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


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


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