thought I was being cute but I really hurt him. That was a long time ago. I learned a valuable lesson. Picard: This sharing of thoughts and feelings is quite compelling. Crusher: Very. We'd better get going. Crusher: I don't think so, either. Maybe we can find another way to reach the village. Picard: No. It's several kilometers to find another way around that ridge. The border is just two kilometers east of here. There's a forcefield protecting it, but we can find some way to deal with that when we get there. Come on. Aide: All right. Riker: Is something wrong? Mauric: Have a seat. Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher didn't show up at the designated rendezvous point. Riker: Do you know what happened to them? Mauric: No. We have no idea what happened to them. We find it strange that your officers should follow the escape plan so precisely and then fail to make the crucial rendezvous with our operatives. Worf: It is possible they have been recaptured. Mauric: Our sources would have informed us instantly if that had happened. Of course, if they weren't captured, if they simply made a different rendezvous, we might not ever know about it. Riker: A different rendezvous? I'm not sure I know what you mean. Mauric: Of course not. How could you know if your Captain and Doctor were meeting secretly with the Prytt? Meeting in order to set up a military alliance with the Federation. Riker: What? Mauric: It was a clever scheme. First, you pretend to lose your officers during transport, then you ask us for help and get us to expose several of our undercover operatives in the process. But what you didn't expect was for us to get your people out of prison so quickly. They needed more time. They needed more time to plot the destruction of the Kes with their new Prytt friends. Riker: This is ridiculous. You're beginning to see conspiracies everywhere. We were invited here by the Kes. Why would we ally ourselves with the Prytt? Mauric: Indeed, why? Riker: You can believe what you like. We're going to find our people with or without your help. Mauric: Then I believe it's time for us to be leaving the Enterprise. Riker: Fine. Make sure you take all this junk with you. Picard: No luck? Crusher: I'm beginning to think there's not a single thing on this planet we can eat. Picard: Well, by this time tomorrow we could be back on the Enterprise and you can plant yourself in front of a replicator with a knife and fork. Crusher: Remember that Vulcan dish I promised you for breakfast? I was just. You hate having breakfast with me. Picard: That's not true. Crusher: Yes, it is. When I said breakfast, I heard you say, I hate that. Picard: That's not quite what I meant. Crusher: Well, then what did you mean? Picard: It's just that I don't like Crusher: What I've been choosing for breakfast recently. Picard: You see, I think that breakfast should be a simple meal and recently you've been ordering these elaborate things. Crusher: Coffee and croissants, that's all you really want, isn't it? Coffee and croissants. Well why didn't you just say so? Picard: I didn't think it was important. You don't like those elaborate meals either. Crusher: No, I usually prefer something simple myself but I thought you might enjoy more variety. Well, I guess it's Coffee and croissants for both of us from now on. Both: I love firelight. Picard: There's something about the flame, the smell of the smoke. It's always seemed to me to be intoxicating, somehow. Crusher: I remember when Jack and I took Wesley on his first camping trip to Balfour Lake. Wesley kept throwing manta leaves in the fire, watching them pop. Jack kept telling him. What? Jean-Luc, I heard you. Don't push it away. When I said Jack and I, I felt this sudden wave of something. I didn't know you felt that way. Picard: Didn't you? Crusher: I guess I always knew that there was an attraction between us right from the start, but I never knew how strongly you felt. Why didn't you ever tell me you were in love with me? Picard: You were married to my best friend. At first I thought it was harmless infatuation. Something hormonal rather than emotional. Crusher: Then when the months went by and the three of us began spending more time together. Picard: I realized that it was something else, and it wasn't right. But although I would never act on it, I couldn't help the way I felt. Crusher: And when Jack died you felt guilty. Picard: I felt guilty before he died> Having feelings like that for my best friend's wife. And then later, after the accident, I promised myself that I would never tell you know how I felt. It would be like betraying my friend Crusher: That's why you didn't want me on the Enterprise seven years ago. Picard: I didn't know how I would react. And then, little by little, I realized that I didn't have those feelings any more. Twenty years is, after all, a long time. Crusher: And now we're friends. Picard: Yes, friends. Crusher: Well, we still have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow. We should get some sleep. Picard: Right. Riker: Ambassador, thank you for coming. Mauric: Commander. Riker: We're going to clear up this misunderstanding once and for all. Hail Minister Lorin, please. Worf: Aye, sir. Lorin: Enterprise, I have warned you about these unauthorized communications. Riker: Yes, I know, but I think it's about time we all sat down together and tried to work this out. I have Ambassador Mauric here Lorin: That is your misfortune. We have nothing to say to either of you. Mauric: Commander, you're working with the Prytt. Putting on this little show for my benefit does neither of us any good. Riker: We'll see. Mister Worf. Riker: I believe there's someone waiting for us in the Observation Lounge. Lorin: I should have known that anyone willing to deal with the Kes would be capable of such an outrage. Riker: I'm sorry to resort to such drastic measures, Minister, but you left me little choice. Mauric: Don't pretend the two of you are enemies. It's too late for charades. Lorin: If that is an attempt to hide your military alliance with the Federation, you needn't bother. I already know far more than you can imagine. Riker: Let's all just sit down and try to talk about what's happened to Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher. Lorin: I will not sit at a table with him. Mauric: No more than I would sit with her. Riker: All right then, we'll stand. The important thing is that we start talking. Lorin: I am not authorized to talk with a Kes official. Riker: All right then, you talk to me. Where are my officers? Mauric: As if you don't already know. Crusher: Let's go. Picard: I'm all right. Lorin: We are already aware of your plan to use Federation technology to build new attack satellites. You will find that we are prepared for them. Mauric: That is an interesting but pointless lie. I'd rather discuss your own plans to use Federation aid to stage a takeover of Kolrod Island. Lorin: We have been over this before. Kolrod clearly belongs to the Prytt who originally Riker: That's it! I can see that diplomacy is not going to get us anywhere today, and I do not have time for to negotiate. So let's put all of our cards on the table. You're concerned the Kes are going to be admitted to the Federation. Lorin: Correct. Riker: As First Officer of the Enterprise I think I can promise you that's not going to happen. The Kes will be denied membership. Mauric: You have no authority to make that decision. Despite whatever games you played with the Prytt when you arrived, we still plan to take our petition directly to the Federation Council. They'll listen Riker: They will also listen to the reports of the Captain of the Enterprise and his First Officer. And I can tell you right now the First Officer's report will go something like this. Kesprytt, a deeply troubled world with social, political, and military problems they have yet to resolve. The Kes, while a friendly and democratic people, are driven by suspicion, deviousness, and paranoia. It is the opinion of this officer they are not ready for membership. Now, the matter of our missing officers. Lorin: They are still charged with spying, Commander. I have heard nothing here which would alter that. Riker: Then maybe you should consider this. If anything happens to them, Starfleet is going to want a full investigation, which means more starships will be coming to Kesprytt and those ships are going to want answers which puts your country under a very large and very uncomfortable microscope. Remember how unhappy you were when we contacted just one of your people without authorisation? Well, just think of what it'll be like. Ten starships asking questions, contacting hundreds of your people. Massive sensor sweeps. They may even start sending down away teams. All because you wouldn't help me find my missing officers. Crusher: I think I can use the tricorder to set up a multiphase pulse. That should weaken the field enough to let us through. Picard: No, no. The modulation frequency is in the upper harmonic range. Crusher: Right. Picard: They're coming. Crusher: I'm working as fast as I can. Trooper: Minister, we have the human female. The male is standing in Kes territory. Lorin: Very well. Transmit their coordinates to the Enterprise transporter room. Trooper: Understood. Riker: Thank you, Minister. Now, if you'll excuse me. Riker: Mauric is determined to take his protest to the Federation Council, but I don't think he'll get very far. Picard: I tend to agree, Number One. Riker: Did I miss something? Picard: Of course. Of course. You're absolutely right. Crusher: That was wonderful. Picard: My pleasure. Crusher: Don't get me wrong, Jean-Luc, but I'm glad we're not joined at the hip anymore. Picard: So, were you getting tired of my company? Crusher: Just tired of bumping into you every thirty seconds. I was beginning to feel as if you were part of my uniform. Picard: To freedom. Crusher: Freedom. Penny for your thoughts? Picard: I was just thinking that as distracting as it was, I was beginning to get used to hearing your thoughts and I find that I miss it. Crusher: So do I. It was very intimate. You know, last night I couldn't sleep. Picard: Oh? Crusher: I was awake for several hours. And thanks to the implants, I got to hear some very interesting dreams of yours. Picard: A man can't be held responsible for what his mind does while he's asleep. Crusher: What about when he's awake? Picard: So now that we've had this unique experience, what do we do? Crusher: What do you mean? Picard: You know exactly what I mean. Crusher: No, I don't. The implant's been removed, remember? Picard: Now that we know how each of us feels, perhaps we should not be afraid to explore those feelings. Crusher: Or perhaps we should be afraid. I think I should be going now. Crusher: Goodnight. Picard: Goodnight.

Data: Geordi? Laforge: In here, Data. Laforge: Got her now. She's trapped. Come on out of there, you. Hey, don't you spit at me. Data: Why is Spot under the bed? Laforge: Probably because she knows if I catch her, I'm going to kill her. Data: Has Spot been misbehaving? Laforge: So far she's broken a vase, a teapot, she's ruined one of my chairs using it as a scratch post, and she's coughing hairballs up all over my carpet. Data: These incidents are common to cat owners. When you borrowed Spot, you said you wanted to experience the full range of feline behavior before getting a cat yourself. Laforge: Yeah, well, I'm not ready. You can take her back with my blessings. Go ahead, call her. Data: Spot does not respond to verbal commands. Laforge: She won't come when you call her? Data, have you ever considered training this cat? Data: I never found it to be necessary. Laforge: Necessary? Data, the cat is out of control. Half the time I wasn't sure if she was going to lick me or scratch my face off. Data: I have never experienced this kind of behavior in Spot. Although she does have the unfortunate habit of jumping on my computer console when I am working. Laforge: She needs training. Riker: Riker to senior staff. Please report to the Observation lounge. Mission briefing in ten minutes. Laforge: Right, we have to get her out of here. I'll scare her. You grab her when she comes out, okay? Data: I do not think it would be wise to startle her. Laforge: Ready? Ow! Laforge: Training. Definitely. Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 47310.2. We're investigating the disappearance of the Medical Transport Fleming somewhere in the Hekaras Corridor. Our search is complicated by the unique properties of this particular region of space. Riker: The Fleming's last contact with Starfleet was four days ago. According to them, there was nothing out of the ordinary when they entered the Corridor. Picard: Data. Data: The unusually intense tetryon fields in this sector pose a severe navigational hazard to warp driven vessels. The Hekaras Corridor is the only route through the area which is free of tetryon fields. Ships traveling at warp must use the Corridor to ensure safe passage through the region. Picard: How long will it take to complete a level one search? Data: At least two days, sir. The Corridor is over twelve light years long, and the surrounding tetryon interference will limit our sensor range. Worf: Could we send out reconnaissance probes to supplement the sensors? Laforge: They won't be very effective. The interference will make it difficult to maintain contact with the probes. The best we can do is to increase sensor efficiency. We've installled multiphase buffers on all the sensor modules, Captain. It should help a little. Troi: Hekaras Two is inhabited, isn't it? Maybe they've had contact with the Fleming. Riker: They haven't. I've already spoken to the Hekaran government. According to them, only one ship has passed through the system in the last week. It was a Ferengi trader. Crusher: The Fleming was carrying a supply of rare biomimetic gel, which is very valuable. Is it possible that the Ferengi might have hijacked it? Riker: I wouldn't put it past them. I think we should prepare for that contingency. Picard: I agreed. All right then. Mister Worf, initiate your search pattern. Let's head in. Data: Geordi, there has been a slight drop in sensor efficiency. Perhaps we should examine the phase buffers. Laforge: No problem, Data. I'll be right with you. Okay, Hansen, transfer EPS conduit thirteen to the stabilizer matrix. Hansen: Aye, sir. Data: Is there a problem with the engines? Laforge: No. Data: Then why are you stabilizing the EPS conduit? Laforge: I'm just trying to get a slightly higher power conversion level. Data: But that would not affect the engines in any way. Laforge: I know that, Data. It's not the point. Data: What is the point? Laforge: I'm just trying to get a higher conversion level, that's all. Data: Why? Laforge: You know the Intrepid? Data: Yes. Laforge: Well, their Chief Engineer is Commander Donald Kaplan. He and I went through the Academy together. I just like to make sure that our power conversion levels are a little higher than theirs. Data: I understand. You are in competition with Mister Kaplan. Laforge: You might say that. This is the flagship. We should be better than everybody else. Data: Then you are trying to outperform the Intrepid. Laforge: Actually it's more a point of personal pride. These are my engines. And there's nothing wrong with a little friendly rivalry. Okay. Computer, how much have the conversion levels increased? Computer: Levels are unchanged. Laforge: All right, I'll deal with of this later. Let me give you a hand with those sensors. Laforge: How's that? Data: One moment. The phase buffer is functioning within normal parameters. Sensor efficiency has increased by six point seven percent. Laforge: Six point seven? One of the stages must still be out of alignment. Let's try junction A nine. Data: Geordi, I have taken your suggestion regarding Spot. Laforge: Coming down. Data: I have begun training her. Laforge: Really? Data: Yes. I am studying several new techniques. Data: I began with simple conditioned response exercises and followed with environmental enhancement. Next I plan to explore bioconditioning devices. Laforge: Devices? Data: Such as sensor nets for behavior modification or biofeedback motivators. Unfortunately, I have been less than successful. Laforge: I've got an idea. How about a phaser? A low stun setting at just the right moment might do the trick. Data: Geordi. I cannot stun my cat. Laforge: I was kidding, Data. Let's see what we've got. No, this isn't it, either. Data: Clearly there is a misalignment somewhere in this system. Laforge: That's for sure. Well, we've got one more possibility. Junction C twelve. Data: I am somewhat concerned that my training efforts will ultimately fail. Laforge: Maybe you're just going about it the wrong way, Data. Data: I have consulted numerous animal training manuals. Some of them claim that cats are inherently untrainable. Laforge: I don't believe that for a second. Listen to me. My sister didn't know a thing about animals and she was able to train her cat. How complicated could it be? Data: What did she train her cat to do? Laforge: She had that cat jumping into her arms on command. Data: Interesting. Perhaps I could modify your sister's techniques to keep Spot from jumping on console. Do you know how she was able to train her cat? Laforge: Well, as I recall, she walked around for two months with a piece of tuna in her blouse. Laforge: I was right. This buffer is out of alignment. Okay, try that. Data: Phase alignment is stabilized. However, sensor efficiency has increased by only an additional one point three percent. Laforge: It's not much, but every little bit going to help. Riker: Riker to Data. Data: Data here. Riker: We're picking up a ship ahead on long range sensors. If you and Geordi are through down there, we'd like to have you on the Bridge. Laforge: We're not going to squeeze anything else out of these systems. Data: Acknowledged, sir. We are on our way. Worf: We are within visual range, sir. Picard: On screen. Worf: It is a Ferengi transport ship, D'Kora class. Riker: That's the same Ferengi vessel that entered the Corridor a week ago. Laforge: Captain, there are no emissions from their plasma vents. Their warp drive must be completely inactive. Data: That is correct, sir. Their impulse system is down as well, Power generation is at extremely low levels. Picard: What about life signs? Data: Life support systems are also functioning at low levels. There are approximately four hundred fifty Ferengi on board. That is a standard complement for a ship of that class. Picard: Mister Worf, open a hailing frequency. Worf: There is no response on any channel, sir. Laforge: I'm not picking any subspace emissions from the ship at all, Captain. It looks like every one of their field coils has been overloaded. Riker: That would explain why they haven't respond to our hails. Data: It would also explain the failure of their warp drive. Laforge: Captain, Ferengi sensors are still online. I could modify one of our deflector emitters to transmit old style delta waves. If I modulate that with a comm. signal, the Ferengi should be able to pick that up. Picard: Make it so. Riker: If they did hijack the Fleming, they sure didn't get very far with the cargo. Picard: Mister Worf, have tractor beams standing by. We may have to take them under tow. Helm, take us within tractor range. Helm: Aye, sir. Worf: Captain, I am picking up power emissions from the Ferengi ship. They are locking weapons. Picard: Shields up. Riker: Ready phasers. Prepare to return fire. Picard: Target their weapons array only. Worf: Phasers locked. Picard: Fire. Data: Direct hit. Their weapon systems are down. Picard: Damage report. Worf: We sustained minimal damage to decks five and seven, sir. Data: Sir, the Ferengi ship's power has stabilized. They appear to have impulse capability. Riker: They were just playing dead. Conserving power until we got in close enough. Picard: But why would they attack us in the first place? Riker: Somehow I don't think they'll let us beam over there and ask them. Picard: Mister La Forge, how are you coming with that comm. link? Laforge: Almost ready, Captain. All right, let's give it a try. Picard: Open a channel. Picard: This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise. Will you please explain why you attacked us? Prak: Our attack? We were defending ourselves. Do you deny that you are responsible for disabling my vessel? Picard: DaiMon, your ship was adrift, your communications inoperative. We were attempting to assess your status. Prak: You were attempting to move in for the kill. Do not toy with me, Picard. We are obviously at your mercy, but know this. When the Ferengi Council learns of your actions, they will consider this an act of war. Picard: DaiMon, clearly there has been some misunderstanding. I think it would be in all interests if you were to come aboard and we discuss this situation. Prak: I see no reason to trust you, human. Picard: In that case, we'll be on our way. I'll relay your position to your government if you wish, in case you're unable to complete your repairs and you remain stranded. Prak: Perhaps it would be better to discuss the situation. Prak: We detected what appeared to be a Federation signal buoy. When we approached it, it emitted a massive verteron pulse. Our warp drive, our sensors, our communications systems were all disabled. We assumed we were the victims of a new Federation weapon. Picard: The Federation established this corridor to ensure safe access through this sector. We have nothing to gain from mining it. Riker: Whatever happened to your ship may not have been an isolated incident. A Federation Medical transport was recently lost in that corridor. Prak: We passed a Federation ship several days ago. It did not appear to be in any distress. Riker: Can you give us an idea of its heading? Prak: It is possible that information was recorded in our sensor logs, Commander. Unfortunately, my entire crew is occupied with our repairs. I don't think there will be time to search our records. Picard: DaiMon, if we assigned an Engineering team to assist you with your repair efforts, would that give you time to retrieve your logs? Prak: I believe it would, Captain. Data: Spot. Spot. Spot, down. Spot, down. Down. Spot. Down. This is down. Down is good. This is up. Up is no. Data: One moment. Come in. Laforge: Data. I had another idea that might help boost the power conversion levels. Could you give me a hand? Data: I would be happy to. Laforge: Don't tell me you're trying to teach the cat to use the console. Data: It is part of her training program. I am teaching Spot to jump down from the desk on my command. Laforge: How's it going? Data: I have not been entirely successful. Data: Feline supplement number two twenty one. Laforge: Data, that cat definitely has a mind of her own. Maybe she's just not trainable. Data: I suppose I must accept that possibility. It may be that Spot lacks the intelligence necessary to learn the appropriate responses to my commands. Laforge: I don't know about Spot, but it seems to me your training is coming along just fine. Come on, let's go. Laforge: Data, keep the EPS flow constant will you, while I re modulate the power taps. Data: This procedure will only increase the conversion level by point eight percent. Laforge: I know, but it could be just enough. Data: Enough? Laforge: I just received this from Commander Kaplan, subspace. Data: La Forge, I got the Intrepid's power conversion levels up to ninety seven point one percent. Maybe you should try cleaning your plasma grid once in a while. Laforge: Can you believe the nerve of that guy? Data: We perform maintenance on the plasma grid at regular intervals. Laforge: I know. He's just trying to get me angry. There. That should do it. Computer, what are the current power conversion levels? Computer: Power conversion levels are at ninety seven point two percent. Laforge: Too bad, Mister Kaplan. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have traced the Fleming's most likely course. It now appears that the vessel may have come to an unfortunate end. Picard: What's the origin of this debris field? Data: Unknown, sir. It does not appear in any Federation charts of the Corridor. Picard: Could it be what's left of the Fleming? Data: It is a possibility. The debris consists primarily of duranium and polycomposite fragments which suggest a ship. Furthermore, the field contains sufficient mass to account for the Fleming. Picard: All right, let's take a closer look. Perhaps we can find something that will give us a more positive identification. Helm, take us through the debris field, ahead slow. Data: Captain, I am picking up a small metallic object, approximately three point five meters in diameter. Riker: Could be a ship's log recorder, or a probe casing. Data: I do not believe so. It is emitting an unusual signal. Captain, it is beginning to generate a verteron field. Picard: Shields up! Full reverse. Now! Picard: Damage report. Worf: Warp engines are offline. Shields are down. All subspace systems are inoperative. Riker: Just like the Ferengi ship. Data: Unidentified ship heading toward us. Two life forms are aboard. Picard: On screen. Data: Captain, they are initiating their transporter system. Picard: Can we get more power to the shields? Worf: No, sir. Riker: All decks, security alert. Data: Captain, we are being boarded. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. Laforge: We have intruders in main Engineering. I need a security team down here immediately. Worf: It's on its way. Laforge: What do you want? Rabal: We're trying to make you listen. Serova: You're killing us. Picard: You have made a very serious accusation. I want you to explain it. Rabal: Captain, according to our research, warp fields cause a dangerous reaction in this region of space. Serova: Our planet is already being affected. We have measured large gravitational shifts throughout our system. Rabal: If something isn't done, our planet will become uninhabitable. Laforge: Captain, I've heard this theory before. Their research was evaluated by the Federation Science Council a few years ago. Quite frankly, it didn't hold up. Serova: That research was only preliminary. Our original analysis was incomplete. Picard: If you wanted us to review your research, you should have made a request through the Science Council. Rabal: Their resources are limited. It would have taken over a year before they dispatched a science ship to come and evaluate our work. Serova: We were not willing to wait any longer. We knew that if we disabled enough ships, Starfleet would come. Then at least we would be able to present our case. Riker: That's how you rationalize these attacks? Serova: Neither you nor the Ferengi suffered any casualties, Commander. The actual damage to your vessels was negligible. Rabal: We dispersed verteron probes in the Corridor merely to disable warp-driven ships. Nothing more. Riker: You can call it whatever you like. The fact remains you deliberately disguised your probes. You made them look like signal markers. You hid them in debris field. You mined the Corridor. Picard: Mister La Forge, how long do you estimate it will take to restore the engines? Laforge: Their verteron pulse overloaded our field coils, Captain. It'll take at least thirty six hours to get underway. Serova: I know precisely how our pulse affected your field coils. With my help, your ship could be operational in ten hours. Provided you agree to review our research. Picard: Because of the seriousness of your claim, I'm willing to listen to your case. But let there be no mistake. Our priority here is the recovery of the Fleming. Now I expect you to help us restore our engines and deactivate all of the remaining probes in the Corridor. If you do not, you will both be taken to the brig and from there to the nearest Starbase, where you will answer charges for what you have done. Rabal: My sister and I do not wish to impede your rescue process. Serova: Rabal, don't. The probes are the only leverage we have. If we Rabal: Serova. We will do as you ask, Captain. But please, re-examine our data. Picard: We will. It is part of our job to retain an open mind, even under these circumstances. Mister La Forge, take them to Engineering. Get the core back online. Laforge: Yes, sir. Picard: Mister Data, I want you to review their research. I'd like your report as soon as possible. Serova: There. Shields have been restored. You will be able to reengage your engines in approximately eight hours. Laforge: You know, even when we get the engines online, it's going to take at least a week to recalibrate them properly. Serova: I'm sorry you've been inconvenienced. But that's all it is, an inconvenience. Our concerns are much more important than the condition of your engines. Laforge: What if the Fleming had been transporting perishable supplies or was on an emergency mission? Your little plan might have cost a lot of lives. Serova: That didn't happen, Commander. And saving lives is precisely what we're trying to do. Laforge: Yeah, well, you have a very interesting way of going about it. Serova: There's no point in trying to talk to you. You've already decided not to listen. Rabal: Commander, I know my sister can be somewhat, er, aggravating. Laforge: I'd have to agree with that. Rabal: But please, try to understand. She believes profoundly in this cause. She has sworn to dedicate her life to exposing the dangers of warp drive. Laforge: Warp drive has been around for three centuries. It's a proven technology. Rabal: And you sound just like I did, about four years ago. Laforge: You mean you didn't believe her either? Rabal: No. What I didn't realize was just how brilliant my sister is. It took two years of study for me even to grasp the principles behind her theoretical models. They're that sophisticated. Laforge: Well our Commander Data's no slouch. If there's anything there, he'll find it. Rabal: Well I hope so, because once we persuade Starfleet to stop warp travel through the Corridor, we're going to have to convince our own people to give up warp drive completely. Laforge: Hekaras Two is the only inhabited world in this region. Without warp drive, you'd be completely isolated from the rest of the Federation. Are you really willing to take that step? Rabal: Yes. And if you were in my position, I hope you'd be willing to do the same thing. Data: Serova and Rabal believe there are regions of potential subspace instability within the Corridor. They believe that if these regions continue to be exposed to warp field energy, they will rupture. Subspace will extrude into normal space, forming a rift. Picard: It's like pacing up and down on the same piece of carpet. Eventually you wear it out. Data: That analogy is essentially correct, sir. Picard: Can this theory be proven? Data: Not at this time, sir. There is insufficient evidence to do so. In order to determine whether or not a rift will form, region must be exposed to warp field energy approximately one million times greater than that normally generated by a starship. Rabal: Commander, we believe the warp field effect is cumulative. Each starship that passes through the Corridor at warp brings us one step closer to forming a rift. Data: I agree that is a possibility. Captain, I suggest we ask the Federation Science Council to send a research vessel to this area. A more detailed investigation would resolve many of our questions. Serova: That's your response? More research? More delays. I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything different. Riker: Bridge to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead, Number One. Riker: We've located the Riker: Fleming on long range sensors, approximately zero point three light years away. Picard: What's their condition? Riker: The vessel appears to be intact. They have shields, but it looks like their subspace systems are out. Picard: Very well. Picard: We'll be underway as soon as our engines are online. Riker: Aye, sir. Picard: I would like you all to put together a research proposal for the Science Council. I'll give it my full recommendation. Rabal: Captain, I appreciate the opportunity you're giving us. It's a beginning that we need Serova: Not we. You can do whatever you want, Rabal. I'll have no part of this. It's just another delay. Laforge: Captain, the engines are back online. All systems are ready. Picard: Very good. Helm, lay in a course for the Fleming. Helm: Aye, sir. Riker: They appear to be in pretty good condition. According to our sensors their shields back to full strength. Worf: Captain, the Hekaran ship is moving off. There is one person on board. It is Serova. Picard: Doctor, what is going on? Rabal: I don't know. Captain, may I speak to her? Picard: Mister Worf, open a channel. Rabal: Serova, what are you trying to do? Serova: They wanted proof. I'm going to give it to them. I'm sorry. Data: Captain, the Hekaran ship's engines are beginning to overload. I believe Serova's attempting to create a warp core breach. Rabal: No! Riker: Prepare for impact. Riker: Shields at maximum. Full reverse. Picard: Report! Data: We have cleared the shock wave. However, tetryon flux in the area is increasing rapidly. Riker: It's incredible. Picard: Mister Data, what's your analysis? Data: The event is approximately zero point one light years in diameter, and it is emitting extremely high levels of tetryon radiation. It appears to be what Rabal and Serova predicted, a subspace rift. Laforge: She was right. Picard: Can you get a fix on the Fleming? Is she still in one piece? Data: Scanning. The Fleming is near its previous coordinates. It appears to be intact, but it is now within the rift. Picard: Doctor, is it possible for a ship to survive in there? Doctor. I'm sorry about your loss but we need your help now. Rabal: Of course, Captain. Picard: Does the rift pose any danger to the Fleming? Rabal: I don't know. Riker: What was that? Laforge: Some kind of high energy distortion wave. Looks like they're being generated from within the rift. Data: IF we maintain our current position, our shields should provide sufficient protection. Picard: What about the Fleming? How long can they survive in there? Data: The waves are even more intense within the rift. I estimate her shields will fail in approximately twelve hours. Riker: Can we risk going in there to get them out? Laforge: Not at warp, Commander. According to these readings, the rift is in a state of accelerating instability which would make it extremely sensitive to warp field energy. If we go in at warp, we might make it expand even further. Riker: I don't think we have a choice. It would take weeks to reach them at impulse. Picard: I want some better options. Data, Geordi, take Doctor Rabal and begin an analysis of the rift. We need to find some way to get the Fleming out of there. Second Officer's log, stardate 47312.1. Our new sensor readings have greatly improved our understanding of the rift. However, we have been unable to find any way to counteract it. Laforge: Everything here supports Serova's theories. I can't find any way to close the rift or even reduce its size. Data: Doctor, is it possible there are areas inside the rift which are stable, where we can safely use our warp engines? Rabal: Perhaps. Computer, scan the rift for regions of low instability. Rabal: There's no area stable enough to withstand a warp pulse. Laforge: Wait a minute. This is strange. Computer, display grid delta seventeen. Enhance and magnify. What do you make of that? Rabal: It's a subspace instability outside the rift. Data: That should not be possible. Rabal: Commander, I'm going to begin a field enhanced scan of this sector. I'd like to take a closer look at this. Laforge: In the meantime, we'd better tell the Captain we don't know how to get to the Fleming. Data: I am not certain that is true. I believe I have an idea. Data: I suggest we coast into the rift. Riker: Coast? Data: We can initiate a brief, high intensity warp pulse from our current position. We should be able to attain sufficient velocity to enter the rift, beam the crew off the Fleming and exit without using our warp engines. Riker: All right, let's say we initiate a full power warp pulse. How much time do we need to drop out of warp? Data: If we field saturate the nacelles, we should be able to sustain warp speed for approximately two minutes. Riker: That doesn't give us much time, and it could get pretty rough in there. Data: The timing will be critical. Picard: Begin your calculations, Mister Data. We'll go as soon as you're ready. Data: Aye, sir. Data: I believe the maximum saturation level should be eighteen point three percent. Laforge: All right. With these parameters, we should be able to maintain warp speed for two minutes eight seconds. I don't think we can get any more than that. Data: I agree. But based on the size of the rift, it should give us sufficient time to complete the rescue. Computer, initiate nacelle field saturation. Laforge: How did we miss it, Data? Data: I beg your pardon? Laforge: How did we miss the connection between warp drive and the formation of the rift? Between the two of us we've logged thousands of hours on these engines. We're supposed to be warp field experts. We certainly were wrong this time. Data: Technically, Geordi, we were not wrong. Serova's theories rested on assumptions which were unprovable. Laforge: Seems to me she managed to prove them pretty conclusively. Data: By using methods any reputable scientist would never employ. Laforge: Yeah, she was willing to die to make her point. We should have listened to her more closely, Data. Data: We reviewed Serova's research to the best of our abilities, and we were prepared to continue studying the problem. But that was not satisfactory. Laforge: Yeah, I can remember times when I was a little stubborn, trying to get people to believe me when I didn't have enough proof. Data: I do not believe that you would have resorted to such extremes. Laforge: But she had to, just to get us to listen. Why was I so resistant? Data: Perhaps because her aggressive methods created an adversarial situation. Laforge: Yeah. Maybe I was taking the whole thing personally. Data: I do not understand. Laforge: Maybe I was a little threatened. The thought that warp engines might be doing some kind of damage. It's going to take another half an hour for the nacelles to saturate. Will you call me when they're done? Rabal: Commander. Laforge: May I join you? Laforge: I wanted to say I'm sorry about your sister. Rabal: Thank you. I'm trying to tell myself that she died for what she believed in, but somehow that isn't much comfort. Laforge: I wish it could have happened differently. Maybe I should have looked at the research more closely. It's possible there's something that I missed. Rabal: No. You didn't miss anything. The problem was time. We needed more time to do the proper research. Serova wasn't willing to wait. Laforge: No. I guess the question is now, where do we go from here? Rabal: I don't think we can look at space travel the same way anymore. We're going to have to change. Laforge: I've been in Starfleet for a long time. We depend on warp drive. I just don't know how easy it's going to be to change. Rabal: It won't be easy at all. Data: Captain, warp pulse calculations are complete. We will be firing the engines at maximum intensity for six point three seconds before disengaging. Worf: Damage control teams are standing by on all decks. Riker: The course to the Fleming is plotted and laid in, sir. Picard: Mister La Forge, whenever you're ready. Laforge: Aye, sir. Laforge: Initiating warp pulse now. Data: Engines disengaged. We are now entering the rift. Hull stress is increasing. Eighty three percent of maximum tolerance and rising. Picard: How long until we reach the Fleming? Worf: One minute twenty two seconds. Riker: All transporter rooms are standing by. Worf: Captain, I am picking up power emissions from the Fleming. They may be attempting to initiate their warp drive. Riker: They might have been able to repair their engines. Data: Captain, if they activate Picard: I know, Mister Data. Can we establish communication? Worf: No, sir. Subspace interference is too high. Picard: How long until we reach transporter range? Worf: Fifty three seconds. Riker: I don't think we're going to make it. Worf: Captain, they have initiated their warp drive. Picard: Report. Worf: Damage on decks six and fourteen. Our structural integrity field is holding. Riker: What about the Fleming? Data: They are badly damaged, sir. Their life support systems are failing. Riker: All transporter rooms, prepare emergency evacuation procedures. Data: Captain, when the Fleming activated their warp drive, the rift expanded by two point three percent. We no longer have sufficient momentum to escape. Data: Distortion wave intensity has increased by a factor of ten. Worf: We are within transporter range of the Fleming, sir. Commencing evacuation procedures. Data: Distortion waves occurring every fifty nine seconds. Hull stress is nearing maximum tolerance. Riker: Data, what if we forced an EPS discharge through the impulse reactor. Would that be enough to get us out of here? Data: I do not believe so, sir, and the resulting explosion would likely destroy the saucer section in the process. Laforge: Captain Laforge: We might be able to get out of here without using the warp engines. Riker: How, Geordi? Laforge: When was the last time you went surfing, Commander? Picard: A distortion wave. Laforge: Exactly, Captain. If can phase match our deflector shield Laforge: To the EM variance of the distortion wave, when the next one hits we'll be pulled along with it. Riker: We could ride it through the rift and then break away once we're clear. That is, if we survive the ride. Picard: Is everyone off the Fleming? Worf: The last of the crew has been beamed aboard, sir. Picard: All right, Mister La Forge, get us out of here. Laforge: Yes, sir. Phase matching the deflectors shield now. Data: The next distortion wave will impact in fourteen seconds. Laforge: Matching phases. Prepare to engage the deflector shield on my mark. Data: Ten seconds. Laforge: And mark. Picard: Engage deflector shield. Full power. Laforge: We lost it. Data: We were unable to maintain phase match with the distortion wave, sir. Picard: What went wrong, Mister La Forge? Laforge: The speed differential was too high, Captain. Data: Another distortion wave approaching. Impact in twenty six seconds. Riker: Our hull stress is already critical. We can't handle many more jolts like that. Data: Captain, I suggest we take the ship to full impulse. If we can attain sufficient speed, it will lessen the shock when the wave hits. Picard: Helm, full impulse. Head us out of the rift. Mister Worf, channel all available power to the structural integrity fields. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Stand by deflector shield. Laforge: We're ready, Captain. Data: Distortion wave impact in five seconds. Picard: Engage deflector shield, now. Data: We are now within the distortion wave. Hull stresses have exceeded maximum tolerance. Worf: Structural integrity fields are failing on decks ten through sixteen. Switching to backups. Laforge: We're separating from the distortion wave. I'm attempting to compensate. Picard: How much longer until we clear the rift? Data: Approximately twelve seconds, sir. Hull stresses one hundred twenty percent above tolerance. Worf: A structural breach is imminent. Data: We have cleared the rift, sir. Hull stress has returned to normal. Picard: Cancel red alert. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47314.5. We have been continuing our research, while the Federation Council studies our preliminary reports on the subspace rift. It now appears certain that what we've seen here will have repercussions for many years to come. Laforge: Our scans have shown a lot of subspace instabilities throughout the sector. If they're exposed to enough warp energies, they could eventually create other rifts. Picard: Doctor Rabal? Rabal: Based on current warp drive patterns in the sector, we've projected where subspace rifts will be most likely to be formed over the next forty years. This is the way things are now. This is how they'll look in ten years. Twenty years. Thirty years. Forty years. Picard: Thank you, Doctor, Mister La Forge. Picard: Ah. We've received new directives from the Federation Council on this matter. Until we can find a way to counteract the warp field effect, the Council feels our best course is to slow the damage as much as possible. Therefore, areas of space found susceptible to warp fields will be restricted to essential travel only, and effective immediately all Federation vessels will be limited to a speed of warp five, except in cases of extreme emergency. Worf: The Klingons will observe these restrictions, but the Romulans will not. Troi: And what about the Ferengi? And the Cardassians, for that matter? Picard: The Federation's sharing all our data with warp-capable species. We can only hope that they realize it's in their own interests and take similar action. Crusher: Putting limits on warp speed is only going to prevent other rifts from forming. What are we going to do about this one? Laforge: Unfortunately, right now there's not much we can do. Rabal: The gravitational shifts have already begun to affect my planet's orbit. Our climate is changing. Picard: The Federation is setting up a weather control matrix on Hekaras Two. It's only a temporary solution, but it should suffice for now. Riker: We're lucky the rift took place as far away from the planet as it did. It gives us some time to consider our options. Picard: If there are no more questions, you're all dismissed. Laforge: We should have those thermal stabilizers ready for the Hekarans in another day, sir. Picard: Very well. You know, Geordi, I spent the better part of my life exploring space. I've charted new worlds, I've met dozens of new species. And I believe that these were all valuable ends in themselves. Now it seems that all this while, I was helping to damage the thing that I hold most dear. Laforge: It's won't turn out that way, Captain. We still have time to make it better.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47410.2. The Atrean government has requested assistance in averting a natural disaster. Two of their geologists have come aboard, one of whom is a human who has been living on Atrea Four. Juliana: Captain, our situation has worsened since my husband and I first contacted you. The molten core of our planet is not just cooling, it's begun to solidify. Pran: Our gravitational field has been affected. Seismic activity has increased by a factor of three. Juliana: If the cooling continues at this rate Atrea will become uninhabitable in thirteen months. Laforge: We could minimize seismic activity by creating isobaric fissures and relieving some of the tectonic stress, but that would just be a temporary fix. Data: The only permanent solution would be to re-liquefy the core. Laforge: These pockets in the magma layer, how close are they to the molten region of the core? Juliana: A few kilometers, why? Laforge: Data, do you think that's close enough for ferro-plasmic infusion? Data: The procedure will involve using the ship's phasers to drill down through the planet's surface into the pockets, where we would set up a series of plasma infusion units. Laforge: We'll trigger the units by firing modulated energy bursts down through the shafts. Juliana: I see. Injecting sufficient plasma directly into the core should trigger a chain reaction, and that will reliquify the magma. Data: It should be possible to stabilize the core temperature at ninety three percent of normal. Pran: If it works, the core would remain molten for centuries. Picard: If you give your permission, we could begin immediately. Pran: Very well. But before we proceed, I'd like to update our geological surveys. Laforge: Fine. I'd be very happy to help you with that, Doctor. Picard: I've assigned you quarters during out time here. Please, make yourselves comfortable. Pran: Thank you, Captain. Juliana: Data? Data: Yes, Doctor? Juliana: Do you have any idea who I am? Data: You are Doctor Juliana Tainer. Juliana: You lost all your early memories. We thought you would, but we couldn't be certain. Data: Have we met before? Juliana: Oh, Data, I was there, right at the beginning on Omicron Theta. I helped create you. Now look at you. Data: You were a colleague of Doctor Soong? Juliana: Yes, I certainly was. And I was also his wife. In a way, I suppose you could say I am your mother. Juliana: I still can't believe I'm seeing you like this again, after all these years. Data: Doctor, I have no memory of you. Juliana: Oh, there's a reason for that. We wiped your processors after we finished refining your programming. Why don't you tell me what you do remember, and then I'll fill in the gaps. Data: My memory record begins when I was activated by the Starfleet officers on the Omicron Theta outpost. Juliana: After the attack of the Crystalline Entity. Data: Yes. All of the inhabitants of the colony were killed. However, I discovered that my memory banks contained the contents of their journals and logs. Juliana: We hoped their experiences would be useful. After your childhood, we figured you could use all the help you could get. Data: My childhood? Juliana: That's what I called it. You were like a baby, at first. A hundred kilogram baby, but still. You had trouble learning your motor skills, learning how to process sensory information. And of course Noonian was never satisfied. He kept tinkering, trying to make you as human as possible. Data: So you wiped my memory processors after this childhood. Juliana: Then we deactivated you and programmed you with the colonists' logs. We had planned to reactivate you, but we never got the chance. That's when the Crystalline Entity attacked. We had to leave quickly. We wanted to take you with us, but there was only room for two in the escape pod. Data: Doctor, I have scanned the journals of the colonists. There is only one Juliana mentioned in them. Her last name was O'Donnell. Juliana: That's me. Data: But there was no mention that my father was married to you. Juliana: Because of my mother. She thought that Noonian was an eccentric scientist who was too old for me. We decided to marry secretly to give her a chance to get used to our being together. We slipped away to Mavala Four and got married there. A Klingon and a Corvallan trader were our witnesses. It wasn't exactly the wedding I'd hoped for. Somehow Noonian had a way of making even the oddest things seem romantic. Data: My father did have an unusual way of looking at things. Juliana: How would you know that? Data: I encountered him once in the Terlina system. Juliana: That's where we went to after we left the outpost. I had no idea that you'd even met him. Data: It was shortly before his death. Juliana: He's dead? Data: Yes. Juliana: I had no idea it would hit me this hard. We didn't exactly part on the best of terms. Data: What do you mean? Juliana: I realized he loved his work as much as he loved me. Maybe more. There we were, stuck on this planet in the middle of the jungle with no one else to talk to. No life. It just wasn't enough. That's why I left. That was all a very, very long time ago. The important thing is that we're here now together. And I do want to get to know you. Data: This has been an interesting encounter, and an altogether unexpected one. I would like to corroborate your story before we proceed further. Excuse me, Doctor. Laforge: Data, I'm almost finished reconfiguring the phaser banks. We should be able to start drilling in about an hour. Data: Inform me when you are ready. Laforge: What is it you're doing over there? Data: I am attempting to ascertain whether Doctor Tainer's story is true. Laforge: Don't you believe her? Data: I neither believe nor doubt. I am simply attempting to verify her assertions. Laforge: Well, what have you turned up so far? Data: The Registrar's Office on Mavala Four cannot confirm whether Doctor Soong was married there. Apparently many of the documents were lost when the government was overthrown. Laforge: What's that you're looking at? Data: I am checking passenger manifests to see if they went to Mavala during the period in question. O'Donnell, Juliana. Soong, Noonian. They were both passengers on a transport which traveled from Omicron Theta to Mavala and returned four days later. Laforge: That sure fits with her story. Data: Still, the fact that they went to Mavala does not prove they were married there. Laforge: You know, Data, it almost seems to me like you're trying to prove that Doctor Tainer wasn't telling the truth. Data: Not at all. I am merely unable to reconcile her story with the fact that my father never mentioned her to me. Laforge: Well, she did leave him. Maybe she broke his heart. Maybe he just didn't want to talk about her. Let me ask you this. Doctor Soong created an emotion chip. Didn't Lore tell you that chip also contained memories, memories Soong wanted you to have? Data: Yes. It is possible that those are memories of my childhood. And of Mrs Soong. Laforge: When you think about it, why would she want to lie? Why would anybody want to pretend to be your mother? Data: I can think of no motive for such a pretense. Laforge: And I can understand that this might all be a little disconcerting for you, Data. It came out of the blue, and it doesn't fit into your logical processors. Data: That is true. Laforge: But that's life, Data. Part of being human is learning how to deal with the unexpected. To risk new experiences even when they don't fit into your preconceptions. Data: I admit I am finding it difficult to accept the possibility of a past about which I know nothing. But it is also true that I am curious to learn more about it. Juliana: Data? Data: I would like to get to know you better, Mother. Juliana: I wanted to make you female, but your father insisted on a son. We argued about it endlessly, right up until we were ready to assemble you. Data: How did you decide? Juliana: Noonian walked in with your head in his hand and, innocent as you please, said it was up to me. He knew perfectly well what he was doing. Once again he had made it in his own image. What could I possibly say? Deanna Troi, is that who you're going to visit? Data: Yes. Juliana: Your father would be so pleased. Data: Pleased? Juliana: He was worried that the sexuality program he designed for you wouldn't work. Data: You misunderstand. Counselor Troi is a therapist. Juliana: Goodnight. Data: We will be in position over the drilling site in three minutes twenty nine seconds. Data: These scans indicate that the magma pockets where we plan to set up the infusion units are somewhat unstable. Juliana: I'm going to monitor the density of the rock layers and adjust the strength of the particle beam as we go. That should minimize the seismic stress that we generate while we're drilling. Laforge: Data, I reconfigured the phasers to create the most highly focused particle beam possible. Data: Thank you, Geordi. Juliana: I'm just so pleased you've got good manners. It wasn't easy to strike the right balance with your programming. At first you couldn't have cared less about the social niceties like please and thank you. You were downright rude, in fact. Laforge: Data? That's hard to picture. Juliana: That was nothing to the problems we encountered. Never mind. I don't want to embarrass you. Data: I am incapable of embarrassment. Please continue. Juliana: Well, the one thing we couldn't anticipate was that you didn't seem to mind about being naked. Some of the colonists objected to having an anatomically correct android running around without any clothes on. We asked you to dress, but you didn't feel it was necessary because you didn't suffer from the elements. We actually had to write a modesty sub-routine to get you to keep your clothes on. Riker: Bridge to Engineering. Laforge: La Forge here. Go ahead, Commander. Riker: We've established a synchronous orbit over the drilling site. Laforge: Phaser modifications are online, sir. Data: My calculations indicate Data: The first phaser blast will be approximately nineteen seconds in duration. Riker: Acknowledged. Pran: Someone's checked his calculations, of course. Riker: No, but I'm sure Mister Data knows what he's doing. Pran: Even so, he is a machine. Someone should check up on him. Riker: I have complete confidence in Mister Data's ability to check up on himself. Mister Worf? Worf: Phasers locked on target. Riker: Fire when ready. Data: We are within two kilometers of the magma pocket. Juliana: Another five seconds should do it. We've broken through. Worf: Terminating the beam. Juliana: The pocket seems stable. Data: I detect no increase in the stress levels of the surrounding magma. Riker: Good work, Data. Riker: I don't think we could have gotten it any cleaner. Juliana: We have Data to thank for that. I couldn't have done it without him. His figures were perfect. Data: The drilling process has raised the temperature in the magma pockets by almost three hundred degrees Celsius. It will be several hours before it cools enough for us to enter. Juliana: Data, do you have any plans right now? Data: I do not. Juliana: Maybe we should spend a little time together? I'd love to see your quarters. Data: Thank you. I will be playing this piece at a recital tomorrow evening. Juliana: That was beautiful. Data: I have been told that my playing is technically flawless, but no one has described it as beautiful. Juliana: It was, really. Data: Are you certain you are not saying this because you are my mother? I have noticed that parents tend to exaggerate when it comes to their children's accomplishments. Juliana: I suppose there's a certain amount of vanity involved, considering that giving you a creative aspect was my idea. Your father didn't really see the point. He thought that since you didn't have emotions, there would be no real need for you to express yourself. Somehow I had the feeling the opposite would be true. Data: I do not know for certain, but I believe it is during my creative endeavors that I come closest to experiencing what it must be like to be human. Juliana: Well, I'm glad I insisted. Data: As am I. Juliana: Data, I'm very familiar with that Handel piece. How would you feel about my playing the viola part tomorrow? Data: I would like that very much. Juliana: I'll have to practice. You don't have a viola? Data: I could replicate one for you. Computer, please replicate one viola. Juliana: Did you paint these? Data: Yes. I am attempting to master all known styles of painting. This one is in the style of the early French impressionists. Juliana: It's very good. Who's this? Data: That is Lal, my daughter. Juliana: Your daughter? Data: I created her, using myself as a model. Juliana: Where is she now? Data: The positronic matrix I designed for her was unstable. She only lived a short time. Juliana: I see. Data: In a sense, you were her grandmother. Would you like to practice now? Juliana: Yes. Yes, of course. Data: The acoustics in Ten Forward are most favorable. Juliana: Yes, yes, very nice. Data, may I ask you something? Data: Of course. Juliana: Do you think you'll ever try to create an android again? Data: Perhaps. I created Lal because I wished to procreate. Despite what happened to her, I still have that wish. Juliana: How do you know the same thing won't happen? Creating a stable positronic matrix is very tricky. Your father lost several prototypes before Lore. Data: I was not aware he created other androids before my brother. Juliana: There were three of them. They were like children to us. Losing them was very painful. When Noonian decided to try again, I was very much against it. I didn't think we had the right to bring a life into the world with so little chance of surviving. But your Father was sure that he'd figured out what went wrong, insisted he could make a stable matrix, and he did. But Lore was cruel. Evil. Eventually we had no choice, we had to dismantle him. Your father decided to build yet another android, one who didn't have emotions. I couldn't believe he would want to try again. Data: I am that android. Are you saying you were against my creation? Juliana: Initially I was. But I was wrong, I know that now. I've followed your progress for years. I'm very proud of what you've accomplished. Data: Then why did you never attempt to contact me? Juliana: Because I felt guilty about something I'd done. Data: Perhaps if you told me what has made you feel this way, it may alleviated the guilt. Juliana: I lied. When I said there was no room for you in the escape pod that we took from Omicron. There was. I didn't want to bring you with us. I was afraid if we reactivated you, you'd turn out like Lore. I made Noonian leave you behind. Data: We are within four kilometers of the magma pocket. Laforge: We're picking up feedback pulses along the particle beam. Juliana: We must have hit a pocket of magnesite ore. I'll try to adjust the phaser harmonics to compensate. Riker: Data, we're going to have to terminate the beam if this keeps up. Data: If we do, we will have to begin a new shaft at a suitable location. Juliana: There is no other suitable location. Just give me a few more seconds. Laforge: Doctor, it's going to take longer than that to match the Laforge: You did it. Juliana: It was just luck I hit the right frequency. All right, we're less than two kilometers away from the target site. Stand by to terminate the beam. Laforge: We've broken through. Juliana: Now. Data: I am detecting no signs of Data: Instability. Pran: Commander, may I suggest we set up the infusion unit in the first magma pocket and give this one a chance to cool. Riker: Data Riker: Doctor Tainer, we'll meet you in transporter room two. Data: Acknowledged. Data: I have initialized the plasma induction coils. Juliana: I'll need another minute to align the diverter. Pran: There are signs of stress in the surrounding magma, but the site should remain stable until we finish the plasma infusion. Juliana: Good, we're almost done here. Pran: Data, Juliana told me what she said to you last night. She's been very upset. I don't blame you for being angry with her Data: I am incapable of anger. Juliana: It's all right, Pran. I know what I said to you must have been hard to hear, but I hope you understand my reasons. Data: I am not certain I do. Perhaps you could clarify them for me? Juliana: Well, I'll try. What do you want to know? Data: If I had been your biological offspring, would you have left me on Omicron Theta? Juliana: Oh, Data, how can I answer that? Data: Doctor Tainer, I get the impression you are trying to spare my feelings. I assure you that is not necessary. Juliana: I just don't want you to misunderstand my answer. No, I wouldn't have left you behind if you'd been my biological child. Data: Is that because you place more value on biological life than on artificial life? Juliana: Absolutely not. I cherished every android your father and I created as if it were my child. Even Lore. Despite the fact that he turned on us, despite the dreadful things he did, dismantling him was the most difficult thing I ever had to do. I was afraid that if you turned out like him I would have to dismantle you, too. And I couldn't bear to do that. I'm not trying to justify leaving you behind. I'm just sorry I did. I hope you believe me. Data: I do. Thank you for making it clear to me. Audience: Bravo, bravo. Crusher: Data, why do you want to look at Doctor Tainer's medical records? Is something wrong with her? Data: I was hoping you would be able to determine that from her transporter trace pattern. Crusher: Well, probably I could, but ordinarily I don't check somebody's medical status without a good reason. Data: Doctor, I would ask that you not require me to be more specific. I assure you, I have a good reason for asking. Crusher: All right, Data. At first glance I see nothing wrong with her. Except for a mild case of hypertension, which is normal for a woman her age. Data: I see. Crusher: Maybe you should tell me what her symptoms are. Data: She has not complained of any discomfort. Crusher: Then why do you want to see her medical records? Data: Because I have reason to believe she is not who she claims to be. Riker: Bridge to Data. Data: Go ahead, sir. Riker: There's been a cave-in in one of the magma pockets. You're needed in transporter room two. Data: On my way. Excuse me, Doctor. Juliana: What happened? Pran: We were running a final check on the infusion units when a part of the wall gave way. Laforge: It looks like the area has stabilized, but seismic stress is building up. Eventually, the pocket will collapse. Riker: How long, Geordi? Laforge: It's tough to tell, Commander. Twelve hours at most. Juliana: Then we must finish configuring the unit and inject the plasma immediately. Riker: I'd rather not send anyone back down there. Juliana: If you don't do it Juliana: Now, Commander, it may take months to find another suitable site. The core may solidify by then. Pran: She's right, we have to act now. Riker: All right, but I want you in and out of there as quickly as possible. Data: Acknowledged. Juliana: You're hurt. I'll go. Data: There will be more seismic activity. We must hurry. Data: The shaft has not been obstructed by the seismic activity. It should be possible to trigger the unit from orbit. Juliana: The infuser's been damaged. We're going to have to start the programming sequence all over again. Data: Priming the energy-transfer matrix. Juliana: Re-initializing the particle stream buffer. Riker: Riker to Data. Are you there? Data: Go ahead, sir. Riker: We're reading an increase in seismic stress levels. Data: Understood, sir. We will attempt to expedite our work. Juliana: There. Now we just have to re-align the diverter. Riker: Data, are you all right? Data: Yes, sir. We'll be returning to the beam-out point shortly. Juliana: That's it. Let's go. Juliana: Can we transport without the pattern enhancers? Data: No, we are too far below the surface. Juliana: How are we going to get down there? Data: There are no handholds in the rock face. We are going to have to jump. Juliana: No, it's too far! I won't make it! Data: You will. Laforge: Basically she's a Soong-type android, except everything about her is designed to fool you into thinking she's human. Crusher: She's got tear ducts, sweat glands, even veins and capillaries underneath her skin. Riker: Why does the scanner read her as a human? Crusher: Because she has a feedback processor designed to send out a false bio-signal. Laforge: It's part of her aging program. Not only does she age in appearance like Data, her vital signs change too. Crusher: What I can't figure out is why she lost consciousness. As far as I can see, everything is fine. She should be awake. Data: Check her positronic matrix. There may be a cascade anomaly. Riker: You said you knew she was an android. How? Data: The first indication occurred when we were digging. I saw her perform complex calculations without the assistance of the computer. Riker: That could have just meant she was good at math. Data: That is true, but it was enough to get my attention. Later, I noticed something odd about the way she blinked her eyes. The intervals between blinks were governed by the Fourier system, the same mathematical formula my father used to give my blinking pattern the appearance of randomness. Riker: Only you could have noticed something like that. Data: Then there was the concert in Ten Forward. Riker: What about it? Data: We had practiced the piece, and I noticed that she played it the same way during the performance. Every pitch, every intonation, was exactly the same. Only an artificial life form could have done that. Riker: Does her husband know anything about this? Data: I do not believe so. He is on the surface monitoring the plasma infusion. Riker: Probably just as well. Laforge: Data, come take a look at this. Data: It appears to be an information module. With a holographic interface. Soong: Whoever you are, you must have found out about Juliana. Data: That is correct. Soong: I programmed this hologram to answer any questions you might have. I am Noonian Soong. I created her. Data: I am Data. Soong: Data? I hoped somehow it might be you. I even created a response program to answer your questions. How are you, boy? Data: I am fine. Soong: I'm glad you got the chance to meet your mother. Data: You refer to Doctor Tainer as my mother, yet the complexity of her design indicates she was created after I was. Soong: You're right. But there was a real Juliana O'Donnell. She was my wife. She helped me create you. Data: What happened to her? Soong: She was injured when the Crystalline Entity attacked. We made it as far as Terlina Three but, she slipped into a coma. When I realized nothing could be done for her, I built an android. I tried to perfect my synaptic scanning technique so that I could transfer Juliana's memories into a positronic matrix. I didn't know if it would work, but I had to try. I couldn't stand the thought of losing the only woman I ever loved. A few days after Juliana died, I activated the android. She looked up at me and smiled. She recognized me. It had worked! Here was a life not two minutes old, and as far as she knew I was her husband. She'd just recovered from a terrible injury. It was incredible. Data: Then you never told her the truth? Soong: Why? There was no reason for her to know. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted us to be happy. We were. For a while. Data: What happened? Soong: I made a terrible mistake. I never really let her know how much I loved her. So she left me. The real Juliana probably would have left too, if she'd lived. Data: If she recovers and learns that she is an android Soong: She doesn't have to know. I designed her to shut down in the event the truth was discovered. When you put that chip back in, she will wake up and remember nothing. All you have to do is make up some excuse about what happened to her. Data: Then you do not believe she should know the truth? Soong: Truth? The truth is, in every way that matters, she is Juliana Soong. I programmed her to terminate after a long life. Let her live out her days, and die believing she was human. Don't rob her of that, son. Please. Data: It seems that I must make a decision. Whether to tell Doctor Tainer that she is an android or to withhold that information from her. I do not know what to do. Crusher: Why was Doctor Soong so adamant that she not be told? Data: He seemed certain that if she knew, it would preclude the possibility of her being happy. Picard: Data, what do you think? Data: I am not certain. I understand why my father felt as he did, but his wishes are not necessarily paramount. I am more concerned with what would be best for her. Crusher: Wouldn't she be better off knowing the truth? Dealing with the reality of her existence? Troi: I don't think so. She's believed she's human all her life. The truth might be devastating to her. Picard: Data, there might come some time in the future when she would find out anyway. Another accident, perhaps. Maybe it would be easier for her if she learned the truth from you. Crusher: I can tell you that if I were in her place, I would rather be told by my son than by some stranger. Data: I find I am having difficulty separating what would be best for her from what would be best for me. Troi: What do you mean? Data: If she knew she were an android, we would have something to share. I would no longer be alone in the universe. Troi: I know how much that means to you, Data, but at the same time, by telling her you're robbing her of the one thing you've wanted all your life. To be human. Picard: It's a difficult choice. You must do what you think best, Data. But whatever decision you make, we will support it. Juliana: Data? What happened? The last thing I remember is jumping off a cliff. Data: You were knocked unconscious by the fall. You broke a bone in your arm, but Doctor Crusher repaired it. Everything is fine. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The infusion of plasma into the core of Atrea Four has been accomplished. The core should remain molten for several hundred years. Juliana: When will I see you again? Data: Perhaps I can visit Atrea on my next leave. Juliana: I would like that very much. Well, I'd better be going. Data: There is something I thought you should know. My father told me that he had only one great love in his life and that he regretted never telling her how much he cared for her. I am certain he was referring to you. Juliana: That's nice to know. On Atrea there is a saying, that a child born from parents who love each other will have nothing but goodness in his heart. I guess that explains you. Take care of yourself, son. Data: Goodbye, Mother. Energize.

Worf: Personal log, stardate 47391.2. I am returning from the Bat'leth competition on Forcas Three. The conditions were difficult. Several contenders were maimed. But I was triumphant. I won Champion Standing. I am looking forward to resuming my duties aboard the Enterprise. However, I am anticipating a troubling situation. Riker: It looks like we're going to have to head into to the Argus Array. This is the third time this year it's stopped relaying data. Starfleet's beginning to think it's more than a simple malfunction. I want you to start a long range scan once we get. Lieutenant? Are you listening to me? Worf: Hmm? Yes, sir. Riker: You seem awfully tense for a man who just came back from vacation. Worf: Today is my birthday. Riker: What's the matter with you? Worf: Because it is my birthday I assumed that you or one of the others would try to mount an unexpected social gathering. Riker: A surprise party? Mister Worf, I hate surprise parties. I would never do that to you. Worf: I am sorry, Commander. Riker: Settle in. I'll meet you on the Bridge. Worf: Aye sir. All: Surprise!! Riker: I love surprise parties. All: Cha Worf Toh'gah nah lo Pre'tOk. Cha Worf Toh'gah nah lo Pre'tOk. Cha Worf Toh'gah nah lo Pre'tOk. Tu Mak Dagh Cha doh Borak! Worf: That was not a Klingon song. Troi: It wasn't easy to translate. There doesn't seem to be a Klingon word for jolly. Crusher: It's traditional for the birthday boy to cut the cake. Riker: Captain Picard sends his birthday wishes. He was needed on the Bridge. Data: Happy birthday, Worf. Worf: Thank you. Worf: Ah. A painting. Data: Yes. I have entered my Expressionistic phase. This is my interpretation of the Battle of HarOS. Worf: The Battle of HarOS? Troi: I think it's wonderful. And I know just where to put it. Worf: What are you doing? Troi: I always thought this room could use a little more color. Laforge: Nice. The Battle of HarOS, right? Laforge: Worf, are you all right? Worf: Yes, Yes, I think Data's painting is making me dizzy. Crusher: Some cake? Laforge: Thank you, Doctor. Worf: I thought the cake was chocolate. Troi: Don't I wish. This is from Alexander. He gave it me just before he left to visit your parents. Thank you. Laforge: What is it, Worf? Worf: It is a cast of Alexander's forehead. The ridges of a warrior. Troi: He wished he could have been here when you got back from shore leave. You should have seen him, Worf. He stayed up all night talking about how proud he was of his father. Worf: Thank you for watching him while I was away. Troi: Oh, it was my pleasure. Picard: So, how old are you, Mister Worf? Worf: Captain, I was told you could not attend. Picard: I wouldn't miss this for the world. How old are you? Worf: I am old enough. Picard: Report. Data: The Array appears to be functioning normally, sir. Riker: That can't be right. We were told the Array stopped relaying data six days ago. Data: The Array is still transmitting data, sir, but it is no longer sending that information to the Federation. It appears someone has redirected its imaging systems. Picard: Where is the information being sent now? Data: Sector one nine six five eight, sir. I am unable to access it's main computer, so it is impossible to determine the exact location. Riker: What's in that sector? Worf: It is uninhabited. But there could be a ship or a subspace relay station receiving the data. Riker: Captain. I suggest we beam a repair crew aboard the Array. We can begin downloading their imaging logs, find out what the Array's been observing for the past six days. Picard: Make it so. Riker: Mister Data? Worf: Excuse me, Counselor. Do you have a moment? Troi: Of course. Worf: I have been meaning to speak with you about Alexander. Troi: Oh? Worf: It has never been easy for me having Alexander on board. I have always tried to be a good father, to give him guidance, but he seems to have his own mind about some things. Troi: Most children do. Worf: I could not have come this far without your help. Alexander looks up to you. At times, I have felt that you are like a mother to him. Troi: Worf, that's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me. Worf: One time when I thought I was going to die, I asked you to watch over Alexander. I was wondering if you might consider formalizing that arrangement. I want you to be Alexander's Soh-chIm. Troi: His Soh-chIm? Worf: You would become his surrogate mother. In case anything ever happened to me, you would be responsible for him. Troi: I don't know what to say. It's a great honor. So, that would make me your? Worf: The closest analogy is step-sister. Troi: That would make my mother your step-mother. Worf: I had not considered that. It is a risk I am willing to take. Troi: I accept. Data: Lieutenant Worf, please report to Engineering. Worf: I am on my way. Data: We have analyzed the imaging logs. It appears the Array was reprogrammed to observe several Federation sites. Laforge: This is Deep Space Five. Starbase Forty seven. The Iadara Colony and the Utopia Planitia Shipyards. Picard: They're responsible for new starship development. Worf: Someone is using the Array for covert surveillance of the Federation. Data: That is our theory. We believe unauthorized access was made six days ago. The imaging logs from that day show a ship approaching the Array. Worf: That's a Cardassian ship. Galor Class. Laforge: We're only three light years from Cardassian space. They would have easy access to the Array. Picard: Mister Worf, start a long range scan of the region. See if there are any Cardassian ships nearby. Worf: Aye sir. Laforge: Worf, here's a propulsion analysis of the Cardassian ship. You might try scanning for its energy configuration. Data: Lieutenant, are you all right? Worf: I feel dizzy. Laforge: Worf, you don't look so good. Maybe you ought to go to Sickbay. Worf: Yes. Yes, perhaps I will. Crusher: Any nausea or blurred vision? Worf: No. However, I did experience some dizziness earlier today at my birthday celebration. Crusher: Sounds like you're having some of the side effects from the concussion. I can give you some vertazine for the dizziness but I'd like you to rest. Worf: Doctor, perhaps you are thinking of another patient. I have no concussion. Crusher: Worf, you came in here this morning complaining of ringing in your ears. I scanned you. You had a concussion. You don't remember any of this? Worf: No. Crusher: Temporary memory loss is common for this kind of injury. Do you remember telling me about the Bat'leth tournament? You said that one of the competitors hit you over the head. That's why you lost the match. Worf: I won that tournament. And I can prove it to you. Crusher: What's wrong? Worf: It says ninth place. This is not the same trophy. Someone is playing a trick on me. Crusher: Worf, try to stay calm. Memory loss can be very disorienting. Worf: The log. I recorded a personal log on my way back to the Enterprise. Computer, access personal logs on Shuttlecraft Curie. Show my log entry for Stardate 47391.2. Worf: Personal log, stardate 47391.2. I am returning from the Bat'leth competition on Forcas Three. The conditions were difficult. Several contenders were maimed. One of the contenders used an illegal T'gha maneuver against me. The judges chose to ignore it and I was robbed of my rightful standing. I was awarded ninth place. I am looking forward to resuming my duties aboard the En Worf: I do not understand. Crusher: Worf, I'm sure this is very disturbing for you, but don't worry, your memories will return. The best thing you could do right now is to settle back into your normal routine, but slowly. Worf: Thank you, Doctor. Crusher: Let me know if you have any more problems with dizziness. I'll give you a hypospray. Data: Lieutenant, have you completed the metallurgical scan of the Array? Worf: Sir? Data: The metallurgical scan. Have you completed it? Worf: I do not remember you asking me to. Captain, there is a Cardassian ship approaching. Galor Class. Picard: Open a channel. Worf: On screen. Picard: This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise. You are in Federation territory. Please explain your presence here. Nador: We were wondering the same thing about you, Captain. Why would Starfleet's flagship want to venture so close to the Cardassian border? Picard: We are repairing one of our subspace telescopes. Nador: I see. May we offer our assistance? Picard: No, thank you. Everything is under control. Nador: If you don't mind my asking, what exactly is this telescope of yours designed to do? Picard: It's a long range subspace Array. We use it for gathering data on astronomical phenomena. Nador: I'm certain it would never be used to observe a neighboring species. Picard: Certainly not. Nador: Well then, best of luck with your repairs. Just try to make certain that your studies are limited to astronomical phenomena. Riker: Charming fellow. Worf: Captain, that ship was responsible for reprogramming the Array. Picard: What are you saying? Worf: It is the same class and energy configuration as the ship we saw in the imaging logs. Picard: The imaging logs? Are you suggesting that you have evidence the Cardassians have tampered with the Array? Worf: They are using the Array as a surveillance device. You saw the logs yourself. Picard: I haven't heard anything about this. Riker: Neither have I. Worf: Commander Data, show them the logs you downloaded from the Array. Data: I know of no such logs. Picard: Mister Worf, are you feeling all right? Worf: Yes. Picard: Mister Data, perhaps you had better re-examine the Array. See if you can find any evidence to support Mister Worf's claims. Worf: Doctor Crusher says I am experiencing further memory loss, but my instincts tell me it is more than that. I remember those imaging logs. I could tell you every detail, every word. Troi: Worf, let's assume for a second you're right, that things did happen as you remember them. Are you saying that everyone's memory on this ship has been altered but yours? Worf: Enter. Laforge: Counselor. Worf, I wanted you to know that we re-examined the imaging logs. They don't show a Cardassian ship or any evidence that the Array was reprogrammed. From what we can tell, the Array suffered a simple mechanical failure. Worf: That is not right. I was certain that Troi: What's wrong? Worf: Counselor, the painting that Commander Data gave me. It has moved. Troi: Worf, I hung that painting there. At your birthday party, remember? Worf: No. Worf: The painting has changed. Don't you see it? Worf: Your hair and your clothing, they have changed as well. Laforge: Worf, maybe you should come with me to Sickbay and Picard: Now, Mister Worf! Now! Riker: What are you waiting for? Raise the shields. Worf: This panel configuration has been altered. I do not know how Data: Direct hit. Engineering Section and deck forty two. Shield generators are overloading. Picard: Number One. Riker: Firing photon torpedoes. Full spread. Riker: Direct hit on their main reactor. They're returning fire. Data: Captain, we have sustained heavy damage to the deflector systems. Hull breaches on decks seventeen and thirty six. Picard: Ensign, take us out of here, maximum warp. Gates: Aye, sir. Picard: Are they pursuing us? Riker: No, sir. They are firing on the Argus Array. They destroyed it, sir. Picard: Bridge to Engineering. Mister La Forge, what's your status? Hayes: This is Ensign Hayes, sir. Commander La Forge has been taken to Sickbay with plasma burns. There's serious damage to the secondary plasma conduit but I think we've got it under control. Picard: Acknowledged. Ensign, lay in a course to Starbase one two nine. Gates: Aye, sir. Picard: What happened back there, Lieutenant? Worf: I believe I experienced another memory loss. Riker: Memory loss? What are you talking about? Worf: I do not feel well. Request to be temporarily relieved of duty, sir. Picard: Granted. Worf: Computer, access personal logs on Shuttlecraft Curie. Play log entry for stardate 47391.2. Computer: There is no log entry from the Shuttlecraft Curie for that stardate. Worf: Computer, display any log entries regarding the Bat'leth tournament on Forcas Three. Worf: Personal log, stardate 47391.2. There has been a malfunction in the ship's main deflector. It will require two more days of repairs. As a result, I will not be able to compete in the Bat'leth tournament on Forcas Three. I have asked my brother to take my place. He does not have my prowess with the blade, but Troi: Why'd you lock the door? Worf: Why shouldn't I? Troi: I heard what happened on the Bridge. Are you all right? Worf: I am not sure. Troi: Do you want to talk about it? Worf: I would rather not, Counselor. Troi: Very well, Lieutenant. Hot chocolate. Worf: Is there something I can do for you? Troi: Actually, there is. Troi: Come and sit down. I just want you to relax for a minute. There. You are so tense. Now, I know you don't want to talk about what happened on the Bridge, but there are times when it's just best to let things out. Come on. If you can't talk to me, who can you talk to? Worf: I do not believe this is appropriate behavior! Troi: Even for your wife? Worf: Wife? Troi: Worf, what's wrong? Worf: I do not know. Things are changing. Troi: What's changed? Worf: I do not remember us, you and I, being mates. It is as if events, circumstances, continue to change from moment to moment, but I am the only one who seems to be aware of it. Troi: Are you saying you don't remember the last three years? You don't remember us falling in love and getting married? Worf: I do remember the last three years, but they were different. We did not have this relationship. We were friends. And the Enterprise did not have a battle with the Cardassians. And no one believes me. Troi: Whatever's wrong, whatever happened, I want you to know that I believe you. And that I love you. And together we'll find out what's happening. Data: I am initiating a subspace scan to search for temporal anomalies on or off the ship. Ogawa: Counselor Troi, please report to Sickbay. Troi: I'm on my way. Let me know if you find anything. Worf: Commander, how long have I been married to Counselor Troi? Data: Two years, one month and twelve days. Worf: And when did this relationship begin? Data: It is my understanding your romantic affiliation began shortly after you recovered from your spinal injury on stardate 45587. It was six months later that you asked Commander Riker for his formal permission to court Counselor Troi. You felt to do otherwise would be dishonorable. Worf: And then we mated? Data: I am not privy to the exact details of when, where or how your first coupling took place. I could investigate it Worf: No, that is all right. Data: I am detecting no temporal anomalies in this system. Perhaps we should try to pinpoint the exact moment when events became discontinuous. Do you remember the first change? Worf: I was in Sickbay. Doctor Crusher told me I had a concussion but I do not remember that happening. Data: Think back. Are you sure that was the very first change? Worf: Before. Yes. Yes, I was in Engineering. I felt a wave of dizziness and when I looked up, you and Commander La Forge were on the opposite side of the room. Captain Picard was gone. I thought I had blacked out for a moment and had not observed your movements. And at my birthday party, the cake was chocolate and then it was yellow. And Commander Riker told me Captain Picard was not going to attend, and then suddenly he was there. Data: We should try to find the commonalties in these events. Where were the people you were with? Worf: Everyone was at my birthday party. Then I was with Counselor Troi, then Commander La Forge came in. Geordi. Geordi was present at all three locations. And he was near me in each case just before I noticed the differences. There has to be a connection. Data: It is possible. We should speak to Commander La Forge. Data: Doctor, is Geordi well enough to answer some questions? Ogawa: Geordi's dead. Data: There do not appear to be any unusual readings. Energy residuals from the plasma burns, the beginnings of cellular decomposition. I see nothing that connects these bio-readings to your recent sense of discontinuity. Ogawa: What about his visor? Data: I still see nothing unusual. Perhaps we should activate it. Ogawa: Hook it up to the diagnostic array and I'll check it out. Data: The visor is active. Crusher: Worf, are you alright? Data: Have you noticed another discontinuity? Worf: Doctor Crusher was not here. Doctor Ogawa was. Crusher: Doctor Ogawa? Worf: My uniform has changed. What is my rank and position? Troi: You're a Commander and First Officer. Worf: Are we still married? Troi: Yes. Data: I am detecting a quantum flux in your cellular RNA. Worf: What does that mean? Data: I do not know. I will have to analyze these readings. Data: I have found the quantum flux in Worf's cellular RNA extends to the subatomic level. It is asynchronous with normal matter. In essence, Captain, Mister Worf does not belong in our universe. Riker: What? Data: All matter in the universe resonates on a quantum level with a unique signature. That signature is constant. It cannot be changed through any known process. It is the basic foundation of existence. Riker: Are you saying that Worf's quantum signature is different from ours? Data: Yes, sir. I cannot explain it. It is as if he originates from a different quantum universe. Riker: Mister Worf, you say the discontinuities started to occur after you returned from a Bat'leth tournament on Forcas Three. Worf: Yes, sir. Riker: Now, I know for a fact that you never attended that tournament and that no shuttlecraft has left the Enterprise for over a month. Worf: I understand that, but I also clearly remember attending the tournament and returning to the ship in a shuttlecraft. Riker: Do you remember the route you took to return? Worf: Yes. Riker: Let's backtrack that course. See if there are any unusual readings or anomalies. Data: Aye, sir. Worf: If I may inquire, sir, how long have you been Captain of the Enterprise? Riker: Four years. Ever since Captain Picard was killed in the incident with the Borg. You don't remember any of this, do you? Worf: I do remember. I just remember differently. Wesley: Captain, I'm picking up a minor subspace disturbance off the port bow. Riker: Full stop. Helm: Aye, sir. Riker: Analysis, Mister Data. Data: It appears to be a quantum fissure in the space-time continuum. Riker: On screen. Data: The anomaly cannot be seen, but I believe I can enhance it with a warp field to make it visible. Riker: Is it dangerous? Data: Not from this distance, sir. I am also detecting an ion trail intersecting the phenomenon. I believe it was left by a Starfleet type six shuttlecraft. Worf: So I was here. Data: I have an explanation, sir. Data: I believe the quantum fissure we discovered is a fixed point across the space time continuum. A keyhole which intersects many other quantum realities. Troi: What do you mean, quantum realities? Data: For any event, there is an infinite number of possible outcomes. Our choices determine which outcomes will follow. But there is a theory in quantum physics that all possibilities that can happen, do happen in alternate quantum realities. Worf: And somehow I have been shifting from one reality to another. Data: That is correct. Troi: How did this happen? Data: When Worf's shuttlecraft came into contact with the quantum fissure, I believe its warp engines caused a small break in the barriers between quantum realties. Worf was thrown into a state of quantum flux. He immediately shifted into other realities. Crusher: And Geordi's visor somehow triggered that effect? Data: Exactly. The visor uses a subspace field pulse. I believe that whenever Geordi came near Worf, the field pulse intensified the quantum flux and pushed Worf into another reality. Worf: How can we find my original quantum state and return me to it? Wesley: We could scan the quantum fissure using a subspace differential pulse. Maybe we could locate the quantum state that shares Worf's signature and find a way to get him back. Data: An excellent idea, Lieutenant. Troi: Worf. From what I understand, there's a good chance my Worf won't return. I guess it's just hard for me to accept that there's a reality out there where you never loved me. Worf: Deanna, I have always considered you a close friend. And although I have never seriously considered a romantic relationship, I would not be opposed to the possibility. Troi: What about our children? Worf: Children? Troi: You didn't know? Worf: When the last shift occurred in Sickbay, we did not have any children. Troi: We have a little girl, Shannara, she's two years old, and a three year old boy, Eric Christopher. Worf: What about Alexander? Troi: Alexander? Worf: He was my son in another reality. Wesley: I've used a differential pulse to analyze over ten million quantum states within the fissure, but I still haven't found one with your signature. This may take some time, sir. Data: Captain, a Bajoran ship is approaching. Riker: Red Alert. Worf: Sir, the Bajorans? Troi: Ever since the Bajorans overpowered the Cardassian Empire, they've become more and more aggressive. Riker: Yesterday they destroyed one of our subspace telescopes because they thought we were using it to spy on them. Wesley: They're charging their weapons, sir. Worf: Shields! Riker: Return fire. Wesley: They've damaged our power systems, sir. It's caused an energy surge within the subspace pulse. The quantum fissure is beginning to destabilize. Riker: Can we disengage the pulse? Wesley: Too late, sir. Riker: What the hell is happening? Data: The barriers between quantum realties are breaking down. Other realties are emerging into our own. Wesley: The Bajoran ship is disengaging, sir. Data: The rate of quantum incursions is increasing exponentially. At this rate, the sector will be completely filled with Enterprises within three days. Wesley: Captain, we're receiving two hundred eighty five thousand hails. Riker: I wish I knew what to tell them. Mister Data, can we stop these incursions? Data: Perhaps, if we can find the ship which that Commander Worf's quantum signature. Riker: How would that help? Data: It was Worf's shuttlecraft which traversed the fissure and weakened the barriers between quantum realities. If he re-enters the fissure in his original shuttle, and emits a broad spectrum warp field, it may be enough to seal the fissure and stop additional realities from emerging into our own. Riker: What then? How do we get the Enterprises that are already here back to where they belong? Data: In theory, the act of sealing the fissure should restore the barriers between quantum states. The ships would return to their own realities. Riker: Lieutenant Crusher, send a general hail, all ships. Wesley: Aye, sir. Riker: This is Captain Riker of the Enterprise. That is, the Enterprise which is indigenous to this universe. We've all encountered a quantum anomaly. We think we have found a way to return all of us to our proper realities, but we need to find that ship which exhibits a certain quantum signature. Our Mister Data will transmit that signature to you now. Riker: Anything? Wesley: There's too much comm. traffic, sir. It's tough to isolate who's talking to who. Wait a minute. Here it is. Someone's responding. Riker: On screen. Picard: Captain, it would that we have found the quantum signature you are looking for. Riker: Data believes that by sending Worf back through the fissure again, it would return us all to our proper realities. Picard: Our Data has said the same thing. Riker: We need you to send us your shuttlecraft Curie. Picard: We're launching it now. Riker: Thank you. It's good to see you again, Captain. It's been a long time. Riker: Did they send the right shuttle? Data: Yes, sir. It matches Commander Worf's quantum signature precisely. I have remodulated the shuttle's engines to emit an inverse warp field. You will need to activate the field at the precise moment you enter the fissure. Worf: Assuming it works, will I find myself near my own ship? Data: That is one possibility. However, the uncertainty principle dictates that time is a variable in this equation. You may end up several days before the event or several days after. There is no way to tell. Worf: I understand. Riker: Good luck. Worf: Setting course for the fissure. Riker: Acknowledged. Wesley: Captain, the shuttlecraft is under attack. Riker: The Bajorans again. Wesley: No, sir. It's one of the Enterprises. They're hailing us. Riker: On screen. Riker: We won't go back. You don't know what it's like in our universe. The Federation's gone, the Borg is everywhere! We're one of the last ships left. Please, you've got to help us! Riker: I'm sorry, there's no choice. If this works, everything will return to Riker: No, we won't go back! Wesley: Sir, they're firing on the shuttlecraft. Riker: Open fire. Try to disable them. Wesley: Direct hit. Their shields have collapsed. Their engine core is overloading. Riker: What happened? Wesley: It looks like the ship had already taken heavy damage. Their warp containment field must have been weak. Riker: Probably from fighting with the Borg. Data: Captain, Worf is entering the fissure. Worf: Charging primary systems. Initiating inverse warp field. Worf: Worf to Enterprise. Picard: Enterprise here. Worf: Captain, is everything all right? Picard: Yes, Lieutenant. Is there a problem? Worf: No, I do not believe so, but I will explain when I arrive. Picard: How was the Bat'leth tournament? Worf: It was fine, sir. I won Champion Standing. Riker: So you think this quantum fissure is nothing that we need to worry about? Worf: No. No, I believe the inverse warp field resealed it. Riker: I'm looking forward to reading your report. Riker: Something wrong? Worf: I know what you are planning, sir. I will not be surprised. Riker: Surprised? I don't know what you're talking about. Worf: Of course you don't. Troi: Welcome home, Worf. I hope you don't mind, I let myself in. I promised Alexander I'd feed his Dalvin hissing beetle while you were both away. Worf: So you do not live here? Troi: What's that supposed to mean? Worf: It is a long story. Troi: Happy birthday, Worf. Will wanted to give you a surprise party, but I knew you'd hate it so I talked him out of it. Worf: Thank you. Troi: I know Klingons like to be alone on their birthdays. I'm sure you have to meditate, or hit yourself with a pain stick or something. Worf: Deanna. You do not have to leave. Troi: Oh? Worf: I have not had dinner. Would you care to join me? Troi: I'd love to. Worf: Champagne.

Picard: I don't know why we have to do this every year. I thought that last year the teachers had agreed that they wouldn't do this anymore. Troi: Captain Picard Day is one of the children's favorite school activities. They look forward to it all year. Picard: Why does it have to be me? Troi: Because you're the Captain, and they look up to you. You're a role model for them. Picard: Well, they seem to have a somewhat exaggerated impression of me. Riker: I don't know. I think the resemblance is rather striking. Wouldn't you agree, Number One? Picard: Isn't there something else you have to do? Riker: I'll be on the Bridge. Troi: Will. Troi: The finalists will be here in half an hour. You have to pick a first, second and third place, and four honorable mentions. Worf: Worf to Captain. Incoming transmission from Admiral Blackwell. It is coded Priority One. Picard: Put it through, Mister Worf. Excuse me, Counselor. Picard: Yes, Admiral? Blackwell: Captain, what is your status? Picard: We are conducting energy output studies of the Mekoria Quasar. All systems normal. The ship is fully operational. Blackwell: Good. I'm postponing the quasar study for the moment. The Enterprise is to rendezvous with the starship Crazy Horse in sector one six zero seven immediately. You're authorized to exceed warp speed limitations for the duration of this assignment. Picard: I understand. What is our assignment? Blackwell: I'd prefer not to discuss it over subspace channels. The Crazy Horse will be carrying someone from Starfleet Intelligence. He'll brief you when he arrives. Picard: Very well. Blackwell: Captain Picard Day? Picard: Oh, er, yes. It's, er, it's for the children. I'm, er, ha, ha, I'm a role model. Blackwell: I'm sure you are. Starfleet out. Riker: So, who won the contest? Picard: Paul Menegay, a seven year old. He did a most interesting clay sculpture of my head. Riker: Was that the orange one with the lumpy skin? Picard: Yes. Oh, you'll be interested to know that I've arranged for a Commander Riker Day next month. I'm even considering making an entry myself. Riker: Great. Picard: Energize. Crewman: Aye, sir. Pressman: Will. I'll bet you never thought you'd see me again. Riker: It's good to see you, sir. Pressman: Yeah, sure it is. You look like you're about to faint. Riker: No. It's just it's been a long time. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Admiral Erik Pressman. Picard: Pressman? Yes, of course. You were Will's first commanding officer, on the Pegasus. Pressman: That's right. As a matter of fact, the Pegasus is the reason I'm here. Riker: Sir? Pressman: The Pegasus is still out there, Will. And the Romulans found her. Pressman: As you know, the starship Pegasus was lost in this sector some twelve years ago along with most of its crew. I was the captain and Commander Riker here was my helmsman. Picard: I remember hearing about it. The ship was destroyed by a warp core breach as I recall. Riker: The Captain and I, along with seven others managed to get to the escape pod before the breach became critical. Pressman: From space, we saw what appeared to be a matter-antimatter explosion which vaporized the ship. Riker: No wreckage was found, so Starfleet officially declared the ship destroyed. Pressman: However, all that changed three days ago. Starfleet Intelligence has an operative in Romulan High Command. He sent us a message that a Romulan warbird had located a piece of debris in the Devolin system which was positively identified as being from the Pegasus. The warbird was then ordered to locate the rest of the ship, if possible, and retrieve it. Laforge: What would the Romulans want with pieces of a twelve year old starship? Pressman: The Pegasus was a prototype. Experimental engine, new weapon systems. In fact, some of our designs were used in constructing the Enterprise. There are a lot of things on board the Romulans would love to get their hands on. Picard: What are our orders? Pressman: To find the ship before the Romulans do. Salvage it if possible, destroy it if necessary. You command the Enterprise while I remain in command of the overall mission. Laforge: We'll need metallurgical and chromographic specs on the Pegasus in order to set up the proper search parameters. Pressman: I'll make the appropriate information available to you. Picard: Very well. Lay in a course for the Devolin system. Riker: Aye, sir. Data: Captain, we are approaching the Devolin system. Picard: Any sign of the Romulans? Data: No, sir. Pressman: Oh, they're out there. They're just waiting to see what you're going to do. Picard: Mister La Forge? Laforge: There's an awful lot of ionizing radiation in this system, Captain. That and the sheer amount of rock is going to slow down our search a little. Picard: How slow? Laforge: I'd say at least Worf: Sir, Romulan warbird decloaking directly ahead. Worf: They are powering weapons. Riker: Shields up. Red alert. Prepare phasers. Worf: Sir, they are hailing us. Picard: On screen. Sirol: I am Commander Sirol of the Romulan vessel Terix. To whom do I have the honor of speaking? Picard: I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise. Sirol: Captain Picard. I've heard so much about you. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope our sudden appearance didn't startle you. Picard: Not at all. But your unannounced appearance might have unfortunate consequences. It would be an awful shame if your ship were damaged due to some misunderstanding. Sirol: I am touched by your concern for my ship, but I doubt we were ever in any danger. May I ask what you are doing in this system? Picard: I might ask you the same question. Sirol: We are conducting a survey of gaseous anomalies. Picard: How interesting. So are we. Perhaps we could combine our efforts and share our findings. Sirol: I doubt our objectives are compatible. Picard: Perhaps you're right. Sirol: This has been a most pleasant conversation, but we must return to our research. Picard: Then I won't keep you. Worf: Sir, they are moving off, resuming their tachyon scans of the system. Picard: Stand down Red alert, but keep tracking their movement, Lieutenant. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Commander, how long will it take us to search this system? Laforge: At least seven days, sir. Worf: And the Romulans have a two day head start. Picard: Then let's get to it. Mister Data? Data: Initiating sensor sweep of grid zero one. Pressman: How long have you had that beard? Riker: About four years. I got tired of hearing how young I looked. Pressman: What was it that Lieutenant Boylen used to call you? Riker: Ensign Babyface. Pressman: You never did have much of a sense of humor. Riker: I like to think that I've lightened up a little in my old age. Pressman: Really? Riker: I've been known to tell a joke or two. Pressman: Well, it's about time. You were always so serious on the Pegasus. Riker: We went through some serious times. Do you really think we're going to find the Pegasus again? Pressman: I wouldn't have come all the way out here if I didn't. Riker: What about the experiment? Do you think we're going to find that too? Pressman: Maybe. Riker: I think a lot about what happened, especially on that last day. Pressman: So do I. It's not the kind of thing you just forget. Riker: Do you ever wonder if we did the right thing? Pressman: Never. What happened was a tragedy, yes, but it wasn't your fault and it wasn't mine. What we were doing was for the good of the Federation, and we can't blame ourselves if the others couldn't see that. Riker: I know, but, maybe we went about it the wrong way. Pressman: Well, this time we may have a chance to do it the right way. If this mission is successful, if we find the Pegasus and the experiment, we can finish what we started twelve years ago. Riker: You want to try again? Pressman: It's not just me, Will. The Chief of Starfleet Security has personally given me her assurance of complete support. Riker: Admiral Raner? How many other people know about this? Pressman: Not many, and it's up to us to make sure it stays that way. Raner has given me written orders for you. You'll find them coded in the Enterprise computer. You've been instructed not to reveal the true nature of our mission to anyone else, not even Captain Picard. Will, don't worry. It won't be like it was twelve years ago. And this time, no one's going to stop us. (for those who care about these things, the travesty that was the Enterprise series finale takes place at some point from here on in...) Picard: As a matter of fact, I never met Will until he reported on board at Farpoint Station. Pressman: You chose your first officer without ever meeting him? Picard: I was looking through the records of about fifty candidates and Will's was much like all the others, filled with lots of dry statistics and glowing letters of recommendation that tell you nothing. I was about to put it aside and look at another file and then something caught my eye. There was an incident on Altair Three when Will was First Officer of the Hood. He refused to let Captain DeSoto beam down during a crisis. He disobeyed a direct order and he risked a general court martial because he thought he was right. When I read that, I knew that I had found my Number One. Pressman: You wanted someone with a history of disobedience? Picard: I wanted someone who would stand up to me. Someone who was more concerned with the safety of the ship and accomplishing the mission than with how something looked on his record. To me, that's one of the marks of a good officer. Pressman: Frankly, I've always felt it was more important for an officer to trust his captain's judgment. In a crisis, there's no time for explanations. Orders have to be obeyed without question or lives may be lost. Picard: I am aware of that, Admiral. Pressman: Of course you are. I guess this mission has brought up some old ghosts for me. You know what it's like to lose a ship. You're always wondering if there was something else you should have done, something you missed. Picard: Admiral, the record regarding the loss of the Pegasus is a bit vague from the moment just before you abandoned ship. Is there anything that you can add to the official account? Pressman: I'm afraid not. But I can tell you this. Twelve years ago, I needed an officer that I could count on in a crisis. Someone who would support and obey my decisions without question. Someone who was willing to trust my judgment. And that someone was Will Riker. Without his loyalty, none of us would have survived. Crusher: What's wrong? Riker: I think I busted a rib. Crusher: Excuse me. What were you doing? Riker: I was doing bat'leth moves with Mister Worf. I jabbed when I should've blocked. He caught me right in the side. It's a good thing we were using sticks instead of the real blades. Crusher: It's broken all right. Give him ten cc's of terakine for the pain. Riker: I can't believe how stupid I was. Crusher: You both must have got a little carried away, that's all. Riker: No, it was my fault. I got distracted at a crucial moment. Crusher: It can happen to anyone. Riker: I knew what I was supposed to do and I didn't do it. If those had real bat'leths I might be dead right now. Crusher: There, all better. Will, it's all right. You made a mistake. No harm done. You'll be better next time. Riker: Yeah, maybe. Data: Scan of grid one five seven is complete. I am moving to grid one five eight. Worf: The Romulan warship is still searching grid two seven zero. Riker: They're sure spending a lot of time over there. I wonder if they Laforge: Commander, I think we might have just struck paydirt. There's a subspace resonance signature coming from that asteroid. From the frequency variances, it looks like the pattern from a Federation warp core. Riker: Captain Picard to the Bridge. Take us to within ten kilometers of asteroid gamma six zero one. Riker: Geordi's found something. Laforge: There's a subspace resonance signature coming from that asteroid, sir. It could be the warp core of the Pegasus. Pressman: I think he's right. I recognize some of the variance patterns. Picard: Put the asteroid on the main viewscreen. Data: I have confirmed Geordi's readings. The resonance signature is originating from somewhere beneath the asteroid's surface. Pressman: Beneath the surface? How's that possible? Data: This asteroid contains several deep chasms large enough for a starship to enter. It is possible the Pegasus drifted into the asteroid's gravitational field and was pulled down into one of the fissures. Worf: Sir, the Romulan warbird has altered course once again. They are heading toward our position. Riker: They probably want to see what we're so interested in over here. Picard: Mister Data, how long will it take to determine the exact location of the Pegasus? Data: At least another six hours, sir. Pressman: That's too long. If the Romulans start searching the asteroid, they could find the ship before we do. Riker: I recommend we destroy the asteroid. It would take most of our photon torpedoes, but it would preclude any possibility of the Pegasus falling into Romulan hands. Pressman: Our top priority is to salvage the ship, Commander. I'll consider destroying it only as a last resort. Riker: Yes, sir. Pressman: Captain, could you give me a third alternative? Picard: Mister Data, would it possible to saturate the asteroid with verteron particles that could mask the resonance signature and prevent the Romulans from detecting it? Data: In order for the deception to succeed, it would have to appear to be a natural phenomenon. Verteron particles are artificial in nature. Laforge: Wait a minute. We could blanket the asteroid with high levels of ionizing radiation. There's so much of it in the system already, the Romulans won't know the difference. Picard: Mister Data? Data: Theoretically, sir, it should work. Riker: If we do this, we have to do it fast the Romulans will be within sensor range in less than a minute. Picard: Make it so, Mister Data. Data: Aye, sir. Initiating ionization field pulse. Picard: When he's finished we'll have to move away and make it look like we've scanned the asteroid but haven't find anything. Riker: Lay in a course for the next search grid. Stand by to engage. Picard: If it works, the Romulans won't find anything and we can return later. If it doesn't Pressman: If it doesn't work, we'll have handed them the Pegasus. Data: Ionization pulse complete. Picard: Helm, one quarter impulse. Engage. Data: The Romulans are initiating a tachyon scan of the asteroid. They have switched to their lateral sensor array. Beginning another scan. Riker: They're certainly being thorough. Data: The warbird has completed its sensor sweep. Pressman: If they found the resonance signature, they should be sending away teams any second. Data: They are moving out. Picard: Mister Data, we must convince the Romulans that we're still looking for the Pegasus. I want you to continue scanning this system. Data: Yes, sir. Picard: I want to be back at this asteroid at oh eight hundred hours tomorrow. Plan your search pattern accordingly. Riker: Aye, sir. Picard: Admiral, would you care to join me for some late dinner? Pressman: Please excuse me, Captain, but I think I'd better turn in early. Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One. Oh, and will you bring the scan analysis to my quarters when you're off watch? Riker: Aye, sir. Riker: Initiate search of grid one six three. Data: Beginning sensor sweeps. Pressman: Commander, I want to see you in the Captain's Ready room. Riker: Mister Data, you have the Bridge. Data: Aye, sir. Pressman: What the hell is the matter with you? Destroy the Pegasus before we've even taken a look at it? Riker: I thought it was more important that the Romulans Pressman: Well, you were wrong! We have a chance here to change the balance of power in this quadrant, but we can't very well do that if we destroy the Pegasus, now can we? Riker: No, sir. Pressman: It hasn't been easy for you I'm sure, keeping your Captain and friends in the dark like this. Riker: I haven't enjoyed it, if that's what you mean. Pressman: I hope you understand that it's necessary. Riker: I understand that you think it's necessary. Pressman: You have changed. Riker: Changed? Pressman: Something the Captain and I were talking about. To be honest I'm glad to see this kind of change in you, Will. State your opinion and stand by it. It's a far cry from the young man who used to sit at my helm and worry about pressing the wrong button. Riker: A lot of things can change in twelve years, Admiral. Pressman: Yes, they can. But it's important that a man changes the right things in his life, not his sense of duty, not his sense of loyalty. Riker: I'd like to think that I haven't changed those things, sir. Pressman: I would like to think that too. Because those things say more about a man than the rank on his collar or the uniform he wears. They define him. Twelve years ago, a lot of older and more seasoned officers turned away from their duty, but you stood up for what was right. I'm sorry, Will. I know the kind of man you are. I know that I can count on you again. Picard: Come. Riker: The scan analysis you asked for. Picard: Thank you. Riker: Is there something else, sir? Picard: Yes, there is. Judge Advocate General's Report. Stardate 36764. Subject, inquiry into mutiny aboard USS Pegasus. Based on testimony from Captain Pressman and other surviving officers, the Judge Advocate believes there is sufficient evidence to conclude that certain members of the crew did mutiny against the captain just prior to the destruction of the Pegasus. Mutiny on a Federation starship? That's shocking. It's unthinkable. And yet you've never mentioned it. Riker: No, sir. Picard: You know, it wasn't easy to get this record. I had to pull in quite a few favors at Starfleet just to get a look at it. It seems that it was classified by Starfleet Intelligence. So, not only was the Pegasus carrying sensitive equipment which must be allowed to fall into Romulan hands, not only was there a mysterious explosion which seemed to destroy the ship but didn't, but it seems there was a mutiny on board. Now, I've read the official report of the inquiry on that mutiny, but I want to know your version of what happened. Riker: I was on the Bridge. The ship was at yellow alert. We were running some tests on the engines. Something went wrong. There was an explosion in Engineering. Heavy casualties. In the midst of this crisis, the First Officer, the Chief of Engineering and most of Bridge crew mutinied against Captain Pressman. Picard: Why? Riker: They thought he was jeopardizing the ship. Picard: And you? Riker: I was seven months out of the Academy, my head still ringing with words like duty and honor. When they turned on him, I thought they were a bunch of self-serving, disloyal officers, so I grabbed a phaser and defended my captain. Two or three others joined us, but it was clear by then that the mutineers had most of the crew behind them. We felt a need to get off the ship. There was a running firefight all the way to the escape pod. About five minutes after we left the ship there was an explosion. Picard: The Judge Advocate also believes that the surviving officers are deliberately withholding vital information from this inquiry. Further investigation is recommended. Will, there was no further investigation. This report was classified and then it was quietly buried. Why? Riker: Sir, may I suggest you take this up with Admiral Picard: I'm taking this up with you, Will! The Judge Advocate thought you were participating in a conspiracy to cover up the truth. Now, what the hell is going on here, Will? Why did that mutiny happen? Why is Pressman so determined to find your ship twelve years later? Riker: I've said all I can. I am under direct orders from Admiral Pressman not to discuss this, sir. Picard: Very well. He's an admiral, I'm a captain. I cannot force you to disobey his orders. Therefore I will have to remain in the dark on this mission. And I will just have to trust that you will not let Pressman put this ship at unnecessary risk. And if I find that that trust has been misplaced, then I will have to re-evaluate the command structure of this ship. Dismissed. Blackwell: Captain, Starfleet places the highest priority on the success of this mission. Your request for a delay is denied. Picard: Margaret, something's very wrong here. Do you know what's going on? Blackwell: I know that the Chief of Starfleet Intelligence herself is watching this one, Jean-Luc. So you'd be well advised to follow Pressman's orders and leave it at that. Starfleet out. Worf: Worf to Captain Picard. We are approaching asteroid gamma six zero one, sir. Picard: On my way. Picard: Mister Worf, where are the Romulans? Worf: They are out of sensor range on the far side of the system. Picard: Take us to within fifteen kilometers of the asteroid and hold that position. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister Data, report. Data: For the past several hours, I have been scanning the area where we detected the resonance signature of the Pegasus. From the strength and polarity of the signature, it would appear that most of the warp core is still intact. Pressman: If we're lucky, the entire engineering section could be down there. Riker: But how do we get to it? I wouldn't want to try to transport through that much solid rock. Picard: Agreed. What about a shuttle? We could send it down through one of these fissures. Data: I would recommend against it, sir. There may be gravimetric or magnetic fluctuations inside the asteroid which would overpower the engines of a shuttlecraft. Pressman: Sounds like the best solution is to take the Enterprise in. Riker: Into the asteroid? Pressman: That's right. Put this fissure on the main viewer. This chasm is large enough for us to maneuver in. Besides, if we ever hope to salvage the Pegasus, we're going to need a starship to do it. Picard: Mister Data? Data: It is theoretically possible, sir, but I am unaware of any prior situations where a starship was taken so deeply inside a planetary body. There may be unforeseen difficulties. Picard: Admiral, I don't think we can risk Pressman: I've made my decision. Prepare to take the Enterprise in, Captain. That's an order. Picard: Mister Data, will you please note in the ship's log that this action is being taken over my explicit objections. Data: It is so noted, sir. Picard: Yellow Alert. Riker: Shields up. Inertial dampers at maximum. Picard: Ensign Gates, plot a course into the chasm, maneuvering thrusters only. Gates: Course plotted, sir. Picard: Take us in. Data: We are now two kilometers beneath the surface. Worf: Captain, we are encountering shifts in the magnetic field density. Picard: Admiral, if is passage narrows to less than five hundred meters, I will abort the mission. You can charge me with insubordination if you wish, but I'm not going to risk the Enterprise for a salvage operation. Worf: Captain, I am reading a large resonance signature directly ahead. Pressman: Pegasus. Riker: What the hell happened? Data: Sensors show that the ship is still intact. However, sixty five percent of it is contained within the asteroid. Riker: It looks if half the ship materialized inside solid rock. Data: Yes, sir. I do not understand how this could have happened. Pressman: Let's keep the speculation to a minimum. We have to begin the salvage operation. The equipment we need was in main Engineering. Can you scan that section of the Pegasus? Data: The starboard bulkhead of main Engineering is contained within the rock face, but most of its compartment is still intact. Worf: There is a hull breach in that section. Picard: If we begin a power transfer, can we restore life support systems to that compartment? Data: I believe so, sir. The breach can be temporarily sealed by extending our shields. Pressman: See to it. Once you've restored life support, Commander Riker and I will beam directly into Engineering. Picard: Admiral, I would like to send down a complete away team Pressman: There's some very sensitive equipment over there. I don't want anyone else near it. Picard: Yes, sir. Pressman: This room was open to space for twelve years. Riker: Vacuum preserved everything. Riker: I wonder how many of the crew are buried back there. Pressman: We're not here for a memorial service. It's still intact. What's the matter, Will? Don't you understand? We've found it. Riker: I know. I kept hoping it wouldn't be here. That it had been destroyed or that it was buried in that rock back there. Pressman: What the hell is that supposed to mean? Riker: It means that I can't put this off any longer. Right up until this moment I had the luxury of time, but now I've got to make a choice. And, Admiral, I'm afraid my choice is this. I can't let you start these experiments again. It was wrong twelve years ago, and it is wrong today. Pressman: You had better reconsider that position, Commander. We have a mission to accomplish and you're going to carry it out. Riker: That's all you care about, starting these damn experiments again. Look around. This room is filled with dead bodies. These people died because of this thing. Pressman: Keep your self-righteous comments to yourself. I knew most of these people a lot longer than you did. Yes, it was tragic, but it was their fault. Riker: You don't know that. Neither of us knows what happened after we left. Pressman: Well, it's not hard to guess. They tried to shut down an experiment they didn't understand. Something went wrong and it killed them. Riker: No. We killed them. Pressman: Now that doesn't sound like the same man who grabbed a phaser and defended his captain twelve years ago. Riker: I've had twelve years to think about it, and if I had it to do over again I would have grabbed the phaser and pointed it at you instead of them. Pressman: So on reflection you'd rather be a traitor than a hero. Riker: I wasn't a hero and neither were you. What you did was wrong and I was wrong to support you, but I was just too young and too stupid to realize it. You were the captain. I was the ensign. I was just following orders. Pressman: And if you hadn't you'd be dead right now along with all the rest of them. Dead because you listened to a bunch of mutinous cowards who were too blinded by fear to see what I was trying to do. Riker: They were brave enough to risk their lives to stop you from violating a treaty the Federation signed in good faith. Pressman: That treaty has bound our hands and given the Romulans a tactical advantage for the last sixty years. I was simply trying to level the playing field. Riker: And now you want to try it again? How many people will die this time? Fifty? A hundred? A thousand? Pressman: All right, you don't want to help me? Fine. But you are still under my direct orders not to talk about what you know and I expect you to follow those orders to the letter. I made you, mister, and I can break you just as easily. Do you understand me, Commander? Picard: Picard to away team. Prepare to return to the ship immediately. Pressman: Stand by, Enterprise. Pressman: Pressman to Enterprise. Two people and one piece of equipment to beam up. Pressman: Report. Picard: The Romulans have destroyed the entrance to the chasm with their disruptors. They've sealed us in. Worf: Sir, there is an incoming message. It is from the warbird. Picard: On screen. Worf: Aye, sir. Sirol: Captain, you seem to be in a very unfortunate circumstance. How can we help? Picard: Are you responsible for this? Sirol: I'm not sure. We were conducting some geological experiments on the surface of the asteroid. It is entirely possible that we accidently sealed you in. If only we had known you were beneath the surface, if you had shared your plans with us, this might have been avoided. Picard: What do you want, Sirol? Sirol: I don't want anything, Captain, but I will offer to help you. Picard: How? Sirol: By transporting your crew aboard my ship. We'll take you back to Romulus where, after a short stay as our guests, you will be returned to the Federation. Picard: Thank you for your generous offer. I will take it under advisement. Sirol: As you wish. We will be continuing our research in this system for a while longer. I await your decision. Pressman: We can't do it. If we abandon the Enterprise they'll come back here and get their hands on both ships. Picard: Agreed. Options? Worf: Captain, I believe we could use the phasers to cut our way out. Data: The asteroid's internal structure is highly unstable. Any attempt to cut through the rock could cause the entire chasm to collapse. Riker: Captain, I have a suggestion. There's a piece of equipment in Admiral Pressman's quarters under guard which might get us out of here. It's a prototype for a Federation cloaking device. Pressman: You just ended your career, Will. Picard: That's what it's all about. A cloaking device. In the Treaty of Algeron the Federation specifically agreed not to develop cloaking technology. Pressman: And that treaty is the biggest mistake we ever made. It's kept us from exploiting a vital area of defense. Picard: That treaty has kept us in peace for sixty years, and as a Starfleet officer, you're supposed to uphold it. Pressman: Now that's enough. I'm taking command of this vessel. Mister Worf, escort the Captain to his quarters. Riker: I don't think anyone's going to come to your defense this time. Picard: How do we use the cloak to escape from the asteroid? Riker: It's more than just a cloak. It changes the structure of matter. In theory, a ship using this device could pass through normal matter. Picard: I see why you were so eager to find it. Pressman: Can't you see the potential here? The phasing cloak could be the greatest breakthrough in weapons research in the last fifty years. Picard: Except it's illegal. It's in violation of an agreement that the Federation signed in good faith. Riker: Captain, I think we could adapt the cloak for the Enterprise. Picard: Mister Data? Data: Theoretically it is possible, sir. But it would take several hours to study the device and determine how to link it to our systems. Picard: Make it so. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47457.1. We have been trapped inside the asteroid for over eight hours. Mister Data and Commander La Forge inform me that they are nearly ready to engage the cloak. Laforge: Commander, we've routed the impulse engines through the plasma conduits, but you'll have to watch the intercooler levels. If they get too high, we'll blow the entire relay system. Riker: Understood. Riker: I think that's what happened twelve years ago. The cloak blew out the plasma relays on the Pegasus after we left the ship. The plasma ignited in space, and it looked as if the ship had been destroyed. Pressman: So the ship drifted into this system still in a phased state, and when it passed through this asteroid Riker: The cloak failed, and half the ship materialized in solid rock. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. Laforge: The cloak is online and ready to begin phase sequencing. Picard: Proceed, Number One. Riker: Aye, sir. Activating power systems. Picard: Report. Riker: The cloak appears to be functioning normally. The ship's matter-energy phasing rate should be sufficient to pass through the asteroid. Picard: Take us out. Maneuvering thrusters only. Worf: Aye, sir. We will reach the rock face in five seconds. Worf: We have passed through two kilometers of the asteroid. Now within one kilometer of the surface. Riker: We're approaching the surface. Worf: We have cleared the asteroid, Captain. The warbird is off the port bow. Riker: They're still waiting for us to make up our minds. Picard: Disengage the cloaking device, Commander. Pressman: You cannot do that! If the Romulans see us decloak, they'll know Picard: They'll know the truth, Admiral. Which is what everyone will know very shortly. Carry out my orders. Picard: Mister Worf, send a message to the warbird. Inform them that their government will be contacted shortly about this incident. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Admiral, I am hereby charging you with violation of the Treaty of Algeron. As Captain of the Enterprise, I'm placing you under arrest. Mister Worf? Worf: Admiral, if you will come with me. Riker: Captain, I'll have to be placed under arrest as well. Admiral. Pressman: I have a lot of friends at Starfleet Command, Captain. Picard: You're going to need them. Picard: I've spoken to Fleet Admiral Shanthi. There will be a full inquiry once we reach Starbase two four seven, and that will probably lead to a general court martial of Admiral Pressman and several others at Starfleet Intelligence. Your involvement in this affair is going to be thoroughly investigated, Will. There'll be some hard questions for you to answer. Riker: I understand. Picard: You made a mistake twelve years ago, but your service since then has earned you a great deal of respect, but this incident may cost you some of that respect. Riker: I can't help but feel I should have come forward a long time ago. Picard: When the moment came to make a decision, you made the right one. You chose to tell the truth and face the consequences. So long as you can still do that, then you deserve to wear that uniform. And I will still be proud to have you as my First Officer.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47423.9. We have arrived at Boraal Two in response to an emergency distress call from Lieutenant Worf's foster brother, Nikolai Rozhenko. He has been stationed on the planet as a cultural observer. Picard: Analysis. Mister Data. Data: The planet's atmosphere is dissipating, sir. Intense plasmonic reactions are destroying it. The stratosphere is already breaking down. There are turbulent radiation storms across much of its surface. I estimate that the planet will be uninhabitable in less than thirty eight hours. Riker: The distress call came in only four days ago. Why would Doctor Rozhenko have waited so long before sending it? Data: Atmospheric dissipation is a rare and essentially unpredictable event. When it occurs, it proceeds rapidly. Doctor Rozhenko may not have had sufficient warning. Picard: What was that? Data: The dissipation effect is generating plasmonic energy bursts. Riker: Is there any danger to the ship? Data: I do not believe so. However, we may experience intermittent system failures and power surges as a result. Picard: Keep an eye on it. Mister Worf, any luck? Worf: There is still no response to our hails, sir. I am attempting to scan the observation post. Riker: He could be hurt. Maybe he can't respond. Worf: Sensor interference is significant, but the post appears to be intact. Their power grid is still functioning. However, I am reading no life forms within the structure. Riker: It's not like him to the post. Picard: Especially under these circumstances. Worf: Captain, I am detecting faint power emissions from a system of caverns near the post. It could be a deflector shield. Riker: That can't be native to the planet. The Boraalans don't have anything close to that level of technology. Worf: Captain, request permission to lead an away team. Picard: Very well. But regardless of this planet's immediate situation, we must observe the Prime Directive. I want to minimize the risk of contact with the inhabitants. You will go alone, Mister Worf, and I want to have you surgically altered so that you could pass as a Boraalan. Worf: Aye, sir. Crusher: You're worried about Nikolai, aren't you? Worf: Yes. Crusher: Are the two of you close? Worf: We are brothers. Crusher: You never talk much about him. What's he like? Worf: Nikolai is older than I. We are not alike. We had many disagreements when we were growing up. Crusher: That's not unusual. Worf: Nikolai has a mind of his own. He attended Starfleet Academy, but he was unable to follow the rules. He left after one year. But he has many fine qualities. He is brilliant, persuasive. A natural leader. Crusher: Sounds intriguing. I look forward to meeting him. Vorin: What are you doing here? You're not from our village. Who are you? Kateras: Who is this? Worf: My name is Worf. I am a traveler. Vorin: How did you survive the storms? Nikolai: I would know that voice anywhere. Worf, is it really you? It's good to see you. You've changed a lot in four years. Worf: Nikolai? Nikolai: Yes. Oh, Worf. This is my brother, Worf. He's come to help us. Vorin: But if you were able to get here, the storms must have subsided. Worf: Please. Vorin: Do you think it's safe enough to return to the surface? Worf: Please, I must speak to my brother. Worf: Nikolai, what have you done? Nikolai: They were dying. I refused to sit there safe in that observation post and watch it happen. I set up a deflector shield to screen these caves from the radiation and then I brought them here. Worf: What did you tell them? Nikolai: They think I'm a Boraalan. I told them I was from another village far from here. Worf: At least you had that much sense. Nikolai: When I sent the distress call I knew the Enterprise was in this sector, but I wasn't sure you'd be the one to come. I'm so glad that you're here, Worf. Worf: Nikolai, there is nothing we can do for these people. You have only postponed their deaths. Nikolai: I want to discuss that with your Captain. Worf: And I am certain he will want to speak with you. Nikolai: Friends, my brother and I must go back to the surface. He has provisions and will need help bringing them here. We'll return shortly. Dobara: It's too dangerous. The storms can occur without warning. If you're caught in one. Nikolai: Don't worry. Worf is a seer. He understands the nature of the storms. He'll know when it's safe to travel. Worf: Yes, that is correct. Kateras: Our seer died when the storms first came. We've been without his guidance for many weeks. Vorin: Let me go with you. I know the terrain better than anyone and I can help. Nikolai: No, Vorin. Worf and I will be safe. We'll return shortly. Picard: Doctor, you were fully aware that the atmospheric dissipation could not be stopped. What did you hope to accomplish by assisting these people? Nikolai: I was trying to give them a future. What I propose is we create an atmospheric shield on the planet. We can camouflage the equipment just as was done with my observation post. No one will ever know it's there. Riker: You can't be serious. Nikolai: Indeed I am. I realize it will only provide atmosphere for a limited area on the surface, but it will be enough to save one village. Picard: I have no intention of compounding what you have done by committing another gross violation of the Prime Directive. Nikolai: Captain, the Boraalans have a rich and beautiful culture, a deep spiritual life. They deserve the chance to survive. And isn't that what the Prime Directive was truly intended to do, to allow cultures to survive and grow naturally? Troi: Not entirely. The Prime Directive was designed to ensure non-interference. Crusher: But aren't we interfering either way? If we take no action, it's a conscious decision to let the Boraalans die. Nikolai: Exactly. We have the power to save some of them. All we have to do is exercise it. Picard: We are sworn to uphold the principle of the Prime Directive, and until that is changed there is no further course of action that we can take. Is that understood? Nikolai: Some of my log recorders are still in my observation post. They contain most of my research. Since it appears that the only way I'm going to preserve Boraalan culture is in a museum, I request permission to return to the surface and retrieve them. Picard: I'm afraid that won't be possible. But you can have full use of the ship's computer to set up a comm. link and upload your data from here. If there's nothing further, you're dismissed. Worf: I'm sorry, Nikolai. I wish there were another way. I am quite familiar with your communications systems. If you like, I will help you set up your comm. link. Nikolai: I'll do it myself. Data: Captain, atmospheric dissipation has accelerated over the past several hours. I estimate the planet's atmosphere will be completely gone within three minutes. Nikolai: Captain, I've completed my data uplink. With your permission, I would like to integrate my research logs with the ship's library computer. Picard: Of course. Data: The mesosphere is gone. Plasmonic reactions are now beginning to break down the troposphere. Picard: Put it on screen. Picard: What's going on? Data: It appears the plasmonic reactions are continuing to interfere with our sensors. Riker: I thought you had compensated for that. Data: I had, sir. I will attempt to engage additional filtering elements. Visual re-established. Picard: This is one of those times when we must face the ramifications of the Prime Directive and honor those lives which we cannot save. Nikolai: I find no honor in this whatsoever, Captain. You will forgive me if I don't stay. Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One. Riker: Helm, take us out of orbit. Set a course for Starbase eighty seven, warp five. Gates: Aye, sir. Riker: What happened? Data: There appears to be an unusual power drain in the EPS distribution net. Riker: What's the source? Data: Unknown, sir. It is difficult to localize. Worf: The power drain has registered on my security grid as well, sir. It appears to be coming from deck ten. Riker: All right, Mister Worf, get a security team on it. Worf: Concentrate your scans on the EPS transfer links. Worf: Computer, open holodeck five. Computer: Unable to comply. Holodeck five is in use. Worf: Override. Authorisation, Worf theta six one nine. Computer: Unable to comply. Holodeck control systems have been bypassed. Nikolai: Worf Come in. Worf: What are you doing here? Nikolai: I have to show you something. Whatever you do, stay quiet. Nikolai: Look. Nikolai: I've done what you refused to do. I've saved them. Nikolai: I started thinking about this days ago when it became clear the planet was doomed. I knew if I could get access to your ship's computer, I could generate a replica of the caves. The hard part was transporting the Boraalans into the holodeck without anybody on the Enterprise noticing. But I was able to blank out the sensors and make it look like interference from the plasmonic bursts. And it worked, perfectly. The Boraalans were transported while they were sleeping. They never knew anything had happened. Worf: Bridge. Nikolai: It's a simple plan, really. That's the beauty of it. Worf, trust me. This is going to work. Worf: Trust you? You never had any intention of obeying the Captain. Nikolai: I wasn't going to let those people die just because your Captain started quoting Federation dogma to me. Worf: Your duty was to respect the Captain's orders and to uphold the Prime Directive. Nikolai: Duty. That's all that really matters to you, isn't it? Well, I refuse to be bound by an abstraction. The lives of the people of Boraal are far more important to me. You worry too much, Worf. You always did. Everything will work out. Worf: You have disgraced yourself and you have disgraced me. I want nothing more to do with you. Picard: You realize your career is finished. Nikolai: I know that, Captain, and I would do it all again. Picard: What do you expect us to do now? You have left us with a colony of Boraalans who think they're still on their planet. Nikolai: I didn't beam them up without a plan. I've given this a lot of thought. I think we can find a new planet, an M class world, that can be their new home. Picard: A home which would look very different from Boraal. You can't really believe that they'll be fooled. Nikolai: That's where the holodeck comes in. I'll go back and tell the Boraalans we're going on a journey, to a different place where they'll be safe from the storms. The holodeck can gradually change the terrain as we travel, so that at the end, the holodeck simulation will match the conditions on the new planet. Then we'll simply beam them down. Picard: What if it doesn't work? What if they become aware that something strange is going on? Nikolai: Captain, I can't prepare for every contingency, but I assure you I'm accustomed to thinking on my feet. I'll deal with the situation as it evolves. Picard: I'm not enthusiastic about this plan, but I don't see that we have another option. Very well, let's give it a try. Nikolai: Thank you, Captain. Crusher: There are countless M class planets in Federation space which can support the Boraalans. We need to narrow the parameters. Data: It will take approximately nine and one half hours to complete the analysis. Picard: Even then there's no guarantee that we'll find a suitable planet. Data: That is correct, sir. Laforge: Captain, you'd better take a look at this. Picard: What is it? Laforge: We've got a problem, sir. I don't think it's going to be possible to keep this holodeck simulation stable. Picard: Why not? Laforge: The plasmonic energy surges from the planet are affecting the ship's systems. We're having problems with the EPS systems and the power distribution matrix. Nikolai: And as a result, the holodeck imaging processor has been severely destabilized. Laforge: It's not a question of whether the simulation will break down, it's a question of when. Picard: There's no way round it? Laforge: Not while it's running. In order to fix it, I'd have to shut down all of the holodecks and re-initialize the entire system. Picard: That will take hours. Nikolai: We'll just have to hope the simulation holds long enough. Picard: Very well. Let's try it. Mister La Forge, I want you to monitor the situation very carefully, and keep an open comm. link with the Holodeck so as to be apprised of any problems. Laforge: Aye, sir. Nikolai: Captain, I'll return to the holodeck as soon as my surgical alterations are completed and I'll prepare the Boraalans for their journey. Picard: Considering the situation you have put us in, I don't think it's wise to leave you alone with those people. Mister Worf will accompany you. Worf: Sir, perhaps someone else would be a better choice. Counselor Troi is familiar with Picard: Mister Worf, the Boraalans already know you. There's no need to introduce them to anyone new. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Keep a close eye on your brother. I don't want him making this situation worse than it is. Nikolai: My friends, we have returned. We have food. This is difficult to say, but you have a right to hear it. By the time Worf and I had reached the surface, the village was gone. The storms have destroyed everything. There is nothing for us to return to. Dobara: We can't survive in here. Our supplies won't last forever. Nikolai: That's why we must leave. There is a place far from here where there are no storms. It will be a difficult journey, but in the end we will have a new home. Worf: I know a way through the caves. We will travel safely until we return to the surface. Vorin: Where is this new land? Worf: As we said, it is far from here. It will not be like the home you knew. Even the stars may be different. Vorin: Why would they be different? And how do you know we'll be safe there? Nikolai: My brother is a seer. If he says we'll be safe, you must trust that we will be safe. Kateras: What's wrong? Tarrana: Look. Worf: Do not worry. It is an omen. Dobara: What does it mean? Worf: This is the sign of La Forge. It is a message to travelers. It is said when these lines appear and disappear Worf: In a pool of water, the road ahead will be filled with good fortune. Laforge: Hang in there, Worf. Give me just a second. There. That should do it. Nikolai: You see? Our journey is already blessed. The road ahead is long. Let us have a meal together, then we'll make preparations to leave. Nikolai: Worf, very good work. Apparently we don't make such a bad team after all. Worf: We are not a team. I am here because Captain Picard ordered me here. Nikolai: Worf, don't we both share the same goal? Aren't we both trying to make this plan work? Worf: Only because you forced us into it. Nikolai: I'm not ashamed of what I did. I'm not sorry I saved their lives. Worf: You have not changed. You still expect people to solve the problems you create. Nikolai: I'm not here to work out the issues of our childhood. I'm here to save a people who I care about. And if that upsets you, then so be it. Data: These are the two planets which best match our search criteria. Draygo Four features an unusually large temperate zone. However, it is within three light years of Cardassian space. Crusher: There are constant border disputes in that sector. Data: The alternative is Vacca Six. It is located in the Cabral sector. Crusher: That's pretty isolated. Data: It offers a less hospitable climate than the Boraalans are accustomed to. However, it would still appear to be the better choice. Do you disagree, Doctor? Crusher: No, Data, you're right. It's just that the enormity of what we're doing is overwhelming. We are deciding the future of a species. Data: It is a formidable responsibility. Crusher: There are so many questions we don't have answers to. What if the climate is so different that it affects them in a way that we can't anticipate? How do we even know they'll be able to survive? And if they do, how will their society evolve and what impact will it have on the Vaccan system? We have no idea what this decision will mean to their future. Data: Doctor, I do not believe we can offer any guarantees. We can simply make the best choice we have at the moment. Crusher: All right, Data. Vacca Six it is. Data: Data to Bridge. Picard: Picard here. Data: We have located a new home for the Boraalans, sir. Data: It is Vacca Six in the Cabral sector. Riker: We can reach that in forty two hours at maximum warp, sir. Picard: Very well. Helm, set course for Vacca Six. Gates: Aye, sir. Worf: What is this? Vorin: Our chronicle. The history of our village. Doesn't your village keep a chronicle? Worf: Not in this manner. Vorin: Then how do you teach your children their history, who their ancestors were, where they come from? Worf: We tell each other stories, make up songs. Vorin: Stories change with each person who tells them. This, this will always be the same. Our chronicle has been maintained for seventeen generations. I was only able to save the last six. This shows the destruction of our village. This is you and Nikolai leading us to safety. Worf: We must leave. Gather your belongings. Vorin: One of the scrolls is gone. I must have dropped it in the passageway. I'll go find it. Worf: We must stay together. We will have to leave it behind. Vorin: Worf, the chronicle is the life of our village. Without that past, our future means nothing. I must find it. Worf: Go, and return quickly. Kateras: Seer. I am an old man. Would you help me with my gear? Worf: Of course. Kateras: That is Tarrana, my daughter. I am fortunate she was old enough to survive the storms. Worf: She is a fine girl. Kateras: She is a beautiful girl. She has not been promised to anyone. If I do not reach our new home, I would like her to become your wife. Worf: You will reach your new home. I promise. Woman: Can I help you? Man: All right, all right, it's okay. Do you need some help? It's okay. Riker: All right, everybody. Back off, back off. Troi: I know things must look very strange to you, but everything's going to be all right. No one's going to hurt you. We're friends of Nikolai and Worf. Don't be afraid. Vorin: Nikolai? Troi: Yes. He's my friend. That means you are, too. I promise I won't hurt you. Vorin: Please, help me. Where am I? Crusher: I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do. His neural physiology is unusual. I can't wipe his memory. Picard: I see. How is he? Crusher: As well as can be expected. I've given him a mild sedative and Troi's been speaking with him. And he seems much calmer. Picard: Does he understand the situation? Crusher: I think so. Picard: Contact Mister Worf. Make sure he knows what's going on. Troi: Here he is now. This is Captain Picard. Picard: Vorin, isn't it? Vorin: Why did you bring us here? Picard: Your planet was dying. It could no longer support life. We took you away from it. Vorin: But we never left the caves. Picard: We have the ability to create the illusion of other places, like the caves on your planet. You have actually spent the last two days here on this starship, not on Boraal. Vorin: Then our home is gone. Troi: Yes. Picard: Vorin, listen to me. We can visit many other worlds. We can take you to one where you can build a new life. Vorin: A new life? Picard: A chance for your culture, your people, to survive and grow. Vorin: How can we grow when everything that made us who we are is gone? Nikolai: Dobara, you go on ahead. Worf: I will carry your pack. Go and join the others. Kateras: Thank you, seer. Nikolai: It'll be dark soon, in a few hours. Would you ask Mister La Forge to create a suitable campsite for us a few kilometers from here? What's wrong? Worf: Vorin has left the holodeck. Nikolai: How did he get out? Worf: I do not know, but Doctor Crusher cannot erase his memory. Nikolai: What will they do with him? Worf: They have explained the situation to him. He must make his own decisions. Nikolai: Wait. Are you saying that if Vorin wants to come back in here, they'll let him? Worf: That is right. He is not a prisoner. Nikolai: But if he comes back here and tells the others what he has seen on the Enterprise, everything we have done will be for nothing. Worf: Then you should have considered that before you beamed them on board. But you never think about the consequences of your acts. Nikolai: If you mean by that that I'm willing to do something while others hesitate, that's true. Worf: Wherever you go, you create chaos. How many times did our parents lie awake at night, wondering what kind of trouble you were in? Nikolai: Oh, if only I could have been like you. Worf, the perfect son. Worf: I was not perfect, but I was not wild and disobedient. Nikolai: Of course not. You were too busy doing your duty. Worf: I would rather be accused of that than making our mother weep. But I see it is clear you have no intention of changing. I see no reason to discuss it further. Worf: Commander, the holodeck malfunctions Worf: Are increasing. Laforge: I'm running every stabilization routine I know. Worf: How much longer till we reach the new planet? Laforge: We'll be there in less than eight hours. You're just going to have to hold things together a little while longer. Worf: Someone is coming. Dobara: May I speak with you? Worf: Yes, of course. Dobara: I don't know what Nikolai said to you but, please, forgive him. Worf: It is an old argument. Dobara: I've never seen him like this. He's usually so confident, so sure of himself. But now he seems different. Do you know why? Worf: No. No, I do not. Dobara: Ever since Vorin was lost, people have been afraid. Worried that we won't reach our new home. We need Nikolai's strength now more than ever. When the storms first came to our village, many of us were ready to die. But Nikolai refused to let us. He gathered us together and led us into caves. He saved us. He is a brave and compassionate man, and I love him. Please, go to him. Make things right between you. I want us to be a family. Worf: Us? Dobara: Yes. I want you to consider yourself my brother. After all, you're going to be the uncle of my child. Data: We are in synchronous orbit above the beam down site, sir. Picard: Good. Mister La Forge, how much longer before we can transport the Boraalans? Laforge: A few more hours, Captain, but we've got some problems here. Laforge: I don't think the holodeck's going to last that long. We've had materialization errors and resolution failures all over the place, and it's getting worse. The simulation could fall apart any minute. Picard: We'll have the transporter room standing by. But we may have to transport the Boraalans whether you're ready or not. Please keep Mister Worf apprised. Laforge: Aye, sir. Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One. We still have one more problem to worry about. Vorin: Yes. Picard: We have arrived at the planet that I told you about. Have you made a decision? Vorin: I believe I would like to go back to my people. Picard: I see. What do you intend to tell them? Vorin: I don't know. Picard: If you tell them the truth, what will happen? Will they believe you? Vorin: I'm not sure. It is a fantastic story. Picard: Perhaps they will think that you have had an hallucination, or that you're insane. Vorin: I don't think I would like to live my life knowing what I know and being regarded as a madman. Picard: On the other hand, they may believe your fantastic story. They would learn about alien worlds, starships. Vorin: That would be disastrous. It would destroy everything they believed in. I can't tell them the truth, but I don't think I can live with a secret. Picard: Then stay here. Make a future for yourself with us. Vorin: I need some time. Please. Worf: How could you have mated with a Boraalan? What were you thinking? Nikolai: I don't owe you an explanation. This is a matter between Dobara and me. Worf: As usual, you are thinking only of yourself. Nikolai: And as usual, you are here to point out the error of my ways. Worf: You have treated Dobara with dishonor. Nikolai: I have not! I love her and we're going to raise our child together. Worf: That is not possible. I cannot allow you to stay here. Nikolai: You will have to kill me first. Dobara: What does it mean ? Nikolai: The storms have returned. Kateras: We will be killed. Nikolai: No, you won't. Worf has the power to end the storms once and for all. Worf: Yes. But everyone must take shelter in the tents. Kateras: The tents won't protect us. Nikolai: Worf will protect you. You must trust him. Hurry, hurry. Get to your tents now. Worf: Commander, it might be helpful if you could produce Worf: A storm. Wind, lightning and thunder. Laforge: I'll see what I can do. Nikolai: Get in! Get in! The storm is getting worse! Stay inside. Worf and I will take care of you. Worf: Commander, energize. Worf: The storms will not return. Nikolai: As I said he would, my brother Worf has saved us all. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47427.2. The Boraalans have safely reached the site of what will eventually become their new village. None of them suspects they ever left their planet. However, our success has come at a high price. Crusher: I think it was some form of ritual suicide. Picard: He said that he had nowhere to go. Crusher: He would have died even if we hadn't interfered. Picard: But he wouldn't have died alone and afraid. Crusher: Are you saying you're sorry we saved the Boraalans? Picard: No, of course not. Our plan for them worked out well. But I wish that Vorin could have bridged the gap between our two cultures. I would have liked the chance to have known him better. Nikolai: Go inside. Dobara: Nikolai, don't. Nikolai: Please. Nikolai: I told you, you would have to kill me to get me away from here. Worf: I do not want to fight you, Nikolai. Nikolai: Things were never easy between us, were they? Worf: No. Nikolai: It's my fault. If I'd been more like you, we wouldn't have had so many problems. Worf: No. If you had been more like me, these people would not be here now. You gave them a chance at a new life. Nikolai: And I intend to share that life with them. The village will need a new chronicle. Someone will have to begin it. My child will need a father. My place is here. I'm finally taking responsibility. Worf: You were never good at drawing. How will you keep a chronicle? Nikolai: I learn quickly. Worf: Then perhaps there is hope. Worf: Could I take this with me? Nikolai: It's yours. Worf: I will have to explain all of this to mother and father. Nikolai: They won't understand. Worf: They may. I will tell them that you are happy.

Crusher: Most people on this colony will remember my grandmother as a healer, but her abilities went beyond that. She didn't just relieve pain and fight illness. She knew that wellbeing is more than a healthy body. Her remedies often included words of advice as well as medicinal teas, and often they were just as bitter tasting. I will miss Felisa Howard very much. Her healing, her advice, and most of all, the inspiration she has provided me throughout the years. Rest in peace, Nana. Maturin: And so now we commit her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope that her memory will be kept alive within us all. All: Amen. Troi: That was a beautiful. Crusher: Oh, thank you. Deanna, did you notice a strange man at the service? He was in his mid-thirties with longish hair? Troi: No. Crusher: He threw a flower on Nana's grave. A camellia. It was her favorite flower. She used to keep them all over the house. Troi: Maybe he was a friend or one of her patients. Crusher: It was a very personal gesture, and he gave me a remarkable look. Well, I guess I should be going back to the house. There are some things I need to do. It's only a few minutes from here. Would you mind coming along? Troi: I'd love to. Crusher: Thanks. Maturin: How long do you plan on staying? Picard: A few more hours. Why? Maturin: Well, as you know, Caldos is one of the first terraforming projects of the Federation. Our weather controls and fusion systems are nearly a century old. I wouldn't mind having a starship Engineer take a look at them. Perhaps give us a few upgrades. Maybe in exchange for a tour of the colony and a home-cooked meal? Picard: Well, we are due at Starbase six two one tomorrow morning, but we could delay for a few days. Yes, I'm sure we could find the time. Maturin: Excellent. Picard: I would enjoy that tour. Caldos Colony is a most impressive accomplishment. I actually feel as if I'm in the Scottish Highlands. Maturin: That was the intent. The cornerstone of every building in town was brought from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen. The founders wanted everyone to feel they had a piece of the real thing here. They didn't want to just imitate Scotland, they wanted to recreate it. Picard: Tell me, Governor, I'm curious. You're obviously not Scots yourself. What was it that drew you here? Maturin: Something about the culture, the heritage. When I was a boy, my family visited Glamis Castle in Scotland. As I looked out across the highlands, I felt as if I had come home. Troi: Your grandmother had remarkable green eyes. Crusher: Every woman in the Howard family has had green eyes, except for my mother and me. Troi: How well do you remember your mother? Crusher: Very well. I loved her very much. I can remember her face smiling down at me, and I can remember the sound of her voice and her scent. But mostly I remember Nana, who raised me after my mother died. Troi: That's beautiful. Crusher: It's a family heirloom. It's been in the Howard clan for generations. It's supposed to symbolize the enduring Howard spirit. Wherever they may go, the shining light to guide them through their fortune. Nana always kept it lit. I remember sitting here listening to ghost stories with only the candle burning. Troi: You should take it with you. Crusher: I think I will. Troi: I'm going to head back to the ship. Crusher: You don't have to leave. Troi: I just thought you'd like some time alone. I'll see you later. Crusher: Thanks. Crusher: Who's there? Crusher: What the hell are you doing? Get out of my house. Quint: I wouldna be so high and mighty with me, Beverly Howard Crusher. I've spent more time here in the past five years than ye have in the past twenty. Crusher: How do you know who I am? Quint: I'm Ned Quint. I took care of your grandmother's house and her affairs. Crusher: Nana never mentioned you. Quint: There's a lot of things she didna talk about. Let me get rid of that candle. Crusher: Why? Quint: That candle has brought nothing but misery and bad luck to your grandmother. Crusher: Look, Mister Quint, I don't know what your relationship was with my grandmother, but this is my house now and these are my things. Quint: That candle has been a curse on your family for generations. If ye have a lick of sense, you'll listen to me right now and do away with it. Now give it to me. Crusher: This is a family heirloom and I intend to keep it. Now would you please get out of my house. Now! Quint: Howard women. Always the same stubborn fools. I wash my hands of it now. You stay on in this house and you keep that damned candle. I'll not be responsible for what happens. Crusher: Get out. Data: The colony's aqueduct system is functioning normally, as are the communication relays. Maturin: We've been having a few tremors over the past couple of months. Could you check the seismic stabilizers? Data: Certainly. Maturin: You can't imagine what it's like trying to enjoy afternoon tea while the earth is shaking. Laforge: Governor, did you know you had a power fluctuation in your weather control system? Maturin: No. Our weather control's been working perfectly for the last twenty two years. Laforge: I can't isolate the exact source, but the fluctuation seems to be originating from one of the substations that regulates atmospheric humidity for the colony. Maturin: Is this going to be a problem? Laforge: No, not yet, but power distribution patterns are already off by five percent. Data: I suggest we analyze the planet's weather patterns to see if they have been affected. I am reading unusually high humidity across the entire southern desert region and there is increasing cloud activity above the northern coastal area. Possibly the formation of a storm system. Maturin: A storm? It's the middle of summer. We don't have rain at this time of year. Laforge: Data, let's see if we can correct this. I'll check out the colony's climatic flow array. Data: I will run a diagnostic on the thermal regulators. Laforge: Don't worry, Governor. We'll keep you dry. Maturin: I certainly hope so. There's a caber toss scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I'd hate to see it spoiled by an unexpected downpour. Crusher: You wouldn't believe what I've been reading about in my grandmother's journals. You know she had a lover? Can you believe that? Nana was a hundred years old. Picard: It would seem the Howard women have exceptionally vigorous libidos. Crusher: I certainly hope so. After all, I hope I can find a handsome young man in his thirties when I pass the century mark. Picard: Thirties? Crusher: Yes. According to these journals, his name is Ronin and he's thirty four years old. They met just after my great-grandmother's death. And I think I saw him at the funeral. A handsome young man tossed a camellia onto her grave. But the strange thing is, she never mentioned him in her letters. Never once. And yet it appears they spent almost all their time together. It's as if she led an entire life that I knew nothing about. Picard: Well it looks like we're going to be on Caldos for a few days more. This will be a good opportunity to get your grandmother's affairs in order. Crusher: Thank you. Picard: Thirties? Ronin: Beverly. Troi: You dreamt you were in bed with someone? Crusher: Not exactly. I was in bed but there wasn't another person in my dream. It was more like a presence. Troi: You said you felt a touch. Crusher: A pair of hands. They were moving across my skin. Troi: Like a caress? Crusher: Yes. And there was a voice, a man. He whispered my name. It was as if I knew him, or more like he knew me. He knew exactly how I liked to be touched. It was the most physical dream I've ever had. The sensations were very real and extremely arousing. Troi: Frankly, I'm envious. Crusher: I did fall asleep reading a particularly erotic chapter in my grandmother's journal. She wrote very detailed descriptions of her experiences with Ronin. Troi: Well, that's bound to cause a dream or two. So, shall we start going over the personnel reports? Crusher: You know, I think he had a ring on one of his hands when he touched my shoulder, my neck. I wonder if I'll have another dream tonight. Troi: I'd read two chapters. Quint: You probably want to be alone. I'll leave. Crusher: No, Ned, it's okay. Look, I'm sorry we got off to a bad start yesterday. I've been reading my grandmother's journals and I know how much you meant to her. Quint: Aye, she was a grand lady. You'll not see many more like her. You have your grandmother's fire, that's for sure. Crusher: Ned, you're welcome to stay at the house after I've gone. I need someone to take care of the place. Quint: That's verra kind of you, lass, but I'll ne'er set foot in that house again. And I recommend that you dinna, either. Crusher: Why? Quint: Like I tried to tell your grandmother, the hoose is haunted. Crusher: Haunted? Quint: You believe what you want, lass. Just dinna light that candle. Crusher: Why not? Quint: It'll bring the ghost. It's his home. Oh, he's out now, wanderin' across the land, angry, angry at being driven out. That's why he's bringing the storms. Crusher: Ned, the weather systems control is malfunctioning. The Enterprise is trying to repair it. Quint: Oh, sure. But who do you think is causing the malfunction? Crusher: I think your imagination is Quint: Think what you want. See what you want. Just do as I say. Dinna light that candle or dinna go to that hoose, or before you know it, they'll be burying another Howard in this cemetery. Worf: Captain, I am detecting atmospheric turbulence over the colony and large pockets of electrical activity. Picard: On screen. Worf: It is growing in intensity, sir. Riker: That's one hell of a thunderstorm. Picard: Bridge to Engineering. Mister Data, we're reading Picard: An extremely large storm system over the Caldos colony. Picard: I thought that the weather control malfunction was not severe. Data: It began as a minor power fluctuation, sir, but the effect has spread throughout the control grid. It has caused an unusual concentration of cumulonimbus activity above the colony. Laforge: Captain, I suggest we set up a power transfer between the Enterprise and the weather substations. Try to give them enough power to stabilize the storm. Picard: Make it so. Crusher: Who's there? Ned? Is that you? Hello? I know somebody's here, so I suggest you Crusher: All right now, that's it. If you don't show yourself right now I am calling the Enterprise and there will be ten security guards here within thirty seconds. Ronin: Beverly. Beverly, I've come back for you Crusher: Who are you? Ronin: Don't you remember? I came to you last night while you were asleep. Crusher: No, that was a dream. I'm calling the Enterprise. Ronin: Now do you remember me? Crusher: Yes. What's, what's happening to me? Right now I feel so strange. Ronin: I love you, Beverly, just as I loved Felisa before you. Crusher: Are you Ronin? Ronin: Yes. You saw me at the funeral. Crusher: Who are you? Ronin: I'm a spirit. Crusher: I don't believe in Ronin: Ghosts? Nor did I in the beginning. I was born in sixteen forty seven, in Glasgow on Earth. Crusher: You're telling me that you're an eight hundred year old ghost? Ronin: I found a home with Jessel Howard. She was a pretty lass with a mane of red hair, and eyes like diamonds. I loved her very much. When she died, I stayed with her daughter, and her daughter, and on down through the years, generation after generation. Crusher: And now you're here on Caldos, two hundred light years away? Ronin: When your family moved out into the galaxy, I moved with them. Crusher: I don't believe you. Ronin: I believe you are the most beautiful women I have ever known. Crusher: What's, what's happening to me? Ronin: We're becoming one, Beverly. We're going to be together. Crusher: I don't understand. Stop it! Crusher: Come in. Troi: Hi, Bev. I just wanted to see if you were going to mok'bara class this morning. Crusher: No, I think I'll skip it today. I'm exhausted. Troi: Did you have another dream last night? Crusher: Not exactly. Troi: Is anything wrong? Crusher: Not at all. Troi: Beverly, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were seeing someone. Crusher: Deanna. Troi: Now I know you're seeing someone. Crusher: I'm not seeing anybody. I met someone, that's all. Troi: Well, you obviously have romantic feelings for him. Beverly, when are you going to realize that you can't fool me? Who is it? Crusher: All right. I met Ronin. Troi: Ronin? Your grandmother's lover? Crusher: He's unlike anyone I've ever met before. I know this sounds crazy, but I have never known anyone who was so Troi: Passionate. Crusher: Exactly. I can see why Nana fell in love with him. This sounds very strange, doesn't it? Troi: I admit it's unusual. I'm very happy for you. But I want you to consider something. You and Ronin have both suffered a tremendous loss. Very often, shared traumatic experience can create the illusion of closeness and romance. Crusher: Thank you for your concern, but I think I know what I'm doing. Besides, I didn't say I was in love with him. I'm just intrigued. Maturin: You know, Captain, I moved to this colony because it was a recreation of Scotland, but I must admit it's getting to be a little too realistic. Picard: What the hell is going on? Data: There appears to be a condensed suspension of water vapor, approximately one degree Celsius. Picard: Fog. Riker: It just sort of rolled in on us, sir. Worf: There has been a malfunction in the ship's environmental control. Riker: We've traced the problem to the power transfer beam. There's some sort of feedback coming from one of the colony's weather substations. Maturin: Another power fluctuation? Worf: Captain, the temperature in Ten Forward has dropped to below freezing and deck thirteen has lost gravity. Picard: Mister Data, disengage the power transfer. Data: I am unable to terminate the connection, sir. A feedback loop has formed in the transfer beam. I will have to go to the substation and attempt to correct the problem from there. Picard: Make it so. Picard: In the meantime, I think I'll go get my jacket. Data: I have analyzed the control module in the primary weather control grid. It appears the station is experiencing a system wide power failure. Laforge: This is impossible. The back up systems should have Data: Excuse me, sir. You are dismantling the primary power conduit. I must ask you to stop. Quint: No! Get away from me! You dinna understand. He's trying to kill us all. Data: He is dead. Laforge: From what I can tell, he was trying to shut down the entire weather control system. He was pulling out the primary plasma conduit. That's probably what caused the plasma discharge that killed him. Maturin: I knew Ned Quint. He was an honest man. He mostly kept to himself. I don't know why he'd try something like that. Laforge: It's going to take us some time to get the system back online. I'd say we need another day at least. Data: In the meantime, Governor, you should expect the weather problems to continue. Crusher: I think you'd better take a look at this. Crusher: Data, you said there was a plasma discharge from the console when Quint was killed. Data: That is correct. Crusher: Well, that wasn't what killed him. I'm detecting an anomalous energy residual throughout his body, right down to the cellular level. Whatever it is, it wasn't the result of a plasma discharge. Laforge: Anything? Data: I cannot identify the energy residual. However, it appears to have the same anaphasic signature as the power fluctuations we observed from the weather control system. Laforge: Then it's possible that whatever caused the weather malfunctions also killed Quint. Data: It is possible. Laforge: We should scan the colony for any energy readings that match this anaphasic signature. Crusher: Governor, with your permission, I'd like to take the body back to the ship to run further tests. Maturin: Of course, Doctor. Crusher: Ensign, ask Doctor Selar run a biospectral analysis. Nurse: Yes, Doctor. Maturin: You're not going to run the tests yourself? Crusher: No. I have some things I need to attend to. Crusher: Ronin, I've got to talk to you. Are you here? Ronin: I'm here. Beverly, did you miss me? Crusher: Yes. But I must talk to you. There's been an accident. Ronin: I know. Quint is dead. Crusher: Why did it happen? What was he doing? Ronin: Beverly, there's something more important we should talk about. Crusher: Ronin, I've got to know. Quint's dead. Crusher: Ronin? Ronin: Yes. I need you to help me. Crusher: Help you? Ronin: It's not easy for me to take corporeal form. I can't do it for long. I want you to light the candle. Crusher: Quint said you lived in the candle. Is that true? Ronin: Yes. If I'm away from it for too long, I begin to weaken. That's why the women in your family have always kept the candle lit. Crusher: The candle's on the ship. I'll go get it. Ronin: No. I must go with you. Crusher: How? Ronin: The power transfer beam. I can travel along it. Crusher: And when the candle's lit, then what happens? Ronin: Then we'll be together, always. Crusher: Computer, secure door. Crusher: I lit the candle. Where are you? Ronin: It's all right. We're together. we're going to be one. I'm going to become part of you, Beverly. Would you like that? Crusher: Oh, yes. More than anything. Ronin: As it was with your grandmother, and your great-grandmother, and all of the Howard women before them. I'll take care of you. And you will feel love as you've never felt it before. Picard: Beverly, what the hell is this? Crusher: I thought it was pretty self-explanatory. I'm leaving Starfleet. Energize. Picard: Belay that order. Crewman: Aye, sir. Picard: Beverly, you can't just resign. Crusher: I can, and I have. I've decided to stay on Caldos and become a healer like my grandmother. It's a proud Howard tradition and I've decided to uphold it. Energize. I've resigned my commission, so unless you plan on kidnapping me? Troi: Beverly was attracted to Ronin in a very intense and intimate way. I warned her that it was all very sudden but she didn't want to talk about it, so I let her alone. I sensed that she was holding something back, that she wasn't telling me the whole truth. Picard: Do you think this Ronin could be exerting some sort of influence over her? That it's because of him that she's staying? Troi: It's possible. But she may really believe she's in love with him. Picard: This is a rash decision, ill considered. It's not like Beverly at all. Troi: I agree, but she does have the right to make that choice, even if we don't feel it's a good one. Picard: Come. Data: Captain, Geordi and I have detected an energy residual with the same anaphasic signature as the one we found on Ned Quint's body. Picard: Where? Data: Approximately seventeen kilometers from the center of the colony, sir. It is coming from the cemetery. Picard: Data, I want you to go down to the cemetery. See if you can pinpoint the source. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: In the meantime, I would like to meet with this Ronin. Laforge: The energy readings are coming from this direction, but I can't get an exact location. I'll try narrowing the scan field. Data: The energy readings appear to be originating approximately two meters below the surface. I believe they are concentrated within this burial site. Crusher: I'm so glad you're here. I can't imagine what life was like before I met you. Ronin: And it will only get better. Crusher: Oh, Ronin. I had no idea I could feel this way. Ronin: We're nearly merged now. As two candles join to form a single light, so we will flourish as one. Ronin: I love you, Beverly. Crusher: I love you. Picard: Beverly? Crusher: Jean-Luc. Picard: Sorry I startled you. I knocked but there was no answer. The door was open. I hope you don't mind. Crusher: What do you want? Picard: Well, I'd hoped to meet your new friend, Ronin. Crusher: He's not here. Picard: Well, perhaps I could wait, if you don't mind. I'm really anxious to meet this remarkable young man who swept away not just one, but two of the Howard women. Crusher: Jealousy doesn't suit you, Jean-Luc. Picard: Have you changed the color of your eyes? Crusher: I just grew tired of the other color. Don't you think it suits me? Picard: I think that I preferred your eyes the way they were before. I think I preferred you the way you were before, Beverly. Crusher: Well, this is the way I am now. And this is my life. I've made my decision and I'm not going to change my mind, so please leave me alone. Picard: Oh, no, there's something's wrong here. Now, Beverly, this is more than just an obsessive love affair that has got out of hand. Tell me, why is it that no one has seen this Ronin except you? Ronin: All right, Captain. Here I am. I believe Beverly asked you to leave her alone. Picard: So, you're Ronin. It's a pleasure to meet you. Where are you from? Ronin: Earth. Scotland. Picard: How long have you been on Caldos? Ronin: All that matters is that I'm here now, and that Beverly and I plan to be together for the rest our lives. Data: Data to Picard. Picard: Go ahead, Data. Data: Captain, we have located the source of the energy residual. It appears to be concentrated within Felisa Howard's coffin. Laforge: Captain, we'd like permission to exhume the body. Ronin: You can't do that. Leave her alone. Picard: Why not? What are you afraid of? Ronin: I'm not afraid of anything. But I cannot allow you to desecrate her grave. Picard: Data, ask Governor Maturin's permission to exhume the body. Picard out. Ronin: I won't stand for this. I'll go to the Governor myself. Picard: Go on. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't know who you are. He'll probably have the same questions that I do. How did you get here? What ship did you come on? Crusher: Jean-Luc, leave him alone. Picard: Why don't you answer my questions? What ship? I'd like to look at the passenger list. Where have you been living here? What's your position? Who are your neighbors? Picard: Come on, Beverly, we've got to get out of here. Crusher: Jean-Luc. Ronin: Beverly, we must stop the others. They cannot exhume the body. Crusher: We can't just leave him. He might die. Ronin: You must come. I am your love. I am the one who will take care of you. Crusher: I can't just let him die. Ronin: Beverly, come with me. Crusher: No. No! Ronin: I'm sorry, I'm going to stop them. Crusher: Come on, come on. Picard: I'm all right. Beverly, go after him. Go to the cemetery. Laforge: La Forge to Enterprise. We're ready down here. Crewman: Aye, sir. Data: I am reading definite signs of anaphasic energy in her body. It appears to extend to the cellular level. Laforge: That's impossible. She wasn't anywhere near the weather station when Quint was killed. She died of natural causes. Data: I suggest we run a deep tissue scan to look for any signs of Crusher: No! Ronin, stop this. Stop this, please. Felisa: Beverly, it's all right. Have trust in me. Crusher: You're not Nana. Nana's dead. Leave her alone! Ronin: Beverly! Forgive me. These men were trying to stop us from being together. Once they're gone, everything will be right. Crusher: No, it won't. You've been infusing me with the same sort of anaphasic energy that killed Quint. Ronin: He was trying to destroy me. I had to defend myself. My love. I could never harm you. I am here to protect you. Crusher: No, you're not. There's no such thing as a ghost. You are some sort of anaphasic lifeform. Anaphasic energy is extremely unstable. It needs an organic host in order to maintain molecular cohesion or else you'll die. Isn't that right? Ronin: Beverly. Crusher: I also scanned the candle. The flame is plasma based. You were using it as a receptacle for yourself in order to get to me, in order to merge with me. You have been using me, Nana, my entire family for centuries. Ronin: And I loved all of them! And they loved me. Give me the candle, Beverly. Crusher: No. No. Ronin: Put it down, or I will kill him. Set it down and walk away. Ronin: No! Crusher: Crusher to Riker. Will, close off all the plasma conduits in the weather control system. I'll explain later. Riker: Understood. Crusher: You've nowhere left to go. Ronin: Yes, I do. Crusher: Keep away from me. Ronin: Beverly. I love you. Beverly. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Commander La Forge and Mister Data have recovered from their exposure to the anaphasic energy, but I'm afraid Doctor Crusher's recovery will be of a more personal nature. Crusher: Somehow, he realized that one of my ancestors had a biochemistry that was compatible with his energy matrix. I imagine that he took human form and seduced her like he did me. I was about to be initiated into a very unusual relationship. You might call it a family tradition. But there's a part of me that's a little sad. Troi: How so? Crusher: I re-read the entries in my grandmother's journals. Whatever else he might have done, he made her very happy.

Riker: Fletcher has more experience with propulsion systems. Troi: But Carstairs is better with people. Considering this is a supervisory position, I'd go with her. Riker: I guess you're right. Didn't we just do crew evaluation reports? Troi: Three months ago. Riker: It seems like three weeks. Why don't we just give everybody a promotion and call it a night, Commander? Troi: Fine with me, Captain. Riker: Could we have two coffees, please. Lavelle: What could be so funny? What's so funny about crew evaluations? Ogawa: Don't worry about it, Sam. Sito: Can't we just try and have a good time here? Lavelle: How can I have a good time when my career's being decided across the room? Come on. Think promotion. Promotion. Promotion. Taurik: You can't really believe that what you are doing will influence the outcome of your evaluation. Lavelle: Promotion. Promotion. Promotion. Ogawa: It's a time-honored strategy, Taurik. Sito: The Vedeks of the Janalan order maintain a round the clock chant for the benefit of the Bajoran people. Taurik: Considering the history of your planet, that doesn't exactly validate what he's doing. Lavelle: Promote me, please, so I can make Lieutenant and have my own room. Taurik: If you're unhappy sharing quarters with me, then you should put in for a new room assignment. Just in case you're not promoted. Riker: I've been thinking about who to promote to Ops. Troi: The new night duty officer? Riker: Lavelle is an obvious candidate, but I'm also considering Ensign Sito. Troi: Thank you. Ben: You're welcome. Are you sure about dessert? Troi: Yes. Don't tempt me. Lavelle: So, are they working on crew evaluations? Ben: Yep. Sito: Who are they talking about? Ben: It's not my place to say. Sito: Come on, Ben. Lavelle: Please. Ben: All right, but I'm not sure you two are going to like it. Apparently, you two are up for the same job. Riker: Lock phasers on target. Sito: Phasers locked. Data: The enemy is firing. Riker: Helm, hard to starboard. Lavelle: Hard to starboard. Riker: Fire phasers. Sito: Firing. Data: Target is destroyed. Riker: End simulation sequence. Secure from drill. Alpha shift, your response time was seven percent slower than the gamma shift. All departments, submit drill evaluation reports Riker: By oh nine hundred hours. Laforge: Ensign, you'll write that report. Taurik: Yes, sir. Riker: What happened back there, Ensign? Sito: I'm sorry, sir. When we changed course I had to re-lock phasers before I could fire. Riker: Next time, try letting the locking relay float until the actual order to fire is given. They may not teach that trick at the Academy, but it works. Sito: Thank you, sir. Riker: Lavelle. Lavelle: Sir? Riker: Resume previous course and speed. Lavelle: Aye, aye, sir. Riker: One aye is sufficient acknowledgment, Ensign. Picard: Helm, change course for the Argaya system, maximum warp. Lavelle: Aye, sir. Riker: What happened to the rendezvous with the Clement? Picard: I've just received new orders from Starfleet. We'll discuss it in the Observation lounge. Mister Data, Mister Worf. Riker: Ensign Sito, take over at Ops. Sito: Yes, sir. Sito: The Argaya system's close to the Cardassian border. I wonder why we're going there. How'd you like to be a spider under that table? Lavelle: What? Sito: A spider under the table. Lavelle: Is that like a fly on the wall? Sito: I guess so. You did really well during the drill. Lavelle: Well apparently Commander Riker didn't think so. I swear he's got it in for me. Sito: You're imagining things. Lavelle: Yeah? Then how come you're sitting in that chair instead of me? Sito: I guess he figured I need more practice than you do. Taurik: Excuse me, sir. Do you have a minute? Laforge: Sure, Taurik. What is it? Taurik: I'd like you to take a look at something. Laforge: Have you been improvising again, Ensign? Taurik: In a manner of speaking. I'm running a computer simulation to test a new warp field configuration. Laforge: You've got a problem here. Your plasma flow to the nacelles is out of sync. Taurik: Actually, sir, that was done deliberately. As you can see, this configuration has increased overall warp field integrity by seven percent. Laforge: You're right. Taurik: Doctor Nils Diaz has been experimenting with this technique at the Tanaline Propulsion Laboratory. Laforge: Yeah, I'm familiar with his work, but I never heard anything about this. Taurik: His findings have not been released yet. I was able to review a preliminary report when I was at the Academy. Laforge: I look forward to reading about it Taurik: I predict that when these findings are made public, they will become a new model for warp field operation. Laforge: Sounds interesting. Taurik: With your permission, sir, I'd like to begin tests to see if the technique can be adapted to our warp drive. Laforge: There might be variables that you didn't account for. Taurik: I was quite thorough. Laforge: I'm sure you were, but I'd still need to see your simulation before I authorize any tests. Taurik: As you wish. Laforge: If you have any other ideas for increasing efficiency, don't hesitate to run them by me. Taurik: As a matter of fact, sir, I do. When would be a good time to discuss them? Laforge: I'll get back to you on that. Ogawa: Excuse me, Doctor. Crusher: If you're wondering about the evaluations, things couldn't be better. Ogawa: Actually, I just wanted to tell you that Ensign Reilly's condition is showing improvement. But thank you. Crusher: In fact, I'm recommending you for a promotion. How does Lieutenant Alyssa Ogawa sound? Ogawa: It sounds wonderful. Crusher: I'll talk to Commander Riker and I'm sure it'll be official as soon as the current crew evaluations are over. Oh, Alyssa, how are things going between you and Lieutenant Powell? Ogawa: Fine. I think. Crusher: You think? Ogawa: I'm sure it's nothing, but he seems preoccupied lately. Last night he had to cancel our date. Crusher: I see. Ogawa: He's been putting together a research proposal. He's been really busy with it. Crusher: I know what that's like. Sometimes I get so busy with research I forget to eat. Ogawa: I just wonder. Crusher: What? Sit down. Ogawa: I've never met anyone like Andrew. It's as though we've known each other forever. Crusher: You do seem very well suited. Ogawa: But I know that in the beginning of a romance it's possible to be a little blind. Crusher: I'm not sure I know what you mean. Ogawa: Well, canceling a date like that, the way he's been so distant lately. Doctor, do you think those could be warning signs that he's losing interest? Crusher: Alyssa, I think you're overreacting. Ogawa: Maybe so. Crusher: If I cared as much about someone as much as you care about Andrew, he'd have to do a lot more than cancel a date before I'd get suspicious. Ogawa: You're right. Crusher: I'm sure that when this research is over, things will be back just the way they were. Ogawa: Except, of course, that he'll have to deal with Lieutenant Ogawa. Sito: I only filled in at Ops for a half hour, but I had to degauss the main deflector dish, recalibrate the navigation grid, and use internal sensors to find a lost puppy. Worf: Ops is a very different challenge from Tactical. Sito: I can't figure out why I'm even being considered for this assignment. I'm a security officer. Worf: I recommended you. Sito: I'll try not to let you down, sir. Lavelle: What could they be talking about? Taurik: Have you ever considered learning to lip read? Lavelle: You think Worf's chewing her out? Ben: No, he always looks like that. Lavelle: Maybe he's giving her pointers on how to land the Ops position. Ben: Hi, Will. Riker: Ben. How you doing? Lavelle: You call him Will? Ben: Why not? Lavelle: He's second in command of this ship, that's why not. Ben: I'm not Starfleet, I'm a civilian. When he's in here, he wants to be treated like a civilian. Lavelle: Riker? I bet he sleeps in his uniform. Ben: You only think that because he's your CO. If you got to know him. Lavelle: Right. Taurik: He's convinced Commander Riker doesn't like him. Ben: Why? Did you crash the ship into something? Lavelle: No. He just doesn't like me. Taurik: He doesn't even know you. Ben: That's right. You should go talk to him. Lavelle: About what? Taurik: Perhaps something you have in common. Ben: He likes Jazz, poker. He's Canadian. Lavelle: Yeah? My grandfather was from Canada. Ben: There you go. Sito: Hi. Lavelle: Excuse me, I've got to go talk to somebody. Lavelle: Good evening, sir. Riker: Lavelle. Something I can do for you? Lavelle: No, sir. I just came to get another drink. Riker: Is there something wrong with that one? Lavelle: No, actually, I, er. What are you having? Riker: Trakian Ale. Lavelle: Good choice. I'll have one, too. My grandfather was Canadian, you know. Riker: Really? Lavelle: Aren't you one, too? Riker: A grandfather? Lavelle: No, Canadian, sir. Canadian. Riker: No, I grew up in Alaska. Lavelle: Oh. Well, they both get a lot of snow. Riker: Yeah. Lavelle: It was good talking to you, sir. Bartender: Your ale, Ensign. Riker: We're holding position in the Argaya System. Picard: Anything? Worf: No, sir. I detect no vessels in the vicinity. Picard: How close to the Cardassian border are we? Data: Less than five thousand kilometers, sir. Worf: Sir, I am detecting an object five meters in length. It appears to be an escape pod. Riker: They must have been forced to abandon the ship. Picard: How far inside Cardassian space is it? Worf: Fifty thousand kilometers. Picard: How the hell are we going to get it out of there? Data: Sir, the pod's life support system is failing. Riker: Notify Doctor Crusher. Picard: Can we get within transporter range without crossing into Cardassian territory? Data: We would need to boost the gain on the confinement beam by at least seven percent. Picard: Mister La Forge? Laforge: I'm on it, Captain. There, try that. Taurik: The pod is still too far away. Laforge: I'm going to try augmenting the frequency spread. Taurik: Bio readings indicate that passenger's humanoid. Attempting life form identification. Laforge: No one told you to do that, Ensign. Let's just get him aboard safely. There, that should do it. Taurik: Confinement beam's at one hundred nine percent of normal. Laforge: Transporter room, you should be able to get a lock now. Crewman: Aye, sir. Picard: Doctor Crusher, are you ready? Crusher: Stand by. Alyssa, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave now. Ogawa: All right, Doctor. Crusher: Transporter room. go ahead. Crewman: Aye, sir. Ogawa: What are you doing here? Sito: I'm not supposed to let anyone but the senior officers inside Sickbay. Ogawa: Do you have any idea what's going on? Sito: No, do you? Ogawa: I'd better go. Picard: Ensign. Sito: Sir. Riker: Twelve hundred hours. Alpha shift is relieved. Lavelle: Excuse me, sir. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay on for another shift. I could use the training. Riker: Now's not the best time. Lavelle: Yes, sir. Picard: Ensign, you're with me. Picard: Bridge. You are a certified pilot, Ensign? Sito: Yes, sir. Picard: How long have you served on board the Enterprise, Ensign? Sito: Seven months, sir. Picard: I see I understand that you've been recommended for the Ops position. Do you think you're up to it? Sito: I do, sir. Picard: I'm not so sure. I'm concerned about your record. Sito: Sir? Picard: The incident that you were involved in at the Academy. Sito: With all due respect that was three years ago. My record since then Picard: It doesn't matter how long ago it was, Ensign. Would you do something like that again? Sito: I can assure you, sir, that I would never, never jeopardize lives by participating in Picard: A dare devil stunt? I would certainly hope not. What concerns me is that you participated in a cover-up that impeded an official investigation into the death of a cadet. Sito: Sir, I know I should have told the truth right from the start Picard: Yes you should, but you didn't. Instead you joined with the others to pretended that was simply an accident. Now, what do you think that tells me about your character? Sito: Sir, if you had any idea what it was like after that incident. I didn't have any friends. I didn't have anyone to talk to. I had to take my flight test with the instructor because no one else would be my partner. In a lot of ways it would have been easier to just walk away, but I didn't. I stuck with it. Doesn't that say something about my character, too? Picard: Well I'm really very sorry you didn't enjoy your time at the Academy, Ensign. As far as I'm concerned, you should have been expelled for what you did. Quite frankly, I don't know how you made it on board this ship. You're dismissed. Laforge: Another two seconds. Okay, that's enough. Taurik: Sir, I'm a little puzzled. Why are we intentionally damaging the shuttlecraft? Laforge: We're evaluating hull resiliency. Starfleet requires periodic testing. Taurik: I see. I don't believe I'm familiar with that requirement. Laforge: Probably because you're not a senior officer. Taurik: If you wish, I could reconfigure the phaser to fire a low intensity burst that would not harm the shuttle's hull. The test procedure would not be affected. Laforge: It's fine the way it is. Now, give me another burst, about four seconds, right here. Taurik: Do you want me to fire from this position? Laforge: Actually, why don't you do it from over here. Taurik: That would be consistent. Laforge: Consistent with what? Taurik: With making it appear that this shuttle had fled an attack. Laforge: What makes you think that's what we're doing? Taurik: The pattern of fire you have asked for is similar to what might result if the shuttle had fled an attacker while engaging in evasive maneuvers. Laforge: It's an amazing coincidence. Taurik: Yes, sir. It is indeed. Shall we proceed with the testing? Laforge: Yes, Ensign. Thank you. Crusher: Alyssa, thank you for coming so quickly. We have to prepare for surgery. We have a comatose patient with a subdural hematoma. Ogawa: Yes, sir. Crusher: I want to make it clear that you are not to discuss what you see here with anyone. Ogawa: I understand. Crusher: We'll need to synthesize at least a liter of Cardassian blood. Ben: It's your bet, Taurik. What I can't understand is why we're just sitting here so close to the Cardassian border. Lavelle: It must have something to do with that escape pod we picked up. Don't you think, Sito? Sito: Maybe. Lavelle: I wonder who was in it? Ben: You know what I heard? It was Ambassador Spock. Taurik: That is most unlikely. Ben: That's what I was told. Taurik: By whom? Ben: I can't say. Lavelle: They beamed whoever was in it right to Sickbay. Did you see anything when you went down there? Ogawa: No. Doctor Crusher just asked me to help her with the laboratory schedule. Taurik: I thought Lieutenant Powell was going to join us tonight? Ogawa: He had to do a double shift. Lavelle: That's too bad. He must be the worst poker player I've ever met. Ben: It's your bet, Sam. Worf: Twenty. Crusher: The thing is, I saw Powell in Ten Forward with another woman, and the way they were talking it made me wonder. Troi: Well, if he's seeing someone else he should tell Alyssa. I mean, it might hurt her now, but it would be better in the long run. Riker: I've been meaning to talk to you about something, Mister Worf. I don't think Ensign Sito's prepared for the Ops position. Worf: Well, I must say I disagree, sir. Laforge: Counselor. Pair of fours bets. Riker: I'm listening. Ben: The bet is fifty. Taurik: It would be illogical for the Captain to deny you a promotion for something you did as a cadet. Sito: He said it shows I don't have character. Ogawa: What did you say? Sito: What could I say? Maybe he's right. Lavelle: Hey, you're a damn fine officer and you deserve that post as much as anyone. One thing's for sure, I won't be getting it. Not if it's up to Riker. Worf: It is your decision, sir, but I am certain if you give Ensign Sito a chance to prove herself, she will not disappoint you. Riker: Very well, I'll take her under consideration. Besides, I'm not convinced about Lavelle. Troi: Really? Why? Riker: He's too eager to please. He's always trying to ingratiate himself to me. Troi: Why assume he's doing it that to get the job? Laforge: Fifty. Riker: There's your fifty, and one hundred more. Troi: I don't know. It seems to me that you and Lavelle are a lot alike. Riker: What? We're not at all alike. Laforge: You're bluffing. Lavelle: You think so? Ben: Yes, and I'm not going to let you get away with it. Ogawa: You know, Sam, maybe you shouldn't try so hard with Riker. It doesn't matter whether he likes you as long as he respects you. Sito: He must, otherwise he would not be considering you for the Ops position. Lavelle: You're probably right. Maybe I'm just telling myself he hates me so that if I don't get promoted, I'll have an excuse. Ben: You in or not? Taurik: At this juncture, the odds of my winning this hand are less than thirty nine to one. I fold. Laforge: The Commander's flush is still working. No help, Worf. Tens and deuces for the Doctor. And Jacks and fours for the Counselor. Ah, three sixes. Worf: Fold. Riker: Looks like it's just you and me. You going to go another fifty? Laforge: I'm thinking. Give me a second, here. Troi: Didn't you tell me that you took up poker so you could be the officer's game at the Potemkin? Riker: I happen to like poker. Troi: But your senior officers might have thought you were trying to ingratiate yourself. I guess it's lucky that they realized you were young and inexperienced, and decided not to hold it against you. Riker: Maybe I have been a little hard on Lavelle. Worf: I do not believe he is bluffing. Laforge: I do. There you go. What've you got? Worf: Flush. Laforge: I can't believe this. Riker: I am your worst nightmare. Ben: I knew it. Lavelle: How could you tell I was bluffing? Ben: You don't really expect me to answer that, do you? Sito: Look, it's getting late. Maybe we should all get some sleep. Ben: One more hand. Riker: Come on, Geordi. You don't have to quit just because I'm unbeatable? Laforge: Nah, there's something I need to do down in Engineering. I'll get you next time. Riker: I'll be there. Laforge: Goodnight, everybody. Crusher: Goodnight. Troi: Goodnight. Sito: Bye. Lavelle: Goodnight. Ogawa: See you later. Taurik: What I find curious is that when Commander La Forge saw that the technique I was using was actually more efficient, he seemed annoyed. Ben: Of course he was. Lavelle: He didn't like the fact that you knew something he didn't. Taurik: Do you think I have irreparably damaged my relationship with him? Lavelle: It depends on what kind of a guy he is. Ben: Ante up, gentlemen. Lavelle: Come in. Lavelle: Commander. Laforge: As you were. I just dropped by to see Taurik. Taurik: What can I do for you, sir? Laforge: Well, I'm headed for Engineering to run those tests on the nacelles. Since you've already put in some work on the technique, I thought you might like to give me a hand. Taurik: I'd be pleased to, sir. Laforge: Great. Let's go. Ben: How about some blackjack? Lavelle: I've got to get some sleep so I can be sharp tomorrow. Ben: Why? So you can get promoted, have more responsibility, and have to get to sleep even earlier? Lavelle: Goodnight. Riker: Come in. Crusher: Ben. What are you doing here? Ben: I just cleaned out some junior officers and I thought I'd do the same here. Riker: You're welcome to give it a try. Troi: Pull up a chair. Ben: Thanks. Worf: Dismissed. Ensign Sito. Sito: Yes, sir. Worf: I also teach an advanced class. I believe you may be ready to participate. However, before you can join the group, you must pass the gik'tal. Sito: Gik'tal? Worf: Yes. It is a very ancient Klingon ritual. It tests your knowledge of the forms of the mok'bara. Sito: I should practice first. Worf: No. No practice. That is part of the ritual. The test must be unannounced. Worf: Can you see? Sito: No. Worf: Good. The gik'tal has begun. Defend yourself. Worf: You must anticipate my attack. Sito: Yes, sir. Worf: Defend yourself. Worf: Are you listening, Ensign? Sito: Yes, but Worf: Defend yourself. Worf: You did not anticipate. Sito: How am I supposed to defend myself when I can't see a thing? Worf: Stop making excuses. Replace the blindfold. Sito: No. It's not a fair test. Worf: Very good, Ensign. You have passed the challenge. Sito: What? By taking off the blindfold? Worf: It takes courage to say the test is unfair. Sito: One thing I don't understand. Doesn't gik'tal mean to the death? Worf: You speak Klingon. Sito: Sir, is there really such a thing as a gik'tal challenge? Worf: No, there is not. But perhaps next time you are judged unfairly, it will not take so many bruises for you protest. Sito: All I've ever wanted is to make a career for myself in Starfleet. I can't change what happened at the Academy. No one can. All I can do is work hard and try to earn the respect of the people I serve with. If you're not going to give me that chance, then I respectfully request that you transfer me to another ship. Picard: If you're looking for a more lenient commander, I don't think you'll find one. Sito: Permission to speak freely, sir? Picard: Please do. Sito: If you didn't want me on your ship you should have said so when I was assigned to it. It's not your place to punish me for what I did at the Academy. I've worked hard here. My record is exemplary. If you're going to judge me, judge me for what I am now. Picard: Very well, Ensign. I will. It took courage to come here and face me after what I said to you the other day. I didn't ask you here because I was assessing your qualifications for the Ops position. Sito: I don't understand, sir. Picard: I was harsh with you because I wanted to assess you for a very important mission. A mission that could put you in a situation that would be far more unnerving than a dressing-down by your commanding officer. Sito: Can I ask what that mission is, sir? Picard: Join the senior officers in the Observation lounge at oh nine hundred hours. We'll discuss it then. Sito: Yes, sir. Picard: And, Ensign. I do know why you ended up on the Enterprise. I asked for you. I wanted to make sure that you got a fair chance to redeem yourself. Sito: Thank you, sir. Ogawa: You wanted to see me, Doctor? Crusher: Yes. Alyssa, I think you know how much I've come to depend upon you here. I've recommended your promotion because your performance here has been exemplary. Ogawa: Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate that. Crusher: But more than that, I've come to think of you as a friend. Someone I really care about. Ogawa: That's nice of you to say. I feel the same way. Crusher: So, you and Andrew Powell? Ogawa: Someone told you. Crusher: Told me what? Ogawa: We were going to keep it a secret until the promotions are announced. Crusher: Secret? Ogawa: He asked me to marry him. Crusher: Alyssa, that's wonderful! I'm so relieved. I mean happy. Picard: Please, take a seat, Ensign. Picard: This is Joret Dal. He was in the escape pod that we retrieved. He is a member of the Cardassian military, and a Federation operative. He has risked his life to bring us invaluable information about Cardassian strategic intentions. Information that could very well enhance the security of Bajor, as well as other planets in this sector. Now, it is absolutely imperative that we return him safely back to Cardassian space. Joret: It will not be easy. The border is heavily guarded. Riker: As his ship was destroyed, he'll be using one of our shuttles. Joret: If a patrol stops me, I will claim to have stolen it. Worf: We have distressed the shuttle so that it appears to have been fired upon. Riker: Joret will attempt to talk his way past the patrol. Joret: If I were alone, the chances of my succeeding would be slim. But if I had a prisoner with me, a Bajoran terrorist, I would appear to be a bounty hunter. Border crossings of that nature are not uncommon, and for a price the patrol can be convinced to look the other way. Picard: Once the shuttle is safely past the patrol, Joret will put you into an escape pod and return you back across the border. Riker: Since the pod is so small, it will be difficult to detect. Picard: We'll be waiting here to pick you up. Sito: I understand, sir. Picard: Ensign, this is obviously a very dangerous mission. I'm not ordering you to take part in it. Sito: Then I volunteer, sir. Worf: Be certain you understand the risk you are taking. If you are captured Sito: I'm Bajoran. No one knows better than I do what Cardassians do to their prisoners. I've made my decision. Picard: Very well, Ensign. Will you report to Sickbay. Doctor Crusher will explain. And Ensign Sito, I must ask you not to discuss this mission with anyone. Sito: Yes, sir. Joret: I didn't realize she would be so young. Sito: The Captain asked Doctor Crusher to make it look like Joret had mistreated me. Laforge: We're all set here. Sito: Sir. I want you to know that I really appreciate the fact that you've always had confidence in me. Worf: Good luck. Sito: I'll see you soon. Joret: We are approaching the border. It won't be long before we're detected by the patrol ships. Sito: When they stop us, do you want me to say anything? Joret: No. It should seem that I've broken your will. If you're asked any questions, look at me as though you're afraid to answer. Sito: Can I ask you something? Why are you doing this, risking your life to help Starfleet? Joret: I don't consider myself a traitor, if that's what you're asking. All my life I've served in the military. Once it was an institution dedicated to the security of Cardassia, now it's little more than a platform for ambitious Guls hoping to make their reputations in battle. If the information I provided helps Starfleet deter even one pointless skirmish, I've served my purpose. I'm sick of war. My people need peace. Sito: I never thought I'd hear a Cardassian say something like that. Joret: And I never thought a Bajoran would risk her life to help a Cardassian get home. Sito: Patrol ships moving in on our position. Joret: We don't have much time. Lavelle: She must have left on that shuttle. There's no other explanation. Ben: Do you have any idea where it went? Lavelle: Toward Cardassian space. That's what I'm worried about. Oh, there's one other thing, I noticed the shuttle was damaged. Ogawa: Sam, can we talk about something else? Lavelle: Well don't you care what's happened to her? Ogawa: Of course. Taurik: But we have to accept the fact that we're not always told about everything that happens aboard ship. Lavelle: Well, we can at least tell each other what we know. Do you two know something? Ogawa: Sam, please. Lavelle: I can't believe this. We're friends. Taurik: We're also Starfleet Officers. Ogawa: I'm not allowed to talk about it. Lavelle: Okay. I understand. I'd better get going. I've got duty in half an hour. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47566.7. We have reached the coordinates in Federation space where Ensign Sito's escape pod was to have rendezvoused with us. However, we have been waiting for over thirty hours and as yet there is no sign of her. Riker: Report. Lavelle: We completed a long range scan of the area, sir. The escape pod doesn't seem to be out there. Data: It is possible that at this distance we are unable to distinguish the pod from the inorganic matter normally present in space. Riker: Try narrowing the scan field. See if you can pick up any biosigns. Lavelle: Sir, it would help if I knew what kind of life signs to look for. Riker: You're scanning for Bajoran lifesigns. Lavelle: Yes, sir. Riker: Nothing yet. The pod is thirty two hours overdue. Worf: Sir, I recommend we launch a probe to increase the range of our sensor sweeps. Riker: Launching a probe into Cardassian space would be a treaty violation. Picard: Mister Worf, prepare a probe and launch when ready. Worf: Aye, sir. Probe launched, sir. Data: Sir, I am detecting signs of debris two hundred thousand kilometers inside Cardassian space. Its mass and composition indicate it could be the remains of a Federation escape pod. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have intercepted a Cardassian report stating that a Bajoran prisoner escaped her captor and was killed in an evacuation pod as she tried to leave Cardassian space. Picard: To all Starfleet personnel, this is the Captain. It is my sad duty to inform you that a member of the crew, Ensign Sito Jaxa Picard: Has been lost Picard: In the line of duty. She was the finest example of a Starfleet Picard: Officer, and a young woman of remarkable courage Picard: And strength of character. Her loss will be deeply felt by all who knew her. Picard out. Ben: You okay? Lavelle: I just got promoted. Ogawa: Congratulations. Lavelle: Thanks. It just don't feel right. For all I know, she was going to get the promotion instead of me. Ben: You shouldn't feel that way, Sam. Ogawa: She would have been happy for you, Sam. Taurik: The best way to remember her would be to excel in your new position. Ogawa: We're proud of you, Sam. Ben: Excuse me, sir, but I need to move this table. Worf: What? Ben: There's an empty seat over there. Worf: I appreciate what you are trying to do, but it is not appropriate. You were her friends. I was only her commanding officer. Ben: Sir, I happen to know that she considered you a friend.

Scene: Bridge Officer's log, stardate 47611.2. Doctor Beverly Crusher reporting. We have rendezvoused with Counselor Troi's shuttlecraft. She has just returned from a three day class reunion on Starbase two three one. Crusher: Send a message to Commander Data and inform him of our delay. Rainer: Aye, sir. Crusher: Deanna, welcome back. Troi: Thank you. I was just reporting in. I didn't expect to find anyone up except Data. Crusher: Data's away on assignment. A Federation deep space probe went off course and crashed on Barkon Four. Some of the material in the casing was radioactive, so Data was sent to recover it before it could contaminate the biosphere. Troi: Isn't Barkon Four inhabited? Crusher: Yes, it's a pre-industrial society, but the probe crashed over a hundred kilometers from the nearest settlement so Data shouldn't have any contact with the Barkonians. So, how was the reunion? Troi: Fine. It was good to see some old friends. I'd lost touch with most of them. It's interesting to see the different paths some of their lives have taken. Beverly, you don't usually stand a watch on the Bridge even when Data's not here. Crusher: I volunteered tonight. I like to put in a little Bridge time now and then, stay on top of operations, tactical procedures. The truth is, I like it. It's not every doctor who gets to command a starship, even if it is the night shift. Troi: May I ask you a personal question? Why did you decide to become a Commander? I mean, you didn't need the rank in order to be Chief Medical Officer, so why put yourself through all the extra work? Crusher: Oh, I don't know. I never even thought about my rank for a long time. It seemed pretty trivial compared to being a doctor. But then, about eight years ago, I started to feel like I wanted to stretch myself a little. Rainer: Commander, there's no response from Commander Data to our signal. Crusher: Continue sending him updates on our schedule. Rainer: Aye, sir. Troi: Is something wrong? Crusher: No. I wanted to let Data know there'd be a delay in picking him up for a few of days. We have orders to rendezvous with the Lexington and take some medical supplies to the Taranko Colony. Troi: But he's not responding. Crusher: Geordi said that the radiation from the probe might interfere with communications. I just thought I'd try anyway. Garvin: So when you return from school tonight, I'll be meeting with the village elders. Gia: Again? Garvin: Gia. Gia: I know, I know. You're the town magistrate and you have a lot of work to do, but it always seems like you're always in some meeting or Garvin: Gia, go home. Now. Who are you? What do you want? Data: Who are you? What do you want? Garvin: What's wrong with you? Data: What's wrong with you? Garvin: There's nothing wrong with me. Who are you? What is your name? Can you understand me? My name is Garvin. Data: My name is Garvin? Garvin: I thought I told you to go home. Gia: I know. Data: I do not know my name. Garvin: What? Data: You asked if I knew my name. I do not. Garvin: Well at least you seem to be understanding a little more. Data: Yes. It is becoming easier. Gia: Ask him where he's from, father. Garvin: Gia, go on to school. I'll deal with the stranger. Gia: Yes, Father. Goodbye. Data: Goodbye. Garvin: Your eyes and skin look so strange. Your clothes, you look like you've been in some kind of accident. Data: I do not remember being in an accident. Garvin: What do you remember? Data: I walked here from the mountains. Garvin: The mountains? The mountains are over two hundred seltons from here. Data: I have a clear memory of my journey. Garvin: What do you remember before that? Data: I have no prior memory. Garvin: Do you know what that is? Data: No. Garvin: May I? May I have it? Data: Yes. Garvin: There might be something in here that can tell us who you are. Garvin: I wonder what these markings mean. Data: Radioactive. Garvin: What? Data: That is what is written on the container. Garvin: You can read this language? Data: Evidently. Garvin: Radioactive. What does that mean? Data: I do not know. Perhaps it is my name. Garvin: I've never heard a name like that. You must come from a very distant place. Troi: Is that supposed to be a question? Troi: Because if you're asking me if I liked what you were playing, then the answer is yes. Troi: You know, this is a much better way of communicating for you. It's far less confusing than the way you normally speak. Riker: I knew I could count on my Imzadi, the ship's Counselor to boost my self-image. Troi: I'm glad to be of service. Riker: Did you come here for something in particular, or just general Riker bashing? Troi: Actually I wanted to ask your opinion about something. I've been thinking about taking the Bridge Officer's test and becoming a full Commander. Riker: What brought this up? Troi: A lot of things. Working on the personnel review last month, talking with Beverly about her experiences, going to my class reunion. Riker: Ah, the class reunion. You saw a few old friends who had already taken the test? Troi: All right, I admit it was a catalyst. But I can honestly say that I've been thinking about this off and on over the past two years. Riker: Why the past two years? Troi: Do you remember when the Enterprise hit that quantum filament and I was in command on the Bridge? Riker: I do. Troi: Well, when that happened, I was overwhelmed. But when it was over I realized that a part of me missed it. Not the actual disaster, but the experience of being in command. I felt like I was exploring a whole new side of myself. Not that I want to give up counseling by any means, but I really would like to stretch myself a little. Riker: Deanna, if you take the Bridge Officer's test, you'll have my complete support. But as First Officer, I'll be the one judging your performance, and you should know I am a pretty tough judge. Troi: And I'm a pretty good student. Riker: We'll start tomorrow morning, oh eight hundred hours. Talur: Remarkable set of teeth. Breath smells like, well, it doesn't have any smell actually. You can close your mouth. Let's see. Heartbeat sounds a little odd, but seems very regular. Skin feels clammy, but you say you feel fine? Data: That is correct. Talur: No headaches, palpitations, sluggishness, indigestion? Data: No. But I cannot have indigestion since I have not eaten. Talur: Ah. Malnutrition. You should try to eat something that will build strength and return your vitality. Lots of meat, butter, cheese, that should be a start. Garvin: What about his eyes and his skin? They're so odd. Talur: Quite so, quite so. I'm sure my grandmother would have called our friend here a demon or spirit or some kind of monster. But current scientific methodology allows us to dismiss such ridiculous superstitions and concentrate on scientific reality. Data: Then what do you believe I am? Talur: You are an ice man. Data: Ice man? Talur: Yes. You probably come from a race of people who lived in the snow and ice of the Vellorian mountains. Your skin and eye coloration are a result of prolonged exposure to harsh winter conditions. Data: Then I am not ill? Talur: Aside from your memory loss, you do not seem to have any symptoms of any illness that I am familiar with. No. You are an ice man. Now, get something to eat and a good night's rest, and I will come back tomorrow to see if your memory has begun to return. Data: Thank you. Talur: Hello, Gia. Gia: Hello. Gia: What did Talur say about him? Is he sick? Garvin: Not exactly. She said he's lost his memory, but seems to be fine otherwise. Talur thinks he's from a race that lives in the mountains. Data: I am an ice man. Garvin: We'll have to call you something besides Ice man until your memory returns. What was the word on the container? Data: Radioactive. Garvin: Mister Radioactive? Gia: I don't like that name. Let's call him Jayden. Garvin: What do you think of that? Data: Jayden. That is acceptable. Garvin: Right now, we need to clean him up and get him something decent to wear. Run upstairs and get some of my old clothes for him. Gia: Yes, Father. Garvin: I wonder if Skoran can tell us something about this metal of yours. Skoran: You, Ice man, where'd you find this? Data: I do not know. Garvin: I told you, he's lost his memory and we're calling him Jayden for now. Skoran: Jayden, huh? The metal is slightly warm. Garvin: All the fragments are like that. Skoran: It's obviously been tempered and milled. The lustrous quality of the metal is so pure. This wasn't made in any forge I've ever seen. Will you sell them? Garvin: You want them? Skoran: The metal's malleable enough to make some jewellry. Garvin: They belong to Jayden. Do you want to sell them? You're going to need money. Data: You may be right. But I do not wish to sell all the fragments. They may provide a clue to my identity. Skoran: I'll give you twenty doraks for half the lot. Garvin: Agreed. Apprentice: My leg! My leg! Get it off! Get it off! Skoran: We need a lever. Garvin: It'll be all right. Don't struggle. It will only Garvin: Jayden, put it down. Data: I believe the support structure on the anvil collapsed because some of the wood had rotted. Did I do something wrong, Garvin? Garvin: No, just unexpected. Talur: It's perfectly understandable. Your people probably all have great strength. It will allow them to fight off the ferocious creatures that live in the Vellorian Mountains. Data: You have told me no one from the village has ever been to the Vellorian Mountains. How can you be certain there are ferocious creatures there? Talur: It's a well known fact. Data: But no one has actually seen one? Talur: Well, not to my knowledge, but Gia: Father, are you all right? Garvin: I've been tired since this afternoon. I'm sure it's nothing. Talur: You feel slightly warm. Some fresh air and a brisk walk will do you good. Garvin: That sounds like a good idea. I'll be back soon. Gia: You didn't like it? Data: I neither liked it nor disliked it. I simply had no appetite. Gia: Father's cooking isn't as good as mother's. He tries, though. Data: Where is your mother? Gia: She died about a year ago. Father says she went to a beautiful place where everything is peaceful and everyone loves each other, and no one ever gets sick. Do you think there's really a place like that? Data: Yes. I do. Laforge: We just lost contact with everything above deck twenty one, including the Bridge. Worf: There is something wrong with one of the antimatter containment units. The magnetic field is starting to fluctuate. Troi: Switch to auxiliary control. Worf: Auxiliary control is not online. We are starting to lose containment on antimatter storage unit three. Troi: All right. Switch the EM power inverter to the lateral. No, wait. Use the neodyne relay. Laforge: Commander, the neodyne relay isn't holding. Containment failure in ten seconds. Troi: Computer, emergency procedure. Eject antimatter storage unit three. Authorisation, Troi omega omega three one. Computer: Unable to comply. All power to ejection systems has been terminated and cannot be restored. Laforge: Commander, the unit's beginning to o Riker: Congratulations. You just destroyed the Enterprise. Troi: Thank you for the encouragement. Riker: Don't feel bad. You passed everything else. Diplomatic law, first contact procedures, Bridge operations. The Engineering qualification's one of the toughest parts of the test. Troi: So what did I do wrong? Riker: I'm afraid I can't tell you that. Troi: Why not? What kind of a test is this? Riker: It's the kind of a test that you'll have to take again if you want to be a Bridge Officer. Only next time, the problem won't be so easy, so I suggest you study up on your emergency procedures. Troi: Well how do I know what to study if you won't tell me what I did wrong? Riker: I don't know. I'm afraid I can't tell you that either. Talur: Rock, fire, sky, and water are the basic elements of the universe. They can be found in every object, every person, every animal, everything. The rock in this wood can be felt by its weight and by its hardness. If we expose the wood to flame, we can encourage the fire within the wood to show itself. We can also see smoke, which is a part of the sky. The water in wood is difficult to see. Sometimes the elements are buried deep within the objects, but the four elements are always there. Yes, Jayden? Data: I do not believe that is correct. Talur: Oh? Data: I believe you are reasoning by analogy, classifying objects and phenomena according to superficial observation rather than empirical evidence. Wood, for example, does not contain fire simply because it is combustible, nor does it contain rock simply because it is heavy. Wood, like any complex organic form, is composed of thousands of different chemical compounds, none of which is fire. Talur: That will be enough for now, Jayden. As I told you earlier, our friend Jayden here has lost much of his memory, so I wouldn't put too much faith in any of his ideas. Now that will be all for today. I will see you tomorrow. Be sure to practice your spelling and arithmetic tonight. Gia: Are you all right? Data: Yes. But I do not agree with Talur's assessment. Although I do have gaps in my memory, I know that fire is not an element. Garvin: That is not what you promised me! Skoran: You're getting old, Garvin. I offered you fifteen for the metal and I've given it to you. No more. Garvin: We agreed on twenty. Data: Garvin is correct. You agreed on twenty. Skoran: Stay out of this, Ice man. Your memory is not very reliable. Gia: Father! Father, what's wrong? Garvin: I don't know I feel very weak suddenly. Gia: You have got a fever. We should get him home. Gia: What's wrong with him? Talur: I suspect he I don't know. I've never encountered anything like this before. These lesions look like burn marks. The fluids of his body have overheated. That would explain the fever and the burning skin. Keep him cool, let plenty of fresh air into the house, and I want you to give him these herbs. That will bring his fluidic temperature down and allow this to pass. Gia: I understand. Data: With an increased focal length and an achromatic objective lens, this instrument will have a higher effective magnification. Talur: I will come back tomorrow and check on you. Garvin: Thank you. Data: Garvin, with your permission, I would like to begin my own investigation regarding the cause of your illness. Garvin: Go ahead. Data: Gia, I would like you to accompany me to the village. I will need some supplies. Gia: What are you going to do with all this? Data: I will use these materials to make the laboratory equipment I need to research your father's illness. Gia: Do you think you can help him? Data: I do not know. First I must isolate the cause of the illness. Skoran: There he is! It's his fault! None of us were sick before he came to the village! Crowd: True. Data: Am I to understand that Garvin's illness has spread? Skoran: That's right. And you're the cause. Gia: That's not true! Data: Gia, I think we should leave. Skoran: That's it. Leave. Get out of here. Go back where you came from! Talur: Jayden what are you doing? Data: I am studying skin samples from Gia and Garvin in an attempt to isolate the cause of the illness. Talur: Gia? Data: Yes. She is also beginning to show signs of the illness. Talur: What is that? Data: It is a magnifying device based on your hand-held instrument. I have refined the design to increase the magnification level. Talur: May I? Data: Of course. Talur: How strong is the magnification? Data: Objects appear approximately five hundred times their normal size. As you can see, the cellular damage is quite extensive. However, based on interstitial transparency and membrane integrity, I do not believe it is an infection or any other form of communicable disease. Talur: I see. Data: At the moment, I am looking for a common event or experience that Gia, Garvin and Skoran might have shared that could have a causal relationship to their illness. Talur: Well they've all lived here in the village for many years. I'm sure they have many common experiences. Data: Yes, but since the illness struck all three in a relatively short period of time, it is reasonable to assume the experience is recent and unusual. Talur: Actually, Jayden, encountering you has been the most unusual experience that they've all shared recently. Data: I am aware of that. Excuse me. I am also open to the possibility that I may in some way be the causal factor. However, since you have had a great deal of contact with me and you show no signs of the sickness, I tend to discount myself as a likely candidate. Talur: Still, it has to be more than just a coincidence that shortly after you arrived, people started to become ill. Data: I agree. Gia: Jayden I tried to give father his broth, but he won't eat. Talur: You have a fever. You should be in bed. Gia: No, I'm all right. Father needs me. Data: Talur is correct. You should rest. I will attend to your father. Gia, when did you begin wearing that pendant? Gia: Two days ago. Father bought it from Skoran. Why? Data: May I see it? This is one of the metal fragments I sold to Skoran. Troi: The secondary plasma vent has a triple redundant bypass. Which means that the primary access junction is routed through Troi: Come in. Would be routed through the port transducer matrix. Come to give me more encouragement? Riker: No. I'm actually here to tell you that I've decided to cancel the rest of your test. Troi: What? Riker: I'm canceling the test. Troi: May I ask why? Riker: You've taken the Engineering qualification three times. You're no closer to passing. Troi: Well, then I'll take it four times, or fourteen times, or however many times are necessary for me to get it right. Riker: Deanna, this is nothing personal. Not everyone is cut out to be a Bridge Officer. I don't think this is for you. Troi: Why? Because I'm not the most technically-minded person on the ship? I may have trouble telling the difference between a plasma conduit and a phase inducer, but there's more to being a bridge officer than memorizing technical manuals. Riker: That's right, there is. You could spend the next month memorizing all the technical manuals in the computer, I still don't think you'd pass the test. Troi: Tell me one thing. Is there a solution? Or is this simply a test of my ability to handle a no-win situation? Riker: There is a solution. Troi: Then give me time to find it. Riker: I can't. As much as I care about you, my first duty is to the ship. I cannot let any Bridge Officer serve who's not qualified. I'm sorry. Troi: My first duty is to the ship. The ship! Troi: Computer, load Bridge Officer's test, Engineering qualification section one. Computer: Computer ready. Troi: Run program. Worf: The control system for the primary containment field is not functioning. Laforge: Something's severed the ODN conduit between here and the antimatter storage deck. Troi: Geordi, could you repair the ODN conduit if you went into the crawlspace? Worf: Sir, that crawlway is in a warp-plasma shaft. He would never survive the radiation. Troi: I know that. Geordi, could you repair the conduit? Laforge: Yeah, I think I could. Troi: Then do it. That's an order. Riker: End simulation. Something told me you wouldn't let this go. Congratulations. You passed. Troi: That's what this was all about, wasn't it? To see if I'd order someone to their death. Riker: That's right. Troi: I knew that was part of being in command and I thought I'd prepared for it, but when the moment came I hesitated. Maybe you were right. Maybe I'm not cut out for this. Riker: You did exactly what you had to do. You considered all your options, you tried every alternative, and then you made the hard choice. Come on, let's get out of here, Commander. Data: I have coated this piece of cloth with the liquid which is used in lamps. As you can see, the cloth becomes luminescent when it is exposed to an energy source. This pendant also appears to be an energy source. Talur: But where is this pattern of light coming from? Data: I believe a stream of particles is emanating from the metallic pendant and hitting the cloth. Talur: I don't see any particles coming from the pendant. Data: You will see there are. I can even block them. Data: It would appear that this container was constructed of a material which absorbs or blocks the particles coming from the metal. Talur: It's a trick. Data: No. It is empirical data. I believe the fragments were originally placed in this container to protect people from accidental exposure. The word radioactive may be a warning about the dangerous nature of the metal. Talur: All right. Let's say for the moment that you're right, that there are invisible particles coming from the metal. What should we do? Data: I will continue my experiment. I would like you to gather all the pieces of metal in the village and place them in this container. Talur: All right. But when I return, I want a more thorough explanation of all this. And I want to examine your data, in detail. Data: Of course. Skoran: There you are. You're the cause of this, Ice man. Data: If you are referring to the illness, you are partially correct. However, it is more complex than that. The metal fragment which Skoran: What, what are you? Data: I do not know. Skoran: I saw it with my own eyes. He's not a person. He's some kind of creature. Gia: It's not true, Father. Skoran: We must find him and stop him before he kills us all. Garvin: I don't. Not Jayden. He wouldn't try to hurt us. Skoran: Come on. Talur: Let him rest for now. You should rest as well. Exerting yourself will only make you sicker. I'll be back. Data: Gia. Gia: Jayden? Everyone's looking for you. Skoran said you're some kind of creature. Data: I do not know what I am. But I am not like you. Gia: I know. You're an Ice man. We talked about that. Data: No. I am not. Gia: Jayden, why are you wearing that hood? Data: I do not wish to frighten you. Gia: I won't be afraid. Take it off. Please, I have to see. Data: I understand your reaction. But I do not wish to harm you. You or Garvin or anyone else. I only wish to help, to find a cure for the illness. I was very close. I must to continue my work, but it will take time. How long until Skoran and the others return? Gia: I don't know. They're looking for you now. Data: Then I must hurry. Data: Gia, I believe I have found the answer. Gia: You think you found a cure? Data: I believe so. I tested this medicine on skin samples from your father. They showed improvement, so I administered this to him. He is now recovering. Gia: What kind of medicine is it? Data: A compound I made which will neutralize the particles that are making you ill. Swallow this. I must administer this to everyone in the village, but I do not think they will trust me after what happened to Skoran. Gia: I could tell them. Data: I am afraid they will not believe you either. Gia, is the well in the town square the only source of water for this village? Gia: Well? Data: This is very important. Are there any other sources of fresh water near the village? Gia: No. The nearest river is two days away. Data: Then I will put this compound into the well water. It may be diluted, but it should still have enough potency to work. Gia: Compound Skoran: There he is! You see? It's just as I said. Data: I only wish to help. Skoran: This is how you've helped us, by bringing this plague? Tried to kill us all? Well, you won't succeed. I won't let you! Crusher: Excuse me. We're looking for a friend of ours. He might have wandered into your village a few days ago. Riker: You'd remember him. He would have appeared very strange. Pale skin, gold eyes. Gia: He was your friend? Crusher: Yes. Do you know him? Riker: Where is he? Crusher: I don't understand. Gia: We didn't know his real name, so we called him Jayden. Riker: You're saying he's dead? Gia: They killed him because they were afraid of him, but he saved all of us from the sickness. Crusher: The sickness? Gia: There were these pieces of metal. They made everyone sick. But Jayden put something in the water and now everyone's better. Riker: What happened to these pieces of metal? Gia: We buried them in the forest. What was his real name? Riker: Data. Gia: Data. He was my friend, too. Crusher: It's Data all right. He's buried about two meters down. He's been deactivated so I can't tell how bad the damage is. Riker: We could beam him and the probe fragments right onto the ship. No one would know. Crusher: Positronic net online. Subprocessor relays in place and neuroelectrical systems enabled. Crusher: Data, are you all right? Data: I do not know. I am surprised to find myself here. I thought I was on Barkon Four. Picard: What's the last thing you remember? Data: I had located the crashed Federation probe and collected the radioactive fragments. I was attempting to download the sensor logs from the probe's onboard computer. There was a power surge. I believe the surge overloaded my positronic matrix. After that, I have no memory until this moment. It appears I had an interesting time. Riker: We don't know much about what happened either. Apparently you saved an entire village from radiation poisoning. Crusher: And you were a very special friend to a little girl. Troi: Well, if you'll excuse me, I have the Bridge this watch. Data: Counselor, have you been promoted in my absence? Troi: That's right. Which means from now on you can call me sir. Data: Yes, sir.

Troi: That's very good. Well, that's very nice. Eric: No, it isn't. I just can't get it right. Do you think the wings are too big? Troi: Not at all. Birds have wings of all sizes, Eric. And you shouldn't worry about making it look perfect. Eric: But Mrs Narsu said we should try to make our sculptures as realistic as possible. Troi: She's right. It is important that you be able to make the clay take the shape you want it to have, but you're not supposed to be concentrating on technique today. I'm here to help you focus on the feelings you want to convey with your sculpture. For instance, what do you think about when you see a bird? Eric: Flying? Troi: Fine. So, make your sculpture make me think of flying, too. Troi: How's it going, Data? Data: I have finished. Data: The dimensions are accurate to within one point three percent. Troi: I'm sure they are. Data, you obviously don't have a trouble with realism, but you're here to work on your imagination. Maybe you should try something a little more abstract. Here. I want you to start a new piece. I'd like you to sculpt music. Data: Counselor, music is a collection of acoustic vibrations. How can I reproduce a sound with clay? Troi: Well, think of the effects that sounds have on people, the images that music brings to your mind, and then give it a form. Troi: It's a start. Riker: Riker to Data. Please report to the Bridge. Data: Acknowledged, sir. On my way. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47615.2. We have encountered a rogue comet in sector one one five six. It is not native to this region of space, and there is no previous record of this object on any Federation charts. Data: Based on its present trajectory, the comet appears to have originated in the D'Arsay system. Riker: That's over two sectors away. Data: That is correct, sir. This object has been en route for eighty seven million years. Riker: That's a long time alone in the dark. Picard: Begin a full sensor analysis, Mister Data, and log the findings with the Federation Astrophysical Survey. Data: Aye, sir. The comet's outer shell is composed primarily of gaseous hydrogen and helium surrounding an icy mantle. The inner core consists of heavier elements Picard: What was that? Data: There is distortion within the comet's inner core. I believed we experienced an intense sensor echo. Riker: Can you correct for it? Data: I am attempting to do so now, sir. I have compensated for the effect. Sensors are reconfigured for a low intensity sweep. We are still picking up some interference, but the distortion is manageable. At these settings, the scan will be complete in thirty nine hours. Crusher: Worf says he's going to teach us some mok'bara throwing techniques today. Troi: More like falling techniques. Last time we did that I was sore for a week. Crusher: What's this? Troi: I have no idea. I've never seen it before. Crusher: Maybe Will left it for you. A little present? Troi: It's not quite his style. Crusher: Then maybe it's a secret admirer. Troi: That's an interesting thought Crusher: Well, you'll figure it out later. Come on, we're going to be late. Troi: That's nice. Data, this is amazing. How did you come up with this? Data: I followed your advice, Counselor. I used my imagination. Troi: That's an understatement. Data: For some reason, as I was shaping the clay, the image of the mask was exceptionally clear in my mind. The design seemed to flow quite naturally. Troi: Data, have you been in my quarters? Data: No, Counselor. Troi: Somebody left an object in my room. Some kind of artifact, and it has something very similar to this. And you don't know anything about it? Data: I do not. Eric: Excuse me, Counselor. Can you help me with my terminal? It's not working right. Data: Perhaps we should investigate this matter further. Riker: These symbols don't match anything in the Federation linguistic banks. Laforge: Some kind of alien information has been downloaded into our computer core. I don't know how it's working, but it's reconfiguring our systems. Riker: How did it get in? Laforge: I was able to trace its path from the replicators to the sensor array. Riker: The sensors? They've been scanning that comet for the past eighteen hours. Laforge: Those energy readings from the comet's core, that sensor echo. We still don't know what's inside that thing. Riker: Maybe it's about time we found out. Could we use the phasers to melt down the shell of the comet? Laforge: Yeah, a dispersed wide-field beam might do the trick. It wouldn't take long to come up with the firing parameters. What do you think, Data? Laforge: Data? What's wrong? Data: I believe I recognize these symbols. Riker: How? Data: I do not know. Laforge: Do you think maybe your systems have been affected? Data: It is a possibility. I do not believe my systems are currently impaired, but I will run a full diagnostic to make certain. Riker: What do you think they mean? Data: Boundary. Border. Road. Companion. Message. Messenger. Laforge: What's that one? Data: Death. Worf: Captain, phasers are set for wide dispersal, ten percent maximum power. The beam will automatically terminate once the comet's core is reached. Picard: Very well, Mister Worf. Fire. Worf: Phasers have terminated. Picard: Mister Data, what are we looking at? Is it a ship? Data: I do not know, sir. The object is nearly solid. It is composed primarily of fortanium and several unknown materials. It is over eighty seven million years old. Riker: That's older than the comet itself. Could someone from the D'Arsay system have built it? Picard: There are no technologically advanced cultures in that system now. But perhaps eighty seven million years ago, there were. Riker: Why would they want to hide something like that inside a comet? Picard: Possibly it accumulated those frozen gasses over time as it traveled through space. Laforge: In any case, it's definitely responsible for the system anomalies we've been experiencing. They're using our sensor beam as a carrier wave to transmit information into our computers and replicators. Picard: But the question remains, why? What is its purpose? Data: Captain, I believe this object is an informational archive. Picard: Why do you say that, Mister Data? Data: I do not know. However, I seem to have an intuitive understanding of its function. Laforge: Data, the internal structure of that thing is pretty complex, and it's got a repetitive node configuration which might suggest a database of some kind, but it could be practically anything. I don't see how you could know for sure what it is. Picard: Data, do you believe that you're in communication with that object? Data: It is a possibility, sir. I recommend we run a level one diagnostic of my positronic net immediately to determine if that is the case. Picard: Very well. Mister LaForge, give him a hand. Laforge: Aye, sir. Riker: Do you think it's just trying to make contact with us? Picard: Yes, it's possible. But if that is an archive from some ancient civilization, we should allow it to do so. But we must be careful. Mister Worf, will you keep an eye on the sensors. If the ship is in any danger, I want you to sever the connection immediately. Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Come. Riker: Captain? Picard: Yes, come in, Number One. Riker: We've confined the system corruption. It won't be spreading any further. But we still have alien symbols floating around on our computer. This is quite a collection you've assembled. I've seen these things all over the ship. They all look the same. Primitive and non-functional. Picard: Ceremonial, and deceptively primitive. Only an advanced technological society could have built that object out there. These artifacts played a ritualistic role in that society, I think. Riker: Do you think Data could be right? Could we have stumbled across some sort of alien library? Picard: Oh, yes, it's possible. And if so, this is a find of most enormous significance. That library seems designed to do so much more than simply store information. Who knows what we might learn from this? Riker: I keep seeing this design. Picard: Yes, this symbol seems to be of particular significance. Riker: What do you think it means? Picard: The concept of the four cardinal compass directions is quite common in many different cultures. Riker: The words that Data recognized in the computer, boundary, border, road, they were all arranged in this design. Picard: Well, perhaps the artifacts that all have this compass symbol belong to the same theme, movement. Finding a direction, traveling a path, crossing a boundary. Riker: And death? One of the symbols was death. Picard: The ultimate boundary. Picard: I've seen this symbol everywhere too, but much less prominently displayed. It's always in the background, smaller than the others. Riker: What do you think it represents? Picard: I have no idea. Laforge: Lower synaptic functions are completely normal. Autonomous systems all check out. Data: I suggest we examine the memory subsystem next. Laforge: All right. Data, what's wrong? Data: I am not certain. I am experiencing a curious sensation. Laforge: Well, what is it? Data: An impulse. Laforge: Impulse? What kind of impulse? Data: I do not know. Laforge: I'm going to check out your higher functions. Data: Geordi, what does it feel like when a person is losing his mind? Laforge: Data, come on, you're scaring me now. What's going on? Data: I do not know. I am different. Laforge: Well, you're going to be all right. You're with me, okay? Data: Okay. Laforge: Listen, I'm going to disconnect you. What's going on? Laforge: Data. Ihat: Masaka is waking. Laforge: Captain Ihat: Captain. I've been waiting for you. You should feel honored. I don't usually wait for anyone. Picard: What is it you want? Ihat: Masaka is waking. Picard: Are you Masaka? Ihat: I am not Masaka. I am Ihat. Picard: What have you done to Commander Data? Ihat: Commander Data? You mean the one who was here? Picard: Yes. Ihat: He's gone. Who can say where? Picard: Picard to Counselor Troi. Report to main Engineering immediately. Ihat: Picard to Counselor Troi. Report to main Engineering immediately. Picard: Ihat, this place you come from, is it a cultural archive of your species? Ihat: I come from Masaka's city. Picard: Are there others like you there? Ihat: There are no others like me. Picard: Who is Masaka? Ihat: You will find out. Picard: I would like to know Masaka, speak with her. Ihat: Do you understand pain? Death? That is all you need to know of Masaka. It is what she is. Go. Leave this place before she finds you. It can be done. I did it. Ihat: Masaka. Victim: I am yours. Every part of me is yours. Picard: We should confine him to quarters. Laforge: This is a micrograph of what's happened to Data's positronic net. Now, as near as I can tell, these are behavioral nodes. I've counted fourteen so far. I think the archive is using Data to create different people within its culture much in the same way it used our replicators to create artifacts. Troi: As a result, Data's real personality has been completely buried. In a sense, Data has the android equivalent of multiple personalities. Laforge: The archive hasn't stopped yet. Data's positronic net is still being transformed. There's no telling how many more personalities might emerge. Picard: Geordi, I want you to continue to scan the archive. See if you can find some way to access it. And in the meantime, I'll see what I can learn from these people inside Data. Picard: I'm not going to hurt you. Victim: Only Masaka can hurt me. I am for her alone. Picard: I need to speak with Ihat. Do you understand? Ihat. Ihat: Captain. That was a cruel joke you played on me. For a moment, a brief moment, I actually thought that woman was Masaka. Picard: Whoever took your place wasn't afraid of Masaka. He seemed eager for his fate. Ihat: Pitiful, isn't it. You won't catch me humiliating myself for a woman even if she were a queen. Picard: Then Masaka is your queen? Ihat: She's a lazy creature. She spends most of her time sleeping. The problem is, what she does when she's awake. Picard: Then should we try to keep her asleep? Ihat: Try to stop the sun from climbing the sky? Only Korgano can do that, and he's not here. Picard: Where is he? Boy: Help me. Please. Picard: What's wrong? Boy: I'm afraid. Picard: Of what? Boy: Of her. Picard: Masaka? Boy: Her! Picard: Picard to Bridge. Picard: Report. Riker: The archive just activated some kind of tractor beam, sir. We're not able to disengage it. Picard: Has there been any damage to the ship? Riker: There was an emergency reported in Ten Forward. Mister Worf's on his way. Laforge: Captain, there's some kind of energy pulse coming through the tractor beam. Laforge: It's overriding our control systems. Picard: I'll be right there. Boy: Don't leave me. Picard: I won't leave you. Please, let go of me. Boy: Does it hurt? Picard: Yes. Boy: She's going to hurt us all. Ihat: Now you've done it, Captain. Masaka is awake. Troi: Who's this? Picard: I'd say that that is Masaka. Ihat referred to her as a queen, and it's not unusual in ceremonial cultures to find royalty symbolized by a sun. Troi: You said the personalities inside Data were in awe of her, even terrified. Picard: According to Data, the sun image is also a symbol for death. Picard: There it is again. The same U-shaped symbol, small and insignificant. Almost as if it's an afterthought. Laforge: Captain, this is incredible. These artifacts weren't beamed over here from the archive. The matter here in Ten Forward has been transformed. Picard: Into living plants? How is that possible? Laforge: I'm not sure. But bit by bit, this ship is being transformed. Worf: We have been receiving reports from the rest of the ship. Part of deck twelve is now an aqueduct. Troi: What are we being transformed into? Laforge: I'm not sure I want to find out. Picard: I don't think we have a choice. We must destroy that archive. Mister Worf? Worf: Sir, our weapon control systems are inoperative. However, we could reconfigure a photon torpedo for manual launch. Picard: Make it so. Picard: There's so much here we could have learned. I really regret losing that opportunity. Laforge: Okay, I've locked in the targeting parameters. What's the phase alignment now? Worf: Less than point seven percent. Laforge: Good, that'll do it. I'm setting the yield at maximum. Worf: Sir, the onboard power systems are not functioning. Laforge: Let's see what's going on here? Laforge: Something tells me we'd better get out of here. Worf: Engineering to Bridge. Emergency transport. Two to beam out. Riker: Maybe we'd better talk in here. The Observation Lounge has turned into a swamp. Picard: So, what's our status? Laforge: Well, so far the archive has transformed about twenty percent of the ship. We've lost main propulsion and weapons systems in the process. Riker: What about communications, sensors, life support? Laforge: We have communications, and limited sensor control. Life support seems to be unaffected. Crusher: I've analyzed the alien plant forms. They've developed from biological matter we have on the ship. Laforge: The stone, the artifacts, are made in much the same way, extrapolating from the ship's own alloys. Crusher: Apparently the archive can reorder and transform molecular structure including DNA into anything it wants. Picard: So it's using our ship, our alloys, our DNA, to create elements of its own culture. Troi: But why is this happening? What does the archive hope to accomplish? Picard: Well, whatever the intent that lies behind its process, I'm not going to permit this ship to be turned into an alien city. Mister La Forge, do you have any ideas? Laforge: We still haven't been able to cut off that beam, but I have managed to access the archive by sending an energy pulse back along their signal path. If I can locate the transformation program, I might be able to control it. Picard: That's a good idea, but I feel that the answer lies there, with Masaka. We must find her, access her. Talk to her. Picard: Hello. Elder: Difficult to stay warm. It's not warm enough, not for an old man. Picard: Tell me about Masaka. Elder: My daughter. Picard: Tell me, how can I talk to her? Elder: Children grow, forget their parents. Only Korgano can talk to Masaka. Picard: Korgano? Who is that? Ihat: Well, aren't we the persistent one. Picard: Ihat. Ihat: Is anyone else so charming? Picard: Masaka is taking over my ship. Ihat: I told you she would. Picard: I want to talk with her but I understand that Korgano is the only one who can do that. Ihat: Who told you that? Picard: An old man. Masaka's father. Ihat: Oh, yes, yes. Legend has it she chopped him up and used his bones to make the world. Any wonder he doesn't like to talk about her? Picard: How can I find Korgano? Ihat: I don't know. He's not chasing her anymore. Picard: Where has he gone? Ihat: Stop asking me these questions. I was fast enough to get away from her once. I don't want her to find me again. I'll wind up on her sacrificial slab. Picard: Ihat, if she's looking for a sacrifice, she can take me. Perhaps then she'll stop looking for you. Ihat: Well, there's an idea. Better you than me. Picard: Very well. What do we do. Ihat: You must build Masaka's temple. The Queen's temple. That will get her attention. Picard: Very well. How do I do that? Ihat: You need the sign. I could give it to you. So could the old man. But just try getting it out of him. Picard: Give me the sign. Ihat: If she finds out, you can't imagine her rage. She lets people die of thirst. A terrible death. Sometimes she burns them alive. She is glorious. Picard: Ihat, the sign, give it to me. Ihat: If she comes, you will take my place? Picard: Yes. Ihat: All right. Quickly, give me your hand. A line, as the unending horizon. A curve as. She has found me. Picard: Masaka, show yourself. I will go with you. Ihat: It seems I was not fast enough. Elder: So hard to stay warm. Are you one of my children? I can't remember anymore. Picard: I need your help. I need the sign for the temple. For Masaka's temple. Elder: It won't help you. Korgano no longer pursues her. Only he can stop her. Picard: A line as the unending horizon. A curve as? A line as the unending horizon. A curve Elder: As the rolling hillside. A point as a distant bird. A ray as the rising sun. Picard: Thank you. Elder: Now, come sit with me. Tend the fire. Boy: I'm alone. No one left to help me. She's coming. Picard: Are all the others dead? Did Masaka kill them? Boy: No. She sent them away. It will take them days to die. Picard: Any progress, Mister La Forge? Laforge: I think I've found the archive's transformation program. Picard: Will it accept the symbol for Masaka's temple? Laforge: I think so. I've isolated the program's input pathways. They're keyed to accept symbols. If I input this one, it should initiate the transformation process. Riker: And create the temple? Laforge: I hope so. If this is the wrong symbol, it might turn the Enterprise into a big chunk of rock. No way to know for sure. Troi: The question is, can we trust a personality from an alien archive that seems bent on taking us over? Picard: Ihat risked his life to show me that symbol, and Masaka killed him for doing it. I think we have to risk it. Worf: Captain. The entire deck has been cleared of personnel. We may proceed. Picard: Commander Riker, we're ready. Riker: Understood. Riker: Initiate transformation. Laforge: Inputting the symbol now. Picard: This would seem that this is Masaka's temple. Worf: There is no one else here. Picard: Ihat said that if we created the temple, then it would get her attention. It may be some time before she shows herself. Worf: How will she do that? Picard: I don't know. Troi: Captain, take a look at this. Picard: This is the first time I've seen these two symbols paired. That could be significant. Look, there it is again, and again. And there again. This is obviously an important pairing. He isn't chasing her anymore. Troi: Sir? Picard: Ihat said that someone named Korgano isn't chasing Masaka anymore. And the old man said, he pursues her no longer. In a sense, this small symbol might be seen to be chasing Masaka. Worf: The symbol suggests antlers of some kind. Horns. Maybe it is meant to represent an animal. Troi: Animals are worshiped in many cultures. Picard: That smaller symbol could represent Korgano. Both Ihat and the old man said that Korgano was the only one who could control Masaka. Many ritualistic cultures incorporate the idea of balance into their belief systems. Now, Masaka is a queen. A powerful, god-like figure. It's not unrealistic to believe that she might have a counterpart, a consort. Look around. See if you can find that horn-like symbol anywhere else. Troi: This is the most prominent instance of the horn symbol we've seen yet. Worf: But now it appears as though Masaka's sun is chasing it. Troi: The sun chasing an animal? Picard: Maybe it's simpler than that. Maybe their relationship is more like the sun and the moon. Worf: I see. Masaka and Korgano switching positions. The sun setting and the moon rising. Picard: Exactly. Like two powerful rulers changing places in a continuous cycle. Troi: And like the sun and the moon, only one of them can be in ascendance at any given time. Picard: If we can find Korgano in the archive and bring him out, then perhaps he could force Masaka to leave. Worf: But would we be any better off with him? Picard: Ihat and the others didn't seem to be frightened of Korgano. Troi: Sir. Picard: Masaka. Picard: Masaka, I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Masaka: Go away. Picard: Please, hear us. Your archive is destroying Masaka: I do not hear you. Worf: She will not even listen to us. Picard: Then we will have to find someone too whom she will listen. Laforge: I've found it, Captain. This is the only place in the archive where Korgano's moon symbol appears by itself, not linked with Masaka's. Picard: All right, Mister La Forge, I want you to access the transformation program. And when you're ready, input the symbol. Riker: Isn't that a little risky? Troi: We have no way idea what the result would be. The symbol might generate anything from Korgano's temple to Korgano himself. Picard: In one sense, Korgano is Masaka's nemesis. Whatever this symbol represents, it could be for us a means to control her. Now, if anyone has a better idea, I'd be happy to entertain it. Laforge: I've accessed the program, Captain. Picard: Initiate the transformation. Riker: Another mask. Picard: You know, we could be going about this all the wrong way. This is a very ritualistic culture based on symbol and myth. Perhaps we should try to confront them on those terms. If I could somehow incorporate myself in their ritual, then perhaps Masaka would listen to me. Riker: You're going to try to pose as Korgano? Troi: Captain, we know so little about this culture and even less about Korgano. How would you convince Masaka that you're him? Picard: I'm really not certain, but there are similarities between this culture and others that I've studied. I would imagine I'm just going to improvise. Mister Worf, what's our status? Worf: I estimate we have less than two hours before there is nothing left of the ship. At least, nothing we can recognize. Picard: Masaka. Masaka: Korgano. Picard: Are you surprised to see me? Masaka: I thought I had escaped you. Picard: You should know that is impossible. Masaka: You are a fine hunter but I am a powerful prey. You will never catch me. Picard: Do you want to be the prey forever? Masaka: I thought I was alone. I thought I would not have to share the sky with you. Picard: But without me you are not complete. I know you so well. You live for the chase, as do I. Will you not miss being the hunter, pursuing me, forcing me from the sky so that you can rise again? Masaka: You know me well, Korgano. Picard: I think that you are beginning to tire. It is difficult, brightening the sky forever. Masaka: I am getting sleepy. You always do that to me. Picard: So that you can wake with the dawn and begin the hunt again. Masaka: Let the hunt begin again. I am eager for that. Picard: As am I. Riker: Riker to Picard. I don't know what you did, sir, but it looks like everything's back to normal. Picard: Acknowledged, Number One. Mister Data, are you all right? Data: I believe so, sir. I am not entirely certain what has happened. Have I been dreaming again? Picard: I'm afraid that will take some time to explain. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47618.4. Commander La Forge has managed to disable the alien transformation program. Starfleet has dispatched an archeological team to study the archive further. Picard: But I don't understand. I thought all the alien artifacts had disappeared from the Enterprise. Data: That one was not created by the archive, sir. That is the clay mask I originally made. I have since painted it. Picard: A memento. Data: Yes, sir. Although I am relieved to be rid of those alien personalities, in a sense, I am now empty. Picard: I can imagine. Doctor Crusher told me that there were possibly dozens of personalities inside you. Data: I suspect the number was much greater. My impression is that there were thousands, of all ages and walks of life. It was a remarkable experience. Picard: Well, Data, you never may become fully human, but you've had an experience that transcends the human condition. You have been an entire civilization.

Data: We are losing containment in the starboard nacelle tube. Picard: Try to get more power to the field coils. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister La Forge. Picard: Report. Laforge: I can't shut down the plasma injectors. Somebody's locked out the controls. Data: The plasma venting system has engaged. Worf: Two more decks. Riker: Riker to Bridge. We've almost reached the nacelle tube. Picard: Acknowledged. Picard: Release the exterior hull plate. We may have to jettison the core. Data: Aye, sir. Riker: What happened? Nara: He locked out the controls. Before we knew what was happening, he stepped up onto the walkway. Riker: See if you can help shut down the plasma flow. Nara: I'm afraid if we try to get any closer, he will jump through the forcefield. Riker: Dan, it's me. It's Will Riker. I was here yesterday, remember? Kwan: I didn't want to do it. But I saw them. And they laughed at me. They laughed. Riker: Whatever happened, we can talk about it. I want to help. Kwan: Stay away! Riker: I just want to see your face, that's all. So we can talk. Kwan: I know what I have to do. Riker: Dan, no! Worf: I have unlocked the controls. Computer: Shutdown procedure initiated. Nara: There's still plasma in the injector. It'll take time to vent off. Riker: Tell me what happened. Maybe I can help. Kwan: I know what I have to do. Riker: A few more seconds I could've saved his life Worf: Commander, you did everything you could. It was not your fault. Riker: It was strange. I felt as if he didn't even recognize me, although I was with him just the other day when I supervised the tube refit. Picard: How did he seem then? Riker: Fine. I complimented him on getting the refit done faster than expected. He was pleased that I'd noticed. Troi: I met with him about six weeks ago, during the crew evaluations. He was very positive. He was looking forward to being posted to the nacelle tube. Riker: He was a good officer with a fine career ahead of him. I don't understand why he wanted Picard: In my years as a Starship Captain, I've had to notify many parents of the loss of loved ones, but never before a suicide. I would like to be able to offer Lieutenant Kwan's parents some explanation of what happened, to try to help them make sense of this. Worf: Maybe he left a message of some kind, explaining why he did it. Picard: I would like the two of you to piece together a picture of his last few days. Troi: If he made any personal logs, it might be helpful to look through them. Picard: You're authorized to do so. Laforge: La Forge to Captain. Picard: Go ahead. Laforge: I've just finished my damage assessment. We should be able to get underway I'd say within the hour. Picard: Mister La Forge Picard: The medical situation on Barson Two has worsened. Starfleet has given us permission to exceed warp speed limitations so as to get back on schedule. Laforge: We'll be able to give you warp eight if you need it. Picard: Acknowledged. Data: Geordi, would you agree that the instinct for self-preservation is shared by most life forms? Laforge: I'd say it's probably the most basic instinct, Data. Data: That being the case, I find it difficult to understand why someone would deliberately terminate their own existence. Laforge: I don't know, Data. All I can think is that maybe Lieutenant Kwan felt that there was something wrong in his life, something he felt powerless to fix. Data: I believe I understand. I have been in a similar situation. Laforge: Really? Data: The first months following my activation were a difficult period for me. There were many problems associated with my becoming sentient. Laforge: Because your neural net was still forming. Data: As I acquired new skills, neural pathways would form replacing other less complex pathways. It was very disorienting. Laforge: I bet. Data: As my systems grew in complexity, it became increasingly difficult to integrate new pathways into my existing neural net. The probability of cascade failure grew with each additional pathway. I came to the conclusion it would be safer and easier to shut myself down and start again. Laforge: Yeah, but if you had done that, you wouldn't have remembered any of the things that had happened to you. Data: In a way, it would have been like committing suicide. Laforge: So what did you do? Data: I decided against the procedure. I chose instead to treat the problems I was having with my systems as challenges to overcome, rather than obstacles to be avoided. Laforge: Great way of looking at it, Data. I wish Lieutenant Kwan had been able to look at his problems the same way. Worf: This is a Napean design. Troi: His mother's Napean, his father's human. It all looks so normal. For some reason I half expected the place to be a mess. Worf: Yes. It is strange to think that someone could have considered ending his life and yet give no outward sign. Just before he jumped, he seemed almost calm. Troi: Well, he must have been in a lot of pain to do what he did. It could be that the prospect of ending the pain felt like a great relief. Troi: This is Ensign Calloway, isn't it? Worf: Yes, she is a medical technician in Sickbay. Troi: It's always hard to lose someone you care about, but to lose them like this? Worf: We should check his personal logs. Troi: This is his last entry. He made it before going on duty this morning. Kwan: Personal log, stardate 47622.1. We finally finished the nacelle tube refit last night. After pulling two double shifts in a row, I'm really looking forward to spending some time with Maddy. Troi: Ensign Calloway. That doesn't sound like a man who's planning on taking his own life. Worf: No. No, it does not. Calloway: I can't believe he's really gone. I keep thinking he's going to show up and tell me there's been some kind of terrible misunderstanding. Troi: I thought you might like to know that in his personal logs, Dan talked about you a great deal. He loved you very much. Calloway: If that's true, then how could he leave me like this? Troi: That's what I'm trying to find out. I know it's hard to talk right now, but it would be very helpful if you could tell me a few things about him. When was the last time you saw him? Calloway: Two nights ago. We were planning our next shore leave together. Troi: Did he mention anything that had happened recently, anything that might have upset him? Calloway: No, not really. He did say something about work, about Lieutenant Nara, but it wasn't anything serious. Troi: Nara. She's his superior officer in the nacelle tube? Calloway: Yes. Dan sensed that she, well, that she felt threatened by him. That she thought he was after her position. Troi: Was he prone to mood swings or depression? Calloway: No, but he was very sensitive to other people's moods. He used to look at me and know exactly what I was feeling. I always loved that about him. Troi: Well, Napeans are partially empathic. He may have inherited some of his mother's abilities. Calloway: He used to tease me that when I met her, I wouldn't be able to get away with anything. Dan and I knew each other for over two years, but we didn't get together until a few months ago. We took it slow. We thought we had all the time in the world. Something must have happened to him, Counselor. Something terrible, because it's not like Dan to take his own life. Troi: I understand. Calloway: Please, find out what it was. Nara: Can I help you? Troi: Oh, I didn't see you there. You're Lieutenant Nara, aren't you? Nara: Can I do something for you, Counselor? Troi: I'm investigating Lieutenant Kwan's death, and I just wanted to look around. Nara: It's such a shame. He was a good man. Troi: Did you notice any change in his behavior recently? Nara: No. I've been going over the last few days in my mind, trying to see if I, if I missed any warning signs. It's as if something in him just snapped. Troi: How was his job performance? Nara: Excellent. He knew this ship better than most people, probably because he helped build it back at Utopia Planitia. Troi: Did he get along with his coworkers? Nara: He was ambitious. He came in here with all sorts of new ideas about how to do things. Some of them very good ideas. Troi: But not all? Nara: No. But after he settled in, we got along fine. Nara: Excuse me a minute. Feel free to look around. Troi: Where was Lieutenant Kwan's station? Nara: Right there. Nara: Are you all right? Troi: I don't know. Troi: I don't know how to describe it. I was suddenly overwhelmed by a flood of emotions. Fear, rage, panic. And the sensations didn't seem to be coming from any person. They were just there, in the room. Riker: Whose emotions were they? I thought you said were alone. Troi: I was. Worf: I scanned the area. I found no anomalous readings. Riker: How could you get an empathic impression from an empty room? Troi: I don't know. Crusher: Could the fact that Lieutenant Kwan was partially empathic have anything to do with it? Riker: What do you mean? Crusher: I'm not sure, but certainly the feelings Troi described are consistent with suicide. Riker: Could his death have left some sort of empathic echo? Troi: I don't see how. But if I went back to the nacelle tube, I might get a better sense of what I experienced. Crusher: I don't think I'd recommend that right now. You're showing elevated levels of psilosynine. Worf: Psilosynine? Crusher: It's a neurotransmitter involved in telepathy. The experience overwhelmed you the first time. I think you should wait until your levels return to normal. Riker: How long? Crusher: Three, maybe four hours. Riker: This time I want someone with you. Worf: I shall accompany you, Counselor. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47623.2. We've arrived at Starbase three twenty eight on schedule. After taking aboard medical supplies, we will depart for Barson Two. Troi: Come in. Hello, Worf. Worf: Counselor. Have you found anything in Lieutenant Kwan's logs? Troi: Everything I've read suggests that he was well-adjusted and optimistic. It just doesn't make any sense. Can I get you anything? Worf: No. No, nothing. Troi: Yridian tea. I've been thinking about what happened to me in the nacelle tube. Whether it was an empathic echo left by Kwan's death. Worf: In the past, have your empathic experiences always involved the physical presence of another person? Troi: All the ones I'm sure of, yes. Worf: What do you mean, sure of? Troi: Well, when I was a young girl, my grandfather used to tell me stories by the fire. I would close my eyes and listen to his mind for hours on end. Worf: He would tell you these stories telepathically? Troi: My grandfather rarely spoke. He said that was for off-worlders and people who didn't know any better. Now the only time I can remember his stories is when I go home and sit by the fireplace. Sometimes when I'm alone there, it's almost as if I can hear his voice inside my head. Worf: Yes. Yes, I too have sought visions in fire. Troi: I can't explain it, but it feels real to me. Just like what happened in the nacelle tube. Worf: There are things we do not understand, yet they exist nonetheless. Perhaps I should let you get some rest. Troi: Oh, it's all right. Worf: If you will excuse me, Counselor. Riker: Mister Worf. Worf: Commander. Riker: Two Til'amin froths, please. Barman: Yes, sir. Worf: Lieutenant Corell seems to be enjoying your company. Riker: I'd like to think so. Worf: Are you involved with her? Riker: I'm not sure yet. Why, are you interested? Worf: No. But if I were, I would of course discuss the situation with you before proceeding further. Riker: I appreciate it, but that really wouldn't be necessary. Worf: I mean I would never want to come between you and someone you are involved with, or had ever been involved with. Riker: Is there someone in particular that you're talking about? Worf: No. Is there someone in particular you would rather I not be involved with? Riker: Mister Worf, you sound like a man who's asking his friend if he can start dating his sister. Worf: No, no, I was merely. Never mind. Excuse me, sir. Troi: Could you open this door for me? Worf: Yes, but only for a short time. After ninety seconds the plasma venting system will engage to prevent degradation of the forcefield. Troi: I just want to take a quick look. Worf: May I ask what you're looking for? Troi: I'm not sure. Computer: Warning plasma venting system will engage in ninety seconds. Woman: No! No, no, please. Please, please. No! Don't! No! Computer: Warning. Plasma venting system will engage in eighty seconds. Troi: Worf? Troi: Worf? Worf: Counselor, are you all right? Troi: Let's get out of here. Picard: Do you remember anything else? Troi: Yes, I think I do. There was a tool crate on the floor. It was labeled Utopia Planitia. Data: The shipyard where the Enterprise was built. Picard: Clearly this was much more than an empathic echo. It seems that you were actually seeing something that happened in the control room eight years ago. Troi: Everyone was looking directly at me, but it was as though I was seeing through someone else's eyes. Data: Lieutenant Kwan was partially empathic. Crusher: Maybe you were seeing it through his eyes? Troi: It's possible, but I don't see how it could have happened. Picard: Well, putting that on one side for the moment, let's assume that by some unexplained phenomenon, you witnessed an event that occurred to Lieutenant Kwan. Those faces that you saw. Did you recognize any of them? Troi: I've never seen the woman before, or the man who was with her. But there was someone else there. A man. He was staring at me in the most peculiar way. I think he had reddish hair. And he did seem familiar to me. But it's all so hazy. It's like trying to remember a dream. Picard: There was a woman who was frightened. And then you saw her again, laughing, presumably at Lieutenant Kwan. Crusher: What does it all mean? Troi: I don't know, but something terrible happened in there. I felt it. Picard: Counselor, I want you to look through the personnel files of Utopia Planitia. See if you can recognize any of those faces. Troi: If only I could go back to the control room without being overwhelmed by the experience. It might help me remember some detail that might be relevant. Crusher: I could give you an inhibitor that would slow the brain's production of psilosynine. That might be able to suppress your empathic abilities and make the experience more manageable. It would take about sixteen hours to synthesize the inhibitor. Troi: I'd like to try that. Picard: Very well, Counselor. Worf: I apologize for being late. The viral medicines we are transporting to Barson Two require special security measures to insure they are properly contained. Have you found anything? Troi: No. There were literally thousands of people involved in building the Enterprise. Worf: Perhaps if you should try to narrow the search parameters. Troi: I think I have. The man who looked familiar to me may have served on board the Enterprise in the last seven years, so I've asked the computer to limit its search to personnel who served at Utopia Planitia and on the Enterprise. Troi: Ensign Salvatore. He transferred over a year ago. Lieutenant Ziff. She's in Quantum mechanics. That's him. Worf: Lieutenant Walter Pierce. Troi: I remember now. He came on board about six months ago. I think he's in Engineering. Worf: You were Lieutenant Kwan's supervisor at Utopia Planitia? Pierce: That's right. I was sorry to hear what happened. Troi: Did you ever spend time in the nacelle control room while it was under construction? Pierce: I worked all over the ship. In fact, I remember running a power conduit right behind this wall here. Troi: Were you ever in the nacelle room at the same time as Lieutenant Kwan? Pierce: It was a long time ago. People were working all over the place. Worf: So you do not remember? Pierce: I'm sorry, I don't. Troi: Do you recall if anything unusual happened there? Pierce: How do you mean? Troi: An altercation, perhaps. Possibly involving Lieutenant Kwan. Pierce: No, nothing like that. The way I remember it, things went pretty smoothly. What's this all about, if you don't mind my asking? Troi: Not at all. When I was in the nacelle room I had an empathic experience. Worf: We believe the Counselor may have been seeing an event that occurred eight years ago. Troi: And I saw you there. Do you have any idea why that might be? Pierce: I'm afraid I don't. Troi: Lieutenant, are you aware that I can sense when someone's telling the truth? Pierce: I've heard that. Troi: Then I'm sure that if you remember anything that might be relevant to our investigation, you'll contact me. Pierce: Of course. Troi: Thank you, Lieutenant. Pierce: Counselor. Troi: The strange thing is I couldn't read him at all. Worf: But you implied that? We have played poker together many times. I've never known you to bluff. Troi: Well it wouldn't be much of a bluff if you knew, would it? The fact that I couldn't read him suggests that he has at least some telepathic ability. Worf: But Pierce is human. Troi: That's what I don't understand. Even though I couldn't read his emotions, I did feel that he was holding something back. Worf: I thought so as well. Troi: Maybe we should try to access the Engineering logs from Utopia Planitia. We might find out more about him. Worf: There may be something in them about Lieutenant Kwan as well. Troi: It going to take about half an hour for the transmission to be completed. Worf: Perhaps we should continue this in the morning. Troi: It is late. Worf: Yes, and you must be tired. Troi: A little. Worf: So I will say goodnight. Troi: Goodnight. Worf: We should get an early start tomorrow. Troi: I think we should. I'll see you in the morning. Worf: Yes. Troi: Hello. Worf: Breakfast is ready. Troi: That sounds nice. But it can wait. Why didn't we do this a long time ago? Crusher: Crusher to Counselor Troi. Troi: Yes, Doctor. Crusher: I've synthesized the inhibitor. Please come to Sickbay whenever you're ready. Troi: Acknowledged. Crusher: Crusher to Lieutenant Worf. Worf: Worf, here. Crusher: Medical supplies are ready to be taken to cargo bay for transport. Worf: I will be there shortly. Crusher: This should take effect immediately. Troi: Will it completely suppress my empathic abilities? Crusher: It's hard to say for sure, but I can always increase the dosage if it's not enough. Worf: The cargo bay will be off limits to all but medical personnel. Calloway: Thanks for your help, sir. Worf: You're welcome. Troi: Good morning. Worf: Counselor. Troi: Data and Geordi are already in the nacelle tube. Are you ready? Worf: Yes. Calloway: Excuse me, sir. About the quarantine field in the cargo bay? It looks like we'll need a second field generator. Worf: I am needed here. I will join you as soon as I can. Troi: All right. Worf: Apparently my help was not so good after all. Calloway: Yes, it was. You were wonderful. Worf: I think I know what's wrong. Laforge: Counselor, you okay? Troi: I'm fine. The inhibitor seems to be working. Have you found anything? Laforge: No, nothing unusual. Troi: I don't remember seeing these during my empathic experience. Have they been here since the ship was built? Data: No, they were installled two years ago. Troi: Geordi, I remember seeing a plasma conduit right there. Laforge: The main ODN line runs right behind that panel. It lifts out so you can get to it. Nara: Kwan was working on that conduit the day before he died. Troi: Can you open it? Laforge: Sure. It'll take just a minute. Laforge: Data. Troi: Lieutenant Nara, may I ask you something? The work Lieutenant Kwan was doing, was it unusual in any way? Nara: He was refitting a field coil, but it was probably the first time that particular panel's been opened since the ship was built. Troi: Thank you. Woman: No! Laforge: Counselor, are you all right? Troi: Something happened when you removed the panel. There's something in there. Data: I am getting readings that indicate organic material embedded in this wall. Laforge: Organic? You're right. Let me reconfigure the emitter beam. We might be able to see what it is. There. Crusher: This dosage should prevent any further empathic flashes. Calloway: The bone fragments are definitely human. I sequenced a DNA sample. I'll see if I can match it to Starfleet records. Calloway: Accessing Starfleet personnel records. Crusher: I'd say these fragments had been in the wall about seven or eight years. You said something happened when the panel was opened. Troi: Yes. Crusher: I wonder if the fragments themselves could have somehow triggered your experience. I'll run a resonance scan, see if anything turns up. Calloway: Sir, I think we've found a match. Worf: Apparently the remains are those of an Ensign Marla Finn. Calloway: I'm trying to find a picture of her in the records. Troi: That's her. That's the woman I saw. Crusher: It says she was reported missing from Utopia Planitia on stardate 40987.2. Eight years ago. But how did her body become embedded in a bulkhead? Calloway: Maybe there was some kind of an accident. Worf: Or she was killed and the murderer hid her remains. Troi: Something's not right. Pull up Lieutenant Kwan's service record. I thought so. He didn't arrive at the shipyard until six months after Finn's death. I couldn't have been seeing through his eyes. Crusher: Then whose? Troi: Well it had to be someone who was at least partially telepathic. Worf: Pierce? Crusher: But you saw him there. Troi: Yes, but not as clearly as I could see everything else. His face looked like that. Crusher: A reflection. Troi: So I was seeing through his eyes. And Finn was trying to get away from him. She was afraid of him. Worf: I think it is time we had another conversation with Lieutenant Pierce. Ensign Calloway, thank you for your help. Worf: Deck ten. Troi: Worf, can I ask you something? Do you regret what happened last night? Worf: No, of course not. Troi: Are you sure? Because I don't want anything to jeopardize our friendship. Worf: Deanna, I do not regret being with you. What is wrong? Troi: I'm not feeling myself. Maybe it's the inhibitor. I'm so used to sensing what people are feeling, and now I can't. Worf: Perhaps I should talk to Lieutenant Pierce alone. Troi: That might be a good idea. Worf: I will meet you in your quarters later. Troi: I'll be waiting for you. Troi: Deck eight. Troi: Come in. Troi: Security to Counselor Troi's quarters. Security: Acknowledged. Pierce: I don't understand. Lieutenant Worf said you wanted to talk to me about something. Troi: Where is he? Pierce: He said he had to go somewhere. Troi: Troi to Worf. Computer, where is Lieutenant Worf? Computer: Lieutenant Worf is in Ensign Calloway's quarters. Crewwoman: Counselor? Troi: Take Lieutenant Pierce to his quarters and hold him there. Troi: Security override, authorisation Troi Delta two nine. Troi: Stop it. Stop it! Stop it! Calloway: He's dead! You killed him! Troi: No! No! Pierce: You know what you have to do. Troi: I know what I have to do. Worf: What are you doing? Computer: Warning. Plasma venting system will engage in seventy seconds. Troi: You're alive! You're all right! Worf: I opened the maintenance door at Counselor Troi's request, then turned to see her standing too close to the force field. Troi: It all seemed so real to me. I can't believe that everything I experienced happened in just those few seconds. Data: It appears Counselor was correct. Pierce was partially telepathic. His maternal grandmother was born on Betazed. Picard: What else have you found out? Data: According to Starfleet records, Pierce and the other persons Counselor Troi identified, were killed in an accidental plasma discharge eight years ago. Their bodies were never found. Troi: I don't believe it was an accident. I think Lieutenant Pierce found out the other two were having an affair. He lost control and he killed them both. Afterwards, he probably activated the plasma stream and then threw himself into it. Worf: The plasma discharge would have obliterated any evidence that it was murder. Laforge: I scanned behind the panel Counselor Troi asked me to. I didn't find any bone fragments but I did find some traces of cellular residue showing some kind of psionic signature. Troi: It may be that when Lieutenant Pierce was struck by the plasma stream, the subspace energy present there imprinted his empathic pattern into the residue. Laforge: Kind of like a psychic photograph. Troi: That's what triggered my hallucination. My mind must have taken elements from my own life and then created a situation that in many ways mirrored what happened to Pierce. If you hadn't been there, I would have jumped just like he did. Worf: Counselor. When I pulled you from the plasma stream, you seemed surprised I was alive. Troi: Well, actually, in my hallucination, you were killed. Worf: May I ask by whom? Troi: Well, you know what they say, Mister Worf. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Ogawa: So why were you rolling around in Cypirion cactus? Riker: You know Rebecca Smith? Ogawa: The new Tactical officer? Riker: We took a walk in the Arboretum. We sat down, we got comfortable, things got a little romantic, and then I rolled over. Barclay: Blurred vision, dizziness, palpitations, a stinging sensation in the lower spine. It's Terrelian Death Syndrome, isn't it. Crusher: I thought we agreed you'd come to me before checking Starfleet Medical Database. Barclay: Yes, well, this time I'm glad I did. Maybe we can stop the cellular decay before it's too late. Crusher: Reg, you don't have Terrelian Death Syndrome. Barclay: You, you're sure? Crusher: I'm sure. Barclay: Then maybe it is Symbalene blood burn. Crusher: No, no. I don't see anything wrong with you at all. Wait a minute, there is a slight imbalance in your K three cell count. Barclay: My K threes? Oh, no. Crusher: Barclay, I'm sure it's nothing. Look, I'll run a microcellular scan. We'll see. This'll take a couple of minutes. Crusher: How's my smallest patient doing? Data: I believe she is doing well. Her appetite has increased by seven percent, and she is starting to engage in prenatal behavior. Crusher: Oh, she's getting close. You'll have a fresh litter of hungry kittens before the week is over. Let me just run an amniotic scan to make sure everything's fine and then I'll Barclay: Doctor! My capillaries are shrinking! Crusher: Excuse me. Alyssa, can you take care of Spot for a minute? Start a preliminary amniotic scan. Ogawa: Yes, Doctor. Barclay: My intravascular pressure, it's going right through the roof. Crusher: You're right, it is elevated. You've also got heightened electrophoretic activity. Barclay: Electrophoretic activity? Is it serious? Crusher: Well, based on this, I'd say you've got seventy, maybe eighty years. Barclay: Eighty? Eighty years? Crusher: Yes, Reg. What you've got a mild case of Urodelan Flu. It's nothing serious. Most humans have a natural immunity to it, but the T-cell in your DNA that would normally fight off the infection is dormant. Barclay: So you mean I have bad genes? Crusher: You have one dormant gene out of a hundred thousand, and I can activate that gene with a synthetic T-cell let the body attack the infection naturally. You should feel better in a couple of days. Barclay: Thank you, Doctor. I feel much better. Crusher: Good. Now, stay away from Medical Database. And you stay out of the Arboretum. Ogawa: Everything looks fine, Data. Do you want to know the sex of the kittens? Data: I have noticed that many humans prefer not to know in order to experience the surprise during birth. I believe I will preserve the mystery until then. Ogawa: I know what you mean. I don't want to know either. Crusher: Alyssa? Ogawa: Spot's not the only one who's going to be a mother. Crusher: Oh, Alyssa, that's wonderful! How did Andrew take the news? Ogawa: He was a little shocked, but he's getting over it. Data: I have spent the past nine weeks as an expectant parent. I would be happy to share my insights with your husband. If my experience is any indication, he will need all the help he can get. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47653.2. We're performing field tests of our new tactical systems and weapon upgrades. Mister Worf is supervising the exercises. Worf: The next test will involve the new photon torpedoes. The explosive yield has been increased by eleven percent and I have enhanced the targeting system for increased accuracy. Picard: Sounds fascinating, Mister Worf. Please proceed. Worf: Setting targeting coordinates zero zero five mark three one seven, spread pattern delta nine four. Torpedoes armed and loaded, sir. Picard: Fire when ready. Riker: Worf? Worf: One of the torpedoes has veered off course. It appears to be a malfunction in the guidance system. Picard: Abort and destroy. Worf: The torpedo is not responding. Subspace detonator will not engage. Riker: Lock on phasers. Worf: The torpedo is out of range. Riker: Even for your newly improved phasers? Picard: Maintain a sensor lock on the torpedo, Mister Worf. We'll have to go after it. Data: That would be inadvisable, sir. The asteroid field is unusually dense. The Enterprise is too large to safely navigate through it. Picard: Then I'll take a shuttlecraft and retrieve it. Mister Data, you're with me. Riker: Captain, the shuttle pilot who's on duty is Lieutenant Hayes. Picard: I happen to be a reasonably qualified pilot, Number One. Besides, these tests hardly require the Captain's personal attention. Riker: Understood. Enjoy yourself. Picard: Mister Worf, I think that you should consider analyzing your new guidance system. Data: Captain, I will need a few minutes to attend to a personal matter. Barclay: Me? Data: It is possible that it will take several days for Captain Picard and me to complete our mission. I would prefer to have a human present to supervise the birthing process. Barclay: Well, I'd be honored. Data: I have noticed that you are the only other member of the crew whom Spot seems to like. Barclay: Really? That's hard to believe. You're such a sweet little kitty. Data: She is to you. However, there have been several injuries to other members of the crew who have attempted to care for her. Barclay: So, has she picked a place? Data: A place? Barclay: Cats usually like to pick a specific location to give birth. It's usually dark and secluded, and I believe this is it. Barclay: I'm curious, sir. Who's the father? Data: I am not certain. Spot has escaped from my quarters on several occasions and there are twelve male felines on board. I intend to run a full DNA analysis on the kittens once they Picard: Picard to Data. Report to Shuttlebay two. Data: On my way, sir. Goodbye, Spot. I believe you are in good hands. Barclay: You have nothing to worry about, sir. Riker: Problem? Worf: I have performed thirteen diagnostics of the weapons array, and I can find nothing wrong with the guidance system. Riker: I'll have Geordi run a diagnostic of the torpedo bay itself. Maybe he can find something. Worf: Must you to stand so close to me? Riker: Lieutenant, are you all right? Worf: Yes, I am fine. Riker: No, you're not. You've been working for six hours straight. You're tired. Take a break. Worf: But Riker: That's an order, Lieutenant. Troi: Thanks for waiting. Worf: Do not approach me unannounced, especially when I'm eating. Troi: Worf we were supposed to have lunch together, remember? Worf: I was hungry. Troi: Well, I'm hungry too. Excuse me. Waitress: Yes? Troi: Can I have an order of Ongilin caviar. Make that a double order. Waitress: Certainly. Worf: Caviar? For lunch? Troi: I'm in the mood for something salty. Besides, it's no stranger than what you're eating. Have you noticed how dry the air is on the ship? I wonder if the environmental controls are set properly. Troi: You're excused. Troi: Is something wrong? Worf: It has been a difficult day. The torpedo guidance system failed. It was my fault. Troi: You always say that. Worf: It was my fault! I designed that guidance system. Troi: Worf, calm down. I think you're under more stress than you'd like to admit. Maybe you should get some rest. Worf: Perhaps you are right. If you will excuse me. Troi: I didn't mean right now. Barclay: We removed the torpedo bay's primary guidance module and found a power fluctuation in the forward sensor cluster. Now we think it may be a radial imbalance in the phase diskriminator. Now what we want to do next is run a level four diagnostic, but we're going to have to shut down auxiliary power to nineteen decks and Riker: Wait a minute. Slow down. I lost you back there. Which sensor clusters? Barclay: The forward. It's, it's a power fluctuation in the converter nodes. It's a minor adjustment. It's minor. Laforge: It's all right in here in on diagram, Commander. Riker: I'll look this over later. Go ahead. You run your diagnostic. I'll inform the other departments about the power systems. Barclay: I'll check that. Riker: He's full of energy today. Laforge: I can't get him to slow down. He's been working like that since last night, Barclay: Looks like a plasma conduit cut out in junction seventeen. I'll go look at it. Laforge: Wait a minute, Reg, I'll go with you. Keep you posted. Troi: Computer, increase ambient temperature by two degrees Centigrade and increase relative humidity by ten percent. Worf: Computer, reset environmental controls to standard. Troi: Worf, it's freezing in here. Worf: You have already raised the temperature three times. It is too hot. Troi: Live with it. Computer, execute my original command. Troi: I need a bath. You have the Bridge. Barclay: Here we are. Looks like a conduit ruptured. No problem, I'll just bypass it. Laforge: Reg, wait a second here. Take a look at these corroded edges here. It looks like something has dissolved the bulkhead and eaten right through the conduit. There are high levels of cholic acid here. Enzymatic agents. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if that solvent was organic. Barclay: Maybe we should run a biospectral analysis on the solvent. Take a closer look. Laforge: That's a very good idea, but first we should take a break. Barclay: You go ahead, sir. I'll take care of it. Dern: Commander, we received a communication from Starfleet. They wanted to know when they could expect your performance analysis of the new weapon systems. Riker: The weapon systems? Dern: Yes, sir. The ones we've been testing for the past few days? Riker: That's right. Dern: What should I tell them, sir? Riker: Tell them, tell them we haven't finished yet. Troi: What are you doing here? Worf: I had to be near you. Troi: Computer, increase temperature by five degrees. Worf: Get out of that water now. Troi: Leave me alone! Troi: Can I have a glass of water? It's so cold in here. Crusher: Your temperature has dropped almost eight degrees. I want to run a hypothalamic series right away. Ogawa: Doctor, we've had three other crewmembers complaining about the temperature levels. Some feel like they have fevers, others are freezing like Counselor Troi. Crusher: Call Doctor Selar and Doctor Hacopian. It looks like we've got some sort of viral infection going on around here. I want to check on Lieutenant Worf. Crusher: Worf, have you had any unusual symptoms lately? Headaches, nausea, dizziness? Worf? Worf, do you hear me? I going to run a full bioscan. I want you to lie down. Okay, we can do this sitting up. What is this? Worf, how long have you had this on your neck? It looks like it's full of some bioacidic compound, almost like a venom sac. Worf, open your mouth. Ogawa: Get a hypospray. Nurse: Right away. Ogawa: I managed to get her into stasis before the venom paralyzed her. She's going to need reconstructive surgery, but I think she'll be all right. Barclay: Sir, we've analyzed the venom and compared it to the acidic compound found in junction seventeen and on decks ten and twelve. They all have the same enzymatic composition. Riker: Are you saying that Worf is spraying this Barclay: Venom. Riker: Venom all over the ship? Barclay: I'd say so. Ogawa: Sixty crewmen have begun exhibiting strange behavioral changes. Memory loss, fatigue, headaches. I think one thing is clear. There's some sort of disease aboard the Enterprise and it's spreading. Riker: I'm having trouble concentrating myself. It's like my mind keeps wandering. I can't Laforge: Commander, I've got seven security teams out hunting for Worf, but for some reason sensors are having a difficult time locking onto him. I've called for a level two security alert. Do you think we should go to a Level One? Riker: I don't know. What do you think? Laforge: I think we should. Riker: Okay. Sounds good. Then you'll take care of that security thing? Laforge: Yes, sir. I will. Riker: Okay, I'll notify Starfleet. I'll let them know what's happening. You have your orders. Dismissed. Riker: Computer, send a subspace message to Starfleet command. Security channel authorisation. Computer: Alpha four seven authorisation required to activate security channel. Riker: Computer. Computer: Awaiting authorisation. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Commander Data and I have recovered the stray torpedo after a three day search. We are enroute back to the Enterprise. Data: Captain, the ship is not at the pre-arranged coordinates. Picard: Have they been delayed? Data: I do not know. I am unable to raise them on any communication channel. Picard: Scan the vicinity. See if you can find them. Data: I found it, sir, two light years away. Picard: Set a course. Data: The Enterprise appears to be adrift. I am reading power fluctuations on all decks. Picard: Life signs? Data: There are life signs. However, sensor readings are highly distorted. I am unable to identify specific lifeforms. Picard: Adjust the axial stabilizers to match the attitude and rotation rate of the Enterprise, I'm going to dock the shuttle manually. Data: Main power is offline. All systems are in standby or emergency mode. There is no response from any manned station. Picard: Any sign of the crew? Data: I cannot access internal sensors from here. We will have to go to the Bridge. Picard: That sounds like animals. Data: Yes, sir. I am able to diskern over three hundred different vocalizations. Picard: Look at this. Data: It is composed of reptilian DNA. I believe it is an epidermal layer that has been cast off during molting. Picard: But it seems to be humanoid. Data: Yes, sir. I cannot explain it. There are no species aboard the Enterprise that shed their skin in this fashion. Data: Sir. Picard: These are Commander Troi's quarters. Can you tell if she's inside? Data: No, sir. Picard: Data, I want to have a look in here. Stand ready. Picard: The environmental settings in these quarters have been altered. Data, over here. Picard: Deanna. Picard: What's happened to her? Data: Her DNA is in a state of ribocyatic flux. Her genetic codes are being re-sequenced and her cells are mutating as a result. At a fundamental level, sir, she is no longer human. Picard: What is she? Data: Her respiratory tissue has become capable of metabolizing both water and air, and her eyes have developed nictitating membranes. I believe she is amphibian, sir. Picard: She has been injured. Data: Yes, sir. There's Klingon DNA in the wound. It is saliva. Picard: Are you saying she's been bitten? Data: It would appear so. Data: I will need to run a full biospectral analysis. Picard: First we've got to get the ship under control. Let's go to the Bridge. Data: His upper spinal column has been broken in three places. Picard: It looks like he's been attacked by some sort of animal. Data: Yes, sir. Picard: Has his DNA been changed as well? Data: Yes, sir. However, it was in its initial stages when he died. Captain, I am picking up one thousand and eleven individual life forms within the ship. All exhibit a similar genetic flux to the one we observed in Counselor Troi. Picard: So the entire ship has been affected. Data: Most of the lifeforms are scattered throughout the ship. However, there are several large concentrations in the arboretum and the aquatic lab. Picard: I've regained attitude control for the ship, but main power is still offline. It looks as though the entire power transfer grid has been destroyed. Picard: Will? Data: Captain. His cranial plates have thickened by twenty percent. His brain is much smaller, sir. I do not believe he can comprehend our language. Picard: Perhaps we can find a way to communicate. Will, can you understand what it is that Picard: He looks almost proto-human. Data: Yes, sir. His DNA would seem to confirm that observation. Captain, I believe the crew is de-evolving. Picard: This tranquilizer should keep him unconscious for another seven hours. What have you found out? Data: I have analyzed Commander Riker's DNA structure. A synthetic T-cell has invaded his genetic codes. This T-cell has begun to activate his latent introns. Picard: Introns? Data: They are genetic codes which are normally dormant. They are evolutionary holdovers, sequences of DNA that provided key behavioral and physical characteristics millions of years ago, but are no longer necessary. For instance, Counselor Troi's gill slits and other amphibious characteristics were derived from introns which still contain amphibious codes. Picard: So these introns are causing her DNA to re-combine in an earlier configuration? Data: That is correct. In her case, the DNA has created an amphibious lifeform which became extinct over fifty million years ago. Picard: And Commander Riker's introns are changing him into what appears to be one of the earlier hominids. Data: Yes, sir. I would say Australopithecine. Each of these stages is another link in the evolutionary chain which stretches back to the origins of all lifeforms on Earth. Because introns can include genetic material from many different species over millions of years of evolution, it is possible that a wide variety of transformations is occurring among the crew. Picard: What about those crewmembers who are not from Earth? Data: All humanoid life has a similar genetic pattern. The virus should work on non-human crewmembers in the same way. They are each de-evolving to earlier forms of life on their homeworlds. I feel I must inform you, sir, you have also been infected by the intron virus. Picard: How long before I begin to change? Data: According to my calculations, within the next twelve hours, you will begin to exhibit the first signs of your eventual transformation. Picard: And what will that be Data: I believe you will also de-evolve into some form of early primate. Possibly similar to a lemur, or a pygmy marmoset. Picard: Well, before I begin swinging through the ship looking for breakfast, we'd better find some answers. How do we reverse the process? Data: I am uncertain. We will need to run several microcellular scans. However, the ship's main computer has been damaged. Captain, the computer in my quarters has an independent processing and memory storage unit. It should not be affected. I suggest we start from there. Picard: Agreed. Data: It would appear that Spot has had her kittens. Picard: They sound hungry. Data: Yes. I am curious as to why Spot is not caring for them. Picard: It would seem the intron virus is not limited to humanoid lifeforms. Data: No, sir. Picard: What is it? Data: These kittens were born less than twenty four hours. It would appear that Spot's transformation took place at approximately the same time. Picard: So Spot was giving birth to the kittens at the same time that she was changing into a reptilian lifeform. Data: I believe so. For some reason, the intron virus was not passed on to the kittens. I do not know why. Picard: If I remember my biology, there are several natural immune systems that come into play in the mother's womb to protect the fetus from viral infections. Data: That is true. Placental barrier, maternal antibodies and amniotic fluids all serve as a filtration system. Picard: Maybe we could have inhibited the intron virus by using the natural antibodies in Spot's amniotic fluid. Data: It would take further research, but I believe to be effective on humanoid crewmembers, humanoid antibodies would be necessary. Picard: Then we should locate a pregnant humanoid. Data: Nurse Ogawa has recently became pregnant. Picard: Where is she? Data: I have traced her comm. badge signal to deck seventeen, section twenty one alpha. Picard: The Arboretum. Data: One of the warp plasma vents has failed. Main Engineering has been abandoned. There is no one there to fix the problem. Data: I can repair the damaged plasma vent from here. Picard: I'm going to check the status of the warp core. Picard: Data! Picard: What was that? Data: I believe it was Lieutenant Barclay. He appeared to be partially transformed into an arachnid. Picard: A spider? Data: Yes, sir. Are you all right, Captain? Picard: I have these intense feelings of fear and panic. I feel as if I were being watched. I can't explain it. Data: You may be experiencing the initial stages of your transformation. Early primates were often prey to larger carnivores. As a result, their instincts probably included a heightened sense of awareness. Picard: In that case, my instincts tell me that we'd better hurry. Data: Captain, I have analyzed Nurse Ogawa's embryo. It has been unaffected by the virus. I believe I can use her amniotic fluid as a template for a retrovirus. It would neutralize the synthetic T-cell, and re-establish the original genetic patterns of each host. Picard: How soon can you do that? Data: It will not take long to isolate the appropriate genetic material. I will need to get the Sickbay computer back on Picard: What was that? Data: It is large. Approximately two hundred kilograms. It is heavily armored with an exoskeleton. Life signs appear to be Klingon. Picard: Worf. Picard: Set your phaser to heavy stun. Data: We cannot be certain a stun setting will have any effect on him. A higher setting may kill him. Picard: Listen to that. He sounds very angry, really, really aggressive. What do you think he wants? Do you think he's responding to some predatory instinct? Do you think he see us as prey? Data: There are crewmembers in the corridors and other sections of the ship. It would be much easier for him to capture and consume one of them, than to attempt to break through a door. Picard: Then what does he want? Predators use vocalizations to frighten other predators and to mark territory, and to commence mating process. A mating process. Counselor Troi was bitten by a Klingon but not in a place that might be life-threatening. Nowhere near a major artery or organ. Data, look at this. Look at this injury. This wound was never intended to give her any kind of serious harm. Data: Captain, what are you suggesting? Picard: Is it possible that Worf could see Counselor Troi as his mate? Data: If that is true, he must be trying to reach her now. Picard: Well, we can't just leave. We have to stay here and protect her. And we have to keep on working on the retrovirus. If we could distract him, if we could lure him away from her. Data: The mating instinct is quite strong in Klingon biology. I am not certain what would be an effective lure. Picard: Klingons have got a very powerful sense of smell. If we could duplicate Deanna's pheromones and then convince him she's no longer in Sickbay, that she'd gone into some other part of the ship. Data: I am extracting a blood sample from one of her sebaceous glands, where the pheromones are produced. I believe I can activate the pheromones with a bioactivant solution. Picard: Can you amplify the pheromones? They need to be much more powerful than Deanna's actual scent. Data: I believe this will produce the desired effect. I will use it to draw Worf to a another part of the ship. Picard: No, no, no. You must go on working on the retrovirus. I'll go. Data: Captain, that is extremely unwise. Worf may be much faster than Picard: No time. No time to argue. Picard: Deck seventeen. Deck seventeen! Data: Computer, display progress of genetic re-sequencing. Computer: Genetic re-sequencing in progress. DNA to seventy percent normal. Data: Computer, increase nucleotide substitution by thirty two percent. Data: Data to Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead, Data. Data: The retro virus is working, sir. Data: I can release it into the ship's atmosphere in a gaseous state. Data: However it will take some time to take effect. Picard: Acknowledged. Data: Are you all right, sir? Picard: Yes, I'm Picard: Fine, Mister Data. Proceed. Well, Mister Worf, let's hope that when you wake up, you're a new man. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Commander Data has succeeded in returning the crew to normal. Doctor Crusher has determined that the synthetic T-cell she used to cure Mister Barclay's Urodelan flu initiated the intron virus which swept through the ship. Barclay: So, this is my fault? Crusher: No. In a way it's mine. I didn't realize it at the time, but there's an anomaly in your genetic chemistry that caused the synthetic T-cell to mutate. Instead of activating one dormant gene, it started activating all of them, including your introns. Barclay: And that's what er, and that's what caused me to devolve? Crusher: You and every other member of the crew. The T-cell became airborne and started to spread like a virus. You know, Reg, this is a completely new disease, and it's traditional to classify a new disease with the name of the first diagnosed patient. Barclay: Oh! You mean you want to name the disease after me? Crusher: That's right. How about Barclay's Protomorphosis Syndrome? Barclay: Barclay's Protomorphosis. It has a nice ring to it. Thank you, Doctor. Crusher: He transformed into a spider and now he has a disease named after him. Troi: I think I'd better clear my calendar for the next few weeks.

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47751.2. The Enterprise has arrived at Starbase three one zero for a meeting with Fleet Admiral Necheyev. This visit will also give us the opportunity to pick up a member of the family. Crusher: Here you are, your very own quarters. They're as far away from mine as possible, so you don't even have to see me if you don't want to. Wesley: Mom, you know that's not why I asked for my own quarters this time. Crusher: You don't have to explain. There comes a time in a young man's life when he doesn't want to stay with his poor senile mother. I understand. Wesley: I'll come visit you in the old Doctor's Home every Sunday. Wesley: Come in. Laforge: So, is there a runaway cadet in here? Data: If so, we may have to call Security. Laforge: Welcome back, Wes. Wesley: Thanks. Laforge: So, how's life at the Academy? Wesley: It's great. It's great but it's good to have a break. Data: I was of course not serious about calling Security. It was a joke. Wesley: I got it, Data. Laforge: So, are you just going to lounge while we all have work to do around here? Wesley: I'm sure I can find some time to help you, sir. Laforge: Wes, enjoy your vacation. I'm sure you've earned it. Wesley: Thanks. Crusher: Well, I think we'd better let you settle in. Laforge: Yeah, that's a good idea. Say, Wes, don't sleep your whole vacation away, all right? Data: Goodbye, Wes. Crusher: It's good to have you home, son. Wesley: Thanks, Mom. Crusher: Really. Riker: Admiral Necheyev has just beamed aboard. She's being escorted right here. Picard: Good. Riker: Earl Gray tea, watercress sandwiches and Bularian canapés. Are you up for a promotion? Picard: I am trying to establish a new relationship with the Admiral. There has been a certain amount of tension between us in the past. Riker: Tension is hardly the word I'd use. Picard: Well, I am trying to get things off on a better note this time. I want to make her feel at ease. I want her to feel that she's welcome aboard the Enterprise. Riker: Is there any reason she shouldn't feel welcome here? Picard: We don't have to like her, Will, but we have to follow her orders, and maintaining this atmosphere of confrontation serves no purpose. Picard: Admiral Necheyev, welcome aboard the Enterprise. Necheyev: Thank you. You may leave, Commander Riker. Riker: Thank you, Admiral. Captain. Picard: May I offer you some refreshment? Necheyev: I'll come right to the point, Captain. There is a situation that's developed on the Cardassian border that. Are those Bularian canapés? Picard: As a matter of fact, they are. I spoke with your aide, Commander Wrightwell, and he said that you were particularly fond of them. Necheyev: That was very thoughtful, Captain. Thank you. Picard: Please. You were saying about the Cardassians? Necheyev: Yes. The Federation has just completed a very long and drawn-out series of negotiations regarding the final status of our border with the Cardassians. These will be the official boundaries. Picard: I see. Necheyev: You'll notice a demilitarized zone has also been created along the border. Neither side will be permitted to place military outposts, conduct fleet exercises, or station warships anywhere in the demilitarized area. Picard: This border places several Federation colonies in Cardassian territory and some Cardassian colonies in ours. Necheyev: This agreement is far from perfect. Neither side got everything they wanted, but every side got something. And as someone once said, diplomacy is the art of the possible. Those colonies finding themselves on the wrong side of the border will have to be moved. Picard: Well, the colonists are not going to be happy about that. Some of them have been there for decades. Necheyev: It won't be easy, but it's a reasonable price to pay for peace. Your mission will be to evacuate the colony on Dorvan Five. Picard: Dorvan Five? Isn't that where the group of North American Indians settled? Necheyev: Yes. They've been there for about twenty years. They've established a village in a small valley on the southern continent. Is something wrong? Picard: Admiral, centuries ago these North American Indians were forcibly displaced from their ancestral lands. These settlers on Dorvan Five originally left Earth more than two hundred years ago in order to preserve their cultural identities. Necheyev: I am aware of that, Captain. Picard: You see, Admiral, there are some very disturbing historical parallels here. Once more, they're being asked to leave their homes because of a political decision that has been taken by a distant government. Necheyev: An Indian representative was included in the deliberations of the Federation Council. His objections were noted, discussed, but ultimately rejected. Captain, the Indians on Dorvan are a nomadic group that have settled there only twenty years ago, and at that time they were warned that the planet was hotly disputed by the Cardassians. The bottom line is they never should have gone there in the first place. Picard: Granted, but to go to them now after twenty years later and ask them to leave what is now their home. Necheyev: I made that same argument with the Federation Council. But it took three years to negotiate this treaty. Some concessions had to be made, and this is one of them. Picard: What if these Indians refuse to be evacuated? Necheyev: Then your orders will be to remove them by whatever means are necessary. I understand your moral objections, Captain. If you wish, I can find someone else to command the Enterprise for this mission. Picard: That will not be necessary, Admiral. Necheyev: I don't envy you this task, but I do believe it is for the greater good. Picard: I understand. Necheyev: And Captain, thank you for making me feel welcome. Picard: You will always be welcome aboard this ship, Admiral. Laforge: Thanks, Ensign. Hey, Wes! There you are. Come here for a second. I've got something I want to show you. Come on, come on. You've got to take a look at this. Now, remember how we always used to talk about improving quantum efficiency by creating a new plasmadyne relay? Well, take a look at this. Wesley: You've only got one microfusion interrelay in there? Your converter interface'll never hold up. Laforge: Hey, I ran these diagnostics myself. This little baby will withstand over five hundred Cochranes of warp field stress. Wesley: I don't think so. You better put a secondary phase inverter in there. Look at your subprocessor matrix. It needs an overhaul. Laforge: Well, that may be your opinion, Cadet, but I stand by my work. Wesley: Read the latest paper from Doctor Vassbinder. He has brilliant new theories on warp propulsion inter-relays. He's say all this stuff is obsolete. Laforge: I don't know what's gotten into you, Wes. Wesley: Look, do you want my help or not? Laforge: With this kind of an attitude, absolutely not. You're dismissed. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The Enterprise has arrived at Dorvan Five and I have spoken to the Leader of the Tribal Council. He has agreed to meet with us this afternoon to discuss the situation. Picard: Anthwara, there's very little I can do. The decision about this planet was made at the very highest level of Starfleet. Wakasa: Do you know how long we have searched for a home? Almost two hundred years. Then we found this world. Can you blame us for not wanting to give it up? Picard: I understand and I respect your people's long journey, but I believe that I can help you to find a new home. Troi: As you can see, there are three other planets in this sector that have environmental conditions similar to those here on Dorvan Five. They're all uninhabited and could be colonized immediately. Picard: And if none of these worlds meet with your approval, then we'll find you other choices. Anthwara: You do not understand, Captain. The choice of this world was not only because of environmental conditions. There were other more intangible concerns as well. When I came here twenty years ago, I was welcomed by the mountains, the rivers, the sky. Wakasa: Anthwara, he's laughing at you. He thinks you're talking about old superstition and nonsense. Picard: This is not true. I have the deepest deal of respect for your beliefs and the meaning that they hold for your people. Anthwara: Then you can respect the fact that this planet holds a deep spiritual significance for us. It has taken us two centuries to find this place. We do not want to spend another two hundred years searching for what we already have. Troi: Captain, I suggest we adjourn. Allow us all time to think about what's been said. Anthwara: Agreed. We will reconvene tomorrow. Picard: And in the meantime, I would like to invite you all to join us this evening on the Enterprise. Anthwara: Thank you. We look forward to it. Crusher: Ever since you've come on board you've been moody, sullen and rude. What's going on? Wesley: Nothing. I just want to be left alone. Crusher: That incident in Engineering was inexcusable. Wesley: That is my business. I don't need you telling me how to behave. Crusher: I shouldn't have to. You're a fourth year Starfleet cadet. You should have a certain level of maturity. Wesley: Maybe I am sick of following rules and regulations. Maybe I am sick of living up to everyone else's expectations. Did you ever think of that? Picard: I have been fascinated looking into the history and traditions of your people, and I was very interested to learn that your grandfather, Katowa, was the man who first led the group of Indians from Earth initially more than two hundred years ago. Anthwara: There was great deal of opposition. Even my own father was against it. But when Katowa made his decision, it was final. My father never said another word. Picard: It's never easy to leave one's home, the safe and the familiar. But there are times when the greater good demands that certain sacrifices are made. I'm sure that was something that your grandfather understood. Anthwara: So does his grandson. There are also times when a people sacrificed too much. When a people must hold on to what we have, even against overwhelming opposition. What do you know about your family, Captain? Picard: Well, a great deal actually. My father was a strong believer in passing on the traditions and history of the family. Anthwara: I would like to know more about your family. We have very strong ties to our ancestors. We believe their actions guide us even now. Knowing more about your family might help me to better understand you. Besides, it is always good to understand one's adversary in any negotiation. Picard: I hope that by the end of this matter, you will no longer look at me as an adversary. My family. Well, our roots in Western Europe go back to the time of Charlemagne. Wesley: I'm sorry I'm late. Crusher: We'll talk about it later. Lakanta: Wesley Crusher? Wesley: Yes? Lakanta: I am Lakanta. Wesley: It's nice to meet you. Can I get you a drink or something. Lakanta: I have known that you were coming to us for the past two years. Two years ago, I went into the Habak and began a vision quest. While I was there I saw many things, talked to many animals, many spirits. And I saw you. Wesley: I don't think I understand. Lakanta: I know why you came to us, Wesley. To find the answers that you seek. Crusher: I just don't know what to do, Jean-Luc. It's as if somebody took my son away and left this stranger in his place. Picard: But in a sense, that's exactly what happened. Wesley left the Enterprise three years ago he was a boy, and now he's returned a young man. And that can't be easy for a mother or a son. Crusher: It's gone beyond just the two of us. Picard: Yes, I heard about the incident with Geordi. Crusher: Have you heard what happened at the Academy? I called Admiral Brand today. She said his grades are dropping, that he's becoming remote and defensive. If he's not careful, he's going to wash out next term. Maybe you should talk to him, Jean-Luc. Maybe it's the kind of thing a boy, a man needs to discuss with another man. Picard: I don't think he wants either of us to talk to him right now. Crusher: But he needs out help. Picard: Beverly, he's got to want that help. If he doesn't, then any efforts on our part can only push him further away. He's got to work this out for himself. Wesley: How long have you been watching me? Lakanta: Since you beamed down. Wesley: Well, I'm here. What should I do? Lakanta: I don't know. Wesley: I thought you were going to help me find some answers. Lakanta: Answers to your questions. Wesley: Tell me about this Habak. You said you had some kind of a vision there? Lakanta: The Habak is holy to us. We hold our rituals and our ceremonies there. It's sacred to us. What's sacred to you, Wesley? Wesley: I don't know. I mean, I think a lot of things are important, I have a lot of respect for things. But I don't really consider anything sacred. Lakanta: Look around us. What do you think is sacred to us here? Wesley: Maybe the necklace you're wearing? The designs on the walls? Lakanta: Everything is sacred to us. The buildings, the food, the sky, the dirt beneath your feet. And you. Whether you believe in your spirit or not, we believe in it. You are a sacred person here, Wesley. Wesley: I think that's the first time anyone's used that particular word to describe me. Lakanta: So, if you are sacred, then you must treat yourself with respect. To do otherwise is to desecrate something that is holy. Wesley: Is that what you think I've been doing? Lakanta: Only you can decide that. Wesley: I guess I haven't had a lot of respect for myself lately. Lakanta: Then perhaps it's time for your own vision quest to begin. Picard: Anthwara, I deeply regret that we have not been able to reach an agreement. But, and I must be blunt, I cannot take no for an answer. This planet will be handed over to the Cardassian government in accordance with the terms of the border agreement. I am very sorry, but you will have to leave. Wakasa: And if we do not? Picard: Then I will be forced to remove you by whatever means are necessary. Anthwara: We know you will not take us from this land, Captain. Picard: I may regret doing it, but I am not able Anthwara: When you first came to us, we did not know why you were sent by the Federation but we knew there must be a good reason. To us, nothing that happens is truly random. So we searched for the true reason you were sent. We did not find it until last night. Are you familiar with the Pueblo Revolt of sixteen eighty? Troi: I am. Several Indian tribes rose up to overthrow their Spanish overlords and drove them out of what is now called New Mexico. Anthwara: Ten years later, the Spanish returned to reconquer the area. They were brutal. I would use the word savage. They killed hundreds of our people. Thousands more were maimed. The name of one of the soldiers was Javier Maribona-Picard. Your ancestor. Picard: I'm not aware of this incident or of the man you named, and this happened seven hundred years ago. I do not see what bearing it can have Anthwara: That is why you have come to us, to erase a stain of blood worn by your family for twenty three generations. Picard: Mister Worf, what is going on? Worf: We have unwelcome visitors, sir. Picard: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise. Gul Evek: I am Gul Evek. What are all these people still doing here? The evacuation should be well underway by now. Picard: May I have a word with you, alone? Gul Evek: As you wish. Wait here. Picard: It was my understanding that there would be no Cardassian presence here for another six weeks. Your arrival here may have upset some very delicate negotiations. Gul Evek: Negotiations? The status of this planet has been settled. What are you negotiating? Picard: I would be very happy to explain that to you, but for now I must ask you and your men to leave immediately. Gul Evek: Captain, we have been sent here to perform a preliminary survey of all the buildings and equipment being left behind. I have no intention of leaving until our mission is complete. Picard: Very well. Complete your mission. But remember, this is Federation territory, Gul Evek, and until that changes, these people are under my jurisdiction and I will protect them. Gul Evek: Is that a threat? Picard: It's a fact. Bear that in mind while you conduct your survey. Lakanta: This is the Habak, the focal point of our lives. Strangers are not welcome here. Wesley: When I asked to come here, you said it would be Lakanta: You're not a stranger. I told you, I've seen you here before. Wesley: What are those figures? Lakanta: They are Mansara. Dolls that represent the different spirits that come to this place. Wesley: This one looks like a Klingon. Lakanta: Yes. Our culture is rooted in the past, but it's not limited to the past. Lakanta: The spirits of the Klingon, the Vulcan, the Ferengi come to us just as the bear and the coyote and the parrot. There's no difference. Wesley: What should I do? Lakanta: Start the fire. Then sit and wait. Wesley: What am I waiting for? Lakanta: This is your journey, Wesley. I can open the door, but only you can go through it. Picard: Admiral, the Indian Councils is adamant. They refuse to leave Dorvan Five. Necheyev: Is there any indication that the Tribal Council will change their position in the near future? Picard: No, sir. Necheyev: Then I see no other choice. Picard: Admiral, I have every reason to believe that they will resist any attempt to remove them. I strongly urge you to request an emergency session of the Federation Council. The issue of Dorvan Five must be reopened. Necheyev: Captain, I made that request two days ago. The answer was no. I'm sorry but you have your orders. Starfleet out. Riker: So much for your reprieve from Starfleet. Picard: Anthwara believes that I am responsible for the crimes of one of my ancestors against his people. Riker: Do you believe that? Picard: No, of course not. I respect his belief, but I do not see how it can have any bearing on this mission. But even so, I can't help wondering if a dark chapter in my family's history is about to be repeated. If those people take up arms against us, then I cannot foresee the consequences. Mister Worf, will you come in here for a moment? Worf: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, will you begin preparations to remove the inhabitants from Dorvan Five. Worf: Aye, sir. Jack: Wesley. Wesley: Dad? Jack: You've reached the end, Wesley. Wesley: The end of what? Jack: This journey. The one you started a long time ago, when I left you and your mother. Wesley: You mean when you died. Jack: You set out on a journey that wasn't your own. Now it's time to find a path that is truly yours. Don't follow me any further. Wesley: I don't understand. Jack: Yes, you do. It's just hard for you to accept. Goodbye, Wesley, and good luck. Wesley: Dad, wait! Worf: Mister Crusher. Are you all right? Wesley: Yeah, Worf, I'm fine. Worf: Lay out a confinement beam trace along the southeastern side of the village. Be diskreet. We do not wish to alarm these people. Security: Yes, sir. Wesley: Worf, what are you doing? Worf: We are laying out transporter coordinates for a security perimeter. It may be necessary to remove these people by force. Wesley: Worf, we can't do this. These people deserve better than to be removed from their homes. Worf: I understand, but now is not the time or the place to Wesley: Do you know what they're trying to do? They're preparing to beam you away and take you to their ship. You're not going to let them do that, are you? Wakasa: No, we won't. Leave now. Picard: Inexcusable. You defied the orders of the ranking officer on the scene. You put the lives of the entire away team in jeopardy, and you made an already tense situation worse. Your actions reflect very badly on this ship and on that uniform. Now, I want an explanation, Mister Crusher, and I want it now. Wesley: What you're doing down there is wrong. These people are not some random group of colonists. They're a unique culture with a history that predates the Federation and Starfleet. Picard: That does not alter the fact that my orders are to Wesley: I know Admiral Necheyev gave you an order, and she was given an order from the Federation Council. But it's still wrong. Picard: That decision is not yours to make, Cadet. I don't know what has got into you lately, and frankly right now I don't care. But I will tell you this. While you wear that uniform, you will obey every order you're given and you will conform to Starfleet regulations and rules of conduct. Is that clear? Wesley: Yes, sir, it is. But I won't be wearing this uniform any longer. I'm resigning from the Academy. Riker: Riker to Captain. Picard: Go ahead, Number One. Riker: Gul Evek wants to meet with you to discuss the situation on the surface. Picard: Let him come aboard. I'll see him in here. Riker: Aye, sir. Crusher: Why are you doing this? Wesley: I told you, Starfleet isn't for me. Crusher: Look, I may not be able to stop you from throwing away your entire life, but you are going to stand here and explain it to me first. You owe me that much. Wesley: I saw Dad today. He told me not to follow him. Crusher: You what? Wesley: I was participating in an Indian ritual and I had a vision. Dad came to me and told me not to follow him. He said I had to find my own path. Crusher: Is that what this is all about? A vision told you to leave the Academy and now you're packing your bags? Wesley: No. No, it's more than that. I've known I've needed to do this for a long time. I just haven't been able to admit it to myself. Crusher: But you always said that being at the Academy was the best thing that ever happened to you. Wesley: I know. For a while it was. But as time went on and graduation got closer, I started feeling really depressed. I thought maybe it was the workload or the stress of being away from home, but it didn't go away. It just got worse. Crusher: Why didn't you ever say anything? Wesley: I didn't want to disappoint you or Captain Picard or my friends. You guys were all so proud of me. Crusher: I'd be proud of you no matter what you were doing, Wesley. I love you. Wesley: I know, Mom. I guess the truth is that I was afraid of disappointing myself. I never questioned the fact that I'd be in Starfleet. But when Dad said not to follow him, it just made so much sense. Everything is so clear now. Crusher: Maybe it is partly my fault. We didn't realized the kind of pressure we were putting on you to be exactly what we expected you to be Wesley: I don't blame you at all. It is my decision. It always has been. Crusher: You know that alien from Tau Ceti, the one who could control warp fields with his mind? Wesley: The Traveler. Crusher: He told Captain Picard a long time ago that you were very special, like Mozart, and that you were destined for something quite different from the rest of us. Maybe this is the first step. I love you. Wesley: I love you too, Mom. Wakasa: You shouldn't be here, Wesley. Wesley: Why? Indian: Get down. Wakasa: Bring them over here. Worf: Why have you taken these men prisoner? Wakasa: This is not their world. They have no right to be here. Worf: The terms of the treaty gives them the right to survey this planet. Wakasa: We don't recognize that treaty. Worf: Worf to Picard. An armed group of Indians has taken two Cardassian prisoners. The situation is extremely volatile. Worf: Request instructions. Picard: Stand by, Mister Worf. Have your ship lock on to your people and beam them out of there before something happens. Gul Evek: My people? What about these Indians of yours? They've taken hostages. This is our planet, Captain. We will not be chased away by some unruly crowd. Gul Evek to the Vetar. Telak: This is Glin Telak aboard the Vetar. Go ahead. Gul Evek: Two of our men on the surface have been taken prisoner. Prepare to send an armed squad of troopers to rescue them and to occupy the village. Picard: Gul Evek, those people are Federation citizens and I am sworn to protect them. If your troops attack that village, my security forces will respond. Gul Evek: I hope you realize the consequences of Federation officers firing on Cardassian troops. Picard: Oh, yes, I do. That is why we must to stop this now, before it's too late. Worf: I cannot allow you to hold these men as prisoners. Wakasa: You have no authority here. Wesley: No! Wesley: What happened? Did you do this? Lakanta: I didn't do anything. You did. Wesley: I did? Lakanta: You pulled yourself out of their time. You took the first step, Wesley. Wesley: My first step to where? Lakanta: To another plane of existence, another way of thinking. Wesley: I don't understand. Lakanta: You've found a new beginning for yourself. The first step on a journey that few humans will ever take. Wesley: Who are you? The Traveler. Traveller: I've been waiting a long time for this moment, Wesley. Wesley: So all those things I saw in the Habak, my father, and the things he said to me, that was your doing? Traveller: I merely opened the door for you. What you experienced came from your own mind, your own spirit if you wish. I hoped that you would open your mind to new possibilities, and you did. You pulled yourself out of time, don't you see? You've evolved to a new level you're ready to explore places where thought and energy combine in ways you can't even imagine. And I will be your guide, if you would like. Wesley: What about them? I can't just leave them like this. Traveller: They must find their own destinies, Wesley. It's not our place to interfere. Wesley: But Traveller: Have faith in their abilities to solve their problems on their own. Riker: The Cardassian ship is powering its weapons and it's transporters. Telak: This is the Vetar to Gul Evek. Our troops are under attack. They're requesting immediate assistance. What are your orders? Picard: Evek, the last war caused massive destruction and cost millions of lives. Don't send our two peoples back down that same path again. Not like this. Now the future lies in your hands right now. Give us one last chance for peace. Telak: Gul Evek! What are your orders? Can we open fire? Gul Evek: Evek to the Vetar. Lock on to our troops on the surface and beam them aboard. Telak: But, sir, they've been fired upon. Gul Evek: Those are my orders! Carry them out. Telak: Yes, sir. Picard: Beam up the away team immediately. Crewman: Aye, sir. Gul Evek: I lost two of three sons in the war, Captain. I don't want to lose the last one. Picard: Anthwara, I want to make absolutely sure that you understand the implications of this agreement. By giving up your status as Federation citizens, any future request you or your people make to Starfleet will go unanswered. You will be on your own and under Cardassian jurisdiction. Anthwara: I understand, Captain. And we are prepared to take that risk. Will the Cardassian government honor your agreement here? Gul Evek: I believe I can convince them that this is an equitable solution. I cannot speak for every Cardassian you may encounter, but if you leave us alone I suspect that we will do the same. Will this be acceptable to the Starfleet Command? Picard: It will not be easy, but with Admiral Necheyev's support, I think they will go along with it in the end. Gul Evek: Then if there's nothing else, I will return to my ship. I have a rather long report to write. Captain. Anthwara. Anthwara: I was right, Captain. You did not take us from our land and you have wiped clean a very old stain of blood. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47755.3. The Enterprise is preparing to leave Dorvan Five, but former cadet Wesley Crusher will be staying behind. Picard: Where will you go? Wesley: The Traveler said that my studies would begin with these people. He said that they're aware of many things. I can learn a lot from them. That's just what I need. More studying. Crusher: Somehow I think you'll manage. Wesley: Me, too. Picard: Well good luck, Mister. Good luck, Wesley. Wesley: Thank you. For a lot of things. Crusher: Now you be sure and dress warmly on those other planes of existence. Wesley: I will. Bye, Mom. Crusher: Goodbye. Picard: Energize.

Worf: As time passes, a boy inevitably becomes a man. What is not inevitable, is that a man become a warrior. A warrior must be forged like a sword, tempered by, by, tempered by experience. The path of the warrior begins Worf: Alexander. Alexander: No! Wait! Eric: Sorry. I didn't mean to hit you. Worf: What is the meaning of this? Alexander: I'm sorry. We made fullerenes in chemistry class today and filled them with water. Worf: I asked you to meet me here after school. I have been waiting for you. Alexander: I forgot. Worf: You forgot because you allowed yourself to be distracted by foolishness. Alexander: I'm sorry. Worf: There is something very important I want to discuss with you. It concerns your future. Sit. As time passes, a boy inevitably becomes a man, but what is not inevitable is that a man become a sword Alexander: What? Worf: No. I meant warrior. The path of A warrior begins with the First Rite of Ascension. Alexander: Is that when they hit you with pain sticks? Worf: No. No, that is the Second Rite. Alexander: Oh. Worf: You are approaching the Age of Ascension. It is time for you to prepare for the ceremony. Alexander: What do I have to do? Worf: Well, your fighting skills will be tested and your knowledge of the teachings of Kahless. It will be challenging, but I will help you prepare. These are the kor'tova candles. They represent the fire that burns within the heart of a warrior. When you light yours, you will be declaring your intention to become a warrior. Go ahead. Alexander: What if I don't want to? Worf: If you do not participate in the rite before the age of thirteen years, you will never be able to become a true Klingon warrior. Alexander: Well I don't care about that. Worf: You may not care about it now, but someday you might. Alexander: Mother always said that I didn't have to do any of this Klingon stuff if I didn't want. Worf: It is your decision but Alexander: Okay then. I'm not going to do it. Worf: Alexander. Alexander: You just said it was up to me. I don't want to be a warrior. Picard: As a result, we won't be able to rendezvous with the Kearsarge for another four days. Riker: Will we be holding position here until it arrives? Picard: Yes. And, as it would seem we're in for a relatively quiet time, I shall use this opportunity to visit the Hatarian System. There are some ancient ruins that are just being excavated. Data: The delay will also make it possible for Stellar Dynamics to complete their study of the Vodrey Nebula. Riker: I'll let them know they can have more access to the lateral sensor grid. Picard: We could use this time to recalibrate the weapon targeting array. Mister Worf? Worf: Yes, sir. I will begin the procedure immediately. Picard: Very good. Dismissed. Lieutenant, could I have a word with you for a moment? Picard: I noticed several times during the briefing that you appeared to be a bit distracted. Worf: I apologize. In the future, I will make sure my personal affairs do not interfere with my duties. Picard: Is everything all right? Worf: I am having problems with Alexander. He has made it clear he does not wish to participate in the First Rite of Ascension. Picard: Oh, I see. Worf: I have tried to tell him that it is an important part of a young Klingon's life, but he does not understand. Picard: But he's had so little opportunity to spend time with Klingons. You know, the festival of Kot'baval is tomorrow. If he could take part in that, I'm sure he would more fully appreciate what a rich cultural heritage he comes from. There is the Klingon outpost on Maranga Four. I'm sure they'll be celebrating the festival. Worf: Yes. But the outpost is on the other side of the Vodrey Nebula. It would take three days by shuttle to get there. Picard: The Enterprise could be there in a fraction of the time, and still be back in time for the rendezvous. Worf: Captain, I cannot ask you Picard: Mister Worf, Stellar Dynamics would like nothing better than a trip around the nebula. Worf: Thank you, sir. Laforge: Who's that? Worf: It is the tyrant Molor. He was so strong no one could stand against him. Singer: Nok'tar be'got, hosh'ar te'not? Crusher: What's he saying? Worf: He is asking if anyone else will have the courage to stand up to Molor. Singer: Nok'tar be'got, hosh'ar te'not? Worf: Ki'rok, Molor, ki'rok! Molor: Ni'tokor bak'to! Ba'jak tu'mo! Worf: O'tak tu'ro! Worf: Nok'tar be'got? Hosh'ar te'not? Alexander: Ki'rok Molor, ki'rok! Molor: What is this? Molor: Jik'ta. You have wounded me. Worf: You fought well. Alexander: What happens now? Worf: There is only one man can stand against Molor. Singer: Nok'tar Kahless. Alexander: It's Kahless! Worf: Kahless would rather die than live under Molor's tyranny. Alexander: Ni'lot Kahless! Alexander: Father. Worf: Where have you been? Alexander: We were watching the fire dancers. Worf: We? Alexander: K'Nor and Bar'el. They live here on the outpost. I need some money. Worf: What for? Alexander: The man over there says he's got Molor's head in a box. The real Molor. Worf: That is impossible. The real Molor died centuries ago. Alexander: I know. It's mummified. He offered to show us for fifty darseks. Worf: He is trying to take your money. Alexander: Please, Father. He's waiting. Worf: No. It is late. We should go home. Alexander: But Worf: Alexander, that is enough. Come, it is time to go. Alexander: I have to say goodbye to my friends. Worf: You can see your friends again tomorrow. Alexander: We're coming back? Worf: If you want to. Robber: Hi'jak beh. Worf: Run, Alexander. K'Mtar: Ni'tokor bak'to! K'Mtar: Q'apla, Worf. You are too much for them. Worf: I have seen you before. Who are you? K'Mtar: A friend. Worf: Are you K'mtar. K'Mtar: Your brother sent me here to protect you. Worf: He is gin'tak to the house of Mogh. Riker: Gin'tak? Worf: An advisor so trusted that he is become part of a family. Riker: Do you have any idea who was behind the attack? K'Mtar: It is a Klingon matter. It is not your concern. Riker: One of my officers was almost killed. That makes it my concern. K'Mtar: Recently, rumors began to circulate on the homeworld that an assassination attempt was going to be made on the family of Mogh. Kurn sent me here to make sure nothing happened to Worf. Riker: Why didn't you warn him before the attack was made? K'Mtar: I tried to contact him over subspace. I was told he was not aboard. I decided to beam directly to the surface. Riker: Why didn't you let us know about it? K'Mtar: Forgive me for being blunt, Commander, but when it comes to protecting the house to which I have pledged my life, I trust no one. Worf: I have full confidence in the officers with whom I serve. One of the attackers dropped this dagger. The design represents the house of Duras. K'Mtar: We have other evidence that indicates the Duras sisters, Lursa and B'Etor, were behind the attack. Riker: What do you think they were after? K'Mtar: Kurn's seat on the Council, of course. Worf: We can not allow their attack on our house to go unanswered. K'Mtar: First, we must to find them. Riker: At one point they were at Deep Space Nine, trying to sell bilitrium explosives. K'Mtar: That was months ago. No one knows where they went from there. Riker: Maybe we can find them. We've arranged for quarters on the ship, if you'd like to stay. K'Mtar: I would. Worf and I have much to discuss. K'Mtar: I will send Kurn a message telling him what happened, but he will not receive it for days. He's gone to the Hitora colony Worf: Why did you treat Commander Riker so disrespectfully? You were rude. K'Mtar: I may have been rude by human standards. I meant no disrespect. What is the matter, Worf? Have you been living so long among humans that you have forgotten how Klingons behave? Worf: I have not forgotten. I am merely stating that their ways our different than ours. K'Mtar: I trust you have made your son aware of that fact as well. Worf: Yes, of course I have. K'Mtar: Good. Because someday Alexander may be called upon to lead the house of Mogh. Kurn has no male heir. He wants to make sure that Alexander is preparing himself. Worf: Does my brother doubt my ability to raise my son as a Klingon? K'Mtar: No. But you are alone among humans. It cannot be easy to keep our ways. Worf: No. It has not been easy. K'Mtar: How are his fighting skills? Can he handle a bat'leth? Worf: He is learning. He could be better. K'Mtar: He must. He's nearing the age of ascension. Worf: Actually, Alexander has not yet committed himself to undergoing the Rite. K'Mtar: What? Worf: I have tried to explain to him how important it is, but he will not listen to me. K'Mtar: Perhaps together, you and I can find a way to spark the boy's interest in his heritage. Worf: I would be grateful for any help you could offer. K'Mtar: Tomorrow, then. Worf: Tomorrow. K'Mtar: May I say goodnight to the boy? Worf: Yes, of course. K'Mtar: Is this your mother? Alexander: Yes. She died when I was little. K'Mtar: You miss her a great deal, don't you? It must be hard for you, being the only Klingon your age aboard this ship. Alexander: Sometimes. K'Mtar: Have you ever been to the Homeworld? Alexander: No. K'Mtar: I think you would like it there. At your uncle's house there is a lake you can swim in that is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom. Alexander: Really? K'Mtar: You have cousins there. They want to meet you. Alexander: I don't know. K'Mtar: I understand. You're afraid. You don't whether the Homeworld is safe. Alexander: Yes. K'Mtar: What happened today on the planet is frightening. You're still troubled. Alexander: I thought they were going to kill my father. K'Mtar: You must have wanted to help us fight them off. Alexander: I didn't know what to do. K'Mtar: Someday, if you work hard, you will become a warrior. A Klingon warrior. And you will always feel safe because you will know how to defend yourself. And I'll tell you something else. If anyone ever tries to hurt your father again, you will be able to fight at his side and make sure nothing happens to him. What do you think of that? Goodnight, Alexander. Dream well. Alexander: Good night, K'mtar. Riker: Any luck? Data: Starfleet records contain no mention of the Duras sisters after their departure from Deep Space Nine. K'Mtar: Did I not tell you as much? Riker: Have you been able to contact Deep Space Nine? Worf: I am being patched through right now, sir. Riker: On screen. Quark. I see you remember me. Quark: How could I forget the only man ever to win triple down dabo at one of my tables? Riker: And how could I forget that you didn't have enough latinum to cover my winnings? Quark: I thought I explained that my brother had misplaced the key to the safe. Besides, those vouchers I gave you are every bit as good as latinum. Riker: Not exactly. You can spend latinum just about anywhere. Those vouchers are only good at your bar. Quark: Is that what this is about? You're on your way and you're calling to reserve a holosuite program? Riker: Actually, I was hoping you could help me with something else. Quark: What would that be? Riker: I'm looking for some Klingon friends of mine. The Duras sisters, Lursa and B'Etor? Quark: Yes, Lursa and B'Etor. Big talk, small tips. Riker: Do you know where I can find them? Quark: Well, I did hear a rumor, actually. Riker: What kind of rumor? Quark: Oh, I don't know. I'm sure it was told to me in confidence. Riker: And how much would your confidence cost? Quark: How many vouchers do you have, again? Riker: I have enough for twelve bars of latinum. I'd be glad to return them. Quark: I believe the rumor was that the sisters were trying to buy some second hand mining equipment. Riker: What for? Quark: They learned of a magnesite deposit on the Kalla system. It belongs to the Pakleds, but those fools don't even know it's there. Your, er, friends tried to get at it. Riker: All right. I'll send those vouchers to you. Quark: Don't bother. I voided them while we've been talking. Riker: So long, Quark. Riker: How long would it take us to get to the Kalla system? Worf: Approximately sixteen hours, sir. K'Mtar: Could not he have been lying? Riker: Why would he? I'd just be knocking on his door again in a few days, and I wouldn't be in as good a mood. K'Mtar: Congratulations, Commander. I did not think it would be possible to find the sisters. Riker: Take us out of orbit. Helm: Aye, sir. K'Mtar: I took the liberty of creating a holodeck program. Worf: What kind of program? K'Mtar: I'll show you. Computer, run program K'mtar alpha one. Computer: Program initiated. Enter when ready. Alexander: Why did you want to recreate this? K'Mtar: You said you wished you had been able to help your father fight, but you did not know how. You have probably fought that battle over and over again in your mind. Alexander: Yes. K'Mtar: Let's see what happens now. K'Mtar: Computer, give me two Klingon warriors. Alexander: How can I fight someone that big? K'Mtar: Size is not the most important thing. Skill, cunning, powers of observation are the most important weapons. Ni'tokor bak'to! K'Mtar: Freeze program. Look what this ko'tal is doing. You see his leg? That will give a clue as to what his next move will be. Alexander: All his weight is on his right foot. Worf: Yes, he is going to have to shift it to regain his balance. K'Mtar: Stand ready. Computer, resume program. K'Mtar: Po'tajg! Po'tajg! Finish him. K'Mtar: Freeze program. You should have killed him when you had the chance. Worf: Why did you not? Alexander: I don't know. K'Mtar: Look at him! He did not care that you showed him mercy. He was going to kill you. Worf: K'mtar, that is enough. K'Mtar: If this was real, he'd be dead by now. Worf: Alexander. Data: We are approaching Kalla Three. Riker: Set a standard orbit. Any evidence of a mining expedition? Worf: A shaft has been cut through the outer crust. There is evidence of machinery, but it does not appear to be in use. Riker: Life signs? Data: It is difficult to say. The magnesite is interfering with bioreadings. Riker: Assemble an away team. Laforge: Who are you? Gorta: Gorta. I am Gorta. Worf: What are you doing on this planet? Gorta: I crashed here. Data: Then you are denying involvement in illegal mining activities? Gorta: Mining? So that's what all this equipment is here for. Worf: We are looking for two Klingon women. Sisters. Gorta: Lursa? B'Etor? Do you know where they are? Laforge: Actually we were hoping that you did. Gorta: Maybe I do. Data: Would you be willing to share your information with us? Gorta: My personal code of conduct prohibits sharing. But I'd consider a trade. Laforge: Does your personal code of conduct tell you that when you're stranded on a planet with no way off, you shouldn't try to cut deals? Gorta: You have a point. Data: We could certainly provide passage off this planet in exchange for information. Gorta: Could you perhaps fail to tell the Pakleds that we were mining their ore? Laforge: Don't push your luck. But if you get us to the Duras sisters, I'll see what I can do. Gorta: The Duras sisters. They are magnificent, aren't they? Worf: Where are they now? Gorta: Selling the ore, I imagine. They took everything. The ore, the ship. Worf: And where have they gone? Gorta: We were going to sell the ore to a Yridian trader. We were supposed to meet him in the Ufandi system. Data: Gather your belongings. It is time to leave. Gorta: Like I said, they took everything. K'Mtar: Worf. I am sorry about what happened. I should not have gotten so angry. It's just that I am worried about Alexander. Worf: As am I. K'Mtar: Kurn told me that his mother actively discouraged him exploring his Klingon heritage. Worf: When he first came to live with me, he knew nothing of our ways. He often reminds me of things his mother said to him. I try not to disregard her wishes, I want the boy to honor his mother. K'Mtar: Someday I'm sure he will appreciate you and be grateful for all that you have given him. But still, compared to other boys his age, his fighting skills are years behind. Worf: Yes, I know. He does not put in the time it takes to learn the skills. K'Mtar: I thought that you might consider sending him to the training Academy on Ogat. Your brother is an influential man. I'm sure he could see to it that Alexander was admitted. Worf: Ogat? K'Mtar: I am only thinking of what is best for the boy. There, he would learn our ways. He would live like a Klingon. Worf: I would like him to learn our ways. No. This is his home. K'Mtar: How can you expect him to lead our family when all he knows is life aboard a Federation starship? Worf: He is my son. He belongs with me. K'Mtar: The boy is more human than Klingon. If he stays here, he will never be a warrior. He will never be able to defend our family against its enemies. Worf: Enough! Enough! Enough! The decision is mine. K'Mtar: Not necessarily. I would be well within my rights to invoke ya'nora kor. Worf: You would question my fitness to raise my own son? K'Mtar: For the good of our house, yes. Worf, I beg of you. Please stop thinking of yourself. It is Alexander we should be considering. Look into your heart and do what is best for him. K'Mtar: Kahless was determined to teach his brother a lesson because he had told a lie. But Morath refused to fight him and instead ran away. Kahless pursued him across the valleys, over the mountains, and down to the edge of the sea. And there on the shore, they fought for Alexander: Twelve days, twelve nights. I know, I've heard this story before. K'Mtar: Alexander, it is important to tell these stories, even if we already know them. Alexander: Why was Kahless so mad about the lie his brother told? K'Mtar: It made him look like a coward. Alexander: If Kahless would have just explained what happened, maybe they wouldn't have had to fight about it. K'Mtar: You're missing the point. Alexander: Why was it so wrong for Morath to run away? Maybe he didn't want to fight his brother because he didn't want to have to kill him. K'Mtar: He ran because he was a coward. Alexander: But how do you know that's why? K'Mtar: No more questions! These are our stories. It is important for a warrior to learn how to interpret them properly. Alexander: I'm trying to K'Mtar: No, your head is filled with foolish human notions about the way things are. You are Klingon. It is time you began to act like one. Alexander: I am part human, too. K'Mtar: Listen to me, Alexander. When a human looks at you, he does not see himself. He sees a Klingon. Alexander: It doesn't matter what I look like. K'Mtar: It does. You are different than everyone else aboard this ship. Alexander: That's not true. K'Mtar: It is. The only way that you will ever feel as if you truly belong, is to leave here and go live with your own kind. I know a Klingon school you could go to. You would be welcome there. They would teach you how to be a warrior, prepare you for the Rite of Ascension. Alexander: I don't know if I want to do that. K'Mtar: After you were there a while you would find that you wouldn't want to do anything else. Alexander: I don't want to leave the Enterprise. K'Mtar: Alexander, you must. Everything depends on it. Alexander: I thought you were different. I thought you understood me. But you don't. You're just like my Father. All you care about is me becoming a warrior. Just leave me alone! First Officer's log, stardate 47779.4. We've entered the Ufandi system, where we believe the Duras sisters might have come to sell the ore they mined on Kalla Three. Data: I am detecting a vessel holding position near the third planet. It is a Yridian freighter. Riker: Put it on screen. Scan for magnesite in its hold. Data: The resonance signature indicates that there is magnesite ore present. Riker: Then we're too late. The sisters have already been here. Troi: Somehow I doubt the Yridians are going to be forthcoming about where they might have gone. Data: Sir, readings indicate that there are only five hundred kilograms of ore in the Yridian hold. Worf: There should be over ten thousand kilograms. Riker: That's odd. Hail them. I'm Commander William Riker from the Federation Starship Enterprise. Yog: I am Yog. Why are we speaking? Riker: Our sensors indicate that you're carrying magnesite ore. Yog: Magnesite, yes. Riker: Where did you get it? Yog: From a Corvallen. For a good price. Riker: Where is this Corvallen now? I'm under orders to acquire some magnesite. Yog: He is gone. Where? Who is to know? Riker: Would you be interested in selling me the ore you're carrying? Yog: No, I have a buyer. Riker: You haven't heard my offer. Half a gram of Anjoran biomimetic gel. Yog: Done. Riker: Once we verify the purity of your ore, we'll beam over the gel. Troi: You're up to something. Riker: Have the transporter room beam the ore to these coordinates. Data: Sir, that would place the ore directly off the ship's starboard bow. Riker: I know. Worf: Transport complete. Riker: Lock phasers on the ore and fire. Worf: Firing. Worf: A Klingon bird of prey. Riker: Put a tractor beam on it. Troi: How did you know? Riker: The Yridians had only part of the shipment in their hold. I realized we had arrived before they had completed the transfer. Worf: The Klingon ship is hailing us. Riker: On screen. Lursa: Release our vessel at once! Riker: I don't think so. B'Etor: We've done nothing wrong. We were engaging in a simple business transaction. Riker: We know you're dealing in stolen ore. But I want to talk about the assassination attempt on Lieutenant Worf. B'Etor: What assassination attempt? This is the first I've heard of it. Lursa: Too bad it didn't succeed. Riker: We have evidence that you're behind it. Lursa: That is outrageous. B'Etor: What is this evidence? Riker: Beam over. We'll show you. B'Etor: We'll be there. Shortly. Worf: This was dropped by one of the assassins. It bears the crest of your house. B'Etor: Ge'ko kaf'la. Lursa: Someone must have given it to the assassins to implicate us. Troi: Why would someone do that? B'Etor: In order to tarnish our good name. Worf: You cannot tarnish a rusted blade. Lursa: Ji'ko to'val! Worf: Gir'nak tovo'sor! Riker: Mister Worf. You said there was other evidence they were involved. K'Mtar: Yes. On the Homeworld. Riker: We'll set a course. I want this thing cleared up. K'Mtar: I will send a message to Kurn. He may wish to return to the Homeworld as well. B'Etor: Bet'ala nog'tor. Lursa: Impossible. Troi: What is it? B'Etor: These markings represent the members of our house. This symbol represents our father, myself, my sister. And this represents her son. Worf: I was not aware you had a son. Lursa: I do not. But I am with child. B'Etor: She found out only a few days ago and told no one but me. How can this marking be here? Where did this come from? Worf: I will speak with K'mtar. K'Mtar: Father. Stop, I am your son. I am Alexander. Worf: What are you saying? K'Mtar: I am your son Alexander. I have come to this time from forty years in the future. Worf: P'tak! Tell me the truth or I will kill you. K'Mtar: Look at me. When we first met you said I looked familiar. Worf: I could have seen you on the Homeworld. K'Mtar: No. Look closely. I am your son. Worf: If you are Alexander, you will remember your mother's last words before she died. K'Mtar: I was three years old. She was dying when we found her. She barely managed to whisper my name and then she took my hand and placed it in yours. Then she died. And then you howled in rage and said, look upon her. Look upon death and always to remember. And I always have. Worf: How have you done this, come to this time? K'Mtar: I met a man in the Cambra system. He gave me a chance to change the past. He had the ability to send me here, to this time. Worf: And you came here in order to end your own life? K'Mtar: I was hoping that I would not have to, that I could change things, that I could change myself. But I could not. And now everything is going to turn out like it did before. I cannot let that happen. Worf: But why? What is going to happen that is so terrible? K'Mtar: You will be killed because I was naive, too weak to be able to protect you. Worf: I do not believe that. K'Mtar: I was there! I saw you murdered. I was to blame. Worf: You must not blame yourself. K'Mtar: You don't understand. I did not become a warrior. I was a diplomat, a peacemaker. When it came my time to lead our family, I thought that I could single handedly end the fighting between the great houses. I publicly announced that the house of Mogh would be the first to end the feuding. That there would be no more retribution, no more revenge. You tried to warn me. You tried to tell me that I should not show weakness, but I thought you were a foolish old man. I told you that you were a relic from an earlier time and that a new era of peace was at hand. But you were right. My enemies saw my weakness and moved against me. And unless I stop it right now, that boy will see his father killed on the floor of the Council Chamber. Worf: That is why you wanted to take Alexander away. To turn him into a warrior. K'Mtar: I staged the assassination attempt to try and frighten him, to make him realize that he must follow the ways of the warrior. If I had listened to you, if I had become the warrior that you had wanted me to be, you would not have died in my arms. Worf: No. Who knows what the future will be now that you have disrupted time? I may die tomorrow or I may outlive you. But when I die, I would like an honorable death. And the only way that is possible is for you accept yourself as you are, and stay true to what you believe. The cause of peace is a just cause. The struggle must continue. K'Mtar: It is a futile struggle. I cannot change things. Worf: You have already changed things more than you realize. K'Mtar: The boy I was has not changed. Worf: But I have. You have given me a glimpse into my son's future and I know now that he has his own destiny. And I believe it will be a great one. K'Mtar: I love you, Father. Worf: And I you, Alexander. Alexander: I've been waiting. Where's K'mtar? Worf: He had to leave. He was called away. Alexander: He never said goodbye. Worf: He asked me to say goodbye for him. He also wanted me to tell you, no matter what happens, no matter what you decide to do with your life, he will always care for you a great deal. Alexander: When will I see him again? Worf: It may be a long time. Alexander: Well, we should start practice. Worf: Alexander. There will be plenty of time for training.

Picard: Report. Riker: There's an object of some kind closing in on our position. Picard: On screen. Data: It appears to be an unmanned probe approximately one half meter in diameter. There are no identifiable armaments. Worf: Captain, we are being, You are being hailed, by name. Picard: Open a channel. This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard Worf: Captain, I am reading a power surge. Riker: Shields up. Data: The beam appears to contain holographic imaging information. Riker: It's trying to project something. Picard: Isolate the bandwidth. Let the signal through the shields. Picard: Bok! Bok: I trust you remember me, Picard, because I haven't forgotten you or how you murdered my son. For fifteen years now I've thought about how to avenge his death but nothing I could do to you could equal what you did to me, until now. You thought you could hide him from me, didn't you? But I found out about him. Jason Vigo is as good as dead. I'm going to kill your son, Picard, just like you killed mine. Picard: Mister Worf, put a tractor beam on that probe. Determine if it's safe to beam it aboard. I want to know where it came from. Mister Data, see if there is any mention of a Jason Vigo in Federation records. You might start with Miranda Vigo. She was born on New Gaul about fifty years ago. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Number One, contact the Ferengi Government. Find out all you can about Bok. He was wearing a DaiMon's uniform. If he's regained his rank, I want to know why. Picard: Come. Riker: The Ferengi Government is debating an amendment to the Rules of Acquisition. It could be a while before we hear from them. Data found out that the woman you mentioned has a son named Jason. This is the most recent picture we could find. Picard: How old is the boy now? Riker: Twenty three. He and his mother left Earth twelve years ago. They settled on Camor Five. That's all we know. The planet's records are virtually non-existent. Picard: Picard to Bridge. Set a course for the Camor system, warp five. Helm: Aye, sir. Picard: Will, I do appreciate your not asking, but I do think that you have a right to know. There is a possibility that the boy is my son. I was involved with his mother for a short time about twenty four years ago. We met through a friend when I was on shore leave on Earth. It was all very romantic, very intense, probably because we both knew I would be leaving in two weeks. And we kept in touch for a while, but we never managed to get together again. Riker: She never said anything to you about being pregnant? Picard: No, so either Bok is wrong and I'm not the father, or Miranda decided to raise the child alone, which quite frankly wouldn't surprise me. She was very independent, very strong willed. Riker: She would have to be to get by on Camor Five. Picard: But whether he's my son or not, he's in danger. Bok tried to kill me six years ago, and I don't doubt he will try to make good his threat against the boy. Riker: Anything? Worf: There are no Ferengi vessels within range of our scanners. Data: Captain, I am unable to find any information on Jason Vigo's current whereabouts. Picard: What about his mother? Data: No, sir. Picard: Miranda was trained as a botanist. She always used to talk about running a farm one day. Maybe we should concentrate on the agricultural areas. Data: That would significantly narrow our search. The only cultivated land is on the southern continent, and there are relatively few people engaged in agricultural activities. Picard: There cannot be many non-Camorites among them. Scan for human life signs. Data: I am detecting eight humans. Three are female. However, they are all too young to be Miranda Vigo. Picard: What about males? Data: One is an infant. Another is elderly. Two are middle aged. Picard: That's seven. You said there were eight. Data: I am having difficulty getting a clear reading on the eighth. The individual appears to be approximately two kilometers beneath the planet's surface. Picard: Male or female? Data: Male, between twenty and thirty years old. Riker: No one in their right mind would go that far underground alone. Picard: Unless he were forced to. Worf: Captain, I am reading seismic instability in the area. He is in danger. Picard: Relay his coordinates to the transporter room. Have them beam him aboard. Data: Aye, sir. Jason: What the? This is a Federation ship. Picard: That's right. I'm Captain Picard. Jean-Luc Picard. Jason: I realize I wasn't supposed to be spelunking that cave, but don't you have something better to do? Picard: We thought you were at risk. Jason: Oh. Well, I wasn't, so maybe you should just beam me back where I was? Picard: Are you Jason Vigo? Jason: I, er, I know him. Is he in trouble? Picard: In a manner of speaking. Someone has made a threat against his life. Jason, I'm an old friend of your mother's. I'm here because you're in danger. Jason: Why would anybody want to kill me? Picard: The person who has made the threat is under the impression that you are my son. Jason: Am I? Picard: I don't know. Jason: My mother never told me who my father was. Just that he was in Starfleet. Picard: Maybe we should contact her. Jason: She died a few years ago. Picard: Oh, I'm sorry. Jason, I think it's important that we find out one way or another. Would you be willing to permit a genetic test? Jason: If I'm not your son, is this person still going to want to kill me? Picard: I doubt it. Jason: In that case, you won't mind my saying that I hope you're not my father. Picard: What were you doing in the caves, Jason? Are you a seismologist? Jason: No, I just enjoy climbing. Picard: Without an antigrav harness? Jason: No, they get in the way. Picard: So, what do you do? Jason: I'm between jobs right now. Picard: I see. Crusher: Excuse me, gentlemen, the test results are ready if you'd like to hear them. Your genetic code is a cross between the DNA of your mother, Miranda Vigo, and your father Jean-Luc Picard. Jason: What's all this? Picard: Oh, theses are archeological fragments that I've collected over the years. This is a Silvan glyph stone. And this, this is a Gorlan prayer stick. It's really quite rare. Jason: Is it valuable? Picard: Not really. Only to students of archeology such as myself. Though I did have to hand over a bottle of very old Saurian brandy for it. Jason: I'd say you got taken. Picard: Perhaps, but it's of value to me nonetheless. Jason: On Camor, something has value if you can eat it or sell it. Everything else is luxury. Picard: Would you like some tea? Jason: No. Thanks. Picard: Something else? Jason: No. Picard: Tea, Earl Gray, hot. I'm sure this whole thing is as much a surprise to you as it is to me. I really want to be honest with you, Jason. I only knew your mother for a very short time. I would have liked to have known her better. It just didn't work out that way. You look a lot like her, you know. It's the eyes, I think. I would like to make one thing clear, Jason. Your mother never told me about you. If she had, I would have been part of your life. Jason: Maybe that's not what she wanted. I think I'd like to go back to the surface now. Picard: I think it would be better if you stayed on board the Enterprise until we have resolved this situation with Bok. Jason: What is the situation with Bok, anyway? Why does he want me dead? Picard: Years ago, I was forced to destroy a starship commanded by his son. Bok apparently feels that it would be fitting vengeance to kill my son. Jason: I can't hide forever. Picard: Of course not. We are trying to locate Bok now. I want to confront him, settle this matter. Jason: How long is this going to take? Picard: I assure you there is no one more eager to put this behind us than I am. Jason: Where do I stay? Picard: We'll get you some quarters. Jason: Okay. Let's go. Picard: Jason. Your being here? I hope it will give us the chance to get to know each other. Laforge: We managed to shut down the probe's power systems so we could beam it aboard. It's not going to be easy to figure out where this thing came from. Data: Bok took the precaution of encrypting the probe's navigational systems so that we would be unable to decipher its flight path. Laforge: We ran an analysis of the probe's hull. From the energy signatures and particle deposits we found, it looks like it traveled through a dichromic nebula, was exposed to an intensive gravimetric distortion, and passed within one light year of a class four pulsar. Data: Those phenomena are relatively common. We would need to identify at least one of them specifically in order to postulate a flight path. Picard: Understood. Data: Captain, incoming message from DaiMon Birta. Picard: Put it on screen. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us, DaiMon. Birta: I understand you have a problem. Picard: Yes, it concerns DaiMon Bok. Birta: Bok is no DaiMon. He was relieved of command six years ago. He was unstable, dangerous. We had to confine him to Rog Prison. Picard: But he's no longer there? Birta: He was able to buy himself out about two years ago. Picard: I see. Do you know his whereabouts now? Birta: I understand he was seen in the Dorias cluster not too long ago. Picard: But that cluster consists of more than twenty star systems. Birta: You don't have to thank me, Captain. Laforge: Believe it or not, Captain, that might've given us the fix we needed. There's a nebula in the Dorias cluster that matches the same particle signature we found on the probe. Data: There is a class four pulsar three light years from the nebula. My calculations indicate the probe was launched in the Xendi Kabu system. Picard: Plot a course. Take us out of orbit. Crusher: Jean-Luc, come in. Picard: I think I need to talk to a parent. Crusher: So, what's he like? Picard: I'm not sure that I can tell you. He puts up so many barriers I have no idea what's underneath. Crusher: Keep in mind he's had twenty years to be angry that his father wasn't there. It's going to take some time to get over those feelings. But I do think it's possible. Picard: Perhaps. But surely it would be wrong to force the issue. My sense is that he's a very independent young man. Perhaps it would be best if I left him alone. Let him come to me if he wants to. Crusher: Maybe you're right. But I think you should consider this. Are you doing the best thing for Jason or what's easiest for you? Jason: Yeah? Troi: Hello, Jason. I'm Deanna Troi, Ship's Counselor. Jason: Come in. Did Captain Picard ask you to come talk to me? Troi: No, I just thought I'd come and see how you were doing. A lot's happened in the last few hours. I thought you might like to talk about it. Jason: I'll be all right. People have wanted to kill me before. Troi: But you've never met your father before. Jason: And I have to admit I never thought I would. Troi: It must be somewhat overwhelming. Jason: I'm a little shaky. Troi: Well, that's only natural. Jason: But you know what? I feel better already just talking to you. Troi: So, how did you feel about the Captain, about your father? Jason: He's okay. A little stiff. But where are you from? Troi: I was born on Betazed. Jason: Do all the women there have eyes like yours? Troi: Look Jason, I came here to talk to you because I'm the Ship's Counselor. If you don't want to talk to me in that way, then I think I should go. Jason: Fine. Troi: You're welcome to make an appointment to come by my office. Jason: Maybe I'll do just that. Bok: Picard, can you hear me? Bok: I will kill him, Picard. And there's nothing you can do about it. Picard: Security to Captain's quarters immediately. Worf: Our shields were up. How could he have beamed through them? Laforge: I'm not sure he did. Sensors don't show any sign of an intruder. Picard: Could it have been another hologram? Laforge: I don't think so, Captain. Something has to generate a hologram. We would have detected it. Picard: Bok once used a mind control device to make me hallucinate. Laforge: That device emitted a very specific energy signature. I'm not reading anything like that. Worf: Could he have modified the device so he could use it without being detected? Laforge: It's possible. I'll recalibrate the sensors to scan for low intensity transmissions. Just to be sure, I'll sweep your quarters with a resonance scanner. Picard: Good. Keep me posted. Picard: Mister Worf, I want you to assign a security detail to Jason. Worf: And what about yourself? Picard: I am not the target of Bok's threats. Jason is. Data: Captain, I have compiled all available records pertaining to Jason Vigo's criminal record, and Picard: Criminal record? Data: Yes, sir. He has been charged three times with petty theft, twice for disorderly conduct, and several dozen times for trespassing. Picard: Trespassing? Data: I believe the charges relate to his climbing activities in the caves underneath the planet's surface. This is the information you requested, is it not? Picard: Thank you, Mister Data. Jason: What was your name again? Rhodes: Lieutenant Rhodes. Jason: Actually, I meant your first name. Rhodes: Sandra. Jason: Well, Sandra, do you think you could give me some room? Rhodes: We're supposed to be keeping an eye on you. Jason: Can't you can keep an eye on me from over there? Picard: Good morning. Jason: I thought you said your ship was the safest place I could be. Why the guards? Picard: Because Bok appeared in my quarters last night. Now, it might not have been him. It may have been an image. We're investigating. Jason: Look, why don't you just drop me off somewhere. I can watch out for myself. Picard: That wouldn't be wise. Jason: I've been doing it since I was fifteen. Picard: I'm sure you have, but Bok is a dangerous creature. He has a starship, he has technology. Jason: All right, all right. I'll stay here. Picard: You seem to like rock climbing. The holodeck can create some very challenging climbs. We could go down together and I could show you how to use the program. Jason: Thanks, but I think I can figure it out myself. Picard: Perhaps we could climb together. I'm probably not as skilled as you, but I'm not inexperienced. Jason: Look, I'm sorry. I appreciate what you're trying to do. But Captain. Captain, father, Jean-Luc, I don't know what I'm supposed to call you. As soon as this thing with Bok is over, I'm leaving. So don't you see? There really isn't any point in our getting acquainted. Let me know as soon as you catch him, all right? Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47829.1. We've been in the Xendi Kabu system for over three hours, and still no sign of Bok. Worf: Captain, I am detecting an object five thousand kilometers off our starboard bow. It is another probe. Picard: Why didn't we detect it before? Worf: It must have been cloaked, sir. It came out of nowhere. Picard: On screen. Is it another holographic device? Data: I do not believe so, sir. Worf: Captain, the probe's systems are overloading. Riker: Red alert. Shields up! Riker: Damage report. Worf: No damage, sir. Data: Captain, I do not believe it was meant as an attack, but rather as a message. Picard: A message? Data: Yes, sir, in B'zal, a Ferengi code which uses an alternating pattern of light and darkness. Picard: Can you translate it? Data: I am attempting to do so. The message reads, my revenge is at hand. Picard: He's proved that he can get to us whenever he wants. Why doesn't he do something? Picard: Tea, Earl Gray, hot. Bok: If you want me to stay and talk, you'd better not call for security this time. How do you like your boy, Captain? Is he everything you'd always hoped for? Picard: It's a risky game you're playing, coming here. Next time we'll be ready for you. Why don't we settle this now? Bok: Oh, and how do you propose to do that, Picard? You murdered my son. Picard: It was self-defense. He fired on my ship. Bok: You were in Ferengi space! Picard: I didn't know that. If he'd told me I would have withdrawn. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do to bring him back. Bok: How touching. Your apology is worthless to me. I demand that you repay me for my loss. Picard: You cannot put a price on a life. Bok: Oh, but you can, Picard. You can pay me with your son's life. Picard: No. Bok: You don't have any choice. I insist on being paid. Crusher: That should do it. Let's run a level three bioscan just to be sure. Rhodes: Rhodes to Sickbay, Medical emergency, deck nine, section four. Crusher: Let's go. Crusher: Have you had any other seizures like this before? Jason: No, not really. Sometimes my hand shakes, but never this bad. Crusher: When did it first start to happen? Jason: About few months ago. Do you have any idea what's wrong with me? Crusher: You have a condition called the Forrester Trent syndrome. It's a degenerative neurological disorder. Very rare. Picard: What do you mean degenerative? Crusher: If it goes untreated, it could result in paralysis, even death. I'm going to start you on a neuro-stabilization regimen. If we're lucky, it will halt the degeneration, and maybe reverse its effects. The disease is hereditary. I know your father doesn't have it. Was your mother prone to these seizures? Jason: Not that I know of. Crusher: There have been some cases reported where the disease was instigated by a random mutation. I'll run a microcellular scan and see if that's what happened. In the meantime, I want you to try to take it easy and get some rest. Picard: Is he going to be all right? Crusher: I wish I could say for certain, but I'm not sure how he'll respond to treatments. Picard: I've been thinking about what you said the other day, and you know, I think you were right. I had convinced myself that Jason didn't want me to reach out to him. Crusher: You know, I don't think anyone is born knowing how to be a parent. You just sort of figure it out as you go. But the one quality that tends to be a requirement for parenthood is patience. Picard: Well, I'm not sure that that is going to be enough. I've found out that Jason has a criminal record. It's nothing very serious, it's only petty theft and so forth, but I can't help feeling that if I had been part of his life then he wouldn't be so troubled now. Crusher: Maybe, but why waste time blaming yourself for not having been there? Just be here for him now. Picard: And be patient. Crusher: And be patient. Laforge: We think we've found something, Captain. Data: Bok was in direct contact with this chair for an extended period. It is showing a distinctive subspace signature as a result. Laforge: We think he's using some sort of subspace transporter to beam aboard the Enterprise. Picard: My understanding is that such devices were impractical. Data: The Federation abandoned its research in the field because the technology was found to be unreliable, as well as energy intensive. Laforge: In order to transport matter through subspace, you have to put it into a state of quantum flux. It's very unstable. Picard: What range would that kind of transporter have? Data: In theory it could operate over several light years. Laforge: That means that the probe that exploded could have been beamed into position from some point outside sensor range. Data: If Bok uses his transporter again, we might be able to trace the subspace signature and locate his ship. Picard: Is there any way we can keep Bok from beaming aboard the Enterprise again? Laforge: I don't think there is. Picard: If he has the ability to beam aboard, he may be able to beam someone away. Data: It is a possibility. Picard: I'm concerned that he may try to take Jason. Is there any way we can protect him? Laforge: You know, we might be able to keep a signal lock on him at all times. If Bok tries to beam him away, we might be able to hold him here. Data: In order to do so, we would need to tie the ship's subspace field coils into the transporter system. Picard: Make it so. Computer, where is Jason Vigo? Computer: Jason Vigo is in holodeck four. Picard: Would you wait outside? Jason: Not bad. Picard: I like climbing. There's something about actually having your fate in your own hands. Jason: Yeah, I know. Picard: It looks as though we may have found out how to locate Bok's ship. This could all soon be over. Jason: You came all the way up here just to tell me that? Picard: I thought it would make you feel better. Jason: Thanks. That was nice of you. Picard: Jason, when your mother and I parted, I lost track of her completely. But I would like to know more about what happened to her, if you wouldn't mind telling me. Jason: Like what? Picard: Well, how did you end up on Camor? It's an unlikely place for a woman and child. Jason: Well, you know how she was. See a stray cat, take it in. See somebody cold, give them your coat. Picard: Yes, that was Miranda, all right. Jason: She heard about the all children on Camor who'd been orphaned from the Cardassian war. Picard: Oh. I see. Jason: I was only ten when we went there. I remember her telling me all about the boys and girls who didn't have anybody to take care of them. So she got this big house, practically falling apart, then she started rounding up children. Eventually, there were over forty of us there. She called it a school. You know, she got up before dawn every day and went to bed well after midnight. In between she never stopped working. She taught us all how to read. And she grew vegetables in hardpan to feed us. And she made sure we knew how to sing. It's important in a place like Camor. And then one day she was attacked by two men in the street in broad daylight for the food she was carrying. If she'd just given it to them, they probably wouldn't have hurt her. But she knew how important the food was to us. So they killed her. Picard: I'm so sorry. Jason: Don't be sorry for me. My mother made sure that we were all tough enough to make it. Picard: Jason, isn't there some way that I can be a father to you? My own father and I were estranged. He wanted me to stay home and tend the vineyards and I wanted to join Starfleet. And he died before we could come to terms with that. And I've regretted that all of my life. I don't want the same thing to happen to you and me. Jason: You don't understand. I'm not anybody you'd want for a son. Trust me, if you knew anything about me, you wouldn't be trying so hard. Picard: You're so wrong. Jason: Oh, really? Let me spell it out for you. I've been in trouble since I was a teenager. I lie, I steal, I use people. I'm a criminal. That's what your son is. Picard: I know. Jason: You do? Picard: Oh, yes, I know all about your troubles with the Camor authorities. Jason: You do. Picard: It doesn't make any difference, Jason. You're still my son. And, like it or not, I'm your father. I don't know what that means, but it means something. There's some connection. Jason: Yeah. Picard: But one thing is clear. You'll never look at your hairline again in the same way. Picard: You wanted to see me. Crusher: Yes. It's about Jason. I've finished the microcellular scan I was running. There's something you need to know, Data: Sir, sensors are detecting a subspace carrier wave headed for the ship. Its signature is consistent with Bok's transporter. Riker: See if you can trace and locate Bok's ship. Geordi, are you ready down there? Laforge: I've got a signal lock on Jason. Riker: Riker to Picard. Picard: Picard here. Riker: Bok is trying to use his transporter. Data: The transporter beam is focusing on deck nine, section four. Riker: Jason's quarters. Laforge: I'm on it, Commander. Rhodes: Security to Bridge. Bok is Rhodes: Beaming Jason off the ship. Laforge: Initiating transport now. I'm losing his signal. Laforge: Bok is re-establishing his lock on him. Picard: Have you been able to locate Bok's ship? Data: No, sir. The subspace signature left by his transporter is decaying more rapidly than predicted. It may not be possible to trace it. Worf: Captain, another probe has materialized five hundred kilometers to starboard. It is sending a transmission. Picard: Put it on screen. Bok: This is a very special day, Picard. Fifteen years ago you took my son away from me. Today, I will take your son away from you. It will be our anniversary. I wanted you to see him one last time. Data: I am tracing the transporter beam Bok used to send the probe. The ship is holding position approximately three hundred billion kilometers from here. Picard: Plot a course. Maximum warp. Riker: Even at warp nine we wouldn't get there for another twenty minutes. Picard: The modifications you made to the transporter. Is there any way we could use a subspace transport from here to get me onto Bok's ship? Data: It may be possible, sir, but it would not be advisable. Picard: I'll take that as a yes. You're with me. Laforge: There. I've aligned the field coils. Data: Phase dampers are in synch. Standing by to modulate the transport pattern. Laforge: Captain, we might be able to get you over there, but I don't see how we're going to get you back. Picard: We'll deal with that when the time comes. Laforge: Transport's going to take longer than normal. We have to shunt your pattern through the subspace field coils. Picard: Understood. Data: Initiating transport sequence now. Jason: Maybe we can make a deal. Bok: What kind of deal? Jason: Tell my father you killed me. Put a phaser burn on my shirt and send it to him. He'll think I'm dead. That's what this is about, isn't it? I got friends on Camor Five that will make it worth your while. Bok: I understand your desire to live, but I want Picard to see your body so there will be no doubt. Picard: Lower your weapons or Bok is dead. Bok: Lower yours or your son dies. Picard: You know as well as I do, Bok, he's not my son. I know what you've done. Miranda Vigo is his mother but I am not his father. You made it appear so because you resequenced his DNA. But your technique was flawed. He developed a neurological disorder. When my ship's Doctor investigated it, she discovered what you had done. Tol: Now he'll never pay the ransom. Bok: Shut up. Picard: There never was a ransom. All he was ever interested in was vengeance. Tol: DaiMon, is this true? Picard: He's not a DaiMon. He was stripped of command. Bok: They had no right to do that to me. Picard: He lied to you so that you would help him in his plan. The Enterprise is closing in on your position. If you let the two of us go, they won't attack you. Bok: They won't attack us with you on board. Picard: They will cripple your vessel and keep you here until the Ferengi authorities arrive. You've got a lot deal of explaining to do. Your only hope is to turn Bok over to them and tell them that he deceived you. Tol: There is no profit in this for us. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47831.8. At Jason's request, the Enterprise has returned to Camor Five. Jason: Doctor Crusher feels I'm responding well to the treatment. She thinks that the damage may be completely reversed. Picard: I'm glad to hear it. Jason: Yeah. Picard: Are you sure that you wouldn't like to stay on board the Enterprise for a few more days? Jason: I can't. I have a life back on Camor. It's a mess, but I'd like to go back and straighten things out. Picard: I understand. Jason: Well, maybe next time you come back this way, you can look me up. Picard: I will. I put a little something into your bag while you were packing. I know you'd probably have preferred a bottle of Saurian brandy, but that's all I could come up with. Jason: I can't accept this. Picard: I want you to have it. Picard: Energize.

Data: Graves at my command have wak'd their sleepers, op'd, and let 'em forth by my so potent art. But this rough magic I here abjure, and when I have required some heavenly music, which even now I do, to work mine end upon their senses, that this airy charm is for, I'll break my staff, bury it certain fathoms in the earth, and deeper than did ever plummet sound, I'll Captain? Sir, your attention is wandering. Picard: Data, I can barely see. Data: But sir, I am supposed to be attempting a Neo-Platonic magical rite. The darkness is appropriate for such a ritual. Picard: Yes, but Data, this is a play. The audience has to see you. Data: Perhaps I have been too literal with respect to my set design. Computer, modify holodeck program Data seven three. Shakespeare's The Tempest, Act Five, scene one. Increase torchlight by twenty percent. Picard: There, that's much better. Now, do you want to try it again? Data: Yes, sir. Captain, I am not certain I fully understand this Prospero character. I would appreciate any insight you might have that would improve my performance. Picard: Well, Data, Shakespeare was witnessing the end of the Renaissance and the birth of the modern era, and Prospero finds himself in a world where his powers are no longer needed. So, we see him here about to perform one final creative act before giving up his art forever. Data: There is certainly a tragic aspect to the character. Picard: Yes, but there's a certain expectancy too. A hopefulness about the future. You see, Shakespeare enjoyed mixing opposites. The past and the future. Hope and despair. Data, what is this? Is this part of your program? Data: No, sir. Picard: What is going on? Data: It appears to be a steam locomotive. Picard: A train? Data: If I am not mistaken. Picard: Computer, end program. Picard: Computer, end program. Data: Captain, you are injured. Picard: Oh yes, I know. I'll get it seen to, Data. Data: The train we encountered was from one of Doctor Crusher's holodeck programs. It was a re-creation of the Orient Express, a train which traveled from Paris to Istanbul from the late nineteenth century until. Picard: Yes, yes, Data, I know about the Orient Express. But what is it doing on Prospero's Island? Data: There appears to have been a malfunction in the holodeck's database retrieval program. The two programs somehow temporarily linked together. Picard: Is it possible that this malfunction will affect the other holodecks as well? Data: It is a possibility. I will need to run a diagnostic to be certain. Picard: Very good, Data. But shut down the other holodecks until you're finished, just to be on the safe side. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: I never realized that you were interested in trains. Are you aware that at its peak, the Orient Express carried more than ten thousand people a year? Crusher: It isn't really the train itself that I'm interested in. Picard: What then? Crusher: It's the experience. The Orient Express is romantic, mysterious, an elegant way to see exotic places and meet fascinating people. Do you know that one time, on one trip, both Sigmund Freud and Gertrude Stein just happened to be in the same car? They ended up having dinner together every night. Picard: I wonder what they talked about? Crusher: Why don't you take a trip yourself and find out? Riker: Riker to Picard. Picard: Picard here. Riker: All sections ready to begin the survey, sir. Picard: Very good. I'm on my way. Thank you. Crusher: Don't forget the trip, Jean-Luc. Think about it. You never know who you'll meet on the Orient Express. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47869.2. After weathering an unexpected magnascopic storm in the Mekorda Sector, we are continuing our search for new Federation colony sites. Riker: I don't think there's any possibility of developing sites in this region. Most of the stars are main sequence binaries. There are no M-class planets. Picard: Well, let's move on to another survey region. Have stellar cartography begin a Picard: Mister Data, report. Data: The ship has moved into warp, sir. Riker: Who gave that command? Data: Apparently no one. Helm and navigation controls are not functioning. Our speed is now warp seven point three and holding. Picard: Picard to Engineering. Picard: Mister La Forge, what's going on? We've lost primary helm control on the Bridge. Laforge: I don't understand it. The impulse systems suddenly cut out and the warp drive just kicked in. Riker: Geordi, can you take the engines offline? Laforge: I'm working on it. Picard: Mister Data, what's our heading? Data: Bearing one eight seven mark four. I am unable to determine our destination, however we are heading away from the Mekorda sector. Laforge: Captain, the computer's locked out all the propulsion Laforge: Controls. I can't access any of the overrides. Laforge: If you want us to stop, I'll have to do an emergency core shutdown. Riker: That would leave us without warp power for more than a week. Picard: Begin the procedure, Mister La Forge. Data: We are no longer at warp, sir. Impulse power has resumed. All systems show normal. Riker: Where are we? Data: We are approximately thirty billion kilometers from our original position. Picard: Well done, Mister La Forge. Laforge: It wasn't me. I didn't have time to complete the shut-down procedure. Picard: Well, I want an explanation Picard: Mister La Forge. Picard out. Picard: Have you found anything yet? Laforge: Only that we seem to have more than one mystery here. We still don't know why the ship jumped into warp, but it looks like we're lucky it did. There was a theta flux distortion building up around the ship. Picard: Why didn't our sensors alert us? Laforge: Our sensors were never designed to detect theta flux distortions. And yet there is a record of the distortion in the sensor log. That's the other mystery. Data: One fact is clear, however. The distortion was growing in strength. If we had remained at our original position one point seven seconds longer, the distortion would have ruptured our warp core. Laforge: If the Enterprise hadn't jumped into warp when it did, we would've been blown to pieces. Laforge: I just don't get it, Data. What would cause the engines to suddenly jump into warp? Data: Perhaps the engines were activated by a random power fluctuation. Laforge: Which occurred just in time to save the ship? Data: It is improbable, but it is possible. Laforge: I don't know. I don't think I'm ready to start believing in luck. Data: There is another possibility. Laforge: Yeah, what's that. Data: The sensors apparently detected a dangerous anomaly that threatened the Enterprise. It is possible that they triggered a safety device which caused the ship to avoid destruction. Laforge: Yeah, but there's no direct link between the warp engines and the sensors. Laforge: Whoa. What is that? It's some kind of new circuit node and it's connected to at least half a dozen points in the sensor array. Data: It appears to be connected to several other systems as well, including the warp control circuits. Laforge: I guess there's a connection between the warp engines and the sensors after all. Laforge: A force field. Where did that come from? Data: I am not certain. Perhaps it came from the node itself. Laforge: Well, wherever it came from, it sure doesn't want us messing with this node. Data: It appears to be protecting itself. Laforge: We found these nodes in several systems around the ship. At some level or another, they're all connected. Data: These nodes were linking the sensors to our warp control and defensive systems. We believe this is why the ship jumped to warp. Laforge: When the sensors detected danger, the defensive systems reacted to the threat and activated the warp engines to protect us. Riker: Where did these nodes come from? Data: It is possible that the magnascopic storm we recently experienced had an unexpected effect on the ship's systems. Laforge: Wherever they come from, they seem to be multiplying. Data: As they increase, it will become progressively more difficult to control the ship. Riker: What do you propose we do? Laforge: Well, getting rid of them isn't going to be so easy. When we attempted to examine the circuitry of one of the nodes, it generated a force field to keep us out. Riker: Whatever's going on. our first priority is getting back control of the ship. Data: Agreed. All of the nodal connections intersect in holodeck three. It appears to be a focal point of some kind. Laforge: We might be able to find a way to use the holodeck circuitry to disable the nodes permanently. Riker: All right. Let's do it. Data: Commander, the holodeck appears to be in operation. Riker: I thought you shut down the entire system. Data: I did, but it has reactivated itself and it will not disengage. Worf: Which program is running? Data: Several different programs are running simultaneously. Riker: This should be interesting. Riker: You weren't kidding, Mister Data. Data: No, sir. I estimate that this scene consists of portions of seven distinct holodeck programs. Riker: See if you can access the circuits that have been affected by the nodes. Conductor: Tickets! Tickets please. Please have your tickets ready. Thank you, sir. Thank you, madam. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Tickets please. Rustic: You know, I've never even been away from home. Now I'm going all the way to Vertiform City! Conductor: Very nice, sir. Enjoy your trip. Tickets please. Tickets. Thank you sir. Conductor: Tickets please. Tickets please. Data: Commander. I have located a large concentration of nodes behind this wall. They appear to be connected directly to the holodeck's main power coupling. Riker: All right, go ahead and depolarize the entire power grid. Data: The power grid is located beneath this deck, sir. Conductor: Get away from there. Would you gentlemen care to show me your tickets? Riker: I believe we left our tickets in our compartments. Mister Worf, I told you to bring the tickets. Worf: I forgot. Conductor: I don't think you folks belong on this train. Engineer: Hold it! You leave these people alone. They're only trying to help. Conductor: You go back to the engine. This doesn't concern you. Engineer: They're all trying to hijack the train. Rustic: Hey, if you're the Engineer, who's doing the drivin'? Gangster: I am. Crewman: Easy, sir, easy. I've got you. Laforge: I'm all right, thanks. It looks like the navigational relay's overloaded. Picard: Geordi, what's going on? We just went into warp. Laforge: We've lost engine and helm control again, Captain, but this time, they're completely burned out. I don't know if we can stop the ship. Data: I believe we have changed direction. Conductor: Now we're on the right track. Ladies and gentlemen, we are on our way! Gangster: I was right. He was trying to make off with my brick. Conductor: You take good care of that. We can't afford to lose it. Now, are you people going to leave or are we going to have to throw you off the train? Data: Commander. According to my tricorder, the holodeck safeties have been disengaged. His weapon could be lethal. Riker: All right, let's get out of here. Data: The number of systems now being affected by the nodes has increased considerably. Sensors, engines, replicators, propulsion, they are all working together now, almost independently of the main computer. And the nodes link them all through the holodeck. Riker: But why the holodeck? It doesn't make any sense. Data: Commander, I believe what happens on the holodeck has a direct effect on the ship. When we attempted to destroy the nodes, the characters on the train responded almost immediately to stop us. Riker: And when the engineer tried to protect us, one of the characters shot him. Data: Then the conductor then signaled for the train to change directions, and at approximately the same time Laforge: The Enterprise also took off in a new direction. Riker: Are you saying the ship is under the control of the holodeck? Data: Not precisely. Geordi, does the configuration of connection nodes look familiar to you? Laforge: Yeah. Yeah, it looks a little like the structure of your positronic brain. Data: That is correct. It would appear that the nodes are in the process of creating a rudimentary neural net. Riker: Data, what are you suggesting? Data: Unlikely as it may sound, I believe that the Enterprise may be forming an intelligence. Data: This is a synaptic map of the human neo-cortex. This is a cross section of my positronic net. And this is a schematic of the connection nodes linking the ship's systems. I believe some sort of neural matrix is forming on the ship. It is still relatively primitive, but it is an intelligence nonetheless. Troi: How could that happen? Data: I believe it is an emergent property. Picard: Explain. Data: Complex systems can sometimes behave in ways that are entirely unpredictable. The human brain, for example, might be described in terms of cellular functions and neurochemical interactions. But that description does not explain human consciousness, a capacity that far exceeds simple neural functions. Consciousness is an emergent property. Laforge: In other words, something that's more than just the sum of its parts. Data: Exactly. Crusher: How does that explain what's happening to the Enterprise? Data: The Enterprise contains a vast database of information which is managed by a sophisticated computer. This complex system gives the ship many of the characteristics of a biological organism. Riker: That's true. It sees with its sensors, it talks with its communications systems. Crusher: In a sense, it almost reproduces with the replicators. Picard: And you think that the ship has somehow gone beyond those functions and is developing a new capacity? Data: Yes, sir. I believe a self-determining intelligence is emerging. Worf: If that is so, what does the ship want? Where is it taking us? Data: I believe the key to understanding the ship's behavior lies in the holodeck. All of the connection nodes intersect at that location. It is clearly some kind of processing center. Picard: Processing center? Data: Yes, sir. A focal point where all the ideas and instincts of this emerging intelligence are first expressed in some form. Troi: Almost like an imagination. Captain, I'd like to go to the holodeck. I could interact with the characters and maybe find some clues to help us understand what's happening. Picard: Very well. Mister Data, Mister Worf, I want you to go along. See if you can to re-establish control of the ship without damaging the nodes. If the ship is truly an emerging intelligence, then we have a responsibility to treat it with the same respect as any other being. Worf: Welcome aboard, Counselor. Data: If you will distract these people, I will attempt to depolarize the power grid. Worf: Excuse me. Have you finished the puzzle yet? Rustic: Not yet, but we're gettin' close. Worf: Do you recognize it? Troi: No. Worf: I would like to help. Tell me. What exactly are you making? Rustic: What do you think we're making? A puzzle! Worf: No, I meant the picture. What is it? Rustic: Well, I don't know. Troi: Can you deal me in? Gangster: Sorry. It's a two man game. Gangster: Hey! Get your hand off of that. Troi: Is that why you killed the Engineer? To get this brick? Gangster: I had to get it back. You know how much it's worth, lady? Plenty. And I got to get it to Keystone City. Troi: Why? What's at Keystone City? Gangster: That's where everything begins. Gin. Worf: Are you succeeding, Commander? Data: I am ready to access the main power grid. Conductor: Keystone City, next stop. Keystone City. Well, look who's back. Worf: We do not want any trouble. We are simply passengers. Conductor: Well then I'm sure you wouldn't mind showing me your tickets? Right. Sorry, boys. You're getting off right here. Gangster: This is my stop. Troi: Wait. What happens at Keystone City? Why are you taking the brick there? Gangster: Excuse me. Troi: I think we should follow that man. That brick may be an important clue. Troi: Where did he go? Data: I can access the power grid here. I will attempt to depolarize the grid by using a low frequency inversion field. It may disengage the nodes without destroying them. Troi: There he is. I'm going after him. Troi: What are you doing here? Gangster: Laying the foundation. Gangster: Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a train to catch. Laforge: I don't understand it, Captain. All of a sudden, cargo bay five started to depressurize. Picard: Did everyone get out in time? Laforge: Yes, sir, and I've re-established the containment field, but I'm reading massive power surges in the cargo bay and all sorts of transporter activity. Something weird is happening there, Captain. Picard: I want you to send a team down there immediately. Find out what's going on. Laforge: Aye, sir. Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. Picard: Picard here. What's going on? Laforge: I wish I could tell you. Troi: That man said he was laying a foundation. Worf: Foundation for what? Troi: Troi to Data Data: Data here. Troi: How are you doing? Data: I encountered a minor difficulty, Counselor, but it has been dealt with. Data: I am ready to depolarize the power grid. Laforge: It looks like the ship's replicator and transporter systems have been merged somehow. to create this. The question is, what is it? Ensign, I want to run a full spectral analysis on this. Laforge: I'm picking up a massive power fluctuations. The ship is losing its structural integrity. Troi: What's happening? Worf: It's an earthquake. (the wall collapses on top of Deanna, revealing a door with number 1156 etched in the glass.) Laforge: La Forge to Data Laforge: Stop what you're doing. Data: Acknowledged. Worf: Are you all right? Troi: I'm fine. Laforge: Data, I think we ought to get together and compare notes. Data: Agreed. Troi: The ship was protecting itself again. Stopping us from interfering. Whatever it's doing it intends to continue. Laforge: I'm betting it all has something to do with that object that's forming in the cargo bay. Troi: I think he's right, Captain. Look at the common themes playing out on the holodeck. A puzzle being put together, a foundation being laid, a paper doll being fashioned. They're all images of something being constructed. Laforge: And some kind of object in the cargo bay that's being constructed atom by atom. Picard: What is that object? Laforge: I have no idea. It's composed of silica polymers, duranium, and a couple of other compounds we haven't been able to identify yet. But creating it has had quite an effect on our systems. Warp power has dropped forty seven percent. Picard: Counselor, did you draw any other conclusions from your experiences on the holodeck? Anything that would help us to understand this situation? Troi: The holodeck was full of metaphoric imagery like it was having some kind of daydream. It may not make literal sense, but symbolically it probably does have some kind of logic to it. Crusher: The characters you spoke to, do they have any significance? Troi: I think they represent different aspects of the ship. The Engineer, for instance, may represent the navigational system, the gunslinger could be the weapon system. Picard: Is there any way that we can persuade them to give back control of the ship? Troi: I don't think it's possible to reason with them. Many of them are genuinely unaware of what's going on. It's as though this emergent intelligence is like an infant acting on impulse, trying to figure itself out as it goes. The only source of experience it can draw on is ours through our holodeck programs. Picard: Is there a way that we can relate to them on their own level, find some way to influence their behavior? Troi: Maybe there is. I'd like to go back and try. Laforge: Counselor, we haven't been able to re-establish the safeties. Crusher: The injuries you suffered on the holodeck weren't severe, but next time they might kill you. Troi: I'm aware of that. Picard: Very well, Counselor, go ahead. But bear in mind that whenever we have tried to hinder their efforts, we've failed. Perhaps it's time to cooperate with them. Conductor: You don't belong on this train. Worf: Three tickets for Vertiform City. Conductor: Guess I was wrong about you folks. Welcome aboard. Worf: What was that? Conductor: We've been having some problems. The engine is running out of steam. I hope we make it to Vertiform City on time. Troi: Is there anything we can do to help? Conductor: Well, I could use a pair of strong arms in the engine room. Might help us get back on schedule. Troi: Why don't you go with him, Worf? We'll see what we can do here. Rustic: Excuse me. Are we going to get there okay? Troi: Of course. You needn't worry about a thing. So, tell me everything you know about Vertiform City. Rustic: Well, they got this restaurant there where you can eat all you want, any time. It's the best food around. Conductor: There's the coal and there's the boiler. I'm much obliged for your help. Conductor: Well done, sir. I think this'll make a difference, all right. Riker: I don't know how or why, sir, but warp power appears to be back to normal levels. Picard: What's our heading? Riker: We appear to be on a course for Tambor Beta six. It's a white dwarf star. Conductor: Keep it steady. Put your back into it. That's the ticket. Riker: The ship is using a modified tractor beam to collect vertion particles from the star. Picard: Vertion particles. Vertiform City. That's what the ship was looking for. Riker: The particles are being routed through the transporter system into cargo bay five. Picard: Geordi, what's going on? Laforge: The object is absorbing Laforge: Vertion particles. It's growing even faster than before. Commander, I'm picking up internal energy this thing. Riker: What do you mean? Laforge: I mean it's generating its own energy. I'm picking up coherent emissions Laforge: Matter conversion. It's incredible. Wait a minute. Wait a minute, something's wrong. We've got power fluctuations. Vertion absorption rate is dropping. What's happening to the particle beam? Riker: The beam's exhausted the supply of particles in the star. There's nothing left to take out. Laforge: Captain Laforge: The energy output of the object is decreasing. Conductor: Something's wrong. Worf: What is it? Conductor: This was supposed to be Vertiform City. Conductor: We've been on the wrong track all along. Worf: Are you all right? Troi: Yes. What happened? Worf: The Conductor accidently derailed the train. Data: Data to Captain Picard. Picard: Picard here. Data: There has been an accident on the holodeck, sir. Has anything happened to the Enterprise? Picard: Yes, we've had a ship-wide shutdown. We've lost attitude control and most systems are offline. Laforge: Captain, you'd better take a look at this. When the particle beam cut off, the object was beginning to form a coherent energy matrix. Now, if these readings are accurate, I'd say that the emission patterns were almost organic. Picard: Are you suggesting that the Enterprise is trying to create a lifeform? Laforge: I think so. Picard: Will it survive? Laforge: Well, its energy levels are dropping rapidly. Unless it gets an infusion of vertion particles, and I mean soon, I don't think so. Laforge: Captain, all of our systems are back online and we're moving again, at warp nine. Picard: Let's get back to the Bridge. Rustic: Whoo wee, that was a close one, wasn't it? Troi: Where are we going now? Rustic: Well, New Vertiform City, of course. Data: Data to Captain. Picard: Picard here. Data: The train has returned to normal, sir. Our destination is New Vertiform City. Picard: What's our course? Riker: We're heading for the Cordannas system. Picard: Another white dwarf star. Riker: It's the nearest one to our last position. Laforge: Captain, we have a problem. Even at warp nine, the Cordannas system is over twelve hours from here. Picard: Will the object in the cargo bay survive that long? Laforge: Yes, sir, but that's not the problem. The ship has diverted all of our systems to maximum propulsion, including life support. We have less than two hours of reserve oxygen. Picard: Mister Data, we have to stop the Enterprise. That means you have to get control of the train. Data: Understood, sir. Picard: The ship is looking for vertion particles and it believes that the Cordannas system is the closest source. Is there any possibility of anything closer? Laforge: White dwarf stars are the only natural sources of vertions, sir. Picard: Then what about artificial ones? Can you create the particles? Data: How did the Conductor stop the train? Worf: There is a braking lever in the engine room. Troi: Let's go. Rustic: Sorry, folks, but you ain't going nowhere. Laforge: I've narrowed the search to the MacPherson Nebula, which is a supernova remnant, and Dikon Alpha, which is a class nine pulsar. They're both fairly close to our current flight path and either one could produce vertion particles if we detonated a modified photon torpedo inside it. Riker: Vertions usually occur in miniscule amounts. Do you think either of these phenomena could produce enough of them? Laforge: It's really hard to say. I can't even guarantee that we can create them at all. Picard: Well, we've got to give it a try. The nebula or the pulsar? It's your choice, Mister La Forge. Laforge: I say go with the nebula. Picard: Very well. Begin the torpedo modifications. Riker: Now let's see if we can get this ship to go where we want. Troi: Please listen to me. We understand what's happening. We know you have get to New Vertiform City, and we want to help you get there. Rustic: Well, I don't know. Troi: Please, we're your friends. Rustic: You're really going to help get us to New Vertiform City? Troi: I promise. Rustic: Okay. But just one of you. The rest stay here. Conductor: That's far enough. Gangster: Sorry to spoil your party, pal. It's nothing personal. Data: I can get us there more quickly. I know a shorter route. Gangster: Don't listen to him. He's up to somethin'. Conductor: A shorter route? Data: Yes, if you will let me handle the controls. Gangster: Don't do it. Conductor: Well we're already behind schedule. If you can get us there on time. All right, go on, but no funny stuff. Data: Data to Captain Picard. I have taken control of the engine room. Picard: Stand by. Are we within sensor range of the nebula? Laforge: Yes, Captain, we are. Picard: Mister Data, I need you to slow us to impulse speed. Data: I will attempt to do so. Conductor: I hope you know what you're doing. Picard: Are the modifications to the torpedoes complete? Laforge: Aye, sir. Picard: Launch torpedo. Laforge: It's working, Captain. The reaction is producing vertion particles. Conductor: Well, what do you know? We're here. Gangster: New Vertiform City. Riker: The nodes are deactivating all over the ship. Our systems are beginning to function normally again. Picard: Then the purpose of the ship's intelligence was simply to bring this life form into being. Crusher: There are some species whose sole purpose is to reproduce. Once they finally procreate, they die. Laforge: Captain. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The Enterprise is back under our control. All traces of the emergent intelligence are gone and the object it created has disappeared into space. Picard: Come. Data: Captain, I am staging a scene from The Tempest this evening for a small audience. I would like for you to attend. Picard: I would be honored. What scene? Data: Miranda's first encounter with other human beings. Picard: O brave new world, that has such people in it. Data: It seemed appropriate. Captain, you took a substantial risk in allowing the Enterprise to complete its task. Picard: Why do you say that? Data: Because the end result was unknown. The object could have been dangerous. It may in fact, be dangerous. Picard: And I have allowed it to go off on its merry way. Data: Yes, sir. Picard: The intelligence that was formed on the Enterprise didn't just come out of the ship's systems. It came from us. From our mission records, personal logs, holodeck programs, our fantasies. Now, if our experiences with the Enterprise have been honorable, can't we trust that the sum of those experiences will be the same?

Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47941.7. The Enterprise is en route to a briefing on the situation in the Demilitarized Zone along the Cardassian border. Meanwhile, we're celebrating the return of an old friend. Laforge: Ro! Crusher: Welcome home. Ro: Thanks. It's good to be back. Troi: Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant. Ro: Same to you, Commander. Troi: Thank you. Laforge: Say, I understand that Advanced Tactical Training is a real picnic. Ro: Right. Crusher: Did you see the buffet? Troi: This is real Bajoran foraiga. Laforge: It wasn't easy to find. Ro: You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble. Really. Crusher: We wanted you to know how glad we are to have you back. Troi: So, where are your new quarters? Ro: Deck four, section eight. Crusher: What are do you planning to do Picard: Lieutenant Ro. Ro: Go ahead, sir. Picard: Please report to the Bridge. Ro: Yes, sir. Excuse me. Ro: Captain. Picard: You seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the attention. Ro: Well, to tell you the truth, I really want to see everyone. I'd just rather do it one at a time. Picard: You look very fit, Lieutenant. Tactical Training seems to agree with you. Ro: You know me, I enjoy a challenge. Picard: That school is more than a challenge. Half the class washes out every year. But somehow I didn't think you'd be one of those. Ro: Captain, I want you to know that I really appreciate your recommending me. If it weren't for you, my life would be a very different one right now. Riker: Bridge to Picard. Picard: Go ahead. Riker: We're receiving a distress signal from a Cardassian ship near the Demilitarized Zone. Picard: Change course to intercept. I'm on my way. I'd like you at the conn, Lieutenant. Picard: Ensign Gates. Picard: Report. Riker: The Cardassian ship relayed a distress signal but it was cut off before we could find out what was wrong. Ro: I have the ship on long range sensors. It appears to be under attack by several small ships. Picard: Can you identify them? Ro: No, sir. They're not transmitting identification codes. Data: I will scan their warp signatures. Sir, sensors indicate the attacking vessels are Federation ships. Ro: We're coming into visual range. Picard: On screen. Riker: Those are Federation ships. Picard: Isolate one and magnify. The Maquis. Open a channel. Worf: Open. Picard: To all Maquis ships. Call off your attack or we will be forced to engage you. Worf: No response. Picard: You are Federation citizens. Your actions are in violation of our treaty with the Cardassians. Call off your attack. Data: They are not responding, sir. Picard: Mister Worf, are we in firing range? Worf: Not yet, sir. Picard: Arm phasers and photon torpedoes and stand by. Riker: I never thought we'd be firing on our own people to protect a Cardassian ship. Data: The Maquis ships are regrouping, sir. They are closing in on the Cardassian vessel. Worf: The Cardassian's shields are down to thirty percent. Riker: They may not be able to withstand another hit. Worf: Sir, we are within weapons range. Picard: Mister Worf, can you detonate a torpedo spread between the Maquis ships and the Cardassians? Worf: Yes, sir. Picard: Do it. Worf: The Maquis are breaking formation. They are withdrawing. Picard: Signal the Cardassians that we're standing by to assist them if they have any wounded. Worf: Aye, sir. Gul Evek: Do you people have experience treating Cardassians? Crusher: Yes. Do you mind? Picard: Gul Evek. I'm sorry that we could not come to your aid sooner. Gul Evek: I suppose we're lucky you came at all. Lately Starfleet seems to look the other way when the Maquis attack. Picard: I can assure you that is not the case. We're doing everything in our power to control them. Gul Evek: The fact that my ship was attacked suggests that your efforts have met with limited success. They came at us with photon torpedoes and type eight phasers. Tell me, Captain, how do you suppose that a group of civilians acquired such weaponry? Picard: I can assure you it was not through official channels. Gul Evek: So you don't think the fact that some of the Maquis are former Starfleet officers has anything to do with it? Picard: Starfleet does not condone the Maquis' actions in the Demilitarized Zone any more than your government would condone the paramilitary actions of Cardassian civilians. Gul Evek: We have taken measures to deal with our colonists who have armed themselves. Picard: Considering that they destroyed a Juhryan freighter less than a week ago, I would say that your efforts are meeting with limited success. Gul Evek: Captain, if the Maquis are not stopped, this situation will continue to escalate to the point where the Cardassian military will have no choice but to take matters into their own hands. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Gul Evek and his crew have left the Enterprise, and we have proceeded to our rendezvous with Admiral Nechayev. Nechayev: No Bularian canapés this time, Captain? Picard: I thought twice was pushing it a little. Nechayev: It's just as well. They're extremely fattening. Picard: You missed Gul Evek by a matter of hours. I asked him to stay. I thought that an Admiral's assurances might convince him that we are trying to deal with this Maquis situation. Nechayev: Evek manages to make the Cardassians sound like helpless sheep being preyed on by Federation wolves. The truth is, we caught the Cardassian government supplying its colonies in the Demilitarized Zone with weapons. Picard: Gul Evek assured me that they had stopped that practice. Nechayev: Ha. How comforting. Picard: Admiral, this Maquis situation has you worried. Nechayev: Believe me, Captain, if I were living that close to the Cardassians, I'd keep a phaser under my pillow too. But in the last weeks we've seen signs that the Maquis are moving beyond self-defense. Their ranks are growing. They're acquiring ships, weapons. They seem to be preparing for a more aggressive military posture. We've got to put a stop to them before the entire Demilitarized Zone ignites. But before we stop them, we have to find them. They seem to be scattered in small cells around the Zone. And we don't have reliable intelligence about any of them. Picard: Perhaps you need an undercover operative. Nechayev: Our thinking exactly. We intend to infiltrate their organization, and the person we want to do it is aboard your ship right now. Ro: Starfleet wants me to infiltrate the Maquis? Picard: Because of your recent training, because you're Bajoran, and because of your past troubles with Starfleet gives you a certain credibility. Ro: Well, that's certainly true. And just how soon would this mission begin? Picard: Immediately. Ro: I see. I've spent the better part of my life fighting the Cardassians. I never thought I'd be helping them out. Picard: This is a rare case when our interests and theirs coincide. We both want peace in the Demilitarized Zone. Ro: I've heard a lot about the Maquis. One of my instructors at Tactical Training, a Lieutenant Commander in Starfleet, a man I admired and respected, he was sympathetic to them. He resigned and left to join them. Picard: We're all sympathetic, Lieutenant. Our civilian population in the Demilitarized Zone is in a very difficult situation, but even sympathy has to end at some point. The peace treaty isn't just a piece of paper. If the Maquis force us into a war with Cardassia, it could mean hundreds of thousands of lives. Two years ago, Starfleet would never have tapped you for this mission. They must have a lot of confidence in you now. Ro: The way I see it, there's one good reason to take this mission, and that's to validate your faith in me. Worf: We are looking for a Bajoran woman, dark hair. Data: She is responsible for the death of a Cardassian soldier. Worf: If we learn that she has been here, this establishment will be closed down. Santos: You say she had dark hair? Worf: Yes. Santos: She was here. You just missed her. Data: Do you know where she went? Santos: No. Ro: It was really nice meeting you. Ro: Thanks. Santos: So, did you kill that Cardassian? Ro: Starfleet thinks I did. That's reason enough to hide. Why did you tell them that I'd left? Santos: There are worse things a person can do than kill a Cardassian soldier. Ro: You don't often meet someone willing to say that out loud. Santos: In the Zone, there are a lot of us who feel that way. Ro: I'd like to meet people like that. Macias: Don't be afraid. You're not in danger here. Santos: What is your name? Kalita: Did you kill that Cardassian soldier? Ro: Who are you? Santos: We're the people who saved you from Starfleet. Ro: Thanks, but I'll be going now. Santos: Did you kill that Cardassian? Ro: Yes. Kalita: That's a risky thing to do in the Demilitarized Zone. You can end up being hunted by Starfleet and the Cardassians. Ro: Then why did he risk bringing me here? Kalita: We're asking the questions. Who are you? Ro: My name is Ro Laren. I grew up in the Bajoran camps. Macias: That would explain why you have no love for Cardassians. Ro: I know what they're capable of. They tortured my father to death and I was forced to watch. Santos: Where are you living now? Ro: Nowhere. I was a Starfleet officer, but I was court-martialled and sent to the stockade on Jaros Two. I'm not exactly what you'd call Starfleet material. Santos: When were you on Jaros? Ro: What difference does it make? Kalita: We want to check your story. When were you there? Ro: Starfleet let me out about three years ago because I agreed to do some work for them, mostly having to do with Bajor. But I got tired of watching them placate the Cardassians, and so I left. Kalita: You resigned? Ro: Not officially. That's part of the reason why they're looking for me. Santos: What were you doing on Omara? Ro: Look, I think I've answered enough of your questions. I would like to know who you people are. Macias: Let's say that we sympathize with those who oppose Cardassia. Ro: Are you Maquis? Macias: What if we were? Ro: If you were, I would ask if I could join you and help you fight. Macias: We'll check your story. Go ahead, I'll keep an eye on her. Macias: Come, let's stretch our legs. Ro: Aren't you taking a chance by letting me see all of this? What if my story doesn't check out? What if I'm not who I say I am? Macias: Well, then we'll have a problem, won't we? Ro: You are Maquis, aren't you? Macias: Many of the people here are. Ro: Starfleet considers you outlaws. They're afraid you'll destroy the peace treaty. Macias: They don't understand the situation here in the Zone. I lived on Juhraya. When the treaty was signed the colony suddenly found itself in Cardassian territory. Some of us chose to stay, take our chances. Then one night I was dragged from my bed and beaten. The authorities clucked their tongues and agreed it was an unfortunate incident, and did nothing. Ro: I'm not surprised. The Cardassians intend to make life so unpleasant for Federation citizens that they'll leave. Macias: Exactly. And no one seems to see that, except the Maquis. How old were you when your father was killed? Ro: I'd rather not talk about it. Macias: Hungry? Would you like something? Ro: No, thank you. Macias: Hasperat. Ro: You like hasperat? Macias: An old Bajoran friend of mine used to make it. His was stronger. He was killed many years ago fighting the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. I miss his company, and his hasperat. Ro: My father used to make the strongest hasperat you've ever tasted. Everything else seems mild by comparison. Macias: Did he teach you how to make it? Ro: Yes. But I haven't tried it in years. Macias: If you would make the brine for a really strong hasperat. I mean eye watering, tongue searing strong, you'd make an old man very happy. Ro: I would enjoy making it again. Santos: Macias. I've checked with my sources at Starfleet. Her story's true. Macias: I was sure it was. Kalita, she'll stay with you until we can find her a room. Macias: Ah there you are. Kalita: We've just heard a disturbing rumor. Ro: Another rumor? Kalita: One that I think we should take seriously. A trader coming from Pendi Two said he could verify that the Cardassians are going to start supplying their colonists with biogenic weapons. Ro: I thought every shipment coming into the Zone was searched. Kalita: The Cardassians always seem to find a way around problems like that. Santos: Then we have to make a preemptive strike. Send a message to the Cardassians that we won't sit still while they kill us with toxins. Macias: Agreed. But we can't mount a strike without medical supplies and our stockpile is dangerously low. Kalita: If we put in a request for more, it'll draw suspicion. Ro: I can get medical supplies. I served on the Enterprise. They always have extra medkits on hand for relief missions. Santos: You're wanted by Starfleet. They're not going to give you medkits just because you ask for them. Ro: I have no intention of asking for them. I intend to take them. Kalita: How? The Enterprise is a fortress. Ro: I know its security systems work. Give me a ship. I can do it. Santos: It's madness. Kalita: We can't let her do something like this. We don't know anything about her. Macias: I know that she can make very strong hasperat. Kalita: What? Macias: We need medical supplies. I think we should let her try. Kalita: All right. But I'm going with her. Ro: I could use an extra hand at the controls. And a witness. Ro: I set the transporter confinement parameters to maximum. We should be able to fill our hold with medical supplies with just one single beam out. Kalita: I had no idea it was going to be so easy. Ro: We're approaching the Federation border. Kalita: How do you plan to get out of the Demilitarized Zone without being searched at one of the checkpoints? Ro: We're going to cross the border here. Kalita: There are sensor buoys all along the border. If we cross anywhere other than a checkpoint, Starfleet will send a ship to investigate. Ro: With the right security codes, we can disable the proximity detectors on the buoys. Kalita: Starfleet changes those codes all the time. Ro: I know the encryption algorithms. If I can access the buoy's protocol subsystem I should be able to figure out the codes. Kalita: Should be able to? Ro: Do you want this mission to succeed? Kalita: Of course I do. We need those medical supplies. Ro: In that case, let me do my job. I'm in. Kalita: What's wrong? Ro: If I don't input the right code in the next twenty seconds, we'll trigger the proximity alarm. Kalita: I'm getting us out of sensor range. Ro: Don't. If we break the comm. link, we won't be able to try again. Ro: It worked. Until they change the access codes again, we can cross the border here. Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47943.2. It has been over a week since Lieutenant Ro left the Enterprise. We have yet to receive any communication from her. Riker: We picked up a request for emergency assistance from a Federation science ship in the Topin system. Picard: Are there any other ships in the vicinity? Riker: We're the closest. Picard: Helm, set course for the Topin system. Mister Data, will you signal the science ship that we're on our way. Data: It is unlikely that they would receive our communication, sir. The Topin system contains an unstable protostar. It generates significant magnetoscopic interference. Picard: Can we use our sensors to find them? Data: Most of our sensors would be ineffective, although our directional array should cut through the interference. Riker: That array has such a narrow scan field. We might as well break out the palm beacons and try to find them that way. Kalita: This is insane. We're sitting here, no sensors, blind to the outside, waiting for a galaxy class Starship to come swooping down on us. Ro: Don't worry. It'll be hard for them to locate us with just the directional sensors. Besides, they're looking for a damaged science ship that wants to be found. They're here. Standby to engage thrusters. Riker: Anything? Data: No, sir. It will take approximately six hours to scan this system. Worf: Captain, the distress call is being repeated. Picard: Data, can you locate the signal? Data: I am attempting to do so. Kalita: They're scanning our last position. Ro: All right, I've locked onto their sensor beam. I'm going to use it to maneuver into transporter range. Kalita: How are we going to beam through their shields? Ro: We can't. If we're going to get those medical supplies, we're going to have to take this ship through their shields. Data: Sir, I am scanning the area from which the distress signal was sent, but I am unable to detect a vessel. Worf: Captain, the computer has detected a piggyback communication on the last distress signal. Picard: Can you decode it? Worf: It will take a few moments. Picard: Do it. Ro: The Enterprise shields have a weak point. When the ship is at impulse, the thrust destabilizes the shield configuration right at this point. I'm going to try to punch through there. Kalita: Won't they detect us? Ro: They'll know something's penetrated the shields. With all the interference it'll take them a few seconds to find us. We'll have to beam the medical supplies aboard and get out fast. Worf: The message is difficult to decode. Interference has garbled much of the transmission, but it seems to be from Lieutenant Ro. Picard: Ro is on that ship? Data: Sir, a vessel of some kind is attempting to penetrate our aft shields. Picard: Let it through. Ro: We're going to make it. All right, we're in. Kalita: Energizing. Ro: Let's get out of here. Worf: Captain, a quantity of medical supplies was beamed from cargo bay seven. Data: The vessel that penetrated our shields is of the same design as the ships used by the Maquis. It is moving off. Picard: Let it go. There must be someone with her. We should make it look as though we're trying to stop them. Mister Worf, lock phasers on their previous position and fire. Worf: Aye, sir. Riker: Now we know what they mean by Advanced Tactical Training. Santos: You took your ship through their shields? Kalita: Ro parked us between their warp nacelles. I thought she was crazy, but it worked. She knew exactly what she was doing. Macias: Well done. Santos: I have to inventory supplies and find out what we have. Kalita: See you later. Macias: Well, it seems that Kalita has decided you're not a Federation spy after all. She's suspicious of everyone at first. And rightly so. We've learned to be cautious with strangers. Ro: I understand. Macias: But I've known since I first met you that in your heart, you're one of us. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Having earned the Maquis' trust with her raid on the Enterprise, Lieutenant Ro has been given access to a ship and allowed to leave the settlement by herself. Ro: There are rumors that the Cardassians are supplying their colonists with biogenic weapons. Picard: Frankly, I find it hard to believe. Every ship that enters the Demilitarized Zone is being searched. Ro: The Maquis are convinced that the Cardassians are finding a way around these searches. Picard: You know, we could make use of that. Ro: Sir? Picard: We have come up with a plan that has the potential to seriously curtail the Maquis. We want to give them a target so threatening to them that they'll be willing to commit as many ships and people as possible in order to destroy it. Ro: What do you mean, give them a target? Picard: Biogenic weapons, for example. You could provide them with intelligence that would show that the Cardassians are, in fact, supplying their colonists with them. Ro: That would get their attention, all right. Picard: You could tell them that in order to get past the check points, they're shipping the components for these weapons through third parties, and then we could put together a convoy and send it toward the Demilitarized Zone. Ro: And when the Maquis attack it, Starfleet will be waiting for them. Picard: We could station our ships in the Hugora Nebula to avoid detection. Ro: Basically, I would be leading them into a trap. Picard: That's right. If you have a problem with any of this, I need to know it now. Ro: Well, if I do, sir, it will not stop me from carrying out my duty. Picard: I knew that I could count on you. Ro: It took me a while, but I managed to patch through into Starfleet's comm. system. I intercepted a communication from one of the checkpoints on the border. They're concerned because a Pakled transport came through carrying retro-viral vaccines. Santos: Why is that a concern? Ro: Well, last week a Ferengi transport came through carrying biomimetic gels. By themselves, neither of these is dangerous, but Starfleet is concerned because with along with other components the Cardassians could put together a biogenic device. Kalita: What is Starfleet going to do about it? Ro: They can't do anything about it. These items are all perfectly legal. Macias: How close are the Cardassians to having the components they need? Ro: Very close. Two days ago, a Yridian convoy left Deep Space Nine for the Demilitarized Zone. It's carrying isomiotic hypos, plasma flares and quarantine pods. Kalita: We can't let that convoy reach its destination. Santos: But it's too big for us to go after alone. Macias: I'll discuss the situation with the other cell leaders. Considering what's at stake, they'll want to help. Macias: I've sent a communication to the others. When this is over, we'll celebrate. Ro: When it's over? Macias: When Cardassia realizes they can't intimidate us into leaving our colonies. Ro: Something tells me it'll be a long time before we'll be celebrating. Macias: Don't be discouraged, Ro. It'll take time, but the important thing is that we not give up. Ro: I spent ten years in the camps. I don't give up. Macias: I've been thinking a long time about what our celebration will be like. We'll have a huge dinner. You'll make hasperat and I'll make blueberry pie. We'll drink wine and we'll dance. I'll even play the belaklavion. That'll give everyone a laugh. Ro: You play the klavion? Macias: Yes, badly. It's a difficult instrument, but I enjoy the challenge. Ro: My father played the klavion. When I was very young and afraid of monsters under my bed, he'd play for me. He said that the klavion had special powers. Monsters were afraid of it and when they heard it they would disappear. When I listened to that music he played for me I was never afraid to go to sleep. When he died I realized even he couldn't make all the monsters go away. Macias: Why wait? Let's go to the market. Let's get food for a feast, for a celebration. Ro: A celebration of what? Macias: Of absolutely nothing. Just to celebrate. Ro: I'd like that. Macias: Come, let's go to the market. If I'm going to make a pie, we'll have to find a substitute for blueberries. Haven't seen real ones in years. Ro: On Bajor, there's a berry Macias: Yes, I know it, very sweet. Santos: Ro! Ro: Macias? Macias: They must have found out that there was a Maquis cell here. Ro: Kalita, get one of the medkits. Hurry. You have to hang on. Macias: When an old fighter like me dies someone always steps forward to take his place. Ro: Not tonight. Hello. Are you alone? Picard: I hope not. Ro: Why don't we get acquainted? There's a table in the back that's more private. Picard: I'd like that. Ro: We have to cancel the mission. Picard: Why? Ro: The Maquis didn't go for the bait. They think the convoy is too big a target. Picard: But there are only six ships. We could even cut back that number. Ro: It's the commitment of resources, of grouping so many of the Maquis together at once. They feel that it makes them too vulnerable. Picard: Every intelligence report that I get from Starfleet suggests that the Maquis are eager to expand their strikes, they want to escalate their activities. Now you're telling me this isn't true? Ro: It's probably different in every cell. The people I've met tend to be more conservative. I'm sure others have a more militant attitude. Picard: Laren, what's going on? Ro: Do you have the money I asked you to bring? Picard: Yes. Ro: Put some on the table. Picard: What? Ro: By this time, you should be negotiating my price. When you sent me on this mission, I thought that I could do it. Even though it meant helping Cardassians, even though it meant betraying people who are fighting against them. Now I'm not sure where I stand. Picard: Are you saying you want to back out of this mission? Ro: Sir, I don't want to let you down, I swear that I don't. Picard: This has nothing to do with me. This is about you. If you back out now, you'll throw away everything you've worked for. We're committed to this mission. My only question for you is, can you carry out your orders? I could put you before a board of inquiry for having lied to me about this operation. I would certainly have you court-martialled if you sabotage it. Now, it's your decision. Ro: I'll carry out my orders, sir. Picard: I feel it necessary to have Commander Riker go back with you. He can pose as a relative. I just want to make sure that nothing happens to obstruct this mission. Picard: I'm sorry. I don't have that kind of money. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have received word from Commander Riker and Lieutenant Ro that the Maquis will be attacking the convoy as planned. Our ships have taken up position in the Hugora Nebula to wait for them. Data: I have established a relay link with the sensor probe we left on the perimeter of the Nebula. This is the convoy. We are expecting the Maquis attack force to cross the border from the Demilitarized Zone. Picard: As soon as they cross the border, we'll intercept them. Worf: Captain, in order to ensure that the ship Commander Riker and Lieutenant Ro are piloting does not come under fire, I have relayed their warp signature to the rest of the attack force. Data: Sir, the Maquis squadron is coming into sensor range. Picard: Go to Red alert. Worf: Aye, sir. Santos: Squad leader to all ships. Ro: Go ahead, squad leader. Santos: We'll be crossing the border in less than one minute. Arm your weapons. Ro: Acknowledged. Riker: Starfleet can't make its move until we're out of the Demilitarized Zone. We're to break formation and take cover in the Nebula as soon as they appear. Ro: The ships in the convoy are raising their shields. They've spotted us. Riker: We cross the border in thirty seconds. Riker: What the? Ro: I'm sorry. I can't let this happen. Data: Sir, the vessel being piloted by Lieutenant Ro is firing a low intensity particle beam into the nebula. Picard: What the hell is she doing? Data: The polarizing effect being created by the beam may make it possible for us to be detected. Picard: Can you counter the effect? Data: I will attempt to do so. Santos: Ro, why are you firing? Ro: Scan the nebula. Ro: There's a Starfleet attack force hiding inside it. Santos: I see it! Squad leader to all ships. Abort the mission. Repeat, abort the mission. Data: Sir, the Maquis ships are breaking formation. Picard: Have they crossed the border? Data: No, sir. They are withdrawing. Worf: Captain, Lieutenant Ro's ship is not retreating with the others. It is heading toward us. Picard: When she comes aboard take her into custody. Ro: Alpha Seven to Alpha Nine. Kalita: Go ahead. Ro: Stand by to beam me aboard. Kalita: Standing by. Ro: You can take this ship back to the Enterprise. Riker: You're going with them? Ro: It's been a long time since I really felt like I really belonged somewhere. Could you tell Captain Picard something for me? Riker: Of course. What is it? Ro: Tell him I'm sorry. Riker: So long, Ro. Take care of yourself. Ro: Goodbye, Will. Energize. Riker: She seemed very sure that she was making the right choice. I think her only real regret was that she let you down. Here's my report.

Troi: That was an incredible program. Worf: I am glad you approve. I have always found the Black Sea at night to be a most stimulating experience. Troi: Worf, we were walking barefoot on the beach with balalaika music in the air, ocean breeze washing over us, stars in the sky, a full moon rising, and the most you can say is stimulating? Worf: It was very stimulating. Worf: What? Troi: You know, I don't spend nearly enough time on the holodeck. I should take my own advice and go there to relax. Next time I'll choose the program. If you like the Black Sea, you're going to love Lake Cataria on Betazed. Worf: Deanna, perhaps before there is a next time, we should discuss Commander Riker. Troi: Why, is he coming along? Worf: No, but I do not wish. I mean, it would be unfortunate if he. If you and I are going to continue, I do not wish to hurt his feelings. Troi: Worf, I think it's all right to concentrate on our feelings, yours and mine. Picard: Counselor! What's today's date? The date! Worf: Stardate 47988. Picard: 47988. Troi: Captain, what's wrong? Picard: 47988. I'm not sure. I don't know how or why, but I'm moving back and forth through time. Picard: I had this feeling I had physically left the Enterprise. I was in another time, another place. I was somewhere in the past. Troi: Can you describe where you were, what it looked like? Picard: You see, it's all slipping away so fast. It's like waking up from a nightmare. It was years ago. It was before I took command of the Enterprise. I was talking to someone, I can't remember who. And then it all changed. I was no longer in the past. I was now an old man in the future, and I was outside and I was doing something. I can't remember what it was. I'm sorry, it's all gone. I just can't remember. Troi: It's all right. Have you considered the possibility that this was just a dream? Picard: No, no, it was much more than a dream. The smells, the sounds, the very touch of things, much more real than a dream. Troi: How long did you spend in each time period? Did it seem like minutes, hours? Picard: You see, I can't say. At first I had a sense of confusion, disorientation. I wasn't sure where I was. And then all that passed and it all seemed perfectly natural, as though I belonged in that time. But I can't Laforge: Captain Picard to the Bridge! Captain, we've got a problem with the warp core, or the phase inducers, or some other damn thing. Picard: Geordi. Laforge: Hello, Captain or should I call you Ambassador? Picard: Oh, I haven't been called that for some time either. Laforge: How about Mister Picard? Picard: How about Jean-Luc? Laforge: I don't think I could get used to that. Picard: Good Lord, Geordi. Well, how long has it been? Laforge: Nine years. Picard: No, no, no. Since you last called me Captain, since we were all together on the Enterprise? Laforge: Close to twenty five years. Picard: Twenty five years. Well, time has been good to you. Laforge: IA little too good to me in some places. Can I give you a hand here? Picard: Oh, well, I'm just tying up some vines. Laforge: You've got leaf miners. You might want to use a bacillus spray. My wife is quite a gardener. I've picked up a little bit of it. Picard: How is Leah? Laforge: Just wonderful. Busy as ever. She's just been made director of the Daystrom Institute. Picard: What about the little ones, Brett, Alandra and er? Laforge: Sidney. Picard: Sidney. Laforge: Well, they're not so little any more. Brett is applying to Starfleet Academy next year. Picard: So what brings you here? Laforge: Oh I just thought I'd stop by. Been thinking about the old days on the Enterprise. I was in the neighborhood. Picard: Geordi, you don't make the trip from Rigel Three to Earth just to drop by. Laforge: No. Picard: So, you've heard? Laforge: Leah's got a few friends at Starfleet Medical. Word gets around. Picard: I'm not an invalid. Irumodic Syndrome can take years to run its course. Laforge: I know. Once I heard, well, I just wanted to stop by just the same. Picard: Well now that you're here, you can help me carry those tools. Well, my cooking may not be up to Leah's standards, but I can still make a decent cup of tea. Oh, I read your last novel. I thought that the protagonist a little too flamboyant, but for the rest I Laforge: Captain, are you all right? Captain! Tasha: Captain? Tasha: Will this be your first time on a Galaxy class starship? Are you all right, sir? Sir? Picard: I'm sorry, Lieutenant. My mind must have wandered. What were you saying? Tasha: I was asking if you'd ever been aboard a Galaxy class starship before. Picard: No. Of course, I'm familiar with the blueprints and specifications, but this will be my first time aboard. Tasha: Well then, if I may be so bold, sir, you're in for a treat. The Enterprise is quite a ship. Picard: I'm sure she is. Tasha: Have I done something wrong, sir? Picard: No. It's just that you look very familiar. Crewman: Enterprise to shuttlecraft Galileo. You are cleared for arrival in shuttlebay two. Tasha: Acknowledged, Enterprise. And there she is. Troi: Captain? Captain? Picard: Tasha. I was just with Tasha in the shuttle. Crusher: I've finished the neurographic scan. I don't see anything that might cause hallucinations or a psychogenic reaction. Troi: Is there any indication of temporal displacement? Crusher: No. Usually a temporal shift would leave some kind of triptamine residue in the cerebral cortex, but the scan didn't show any. Personally, I think you just enjoy waking everybody up in the middle of the night. Picard: Actually, I really like running around the ship in my bare feet. Ogawa: The biospectral test results, Doctor. Crusher: Your blood gas analysis is consistent with someone who's been breathing the ship's air for weeks. If you'd been somewhere else, there would be an indication of change in the oxygen isotope ratios. Thanks. Deanna, would you excuse us please? Troi: Of course. Crusher: Jean-Luc, I scanned for evidence of Irumodic Syndrome, as you suggested. There wasn't any. But I did find a small structural defect in the parietal lobe. Picard: A defect that you hadn't noticed before? Crusher: It's the kind of defect that would only show up on a level four neurographic scan. It could cause you to be susceptible to several kinds of neurological disorders including Irumodic Syndrome. Now, it's possible for you to live with this defect for the rest of your life without developing a problem. Or even if you do, many people continue to live normal lives for a long time after the onset of Irumodic Syndrome. Picard: If that's so, why do you look like you've just signed my death sentence? Crusher: I'm sorry. I guess it caught me off guard. Picard: I wouldn't worry about it. Something tells me that you're going to have to put up with me for a long time to come. Crusher: Well, it won't be easy, but I'll manage. Riker: Captain. Picard: Has Worf found anything? Riker: No, sir. His security scans came up negative. They're still checking the sensor logs but there is no indication that you ever left the ship. Picard: I wasn't dreaming. Something happened. Worf: Worf to Captain. Picard: Go ahead, Mister Worf. Worf: Sir, there is an incoming transmission from Admiral Nakamura. It is a priority one message. Picard: Beverly? Mister Worf, will you route the call through to Doctor Crusher's office. Worf: Aye, sir. Nakamura: Captain. Picard: Admiral. Nakamura: I am initiating a fleet-wide Yellow Alert. Starfleet intelligence has picked up some alarming reports from the Romulan Empire. It appears that at least thirty Warbirds have been pulled from other assignments and are headed for the Neutral Zone. Picard: Is there any explanation why they would make such a blatantly aggressive move? Nakamura: Our operatives on Romulus have indicated that there appears to be something happening in the Neutral Zone, specifically in the Devron System. Our own long range scans have picked up some kind of spatial anomaly in the area. We can't tell what it is. Picard: What are our orders? Nakamura: This is a very delicate situation. I am deploying fifteen starships along our side of the Neutral Zone. I want you to go there as well. See if you can find out what is going on in the Devron System. Picard: Am I authorized to enter the Neutral Zone? Nakamura: Not yet. Wait and see what the Romulans do. You can conduct long range scans, send probes if necessary, but do not cross the border unless they do. Picard: Understood. Nakamura: Starfleet out. Laforge: Captain. What's wrong? Picard: This is not my time. I don't belong here. Laforge: What? Picard: I was somewhere else a few moments ago. Laforge: What do you mean? You've been right here with me. Picard: No, no, no! I was somewhere else. I was, it was a long time ago. There was someone talking. I was talking to someone. Beverly. I was talking to Beverly. Laforge: It's okay, Captain. Everything's going to be all right. Picard: I'm not senile, you know. This did happen. I was here, I was talking to you, and then I was somewhere else. I was on the Enterprise. I was back on the Enterprise. At least, I think that's where it was. I was in Sickbay. Well, it might have been a hospital. Laforge: Captain, I think we should go back to the house and call your doctor Picard: Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking. It's the Irumodic Syndrome. He's beginning to lose his mind, the old man. Well, it's not that. And I'm not daydreaming either. Laforge: Well, all right. All right. So, what do you want do about it? Picard: Data. I want to see Data. Laforge: Data? Why? Picard: Because I think he can help. Laforge: Help how? Picard: I don't know! I don't know! I want to see Data! Laforge: Okay, then, all right, let's go see Data. He's still at Cambridge, isn't he? Picard: Yes, I think he is. Picard: You see them, don't you? Laforge: See who? Picard: They're everywhere. They're laughing at me. Why are they laughing? Laforge: Come on, Captain. Let's go see Data. Picard: Yes, Data. We'll go see Data. Picard: I know how it sounds but it happened. It was real. I was there, back on board the Enterprise. Jessel: How do you like your tea? Picard: Tea? Earl Gray. Hot. Jessel: Course it's hot. What do you want in it? Picard: Nothing. Well, Data, I must say, this is a fine place you have here. They certainly treat professors pretty well at Cambridge Data: Holding the Lucasian Chair does have its perquisites. This house originally belonged to Sir Isaac Newton when he held the position. It's become the traditional residence. Jessel: Here you go. Laforge: Thank you. Jessel: If you're really his friend, you'll get him to take that gray out of his hair. Looks like a bloody skunk. Data: Jessel. She can be frightfully trying at times, but she does make me laugh. Laforge: Data, what is it with the hair anyway? Data: I found that a touch of gray adds an air of distinction. Picard: You say this is Earl Gray? I'd swear that it was Darjeeling. Data: Captain, how long has it been since you've seen a physician about your Irumodic Syndrome? Picard: A week. They've prescribed peridaxon. Data: But sir, peridaxon Picard: Yes, I know, it's not a cure, There's nothing that can prevent the deterioration of the synaptic pathways. You think that I'm senile, that all this is just a delusion. Laforge: Now come on, Captain, no one said anything of the kind. Data: In all honesty, Captain, the thought has occurred to me. However, there's nothing to disprove what you're saying. So it's possible something is happening to you. The first thing we should do is run a complete series of neurographic scans. We can use the equipment at the biometrics lab here on the campus. Jessel, ask Professor Ripper to take over my lecture for tomorrow. Possibly for the rest of the week. Captain, we'll get to the bottom of this. Picard: That's the Data that I remember. I knew I could count on you. Tasha: Commanding officer Enterprise arriving. Picard: To Captain Jean-Luc Picard, stardate 41148 Picard: You are hereby requested and required to take command Picard: to take command of the USS Enterprise as of this date. Signed Rear Admiral Norah Satie, Starfleet Command. Picard: Red Alert! All crew to battle stations. Tasha: You heard him. Move! Personal log, stardate 41153.7. Recorded under security lockout Omega three two seven. I have decided not to inform this crew of my experiences. If it's true that I've traveled to the past, I cannot risk giving them foreknowledge of what's to come. Picard: Report. Tasha: We've completed a full subspace scan of the ship and surrounding space. We've detected no unusual readings or anomalies. Worf: With all due respect, sir, it would be helpful if we knew exactly what we were looking for. Picard: Noted. Counselor, do you sense anything unusual on board the Enterprise? Perhaps an alien presence that doesn't belong here, maybe one operating on a level of intelligence far superior to our own? Troi: No, sir. I'm only aware of the crew and the families on board the ship. Picard: Mister Worf, initiate a level two security alert on all decks until further notice. Tasha: With all due respect, sir, I'm the Security Chief on this ship. Unless you're planning to make a change. Picard: No, of course not. Lieutenant, security alert two. Tasha: Aye, sir. O'Brien: Captain Picard to the Bridge, please. Picard: We're on our way, Chief. O'Brien: Sir, Starfleet has just issued an alert. It appears a number of vessels are moving toward the Neutral Zone between Romulan and Federation space. Tasha: What kind of vessels? O'Brien: Freighters, transports, all civilians. None of them Starfleet ships. Picard: This tells me that a large spatial anomaly has appeared in the Neutral Zone, in the Devron System. Worf: Captain, it could be a Romulan trick to lure our ships into the Neutral Zone as an excuse for a military strike. O'Brien: Starfleet's canceling our mission to Farpoint Station and ordering us to the Neutral Zone as soon as we leave the Spacedock. Picard: No, we'll proceed to Farpoint. Tasha: Sir? Picard: You heard me. Worf: Captain, the security of the Federation could be at stake. Picard: Mister Worf, will you man your station. Worf: Aye, sir. Troi: Captain, perhaps if we understood your thinking, if you could explain Picard: I've no intention of explaining to anyone. We will proceed with our mission to Farpoint as planned. Chief O'Brien, am I right in thinking that you're having a problem with the warp plasma inducers. O'Brien: That's right, sir. Picard: Well I know how to get them back online. You're with me. We'll be in main Engineering. Picard: Mister O'Brien, will you use these specifications to bypass the secondary plasma inducer. O'Brien: You have to realize sir, this isn't exactly my area of expertise. The Chief Engineer should be making these modifications. Picard: But the Chief Engineer isn't on board. Mister O'Brien, trust me. I know you can do it. All those years you spent as a child building those model starship engines. They were well worth it. O'Brien: How did you know that, sir? Picard: From your Starfleet records. O'Brien: Yes, sir. I'll get right to these modifications. Fletcher, tell Munoz and Lee to get up here right away. Fletcher: Aye, sir. O'Brien: We have to realign the entire power grid. We'll all be burning the midnight oil on this one. Data: That would be inadvisable. O'Brien: Excuse me? Data: If you attempt to ignite a petroleum product on this ship at zero hundred hours, it will activate the fire suppression system, which would seal off this entire compartment. O'Brien: That was just an expression. Data: Expression of what? O'Brien: A figure of speech. I was trying to tell him that we'd be working late. Data: Ah. Then to burn the midnight oil implies late work? O'Brien: That's right. Data: I am curious. What is the etymology of that idiom? How did it come to be used in contemporary language? O'Brien: I don't know, sir. Picard: Commander Data, welcome on board. It's so very good to see you. Data: It is good to see you, too, sir. Picard: I could use your help with the infuser array. Data: Certainly. Picard: As you can see, we're having difficulty with the plasma conduits. Data: This will need a completely new field induction subprocessor. It appears that we will be required to ignite the midnight petroleum, sir. Crusher: Jean-Luc, what's going on? Picard: It happened again. Crusher: A time shift? Picard: Yes. Riker: What happened? Picard: It's still a little vague, but I can remember more this time. It seems that every time I shift periods, I can retain more memory. At first, it appeared that I was in the future, years from now, and then I was in the past just before our first mission. Riker: What is it? Crusher: I just scanned his temporal lobe and compared it to the scan I performed just a few minutes before. There's a thirteen percent increase in the acetylcholine of the hippocampus. Within a matter of minutes, you have accumulated over two days worth of memories. Picard: Counselor, do you remember when I first came on board the Enterprise? Troi: Yes. Picard: What happened after the welcoming ceremony? Troi: There was a reception in Ten Forward. I introduced you to Worf and the other senior officers. Picard: Do you have any memory of my calling Red Alert in Spacedock? Do you remember Starfleet diverting us from Farpoint to the Neutral Zone to investigate a spatial anomaly? Troi: No. Data: It would appear there is a discontinuity between the time periods you described. Events in one time period would seem to have no effect on the other two. Riker: And yet in both the past and the present there's a report of the same anomaly in the Devron System. I find it hard to believe that that's a coincidence. Picard: For all I know, I may find the same thing in the future. Laforge: Perhaps the anomaly is a temporal disturbance of some kind. Crusher: How is all this related to your time shifting? Picard: These are all very important questions, and perhaps I will find answers to them in the past, but now we have a potentially dangerous threat from the Romulans. I want all departments to present a battle readiness report to me at oh eight hundred hours tomorrow morning. Dismissed. Riker: Deanna, it's going to be a late night. Would you like to have some dinner first? Troi: Actually I, we have plans. Riker: Oh. I see. I'm sorry. I'll see you in the morning. Worf: Goodnight, sir. Riker: Worf. Picard: I want continuous subspace sweeps. We may be able to detect a temporal disturbance. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Will, this time shifting. When it happens I experience a momentary disorientation. If that should happen during a crisis, I want you to take command immediately. Number One? Riker: I'm sorry. Be prepared to take command. Aye, sir. Picard: Speaking of disorientation, are you all right? Riker: I'm just a little distracted. I'm fine. Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One. I'll be in my Ready room. Picard: Come. Crusher: Milk, warm, a dash of nutmeg. Picard: What's this? Crusher: A prescription. A glass of warm milk and eight hours uninterrupted sleep. Picard: Beverly. Crusher: Doctor's orders. You're exhausted. Look, I don't know whether you've slept in the past or in the future, but I'm sure you haven't slept in the present. Now get some rest, or I'll have you relieved and sedated. Picard: Yes, sir. What? Hey, Beverly? Crusher: As a physician, it's often my job to give people unpleasant news. To tell them that they need surgery or that they can't have children or that they might be facing a difficult illness. Picard: But you said yourself that this is only a possibility. Crusher: But you've been to the future. You know it's going to happen. Picard: I prefer to look on the future as something which is not written in stone. A lot of things can happen in twenty five years. Crusher: A lot of things can happen. Laforge: Captain? Laforge: Captain, wake up. Picard: Yes. What is it? Have we reached the Neutral Zone? Laforge: The Neutral Zone? Picard: Sorry. I was in the past again. What's going on? Laforge: Data's arranged for us to run those tests on you in the biometrics lab. We're ready to go if you are. Picard: No, no, no. No, we have to get to the Neutral Zone. Laforge: The Neutral Zone? Why? Picard: In the other two time periods, Starfleet reported a sort of a spatial anomaly in, in, in the Devron system. In Devron system in the Neutral Zone. Laforge: Captain. Picard: If the anomaly appeared there in the past, then it might be here too and we have to find out. Laforge: Just because you've seen it in two other time frames, doesn't mean that it's going to be here. Picard: But if it is here, then it means something. Damn it, Geordi, I know what we have to do! Laforge: All right. Okay. But first, there is no Neutral Zone, remember? Picard: Right. Right. Klingons. In this time period, the Klingons have taken over the Romulan Empire. Laforge: Right now relations between us and the Klingons aren't too cozy. Picard: I know that. I haven't completely lost my mind, you know. Laforge: Well, if we're going to the Devron system, we're going to need a ship. Picard: Right. Now, I think it's time to call in some old favors. Contact Admiral Riker, Starbase two four seven. Riker: Jean-Luc, you know I'd like to help, but frankly, what you're asking for is impossible. The Klingons have closed their borders to all Federation starships. Picard: Will, if this spatial anomaly really is in the Devron System. Riker: I saw a report from Starfleet Intelligence this morning on that sector. There is no activity. There is nothing unusual going on in the Devron system. Picard: Well I don't believe it! What if their long range scanners are faulty? We have to go there and see for ourselves. Riker: Look, I've got the Yorktown out near the border. I'll have her run some long range scans in the Devron System. If she finds out anything, I'll let you know. Picard: Will, that is just not good enough. Riker: It's going to have to be. I'm sorry. It's all I can do. Riker out. Data: Computer, restore holographic image. Picard: Damn him, anyway. After all we've been through together. He's been sitting behind that desk too long. Laforge: Captain, I'm sorry. I guess all we can do now is wait and see if the Yorktown finds anything. Data: There is another option. We could arrange passage aboard a medical ship. Picard: Medical ship? Data: Yes, sir. There was an outbreak of Terrellian plague on Romulus. The Klingons have been allowing Federation medical ships to cross the border. Picard: Yes. Yes! Laforge: So, What we need is a medical ship. Picard: I think I can arrange that. Data, find the USS Pasteur. I have some pull with the Captain. At least, I used to have. Crusher: Well, this is a page from the past. I never thought I'd see either of you on a starship again. Laforge: Hello, Doctor. Crusher: Geordi. Data: Doctor. Crusher: Data. Picard: Let's just choose one. Crusher: All right. Picard: So, did you get my message? Crusher: Yes. Jean-Luc, crossing into Klingon territory. It's absurd. But then I never could say no to you. Picard: Oh. So that's why you married me. Crusher: Well now, the first order of business is to get clearance to cross the Klingon border. Laforge: Agreed. What about Worf? Picard: Yes, that's it. Worf. Yes, that's the answer. Worf will help us. Laforge: Data, isn't Worf still a member of the Klingon High Council? Data: I'm not sure. Information on the Klingon political structure is hard to come by these days. However, at last report Worf was governor of H'atoria, a small Klingon colony near the border. Chilton: Captain Picard? PICARD + Crusher: Yes? Chilton: Captain, McKinley Station is signaling. They want to know when we'll be docking. Crusher: Tell McKinley we've been called away on a priority mission. Chilton: Aye, sir. Picard: So, you kept the name. Crusher: I've prepared quarters for you on deck five. You might want to get some rest. Picard: No, I'm fine. I don't need rest. Crusher: Nell, please escort the Ambassador to his quarters. Picard: Look, you are treating me as if I am an invalid. I do have a few years left in me yet. I do not want to be led around, and I do not want to be patronized. Crusher: You're right. I'm sorry. Picard: Now, I'll go and get some rest. Crusher: How long since his last neurological scan? Laforge: I'm not sure, but I wouldn't try suggesting it. He says he's not taking any more damn tests. Crusher: Do you really think he's moving through time? I'm not sure I do either. But he's Jean-Luc Picard and if he wants to go on one more mission, that's what we're going to do. Picard: We'll find the anomaly. I know we will. Picard: Report. O'Brien: We're nearing the coordinates you gave me, sir. Picard: Is there anything unusual in the vicinity, Mister Data? Data: How would you define unusual, sir? Every region of space has its own unique properties that cannot be found anywhere else. Picard: There should be a barrier of some sort nearby. A large plasma field, highly disruptive. Data: Nothing, sir. Picard: This is the right time, the right place. He should be here now. O'Brien: Who, sir? Picard: Q! We're here! This has gone on long enough! Counselor, do you sense an alien presence? Troi: No, sir. Worf: What is a Q? Tasha: It's a letter of the alphabet, as far as I know. Picard: I don't understand. This is not the way it's supposed to happen. Maintain this position. I'll be in my Ready room. Q: Mon capitane. I thought you'd never get here. Picard: Q. I knew it. What's going on? Q: It's Judge Q to you. And isn't it obvious what's going on? Picard: The last time that I stood here was seven years ago. Q: Seven years ago. How little do you mortals understand time. Must you be so linear, Jean-Luc? Picard: You accused me of being the representative of a barbarous species. Q: I believe my exact words were a dangerous, savage, child race. Picard: We demonstrated to you that mankind had become peaceful and benevolent. You agreed and you let us go on our way. Now why am I standing here again? Q: Oh, you'd like me to connect the dots for you, lead you from A to B to C so your puny mind can comprehend. How boring. They'd be so much more entertained if you tried to figure it out. I'll answer any ten questions that call for a yes or a no. Well? Picard: Are you putting mankind on trial again? Q: No. Picard: Is there any connection between the trial seven years ago and whatever's going on now? Q: I'd have to say yes. Picard: The spatial anomaly in the Neutral Zone, is it related to what's happening? Q: Most definitely yes. Picard: Is it part of a Romulan plot, a ploy to start a war? Q: No and no. Five down. Picard: That's only four. Q: Is it a Romulan plot? Is it a ploy to start a war? Those are separate questions. Picard: Did you create the anomaly? Q: No, no, no. You're going to be so surprised when you realize where it came from, if you ever figure it out. Picard: Are you responsible for my shifting through time? Q: I'll answer that question if you promise you won't tell anyone. Yes. Picard: Why? Q: Sorry. That's not a yes or no question. You forfeit the rest of your questions. I expected as much. You're such a limited creature. A perfect example of why we made our decision. The trial never ended, Captain. We never reached a verdict. But now we have. You're guilty. Picard: Guilty of what? Q: Of being inferior. Seven years ago I said we'd be watching you, and we have been, hoping that your ape-like race would demonstrate some growth, give some indication that your minds have room for expansion. But what have we seen instead? You worrying about Commander Riker's career, listening to Counselor Troi's pedantic psychobabble, indulging Data in his witless exploration of humanity. Picard: We've journeyed to countless new worlds, we've contacted new species, we have expanded our understanding of the universe. Q: In your own paltry, limited way. You have no idea how far you still have to go. But instead of using the last seven years to change and to grow, you have squandered them. Picard: We are what we are, and we're doing the best we can. It is not for you to set the standards by which we should be judged. Q: Oh, but it is, and we have. Time may be eternal, Captain, but our patience is not. It's time to put an end to your trek through the stars, make room for other more worthy species. Picard: You're going to deny us travel through space? Q: You obtuse piece of flotsam. You are to be denied existence. Humanity's fate has been sealed. You will be destroyed. Picard: Q, I do not believe that even you are capable of such an act. Q: I? There you go again, always blaming me for everything. Well this time I'm not your enemy. I'm not the one that causes the annihilation of mankind. You are. Picard: Me? Q: That's right. You're doing it right now. You did it before and you'll do it again. Picard: What sort of meaningless doubletalk is this? Q: He doesn't understand. I have only myself to blame, I suppose. I believed in you. I thought you had potential. But apparently I was wrong. May whatever god you believe in have mercy on your soul. This court stands adjourned. Picard: Commander, assemble the senior staff and go to Red alert. We have a bigger problem than I thought. Riker: Red alert! Laforge: I don't believe him. This has to be another one of Q's games. He's probably listening to us right now, getting a big laugh out of watching us jump through his hoops. Picard: Normally I would agree with you, but this time I feel that somehow it is different. There was a deadly earnestness about him. I think he's serious. Which means that in some fashion, I am going to be the cause of the destruction of humanity. Crusher: But didn't Q say you already had caused it? Troi: And that you were causing it now? Data: Given the fact that there is an apparent discontinuity between the three time periods the Captain has visited, Q's statement may be accurate, if confusing. Picard: So what am I going to do? Lock myself in a room in all three different time periods? Riker: Captain, maybe not acting is what causes the destruction of mankind. What if you were needed on the Bridge at a key moment, and you weren't there? Troi: I don't think we can start second guessing ourselves. I think we have to proceed normally and deal with each situation as it occurs. Picard: Agreed. I've been thinking about my conversation with Q. He admitted that he was responsible for my shifting through time. Now it occurred to me that he might be giving me a chance somehow to save humanity. Riker: What makes you say that? Picard: Well, he's always had a certain fascination with humanity, with myself in particular. I think he has more than a passing interest in what happens to me. Data: That is true. Q's interest in you has always been very similar to that of a master and his beloved pet. That was only an analogy, Captain. Picard: If I weren't traveling through time I would never have realized that the anomaly in the Neutral Zone appeared there in the past as well. Assuming that's an important piece of a larger puzzle, my ability to shift through time may be the key to understanding what's going on. Crewman: Captain Picard. Picard: Go ahead. Crewman: We're approaching the Neutral Zone, Captain. Picard: We're on our way. Picard: All stop. Initiate long range scans. Data: Captain, there are four warbirds holding position on the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone. Worf: The Federation Starships Concord and Bozeman are holding position on our side. Riker: A face off. The question is, who's going to move first? Picard: We are. Mister Worf, hail the Romulan flagship. Worf: The warbird Terix is responding. Picard: On screen. Worf: Captain Picard. Crusher: Hello, Worf. It's been a long time. Worf: It is good to see you again. Crusher: Have you had a chance to read our request? Worf: Yes. But you must realize I am no longer a member of the High Council. Picard: But surely, Worf, you must still have some influence. We have to get into the Neutral Zone. Can't you just get us permission to cross the border? Worf: I must refuse. It is for your own safety. The Neutral Zone is extremely volatile. If Admiral Riker had given you a starship with a cloak, you would have been safe. It is hard to believe that even he would refuse to help you. Picard: I don't care what kind of ship we go in. We have to get to the Devron System. Worf: I am sorry. My first duty is to the Empire. I must adhere to regulations. Picard: I know that I'm an old man and I'm out of touch, but the Worf that I remember was more concerned with things like honor and loyalty than rules and regulations. But that was a long time ago. Maybe you're not the Worf once I knew. Worf: Dor sHo GHA! You have always used your knowledge of Klingon honor and tradition to get what you want from me. Picard: Because it always works, Worf. Your problem is that you really do have a sense of honor and you really do care about trust and loyalty. Don't blame me for knowing you so well. Worf: Very well. You may cross the border. But only if I come with you. I am familiar with the Neutral Zone. Picard: Terms accepted. Crusher: Inform transporter room two to beam the Governor aboard. I must make one thing very clear, Jean-Luc. If we run into any serious opposition, I'm taking us back into Federation territory. We aren't well armed and wouldn't last long in a fight. Chilton: Governor Worf is aboard, Captain. Crusher: All right. Set course for the Devron system, warp thirteen. Once more, for old time's sake? Picard: Engage. O'Brien: Engage to where, sir? Picard: Set a course for the Devron system, and engage at warp nine. Tasha: The Devron System is inside the Neutral Zone, sir. Picard: I'm aware of that, Lieutenant. Carry out my orders, Chief. O'Brien: Aye, sir. Troi: Captain, may I have a word with you in private? Picard: Yes of course, Counselor. Contact Farpoint Station. I wish to speak with Commander Riker. Tasha: Aye, sir. Troi: Captain, I just wanted to voice my concerns about the way the crew is responding to your unexpected orders. Picard: They don't trust me. They think that I'm behaving erratically. Troi: Some do. Others are confused. It takes some time for a new crew to get to know their Captain, and for him to know them. Picard: I understand, but I also know what this crew is capable of, even if they don't. Troi: It would also help if they knew what was going on. Picard: I know it's difficult operating in the dark, but right now I don't think I have any other choice. Tasha: Yar to Captain Picard. I have Commander Riker for you, sir. Picard: Excuse me. Put him through here. Commander Riker. I wanted to inform you that we'll be delayed in picking you up at Farpoint Station. Riker: I see. May I ask how long? Picard: I can't say. I'll keep you updated. Will you inform Doctor Crusher and Lieutenant La Forge of our delay? Riker: Understood. Riker: Riker out. Picard: Is there anything else, Counselor? Troi: Actually, sir, there is. I was debating whether to mention it, and perhaps. It's about Commander Riker. Picard: What about him? Troi: I think you should know he and I have had a prior relationship. Picard: I see. Do you think this will interfere with your duties? Troi: Not at all. It happened several years ago and it's well behind both of us now. I just thought you should know. Picard: I appreciate your telling me, but I'm quite sure that the two of you will find some way to deal with the situation. Troi: Thank you, sir. Picard: Tea, Earl Gray, hot. Computer: That beverage has not been programmed into the replication system. Tomolak: So, Captain how long shall we stare at each other across the Neutral Zone? Picard: There is an alternative, Tomolak. We each know why we're here. We could each send one ship into the Neutral Zone to investigate the anomaly in the Devron System. Tomolak: Has Starfleet Command approved this arrangement? Picard: No. Tomolak: I like it already. Agreed. One ship from each side. But I warn you, if another Federation starship tries to enter the Zone. Picard: There is no need to make threats. We each know the consequences. Tomolak: Very well. I'll see you in the Devron system. Picard: Helm, set course for the Devron system, warp five. Gates: Aye, sir. Picard: Engage. Data: Sensors are picking up a large subspace anomaly directly ahead. Picard: All stop. On screen. Full scan, Mister Data. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: We have to get as much information as possible about that anomaly. Data: We are approaching the Devron system, Captain. Sensors are picking up a large subspace anomaly directly ahead. Picard: All stop. On screen. Then it is larger in the past. Troi: Sir? Picard: Nothing. Full scan, Mister Data. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: On screen! On screen! Let's see it! Data: As you can see, sir, there's nothing there. Data: Still nothing, Captain. I've conducted a full sensor sweep out to one light year from the Pasteur. No temporal anomalies, no particle fluctuations, nothing. Picard: I don't understand. It was here in the other two time periods. Why isn't it here now? Worf: Captain. I have been monitoring Klingon communication channels. Several warships have been dispatched to this sector to search for a renegade Federation vessel. Picard: You're not thinking about leaving? Crusher: There's nothing here, Jean-Luc. Picard: There should be! There has to be! Data, is there some other way to scan for a temporal disturbance? Something that isn't covered in a normal sensor sweep. Data: There are several methods of detecting temporal disturbances, but we're limited by the equipment on the Pasteur. Crusher: We should head back to Federation territory. Data: However, it may be possible to modify the main deflector to emit an inverse tachyon pulse, which could scan beyond the subspace barrier. Picard: That's it. Make it so. Crusher: Wait a minute. Data, how long would this take? Data: To make the modifications and search the entire Devron system will take approximately fourteen hours. Crusher: All right. Data, begin to modify the tachyon pulse. Ensign Chilton, lay in a course back to the Federation. We'll stay here for six more hours, and if we haven't found anything we're heading back, maximum warp. Chilton: Aye, sir. Picard: But six more hours may not be enough. We have to stay here until we find it, no matter how long it takes. Crusher: Carry out my orders. May I see you a moment? Picard: Beverly, I cannot believe that you are not willing to stay here until we Crusher: Don't you ever question my orders on the Bridge of my ship again! Picard: Damn it, I was just trying to. Look, there are larger concerns here. What you don't understand is that Crusher: I understand that you would never have tolerated that kind of behavior back on the Enterprise and I won't here. I don't care if you're my ex-Captain or my ex-husband. Picard: You're right. I was out of line. It won't happen again. But what you have to understand is what is at stake here. Q has said that all of humanity will be destroyed. Crusher: I know. That's why I've allowed us to stay here longer and keep looking. But I also want you to allow for the possibility that none of what you're saying is real. Picard: What? Crusher: Jean-Luc, I care for you too much not to tell you the truth. You have advanced Irumodic Syndrome. It's possible that all of this is in your mind. I'll stay here six hours longer and then we're heading home. I want you to remember, if it were anyone but you, we wouldn't even be here. Q: Eh? What was that she said, sonny? I couldn't quite hear her. Picard: Q? What is going on here? Where is the anomaly? Q: Where's your mommy? Well, I don't know. Picard: Answer me. Q: There is an answer, Jean-Luc, but I can't hand it to you. Although you do have help. Picard: What help? Q: You're not alone, you know. What you were and what you are to become will always with you. Picard: My time shifting. The answer does lie there, doesn't it. Now, tell me one thing. This anomaly we're looking for, will that destroy humanity? Q: You're forgetting, Jean-Luc. You destroy humanity. Picard: By doing what? When? How can Picard: Report, Mister Data. Data: The anomaly is two hundred million kilometers in diameter. It is a highly focused temporal energy source which is emitting approximately the same energy output as ten G type stars. Picard: What is the source of this energy? Data: I am uncertain, sir. Sensors are unable to penetrate the anomaly. Picard: What if we modified the main deflector to emit an inverse tachyon pulse. That might be able to scan beyond the subspace barrier. That might give us some idea of what the interior of this thing looks like. Data: That is a most intriguing idea, sir. I do not believe a tachyon beam was ever used in such a way. I had no idea you were so versed in the intricacies of temporal theory, sir. Picard: I have some friends who are quite well versed in it. Make it so. Data: I believe we can make the necessary modifications in main Engineering, sir. Laforge: We can get more power if we reroute the primary EPS taps to the deflector array. Data: Agreed. Initiating tachyon pulse. Laforge: Okay. the pulse is holding steady. We're starting to receive data from the scan. Data: It will take the computer some time to give us a complete picture of the anomaly's interior. I suggest we Data: Geordi? What is wrong? Laforge: I don't know. It's like somebody's sticking an ice pick in my temples. My visor's picking up all kinds of electromagnetic fluctuations. Data: Data to Sickbay. Medical emergency in main Engineering. Crusher: This is amazing. The DNA in his optic nerves is regenerating. Geordi, it's as if you're growing new eyes. Picard: How is this possible? Crusher: It shouldn't be possible at all. There's no medical explanation for spontaneous regeneration of an organ. Ogawa: Doctor we've just gotten reports from two crewmembers who say they have old scars which are healing themselves. Data: Captain, I believe I have a partial explanation. I have completed my analysis of the anomaly. It appears to be a multi-phasic temporal convergence in the space-time continuum. Crusher: In English, Data. Data: It is, in essence, an eruption of anti-time. Picard: Anti-time? Data: A relatively new concept in temporal mechanics. The relationship between anti-time and normal time is analogous to the relationship between antimatter and normal matter. Picard: So if time and anti-time were to collide Data: They would annihilate one other, causing a rupture in space. I believe this is what happened in the Devron system. The rupture may be sending out waves of temporal energy which are disrupting the normal flow of time. Picard: Data, what could have caused this collision of time and anti-time? Data: Anti-time, sir? Picard: I believe that if you modify the deflectors to send out an inverse tachyon pulse, then you'll find that the anomaly is a rupture between time and anti-time. Data: That is a fascinating hypothesis. How did you formulate Picard: I don't have time to discuss it now, Mister Data. Do the modifications and send out the pulse. Then try working on a theory as to what caused this rupture. Mister O'Brien, how large is this anomaly? O'Brien: Approximately four hundred million kilometers in diameter, sir. Picard: I don't understand why it's bigger in the past. Picard: Lieutenant, you have the Bridge. I'll be in my Ready room. Tasha: Aye, sir. Picard: What's going on? Crusher: We're under attack. Chilton: Shield strength down to fifty two percent. Minor damage to the port nacelle. Worf: Two Klingon attack cruisers decloaking to port and starboard. Crusher: Warp speed. Get us out of here. Chilton: Warp power's offline, sir. Crusher: Heading one four eight, mark two one five. Full impulse. Chilton: Impulse power's fluctuating. Shields down to thirty percent. Picard: Weapons status? Worf: These weapons are no match for their shields. Crusher: Geordi, we need more warp power, now. Laforge: I'm trying, Captain. They're too much for us. I can't keep the phase inducers online. Chilton: Shields down to nine percent. One more hit and they'll collapse. Crusher: Open a channel. Chilton: Open. Crusher: This is Captain Beverly Picard. We are a medical ship on a mission of mercy. Please break off all Worf, signal our surrender. Worf: Tos Vah'cha Worf, do'lo jegh! Worf: Our shields have collapsed. We are defenseless. Data: Captain, another ship decloaking bearing two one five mark three one oh. It's the Enterprise. Data: They're hailing us. Crusher: On screen. Riker: I had a feeling you weren't going to listen to me. Stand by. I'll see if I can get the Klingons' attention. Worf: The Enterprise is drawing their fire. Crusher: Damage report. Laforge: The warp core has been badly damaged. There's a breach in progress. Picard: We have to stop it! Data: The Klingon ship is disengaging. Admiral Riker is hailing us. Riker: Our sensors indicate your ship has a warp core breach in progress. Prepare for emergency beam out. Gaines: All the Pasteur's crew are safely on board, Admiral. Riker: Raise the shields. Where are the Klingons? Gaines: They're still moving off, sir. Half a light year away. Riker: They'll be back. As I said, I figured you wouldn't take no for answer. But I thought you had more sense than to send a defenseless ship across the border into hostile territory with no escort. Worf: If you had not turned down the Captain when he came to you for help, none of this would have happened. Unlike you, I still have a sense of honor and loyalty. Picard: We don't have time for this. The Pasteur's core is going to breach. Riker: Take us out of here. Full impulse. Riker: All right, let's get out of here. Picard: No, Will, we can't! We have to save humanity. Riker: Engage cloak. Gaines: Admiral, we took a direct hit to the starboard plasma coil. Our cloak isn't functioning. Engineering reports it'll be seven hours before we can cloak again. Riker: All right, we'll do it the old-fashioned way. Set a course for the Federation, warp thirteen. Picard: Will, don't leave! We have to stay here and find what is causing the temporal anomaly. Riker: We can't stay, Captain. Picard: We have to! Everything depends on it! We can't leave now! Please, listen to me! Crusher: Your visual acuity's improving by the hour, Geordi. Crusher: I'm sorry, Alyssa. May I take another look? You'll have a little tenderness for a few days. That's to be expected. Crusher: Jean-Luc. I'll be right back, Alyssa. Crusher: Alyssa lost the baby. I think it's the same phenomenon that affected Geordi. Somehow, the temporal energy from the anomaly caused the fetal tissue to revert to an earlier stage of development. It's as if the unborn child began to grow younger, until finally the DNA itself began to break down. Picard: How is she? Crusher: Physically, she's fine for now. But if this temporal reversion continues, I don't think any of us are going to be fine for much longer. Picard: So this is affecting the entire crew. Crusher: Our cellular structures appear to be coalescing, reverting to earlier forms. In some cases, this has caused old injuries to be healed, but the effect is only temporary. Eventually, may kill all of us. Picard: We have to find out how widespread this effect is. Contact Starbase Twenty three, that's the nearest outpost. Have them check their personnel to see if there are any signs of temporal reversion. Troi: Aye, sir. Picard: Mister Data, how close are you to completing the tachyon scan? Data: Approximately one hour forty five minutes, sir. Picard: Good. When it's done I want you to find some way of collapsing this anomaly without making things worse. Give me a risk analysis of whatever solution you come up with. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Dismissed. Q: It's a pretty big decision, Jean-Luc. Tinkering with an anomaly you know nothing about, trying to collapse it. Isn't that risky? Picard: Why? Will that cause the destruction of mankind? Q: Maybe. On the other hand, maybe leaving it alone would be the wrong thing to do. It's a pretty big decision, all right. Would it help to have a different perspective? Q: Welcome home. Picard: Home? Q: Don't you recognize your old stomping grounds? This is Earth, France, about, oh, three and a half billion years ago, give or take an eon or two. Smells awful, doesn't it? All that sulfur and volcanic ash. I really must speak to the maid. Picard: Q, is there any point to all this? Q: Look. Picard: So the anomaly is here too, at Earth. Q: At this point in history the anomaly fills your entire quadrant of the galaxy. Picard: The further back in time, the larger the anomaly. Q: Come here. There's something I want to show you. You see this? Q: This is you. I'm serious. Right here, life is about to form on this planet for the very first time. A group of amino acids are about to combine and form the first protein, the building blocks of what you call life. Strange, isn't it? Everything you know, your entire civilization, it all begins right here in this little pond of goo. Appropriate, somehow, isn't it? Too bad you didn't bring your microscope. It's really quite fascinating. Oh, look, there they go. The amino acids are moving closer and closer, and closer. Oh! Nothing happened. See what you've done? Picard: Are you saying that I caused the anomaly, and that the anomaly somehow disrupted the beginnings of life on Earth? Q: Congratulations. Picard: Let's concentrate on how this anomaly was initially formed. Speculation? Data: Our tachyon pulse has been unable to completely penetrate the anomaly. If we had information on the center of the phenomenon, we might have a basis for speculation. Picard: Is there any way that we can scan the interior? O'Brien: I've tried everything I know. There's just too much interference. There's nothing on board that'll do the job. Picard: Do you know what could? Data: In theory, a tomographic imaging scanner capable of multiphasic resolution would be able to penetrate this much interference. The Daystrom Institute has been working on such a device, but it is still only theoretical. Picard: Data do we have a tomographic imaging scanner on board? Data: Yes, sir. Picard: Can you use it to scan the interior of the anomaly? Data: Possibly. There is a great deal of interference, but I am getting some readings. This is very unusual. Picard: What is it? Data: It appears that our tachyon pulse is converging with two other tachyon pulses at the center of the anomaly. The other two pulses have the exact same amplitude modulation as our own pulse. It is as if all three originated from the Enterprise. Picard: Three pulses, from three time periods, converging at one point in space. Data: Captain, what are you suggesting? Picard: Computer, where is Admiral Riker? Computer: Admiral Riker is in Ten Forward. Laforge: The ship has held up pretty well over the years. Riker: They tried to decommission her about five years ago. One of the advantages of being an Admiral is you get to choose your own ship. Crusher: Will, how long is this thing between you and Worf going to go on? Riker: It's been going on for over twenty years. Doesn't look like it's going to end any time soon. Data: I suspect the last thing Counselor Troi would have wanted is for the two of you to be alienated. Crusher: I agree. I think it's time to put it behind you. Riker: I tried at Deanna's funeral. He wouldn't even talk to me. Laforge: Might have been tough for him then. He took her death pretty hard. Riker: Oh, yeah? Well he wasn't the only one. Crusher: I know, but I think in his mind you were the reason that he and Deanna never got together. Riker: I never did anything to stand in his way. Crusher: Didn't you, Will? Riker: Did I? I didn't want to admit that it was over. I always thought that we'd get together again. And then she was gone. You think you have all the time in the world, until. Yeah. Picard: Ensign. How do I get to Ten Forward? Ensign: It's four decks down, sir. Section zero zero five. Picard: Thank you. Crusher: Oh, my god. Picard: Will! Will, I know why it's happening. I know what's causing the anomaly. We have to go back. Riker: The only place we're going back to, sir, is bed. Picard: Damn it Will, I know why it's happening. We caused the anomaly with the tachyon pulse. It happened three times, Will. We did it in three different time periods! Crusher: I think you'd better come with me. Picard: Will you leave me alone? Damn it, I'm not stupid. Will, the tachyon pulses, they were used in the same spot in three different time periods. Don't you see? When the tachyon pulse used. I mean, I mean when the Pasteur used the tachyon pulse, then, then, we I mean everything started, Will. We set everything in motion. It's like the chicken and the egg, Will, the chicken and the egg! We think it started in the past but it didn't. It started right here, in the future. That's why it's getting larger in the past. Data: I think I know what the Captain's talking about. If I'm not mistaken, he's describing a paradox. Picard: Yes! Right. That's it. Data: Intriguing. It is possible we could've caused the very anomaly we've been looking for. Let us assume for a moment that the Captain has been traveling through time. Let us also assume he has initiated an tachyon pulse at the same coordinates in space in all three time periods. In that case, it is possible that the convergence of three tachyon pulses could've ruptured the subspace barrier and created an anti-time reaction. Laforge: I see where you're going, Data. And because anti-time operates opposite the way normal time does, the effects would travel backwards through the space-time continuum. Picard: Yes. That's why it gets larger in the past. It grows as it travels backwards in time. Riker: All right. Just for the moment lets say that you're right. What do we do? Picard: Go back, Will. We go back to the Devron System. Crusher: He may be right. Data: If we go back to the Devron system now, we might be able to see the initial formation of the anomaly. Riker: Riker to Bridge. Set course for the Devron system, maximum warp. Gaines: Aye, sir. Riker: Worf, we could use a hand. Gaines: Entering the Devron system, sir. Riker: Full stop. Data: Sensors are picking up a small temporal anomaly off the port bow. Riker: On screen. Picard: I was right. Laforge: It's an anti-time eruption. It seems to have been formed within the last six hours. Picard: We must stop it here so it can't travel back through time. Riker: Mister Data, we need a solution and we need it now. Data: The anomaly is being sustained by the continuing tachyon pulses in the other two time periods. I suggest shutting them down. Picard: The next time I'm there, it's the first thing I'll do. Riker: Isn't there something more we can do here to seal the rupture somehow? Data: I will investigate the options. Picard: Data, disengage the tachyon pulse. Data: Sir? Picard: Do it. The convergence of the tachyon pulses from the three time periods is what is causing the anomaly. Data: Aye, sir. Picard: Is there any change in the anomaly? Data: No, sir. Picard: Disengage the tachyon pulse. O'Brien: but e haven't finished the scan, sir. Picard: I know that. But it is imperative that you disengage the tachyon pulse immediately. Data: Aye, sir. Disengaging. Picard: Why isn't the anomaly being affected? O'Brien: Why would it be, sir? Picard: I've shut off the tachyon pulses in the other time periods but it hasn't changed the anomaly. Data: It remains unaffected here as well, sir. Crusher: What do we do? Laforge: The only way to stop this thing's to repair the rupture at the focal point where time and anti-time are converging. Riker: How do we do that? Data: It would require taking the ship into the anomaly itself. Once inside, we may be able to use the engines to create a static warp shell. Laforge: Yeah, Data, that's right. And the shell would act as an artificial subspace barrier separating time and anti-time. Data: Collapsing the anomaly and restoring the normal flow of time. But this would have to be done in the other two time periods as well. Picard: That could be a problem. The anomaly's so much larger in the other two time periods Picard: It may be dangerous to take the ship in. O'Brien: Take the ship in where, sir? Picard: Into the anomaly, Chief. Lay in a course for the exact center and transfer all available power to the shields. Tasha: Sir? Can you give us some explanation? Picard: No, Lieutenant, I cannot. Tasha: Captain, so far we've obeyed every order, no matter how far fetched it might have seemed. But if we're to risk the safety of the ship and crew I think we have to ask you for an explanation. Picard: I understand your concerns, Lieutenant, and I know if I were in your position I would be doing the same thing. Looking for answers. But you're not going to find any because I don't have any to give you. I know it is difficult for you to understand, but we have to take the ship into the very center of the phenomenon and create a static warp shell. Now, this will put the ship at risk. Quite frankly, we may not survive. But I want you to believe that I am doing this for a greater purpose, and that what is at stake here is more than any of you can possibly imagine. I know you have your doubts about me, about each other, about the ship. All I can say is that although we have only been together for a short time, I know that you are the finest crew in the fleet and I would trust each of you with my life. So, I am asking you for a leap of faith, and to trust me. Tasha: Shields up, maximum strength. Worf: Boosting field integrity to the warp nacelles. We may encounter shearing forces once we enter the anomaly. Data: I am preparing to initiate a static warp shell. O'Brien: Course laid in, sir. Troi: All decks report ready, sir. Picard: Take us in, Chief. Data: Captain, I have an idea. If we take the ship to the center of the anomaly and create a static warp shell Picard: A static warp shell. It could repair the barrier and collapse the anomaly. Data: Yes, sir. Picard: Mister Data, you're a clever man in any time period. Helm, lay in a course for the center of the anomaly and prepare to initiate a static warp shell. Helm: Aye, sir. Picard: The other two Enterprises, they're on their way. Riker: Very well. Ensign, take us in. O'Brien: We're entering the anomaly, sir. Picard: All hands, brace for impact! Tasha: The temporal energy's interfering with main power. Switching to Laforge: Auxiliary power. I'm having trouble keeping the impulse engines online. I've got power fluctuations all across the board. Picard: Maintain course and speed. Mister Data, how long until we reach the center? Data: At least thirty seconds, sir. Gaines: We've entered the anomaly. Data: We have reached the center, sir. Picard: Initiate warp shell! Data: Initiating static warp shell now. Riker: Is it having any effect? Data: Something is happening. A new subspace barrier appears to be forming, Tasha: Captain, the sensors are picking up two other ships. Data: Captain, it appears to be working. The anomaly is beginning to collapse. I think that Tasha: Temporal energy is rupturing our warp containment system! Worf: We must eject the core! Picard: No, we have to maintain the static warp shell as long as possible! Tasha: We're losing containment, Captain! I can't stop it, it's going to Picard: Transfer emergency power to the antimatter containment system! Laforge: I'm trying, but there's a lot of interference. Data: The warp shell is definitely having an effect, sir. The anomaly is collapsing. Laforge: I can't hold it. The containment system is going. Picard: Maintain position! Mister La Data: Both of the other ships have been destroyed. Q: Two down, one to go. Picard: Data, report! Data: The anomaly is nearly collapsed. Laforge: We're losing containment. Q: Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm going to miss you. You had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end. Laforge: Containment field is at critical. I'm losing it! Q: The Continuum didn't think you had it in you, Jean-Luc, but I knew you did. Picard: Are you saying that it worked? We collapsed the anomaly? Q: Is that all this meant to you? Just another spatial anomaly? Just another day at the office? Picard: Did it work? Q: Well, you're here, aren't you? You're talking to me, aren't you? Picard: What about my crew? Q: The anomaly. My crew. My ship. I suppose you're worried about your fish, too. Well, if it puts your mind at ease, you've saved humanity once again. Picard: Thank you. Q: For what? Picard: You had a hand in helping me get out of this. Q: I was the one that got you into it. A directive from the Continuum. The part about the helping hand, thought, was my idea. Picard: I sincerely hope that this is the last time that I find myself here. Q: You just don't get it, do you, Jean-Luc? The trial never ends. We wanted to see if you had the ability to expand your mind and your horizons. And for one brief moment, you did. Picard: When I realized the paradox. Q: Exactly. For that one fraction of a second, you were open to options you had never considered. That is the exploration that awaits you. Not mapping stars and studying nebulae, but charting the unknowable possibilities of existence. Picard: Q, what is it that you're trying to tell me? Q: You'll find out. In any case, I'll be watching. And if you're very lucky, I'll drop by to say hello from time to time. See you out there. Troi: Captain, are you all right? Picard: Mister Worf, what's the date? Worf: Stardate 47988. Troi: Is something wrong, sir? Picard: No. No. No. I think I'll get back to bed. I could use some sleep. Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Starfleet Command reports no unusual activity along the Neutral Zone, and there is no sign of a temporal anomaly. It would appear that I am the only member of the crew to retain any knowledge of the events I experienced. Crusher: Take it. Riker: Any time, Doctor. Laforge: Four hands in a row. How does he do it? Riker: I cheat. I'm kidding. Crusher: You know, I was thinking about what the Captain told us about the future. About how we all changed and drifted apart. Why would he want to tell us what's to come? Laforge: Sure goes against everything we've heard about not polluting the time line, doesn't it. Data: I believe, however, this situation is unique. Since the anomaly did not occur, there have already been changes in the way this time line is unfolding. The future we experience will undoubtedly be different from the one the Captain encountered. Riker: Maybe that's why he told us. Knowing what happens in that future allows us to change things now, so that some things never happen. Worf: Agreed. Riker: Come in. Troi: Am I too late? Riker: Of course not. Pull up a chair. Troi: What's the game? Data: Five card draw, deuces wild. Riker: Come. Riker: Is there a problem, sir? Picard: No. I, er, I just thought that I might, erm, I might join you this evening. If there's room. Riker: Of course. Have a seat. Data: Would you care to deal, sir? Picard: Oh, er, thank you, Mister Data. Actually, I used to be quite a card player in my youth, you know. I should have done this a long time ago. Troi: You were always welcome. Picard: So. Five card stud, nothing wild, and the sky's the limit.

Scene: Unhappy with a new treaty, Federation Colonists along the Cardassian border have banded together. Calling themselves 'The Maquis', they continue to fight the Cardassians. Some consider them heroes, but to the governments of the Federation and Cardassia, they are outlaws. Chakotay: Damage report. Tuvok: Shields at sixty percent. Torres: A fuel line has ruptured. Attempting to compensate. Damn it! We're barely maintaining impulse. I can't get any more out of it. Chakotay: Be creative! Torres: How am I supposed to be creative with a thirty nine year old rebuilt engine? Gul Evek: Maquis ship, this is Gul Evek of the Cardassian Fourth Order. Cut your engines and prepare to surrender or we will d Chakotay: Initiating evasive pattern omega. Mark. Tuvok: Shields at fifty percent. Chakotay: I need more power if we're going to make it to the Badlands. Torres: Take the weapons offline. We'll transfer all power to the engines. Tuvok: Considering the circumstances, I question that proposal at this time. Torres: What does it matter? We're not making a dent in their shields anyway! You wanted creative. Chakotay: Tuvok, shut down all the phaser banks. If you can give me another thirty seconds at full impulse, I'll get us into the Badlands. Tuvok: Phasers offline. Chakotay: Throw the last photons at them and then give me the power from the torpedo system. Tuvok: Acknowledged. Firing photons. Chakotay: Are you reading any plasma storms ahead? Tuvok: One. Co-ordinates one seven one, mark four three. Chakotay: That's where I'm going. Tuvok: Plasma storm density increasing by fourteen percent. Twenty. Twenty five. Chakotay: Hold on! Tuvok: The Cardassian ship is not reducing power. They're following us in. Chakotay: Gul Evek must feel daring today. Tuvok: They've taken a hit on their port blade. They're sending out a distress signal on all Cardassian frequencies. Chakotay: Can you plot a course through these plasma fields, Mister Tuvok? Tuvok: The storm's activity is typically widespread in this vicinity. I can plot a course, but I'm afraid it will require an indirect route. Chakotay: We can use a time to make some repairs. What was that? Tuvok: Curious. We've just passed through some kind of coherent tetryon beam. Chakotay: Source? Tuvok: Unknown. Now there appears to be a massive displacement wave moving toward us. Chakotay: Another storm? Tuvok: It's not a plasma phenomenon. At current speeds, it will intercept us in less than thirty seconds. Chakotay: Anything left in those impulse generators, B'Elanna? Torres: We'll find out. Tuvok: Still exceeding our speed. Chakotay: Maximum power. Tuvok: Wave is continuing to accelerate. It will intercept us in eight seconds. Five. Janeway: Tom Paris? Kathryn Janeway. I served with your father on the Al-Batani. I wonder if we could go somewhere and talk. Paris: About what? Janeway: About a job we'd like you to do for us. Paris: I'm already doing a job for the Federation. Janeway: I've been told the Rehab Commission is very pleased with your work. They've given me their approval to discuss this matter with you. Paris: Well then, I guess I'm yours. Janeway: Your father taught me a great deal. I was his science officer during the Orias expedition. Paris: You must be good. My father only accepts the best and the brightest. Janeway: I'm leaving on a mission to find a Maquis ship that disappeared in the Badlands a week ago. Paris: I wouldn't if I were you. Janeway: Really? Paris: I've never seen a Federation starship that could maneuver through the plasma storms. Janeway: You've never seen Voyager. We'd like you to come along. Paris: You'd like me to lead you to my former colleagues. I was only with the Maquis a few weeks before I was captured, Captain. I don't know where most of their hiding places are. Janeway: You know the territory better than anyone we've got. Paris: What's so important about this particular Maquis ship? Janeway: My Chief of Security was on board, undercover. He was supposed to report in twice during the last six days. He didn't. Paris: Maybe it's just your Chief of Security who's disappeared. Janeway: Maybe. That ship was under the command of another former Starfleet officer, named Chakotay. I understand you knew him. Paris: That's right. Janeway: The two of you didn't get along too well, I'm told. Paris: Chakotay will tell you he left Starfleet on principle, to defend his home colony from the Cardassians. I, on the other hand, was forced to resign. He considered me a mercenary, willing to fight for anyone who'd pay my bar bill. Trouble is, he was right. I have no problem helping you track down my friends in the Maquis, Captain. All I need to know from you is what's in it for me. Janeway: You help us find that ship, we help you at your next outmeet review. Paris: Ah ha. Janeway: Officially, you'd be a Starfleet observer during the mission. Paris: Observer? Oh hell, I'm the best pilot you could have. Janeway: You'll be an observer. When it's over, you're cut loose. Paris: The story of my life. Paris: Stadi, you're changing my mind about Betazoids. Stadi: Good. Paris: Oh, that wasn't a compliment. Until today I always considered your people warm and sensual. Stadi: I can be warm and sensual. Paris: Just not to me. Stadi: Do you always fly at women at warp speed, Mister Paris? Paris: Only when they're in visual range. Stadi: That's our ship. That's Voyager. Stadi: Intrepid class. Sustainable cruise velocity of warp factor nine point nine seven five. Fifteen decks. Crew complement of one hundred and forty one. Bio-neural circuitry. Paris: Bio-neural? Stadi: Some of the traditional circuitry has been replaced by gel packs that contain bio-neural cells. They organize information more efficiently, speed up response time. Quark: If I may say so, it's been my special pleasure to see many new officers like yourself come through these portals. Your parents must be very proud, my boy. You know, on an occasion like this Kim: I'm really not interested. Quark: Interested? Kim: You were about to try to sell me something, right? Quark: I was merely going to suggest that your parents might appreciate a memento of your first mission. Kim: And you happen to have several to choose from? Quark: I do carry a select line of unique artifacts and gem stones indigenous to this region. Why, quite recently, I acquired these Lobi crystals from a very strange creature called a Morn. Kim: We were warned about the Ferengi at the Academy. Quark: Warned about Ferengi, were you? Kim: That's right. Quark: Slurs about my people at Starfleet Academy. Kim: What I meant was Quark: Here I am, trying to be a cordial host, knowing how much a young officer's parents would appreciate a token of his love on the eve of a dangerous mission, and what do I get for my trouble? Scurrilous insults. Well, somebody's going to hear about this. What's your name, son? Kim: My name? Quark: You have one, I presume? Kim: Kim, Harry Kim. But I Quark: And who was it at the Academy who warned you about Ferengi? Kim: You know, I think a memento for my parents would be a great idea. Quark: Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Kim: Really. What are these? It would make a great pendant for my mother. Quark: Or cufflinks for your father. Kim: Cufflinks. Great idea. Quark: They're not for sale. Now, inform your commanding officer that the Federation Council can expect an official query. Kim: How much for the entire tray? Quark: Cash or credit? Paris: Dazzling, aren't they? As bright as a Koladan diamond. Quark: Brighter. Paris: Hard to believe you can find them on any planet in the system. Quark: That's an exaggeration. Paris: You know, there's a shop at the Volnar Colony that sells a dozen assorted shapes for one Cardassian lek. How much are you selling these for? Quark: We were just about to negotiate the price. Paris: Come on. Kim: Thanks. Paris: Didn't they warn you about Ferengi at the Academy? Doctor: Run a level three diagnostic, just to be sure. Can I help you? Paris: Tom Paris, reporting on board. Doctor: Oh yes. The observer. Paris: That's me. As a matter of fact, I seem to be observing some kind of problem right now, Doctor. Doctor: I was a surgeon at the hospital on Caldic Prime at the same time you were stationed there. We never actually met. Your medical records have arrived from your last posting, Mister Paris. Everything seems to be in order. The Captain asked if you were on board. You should check in with her. Kim: Er, I haven't paid my respects to the Captain yet either. Doctor: Well, Mister Kim, that would be a good thing for a new operations officer to do. Kim: What was that all about? Paris: It's a long story, Harry, and I'm tired of telling it. I'm sure someone around here will tell you before long. Mark: The doctor called. Janeway: And? Mark: And I was right. Janeway: She's pregnant? Mark: The puppies are due in seven weeks. Janeway: Oh, Mark. You've got to take her home with you. Mark: With me? I just got the rugs cleaned. Janeway: She's with child. I can't leave her in a kennel while I'm Mark: Is this another 'love me, love my dog' demand? Janeway: Yes. Mark: How could I ever refuse you? Janeway: Thanks, honey. Mark: So, when are you leaving? Janeway: As soon as I approve these systems status reports. Mark: All right. Then I won't bother you anymore. Janeway: Hey. You never bother me, except the way I love to be bothered. Understand? Mark: I'll remember that. Janeway: See you in a few weeks. Oh, Mark, go by my house and pick up the doggie bed. She'll be more comfortable. Mark: I already did, an hour ago. Janeway: Come in. Janeway: Gentlemen, welcome aboard Voyager. Kim: Thank you, sir. Janeway: Mister Kim, at ease before you sprain something. Ensign, despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like being addressed as sir. Kim: I'm sorry, ma'am. Janeway: Ma'am is acceptable in a crunch, but I prefer Captain. We're getting ready to leave. Let me show you to the bridge. Janeway: Did you have any problems getting here, Mister Paris? Paris: None at all, Captain. Janeway: My first officer, Lieutenant Commander Cavit. Ensign Kim, Mister Paris. Cavit: Welcome aboard. Janeway: Ensign Kim, this is your station. Would you like to take over? Kim: Yes, ma'am. Janeway: It's not crunch time yet, Mister Kim. I'll let you know when. Cavit: Lieutenant Stadi, lay in the course and clear our departure with operations. Stadi: Course entered, Ops has cleared us. Cavit: Ready thrusters. Kim: Thrusters ready. Cavit: Initiate launching sequence. Stadi: Sequence underway. Janeway: Engage. Paris: Tomato soup. Computer: There are fourteen varieties of tomato soup available from this replicator. With rice, with vegetables, Bolian style, with pasta, with Paris: Plain. Computer: Specify hot or chilled. Paris: Hot. Hot, plain, tomato soup. Paris: There, you see? I told you it wouldn't take long. Kim: Is it true? Paris: Was the accident my fault? Yes. Pilot error. But it took me a while to admit it. Oh, fourteen varieties and they can't even get plain tomato soup right. Kim: They said you falsified reports. Paris: That's right. Kim: Why? Paris: What's the difference? I lied. Kim: But then you came forward and you admitted that it was your fault? Paris: I'll tell you the truth, Harry. All I had to do was keep my mouth shut and I was home free. But I couldn't. The ghosts of those three dead officers came to me in the middle of the night and taught me the true meaning of Christmas. So I confessed. Worst mistake I ever made but not my last. After they cashiered me out of Starfleet, I went out looking for a fight and found the Maquis. And on my first assignment, I was caught. Kim: It must have been especially tough for you, being the son of an admiral. Paris: Frankly, I think it was tougher on my father than it was on me. Look, I know those guys told you to stay away from me. And you know what? You ought to listen to them. I'm not exactly a good luck charm. Kim: I don't need anyone to choose my friends for me. Janeway: Janeway to Paris. Paris: Go ahead. Janeway: Report to the Bridge. We're approaching the Badlands. Rollins: Plasma storms were measured at levels three and four. Janeway: The Cardassians gave us the last known heading of the Maquis ship, and we have charts of the plasma storm activity the day it disappeared. With a little help, we might be able to approximate its course. Paris: I'd guess they were trying to get to one of the M-class planetoids in the Terikof Belt. Cavit: That's beyond the Moriya system. Rollins: The plasma storms would have forced them in this direction. Janeway: Adjust our course to match. Cavit: Aye, Captain. Janeway: The Cardassians claimed they forced the Maquis ship into a plasma storm where it was destroyed, but our probes haven't picked up any debris. Paris: A plasma storm might not leave any debris. Janeway: We'd still be able to pick up a resonance trace from the warp core. Kim: Captain, I'm reading a coherent tetryon beam scanning us. Janeway: Origin, Mister Kim. Kim: I'm not sure. There's also a displacement wave moving toward us. Janeway: On screen. Janeway: Analysis. Kim: It's some kind of polarized magnetic variation. Cavit: We might be able to disperse it with a graviton particle field. Janeway: Do it. Red alert. Move us away from it, Lieutenant. Stadi: New heading, four one mark one eight zero. Cavit: Initiating graviton field. Kim: The graviton field had no effect. Janeway: Full impulse. Kim: The wave will intercept us in twelve seconds. Janeway: Can we go to warp? Stadi: Not until we clear the plasma field, Captain. Kim: Five seconds. Janeway: Brace for impact. Kim: Three. Janeway: Report! Kim: Hull breach, deck fourteen. Comm. lines to Engineering are down. Trying to re-establish. Janeway: Repair crews, seal off hull breach on deck fourteen. Crewwoman: Aye, Captain. Rollins: Casualty reports coming in. Sickbay is not responding. Janeway: Bridge to Sickbay. Doctor, can you hear me? Paris, how's Stadi? Paris: She's dead. Kim: Captain, there's something out there. Janeway: I need a better description than that, Mister Kim. Kim: I don't know. I'm reading. I'm not sure what I'm reading. Janeway: Can you get the viewscreen operational? Kim: I'm trying. Kim: Captain, if these sensors are working, we're over seventy thousand light years from where we were. We're on the other side of the galaxy. Kim: I'm not reading any life signs on the Maquis ship. Janeway: What about on that, that array? Kim: Our sensors can't penetrate it. Janeway: Any idea what those pulses are that are coming from it, Mister Kim? Kim: Massive bursts of radiant energy. They seem to be directed toward a nearby G-type star system. Janeway: Try hailing the array. Carey: Engineering to Bridge. We have some severe damage. The Chief's dead. Possibility of a warp core breach. Janeway: Secure all engineering systems. I'm on my way. Kim: No response from the array. Janeway: Ensign, get down to Sickbay. See what's going on. Mister Rollins, the Bridge is yours. Rollins: Aye, Captain. Paris: Harry, wait for me. Paris: They must have been right next to the console when it exploded. Computer: Warning. Warp core microfracture. Breach imminent. Janeway: What's the warp core pressure? Carey: Twenty one hundred kilopascals. Janeway: Lock down the magnetic constrictors. Carey: If we lock them down at these pressure levels, we might not be able to reinitialize the dilithium reaction. Computer: Warning. Warp core microfracture. Breach imminent. Janeway: We don't have a choice. We've got to get the reaction rate down before we try to seal it. Kim: Computer, initiate Emergency Medical Holographic program. Emh: Please state the nature of the medical emergency. Kim: Multiple percussive injuries. Emh: Status of your doctor? Kim: He's dead. Emh: Point four cc's of trianoline. Kim: Trianoline? Paris: We lost our nurse too. Emh: How soon are replacement medical personnel expected? Kim: That could be a problem. We're pretty far away from replacements right now. Emh: Tricorder. Medical tricorder. A replacement must be requested as soon as possible. I am programmed only as a short-term emergency supplement to the medical team. Paris: Well, we may be stuck with you for a while, Doc. Emh: There's no need for concern. I am capable of treating any injury or disease. No concussion. You'll be fine. Clean him up. Janeway: Unlock the magnetic constrictors. Carey: Constrictors online. Janeway: Pressure? Carey: It's working. Twenty five hundred kilopascals and holding. Rollins: Bridge to Janeway. We're being scanned by the array, Captain. It's penetrated our shields. Janeway: What kind of scan? Bridge? Janeway to Bridge, respond. Janeway: Initiate emergency lock-off. Emh: You're not seriously hurt. You can return to your station. Emh: This is the Emergency Holographic Doctor speaking. I gave no permission for anyone to be transported out of Sickbay. Hello? Sickbay to Bridge. I believe someone has failed to terminate my program. Please respond. Aunt Adah: Come up here. Come on, now. I have a pitcher of lemonade and some sugar cookies. Paris: Captain? Janeway: Don't believe your eyes, Mister Paris. We've only transported a hundred kilometers. We're inside the array. Kim: There's no indication of stable matter. All this must be some kind of holographic projection. Aunt Adah: Oh, you poor things. You must be tired out. Come on and sit down and rest awhile. Have a cold drink, hmm? Janeway: No, thank you. My name is Kathryn Janeway, captain of the Federation Starship Voyager. Aunt Adah: Now, just make yourselves right at home. The neighbors should be here any minute. Oh! Why, here they are! Caretaker: Well, good to see you. Welcome. Daughter: We're real glad you dropped by. Aunt Adah: Now we can get started. You're all invited to the welcoming bee! Caretaker: Let's have some music! Paris: The crew's scattered around this farm, Captain, but they're all accounted for. Janeway: Move around. Scan the area. See if you can find anything that might be a holographic generator. Aunt Adah: Have some nice fresh corn on the cob. Fresh corn on the cob. Corn on the cob. Corn on the cob. Janeway: Can you tell me why we're here? Aunt Adah: Oh, we don't mean you any harm. I'm sorry if we put you out. Why don't you just put your feet up and get comfortable while you wait? Janeway: Wait for what? Aunt Adah: Isn't anybody hungry? Come on now, make yourselves at home. I'm sorry if we put you out. Daughter: Hey, let me show you around. The root cellar's right over there. Kim: What's down there? Daughter: Potatoes, onions. But it's real private. Kim: Paris, she's only a hologram. Paris: No reason to be rude. Kim: Whoa. Paris: What? Kim: Sporocystian life signs. What's in the barn? Daughter: Oh, nothing but a big old pile of hay. Hey, come on, let's go see the duck pond. There's nothing in there. It's just a dark, smelly barn. Hey, do y'all want some devilled eggs? Huh? Daughter: See? Nothing but hay. Kim: There is a life form here. Just one. Paris: Where? Kim: It's everywhere. I'm also reading some kind of matrix-processing device. It may be the holographic generator. Paris, humanoid life signs over here. I'm reading a Vulcan and several humans. Daughter: I'm not ready for you yet! Paris: Paris to Janeway. Janeway: Janeway here. Paris? Come on! Aunt Adah: Very well. Since no one seems to care for any corn, we'll have to proceed ahead of schedule. (The barn wall disappears to reveal a high-tech room that goes on into the distance. Chakotay, B'Elanna and Tuvok are lying on narrow ledges with a long needles sticking into their abdomens. Just as the farmers and Voyager crew vanish we see that all the Maquis are there. The next shot is of Janeway having her stomach skewered and her passing out. Paris is next to her and across the aisle Kim screams. Janeway: Janeway to Bridge. Anybody there? Rollins: Yes, Captain. We're here. Janeway: How long were we over there? Rollins: Almost three days. Janeway: Three days? Rollins: Captain, the Maquis ship is powering up its engines. Janeway: Tractor them. All senior officers, report Janeway: To the Bridge immediately. Emh: Excuse me. Could you explain what has transpired? Paris: Computer, locate Ensign Kim. Computer: Ensign Kim is not on board. Paris: Paris to Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Paris: Kim didn't come back with us. He must still be over there. Janeway: Acknowledged. Computer, how many crewmen are unaccounted for? Computer: One. Ensign Harry Kim. Janeway: Hail the Maquis. Commander Chakotay. My name is Captain Kathryn Janeway. Chakotay: How do you know my name? Janeway: We were on a mission to find you when we were brought here by the array. One of our crewman is missing. Was he transported back to your ship by accident? Chakotay: No. A member of our crew is missing too. B'Elanna Torres, my engineer. Janeway: Commander, you and I have the same problem. I think it makes sense to try and solve it together, don't you? Chakotay: Three of us will transport to your ship. Rollins: They're powering down their engines, dropping their shields. Rollins: Watch out, Captain. They're armed. Janeway: Put down your weapons. You won't need those here. It's good to have you back, Mister Tuvok. Tuvok: I must inform you that I was assigned to infiltrate your crew, sir. I am Captain Janeway's Chief of Security. Chakotay: Were you going to deliver us into their waiting hands, Vulcan? Tuvok: My mission was to accumulate information on Maquis activities, and then deliver you into their waiting hands. That is correct. Chakotay: I see you had help. Paris: It's good to see you too, Chakotay. Chakotay: At least the Vulcan was doing his duty as a Starfleet officer. But you, you betrayed us for what? Freedom from prison? Latinum? What was your price this time? Janeway: You are speaking to a member of my crew. I expect you to treat him with the same respect as you would have me treat a member of yours. Now, we have a lot to accomplish, and I suggest we all concentrate on finding our people and getting ourselves back home. Tuvok: Based on my initial reconnaissance, Captain, I am convinced we are dealing with a single entity in the array. I would suggest he scanned our computers in order to select a comfortable holographic environment. In effect, a waiting room to pacify us prior to biometric assessment. Paris: An examination? Tuvok: It is the most logical explanation. Why else would he have released us unharmed? Paris: Not all of us were. Janeway: Break out the compression phaser rifles. Meet us in Transporter Room two. We're going back. We'll divide into teams. Mister Tuvok, while Chakotay and I are looking for Torres and Kim, your job is to find out as much about this array as you can. It brought us here. We have to assume it can send us home. Agreed? Mister Rollins, maintain Red alert. Keep us on constant transporter locks. Paris: Captain. I'd like to go with you. Janeway: If this has something to do with what Chakotay said. Paris: It doesn't. I'd just, I'd hate to see anything happen to Harry. Janeway: Come on. Tuvok: There are no humanoid lifeforms indicated, Captain. Kim and Torres are not within tricorder range. They may not be on the array. Chakotay: He can tell us where they are. Janeway: Maintain your comm. link. I don't want to lose anyone else. Caretaker: Oh, why have you come back? You don't have what I need. Janeway: I don't know what you need and frankly I don't care. I just want our people back and I want us all to be sent home. Caretaker: Oh, well now. Aren't you contentious for a minor bipedal species? Janeway: This minor bipedal species doesn't take kindly to being abducted. Caretaker: Oh, it was necessary. Chakotay: Where are our people? Caretaker: They are no longer here. Janeway: What have you done to them? Caretaker: You don't have what I need. They might. No, you'll have to leave them. Chakotay: We won't do that. Janeway: We are their commanding officers. We are entrusted with their safety. They are our responsibility. That may be a concept you don't understand. Caretaker: Oh, no, I do understand, but I have no choice. There just is not enough time left. Janeway: Left for what? Caretaker: I must honor a debt that can never be repaid, but my search has not been going well. Janeway: Tell us what you're looking for. Maybe we can help you find it. Caretaker: You? I've searched the galaxy with methods beyond your comprehension. No, there's nothing you can do. Janeway: You've taken us seventy thousand light years from our home. We have no way back unless you send us, and we won't leave without the others. Caretaker: But sending you back is terribly complicated. Don't you understand? I don't have time. Not enough time! Nurse: He's regaining consciousness. Ocampa Doctor: How do you feel? Kim: What am I doing here? Where am I? Nurse: Please don't try to move yet. You are very ill. Kim: Ill? No, no. There's some mistake. I'm not Torres: No! Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 48315.6. We've traced the energy pulses from the array to the fifth planet of the neighboring system and believe they may have been used in some fashion to transport Kim and Torres to the planet's surface. Janeway: Come in. Tuvok: Captain, I've observed something peculiar about the pulses. They're getting faster. Janeway: Faster. Tuvok: The interval between each pulse has decreased by point four seven seconds since we arrived. I can offer no explanation. Janeway: That's only one of the mysteries we're dealing with, Mister Tuvok. Take a look at this. Janeway: It's virtually a desert. Not one ocean, not one river. It has all the basic characteristics of an M-class planet except there are no nucleogenic particles in the atmosphere. Tuvok: That would mean the planet is incapable of producing rain. Janeway: I've studied thousands of M-class planets. I've never seen an atmosphere without nucleogenics. There must have been some kind of extraordinary environmental disaster. As soon as repairs are complete, we'll set a course for the fifth planet. Tuvok: Captain, you require sleep. Janeway: Kim's mother called me just after he left her. Delightful woman. He's her only son. He'd left his clarinet behind. She wanted to know if she had time to send it. I had to tell her no. Did you know he played clarinet in the Julliard Youth Symphony? Tuvok: I did not have the opportunity to meet Mister Kim. Janeway: I barely knew him. I never seem to have the chance to get to know any of them. I have to, I have to take more time to do that. It's a fine crew and I've got to get them home. Tuvok: The crew will not benefit from the leadership of an exhausted captain. Janeway: You're right as usual. I've missed your counsel, Tuvok. Tuvok: I am gratified that you came after me so I can offer it once again. Janeway: I spoke to your family before I left. Tuvok: Are they well? Janeway: Well, but worried about you. Tuvok: That would not be an accurate perception, Captain. Vulcans do not worry. Janeway: They miss you. Tuvok: As I do them. Janeway: I'll get you back to them. That's a promise, Tuvok. Janeway: Captain's log, supplemental. The Maquis ship and Voyager have encountered a debris field where sensors have detected a small vessel. One humanoid life form is on board. Janeway: Hail them. Neelix: Whoever you are, I found this waste zone first. Janeway: We're not interested in this debris, Mister Neelix: Neelix. And since you're not interested in my debris, well, I'm delighted to know you. Janeway: Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager. Neelix: A very impressive title. I have no idea what it means, but it sounds very impressive. Janeway: Do you know this area of space well, Mister Neelix? Neelix: I am famous for knowing it well. How may I be of service? Janeway: Do you know anything about the array that's sending energy pulses to the fifth planet? Neelix: I know enough to stay as far away from it as possible. Wait. Let me guess. You were whisked away from somewhere else in the galaxy, and brought here against your will. Janeway: Sounds as though you've heard this story before. Neelix: Sadly, yes. Thousands of times. Well, hundreds of times. Maybe fifty times. But the Caretaker has been bringing ships here for months now. Janeway: The Caretaker? Neelix: That's what the Ocampa call him. They live on the fifth planet. Did he kidnap members of your crew? Janeway: As a matter of fact, he did. Neelix: It's not the first time. Janeway: Do you know where he might have taken them? Neelix: Just that they're brought to the Ocampa. Nothing more. Janeway: We'd appreciate any help you could give us in finding these Ocampa. Neelix: I really wish that I could help you, I do, but as you can see, there's just there's so much debris for me to investigate today. You'd be surprised the things of value some people abandon. Janeway: Of course, we'd want to compensate you for your trouble. Neelix: Well, there's really very little that you could offer me. Unless. Janeway: Yes? Neelix: Unless of course, you had water. Janeway: If you help us find our missing crew members, you can have all the water you want. Neelix: That sounds like a very reasonable arrangement. Janeway: Good. We'll beam you over and tow your ship into our shuttle bay. Mister Tuvok, go to Transporter Room two and meet our guest. Neelix: Beam? Janeway: We have a technology which can take you instantly from your ship to ours. It's quite harmless. May we? Tuvok: Energize. Neelix: Astonishing! You Federations are obviously an advanced culture. Tuvok: The Federation is made up of many cultures. I am Vulcan. Neelix: Neelix. Good to meet you! Neelix: Interesting. What, what exactly, what exactly does all this, all this do? Tuvok: I assure you that everything in this room has a specific function. However, it would take several hours to explain it all. I suggest we proceed to your quarters. Perhaps you would care for a bath. Neelix: A what? Kim: It's okay. It's okay. Torres: Who are you? Kim: My name is Kim. Harry Kim. I'm an ensign on the Starship Voyager. I was kidnapped from the array just like you were. I don't know where we are. Torres: What was Starfleet doing at that array? Kim: We were looking for you, actually. One minute we're in the Badlands, the next Torres: You mean you were trying to capture us. Kim: Yeah. Consider yourself captured. Oh, I know I have a phaser here somewhere. Torres: I don't find this at all amusing, Starfleet. Kim: There's no point. It's locked. Hey! Hey, hey, hey. What's that going to accomplish? Torres: What are they doing to us? What are these things growing on us? Kim: Look, do you want them to sedate you again? Torres: You're right, Starfleet. It's the Klingon half of me. It's just it's hard to control it sometimes. Kim: What's your name, Maquis? Torres: B'Elanna. B'Elanna Torres. Ocampa Doctor: I hope you're feeling better. I know how frightening all this must be for both of you. I've brought some clothes if you'd care to change. Torres: Why are you holding us here? Ocampa Doctor: You are not prisoners. In fact, we consider you honored guests. The Caretaker has sent you to us. As long as you are not violent, you are free to leave your quarters. Kim: What's wrong with us? What are these things? Ocampa Doctor: We really don't know. You must be hungry. Would you care to join me on the courtyard for a meal? Ocampa Doctor: Our food dispensers are right this way. Kim: We're underground. Ocampa Doctor: Our society is subterranean. We've lived here for over five hundred generations. Torres: But before that, you lived on the surface? Ocampa Doctor: Until the Warming began. Kim: The Warming? Ocampa Doctor: When our surface turned into a desert and the Caretaker came to protect us. Our ancient journals tell us he opened a deep chasm in the ground and led our ancestors to this place. Since then he has provided for all our needs. Please forgive them. They know you've come from the Caretaker. None of us has ever seen him. This way, please. Torres: Does the Caretaker provide your meals too? Ocampa Doctor: In fact, he does. He designed and built this entire city for us after the Warming. The food processors dispense nutritional supplements every four point one intervals. It may not offer the exotic tastes some of our younger people crave these days, but it meets our needs. Kim: Is this how the Caretaker communicates with you? (The eating area has large picture windows showing different scenes - sunset, clouds, waterfall.) Ocampa Doctor: He never communicates directly. We try to interpret his wishes as best we can. Kim: I'm curious to know how you've interpreted the Caretaker's reason for sending us here. Ocampa Doctor: We believe he must have separated you from your own species for their protection. Torres: Their protection? Ocampa Doctor: From your illness. Perhaps he's trying to prevent a plague. Torres: We weren't sick until we met your Caretaker. Ocampa Doctor: From time to time, he asks us to care for people with this disease. It's the least we can do. Torres: There have been others? Like us? Ocampa Doctor: Yes. Torres: Where are they? Ocampa Doctor: Your condition is serious. We don't know exactly how to treat it. I'm afraid the others did not recover. Tuvok: Sir. Neelix: Ah, Mister Vulcan. Come in, come in, please. I can hardly see you. Neelix: I want to thank you for your hospitality. I must admit, I haven't had access to a food rebel er, er, replicator before. Tuvok: I'd never have guessed. Neelix: And to immerse myself in water. Oh, do you know what joy this is? No one around here wastes water in this manner. Good sand scrub, that's the best that we can hope for. Tuvok: I am pleased you are enjoying yourself, but we are in orbit of the fifth planet. We need your assistance. Neelix: Oh! Could you hand me the, er, towel? Neelix: If you will scan the large southern continent you'll find a range of extinct volcanoes. Follow the foothills north until you discover a dry riverbed. You'll find an encampment there. Tuvok: Do you believe our people might be at this location? Neelix: It's not impossible. Maybe. Perhaps not. But we'll find them. We'll need several containers of water to bring for barter. Do these, er, replicators make clothing as well? Tuvok: Yes. Neelix: Will it make me a uniform like yours? Tuvok: No, it most certainly will not. Paris: Why would anyone want to live in a place like this? Neelix: The rich cormaline deposits are very much in demand. Chakotay: The Ocampa use it for barter? Neelix: Not the Ocampa, the Kazon-Ogla. Janeway: The Kazon-Ogla? Who are the Kazon-Ogla? Neelix: They are. Kazon sects control this part of the quadrant. Some have food, some have ore, some have water. They all trade and they all kill each other for it. Janeway: I thought you said the Ocampa had our people. Neelix: My friends, it's good to see you again! Neelix: I must speak with your Maje, the ever-wise Jabin! Neelix: Very amusing. Kazon: Destroy him. Neelix: Very amusing. I, I enjoy a joke as much as the next man. Jabin! My old friend! Water. Water, Jabin. I have water to replace all that I borrowed. Show them, Mister Paris. Their ship has technology that makes water out of thin air! Jabin: You have more? Janeway: Janeway to Voyager. Energize. Janeway: There's more where that came from, if you can help us. Jabin: How can we help someone so powerful they can create water out of thin air? Janeway: This man led us here suggesting we might find a people called the Ocampa. Do you know where they are? Jabin: Ocampa. She is Ocampa. Jabin: Why would you be interested in such worthless creatures? They live only nine years. They make poor servants. We caught her when she wandered to the surface. Janeway: To the surface? You mean they live underground? Jabin: The entity in space that gives them food and power also gives them sole access to the only water on this world, two miles below the surface. Janeway: This same entity has abducted two of our people. We believe they might be with the Ocampa. Jabin: There's no way to get to them. We tried. The entity has established some kind of subterranean barrier we can not penetrate. Chakotay: But she got out. Jabin: Occasionally, some of them do find their way to the surface. We don't know how, but the Ocampa seal the tunnels afterwards. Neelix: Maybe she can help these good people find a way down. Jabin: You'd be wasting your time. I've used every method of persuasion I know to get her to help us. She won't. Neelix: Then she's worthless to you. Let us trade you water for this scrawny little thing. Jabin: I'd be more interested in acquiring this technology that allows you to create water from thin air. Janeway: That would be difficult. It's integrated into our ship's systems. Neelix: Tell them to drop their weapons. Drop them, my friends, or he dies in an instant. Jabin: Do it. Do it! Neelix: Step aside. Neelix: Come on! Neelix: I strongly suggest you get us out of here. Janeway: Six to beam up. Neelix: My dearest. Didn't I promise I'd save you? Kim: Look, I'm sure Captain Janeway is doing everything she can to find us. Torres: What makes you think any of them are still alive? Kim: Should I call for some help? Torres: No. Nurse: Are you in pain? Torres: Are you watching us? I thought we weren't supposed to be your prisoners. Nurse: I wasn't watching you. I was coming to give you something. I don't know if it'll help. It's a medicine. There are people who have broken from tradition and left the city. Their colony grows fruits and vegetables. They discovered quite by accident that the moss that grows on certain fruit trees has healing properties. I'm sorry for what has happened to you. Kim: Appreciate this, but the only way we're going to survive is if we can get to the surface and find our own people. Nurse: The elders would say that's against the Caretaker's wishes. Torres: What do you say? Nurse: The Caretaker's been behaving strangely for the past several months. Abducting people, increasing the power supply. Kim: Power supply. Nurse: He's tripled the energy he sends us. They say we have enough stored now to run the city for five years. Kim: Nobody knows why? Nurse: When we ask, we're told to trust the Caretaker's decisions. One person I knew did get to the surface. We never saw her again. Kim: How? Nurse: The ancient tunnels that brought us here still exist. Over the years, small breaches in security barriers have appeared just large enough for someone to get through. But it still requires digging through meters of rock to get out. Torres: Can you get us tools to dig with? Nurse: It would take days, maybe even weeks to break through. You have to rest. Conserve your strength. Kim: Please. It's our only chance. Tuvok: If you had told us what you had planned, we might have anticipated your irrational behavior. Neelix: Irrational? We got out of there, didn't we? Kes: Excuse me. Don't blame Neelix. Emh: That's enough. This is a sickbay, not a conference room. Visiting hours are over. Everyone except my patient is to leave immediately. Janeway: Computer, end Medical Holographic Program. Kes: I never should have gone to the surface. I'm too curious. I'm told it's my worst failing. Neelix: No, no, it's a wonderful quality. Your most endearing. Janeway: Would you be willing to take us underground to look for our missing crew? Kes: I'm afraid Jabin was right. There's no way to get down. The tunnel I came out has been sealed. Janeway: We don't need a tunnel. We have the ability to transport there directly. Tuvok: Captain, our sensors did not pick up any indication of an underground civilization. The subterranean barrier Jabin described may be responsible. It might also block our transporter. Kes: There are breaches in the security barrier where it's begun to decay. That's how I got out. Janeway: Have the transporter room begin a sweep for any breaches we might be able to beam through. Neelix: Kes can tell you where to go. But now that she's free, we're leaving this system together. Kes: Neelix, these people rescued me. Neelix: I rescued you. Kes: With their help. It would be wrong not to help them now. Tuvok: Captain, the pulses from the array continue to accelerate. The intervals between them have decreased another point eight seconds. Daggin: Kes. Kes: Hello, Daggin. Daggin: We thought we'd never see you again. How did you get back? Kes: These people rescued me from the Kazon. I'm trying to help them find two of their crewmen. Does anyone know where the aliens are kept? The ones the Caretaker sends here? Daggin: I think they're at the central clinic. Janeway: Can you take us there? Toscat: No, she cannot. Kes: They can't speak telepathically, Toscat. Please talk aloud. Toscat: I didn't meant to be rude but you should not be here. Janeway: We'll be glad to leave once we find our crewmen. Toscat: That won't be possible. We cannot interfere with the Caretaker's wishes. Chakotay: Maybe you can't, but we can. Toscat: You don't understand. Kes: That's right. They don't understand. They have no way of knowing that the Ocampa have been dependent on the Caretaker for so long, we can't even think for ourselves any more. They don't understand we were once a people who had full command of our mind's abilities. Toscat: The stories of our ancestor's cognitive abilities are apocryphal. At the very least exaggerated. Kes: We lost those abilities because we stopped using them. Toscat: We should not dwell on what's been lost but on all that's been gained. Kes: We've gained a talent for dependence, for simply taking what we're given. I'm going to help them, Toscat, whether you like it or not, and I think my friends will join me. Toscat: You defied the Caretaker by going to the surface, Kes. Learn from the experience. Follow the path he has set for us. Kes: I've learned very well, Toscat. I saw the sunlight. I can't believe that our Caretaker would forbid us to open our eyes and see the sky. Come with me. We'll find your people. Torres: Come on. Don't let it beat you, Starfleet. Come on. Kim: I'm sorry. Torres: All right. It's all right. We'll rest a minute. Kim: Maybe I'd do better if I had a little Klingon blood in me. Torres: Trust me, it's more trouble than it's worth. Kim: You know, I spent my whole life getting ready for Starfleet. And on my very first mission, I'm going to die. Torres: We're not finished yet. I know a few things that old Sneezy didn't teach in his survival course. Kim: Sneezy? Torres: Commander Zakarian, remember? He must have been allergic to everything. Kim: You went to the Academy. Torres: Actually made it into the second year before we, er, we mutually agreed that it wasn't the place for me. Kim: You know, I never really liked Zakarian. Torres: Shush. Listen. They're getting faster. Janeway: Away team to Voyager. Rollins: Voyager here. Janeway: What's going on with the array? Rollins: It's no longer sending out pulses, Captain, and it appears to be realigning its position. Janeway: Keep me informed. Janeway out. Kes: They haven't been at the clinic for hours. Daggin: We can search the city. Ask if anyone's seen them. Janeway: If they were trying to get to the surface, how would they go? Kes: Probably the same way I did. Up one of the ancient tunnels. Janeway: Mister Paris, you and Neelix go with her and start checking them out. We need to talk to every doctor and nurse at this hospital, see what they can tell about Torres and Kim. Rollins: Voyager to Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Rollins: Captain, the array is firing some kind of weapon at the surface. It seems to be trying to seal the energy conduits. Janeway: Understood. Keep a channel open. Chakotay: If the array is the Ocampa's sole source of energy, why would the Caretaker seal the conduits? Tuvok: He would seal them if he no longer intended to use them, to protect the Ocampa from their enemies. Captain, there is now enough evidence to form a reasonable hypothesis. I believe that the Caretaker is dying. Janeway: Explain. Tuvok: First, he increases the energy supply to provide the city with a surplus to last at least five years. Then he seals the conduits. The logical conclusion is that he does not intend to continue his role as Caretaker. Chakotay: That doesn't necessarily mean he's dying. He could be leaving. Tuvok: Doubtful. Not after a millennium of providing for these people. I believe that the Caretaker owes something to the Ocampa. I believe the debt that can never repaid is very likely a debt to them. In addition, there were his frequent references to running out of time. I think he knew his death was imminent. Janeway: If he dies, how the hell are we supposed to get home? Paris: They're in this one. Harry! Paris to Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Paris: They're in one of the tunnels, Captain. I can't see them, but they're up there. We're going after them. Janeway: Call for transport when you have them, Paris. We'll meet you on the ship. Janeway to Voyager. Rollins: Voyager here. Janeway: Three to beam up. Rollins: Stand by. Rollins: Captain, I can't get a lock on you. Rollins: The weapons fire from the array has irradiated the planet's crust. Rollins: The transport sensors can't find the breaches in the security barrier. Janeway: Come on. There's only one other way out of here. Janeway: Janeway to Paris. Paris: Go ahead. Janeway: The transporters aren't working. You're going to have to find a breach in the security barrier when you get to the top. Paris: Understood. Janeway: We're a few minutes behind you. Janeway out. Paris: I see them. Kim: Took you long enough. Paris: How could I let down the only friend I've got? Kim: Friend? What makes you think I'm your friend? Paris: Paris to Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Paris: We found them, Captain. Janeway: Don't wait for us. Get them to safety. Kes: Don't worry. I know we can get through the barrier. Kes: Whatever you do, don't touch it. We've been told it'll burn your skin off. Janeway: They're not far ahead of us. Keep going. Paris: I think we've reached the top. Neelix, get out your phaser. Paris: Voyager, can you get a lock on us now? Rollins: Affirmative. But I'm reading only five signals. Paris: The others are. Get down! Paris: Paris to Janeway. Chakotay, Tuvok, do you read? Voyager, prepare to transport everyone in this group except me. Rollins: Aye, sir. Neelix: You're not thinking of going back there? Well, if a fool needs company. Take care of them, dearest. I'll see you later. Paris: Voyager, make that three to beam up. Lock in on the other comm. badge and energize. Chakotay: My leg is broken. I can't move. Janeway: Hold on. Neelix: There they are. Janeway: Neelix, help me with Tuvok. Paris: I'll get Chakotay. Chakotay: Get out of here, Paris, before the whole thing comes down! Paris: I intend to, as soon as I get you up. Chakotay: You get on those stairs, they'll collapse! We'll both die! Paris: Yeah? But on the other hand, if I save your butt your life belongs to me. Isn't that some kind of Indian custom? Chakotay: Wrong tribe. Paris: I don't believe you. Paris: You'd rather die than let me be the one to rescue you? Chakotay: Fine. Be a fool. If I have to die, at least I'll have the pleasure of watching you go with me. Paris: Isn't there some Indian trick where you can turn yourself into a bird and fly us out of here? Chakotay: You're too heavy. Rollins: Bridge to Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Rollins: Captain, two Kazon ships are approaching the Array. Janeway: Set a course. I'm on my way. Chakotay: We've got to get back to our ship. Emh: I strongly advise you to rest. I will not be held responsible for the consequences. Is the crew always this difficult? Kim: I don't know, Doc. It's my first mission. Emh: Doesn't anyone know how to turn off the program when they leave? Janeway: Bring the weapons systems online. Tuvok: Powering up phase banks and photon systems. Janeway: Red alert. Tuvok: The lead Kazon ship is hailing us, Captain. Janeway: On screen. Jabin: Have you come to investigate the entity's strange behavior too, Captain? Janeway: All we care about is getting home, Jabin. We're about to transport over to the Array to see if we can arrange it. Jabin: I'm afraid I can not permit that. Janeway: We have no dispute with you. Jabin: I have a dispute with anyone who would challenge us. Janeway: This is ridiculous. We have no intention of challenging you. Jabin: And I have no intention of letting anyone with your technological knowledge board the Array. Janeway: Jabin, can we discuss this like two civilized Tuvok: They're powering up their weapons. Janeway: I guess we can't. Tuvok: Shields are holding. Janeway: Fire phasers. Evasive pattern, delta four. Janeway: Janeway to Chakotay. Tuvok and I are beaming to the Array. Can you hold off the Kazon? Chakotay: I think so, Captain. Janeway: Good. Mister Paris, take the conn. Paris: Yes, ma'am. Janeway: Maintain transporter locks, Ensign. Emergency beam out status. Kim: Aye, Captain. Tuvok: The data processing system is behind this wall, Captain. Janeway: You know what to do. Caretaker: Well, you're nothing if not persistent. Janeway: We need you to send us back where we came from. Caretaker: That isn't possible. I've barely enough strength to complete my work. Janeway: You're sealing the conduits before you die. Caretaker: If I don't, the Kazon will steal the water. But in a few years, when the Ocampa's energy runs out, it won't matter. They'll be forced to come to the surface and they won't be able to survive. Janeway: Something you did turned their planet into a desert, didn't it? That was the debt that could never be repaid. Caretaker: We're explorers from another galaxy. We had no idea that our technology would be so destructive to their atmosphere. Two of us were chosen to stay behind and care for them. Janeway: There's another like you here? Caretaker: Not anymore. No, no. She went off to look for more interesting places. Janeway: Why were you bringing ships here, infecting people with a fatal illness? Caretaker: Oh, they didn't die of an illness. They died because they were incompatible. Janeway: Incompatible? Caretaker: I've been searching the galaxy for a compatible biomolecular pattern. Now, in some individuals I found cellular structures that were similar, but I Janeway: You've been trying to procreate? Caretaker: I needed someone to replace me. Someone who'd understand the enormous responsibility of caring for the Ocampa. Only my offspring could do that. Janeway: Did you ever consider allowing the Ocampa to care for themselves? Caretaker: They're children. Janeway: Children have to grow up. We're explorers too. Most of the species we've encountered have overcome all kinds of adversity without a Caretaker. It's the challenge of surviving on their own that helps them to evolve. Maybe your children will do better than you think. Kim: Voyager to Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Kim: We've got problems here. Kim: The Kazon just got some back up. Janeway: We need more time. Janeway: Can you hold them off for another few minutes? Kim: We'll do our best. Kim out. Chakotay: Their weapons array has been hit. They're in trouble. Torres: Neither of us has enough fire power to stop that ship. Chakotay: I'm setting a collision course, but the guidance system is disabled. I'll have to pilot the ship manually. Get the crew ready to beam to Voyager. And drop shields for transport. Paris, my crew's coming over. Tell one of your crackerjack Starfleet transporter chiefs to keep a lock on me. I'm going to try and take some heat off your tail. Paris: Acknowledged. Paris: But don't for one second think this makes us even, Chakotay. Your life is still mine. Paris: Paris out. Rollins: I'm holding the lock on him, sir, but he's getting too close. Paris: I'm getting you out of there, Chakotay. Chakotay: Not yet! Paris: You're breaking up. Stand by to transport. Chakotay: Wait. Chakotay: Now! Paris: Transporter Room two, do you have him? Chakotay: They've got me. Tuvok: Captain, I can access the system to send us back to Federation space, but it will take several hours to activate. Janeway: Unless you help us. Caretaker: Oh, I wish I could but I have very little time left, so I have initiated a self-destruct program. Janeway: If you destroy the Array, we'll have no way to get home. Caretaker: The Ocampa's enemies can not be allowed to control this installlation. In minutes, it'll be destroyed. You have to go. Go now. Tuvok: The Caretaker? Janeway: Voyager, report. Paris: Kazon vessel Paris: Just collided with the array, Captain. Are you all right? Janeway: Affirmative. Janeway: Stand by. Caretaker: The self-destruct program has been damaged. Now this installlation will not be destroyed. But it must be. The Kazon must not be allowed to gain control of it. They will annihilate the Ocampa. Tuvok: Shall I activate the program to get us back? Janeway: And what happens to the Ocampa after we're gone? Tuvok: Captain, any action we take to protect the Ocampa would affect the balance of power in this system. The Prime Directive would seem to apply. Janeway: Would it? We never asked to be involved, Tuvok, but we are. We are. Janeway: Mister Tuvok, ready the tricobalt devices. Tuvok: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Open a channel to the Kazon. Kim: Channel open. Jabin: Be advised, Captain. I have called for additional ships. Janeway: I'm calling to warn you to move your vessels to a safe distance. I intend to destroy the Array. Jabin: You can't do that! Janeway: I can and I will. End transmission. Kim: They're increasing fire, Captain. Shields are holding. Janeway: Move us four hundred kilometers from the Array, Mister Paris. Paris: Yes, ma'am. Torres: What do you think you're doing? That Array is the only way we have to get back home. Janeway: I'm aware everyone has families and loved ones at homes they want to get back to. So do I. But I'm not willing to trade the lives of the Ocampa for our convenience. We'll have to find another way home. Torres: What other way home is there? Who is she to be making these decisions for all of us? Chakotay: She's the Captain. Tuvok: The tricobalt devices are ready. Paris: We're in position. Janeway: Fire. Kim: The lead Kazon ship is hailing us. Janeway: On screen. Jabin: You have made an enemy today. Tuvok: They are withdrawing, Captain. Janeway: Come in. Paris: You asked to see me, Captain. Janeway: Mister Paris, you have a problem. I've invited Chakotay and the other Maquis to become part of this crew. It seemed the only reasonable thing to do under the circumstances. Paris: Will you provide a bodyguard for me, Captain? Janeway: It seems you already have one. Paris: I do? Janeway: Mister Chakotay said something about his life belonging to you? He'll be taking responsibility for your safety. Paris: I think I'm going to enjoy this. Janeway: Don't be so sure. He'll also be my First Officer. Everyone aboard this ship will report to him, including the lieutenant assigned to conn. Paris: Me? Janeway: I've entered into the ship's log on this date that I'm granting a field commission of lieutenant to Thomas Eugene Paris. Congratulations. Paris: Er, for the first time in my life I don't know what to say. Janeway: You've earned this, Tom. I'm only sorry your father won't know. Paris: Oh, he'll know. When we get back. Neelix: Ah, Captain! We were just coming to see you. Janeway: We supplied your ship with water, Neelix. It's ready to go. Neelix: Well, you see, that's what we wanted to discuss. We'd like to go with you. Janeway: I'm sorry. This isn't a passenger ship. Kes: Of course not. We won't be passengers. Neelix: We'd be valuable colleagues. Janeway: Colleagues? Neelix: Whatever you need is what I have to offer. You need a guide? I'm your guide. You need supplies? I know where to procure them. I have friends among races you don't even know exist. You need a cook? Oh, you haven't lived until you've tasted my angla'bosque. It will be my job to anticipate your needs before you know you have them. And I anticipate your first need will be me. Kes: Captain, we both want very much to be a part of your journey. Janeway: We're alone in an uncharted part of the galaxy. We have already made some friends here, and some enemies. We have no idea of the dangers we're going to face, but one thing is clear. Both crews are going to have to work together if we're to survive. That's why Commander Chakotay and I have agreed that this should be one crew. A Starfleet crew. And as the only Starfleet vessel assigned to the Delta Quadrant, we'll continue to follow our directive to seek out new worlds and explore space. But our primary goal is clear. Even at maximum speeds, it would take seventy five years to reach the Federation, but I'm not willing to settle for that. There's another entity like the Caretaker out there somewhere who has the ability to get us there a lot faster. We'll be looking for her, and we'll be looking for wormholes, spatial rifts, or new technologies to help us. Somewhere along this journey, we'll find a way back. Mister Paris, set a course for home. Paris: Aye, Captain.

Carey: She's not just out of control, she's out of her mind. Tuvok: If you will explain what happened, Lieutenant. Carey: She hit me is what happened! Emh: Your nose is broken in three places. I'll need to reset the ethmoid fossa. Try not to move. Carey: We were having a disagreement about the power grid. She wanted to realign the lateral plasma conduit. I told her that would cause an overload. As usual, she wouldn't listen. So I told her to step aside and let me handle it. She pushed me away from the console. I pushed back. Next thing I knew, I was lying on the deck with blood pouring down my face. Chakotay: Then what happened? Carey: She said, 'Sorry. Maybe you should go to Sickbay.' Emh: At least she gave you some good advice. Now Carey: Ow! Emh: Hold still. Chakotay: Don't worry, Lieutenant. I'll take care of this. Carey: You keep that woman out of my engine room and everything will be fine! Ow! Tuvok: Where is Miss Torres? Chakotay: I've confined her to quarters. Tuvok: I would like her moved to the brig until formal charges can be filed. Chakotay: Formal charges? Come on, Tuvok. We're seventy five years away from the nearest court. Are you really going to hold her in the brig for that long? Tuvok: The Captain has the authority to try Miss Torres here on the ship, considering the extenuating circumstances. Chakotay: Well, I'd like to settle this on my own without filing charges and without involving the Captain. Tuvok: She struck a fellow officer. That is a court martial offense. Chakotay: She's a Maquis, and in the Maquis, sometimes you have to push people out of your way to get things done. Tuvok: Miss Torres is no longer a member of the Maquis, and with all due respect, Commander, neither are you. Allowing Miss Torres to get away with a clear violation of regulations sets a bad example for the rest of the crew. It makes it appear as though you were showing favoritism toward the Maquis. Chakotay: Look, Lieutenant, I don't have to explain myself to you. I'll deal with B'Elanna personally, and then I'll inform the Captain. You're to drop this matter. That's an order. Tuvok: I will yield my authority in this case to you. However, I will make a full report in my security log. Chakotay: You do that. (The doors close and Tuvok walks away. Chakotay gets out on another floor and is joined by two of his Maquis crew.) Jarvin: Sir, we heard what happened. What are they going to do with B'Elanna? Chakotay: I don't know yet but I'll handle it. Seska: We heard that Captain Janeway's going to put her in the brig for two months, and that all the Maquis are going to be restricted to quarters when they're not on duty. Chakotay: Not true. Seska: We just want you to know that if things do get our of hand, we're ready to back you. Chakotay: What does that mean? Jarvin: In case you want to take control of the ship, you have our full support. Chakotay: If I ever hear you talk that way again, I'll personally throw you in the brig for mutiny. Torres: Argh! Chakotay: Here. Torres: What's this? Chakotay: The medical report on Lieutenant Carey. Torres: Lieutenant Carey is an idiot! When I tell you what happened Chakotay: I don't want to hear it! You might be interested to know that the impact fractures along his cranium were pretty severe. If you'd hit him just a little harder, you could have driven some of those bones into his cerebellum. Torres: I didn't even come close to hitting him that hard. Chakotay: So on the one side, I'm facing a Vulcan who wants court-martial you. And on the other, I'm facing all the Maquis who are ready to seize this ship over this. You've turned this into one lousy day for me, Torres. Torres: So how long do I have to stay in here? Chakotay: Rest of the trip. Seventy five years. Torres: I've never found your twisted sense of humor very funny, Chakotay. Chakotay: Or I could send you back to work with the understanding that you'll apologize to Torres: Apologize? He was the one who Chakotay: Not just a simple apology. A personal one, over a hot cup of pejuta. Bond with the man. Torres: I am not going to bond with him. Chakotay: You're going to need support from people like Carey. Torres: I don't need support from anybody. Chakotay: You are if you're going to be Chief Engineer of this ship. Torres: Huh. Right. Chakotay: This is not another example of my twisted sense of humor. Torres: But Carey is next in line. Chakotay: You're a better engineer than he is. Torres: What does the Captain have to say about this? Chakotay: She hasn't said a word, because I haven't told her yet. Janeway: Captain's log, Stardate 48439.7. As we maintain a course back to the Alpha Quadrant, we're conducting what would normally be routine maintenance to the ship. Routine, that is, if we had access to a starbase. Paris: Engine efficiency's down another fourteen percent. If we don't get more power to the warp drive, we're all going to have to get out and push. Janeway: What about alternative energy sources? Ensign Kim, have you had any luck getting power from the holodeck reactors? Kim: Not yet. We tried hooking them to the power grid and we ended up blowing out half the relays. The holodeck's energy matrix, it just isn't compatible with the other power systems. Chakotay: Captain, if we relocate all security personnel to deck seven, we can shut down power on deck nine and reroute it to propulsion. Tuvok: That would be inconvenient, but acceptable. Janeway: Fine. Now let's move on to the personnel situation. We still have Neelix: Sorry we're late, but I wasn't informed there was a meeting this morning. Oh, there don't seem to be enough chairs. Janeway: Neelix, this is a briefing for the senior officers. Neelix: I see. Well, I, I am the senior Talaxian on board. Kes is the senior Ocampa. And I do know more about this region of space than any other member of the crew. Kes: We have some excellent suggestions, Captain. Janeway: Very well. You're welcome to join us, this time. Paris: Here you are. Janeway: To be honest, we could use some excellent suggestions right now. Kes: I've been thinking that you might be able to convert one of your lower decks into a hydroponics bay to grow your own food. I understand that the replicators are down and that the emergency rations won't hold out much longer. Kim: What about Cargo Bay two? It was designed for organic storage and it already has adjustable environmental controls. Janeway: When can you start? Kes: Me? Janeway: It's your idea. It's your project. Kes: Right away. Neelix: I can do some wonderful things with vegetables, Captain. My feragoit goulash is known across twelve star systems. Janeway: Okay. The personnel situation. We've managed to find a replacement for the Transporter Chief, but we still need an Astrogation plotter, a Chief Engineer, medical support personnel. Chakotay: I've made a list of several Maquis crew members who would make good officers. Janeway: B'Elanna Torres? She was the one involved in that incident with Mister Carey. Chakotay: That's right. Janeway: Just what job do you think she's suited for? Chakotay: Chief Engineer. Janeway: You're serious. Chakotay: Very. Janeway: Regarding Sickbay, we still need a Chief Medical Officer. Neelix: What about that electronic man down in Sickbay? Tuvok: It is an Emergency Medical Hologram and its abilities are limited. It can only operate within the confines of Sickbay. Paris: Not to mention its lousy bedside manner. Chakotay: Perhaps we should assign somebody to train with the hologram as a field medic. Janeway: Good idea. Lieutenant, I understand you studied biochemistry at the Academy. Paris: Er, only two semesters. Janeway: Close enough. You just volunteered to become a field medic. Report to Sickbay as soon as we're finished here. Paris: But Captain Janeway: Stations, everyone! Janeway: Report! Seska: We're running into some kind of spatial distortion. Janeway: Mister Tuvok! Tuvok: The distortions are emanating from a highly localized disturbance in the space-time continuum. Distance, twenty thousand kilometers off the port bow. Janeway: All stop. On screen. Gravimetric flux density is over two thousand percent. If I'm not mistaken, we're looking at a type four quantum singularity. Tuvok: Captain, I am receiving an audio transmission from within the singularity. Janeway: On speakers. Kim: I think I've found the source of the transmission. Janeway: Does it look like any ship you're familiar with? Neelix: No, nothing I recognize. But then it's, it's so hard to make out. Janeway: They may be trapped in the event horizon. Open a channel. This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager to the vessel near the quantum singularity. Do you need help? Kes: Event horizon? Neelix: A singularity is a star that's collapsed in on itself. The event horizon is a very powerful energy field surrounding it. Why, er, once on a particularly dangerous trade mission to the twin stars of Keloda, I myself was almost trapped inside Tuvok: No response to our hail, Captain. Janeway: Can we tractor the vessel out? Kim: No. The subspace interference is too heavy. Neelix: Captain, we're less than three light years from Ilidaria. They have sophisticated technology. They might be able to help and they're quite friendly, most of the time. Janeway: No. It looks like it's being pulled in toward the singularity. We have to get it out of the event horizon. Chakotay: Bridge to Torres. We need a way to get that ship out of there. Any ideas? Torres: I was thinking we could remodulate a tractor beam to match Torres: The subspace interference. It might be enough to cut through the event horizon. Chakotay: A subspace tractor beam? Torres: Exactly. Chakotay: When can you have it ready? Torres: Two hours, maybe three. Chakotay: Get right on it. Use as many people as you need. Janeway: Mister Carey, what do you think? Carey: With the right field modulation it might work, but we'll need more power to the emitter array. Janeway: Very well. You're in charge, Mister Carey. Report to me when the tractor beam is ready. Carey: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Mister Paris? Hold our position here. I'd like to see you in private. Janeway: We have a problem and I think it's time we discussed it. Chakotay: Captain, I appreciate your concerns about Torres, but I promise you Janeway: You don't understand, Commander. This isn't about Torres. My problem is with you. Chakotay: Me? Janeway: Let me be blunt. What you tried to do just now was out of line. Chakotay: In what way? Janeway: When you decided to call Torres in Engineering. Chakotay: I've worked with her. I know what she's capable of. We needed an answer right away and I knew she could give us one. Janeway: Carey is the senior officer in Engineering. Chakotay: If you look at it that way, none of my people will ever have seniority. Janeway: That's the problem, right there. They're not your people. You're treating the Maquis on this ship like they're still your crew. Chakotay: I'm doing everything I can to integrate them into your crew, but frankly, you're not making it easy for me, Captain. Janeway: I can't make it easy, Commander. Surely you can understand that. They don't have the diskipline. They don't have the training. Chakotay: But some of them, like B'Elanna Torres have the ability. Janeway: The Starfleet officers on this ship have worked all their lives to earn their commissions. How am I supposed to ask them to accept a Maquis as their superior officer just because circumstances have forced us together? Chakotay: You're asking them to accept me. Janeway: You're qualified. You're a graduate of the Academy, and you have Starfleet command experience. Chakotay: Permission to speak freely. Janeway: Go ahead. Chakotay: I have no intention of being your token Maquis officer. Janeway: Show me another qualified Maquis candidate and I'll consider him. Chakotay: B'Elanna Torres. Janeway: Who cannot control herself and who could not make it through the Academy. Chakotay: She's the best engineer I've ever known. She could teach at the Academy. You're right, Captain. I do consider these my people because nobody else on this ship will look out for them like I will. And I'm telling you, you're going to have to give them more authority if you want their loyalty. Janeway: Theirs or yours, Commander? Chakotay: I'm trying to help you. I'm sorry you don't see that. I strongly recommend you get to know Torres before you choose a new Chief Engineer. Permission to leave. Janeway: Dismissed. Kes: Computer, activate the Emergency Medical Holographic system. Emh: Please state the nature of the medical emergency. Kes: Actually, there is no emergency. I'm creating a hydroponics bay. I was told you could provide me with some nitrogenated soil samples. Emh: That's it? Kes: I'm sorry if Emh: So it begins. The trivia of medicine is my domain now. Every runny nose, stubbed toe, pimple on a cheek becomes my responsibility. Kes: You are the only doctor we have. Emh: I am not just a doctor. I've been designed with the information from two thousand medical reference sources and the experience of forty seven individual medical officers. I am the embodiment of modern medicine. How much dirt do you need? Kes: Four samples will be enough. Emh: Now I know how Hippocrates felt when the king needed him to trim a hangnail. Kes: You're very sensitive, aren't you? Emh: As a medical practitioner, I require a certain sensitivity to properly address a patient. Kes: I'm talking about you as a person. Emh: I am merely a hologram. Kes: Doctor, has your program altered your appearance since I came to Sickbay? Emh: No. Why? Kes: When I first came in, your head was at the same height as this cabinet. But now you look at least ten centimeters shorter. Emh: I've just run a diagnostic on my imaging processor. It shows that I've been reduced in height by ten point four centimeters. Sickbay to Operations. Kim: This is Kim. Emh: The holographic projector in here is malfunctioning. Would you send a repair crew down right away? Kim: We're little busy right now. We'll get to it Kim: As soon as we can. Emh: It's just that I Kim: Kim out. Emh: Well, seems like a very busy day in Operations. Kes: I'm sorry I bothered you with this. Emh: No trouble at all. Just turn off the program before you leave. Kes: What's your name? Emh: What purpose would a name serve a hologram? Kes: I'd just like to know what to call you besides Doctor. Emh: I guess they never thought I'd be around long enough to need one. What's your name? Kes: Kes. Emh: Kes. I'm glad I could help you today. Kes: Computer, end program. Carey: Carey to Bridge. The subspace tractor beam is online and ready to go, Captain. Janeway: Acknowledged. Mister Tuvok, lock onto that ship. Tuvok: Engaging tractor beam. It's working. Beam is penetrating the event horizon. Kim: Engineering, check your power levels. I'm showing Kim: Massive fluctuations. Torres: Damn it! The new relays on the power grid aren't holding. Paris: We're being pulled toward the singularity. Chakotay: What's going on? Kim: Power to the tractor beam is down eighty percent. The gravimetric force of the singularity is pulling us in! Janeway: Impulse engines, full reverse! Janeway: Disengage the tractor beam. Torres: I can't shut it down. The emitter relays are locked. Kim: I'm picking up hull stress all over the ship. If we keep engines at full reverse while the tractor beam's engaged, it'll pull the ship apart. Janeway: Cut the engines. Paris: We're moving forward again. Janeway: Engineering, get that tractor beam offline. Carey: Captain, I can shut it down but I'll have to get in there and physically cut the main power feed. Janeway: Do it. Tuvok: Tractor beam disengaged. Janeway: Move us to a safe distance, Mister Paris. Chakotay: Are we abandoning the rescue attempt? Janeway: No, but we are going to need some help. Lay in a course for the Ilidaria system, full impulse. Have Mister Neelix report to the Bridge. It looks like we're going to follow his suggestion after all. Janeway: Come in. Torres: You asked to see me, Captain? Janeway: Have a seat. Torres: I just want you to know that I have personally gone over every emitter relay again and refitted four of them myself. Janeway: No one blames you for what happened. Commander Chakotay thinks very highly of you. He's recommended you for Chief Engineer. Torres: Well, er, we've, er, we've been through a few scrapes together. Janeway: Do you think you're ready? Torres: Ready? Janeway: Ready to be Chief Engineer on a starship. Torres: Well, I think I know my way around an engine room, if that's what you mean. Janeway: It's part of what I mean. There's also the matter of your ability to command others. I'm not sure I'd be doing you a favor by putting you in charge down there. There'd be a lot of hard feelings toward you from many of the Starfleet people. Torres: I'm not bothered by what people think of me. Janeway: And the job requires knowledge of Starfleet protocol, experience with Starfleet methodologies. Torres: Listen, Captain, if you don't think I'm right for this job, just say so. Janeway: I'll be honest. I'm not sure whether you are or not. That's why I wanted to meet, try to get to know you a little better. I've been studying your Academy record. Torres: Where did you get that? Janeway: Thanks to Tuvok, we had the names of your entire crew by the time we left DS9. Four diskiplinary hearings, one suspension. You had quite a turbulent couple of years, didn't you. Torres: Yeah, I guess you could say that. Janeway: What do you think the problem was? Torres: The problem? The problem was a system that didn't give anyone a chance to breathe. Janeway: We work under that same system on this ship. Torres: Then I guess maybe this is just a bad idea. Janeway: Why did you quit the Academy, B'Elanna? Torres: I didn't want to have anything to do with Starfleet then, and I'm sorry that I have to now. Emh: Sickbay to Captain Janeway. Janeway: Yes, Doctor? Emh: May I request you activate monitor input forty seven, your Emergency Medical Holograph channel? Janeway: Of course. I'm getting a distorted transmission. Emh: No. In fact, that is how I appear at present. I'm shrinking. Janeway: Shrinking? Emh: There appears to be a malfunction in my imaging system. It's been reducing my height by five centimeters every hour. I've been waiting all day for repairs. That is not, however, what I'm calling about. Over the past three hours, nine crew members have reported unusual symptoms, severe headaches, muscle spasms and sudden waves of dizziness. Janeway: All of this could be related to the quantum singularity. Emh: Quantum singularity? Janeway: It was sending out strong spatial distortions. They might have affected the crew, and your systems as well. Emh: You know, Captain, if we were in the vicinity of a quantum singularity I should have been informed. Janeway: You're right. I'll look into linking your program into the ship's data. Emh: Hello? Captain? Hello? Janeway: Report. Chakotay: It looks like we're running into more spatial distortions. Kim: I'm picking up a highly localized disturbance off the port bow. Janeway: On screen. Mister Tuvok? Tuvok: It is another type four quantum singularity. Physical and temporal dimensions are identical to the one we encountered earlier. Paris: Captain, according to these readings, we've returned to our previous co-ordinates. This isn't another singularity. It's the same one. Janeway: Check the navigational logs. Confirm our position. Kim: Well, they show we've traveled one point four light years away from the anomaly, but I've confirmed our position against the star chart. We're definitely back where we started. Doesn't make sense. Paris: They can't both be right. We're either still at the singularity or we're not. Janeway: Well, we can see the singularity so I tend to believe that the external sensors are correct. Tuvok: That would imply there was something wrong with the warp drive and the navigational logs. Janeway: Mister Paris, lay in a course away from the singularity. This time at maximum warp. Ensign Kim, I want you to keep a sensor lock on the singularity. Verify that we're moving away from it. Engage. Kim: Distance from the singularity is ten million kilometers and increasing. Paris: Warp engines holding steady. All systems report normal. Kim: Eleven million. Twelve million. I don't get it. Mister Paris, have we altered course? Paris: No. We're still steady on three one zero mark two one five. Kim: Then something's really wrong here. It's ahead of us again. Seska: Confirmed. We're back at the same co-ordinates. Janeway: All stop. Ensign Kim, transfer all the data on spatial distortions we encountered to my ready room. I'm going to begin my own analysis. Commander, have all departments run complete system diagnostics. I'll expect a full report from all senior officers at fifteen hundred hours. Chakotay: Who will represent Engineering? Janeway: Lieutenant Carey. Chakotay: You should invite B'Elanna Torres as well, unless you've removed her from consideration. Janeway: Fine. Carey: The Captain says she wants you to attend the staff meeting this afternoon. Torres: Oh. Well, I'll give you a full report on what happens. Carey: I'll be there too. Just remember, Torres, I'm the senior officer and I speak for Engineering. Try not to say anything unless someone asks you a question. Fifteen hundred hours, deck one. Don't be late. Seska: You should have broken more than his nose. Kim: I've taken a look at every major subsystem and there's no sign of any trouble. Tuvok: What about the navigational array? Kim: I'll have the results in about an hour. So, I hear there's been some trouble down in Engineering. Tuvok: There was an altercation, but it has been resolved. Kim: That's not what I hear. I hear that the whole department's up in arms, that the Maquis and Starfleet people are almost at each other's throats. Tuvok: I will never cease to be amazed by the human capacity for hyperbole. The situation may be characterized as tense, but one could hardly say that they're about to become violent. Kim: I just hope you're right. Things are bad enough around here without, ow! Tuvok: Are you all right? Kim: Yeah. I just have this splitting headache and Tuvok: I'd better get you to Sickbay. Kim: Dizzy. Can't, can't focus. Emh: Twenty seven other crew members have now reported the symptoms. And yet, when I examined each of them, I couldn't find anything wrong. I have no diagnosis, no prognosis, no recommended treatment. I'll contact you when I have something more to contribute. And by the way, I am now sixty eight centimeters shorter. I'd appreciated it if someone would repair my holographic projectors before I have trouble reaching my patients. Janeway: I finished my study of the spatial distortions coming from the singularity. I can give you a long, boring analysis. Suffice it to say, I don't know what's going on. The readings are confused, the data is contradictory. None of it makes any sense. Anyone have anything more constructive? Tuvok: Ship-wide diagnostics have revealed nothing out of the ordinary. Carey: I tried sending out a tachyon signal to scan the singularity but all I got back was static. Chakotay: B'Elanna, do you think you can work with Mister Carey to clean up that signal? Torres: Yes. Janeway: Good. Torres: But it won't work. I mean, it was a good idea to try it but it won't work. Janeway: You have another idea? Torres: I was just thinking about the problem with the Doctor's holographic projectors. It seems like the spatial distortions might be interfering with the projectors phase alignment. Janeway: That was my guess too. Torres: If that's the case, I could screen out those distortions by setting up a localized dampening field around the projectors. Carey: Is our priority here really the Medical Holograph system? Torres: My point is, that if the spatial distortions are also interfering with the transmission we received from the other ship Janeway: We could set up a similar field around our external sensors and communicate with them. Torres: Exactly. And they may know more about what's going on than we do. Janeway: Let's give it a try. Dismissed. Torres: Emitters online. I'm rerouting the damping field through the deflector grid. Janeway: Open a channel to the other ship. Torres: Ramping up field intensity. Kim: It's working. We're cutting through the distortions. Voice: to the vessel near Janeway: Remodulate the EM band. See if you can clear it up a little more. Kim: Compensating for amplitude distortion. Janeway: This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager to the vessel near the quantum singularity. Do you need help? Chakotay: That's your hail. Torres: I'm applying the damping field to our visual scanners. I'll see if I can clarify the image. Paris: It's the Voyager. It's us. Paris: Sensors confirm it's definitely USS Voyager. Tuvok: I've been hailing the ship on all frequencies. No response. Janeway: I don't think you'll get a response, Lieutenant. That message we unscrambled is the same message I sent out nine hours ago. Kim: Could we have traveled back in time and met ourselves? Torres: No, that's not it. I think I have an explanation. Torres: Think of it like this. You're sitting at the bottom of a pond, which is frozen over, and you look up at the surface and you see a reflection of yourself. Now, you might think you're looking at another person sitting at the bottom of another pond, looking back at you. Janeway: And in this case, we'd be staring up at the surface of the event horizon and seeing a time-delayed reflection of ourselves. Chakotay: Are you saying we're the ones trapped in the singularity? Torres: Unfortunately, yes. Janeway: You're right. It's the only theory that explains everything that's happened to us. We've probably been in this singularity since we felt the first jolt. Paris: Wait a minute. Wait. Wait a minute. Let me get this straight. We were cruising along at warp seven, then we pick up a distress call and moved in to investigate. But now you're saying that the other ship is actually just a reflection of us and that the distress call is actually just the Captain's opening hail. But we picked up the distress call before she sent the hail. How could we have been seeing a reflection of something we hadn't even done yet? Am I making any sense here? Janeway: No, but that's okay. One of the more difficult concepts to grasp in temporal mechanics is that sometimes effect can precede cause. A reaction can be observed before the action which initiated it. Kim: So what do we do to get out? Torres: I'm not sure. But I do know one thing. That as we slide deeper into the singularity, the spatial distortions are increasing. According to my calculations, within nine hours, they'll crush the ship. Janeway: If your analogy's correct, how do we get through that sheet of ice? Torres: Look for a crack. Janeway: Or make a crack. Take something and smack it into the ice until it buckles. Torres: Wait a minute. What if we've already made a crack in the ice? Janeway: When we first entered the event horizon. Torres: If we could find our entry point, we might be able to slip out the way we came in. Janeway: So we'd be looking for a subspace instability in the event horizon. What would make it show up on our sensors? TORRES + Janeway: Warp particles. Janeway: If we saturate the event horizon with warp particles, we might be able to see the escaping through the rupture we made when we entered. Janeway: Mister Tuvok, take the main deflector off-line. Mister Kim, reroute the port and starboard plasma flow to the main deflector. We can use it to generate a warp field. Tuvok: Deflectors off-line. Kim: Initializing plasma flow. Janeway: Release the warp particles. Paris: Scanning the singularity. Torres: Anything? Kim: Not yet. Warp particles at full intensity. Paris: I'm picking up something. A slight irregularity. It could be a rupture in the event horizon. Janeway: Put it on screen. Paris: It is a rupture, Captain. It's fifteen meters by ten meters. Torres: Oh, it's too small. It must have collapsed since we first passed through it. Janeway: We found the crack. That's the important thing. Now, how do we make it bigger. Torres: Put a wedge in it and force it open. We could try a dekyon beam. Janeway: All right, a dekyon beam. Mister Paris, bring us closer. Paris: Captain, if we get too close to the rupture our warp engines might make it collapse even further. Janeway: Can we emit a beam from here? Kim: The rupture's over fifty million kilometers away. We don't have enough power to project a dekyon beam that far. Janeway: We'll have to take a shuttlecraft. Paris: You'll need the best pilot you've got in that shuttle, Captain. That'll be me. Janeway: Getting there is the easy part, Mister Paris. We need someone who's familiar with the finer points of temporal mechanics, and unless you've been hiding your credentials, I don't think that's you. B'Elanna, you're with me. The Bridge is yours, Commander. Janeway: We've cleared Voyager. Torres: Shields at full strength. Janeway: We'll reach the rupture in approximately four and a half minutes. Let's get that dekyon beam online. Torres: Remodulating emitters. Captain, I want to apologize for losing my temper in your Ready room. I think maybe you were hitting a little bit too close to home, you know? I respect Chakotay but he's wrong. I'm not officer material and we both know it. The truth is, I quit the Academy because I realized I couldn't make it in Starfleet, and believe me, no one was sorry to see me go. Janeway: Professor Chapman was. Torres: What? Janeway: He put a letter in your permanent file saying that should you ever re-apply, he would support you. He thought you were one of the most promising cadets he'd ever taught. Torres: I fought with him almost every day. I was always questioning his, his methods, his assumptions, and he was always slapping me down like some upstart kid. I was surprised he didn't help me pack my bags. Janeway: Some professors like students who challenge their assumptions, B'Elanna. And so do some captains. Professor Chapman wasn't alone. Many of your teachers thought you had the potential to be an outstanding officer. You had more friends at the Academy than you realized. We're fifteen kilometers from the rupture. Start charging the dekyon beam. Torres: Dekyon beam online. Shields down to sixty two percent. Janeway: Increase speed. We have to get to that rupture before these spatial distortions tear us apart. All right. Let's open this hole in the ice a little wider. Initiate the dekyon beam. Kim: They've widened the rupture by almost thirty five percent. Paris: They'll have to widen it twice that much before Voyager can make it through. Chakotay: Hold our position! Mister Tuvok, report. Tuvok: The spatial distortions are increasing. Kim: Hull integrity has dropped Kim: Eighteen percent. Janeway: We've widened the opening by over sixty five percent. I'd like another five for safety. Torres: We're losing power. I don't think we're going to get any more, Captain. Janeway: Let's get back to Voyager. Tuvok: The shuttle is returning, Commander. It appears as though they've been damaged. Their comm. system's down. I am unable to raise them. Kim: The rupture's now one hundred twenty meters in diameter. That leaves us with less than two meters clearance on either side. Chakotay: Mister Paris, as soon as we've recovered the shuttlecraft, lay in a course toward the rupture and take us out. Paris: Aye, sir. Torres: Well, this is a problem. Janeway: One of them is a temporal reflection, but which one? I'm getting identical readings from both ships. Torres: Captain, the rupture is starting to collapse again. If Voyager doesn't get through it within the next five minutes, they'll never get out. Janeway: That means we have one chance to pick the correct ship. Torres: Simple choice. Port or starboard? Janeway: Starboard. Torres: Port. The port ship is more likely to be the real one. It's closer to the rupture. That means, Torres: That means they're holding position as close as they can to the rupture, waiting for us to dock before they head out. Janeway: No. It may be closer to the rupture, but it's facing the wrong direction. The starboard ship is facing away from us. That means they're trying to give us easy access to the shuttlebay. Torres: There has to be some way to tell them apart besides which direction they're facing. Janeway: The starboard ship's thrusters are at standby. They're holding position. But the port ship is moving toward the rupture. Torres: Then I was right. It's the port ship. They're heading out. Janeway: Don't you see? Voyager did move toward the rupture twenty minutes ago when we first discovered it. That's why the port ship is moving toward it now. It's a time-delayed reflection of what we did before. The starboard ship's the real one. They're waiting for us. Torres: If you're wrong, we're going to have a long time to debate it. Torres: We're ready to dock. Janeway: All right. Cut the thrusters. Let's see what happens. Feels like a real ship to me. Let's get back to the Bridge. Janeway: Commander Chakotay, report. Chakotay: We're almost to the rupture. Mister Paris is about to impress us with his piloting skills. Kim: The rupture's collapsing. It's down to one hundred ten meters wide. Torres: That's too narrow. We're not going to make it. Janeway: In command school, they taught us to always remember that maneuvering a starship is a very delicate process. But over the years I've learned that sometimes you just have to punch your way through. Mister Paris, full impulse power. Tuvok: Shields are down. Paris: I'm losing power to the port impulse engine. Kim: Switching to auxiliary power. Tuvok: Hull integrity failing. Janeway: Keep it together, Mister Paris. Tuvok: We've cleared the event horizon, Captain. We've returned to normal space. Paris: Sometimes you just have to punch your way through. I'll have to remember that one. Janeway: Set a course. I want to be at least one hundred million kilometers away from the singularity before we begin repairs. Chakotay: There they are. Your staff. Torres: I'll try not to break any of their noses. Chakotay: First order of the day. The Captain wants the warp drive back online by thirteen hours. Torres: Thirteen hundred? That's impossible. Chakotay: Then maybe you need to go break a few noses, or at least bend a few. Lieutenant. Torres: All right. Get that isolinear bank up and running. And lock down those plasma relays. Please. I'm going to be counting on you, Lieutenant. I'm not up to date on the latest Starfleet protocols and I know that you're probably more familiar with the quirks of this warp engine than I am right now. I hope that I can depend on you. Carey: I assure you, you'll never get less than my best. Lieutenant, congratulations. Welcome aboard. Chakotay: Are you checking up on your new Chief Engineer? Janeway: Observing. Chakotay: And? Janeway: Two crew members have already filed complaints about her promotion and she may be in for a tough period of adjustment, but I think B'Elanna's going to make a fine addition to this crew. Our crew. Chakotay: Can I ask you a question, off the record? If things had happened differently, and we were on the Maquis ship now instead of Voyager, would you have served under me? Janeway: One of the nice things about being Captain is that you can keep some things to yourself. Emh: Sickbay to Captain Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Emh: Is someone ever going to come down here and fix my holographic projectors? Janeway: We're little busy right now, Doctor. Janeway: But I'll send a crew down as soon as I can. Emh: I would appreciate a certain expediency in the matter. Janeway: Acknowledged. Janeway out. Emh: I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but whatever it is you're going to have to take care of it yourself. Paris: Oh, it's all right. It's just a scratch, really. You know, I like you better this way.

Paris: Holding course three five one mark one zero, warp seven. We'll be passing a red dwarf system in forty minutes. I can't tell you if there are any M-class planets. Paris: You ready? Kim: No, I really want to get on that transtator assembly diagnostic. Paris: Harry, I can't do this alone. Kim: I'm sorry. Paris: You're making a big mistake. Can't you see what's going to happen? We're the only humans out here, Harry. People are going to start pairing off, and if we don't get to the Delany sisters in Stellar Cartography soon, somebody else will. Kim: I've got a girl back home. Paris: So what? I've got five. Kim: I plan on seeing mine again. Paris: Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry. You really think she's going to wait for you? Kim: I hope so. Paris: Let her go. Let her have a husband and kids and a good life, while you and I have the Delany sisters. Kim: I told you, I need to run a transtator diagnostic. Paris: You need to run a self-diagnostic. Look, they come as a pair. It's a double date or no date. Come on. I told them all about you. Kim: What did you tell them about me? Paris: Well, for one thing, how you broke the single pilot speed record at the Academy. Kim: Record. I never broke any record! Paris: And who are they going to check it with? Janeway: Report! Tuvok: We're at the leading edge of a shockwave. Kim: Minor hull breach on deck three. Contained. Shields are holding. Torres: Engineering is undamaged, Captain. All systems operational. Janeway: Mister Paris, can you identify the source of the wave? Paris: I'm not sure. Scanners are picking up a debris cloud in the red dwarf system we're approaching. Tuvok: It consists of differentially charged polaric ions, Captain. Janeway: Differentially charged? That would suggest a massive detonation. Are you familiar with any intelligent life forms in this system, Mister Neelix? Neelix: Familiar? Not exactly familiar. Considerably less than familiar, actually. Janeway: Adjust course to investigate. Paris: Aye, Captain. Paris: Entering the system Captain. Heading zero one zero mark four. Deflectors at maximum. Neelix: Kes, what are you doing here? Kes: I had to know. Neelix: Know? Know what? Paris: The origin of the shockwave is an M-class planet, Captain. We're within visual range. Janeway: On screen. Kim: All vegetation on the planet has been destroyed. Tuvok: No satellite system in orbit, no evidence of space craft. Janeway: Life signs? Kes: None. Paris: None. But the polaric radiation may be interfering with the scanners. Janeway: Take us into orbit. Chakotay: Density patterns on the surface show artificial waterways and a global aqueduct system. There is a civilization down there, Captain. Janeway: Or there was. What do we know about surface conditions? Tuvok: Radiation is within acceptable levels. Atmosphere, breathable. Janeway: Mister Paris, Tuvok, you're with me. Miss Torres, meet us in transporter room two. Torres: On my way. Janeway: Commander, you have the Bridge. Torres: The entire surface of the planet was just seared. Janeway: There was a chain reaction in subspace, very likely triggered by the detonation of one or more polaric ion devices. Paris: If that's what happened, the people here never had a chance. Torres: They're gone. Vaporized. Every organic has basically been obliterated. Janeway: At least it happened quickly. Polaric detonation would have swept through this city in seconds. Tuvok: It recalls the Chaltok Four incident. Torres: Chaltok Four? Tuvok: A Romulan research colony was nearly destroyed during the testing of one these devices. It lead to the Polaric Test Ban Treaty of 2268. Torres: So, we're looking at the end of a war. Paris: I wonder who won? Janeway: I'm not so sure there was a war. Look at these readings, B'Elanna. Torres: Polaric ion concentrations are so high I can't get an accurate reading. Janeway: I'd say these conduits were the source of the explosion, wouldn't you? Torres: A civilization powered by polaric ion energy? Janeway: That's what it looks like. A time bomb underneath every street, running into every home. Neelix: What do you mean, you saw it? How could you see it? Kes: I don't know. Neelix: What did you see? Kes: I saw them burn. Their bodies ashes where they stood. Neelix: You felt the shockwave in your sleep. It's just your imagination, a strange coincidence. Kes: I don't think so. Neelix: What else could it be? Kes: It was almost telepathic. Neelix: Telepathy is a message, words, a voice. What you're describing, why, its almost like the visions of Drakian forest dwellers. Kes: Who? Neelix: A tribe with para-normal abilities. They can walk into an empty room Kes: Neelix. My ancestors were said to have unusual mental abilities. Neelix: No one believes those stories. Kes: I always have. Paris: Look. This may be some kind of time piece, stopped at the moment of the explosion. Paris: What was that? Torres: What? Paris: Didn't you hear that? Tuvok: Hear what, Lieutenant? Paris: Kids playing. They were as close to me as Paris: I don't understand. I was here in this square, but there were people. Janeway: You never left here, Tom. Paris: But I saw them! Lots of people, children playing, and the sun was shining. There was no evidence of an explosion. Everyone was alive and happy. Janeway: You were standing here the whole time. Torres: Your central nervous system is showing a temporal flux, but it's rapidly returning to normal. Tuvok: The chain reaction has shattered subspace, Captain. Janeway: I want everyone to stand exactly where they are. If Tuvok's right, there may be subspace fractures floating like icebergs across the planet's surface. Away team to Voyager. Chakotay: Go ahead. Janeway: Four to beam up. Janeway: Tuvok! B'Elanna! Janeway Guard: Hey, calm down. It's all right. Now, what's the problem? Latika: I saw them. They appeared out of thin air! They're some kind of demons. I saw them with my own eyes. Janeway: I'm sorry we startled him. We just came around the corner. Latika: They're lying! Guard: Shh. Now, calm down. You've been reading too many of those Dark Storm tales, young fellow. There's no such thing as demons. Latika: But, I'm telling you. Guard: Ah, ah, ah! Run along now. Have a confection bar and calm down. All right everybody, back to your business. Nothing else to see here now. Guard: Oh, sorry about that. Paris: No problem. Guard: Who knows what gets into their heads, huh? Janeway: Perhaps the uniform scared him. We're not from this area. Guard: Come in on the continental transport? Janeway: This morning. Guard: Is, er, that what they're wearing in Kalto province these days? Paris: Er, this is a little more formal than most. You know how it is when you travel. Janeway: We were actually looking for a clothing shop. We thought we'd change into something more appropriate. Guard: There's one right over there. I hope the rest of your stay with us is more enjoyable. Paris: I wish I could say it will be. (He goes to the shop display where the timepiece is counting. 371-20-01 The owner comes out.) Shopkeeper: Need a timepiece? Paris: Maybe you could help me. I'm from Kalto Province. I'm not used to your timepieces. Shopkeeper: They're no different that Kalton pieces. Paris: Are you sure? What do these numbers stand for? Shopkeeper: Rotations, intervals, fractions. Same as any timepiece. Fourteen kalodas. Paris: A fair price. I might stop back later, if there's time. Paris: If I understood correctly, this world is going to be destroyed sometime tomorrow. First officers log, supplemental. There's been no sign of Captain Janeway or Lieutenant Paris since they were lost in a subspace fracture. Kim: This is one of the subspace fractures we've located with a magneton scan of the surface. This is the time of the explosion, where the fracture opens. Then as the shock waves dissipate, the fracture grows more narrow. We believe that the Captain and Lieutenant Paris are trapped at the narrow end. Torres: Shockwaves from most explosions dissipate into the future, but we're speculating, based in part on what Paris told us he saw, that these dissipate into the past. Kim: That's consistent with the subspace damage we've observed. Tuvok: Why haven't they been able to return as Mister Paris did the first time? Torres: He wasn't all the way inside a fracture, remember? We still saw Paris standing there even when he could see the other side. Chakotay: So it's possible that the Captain and Paris are existing only hours and minutes before the explosion occurs. Torres: There's no way for us to measure exactly how far back these fractures go. Chakotay: How do we find them? Tuvok: If I know Captain Janeway, she would activate a subspace beacon to assist us. Kim: We're counting on it. First we have to find a fracture in a location where they've been. Then we have to microscan the fracture to try to pick up the signal from their subspace beacon. Torres: Once we've identified where and when they re, then we have to widen the fracture at that point. Tuvok: How do you suggest we do that? Kim: We're not sure yet. Emh: Hmm. Hmm, hmm. Neelix: What? Emh: Hmm? Neelix: Is something wrong? Emh: Yes, terribly wrong. Your brain is not on file. Either your government failed to transmit the standard fifteen five oh one crew personnel report or somebody at Starfleet Medical really fouled up. Kes: I'm not a member of the Starfleet crew. Neelix: We came aboard at mid-expedition. Emh: And no one asked you for your medical histories when you arrived? Of course not. That would be the ship's doctor's job. My job, if anyone had bothered to tell me about new passengers, but I seem to be just about the last to know about everything around here. So, tell me, just how many other new arrivals are there? Neelix: Just us. Kes: And the crew from another ship that was destroyed. Emh: Another crew. That's nice. This is the Emergency Medical Holographic system to Captain Janeway. Neelix: She's not on board. She's missing on the surface of a planet. Emh: Missing. The Captain is missing. It seems I've found myself on the Voyage of the Damned. Very well. Please advise the highest ranking officer who is not missing, to see me at his earliest convenience. You may shut off my program now. Neelix: But you haven't told us anything about her condition. Emh: She is the healthiest member of her species I've ever seen. The only member of her species I've ever seen. You have a lovely brain. It will make a fine addition to our files. I wouldn't worry. If your species has a history of extraordinary mental abilities, this may simply be your way of flexing those muscles for the first time. Living in space requires the body to make a variety of biological adjustments. This could be a side-effect of that process. Go home. Get a good night's sleep and drink plenty of fluids. Kes: Fluids? Emh: Everybody should drink plenty of fluids. Don't leave without turning me off. Kes: Computer, end program. Emh: And call me in the morning. Janeway: We can assume that Voyager will be looking for a way to reach us. I'll set my comm. badge to emit a subspace beacon. If they get close, maybe they'll pick it up. I know. Paris: Maybe there's some way that Janeway: Don't even think about it, Tom. The Prime Directive is clear. We cannot allow our presence to alter this planet's natural course of events. Paris: Even if the natural course of events is annihilation? Janeway: Yeah. Paris: My father used to talk at length to us about the Prime Directive, once a year, like a holiday sermon. Janeway: He considered it the guiding principle of space exploration. Paris: To be honest, I tuned out most of his sermons years ago. Janeway: Well, tune back into this one, because I agree with him. You have no idea what the consequences might be once you involve yourself. Paris: The consequences would have to be better than mass destruction. Janeway: You're not to warn these people. That's an order. Janeway: Oh, god. Come on. Latika: I know you're lying. Janeway: Young man, we're here on a business trip and we have a lot of work to do. Latika: The officer told me you came here on the continental transport. Janeway: That's right, we're from Kalto Province. Latika: Yeah? Well I just talked to the transport attendant, He told me four people came today from Kalto. Two of them were a lot older than you and they had a child with them. Janeway: Well the attendant was wrong. That was us. Latika: So, where's the child? Paris: We ate him, because we are demons and we eat children and I haven't had my supper yet. Paris: Sorry. I just figured it was the quickest way. Janeway: Let's concentrate on getting out of here. Paris: The same subspace fractures that brought us here might still be around. If they were caused by a polaric explosion? Is there any way we could use polaric energy to get us back? Janeway: If we had access to a polaric ion generator, we could modify a tricorder to emit a polaric field. At the very least it might help us scan for a fracture. Paris: I wonder where these conduits get their power? Makull: This is a lawful demonstration. Terla: We have a right to be here. Paris: Under normal circumstances I'd say we should come back tomorrow. Torres: This device uses the same polaric energy that destroyed the planet. Kim: At intense levels it can open a subspace fracture. Chakotay: Wide enough for the Captain and Paris to get through? Torres: If we can locate them, this is capable of bringing them back. Tuvok: The logical place to begin would be at the same location they disappeared. Kim: Only problem is, at the necessary intensity, the polaric generator will burn itself out after thirty seconds at best. Chakotay: Can't we re-initialize the generator and start again? Torres: Not at the same location. Once we make an attempt at any given location, the damage to subspace will make a second attempt impossible. Chakotay: How do we prevent one of us getting trapped in a fracture? Torres: We've modified our tricorders to detect the fractures, and all of us will be wearing one of these. Torres: It puts out an anti-polaric field. It should repel the fractures when they get within three meters. Chakotay: Nice work. Neelix: Ah, Commander. Will you be going back to the planet surface? Chakotay: We're getting ready to leave right now. Kes: I have to go with you. Chakotay: There's nothing down there you want to see, Kes. Neelix: That's what I told her. Kes: I've already seen it. I have to go. Makull: We're sorry to involve you in this. Pe'Nar Makull. My colleague, Ny Terla. Terla: Apparently you just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Paris: I was just thinking the very same thing. Makull: What were you doing there? Janeway: We're from Kalto Province. We were hoping to tour your power facility, compare it to our own. Terla: I've never seen a Kalton with your color hair. Janeway: Well, now you have. Makull: My friend thinks you were sent by the government to infiltrate us. Paris: Infiltrate? You were there when she got this. Terla: Perhaps you were told to put on a good show for us. Paris: We don't even know why someone would want to infiltrate you. Terla: That's hard to believe. Even in Kalto there are protests against polaric energy. Janeway: We're not spies. Makull: When was the last time you were in a power plant? Janeway: Not since we left home. Makull: You weren't in that plant yesterday? Paris: We were just getting there when we stumbled into you. Makull: We know you're not telling the truth. We have safety monitors to measure polaric energy. When you were brought here, they registered five times the normal readings. Terla: To register levels this high you were either inside that plant yesterday, or at the site of a polaric disaster worse than any in the history of this planet. Chakotay: What is it? Kes: It's as though I can sense the people who were here. Chakotay: I know. It's like walking through a graveyard. Kes: No, it's more than that. I almost feel as if I could touch the people who were here. Chakotay: What have you found? Tuvok: The scanners are not showing any subspace fractures in the area now. Torres: That probably indicates the subspace damage is beginning to dissipate. If that's true, it's going to be harder to locate Tom and the Captain. Kim: Commander, I'm picking up a signal from a comm. badge. Chakotay: The subspace beacon? Kim: No, it's not on subspace. It's here, now. Kim to Janeway. Kim to Paris. Chakotay: Can we locate the source of the signal? Kim: Yes, sir. This way. Makull: What's your name? Janeway: Janeway. Makull: Unusual name. Janeway: Not where I'm from. Makull: What part of Kalto province was that again? Janeway: I don't see any point in this. Makull: There is a point, a very important one. It has to do with our schedule, and whether we can keep it or not. Can we? Janeway: I don't know. Makull: Do they know our plan? Janeway: I have no idea. Latika: Let me go! Terla: Look what I caught sneaking around outside. Tuvok: I'm still not showing any lifesigns. Janeway: The boy has nothing to do with any of this. Makull: Is he yours? Janeway: No, he's just somebody we met here. Latika: Don't trust them. They aren't who they say they are. Makull: Really? Paris: Thanks, kid. Janeway: Look, this is all a misunderstanding. Latika: They lied about coming here on the Continental transport. I talked to the attendant myself. Let me go. Terla: What do we do with him? We can't let him go. Makull: Just put him over there with the other. Terla: Now stay quiet. Kim: The comm. badge is designed to self-activate when the casing is destroyed to help searchers locate victims. Torres: I guess it means they were caught in the explosion. Tuvok: It only means their comm. badges were caught in the explosion. Further speculation serves no purpose. I suggest we search for other tangible evidence. Makull: None of us have seen devices like these before. Terla believes they're spy equipment. Janeway: They're for surveying property. I've been thinking of buying land here. I need to survey it. Terla: I'd be curious to know how they work. Would you show me? Makull: But then one of them might be a weapon, and I wouldn't want you to show me how that works, would I? Paris: Hey, kid, you were right about one thing. I was lying. I don't eat children Latika: You don't scare me. My father works for the Media Bureau and when I tell him all about this Paris: What is he, some kind of journalist? Latika: Yes, and so am I. Paris: Is that right? Latika: I report for my school journal. That's right where everyone's going to find out about you when I write about this in next week's edition. Paris: What's your name? Latika: Latika. Paris: Latika. I'm sorry. Latika: For what? Paris: I just am. Makull: I realize how this must appear to you but I'm just a patriot. Janeway: A patriot? Makull: I sincerely believe polaric energy has the potential to destroy this entire world. Janeway: And I take it very few people here agree with you. Makull: We have more support since the accident at Markov. We know the companies are afraid of us. We know they've increased security at all their plants, but it will not be enough to stop us. We can't wait another week, we have to move up the schedule. We know they're not telling us the truth. We have to assume the government sent them. Tell everyone we begin at four hundred tomorrow. Janeway: Wait a minute. Kes: Captain? Janeway: Kes. Makull: Do you have something to tell me, Janeway? If that's your real name. Janeway: It is my real name. Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. Kes: I can feel their presence. Tuvok: Please elaborate. How can you feel their presence? Kes: I don't know. I just can. They've been in this room, I know it. Chakotay: Is there a subspace fracture anywhere in here? Tuvok: Affirmative. Chakotay: Set up the equipment. Janeway: You wanted the truth, all right, here's the truth. We're from the future. Exactly one day in the future. Latika: You mean I was right? Paris: We weren't allowed to tell. At least, I thought we weren't. Janeway: In a few hours from now there will be a serious accident on this world. It will be caused by a polaric detonation. We came here in an interstellar ship to investigate that explosion. When we arrived, we were exposed to the polaric radiation. Tuvok: Showing a subspace fracture, co-ordinates one four one by twenty one by fourteen, five percent drift, range four meters. Kim: Got it. Initiating generator. Torres: Initiating microscanner for subspace fracture. Janeway: It's very likely that what ever you're planning to do could be responsible for this tragedy. Makull: And somehow you are able to come back here to warn us? Janeway: The explosion had an after-effect that no one expected. It created fractures in time. We fell through one of those fractures. Makull: Interstellar ships, fractures in time, do you honestly expect us to believe all this? Torres: I've found them. Scanners are picking up a subspace beacon. Adjusting penetration co-ordinates to match. I'll try to open up the other end. Chakotay: Chakotay to Janeway. Chakotay: Captain, can you read us? Terla: Eavesdropping devices. Janeway: No, but they are for communication. My crew is trying to contact me. Terla: From the future, of course. Makull: Get the particle injector. Makull: Bring them with us. The boy, too. I have an idea how they can help. Chakotay: Chakotay to Janeway, can you read me? Please respond. Paris: I don't get it, Captain, this morning you were giving orders about not interfering because of the Prime Directive, and now you're telling them everything. Janeway: I told them the truth when I realized we'd already violated the Prime Directive in the worst possible manner. Paris: How did we do that? Janeway: Just by being here. Because if we hadn't been here it's very possible this world would not have been destroyed. Paris: What? Janeway: Think about it, Tom. Before we got involved, these people were planning to commit some kind of sabotage next week. We were the ones who forced a change in their schedule. Because of us, they decided to begin today at four hundred rotations, and we know the detonation takes place today at just after four hundred and one . Paris: Four oh one twenty two eighty four. Wait a minute. You're saying we're responsible for an explosion even though it occurred before our ship arrived here. Janeway: We've traveled back to a point in time before the explosion, so, yes, we can be responsible for it. Paris: Let's say we never came, and their plans didn't change. Wouldn't the accident simply have occurred next week instead of today? Janeway: Who knows what might have happened between now and then. They could have been arrested before they got a chance to carry it out, conditions at the plant might not have been the same next week. But it's become our problem now, Tom, and we have got to find a way to solve it. Kim: We're running out of time. The subspacefractures are closing. We've lost over seventy percent of them. Torres: At this point we're suggesting we concentrate our search at the flash-point. Tuvok: May I ask what you expect to accomplish by doing that? Kim: We figure the Captain and Paris might have looked for the origin of the explosion to try and prevent it. Tuvok: Unlikely. It would be a highly questionable decision in light of the Prime Directive. Chakotay: If it were me, I would have tried to get there. Tuvok: The issue is whether Captain Janeway would go there, not you, Commander. Chakotay: You think you can locate the flash-point? Torres: We already have. Chakotay: Let's go. Makull: Your job is to get us past the guards. You'll tell them you're bringing us here to negotiate a settlement of our dispute with the power company. Janeway: I cannot and will not do anything to help you. Makull: Think before you say no. Terla has a weapon trained on the boy. If shooting begins he'll be the first victim. Guard: Is there something I can do for you? Makull: She's a government representative on official business. Janeway: I am a hostage. These men are here to break into the plant. Makull: Their lives are on your conscience, Janeway! Latika: You saved my life. Paris: Don't waste time with me, Captain. Got to stop them. Janeway: Will you stay with him until help arrives? Paris: Sure he will, the kid and I, we're old friends now, aren't we? Latika: Yeah. Janeway: I'll be back for you. Paris: We'll be here. Kim: The polaric levels are higher here than any place we've been so far. Torres: This was undoubtedly the flash-point of the explosion. Whatever went wrong, it started here. Chakotay: Do we have subspace fractures to work with here? Tuvok: Affirmative. They remain quite numerous in this area. Chakotay: Set up the equipment. Kim: Aye, sir. Terla: I need the injector. Janeway: Just hand that bag to me. Tuvok: Four one by three one zero. Two percent drift, range six meters, mark. Kim: I have it. Initiating generator. Torres: Scanning for the subspace beacon. It doesn't look like they were here. Tuvok: It is highly unlikely that Captain Janeway would come here to Kes: No, the Captain did come. She was here. This is where she died. Janeway: Everybody on this planet has less than three minutes to live if you go through with this, Makull. Don't! Makull: What exactly do you think we are planning to do here? Janeway: I assume you're going to sabotage the plant, probably by detonating some kind of device. Makull: We're not stupid enough to blow up anything here. Janeway: That may be true, but something will go wrong. Makull: Nothing is going to go wrong unless you fire that weapon near a polaric conduit. For everyone's safety, I suggest you put it down. Janeway: Give me the bag. Janeway: All right then, we'll wait. Chakotay: If Kes is right, the Captain was here at the moment the explosion occurred. Is there anyway to break through subspace a few minutes before the detonation? Kim: If the widest point of the fracture represents the time of the explosion, couldn't we open a hole just before the widest point? Torres: There's no way we could pin-point the exact time we'd be penetrating but we could make an educated guess. Tuvok: I feel it is my duty to point out there is absolutely no logical reason to believe Kes is correct. However, since I have no alternative course of action to recommend at this time, I suggest we proceed. Torres: Commander? Janeway: What time is it? Terla: Four oh one rotations plus twenty one. Janeway: We'll just wait until twenty three. Makull: Twenty three? What's the importance of twenty three? Oh, this is all about the alleged time of our self-annihilation. All right, let's just see if we can all get through the next Terla: What's going on? Janeway: They're cutting through subspace. Makull: My god, it's going to intersect with the conduit wall! Janeway: Our own rescue attempt. That's what sets it off! My weapon may be able to seal that hole. It's our only chance. Torres: I'm getting nadion particle resistance from the other side. Kim: Increasing generator to maximum output. The generator's overloading. Torres: I don't understand. It's not working. We're not penetrating the fracture. Paris: Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry. You really think she's going to wait for you? Kim: I hope so. Paris: Let her go. Let her have a husband and kids and a good life, while you and I have the Delany sisters. Kim: I told you, I need to run a transtator diagnostic. Paris: You need to run a self-diagnostic. Look, they come as a pair. It's a double date or no date. Come on. I told them all about you. Kim: What did you tell them about me? Paris: Well, for one thing, how you broke the single pilot speed record at the Academy. Kim: Record? I never broke any record! Paris: And who are they going to check it with? Chakotay: Chakotay to Captain Janeway. Janeway: Yes, Commander. Chakotay: We've identified an M-class planet in the red dwarf system we're approaching. Do you want to change course to investigate? Janeway: Are you familiar with any intelligent life forms in this system, Mister Neelix? Neelix: Familiar. Not exactly familiar. Considerably less than familiar, actually. Neelix: Kes, what are you doing here? Kes: I had to know. Neelix: Know? Know what? Kes: The planet. Everyone was killed. There was this terrible explosion. Neelix: You had a bad dream. Kes: No, it was more than a dream. Janeway: Mister Tuvok, any indications of trouble on that M-class planet? Tuvok: Negative, Captain. Janeway: Is it populated? Tuvok: Sensors do show humanoid life. There is no satellite system and no indications of space craft in the vicinity. It appears to be a pre-warp civilization. Janeway: Which means, as a policy, we don't involve ourselves in their affairs. Neelix: Of course. A most enlightened philosophy. Come on, Kes. Kes: I'm sorry. Captain, is it possible to see this planet on the view screen? Janeway: There it is. Kes: Thank you. Paris: Come on. Come on. Just go. Janeway: Enter the planet's co-ordinates into the log and maintain present heading, Commander, warp six. Chakotay: Aye, Captain.

Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 48532.4. We're on our way to a rogue planetoid which Mister Neelix tells us is an extremely rich source of raw dilithium. If he's right, this could go a long way toward easing our power shortage. Janeway: Assuming we do find dilithium on this planetoid, we're going to need a refining facility on the ship to process it. Chakotay: Lieutenant Torres has already asked permission to start modifications to the auxiliary impulse reactor. It could be converted into a crude dilithium refinery. Janeway: The impulse reactor? Sometimes I think B'Elanna goes out of her way to find solutions that ignore Starfleet procedures. Chakotay: Her arguments are quite convincing. She thinks it can be done safely. Janeway: I'm sure it can. Tell her I want regular reports on her progress every step of the way. Are you sure you won't join me for breakfast? I was thinking of having eggs Benedict with asparagus, strawberries and cream. Chakotay: Ah. Janeway: I said I was thinking about it. I'm actually having ration pack number five. Stewed tomatoes with dehydrated eggs. Chakotay: Mmm. Sounds delicious, but I've already had my vacuum-packed oatmeal this morning. Janeway: I'll see you on the bridge. Neelix: Hope you enjoy it. Janeway: What is going on here? Neelix: Captain, you caught me by surprise. Janeway: I could say the same thing. What are you doing? Neelix: Well, I know how you and the other senior officers have been, excuse me, disappointed with the rations lately, so I thought I'd use a few of the vegetables from the hydroponics bay and whip up a little breakfast. Janeway: You have turned this into a galley? Neelix: It wasn't easy. I had to completely re-route the mess hall power conduits and scrounge a lot of supplies from all over the ship, but that's my specialty, making something out of nothing. I know it doesn't look like much now, but in a few days you'll swear there'd been a galley here for years. Be careful, that one is a little spicy. Janeway: Neelix, who approved this? Neelix: Ah, well, no one. Janeway: Well, you might have asked me first. This used to be my private dining room. Neelix: Your? Your dining room? Janeway: If you had checked the ship's directory, you would have noticed that cabin one two five alpha deck two is designated as the Captain's private dining room. Neelix: Oh! Then I guess that you'll be wanting me to move all of this stuff out of your way. Chakotay: Bridge to Captain Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Chakotay: We're approaching the rogue planetoid, Captain. Janeway: On my way. I want you to come with me. We will deal with this later. Neelix: Ensign Parsons, would you mind keeping an eye on things until I get back and er, rotate the darvot fritters every ten minutes until they turn a deep chartreuse. And remember one, one to a customer. Janeway: What have you found? Kim: We're picking up definite dilithium signatures, Captain. The strongest readings are originating from ten to twenty kilometers inside the planetoid. Torres: It also looks like there's a series of subterranean caves with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. Chakotay: Class M. It'll make mining a lot easier if we can go in there without environmental suits. Janeway: How much dilithium are we talking about? Torres: It's hard to get a precise reading. It could be anywhere from five hundred to one thousand metric tons. Neelix: Just as I said. I bet there are a few Yallitaian engineers who'd give all three of their spinal columns to know where this planet is. Janeway: Commander, take an away team down into those caves and do a preliminary geological analysis. Lieutenant, you'd better get your dilithium refinery on-line. Torres: It'll be ready to go in three days. Chakotay: Ensign Kim. Chakotay: Where are you going? Neelix: With you. I've been studying my tricorder operations manual. Lieutenant Torres has brought me up to date on dilithium geophysics. I've been preparing for this mission all week. Janeway: Very well, Mister Neelix. Neelix: I think you'll find me extremely helpful, Commander. I remember the first time I flew past this planet, it was about three years ago Kim: Deck four. Chakotay: It looks like there are several large deposits in this general vicinity. Let's split up and begin taking geological scans. Keep your comm. channels open at all times and don't wander too far. Stay within a fifty meter radius of this position. Chakotay: Chakotay to Kim. Kim: Go ahead. Chakotay: I'm still picking up dilithium signatures but there are no dilithium formations here. Have you found anything yet? Kim: I'm running a geo-strato analysis of the rock in this vicinity. So far there's no indication of any dilithium. Chakotay: Keep looking. Neelix: Neelix to Commander Chakotay. Chakotay: Go ahead. Neelix: I think I've found something. A large cavern approximately twenty meters from my position. I'm reading a huge dilithium formation there. Chakotay: Don't go any further Chakotay: Neelix. Stay within the search radius. I'll be with you in a minute. Neelix: But it's right here. I'm in the cavern now, Commander, but I don't understand this. Chakotay: Let me guess, nothing there. Neelix: Not so much as a sliver of dilithium, and yet according to my readings I should be surrounded by it. Chakotay: All right, I've had enough Chakotay: Of this. Kim, Neelix, we're heading back to the ship. Chakotay: Rendezvous at the Neelix: Wait a minute. I'm getting unusual readings from this rock face. Traces of organic energy. Looks like a bio-electrical signature. I think there's something alive down here. It's about two meters into this rock face. Chakotay: Neelix, I said get back here! Neelix, did you hear what I said? Neelix: Just one minute, Commander. Neelix: Hello? Is there someone there? Hello? I know there's somebody. Chakotay: Neelix, what's wrong? Neelix! Kim! Kim: I'm on my way sir. Chakotay: I can't be certain, but I think he's going into shock. Chakotay to Voyager, medical emergency. Beam us directly to sickbay. Emh: Get the blood-gas infuser. Chakotay: The what? Emh: Equipment storage unit two, second shelf on the left. Now! Emh: Hold him still. Kim: What's happening, Doctor? Emh: He's going into a coma. Emh: The infuser will keep his oxygen levels stable for the next hour or so, but after that he'll die. His lungs have been removed. Chakotay: By the time we got to him he was unconscious. Janeway: How could anyone remove his organs so quickly? Chakotay: The Doctor says whoever did this used some kind of transporter to beam the lungs directly out of his body. Kes: What happened? Janeway: It appears that Neelix was attacked. We don't know how it happened, but someone has surgically removed his lungs. Janeway: Did you find any evidence of the life sign that Neelix reported? Chakotay: No. Kim: Captain, I've analyzed the sensor logs from Neelix's tricorder. The bio-scanner picked up a single class three humanoid organism. Emh: The blood gas infuser will keep him alive for another forty seven minutes. The only chance for his survival I see at the moment is to get his own lungs back. Janeway: Can't we fit him with a pair of artificial lungs? Emh: His respiratory system is directly linked to multiple points along his spinal column. It's too complex to replicate. I may be able to surgically reattach the organs if we get them back. In the meantime I'll have to search for other options. Janeway: Commander, I'm taking an away team back to the planet. You're in charge until we return. Inform Mister Tuvok I want three armed security detachments to accompany us. Issue type three phasers. Emh: Mister Paris, did they teach you how to run a respiratory series in your bio-chemistry classes at the Academy? Paris: No, I'm afraid they didn't. Emh: Fine, I'll run it myself. Get me a pulmonary scanner. I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Kes: I'm not leaving. Emh: All right, just keep out of the way. Kim: Here it is. This is where Neelix was standing when he was attacked. According to his tricorder log he was scanning this rock face when he detected the life sign. Janeway: Neelix said there was a life sign two meters behind this wall, but my tricorder says there's nothing but solid rock for another fifteen meters. Kim: Sounds like our tricorders aren't giving us the real picture behind what's going on here. Janeway: Wait a minute. The rock is warmer here. Kim: You're right, Captain. There's a two degree differential in this section of the wall. Tuvok: There are no natural geological phenomena that could be creating this heat source. Janeway: Let's make a little heat of our own. Tuvok: There was a highly sophisticated forcefield in place. Janeway: There's a chamber down this corridor. Paris: Doc, I think his cellular toxicity level is rising. Emh: It's up to thirty two percent. Lets see if we can stabilize those levels. Get me a cytoplasmic stimulator. Paris: We don't have one. Emh: Then replicate one. The design schematics are in the ship's medical database. Paris: Right. Emh: The man drives a seven hundred thousand ton starship so somebody thinks he'd make a good medic. Kes: I can survive with one lung, can't I? What if I donated a lung to Neelix? Emh: A transplant is not an option. No one on board is a compatible match for a Talaxian. Emh: We're going to need a completely new way to oxygenate his blood supply and relay neuro-electrical impulses. Our replicators can't produce compatible artificial organs for him, but maybe there's a way to mimic their functions and give us direct control of his respiratory system. Computer, is there an identification matrix on Mister Neelix from the last time he used the transporter? Computer: Affirmative. Emh: Transfer it to console four. Paris: What are you doing? Emh: I'm using the transporter matrix to get exact specifications for Neelix's lungs. Paris: I thought you just said we can't replicate his lungs. Emh: We can't. But if I can reconfigure my emitter array I might be able to create a pair of holographic lungs for Mister Neelix. Paris: Holographic lungs? Emh: If it's successful, we can precisely control his pulmonary functions to allow normal breathing. Paris: But a hologram is just a projection of light held in a magnetic containment field. There's no real matter involved. Emh: Now, you hit me. Emh: The magnetic containment field that creates the illusion of my body can be modulated to allow matter to pass through it or be stopped. I might be able to modulate the holographic lungs in the same way, allowing oxygen and carbon dioxide to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. Kes: I want to know what this means. What are you going to do to him? Emh: There's no time to explain the exact procedure to you right now. Kes: Oh, you'll make the time, because I'm not going to let you perform any experimental surgery on Neelix until I know exactly what you're doing and what the risks are. Emh: The risk is that it won't work, and if it doesn't he'll die. But it is his only immediate chance for survival. If he does survive, he'll have to be held motionless in an isotropic restraint. The lungs need to be perfectly aligned to his internal physiology. The computer won't be able to compensate for any body movement whatsoever. Kes: How long will he have to stay like that? Emh: For the rest of his life, unless the holo-lungs can be replaced by his original organs. And he will never be able to leave the holographic environment of this room. The holo-lungs would disappear the moment he went out the door. Paris: Kes, I know it sounds pretty grim, but it's better than losing him completely. This way, he'll still be alive, and maybe we can find a better solution somewhere down the road. What do you think Neelix would want? Kes: I'm not sure. But I do know that I want him to live. Tuvok: This room is the source of the dilithium signature we detected earlier. The power systems here are running on an unusual dilithium matrix. Kim: So there are actually no dilithium deposits on this planet. Tuvok: It would appear not. Kim: Are these organs? Janeway: This looks like some sort of storage facility. Tuvok: I would say you are correct, Captain. This appears to be a biological repository. Janeway: Any sign of Neelix's lungs? Tuvok: Negative. There is however a Kazon liver, and although I cannot identify the other organs on display here I would say they bear a striking similarity to pulmonary organs, epidermal tissue, ocular nerve fiber Janeway: Save the cataloging for later, Tuvok, according to my tricorder there was a lifeform in this room less than ten minutes ago. Kim: Captain. Janeway: Open it. One life sign twenty meters ahead. Let's go. Tuvok: They have erected a forcefield with a rotating phase modulation. We will not be able to disrupt it. Chakotay: Voyager to Captain Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Chakotay: We've just picked Chakotay: Up an alien ship leaving the planet. Janeway: Tractor them Janeway: Commander. Chakotay: Sorry, Captain. They went into warp too quickly. Janeway: Beam us back. As soon as we're aboard lay in a course for pursuit. Janeway: Maximum warp. Chakotay: Aye Captain. Paris: Okay. The isotropic restraint is activated. He won't be able to move more than two microns in any direction. Emh: One micron would be preferable, but I suppose it'll have to do. Initiating the holographic emitter array. Paris: His cellular toxicity is rising. Eight two percent. Eighty six percent. Emh: Computer, activate program Neelix One. Deactivate the infuser. Paris: It's offline. Emh: Here we go. Paris: Ninety percent. Ninety five percent. Paris: Toxicity returning to normal. Janeway: Captain's log, supplemental. We are pursuing the alien ship from the moon. They are not responding to hails and it appears that our two ships are evenly matched for speed. Neelix: Holographic lungs? Emh: Yes, and they're working perfectly, if I do say so myself. Try to breath normally. Neelix: How long can I live like this? Emh: I don't know. This is an unprecedented medical procedure. We will be closely monitoring your condition. Neelix: When do I get out of this restraint? Emh: Unless Captain Janeway is successful in retrieving your original lungs, you'll have to stay in the isotropic restraint indefinitely. Neelix: Indefinitely? You mean I could be in here the rest of my life. Emh: Yes. Kes: But we're trying to find the aliens that did this to you. The Captain is doing everything she can. Neelix: Well, if I'm going to be in here a while, now's as good a time as any to tell you. Your ceiling is hideous. Emh: I didn't design the room, I just work here. Neelix: Something with a bit of color would help. Maybe a nice tapestry or a painting. Could you dim the lights a little? Emh: I'm a doctor, Mister Neelix, not a decorator. Perhaps you would be willing to accommodate his esthetic needs. Neelix: And some music would be nice. Or better yet, are you programmed to sing? Janeway: Janeway to Paris. Please report to the bridge. Paris: I'm on my way, Captain. You know where I am if you need me. Kes: Thanks for everything. Neelix: Oh, fine. I have a little accident, I lose a pair of lungs, and the next thing I know Paris is swooping in like a Rectillian vulture. Kes: What are you talking about? Neelix: Didn't you hear the way that he said that? I'll be on the bridge if you need me. If you need me. Kes: Neelix Neelix: Why doesn't he just pull the plug on the holographic emitter and get it over with. Get me out of the way so he can have you all to himself. Kes: Neelix, you're over-reacting. Tom's been very supportive. Neelix: Ah, so it's Tom now, is it? Kes: You really have nothing to worry about. We're friends, that's all. Neelix: It's not you I'm worried about. It's him. He's just one big hormone walking around the ship. Don't you see the way that he looks at you? Kes: This is ridiculous. I'm not going to argue with you about something that exists only in your imagination. I know you, Neelix, and I know you're afraid. I just want you to know that no matter what happens, I'll be here with you. Neelix: Kes, I could be in here a very long time. You need to go on with your life. Don't worry about me. Kes: Neelix Neelix: You should just let me die. Kes: Stop that. We're going to get through this together. Emh: Visiting hours are over. He needs rest. Kes: When can I come back? Emh: Seventeen hundred hours. Not a minute before. Kes: I'll see you then. Emh: Don't worry, I'm not going to kiss you, I'm only adjusting the restraint. Neelix: I'll try to contain my disappointment. Torres: Captain! We've completed our diagnostic on the alien device. It appears to be more than a weapon. It's also a very sophisticated medical scanner and surgical instrument. Tuvok: From what we can tell, it uses a neural resonator to stun the victim, while a quantum imaging begins a microcellular analysis of the entire body. Torres: The amount of information this thing can gather puts a tricorder to shame. You fire this at someone, you learn everything about their anatomy, right down to their DNA sequencing. Janeway: So it sounds like we're dealing with aliens who've developed a technology specifically designed to locate and extract organs from other beings. Why? Chakotay: Captain! The alien ship has dropped out of warp. It's approaching a large asteroid. Janeway: On screen. Paris: It's entered the asteroid, Captain. Janeway: Hold position here. Mister Kim? Kim: I can't scan the interior. The surface stratum is made up of some sort of neutronium alloy. It doesn't look like a natural formation. Chakotay: Are you saying some one built this asteroid? Kim: It's possible. Janeway: Any sign of weapons or defense systems? Tuvok: Negative. Paris: I think I've located where the alien ship entered. There's an open crater on the limb of the asteroid. Chakotay: Let's see it. Paris: The ion trail from the alien ship leads directly inside. Janeway: How large is that crater? Paris: Two hundred meters in diameter. Tuvok: Captain, may I suggest you consider carefully what you are about to do. Janeway: How do you know what I'm about to do? Tuvok: I could describe to you in detail the psychological observations I have made about you over the past four years which lead me to conclude you are about to take this ship inside the asteroid. But suffice it to say, I know you quite well. Janeway: One of these days I'm going to surprise you, Tuvok, but not today. I've already considered other options. If Neelix has any chance of surviving, we have to act fast. Red alert. Mister Paris, lay in a course. Paris: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Mister Tuvok, maximum shields. Phasers at the ready. Paris: Captain, I'm reducing power to the aft thrusters only. This passageway is getting a little too narrow for my taste. Janeway: Use your diskretion, Mister Paris. Any sign of the vessel, Lieutenant? Tuvok: We are still following the ion trail, but electro-magnetic interference is limiting our sensor range. I am only able to scan five hundred meters ahead of us. Chakotay: Are there any indications we're being scanned or probed, Mister Kim? Kim: Not yet. Neelix: Doctor? Doctor, I require your assistance. Emh: What is it, Mister Neelix? Neelix: Please, it's urgent. Emh: Yes? Neelix: I have an itch Emh: An itch. Neelix: Just above my left eyebrow. Neelix: A little higher. Ah. Thank you. Emh: You're quite welcome. Neelix: Doctor, wait, don't leave. Emh: I'm not leaving, Mister Neelix, I'm simply going back to work. Neelix: I can't see you over there. I feel like I'm all alone. Emh: You are all alone. I'm a holographic projection. A projection with a lot of work to do, I might add. Neelix: That's very amusing, Doctor. But, I'm really starting to feel a little trapped in here. A little claustrophobic, maybe. I'm not sure what to do. Emh: There's nothing you can do except lie there and be quiet. Neelix: I'm going to lie here for the rest of my life, aren't I? Just staring up at the ceiling. I'm not sure I can take that. I really need to get out of this restraint. Doctor, I want you to let me out of this thing right now. Emh: You know that's impossible. Neelix: I'm the patient, I know what my rights are. I want to be released from this restraint immediately. Immediately! Emh: Mister Neelix, you are alive. You are breathing and for the moment your condition is stable. That is more than most people can say in your situation. Now it is critical to your recovery that you not subject yourself to any additional stress. Try to calm down. Neelix: Don't tell me to calm down! You're not the one trapped in a restraining field with holo, holo-lungs. I don't think they're working. I can't, can't get enough oxygen. There's something wrong. Emh: You're hyperventilating. Try to take slow, natural breaths. Neelix: I can't. I'm dying. Let me out of here. Help me. Help me. Janeway: You're doing fine, Mister Paris. Just fine. Paris: Thanks, Captain. Tuvok: Sensors detect a large chamber ahead. Chakotay: What the hell? Kim: We appear to be seeing Voyager and the alien ship reflecting off the walls of the chamber. Janeway: Can you determine which ship is the real one? Tuvok: No, Captain. The walls are emanating severe electro-magnetic interference. I cannot scan them directly. Janeway: It's like trying to move through a hall of mirrors. You never know when you're going to walk into the glass. Paris: I'm still picking up the alien's ion trail. Maybe we should follow that. Chakotay: He might have left a fake ion trail to lure us in here. It could lead us right into one of those walls. Janeway: That's a chance we're going to have to take. Tuvok, extend the deflectors to maximum range. If we do run into something, it'll give us an extra margin of error. Follow the ion trail, Mister Paris, slowly. Mister Kim, continuous scans. Kim: Aye, Captain. Kes: I'll do what I can to reassure him, Doctor. Emh: Good. If you don't mind I'd like you to remain in sickbay so you're here when he wakes up. Kes: Of course. Are you all right? Emh: Me? Kes: You seem agitated about something. Emh: Of course I'm agitated. This entire situation is getting out of control. Kes: You mean Neelix. Emh: First they tell me there's no doctor, so I have to be on call twenty four hours a day. And then they tell me there are no nurses so I have no one to assist me. Kes: I thought Tom Paris was assigned to you. Emh: Like I said, no one to assist me. And now I have a patient with severe and possibly long term emotional problems and there's no counselor on board. I am an emergency medical supplement. A supplement, that's all. I wasn't programmed for any of this. It's just unacceptable. Kes: I don't know anything about holographic engineering, but if you want my opinion, you haven't been acceptable, you've been remarkable. Emh: I've only done what the program allows me to. Kes: Give yourself some credit. You saved his life. You did, not some program. Emh: It may seem that way to you. Kes: That's exactly how it seems. Emh: You're very kind. Kes: How does a real doctor learn to deal with patient's emotional problems anyway? Emh: They learn from experience. Kes: Aren't you capable of learning? Emh: I have the capacity to accumulate and process data, yes. Kes: Then I guess you'll just have to learn like the rest of us. Emh: Have you ever considered a career in medicine? Neelix is starting to regain consciousness. Seska: Lieutenant, I'm picking up a minor power fluctuation in the warp core. Torres: Compensate with the KLS stabilizer. Seska: No effect. In fact, the power loss is starting to accelerate. Janeway: Janeway to Torres, what's going on down there? Torres: Some kind of power drain. I can't localize it but we're losing power at the rate of Torres: Seven percent per minute. Kim: The power drain is coming from somewhere in this chamber, Captain. It's some kind of dampening field. It's bleeding energy directly from the warp nacelles. Janeway: B'Elanna, shut down the warp core. Janeway: Go to emergency power. Torres: No effect, Captain. Janeway: Keep me informed. Janeway: Bridge out. Can you pinpoint the source of the dampening field? Kim: It appears to be coming from two one seven mark zero one five. Distance, five hundred and forty seven meters. Janeway: Tuvok, what would happen if we locked phasers and fired at the source. Tuvok: The walls of this chamber reflect directed energy. The phaser beam would ricochet along an unpredictable path, possibly impacting our ship in the process. Janeway: All right, we won't try that. Chakotay: Well, maybe we should. Tuvok, what would happen if we reduced the phaser power level to a minimum setting and sent out a continuous beam. Tuvok: The phaser would continue to reflect off the bulkheads until it encountered a non-reflective material. Chakotay: Until it encountered a non-reflective material, like the real alien ship. Janeway: So we could use the phasers like a searchlight, scan the interior of the station until we find the ship. Chakotay: Exactly. Janeway: Do it. Tuvok: Adjusting phaser azimuth to fifteen degrees. Kim: Wait a minute. I think I've found the real ship. Janeway: On screen. Janeway: Mister Paris, bring us within transporter range of that ship. Paris: Aye, Captain. Kim: Picking up two life signs. Tuvok: They are powering engines. Janeway: Bridge to transporter room three. Lock onto those two life signs and beam them aboard. Tuvok: Security, meet me in transporter room three. Crewman: Aye sir. Janeway: You're on the Starship Voyager. I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the United Federation of Planets. Dereth: I'm Dereth, of the Vidiian Sodality. Janeway: You attacked one of our crewmembers and you have lured us into this asteroid. Why? Dereth: We are gathering replacement organs and suitable bio-matter. It is the only way we have to fight the phage. Janeway: A virus? Some kind of disease? Motura: Yes, it attacked our people over two millennia ago. It consumes our bodies, destroys our genetic codes and cellular structures. Janeway: So you harvest the bodies of other beings to replace your own tissues as they're consumed by this phage? Motura: Our immuno-technology cannot keep up. The phage adapts. It resists all attempts to destroy it. Our society has been ravaged. Thousands die each day. There is no other way for us to survive. Janeway: I have a great sympathy for what your race has endured, but I cannot allow you to keep the organs you removed from one of our crew members. We need them back immediately. Dereth: I'm afraid that isn't possible. I have already bio-chemically altered the air-breathing organs and grafted them into Motura's body. They are a part of him now. Motura: He is my honatta. His task is to find the organs I need for survival. We, we try to extract them from the dead Dereth: But sometimes, when the need is immediate, more aggressive actions are required. Janeway: So now I am left with the same choice you made. Whether to commit murder to save a life, or to allow my own crewman to die while you breath air through his lungs. Motura: It must be impossible for you to understand how any civilized people could come to this. Before the phage began, we were known as educators and explorers, a people whose greatest achievements were artistic. I myself am a sculptor of note on my world. All I can say is that when your entire existence is at stake Dereth: You don't have to explain yourself, Motura. Motura: If the consequence of this act is a death sentence, so be it. At least it will put an end to my suffering. Janeway: I can't begin to understand what your people have gone through. They may have found a way to ignore the moral implications of what you are doing, but I have no such luxury. I don't have the freedom to kill you to save another. My culture finds that to be a reprehensible and entirely unacceptable act. If we were closer to home I would lock you up and turn you over to my authorities for trial, but I don't even have that ability here, and I am not prepared to carry you forever in our brig. So I see no other alternative but to let you go. Take a message to your people. If I ever encounter your kind again, I will do whatever is necessary to protect my people from this harvesting of yours. Any aggressive actions against this ship or it's crew will be met by the deadliest force. Is that clear? Dereth: Quite. Motura: Wait. I want to see this crewman of yours. Dereth: That can serve no useful purpose. Motura: Maybe it can. Our medical technologies may be superior to theirs. Janeway: I can tell you, from what we've observed of them, that they are considerably superior. Motura: She spared my life. Our lives. We owe it to them to see if there's anything we can do to help him. Janeway: I'll take you to him. Dereth: His simulated organs are primitive. It's amazing he is still alive. Dereth: This is set to scan only. Tuvok: Proceed, carefully. (Dereth scans Tuvok, then Kes, Janeway, a security guard, then the EMH.) Dereth: Strange. According to my readings, you are not here. Emh: Believe me, I wish I weren't. Dereth: The rest of you are healthy. You are compatible for organ transplant. Emh: Wait a minute. We've already considered this. Talaxian physiology is different from that of anyone else on this ship. His immune system would reject their lungs immediately. Dereth: Your surgical knowledge is inferior. We will simply adapt his immunogenicity. It won't be a problem. Which of you will donate a lung? Kes: Me. Neelix: No, absolutely not. It's too dangerous. Let someone else do it. Kes: No, I want to do it, Neelix. I'm willing to take the risk. Besides, you've done so much for me, let me give you something this once. Just for once Neelix: All right. Janeway: I look forward to sampling your cooking, Mister Neelix. Neelix: You mean I can keep my kitchen? Janeway: Well, at least until we get the replicators back online. Neelix: Thank you, Captain. And Captain? I'll see you at breakfast. Janeway: Captain's log, supplemental. The aliens have successfully transplanted one of Kes' lungs into Neelix. The dampening field has been deactivated, and I have allowed them to beam back to their vessel. We are resuming a course home. Emh: It's all right. The operation was a success. Neelix is asleep and breathing on his own now. With your lung. Kes: I feel a little light-headed. Emh: That will pass. You'll soon adapt to diminished lung capacity. I spoke to the Captain about you. She's given me permission to begin training you as a medical assistant. You'll be a back-up for Mister Paris, or possibly a replacement. That is, assuming you're interested. Kes: Of course I'm interested. When do we start? Emh: We'll begin your lessons as soon as you've fully recovered. Kes: Thank you, Doctor. Emh: Thank you. You've given me a lot to think about.

Janeway: Personal log, Stardate 48546.2. Our journey home is several weeks old now, and I have begun to notice in my crew and in myself, a subtle change as the reality of our situation settles in. Here in the Delta Quadrant, we are virtually the entire family of man. We are more than a crew and I must find a way to be more than a captain to these people, but it's not clear to me exactly how to begin. Janeway: At the Academy, we are taught that a captain is expected to maintain a certain distance. Until now, I've always been comfortable with that distance. Torres: Captain, I didn't realize there was an inspection scheduled. Janeway: Not an inspection, Lieutenant. A stroll. Torres: We should have the warp drive up and running by oh nine hundred hours. Recalibrating the reactant injectors is the only thing we have left to do. Janeway: Carry on. Janeway: Maybe this is just the way it works. Maybe the distance is necessary. Maybe more than ever now, they need me to be larger than life. Janeway: I only wish I felt larger than life. Computer, delete last sentence. Janeway: Gentlemen. As you were. So, has Neelix concocted anything interesting this morning? Kim: There's an ancient Chinese curse, Captain. May you live in interesting times. Mealtime is always interesting now that Neelix is in the kitchen. Janeway: We shouldn't judge him too harshly. He is helping us conserve replicator energy. Paris: And I'm sure the gastrointestinal problems will go away as soon as our systems get used to his, er, gourmet touch. Janeway: Well, I'll see you at duty call. Kim: We should've asked her to join us. Paris: Ensigns don't invite captains to sit down. Kim: Why not? Paris: Because they don't. Kim: Well, what's wrong with showing a little courtesy? Paris: Captains don't want courtesy, they want respect. That's why they don't get chummy with the lower ranks. Kim: Well, who else is she supposed to get chummy with out here? There aren't many other captains and admirals for her to talk to. Paris: If she wants to sit with us, she'll ask us to join her. That's the way it's done. Kim: I think you're working from an old rule book, Paris. Janeway: Neelix? Neelix: Captain! May I say, you look beautiful this morning. Is that a new color lipstick? Janeway: No. No, it's the same color I always wear. Neelix: Well, perhaps it's just the way the glow of the food heater lamps hit you but you look wonderful. Not to suggest you don't always look wonderful. Janeway: Neelix. Do we have any coffee left? Neelix: No, but we have something even better. Janeway: I don't want something even better. I want coffee. Neelix: It's made from a proteinaceous seed I discovered on an expedition Janeway: Never mind. I'll use one of my replicator rations for coffee. Neelix: That would not be appropriate, Captain. Janeway: I beg your pardon? Neelix: You need to set an example for the crew. Janeway: Well, thank you for reminding me. Neelix: You're welcome. After all, if you want the crew to begin to accept natural food alternatives instead of futher depleting our energy reserves, you need to encourage them by your own choices, don't you? Janeway: Fine. Give me your even better than coffee substitute. Neelix: And how about some Takar loggerhead eggs with that this morning? Janeway: Just coffee. Neelix: It's a tiny bit richer blend than you're used to, but you'll learn to love it. Chakotay: Bridge to Janeway. Janeway: On my way. Janeway out. Tomorrow maybe. Janeway: Yes, Commander? Chakotay: There was no need for you to come to the bridge, Captain. Janeway: Yes, there was. Chakotay: I just wanted to alert you to a nebula we've picked up on long range sensors. Janeway: Put it on screen. Magnify. Tuvok: There are unusually high levels of omicron particles within this nebula, Captain. Janeway: Are you thinking we could collect these omicron particles to provide an additional antimatter reserve, Lieutenant? Tuvok: Precisely. Janeway: Senior bridge officers, report for duty. Commander, set a new course. There's coffee in that nebula. Janeway: Exploring this nebula should raise some spirits around here, don't you think, Commander? Chakotay: No way to go but up. Janeway: You're closer to the crew than I am. How bad is it? Chakotay: There's a nuanka, a period of mourning, that everyone's going through. It's a natural reaction. Janeway: I'm worried about them. I wish we had a counselor on board, but the nature of our mission didn't require one. Chakotay: We talk to animals. It's a Native American tradition. Janeway: Animals? Chakotay: Our own counselors. We're taught that an animal guide accompanies us through life. Basically, it's what Carl Jung thought he invented when he came up with his active imagination technique in 1932, but we've been doing pretty much the same thing for centuries. Janeway: Is there a different animal guide for everyone? Chakotay: Actually, yes. Janeway: Let me guess. Yours is a bear. Chakotay: Why do you say that? Janeway: You strike me as the bear type. Chakotay: Thank you. The bear is a very powerful animal. It has great pokattah. But he's not my animal guide. The creature that guides us doesn't define who we are. It merely chooses to be with us. Janeway: Okay. If not a bear, then what? Chakotay: I can't tell you that. It would offend my animal guide if I spoke its name. Janeway: But he guides you well? Chakotay: Actually, it's a female. But yes, she usually guides me very well. Janeway: Can one just choose their own animal guide? Chakotay: It's not quite that simple. Paris: Captain. We're approaching the perimeter of the nebula. Janeway: Slow to one third impulse. Chakotay: If you're interested, I'll be glad to teach you how to contact your animal guide. Janeway: You've got a date. Analysis, Mister Kim. Kim: Seven AU's in diameter. Sensors are picking up intermittent gamma and thermal emissions. Nothing our shields can't handle. Janeway: Mister Paris, any problems for navigation? Paris: I'm showing mostly hydrogen, helium and hydroxyl radicals. Some local dust nodules. I don't see them giving us any trouble. Janeway: Mister Tuvok, can you find us a rich deposit of omicron particles in there? Tuvok: A significant concentration appears to exist approximately sixty four million kilometers inside the perimeter. Janeway: Set coordinates. Tuvok: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Engines at one quarter impulse. Engage. Kim: I've never seen anything like it. Tuvok: Tuvok to Kim. Mister Kim, that is a comment we'd prefer not to hear from a senior officer on the Bridge. It makes the junior officers nervous. Kim: Yes, sir. Paris: Density has increased to forty two percent. Janeway: Cause? Paris: Not sure. We seem to be drawing some interstellar dust toward us. Janeway: Engineering, could the magnetic field from our impulse engines be attracting this dust? Torres: It's a good possibility, Captain. I'm showing the dust with a return force ratio of four to one. Recommend we shut down impulse and go to thrusters. Janeway: Acknowledged. Engage thrusters. Janeway: Ahead, slow. Paris: Density still increasing. Up by seventy percent now. Janeway: Mister Tuvok? Tuvok: The level of resistance poses no danger to the hull at this time, Captain. Janeway: How far to your omicron particle deposits? Tuvok: Twelve thousand four hundred kilometers. Janeway: Maintain course and Janeway: Report! Paris: We're at a dead stop now. Torres: Shutting down thrusters. Tuvok: We seem to have encountered an energy barrier. Janeway: Is it natural or artificial? Torres: We're not reading any directed energy source down here, Captain. My guess is it's a natural phenomenon. Janeway: How far are we from the particles, Lieutenant? Tuvok: Just over seven thousand kilometers. Janeway: It's conceivable this energy barrier is related to those particles. Mister Kim, if you can get a transporter beam through the barrier Kim: Can't do it, Captain. The thoron emissions of the barrier would interfere with the transporter signal. Janeway: Miss Torres, do we have enough power to take the ship through the barrier? Torres: The barrier appears to be only fifty meters deep. A four second burst at maximum thrusters ought to do it. Janeway: All right. Maximum shields. Engage full thrusters for four seconds and then drop to one quarter. Paris: Acknowledged. Engaging thrusters. Janeway: What do you make of it, Mister Tuvok? Tuvok: I am unable to offer identification, Captain. Kim: Kim to Tuvok. In other words, you've never seen anything like it. Oh, I promise not to tell the junior officers. Paris: Captain, the breach we just make when we penetrated the field? It just closed behind us. Neelix: Kes! Now look what she's gotten us into! Kes: Do all nebulas look like that? Neelix: I wouldn't know. I'm smart enough to go around nebulas when I encounter them. Kes: These people are natural born explorers, Neelix. Neelix: These people are natural born idiots, if you ask me. They don't appreciate what they have here. This ship is the match of any vessel within a hundred light years, and what do they do with it? Well, let's see if we can't find some space anomaly today that might rip it apart! Kes: I don't think the Captain is an idiot. She cares a great deal about her crew. Neelix: You don't care a great deal about your crew and introduce them to the specter of death at every opportunity. And I speak as a member of that crew now. I'm not sure I would've wanted you to come along had I known that this is what Kes: I think it's wonderful. Neelix: Wonderful? Kes: If I were Captain, I'd open every crack in the universe and peek inside, just like Captain Janeway does. Neelix: I don't deny the romantic quality of this sort of casting about. I wouldn't exactly call it wonderful. Neelix: Although, it's getting more wonderful by the minute. Kes: I've never kissed anyone inside a nebula before. Neelix: What did I tell you? Janeway: Red alert. Chakotay: Whatever they are, they're passing right through our shields. Janeway: Try reversing the shield polarity. Mister Tuvok? Tuvok: They appear to be made up of a non-reactive material that our sensors do not recognize, Captain. Janeway: Clarify. Are we under attack? Tuvok: Uncertain. There is no indication of directed fire. Torres: Torres to Bridge. Janeway: Go ahead. Torres: These things are sticking to the hull. And I'm showing a drain on our energy reserves. Janeway: A drain? Why would we be losing energy? Torres: I'm not sure, Captain. They seem to be drawing it right through the shield grid along the hull. Kim: We've lost five percent of our energy reserves. Recommend we shut down all non-essential systems. Janeway: Do it. Chakotay: Reversing shield polarity hasn't had any effect. Kim: Energy reserves are down eight percent. Janeway: This is not what I had in mind. Mister Paris, take us back through the energy barrier and out of here. Paris: Reversing course. Janeway: Full thrusters. Kim: Thrusters firing. Paris: We're not penetrating the energy barrier this time. Tuvok: Sensors show a build-up of magnesite dust along the outer rim of the barrier. Janeway: Engineering, I need more power. Torres: We can't go back to impulse, Captain. That's how our problem started. Our best chance is to burn the aft thrusters beyond their recommended limits. Janeway: Proceed. Torres: Acknowledged. Accelerating deuterium to rear thrusters. Chakotay: We have a complement of thirty eight photon torpedoes at our disposal, Captain. Janeway: And no way to replace them after they're gone. Torres: Aft thrusters at one hundred five percent. One hundred fifteen percent. Paris: Barrier still holding. We need something else. Janeway: Give me a two second blast from the forward phaser bank. Tuvok: Firing phasers. The barrier is undamaged, Captain. Chakotay: Ready a photon. Janeway: Mister Paris, assuming we can breach the energy barrier, it's likely to close as fast as the first time. Paris: I'll be riding the tail of our torpedo, Captain. Tuvok: Torpedo is loaded. Janeway: Align coordinates along ship's heading. Tuvok: Coordinates set. Janeway: Fire. Tuvok: Fifty thousand kilometers to the perimeter. Paris: I'm having trouble navigating through the energy currents. It's as thick as a Toarian ice storm out there. Tuvok: Thirty five kilometers to perimeter. Kim: Energy reserves are still falling. Tuvok: Fifteen thousand kilometers. We've cleared the central mass. Janeway: Stand down red alert. Take us to two thousand kilometers off the perimeter and hold position. Get a sample of that matter off the hull for Lieutenant Torres to analyze. I'd like to know what it was that humbled every defense system on this ship. How much of our energy reserves did we lose, Ensign? Kim: Eleven percent, Captain. Janeway: I'm just going to have to give up coffee. That's all there is to it. Paris: Dark enough for you? Kim: What? Paris: Get up, Harry. Something you've got to see. Kim: See? How'd you get in here? Paris: You'd be surprised the things you learn in prison. Kim: MacAllister. James Mooney MacAllister. The guy never slept. He'd be studying his algorithms until dawn and the only way I could get any sleep was to wear a mask. Paris: You could've changed roommates. Kim: Are you kidding? MacAllister got me through fourth year quantum chemistry. Paris: Ah. Kim: Besides, I got used to wearing it. Something about it that reminds me of being in the womb. Paris: Harry, in order to be reminded of something, you have to first Kim: I remember being in my mother's womb. Paris: Right. Kim: I do. So what is it you have to show me? Paris: Nothing that's going to compare to that memory of your mother's womb. Computer, activate holodeck program Paris three. Man: Hey, it's Tom! Gaunt Gary: Hey, Tom, how you doing? Paris: What do you think, Harry? Kim: What is it, a French bistro? Paris: This is where I spent most of my second semester at the Academy. I chose the Starfleet base outside of Marseilles for my physical training. I always had a thing about the French. Sandrine: And the French always had a thing about you, Monsieur Thomas. And with a name like Paris and a face like that, how could anyone resist? Paris: Sandrine, this is my friend Harry Kim. Sandrine: Oh, enchanté. Paris: Sandrine owns the place. It's been in her family over six hundred years. Ricky: Tommy? It's about time. I've been waiting for you. Paris: This is Ricky. I include her in all my holoprograms. Ricky: Hi. Kim: Hi. Ricky: Your friend the gigolo, wouldn't leave me alone. Gigolo: It's what I do, Tom. Nothing personal. Paris: French father, Daliwakan mother. Sandrine: She just sits there and waits for you, huh? Like a little puppy dog? Paris: I wouldn't have it any other way. Sandrine: Oh, really? I thought you liked your women with a little bite? Ricky: Everyone knows about your bite, Sandrine. It's when you start sucking blood they get scared. Sandrine: Monsieur, can I get you something to drink? Kim: Just a cup of tea. Paris: Harry, this is France. Er, break open a bottle of that '46 Saint Emilion you save behind the bar for me. Kim: I don't like to drink this late at night. I get an acid heartburn. Paris: Harry, it's holographic wine. It doesn't give you acid. Try to get in the mood, huh? Kim: Sorry. Paris: I learned a great deal that semester at the Academy, most of it right here. Sandrine: Oui, and most of it from me. Paris: I found this place just after my pocket was picked walking by the harbor. Kim: Somebody picked your pocket? On Earth? Paris: Oh, they just do it for tourists. They give it back. Most of the time. Gaunt Gary: Nine ball in the corner pocket. Paris: You see that pool table, Harry? The table at Sandrine's at Marseilles has attracted the world's greatest hustlers throughout the centuries. I thought it might be fun to program in some of the great players to shoot with. Gaunt Gary: Eight ball in the cross side. Paris: Gaunt Gary, Ames Pool Hall, New York City, 1953. They say that he hustled the great Willie Mosconi himself. Kim: Mosconi? Was he some famous billiard player? Gaunt Gary: The game is pool, kid. Pool. I don't suppose you'd care to wager a fin on a game or two? Paris: Oh, he's not ready for you yet, Gary. Let me teach him a few tricks first. Gaunt Gary: Watch out for him, kid. He can swallow your wallet without ever losing his smile. Kim: I'll keep it in mind. What's a fin? Paris: I'm not sure. Some old kind of Scandinavian currency. Come on. I'll rack them up, you pick out a cue. Harry, this is my idea of home. My little piece of Earth out here in the Delta Quadrant. Kim: You shrug it off, or you like to make the rest of us think you're shrugging it off, but you miss it too, don't you? Paris: What? Kim: Home. Paris: Your shot, Harry. Torres: Computer, activate Emergency Medical Holographic Program. Emh: Please state the nature of the medical emergency. Torres: Why do you always have to say that? Emh: I can only speculate about my programr's motives. Perhaps he thought I might be summoned for important reasons. Torres: Under the circumstances, don't you think you really ought to change your program? Emh: Now there's an interesting concept. A hologram that programs himself. What would I do with that ability? Create a family? Raise an army? Torres: I know a little about holographic programming. I could probably reprogram you. Emh: That makes me feel particularly confident. Torres: Has anyone ever told you, you have a lousy attitude? Emh: If you don't like the doctor's attitude, there's a man sitting in a console in the Jupiter Station Holoprogramming Center you can write to. His name is Zimmerman. He looks a lot like me, actually. Now, not that I don't enjoy the repartee, but was there a reason you stopped in? Torres: I need a second opinion on this. Emh: Who gave you the first opinion? Torres: I gave it to myself. It's a sample of residue we picked up in a nebula. Emh: A nebula? What were we doing in a nebula? No, wait, don't tell me. We were investigating. That's all we do around here. Why pretend we're going home at all? All we're going to do is investigate every cubic millimeter of this quadrant, aren't we? Torres: The molecules are isolinear. No polycyclic structures, but Emh: But this is what brought you to me, isn't it? The nucleogenic peptide bonds. Torres: Is it some kind of phosopholipid fiber? Emh: And you were doing so well. No, I suspect it's something far more interesting than that. Janeway: Come in. Chakotay: Repair crews have degaussed the hull, Captain. Janeway: Good. Let's plan an oh seven hundred departure. What's this? Chakotay: My medicine bundle. I've never showed it to anyone before. After what you said this morning, I thought it was important to let you see. Janeway: Will it help me find my animal guide? Chakotay: Eventually you'll have to assemble your own medicine bundle, but this will allow me to assist you in your quest for a guide. Janeway: Now? Now. Chakotay: A blackbird's wing. A stone from the river. An akoonah. Janeway: Akoonah? Chakotay: My ancestors used psychoactive herbs to assist their vision quests. Now they're no longer necessary. Our scientists have found more modern ways to facilitate the search for animal guides. Place your hand on it and concentrate on the stone. A-koo-chee-moy-a. We are far from the sacred places of our grandfathers. We are far from the bones of our people. But perhaps there is one powerful being who will embrace this woman and give her the answers she seeks. Allow your eyes to close. Breath to fuel the light in your belly, and let it expand until the light is everywhere. Prepare yourself to leave this room and this ship, and return to a place where you were the most content and peaceful you have ever been. You can see all around you and hear the sounds of this place. Janeway: I know this place. It's Chakotay: You must not discuss with me what you see, or you will offend your animal guide. As you continue to look around, you will become aware of other life that shares this place with you. It will be the first animal you see. That is the one you will speak to. Do you see an animal? Janeway: Yes. Chakotay: Speak to it. Janeway: What do I say? Chakotay: You know what you want to ask. Janeway: I'm sorry. I should've asked the computer for no interruptions. Come in. Janeway: The Commander was introducing me to my animal guide. Torres: I hope that you have better luck with yours than I had with mine. Chakotay: B'Elanna's the only one I know who tried to kill her animal guide. Torres: I'm sorry to interrupt, but the Doctor and I have come up with a rather surprising analysis of the matter left on the hull. It's organic. Janeway: Microscopic life forms from the nebula. Torres: That's not what I mean. The samples are clearly organic elements of a much larger life form. It appears, Captain, that this nebula is not a nebula at all. Emh: I'm curious, Captain. Exactly what are you looking for? Janeway: I need to know if we did serious harm to this life form. Emh: Let's see. You ran your ship through it, fired phasers at it and blew a hole in it with a photon torpedo. I'd say it's a pretty good chance that you did some fairly significant Janeway: Computer, mute audio. Isolate that concentration of omicron particles we were tying to get to. Torres: That would be right here. Janeway: Mister Tuvok? Tuvok: I'm afraid the concentration of particles is far lower than I originally observed. Furthermore, it appears that many of the particles have now moved outside the energy barrier. Janeway: Is it possible they're leaking out through the breach we made? Tuvok: That would be a logical conclusion. Janeway: It's also a logical conclusion that all of the phenomena we've encountered were actually this life form's natural defense systems. Chakotay: The way the barrier was protecting the omicron particles almost suggests we were entering a vital organ. Janeway: So it seems very clear that we've severely hurt an innocent life form. How do we repair the harm we've done? Paris: Er, Captain? Janeway: Computer, resume audio. Emh: How kind of you. You may be interested to know that the analysis of the organic sample suggested this life form has the capacity to regenerate. The process may simply need a helping hand. Janeway: Any ideas how we could stimulate regeneration? Emh: Lieutenant Torres has the answer. Torres: I do? Emh: You were the one who first observed that this life form has a nucleogenic structure. Torres: If the life form has a nucleogenic structure, nucleonic radiation ought to assist its healing process. A nucleonic beam along the edges of the breach should theoretically promote regeneration. Emh: Bravo. Janeway: Commander, take us to yellow alert and advise the crew that we're going to re-enter the life form. Mister Kim, review all systems in light of our first experience and see if you can provide new safeguards. Tuvok, your job is to find some modification of the shields that will hold off this life form's natural defense systems. We begin at thirteen hundred hours. Dismissed. Neelix: The bantan is a little on the spicy side. Kes grows them herself in the hydroponics garden. Don't eat any of the little pink things and you'll be fine. Chakotay: All personnel report to stations. Yellow alert. Crewwoman: Sorry. Crewman: Excuse me. Neelix: Now what? Neelix to Chakotay. Chakotay: We're very busy up here, Neelix. What do you need? Neelix: This yellow alert business. Neelix: I was just starting to serve Chakotay: Sorry. Chakotay: We found out that the nebula is actually a life form and we've got to go back in to repair some damage we did to it. Chakotay out. Neelix: Go back in? Hello? Well, that's it. I've had it. Kes: Neelix. Neelix: No. I'm going to the Captain about this. Janeway: Come in. Neelix: Captain, I understand that this nebula we've discovered is some kind of monster? Janeway: Not a monster, Neelix, but it is a life form. Neelix: Excuse me if I sound crazy, because someone may have been playing a joke on me, but you aren't planning to take us back into the belly of this beast, are you? Janeway: No joke. Neelix: Why? Janeway: Because we hurt it, and we have to help it recover. Neelix: I did not come on board this ship to be a veterinarian, Captain. Janeway: And I thought you were a man of unlimited talents. Neelix: I just reached my limit. So if you don't mind, Kes and I will wait on board my little vessel for you to return. Janeway: All our crews are busy preparing for this mission. I'm not pulling them off their duties to prepare your ship for launch. And I'm not going drop you off on the side of the road every time we hit a bump. When we finished, if you want to leave that's your business, but for the moment, find yourself a seat with a good view, because just like Jonah and the whale, you're going in. Neelix: Is that final? Janeway: Dismissed. That's a Starfleet expression for get out. Neelix: Jonah? Whale? Paris: Approaching the perimeter. Janeway: Disengage impulse engines. Paris: Impulse engines offline. Janeway: Engage thrusters one third. Paris: Thrusters engaged. Janeway: Red alert. Tuvok: Shields are up. Adaptive harmonics are operational. Paris: Density is already more than double what we encountered last time. Tuvok: EM hull pressure is approaching dangerous levels, Captain. Janeway: Mister Kim? Kim: If my research is right, releasing positive ions through the nacelle should repel some of the dust out there. Janeway: Without causing further harm to the creature? Kim: I believe so, Captain. Janeway: Very well. Kim: Ion release confirmed. Paris: Ambient density is dropping. Tuvok: Hull pressure is decreasing also. Janeway: Hold your course. Tuvok: Fourteen thousand kilometers to the breach. Paris: I can see it. Janeway: Magnify. Engineering, ready your nucleonic beam. Torres: Ready and awaiting your orders, Captain. Janeway: Mister Paris, bring us into position. Paris: Coming about forty degrees. Janeway: Report! Kim: We're being hit by some kind of multi-polar charges. They're not like anything we saw the first time. Tuvok: Shields at eighty seven percent. Janeway: Will they hold? Tuvok: The polarity of each charge is rotating so quickly, the shields can not compensate. Torres: We've lost the rear driver coil assembly. Paris: Inertial dampers are offline. I'm losing control. Hold on! Janeway: Engineering, initiate emergency shutdown of all thrusters. Torres: Captain Torres: The only way we can shut down all thrusters is to vent their deuterium into space. We can't afford to lose all that fuel. Janeway: We have no choice. Do it. Torres: Acknowledged. Cutting thrusters. Paris: Inertial dampers are still offline. Janeway: Reset IDF baseline at three zero zero and reinitialize. Paris: Field processors coming back on-line. Inertial damping restored. Janeway: All stop. Damage report. Kim: Electroplasma leaks reported on deck fourteen. Repair crews are being dispatched. Otherwise, we seem to be in one piece. Chakotay: I believe the optical data network is down, Ensign. Kim: Yes, sir. I'll get right on it. Tuvok: Fourteen injuries reported, Captain. None serious. Janeway: Have you any idea where we are, Mister Paris? Paris: Approximately seventy thousand kilometers from our former position. Deeper inside the creature than before. Janeway: Let's hope it has a slow digestive process. Paris: Yes, ma'am. Janeway: We need to get back to the wound without causing a response from its defense systems. Suggestions? Chakotay: It seems to be leaving us alone now that we've cut off all propulsion systems. Maybe that's what cues it to respond. If I'm right, we might be able to get back without engaging any engines. Paris: No engines? Chakotay: We've been reading these swirling energy currents since we first got here. When we thought it was a nebula, we weren't looking for any pattern. We thought they were just random eddies. But now I'm wondering if these currents might be some kind of circulatory system. Janeway: Mister Kim, are you showing omicron particles in these currents? Kim: Affirmative, Captain. Janeway: If the currents are distributing omicron energy throughout the life form, the circulatory system might pass right by that wound. Paris: We could get in one of those currents and surf back. Janeway: Use the reaction control thrusters in drift mode only, Mister Paris. Paris: Aye, Captain. We're on our way. Speed, all of two hundred KPH. Neelix: Time for refreshment. Ailis paté, Felada onion crisps, stuffed Cardaway leaves. Yum. Janeway: I appreciate the thought, Neelix, but this is hardly the time. Neelix: As the morale officer on this ship, I insist that a break in the workload is both healthy and necessary. Go on, Mister Vulcan. It might even help you loosen up. Or not. Tuvok: May I ask when you became morale officer? Neelix: Oh, just a few minutes ago when I sensed crew morale might be especially low. Mine certainly was. We were in a free fall at the time. Kes: Cooking always helps Neelix to unwind. Neelix: Yes, and after we stabilized, I certainly needed to unwind. So, it seemed to me, I had a choice to either come up here and say I told you so. Paris: No. Neelix: Or to try to do something constructive to help out in my own humble manner. Try the stuffed Cardaway leaves. They're irresistible. Neelix: Now, as your new morale officer, I thought it might be fun for us all to sing a few songs together. Janeway: Don't push it, Neelix. Paris: Captain? Janeway: Well done, Mister Paris. Take us gently out of the current. Stay in RCS drift mode. Paris: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Miss Torres, prepare your nucleonic beam. Torres: We're ready Torres: Down here, Captain. Janeway: Let's give the wound Janeway: Two doses to start. Five bursts at a two second interval. Now. Analysis. Torres: Scanners are showing the regeneration rate up only point zero four percent. Torres: I don't know what we can hope to accomplish if this is the best we can do. Torres: The breach may simply be too large to seal. Emh: This is the Doctor speaking. Please activate your monitor to the Emergency Medical Holographic Channel. I believe I may have a suggestion that will help. Emh: Since no one had the courtesy to turn me off after my last consultation, I've had the opportunity to observe your progress, or lack of same. Emh: I believe a slight alteration of your treatment plan is necessary. As inspiration, I've drawn on an ancient medical technique known as a suture. Janeway: Suture? Emh: Before the advent of laser technologies Emh: Surgical fiber was used to stitch together a wound to allow it to heal naturally. Torres: How does that help us? Emh: Your ship's energy systems are compatible with this life form's omicron particles, are they not? Torres: That's right. Emh: Then it is very likely that this vessel could serve the life form's needs in much the same manner as a suture. By allowing the ship to serve as an energy conduit across the wound, the life form should be able to regenerate itself more rapidly. Paris: And how are we supposed to get the ship into the wound without getting the hell beat out of us again? Emh: That's your problem, not mine. Doctor out. Paris: That's sort of like asking a hurt dog not to bite you while you tend to its wounds. Janeway: You like dogs, Mister Paris? Paris: Yes, ma'am. I always had a dog. Janeway: I like dogs, too. When I had to clean out a cut on my dog's leg, I needed to create a little diversion first to take her mind off it. Mister Kim? Prepare a class four microprobe. Kim: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Lieutenant, if I gave you a short burst from our thrusters, would it be enough for you to maneuver into the breach in ten seconds? Paris: I'd feel better if I had twenty. Janeway: Once we launch that probe as a diversion, you might have ten, maybe even less than that. Paris: Ten sounds good. Janeway: Mister Kim, status? Kim: Microprobe is loaded and ready. Janeway: Set coordinates for launch at one sixty mark seven zero. Cut power after five hundred meters. I don't want to hurt this life form again. Kim: Acknowledged. Janeway: Engineering, I'll need a one second burst from our aft Janeway: Thrusters on my order. Torres: Standing by. Janeway: Launch microprobe. Thrusters. Torres: Firing. Kim: Reading multi-polar charges, high frequency. Tuvok: Shields at seventy five percent and holding. Janeway: Maintain position. Engineering, direct two nucleonic beams fore and aft, parallel to the central axis of the ship. Torres: Acknowledged. Beam engaged. Captain, I'm showing a rapid growth pattern along the wound. Tuvok: Regenerative matter approaching from both directions at just under five hundred kilometers per hour. Janeway: Hold position. Tuvok: Captain, the shields are only designed to withstand Janeway: I am aware of that, Mister Tuvok. Hold position. Tuvok: Regenerative matter approaching. Range, thirty kilometers, fore and aft. Janeway: Engineering, ready full thrusters. Mister Paris? Paris: Just tell me when. Tuvok: Regenerative matter at twenty kilometers. Fifteen. Ten. Janeway: Disengage nucleonic beam. Fire thrusters. Torres: Thrusters engaged. Janeway: Now, Mister Paris. Paris: Forty thousand kilometers to the perimeter. Thirty thousand. Chakotay: The life form's regeneration rate is up forty percent, Captain. Looks like it's well on the way to closing that wound. Paris: We've cleared the central mass. Captain's Log, supplemental. We set out to augment our energy reserves and wound up depleting them by over twenty percent. As a result, we've set a new course for a planet fourteen light years away that Neelix says might have compatible energy sources to offer us. It is out of our way, but circumstances offer few alternatives. So much for raising spirits. Kim: Turning in for the night, Captain? Janeway: Actually, I'm going to talk to an animal and then turn in. Something Commander Chakotay taught me. It's supposed to be quite therapeutic. You might want to ask him about it. Kim: I will. Kim: Captain? Janeway: What is it, Ensign? Kim: Well, I don't mean to be out of place, but if you'd care to join us, you'd be welcome. Janeway: Join you where? Ricky: Come on, Tommy. Let's get out of here. Paris: Easy, honey. I'm setting the Indian up for the big hustle. Ricky: But he's beating you. Paris: Yeah, that's exactly what he's supposed to think, too. Janeway: As you were. Well, this is remarkable. Mister Kim tells me this is your doing, Mister Paris. Paris: Er, yeah. It's just a little diversion, Captain. Gigolo: One always knows when a woman of good breeding enters the room. Ma cherie, may I request your favorite song so that we may dance before I take you to my private felucca on the wharf and make passionate love to you. Paris: I'm sorry. If I had some kind of warning that you were coming Janeway: You would have changed it and I would've missed all the fun. Gaunt Gary: I just don't know what the dolls see in the gigolo, do you? Now me, I got a whole different approach to women. Treat a lady like a tramp and a tramp like a lady. Never fails. Torres: Paris, did you program this guy? Paris: Yeah. Why? Torres: He's a pig, and so are you. Gaunt Gary: Almost never. Janeway: Is this pool or billiards? Paris: Er, pool. Janeway: Right. Pool's the one with the pockets. Would you mind if I gave it a try? Gigolo: Reculez-vous. Give the handsome young woman some room. Tell me, does she have, er, money? Janeway: Commander Chakotay, your stick? Chakotay: It's called a cue, Captain. Janeway: A cue. All right. So what do we do? Do I go first? Janeway: Solids. Sandrine: I saw that coming a mile away, didn't you? Ah, you've got a lot to learn, jeune homme. But then, ah, I've got a lot to teach. Janeway: Eight ball in the side pocket. Janeway: A-koo-chee-moy-a. We are far from the sacred places of our grandfathers and from the bones of our people. But perhaps there is one powerful being who will embrace this good crew and give them the answer they seek.

Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 48579.4. The crew has been scanning constantly for anomalies that might help us shorten our journey home. Ensign Kim has reported an exciting discovery. A subspace disturbance which may be a wormhole. Janeway: Let's see what you have, Mister Kim. Kim: There. It's registering only on subspace bands. We don't even have it on long range sensors yet. Janeway: Verteron emanations. Tunneling secondary particles. It certainly looks like a wormhole. Chakotay: But is it stable enough for us to enter, and if it is, where does it lead? Tuvok: There is, of course, a seventy five percent chance the wormhole will not lead to the Alpha Quadrant. Janeway: Very true. But you can also say there's a one in four chance it will. Those aren't bad odds. Any analysis yet, Ensign? Kim: Too far away. We'd have to be within a thousand kilometers to get a detailed analysis. That would mean a significant course change. Janeway: Well, Mister Kim, if there's even the possibility of finding a wormhole, I think we can afford a detour. Lieutenant, input the coordinates and change course. Paris: Aye, Captain. And may I suggest, if this works, we petition the Federation Astronomical Committee to officially designate this the Harry Kim Wormhole. Paris: Captain, we're approaching the coordinates of the wormhole. Janeway: On screen. Are we in visual range? Kim: Affirmative, Captain, and the anomaly is still registering on subspace bands. Paris: Sensors also indicate it's there. Janeway: Magnify. Increase to highest magnification. Chakotay: If that's a wormhole, it must be the smallest one on record. Janeway: Mister Kim, are you able to analyze it? Kim: Aye Captain. It's virtually microscopic. The aperture is only about thirty centimeters in diameter. Paris: I guess it's a little too small for us to fly through. Tuvok: However, it might be large enough to act as a conduit for a message. Kim: That's right. It could carry a compressed data transmission to Federation space in minutes. Janeway: We still have to find out if it goes anywhere near the Alpha Quadrant. Can you trace it's subspace bearing? Kim: I can't get any directional readings at all. The aperture is too small. Tuvok: I recommend we launch a microprobe into the wormhole. Janeway: Agreed. Do it, Lieutenant. Tuvok: Aye, Captain. Kim: We're receiving telemetry. Paris: It doesn't look like any wormhole I've ever studied. Kim: Microscopic gravitational eddies, extremely constricted spatial dimensions. The pathway's barely wider than the probe itself. Janeway: I think what we're seeing is a wormhole in an advanced state of decay. Must be ancient. Probably been collapsing for centuries. Paris: Does that mean we can't send a message through it? Kim: No, I can do it. Maybe it'll take longer to get through, but the wormhole's still stable enough to carry a transmission. Chakotay: Any idea yet where that message would end up, Ensign? Kim: I'll try extrapolating the verteron exit vector. No, I can't get it. There's a strange phase variance in the radiation stream. We'll have to wait until the probe exits. Janeway: That shouldn't take long. Paris: Captain, I'm getting a distorted energy reading. Tuvok: The probe's telemetry has changed. Kim: It's stuck. Janeway: Stuck? Kim: It's mired in a gravitational eddy, and because the wormhole's in a state of collapse, those eddies are incredibly dense. That probe will never break free, Captain, and we'll have no way of finding out where the wormhole ends. Janeway: Let's give it some time. Maybe it will work itself loose. Kim: Captain? Janeway: What is it, Ensign. Kim: Our probe was just scanned. There's somebody on the other side of the wormhole. Baxter: It started acting up a couple of days ago. I'd been working out in the gym, maybe I overdid it. Emh: Is it sore here? Baxter: Yes. Emh: Localized tenderness to the ulna bone, no epidermal damage, moderate oedema. What are the possible diagnoses? Kes: Epicondylitis, strained ligament, torn muscle and hairline fracture. Emh: That's exactly right. Kes: I've studied all the material you gave me. I'm ready for more. Emh: Good. There's a great deal more for you to learn. The tricorder indicates this is a small stress fracture. Baxter: Can this guy do everything a real doctor does? Emh: Yes, he can. Activate it and direct the beam here. That's it. Not quite so fast. Baxter: If I had to get treatment for something serious, if I needed surgery for instance, would he be performing it? Emh: Of course, and quite expertly too. Baxter: I don't know. I'd have to think twice about that. Emh: Fine. And if you were lucky you wouldn't die on the table while you were making up your mind. That should do it. How does it feel? Baxter: Not bad. Thanks. Kes: Doctor, did you notice how rudely that officer treated you? Emh: Not more so than most. Kes: You mean others act that way too. Emh: Let's just say I've become accustomed to being treated like a hypospray. Now, here's some material on first aid for burns. Kes: Doctor, I think I'd like to do more than study first aid. I'd be interested in knowing more about anatomy and physiology. Emh: You're intellectually curious. I like that. These deal with human anatomy and physiology, but they weren't written for the layman. They're quite technical. Kes: I understand. I'll do my best. And I really appreciate your help. Kim: We've analyzed the data. So far our sensors have detected four separate scans of the microprobe, each one on a progressively narrower band. Someone on the other end of that wormhole is definitely interested in that probe. Tuvok: We cannot preclude the possibility that there is a microscopic entity within the wormhole curious about an intruder. Kim: That's possible, but you'd think our probe would have detected something like that. Janeway: What's the condition of the probe now? Torres: I've been monitoring it from Engineering. It's still embedded in a gravitational eddy, but within seventy two hours it will be crushed. Kim: But until then it should continue to transmit telemetry. Janeway: If we're reading scans from the other side, it's possible the probe is acting as a relay. If that's true, we should be able to use it to transmit a message to whoever is executing the scan. Kim: Yes. I can modify our subspace communications band to accept the probe as a booster. Janeway: Let's try it, Mister Kim. Torres: I'll give you a hand. Tuvok: I fear Mister Kim's exuberance may turn into an equally intense disappointment if his efforts prove in vain. Janeway: You may be right, but I'd rather assume that he's going to be successful. Kim: Okay, I've boosted power to the communications bandwidth. Now all we have to do reconfigure the signal generator so it's compatible with the probe's long range sensors. Torres: I'm on it. Just a few minutes more. Kim: This has to work. It'll mean so much to people back home to know we're alive and headed for Federation space. Torres: We haven't been gone that long. People won't give up on us so soon. They probably just think we're lost. Kim: It's still going to be hard on my folks. I always called them once a week, even when I was on my training missions. I've never been out of contact for so long. Torres: Well, it is going to work, Starfleet, so pretty soon they're going to know you're all right. Kim: How about you? Any family? Torres: I haven't seen my father since I was five. He and my mother separated. He went back to Earth and that was the last I saw of him. Kim: And your mom? Torres: I think she's on the Klingon Homeworld. Kim: You think? Torres: We didn't get along very well. Okay, the signal generator should be tuned to the probe's long range sensors. Kim: Isn't there anyone back home who'll be worried about you? Torres: The Maquis are as to a close family as I've ever had. Most of my friends are here, on the ship, so no, there's no one back home who's going to care one way or the other whether I'm alive. We're ready to transmit. Kim: Engineering to Bridge. Janeway: Janeway here. Kim: We have a communications link with the microprobe. We're going to try sending a preliminary test signal, a series of sub-harmonic pulses. Kim: They stand the best chance of transmission through the wormhole. Janeway: Acknowledged. Janeway: Proceed. Kim: Aye, Captain. Chakotay: I'm reading transmission of the test signal. The probe has received it and relayed it. Paris: How will we know if the signal reaches somebody? Janeway: The only way is if that somebody answers. Kim: There's no response. Torres: It's too soon. Remember, we have no idea how long it takes to reach the other side. Janeway: Are you reading anything, Mister Tuvok? Tuvok: Negative Captain. There is nothing that would suggest a response. Chakotay: Even if someone receives our signal, it might take them some time to figure out how to return it. Janeway: You're right. Janeway to Kim. Continue transmitting. Kim: Aye Captain. Kim: How long shall we keep it up? Janeway: Until I tell you otherwise. Janeway: You have the bridge, Commander. Tuvok: Captain. Janeway: Mister Tuvok. Tuvok: I'm getting something, Captain. Paris: I'm getting it too. A subspace signal relayed through the probe. Tuvok: That signal is being transmitted at exactly the same frequency and amplitude as our signal. It's a response. Someone received our transmission and sent one back, and their signal originated in the Alpha Quadrant. Janeway: Captain's log, supplemental. Encouraged by his success in transmitting a signal to the Alpha Quadrant, Mister Kim is investigating the possibility of establishing a voice link with whoever is at the other end of the wormhole. Janeway: Come in. Kes, this is a surprise. Kes: Am I interrupting? Janeway: Not at all. I was just going to have a cup of soup. Would you like anything? Kes: Ah, spinach juice with a touch of pear, please. Tom Paris introduced me to it, it's very nutritious. Janeway: I'm sure. Computer, one spinach juice with a touch of pear and one cup of vegetable bouillon. What can I do for you? Kes: If there were a member of the crew whose needs weren't being met, would you want to know about it? Janeway: Of course. Kes, do you and Neelix feel that your needs are being ignored? Kes: Of course not, we're very happy here. I'm referring to the Doctor. Janeway: The Doctor? Kes: I don't understand why people treat him the way they do. Janeway: How do people treat him? Kes: As though he doesn't exist. They talk about him while he's standing right there. They ignore him. They insult him. Janeway: Well as a matter of fact, I've been hearing the other side of the coin. Many of the crew have complained that the Doctor is brusque, even rude, that he lacks any bedside manner. We've been talking about reprogramming him. Kes: You can do that? It doesn't seem right. Janeway: Kes, he's only a hologram. Kes: He's your Medical Officer. He's alive. Janeway: No he's not. Kes: He's self aware, he's communicative, he has the ability to learn. Janeway: Because he's been programmed to do that. Kes: So because he's a hologram he doesn't have to be treated with respect or any consideration at all? Janeway: Very well, I'll look into it. Kes: Thank you, Captain. Kim: Okay, we'll be ready to go online in a couple of minutes. Torres: I'm still worried about the gravitational interference. I don't think the co-variant isolator will be effective with a vocal transmission. Kim: Let's try inverting the narrow band filter. Janeway: Progress report, Ensign. Kim: I think we're ready to give it a try, though we're pushing through some pretty heavy gravitational interference. I can't guarantee the clarity of the transmission. Janeway: Let's see what happens. This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. Do you read? Torres: I'll narrow the filter bandpass some more. Try again, Captain. Janeway: This is Kathryn Janeway of the Federation ship Voyager. Is anyone receiving this communication? Telek: vessel Kim: Narrow the bandpass some more. Try again, Captain. Janeway: This is Janeway. Please repeat your last transmission. Telek: cargo vessel quadrant your location. Janeway: Cargo vessel, we're still trying to clear up your last transmission. Please repeat one more time. Telek: I am Captain of the cargo vessel Talvath, location Alpha Quadrant, sector one three eight five. What is your location? Janeway: We're in the Delta Quadrant, but since this quadrant hasn't been charted I can't specify our exact location. Telek: Please confirm. You said Delta Quadrant? Janeway: Correct. Telek: In a Federation starship? Janeway: Yes. We were on a mission and we got pulled into this quadrant. Telek: Pulled in? How? Janeway: It's a complicated story. Please, if you would just try deconstructing the phase shift of our hailing frequency you could verify. Telek: You are undoubtedly still in the Alpha quadrant. What are your coordinates? Janeway: I assure you I am telling you the truth. We are in the Delta quadrant, seventy thousand light years from you. Telek: This is preposterous. You are obviously lying. I am terminating communication. Janeway: No, no, wait! Kim! Hail them again. Kim: No response, Captain. Chakotay: Why would he have broken off transmission? Tuvok: Perhaps I can offer an explanation. The comm. link signature of his transmission indicates the message originated from a Romulan ship. Further, there are no known shipping lanes in the sector he identified. Given the precise calibration of his signal I would suggest that he is in fact on board a science vessel. Paris: Why would he pretend to be a cargo captain. Chakotay: If he's engaged in some kind of secret research he might want to conceal that fact. Tuvok: Precisely. When we claimed to be transmitting from the Delta quadrant, an impossibility so far as he knows, he may have feared we were Federation spies. Torres: Just our luck. We raise one ship from the Alpha quadrant and it has to be Romulan. Janeway: That Romulan still has the ability to get a message to Starfleet. Mister Kim, hail the Talvath repeatedly. Call me the minute you re-establish contact. Commander, you have the bridge. Chakotay: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Computer, initiate Emergency Medical Holographic Program. Emh: Please state the nature of the medical emergency. Janeway: There is no emergency, Doctor. Emh: Well, that's good. I was right in the middle of preparing a culture to test Lieutenant Hargrove for Arethian flu when Ensign Kyoto deactivated me. Janeway: I'm sure she didn't realize you were busy. Emh: What is it you want, Captain. Janeway: Actually, I thought we might just talk for a moment. Emh: About what? Janeway: Doctor, you were originally programmed to serve in a limited fashion during an emergency. Now you're being asked to do much more. Emh: That's certainly true. I'm providing full time medical service for the entire ship's crew, functioning both as doctor and nurse, and now as an instructor as well. Janeway: You don't have the luxury of thinking of yourself as am Emergency Medical Program any more. You've become a full-fledged member of the crew. Emh: I see. Are you suggesting that I be re-programmed? Janeway: No. I'm asking if there's anything I can do to help you. Emh: Help me? Janeway: If there's anything you need, or want, I'd like to see that you get it. Emh: What I'd like is to be turned off when people leave. I spend hours here with absolutely nothing to do. When someone does remember to deactivate me they do so without asking if it's convenient. It's extremely irritating. Janeway: What if I gave you control over your deactivation sequence? Emh: I beg your pardon? Janeway: I'm sure we can make it possible for you to turn yourself off, or to prevent being turned off. Emh: I, I might like that. Janeway: I'll have someone look into it. Anything else? Emh: I'm not sure, I'll have to give it some thought. Janeway: You do that. Kim: Kim to Captain Janeway. Janeway: Janeway here. Kim: Captain, we've got him back. The Romulan. Janeway: Good work. Put him through to my quarters. Janeway: This is Kathryn Janeway. Telek: This is the cargo vessel Talvath. Janeway: Thank you for answering our hail, Captain. What is your name? How may I address you? Telek: I'd prefer not to give my name. Janeway: Very well, I understand that you must have been skeptical when I told you where we are. I hope you've been able to verify our position. Telek: My analysis of your hailing frequency seems to indicate that it originates in the Delta quadrant, but I am not precluding the possibility that you've been able to create that illusion somehow. Janeway: To what end? Telek: I'm not sure. That doesn't negate the possibility. Janeway: How can I assure you of my truthfulness? Telek: You say you are a Federation ship. Are you a Starfleet vessel? Janeway: Yes, we are. Telek: And your mission in the Delta quadrant? Janeway: Our mission was originally in the Alpha quadrant. We were pulled against our will to our present location. Now we're trying to get home. Telek: Aren't you in fact Starfleet spies on a surveillance mission? Janeway: Captain, I understand your concern. Naturally the Romulan Empire doesn't want Starfleet spying on it's science vessels, but since we're seventy thousand light years from Romulan space and a subspace message to Starfleet would take years, I think you have to admit that we can't be much of a threat to you. You have nothing to fear from us. Telek: Soothing words, Captain, but they are only words. Janeway: If we were spies, we wouldn't be asking what I'm going to ask you now. We have no way of communicating with Starfleet, with our friends and families. We're hoping you might be able to relay a message for us. Our crew is not large. Each of them could write a short personal message. You'd be welcome to read them all before passing them on. I think you'd be convinced that they're nothing more than the heartfelt words of some very lonely people. Telek: Captain, it would ease my apprehension if I could see that you are who you say you are. I have a signal amplifier on board. I've been working to reconfigure the protocols to penetrate the radiation stream of the wormhole. I think it might be possible to establish a visual link between us. Janeway: I have no objection. When that's done, will you help us? Telek: I make no promises. Let us proceed one step at a time. Have your officers contact me in order to attempt the visual link. Goodnight. Janeway: Goodnight. Tuvok: We're ready to try a visual link with the Romulan ship, Captain. Janeway: Good work. Kim: We didn't have any trouble configuring the protocols, but that phase variance in the radiation stream gave us a few problems. Torres is going to balance it manually from Engineering. Paris: Okay, we've got the communications frequency locked in. Janeway: On screen. Telek: I presume you are Captain Janeway. Janeway: Yes. I want to thank you, Captain, for maintaining contact with us. It means a great deal to me and to my crew. Telek: I am not familiar with this class of ship. Janeway: It's new, but it isn't classified. I'm a little surprised your intelligence hasn't provided you with the information. Telek: I've been in space for over a year, Captain, and am not privy to the latest intelligence, but I'm sure that our operatives provided the government with detailed information about your new ship. Janeway: No doubt. Captain, have you been able to communicate with your government about sending on our messages? Telek: I have. They've promised to take the matter under advisement. Janeway: I see. And when do you think they will have an answer? Telek: It is impossible to predict the time table of the Romulan Senate. When they've made their decision I will hear from them. Janeway: We don't have the luxury of a great deal of time. My officers are predicting that the probe will become inoperable in the next forty eight hours. Telek: Captain, I am a low ranking scientist, a minor functionary. It is not my place to tell the Romulan Senate to speed up their decision making process. Janeway: You said you've been in space for over a year. Have you any family? Telek: Yes. Janeway: I assume they're not with you in space. Telek: My wife and my daughter are on Romulus. Janeway: A daughter. How old is she? Telek: She is seven months. Janeway: Then you've never seen her. Telek: To my sorrow, no. She'll be two years old before I get back. Janeway: You must miss your family very much. Telek: I knew when I accepted this assignment there would be a price to pay. Perhaps I didn't realize how high that price would be. Janeway: Captain. Everyone of us on this ship has left behind friends, family, loved ones. We may not see them again for years, maybe never, so we can all understand how lonely you must be. Surely you must understand our feelings as well. We would be deeply grateful for any efforts you might make to persuade your government to send our messages. Telek: I cannot guarantee success, but I will try to persuade my superiors to make their decision quickly and positively. Janeway: Thank you. Telek: I will contact you again. Janeway: Commander, let's assume he's going to be successful. Tell the crew to prepare personal messages and have them ready within the hour. Chakotay: With pleasure, Captain. Torres: Captain, I have to talk to you. Janeway: Go ahead, Torres. Torres: No. I mean, in private. Torres: I think this will work, Captain, but I didn't want to bring it up in front of the crew. It wouldn't be right to get their hopes up in case it doesn't work, although I think it will. Janeway: Slow down, Torres, and tell me what you're talking about. Torres: The phase amplitude of the visual link with the Romulan ship is within just a few megahertz of meeting transporter protocols. Janeway: Are you suggesting Torres: We might be able to piggyback a transporter beam onto the visual link. We could transport the entire crew back to the Alpha quadrant. Janeway: You'll have to reconfigure the matter transmission rate. Torres: Fairly substantially. Janeway: And we risk losing whatever we try to beam out. Torres: We'll have to run a series of tests first. Janeway: See to it, Lieutenant. Torres: I'll need some help. Janeway: You have my authorisation to use any of the ships personnel you need. This has top priority. And don't worry about secrecy. I doubt you'd be able to keep this quiet for very long. Kes: I've finished these and I'm ready for more. Emh: You've finished those already? Kes: I enjoyed studying anatomy. It would be interesting to see an autopsy sometime. Emh: What are the bones of the middle ear? Kes: Malleus, incus and stapes. Emh: And the connective tissue between the middle and the external auditory canal? Kes: The tympanic membrane. Emh: Hmm. I suspect you have an eidetic memory. An astonishing gift. I'll do a full neural scan on you at some point. Kes: I've been thinking. If we do get back to Federation space, I'd like to explore the possibility of going to Medical School. Emh: If you continue to apply yourself as you have, by the time we get back you may already have the equivalent of a medical degree. Kes: Then you haven't heard? Emh: Heard what? Kes: That we might be getting back soon. Emh: If there's one thing you can count on, it's that I am the last to be told about anything that happens on this ship. Kes: Everyone's talking about it. There may be a way to transport all of us to the Alpha Quadrant. Chief Torres and half of engineering are working on it right now. Emh: I see. Well, I'll say goodbye now. I won't be transporting with the rest of you. Kes: But can't we download your program and take you with us? Emh: My program is fully integrated into the sickbay system. At present I cannot be downloaded. Kes: Thank you for everything. Emh: Wait. I'd like. That is, could I ask a favor of you? Kes: Anything. Emh: If you do leave, before you go, would you check to make sure I've been deactivated. Kes: I promise. Janeway: And our Chief Engineer has managed to bind a transporter beam to the visual link between us. Telek: Then you've matched your data transmission to the phase amplitude of our comm. signal? Janeway: Exactly. Telek: Apparently our intelligence operatives are not doing their job. You clearly have technology that we are unaware of. This would be an incredible breakthrough in subspace field mechanics. Chakotay: If it's successful, we'd like to try transmitting a test cylinder to you. Telek: A test cylinder of what sort? Tuvok: It is a standard Starfleet mechanism with a varietal molecular matrix. It simulates most organic and non-organic compounds. It is not classified technology. Telek: Ah, I am aware of this mechanism. We use a similar device. I will allow the transport. Janeway: Bridge to Transporter room one. Torres: Torres here. Torres: We're all set, Captain. The lock is active and we're focused on the Romulan's Torres: Transporter coordinates. Janeway: All right then. Let's give it a try. Chakotay: Energize. Torres: The cylinder has dematerialized, Captain. Janeway: Can you get it back? Torres: The pattern buffer is having trouble accepting the matter stream. Kim: I'll increase power to the Kim: Phase transition coils. Torres: Ramp the coils to thirty seven megajoules. Kim: Thirty seven megajoules. Telek: Congratulations, Captain. You've done it. Very impressive. Janeway: We should run a series of these tests just to make sure, but we have to act quickly before the probe is crushed. Telek: I understand. Janeway: Eventually we will have to try transporting a person. One of our crew will beam to your ship if you'll allow it. Telek: I'm afraid I can't permit that, Captain, my government would never allow Starfleet personnel on this ship. I wouldn't want my logs to show that activity. Tuvok: Then what would you suggest? Telek: I'll volunteer to transport to your ship and back again. Janeway: But Captain, if we can't transport to your ship, how are we to get back? Telek: If the procedure is successful, I'll arrange for a troop ship to join me. That would easily accommodate your crew. Janeway: Very well. We'll be in touch. Chakotay: Kim and Torres have made more than twenty transports of the test cylinder, even though she's still having trouble with that phase variance. Every one of them has been successful. Janeway: Let's hope it goes as well with the Romulan. Tuvok: Captain, I must insist that I stay with him at all times while he is on board. Janeway: Agreed. Torres: We're locked onto him. Whenever you're ready, Captain. Janeway: Well, let's try it. Energize. What's the problem? Torres: It's the phase variance in the radiation stream. I'm balancing it manually. Janeway: Welcome to the Delta quadrant, Captain. My first officer, Commander Chakotay. Lieutenant Tuvok, head of security. Chief Engineer Torres and Operations officer Kim. Telek: My congratulations on your remarkable accomplishment. This is an astonishing breakthrough. Torres: For a while there I didn't think you were going make it. There was a strange phase variance in the radiation stream. It almost kept us from pulling you through. Janeway: Mister Tuvok, you may begin evacuation procedures. Tuvok: I suggest we delay that for the moment, Captain. I'm afraid I've found the reason for the unusual phase variance. Janeway: What is it? Tuvok: Captain, what year is it? Telek: What year? Tuvok: If you please. Telek: By your calendar, the year is 2351. Chakotay: But this is 2371. Tuvok: Exactly. Our Romulan visitor is a person out of time. He is showing clear evidence of temporal displacement. I would surmise that the wormhole is a rift not just in space but in time. The unusual phase variance we detected was actually an indication of a temporal shift. We have transported him from twenty years in the past to our present. Torres: I've gone over and over the transporter logs. There's no question that if we try to transport ourselves through that wormhole, we'll end up twenty years in the past. Kim: Then lets do it. It's better than trying to spend the next seventy years trying to get back. Paris: How can we do that? We'd be going back to a time when you were only two years old. Janeway: I know you're disappointed, Harry, we all are. It seemed we were so close. But clearly we can't go back. It would pollute the time line to such an extent that the consequences would be unimaginable. I'm afraid we'll have to send you back alone and ask that you not reveal anything that has happened here. Telek: I can assure you, Captain, that I would not do anything that might contaminate the future and perhaps harm the Romulan Empire, but, in twenty years I could alert Starfleet not to launch the mission which sent you here. Chakotay: I'm afraid that's not possible either. We've already had a huge impact on this quadrant. People and events here would be drastically affected. Janeway: I'm afraid we're left with our original request. In twenty years, would you relay our personal messages to Starfleet? Telek: Of course. At the proper time, I will transmit them. If you should find a way back within my lifetime, I'd be an old man, but I would welcome a message from you. I am Telek R'Mor of the Romulan Astrophysical Academy. Janeway: I promise you'll hear from us. Because we will get back. Tuvok: These are our messages. Telek: I wish you luck on your journey. Janeway: And I thank you for your help. Energize. Torres: The signal's in the pattern buffer. Transferring to the emitter array. Kim: Phase variance is out of synch again. Torres: Compensating. Transport complete, Captain. He made it. Janeway: I'll tell the crew. They can have the satisfaction of knowing that their messages have reached their families. Tuvok: Captain, I did not want to mention this until after our guest had left. I checked the computers databanks for a Romulan scientist named Telek R'Mor. Janeway: And? Tuvok: I'm sorry to report Doctor R'Mor died in 2367. Janeway: That was four years ago. Tuvok: That is correct. Before he would have sent our messages. Torres: Maybe he left a will telling someone else to transmit the messages. Or he could have given our computer chip to the Romulan Government. Tuvok: It is possible. Unfortunately, there is no way to know. Janeway: Then let's move on. We've got a long way to go. Baxter: I tried a new hamstring exercise. Maybe I overdid it. But my workouts are about all that stand between me and a severe case of cabin fever. Emh: Lieutenant, I am the Chief Medical Officer of this ship. If you have something to say to me, please, direct the statement to me. Baxter: Well, you see, I need to work out. Emh: I'm not telling you not to work out. I'm suggesting you use a modicum of commonsense when you do it. If I see you in here again for an exercise related injury, I'll have to discuss the matter with your superior officer. Baxter: Yes, sir. Emh: You're fine now. You may leave. Baxter: Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Kes: I don't think he'll make the mistake of ignoring you again. Emh: Captain Janeway has made me realize that I must function as more than an Emergency Medical replacement. I must think of myself as a member of the crew. Kes: you're absolutely right. Emh: I've prepared a list of things I'd like to see added to Sickbay. Perhaps you could present it to the Captain? Kes: I'd be happy to. Emh: There's one more request. Something of a, a personal nature. I would like a name.

Doctor: What do you see, Mister Paris? Paris: Shoes. Muddy shoes. The dog. Doctor: Good. That's exactly what you should see. Paris: But that isn't possible. Doctor: I'm sure it's disorienting to see yourself through another man's eyes. Paris: No, I Lidell: Tolen! Tolen: Now I understand. Paris: I'd better be on my way. Lidell: You don't have to go, Tom. He's got no right. Tolen: No right? This is my home. You come into my home and steal my wife, and I have no right? Paris: That's not the way it happened. Paris: This isn't the way it happened. Doctor: The trial's over, Mister Paris. There's no point to further denials. Tolen: I know about you, Paris. I know you were in prison. Paris: That has nothing to do with Tolen: We'll see what your captain has to say about this. When I'm finished with you, you'll never wear that uniform again. Paris: I can't let you do that. Lidell: No, Tom, don't! Stop! No! Paris: No, I didn't Lidell: Tom! Don't, Tom! Doctor: Let the record show that the sentence of the court has been carried out. For the rest of his natural life, once every fourteen hours, Thomas Eugene Paris will relive the last moments of his victim's life. May the fates have mercy on you, sir. Kes: If the hydroxy-proline level is elevated this high, you'd probably call for a pancreatic scan. Emh: That's exactly what I'd call for. All right then, let's run through the osteographic series again. Just enter the responses you're sure about. Kes: So, have you given any more thought to a name? Emh: I asked the Captain for one. Kes: Why don't you choose one yourself? Emh: Choose one myself? Me? Well, that just isn't. Holograms are programmed, Kes. They don't choose anything for themselves. Kes: Why not? Emh: Because we're not capable of choosing. Kes: Well, you choose what medical treatment to give someone. Emh: I'm programmed with over five million possible treatments, with contingency programs and adaptive programs. But it's all programs upon programs upon programs. There's no independent decision making. Kes: I don't see the difference. Emh: The difference is Kes: I base decisions on information stored inside my brain. How's that so different from the way you access your programs? Emh: Well, if you put it that way. Kes: Do your programs have any names in them? Emh: Certainly. I have the names of Starfleet doctors, their patients, medical personnel in historical and literary contexts. Kes: So pick a name. Emh: Just pick one? Kes: Pick a name you like, perhaps from someone who inspires you. Emh: Doctor, Doctor Galen. Doctor Salk. Doctor Kes: Those are good. Emh: Spock. Kes: Can you see yourself with any of those names? Emh: Not exactly. Kes: Take your time. After all, you will be that name for the rest of your life. Emh: I never even considered that I had a life. Janeway: Janeway to Sickbay. Activate Emergency Medical Holographic Program. Emh: I'm already on, Captain. Emh: What can I do for you? Janeway: We've got an incoming shuttle with an injured crewman on board. Emh: Any details? Janeway: It's either Ensign Kim or Lieutenant Paris. We haven't been able to raise them. Tuvok: Sensors indicate damage to various subsystems. Janeway: You're sure there's only one life sign aboard? Tuvok: That is confirmed, Captain. Janeway: Transport him to Sickbay. I'll be down there. Mister Tuvok. Kim: They made me leave without him. Emh: He's severely dehydrated. Kim: No sleep. Kes: Neodextramine solution? Emh: Prepare an iv. Janeway: Can you tell us what happened to Paris, Mister Kim? Kim: They made me leave without him. They said he'd committed a, a murder. Janeway: Do you have any idea who the victim was? Kim: An engineering physicist we were working with. His name was Tolen Ren. Kim: The Banean Minister of Science introduced us to him just after we'd arrived. Tolen: So, from the other side of the galaxy. Kim: Seventy thousand light years, give or take a few. Tolen: That's a long trip home with a damaged collimator. Kray: If anybody on this world can help you, Professor Ren can. He's developed four generations of navigational arrays for our ships. Tolen: We have to stay one step ahead of our neighbors the Numiri. Did you bring your ship's specifications with you? Kim: It's all here. Tolen: Splendid. Why don't we begin to look it over at my home this evening? My wife would be delighted to have company for supper. Kim: There was no reason to say no, but if we hadn't gone with him that night, none of this would have happened. Tolen: Come on now, Neeka, stop that racket. They're friends. That's better. That's better. What a good doggy. What a good doggy. Oh, dearest, are you dressed? We have guests. I should have called. I just don't think of the common courtesies. She's really wonderful about, er, tolerating my dreadful manners. Lidell: So, you've done it to me again. Tolen: Yes, dear. I apologize. Oh, Lidell, this is Ensign Harry Kim and Lieutenant Tom Paris. They're from the other side of the galaxy. Lidell: Hello. Paris: Nice to meet you. Lidell: You might have called. Tolen: You're absolutely right. Do you have enough to feed us all, or shall we go out? Lidell: No, it's fine. I have some leftover rolk from yesterday. I'll just throw it in the stew. Tolen: Wonderful. Gentlemen, make yourselves at home. I'm going to put on my slippers. Lidell will take good care of you. Lidell: Would you like a drink? Kim: Sure. Lidell: Help yourself. Paris: What are you looking at? Kim: Not the same thing that you're looking at, that's for sure. Paris: What are you looking at? Lidell: If it's spoiled, Neeka wouldn't eat it. Tolen: Nothing too fancy or exotic around here. We're very simple folks. Kim: You're very kind to include us at your supper table. Tolen: We enjoy an occasional guest. I think Lidell would prefer us to entertain more often than we do, yes? She's far more social than I am. I'm afraid she gets a little bored here sometimes. I'm so consumed with my work. Paris: And here we are bringing more of it home to take your husband's attention away for the evening. Lidell: Whether you are here or not makes no difference. Tolen would work anyway. Tolen: I'm afraid she's right. We are at war, after all. By the way, how did you get past the Numiri patrols? Kim: Lieutenant Paris is our best pilot. Paris: Captain Janeway decided not to take our ship into orbit. She wanted to avoid getting involved in your conflict. So, we came in on a shuttlecraft that would avoid immediate detection by the Numiri. I hid behind the limb of the moon before I made a break for your defense perimeter. By the time their sensors picked us up, they didn't have a chance to catch us. Tolen: Well done! Finished already? Lidell: The meat doesn't taste right. Tolen: Well, we do have a lot of work to get done. Perhaps we should begin. Kim: We went into the other room and started to work on the navigational beam specifications. Kim: It was pretty dry stuff. You know, rewriting baseline code algorithms. Tom got bored. He left us alone for a while. I guess he was with Mrs Ren. I know they saw each other again the next day. That was the night Professor Ren was murdered. Tuvok: Did you talk to Lieutenant Paris after he was detained? Kim: No. They never let me see him. They interrogated me for almost two days straight. They asked me a lot of questions about the Numiri. At first, they must've thought we were Numiri agents or something. Professor Ren was the inventor of Banean warship technology. Emh: He's completely exhausted. Can some of this wait until he's had a chance to rest? Janeway: We'll find out about Paris, Mister Kim. Janeway to Chakotay. Chakotay: Go ahead. Janeway: Set a course for the Banean homeworld, Commander. Chakotay: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Come in. Neelix: You sent for me, Captain. Janeway: Lieutenant Paris has gotten himself into trouble. I'm taking the ship into orbit while we try to sort things out. Neelix: Be prepared to be intercepted by Numiri patrols. They always try to intimidate travelers to the Banean planet. Janeway: The stakes are too high to send a shuttlecraft this time. I want to show our flag to make it clear we mean business. Neelix: I understand. Janeway: Based on your experience, what can we expect the Numiri to do to intimidate us? Neelix: To be honest, whenever I saw the Numiri coming, I always left before the intimidation began. However, I know from knowledgeable sources that they have directed energy weapons comparable to your own. Our own, that is. Plus regenerative shields that may even give them a certain advantage over us in a firefight. Janeway: Tell me about them as a people. Are they aggressive, technical, intellectual, emotional? Anything that might help me deal with them. Neelix: The Numiri and the Banea are quite different from one another, even though they once coexisted on the same planet. That's why I recommended the Banea to you in the first place. The Numiri have a remarkably covert society. Chakotay: Captain to the Bridge. Janeway: On my way. Chakotay: We're scanning a Numiri vessel approaching. They're at combat readiness, Captain. Janeway: Shields up. On screen. Mister Neelix. Neelix: A standard patrol vessel. Curious. Janeway: Why? Neelix: I would've expected them to send out more than one tiny patrol to meet a ship like this. Janeway: Let's hope it's a positive sign. Hail them. Tuvok: They're responding. Janeway: Open a channel. I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. Captain: What is your business in this system? Janeway: One of my crewmen is being held on the Banean planet. We're on our way to investigate. Captain: Consider this official notice that you are entering a war zone. You do so at your own risk. Janeway: Understood. Captain: Any attempt to provide aid or supplies to the Banea will be considered an act of war against the Numiri. Janeway: You have my word that we intend to remain neutral in your conflict. Our only interest is in our own crewman. Captain: Proceed. Your activities will be monitored. Neelix: Very, very curious. In Numiri terms, that greeting was downright friendly. Janeway: Have all security stations remain at full alert. Continue long range scans for Numiri patrols around the clock. Tuvok: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Take us into orbit. Kray: Captain. It's unfortunate we must meet under these circumstances. Janeway: My chief of security, Lieutenant Tuvok. Kray: Please. Janeway: Exactly what are these circumstances, Minister? All we know is that a member of our crew has been accused of murder. Kray: Oh, I'm afraid he's been more than just accused. He's been convicted and punished according to our law. Janeway: What form of punishment? Kray: The perpetrator of a murder is forced to relive the crime through his victim's eyes. Tuvok: How is this achieved? Kray: I can have our Chief Medical officer describe the procedure in detail if you wish. We have the capability of isolating memory engrams in the brain. We take them from the final moments of life. After they're used in the trial, they're transplanted into the perpetrator's brain. Janeway: These memories are used in the trial as evidence? Kray: An artificial life form serves as host to the engrams and testifies to their content. In this case, the victim's last memories clearly show Mister Paris caught in an embarrassing episode with Mrs Ren. An argument ensues. Paris is then seen by the victim's own eyes, killing him. The evidence of his guilt is incontrovertible. Paris: Captain. Janeway: Are you all right, Tom? Paris: I've been better. Tuvok: May we speak to him alone? Kray: Of course. Paris: The rehab colony back in New Zealand doesn't seem so bad right now. Tuvok: Lieutenant, did you murder Professor Ren? Paris: No! Janeway: But the victim's own eyes identified Paris: You don't have to tell me what the victim's own eyes saw, Captain. I don't understand it either, but I did not kill him. Tuvok: Were you having improper relations with his wife? Paris: Their marriage was over. She told Ren they were finished the same day he was killed. Tuvok: That does not answer my question. Paris: Nothing happened between us. Almost nothing. Janeway: Tom, it's very important you tell us everything. Harry said you spent some time with Mrs Ren while he and the professor were working. Paris: I was bored. You know how it is when two science guys get together. Paris: I came out of the other room, looked over and saw her in the atrium. Her eyes were a million kilometers away, staring at stars I'd just flown by the day before. Paris: Smoking is a bad habit. My species gave it up centuries ago when we finally got it into our heads it was killing us. Lidell: You must be a very superior species. Paris: That's not what I meant. Lidell: Maybe I kill myself slowly because I don't have the courage to do it quickly. Paris: Now why would you go and say a thing like that? Lidell: Don't. Paris: What? Lidell: Don't get involved, Lieutenant. Paris: I was just trying to Lidell: You'll be sorry. Paris: Look, I was just bored to tears in the other room and I thought you might like to talk. Lidell: Why don't you go ahead and ask me? Paris: Ask you what? Lidell: What you've been wanting to ask me all night. What they all want to ask me. Why I'd marry a man old enough to be my father. Paris: I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been wondering. Lidell: He was good to me. A lot of other men weren't. Paris: That sounds like a good enough reason to me. Lidell: He's a good man. I would never do anything to hurt him. Paris: I guess that makes you a good woman. Lidell: Good can get very boring. Lidell: No, Tom! Don't! Paris: No, I Lidell: Stop! No! Janeway: What's going on? Paris: No! No! Tuvok: Apparently, he's entering another cycle. Janeway: Is this normal? Doctor: We had some problems integrating the Banean engrams into his alien neurology. This is the first time he's lost consciousness since the implant. Janeway: I'd like to take him back with us to our medical facility. Kray: I'm sorry, but I can't authorize that. Doctor: Perhaps we should consider her request, Minister. We don't want to risk general synaptic failure. Their doctors might be better suited to stabilize his condition. Kray: All right, but you're not to leave orbit with him. Janeway: Minister, we don't intend to leave orbit until we prove his innocence. Tuvok: Away team to Voyager. Three to beam up. Emh: It's medicine clearly beyond anything we've ever encountered before. What bothers me the most is the neural pathway damage it seems to be causing. It appears to be progressive. Janeway: Then this punishment could actually be causing serious brain damage. Emh: How long it might be before he's seriously affected, I really have no idea. Tuvok: I would appreciate receiving a copy of your neurological analysis, Doctor. Emh: It's extremely technical. To the layman, it would be virtually indecipherable. Tuvok: Nevertheless, I will want to examine it in detail. Janeway: This might be the basis for an appeal of the sentence, don't you think? Tuvok: Perhaps. However, before the neural implants were developed, the Banean punishment for murder was lethal injection. It is possible they would view that as the only alternative sentence in this case. Kes: Will he regain consciousness? Emh: I believe so. But each time the cycle repeats, I'm afraid his brain will take another damaging blow. Tuvok: When he wakes up, I will require an autonomic response analysis while I question him again, Doctor. Kes: Do you really think Tom would lie to us? Tuvok: As an investigator, I do not have the freedom to ignore any possibility. Mister Paris maintains his innocence, yet the victim has identified him from the grave, and the victim's wife has testified against him at the trial. Someone is obviously lying. An ARA will tell us if it is Mister Paris. Emh: I'll have it ready for you. Tuvok: In the meantime, Captain, I request permission to return to the surface. Janeway: What do you have in mind, Tuvok? Tuvok: I would like to examine the murder scene and speak with Mrs Ren. Tuvok: Mrs Ren? Lidell: Yes? Tuvok: I'm Lieutenant Tuvok of the Starship Voyager. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions? Lidell: Are you a friend of Tom's? Tuvok: I am the Starfleet Chief of Security investigating his alleged participation in your husband's murder. Lidell: Stop it, Neeka! She just doesn't like strangers. Tuvok: Based on your testimony, I assume this is where the murder occurred. Lidell: Yes, right there. I had to have a professional cleaning crew come in to remove the bloodstain. Tuvok: You chose to remain in the house after an act of such violence occurred? Lidell: This has been my home for over ten years, Mister Tuvok. Do you really find that so hard to believe? Tuvok: I am a Vulcan, Mrs Ren. By nature, we are a dispassionate people. It is rare to encounter someone as dispassionate as we are. Lidell: Dispassionate? Is that how I seem to you? I think you'd get an argument from Tom Paris. Can I get you a drink? Tuvok: Thank you, no. Lidell: Mind if I have one? Tuvok: Please. You testified at the trial that you and your husband had an argument the afternoon before he was killed. Lidell: I never said there was an argument, Lieutenant. Have you ever had to end a marriage? Tuvok: No. Lidell: Are you married? Tuvok: My wife and I have been married for sixty seven years. Lidell: I'm sure she's a fine, dispassionate woman. I hope you never have to find out for yourself, but I can tell you, ending a marriage, it's a quiet thing. The arguments are long over and there's really nothing much left to say at all. Tuvok: May I ask why you decided at this time to end your marriage to Professor Ren? Lidell: Because I was attracted to another man. I didn't want to deceive my husband. Tuvok: That other man was Lieutenant Paris. Lieutenant Paris would have been departing this planet in a few days, and yet you left your husband of ten years for him. Lidell: Meeting Tom gave me the push I needed. I already knew in my heart that it was time to start over. Tuvok: Exactly when did you see Mister Paris on the day of the murder? Lidell: I went to see him at the Engineering Institute after I talked with my husband. Once I was free, I knew he wanted to be with me. Tuvok: How did you know? Lidell: A woman knows, Lieutenant. Lidell: He left his friend Harry to finish the technical research and walk me home. We were caught in a cloudburst on the way. Lidell: I'm completely soaked! Paris: There must be a centimeter of water in my boots. Lidell: Here, let me help you. Paris: We shouldn't. Lidell: It's okay. He knows it's over. Paris: But you're still a married woman. Lidell: I haven't been married for years, Tom. To him, I'm a friend, a companion. He hasn't treated me like a woman since, it must've been the day of the eclipse four years ago. Paris: Eclipse? Lidell: He was very excited by the eclipse. Don't ask me why. Paris: Our timing's just a little off. Lidell: You'll be gone in a few days. This is the only time we've got. Let me make you something to warm you up. I love to drink Marob root tea on rainy afternoons. Lidell: I made some tea, we talked for a while, then we went out to the atrium to watch the storm and the rest you know. Tuvok: Did you leave the room at any time during the fight between your husband and Lieutenant Paris? Lidell: I saw Tom murder my husband, Mister Tuvok. I tried to stop him. I couldn't. Chakotay: Voyager to Tuvok. Tuvok: This is Lieutenant Tuvok. Chakotay: Mister Paris has regained consciousness. I thought you'd want to know. Tuvok: Thank you. I'll be returning shortly. Tuvok out. Thank you for your help, Mrs Ren. Lidell: Lieutenant, when you see Tom, would you tell him that I forgive him? Paris: Everything she told you is true, except I don't remember going into the atrium or anything else after that. Tuvok: The last thing you remember is? Paris: Sitting with her, drinking tea, talking about the sensual effects of eclipses. After that, I must've fallen asleep. When I woke up, I was in a cell. Emh: He's telling you the truth. Tuvok: Was there any evidence of a sedative in his system when he returned here? Emh: The Banean medical authorities checked him. They didn't find any drugs in his blood. Most narcotics would've been gone from his system by the time he got to me. Chakotay: Chakotay to Tuvok. You're needed on the Bridge. We're under attack by Numiri patrols. Tuvok: On my way, Commander. Janeway: Evasive pattern, beta one four zero. Dual attack mode. Chakotay: Evasive pattern confirmed. Kim: They're attempting to lock a tractor beam on us. Neelix: That is a standard tactic for the Numiri when they intend to board your vessel. Well, at least now you know I was telling the truth about them, Captain. Although I take no pleasure in being right, mind you. Janeway: But why now? Why an unprovoked attack? What are they after? Neelix: The Numiri have never needed an excuse to attack anyone. Kim: Shields at ninety percent and holding. Janeway: Commander, prepare to initiate attack maneuver kappa zero one zero. Chakotay: Captain, if you don't mind, there's a Maquis trick we sometimes used to get out of situations like this. Janeway: Be my guest. Chakotay: B'Elanna. Remember Teluridian Four? The two Starfleet runabouts? Torres: I'm with you. Blowing out the dorsal phase emitters. Torres to Engineering. Crewman: Go ahead. Torres: Vent a couple of LN2 exhaust conduits along the dorsal emitters. Make it look like we're in serious trouble. Crewman: Understood. Chakotay: Cut all engines. Torres: Engines off-line. Chakotay: Tuvok, lock phasers on their navigational deflectors. Tuvok: Acknowledged. Numiri ships are closing. Four thousand kilometers. Janeway: Not to belittle Maquis tactics, Commander, but this is a very old trick. Chakotay: It worked against those Starfleet runabouts. Janeway: You're lucky I wasn't commanding one of them. Tuvok: Two thousand kilometers. Chakotay: Besides, out here in the Delta quadrant, every old trick is new again. Tuvok: One thousand five hundred kilometers. Kim: They're sending out tractor beams again. Chakotay: That's our cue. Fire phasers. Engage impulse engines. Tuvok: Both Numiri vessels are disabled, Captain. Janeway: That's one trick you won't be able to use again when we get back. Chakotay: I have more. Janeway: Cancel red alert. Take us into high orbit. Neelix: Captain. More Numiri will be coming, I promise you. Janeway: Mister Tuvok. Any progress with your investigation? Tuvok: Based on the ARA, I am convinced Lieutenant Paris believes what he is saying. However, I can offer no tangible evidence on his behalf. Considering the urgency of the situation, I believe the only logical alternative at this time is to witness the crime myself. Chakotay: Yourself? Tuvok: I propose a mind meld with Lieutenant Paris. Neelix: A, a what? What, what did he say? A mind what? Emh: Let me tell you something, Lieutenant. Believe it or not, I know more about mind melds than you do. I know what every Vulcan doctor has said in every study of mind melds, and I still cannot tell you what will happen if you do this. If these cycles cause damage to a human brain, there's no telling what the risk might be to a Vulcan. Tuvok: I've examined your neurological reports, Doctor, and I believe the risk is acceptable. Janeway: Tuvok Tuvok: Captain, the answers I seek can only be found in the eyes of the murdered man. It may be our only chance to prove Lieutenant Paris innocent. Kes: Tom? Lidell: Tolen! Tolen: Now I understand. Paris: I'd better be on my way. Lidell: You don't have to go, Tom. He's got no right. Tolen: No right? This is my home. You come into my home and steal my wife, and I have no right? Paris: That's not the way it happened. Tolen: We'll see what your captain has to say about this. When I'm finished with you, you'll never wear that uniform again. Paris: I can't let you do that. Lidell: No, Tom, don't! Stop! No! Emh: The cycle's ended. No neural damage that I can detect. Tuvok: Captain, I must consult with Ensign Kim immediately. Janeway: With Kim? Why? Tuvok: I assume he has access to Professor Ren's research. I believe it will explain not only why Lieutenant Paris has been accused of a murder he did not commit, but also why the Numiri chose to attack us. Janeway: His condition has continued to deteriorate. He'll have serious brain damage if the implants are not removed. Kray: We are not a barbaric people, Captain. This was meant as punishment, not torture. I see no alternative but to remove the implants, do you? Doctor: There is no legal precedent, of course, but we can petition the courts immediately. Kray: I cannot assure you'll find an alternative sentence more to your liking. Janeway: We're still committed to proving his innocence, Minister. Kray: When do you intend to return him to our custody? Janeway: Due to the nature of his condition, we're concerned that our transporting device might cause further medical complications, so we're sending him back by shuttlecraft. They'll leave this ship in one hour. Doctor: I'll make the necessary preparations. Paris: This is all your fault, you know. Kim: My fault? Paris: Yeah. I consider you the conscience I never had. You're supposed to keep me on the straight and narrow. Kim: I tried to warn you. Paris: Funny, so did she. Kim: If it had been me, I would've stayed as far away from her as possible. Paris: Someday it will be you, Harry. You'll meet her, and you'll know it's wrong from the first moment you see her, and you'll know there's nothing you can do about it. Kim: Here they come. Tuvok: Numiri patrol approaching, bearing zero six seven, mark two four. Janeway: Red alert. On screen. Tuvok: Range, one hundred thousand kilometers and closing. They're changing course, Captain. Chakotay: They're going straight for the shuttle, just as you said they would, Lieutenant. Kim: Shuttle to Voyager. They've locked a tractor beam on us. Janeway: Offer Janeway: No resistance, Harry. Kim: Acknowledged. Paris: Hey, Tuvok, I know it's a little late to ask, but you're sure you've got the logic of this thing worked out? Tuvok: If I am incorrect, we will know it shortly. Paris: Ah. That makes me feel a whole lot better. Kim: We're being boarded. Captain: He's the one. Janeway: This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. You have illegally seized one of our shuttlecraft. Captain: I warned you that you were entering a war zone at your own risk. Janeway: Yes, we appreciated that warning and took appropriate precautions. If you read the sensor readouts in front of you, you will see that the shuttle is carrying forty tons of thalmerite explosives. Enough to destroy your ship. I'm prepared to detonate those explosives in thirty seconds if you do not release our vessel. End transmission. Chakotay: The shuttle's being released. The Numiri ship is withdrawing. Janeway: Tractor the shuttle and take us into low orbit. Cancel red alert. Mister Paris, how soon before your next cycle? Paris: Seven hours. Janeway: That should be enough time to clear this up. Mister Tuvok, this is your show now. Tuvok: With your permission, I would like to invite all interested parties to meet at the scene of the murder in two hours. Janeway: I'll invite the Minister myself. Tuvok: Lieutenant Paris was not the man Professor Ren saw before he was murdered. Kray: Not the man? But it was clearly established at the trial. Tuvok: It is true, Paris's image was seen in the memories examined during the trial. However, that is because someone altered the engrams from Professor Ren's brain. Doctor: But that simply isn't possible for this procedure. Tuvok: I would suggest, sir, that there is no such thing as a technology that is entirely safe from tampering. Lidell: You're forgetting one thing. I was here and I saw him do it. Tuvok: On the contrary. I have not forgotten your statement, Mrs Ren. However, I now know it is clearly false. Paris: Just what was in that tea you gave me, Lidell? Kray: Is this just idle speculation, or do you have some evidence? Tuvok: Mister Paris, would you please stand next to Mrs Ren? Lidell: What for? Tuvok: If you wouldn't mind. The man Professor Ren observed with his wife was virtually equal in height to her. Clearly, Lieutenant Paris is several centimeters taller. Lidell: How do you know what my husband saw? Tuvok: Vulcans have the ability to meld telepathically with another's mind. I observed your husband's memories as Lieutenant Paris went through a cycle. I watched as the killer stabbed Professor Ren right here, through the intercostal space between the eighth and ninth right ribs, the exact location of the Banean heart. The killer clearly knew Banean anatomy. Lieutenant Paris did not. Doctor: Are we supposed to take your word for all of this? Tuvok: There is additional evidence. For example, we can now say for certain that Professor Ren was murdered by a Numiri agent. Kray: What? Tuvok: Lieutenant, did you notice the stream of symbols and numbers that were superimposed on the images? Paris: Symbols? Well, yeah, I guess I did. I didn't know what they meant. I thought they were part of the procedure. Tuvok: In researching this procedure, I found no other reference to this phenomenon. I have now confirmed that these symbols and numbers were equations taken from Professor Ren's weapons research. Someone intended them to be delivered to the Numiri. Kray: You're saying somebody used his brain to send secret data to our enemy? Tuvok: He was a logical courier. The Numiri agents knew he could leave the planet's surface without raising suspicion. The Numiri made two attempts to gain access to Mister Paris. They attacked just after he returned to Voyager, and then again when he was in the shuttle. Janeway: Someone on the surface had to be informing the Numiri of Lieutenant Paris's movements. Kray: Do you know who did this? Tuvok: You knew when Mister Paris would be in transit, Minister. The doctor is the one who encouraged you to release him to our custody. He is also the one who performed the implant procedure. I know of no one else who had the opportunity and knowledge to carry out this plan. Doctor: I'm not going to listen to any of this. Kray: I really would like you to listen, doctor. Tuvok: Would you please stand again, Mrs Ren? Doctor: So we're the same height. It proves nothing. I never saw this woman prior to the death of her husband. I was never even in this house before today. Tuvok: You forget the other witness who was here on the night of the murder, Doctor. Would you mind asking her to come in? Tuvok: It appears that you are no stranger to Neeka, doctor. Lidell: He lied to me, Tom. No one was supposed to get hurt. You know I could never do anything to hurt you. Paris: Yeah, you could. Paris: Tuvok. Tuvok: Mister Paris. Paris: There are some who'd say you risked my future on the eyewitness identification of a dog. Tuvok: It seemed a necessary step to ensure a truthful resolution. Paris: Well, I appreciate you sticking up for me. I owe you one. Tuvok: I conducted a criminal investigation. If you had been guilty, I assure you I would have pursued the truth just as vigilantly. You have no debt to me, Mister Paris. Paris: How come I always see you down here eating alone, Lieutenant? Tuvok: I prefer to read rather than engage in, what do humans call it? Short talk? Paris: Close enough. You don't make many friends that way. Tuvok: Perhaps. Paris: Well, like it or not, you've made one today, Mister Tuvok.

Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 48623.5. There are two hundred forty six elements known to Federation science. We believe we have just discovered the two hundred forty seventh inside the ring system of a Class D planet. Kim: The element has an unusually large atomic mass, over five hundred and fifty nucleons. And the readings are constant. The element appears to be stable. Janeway: A stable transuranic element inside a natural environment. This is a first. Torres: Can you imagine what we could make with this stuff? Probe casings that could go into the core of a sun, ultra-thin reactor shielding. Janeway: That's assuming we can mine it. Ensign, try and locate the highest concentration of the element. Kim: The element is present in most of the asteroids that comprise the rings. I can isolate a sample and beam it aboard. Torres: Or better yet, maybe we could get a firsthand look at this element in its natural environment. It looks like most of these asteroids support Class M atmospheres. Janeway: Good idea. Commander, you're in charge. Chakotay: Aye, Captain. Mister Kim, would you like to join us? Kim: I wouldn't miss it, sir. Kim: The highest concentration is about thirty meters directly ahead. Chakotay: I'm picking up a large cavern in there. The readings are Chakotay: What the hell is this? Torres: It's organic. Some kind of biopolymer residue. Chakotay: I want to see what's ahead. Torres: The readings are higher over here, but I still can't find the source of the. Commander? Class five humanoid. It appears to be dead. Chakotay: Captain, there are eighteen bodies here, all humanoid. Eleven male, seven female. From what we can tell they're in various stages of decomposition. Some have been here for years. Chakotay: Others no longer than a few days. In fact, one body arrived less than twelve hours ago. Janeway: Arrived from where? Chakotay: I don't know, Captain. Chakotay: But from the position of the arms, I'd say we're looking at some kind of burial site. Janeway: What about the element we discovered? Torres: It's emanating from their bodies, Captain. We think it's some kind of Torres: By-product of their decomposition process. Chakotay: I recommend we leave these bodies in peace, Captain. Chakotay: However, Mister Kim has a different opinion. Kim: With all due respect, Captain, I have to disagree with the Commander. This is our first contact with this race, and I think we should be learning all we can about them. Kim: It's a unique anthropological opportunity. Chakotay: I understand the chance for scientific discovery, Captain Chakotay: But whatever belief this race has, they clearly meant for their dead to be left alone and I think we should respect that. Janeway: I'm afraid I agree with Commander Chakotay. Set your tricorders for passive scans. I don't want to disturb anything. Chakotay: Captain Chakotay: The sanctity of these bodies should be respected. I recommend we make visual observations only. No tricorders. Janeway: Very well. Keep me informed. Janeway: Janeway out. Chakotay: All right. The only sensors you have left are your eyes. Concentrate on details. We're going to have to do a thorough report when we get back. Kim: Commander, thanks for letting me voice my opinion to the Captain. Chakotay: I remember the first time I went on a tomb excavation on Ktaria Seven. I wanted to keep a memento of the experience, so I picked up a rock from the burial site. Only I found out later it wasn't just a rock. Kim: What was it? Chakotay: It was a sacred stone. The Ktarians lay thousands of them in the tomb. Each one represents a special prayer. Without realizing it, I had desecrated that man's grave. Torres: Well, I think I've found out about all I can with my eyes. Chakotay: Really? What have you learned about this culture so far? Torres: They like to bury their dead on asteroids. That's about all I can tell without a tricorder. No artifacts, no inscriptions, just some naked dead people. Chakotay: You're looking but you're not seeing. The fact that they're naked says a lot. It means this race doesn't believe in dressing the deceased. And the lack of artifacts could indicate they don't believe any worldly goods can be taken into the afterlife. Kim: What makes you think they believe in an afterlife at all? Chakotay: Look at the position of the arms and hands. The bodies have been arranged in poses of serenity, and they appear to be wrapped in the same biopolymer residue we found out in the passageway, all indications that this culture has a great deal of ritual associated with disposing of the dead. That normally indicates some belief in the afterlife. Torres: The Klingons believe in an afterlife, but there's no burial ritual. They just dispose of the corpse by the most efficient means possible. Chakotay: Good point. However, some archeological digs on the Klingon Homeworld Chakotay: Tricorders! Kim: A dimensional distortion is forming. Some kind of subspace vacuole. Chakotay: Chakotay to Voyager. Emergency beam-out. Janeway: We're having trouble locking onto your signals. Stand by. Seska: Have everyone stand closer together. I'm going to try a blind beam-out Seska: Centerd on your comm. signal. Chakotay: Acknowledged. Energize! Janeway: Bridge to Transporter Room Three. Do you have them? Seska: Subspace distortions Seska: From the vacuole are interfering with the transporter lock. I'm Seska: Attempting to compensate. Seska: Okay. I think I've got them. Chakotay and Lieutenant Torres are aboard. So is one of the humanoid bodies. Seska: But there's no sign of Ensign Kim. Janeway: Scan the asteroid. Tuvok: No life signs, Captain. I'm broadening the scan. Nothing. He is nowhere in the entire asteroid field. Janeway: Seska, initiate emergency transport procedure Janeway: Twenty one alpha. Seska: I'm already on it, Captain. It's no use. His pattern's gone. Seska: And the subspace vacuole has disappeared. I'm looking at the transporter logs. My only guess is Seska: He was pulled into the vacuole. Torres: This isn't one of the bodies we found in the cavern. It's someone else. Chakotay: This body might have come out of the vacuole at the same time Kim was taken in. Torres: Wait a minute. I'm showing signs of electrical activity in the brain. It looks like she died just a few minutes ago. We might be able to revive her. If we can, we might get some answers. Chakotay: We can't interfere with this woman's natural process of death. Torres: What do you suggest we do, Commander? Kim's gone. She's the only one who might be able to tell us what happened. Chakotay: Beam us directly to Sickbay. Seska: Aye, Commander. Renora: Death is the end of this life. But it is also the beginning of a new journey. Ptera will now thrive in the Next Emanation. This is both her sacred duty and her great privilege. All: Hail Ptera! Renora: As she begins her transition, we promise to carry memories of her so that when we enter the Kim: Help! Get me out of here! Renora: She's alive! Deactivate the cenotaph, quickly! Kim: Let me out! Loria: Here it is. Hatil: Thanks. A lot of memories in this. Loria: We're so proud of you, Hatil. This is such a generous, selfless act. Hatil: It's my last gift for you and the children. Loria: And it's one we will always cherish. But I'm still going to miss you. Hatil: I know. I'll miss you too. But I'll see you in the Next Emanation when you're ready to join me. Loria: Give my love to your father. Tell him that the garili trees he planted have, have been in bloom for three years straight. Hatil: I will. Goodbye. Loria: Goodbye. Renora: Lie down. It's going to be all right. We won't harm you. Hatil: Who is that? Renora: We're not sure yet. We think he came from the Next Emanation. Hatil: The Next Emanation? You mean he's come back? Kim: Come back from where? Renora: We've called for the thanatologist. He'll be here any moment. I don't think there should be any further discussion about this until he arrives. Hatil: How did you get here? Kim: I'm not sure. I just sort of woke up inside one of those pods. I was conducting an investigation on an asteroid, we found some dead bodies, then there was some kind of subspace phenomenon. Hatil: What do you mean, you saw dead people there? Neria: I'm Doctor Neria, the chief thanatologist of this facility. Kim: Ensign Harry Kim of the Federation starship Voyager. Neria: I see. What race are you from? Kim: We call ourselves human. We come from a planet called Earth in a distant part of the galaxy. Hatil: He said he saw dead people on an asteroid. Neria: Dead? Kim: Look, can you tell me where I am? Hatil: Doctor, what does this mean? Neria: Rest, Hatil. There's no need for concern. May I speak to you privately, Ensign Harry? Kim: Just Harry's fine. Neria: We are the Vhnori and this is our homeworld. Kim: We were investigating one of the asteroids in the rings around your planet. Neria: There are no rings around our world. Kim: So the subspace vacuole must have transported me somewhere else. Do you have any star charts I could look at? I'd like to figure out where I am now in relation to where I was. Neria: Where you are now is in the world of the living. Where you came from was another dimension. Kim: Another dimension? Neria: Yes. You returned from the Next Emanation. The afterlife. Janeway: How were you able to revive her? Emh: It's a simple process, really. She died of a cancerous growth on the brain stem. I removed the tumor, replicated new neural tissue and used the standard Starfleet postmortem resuscitation technique for a class five life form. Janeway: Why was she covered with this biopolymer? Emh: She wasn't covered with it, exactly. The biopolymer is a by-product of her own tissues. Janeway: Explain. Emh: As her tissues decayed, the cell membranes broke down into a biopolymer resin which was then excreted by her epidermal layer. My guess is it's a natural decomposition process for this species. Chakotay: So the other biopolymer fibers we found in the cavern were Emh: Were probably the result of other bodies that had decomposed and left a residual membrane. In essence, Commander, you were strolling through dead bodies. Janeway: Can you wake her? Emh: Yes, of course. Kes, two cc's of netinaline. Emh: Hello. Janeway: I know this must be very confusing for you, but you're all right. My name is Kathryn Janeway. Ptera: I'm Ptera. Where's my brother? Janeway: Your brother? I'm afraid he's not here. Ptera: But he's supposed to be here. They're all supposed to be here. Janeway: Ptera, we were able to remove the tumor from your brain. You're going to be all right. We revived you because one of our Ptera: This is the Next Emanation? This is the afterlife? Janeway: No. No, it's not. You're on a starship. Ptera: This can't be right. My brother's supposed to be here. Something's wrong. Janeway: Let me explain. Ptera: No. No! Get away from me. This isn't right. This can't be right! Kim: You're saying there was a woman in here just before I arrived? Neria: That's right. Her name was Ptera. She was dying of a tumorous lesion to her midbrain. Kim: Dying. So she wasn't dead yet? Neria: No, of course not. She didn't die until the cenotaph was activated. That's the purpose of the cenotaph. It terminates a person's life just before the appearance of a spectral rupture and then it allows their body to be taken to the Next Emanation. Kim: Spectral rupture. Neria: Well, I can show you. Kim: This looks like what we would call a subspace vacuole. Does the cenotaph create these ruptures? Neria: No, they're natural occurrences, once every six hours. This entire complex was built on this site because a spectral rupture occurs here. There are thousands of such sites on our world. Forgive my curiosity, Harry, but, you are the first person ever to come back from the afterlife. I have quite a few questions. You said that you saw dead bodies? Kim: That's right. There were seven females, eleven males. Some of the bodies had been there for years, others just for a few days. Neria: Are you saying that when we die we go to some asteroid and decompose? Kim: Well, that's what it looked liked to us. Neria: These bodies, did you perform any kind of bioscans on them? Was there any specific medical data that you can remember? Kim: Doctor, maybe I should just stop right there. This is what my people call a first contact situation, and we've learned to be very careful about how much we tell alien cultures we've just met. Neria: I would like to start a complete bioanalysis as soon as possible. If you'll just follow Doctor Renora. Kim: Bioanalysis? Look, all I want to do is get back to my ship. And I think there might be a way to use this spectral rupture of yours to Neria: You're not going anywhere. You are our first glimpse into what lies beyond death. We are not going to let this opportunity pass us by. Chakotay: We've completed our analysis of the ring system. Our sensors have detected over two hundred thousand alien bodies on various asteroids in the rings. From what we can tell, a subspace vacuole appears about every two hours, deposits a body and then disappears. Janeway: We need to focus on those vacuoles. Concentrate on trying to probe them with a high resolution subspace scans. See if you can find any sign of Mister Kim. Emh: Sick bay to Captain Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Emh: Our guest has regained consciousness, and she is a little calmer this time. Janeway: I'm on my way. You have the Bridge. Ptera: That's, that's all I know. I'm sorry. I can't tell you anything more. Janeway: You've told me quite a bit. At least now I have an idea of what might have happened to Mister Kim. Is there anything I can do for you? Ptera: Well, I'd, I'd like some answers. Janeway: About what? Ptera: About what happens to my people when we die. Janeway: We're not sure exactly. But from what we do know, the vacuoles deposit the bodies on the asteroids in this ring system. Ptera: And then what? Janeway: I'm not sure what you mean. Ptera: We're supposed to evolve into a higher level of consciousness when we die. We're supposed to gain a greater understanding of the universe. All of our questions are supposed to be answered. Janeway: Ptera, I know this must be frightening for you. You've been through a very traumatic experience. It would frighten me. But please try to understand. Just because I don't have the answers to your questions doesn't mean there aren't any. Ptera: My brother. I always thought I'd see him again. I had so many things to tell him about his children, the people he left behind. But he isn't here, is he? He's. So, what am I supposed to do now, spend the rest of my life on this, this starship? Janeway: Ptera, I am going to do everything in my power to figure out just how you got here. And as soon as I know anything, I will tell you, all right? Ptera: All right. Kes: Maybe we should get out of Sickbay, let you walk around for a while, clear your mind. Maybe get something to eat. Are you hungry? Ptera: Yes. Actually, I could use something to eat. What was that? Janeway: Janeway to Bridge. Report. Paris: There's some kind of dimensional distortion forming near main Engineering, Captain. It looks like Paris: A subspace vacuole. Janeway: Janeway to Engineering. B'Elanna, what's going on? Torres: I've pinpointed the location, Captain. It's right here in Engineering. Stand by. Loria: Hatil, what are you saying? Hatil: I'm just not sure I'm ready, that's all. Loria: I don't understand. Hatil: Neither do I. It's just that I'm starting to wonder what really happens when we die, if I'm really going on to a higher level of consciousness. Loria: The alien. What has he been telling you? Hatil: All he's done is made me stop and think about something we've always taken for granted, and now that I've thought about it, I'm not so eager to go through with it anymore. Loria: Hatil, we know nothing about him, or why he's come here, or why he's spreading lies about the Next Emanation. All I know is, you can't throw away a lifetime of belief because of him. It doesn't make sense. Hatil: I don't know what to think anymore. I'm scared, Loria. Loria: It's going to be all right. Think about your father. He's waiting for you. I'll see you at the transference ritual. I don't know who you are or where you come from, but you stay away from my husband. Kim: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Hatil: Harry, you have to forgive my wife. She's having trouble understanding my concerns about the afterlife. That's why I'm here. I'm getting ready to die. Forgive me for asking again but can you tell me anything about what I might find in the Next Emanation? Kim: Everyone keeps asking me that, and I just keep giving the same answer. I don't know. Hatil: But you do come from the afterlife? Kim: I come from a different reality, maybe another dimension. Maybe it is your afterlife. I don't know. All I do know is that there are countless billions of people there who are born, live and die, just like you do here. Hatil: But you did see my people there? You said they were dead? Kim: Yes, but, look, for all I know, your thanatologists are right, and all I saw were the corporeal remains of your people, and you do go on to a higher consciousness. Hatil: But it's also possible that there is no higher existence for us, that when we die we simply cease to exist. Kim: I, I really can't say. I don't know what happens to your people after they die. I don't even know what happens to my people after they die. Hatil: Don't you have thanatologists, people who study death? Kim: Well, sort of. There have certainly been medical experts, philosophers, theologians who have spent a great deal of time debating what happens after death. But no one's come up with an answer yet. Hatil: My people have come to think of death as just another stage of our existence. There are some people who are even eager to die. If they feel depressed or lonely in this life, they simply move on to the next one. Kim: Is that why you're here? Because you're not happy with your life? Hatil: Ever since the er, accident, life hasn't been easy. But I have to say, this is more my family's idea than it is mine. Kim: Your family? Hatil: I'm a burden to them right now. It takes a lot of their time and resources to care for me, and I can't give much back to them. So, there was a family meeting and it was agreed that I should move on to the Next Emanation. You look appallled. Kim: It's not my place to judge your culture, but from my perspective, it's a little chiling to hear that. Hatil: Even though the family did it out of love, and everyone was happy for me, and they said they'd see me when they got to the Next Emanation, I have to admit there is a little voice inside of me that is terrified of dying. And since I've been talking to you, that little voice has started to get louder. Janeway: I'm reading another vacuole forming on the ship. Tuvok, try remodulating the shield harmonics. Tuvok: It's no use, Captain. The vacuole is still forming. Tuvok: Take the body to the ship's morgue. Janeway: This is odd. Three bodies have appeared on Voyager so far, and each one of them has released some kind of neural energy. In every case, the energy has passed through the hull and out into the rings. The energy's frequency is identical to the ambient radiation in the asteroid field. Torres: The vacuoles are disrupting the warp core's magnetic interlocks. It won't be long before we lose antimatter containment. Janeway: The vacuoles have all formed within twenty meters of the warp core. They might be attracted to it. Janeway to Bridge. Mister Paris, lay in a course. I want to get Janeway: At least a half a light year away. Warp seven. Paris: Aye, Captain. Paris to Janeway. I've brought us out of warp. We're point six light years from the ring system. Janeway: Any other subspace vacuoles forming? Torres: No. The magnetic interlocks have stabilized. I think we're safe out here. Janeway: Begin working on a way to protect the warp core from these vacuoles. Torres: Aye, Captain. Kes: Sometimes I come in here and just stare out at the stars for hours. I never get tired of looking at them. Ptera: We were always told we would see beautiful sights in the Next Emanation. Colors, lights, and that we would see them with new eyes and a new understanding. But now. What happened to the others? My brother, my father and everyone before them? People die every day on my world. Do they all end up as lifeless corpses? Kes: When people die on my world, we bury them beneath the soil, and we believe that their comra is released into the afterlife. Ptera: Their comra? Kes: Our soul, our spirit, the essence of our beings. Maybe something similar happens to you. Ptera: But you don't understand. We don't believe in any kind of spirit. When we die, we're supposed to reappear as physical beings with arms and legs. That's the whole point of sending our people through the spectral ruptures. We're supposed to travel on to the Next Emanation as ourselves and be reunited with our families. But none of that is true, is it? None of the people I love are here. I'm alone. I don't belong here. I can't live like this. Please, can't you send me home? Kes: I think there is only one person on this ship who could answer that question. Janeway: We're doing everything we can to get you back home, Ptera. Once we locate our missing officer, we're hoping he might be able to tell us enough to Torres: Wait a minute, Captain. Maybe there is a way to send Ptera home and find Ensign Kim at the same time. Janeway: Explain. Torres: What if we recreated the transporter accident? If it's true that Harry was pulled through the vacuole during transport, we might be able to reproduce those circumstances and send Ptera home. Chakotay: We could send Ptera through the subspace transponder and hope the signal will penetrate the dimensional barrier and allow us to lock on to Kim with the transporter beam. Torres: Right. Ptera: So I can get home? Janeway: Ptera, you should know that there's no guarantee this is going to work. Ptera: I understand the risk, but I've already been dead once and I'm prepared to die again if necessary. So if there's a chance I can get home, I'm willing to take the risk. Janeway: All right. Commander, prepare a subspace transponder and teach Ptera how to use it. Chakotay: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Captain's log, supplemental. We've returned to the ring system, and we're preparing to send Ptera back to her dimension. Lieutenant Torres has found a way to temporarily protect the warp core against the vacuoles but she is uncertain how long her measures will be effective. Janeway: You understand the instructions for Mister Kim if you find him? Ptera: Yes. Torres: We've got one, Commander, forming ten meters below us, deck thirteen. Chakotay: Okay, let's see if your dampening field is going to protect the warp core. Torres: The field is fluctuating slightly, but holding. Chakotay: Engineering to Transporter Room three. Chakotay: There's a vacuole forming on deck thirteen. Magnetic interlocks are stable. Janeway: Acknowledged. Seska: I see the vacuole. Locking on. Janeway: Good luck, Ptera. Seska: I have a transporter lock. Energizing. Matching her pattern to the subspace distortions. Wait a minute. The vacuole is shutting down. I can't get her pattern through. Janeway: Abort the procedure. Pull her back. Seska: I'm trying. I'm losing her pattern. Janeway: Shunt emergency power into buffer tank four. Seska: That's it. I've got the pattern. Kes: She's dead. Janeway: Is there any brain activity? Can we revive her? Janeway to Lieutenant Torres. How long until we have to leave? Torres: I'd say we're safe for another two hours. Janeway: That gives us two hours to find Mister Kim. We'll have to stay within high-range scanner range. Perform another subspace scan. This time extend the scan radius to ten AU. I'm on my way to Engineering. Janeway out. Torres: Aye, Captain. Janeway: Ensign, beam her onto one of the asteroids. Seska: Aye, Captain. Janeway: That's where she was meant to be. Kes: I hope you find your afterlife, Ptera. Kim: Why? Neria: We want to make a more detailed scan of your microcellular structures and a complete examination of your neurochemistry. This facility isn't equipped for such a detailed bioanalysis. The complex at Paffran has everything we need. Kim: Look. If my ship is still searching for me, they're not going to stay there forever. I have to get back. Neria: That's not possible. We don't even understand how you got here. Kim: Then maybe I can figure out a way to get back. Let me take a look at one of those cenotaphs. Neria: There's no time for that. Word about you has spread very quickly, Harry, not only in the scientific world, but in the community at large. There are many people who are very nervous about what you represent. Some even see you as a threat to their beliefs about the afterlife. We need to take you to a more secure location. It's for your own protection. Kim: Wait! Neria: I'm sorry, Harry. It's out of my control. Kim: What are you doing? Hatil: Preparing for the transference ritual. This is a ceremonial shroud that's been in my family for five generations. Kim: So they make you wrap yourself in your own death shroud. Hatil: It's something we look forward to, actually. I remember when my father used this shroud, his father before him. The difference is, when my father put this on there was no doubt in his mind about where he was going. Kim: Can't you just back out? Say you've changed your mind. Hatil: I have thought of just walking out and disappearing. I have some friends in the Cararian Mountains. They would be willing to let me stay with them. But my family would worry about me. They'd wonder what was happening, if I was all right, if I were hurt. No, everyone's expecting a transference ritual, and I'm going to give them one. Kim: What if you did disappear into the mountains, but your family thought you were dead? I mean, they're here for a transference ritual, right? Hatil: Do you realize what you're suggesting? Kim: It's perfect. Those cenotaphs send your people back to my dimension, which is where I want to go. Voyager's probably still near the asteroid searching for me. As soon as I appear, they'll pick up my signal and beam me aboard. And you, you can just disappear. Your family will think you're dead, and you can live out your life in the mountains. Hatil: Harry, if you go into that cenotaph and go through with the transference ritual, you'll die. Kim: Well, if Voyager can beam me aboard quickly enough, our doctor should be able to revive me. Medicine's pretty advanced in our culture. I've heard of cases where people have been dead for hours and still been brought back to life. Hatil: But it's not certain? Kim: No, it's not, but I think this is my only chance to get home. Hatil: The shroud has to be wrapped in a particular way. I'll show you how, but we have to hurry. I'm scheduled for transference in less than an hour. Loria: A pleasant trip, Hatil. Say hello to Varel and Toyan. I'll see you there in a few years. Neria: We're joined here today to bid farewell to our dear friend Hatil Garan. We salute not only his life, but the manner in which he has chosen to end it. He makes a noble sacrifice today that his family may have a better tomorrow. We prepare to send him on to the Next Emanation Neria: With the full knowledge and faith that the life he will find there is better than the one here, that he will no longer be hampered by his infirmity and that we will come to understand the cosmos Neria: In a way that he could never have imagined. Loria: Bye, Hatil. I love you. Torres: Another vacuole. Deck fifteen. Tuvok: The body of an alien female has been left behind. Chakotay: Chakotay to Transporter Room Three. Lock onto the body on deck fifteen and transport it to one of the asteroids. Seska: Aye, sir. Janeway: Status on the warp core, Lieutenant. Torres: The dampening field's down to twenty one percent. The interlocks won't hold much longer. I recommend leaving, Captain. Janeway: Very well. Mister Paris, bring us about. Prepare to resume our Chakotay: Captain, I'm picking up a vacuole forming on deck twelve. It deposited a human body. Janeway: Human? Chakotay: But it's dead. Janeway: Janeway to Seska. There's a body on deck twelve. Beam it directly to Sickbay. Seska: Yes, Captain. Emh: Two cc's cordrazine. Emh: Relax, Mister Kim. Everything's fine. You're alive. Janeway: Mind if I join you? Kim: No, not at all. Please. Janeway: Thank you. So, how are you feeling? Kim: Better. I'll be ready for duty tomorrow morning. Janeway: You're off duty for the next two days. Kim: Captain, I'm fine. Janeway: It's not a reflection on your capabilities, Ensign. I just want to give you a chance to reflect on what's happened. This may not make much sense to you now, a young man at the beginning of his career, but one of the things you'll learn as you move up the ranks and get a little older is that you wish you had more time in your youth to really absorb all the things that happened to you. It goes by so fast. It's so easy to become jaded, to treat the extraordinary like just another day at the office, but sometimes there are experiences which transcend all that. You've just had one, Mister Kim, and I want you to live with it for a little while. Write about it, if you feel like it. Paint. Express yourself in some fashion. The Bridge will still be there in two days. Kim: Thank you, Captain. I have been a little preoccupied with the experience. I mean, all those people think that they know what happens after death. They look forward to it. They're prepared for it. But the truth is, none of it's real. They don't have an afterlife. They just decay inside those asteroids. Janeway: I wouldn't be so sure of that, if I were you. That neural energy their bodies release, it becomes part of the ambient electromagnetic field surrounding the planet. Our readings also indicate the energy's unusually dynamic. There's a great deal of variation and pattern complexity, quantum density. Kim: Are you saying you think they do have an afterlife? That the energy field is where they exist at a higher level of consciousness, just like they believe? Janeway: I'm not certain, but I am certain about this. What we don't know about death is far, far greater than what we do know. See you in two days, Ensign. Kim: Thank you, Captain.

Torres: What? Seska: I've seen that look before. Ensign Murphy had better watch out. Torres: I happen to know that Murphy is seeing one of the Delaney sisters. Seska: Not since Harry and Tom Paris made their move. Torres: Harry and the Delaney sisters? He would have told me. Seska: I guess there are some things he keeps to himself. Torres: Harry, is it true about you and the Delaney sisters? Kim: Is what true? Seska: Come on Harry, there aren't any secrets on a ship this small. Kim: What have you been telling people? Paris: Well, we did take that trip to Venice with them. Kim: The holodeck? You've got to be kidding. That lasted all of fifteen minutes. Paris: Yeah, you know, I've been meaning to ask you. What happened when you and Jenny Delaney disappeared in that gondola? Kim: Nothing. Torres: Harry, we're your friends. You can tell us. Kim: Nothing. We talked, and then I fell over the side. Seska: You fell out of the gondola? Paris: I think maybe Harry wasn't quite prepared for how voracious Jenny Delaney can be. Janeway: I think it's finally beginning to happen. Both crews getting along. Tuvok: That kind of bonding should improve performance and maximize efficiency. Janeway: Yes, I'm sure it will. Chakotay: Bridge to Captain Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead Chakotay: Captain, we're receiving a distress call in one of the lower subspace bands. Janeway: I'm on my way. Janeway: Report, Commander. Chakotay: The subspace distress signal is coming from a vessel bearing one two five mark two one. Distance two hundred thousand kilometers. Kim: Captain, sensors indicate five lifeforms aboard. Tuvok: The vessel is altering it's course to intercept us. Janeway: Go to yellow alert and slow to impulse. Hail them, Mister Kim. Kim: Aye, Captain. Janeway: This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. What is the nature of your emergency? Gath: We have no emergency. Janeway: But you're sending out a distress call. Gath: Yes, we are. Janeway: Why? Gath: Because you are in distress. I am Gathhorel Labin of the planet Sikaris. Please, let us welcome you to our system. Show you the hospitality of our people. Janeway: that's very kind of you Gath: If I could come aboard your ship, I have gifts for you and a proposal I hope you will find irresistible. Janeway: Mister Tuvok, make the necessary arrangements to receive our guest. Janeway: Mister Labin, it really isn't necessary to go to all this trouble. Gath: Please. Call me Gath. And I promise you I would like nothing better than to prepare a few of our newest delicacies for you. Ah, this will be perfect. Neelix: Captain, I'm serving lunch in less that two hours. Janeway: We won't be long, Neelix. This is Mister, this is Gath. He's from Sikaris. Neelix: Ah! Ooo. Sikaris! Janeway: Do you know the planet? Neelix: Only stories about their incredible hospitality. Janeway: Tell me, how do you know about us? Gath: Our people are very well traveled. Some of them have brought back stories about the ship of aliens from another part of the galaxy. People lost and alone, struggling to find their way home again. Janeway: This is wonderful. Gath: And I decided to come and meet you and offer you respite. Tuvok: Respite? Gath: A vacation, if you will. Get away from the confines of the ship, enjoy the beauty of our landscape, meet and talk with interesting, learned people. Kes: And the crew would certainly welcome a little shore leave, Captain. Neelix: And I hear the Sikarians have a huge variety of edible plants. If we could collect some seeds, we'd expand our selection significantly. Janeway: Sounds like all this would increase performance and maximize efficiency, don't you think, Mister Tuvok? Tuvok: Indeed. Janeway: Well Gath, looks like you're getting visitors. We'll set a course and follow you in. Gath: I could not be happier. Gath: If you see anything you like, just let me know. Janeway: What is this material? It's so delicate. Gath: Exquisite, isn't it? It's the latest import from Vedestris. It's spun from the petals of a flower that blooms only in moonlight. Shall I have a dress made for you? Janeway: It's lovely but, no, thank you. Gath: Is it so hard for you to accept a gift? Janeway: All right, but something small. Maybe a scarf? Gath: What a curious people you are. Tell me would it help if I said that you could have an entire wardrobe made from these beautiful fabrics and that it would give all of us great pleasure to create it for you. Janeway: Let's start with the scarf. Gath: As you like. Which cloth do you prefer? Kim: That's beautiful. Are you a musician? Eudana: This isn't a musical instrument. It's an atmospheric sensor. The frequency of the chimes indicates changes in weather conditions. Kim: Then it must work on a principle of non-linear resonance, adjusting to the dynamic variables in the atmosphere. Eudana: That's exactly right. Are you a scientist? Kim: In a sense. Can you show me how to operate it? Eudana: I'd be happy to. First, you have to initialize the sub-harmonic mode. Janeway: Oh, I think this one. Gath: When I see you wearing that scarf, my pleasure will be greater than yours. Janeway: Well, I should get back. But with your permission, I'd like to start organizing teams to gather plants and seeds. Gath: This is my associate, Jaret Otel. You may contact him to make any necessary arrangements. Jaret: We'll be glad to assist you in any way, Captain. Janeway: I'll find my officers and we'll return to the ship. Gath: Tonight we are having a celebration here. I hope you and your officers will be my guests. Janeway: We'd be delighted. Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 48642.5. The crew is enjoying an evening on Sikaris. They are discovering, to their delight, that reports of this species' hospitality have not been exaggerated. Kim: So the whole thing exploded and there we were, seventy thousand light years from home and no way to get back. It felt pretty lonely. Eudana: That's a very noble story. Kim: Noble? Eudana: Stories can be whimsical, or frightening, or melancholy, or many other things. But noble stories are the ones that can most affect our lives. May I have your permission to tell others this story? Kim: Sure. It's no secret. Eudana: But stories are an essential part of every person's being. I would never share one without permission. Kim: Go right ahead. I've got a few others too. Eudana: You do? Come with me. I know a private place where you can tell me all your stories. Eudana: Stand close to me. Alastria. Kim: Where are we? Eudana: The woods of Alastria, my favorite place. I usually come here when I want to spend time alone but, tonight it seemed right to bring you. Now, tell me your stories. All of them. Kim: Why is it so much warmer here? Kim: What is that? Eudana: The dawn zephyr. Kim: Dawn? We just got here. That's, that is an amazing feeling. What's happening? Eudana: The erosene winds, passion winds, come just before the dawn. The erosene creates euphoria. Kim: I'll say. Why am I seeing two suns? Eudana: Because this is a binary system. Kim: But your planet only has one sun. Eudana: But Alastria has two. Kim: Eudana, where are we? Eudana: I told you. Alastria. A system far from Sikaris. Kim: How far? Eudana: Do you have to ask all these questions? Kim: Please, it's important. Eudana: Alastria is about two and a half billion times the distance between Sikaris and it's sun. Kim: That's almost forty thousand light years. Eudana: Now, feel the breeze. Kim: Er, we have to go back. Eudana: It's still night on Sikaris. We have plenty of time. Kim: No, er, we're going back, and I need you to tell me everything you know about that platform that got us here. Gath: And tomorrow night you must let me take you to the theater. Janeway: Oh my, I have lost all track of time. My crew has gone. I'm the last one here. Gath: I hope that's because you're enjoying yourself. Janeway: I am. Kim: Captain! Excuse me for interrupting but I've just found out about something incredible. Janeway: Calm down, Ensign. What is it? Kim: That platform. It's a transportation device. Extremely sophisticated. It operates on the principle of folding space. Janeway: That's something that's been theorized, but no one's ever been able to develop the technology. Kim: Well, these people have. I've just been to Alastria and back. Alastria is forty thousand light years away. Gath: We call it a spatial trajector. We are able to travel to all the planets in this quadrant. Janeway: How far can it take you? Gath: Alastria is at the uttermost limits of it's range. Kim: Apparently it's never been used to move anything as large as Voyager, but as I understand the principle of space folding, the size of the object isn't relevant. Janeway: What do you think? Would it be possible to modify your technology so we could use it? Eudora: I tried to tell him. Janeway: What is it? Gath: We cannot share our technology. Once it's out of our control, it might fall into the hands of those who would abuse it, and our canon of laws strictly forbids that. Kim: But we wouldn't abuse it. Don't you see what it would mean to us? Gath: Please, don't make it more difficult for me. I don't enjoy denying you this, but our canon of laws has determined our entire system of values. To break one of it's precepts would undermine everything we believe in. I'm sorry, but there can be no exceptions to the law. Kim: I can't believe they're not going to help us. Some kind of hospitality. Torres: Forty thousand light years. Even if that's as far as we could go, it would still knock about four decades off our trip. Chakotay: And the possibility exists that we could reconfigure the matrix at that point to take us another thirty thousand light years, right into Federation space. Tuvok: Since they've already said no, this kind of thinking is only going to make you feel worse. Janeway: It's the first time we've been on the other side of the fence. Paris: What fence? Janeway: The one that's made of binding principles. We have our own set of rules, which includes the Prime Directive. How many times have we been in the position of refusing to interfere when some kind of disaster threatened an alien culture. It's all very well to say we do it on the basis of an enlightened principle, but how does that feel to the aliens? I'm sure many of them think the Prime Directive is a lousy idea. Paris: Even we think so sometimes. Chakotay: I know of many times when Starfleet personnel have decided on strong ethical grounds to ignore it. Kim: Still, there's a reason why it's Starfleet's General order number one. On the whole, it does a lot more good than harm. Tuvok: Captain, it occurs to me that we know little about the Sikarians. We cannot assume that their first refusal is unalterable. It may be that no is simply a prelude to negotiation. Torres: He's right, maybe they can be reasoned with. Chakotay: Maybe they want something. Maybe they'll bargain. Paris: But what do we have to offer? They seem to have everything they need. Kim: Stories. Stories are an important part of their culture. They seem to provide more than entertainment. They're kind of a measuring rod of values and beliefs. We have a huge library in our databanks. We could offer them the whole thing. All the great literature of dozens of cultures. Chakotay: What do you think, Captain? Would they be interested? Janeway: They just might be. From what we've seen of them, they're a remarkably pleasure oriented people. They might appreciate a gift of literature. I'll arrange to meet with Gath. As Magistrate he has the authority to make this decision. Torres: In the meantime, I'm going to take a look at that trajector platform. Maybe I can figure out how it works. Janeway: You'll do nothing of the sort, Lieutenant. If I find this law is negotiable, I'll make every attempt to get the technology, but until then we won't do anything that might violate their canon of laws as we understand it. That's all. Kim: What's wrong? Torres: I just hope she gets it. Kim: She will. Gath: Exquisite. What did you say you call it? Janeway: Pecan pie. Gath: I must have the recipe. Janeway: I'd be happy to share it with you. Gath, I want you to know I understand your reluctance to share your technology with us. We have similar restrictions. But I wondered, would it make any difference if I gave you my word that we would destroy the trajector matrix as soon as we'd used it? Gath: I know this will upset you, but I can't. Janeway: I understand. And frankly, I suspected as much. But I have a proposal which might allow you to obey your laws and still give us what we want. Surely you could use the trajectory to send us? Forty thousand light years would mean a great deal to us. And in return, we're prepared to offer you something you might enjoy. Gath: Oh? Janeway: A full library of the Federation's finest literature. Gath: Literature? Janeway: Centuries of stories. New stories from diverse cultures. Stories that fire the imagination. Gath: You certainly know how to tempt me, Captain. It's certainly possible. I'll have to meet with the other Magistrates to discuss it. No one has ever made a request like that. In the meantime, I'd like to enjoy every bite of this, how did you call it? Janeway: Pecan pie. Torres: I've finished the maintenance check on the shock attenuation cylinders. They'll have to be replaced in another two thousand hours but we'll face that problem when we come to it. Seska? Seska: Sorry. I wasn't concentrating. What did you say? Torres: You looked a million light years away. Seska: No, only about seventy thousand. My brother's birthday is in four days. Last year I promised I'd meet him on Nivoch, celebrate with him. He'll think I broke my promise, that I'm dead. What are you doing? Torres: I've been thinking. The folding of space should leave a sub-space residue. If we can detect one, we might be a step closer to knowing how the trajector works. Seska: Look at that neutrino dispersion pattern. Could that be a result of space folding? Torres: Maybe. If the device creates a neutrino bubble around whatever's being trajectored. Carey: If that's the case, we'd need a bubble big enough for the ship. Don't worry Lieutenant. I'm with you on this one. After all, it doesn't hurt to theorize. Seska: Right. And hypothetically, if we could modify the deflector array to emit phased neutrinos, we could create a big enough bubble. Torres: Let's give it a try. In theory, of course. Kim: I don't understand. Why is it so important I come here now? Eudana: You'll see in a minute. We're here. Jaret: Good evening, Ensign. Thank you for coming. Kim: What's this about? Jaret: I asked Eudana to invite you here because I was sure you would respond to her, and because it would look perfectly natural. I am prepared to accept your collection of literature in exchange for our trajector technology. Kim: Is that something you're authorized to do? Jaret: Officially? No. But many people believe that rules should be flexible enough to meet the needs of the moment. There is a great desire here for new stories and I want to be the one to supply them. Kim: So you'd stand to benefit from this arrangement, right? Jaret: We will both benefit. I would gain prestige and you would gain forty thousand light years in your journey home, possibly more. This is it, Ensign. The matrix of the trajector. Kim: Captain Janeway has asked the Magistrate to send us forty thousand light years. Jaret: He won't. He never had any intention of helping you leave here. Eudana: Jaret is right. I know how much it means to you to get home. Please, listen to him. Jaret: You must believe me when I tell you this is the only way you will make that journey. Consider my offer. I'm sure you will decide it is a fair one. Kim: I don't know what to do. I know we'd all like to get that much closer to home, but I don't think Captain Janeway is going to go for getting the technology like that. Torres: Maybe she will. After all, it's a Sikarian who's making the offer. Paris: But it's not above board. The Captain is only going to deal with an official representative. Crewman: Bridge to Ensign Kim. The Captain can see you now. Paris: Just tell her everything you know. Let her take it from there. Kim: Right. Paris: I'll walk you part way. I'm headed for bed. Torres: Somehow, I have a bad feeling about this. It's just not going to work out. Seska: Don't you think that's up to us? Torres: What does that mean? Seska: It means that we can sit here and let someone make the decision for us, or we can take matters into our own hands. We've been offered the grand prize. All we have to do is step up and claim it. Torres: Take the technology? Without permission? Seska: Since when do you talk like that? Do you think that permission is more important than getting us half way home? The Captain is so infatuated with the Sikarian Magistrate she can't think straight. We can't trust that she's going to make the best decision for all of us. If we do this, we'll need to use engineering to configure the matrix. It would be a lot easier if we knew we could count on you. Torres: Seska, I am a senior officer now. I have responsibilities. Seska: And the main responsibility for everyone on this ship is to try to find a way home. Captain Janeway made that clear from the beginning. That's our primary mission. Just think about it, that's all. Janeway: Did Jaret explain what he meant when he said Gath had no intention of helping us leave? Kim: No, he just made it clear that our only choice was to get the trajector technology from him. Tuvok: He may simply want us to believe that so we would deal with him. Janeway: Possibly. But somehow I suspect he's right. Thank you for coming to me with this, Ensign. It may muddy the situation somewhat, but it helps me force the issue. Dismissed. Kim: Goodnight, Captain. Lieutenant. Janeway: Oh, Tuvok, what do I do now? Tuvok: You would seem to have two options. Continue to negotiate with a man who may have a hidden agenda, or deal with a man who is willing to defy his own laws. Janeway: Not very pretty choices. Tuvok: At least if you deal with Jaret, it is his law that is being compromised, not ours. Janeway: But does that matter? I told the crew when we started this journey that we'd be a Starfleet crew, behaving as Starfleet would expect us to. That means there's a certain standard I have to uphold. Principles, principles. That's what it comes down to. Do I compromise my almighty principles? But how do I not compromise them if it involves a chance to get the crew more than half way home. How do I tell them my principles are so important that I would deny them that opportunity. Tuvok: I believe the first thing you must do is determine whether Gath is willing to use the trajector to help us. If that possibility exists at all, you must explore it. Janeway: You're right. Thank you, Tuvok. Janeway: Have you spoken with the other Magistrates about using the trajector? Gath: Actually, I haven't. Some of them are traveling now but I assure you I will do it. Gath: I've already seen all those. Janeway: It's becoming a matter of some urgency. Gath: Oh? Why? Janeway: We've imposed on you for long enough. Gath: Not true. We welcome you for as long as you can stay. And I hope that's a very long time indeed. Janeway: My crew is eager to continue our journey. Once they realized the trajector might bring us forty thousand light years closer to home. Gath: Why are you so consumed with this desire to get home? I find it difficult to understand. Janeway: Home is home. It's where we belong. Gath: Couldn't you create a new home here, with us? Can you imagine a more delightful place to live, where you could pass your time extracting pleasure from every moment. I promise you, you and I have many such moments to explore. Janeway: Yes, but for how long? I've seen how quickly you get tired of your pleasures. All that interests you is what's new and unexplored. After a day or two it becomes commonplace. Gath: Yes? Janeway: We prefer permanence. The reward of relationships that endure and grow deeper with the passing of time. Gath: You would loose those notions if you stayed with us. Janeway: You may be right. And that's why we have to leave. Gath: We have offered you nothing but hospitality. Is this how you repay us? With an attack on our beliefs? Janeway: I'm sorry. I was just trying to illustrate the differences between us. Gath: I don't enjoy being judged like this. It's very upsetting. Not at all pleasurable. Janeway: That's all you really care about, isn't it? Your pleasure. All your hospitality, your graciousness, it was never about giving us pleasure. It's all been to gratify yourselves. We're nothing more than the latest novelty. Gath: You're hostile and vicious. You would infect the joyousness of our lives. You must leave immediately. Janeway: You never had any intention of helping us, did you? Gath: Of course I did. I did everything in my power to persuade you to stay here. Janeway: Janeway to Voyager. One to beam up. Janeway: Cancel all shore leave and recall the away teams. We've been asked to leave. Chakotay: Aye, Captain. Tuvok: I assume that means Gath will not be assisting us. Janeway: I don't think he ever had any intention of helping us. He just strung us along. Tuvok: Are you considering Jaret's offer? Janeway: Oh, I wish I could, but I can't. Chakotay: Captain, it'll take hours to get everyone up. We've got crewmembers scattered throughout both hemispheres. Janeway: Get them back as quickly as you can, Commander. I think we've overextended our stay here. I'll be in my Ready room. Seska: I've downloaded the Federation Library. It's all on these chips. We know the man to contact, he wants the Library and he doesn't care who gives it to him. Torres: We're under orders. Seska: B'Elanna, right now our people are still fighting Cardassians, dying for our cause. Settlers in the demilitarized zone are still under attack. We made a promise, B'Elanna, that we'd all stick together until the Zone was safe, and I intend to keep that promise. Carey: I have a wife, and two little boys. I don't want them to grow up without a father. I'd do anything to prevent that. Seska: We're not the only ones. Everyone wants to get back. They're just waiting for someone to act. Carey: I've been working on the theory that the trajector operates within a neutrino envelope. If that's true, I think we can use it as many times as we need, until we're all the way home. Seska: Just think, by tomorrow we could be there. Torres: All right, let's do it. Torres: With shore leave canceled, can we get to the surface undetected? Seska: We'll have to override the security lock-out but that shouldn't be a problem. Carey: It's not accepting my security code. Seska: Re-initialize the lock out buffers. Carey: I did. It's not working. Someone's altered the security sub-routine. Torres: Why would anyone do that? Seska: Never mind. Beam me down. Torres: Are you crazy? Security will find you out before you get there. Tuvok: I altered the security sub-routines. Any attempt to over-ride the lock out would have alerted me to your presence here. Is this Voyager's library which you intended to trade for the trajector technology? Seska: Yes. Tuvok: When I attempted to download it, I noticed it had already been accessed. Torres: You were going to download it? Tuvok: I will make the exchange with Jaret Otel. Return to your stations. Do what you can to prepare the ship for the matrix. Energize. Chakotay: Mister Tuvok is on the surface now, Captain. He says the remaining away teams should be on board in fifteen minutes. Janeway: Are all the food supplies secured? Chakotay: Aye, Captain. As soon as the last of the crew gets back, we'll be ready to leave. Janeway: Bridge to Engineering. Torres: Torres here. Janeway: We'll be leaving orbit within minutes. Janeway: Ready all propulsion systems. Torres: We're ready now, Captain. Seska: Where's Tuvok? Torres: He'll be here. We certainly won't leave without him. Seska: Well, what's keeping him? Torres: Calm down. You're going to draw attention to yourself. Tuvok: Do not attempt to activate the device until I've spoken to Captain Janeway. Torres: What are you doing? He said not to activate it! Seska: I'm not. I'm just going to try the interface simulation. We don't know even if it will interface. We can give ourselves a head start by testing it now. Torres: All right. But just a simulation. Seska: It's working. Carey: I was right. It operates within a neutrino envelope. Seska: The trajector field is bigger than anything we've created by ten orders of magnitude. Carey: To get a field that size, you'd need an amplifier as big as a planet! Seska: I don't understand. How do they get that kind of amplification? Torres: I'll show you. Sikaris has a mantle of tetrahedral quartz twenty kilometers thick. The crystalline structure of the mantle seems to focus and amplify the trajector field. Carey: If that's how the power transfer occurs, then once we leave orbit we loose the ability to traject. Torres: We don't have time to test it. We'll have to try it now, or forget it. Seska: Do it! Torres: If there are any compatibility problems Seska: Then we can abort. This is our only chance. Janeway: Bridge to Engineering. Torres: Torres here. Janeway: We're ready to leave orbit. Thrusters online. Torres: Aye Captain. Seska: We have to do something. Janeway: Mister Paris, take us out of orbit. Four thousand kph. Paris: Aye, Captain. There's no response. Thrusters are offline. Janeway: Janeway to Engineering. Janeway: What's going on, Lieutenant? Torres: We've got a phase variance in plasma conduit three. I'll have to check it out before we can engage thrusters. Janeway: When did this problem show up? Torres: Just now, Captain. It's only a slight variance, I'll have it fixed in a minute. Janeway: Keep me advised. Torres: All right, the matrix is activating. Seska: The trajector field is forming. Carey: And it's amplifying. Look how fast it's expanding! Torres: That's the effect of the quartz mantle. Seska: We're nearly at full field strength. This is going to work. Carey: What is it? Torres: The plasma manifold is becoming unstable. Seska: I can compensate for that! Carey: The manifold is being bombarded by anti-neutrinos from the trajector field. Seska: Anti-neutrinos? Torres: They must be the catalyst for the space-folding process. Seska: It's not working. I can't compensate for the instability. Carey: There's no way to compensate for a field that size! Kim: Captain, I'm showing an unstable plasma manifold. We're heading for a breach. Janeway: Bridge to Torres. What's happening? Janeway: We're reading a warp core breach up here. Torres: We're on it, Captain. No time to talk. Shut down the matrix! Seska: I can't! It's not responding! Carey: It's fused! Seska: Plasma temperature at forty three million Kelvins. Torres: Carey, get everybody out! Carey: All right, people, let's go. Move it out! Move out, let's go, right now. Let's go. Come on, move it out. Fast! Right now. Keep moving! Torres: I can't unlock it! The command matrix is sealed. Seska: Plasma temperature at fifty million Kelvin. Seska: Anti-neutrino bombardment has stopped. Plasma temperature dropping. Torres: We didn't anticipate anti-neutrinos. The trajector could never be compatible with Federation technology. Seska: I'll start erasing the sensor logs. We can blame it on the phase diskrepancy. Torres: No! We're not going to cover this up. Seska: Are you crazy? We don't have to take the blame for this! Torres: But we're going to. We disobeyed orders, gambling that it would pay off. It didn't. And now we just can't pretend that nothing happened. Seska: I don't understand. There's no need for this. Torres: I'm sorry if you don't get it, Seska, but it has something to do with, er, with being able to live with yourself. Seska: That doesn't sound like you. You've changed. Torres: If that's true, I take it as a compliment. Torres: I take full responsibility for what happened. There were others involved, but I was the senior officer, and the culpability is mine. Tuvok: Lieutenant Torres is not precisely correct, Captain. She was not the senior officer involved, I was. Janeway: You? Tuvok: It was I who made the exchange. The Federation Library for the trajector matrix. Janeway: I will deal with you in a moment. I don't have the luxury of throwing you in the brig for the rest of this voyage. I need you. I need every person on this ship. But I want you to know how very deeply you have disappointed me. If there are any further transgressions, even a minor one, you will no longer be an officer on this crew. Is that clear? Torres: Yes, Ma'am. Janeway: Dismissed. Janeway: I don't even know where to start. I want you to explain to me how you, of all people, could be involved in this. Tuvok: It is quite simple, Captain. You have made it clear on many occasions that your highest goal for the crew is to get them home. But in this instance, your standards would not allow you to violate Sikarian law. Someone had to spare you the ethical dilemma. I was the logical choice, and so I chose to act. Janeway: You did it for me because you knew I couldn't. Tuvok: I accept the consequences of my actions. I expect to loose my commission and to be court-martialled when we return to Federation space. Janeway: You are one of my most valued officers and you are my friend. It is vital that you understand me here. I need you, but I also need to know that I can count on you. You are my counsel, the one I turn to when I need my moral compass checked. We have forged this relationship for years and I depend on it. I realize you made a sacrifice for me, but it's not one I would have allowed you to make. You can use logic to justify almost anything. That's it's power, and it's flaw. From now on, bring your logic to me. Don't act on it behind my back. Tuvok: You have my word. My logic was not in error, but I was. Janeway: Dismissed.

Carey: Commander! Look at this. I think they're some kind of apple. There are trees filled with them as far as the eye can see, just over that ridge. Neelix: Kaylos. Ah. Aren't they gorgeous? One bite'll kill you. Puff you up like a vakol fish. First your windpipe swells, and just when you think you're going to die of suffocation, ow! Oh, you get a sharp pain in your knees, which begins to work its way right up to Chakotay: I think we get the picture. Neelix: Sorry, Mister Carey. Just remember the old trader's axiom. Never judge a fruit by its skin. Er, on the other hand, take a bite. Chakotay: What is it? Neelix: A leola root. Chakotay: You expect us to eat this? Neelix: This is the reason I brought you here, Commander. There's no better source of vitamins and minerals in the quadrant than in this, this ugly little root. Chakotay: I'd find the second best source acceptable if it tasted better. Neelix: You humans! You're not used to roughing it, are you? Well, you take it from one who knows. The day may come when you'll relish every last crunch of leola. Neelix: Stewed for a few hours in a light herbal broth, you wouldn't even notice the mildew. Paris: Captain, I don't think we're alone. Mister Tuvok, run a lateral EM scan for me. Coordinates eight one mark four zero. Tuvok: Running scan. Janeway: What do you see, Mister Paris? Paris: It's like a reflection, something in low orbit when it moves into a certain angle from the sun. Tuvok: He's correct. I am picking up an ionization trail. There is another ship in orbit. Janeway: Using some kind of cloaking device. Tuvok: It's not a cloaking device as we know it, Captain. I cannot say for certain what it is, but the ship does employ some kind of masking circuitry that has affected our sensors. Janeway: Voyager to Away team. Chakotay: Go ahead, Captain. Janeway: Any unexpected Janeway: Life signs down there, Commander? Chakotay: Nothing but bloodworms. Neelix wants to bring some back for a tartar Chakotay: He wants to make. I'm trying to talk him out of it. Janeway: We're picking up an unidentified ship in low orbit. Collect your teams and prepare to transport back while we investigate. Chakotay: Acknowledged. Chakotay: Chakotay out. All units, report to transport site A immediately. Tuvok: Captain, I believe a polaron burst may give us visual contact. Janeway: Do it. Janeway: Kazon. Tuvok: The hull design does conform to known specifications of the Kazon-Nistrim sect. Janeway: Voyager to Away teams. Return to the ship immediately. Chakotay: Acknowledged Chakotay: Captain. Transporter Room, get ready to begin on my command. Kim: Where's Ensign Seska? Chakotay: Chakotay to Seska. Transporter room, can you locate Ensign Seska's comm. badge signal? Crewman: Negative, Commander. I'm not reading any sign of her. Kim: She was picking berries with our group over by the hillside. There were caves nearby. Chakotay: If she went inside one, it might be blocking her comm. badge signal. The rest of you get back to the ship. I'm going to look for her. Seska: Oh, thank the Prophets. Chakotay: What are you doing here? Seska: Mushrooms. I saw them growing by the mouth of the cave. I wanted to teach Neelix how to make your favorite soup. Chakotay: I appreciate the thought, but we've got to get out of here. Janeway: Captain's log, stardate 48658.2. We successfully left orbit without further interference from the Kazon. Commander Chakotay was injured, but is recovering from his wounds. Chakotay: Come in. Seska: I didn't think I'd make it. Feeling better? Chakotay: Yeah. What have you got there? Seska: Real food. Chakotay: You got Neelix to make some mushroom soup! Seska: Are you kidding? The man wanted to stretch the mushrooms with just a little Both: Leola root. Seska: We got into this tug-of-war with the bag of mushrooms in the middle. It was the most ludicrous thing you've ever seen. Tuvok and Kes broke us up, and then Neelix threw me out of his kitchen. Chakotay: So how did you? Seska: Strictly a Maquis operation. Chakotay: Mm hmm. Seska: First we arranged for a little morale crisis. A couple of our people suddenly came down with severe homesickness. Neelix, our devoted morale officer, responded to the call and came in to cheer them up. And while they are all singing Rakan folk songs, Jackson and I broke into the kitchen. Chakotay: You looted the food reserves? Seska: Well, if he's not going to give us a decent meal. Chakotay: I can't believe you did this. Seska: Well, it's not like we're hiding anything. I did bring soup straight to the First Officer, didn't I? Chakotay: Thanks for including me in a criminal conspiracy. Does he know about this yet? Seska: Well, the moral crisis ended a few minutes ago, so I'd say Neelix: Neelix to Chakotay! Seska: That he probably does. Chakotay: Go ahead, Neelix. Neelix: I'd like to report a crime. Someone has broken into my kitchen and stolen food, taken food out of the mouths of their crew mates. Chakotay: I know. Neelix: It was that Seska, wasn't it? Chakotay: I promise you, everyone involved will be diskiplined. Neelix: If you'd like my recommendations for punishment, I Chakotay: Thank you. I'll handle that. Chakotay out. Replicator privileges revoked for two days. Everyone, including me. Seska: They're not going to do it. Chakotay: Then I'll personally put them in the brig. Seska: You'd put me in the brig? After all we've been through? Seska: The soup was worth losing the replicator privileges for two days. Admit it. Chakotay: That's not the point. Seska: I get the point. Can we make up now? Who else knows how to make your favorite soup like I do? Chakotay: No one, but we agreed a long time ago this wouldn't work. Seska: Look around, Chakotay. There aren't that many potential mates out here. Of course, if you're not interested, I have had my eye on young Ensign Kim. Janeway: Janeway to all senior officers. Please report to the Bridge. Kazon: We require help. Immediately. Anyone who can hear this message, please help. Janeway: Long-range scanners picked up the distress signal three minutes ago. Tuvok: The ship's dimensions are identical to the vessel we encountered at the planet. It is a Kazon-Nistrim ship, Captain. Neelix: Captain, this may be a trap. The Kazon-Nistrim is one of the most violent sects in the entire Kazon collective. Kazon: We need immediate assistance. We have lost all bridge operations. Barely able to function. Please assist. Janeway: Mister Kim. Can you determine that this ship has sustained genuine damage? Kim: There are fluctuating nucleonic patterns. It might indicate a reactor breakdown on board. Janeway: Mister Paris, run an extended scanner sequence to identify any other Kazon ships that might be in the area. Paris: Nothing showing up, Captain. Janeway: Maintain scans and set a heading to intercept. Paris: New heading entered. Janeway: I take your warning seriously, Neelix, and we'll act with caution, but if we can help we should. Besides, this may be an opportunity to make a friend and out here, we can use all the friends we can get. Torres: What could do something like this? Chakotay: I'm showing high levels of nucleonic radiation. It seems to be isolated in that area. Tuvok: It is likely that the ship's automatic containment systems were activated when the radiation entered the bridge. We should be safe as long as we stay on this side of the force field. Seska: Someone's alive over here. Chakotay: Away team to Voyager. We've got a single male Kazon alive on the bridge. Transport him directly to Sickbay. Kim: Energizing. Tuvok: It appears the explosion emanated from this console. Torres: Does something look a little odd about it to you? Tuvok: The structural pattern does not conform to the rest of the bridge. Torres: No, there's something else strange about it. The residue has a point four one percent trace of a neosorium composite, and I don't know anyone who uses neosorium technology except for the Federation. So how did it get into the hands of the Kazon? Emh: Incredible. Somehow virtually every cell in his body has been altered. Janeway: Altered? Emh: His cells have mutated. Or they've been fused with inorganic matter. I can't make heads or tails of it. Look at this. His blood cells have bonded with metallic nuclei. Chakotay: The crew members closest to the explosion were virtually melded with huge pieces of metal fragments. He was luckier than the others. Emh: That remains to be seen. I'm going to have to do a complete pyrocyte replacement if we're going to keep him alive. We'd better hope there are compatible donors on board. Kes: I'll run a cytological screening of the crew. Emh: We'll let you know the results as soon as we can. Tuvok: Captain, there was an apparent Federation signature to the explosion. Janeway: What? Chakotay: It looked like they were trying to installl some new technology that detonated. Janeway: You're saying they have some kind of Federation weapon on board? Chakotay: A console on the bridge was the source of the explosion. We're not sure what its function was, and it's going to be hard to get to. Janeway: We can't transport it out? Chakotay: Not with those levels of nucleonic radiation. The transporter beam would disperse the moment it hit the irradiated cabin. Janeway: How could they possibly have Federation technology? Tuvok: There are only three alternatives I can diskern at this time. One, it is not Federation technology at all but something similar. Janeway: Bridge. Tuvok: Two, another Federation starship may have been brought to the Delta Quadrant prior to our arrival, and they interacted with the Kazon-Nistrim. Chakotay: Were there any other reports of missing starships? Janeway: Not to my knowledge. Tuvok: Three, someone from this ship has covertly given technology to the Kazon. Janeway: Computer, hold turbolift. I don't like number three at all, Tuvok. Tuvok: Nevertheless, it is the most probable explanation. It may not be a coincidence that the Kazon ship we encountered at the planet was able to deceive our sensors. Perhaps someone transmitted instructions to them before we arrived. Janeway: I want you to personally go through the transmission logs, Tuvok. Compare them to the actual telemetry. See if there's any evidence of prior contact with the Kazon. Who would have had a chance to meet with them while you were on the surface? Chakotay: A dozen people. We were scattered all over the area. Tuvok: You did discover Ensign Seska in proximity to them. Chakotay: Seska almost killed me because she thought I was Kazon. She wouldn't do something like this. Tuvok: Nevertheless, I urge you to regard her with caution for the time being. Janeway: Why would anyone on this ship betray us? We're all in this together. We need to retrieve that console and get some answers before the rumors get out of hand. Computer, resume. Torres: Releasing the force field isn't an option. That would just allow the radiation into the whole cabin. Seska: We could generate a localized subspace bubble to get past the force field. Torres: One minor subspace disruption and you're dead. It's too risky. Seska: I'd be willing to risk it. Carey: We could use an expander to manipulate the containment field. Torres: Manipulate it how? Carey: Move it out of the way. Rotate the field and the radiation trapped inside it away from the console. Once it's clear, we have access. Janeway: How long will it take to set this up? Torres: We, er, we should be able to make an attempt by tomorrow. Janeway: I want it ready by the end of the day. Torres: No, Captain. When I say tomorrow, I mean tomorrow. I don't exaggerate. Tomorrow is the best I can do. Janeway: Understood, Lieutenant. Torres: All right. We'll begin on the Kazon bridge. Carey, Nicoletti, Seska. Chakotay: No. I want Ensign Seska to coordinate the operation from our bridge. Torres: Okay. Henard, you're with us. Dismissed. Seska: What was that all about? Chakotay: What? Seska: Oh, you know what I'm talking about. There's nothing important to do on the Bridge. Chakotay: I disagree. We need someone up there who Seska: What the hell is going on? Chakotay: There's some concern about you. Seska: What kind of concern? Chakotay: Concern because I found you near the Kazon on the planet. Seska: Oh, I see. So now I'm a traitor. I sell technology to the enemy. Chakotay: I don't believe that. Seska: No, you just take me off my assignment. Chakotay: I'm trying to take you out of harm's way to protect you. Seska: This is your idea of protection? You might as well point a finger at me in front of the entire crew! Chakotay: You don't assign someone you don't trust to the Bridge. Look, I'm sorry, but if something goes wrong over there, I don't want you anywhere near it. Seska: Thanks for your concern. Seska: How is he? Kes: Not very good. We need to completely replace his blood. Seska: Will he regain consciousness? Emh: I'm not sure. Even if he does, there's no way to predict what kind of brain damage there might be. Seska: He's the only one who really knows what happened on that ship, Doctor. The only one who can tell them I had nothing to do with it. Emh: You? I don't understand. Seska: Would you call me right away if he wakes up? Emh: All right. Kes: Ensign, did you ever come in to leave a blood sample on file? Seska: No. I never got around to it. Why? Kes: I've been running a crew compatibility analysis and your file never came up. Seska: My blood won't help you. I had a childhood disease that infected it. I was warned never to donate blood for transfusion. Emh: All the more reason we should have your blood on file. Seska: I will. Right now I have something more important to take care of. Tuvok: Someone did make an unauthorized transmission. Chakotay: And whoever it was, was an expert at covering their tracks. Tuvok: The signal was masked by a test of the dorsal emitters that we conducted a week ago. Janeway: Who was working on that test? Chakotay: Only the whole engineering crew. Tuvok: We're trying to trace the station where the signal originated. Again, the perpetrator was skilled enough to make the tracking process extremely difficult for us. Chakotay: It's like working backwards through a maze of circuits. We keep bumping into dead ends. Paris: Paris to Captain Janeway. Please report to the Bridge. Paris: Captain, another Kazon ship is approaching, trying to hail the disabled ship. They're not within visual range yet. Tuvok: Perhaps someone else picked up the distress call. Janeway: What's their ETA? Paris: At their current speed, four hours twenty minutes. Should I tell them we're here? Janeway: If we know about them, it's a good bet they know about us. We don't have anything good to tell them. I think we'll wait. Kim: Captain, I'm showing an unauthorized autosequence in Transporter Room two. Someone's left Voyager. Janeway: Computer, identify who just beamed off the ship from Transporter Room two. Computer: Ensign Seska. Chakotay: Chakotay to Seska. Seska: I really don't have time to talk to you right now, Chakotay. Chakotay: What the hell do you think you're doing? Seska: Retrieving the console, my way. Chakotay: I want you back on this ship, and I mean now. Seska: The Captain said she wanted the console today. Carey's plan couldn't do it in time Seska: But mine can. Tuvok: Captain, it is conceivable that she's gone to the Kazon ship to destroy evidence that might implicate her. Chakotay: She's gone back to the Kazon ship to prove herself to us. Can't you see that? Kim: I've got a lock on her, Captain. Do you want me to transport her back? Janeway: If we try to beam her out while she's manipulating subspace, we might kill her. Chakotay: Chakotay to Seska. Seska, respond! Get her out of there! Send her to Sickbay. Kim: Energizing. Emh: Prep three cc's kelotane. I'll need a dermal regenerator. Run a full blood scan. Janeway: Have a seat, Mister Carey. Chakotay: How have things been going for you in Engineering? Carey: Fine. Why, is there a problem? Chakotay: You getting along all right with Lieutenant Torres? Carey: I think we've settled our differences. Janeway: She was promoted to Chief Engineer over you, Lieutenant. That might be difficult for someone in your position to accept. Carey: Captain, I accepted your decision, and I've worked as hard as I can to make myself a valuable member of Lieutenant Torres's team. I can't believe she'd have any complaints about my performance. Janeway: She doesn't. Carey: Then what am I doing here? Tuvok: Lieutenant, have you had any contact with the Kazon-Nistrim since we arrived in the Delta Quadrant? Carey: What? You mean me, personally? No, of course not. Chakotay: You were out of contact for almost an hour on the planet where we encountered the Kazon. Carey: You mean when I was picking those poisoned apples? Janeway: What about before we arrived at the planet? Did you have any reason to signal the Kazon-Nistrim ship? Carey: No. Tuvok: Nevertheless, a signal was sent to the Kazon from your station in Engineering during our dorsal emitter test last week. Carey: My station? Tuvok: Were you not in Engineering at that time? Carey: Well, yes, I was, but you know how it is down there during a systems analysis. Chakotay: Did you see anyone else at your station? Carey: Honestly, I don't remember. Maybe you should ask Seska. Janeway: Why Seska? Carey: Everybody knows she was found in the cave with the Kazon. Look, I'm not saying she did anything wrong, but I didn't either. Janeway: I'd like to believe you, Mister Carey, but somebody did contact the Kazon. And until we know who, I'm going to have to restrict you to quarters. Janeway: What do you think? Chakotay: He had the motive and the opportunity. Janeway: He's also had a distinguished Starfleet career. Seska has spent most of the last two years as an enemy of the Federation. Chakotay: So have I. Kim: Captain, we're being hailed by the approaching Kazon ship. Janeway: How soon will they be here? Kim: Four minutes. Janeway: I wish we had something more definitive to tell them. Open a channel. I am Kathryn Janeway, Captain of the Federation Starship Voyager. Culluh: My name is Culluh, First Maje of the Kazon-Nistrim. What have you done to our ship? Janeway: We responded to a call for help. Unfortunately, by the time we were able to respond, all but one of the crew were dead. Culluh: I would like to speak to the survivor. Janeway: He hasn't regained consciousness. We have him in our Sickbay. We'd be happy to beam you aboard so you can see him. Culluh: You will prepare for my arrival. Paris: Friendly sort. Emh: Ah, Captain. I'm glad you're here. I was just about to call you. Janeway: Doctor, this is First Maje Culluh of the Kazon-Nistrim. Could you give us the latest condition report on your Kazon patient? Emh: Well, the good news is, we've been able to stabilize him. We had to completely replace his blood. Culluh: Replace his blood? With what? Janeway: The blood of volunteers from our crew. They saved his life. Emh: His own blood cells were killing him. They were changed by the accident on his ship. Culluh: Changed in what manner? Emh: We haven't been able to determine that yet. Janeway: We've been working on a plan to access the source of the explosion, which should answer a lot of the questions. Culluh: That will no longer be necessary. We will take the damaged vessel to our port for inspection. Janeway: I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that just yet. Culluh: And what gives you the right to interfere in our affairs? Janeway: There was a trace of a Federation compound in the remains of the explosion. We have reason to believe that someone on board this ship gave technology to your people. Until we have a better explanation of what occurred, I can't release that ship to you. Culluh: That is not acceptable. Janeway: It will have to be. Culluh: Your unique technologies make you brave, Captain, but you have only one ship. In less than a day there will be four Kazon vessels off your bow. Janeway: Perhaps by then we'll have the answers we need. Culluh: You will leave us with him. Janeway: I assume they'll want to take him back to their ship. I'd rather not let them do it just yet in case he regains consciousness. There are a lot of questions he can answer. Can I tell them it's not safe to move him? Emh: It will be the truth. Janeway: Good. Emh: He's dead. Janeway: Get off this ship. Emh: There was some kind of nerve toxin in that needle. He died instantly. Captain, may we talk to you in my office? Emh: It's about Seska. Janeway: Complications? Kes: I was analyzing her blood chemistry to try to locate a compatible donor. But when I got the results, her blood was lacking all the common Bajoran blood factors. Janeway: Meaning? Seska: The only conclusion we can reach is that she is not, in fact, Bajoran. It appears Seska has been genetically altered. My suspicion is she was born Cardassian. Chakotay: You're making me to believe she's a Cardassian agent who infiltrated the Maquis? Tuvok: Starfleet Security has documented several incidents in which Cardassian have used cosmetic alterations for the purpose of infiltrating an enemy. Chakotay: This is crazy. This is just impossible. Tuvok: The Doctor has informed us that there's no other plausible explanation for the medical anomalies, Commander. Chakotay: If you don't mind, I'd like to hear her explanation before we dismiss it. Has she been told? Janeway: No. Chakotay: I'd like to be the one who questions her. Janeway: I suggest we wait until we retrieve the console. Janeway to Torres. Torres: Yes, Captain. Janeway: Your status? Torres: We're finished with the computer simulations. Torres: Everything looks okay. We're ready to beam over. Janeway: Good. Then let's get started. Janeway out. Chakotay: You were working for her. Seska was working for them. Was anyone on board that ship working for me? Kim: The Kazon ship is hailing us. Janeway: Open a channel. On screen. Culluh: Our sensors show that you are trespassing on our vessel. Janeway: As I've already informed you, we're attempting to retrieve the console that caused this explosion. Culluh: If you attempt to remove anything from our ship, it will be considered an act of war. Janeway: You know, I'm really easy to get along with most of the time. But I don't like bullies, and I don't like threats, and I don't like you, Culluh. You can try and stop us from getting to the truth, but I promise you, if you do I will respond with all the unique technologies at my command. Janeway out. Tuvok: Their weapon systems are standing down. They do not appear to be posing a threat to us at this time. Janeway: At least not until reinforcements get here. Janeway to Away team. Torres: Yes, Captain. Janeway: I don't want to rush you, Lieutenant, but Torres: We're finished, Captain. Janeway: I beg your pardon? Torres: Decontamination went exactly as planned. The console has been transported to Engineering, and we're on our way back now. Janeway: Acknowledged. Well done, Away team. We'll meet you in Engineering. Torres: Of all the things to die for. It's a food replicator, or at least it was trying to be. Janeway: We may take replicators for granted, but imagine what it would mean to a culture that doesn't have this technology. Torres: They didn't use a thick enough interior shield casing. Once the nucleonic radiation leaked out, a cascade reaction was inevitable. Janeway: Can you tell if any part of the console came from out ship? Torres: There's no doubt about it, Captain. The pattern buffer relays are clearly composed of bio-neural fibers. No other Federation ship would have them. Somebody on board Voyager gave them what they needed. I guess they just didn't know what to do with it. Janeway: I want a complete report on everything we've found so I can share it with our Kazon friends. Chakotay: We've recovered the console. It's a replicator, constructed with materials from Voyager. Seska: I suppose now everyone thinks I went over there to destroy the evidence. Chakotay: Did you? Seska: I was only trying to show everyone, show you. You really think I had something to do with this, don't you? Chakotay: To be honest, I'm not sure anymore. I'm not sure of a lot of things. Seska: Well, why don't you go talk to your animal guide and figure it all out? Chakotay: I plan to. Seska: Good. Get back to me when you do. Chakotay: You know, it's funny. I've been thinking about what's been real and what's not been real. Seska: What is this about? What's wrong with you? Talk to me, Chakotay. You owe me that much. Chakotay: What would you say I owe to a Cardassian who infiltrated my crew? Seska: What are you talking about? Chakotay: Isn't that why you never got around to a blood analysis when we came on board? Seska: I didn't get around to it because I didn't get around to it. Chakotay: Turns out your blood is missing all the common Bajoran blood factors. Seska: It's a side effect of Orkett's disease. Ask your doctor. Chakotay: Orkett's disease. Seska: A childhood virus that swept through the Bajoran work camps during the occupation. Thousands of children didn't survive. I did, thanks to a bone marrow transplant from a sympathetic Cardassian woman. Her name was Kattell. When we get home, you can ask her yourself. You must think I'm horrible. Do you think I gave you my, my heart to get your Maquis secrets? Chakotay: I'm starting to wonder. Seska: Let me tell you something. Your secrets weren't good enough. They wouldn't have been worth the trouble for a Cardassian agent. I had only one agenda with you, Chakotay, and I never kept it secret. So, do you believe in me again? Chakotay: I want to. Seska: Good. Because I want to go back to work. Chakotay: Let's not rush things. Seska: I'm going stir crazy in here. Chakotay: You're going to have to stay confined, at least until we find out exactly where the replicator components were taken from. Seska: Well, what'll that tell you? Chakotay: There might be evidence of who took them. Seska: Oh, you don't think whoever did this is foolish enough to log in using their own name? Chakotay: Chief Inspector Tuvok leaves no stone unturned. I'll tell the Captain what you told me. Somehow we'll try to clear this up soon. Chakotay: She said a Cardassian bone marrow transplant saved her life as a child. Tuvok: Did you set our plan in motion? I gave Lieutenant Carey the same information. Chakotay: Now all we can do is wait and hope someone takes the bait. Tuvok: Gin. Chakotay: I never knew Vulcans had such a talent for cards. Tuvok: It is simply a matter of logical diskards, which give a false impression of my own requirements and deny the needed cards to your hand. I believe that's ninety four points to me. Chakotay: If you ever need a sponsor in a gin tournament, let me know. Torres: We're picking up two more Kazon warships about six hours away. We're not going to be able to stay her much Chakotay: That's sounds like a nibble to me. Tuvok: Someone is accessing the inventory data base. Torres: And they're going straight to the missing replicator materials. Chakotay: Should we start the trace now? Tuvok: Negative. It might alert them. Torres: They're entering data. Tuvok: Intriguing. It appears as though they're trying to place evidence at the scene of the crime to indicate the guilty party. Torres: They're entering an encrypted security code into the materials requisition file. Chakotay: Which would suggest they're hiding it. But not very well. Torres: Anybody know whose security code that belongs to? Chakotay: I do. It's Seska's. Torres: Then it has to be Carey. Carey is trying to point the finger at Seska. Seska: Chakotay. Is anything wrong? Chakotay: It's over. We know who gave the technology to the Kazon. Seska: Who? Chakotay: You did. Seska: Look, I don't know what evidence you think you've found, but Chakotay: We found the evidence you put there for us to find. Your own security code. Seska: I have no idea what you're talking about. Chakotay: We already knew where the stolen materials had been taken from before I met with you. We were monitoring the inventory manifest, hoping either you or Carey would try to cover your tracks. Seska: Hell of a way for me to cover my tracks, putting in my own security code for you to find. Chakotay: That's exactly what you did. You knew no one would believe you could be that careless. You wanted us to believe that someone else was trying to frame you. Seska: Ever consider that maybe someone was? Chakotay: We traced the computer station used to enter the data. Oh, you took us all around the system and back again before we could locate the source, but it was this station, in Sickbay. Chakotay: I'd almost say it was a Maquis operation, if I didn't already know you were a Cardassian. Computer, activate Emergency Holographic Medical Program. Emh: Ah. Have I been called to testify? Chakotay: Before you even mentioned Orkett's disease to me, the Doctor had already discounted that as a possible explanation for your blood anomalies. Emh: And may I say a doctor less informed about Bajoran medicine might have been fooled, but my program includes the complete Bajoran medical text on Orkett's disease. There's no way any childhood virus or Cardassian bone marrow transplant can explain away the genetic markers in your blood. You are Cardassian, Ensign. Chakotay: But that didn't necessarily make you the traitor we were looking for. We needed more evidence, and you gave it to us. The one thing I still can't understand is why? Seska: I did it for you. I did it for this crew. We are alone here, at the mercy of any number of hostile aliens, because of the incomprehensible decision of a Federation Captain. A Federation Captain who destroyed our only chance to get home. Federation rules. Federation nobility. Federation compassion? Do you understand, if this had been a Cardassian ship, we would be home now. We must begin to forge alliances. To survive, we must have powerful friends. The Kazon-Nistrim were willing to be our protectors in return for some minor technology. Janeway: Minor technology that could change the balance of power in this quadrant. Seska: Change it in our favor! That is all that matters at this point. Building a base of power in this quadrant. You are a fool, Captain, and you're a fool to follow her. I can't imagine how I ever loved you. Computer, command XJL. Chakotay: Computer, override transport in progress. Computer: Unable to comply. Security lockout is in place. Janeway: Computer, identify destination of transport. Computer: A Kazon vessel fourteen kilometers off the port bow. Paris: Bridge to Janeway. Janeway: Go ahead. Paris: The Kazon ship Paris: Is powering up its engines. It looks like they're getting ready to go to warp. Janeway: Ready a tractor beam. Paris: I've also got two Kazon warships on an intercept course less than ten minutes away. Tuvok: Captain, even with our superior defense capabilities, we cannot prevail against three Kazon warships. Paris: Awaiting your instructions, Captain. Janeway: Power down the tractor beam. Set a course out of here, Mister Paris, warp four. Engage when ready. Paris: Yes, ma'am. Janeway: We'll have to wait for another day to settle up with Seska. Chakotay: Can I ask you to be honest with me, Lieutenant? Tuvok: As a Vulcan, I am at all times honest, Commander. Chakotay: That's not exactly true. You lied to me when you passed yourself off as a Maquis to get on my crew. Tuvok: I was honest to my own convictions within the defined parameters of my mission. Chakotay: You damned Vulcans and your defined parameters. That's easy for you. Tuvok: On the contrary. The demands on a Vulcan's character are extraordinarily difficult. Do not mistake composure for ease. How may I be honest with you today? Chakotay: I'd just like to know, from someone else who pulled the wool over my eyes, was I particularly naive? Was I not paying enough attention? What the hell was it that let all you spies get by me? Tuvok: Like all humans, you depend on feelings and instincts to guide you, and they invariably let you down. But particularly naive? No, Commander, and I've always considered your attention span to be adequate. Chakotay: Did you ever see anything about Seska that make you suspicious? Tuvok: No. She quite expertly pulled the wool over my eyes as well. Chakotay: Well, that makes me feel a little better. Thanks. Tuvok: Curious. Chakotay: What? Tuvok: That my failure, added to your own, should improve your feelings. Chakotay: Misery loves company, Tuvok.