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.