Picard: Captain's log, stardate 41697.9. We're en route to Sarona Eight for much needed shore leave. The entire crew is looking forward to the diversion. On a personal note, I have allowed myself the luxury of a head start.
Dean: I took advantage.
Picard: No, no, Lieutenant, the advantage was yours. Come again. En garde.
Dean: Interesting move, sir, but what technique was that?
Picard: The technique of a desperate man.
Dean: Interesting move, sir, but what technique was that?
Picard: The technique of a desperate man.
Dean: Captain, what was that?
Picard: Picard to Bridge.
Riker: Captain?
Picard: Number One, did something unusual just occur on the Bridge?
Riker: Yes, sir. We experienced some kind of loop where everything repeats itself.
Picard: Here too. I'm on my way.
Picard: Report, Mister Data.
Data: Sensors show nothing, sir, but it appears a moment in time repeated itself exactly for everyone.
Laforge: Just like a feeling of deja vu.
Worf: Reports from all decks coming in, sir.
Data: Computers were also affected, which would indicate the phenomenon was not an illusion but occurred in real time.
Picard: Number One, find out if anything similar happened in this sector.
Worf: Sir, I am receiving an emergency transmission from the Pegos Minor system.
Picard: Put it on.
Manheim: Five four two point two. I repeat. This is Doctor Paul Manheim. We are in need of help. Urgent. All ships, please respond. I repeat. Coordinates are six six seven two eight point nine
Worf: It is an automated signal, sir. I am unable to establish contact.
Picard: Shut it off. Mister La Forge, lay in a course on those coordinates.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Riker: Captain, you act as if there's a connection between the time distortion and the distress signal.
Picard: There is. Paul Manheim. Fifteen years ago he went off to work on experiments relating to non-linear time. It appears he may have achieved some measure of success. Speed warp eight.
Laforge: Aye, sir. Warp eight.
Picard: Engage.
Laforge: Estimated arrival Pegos Minor, four hours, thirty five minutes, seventeen seconds.
Riker: I've never heard of Paul Manheim.
Picard: Mister Data.
Data: A highly respected scientist, considered a visionary, he advanced several time-related theories. One regarding the relationships between time and gravity was quite intriguing. But neither that theory nor any other received wide acceptance.
Picard: Fifteen years ago, he assembled a team of scientists to expand that research. They disappeared. Haven't been heard from since.
Riker: Did you know him, Captain?
Picard: I knew of him. He was teaching at the University when I was in Paris, but I didn't have the pleasure. I must change. Number One, inform me half an hour before we reach those co-ordinates. Keep trying to determine if the time distortion was specifically located on the Enterprise.
Riker: Yes, sir.
Troi: Captain? Excuse me.
Picard: Yes, what is it, Counselor?
Troi: I think you would prefer to discuss this in private.
Picard: That's not necessary. Go on.
Troi: When Professor Manheim's name was mentioned, you reacted with intense emotion.
Picard: Yes. Please get to the point.
Troi: I don't want to interfere with your personal life, but unresolved strong emotion can affect judgment.
Picard: Well, thank you for your concern.
Troi: As Ship's Counselor, I offer my assistance.
Picard: What do you suggest?
Troi: Confronting deep personal issues is not easy for you. You tend to suppress them. There are a few hours until we arrive. Perhaps you should use this time to analyze your feelings and put them into perspective.
Picard: Thank you, Counselor. If I should need you further, I'll let you know.
Picard: Bridge. Belay that. Computer, estimated arrival at Pegos Minor.
Computer: Two hours, nine minutes.
Picard: Holodeck three.
Picard: Computer, this is Captain Picard.
Computer: Holodeck three is clear.
Picard: Location, Paris, Cafe des Artistes, as it appeared twenty two years ago. April the ninth, fifteen hundred hours, three o'clock. Warm spring day.
Computer: Program complete.
Edouard: Monsieur, welcome to the Cafe des Artistes. Is this your first time in Paris?
Picard: No.
Edouard: This way.
Picard: That table.
Edouard: Mais oui, bien sur, monsieur. We are here to please you.
Picard: I've been away far too long.
Edouard: Some wine, some cheese?
Picard: I'm not very hungry. I really came for the view.
Edouard: Perhaps what you hunger for is not on the menu.
Picard: Perhaps not. It was many years ago, I had a rendezvous. I was to meet someone. Someone here, at this very table.
Edouard: Your young lady, she did not come?
Picard: Actually, I don't know. I always imagined that she did.
Edouard: You, however, did not. Ah. Well, trust Edouard. I will bring something very special, just for you.
Francine: Let's go. We've waited long enough.
Gabrielle: Fine. You go. I'll stay a little longer.
Francine: He's not coming, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: No, after last night, I know he will. I just know.
Francine: Then he would be here. You are making a fool out of yourself, and I will not watch.
Gabrielle: Do we know each other?
Picard: No.
Gabrielle: The way you look at me, do I remind you of someone?
Picard: No. Yes, you do, somewhat.
Gabrielle: He's not coming. Why? What did I do to drive him away?
Picard: Maybe you did nothing. Maybe he had no choice. Maybe he was afraid.
Gabrielle: Of what? Of me?
Picard: Oh, of being connected, rooted. Perhaps if he's as young as you are, he doesn't know yet exactly what he wants to do. Maybe. Enough of this self-indulgence. Exit.
Riker: Captain, we've received communication from the freighter Lalo, as well as from a farming colony on Coltar Four. Both described the same time distortion. The Captain of the Lalo described it a hiccup.
Picard: Hiccup?
Data: Actually sir, that may be an incorrect analogy.
Picard: How so, Data?
Data: A hiccup is a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis. accompanied by a peculiar sound. If we were to continue this analogy to a body function, what occurred would be best represented by a
Picard: That's enough, Data. Have you been able to learn more specifics about the Manheim project?
Data: All I have found sir, is what you already know. Manheim was concentrating on time gravity experiments when he left.
Laforge: Captain, we've reached the coordinates specified. There's nothing here.
Worf: I'm receiving new coordinates. It's a relay signal. Same source as the first one.
Laforge: What are they, Worf?
Worf: Six six four point eight by one three two three point seven by four nine four nine point nine.
Laforge: Very remote area, sir. It's in the middle of the Vandor system, a binary star system. Main star's a B class giant, the companion star's a pulsar.
Picard: Set course for the new coordinates, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Riker: Why is he making it this difficult to find him?
Picard: Hopefully he'll tell us, Number One.
Laforge: We have reached the coordinates, Captain.
Data: Sensors indicate it is Vandor Four, a planetoid in elliptical orbit around the binary system.
Picard: Standard orbit, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Picard: Give me a visual.
Worf: Viewscreen on. There's a small forcefield on the planet. Latitude twenty degrees, nine minutes north. Longitude forty degrees, two minutes east of the present terminator.
Picard: Penetrable?
Data: No, sir.
Picard: Open hailing frequencies.
Worf: Hailing frequencies open, sir.
Picard: This is Captain. This is the Captain of the USS Enterprise responding to your signal for help.
Jenice: Enterprise, thank you for hearing us. Where are you?
Picard: We're in orbit around Vandor now.
Jenice: Then you can help me. I don't know what to do. It's only the two of us left. He's having convulsions. Please.
Picard: Can you lock on to her coordinates?
Laforge: No, sir. The forcefield is preventing any kind of contact other than audio.
Picard: There is a force field at your location.
Jenice: Yes. I know.
Picard: Good. But it is preventing us from helping you. Now, you must find some way to shut it down.
Jenice: I'll try.
Worf: Force field is off.
Picard: Good. Lock onto their coordinates. Beam them up directly to Sickbay. Doctor Crusher, prepare for a Medical Emergency. Two to beam directly up to Sickbay.
Crusher: We'll be ready, Captain.
Picard: That's where I'll be. Number One. Mister Data.
Crusher: I'll help. Easy. Easy.
Crusher: I've got his legs. How long has he been like this?
Jenice: Several hours at least. He was in his lab, so I can't be sure.
Crusher: I need to do some tests.
Picard: Er, I, er.
Jenice: Jean-Luc. I thought the voice sounded familiar.
Picard: Hello.
Jenice: I should have known. Who else would have charged to my rescue?
Picard: This is my First Officer, Commander William Riker. Lieutenant Commander Data. This is Jenice Manheim.
Riker: A pleasure, Mrs. Manheim.
Jenice: Thank you.
Picard: I have a number of questions for you.
Jenice: I hope I can be of some help.
Picard: Why don't we sit down?
Picard: You said there were only two of you left. What happened to the rest of the crew?
Jenice: They were working in the second lab. Something happened there a few weeks ago. They were all killed. It was a terrible accident. I don't know exactly what happened. So many brilliant, wonderful minds, just gone.
Data: Do you know the nature of Doctor Manheim's work?
Jenice: Paul's always been interested in time. He's never believed that it was immutable, any more than space is immutable. Over the last decade, he came to believe that we reside in one of infinite dimensions, and what holds us here is the constancy of time. Change that and it would be what he called opening the window to those other dimensions.
Riker: Which begins to explain what happened.
Jenice: Have you been experiencing something up here?
Picard: Yes. What is emanating here is having repercussions light years away, maybe even further.
Jenice: That would explain his anxiety. I had no idea it had gone so far beyond Vandor.
Riker: Why this place? Why Vandor?
Jenice: All I can tell you about that is Paul and the rest of the team searched for two years to find it. Vandor's exactly what they needed. A planetoid around a binary star.
Data: Because of the dense gravity of the pulsar.
Picard: Did your husband ever attempt to define these dimensions, give you an idea of what he expected?
Jenice: No. But he did say that he was very close to proving his theories. And then the accident.
Picard: Did he anticipate that these experiments might be dangerous?
Jenice: I didn't think so. Now, in retrospect, he probably did. That would explain all the unusual precautions he began taking, even before the accident. The force field, the elaborate security system. Every time he started a new experiment, he insisted that I stay in what he said called a protected room.
Picard: Ah, and that's why you weren't affected.
Jenice: Jean-Luc, he would never knowingly do anything to hurt anyone.
Picard: Yes, I believe that.
Jenice: But as he saw his goal getting closer, seeming possible, he became more and more obsessive. Maybe that clouded his judgment. This is not how I imagined seeing you again.
Picard: Nor I you.
Jenice: You've done well. A great starship in the far reaches of the galaxy. It's everything you'd hoped.
Picard: Not exactly. Nothing works just as you hope. If you can't tell us any more, I need to send a team down to the lab.
Jenice: You can't. It's protected. One of the other scientists made sure no one could get in.
Crusher: Excuse me.
Jenice: Is he worse?
Crusher: He's resting. But I'd like you to undergo some tests as well. My nurse will start them.
Jenice: Thank you for your kindness, Doctor.
Picard: She's an old friend.
Crusher: I gathered that. It's her husband I'm more concerned with at the moment.
Picard: What's the prognosis?
Crusher: I believe he's dying. His neurochemistry's been affected, but I don't know how or why. I've never encountered anything like it before.
Riker: How long does he have?
Crusher: Maybe a couple of days. It's hard to predict. All I can do is maintain him or attempt to maintain him until I find out what's causing the damage.
Picard: Can we talk to him?
Crusher: Not now. Not yet.
Data: Incidentally, Captain, the effects of the time distortions are now being felt in the Ilecom system.
Picard: Bridge. In the past decade, Manheim has turned some vague theories into a practical application.
Riker: Yes, but without his help, I'm not sure we'll be able to pose any intelligent questions, let alone come up with any solutions.
Data: Incidentally, Captain, the effects of the time distortions are now being felt in the Ilecom system.
Picard: It's us before we stepped into the turbolift.
Picard 2: It's happening again.
Data 2: I feel no disorientation.
Data: Nor do I.
Riker: What was that?
Data: I believe what could be termed the Manheim Effect is becoming more pronounced.
Riker: This is where we started, if we are us.
Data: Oh, we are us, sir, but they are also us. So indeed, we are both us at different points along the same time continuum.
Picard: Bridge.
Picard: What have you learned?
Data: We have completed a scan of the planet surface.
Riker: We've discovered the second lab is on the far side of the planet, completely destroyed. Unable to determine what caused it. Otherwise, very little to clarify the situation.
Data: Our sensors show an immense volume of energy emanating deep within the planet, and concentrated near Manheim's remaining laboratory.
Picard: How is the energy being used.
Riker: No idea.
Picard: What's it's source?
Data: I cannot be sure, sir, but I believe Manheim has developed a method for harnessing energy from the pulsar.
Riker: It comes down to this, Captain. We've learned everything we can from here, and we are no closer to understanding it than we were twelve hours ago. Manheim is unable to help us, but hopefully, having been a good scientist, he kept notes.
Data: I would need to study Manheim's records.
Riker: And in order to do that we're going to have to go down there.
Picard: What about the defense system Mrs. Manheim spoke of?
Riker: It may have been connected to the main system, and when she lowered the shield she may have turned that off as well. If not, we'll deal with it as best we can.
Picard: Prepare your team.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Riker: Coordinates set?
Chief: Yes, sir.
Riker: Energize.
Chief: There's a lack of integrity at the landing point.
Chief: I'm losing them.
Picard: Bring them back. Now. Chief Herbert, what's going on?
Chief: There seems to be some kind of strange bouncing effect.
Chief: I can't get them to materialize. My readings aren't complete.
Picard: Keep trying.
Riker: What are we doing back here?
Chief: You're lucky you made it back at all, sir.
Manheim: Where am I?
Jenice: Paul. Thank God. You're on the USS Enterprise. They answered your distress signal.
Manheim: I sent one.?
Jenice: Oh, Paul, you're going to be just fine.
Manheim: I am not fine, Jenice. I'm not even close to fine.
Crusher: Bridge, this is Doctor Crusher. Professor Manheim is conscious.
Manheim: Remember, it was worth it, what happened. What will happen, all of it, it was all worth it. Again. It's changing again.
Crusher: What is? What do you see?
Manheim: I'm having difficulty.
Crusher: With what? Are you in pain?
Manheim: I have been on the other side. I have touched another dimension. Part of me is still there.
Jenice: Help him.
Crusher: Try to stay calm, Doctor Manheim. I don't think it's going to help you struggling against it.
Manheim: My mind is floating between two places. It is difficult to know which is which. There is no way to explain it.
Picard: Doctor Manheim, I'm Captain Picard.
Manheim: The same one? She has told me about you. Not all, but enough.
Picard: We need your help. The situation is not good.
Manheim: It will get worse.
Picard: What do we do? How do we stop it?
Manheim: I'm having difficulty holding the moment.
Picard: Doctor, this is Lieutenant Commander Data. Will you explain the situation to him?
Data: I am fully versed, sir, on all your theories regarding time and gravity.
Manheim: How is that possible? I am not even fully versed on all of my theories.
Data: I am an android.
Manheim: Android? On a Starfleet vessel?
Data: I am the only one, sir.
Manheim: Your knowledge is useless, because the work we have done here has made most of those theories obsolete.
Data: Then you have harnessed a dynamic energy source.
Manheim: Then you do understand. Yes. We were able to locate an energy source in the center of this planetoid. We learned to enhance it, to focus it. Everything worked too well. The energy from the pulsar, the energy from the planetoid. We opened a crack, a window into another dimension.
Picard: The time distortion we felt.
Manheim: Felt? Then it is not confined to the planetoid?
Data: The range is at least several thousand light years.
Manheim: Captain, it must be stopped! You must help me to execute a controlled shut down of this experiment. Get my notes, they're in the lab.
Picard: How do we bypass the security system?
Manheim: I'll give you the correct coordinates to beam safely down to Vandor, and the codes you need to bypass security systems to get into my lab.
Data: If what the Professor has given me is accurate, it is possible to repair the damage. But it must be perfectly timed to coincide with another time distortion episode.
Riker: Can we predict the timing?
Data: I believe so, sir.
Picard: We have to. If we don't seal that hole, this other dimension he's opened will rip into the fabric of the galaxy. Reality as we perceive it will not be the same. Lieutenant Worf.
Worf: Yes, sir?
Picard: I want those codes that Manheim gave Mister Data rechecked and then checked again. No one is beaming down to Vandor unless we can be reasonably sure they can get through.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Jenice: I'm sorry for intruding. I was told I'd find you here.
Picard: You're not intruding. We're just finished. Come in. Thank you.
Jenice: I knew you wouldn't come to me.
Picard: No, not under these circumstances.
Jenice: We have unfinished business.
Picard: Yes, we do.
Jenice: Why didn't you come to meet me that last day in Paris?
Picard: I was afraid.
Jenice: Oh, I didn't want this.
Picard: What?
Jenice: The truth.
Picard: Oh, you want me to lie?
Jenice: Of course. A nice, soft, painless lie.
Picard: Oh, I got the days confused. I thought it was Tuesday when it was Wednesday. I went to the Cafe Moulin instead of the Cafe des Artistes.
Jenice: Ah, that's better. It was raining and you couldn't find a cab. I waited all day. And it was raining. It rained the rest of the week. I went to Starfleet headquarters looking for you, but you'd already shipped out. So, come on, Jean-Luc. Let's hear the truth.
Picard: It was fear. Fear of seeing you, losing my resolve. Fear of staying, losing myself. Fear that neither of these choices was right, and that, and that either would have
Jenice: For a long time, not a day went by when I didn't look up into the sky, and wonder.
Picard: Each time that I returned to Earth, my thoughts were filled with you.
Jenice: I've thought a lot about this over the years, and perhaps you're leaving out your greatest fear. The real reason you left.
Picard: Which was?
Jenice: That life with me would have somehow made you ordinary.
Picard: You're wonderful. And am I that transparent?
Jenice: Only to me.
Crusher: I wish I could talk to you, Professor Manheim. I bet you were really something.
Crusher: Deanna.
Troi: I wanted to see how he was doing.
Crusher: The same. Nothing I do seems to make any difference. That's not why you're here.
Troi: I thought I was the empath.
Troi: Are you all right?
Crusher: Why wouldn't I be? I've got one of the medical wonders of the galaxy dying in my sickbay.
Troi: That's not what I meant.
Crusher: I don't think I want to talk about what I think you mean.
Troi: Captain Picard
Crusher: I can't compete with a ghost from his past. No one could.
Troi: She's not a ghost. She's here right now.
Crusher: She may be in the here and now, but it's the ghost he sees. Excuse me, I have to get back to my patient.
Picard: How soon, Mister Data?
Data: If Doctor Manheim's information is correct, by my calculations, the next time distortion should occur between twenty eight to forty seven minutes.
Crusher: Bridge, this is Sickbay.
Crusher: Doctor Manheim is awake and asking to speak with you, Captain. Alone.
Picard: On my way, Doctor.
Picard: You asked for me.
Manheim: I am not sure I remembered all of the codes for the security system. You should warn anyone going down there
Picard: Thank you. I'll tell them to be cautious.
Manheim: What I really wanted to talk to you about is Jenice.
Picard: Doctor Manheim, I did not come here to discuss your wife.
Manheim: It is only this. If anything should go wrong, please, take care of her for me.
Picard: Of course.
Manheim: She never would admit this, but she has had a terrible time these last years. Had we not been so isolated, she might have left me, and I never would have known. At least, not right away. Perhaps I'm not a man who should have a woman like her. She deserves better.
Picard: You underestimate her. I know, because I once did.
Data: In both cases, the time distortions occurred along the same continuum as a preview or a reprise of a specific point in time.
Picard: Where we are, where we were, and where we will be. Data, I want this to be an away team of one. You. I don't think there's any reason to risk anyone else.
Data: It is reasonable, sir. After all, I am a machine and dispensable.
Picard: Indispensable is the appropriate word. I think it should be only you because you seem more able to control the effects of the time distortion.
Data: Oh, I see, sir. That is quite true, sir. I see time as a constant, whereas humans perceive time as flexible. Hence the expression, times flies when you're having fun, which until now has always confused me.
Picard: Well, I want you to put a stitch in time and, er, save much more than nine.
Data: Sir?
Picard: If other members of the away team became disoriented, it could create additional problems and perhaps increase the danger.
Data: I will go immediately, sir.
Picard: Good luck, Data.
Laforge: All right. We have the coordinates exactly as the Professor specified.
Data: Enterprise.
Picard: Picard.
Data: I am proceeding to the lab, sir.
Picard: Maintain an open frequency, Mister Data.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: Mister Data, what's going on?
Data: Doctor Manheim forgot to mention one of his security precautions, sir. I am proceeding into the laboratory.
Picard: Mister Data, this channel will remain open. Please continue to report.
Data: This appears to be the instrument Doctor Manheim described. It should confirm when the next time effect will occur.
Riker: Data?
Riker: Did Manheim give you enough information to decipher the security code?
Data: I will know in a moment, sir. According to calculations, the next time effect will occur in one minute thirty seconds.
Picard: What's the next step, Mister Data?
Data: I will need to add a specific amount of antimatter to rebalance and align the system.
Picard: Will that plug the hole?
Data: Theoretically, yes. In reality I do not know.
Data: When the effect hits, the forcefields will align, opening a clean straight path to the other dimension. Whatever the time distortion, I must add the antimatter at the appropriate moment. Geordi, if the Professor was right, I will need a twenty seven second countdown.
Laforge: You got it, Data.
Data: Captain, I now have the antimatter and am moving towards the opening at the end of the lab. The next time distortion should occur within seconds. Geordi, begin countdown on my mark. Now.
Data 3: Captain, there appear to be three of us.
Data 1: Should I drop the antimatter or wait for one of you?
Data 3: Only one of us is at the correct time continuum.
Data 1: Which one?
Data 2: Me. It's me.
Laforge: Five, four, three, two, one.
Picard: Data, report. Are you all right?
Data: Yes, sir.
Picard: Is it closed?
Data: It is well patched, sir. Closed indicates a permanent condition, which I cannot guarantee.
Picard: Patched is good enough. Well done. Beam back immediately.
Data: With pleasure, sir.
Crusher: This is amazing. All your readings are completely normal.
Manheim: Where is my wife? Is she all right?
Crusher: She's right here.
Manheim: Jenice.
Jenice: Paul.
Manheim: The effect has been reversed. I can feel it. We're safe.
Jenice: How is he?
Crusher: He needs rest. There might be some residual effects, but other than that, he'll be all right.
Manheim: I feel like I'm coming out of a long tunnel. It's there. Not at all like I thought it would be. Different.
Jenice: Describe it.
Manheim: I can't, not yet. The only words that fit are too pale because the images are so vibrant. It's not like anything anyone has ever experienced before. There was, no, no, there is this kind of life. Not like us. Not like this. What's the condition of my lab?
Picard: Intact, for the most part.
Jenice: Don't tell me we're going back?
Manheim: Oh, Jenice, we are so close. We have learned so much to walk away. Besides, we owe it to the others, our friends. There have been so many sacrifices by so many good people.
Jenice: We'll be going back.
Picard: Yes, I can see that. I'm sure the Federation will want to help in any way that it can.
Manheim: Thank you. This time it will be different, I promise.
Jenice: It always is, my love. You said my life would never be dull, and it never has been.
Manheim: Thank you.
Troi: Computer, this is Counselor Troi. Request access.
Computer: Do you wish to terminate the current program?
Troi: No, continue the program.
Computer: Enter when ready.
Troi: The Captain is waiting for you inside.
Jenice: How is this possible? It's Paris. Unbelievable.
Edouard: Madame, this way. The Captain is waiting for you.
Jenice: This is so real.
Edouard: Bien sur. Pourquoi pas?
Jenice: Jean-Luc, don't tell me how you did it. I don't care. It's perfect. It's as if we were really there.
Picard: I wanted to say goodbye properly this time. I shall always picture you here.
Jenice: I expect you to always come charging to my rescue.
Picard: I'll do my best.
Jenice: Goodbye, Jean-Luc. Be well.
Picard: And you.
Jenice: Thank you for Paris.
Jenice: Well, so much for my dramatically romantic exit.
Picard: Is anything wrong?
Riker: No, sir.
Picard: Then set course for Sarona Eight. As I remember we were on our way for some much needed shore leave.
Laforge: Course set and laid in, sir.
Picard: Warp five. Engage.
Riker: I've only been there once, but they've got this great club. I don't remember the name of it. They serve these blue concoctions
Troi: It's across the square from the Zanza Men's Dance Palace.
Picard: It's called the Blue Parrot Cafe, and you're buying.


Scene: First officer's log, stardate 41775.5. We are en route to the ocean world of Pacifica. While our mission is scientific in nature, we look forward to the warm blue waters and fine beaches that make Pacifica a jewel of the galaxy.
Laforge: So the guy staggers to his feet and goes back to the girl, right? Well, she smiles, looks him right in the eye and says 'just try that in hyperspace!'
Data: I see. So the difficulty in attaining such complex positioning in zero gravity environment, coupled with the adverse effect it would have on the psychological well being of the average human male, is what makes this anecdote so amusing. Yes. Very humorous indeed. Hysterical, in fact.
Riker: What is our e.t.a. at Pacifica, Mister La Forge?
Laforge: Twenty two hours fourteen minutes, sir.
Riker: Increase to warp six.
Laforge: Aye sir. Full impulse.
Riker: Do you think anyone would object to our arriving ahead of schedule?
Troi: I know I won't. I've been really looking forward to a nice swim.
Data: You are aware, Counselor, that the holodeck can be programmed to recreate an oceanic environment.
Troi: Data, it's just not the same. Have you ever been for a real moonlight swim?
Data: One can swim in moonlight?
Troi: How about you, Mister Worf?
Worf: Swimming is too much like bathing.
Data: Commander Riker. I am receiving a Code Forty Seven.
Riker: Verify.
Data: It is a Code Forty Seven, sir. Starfleet emergency frequency.
Troi: Code Forty Seven. Captain's eyes only.
Riker: Captain, I'm sorry to disturb you.
Picard: Yes, Number One. What is it?
Riker: An incoming message. Code Forty Seven, sir.
Picard: Pipe it through.
Computer: This is an emergency communiqué. It is not to be discussed with fellow officers unless deemed absolutely necessary. There will be no computer record of said transmission.
Picard: Understood.
Computer: Proceed with voice print identification.
Picard: Picard, Jean-Luc. Captain, USS Enterprise.
Computer: Voice print verified.
Picard: Walker!
Keel: Hello, Jean-Luc. It's been a long time.
Picard: Too long, old friend. Why are you contacting me on this frequency?
Keel: It was a difficult decision. I felt it was worth the risk.
Picard: Risk?
Keel: It's about Starfleet. About something we've always considered to be impossible.
Picard: I don't understand.
Keel: I can't explain it now. We need to talk, face to face.
Picard: You're using a Code Forty Seven. I have to know what this is all about.
Keel: Not over subspace, no.
Picard: Oh, for God's sake, Walker. This is a secured channel
Keel: No. I want you to meet me on Dytallix B.
Picard: When?
Keel: Immediately.
Picard: Not possible. We're expected at Pacifica,
Keel: That can wait. You owe me. And you owe it to yourself to hear what I have to say. Something is beginning. Don't trust anyone. Remember that, Jean-Luc. Don't take anything for granted.
Picard: Walker.
Keel: Dytallix B. We'll be waiting.
Picard: Data, are you familiar with Dytallix B?
Data: Dytallix B is one of seven uninhabited planets mined for the Federation by the Dytallix Mining Company. It is in the nearby Mira system.
Picard: Mister La Forge, chart a course for it immediately. Warp seven. And there will be no records or logs mentioning any aspect of this diversion.
Riker: Captain, they're expecting us at Pacifica. Shouldn't we contact them and let them know.
Picard: Negative. Nothing goes out without specific orders from me. Hopefully the delay will be minimal.
Data: I have the readout on Dytallix B, Commander.
Riker: What have you got?
Data: Dytallix B is the fifth of six planets circling the red giant known as Mira. One side always faces the sun, where temperatures reach up to one hundred and eighty degrees. The mines line the temperate zone between the day and night sides, but they are long deserted.
Riker: Why the devil are we be going to this planet? Are there any miners or indigenous life forms on the planet?
Data: I believe the answer to both questions is no, sir. In a manner of speaking, it is nothing but a lifeless hunk of rock, a useless ball of mud, a worthless chunk
Riker: Thank you, Data. I get the idea. Captain, we are approaching Dytallix B.
Picard: Very good, Number One. I'm on my way.
Worf: Captain, sensors are detecting three Federation starships already in orbit around the planet.
Picard: Identify.
Worf: Two are frigates. The Renegade commanded by Tryla Scott, and the Thomas Paine, Captain Rixx commanding.
Data: The third is just coming into range now, sir. It is Ambassador Class heavy cruiser, USS Horatio.
Riker: Horatio? Isn't that Walker Keel's ship?
Worf: Attempts at communication have been ignored by all three vessels.
Picard: Make no further attempts, Mister Worf. Any life form readings on the surface, Data?
Data: Three, sir. All gathered inside what appears to be the entrance to a mining tunnel.
Picard: Very well. Relay those coordinates to the transporter room. I'm beaming down.
Riker: Alone, Captain?
Picard: Alone, Number One.
Keel: Thanks for coming.
Picard: This is some greeting, old friend.
Keel: Tell me, Jean-Luc, where did we first meet?
Rixx: Answer the question.
Picard: Tau Ceti Three. It was a bar. Quite an exotic one as I remember. What do I win?
Keel: Do you recall the night you introduced Jack Crusher to Beverly?
Picard: You know full well I hadn't even met Beverly then. You introduced them.
Keel: My brother introduced them.
Picard: You don't have a brother. Two sisters, Anne and Melissa. What the hell is this all about?
Rixx: Apologies, Captain. We had to make sure you were really you.
Picard: Walker, what is going on?
Keel: Captain Picard, meet Captain Rixx.
Picard: I believe we've met. The Altairian conference.
Keel: And Captain Scott.
Picard: Tryla Scott. It's said you made Captain faster than anyone in Starfleet history, present company included. Are you that good?
Tryla: Yes, I am.
Picard: Starfleet's finest. Fancy meeting you here.
Rixx: We all came secretly, Picard. To discuss the threat.
Picard: What threat?
Tryla: Have you noticed anything about Starfleet Command lately? Anything unusual?
Picard: No. But we've been on the outer rim for a while. We haven't had much contact with them.
Keel: Some of us have seen strange patterns emerging. Unusual orders. High-ranking officials backing irrational proposals.
Rixx: Starbase twelve was completely evacuated for two full days. No explanation given.
Tryla: And what about the deaths? McKinney, Ryan Sipe, Onna Karapleedeez.
Picard: All dead?
Tryla: A series of accidents.
Keel: Or so they say. It's hard to be certain of anything. Interfleet communications are at a minimum. But something is happening.
Tryla: And we fully expect the Enterprise to be targeted soon.
Picard: Targeted for what? By whom?
Keel: We're not sure yet. Damn it, Jean-Luc. I tell you that some of Starfleet's top command people are changing. This could affect the very core of our organization. Officers I've known for years are bluffing their way through talk of old times.
Rixx: That's their weakness, a lack of memory.
Tryla: He doesn't believe us. He thinks we're crazy.
Picard: You've given me nothing to believe in. Just a lot of vague talk about strange patterns, irrational proposals. Who's behind this, and to what purpose? How are people being changed?
Keel: I can't say exactly, but I think its spread to my own ship. My First Officer hasn't been the same since we stopped off at Earth. Our Medical Officer says he's perfectly normal, but I don't think I trust him either.
Picard: Walker!
Tryla: We know we don't have all the answers. All we ask is that you keep your eyes open.
Picard: That's sound advice at any time, Captain.
Keel: Stay in touch with us, covertly. This meeting never took place as far as Starfleet is concerned. Please, I'm asking this as a personal favor. I'm glad, Jean-Luc. I'm glad you're still one of us. Tell Beverly I said hello.
Rixx: And watch your back, Picard.
Picard: Friends, close friends, are few and far between. Two of the oldest and closest are Jack Crusher, may he rest in peace, and Walker Keel. Before various missions split us apart, we were virtually inseparable. I trust Keel completely. If he felt it necessary to violate regulations, he must have had a good reason.
Troi: But you're putting your career at risk for him.
Picard: Friendship must dare to risk, Counselor, or it's not friendship.
Troi: They illicitly used the emergency channel to draw you here. Then they asked you to keep secrets from your superiors. Effectively, to disobey Starfleet regulations.
Picard: The people involved in this are of the highest caliber. If I didn't believe in their loyalty, I wouldn't have gone this far.
Troi: Don't you think you should tell the rest of the crew?
Picard: No. I don't want to risk implicating them. Not until I have solid evidence that something really is wrong.
Picard: Take us out of orbit, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Picard: Resume heading to Pacifica, warp factor eight.
Laforge: Aye sir, warp eight.
Data: At that speed sir, we should arrive nine point six three hours behind the original schedule, sir.
Picard: Very good. Data, I have an assignment for you. One especially suited to your talents.
Data: Computer, this is Lieutenant Commander Data. Please access all Starfleet Command orders to starships, starbases and colonies for the past six months.
Computer: Working.
Picard: Doctor.
Crusher: I understand the Horatio was in orbit around Dytallix. Did you see Walker?
Picard: No.
Crusher: Oh. I would have loved to have seen him.
Picard: It wasn't possible, Doctor.
Worf: Captain, I am picking up an unusual disturbance in a nearby quadrant.
Laforge: Confirmed, sir. Sector sixty three.
Picard: Specify. What kind of disturbance?
Worf: Hard to say at this distance, sir.
Riker: I guess the trip Pacifica will have to wait.
Picard: Let's investigate. Maintain speed. Alter course accordingly.
Laforge: Aye, sir. Changing course to three five one mark four.
Laforge: Approaching sector sixty three, sir.
Picard: Slow to impulse.
Laforge: Aye, sir. Going to impulse power, now.
Worf: Sensors beginning to pick up small objects, sir.
Picard: On screen.
Riker: It doesn't look natural.
Picard: Agreed. Enlarge and identify.
Worf: It looks like debris. From a space vessel of some kind.
Riker: It could be one of those ships that was orbiting Dytallix.
Laforge: We are in close proximity to that planet.
Picard: Identifying marks, Mister Worf?
Worf: Nothing so far. Sensors not detecting any bodies in the flotsam, but from the amount of wreckage. I'm sorry sir. It can only be the Horatio. From the looks of it, she's been totally destroyed. Captain's personal log, stardate 41776.1. The apparent death of Walker Keel has had a powerful impact on me. I now believe there may be a cancer growing within the ranks of Starfleet. As a result, I have alerted my Executive Officer to the suspicions voiced by Keel and the others.
Riker: There's no proof of anything.
Picard: The last time I saw Admiral Quinn he tried to warn me about a subversion within the Federation. Then Walker tried, and he's dead.
Riker: Subversion? Personally, I don't believe this conspiracy theory.
Data: Startling. Quite extraordinary, in fact.
Computer: Directions unclear. Please repeat request.
Data: That was not a request. I was simply talking to myself. A human idiosyncrasy, triggered by fascination with a particular set of facts. Or sometimes brought about by senility. Or used as a means of weighing information before reaching a conclusion. Or, as a
Computer: Thank you, sir. I comprehend. Please specify how you would like to proceed, sir.
Data: Please continue with record scan. Intriguing.
Riker: But we have no facts. We have to assume the explosion was an accident.
Picard: Number One, I believe what happened on the Horatio was sabotage.
Riker: But we can't be certain.
Data: Perhaps we can. My orders were to search for abnormal patterns in Starfleet's directives. I believe I have found just that.
Data: These are various outposts and starbases where I have detected unusual activity over the past few months.
Picard: What sort of activity?
Data: An uncustomary reshuffling of personnel, usually in the command areas. The new officers have had frequent contact with the highest levels of Starfleet Command.
Riker: Why hasn't anybody discovered this before?
Data: The orders were given with great subtlety. To use an aphorism, Starfleet's left hand did not know what its right hand was doing.
Picard: Data, can you speculate as to the purpose of these reassignments?
Data: I believe it is a clandestine attempt to control vital sectors of Federation territory.
Riker: This could be a prelude to an invasion. But who's behind it?
Data: There is insufficient data to make such an assessment, sir.
Riker: Are you suggesting that we warp over to Starfleet headquarters and demand to know what's going on?
Data: Why not?
Picard: Yes, why not? We're talking about a threat to the entire future of the Federation. I don't think any of us can rest easy until we've been to the source. Captain's personal log, supplemental. While it is quite unusual for a starship to return to Earth, we seem to be left with no other choice. I have apprised the remaining bridge crew of our situation.
Laforge: Approaching Earth, sir.
Picard: Standard orbit, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Standard orbit, sir.
Picard: Any word from Starfleet Command, Data?
Data: Nothing so far, sir.
Picard: Strange.
Data: Captain. I am now receiving a message from Starfleet Command.
Picard: On screen.
Savar: Greetings Enterprise. I am Admiral Savar. This is Admiral Aaron, and I believe you already know Admiral Quinn.
Picard: Yes, indeed. It's good to see you again, Admiral.
Quinn: And you, Captain.
Savar: Of course. We are always delighted when the Enterprise returns to the nest. Yet we are puzzled by the timing of your visit.
Picard: Yes, sir. I can imagine you would be.
Aaron: Governor Delaplane of Pacifica informs us that you canceled your scheduled stop there. Is this true?
Picard: Yes, sir, it is.
Aaron: Explain yourself, Captain. Why have you returned to Earth?
Picard: I would rather discuss in person, Admiral.
Savar: Excuse us for one moment, Captain.
Riker: They seem normal enough.
Picard: On the surface. Counselor, any thoughts?
Troi: Hard to say. Someone is hiding something, but I can't tell who or what.
Riker: I must say I'm not overjoyed to see Remmick again.
Laforge: Considering what we've done, their response has been pretty temperate.
Worf: I don't like it. You can't trust them.
Savar: Forgive the delay, Captain Picard. We'd be delighted if you and your First Officer would join us for dinner.
Aaron: Yes. Delighted.
Savar: It would give you a good opportunity to expatiate your viewpoint.
Aaron: To elaborate upon whatever it is that's troubling you.
Picard: Thank you. We accept your gracious offer.
Savar: Excellent. Preparations are already underway.
Aaron: We'll greet you in the reception area in, say, twenty minutes?
Picard: Splendid.
Quinn: I won't be able to attend dinner, I'm afraid, but I would like to see the ship and say hello again, Captain.
Picard: Of course. We look forward to seeing you, Admiral. Enterprise out. Quinn wants to see us alone. At least we know he's still on our side. Mister Data, you have the Bridge.
Data: Aye, sir.
Remmick: Are you ready to beam up to the Enterprise, sir?
Quinn: Yes, Commander, quite ready. Energize, Mister Remmick.
Picard: Welcome aboard, Greg.
Quinn: Good to see you.
Picard: You remember Commander Riker.
Quinn: Hello again, Commander.
Picard: I must say, you're looking remarkably well.
Quinn: Never felt better in my life.
Picard: When you were here last, you were saying that you were feeling tired.
Quinn: Tired of life I was, but not anymore. I'm ready for new challenges now. What about another look at this ship?
Picard: Remember what you told me back at Relva Seven, About the threat that you perceived to the very fabric of the Federation?
Quinn: Is that why you're here? Because of what I said?
Picard: It's one of the reasons, yes.
Quinn: But Jean-Luc, you took me far too literally. I was only referring to the problems involved in assimilating new races into the Federation. It's an ongoing, tumultuous process which can cause stress and strain on every aspect of our alliance.
Picard: I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood.
Quinn: It's not for you to apologize. If I led you up the garden path, I humbly ask your forgiveness.
Picard: Of course.
Quinn: Now, gentlemen, you have a dinner to attend to, while I would like to go and freshen up before I look around a little bit more.
Riker: We've arranged your usual accommodation, sir.
Quinn: That's outstanding.
Picard: Yes, I should be getting down to the planet. Commander Riker will be available here to show you anything that you want to see.
Quinn: It's really not necessary.
Picard: I insist. When you've finished showing the Admiral anything that he needs, you can join me down on Earth.
Quinn: I may want to stay a while, Jean-Luc.
Picard: Of course. Stay as long as you wish. No.
Picard: It's not Gregory Quinn. It may look like him and sound like him, but it isn't him.
Riker: Are you absolutely certain, Captain?
Picard: I'm certain, Number One. I want you to stay close. Keep your eye on his every move. Have Beverly concoct some reason for giving him a full medical examination.
Riker: How?
Picard: I don't know, just do it.
Riker: He's a senior Admiral.
Picard: It's not him, Will. I know that now. What I have to find out is how this happened, and who or what is behind it.
Riker: Captain, if you're right.
Picard: I'm right.
Riker: Should you be beaming down there alone, unarmed?
Picard: I'll take care. Find out what you can, then join me, in force if necessary. Energize.
Riker: Good luck, sir.
Savar: Welcome home, Captain Picard.
Picard: Thank you, sir. My first officer will be joining us shortly.
Savar: Yes, I'm sure he will.
Aaron: You've met Commander Remmick, haven't you?
Remmick: Under less than ideal circumstances. It's nice to see you again, Captain.
Savar: We've prepared a special meal in your honor.
Picard: Delightful. Tell me, why is the corridor so quiet? The last time I was here, it was bustling with activity.
Remmick: It usually is. Tonight's a quiet night.
Savar: Yes, a quiet night.
Riker: Ready for your tour, Admiral?
Quinn: Quite ready, Commander.
Riker: What's in the case?
Quinn: Actually, I brought it for Doctor Crusher. But perhaps you would like you to see it first?
Riker: What is it?
Quinn: A form of life. It was discovered accidentally by a survey team on an uncharted planet.
Riker: Why haven't we heard anything about that?
Quinn: Oh, you'll be hearing about it shortly, but first there remains much scientific study to be done. After all, it is a superior form of life.
Riker: Superior?
Quinn: Totally. Come, have a look.
Riker: I think I'll summon my Science Officer.
Quinn: It won't like your Science Officer. It does like you! Vitamins. They do wonders for the body.
Riker: Riker to Security. Guest quarters seventeen. Emergency.
Aaron: Let's have some Andonian tea while we wait for your Riker. Then you can tell us about what's brought you here.
Picard: I see you keep up with our duty roster.
Aaron: Yes, of course, Captain. The Enterprise is very important to us.
Remmick: Excuse me, gentlemen.
Aaron: To the Horatio, gentlemen.
Savar: The Horatio.
Aaron: What an awful tragedy. Such a terrible loss of life.
Picard: It's interesting that you should mention the Horatio. It's one of the subjects I wanted to discuss.
Aaron: Really?
Picard: Has the cause of her destruction been ascertained?
Savar: Absolutely. Implosion, due to extreme negligence on the part of her Captain.
Aaron: Enjoy, Picard. I believe you'll find it an excellent aperitif.
Quinn: It's good thing you're here. He slipped and hit his head.
Laforge: This is Lieutenant La Forge in guest quarter seventeen. We have a medical emergency.
Quinn: Your Doctor Crusher is most capable. I'm sure he'll be all right. Now if you'll excuse me, my time here is most limited.
Laforge: Admiral. Don't you think we should wait until the Doctor gets here?
Quinn: Now, Klingon, it's between you and me.
Quinn: Do Klingons fear death as much as humans? I could snap your neck in a second, but it wouldn't be as much fun.
Worf: Are you all right?
Laforge: If I could see, I'd be seeing stars.
Worf: What is he?
Crusher: Let's find out.
Crusher: Retinal scans are an exact match It really is Quinn.
Laforge: How can that be? The man picked me up like a rag doll.
Crusher: I'm going to have to do a complete internal scan.
Laforge: Keep me posted, Doctor, I'll be on the Bridge.
Crusher: What is that?
Aaron: What do you know of conspiracies, Captain?
Picard: Not nearly enough, I suppose.
Aaron: That's the charming thing about them, isn't it? When a machination is real, no one knows about it. And when it's suspected, it's almost never real.
Savar: Except, of course, in paranoid delusions for those who believe.
Remmick: Sorry to interrupt. Dinner is served.
Aaron: Wonderful. Bantering with the Captain has given me quite an appetite.
Picard: I need to contact my ship to let Commander Riker that we're about to sit down.
Savar: Of course, Captain. We'll wait for you at the table.
Picard: Picard to Riker.
Crusher: Doctor Crusher here, Captain.
Crusher: May I speak freely?
Picard: I suppose I have little choice. Where's Riker?
Crusher: He was attacked by Quinn, or what we thought was Quinn.
Picard: Specify, Doctor.
Crusher: A parasitic being has invaded Quinn's body. It has complete control over all brain functions. It seems to breath through a small gill protruding from the back of Quinn's neck.
Crusher: Look for this, Captain. I believe it will be visible on anyone who has been compromised.
Picard: Any idea what it is or where it comes from?
Crusher: Negative.
Crusher: I've never seen anything like it before.
Data: Lieutenant Worf, if the situation is under control, please report to the Bridge.
Worf: Doctor?
Crusher: It's okay. He won't be waking up for a long time.
Picard: Continue, Doctor.
Crusher: By the placement of the tendrils
Crusher: The parasite appears to stimulate the victim's adrenal glands, generate great strength
Crusher: And resistance to the
Picard: Never mind the details. Can you remove it?
Crusher: I don't think so.
Crusher: Not without killing the patient. Captain.
Crusher: You must set your phaser on kill. Stun has little effect.
Picard: Doctor, one does not beam down to Starfleet Headquarters armed.
Remmick: Your food is getting cold, Captain.
Picard: I'm going in to dinner now, Doctor. Tell Commander Riker to join me as soon as he's ready. Picard out.
Aaron: Please, sit down, Captain. We've been waiting. Go ahead and start, Captain. We don't stand on ceremony here.
Aaron: Oh do eat up, Picard. Raise your hand if you want seconds.
Picard: Riker! Thank God. We're leaving.
Riker: You're not going anywhere. You'll be one of us soon.
Aaron: You were meant for the Doctor.
Riker: It couldn't be helped. Riker walked in on us unexpectedly.
Savar: No matter. The Doctor will soon be joining us. All in good time.
Savar: Well, Captain Scott. Good. Now the setting is complete.
Aaron: You don't really think we were in the dark about your intentions, do you?
Savar: Patience is one of our virtues, Captain. We didn't go after you, we allowed you to come after us.
Aaron: More dramatic that way, don't you think?
Tryla: Yes, the one thing both races share is a love of theater. And you've put on a fine show.
Picard: What race are you? Where are you from?
Savar: It's not important. Let us just say we've come a long way to join you.
Tryla: It's a perfect match. We're the brains, you're the brawn.
Riker: You'll understand soon, Picard.
Savar: Indeed. We've been moving slowly, cautiously, for many months now. Careful to cover our tracks. Careful not to arouse suspicion, until it's too late.
Riker: And now it's too late. For you, that is.
Aaron: Well said, brother. Picard and Riker control the Enterprise, which means we control the Enterprise.
Savar: Eat hearty, brother! Relish your new body!
Picard: Aaron!
Picard: Aaron!
Remmick: Can I help you, gentlemen? Is there any trouble here? Perhaps if you'd tell me what it is
Picard: Remmick!
Picard: No, Will.
Remmick: You don't understand. We mean you no harm. We seek peaceful co-existence.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 41780.2. How difficult after all these years of learning to respect life, to be forced to destroy it. But there seems to be no alternative. Admiral Quinn is expected to make a full recovery. There is no trace of the parasite which took control of him. We'll never know how many of these life forms infiltrated Starfleet, but it seems they could not survive without the mother creature which had taken over Commander Remmick.
Riker: It was Doctor Crusher's idea to simulate the blue gill. We had to make sure it would fool everyone, including you.
Picard: That it did, Number One. Rest assured.
Data: Captain, I have attempted to trace the message Remmick was sending. I believe it was aimed at an unexplored sector of our galaxy.
Laforge: Any idea what the message was, Data?
Data: I believe it was a beacon.
Picard: A beacon?
Data: Yes, sir. A homing beacon, sent from Earth.


Scene: First officer's log, stardate 41986.0. We are awaiting the return of Captain Picard who was summoned to Starbase 718 for an emergency conference. Meanwhile, our sensors are monitoring an ancient capsule floating in our vicinity which appears to be from Earth.
Laforge: I wonder how it got out here.
Worf: At its present speed and heading, it will eventually enter the Kazis binary system and will certainly be destroyed. I could attach a tractor beam and adjust its heading.
Riker: I think not, Mister Worf. It's just a piece of space debris. If we hadn't sitting here waiting for the Captain, we wouldn't have noticed it. Leave it be. Let nature take its course. How long until Captain Picard returns?
Worf: The last communication indicated it would be several hours.
Data: Commander, request permission to investigate this vehicle.
Riker: Why, Data? It's just a derelict.
Data: It is a piece of history. The opportunity to examine such an ancient vehicle does not come around very often, and as you pointed out, we do have the time.
Riker: Very well. Be prepared to beam back before the Captain returns.
Data: Thank you, sir.
Riker: Lieutenant Worf, go with him.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Data: Minimal oxygen atmosphere. An ancient solar generator, still operating.
Worf: Commander, look at this.
Data: The on-board computers have ceased functioning. I may be able to download this old style disk drive back to the Enterprise.
Worf: It must be sealed, probably with age.
Data: Not necessary.
Data: The seal was broken and the environment has been corrupted.
Worf: Here's another.
Data: This one is empty.
Worf: Commander, look at this.
Worf: Were they frozen for an extended journey?
Data: If that were the purpose, there would be evidence of a more sophisticated monitoring system. These containers were designed solely for refrigeration.
Laforge: The Captain's shuttle is approaching the main Shuttlebay, sir.
Picard: Enterprise, this is the Captain. Number One, I want to get underway as soon as the shuttle is secure.
Riker: Aye, sir. We'll make all preparations. Commander Data, return to the Enterprise immediately.
Data: We have run into an unusual situation, sir. There are people on board. Frozen.
Riker: Frozen. How many?
Data: Three. The vehicle has suffered severe damage. Most of her systems have failed.
Riker: Are you suggesting they be transferred to the Enterprise?
Data: I do not believe we should leave them here, sir. With your permission, we will be returning with three containers.
Riker: Whatever you do, do it quickly.
Picard: Mister La Forge, set course zero five eight, mark one seven three.
Laforge: Laying it in, sir.
Picard: Number One, I want a staff meeting on the observation deck.
Laforge: Captain, those coordinates will take us right into the Neutral Zone.
Picard: That is correct, Mister La Forge. Warp factor eight.
Laforge: Aye, sir. Warp eight.
Picard: Engage.
Picard: Two Federation outposts in sector three zero have been destroyed. There's been no communication with Federation starbases in sector three one since stardate 41903.2.
Worf: Romulans.
Picard: That's the assumption.
Riker: There's been no direct contact with the Romulans since the Tomed Incident.
Picard: The question are, why now? What's their objective? For fifty years there's barely a whisper out of them, and now for no apparent reason they seem to be back with a roar.
Riker: Everything we know about them is based on rumor or conjecture.
Picard: The strategic decision is to send one ship.
Riker: The Enterprise.
Worf: We could get out there and find ourselves greatly over-matched.
Picard: True enough. It's a gamble.
Riker: This first encounter, coming so suddenly after all this time. We have to assume it's a setup.
Picard: If force is necessary, we will use it, but that will mean we have failed. Our goal here is to establish some kind of relations with the Romulans. If we don't succeed, then to convince them of our resolve. The general feeling at Starfleet is that they are seeking a confrontation. They may want to test themselves in battle against a Federation starship. See how far we have advanced. If that is the case, then I need to know it. Counselor, I shall need a full profile on them.
Troi: There is limited information, but I will prepare something.
Picard: Computer, estimated arrival time at the Neutral Zone?
Computer: Nineteen hours, twenty eight minutes.
Picard: Let's reassemble in six hours. Stay sharp. No surprises. I would rather outthink them than outfight them. Questions?
Picard: What is it, Doctor?
Crusher: It's the people from the capsule.
Picard: Capsule? People? What people?
Crusher: The people Data beamed over.
Picard: I wasn't aware that he had.
Crusher: Well he did, and they were frozen. I thawed them.
Picard: You what?
Crusher: I didn't know what else to do. The crypts in which they were frozen were literally falling apart.
Picard: So what's their condition?
Crusher: Right now, they are all sleeping. Each of them needed minor medical attention. Minor now, but then their conditions were obviously terminal. One had a heart problem, another had an advanced case of emphysema with extensive liver damage. You know the most surprising thing of all, is that each of them had been frozen after they died.
Picard: After they died?
Crusher: Cryonics. It was a kind of fad in the late twentieth century. People feared dying. It terrified them. At the moment of death, they would be frozen, so that later, some time in the future, when presumably medical science had a cure for whatever killed them, they could be thawed back to life, healed, and sent on about their business.
Picard: In the case of this group, it apparently worked. Mister Data, will you report to Sickbay.
Picard: Immediately.
Picard: Look, I am never critical of any member of my staff being curious, but it's just that the timing is so
Data: I could not leave them there, Captain. The condition of their vehicle was deteriorating.
Picard: But Data, they were already dead. I mean, what more could have happened to them?
Data: I see your point, Captain, but at the time it seemed the proper thing to do.
Picard: Well, they're alive now. We're going to have to treat them as living human beings.
Crusher: Alive and well and ready to be awakened.
Picard: Before you wake them up, I want to have Security here. Lieutenant Worf, report to Sickbay.
Crusher: I have them sedated now, but they should be up and about as soon as possible.
Picard: Well, then we have no other choice.
Crusher: None that I can see.
Picard: Welcome to the twenty fourth century.
Data: I was able to retrieve some information from the ancient disk I removed from the module's computer. Her name is Clare Raymond, age thirty five, occupation homemaker. Must be some kind of construction work.
Crusher: She died of an embolism. It probably happened very suddenly, otherwise her physical condition was excellent.
Data: His name is Ralph Offenhouse, age fifty five, occupation financier.
Crusher: Advanced cardiomyopathy. Inoperable at the time, but easily correctable now. He must have known his condition was terminal for quite some time.
Data: Much of his file we could not retrieved. His name is L Q Sonny Clemonds. Apparently his occupation had something to do with music.
Crusher: There was marked deterioration of every system in his body. Probably from massive chemical abuse. Unbelievable.
Picard: That sounds like someone who hated life. Yet he had himself frozen presumably so he could go through it all again.
Crusher: Too afraid to live, too scared to die.
Picard: Doctor, this seems to be a situation more suited to your talents. I'll leave it with you. I'll be on the Bridge.
Picard: Number One, kindly take charge of our guests until we have time to decide what we're going to do with them.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Picard: Number One, keep them out of my way.
Riker: I know this is all very confusing to you so I'll attempt to explain. You are on the starship USS Enterprise.
Ralph: American?
Riker: No, it's a vessel of the United Federation of Planets, and Earth is a member.
Ralph: What year is this?
Data: By your calendar two thousand three hundred sixty four.
Ralph: What? My heart, is it?
Crusher: It's perfectly fine. In fact, you are all now in excellent health.
Ralph: It worked. I made it.
Sonny: What is that?
Riker: An android.
Sonny: You mean a robot?
Data: Actually there is a distinct difference between an android and a robot.
Clare: And him? The one I saw before, with the head?
Crusher: She means Worf.
Riker: He's a Klingon. That takes a little more explanation.
Sonny: Now, listen, guys. I paid some idiot a lot of money to freeze me when I died, and I just got to hear the words. Am I alive?
Riker: Oh, yes. Absolutely.
Sonny: And the liver that was about to explode in my face?
Crusher: Perfectly sound.
Clare: Excuse me, could someone please tell me what's going on here?
Crusher: About three hundred and seventy years ago, you died of a massive embolism.
Clare: I don't remember anything about that.
Crusher: You and the others were frozen.
Sonny: Cryonics. You know, freeze you now and heal you later.
Clare: Yeah, I've heard of it. I just never gave it much thought. How did we get here?
Data: You were in a space module.
Sonny: The whacko who sold me this scam said that by putting us in orbit there weren't gonna be no chance of a brown out.
Ralph: Yes, several cryonics companies fell into disrepute because of power failures which adversely affected their refrigeration system. Their stocks were severely depressed.
Sonny: The whole deal was a long shot but I figured what the hell, might as well give them the dough instead of leaving it to my ex-wives. But you know, son, I figured it was all just a bunch of hooey.
Data: Hooey? Ah, as in hogwash, malarky, jive. An intentional fabrication.
Sonny: There you go, now you got it.
Riker: Now, if you didn't contract for this, who did?
Clare: It must have been my husband, Donald. If it was new and foolish, he would have popped for it. Well, I'll say this for it. It's the first thing he's ever bought into that worked.
Ralph: I, for one, never had a doubt. My stock in this company must have split at least a dozen times by now.
Data: Actually, the process of cryonics was never more than a fad, and did not continue much beyond the mid-twenty first century.
Ralph: I need to make a phone call as soon as possible.
Riker: A phone call?
Ralph: Yes. I have provided for myself. I have a substantial portfolio. It's critical that I check on it. Let the bank know that I am alive and well.
Riker: Ah, that's going to be a little difficult right at the moment.
Ralph: Well, do you at least have a copy of The Wall Street Journal?
Riker: I think we should take the Doctor's advice. Take this very slowly until we've all adjusted, and then we'll talk to the Captain.
Troi: As you know, there is very little available on the Romulans.
Picard: Counselor, anything would be helpful.
Troi: They seem to be creatures of extremes. One moment violent beyond description, the next tender. They are related to the Vulcans, but as each race developed, their differences grew wider. They are intensely curious. Their belief in their own superiority is beyond arrogance. For some reason they have exhibited a fascination with humans and it is that fascination, more than anything else, that has kept the peace. One other thing. They will not initiate anything. They will wait for you to commit yourself.
Picard: Counter-punchers. Thank you, Counselor. That's quite valuable.
Data: Talk.
Sonny: I'd like me a thick Kansas City steak, and some country fried potatoes, and a mess of greens. Oh, hell, just forget all that and give me have a martini, straight up, with two olives. For the vitamins.
Data: Is there something wrong?
Sonny: Wrong? Only that your computer here fixed about the best martini I have ever had. I just might get to like this place. Let's see if the Braves are on. How do you turn on this teevee?
Riker: TV?
Sonny: Yeah, the boob tube. I'd like to see how the Braves are doing after all this time. Probably still finding ways to lose.
Data: I believe he means television, sir. That particular form of entertainment did not last much beyond the year two thousand forty.
Sonny: Well, what do you guys do? I mean, you don't drink, and you ain't got no TV. Must be kind of boring, ain't it?
Picard: Number One.
Riker: Riker here.
Picard: Would you and Mister Data report to the Bridge?
Riker: At once, sir.
Ralph: With whom were you speaking?
Riker: The Captain.
Ralph: Good. Would you tell him I would like to see him as soon as it's convenient?
Clare: What's going to happen to us? Do we stay here with you? Do we go back to Earth?
Riker: That will all be up to the Captain.
Ralph: Well, get him in here. I have to phone Geneva right away about my accounts. The interest alone could be enough to buy this ship.
Sonny: The Yankee's right. Let's get the big boy in here.
Riker: I'll pass along your request. If you'll excuse us.
Sonny: Duty calls. Hey, I understand. Why don't you come back later on. You and me'll find us a couple of low mileage pit woofies, and help'em build a memory.
Data: What is to be done with them, sir?
Riker: I don't know.
Data: Commander, a low mileage pit woofie?
Riker: This time you've got me. I haven't a clue.
Data: These are the most unusual humans I have ever encountered.
Riker: Well, from what I've seen of our guests, there's not much to redeem them. It makes one wonder how our species survived the twenty-first century.
Picard: Report.
Worf: We are six hours from the Neutral Zone. I have been unable to establish communications with any Federation colony or station in this vicinity.
Picard: How many outposts are there in this sector?
Worf: Nine.
Riker: I think we work on the assumption they've all been destroyed.
Laforge: By the Romulans?
Riker: It fits their historical pattern.
Data: Since we have no contact with the Romulans for fifty three years, seven months, eighteen days, we must consider that the information we do have, is out of date.
Riker: The positive side of that is the information they have about us is also out of date. Captain, I think it's that lack of information that this is all about.
Picard: Go on.
Riker: In my opinion, the Romulans want a confrontation specifically with us.
Picard: The Enterprise?
Riker: Well, not by name, but the Federation. They know the Federation will send their best. That'll give them a perfect chance to see firsthand how far we've advanced both in technology and technique.
Picard: What are you recommending?
Riker: I'm not sure I have a specific recommendation. Perhaps we should assume the initiative.
Worf: I agree with Commander Riker. This may be our only opportunity. We should seize it.
Picard: Mister Data?
Data: The strategy is built on a single premise. The hostile intent of the Romulans. If the premise is sound, so is the proposal.
Laforge: If their intention isn't hostile, what is it?
Ralph: Captain Picard?
Picard: This is Captain Picard. To whom am I speaking?
Ralph: Ralph Offenhouse.
Ralph: I need to talk to you.
Picard: What is going on here, Number One? Did you give him permission to contact me?
Riker: Of course not. He must have seen me use the comm. panel.
Picard: Listen, Mister Offenhouse. We're in a very important conference right now.
Ralph: I'm sick and tired of being put off
Ralph: By you and your staff. This is the worst run ship I have ever been on.
Ralph: You should take some lessons from the QE Two. Now that's an efficient operation.
Picard: Data, identify. What is a QE Two?
Data: It was a passenger liner which mostly traveled Earth's Atlantic Ocean during the late twentieth and early twenty first centuries.
Picard: He's comparing the Enterprise to a cruise ship?
Ralph: Captain Picard, I demand that you see me. I think I have been very, very patient.
Ralph: I demand a phone, or a radio whatever else you have. Frankly, enough is enough. Especially under the circumstances, and considering what I paid for this procedure! I must make contact with my law
Picard: I'm Captain Picard.
Ralph: Excellent. Now, maybe we'll be able to get some things straightened out.
Picard: We may indeed. Those comm. panels are for official ship business.
Ralph: If they are so important, why don't they need an executive key?
Picard: Aboard a starship, that is not necessary. We are all capable of exercising self-diskipline. Now, you will refrain from using them.
Ralph: Now just a minute.
Picard: We are in a very serious and potentially dangerous situation.
Ralph: I'm sure whatever it is seems very important to you, but my situation is far more critical.
Picard: I don't think you are aware of your situation, or of how much time has passed.
Ralph: Believe me, I'm fully cognisant of where I am, and when. It is simply that I have more to protect than a man in your position could possibly imagine. No offense, but a military career has never been considered to be upwardly mobile. I must contact my lawyer.
Picard: Your lawyer has been dead for centuries.
Ralph: Yes, of course I know that, but he was a full partner in a very important firm. Rest assured, that firm is still operating.
Picard: That's what this is all about. A lot has changed in the past three hundred years. People are no longer obsessed with the accumulation of things. We've eliminated hunger, want, the need for possessions. We have grown out of our infancy.
Ralph: You've got it all wrong. It's never been about possessions. It's about power.
Picard: Power to do what?
Ralph: To control your life, your destiny.
Picard: That kind of control is an illusion.
Ralph: Really? I'm here, aren't I? I should be dead but I'm not.
Picard: What is it?
Clare: I don't know. It just started and it won't stop. I keep thinking about my boys.
Picard: Counselor Troi, will you report to the guest lounge?
Riker: Captain, we are approaching Science Station Delta Zero Five.
Picard: Slow to half impulse. I'm on my way.
Sonny: Captain, I need to see that pretty little Doctor of yours.
Picard: I'll inform her.
Ralph: Captain. I didn't mean to come on so strong. It's just that I've built my whole life on knowing what's going on. For the first time I feel completely out of touch. It's making me crazy. You can understand that?
Picard: It's the first thing you've said I do understand. I'll see what I can do. And, please, stay off the comm. panels.
Picard: Counselor, will you get those people under control. We cannot afford this continuing distraction.
Troi: Yes, sir.
Troi: Hello. My name is Deanna.
Clare: They sent you here to settle me down?
Troi: I'm the ship's Counselor and I thought you might want to talk.
Clare: The local shrink.
Troi: I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that term.
Clare: It doesn't matter.
Troi: You're feeling profoundly sad.
Clare: I can't stop crying. I miss my sons, and then I think I'm here, but they are gone. Donald, that's my husband. I love that man but, good intentions aside, he'd mess up a free lunch. Why on Earth he ever decided to do this?
Troi: He must have thought you would have wanted it.
Clare: No, I can tell you exactly what happened. He couldn't think about going on alone. I died and he couldn't face it, so he figured if he had me frozen, then in his mind I wasn't really gone. It sounds crazy, but you had to know Donald. I wish I knew what happened to my children. Did they get married, did they have kids?
Troi: Let's see if we can find out. Computer, this is Counselor Troi. Request personal history on. What are their names?
Clare: Tommy. He's eight, and Eddie's five.
Computer: Full names, date and place of birth.
Clare: They were born in Secaucus, that's in Jersey. Can this really work? Can this tell me what's happened to them?
Troi: Well, there must be a record somewhere. There is a good chance we can find it.
Clare: Well, whether we do or not, I want to thank you for trying. Date of birth. Tommy was born February seventeenth
Sonny: I just got to have a little something to jump start the morning, and a little something else to shut down the night.
Crusher: You have no medical need.
Sonny: It ain't a question of need, darling. It's a matter of survival.
Crusher: Sorry.
Sonny: Not to worry. Old Watosh'll scuffle along the best way he can. How do I get a hold of that feller with the strange looking face?
Crusher: I beg your pardon?
Sonny: What's his name. That android fella.
Crusher: You mean Lieutenant Commander Data?
Sonny: That's the one.
Crusher: I'll let him know you're looking for him.
Sonny: Much obliged. You know, you're just about the prettiest little old Doctor I ever seen.
Crusher: Much obliged.
Clare: This is amazing. It's all right here.
Troi: Ten generations of your progeny.
Clare: Everyone I've ever known is dead. Do you mind? I'd like to be alone.
Troi: No, not at all.
Data: You asked to see me.
Sonny: Look, I'm about to go out of my mind for something to do. I mean, sitting here alone just don't get it. What say you and I put together a little party?
Data: A celebration?
Sonny: No, nothing that fancy. Just some folks, some suds, and some sounds. Hell, it ain't nothing but something to do.
Data: I will speak to the Captain.
Sonny: Great, you do that.
Data: Inquiry. You do not seem to be having as much difficulty adjusting to your current circumstances as the others.
Sonny: You mean being here on this tub four hundred years from where I started? Heck, it's the same dance, it's just a different tune. You think anybody here's got a guitar I could borrow?
Data: No, but the computer can replicate such an instrument.
Sonny: I was kind of hoping to get one while I still remember the chords.
Riker: Commander Data, we are approaching the Neutral Zone. Report to the Bridge.
Data: I must leave now.
Sonny: What's this Neutral Zone?
Data: It is a buffer between the Romulan Empire and the Federation.
Sonny: Why does that make me nervous?
Data: I do not know.
Sonny: We won't be inviting these Romulans to our party, will we?
Data: No, that would not be appropriate.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have arrived at the edge of the Neutral Zone, where we will now have an opportunity to learn firsthand what happened to our distant outpost.
Data: Captain, there is nothing left of Outpost Delta Zero Five.
Laforge: Must have been one hell of an explosion.
Data: Sensors indicate no evidence of conventional attack.
Picard: Can you determine what happened?
Worf: The outpost was not just destroyed, it's as though some great force just scooped it off the face of the planet.
Picard: Could it have been a natural phenomenon?
Worf: Insufficient information, sir.
Picard: Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Sir?
Picard: Set course for the next closest station.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Ralph: I have spent my career being able to tell when the other guy's mouth is dry. There is something going on here. Something serious. The tension level on this ship has jumped up.
Sonny: Even if you're right, what can we do about it? And besides, these old boys here don't need us telling them where the bear sits. Look here what that young fella made for me.
Clare: How did he do that?
Sonny: He called it a pattern replication. It plays real good, too.
Ralph: I'm trying to tell you that there is a situation developing on this vessel that directly affects us, and all you can talk about is that stupid guitar!
Sonny: Hey, now, these folks don't need us swimming in their soup, so why don't you just relax and let'em do their jobs?
Ralph: That may be all right for you, but I am not willing to allow my fate to be decided by others. I at least want to know what is going on.
Laforge: We are approaching Tarod Nine.
Data: The condition is identical, Captain.
Worf: Everyone and everything is gone.
Riker: Captain, I strongly recommend that we go to Red Alert. If the Romulans have improved their cloaking device, and we'd be fools to believe they haven't, we should assume a more defensive posture.
Worf: I agree, Captain. I recommend we go immediately to battle stations.
Picard: I appreciate your advice and concern, but this is not the time for rash actions. We are still investigating. There are three other stations in this sector we have to visit. Let's proceed in a calm and orderly manner.
Riker: If not battle stations, may we at least take the ship to Yellow Alert?
Picard: Yes, Number One. That would be prudent. Make it so.
Ralph: Ah, let's see. I want to go to the, er. Where would the Captain be?
Computer: Captain Picard is located on the main Bridge.
Ralph: Well then, take me to the main Bridge.
Worf: Captain, my sensors indicate a disturbance. It is large and moving, but I cannot get a positive lock nor can I get it on the viewscreen.
Riker: Shields up.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Riker: Captain, I recommend we transfer all power to phasers, and arm the photon torpedoes.
Picard: Wait. If that is a Romulan ship, they will read our intent. It'll force them into taking a similar posture. We don't want to engage in battle.
Riker: Captain, this is sufficient evidence. Outposts have been destroyed. Countless lives have been lost.
Worf: I have a positive lock. They're disengaging their cloaking device.
Riker: They'll only be vulnerable for an instant as they become visible.
Worf: Captain, this may be our only chance.
Picard: No.
Riker: Where are they?
Worf: The signal is weakening.
Worf: I've lost them.
Picard: Damn. Mister Data, are your sensors picking up anything? You should be detecting a disturbance.
Data: Negative, sir.
Laforge: We wanted to know if they have improved the cloaking device. Guess we have our answer.
Picard: They were trying to determine our intent. They wanted to see if we would fire.
Ralph: Who the hell are they?
Riker: Get that man off the Bridge, now.
Ralph: I'm not going anywhere.
Worf: Captain, they're back.
Riker: Amazing. I never thought I would ever see a Romulan ship. Not this close.
Laforge: The last time we encountered them was decades ago. Cost thousands of lives.
Ralph: I can believe that.
Picard: Stay calm, everyone. Open hailing frequencies.
Worf: Captain, these are Romulans. They are without honor. They killed my parents in an attack on Khitomer when they were supposed to be our allies. They believe humans and Klingons are a waste of skin.
Picard: Lieutenant, control your emotions. Please, open hailing frequencies.
Worf: Hailing frequencies open.
Picard: Romulan vessel, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise.
Data: Sensors indicate all of their systems are armed, sir.
Picard: But they've not fired. Let's try them again.
Tebok: I am Commander Tebok.
Picard: Commander, you have crossed the Neutral Zone. This is Federation territory.
Thei: It was necessary.
Picard: It might be viewed as an act of aggression.
Thei: If our intent were aggression, you would not be here now.
Tebok: If we go to war, let us be sure it is for the right reason. We are here because our outposts, which border the Neutral Zone, were also attacked.
Thei: Destroyed in the exact same manner as your own.
Worf: Even so, what gives them the right to enter Federation space?
Tebok: Silence your dog, Captain.
Picard: Lieutenant Worf's question is valid.
Thei: To even to ask such a question implies that we need permission. We do not.
Picard: Do you think that we attacked your outposts?
Tebok: Once we realized the level of destruction, we knew it could not have been you.
Picard: Who is responsible?
Ralph: They haven't got a clue. They're hoping you know, but they're too arrogant to ask.
Riker: You're out of line, Mister.
Picard: Yes, but it's a correct assessment.
Tebok: We do not know who is responsible. Why entire outposts on both sides have been carried off.
Picard: I would like to offer a proposal.
Thei: An alliance? Between the Romulans and the Federation?
Picard: Nothing so grandiose. Just this. Cooperation. There was an intent here. Whoever or whatever did this is more powerful than either of us. Let's collaborate. Let's share whatever we learn about what has happened here.
Thei: Agreed. On this one issue. And only if it is convenient and appropriate at the time.
Tebok: Captain Picard, because your actions are those of a thoughtful man, I'll you this. Matters more urgent caused our absence. Now, witness the result. Outposts destroyed, expansion of the Federation everywhere. Yes, we have indeed been negligent, Captain. But no more.
Picard: Commander, we have made some progress here. Let's not ruin that with unnecessary posturing.
Tebok: Your presence is not wanted. Do you understand my meaning, Captain? We are back.
Picard: I think our lives just became a lot more complicated. Get him off my Bridge.
Troi: I've found something. I have been able to locate a family living outside of Indianapolis. The man's name is Thomas Raymond.
Clare: That's my son's name. My son's name is Tommy.
Troi: Computer, let us see Thomas Raymond.
Clare: Oh, my God. That's Donald. That's my husband.
Troi: Actually, it's your great, great, great, great, great grandson.
Clare: He's the spitting image.
Troi: Well, I have his address. When you get back to Earth, you can go and see him.
Clare: No, I'll be out of time. A relic.
Troi: Perhaps. But it's a place to start. After all, he is family.
Clare: There's no denying that.
Picard: Here's what I propose. You can't stay on the Enterprise, but I have arranged for us to rendezvous with the USS Charleston, bound for Earth. They will deliver you there.
Ralph: Then what will happen to us? There's no trace of my money. My office is gone. What will I do? How will I live?
Picard: This is the twenty fourth century. Material needs no longer exist.
Ralph: Then what's the challenge?
Picard: The challenge, Mister Offenhouse, is to improve yourself. To enrich yourself. Enjoy it.
Sonny: Well, one good thing is, since everybody's forgotten everything I ever did, it'll all be brand spanking new. I'll be a bigger hit than I ever was.
Picard: Perhaps so. Anything is possible.
Sonny: What say you, son. You'd make a hell of a sideman.
Data: That offer does present a certain fascination.
Laforge: Captain, I have plotted a course to intercept the Charleston, but they've just informed me that they'll be making an extended stop at Arloff Nine.
Picard: Your point, Mister La Forge?
Laforge: Well, at warp eight, we could have our guests at Starbase Thirty Nine Sierra in five days. Take months off their journey.
Picard: But they'll benefit from the extended time. It will allow them to acclimate before returning to Earth.
Riker: It's a pity we can't take them ourselves. Having them on board is like a visit from the past.
Picard: That would take us in the wrong direction. Our mission is to go forward, and it's just begun. Set velocity. Warp six, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Aye, sir. Warp six.
Picard: There's still much to do. Still so much to learn. Mister La Forge, engage.