Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 44143.7. We have moved into Sector two one nine four seven in response to a distress call from a Talarian observation craft. The alien vessel appears adrift, and our initial scans have detected a life-threatening radiation leak within its propulsion system.
Worf: I get no further response from the vessel.
Picard: Maintain an open channel.
Riker: Doctor Crusher and her assistants are waiting in Transporter room three.
Data: Sir, may I remind you that during the Galen border conflict, it was a common tactic of the Talarians was to abandon their observation craft, rig them to self destruct
Picard: And issue a general distress call. Yes, Mister Data, I know.
Data: That particular guerrilla maneuver resulted in two hundred and nineteen fatalities over a three day period.
Riker: Is there any way to detect their self-destruct device?
Data: Negative, sir. The Talarians employ a subspace proximity detonator. It is not detectable by our scans.
Riker: Or the away team's tricorders. Right.
Worf: Captain, the Talarian warship the Q'Maire is responding to the distress call.
Picard: Position?
Worf: Halfway through the Woden sector.
Wesley: It'll take them hours to get here, sir, even at maximum warp.
Picard: Counselor?
Troi: There is life on board, but it's fading.
Picard: Number One, assemble the rest of your away team. Prepare for immediate rescue operations.
Riker: Yes, sir.
Worf: Ancillary power is failing.
Crusher: They're nothing more than children.
Riker: I am Commander Riker of the Federation Starship Enterprise. We will evacuate you and give you medical care. You will not be harmed.
Crusher: Enterprise, prepping five Talarian males for transport directly to Sickbay. Trauma team, stand by to receive injured. We have radiation burns and possible respiratory distress.
Chief: Transport locked in and ready, Doctor.
Crusher: Stand by for my orders.
Riker: Captain, this appears to be a basic training ship. Five boys, all teens, all wearing uniforms.
Picard: Proceed with the evacuation, Number One.
Worf: No other life signs aboard, sir.
Crusher: Commander, quickly.
Riker: What is it?
Crusher: This boy. He's human.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have completed emergency evacuation of four Talarians and one human. How this young man found himself in the company of these aliens remains a mystery.
Crusher: It's Jono, right? Is that what I heard them call you? I'm Doctor Crusher. I'm just examining you for radiation injuries. It won't hurt. I have a son not much older than you. Perhaps you'd like to meet him. Well, Jono, you seem to have escaped radiation damage. Pretty lucky.
Nurse: Doctor Crusher.
Crusher: Now how did this happen?
Crusher: What is it?
Troi: They're terrified.
Crusher: They all just started up.
Picard: Please may I have your attention. Please may I have your attention! Stop that immediately! Well, that's better. Now, what's your name, young man?
Troi: He won't talk, Captain. We haven't been able to get through to him.
Jono: Captain> I am Jono. Take me home to my Captain. Take me home to Endar!
Crusher: He managed to escape radiation trauma but the scan shows something else.
Picard: What?
Crusher: Two previously fractured ribs, a broken arm, and a low grade concussion. There might be neurological impairment. I'd like to examine him further. Jean-Luc, the Talarians have been known to be ruthless to their enemies. I think there's a real possibility they may have brutalized the child.
Picard: Isn't it possible the injuries were caused prior to his captivity?
Crusher: Not likely. He's been with them a long time. Long enough to assimilate their cultural traits, and calcium trace patterns indicate the injuries took place during the past seven years.
Picard: But if they have abused the boy, why would he so devoutly wish to return to them?
Crusher: It's not uncommon. It was identified centuries ago as the Stockholm syndrome.
Troi: Jono, what is it? Jono! I just suggested he take off his gloves. Suddenly he lost control.
Crusher: Security, we need some assistance down here in Sickbay.
Picard: Jono!
Jono: She won't leave me alone! She keeps trying to dissect me!
Picard: She was trying to help you.!
Jono: I don't want her help! I should be back with my brothers! Send us back to Captain Endar!
Picard: Jono, I want you to stop this immediately!
Jono: Yes, Captain.
Picard: Good. That's better. Now, if we're to accomplish anything
Data: Data to Picard.
Picard: Go ahead.
Data: We have received a subspace communiqué from Starfleet Command regarding the young human, sir.
Picard: Very well. Doctor, Counselor.
Crusher: Lieutenant Worf, escort this young man to quarters. He is to be confined there until further notice.
Worf: Yes, Doctor.
Jono: Why are you here, Klingon, with them? Did they capture you too?
Worf: They are not my captors. They are my comrades.
Jono: Why do you take orders from a female?
Worf: Doctor Crusher. She is my superior officer.
Jono: Among my people, a female can never outrank a man.
Worf: You are human, and among humans, females can achieve anything the males can.
Jono: I am no more human than you are. I am Talarian.
Worf: You are confused.
Worf: Stop that!
Jono: I will make the B'Nar, the mourning, until I am back with my brothers!
Data: By matching DNA gene types, Starfleet was able to identify the boy as Jeremiah Rossa.
Riker: Rossa?
Picard: As in Admiral Rossa?
Data: She is his grandmother, Captain. He was born fourteen years ago on the Federation colony, Galen Four. His parents, Connor and Moira Rossa, were killed three years, nine months later when their colony was overrun by Talarian forces.
Picard: I remember. There were no survivors.
Data: The boy was listed as missing, presumed dead.
Riker: I heard another Rossa was killed in action at the Krasner outpost.
Picard: Tragedy seems to follow that family. The Admiral lost both her sons.
Crusher: And now she'll have something to celebrate.
Troi: Captain, if Jeremiah is returned to his family in his present condition, it would be a wrenching experience for everyone. Especially for him. He needs to re-discover his identity, make some connection with his roots.
Picard: I agree. Do what you can to accomplish that, Counselor.
Troi: I don't think I can do anything, Captain.
Picard: Why not?
Crusher: Troi's right. It's very clear that the boy does not respond well to women.
Data: The Talarians are a rigidly patriarchical society, sir.
Troi: Jeremiah needs to build a relationship with a man, a father figure with whom he can explore his origins. And I think it should be you, Captain.
Picard: Oh, no, Counselor! Oh, no, Counselor, I don't think so. He needs someone who is trained in these things.
Troi: But you are the only person with whom he has shown any connection. If he is to find his humanity then you are the only one who can help him. It's up to you, Captain.
Picard: Jono! Jono, why do you make that noise?
Jono: It is the custom of my people when we are in distress.
Picard: Is it not also the custom of your people to listen to the wishes of their Captain?
Jono: Yes.
Picard: Then, as Captain of the starship Enterprise, I ask you not to make that sound.
Jono: Yes, sir.
Picard: Good. Well, now that's cleared up, let's, er, let's, er, let's get acquainted, shall we? What do you think of your room? I know it's a little sterile. But if there's anything you'd like? Pictures, perhaps, or games.
Jono: This is a cage. I am still your captive.
Picard: Oh, no, not at all. I thought you'd be comfortable here.
Jono: Are you going to return me to my Captain?
Picard: We will rendezvous with the warship Q'Maire at oh seven forty hours. We will transfer the Talarians to Captain Endar.
Jono: Including me?
Picard: We'll discuss your situation with Captain Endar.
Jono: I don't like this place.
Picard: We could find some other quarters.
Jono: I've always lived with my Captain.
Picard: Ah. Yes, well, that wouldn't work here.
Picard: Well, I'm sure you'll see there's nothing here to appeal to a young person.
Picard: Put that down, please.
Jono: It's Klingon.
Picard: Yes. Would you put it back where you got it.
Picard: Well. Here we are, eh, Jono?
Picard: I notice you haven't taken off your gloves.
Jono: Not here.
Picard: Why not?
Jono: So that I don't have to touch an alien.
Picard: Jono, your Captain, Endar, has he ever hurt you? Inflicted pain?
Jono: Pain is not a consideration.
Picard: Then he has?
Jono: I did not say that. Don't you understand? Pain is not what matters. Passing the tests is everything.
Picard: Is that what they are? Tests of pain?
Jono: You understand nothing.
Picard: It's true, I don't fully understand Talarians. But you are not Talarian.
Jono: I will not listen to this. I will not listen to your lies.
Picard: Come.
Troi: You wanted to see me, Captain?
Picard: Yes, Counselor. Please, come in, sit down.
Picard: You're probably not aware of this, but I have never been particularly comfortable around children.
Troi: Really?
Picard: For some reason, they just don't seem to respond to me.
Troi: I see.
Picard: Frankly, I think my time would be best served carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a Starfleet Captain.
Troi: Seldom have I heard an explanation so well-rehearsed.
Picard: Look, Counselor, I just feel that I'm not the right person for this job.
Troi: Strange, isn't it? You'll travel light years, dodge asteroid storms, brave hostile aliens, and yet when asked to assume a parental role, you cringe. Why do you suppose that is?
Picard: I'm not cringing. I'm just acknowledging my limitations.
Troi: When you were a child, did you have any friends? Other children you played with?
Picard: I don't think that has anything to do with anything. Well, perhaps it was because. This is foolish.
Troi: What were you going to say?
Picard: it's just that ever since I was a child I've always known exactly what I wanted to do. Be a member of Starfleet. Nothing else mattered to me. Virtually my entire youth was spent in the pursuit of that goal. In fact, I probably skipped my childhood altogether.
Troi: You know, Captain, almost no one is born being a good parent. Most people just have to muddle through and do the best that they can.
Picard: Are you saying that's what I'm going to have to do?
Troi: Yes. And you might be surprised at just how good you can be.
Picard: Computer, turn off that noise! Computer, what was that?
Computer: The Alba Ra, a contemporary Talarian musical form.
Picard: Jono? Jono, where are you?
Jono: You turned off my music.
Picard: Yes, I certainly did, and I expect it to stay turned off. Would you come down from there? I see you've made yourself at home.
Jono: I cannot rest on your beds. They hurt my back.
Picard: Would you come here. There's something I want to show you.
Picard: Those are Connor and Moira Rossa. They are your parents. The baby is you. Jeremiah Rossa.
Jono: My name is Jono.
Picard: Well, you were born Jeremiah on Galen Four. The colony was destroyed later, during a border skirmish.
Picard: You see? You knew how to laugh once. Do you remember any of this, Jono? Your parents, your home?
Jono: I know that Endar rescued me. He told me so.
Picard: Jono, your parents were killed by Talarians.
Jono: It was war. Death is part of war.
Riker: Captain?
Picard: Yes, what is it, Number One?
Riker: We've established visual contact with the warship Q'Maire.
Jono: Endar!
Picard: Hey, hey! You stay put. I'm on my way, Number One.
Connor: Get to cover!
Moira: I can't leave you!
Connor: Take Jeremiah. Take him to the forest. I'll hold them off.
Moira: No! No! Come with us! Jeremiah!
Jeremiah: Momma!
Picard: Status, Mister Data?
Data: Q'Maire at station, holding steady at bearing zero one three, mark zero one five. Distance five oh six kilometers.
Picard: Are its weapons systems active?
Data: Negative, sir.
Worf: Captain Endar requests an open channel, sir.
Picard: On screen.
Endar: I am Captain Endar of the warship Q'Maire. To whom am I speaking?
Picard: Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. We have rescued four crew members from your observation craft. They have received medical attention. The are ready for transport.
Endar: Your actions are duly noted. We will forward coordinates for immediate transport.
Riker: You're welcome, I'm sure.
Picard: One moment, Captain. We've also discovered a human among your crew.
Endar: Jono.
Picard: Actually, his name is Jeremiah, Jeremiah Rossa.
Endar: What is his condition? Is he injured?
Picard: He was not wounded in the mishap, but as a representative of the Federation, I require an explanation. Why has this child been held in your custody for so many years?
Endar: No explanation is warranted, Captain. He is my son.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Captain Endar's claim that Jeremiah Rossa is his son is clearly unacceptable. However, to avoid escalating tensions, I have invited the Talarian leader to come aboard the Enterprise so that we may address the issue face to face.
Endar: Yes, I was in charge of the force that repelled the trespassers on Galen Four. I must say your Federation troops fought tenaciously.
Picard: Among them Connor and Moira Rossa.
Endar: I suppose. After the battle, I found this squalling child huddled by the body of a young woman, his mother presumably. There was almost no one left alive on Galen Four. Was I to leave him screaming by his mother's body?
Picard: You should have notified the Federation authorities. To conceal him was a clear violation of our agreement.
Endar: I took him in accordance with my peoples' traditions.
Picard: What tradition is it that empowered you to capture a helpless child?
Endar: I lost my son at the hands of humans during the conflict over Castal One. Talarian custom allows me to claim the son of a slain enemy.
Picard: Does that custom extend also to brutalizing this surrogate son?
Endar: What are you talking about?
Picard: Our medical officer discovered evidence of injuries so severe, they might be considered torture.
Endar: Nonsense. I've never harmed Jono.
Picard: Then explain the fractured ribs, concussion, the broken arm.
Endar: Broken arm? Youth. Have you ever been a father, Picard? Have you ever had a son desperately try to win your approval, your respect? Jono broke his ribs riding on a t'stayan. Six hooves. A very powerful beast. The arm, in a contest with other youths. He endured the pain and won the competition. One day, he will be a great warrior.
Picard: Doesn't he deserve to become more than that? His true heritage is human, Endar.
Endar: A heritage long since forgotten.
Picard: While on board, you are welcome to supervise the return of your crew, but I cannot allow Jeremiah Rossa to be returned to your custody. His true family are waiting for him on Earth.
Endar: Then under no circumstances will I allow your ship to leave our territory.
Picard: I have already reported our position and the nature of this violation to Starfleet.
Endar: And I've already called for reserved forces into the sector.
Picard: Are you saying that you're willing to go to war over this boy?
Endar: Would you not for your only son?
Picard: We have been at peace for many years. Let us not rush headlong into war.
Endar: Then help me to avoid it. If you will allow me to see Jono, it will be clear to you I have been a good father. He has grown up happy in my keeping.
Picard: So you think it would be unwise to let Endar see Jono?
Crusher: I think it's dangerous. Abusers can have subtle but powerful influence over their victims.
Picard: You see, I'm not convinced the boy has been abused, Doctor. I've talked with the father, and if I am any judge of character, I would say that he deeply cares for the boy's welfare.
Troi: I sense awakening memories in the boy. This is a very fragile time for Jono. If we send away the man he calls father without even letting them see each other, how will we ever gain his trust?
Picard: Yes. There is something else to keep in mind. We are deep in Talarian territory. A semblance of diplomacy is called for. I'm going to agree to the meeting.
Crusher: All I ask is that the visit be supervised. Don't let them be alone together.
Picard: Agreed.
Jono: Endar.
Endar: Jono, my son.
Endar: Have they treated you well?
Jono: Yes, Captain. Except
Endar: Except what?
Jono: I was forbidden to make the B'Nar.
Endar: That's all right. I know you've mourned in your heart. Well, Jono what do you think of these humans?
Jono: They look like me.
Endar: They want to keep you, you know.
Jono: Yes, I know.
Endar: You've reached the age of decision. What is your choice? Do you want to stay?
Jono: No, of course not.
Endar: Then you shall not. I'm returning to the Q'Maire. I will give the humans with a choice. If they do not make the one we know is right, it may lead to war. You may die.
Jono: I am ready to die.
Worf: Captain, sensors indicate two warships approaching from the opposite direction along the border.
Picard: Mister Data, what's their offensive potential?
Data: Talarian warships are limited to neutral particle weapons, high energy X-ray lasers and merculite rockets. No match for the Enterprise, Captain.
Picard: The last thing I want is to be forced into destroying one of their ships.
Riker: They won't back off. They've been willing to fight to the death in past encounters.
Picard: The lines are being drawn. All this for a chosen son.
Worf: Captain, is it worth it, to go to war over a child?
Crusher: You might not ask that, Lieutenant, if it was your child.
Picard: There must be a way to avoid this.
Troi: If we can just reach Jono, help him make some connections with his origins, he may choose to come with us.
Riker: You really think Endar would go along with that?
Data: If Endar respects Talarian custom, he may have to. According to their tradition, a male child of fourteen has reached the age of decision. He then undergoes a ceremony of initiation, after which he has the freedom to make his own choices.
Picard: Endar's entire claim on Jono is based on Talarian custom he'd have a hard time backing away from it now.
Worf: Captain, there is a subspace communication from Starfleet Command.
Picard: On screen.
Worf: Sir, the message is for Jeremiah Rossa.
Picard: Have the boy brought to my Ready Room.
Connaught: Jeremiah? my name is Connaught Rossa. I am your father's mother. I wish we could talk in person, but that will have to wait. When I heard the miracle that you were alive, I wanted to reach out to you as soon as possible. I find myself wondering what you look like. All I can do is imagine your father at your age. You come from a family that would make you proud. Many of them have given their lives to bring peace to the galaxy. You are the last of the Rossas. I was so very thankful when you were given back to us to carry on the line. Your grandfather and I will greet you with all the love in our hearts. Have a safe journey home, Jeremiah.
Jono: She wears a Starfleet uniform.
Picard: Yes.
Jono: What is her rank?
Picard: She is an Admiral.
Jono: She outranks you?
Picard: Yes.
Jono: If I were home now, I would go to the brae, and run along the river run as fast as I could!
Picard: Jono.
Jono: I can't do any of the things that calm me here. You won't let me have my music, you won't let me make the B'Nar! I feel if I stay still much longer I will die!
Picard: Jono, let me show you what I do when I get those feelings. Come on.
Picard: Now, you can serve from within either of these two sections by bouncing the ball and hitting it into that top center target. You have to return the ball before it bounces twice. Alright? Let's try it.
Picard: Not bad.
Jono: I win at all the games.
Picard: I can believe it.
Picard: Jono? You all right?
Jono: I'm fine.
Jeremiah: Momma!
Moira: Jeremiah!
Jono: No! Momma!
Picard: It's all right. It's all right.
Jono: She was all red. I cried. She didn't answer me.
Jono: She used to sing to me. I don't remember the melody, just the sound of her voice. Before I remembered these things, I was strong. And now
Picard: It's part of being human, Jono. But, as deeply as you can feel hurt, you can also feel joy.
Jono: I do not think so. I think I will always feel like this.
Riker: How was the racquetball?
Picard: Oh, he gave me quite a game for his first time out.
Jono: Yes, Captain. I'm looking forward to next time.
Picard: I'm sure you are. Sit down. What would you like?
Jono: What is that?
Wesley: This is called a banana split. It's quite possibly one of the greatest things in the universe. Here, try some.
Data: That is called a spoon.
Jono: Forgive me.
Data: I fail to understand why this is amusing.
Riker: Access your data banks under humor, subheading slapstick.
Data: Comedy stressing farce and horseplay. Ah. This, no doubt, is a variation on pie in the face?
Riker: Now do you see why it's funny?
Data: No, sir, but I will take your word for it. It is very amusing.
Wesley: Let's try this again. I'd like a fresh banana split, and another one for my friend here.
Waiter: Right away.
Picard: Look at him. He's a different person.
Riker: Who would have thought we'd see him laugh out loud like that?
Picard: Just half an hour ago he was crying like a baby.
Crusher: Two bleeders, single plane penetration. I need the autosuture here.
Nurse: Yes, Doctor.
Crusher: Looks like the blade hit the sternum and was deflected. It could have been a lot worse.
Picard: Then it wasn't a dream.
Crusher: I'm afraid not. No vital organs pierced, no major arteries.
Picard: Where is the boy now?
Crusher: Worf has him in security. Hold still.
Picard: I want to see him. Here. Now.
Crusher: He'll wait until I'm finished.
Worf: Talarian warships converging. Range, five hundred kilometers.
Riker: On screen. Any communication, Lieutenant Worf?
Worf: No, sir. We have an open channel.
Wesley: Commander, the warships' closing velocities are slowing. Staggered approach vectors bearing zero, one hundred twenty, and two hundred forty degrees.
Riker: Riker to La Forge.
Laforge: La Forge here, sir.
Riker: The Talarians are moving
Riker: Into attack posture. Classic triangular envelopment.
Laforge: I've tapped the impulse engines for additional power to shields.
Laforge: We're ready, Commander.
Worf: Commander, the Captain of the Q'Maire requests communication.
Riker: Here we go. On screen.
Endar: Captain Picard, have you made your decision?
Riker: This is Commander Riker. What are your intentions, Captain Endar?
Endar: Where is Captain Picard?
Riker: He has been injured. I am in command now.
Endar: Very well. Please prepare my son for immediate transport.
Riker: I'm afraid that won't be possible. Last night, Jono attacked Captain Picard and tried to murder him. We're holding him in custody.
Endar: If he had been returned to me with the others, this would never have happened. I hold you responsible for this incident.
Riker: He will have to come with us now, Endar. It is up to Starfleet to decide the consequences.
Endar: I do not accept that decision. I repeat, you will prepare my son for immediate transport. If he is not aboard the Q'Maire in five minutes, you will suffer the consequences.
Riker: Red alert.
Worf: Talarian vessels routing power to forward rockets.
Riker: Ready all weapons, Mister Worf.
Picard: Jono, why did you do it?
Jono: That does not matter.
Picard: Yes, I think it does. It matters to me.
Jono: What matters is that I have attacked a Captain. I am ready to be put to death.
Picard: You think you're going to be killed?
Jono: To attack a superior is the worst offense. I will die at your hands.
Picard: Jono, you're not going to die at my hands or anyone else's.
Jono: But I have committed a terrible crime.
Picard: What I want to know is why? You seemed so happy just a few hours ago.
Jono: I was. Then I thought about my father. I felt I had betrayed him. I'd be throwing away all that he's given me, all that I'd learned from him. My home, running along the river, playing in the games, sharing victory with my brothers. All the things that are part of my life. As I grew closer and closer to you, I knew that meant leaving more and more of that life behind. Forgive me, Captain, but I could not allow myself to do that.
Worf: The Q'Maire is requesting communication on a secure channel, Commander.
Riker: On screen.
Endar: Commander Riker, you have failed to transport my son aboard the Q'Maire.
Riker: Our intentions have not changed, Endar. We're returning him to Starfleet.
Endar: I regret your stubbornness. Much will be lost.
Picard: One moment, Captain. Captain Endar, last night Jono attacked me with a dagger.
Endar: Which he could not have done had he been returned to me with the others!
Picard: There was a crime committed on board this ship, but it was not Jono's. It was mine. When we found Jono, it seemed so clear what had to be done. We knew that if only we could persuade him to make the decision to stay, then you would most likely let him. So with the best of intentions, we tried to convince him, and in so doing, we thoroughly failed to listen to his feelings, to his needs. That was the crime, and it has taken a huge toll on a strong and very noble young man. And it must be rectified. He will return home. To the only home he's ever known. And to the father that he loves. To you, Endar.
Endar: Thank you, Captain.
Picard: Please transmit coordinates for immediate transport.
Picard: Goodbye, Jono.
Jono: Goodbye, Captain. Thank you.


Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 44085.7. Due to a medical emergency, we have been forced to cut short a two day liberty on Ogus Two and set course for Starbase four one six. It seems a young man's practical joke has come dangerously close to a lethal conclusion.
Riker: Well Mister Potts, why don't we start at the beginning?
Jake: We were at the arcade, sir. I brought this balloon with me, filled with red pillion dye. You see, Willie is always making fun of me. I figured I'd get him back.
Troi: Hey, hey, slow down.
Jake: We programmed the game for an ordinary laser duel. You know, twenty one points. Four points for a
Riker: I'm familiar with the game. Go on.
Jake: We went out to the forest behind the east arcade. I told Willie that his laser pistol looked kind of funny, almost like a real one. When I went behind the trees, I put the balloon into my vest, and then
Riker: So you made your nine year old brother believe that he'd killed you?
Jake: Yes, sir.
Riker: And then he ran away?
Jake: Yes, sir.
Riker: And while he was hiding he ate the fruit of a cove palm.
Jake: It was just a joke, sir. I didn't think this was going to happen.
Riker: Are you aware of the infectious nature of the parasites which inhabit cove palm?
Jake: I am, I am now, sir.
Riker: Are you also familiar with the terms I agreed to keep you boys on the Enterprise when your parents went on sabbatical?
Jake: That we'd stay out of trouble, sir.
Riker: Mister Data?
Data: On my way, sir.
Riker: Think about it, Mister Potts. And while you're at it, think about what may have happened had we not been this close to a starbase medical facility.
Riker: Were you able to contact the boy's parents?
Data: They've been made fully aware of the situation, sir.
Riker: Good. Escort this young man to the quarantine anteroom. Perhaps he could assist us in lifting his brother's spirits.
Data: Aye, sir.
Jake: He really could die.
Data: Fortunately we are only two days from Starbase four one six, and their laboratory can isolate
Jake: Can isolate what, sir?
Jake: Their laboratory can isolate what, Commander? Sir, sir, I know I made a mistake, and I can tell you're angry, but if you're not going to talk to me
Riker: Back so soon, Mister Data?
Laforge: La Forge to Bridge.
Picard: Go ahead, Commander.
Laforge: Captain, we've completed our dilithium vector calibrations. We are currently at warp four point five. You're clear to increase to warp seven.
Picard: Very good, Geordi. Let me know if you
Worf: Captain, did you request a course correction?
Laforge: I didn't say we could increase speed to warp nine point one, sir.
Wesley: New course set for heading three four one mark two two one.
Riker: Course set by whom?
Wesley: Not by me, Commander.
Picard: What's going on?
Riker: Data, who programmed the new coordinates?
Wesley: Warp nine point three, Commander.
Laforge: I don't advise this, Captain.
Laforge: If we're going to maintain our realignment progressions we shouldn't be pushing warp eight for at least an hour.
Picard: Commander.
Computer: Evacuate Bridge. Deck one life support failure in thirty seconds.
Riker: Turbolifts two, three, four, everyone.
Picard: Transfer helm to Engineering, Geordi.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Riker: La Forge, let's get a diagnostic sweep underway.
Computer: Evacuate Bridge. Deck one life support failure in twenty seconds.
Picard: Reassemble in Engineering.
Computer: Evacuate Bridge. Deck one life support failure in ten seconds.
Computer: Deck one life support has been terminated.
Kopf: Our velocity is holding steady at warp nine point three. Do you wish to override, Commander?
Laforge: No, not yet. Computer, isolate cause of life support failure.
Computer: Atmosphere conditioning pumps on deck one are operating in negative mode.
Laforge: How could that be? There are seven independent safety interlocks to prevent that.
Laforge: Captain, I believe we've found the problem, but it really doesn't make sense.
Picard: Bring the Enterprise to a full stop, Commander.
Laforge: Aye, sir. Full stop, Ensign.
Kopf: It's not responding, sir.
Laforge: I'm going to have to do this at the manual input level, sir. Wes.
Riker: We're still at the altered heading, Captain, holding at warp nine point three.
Worf: Captain. Force fields have been established on all main Bridge turbolift doors and service crawlways.
Picard: Computer, locate Lieutenant Commander Data.
Computer: Commander Data is on the main Bridge.
Riker: What the hell is he up to?
Picard: Number One, take a security team up to deck two. Try and break through from below. Commander?
Laforge: Everything's locked up, Captain. We have no control of impulse or warp engines from here.
Wesley: Navigation's not responding either, sir.
Picard: Picard to main bridge.
Picard: Commander Data, do you hear me? I repeat. Data, do you hear
Data: Computer. Recognize Data, Lieutenant Commander. Alpha One clearance.
Computer: Priority clearance recognition Alpha One.
Data: Maintain minimum auxiliary power and disengage subspace communications.
Computer: Acknowledged.
Wesley: He is on the Bridge, sir.
Picard: Mister La Forge, prepare for saucer separation.
Wesley: Sir, we're at Warp nine three.
Picard: I am aware of the risks, Ensign. When the umbilical splits, we should regain primary control, do you agree?
Laforge: Yes, sir.
Picard: The saucer module should fall out of warp in two minutes. Be prepared to sweep back. Pull it in with a tractor beam.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Initiate auto sequence.
Data: Computer, recognize Picard, Jean-Luc. Alpha Two clearance.
Computer: Priority clearance recognition, Alpha Two.
Data: Cancel separation sequence.
Computer: Sequence canceled.
Data: Isolate all remaining command functions and accept related orders and inquiries from main Bridge only.
Laforge: The separation sequence has been aborted, Captain.
Picard: Computer, recognize Jean-Luc Picard, Alpha Two priority, and re-establish separation procedure immediately.
Computer: Orders regarding command functions are no longer accepted from your present location.
Picard: And just what location are they accepted from?
Computer: Interface terminals on main Bridge only.
Wesley: You're the only one who has clearance to localize command functions.
Picard: It seems Commander Data has it them as well.
Worf: The isolinear subprocessor extends three point five meters.
Riker: I've got a clear path to panel J14 baker. What's that going to do for us?
Worf: J14 baker backs onto science station two, Commander.
Riker: Have they reinverted the environmental control sequencer?
Worf: Yes, sir. Life support has been re-established.
Riker: Then you and Casey get up here. Let's get to it.
Data: Computer, configure a perimeter field charge, sections Nine K through Twelve T.
Riker: What the hell was that?
Worf: He's activated a force field, sir.
Riker: Great. Just great.
Picard: Chief O'Brien.
O'Brien: Yes, Captain.
Picard: We had better disable the site to site transport function.
Picard: When we get wherever we're going, I don't want Mister Data beaming off the Bridge.
O'Brien: I'll get right to it, sir.
Picard: Doctor Crusher.
Crusher: Yes, Captain.
Picard: Is your quarantine intact?
Crusher: So far, sickbay force fields don't seem to have been affected.
Picard: The boy?
Crusher: He's alright. But he's not going to stay alright. Sir, we have to get this ship to a starbase medical facility.
Picard: It seems, Doctor
Picard: That Data has other plans for the Enterprise right now.
Crusher: Oh, Come on, I can't believe that. Everybody's played a practical joke on somebody at one time or another.
Willie: Not me.
Crusher: Not even a little one? How about April Fools? I can't believe that you're telling me that you've never tried to pull something even on April Fools' Day?
Willie: What for? It's never funny to the one getting fooled.
Crusher: Well, I'm sure your brother didn't intend for it too get out this of hand. Certainly not to the degree it has. Take a deep breath.
Willie: What's so funny about making someone think you killed them?
Crusher: Take a deep breath. Have you been drinking all the water I asked you to?
Willie: Yes.
Crusher: Well, keep it up. There might have a short delay in reaching starbase and I want
Jake: There, you see? How can I tell him if he's not going to listen to me?
Troi: Why don't you try, Jake?
Jake: It's just a waste of time. He won't listen.
Data: Computer, prepare to transport me directly to the following coordinates.
Computer: Site to site transport interlocks have been manually deactivated.
Data: Can you override?
Computer: Negative.
Data: Show me the shortest route to Transporter room one. Computer, prepare to activate cascade force field sequence in the following progression.
Laforge: No matter what we try, the computer will only accept commands from the Bridge, sir.
Worf: He has blocked every subspace channel, sir. We cannot even call for help.
Picard: Have you tried tracing back navigation inputs?
Wesley: We don't even know what star system we're in, sir.
Riker: The only way we knew we'd come out of warp was by looking out a window.
O'Brien: O'Brien to Captain Picard.
Picard: Go ahead, Chief.
O'Brien: Captain, he's up to something.
Picard: What now?
O'Brien: He discovered the site to site lockout. I wouldn't be surprised if he
O'Brien: Tried to make it to a transporter room now.
Picard: Mister Worf, I want security teams along the main passageways and in every transporter room. And see if the computer would be good enough to give you the precise stun setting to disable Mister Data.
Worf: Yes, sir.
Picard: Computer, estimate the time from this location to Starbase four one six at warp nine.
Computer: Inquiries regarding command functions are no longer accepted from your present location.
Data: Computer, establish a security code for access to all functions previously transferred to Bridge.
Computer: Enter code.
Data: One seven three four six seven three two one four seven six Charlie three two seven eight nine seven seven seven six four three Tango seven three two Victor seven three one one seven eight eight eight seven three two four seven six seven eight nine seven six four three seven six. Lock.
Computer: Security code intact for all specified inquiries and orders.
Data: Computer, initiate cascade sequence, accepting instructions from Commander Data en route. Now.
Laforge: He's out! Security team approaching location.
Data: Intersection eight J, aft port. Establish.
Worf: I order you to stop.
Data: Computer, begin scan phase.
Worf: No, no, that's too close.
Riker: This has gone far enough, Data.
Data: Computer, three meter cross seal.
O'Brien: I wouldn't advise that, sir. The phase coils don't take well to ricochets.
Riker: What's he doing?
O'Brien: He's reactivating the site to site transport interlocks.
Riker: Does that mean he'll be able to
Soong: You're right on time.
Soong: Open. One of these. And one of these. There you are.
Data: I fail to recall how I arrived here.
Soong: I sent for you. In a manner of speaking.
Data: And who are you, sir? Data to Enterprise. Enterprise, do you read me?
Soong: I always loved that face. Please sit down.
Data: We were heading for a medical facility. I was taking the boy's brother to Sickbay and
Soong: I'm sure your starship will be back for you soon. Please, sit down.
Data: I must find a way to contact the Enterprise.
Soong: Tell me, do I look somewhat familiar to you?
Data: You do bear a resemblance to Doctor Noonian Soong, the cyberneticist who constructed me. But, Doctor Soong was killed shortly afterward by the Crystalline Entity.
Soong: There we are. It's your lucky day, Data. You've found your long lost father, and he's alive. What do you think of that?
Data: But the colony was destroyed. There were no survivors.
Soong: I've never felt too comfortable living anywhere without a prearranged route of escape. I admit, I wouldn't have guessed I'd be running from a giant snowflake, but
Data: It is really you.
Laforge: Captain, the quarantine field in Sickbay.
Picard: You have access to it?
Wesley: When he transferred force field control to the Bridge, he must have only specified fields he was planning to initiate. The quarantine field was already operating.
Laforge: Under normal circumstances, we could divert that field energy and use it to cancel the force field protecting the Bridge, but we have to retain the medical quarantine.
Picard: Determine the absolute minimum field energy Doctor Crusher needs and use the rest to get me onto my Bridge.
Crusher: How are you this morning?
Willie: Not so great. I'm having trouble standing up. I get sort of dizzy.
Crusher: You heard the old story about the man who goes to his doctor? He says, Doctor, it hurts when I raise my arm like this. The Doctor says, then don't raise your arm like that.
Willie: So, if I get dizzy standing up
Crusher: Then don't stand up.
Laforge: Okay Doc, we're ready. If all goes well, you shouldn't notice a thing.
Crusher: Make sure it goes well, Commander.
Crusher: Your brother tells me that you still won't speak to him.
Willie: So?
Crusher: It's very hard on him, too. He feels very guilty about what happened. He's your brother.
Willie: Why is everybody so worried about him? I'm the one who's sick. I'm the one who's going to die.
Crusher: Hey, nobody is going to die, Willie. Do you hear me? Nobody!
Worf: Captain, we are in.
Picard: We're on our way, Lieutenant.
Worf: Computer, restore tactical station.
Computer: Deactivation of command function overrides requires Alpha Two clearance.
Riker: Beverly thinks its going to be tight. Let's hope he didn't take us too far off course.
Picard: Let's hope.
Worf: It won't answer to my clearance, sir.
Picard: Computer, this is Captain Picard. Return all command functions to the stations.
Computer: Alpha Two clearance recognized. Please enter security code.
Picard: Security code?
Laforge: Data! I was afraid of something like this.
Worf: Sensors are operative.
Riker: Well, at least that's something. What have you got?
Worf: No fix on Data, but I am picking up a single life form on the surface, sir. It appears human.
Picard: That's a human that has the answers to a lot of questions.
Worf: Something else.
Picard: What is it?
Worf: A small vessel, entering orbit. I detect no lifeforms aboard, sir.
Soong: Good. Good, good, good. Keep it up. Keep it up. Old Tom Handy swore you'd never master that. Data, Data, whistle for me.
Soong: Oh, well. All right, that's enough. Sit down. Beautiful, beautiful. You know, I've been able to keep track of you from time to time. You've become something of a celebrity in cybernetic circles. Data, why Starfleet?
Data: Sir?
Soong: I gave you the ability to choose whatever you wanted. To do whatever you wanted. Why Starfleet?
Data: It was Starfleet officers who rescued me.
Soong: Ah. So you decided to emulate your emancipators, huh? How disappointing.
Data: What choice of vocation would have met with your approval, sir?
Soong: Well, I often hoped you might become a scientist. Perhaps even a cyberneticist.
Data: To follow in your footsteps, as it were?
Soong: I see nothing wrong with that.
Data: May I ask you a question, sir?
Soong: Certainly. Anything you like.
Data: Why did you create me?
Soong: Why does a painter paint? Why does a boxer box? You know what Michelangelo used to say? That the sculptures he made were already there before he started, hidden in the marble. All he needed to do was remove the unneeded bits. It wasn't quite that easy with you, Data. But the need to do it, my need to do it, was no different than Michelangelo's need. Now let me ask you a question. Why are humans so fascinated by old things?
Data: Old things?
Soong: Old buildings, churches, walls, ancient things, antique things, tables, clocks, knick knacks. Why? Why, why?
Data: There are many possible explanations.
Soong: If you brought a Noophian to Earth, he'd probably look around and say, tear that old village down, it's hanging in rags. Build me something new, something efficient. But to a human, that old house, that ancient wall, it's a shrine, something to be cherished. Again, I ask you, why?
Data: Perhaps, for humans, old things represent a tie to the past.
Soong: What's so important about the past? People got sick, they needed money. Why tie yourself to that?
Data: Humans are mortal. They seem to need a sense of continuity.
Soong: Ah hah!! Why?
Data: To give their lives meaning. A sense of purpose.
Soong: And this continuity, does it only run one way, backwards, to the past?
Data: I suppose it is a factor in the human desire to procreate.
Soong: So you believe that having children gives humans a sense of immortality, do you?
Data: It is a reasonable explanation to your query, sir.
Soong: And to yours as well, Data.
Data: Lore!
Soong: Looks like we have ourselves a family reunion.
Soong: Open.
Data: I implore you, do not reactivate him.
Soong: Don't be ridiculous, Data. Lore is far from the maniacal android you have made him out to be. In any case, he'll obey me. He always did.
Data: But he admitted to an alliance with the Crystal Entity. To gain its favor, he betrayed the colonists and would have betrayed the Enterprise as well had I not
Soong: Shh! One more. That should do it.
Lore: So, you're still alive. I'm surprised you woke me. Why didn't you just take me apart again and be done with it? That is why the two of you captured me, isn't it?
Soong: Data had nothing to do with this, Lore. And nobody captured you. Not exactly, that is. You see, both of your brains contain a simple homing device. Data's was activated purposefully. Yours, well, until you walked through that door I had no idea you'd ever been reassembled.
Lore: No thanks to you. But thanks to you, dear brother, I spent nearly two years drifting in space. If it hadn't been for a fortunate encounter with a Pakled trade ship, I'd still be out there.
Data: I had no alternative. You would have destroyed the Enterprise.
Lore: Well, since I appear to be an uninvited guest at your little party, I'll leave you with your beloved son and be on my way.
Soong: Lore, wait. There are questions I can answer. You'll have no chance to ask them later. You see, I'm dying.
Soong: Yes, I'm dying.
Data: Dying from what, sir?
Lore: Wait a minute. Wait a minute. What do you mean, you're dying? You look fine. You're not that old. You look fine. What is this? Some kind of a trick?
Soong: I wish it were.
Worf: We have control of sensors, life support and auxiliary power, Captain. Nothing more.
Picard: The code, Mister La Forge?
Laforge: We can't even locate the file address. At least that would tell us how many digits we're talking about. Not that it would really help.
Picard: I want something that will really help.
Crusher: And quickly too. Willie Potts has twenty four hours, thirty six tops. If it goes much longer than that, the only thing left for Starbase four one six will be to do a postmortem.
Riker: Geordi, if the computer's programmed to allow Data to transport down, it would figure that it would allow him to beam back up. Right?
Laforge: It would figure.
Riker: And Data would have left a trace imprint when he beamed down?
Laforge: Sure. Everyone does.
Riker: So what would be involved in pulling that trace and finding a way to make the computer think someone else is Data? Maybe a few someone else's?
Laforge: We'd have to access the transport controller, reset it to a testing mode, convince it that it's back in school accepting simulated inputs. That's not going to be easy without the main computer. But I suppose we could network a few tricorders together.
Picard: Try, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Yes, sir.
Lore: You did what you had to do? What kind of answer is that?
Soong: The only one I can give you. You were not functioning properly.
Data: Lore told me the colonists envied him because you made him so completely human.
Soong: I wouldn't exactly have used the word envious, Data.
Lore: You disassembled me. You took me apart.
Data: Lore also told me the colonists petitioned you to replace him with a less perfect android.
Soong: The last thing you should think of yourself as, Data, is less perfect. The two of you are virtually identical, except for a bit of programming.
Data: It was a lie. Another lie.
Lore: I would have proven myself worth to you, if you'd just given me a chance. But it was easier just to turn your back and build your precious Data.
Soong: You were the first. You meant as much to me as Data ever did, but you were unstable. The colonists were not envious of you, they were afraid of you. You were unstable.
Data: I am not less perfect than Lore.
Lore: Why didn't you just fix me? It was within your power to fix me.
Soong: It wasn't as easy as that. The next, the next logical step was to construct Data. Afterward, I planned to get back to you, to fix you.
Lore: Next logical step.
Data: I am not less perfect than Lore.
Lore: I am not less perfect than Lore.
Soong: Enough! Both of you, sit down. Sit down. For all these years I've been plagued by what went wrong. With all of your complexities, Lore, your nuances, basic emotions seemed almost simple by comparison. But the emotion turned, and twisted, became entangled with ambition. Lore, if I had known you were no longer sitting in pieces on some distant shelf, if I had known that I could simply press a button and bring you here, I would have spent those years trying to make things right for you as well. But all I knew of was Data. So I worked long and hard, and now I believe I've succeeded. This is why I brought you here, Data. Basic emotions. Simple feelings, Data. Your feelings. I've imagined how hard it's been for you, living amongst beings so moved by emotion.
Lore: I don't have to imagine. I know how hard it's been. You'd be surprised, Data. Feelings do funny things. You may even learn to understand your evil brother. To forgive him. We will be more alike, Data, you and I. You'll see. I'm happy for you.
Data: I question your sincerity, Lore.
Soong: Perhaps with this you'll learn to be more trusting, Data. Your brother has had good reason to be bitter.
Data: But sir, Lore was responsible for
Soong: He wasn't given the chance that you and I were given, to live. But now I'm sure he understands why I had to do what I had to do. If there were only time, Lore. What a shame. The procedure is quite simple. I'm tired. I need to rest, first, I'm tired.
Picard: They're sure this is going to work?
Riker: Nobody knows the transporters better than O'Brien and La Forge. They tell me they've managed more than a little sleight of hand with our authorisation codes.
Picard: They can insert them into the recall loop?
Riker: The computer should think all three of us are Data.
Riker: I just hope we don't all beam back looking like Data.
O'Brien: Whenever you say, sir.
Picard: Bring him home, Number One. Energize.
Soong: Data?
Lore: 'The sons of the prophet were valiant and bold, And quite unaccustomed to fear. But of all the most reckless, Or so I am told, Was Abdul Abulbul Amir.'
Soong: How do you feel?
Lore: I've always loved that ditty. I could never quite get the cadence right. Thank you, Father.
Soong: You called me Father.
Lore: What would you prefer I called you? Often Wrong?
Soong: What did Lore tell you about that?
Lore: That is what the colonists called you, isn't it? Often Wrong Soong. It's a very sloppy rhyme. Wrong Soong. Wrong Soong. It just doesn't work. Let's see.
Soong: Data, how you are feeling?
Lore: Often Wrong's got a broken heart. Can't even tell his boys apart.
Soong: Lore!
Lore: Well, well, well, well, well. You're not as feeble as I thought you were.
Soong: This won't work. Those circuits, they weren't designed for you. Where's Data?
Lore: Where's Data? You didn't fill Data with substandard parts, did you, old man. No, that honor was bestowed upon me. You owe me, old man. Not him, me!
Soong: It was not meant for you. You're not listening to me. It must be removed.
Lore: Nice try, Often Wrong. Nice try. I don't know exactly what it's doing, but its doing something.
Soong: I didn't know you were alive. If I had
Lore: 'There were brave men a-plenty, All well known to fame, Who served in the ranks of the Tsar.'
Worf: The human is here.
Riker: And Data?
Worf: No way of knowing.
Riker: Set them on stun.
Laforge: Down here.
Riker: Worf.
Riker: It's all right. Take it easy.
Laforge: This, this is Doctor Noonian Soong.
Riker: That's impossible. Soong's dead.
Laforge: No, I'm telling you. Look at this stuff. It's Soong, all right.
Riker: Here. Let me.
Riker: Would you mind telling me what's going on here?
Data: He surprised me.
Laforge: Commander.
Data: What has happened here? Doctor. Doctor Soong.
Soong: So alike. He saw I couldn't tell you apart. There was only one chip. I tried to tell him, but I couldn't. If I wanted to I couldn't build another one.
Riker: Tried to tell who? Damn it, Data, what's going on?
Data: Lore, sir. He was inadvertently summoned here by the same signal which activated my homing circuitry. It seems that after nearly two years in interstellar space, he was
Riker: Mister Data, there's a very sick little boy onboard the Enterprise who's not getting any better. We're dead in the water until you get us out of here.
Soong: It's all right. Access your third nested memory file and execute instruction five one five five. That will clear your memory block.
Data: I was unaware of having caused any inconvenience, sir.
Riker: We'll discuss it later, Mister Data. Doctor, you're coming with us, too. You need to get to Sickbay.
Soong: Young man, I've lived here a long time. I have no plans to die anywhere else.
Data: But sir, our medical facility may be able to
Soong: Go, go, go, go Data. Go. Go with your friends.
Data: May I say goodbye to Doctor Soong, sir? Alone, sir?
Soong: Everybody dies, Data. Well, almost everybody.
Data: Do you believe that we are in some ways alike, sir?
Soong: Yes, in many ways, I'd like to believe.
Data: Then it is alright for you to die, because I will remain alive. You know that I cannot grieve for you, sir.
Soong: You will, in your own way. Goodbye. Goodbye, Data.
Data: Goodbye, Father.
Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 44091.1. We have been at Starbase four one six for three days. Young Willie Potts is responding well to treatment and has been returned to the Enterprise.
Picard: The transfer went well?
Crusher: He'll remain in quarantine for another week or two, but he's out of the woods.
Picard: Splendid.
Picard: Mister Data, I see you gifts have been well received.
Data: Yes, sir. The boys appear to have reconciled their differences.
Crusher: They're brothers, Data. Brothers forgive.


Scene: Captain's Log: Stardate 44012.3 The Enterprise remains docked at McKinley Station, undergoing a major overhaul and refit following the Borg incident. I am confident that the ship and her crew will soon be ready to return to service.
Riker: Thank you. Please take that to Engineering.
Worf: Phaser upgrades are complete, Commander.
Riker: Already?
Worf: And we have begun power supply calibration.
Riker: You're just too damned efficient, Lieutenant.
Worf: Thank you, sir.
Riker: Continue with the testing, Mister Worf. Here's the final schedule for the shore leave and for the personnel transfers. By the way, I'm looking forward to meeting your parents.
Worf: Sir?
Riker: They're on the visitors' list. You didn't know?
Worf: No, sir. It is inappropriate for a Klingon to receive family while on duty. As humans, my parents do not understand.
Riker: Well, I'm not sure that I would either, Worf, since this isn't a Klingon ship. If you don't want to see your parents, that's your business, but we don't get to Earth all that often. I'm sure we can arrange for you to have more off duty time while they're here.
Worf: No, sir. That will not be necessary.
Riker: Dismissed. Mister Worf, if you're worried that they might learn about what happened on the Klingon planet
Worf: Not at all. I have already informed them by correspondence of my discommendation. I do not believe any human can truly understand my dishonor.
Troi: So, where have you decided to go?
Picard: Hmm? What? Oh, er, France. Labarre. My home village.
Troi: Really?
Picard: Yes. It's the first time in almost twenty years.
Troi: Interesting.
Picard: Counselor.
Troi: I just find it interesting. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the man who couldn't be pried out of his seat for a vacation for three years
Picard: It's Earth. It's home. Do I need another reason?
Troi: I don't know. What do you think?
Picard: Your help has been invaluable during my recovery, but, look, I'm better. The injuries are healing.
Troi: Those you can see in the mirror.
Picard: The nightmares have ended. All I need now is a little time to myself.
Troi: I agree. In fact, I'm delighted you're going. It's just that the choice of where you're going could stand some scrutiny.
Picard: If you wish to believe that my going home is a direct result of being held captive by the Borg, be my guest.
Troi: Is that what you believe?
Picard: I hate it when you do that.
Troi: Captain, you do need time. You cannot achieve complete recovery so quickly. And it's perfectly normal, after what you've been through, to spend a great deal of time trying to find yourself again.
Picard: And what better place to find oneself than on the streets of one's home village.
Troi: Interesting. Have a good trip, Captain.
Worf: They still have not signaled?
O'Brien: No sir.
Worf: My mother is never on time. It is so human of her.
O'Brien: Well, you know women.
Worf: I am not looking forward to this. I wish they would come so it would begin and end sooner.
O'Brien: I know what you mean, Lieutenant.
Worf: Unlikely.
O'Brien: Last time my old man was on board I found him chasing Nurse Stanton around a biobed in Sickbay.
Worf: I am not concerned about my father chasing nurses.
O'Brien: Yeah, but it's always something with parents, isn't it.
Female: Enterprise, this is Earth Station Bobruisk. Two to transport aboard.
O'Brien: Energizing.
Worf: Mother. Father.
Helena: Worf!
Sergey: You look good, son. Put on a little weight, huh?
Worf: No.
Sergey: Sure you have. Looks good on you. Still working out with those Holodeck monsters, I bet.
Worf: Let me take you to
Sergey: Always good to meet another Chief Petty Officer. Sergey Rozhenko, formerly of the USS Intrepid.
O'Brien: Miles Edward O'Brien, sir. Good to meet you.
Sergey: Don't call me sir. I used to work for a living.
Helena: He's joking. The proudest day of his life was when Worf earned his commission.
Sergey: Can you imagine an old enlisted man like me raising a boy to be an officer?
Helena: Come on, Sergey. There's plenty of time to chat with the boys. Your father has been so looking forward to this.
Sergey: Yes, I want to see everything. The whole ship. At home I have all the specs and diagrams of the Galaxy-class starships.
Worf: We are in the midst of a repair. I cannot give you a complete tour.
Sergey: I'm sure if you asked the Captain
Helena: You agreed not to embarrass him. Besides, we have come to see Worf, not the ship.
Sergey: Fine. Fine. Okay.
Helena: Your hair's a little longer, isn't it, Worf?
Picard: All right, whoever you are, I can hear you.
Picard: Oh, good lord, a highwayman.
Rene: A what?
Picard: A highwayman. It's a robber who attacks travelers, but none have been reported in this vicinity for centuries.
Rene: But I'm not a robber.
Picard: I am much relieved, sir.
Rene: I know who you are.
Picard: Then, you have the advantage.
Rene: You're my nephew, Jean-Luc. From the starship Enterprise.
Picard: Then you must be my uncle Rene.
Rene: I'm not your uncle. It's the other way around.
Picard: Too bad. I rather enjoyed the idea.
Rene: Why have you been away so long?
Picard: Well, Starfleet keeps me very busy.
Rene: Father says you don't like it here.
Picard: I'm sure you misunderstood.
Rene: No, I didn't. He said so.
Picard: Well, Robert and I, we. Perhaps it's time to change all that.
Rene: You know, you don't seem so arrow. Arrow. You know.
Picard: Arrogant?
Rene: Yes, arrogant. You don't seem that way to me. What does it mean anyway, arrogant son of a
Picard: Let's talk about that later, shall we?
Rene: Mummy! He's here! Mummy, he's here!
Marie: Jean-Luc!
Picard: Marie.
Marie: It is so good to finally meet you.
Picard: For me, too.
Marie: How are you feeling?
Picard: Oh, I'm fine.
Marie: Well, Robert and I are delighted that you've come to stay with us.
Picard: I was, I was thinking I, I might be imposing. I could very easily stay in the village.
Marie: I wouldn't hear of it. It's your home and it will always be your home. Do things look that different?
Picard: No. In fact, it's amazing how little it has changed. Everything is exactly as I remember it. The house, the hills, every tree, every bush seems untouched by the passage of time.
Marie: Robert's worked hard to keep it that way. It's very important to him.
Picard: As it was to our father.
Rene: Someday I'm going to be a starship captain.
Picard: You look exactly like Robert when he was your age. I half expect to see myself as a boy come running out that door to play.
Marie: Robert can't wait to see you.
Picard: Rene already told me. Where is he?
Marie: As usual, with his vines.
Robert: So, you arrived all right. Welcome home, Captain.
Picard: Hello, Robert.
Robert: You've shuttled in from the village?
Picard: No I decided to walk. I met Marie and Rene.
Robert: Good. Good.
Picard: It's good to see you.
Robert: Are you tired?
Picard: No.
Robert: Make yourself at home. You know where everything is. We generally eat about eight. I must try and cure this poor, sick vine. I'll see you shortly.
Crusher: So, you'll have a chance to visit the surface?
Troi: Maybe. Will and I have been talking about going back to Angel Falls.
Crusher: Oh, Venezuela's beautiful.
Crusher: Come in.
Crusher: Great. Thank you. (When she opens it we see the label - Lt Cmdr Jack R Crusher, USS Stargazer NCC 2893)
Troi: Something from home?
Crusher: I left it here in storage a long time ago after Jack died. Odds and ends, mostly.
Troi: How to Advance Your Career through Marriage?
Crusher: It was a joke. Jack sent it to me while I was still in medical school. It was his way of proposing to me.
Troi: What's that?
Crusher: It's for Wesley, from Jack. I'd forgotten it. Maybe I was just trying to forget it.
Troi: Why?
Crusher: Jack recorded a holographic message to Wesley just after he was born. It was a gift for when he grew up. Jack was going to make many more of them. He never had the chance.
Troi: Are you afraid of what it might say?
Crusher: No, I just don't know if it'll do more harm than good. Wesley's finally come to terms with his father's death.
Troi: Wesley has a lot of questions about his father. Things that you can't answer for him. Perhaps seeing this will help him understand.
Crewwoman: Check completed, sir.
Sergey: So we walked into the school and we don't know what to expect. Is Worf hurt? Is he in some kind of trouble? The door opens and there is our little seven year old sitting on a chair and glaring across the room at five teenage boys, all of them with bloody noses.
Helena: And then the principal looked up and said, please tell me he's an only child.
Worf: We have taken enough of the Commander's time.
Laforge: No, no, no, we're way ahead of schedule here.
Sergey: I just wanted to tell him the story about
Helena: Enough stories, Sergey.
Sergey: Okay. Okay. Enough stories. Well, how about giving us a look at the new engine core. I used to be a warp field specialist on the old Excelsior class.
Laforge: I'd be delighted. Mrs. Rozhenko?
Helena: No, no, no, no, no. You two go ahead. Your father will be hours. Worf, why don't you show me the arboretum?
Worf: Commander La Forge, call me when you, when my father wishes to leave.
Sergey: I can find my own way. Turbolift four is just over there, right? I have all the specs and designs at home.
Laforge: The theta-matrix compositer makes the recrystallization process ten times more efficient than the old Excelsior class ships.
Sergey: Amazing. Commander, if you have a couple of minutes, there is something else I want to ask you.
Laforge: Sure, Chief.
Sergey: It's about my son.
Marie: Your friend Louis wants you to contact him as soon as you're settled.
Picard: Is he still trying to raise the ocean floor?
Marie: Oh yes, he's very excited about it. He's been made a supervisor now, as his wife is constantly reminding anyone who'll listen.
Robert: I see no good reason why the Earth should have another subcontinent.
Picard: It's really quite exciting, actually, if you understand the potential of exploring a new world on our own planet.
Robert: Well, I'm afraid that I do not understand this potential.
Marie: The Mayor wants to give you a parade.
Picard: A parade?
Marie: Give you the keys to the city.
Picard: No. No, no, no, no.
Robert: He just needs a little arm twisting, dear, coaxing.
Picard: No. he does not. I'm here to rest and spend some time with my family.
Marie: Well, I've already warned the Mayor not to make any plans without talking to us.
All: Salut.
Picard: Is this the forty six?
Robert: Forty seven. You've been drinking too much of that artificial stuff. What do you call it? Synthehol? It's spoiled you. Ruined your palate.
Picard: On the contrary. I think that synthehol heightens one's appreciation for the genuine article.
Robert: Delicious, Marie.
Marie: Thank you.
Picard: Leave it to Robert to find the best cook in France, then marry her.
Robert: Yes, but sadly cooking is becoming a lost art. That's your wretched technology again.
Marie: Robert and I have had more than a few discussions about getting a replicator in the house.
Picard: I remember the same discussions between mother and father.
Robert: Father understood better than anybody else the danger of losing those values which we hold most precious.
Picard: I don't see that you have to lose anything just by adding a convenience.
Robert: You wouldn't, but in my view, life is already too convenient.
Marie: This is a very old argument.
Rene: I wrote a report on starships for school.
Marie: And he won a ribbon for it.
Rene: The teacher said it was one of the best he'd ever heard.
Picard: Good for you, Uncle. You know what? I once wrote a report about starships when I was about your age.
Rene: Did you win a ribbon too?
Picard: I don't recall.
Robert: And I don't find your modesty very unconvincing, brother. Of course you won the ribbon. You always did.
Rene: Do you still have it? Your report.
Picard: No, I don't think so.
Rene: Well, I still have mine.
Marie: Why don't you go and get it, and then you can read it to your uncle.
Robert: It's hard enough to protect him, protect him from all that's out there without you encouraging him.
Picard: I am not encouraging him. If you weren't so narrow minded, if you allowed him to see the world as it really is
Robert: You raise your own sons as you would wish, and allow me to do the same with mine.
Louis: One man's idea of paradise.
Picard: No, my dear Louis, two men. Robert's and my father's.
Louis: Never did I know anyone less interested in grapes than you, Jean-Luc.
Picard: No, not true. I was interested. And I was proud that my family were helping to preserve the traditions. I just didn't feel bound by those traditions.
Louis: You always reached for the future and your brother for the past.
Picard: There should be room for both in this life. And what about you, you old rascal. You've taken quite a shift into the future yourself.
Louis: Well, hydroponics turned out to be so dull.
Picard: You should have listened to me at the beginning.
Louis: If I had listened to you, I never would have taken that cycling trip with the Bloom sisters.
Picard: And broken your leg.
Louis: And got married twice.
Picard: I hear you've been promoted to supervisor of the Atlantis project.
Louis: I'm one of two hundred supervisors, although my wife would have you believe I run the entire project.
Picard: Well. it's certainly very exciting work. I've kept up on it in the journals.
Louis: Really?
Picard: It's only. There's just one thing I don't understand. You were such a rotten swimmer, Louis. Thinking of you working on the ocean floor.
Louis: I suppose we all find ways to confront our greatest fears.
Picard: Seriously, how do you plan to accelerate the buildup on the underside of the mantle without increasing the stress on the tectonic plates?
Louis: You really have kept up, haven't you? The truth is we don't know, yet.
Picard: On the Enterprise, we used harmonic resonators to relieve the tectonic pressures on Drema Four. Obviously, it's not the same problem but
Louis: You know, it's such a shame. The government is looking for someone to take over the project. A real leader who'll go in there and get things moving. And they are looking for you, Jean-Luc. I know, I know, you'd never leave Starfleet.
Picard: No, I'd never leave Starfleet.
Louis: That's what I thought, but if nothing else, why don't I send over some of the internal studies of the tectonic problem, since you're interested? We could use any thoughts you might have.
Picard: All right.
Sergey: It's a great crew, son, and they think the world of you.
Helena: They really do.
Worf: Mother, Father, I wish you would be a little more reserved while you are on board.
Helena: I know. We go too far, sometimes.
Sergey: We're just excited to be here.
Riker: Riker to Lieutenant Worf.
Worf: Worf here.
Riker: I need to talk to you about the phaser test results.
Worf: On my way, Commander. Have Guinan call me if you need anything.
Sergey: Maybe we should just leave it alone.
Helena: I can't just leave it alone. I'm his mother.
Guinan: You know, sooner or later, everyone comes in here. They stand by those windows and they look out and the stare. They're looking for that little star they call home. It doesn't matter how far away it is, everybody looks anyway. I'm Guinan. Pleased to meet you. You're Worf's parents?
Sergey: Sergey and Helena Rozhenko
Guinan: Welcome. Sit, please. There's something I would like to ask you.
Helena: Please.
Guinan: How come you never gave him prune juice?
Helena: I beg your pardon?
Guinan: He said he'd never had it till he came here. Mow he can't get enough of it.
Helena: Worf?
Sergey: He never wanted any human food while he was growing up. Everything had to be Klingon.
Helena: I learned to cook rokeg blood pie.
Sergey: However, we never quite learned how to eat it.
Helena: It was a difficult adolescence.
Guinan: But you got through it.
Sergey: We didn't do anything special.
Guinan: Didn't you? Just look at him. I think he's pretty special.
Helena: We knew it wouldn't be easy for him, growing up without other Klingons to go to for guidance.
Sergey: We had to let him discover and explore his heritage by himself, let him find his own path.
Guinan: So many parents could learn so much from the two of you.
Helena: Well, I'm afraid that Worf feels that we do not understand him.
Guinan: Well, part of him may feel that way, but there's another part that I've seen. A part that comes in and drinks prune juice. A part that looks out the window towards home. He's not looking toward the Klingon Empire. He's looking toward you.
Marie: Jean Luc? Are you all right?
Picard: I seem to have made a rather disturbing discovery. Louis mentioned the Atlantis project needed a director, and I found myself actually thinking about it.
Marie: Why shouldn't you?
Picard: Leaving my career, the Enterprise?
Marie: Considering what you've just been through
Picard: No, it's not that. Or is it?
Marie: Besides, it would be wonderful to have you back home. Given a little time, maybe you and your brother might even get to like one another.
Picard: Well, I already like his choice in wives. I never thanked you for your correspondence. It made me feel like part of the family.
Marie: You're not like part of the family. You are part of the family, Jean Luc Picard.
Robert: Don't worry, my dear, I've got it.
Louis: Robert.
Marie: Louis, come in. Let me get you some wine. You can talk business.
Robert: Business?
Picard: Well, there's nothing much to talk about.
Louis: I'm interested to know what you thought about our plans.
Picard: I've only had a chance to glance at them. I've a few ideas.
Louis: Wonderful. We should discuss them with the board of governors. I've set up a meeting.
Picard: Meeting?
Louis: Just a preliminary conversation. Tomorrow morning?
Picard: Preliminary to what?
Louis: They want you. I mentioned your interest in the project, that's all. That's all I had to say. They jumped at the prospect.
Picard: I never said there was a prospect.
Louis: At least listen to them, Jean-Luc.
Picard: All right. Very good. Fine. I'll listen.
Louis: You won't regret it, Jean-Luc. I promise you. I'll see you in the morning.
Wesley: I don't understand, Mom. What kind of message?
Crusher: I don't know exactly. Your father made it a few weeks after you were born.
Wesley: Why?
Crusher: He felt it was important to say certain things. And to make sure that he didn't forget to tell you later.
Wesley: Do you know what it says?
Crusher: No. But he wanted you to have this when you turned eighteen. And I want you to have it, too.
Worf: Enter.
Sergey: Are we disturbing you?
Worf: No. No. I thought you were going to your quarters to sleep.
Helena: We just came by to tuck you in.
Worf: Please. When I heard you were on the visitors' list, I was not sure I wanted you to come. I am glad you are here.
Helena: We had to come.
Sergey: Our boy was in trouble. After we read your letter about the discommendation from the Klingons.
Helena: We don't exactly understand it all.
Sergey: We don't have to. We know what kind of man you are.
Helena: Whatever you did, we know it was for a good reason.
Worf: I must bear my dishonor alone.
Sergey: That is not true.
Helena: I'm sorry if this is too human of us but, whenever you are suffering, you must remember we are with you.
Sergey: And that we're proud of you, and that we love you.
Helena: You're our son.
Robert: Careful. You're not used to drinking the real thing. This synthehol never leaves you out of control, is that so?
Picard: That's so.
Robert: This will. Now there is something I'd like to see.
Picard: What's that?
Robert: The gallant Captain out of control. Mind if I ask you a question? What the devil happened to you up there?
Picard: Is this brotherly concern?
Robert: No. Curiosity. What did they do to you?
Picard: You know what happened.
Robert: Not precisely. I gather you were hurt. Humiliated. I always thought you needed a little humiliation. Or was it humility? Either would do.
Robert: Why do you walk away? That isn't your style.
Picard: I'm tired of fighting with you, Robert.
Robert: Tired?
Picard: That's right.
Robert: Yes. Tired of the Enterprise too? The great Captain Picard of Starfleet falls to Earth, ready to plunge into the water with Louis. That isn't the brother that I remember. Still, I suppose it must have seemed like the ideal situation, hmm? Local boy makes good. Returns home after twenty years to a hero's welcome.
Picard: I'm not a hero.
Robert: Of course you are. Admit it. You'd never settle for less than that and you never will.
Picard: That's not true.
Robert: Cancel the parade? In your favor?
Picard: No! I never sought that rubbish.
Robert: Never sought? Never sought president of the school, valedictorian, athletic hero with your arms raised in victory?
Picard: Valedictorian? Arms raised in victory? Were you so jealous?
Robert: Yes, damn it. I was always so jealous, I had a right to be.
Picard: Right?
Robert: I was always your brother, watching you receive the cheers, watching you break every rule our father made and get away with it.
Picard: Why didn't you break a few rules?
Robert: Because I was the elder brother, the responsible one. It was my job to look after you.
Picard: Look after me? You? You were a bully.
Robert: Sometimes. Maybe. Sometimes I even enjoyed bullying you.
Picard: All right. Try it now.
Robert: Did you come back, Jean-Luc? Did you come back because you wanted me to look after you again?
Picard: Damn you!
Picard: You were asking for it, you know.
Robert: Yes, but you needed it. You have been terribly hard on yourself.
Picard: You don't know, Robert. You don't know. They took everything I was. They used me to kill and to destroy, and I couldn't stop them. I should have been able to stop them! I tried. I tried so hard, but I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't good enough. I should have been able to stop them. I should! I should!
Robert: So, my brother is a human being after all. This is going to be with you a long time, Jean-Luc. A long time. You have to learn to live with it. You have a simple choice now. Live with it below the sea with Louis, or above the clouds with the Enterprise.
Picard: You know, I think you were right after all. I think I did come back so that you could help me.
Robert: You know what? I still don't like you, Jean-Luc.
Marie: What in the world? What happened here?
Robert: Ah
Picard: It's entirely my fault, Marie.
Robert: Yes, I fell down, then he fell and then
Picard: We both fell down.
Robert: We both fell down.
Picard: Together.
Robert: We both fell down together.
Marie: Have you two been fighting?
Robert: Fighting? No, certainly not.
Marie: Shame on you both. What would your father say if he saw you like this?
Picard: He'd probably send us both to bed without our supper.
Marie: Well, perhaps it's just as well you got it out of your systems.
Picard: Perhaps it was, Marie. Perhaps it was. I'll contact Louis and cancel the meeting with the Board of Governors. It's time that I was going.
Marie: Already, Jean-Luc?
Picard: The ship will be ready to leave orbit soon, and I belong on board. If I should ever doubt that again, I know where to come.
Wesley: Computer, load program, Crusher One.
Computer: Program complete. Enter when ready.
Wesley: Run program.
Jack: Hello, Wesley. As I make this recording, you are about ten weeks old. I wanted you to know who I am today. You see, this Jack Crusher won't exist by the time you're grown up. I'll be older, more experienced, and hopefully a little wiser. But this person will be gone and I want you to know who your father was when you came into the world. When I see you lying there in your crib, I realize I don't know the first thing about being a father. So let me just apologize for all the mistakes I'm about to make as you grow up. I hope you don't grow up resenting the fact that I was gone so much. That comes with this uniform. I don't know if I can explain why Starfleet means so much to me. Maybe you'll understand when you get this recording. Maybe you'll even want to try one of these on. But you'll probably be a doctor like your mother. You're only a baby, but it's remarkable. I can see in your face all the people I've loved in my lifetime. Your mother, my father and mother. Our family. I can see me in you, too. And I can feel that you're my son. I don't know how to describe it, but there's this connection, this bond. I'll always be a part of you, Wesley. Well, I hope this made some sense to you. I'm not sure that it does to me, but maybe I'll do better next time. I love you, Wesley.
Wesley: Goodbye, Dad.
Marie: Come back and see us again. Goodbye, Jean-Luc. And be careful.
Picard: Take care, Uncle.
Rene: You too. Someday, I'll be leaving for my starship, too.
Picard: Well, there's plenty of time for that. You may decide to do something else as you get older.
Robert: Jean-Luc, here is a little of the forty seven. Do not drink it all at once, and if possible, try not to drink it alone.
Helena: Is there anything you want us to send you from home?
Worf: No. Perhaps some of your rokeg blood pie.
Helena: It's been a while, but I think I still remember how.
Worf: Captain. Welcome back.
Picard: Thank you, Lieutenant.
Worf: These are my parents, Helena and Sergey Rozhenko.
Picard: Delighted. Sir.
Sergey: Quite a ship you have here, Captain.
Picard: You had the full tour, I trust?
Sergey: Well, actually, there are still a few areas because of the repairs
Helena: Sergey. It's time to go.
Sergey: Yes. Yes. Okay. I have all the specs and diagrams at home.
Marie: He's still out there. Dreaming about starships and adventures. It's getting late.
Robert: Yes. But let him dream.