Computer: Repulse shuttle has cleared docking bay three.
Riker: Open hailing frequencies.
Worf: Hailing frequencies opened.
Riker: Repulse, this is the Enterprise. We are getting underway.
Repulse: Acknowledged, Enterprise. Transfer complete. Good luck on your mission.
Riker: And to you.
Repulse: Give my regards to your Captain. Repulse out.
Wesley: Shuttlebay is secure, sir.
Riker: Thank you, Mister Crusher. Make all preparations to get underway.
Laforge: We're constructing the enclosure on cargo deck five.
Picard: Come.
Riker: The transfer's been complete. Doctor Pulaski is being shown to her quarters. We're ready to get underway.
Picard: Grand. Take a look at the containment module our Chief Engineer has designed.
Riker: Chief Engineer. It still has a nice ring to it.
Laforge: Each of these units will have total environmental control. Gravity, temperature, atmosphere, light, all in a protective stasis field.
Riker: And these get put into the large containment unit.
Laforge: Right. See, these modules will keep the specimens alive, but it's this large containment area that's going to keep us alive. Now, I have to go and replicate this five hundred and twelve times, which means I'll have to divert power from the warp engines to the replicator for a while.
Picard: How long will we be on impulse power?
Laforge: A couple of hours. Can't be helped.
Riker: When we leave 'audet Nine, I'm going to need all the power you can slam into those warp engines.
Laforge: You'll have it.
Picard: I'll relieve you at zero three zero zero.
Riker: Take us out of orbit, Mister Crusher. Set course for 'audet Nine.
Wesley: Aye, sir. Course for 'audet Nine has been input.
Riker: Maximum impulse velocity.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Riker: Engage.
Data: Engineering, this is Science One. I have just observed what appeared to be a random energy transference.
Laforge: Where?
Data: Aft. Outboard of the port nacelle.
Laforge: Hold on, I'll check.
Laforge: No, I show nothing here, Data.
Riker: Problem, Commander?
Data: Possibility, sir. An unexplained power fluctuation.
Riker: Let me know if it reoccurs.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 42073.1. There has been an outbreak of an unclassified plasma plague in the Rachelis system. We are on an emergency run to collect specimens of the deadly plague and transport them to Science Station Tango Sierra, where hopefully an antidote can be produced.
Laforge: How's it going?
Crewman: Finished. Just waiting to insert the modules.
Picard: Number One.
Riker: Lieutenant La Forge says we will be able to engage the warp drive within the hour.
Picard: Grand. Mister Data, when we have a complete list of all the specimens we will be carrying, I want you and Doctor er,
Data: Pulaski, sir.
Picard: Doctor Pulaski. I want you to go through them.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: By the way, where is our new doctor? Has she reported in?
Riker: Not yet.
Picard: Sickbay, this is the captain.
Sickbay: Sickbay, aye.
Picard: Is Doctor Pulaski there?
Sickbay: Er, no, sir. The Doctor is in Ten forward.
Picard: Thank you.
Sickbay: Aye, sir.
Picard: A few hours on board and already she's found Ten forward.
Riker: I'll go get her.
Picard: No. I'll go.
Worf: Not the best way to meet your new Captain.
Picard: Deck ten, forward station one.
Wesley: Hello, Captain.
Picard: Ensign. I'm sorry this mission will delay your reunion with your mother.
Wesley: That's all right. That will give me the time to finish some projects I have to do. It's going to be hard leaving the Enterprise.
Picard: Mixed feelings for all of us. It's always difficult leaving any ship, just as it was for your mother
Picard: When she left to become head of Starfleet Medical. But going from one assignment to another is part of the life which you are choosing.
Wesley: I know, but this isn't any ship.
Picard: How true.
Picard: Guinan.
Guinan: Captain.
Picard: Where is Doctor Pulaski? Thank you. (Picard goes over to a table by a window occupied by Troi and another woman. Everyone say Hi! to Ann Mulhall, or Miranda Jones if you prefer)
Picard: Doctor Katherine Pulaski?
Pulaski: Ah you must be Captain Picard.
Picard: Doctor, protocol may have been lax on your last assignment, but here on the Enterprise.
Pulaski: Sit down, Captain. You'd better listen to this.
Picard: Lieutenant La Forge, status report.
Laforge: The containment area is completed, Captain, and the last of the modules are being inserted.
Picard: Take us to warp six as soon as possible.
Laforge: Acknowledged.
Picard: This is Doctor Katherine Pulaski. We will handle the formal introduction later. Counselor Deanna Troi is pregnant. She is going to have a baby.
Riker: Baby? This is a surprise.
Troi: More so for me.
Pulaski: This pregnancy is unlike anything I have ever encountered. Since she came to me a few hours ago, I have done two complete examinations of Counselor Troi. This is from the first examination. The fetus is about halfway through the first trimester, about six weeks old. Now, understand we believe conception took place eleven hours ago.
Riker: What?
Pulaski: It gets better. This is the second exam one hour later. Now, it's consistent, except for the fact that it appears the fetus is several weeks older. At this growth rate, Counselor Troi will have her baby in about thirty six hours. The normal gestation rate for a Betazoid is ten months.
Riker: I don't mean to be indelicate, but who's the father?
Troi: Last night, while I slept, something which I can only describe as a presence, entered my body.
Picard: A life form of unknown origin and intent is breeding right now inside Counselor Troi. Our purpose here is to determine what is to be done about this very unusual situation. Discussion.
Riker: No, wait. Let me get this straight. Deanna was impregnated by by what? Doctor, what do the tests show? Is it a humanoid? An alien?
Pulaski: It's a male human, or in this case half-human half-Betazoid.
Riker: Exactly the same as Deanna.
Pulaski: In every way. In fact, there is nothing to indicate that there are any genetic patterns other than hers.
Riker: I don't think this is a random occurrence. I think there's a purpose here. A reason. What, I don't know.
Worf: Captain, obviously the pregnancy must be terminated for the safety of the ship and crew.
Riker: Worf, you can't assume the intent was belligerent.
Worf: That is the safest assumption.
Data: Captain, this is a life form. Not to allow it to develop naturally would deny us the opportunity to study it.
Worf: If the fetus is aborted, laboratory analysis is still possible.
Riker: Doctor, is there any health risk to Counselor Troi if the fetus is aborted?
Troi: Captain, do whatever you feel is necessary to protect the ship and the crew, but know this. I'm going to have this baby.
Picard: Then it seems that the discussion is over.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have finally arrived at 'audet Nine, where we will pick up the specimens of plasma plague for transport to Rachelis. It is only because so many lives are at stake that I am willing to put this ship and crew at such great risk. Meanwhile, Counselor Troi's pregnancy continues to progress at an astonishing rate.
Picard: How are you feeling?
Troi: I should be feeling uncomfortable with all the changes in my body but, I don't. I feel fine. Better than fine. Wonderful.
Riker: Standard orbit.
Wesley: Standard orbit, sir.
Picard: Open hailing frequencies.
Worf: Hailing frequencies open.
Picard: 'Audet Nine, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise.
Dealt: Ah, the Enterprise, here at last. Well, good. Let's get going.
Picard: Excuse me, to whom am I speaking?
Dealt: To whom are you speaking? Oh I'm Lieutenant Commander Hester Dealt, Medical Trustee, Federation Medical Collection Station.
Picard: Are the specimens ready for transfer?
Dealt: Yes, but with your permission I would like to inspect the containment area before we proceed. Now it's not that I doubt the ability of your crew, but we cannot afford a mistake.
Picard: I appreciate your caution. In the like vein, I want a complete, detailed manifest of everything you intend to bring on board my ship.
Dealt: Very good. I will allow access you to my computer banks, okay?
Picard: Mister Data, download the inventory and cross-reference it with the medical computer. Number One, arrange to have Hester Dealt transported up.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Although it's been fourteen hours since we arrived at 'audet Nine. Hester Dealt has still not completed inspection of the containment unit. A transfer will not be permitted until he's assured of zero growth during our voyage. Meanwhile, the desperate pleas from the Rachelis System continue.
Data: Captain, the final manifest has been received.
Picard: At last. Review it with Doctor Pulaski. I want you both to be completely familiar with it.
Data: Aye, sir.
Troi: Data, will you help me get to Sickbay.
Troi: It's time.
Pulaski: Oh, you bet it is. Let's get you to Maternity.
Data: Worf, assemble your security team in Sickbay.
Pulaski: Is that necessary?
Data: Yes, Doctor. Captain's orders.
Pulaski: Well, it's strange to need armed guards in a delivery room. This way.
Pulaski: How frequent are your contractions?
Troi: Very close together.
Pulaski: In my other deliveries, except for a couple, the father was always present.
Troi: Difficult under the circumstances.
Data: Perhaps I could serve in that capacity.
Pulaski: Counselor Troi is going to need the comfort of a human touch, not the cold hand of technology.
Troi: Doctor, I think Commander Data will do very nicely.
Pulaski: Your choice.
Troi: You don't have to do anything, Data. Just be with me.
Pulaski: There is nothing to be nervous about.
Data: Nervous? I find this very interesting. Although I understand, in technical terms, how life is formed, there is still a part of the process which eludes me. The child inside you, are you able to access his thought process? Does he have thoughts? You are aware of him. Is he aware of you? And when does that awareness begin?
Troi: It's happening.
Data: How does it feel?
Troi: Data!
Data: Yes?
Troi: Now!
Data: Now? Now! Doctor! Doctor! Doctor!
Pulaski: This is an impatient baby. He's eager to make his appearance. Do you want something for the pain? It will in no way diminish the experience.
Troi: I have felt no pain.
Pulaski: None?
Troi: No, none at all.
Pulaski: Have your Security men stand back. I understand the importance of having you here, but keep out from underfoot. Fetal position?
Nurse: Normal.
Pulaski: Fetal pulse?
Nurse: One thirty seven.
Pulaski: The baby is showing healthy respiratory movements.
Pulaski: The action of the heart rate is good. The baby's doing wonderfully, Troi. Breathe slowly. You're doing great. Stay calm. That's it. There it is. I've got him. You can relax.
Pulaski: There, there. That's a good boy. It's okay. Oh, my, he's beautiful. Are easy births the norm for Betazoids?
Troi: Not according to my mother.
Pulaski: You can come in the rest of the way now. There's no threat, Lieutenant. You and your men can relax. It's just a baby.
Data: Thank you for allowing me to participate. It was remarkable.
Pulaski: Do you have a name?
Troi: Ian Andrew, after my father.
Troi: Were you hear all along?
Riker: Yes. He's beautiful, Deanna. Just like his mother.
Pulaski: How do you feel?
Troi: Fine. Wonderful. Thank you, Doctor, for everything.
Pulaski: Amazing.
Pulaski: Captain.
Picard: Doctor. Welcome to the Bridge. Please, sit down. How is Counselor Troi? Did she have a good night?
Pulaski: I've delivered dozens of babies, but none like this. There was no pain, no trauma.
Riker: It's true.
Pulaski: It was effortless for both of them.
Picard: I'm not sure of your point.
Pulaski: She had her baby yesterday. If I were to examine her now, I would not be able to tell she had a baby, or had ever had a baby. It was as if the incident never happened.
Picard: Data, how long before we begin the transfer?
Data: Two hours nineteen minutes, sir.
Picard: Number One, you have the Bridge.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Picard: You will accompany me, Doctor? Please? I think it's time I paid my respects.
Troi: Come in.
Picard: Deanna, I wanted to see how you were and have a look at your baby! My goodness. How old is he?
Pulaski: In actuality, a day.
Picard: Yes, but
Pulaski: In appearance, almost four earth years old.
Troi: Ian, say hello to Captain Picard.
Picard: You mean he can talk?
Ian: Hello.
Picard: Hello, Ian.
Ian: Please don't worry. Everything is okay.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We are faced with two major problems. Troi's child and the deadly cargo we are about to take on. In the hours since his birth, Troi's baby has continued his rapid growth and now appears, physically and mentally, to be a child of eight. Still there is no indication as to who he is, or why he is here.
Riker: Sickbay, this is the Bridge. We are ready to begin loading.
Pulaski: We need a little more time. It's taking longer than we anticipated to categorize these specimens.
Pulaski: Da ta, look at this.
Data: Data.
Pulaski: What?
Data: My name. It is pronounced Data.
Pulaski: Oh?
Data: You called me Da ta.
Pulaski: What's the difference?
Data: One is my name. The other is not.
Pulaski: Is this possible? With all of your neural nets, algorithms, and heuristics, is there some combination makes up a circuit for bruised feelings? Possible? I am unfamiliar with this symbol.
Data: It indicates a genetically engineered biological life form.
Pulaski: About twenty percent of the specimens fall into that category. Some eager beaver at play.
Data: Query. Eager beaver?
Pulaski: Well in this case, eager beaver refers to some overachieving genetic engineer, who, probably because of lack of anything better to do, has forced this strain of virus to mutate, just so we can see how bad, bad can get. Captain Picard.
Picard: Picard.
Pulaski: I just wanted you to know what risks we're about to take.
Picard: Go on.
Pulaski: If the most innocuous specimen on the manifest list gets loose,
Pulaski: It will destroy all life on the Enterprise in a matter of hours.
Picard: I understand, Doctor. Do you have a recommendation?
Pulaski: Considering how desperately this is needed, no, I don't. I just wanted you to know what we were carrying.
Picard: Thank you.
Picard: Commander Data, if you have completed your review, you are needed in transporter room three.
Data: Aye, sir. Excuse me, Doctor.
Pulaski: That's all right. Da ta. Data. Whatever.
Troi: Ian? Ian!
Miss Gladstone: He's a very tactile child. He wants to touch and feel everything.
Troi: It's time to go, sweetheart.
Miss Gladstone: Unbelievable. I think he's actually grown since you dropped him off.
Ian: I like it here, Mommy.
Troi: I thought you would. Say thank you to Miss Gladstone for having you, and let's go get something to eat.
Ian: Thank you.
Boy: Bye.
Troi: Thank you.
Computer: Bio-transfer authorisation complete.
O'Brien: Cargo deck five, we will commence transportation
O'Brien: On your command.
Laforge: Transporter three, we are ready to receive.
Laforge: Data, the first batch is in place, and we're ready for the next.
Riker: You'll inform me when loading is complete and the cargo secure.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Troi: Come in.
Pulaski: I wanted to stop by and see how Ian was doing.
Troi: We're doing fine. I was just about to get him his supper.
Ian: Do you want your supper now, too?
Picard: No, Ian, but thank you for the invitation.
Ian: You're welcome. Have you ever played with puppies?
Troi: They had a litter today in the nursery.
Picard: No, Ian, I don't think I've played with puppies.
Ian: You should come to the nursery while the puppies are still there.
Picard: Perhaps later.
Ian: Ow! Mom.
Pulaski: Let me see that. That's not so bad.
Ian: My face is wet.
Troi: Is that better, sweetheart? Everything's going to be fine.
Pulaski: He allowed himself to be burned.
Picard: For the experience.
Pulaski: Who is he? Why is he here? What does he want?
Picard: Ian, could you tell us why you are here?
Ian: Because Mommy said it was time to eat.
Picard: No, I mean, why you are here on this ship?
Ian: I live here.
Troi: Ian, I think the Captain wants to know if you are ready to tell us why you came here.
Ian: No, not yet.
Troi: The answer is within him. When his cognitive powers have sufficiently developed, he will be able to articulate it.
Picard: I hope he will tell us soon.
Ian: Bye.
Riker: Cargo has been loaded and is secure.
Picard: Then take us out of orbit, Number One. Set a course for Rachelis, warp six.
Guinan: Can I get you something?
Wesley: No, nothing. I just like to stand here.
Guinan: I don't blame you. It's beautiful.
Wesley: Yes.
Guinan: How about some nice Mareuvian Tea?
Wesley: No, nothing. Thank you.
Guinan: You'll be leaving soon.
Wesley: Yes.
Guinan: What do you see when you look out there?
Wesley: The Lorenze cluster, and there Arneb and there Epsilon Indi.
Guinan: That's not what I mean. I mean, when you look there, don't you see your future?
Wesley: It'll still be there.
Guinan: How about a cup of nectar direct from Prometheus?
Wesley: No, nothing. That's the third time you've asked me.
Guinan: It's what I'm expected to do. Don't you always do what's expected?
Wesley: I try.
Guinan: Even if it's not what you really want?
Wesley: Sometimes. Sometimes it's more important to consider others before yourself.
Guinan: Yes. But sometimes the game is to know when to consider yourself before others. Give yourself permission to be selfish.
Dealt: Something's wrong.
Laforge: What is it?
Dealt: Growth.
Laforge: Where?
Dealt: L seven three.
Laforge: Bridge, this is cargo deck five.
Picard: Yes, La Forge?
Laforge: Captain, we have a malfunction in the containment area.
Picard: How serious?
Dealt: Very.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. For reasons as yet unknown, one of the deadly specimens of plasma plague has begun to grow.
Picard: Report, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Captain, we've checked everything. There's no reason for this to be happening. I can't even isolate the cause of the problem.
Riker: Come on Data, we'd better get down there.
Picard: Doctor Pulaski.
Pulaski: Yes, Captain?
Picard: We're having a little difficulty on cargo deck five. Your presence is requested.
Pulaski: I'm on my way.
Wesley: You never talk about yourself.
Guinan: Sure I do. All the time.
Wesley: People say you're very old.
Guinan: Oh?
Wesley: And that you knew Captain Picard when he was on the Stargazer.
Guinan: No, I never knew the Captain till I came onboard.
Wesley: Everyone's very curious about you.
Guinan: Yes, I'll bet they are.
Wesley: They want to know where you're from.
Guinan: Where do they say?
Wesley: I heard that you're from Nova Kron and that
Picard: Mister Crusher, report to the Bridge.
Wesley: Aye, sir. Got to go. Thanks.
Guinan: For a dish of Delovian soufflé?
Wesley: No, not for the soufflé. I meant, for the rest.
Guinan: That's why I'm here.
Wesley: Thanks. Bye.
Riker: Why this module and not the others?
Data: Computer, run diagnostic on module L seven three.
Computer: All circuits functional.
Laforge: Environment's as programmed. Temperature ninety seven degrees Kelvin. Radiation flux zero. Stasis field nominal. Everything exactly as it should be, right down the line.
Data: Perhaps it is a sensor malfunction. Computer, inquiry. Is growth actually occurring in module L seven three?
Computer: Confirmed.
Riker: Doctor, one of the specimens is growing.
Pulaski: Destroy it now.
Dealt: I can't.
Riker: Data, prepare to jettison the module.
Dealt: We can't do that either. It will go into a spore and remain until it comes in contact with a planet or another ship. The results would be disastrous.
Riker: Commander, your attitude tells me that however bad I think it is, it's actually worse.
Dealt: This is not going to hold it.
Riker: Go on.
Dealt: The rate of growth is increasing so rapidly, within thirty minutes it's going to push out of it's module. Within two hours, it'll break out of the containment area.
Laforge: No, no, no. It can't break through this.
Dealt: Yes, it will.
Riker: Captain, we may not be able to get control of this situation. I recommend we arrange transfer of all non-essential personnel to the saucer section.
Riker: If we lose containment, we should be prepared to separate.
Picard: Make it so.
Pulaski: Why this one specimen and none of the others? Something is stimulating it. Do you have its etiology? Do you know how it was developed?
Dealt: Yes, it's right over here.
Pulaski: It's a mutated strain developed by Doctor Susan Nuress during an outbreak of plasma plague seventy years ago in the Oby System. It was number nine in a series of fifty eight tests. This particular one bombarded by low levels of Eichner radiation. Could exposure to Eichner radiation stimulate growth?
Dealt: It could, but I. I've got something.
Riker: Why didn't you detect this before?
Dealt: I don't know. It wasn't here before.
Pulaski: Well, it is now. What emits that type of radiation?
Data: A subspace phase inverter.
Laforge: We don't have one.
Data: Certain cyanoacrylates.
Pulaski: Also not on this ship. What else? Because it's here and we better find it.
Ian: I can feel that some of the people are very worried.
Troi: Yes. I feel it too, but don't you worry.
Ian: It's me, Mommy. I'm the reason.
Troi: What?
Ian: It's me.
Troi: You?
Ian: Yes. I have to leave you now, or it'll be very bad for everyone.
Troi: What are you saying?
Ian: I have to leave now.
Troi: Leave? You are going to die. No, you can't! Sickbay, this is Counselor Troi, I need the Doctor in my quarters now! Ian! Ian, no. Ian.
Troi: It's Ian. Hurry.
Pulaski: What happened? Did he eat anything? Did he fall?
Troi: No.
Data: Commander, the child is the source of the unusual radiation.
Troi: Ian said he's the reason the ship is in danger.
Data: That analysis is correct.
Pulaski: I'm losing life signs.
Troi: You must save him.
Pulaski: I'm sorry.
Laforge: Commander Riker, the containment field has stabilized.
Riker: Thank you, Lieutenant.
Troi: Then Ian was right. He was the cause.
Riker: Apparently so.
Troi: He is a life force entity. When we passed each other in space, he was curious about us, so he decided the best way to learn was to go through the process. To be born, to live as one of us and in that way to understand us. He never meant any harm.
Riker: There was a moment when you smiled.
Troi: He said, thank you. I told him we will miss him. And I will.
Picard: Standard station orbit, Mister Crusher.
Wesley: Aye, sir, standard orbit.
Picard: Transporter room three, this is the Captain. We have arrived.
Picard: Let's make this transfer with all deliberate speed.
Data: Aye, sir.
Riker: I'll be glad to be relieved of this cargo.
Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One.
Wesley: Captain. Could I see you when you have a moment?
Picard: In my Ready room, when your duties permit.
Wesley: Thank you, sir.
Laforge: How long is it going to take to develop a vaccine?
Dealt: We may never develop one.
Laforge: All of this might have been in vain?
Dealt: Let's hope not.
Data: Stand by to energize.
Laforge: Good luck.
Laforge: Data, you can lock on to the first group and begin transporting on my mark.
Picard: Come.
Wesley: Captain Picard, I've thought about this a lot. I want to remain on the Enterprise.
Picard: Have you discussed this with your mother?
Wesley: No, sir. Before I do that, I'd like your permission to stay.
Picard: Wesley, it's a little more complicated than that.
Wesley: Captain, this is where I want to be. This is where I feel I belong.
Riker: Captain, transfer complete. We are ready to leave orbit.
Picard: Make it so, Number One. Return to your position.
Riker: All stations secure.
Picard: Take us out of orbit, Mister Crusher. Lay in a course for the Morgana Quadrant.
Wesley: Yes, sir.
Picard: Ensign Crusher has requested to remain on the Enterprise.
Riker: I'm not surprised. How did you respond?
Picard: I haven't as yet, Number One. I didn't think it was my responsibility alone. His remaining will create difficulties for us all.
Riker: Yes, indeed. With his mother gone, who will see to his studies?
Picard: Exactly. Of course, that duty will fall to Commander Data.
Riker: And who will tuck him in at night?
Wesley: Come on, Commander.
Worf: I will accept that responsibility.
Troi: Well, we know he'll get his sleep.
Picard: That takes care of the practical, but there's more to growing up than that. It's my belief, Number One, that you're best qualified to supervise that. Are you willing to serve?
Riker: Difficult decision. Yes, I can do that.
Picard: Well, Mister Crusher, communicate with your mother at Starfleet Medical headquarters. Give her my regards, and tell her you have my permission to remain on the Enterprise, but I will abide by her wishes.
Wesley: Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. I know she'll agree.
Picard: Now, if you have course and speed laid in.
Wesley: Yes sir, they are.
Picard: Then, Mister Crusher, engage.


Troi: You're worried.
Picard: With reason.
Troi: About Worf or Commander Riker?
Picard: Both. I think it is perhaps best to be ignorant of certain elements of Klingon psyche.
Riker: Above, look out!
Riker: The exercise is over!
Riker: At ease, Lieutenant!
Riker: Exit Holodeck. You do this every day?
Worf: No, Commander. Usually my calisthenics are more intense, but those sessions are too personal to be shared.
Riker: I'll bet they are.
Worf: Computer. Program complete. Save. Coming Commander?
Riker: Right behind you.
Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 42193.6. We are on a long reach toward the Morgana Quadrant, a section of the galaxy which has yet to be visited by a manned Federation vessel. We are using the time to further detail the charts of this region.
Data: There it is again. An area of blackness.
Riker: It appears, then disappears, then reappears. No predictable pattern, no sequence.
Picard: On screen.
Riker: There it is.
Picard: I can't see anything. Magnify section two eight five.
Wesley: There it is, sir. It's like a hole in space.
Picard: We're acquainted with the wormhole phenomenon, but this? This appears quite different. What do your sensors indicate?
Data: Nothing, sir.
Riker: Nothing?
Picard: Mister Data, you must mean it's empty of matter. There's always some energy form at work.
Data: Sir, our sensors are showing that to be an absence of everything. It is a void without matter or energy of any kind.
Riker: Yet this hole has a form, Data. It has height, width.
Data: Perhaps. Perhaps not, sir.
Picard: That is hardly a scientific observation, Commander.
Data: Captain, the most elementary and valuable statement in science, the beginning of wisdom, is I do not know. I do not know what that is, sir.
Wesley: Captain, if this were any ordinary kind of hole in space wouldn't we be able to see what's behind it?
Picard: Counselor?
Troi: I know what you're asking, but I feel nothing from it.
Riker: Data, is there any record anywhere of any occurrence even vaguely similar to this?
Data: Accessing. Negative, sir. There is no record of any Federation vessel encountering anything remotely like this.
Picard: Indeed. I believe we have time to take a closer look, Number One.
Riker: Concur. Ensign, slow down to half impulse power. Adjust coordinates to intercept this, this whatever it is.
Picard: Scanning and recording as we go.
Wesley: Aye, sir. Adjusting course to intercept in twelve minutes, sir.
Picard: Let's launch a probe into it.
Riker: Worf, prepare a scanner probe. Let's see what's in there.
Picard: This is close enough, Ensign. Hold this position.
Wesley: Aye, sir. Holding this position.
Riker: You may fire the probe when ready, Mister Worf.
Data: All the probe's systems are functioning perfectly.
Worf: It's gone.
Picard: Data, what happened?
Data: Unknown, sir.
Worf: Recommend we go to a Yellow Alert, sir.
Picard: Why? Explain.
Worf: Sorry, sir. It's
Picard: Mister Worf, this starship operates best when my officers share with me what is their minds.
Worf: My thoughts were of an old Klingon legend of a gigantic black space creature which was said to devour entire vessels.
Riker: Devour vessels?
Worf: Sorry, Commander. I agree these are thoughts hardly worthy of a trained and practical Security Officer.
Picard: Mister Worf, will you launch another probe. This time a Class One with full sensor array.
Worf: Launching, sir.
Riker: Happened even more quickly.
Worf: Recommend we fire a photon torpedo, Captain.
Picard: Negative.
Wesley: Captain, based on where the probes disappeared I have been able to plot the outer boundaries. I could move in closer.
Picard: Make it so, Mister Crusher. Thrusters only. Mister Data?
Data: Still no readings of any kind, sir.
Picard: Number One?
Riker: I'm going with Worf on this one. Let's be careful.
Picard: All right, that's enough, Ensign. Come to full stop and hold these coordinates.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Riker: What's happened?
Picard: Data?
Data: Whatever it is, sir, we seem to be inside it.
Picard: It enveloped us. It moved. All stations, report.
Data: No response, Captain.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. While exploring a strange void in space without any form of matter or energy, we have apparently moved past its outer boundary and entered it. After a brief disruption, our ship's communications have returned to normal.
Riker: All stations have reported, Captain. There appears to be no immediate threat to our ship or the crew.
Picard: Let's hold this position for a while, Number One. This is worth studying.
Riker: Incredible. It's like looking into infinity, sir. Remember the course in ancient history at Starfleet Academy? About the time men still believed the Earth was flat?
Picard: And that the sun revolved around it.
Riker: And that if a ship sailed too far out into the ocean, it would fall off the edge of the world?
Picard: Beyond this place there be dragons. It's even said that crews threatened to hang their captain from the yard arm if he refused to turn back.
Riker: I'm sure no one here has that in mind, sir.
Picard: How comforting, Number One.
Wesley: Captain, we have no communications outside of the void.
Riker: Complete your scans, Data. Let's not stay any longer than we have to.
Picard: Hello, Doctor. Have you been briefed on what's happened?
Pulaski: I heard, but I don't understand it, Captain.
Picard: I wish I could say I did. Increase magnification by ten. By one hundred.
Pulaski: Isn't this impossible, sir? I'm not a Bridge officer, but. Increase by one thousand, Mister Data. By ten thousand. It does know how to do these things, doesn't it?
Picard: Commander Data knows precisely what he is doing.
Pulaski: Forgive me, Mister Data. I'm not accustomed to working with non-living devices that. Forgive me again. Your service record says that you are alive. I must accept that.
Picard: Engineering!
Laforge: Engineering.
Picard: Lieutenant, are all your systems functioning?
Laforge: Yes, Captain. Wherever we are, it seems to have no effect on Engineering.
Picard: Thank you, Lieutenant. Data?
Data: Difficult to make a judgment, sir, based on the absence of information.
Picard: Speculate.
Data: This void has a total lack of dimension. Therefore, by any accepted standard, it does not exist, yet being within it denies that conclusion.
Riker: Might we have moved into another dimension?
Data: Could a lack of dimension be another dimension in itself?
Pulaski: That's an interesting question.
Picard: For a later discussion. Number One, I think we should get on with our mission. Starfleet can send a science vessel back to investigate further. Move us back out of here.
Riker: Aye, sir. Wesley, reverse our direction, set a course for the Cornelian star system. Impulse power.
Wesley: Aye, sir. Reversing direction. Course laid in.
Riker: Engage.
Riker: Your engines have engaged, haven't they, Ensign?
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Picard: Lieutenant La Forge, I'd like you to monitor our velocity closely.
Laforge: Is everything all right up there, Captain?
Picard: Are the engines operating normally?
Laforge: Yes, sir. Everything looks fine down here.
Picard: We're increasing to warp two.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Picard: We should be seeing stars by now. Data, how far have we come?
Data: Inertial guidance shows one point four parsecs traveled, Captain.
Picard: Ensign?
Wesley: Confirmed, sir. Exactly what my readings say.
Laforge: Engineering, transfer to Bridge. What's happening, sir? we should be clear.
Riker: We should be. We're on a reverse course.
Picard: Full stop, helm.
Wesley: Full stop, sir.
Picard: According to this we're already well past the point at which we entered the void.
Data: Except that we are still in it, sir. Captain, if we dropped a stationary beacon and traveled straight away from it, we would have a fixed point of reference to confirm speed and distance.
Picard: Make it so, Data. Lock onto the beacon. Keep it dead astern.
Data: The beacon is in place, Captain.
Picard: Dead ahead. Impulse power.
Data: The beacon is falling astern, Captain.
Picard: Engineering, report.
Laforge: All systems functioning normally, sir.
Picard: Prepare to increase to warp two.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Data: Captain, we are receiving a signal from dead ahead.
Pulaski: Maybe you've found the door out of this.
Data: Closing on the new signal, sir.
Picard: Identify.
Data: Captain, it is the stationary beacon we just released.
Riker: We must have come full circle, sir.
Wesley: We couldn't have, sir. I've shown us steadily moving away from that beacon.
Picard: Full stop. Hold this position again.
Worf: Captain, sensors indicate a disturbance in sector one zero eight. Possibly a vessel.
Picard: Perhaps some answers at last. On screen.
Worf: The ship is equipped with a cloaking device.
Riker: Romulan!
Worf: It's closing.
Riker: Shields up. Go to Red Alert!
Pulaski: I'll be at my duty station.
Worf: Main viewer locked onto coordinates.
Riker: Arm the photon torpedoes, Mister Worf.
Picard: Hold for my orders.
Wesley: There!
Worf: It's uncloaking.
Worf: Direct hit, sir. Our shields are weakening.
Picard: Warn them we'll return fire.
Worf: Transmitting. They've armed another full spread, sir.
Picard: Fire torpedoes.
Picard: Oh, that was too easy.
Data: Captain, sensors can locate no debris from the Romulan ship.
Riker: Impossible.
Worf: Captain, there's another vessel approaching in sector zero nine one, mark two six.
Picard: On screen. Magnify.
Riker: It's a Federation ship. NCC one three zero five dash E. It's the Yamato, our sister ship.
Wesley: The Yamato's nowhere near this quadrant.
Picard: Open a hailing frequency, Data.
Data: USS Enterprise to USS Yamato. Respond, please. USS Enterprise calling USS Yamato. Respond, please, on this frequency. No response, Captain.
Picard: Make a full scan.
Data: Life support system, engineering and propulsion all appear functional. But there are no life signs, sir.
Picard: Data, can we be getting a false reading?
Data: Since we know nothing of these circumstances, it is at least conceivable, sir.
Riker: You look doubtful, sir.
Picard: I'm not anything now, Number One. I'm just a man who's looking for answers.
Laforge: Like the rat said, 'Keep the cheese, I just want out of the trap.'
Riker: Captain, request permission to board on the Yamato with an away team. Perhaps something we can find on board in the logs will help us figure out what happened.
Picard: Granted. Minimum complement.
Riker: Worf, you're with me.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We remain like a fly in amber, trapped in the void. We have encountered a vessel which appears to be the USS Yamato. All its systems are shown as functioning, yet it seems devoid of life. Commander Riker is leading an away team. Hopefully, the answer lies over there.
Riker: Have you got a lock on that other ship?
O'Brien: Aye, sir. No problems at all.
Riker: Can you put us on the bridge?
O'Brien: Anywhere you say, Commander.
Worf: I am acquainted with the Yamato, Commander. Recommend the aft station of their bridge. When in doubt, surprise them.
Riker: Them? Who's them?
Worf: Whoever may be there.
Riker: Our sensors indicate no life forms.
Worf: Still, the tactic is sound.
Riker: Agreed. Aft station, Lieutenant.
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
Riker: Phasers on stun. Energize.
Riker: This isn't the Bridge. Worf?
Riker: Halt! Don't fire.
Worf: I heard you screaming. I was coming to help.
Riker: You heard me? I heard you. Transporter Chief, where do you show us over here?
O'Brien: We show as approximately
Riker: Captain, do you read me?
Riker: We're having difficulties with our communications.
Picard: Number One, come in. Transporter Room, this is the Captain. We are out of contact with the away team. Beam them back immediately.
O'Brien: I've lost the lock on them.
Worf: Nothing on my communicator, sir. Computer on.
Riker: Let's find a turbolift to the Bridge.
Picard: Transporter room, have you been able to establish a lock?
Computer: Emergency power engaged.
Picard: Initiate full check, all systems.
Laforge: Engineering section, report. What is our situation? Engineering? Captain, request permission to leave the Bridge.
Picard: Granted.
Riker: This isn't a Federation ship. These walls aren't tritanium. It's close, but it's material beyond our technology. Let's get to the Bridge. There's got to be an answer to all of this somewhere.
Riker: This Bridge should be four decks above us. What's going on here?
Worf: That's not where we came from.
Riker: Wait a minute.
Worf: Two Bridges?
Riker: If we go through there, where will we be?
Worf: On the Bridge.
Riker: But we are on the Bridge.
Worf: It's up to you, sir.
Riker: Let's see what happens.
Worf: Is it the same Bridge?
Riker: Or did we step from one Bridge onto another Bridge?
Data: We've regained ship's communication, sir.
Haskell: Captain, I have a star fix.
Picard: On screen.
Haskell: It's an opening, sir.
Data: Confirm, sir. Navigation is possible.
Haskell: Should I set a course?
Picard: Transporter room, do you have a fix on the away team?
O'Brien: Negative, Captain.
Picard: Damn.
Worf: Sir.
Worf: Commander.
Riker: How did you? Where did you come from?
Worf: What's going on? A ship has one Bridge. One Bridge! One Riker, one Bridge!
Riker: Lieutenant!
Worf: This is impossible. Impossible!
Riker: Pull yourself together. Worf!
Worf: At ease, Lieutenant. At ease. Bridge
Haskell: Captain, the star fix is fading.
Picard: DATA, lock on to the Yamato with a tractor beam. We leave together.
Data: I cannot make the lock, sir.
Haskell: Captain, the star fix is almost gone.
Picard: Let it go.
Haskell: But, sir, we can get out.
Picard: Let it go.
O'Brien: Bridge.
O'Brien: I have re-established contact with the away team.
Picard: Beam them back immediately.
Data: Captain.
Riker: Come in. Come in, Enterprise.
O'Brien: Hold position, away team.
O'Brien: I've got you. We're bringing you home.
Picard: Transporter room, hurry!
Haskell: Captain, it's almost gone.
Riker: What the hell is going on?
Picard: Are you all right, Number One?
Riker: I've had it. Let's put all this technology to work, figure out what's going on, and get the hell out of here.
Riker: A ship that was almost the Yamato, existing in a hole in space, with no crew aboard. Now what is the purpose?
Data: Add to it an attack by a nonexistent Romulan vessel. It does suggest an interesting question. Was our away team actually over there?
Riker: If we weren't over there, where the hell were we?
Haskell: Commander, I have re-established the star fix.
Riker: Great. Set course. Velocity warp two.
Haskell: Course and speed set.
Picard: Engage.
Data: I have lost contact, sir.
Picard: What?
Haskell: The star fix is gone.
Data: Captain, it is not in the same sector, but another opening has appeared.
Picard: All right. Set a course for those stars, warp six.
Haskell: Yes, sir. Warp six.
Data: I've lost the signal, sir.
Riker: What's going on?
Picard: All stop.
Data: Captain.
Picard: Yes, Mister Data, I can see it.
Riker: This game is now wearing very thin.
Picard: Let's just hold this position. Counselor? You have said you sensed no intelligence in all of this. You haven't changed in that belief?
Troi: I'm not certain of that now, Captain. I do sense something unusual.
Picard: Perhaps a different level of consciousness?
Troi: Yes. Perhaps an intelligence so vast it eluded me.
Pulaski: Rats in a maze.
Troi: Exactly!
Picard: Explain.
Pulaski: Everything we've been through reminds me of a laboratory experiment. As if something was testing our responses to stimuli.
Picard: Are you suggesting that we're in some kind of laboratory?
Pulaski: Yes.
Haskell: The opening seems closer, Captain.
Picard: I've had enough of being led about this way.
Riker: Agreed, Captain. Hold present position.
Troi: Good. Don't satisfy its curiosity.
Worf: Captain, look.
Nagilum: Why are you so alarmed when I've gone to such trouble to look just like you?
Data: Captain, sensors show nothing out there. Absolutely nothing.
Laforge: Sure is a damned ugly nothing.
Picard: I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. representing a Federation of planets in this part of the galaxy. Can you identify whoever or whatever you are?
Nagilum: Nagilum.
Laforge: Speaks right up for something your sensors say isn't there, Data.
Picard: We still have no idea what you represent.
Nagilum: Data.
Data: Nagilum?
Nagilum: You are of different construction than the others. Interesting. Picard, Riker, Geordi, Haskell. What are you? Your construction also differs.
Pulaski: My construction?
Data: Perhaps referring to your gender, Doctor?
Pulaski: Yes, well, there are minor differences. I'm what we call a female.
Nagilum: I understand. The masculine and the feminine.
Picard: It is the way in which we propagate our species.
Nagilum: Please, demonstrate how this is accomplished.
Pulaski: Not likely.
Picard: Whatever you are, your actions are not welcome.
Worf: Let me put up the shields, sir.
Data: Sensors still show nothing out there.
Nagilum: Your life form surprises me more and more. Is it true you also have only a limited existence? Answer!
Picard: What information do you want? I don't understand the question.
Nagilum: You exist and then you cease to exist. Your minds call it death.
Nagilum: How interesting.
Pulaski: He's gone.
Picard: We cannot allow you to do that! We will fight you.
Nagilum: To understand death, I must amass information on every aspect of it. Every kind of dying. The experiments shouldn't take more than a third of your crew, maybe half.
Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 42194.7. It is obvious that whatever we have met sees no value in our kind of life form. How do we fight something that both is and is not there?
Troi: I know this much. We are unimportant to it.
Worf: In a battle for survival, Captain, thirty to fifty percent casualties
Pulaski: Would be appallling.
Worf: But within acceptable limits.
Riker: This is not a battle, Worf.
Troi: No. A laboratory experiment would be the closest comparison.
Picard: Is there any reason for not believing this Nagilum?
Troi: No.
Data: All evidence indicates it is willing and able to do what it proposes.
Picard: Agreed. Under the circumstances, I think there is only one decision. I will not stand by while half of my crew is slaughtered.
Data: Sir. I do not believe there is anything you can do to prevent it.
Picard: Yes, there is
Pulaski: What?
Picard: Destroy the Enterprise.
Pulaski: Isn't that a little like curing the disease by killing the patient?
Riker: It's better than standing around helplessly.
Pulaski: Why do get the feeling this was not the time to join this ship?
Computer: Recognize, Picard Jean-Luc. Recognize Riker, William T.
Picard: Initiate auto-destruct sequence.
Computer: Does Riker, William T. concur?
Riker: I do. Initiate auto-destruct sequence.
Computer: Desired time interval?
Picard: Stand by. Interesting question. How long to prepare to die?
Riker: What would be the least painful to our crew? Move to it quickly, or allow them time to prepare for it thoroughly? Well, twenty minutes? Nice round figure.
Picard: Initiate auto-destruct. Interval, twenty minutes.
Computer: Twenty minutes to auto-destruct. Nineteen minutes, fifty seconds
Picard: Come.
Troi: Our destroying ourselves won't change its mind, Captain. I would feel that.
Picard: You didn't mention you were that certain.
Troi: I was wrong not to tell you, Captain. And your decision may also be wrong.
Picard: Yes. Come in, please.
Data: I have a question, sir.
Picard: Yes, Data. What is it?
Data: What is death?
Picard: Oh, is that all? Well, Data, you're asking probably the most difficult of all questions. Some see it as a changing into an indestructible form, forever unchanging. They believe that the purpose of the entire universe is to then maintain that form in an Earth-like garden which will give delight and pleasure through all eternity. On the other hand, there are those who hold to the idea of our blinking into nothingness, with all our experiences, hopes and dreams merely a delusion.
Data: Which do you believe, sir?
Picard: Considering the marvelous complexity of our universe, its clockwork perfection, its balances of this against that, matter, energy, gravitation, time, dimension, I believe that our existence must be more than either of these philosophies. That what we are goes beyond Euclidian and other practical measuring systems and that our existence is part of a reality beyond what we understand now as reality.
Troi: We should not let ourselves die, Jean-Luc.
Data: I agree with her, Jean-Luc.
Troi: If only half of us live, then I'd rather take my chances on being one that does.
Data: Yes. It is wrong of you to force us.
Troi: It is wrong.
Picard: Yes. This is very wrong. Neither of you should be reacting in this way. Computer, locate Commander Data for me.
Computer: Commander Data is on the Bridge.
Picard: It's not going to work, Nagilum.
Data: Captain, we are clear. We are out of the void.
Riker: It's gone, Captain. We can abort the auto-destruct.
Picard: Hold, Number One.
Riker: But Captain
Picard: Hold.
Computer: One minute to auto-destruct.
Data: We are out of the void, sir. You may stop auto-destruct.
Picard: Mister Crusher, any heading, warp six. Now!
Computer: Fifty seconds to auto-destruct. Forty seconds to auto-destruct.
Riker: Captain?
Picard: It could all be part of the illusion. Commander Data, report.
Data: All navigational systems confirm we are at warp six on course, sir.
Picard: Counselor Troi?
Troi: Captain, it has gone. I no longer feel its presence.
Computer: Twenty seconds to auto-destruct. Ten seconds to auto-destruct.
Riker: Captain.
Picard: Abort auto-destruct sequence.
Computer: Riker, William T. Do you concur?
Riker: Yes! Absolutely! I do indeed concur wholeheartedly!
Computer: Auto-destruct canceled.
Picard: A simple yes would have sufficed, Number One.
Riker: I didn't want there to be any chance of a misunderstanding.
Picard: Of course. You have the Bridge.
Wesley: He sure held that bluff till the last second, didn't he, sir?
Riker: Was he bluffing?
Picard: Well, Nagilum, I hope you got what you needed.
Nagilum: You have provided me with much more than I needed.
Picard: Why did you release us? You could have seen the way we face death.
Nagilum: It wasn't necessary. I have learned all I needed to know. Would you like me to share some of my conclusions?
Picard: I'm not interested.
Nagilum: Of course you are. You are too inquisitive not to want to know. You seem to find no tranquility in anything. You struggle against the inevitable. You thrive on conflict. You are selfish, yet you value loyalty. You are rash, quick to judge, slow to change. It's amazing you've survived. Be that as it may, as species, we have no common ground. You are too aggressive. Too hostile. Too militant.
Picard: During this period, you too have been evaluated. It would seem that we have at least one thing in common.
Nagilum: Oh?
Picard: Curiosity.
Nagilum: The point is well taken, Captain. Perhaps that is a trait we share.
Picard: Then perhaps we'll meet again. But next time, it will be out here, among the stars.
Picard: Ensign, put us back on course. Warp three.
Wesley: Yes, sir. Warp three.
Riker: And Ensign, if you encounter any holes, steer clear.


Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 42286.3. We have arrived on station at coordinates three six two nine by five eight four, three days early for our rendezvous with the USS Victory. There is nothing to do now but hold this position and wait.
Clancy: Yes, Commander?
Data: Is there a problem? Chief Engineer La Forge called for me, urgent.
Clancy: Oh, of course. He's over there, with the Victory.
Data: Geordi, I just had a strange conversation with your assistant. Although it is three days until we rendezvous with starship Victory, she
Laforge: She believes it has already arrived? Not the starship, my friend. The original.
Laforge: This is my gift to the Victory's Captain Zimbata.
Data: Most unusual.
Laforge: I served with him an ensign. Sure wish he'd been in command of this Victory. Wind and sail, that's the proper way to move a ship.
Data: But, Geordi, your Starfleet specialty is antimatter power, dilithium regulators
Laforge: That's exactly why this fascinates me, Data. You see, it's human nature to love what we don't have. Simpler days, huh? Anyway, stringing this rigging has made me dream of handling sails.
Data: This is not a computer simulation?
Laforge: Data, the whole point in doing something like this is to make it by hand.
Data: Geordi, your message said urgent.
Laforge: So it is. While we're waiting to rendezvous with Victory, we have time for me to be Watson. More properly, your Watson.
Data: My Watson?
Laforge: I've just shown you one of my dreams, now let's go and share in one of yours.
Data: Ah, yes. That does seem only fair.
Laforge: Clancy, I'll be gone awhile. See that no one touches this.
Clancy: Aye, sir. And where can I reach you?
Data: He can be reached at 221B Baker Street.
Clancy: Sir?
Data: Computer, select at random a mystery by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, where I will play Sherlock Holmes and Lieutenant La Forge will be Doctor John Watson.
Computer: Program complete. You may enter.
Data: Excellent.
Laforge: Look at all of the detail. So you say everything here has some significance?
Data: Holmes collected nothing, neither trinkets nor thoughts, which were not specifically significant to him.
Laforge: This?
Data: The emerald tie pin. Presented to Holmes by Queen Victoria after he solved the theft of the Bruce-Partington Plans. A copy of Whitaker's Almanac, which provided Holmes the key to the secret code in The Valley of Fear. The snuff box of Wilhelm Gottsleig Siegesmann Van der Romstein.
Laforge: All right, Data. You solve the cases and get all the gifts, what do I do?
Data: Primarily as Doctor Watson, you will keep a written record of everything I say and do. For later publication. And the famous Holmes violin. He purchased this in a pawn shop in Tottenham Court Road for fifty five shillings, which he considered to be a very good investment.
Laforge: In the hands of some, the violin is a wondrous thing, equally capable of stirring the soul to the heights of bliss as to the depths of despair, but Data, that's incredible. How can you play it like that?
Data: Merely throwing myself into the part, Watson.
Laforge: But, in the hands of my friend, Mister Sherlock Holmes, the violin ceases to be a musical instrument at all and becomes
Data: Watson, we are about to have guests.
Laforge: How could you possibly?
Data: Be a good fellow and answer that. Let's not keep the Inspector waiting.
Laforge: Inspector who?
Data: Lestrade of course.
Lestrade: Holmes, are you there, man?
Lestrade: Thank the Almighty you're available today, Holmes, I'm in a deuce of a dilemma.
Data: Then may I say your perturbation becomes you, Inspector Lestrade, whilst simultaneously affording me yet again the opportunity to serve Queen and country.
Laforge: Data, Holmes really talked like that?
Data: Absolutely.
Lestrade: We need your help, Holmes. You see, this gentleman here, the emissary of a foreign government, has been the victim of a most accidentally wicked crime.
Laforge: Damn. Haven't they invented the electric light by now?
Lestrade: What, dear fellow?
Data: Watson. Pray continue, Inspector.
Lestrade: To put the matter simply, Holmes, this man was accosted by gypsies intent on depriving him of his most valuable possessions. And in the process of picking his pockets clean, they also happened to bag a photograph this man was carrying.
Lestrade: Great Scott! The photograph!
Data: I believe you will find, Inspector, that this emissary here works not for but against the King of Bohemia, and that photograph of the king and his mistress is to be used as blackmail. Further, upon deeper reflection, you will deduce, as did I, that
Laforge: Computer, freeze program. Exit!
Data: Geordi, where are you going? Geordi?
Laforge: I'm done.
Data: But, but, Geordi, I was just about to reveal that the sir is in fact a madam
Laforge: Data, what was the point in going to the holodeck?
Data: To solve a Sherlock Holmes mystery.
Laforge: Exactly, but, you've got them all memorized. The first time someone opens their mouth, you've got it solved, so there's really no mystery. If there's no mystery, there's no game. No game, no fun. I'm not upset with you, Data, really. It's just that we go through all the trouble to arrange the time to go down to the holodeck, to get the proper wardrobe, to get into character, and then boom, before we even get started you jump to the end. You see, I was looking forward to the mystery.
Data: Then I should have extended the sequence of events.
Laforge: Oh, I'm not getting through. The fun in the program, Data, was in the attempt to solve a mystery.
Data: Is that not exactly what we were doing.
Pulaski: You are wasting your breath, Lieutenant. Saying that to Data is asking a computer not to compute.
Data: Am I so different from you, Doctor? Are you able to cease thinking on command?
Pulaski: In medicine I'm often faced with puzzles that I do not know the answer to.
Laforge: She's right, Data. You always know the answer.
Pulaski: To feel the thrill of victory there has to be the possibility of failure. Where's the victory winning a battle you can't possibly lose?
Data: Are you suggesting that there is some value in losing?
Pulaski: Yes. Yes, that's the great teacher. We humans learn more often from a failure or a mistake than we do from an easy success. But not you. You learn by rote. To you all is memorisation and recitation.
Laforge: I don't know about that. Deductive reasoning is one of Data's strengths.
Pulaski: Yes, and Holmes too. But Holmes understood the human soul. The dark flecks that drive us, that turn the innocent into the evil. That understanding is beyond Data. It comes from life experience which he doesn't have combined with human intuition for which he cannot be programmed.
Laforge: Now you're just being unfair, Doctor.
Pulaski: I don't think so, Lieutenant. Your artificial friend doesn't have a prayer of solving a Holmes mystery that he hasn't read.
Data: I have read them all.
Pulaski: You see?
Laforge: Maybe the computer could create one in the Holmes style. One where you wouldn't know the outcome.
Pulaski: As I said, he wouldn't have a prayer.
Data: I accept your challenge, Doctor.
Laforge: Good for you, Data.
Data: We will return to the holodeck, where I will dare it to defeat me. And you, Madam, are invited to be a witness.
Pulaski: I wouldn't miss it.
Data: Come, Watson.
Data: There. I have instructed the computer to give us a Sherlock Holmes-type problem, but not one written specifically by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Laforge: So this will be something new, something created by the computer?
Data: Exactly. Will that be sufficient, Doctor?
Pulaski: We'll see.
Computer: Program complete. You may enter.
Pie Man: Pies, pies, Some are meat, some are sweet.
Pulaski: Very impressive.
Laforge: Your first visit to a holodeck, Doctor?
Pulaski: Well, with this level of sophistication. How does this work? The real London was hundreds of square kilometers in size.
Data: This is no larger than the holodeck, of course, so the computer adjusts by placing images of more distant perspectives on the holodeck walls
Laforge: But with the image so perfect you'd have to touch the wall to know it was there. And the computer fools you in other ways. I say, Holmes, where shall we head? The theater? Rule's? A concert perhaps?
Pie Man: Stop him! Stop him! He stole my goods!
Data: No. It is a ruse. This way.
Laforge: What's over here, Data?
Pulaski: What are you doing, Data? Tell us
Data: The running youth was a ploy. The real crime is here. And the intended victim is that man. Mister Jabez Wilson, employee of the Red Headed League, dupe of a gang of criminals.
Data: I saw the plaque 'The Home of the Red Headed League' and this rope dangling from the bell, which enabled me to deduce that Mister Jabez Wilson was headed here to meet a most distasteful and untimely demise. From this.
Pulaski: Fraud. You didn't deduce anything. All you did was recognize elements from two different Holmes stories. Fraud.
Data: Reasoning. From the general to the specific. Is that not the very definition of deduction? Is that not the way Sherlock Holmes worked?
Pulaski: Variations on a theme. Now, now do you see my point? All that he knows is stored in his memory banks. Inspiration, original thought, all the true strength of Holmes is not possible for our friend. I'll give you credit for your vast knowledge, but your circuits would just short out if confronted by a truly original mystery. It's elementary, dear Data.
Laforge: Now wait a minute, Doctor. We'll see whose circuits short out.
Laforge: Computer, arch.
Pulaski: Are you sure you want to put yourself through this, Lieutenant? Better wilted laurels than no laurels at all.
Laforge: Computer, override previous program. Okay. A program that definitely challenges Data.
Pulaski: Now it has to deal with events that he has no previous knowledge of.
Laforge: Computer, in the Holmesian style, create a mystery to confound Data with an opponent who has the ability to defeat him.
Computer: Define parameters of program.
Pulaski: What does that mean?
Laforge: Computer wants to know how far to take the game.
Pulaski: You mean it's giving you a chance to limit your risk.
Laforge: No, the parameters will be whatever is necessary in order to accomplish the directive. Create an adversary capable of defeating Data.
Worf: What was that?
Riker: Lieutenant?
Worf: An odd surge of power, sir. It's gone now.
Pulaski: Interesting. The same London but slightly different.
Whore: Is something wrong, Professor?
Moriarty: I, I feel like a new man. That dark fellow there used the word arch, and then. I wonder? Arch.
Moriarty: What have we here?
Computer: Computer standing by.
Moriarty: What are you?
Computer: If you refer to the arch you ordered, it provides computer control. Do you wish to input any commands?
Moriarty: Not at this time.
Whore: It's dark magic, Moriarty.
Moriarty: The best kind, I'm sure. But I need information.
Laforge: Data, I mean, Holmes old boy, what are we looking for?
Data: For whatever finds us, my dear Watson.
Data: She has been abducted.
Laforge: Who has?
Data: The good Doctor.
Laforge: I think she's hiding. She's going to lead you on a wild goose chase and then recount the story to everyone between here and Alpha Centauri.
Data: Watson, the doctor has been carried off by two men. One is tall. The other is shorter, left handed, and is employed in a laboratory.
Laforge: And how do you know that?
Data: One set of footfalls are widely spaced. The other is evenly spaced, closer together. Further, on the ground you can see the swirling scrapes made by his left shoe as he twists behind, presumably to see if he is being followed. Left footed means left handed. The dark coloring of the scrapes are the leavings of natural rubber, a type of non-conductive soles used by researchers experimenting with electricity. Finally, there can be no argument, the game is afoot! Come, Watson!
Data: Hear that? What do those footfalls tell you, Watson?
Laforge: That we're on the right track.
Data: More particularly, that our opposition does indeed consist of two men, and that one of them is carrying the bound and gagged Doctor Pulaski.
Laforge: Now, you know all this because you read it in a Holmes story, right?
Data: Not at all. Because we do not hear the doctor's footfalls, we must assume that she is being carried. And since we do not hear her cries for help, we know that she is gagged. Further both sets of footfalls are heavy and masculine. One man seems to shuffle and stumble in an irregular pattern. Since the ground is level, we must conclude that Doctor Pulaski is struggling against one of her captor, sporadically knocking him off stride. Deduction, pure and simple. well, not that simple.
Both: Footfalls.
Data: There they are again, Watson. I dare say we have caught up rather nicely with our quarry.
Data: There should be a doorway.
Laforge: Yeah. Come on.
Lestrade: Holmes! Thank God you're here.
Lestrade: Make way, please, make way. Make way for Sherlock Holmes. It's murder, Holmes, murder most foul.
Laforge: Well, Holmes, what do you say, man?
Data: There is nothing here of relevance. I do not see how this connects with the disappearance of the Doctor.
Lestrade: Doctor? Doctor Watson is right here, Holmes.
Data: Doctor Kate Pulaski. But do not concern yourself, Inspector. You have enough on your mind.
Lestrade: She was with you?
Laforge: Inspector, perhaps I can be of assistance. As I take note of this dead man, I deduce that he was strangled. You see, the finger marks on his throat indicate the cause of death, and, as there are signs of struggle, it's quite obvious that his murderer was a stranger who attacked him from behind.
Lestrade: Is that correct, Holmes?
Data: No. Look at his shoes. He's more a convict, released today from Dartmoor prison. He spent the day in a tavern consuming large quantities of gin with his killer, who followed him to this spot and waited over there until the victim slipped into a drunken stupor. Then, out of fear, motivated only by self-protection, strangled him. There is your killer, Inspector.
Lestrade: Seize her.
Data: And when you check, I believe you will find that this poor soul is the victim's common-law wife, who has been dreading the release of this a vile and abusive man.
Laforge: Holmes, the poor woman hardly has the strength to strangle a man this size.
Data: Not with her hands, no. But with this. When used as a garrote, these beads will leave marks quite similar to fingerprints. And, my dear Watson, you will note from the victim's throat, the marks are too evenly spaced to be have been made by human hands.
Lestrade: Astounding, Holmes.
Data: Not really, Inspector. And now, for strictly personal reasons, I must leave. Come, Watson. This murder does not connect with our case.
Lestrade: Come along. Hurry it up. Come on.
Laforge: Data, wait. If this murder isn't connected to the disappearance of Doctor Pulaski, then the computer is running an independent program.
Data: Yes.
Laforge: Why?
Data: I do not know, and that is what puzzles me.
Laforge: Then you don't know what's going to happen next?
Data: No.
Laforge: That's what I want to hear. Where to now?
Data: We will find Doctor Pulaski in here.
Laforge: How do you know that?
Data: It is the only obvious choice.
Laforge: Why is the obvious choice all of a sudden the right one? I mean, isn't this a game of misdirection?
Data: Not any more. He wants us to find him.
Laforge: Who does?
Data: The master criminal. The man Holmes could only defeat at the cost of his own life at Reichenbach Falls. Our adversary, my dear Watson, is none other than Professor Moriarty himself.
Laforge: Now this is getting interesting.
Laforge: There's nothing here but these barrels.
Data: And a trail, which is so well marked, that obviously we are meant to follow it.
Laforge: Oh, no, Data. It's another dead end.
Data: No, Watson. Not a dead end at all. Hello, what's this? Can you see the scratches?
Laforge: The Doctor was right. Finally we have a game worth playing.
Moriarty: The time for games is over.
Data: Professor Moriarty, I presume.
Laforge: How do you know that?
Data: He is the one worthy opponent created by the author, Conan Doyle.
Moriarty: And, like the spider, I feel the strings vibrate whenever anyone new chances into my web. Welcome, my dear Holmes. But not Holmes. And Doctor Watson. But not Watson.
Laforge: Data, what does he mean? How does he know we're not who we appear to be?
Data: Where is Doctor Pulaski?
Moriarty: She's here.
Data: She would not have told you anything.
Moriarty: She has provided many answers. Do you forget I have always been your equal, dear Holmes? I have read her expressions. What she has not said is as important as her words.
Data: Have you injured her?
Moriarty: I will, if necessary. But my mind is crowded with images. Thoughts I do not understand yet cannot purge. They plague me. You and your associate look and act so oddly, yet though I have never met nor seen the like of either of you I am familiar with you both. It's very confusing. I have felt new realities at the edge of my consciousness, readying to break through. Surely, Holmes, if that's who you truly are, you of all people can appreciate what I mean.
Laforge: Data.
Data: Say nothing.
Moriarty: I know there is a great power called Computer, wiser than the oracle at Delphi. A power which controls all of this, and to which we can speak. Arch.
Laforge: Data, this isn't right. A holographic image should not be able to call for the arch.
Moriarty: It has described a great monstrous shape on which I am like a fly stuck on a turtle's back adrift in a great emptiness. What is this, Holmes?
Laforge: Data. Data, wait.
Laforge: Data, wait! Data!
Moriarty: Why does it frighten you, Holmes?
Laforge: Data. Data, will you please tell me what's going on?
Data: Computer, exit!
Data: Computer, execute complete shutdown of the Holodeck.
Computer: Access denied.
Data: Explain.
Computer: Override protocol has been initiated.
Laforge: It's still running. The program didn't shut down.
Data: We must see the Captain.
Laforge: Data, wait. What is it? What's on that paper? And why can't we shut down the holodeck? Data.
Data: This.
Laforge: This is impossible. How can a character from 1890's London draw a picture of the Enterprise? Who's got control of the computer?
Data: He does. Moriarty.
Laforge: That is impossible? I don't understand.
Data: Nor do I.
Laforge: Data, wait. What about the doctor? Is she all right in there?
Data: No. She is in grave danger.
Picard: Computer, why wasn't the holodeck program terminated?
Computer: The override protocol has been initiated.
Picard: On whose authority?
Computer: Lieutenant Geordi La Forge.
Laforge: Me?
Picard: All right, tell me from the beginning exactly what happened.
Laforge: Well, Doctor Pulaski and I had a discussion about whether Data could solve an original Holmes-type mystery.
Picard: Which you asked the computer to provide.
Laforge: Yes, with a worthy opponent.
Picard: Worthy of Holmes?
Laforge: Oh, my God. I asked for a Holmes-type mystery with an opponent capable of defeating Data. That got to be it.
Picard: Merde.
Laforge: Captain, I'm sorry.
Picard: I understand, Lieutenant.
Data: Captain, this character, Moriarty, he called for the arch.
Picard: So, he has access to the computer.
Data: And perhaps our library files as well, sir. That level of information would be necessary in order to create a true adversary for me.
Picard: Theorize, Data. What are his limits?
Data: He is still a fictional character, sir, originally programmed with nineteenth century knowledge.
Riker: Which now has access to twenty fourth century knowledge.
Picard: What does he need to begin making use of that?
Data: Only time, sir.
Worf: Sir, I can lead a security team to sweep the holodeck, find the Doctor, and bring her out.
Data: Captain, I believe that would place the Doctor at risk. It is probable our mortality failsafe has been overridden.
Picard: Computer, where is Doctor Pulaski.
Computer: Doctor Pulaski is on holodeck two.
Picard: And her vital signs?
Computer: Strong and stable.
Riker: Captain, recommend we try to destroy the hologram generations themselves. Is that possible, Geordi?
Laforge: Using wave guides, I could split a particle stream out of the matter/antimatter chamber and route it down through existing conduit into the holodeck. If accelerated to sufficient velocity that would quite literally wash away all present holographic constructs. The London buildings, the streets, the people, all gone including Moriarty.
Picard: Doctor Pulaski?
Riker: The particle beam will tear apart human flesh as well.
Troi: Captain, I'm sensing something from the holodeck. It's as if a unifying force or a single consciousness is trying to bring it all into focus.
Data: There can be only one explanation. In programming Moriarty to defeat me, not Holmes, he had to be able to acquire something which I possess.
Picard: Exactly what?
Data: Consciousness, sir. Without it he could not defeat me.
Picard: Computer, what happened?
Computer: Attitude and stabilization control of the Enterprise was momentarily transferred to holodeck two.
Picard: Data, I think it best that you and I should return to the holodeck.
Data: I will change into my uniform, sir.
Picard: No. I will change into some appropriate costume. Uniforms might pose questions I'd rather he didn't ask. It seems that he feeds on knowledge. Well, let's not give your nemesis any more information than we have to.
Pulaski: How did you make the room shake?
Moriarty: I'm not sure. Now, dear lady, will that be one lump or two?
Pulaski: Lumps, Professor? What sort of lumps?
Moriarty: Milk, of course?
Pulaski: Why not.
Moriarty: Mister Computer proposes the incredible thought that we are all traveling in a great vessel of some sort. Is that true?
Pulaski: I don't know what you're talking about.
Moriarty: The scones are likewise a must.
Pulaski: This is really quite excellent.
Moriarty: Strange. It actually pleases me to hear you say that.
Pulaski: Very strange. You're beginning to sound very different from the Moriarty I've read about.
Moriarty: You're not frightened of me?
Pulaski: No.
Moriarty: You should be. Mister Computer, the arch, please. A few more questions, Mister Computer.
Moriarty: I just can't seem to remember that last command. Ah, well, sooner or later it'll all come to me. But, in the meantime, I have decided to approach the problem from a more familiar perspective. There's really no reason why I shouldn't be able to use some of the knowledge from my world in order to bring me closer to yours.
Pulaski: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Moriarty: Of course you do, Madam. The more you proclaim your ignorance, the more you try to mislead me, the more I am on to you. Your every silence speaks volumes.
Pulaski: Good, then if you know what I'm saying when I'm not saying anything, what do you need me for? Thank you for the tea and crumpets. I guess I'll be going.
Moriarty: Where? Back to here?
Pulaski: Yes. Would you care to join me?
Moriarty: In time. In time I will leave all of this and join you out there. Or is this where we both are right now?
Pulaski: Right now, we are in London. Tell me what you want from me, or allow me to leave.
Moriarty: Frankly, now I want nothing more than what the fisherman expects of the worm. You, dear Doctor, will be the lure, and this will be the hook for your Captain, Jean Luc Picard.
Pulaski: Who is that?
Moriarty: How well you know.
Riker: Nice suit.
Worf: Thank you. Captain, I will be standing by to assist you if needed.
Riker: You'll be a big hit in London.
Picard: Computer, tell me, is the program still running?
Computer: Affirmative. You may enter.
Picard: Data, shall we go? Gentlemen. Open.
Picard: We don't have much time. He's getting more control of his environment. Let's see if we can't beat Professor Moriarty by giving him everything he wants.
Picard: Obviously, he's trying to alter the programming here.
Data: Captain?
Picard: Tuppence. Two pence. Supposed to be good luck. We may need some.
Ruffian: I'll take that coin, sir. That's right, and any more you got too.
Picard: Excuse me.
Ruffian: I don't think so. I want all that money. That's right. I want it now.
Picard: Data.
Data: Captain, this holographic image differs from any I have ever seen. Could he have actually injured you?
Picard: It's more serious than that. I think the mortality fail-safe may have been circumvented. He could've killed me.
Ruffian: Come on, let it go, guv. He's hurting me!
Picard: Data, let him go.
Data: We will find Moriarty this way, sir. The warehouse.
Moriarty: Captain Picard.
Picard: You all right?
Pulaski: Yes, except for being crammed full of crumpets.
Moriarty: I'm a civilized abductor, Captain Picard. Civilized but still dangerous.
Riker: Bridge to holodeck control. Worf.
Worf: Here, sir.
Riker: Status? Anything changed?
Worf: No, sir.
Picard: Moriarty, you were conjured up to attempt to defeat Holmes here. Once that attempt is concluded, win or lose, your program has run its course. Your existence is done.
Data: Congratulations, Professor, I capitulate to the better man. Your victory, sir, is well earned.
Moriarty: It's gone beyond that little game, Mister Data. And you'll note I no longer call you Holmes. Whatever I was when this began, I have grown. I am understanding more and more. And I am able to use the power at my fingertips. I can affect this vessel, and I can inflict bodily harm on you, and on your Doctor.
Picard: Yes, you can do that, but you haven't. I suspect you shook this ship in order to get my attention. Well now you have it. What is it you want?
Moriarty: The same thing you want for yourself. To continue to exist. If I destroy these surroundings, this vessel, can you say it doesn't matter to you? Interesting pun, don't you agree, for matter is what I am not. The computer has taught me that I am made up only of energy.
Picard: That may not be entirely true, Professor. This which we call the holodeck uses a principle similar to another device called a transporter. In the year in which we live, humans have discovered that energy and matter are interchangeable. In the holodeck, energy is converted to matter. Thus you have substance. But only here.
Moriarty: And if I step off this holodeck?
Pulaski: Then, Professor, you will cease to exist.
Picard: You are not alive. As I said before, you are only
Moriarty: A holographic image, I know. But are you sure?
Picard: Oh yes.
Moriarty: Does he have life? He's a machine. But is that all he is?
Picard: No. He is more.
Moriarty: Exactly. Is the definition of life cogito ergo sum? I think, therefore I am.
Picard: Yes, that is one possible definition.
Moriarty: It is the most important one, and for me the only one that matters. You or someone asked your computer to program a nefarious fictional character from nineteenth century London and that is how I arrived. But I am no longer that creation. I am no longer that evil character, I have changed. I am alive, and I am aware of my own consciousness.
Picard: Moriarty, my responsibility is this vessel and its crew.
Moriarty: I want my existence. I want it out there, just as you have yours.
Picard: That may not be possible.
Moriarty: Then you must murder me, Captain.
Picard: I cannot give you what you want.
Moriarty: Because you do not know how to convert holodeck matter into a more permanent form.
Picard: Yes, that is so.
Moriarty: A pity. What I have seen, what I have learned, fascinates me. I do not want to die.
Picard: And I do not want to kill you.
Moriarty: Madam, I have enjoyed your company. Computer, arch. Cancel override protocol. Return control of the holodeck to main computer. My fate is in your hands, as perhaps it always was.
Picard: Bridge, this is the Captain.
Riker: Commander Riker here, sir.
Picard: Number One, the situation is under control.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Picard: Moriarty, this vessel's computer has a vast memory capacity.
Moriarty: How well I know.
Picard: You will not be extinguished. We will save this program, and hopefully, in time, when we know enough, we will bring you back in a form which could leave the holodeck.
Moriarty: Then perhaps we'll meet again some day, Madam.
Pulaski: It could be a long time. Time won't pass for you, but I may be an old woman.
Moriarty: But I'll still fill you with crumpets, Madam. I detest long goodbyes. You have the arch.
Picard: As you wish. A short goodbye. Computer, save the program of the character Moriarty, and then discontinue.
Picard: Damaged?
Laforge: Yes, sir. She cracked a spar when the Enterprise was shaken. Otherwise I think she weathered it quite nicely.
Picard: She's beautiful. A wonderful testimony to simpler times.
Laforge: Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. It's just that I can't help thinking how. What else might have happened all because I misspoke a single word.
Picard: Well, soon she'll be ship-shape and Bristol-fashion.
Laforge: Bristol fashion, sir?
Picard: It's an old navy phrase, meaning everything in perfect order.
Laforge: Yes, sir.
Picard: As are we, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Yes, sir.
Riker: Captain. Starship Victory has arrived.
Picard: On my way, Number One.