Scene: Captain's Log, Stardate 43957.2. We are charting an unexplored star system within the Zeta Gelis cluster. This routine assignment has made for a refreshingly quiet time aboard the Enterprise.
Laforge: That's her.
Worf: Which one?
Laforge: The one on the right. Don't stare.
Worf: Why not?
Laforge: Because she'll see.
Worf: Good. You must let her see the fire in your eyes.
Laforge: But what would I say?
Worf: Words come later. It is the scent that first speaks of love.
Laforge: Thanks, Worf. That helps a lot.
Christi: Hi, Geordi.
Laforge: Hi.
Christi: So, how have you been?
Laforge: Good. I, er.
Christi: How are things down in Engineering?
Laforge: Fine. They, they've been fine.
Christi: Well, I'll see you around.
Worf: I have much to teach you about women.
Riker: Mister La Forge, report to Transporter room three.
Laforge: What's this all about, Commander?
Riker: Sensors have discovered a small one-man spaceship crashed on the planet.
Crusher: We're picked up life-signs, humanoid, very faint and fading.
Data: Radiation levels within acceptable limits.
Laforge: We can beam him out from under there, get him right up to Sickbay.
Crusher: He's not stable enough for transport. There's damage to his brain stem, autonomic functions are failing. His heart needs active neurofeedback. It can't regulate itself. I need a volunteer.
Laforge: Right here.
Crusher: I'm going to hook your nervous systems to the tricorder. Your brain will regulate both systems. That should stabilize him long enough to get him up to the ship.
Crusher: Take deep, regular breaths. If anything goes wrong I'll break the connection.
Laforge: Okay.
Crusher: Geordi!
Laforge: I'm fine. No problem.
Crusher: Transporter room, three to beam directly to Sickbay.
Crusher: Autonomic responses are still low. Begin cardiostimulation. Sixty cc's of inaprovaline. Massive infection is setting in. Use the protodynoplaser to stabilize his immune system. We need to design a virus that can infiltrate his cell structure and boost his ATP production.
Temple: What about Commander La Forge. He's waiting in the diagnostic center.
Crusher: I need you to give him a full bioscan. See if there's any residual effect from that energy discharge during the neurolink. Keep his arm in cryogenic stasis until the vital signs are strong enough to begin surgical procedures.
Riker: From the size and shape of the wreckage, it appeared to be some kind of escape pod. Their control system was badly damaged, which is probably what caused the crash.
Picard: An escape pod? Then he couldn't have traveled very far. Mister Data, are there any other signs of ships in this area?
Data: I am picking up a scattering of debris in extended orbit around the planet. It reads as refined metals and other synthetic compounds.
Picard: The remains of a larger vessel. He must have left in the pod before the ship was destroyed.
Worf: Sensors show trace elements in the debris that would indicate phaser fire was recently exchanged.
Picard: Were you able to salvage anything else from the escape pod?
Riker: This is all that was left from their computer system.
Picard: Mister Data, can you access it?
Data: It will take time, sir. Downloading this into our system will require fabrication of a matrix translator to emulate the alien's computer system.
Picard: Keep me apprised of your progress.
Data: Aye, sir.
Temple: Limb re-fusion appears to be successful, Doctor. Tissue oxygenation is within norms.
Crusher: That's all we can do for now. We won't be able to test neuromuscular function for a few days.
Crusher: Ah, Geordi.
Laforge: Can I go now, Doc?
Crusher: No need to keep you here. Your bioscan came out negative.
Laforge: Could've told you that. I feel great.
Picard: How's your patient?
Crusher: I never thought he'd make it this far. There was major trauma to his head and chest cavity, massive plasma loss, and severe damage to most of his organs.
Picard: What are his chances?
Crusher: I believe he's going to live. I'm afraid I can't take the credit for it, though. His body seems to have amazing recuperative powers. The damaged tissue seems to be repairing itself at a phenomenal rate. There's one thing that troubles me though.
Picard: What's that?
Crusher: Take a look at this.
Picard: Cell regeneration?
Crusher: Yes. The thing is, it has nothing to do with the injuries. These are undamaged cells that seem to be mutating.
Picard: Do you have a theory as to the cause?
Crusher: No. I've never seen anything like it in my life. There is a possibility that it's part of his natural healing process. I hope it is, because there's nothing I can do to stop it.
Laforge: I'm telling you Data, there's got to be some way to decode the information in this thing.
Data: I agree Geordi. But the data matrix within the capsule does not correspond to any standard format. All we have been able to determine is that the device contains a chemically based system for molecular energy encoding.
Laforge: Yeah, and the computer still can't analyze the specific chemical elements involved. It's got to be part of the data processing system. What if it's a feedback loop controller?
Data: The compact shape does suggest a rapid chemical processing and storage capacity.
Laforge: We found it near the escape pod's instrumentation assemblage. This capsule might process the ship's dynamic motions and augment its manual control inputs. We could send it a few test signals, make it think the entire assemblage was awake and operating.
Data: An intriguing experiment. The capsule might provide us with information without the need to decode the storage medium itself. Perhaps we should examine your theory immediately.
Worf: Less talk, more synthahol. We came here to relax.
Laforge: I am relaxd. In fact, I've never felt better. But you know, Worf, you're right. The storage capsule can wait awhile.
Laforge: Christi, you're not leaving, are you?
Christi: I was just on my way down to the arboretum.
Laforge: Would you care for some company?
Christi: I'd love some, but I didn't think you were interested in that kind of thing.
Laforge: There are a lot of things you don't know about me.
Worf: I've been tutoring him. He learns very quickly. Medical Log, Stardate 43958.8. I have removed patient John Doe from the emergency bio-support unit. In just thirty six hours, most of his major organ systems have regenerated themselves to the point where they can now function on their own.
John: I am alive?
Crusher: You certainly are.
John: Thank you for my life. Tell me, who am I?
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 43960.6. Our mission to map the Zeta Gelis star cluster is proceeding on schedule. Meanwhile, Doctor Crusher reports that the recovery of the patient she has named John Doe continues at a remarkable pace.
Crusher: Are you experiencing any discomfort?
John: None. I can feel the life returning to my body.
Crusher: Your neurofiber waves are functioning almost normally again. That puts you about six weeks ahead of my original schedule.
John: That should give you and your colleagues something to talk about.
Crusher: You are all we've talked about since your arrival.
John: I believe I'm ready for the next phase of my treatment.
Crusher: You are right. It is time you stopped taking up valuable bed space. Now these motor-assist bands will provide you with electrical stimulation for your arms and legs. They will help you re-learn how to control your muscles again. But remember, you've been off your feet for almost a month, so don't be disappointed if at first your mobility is restricted. Your limbs are still weak.
John: I appreciate your concern, Doctor, but I think I may surprise you again. I feel strong enough to fly.
Crusher: Whoops.
John: Perhaps I should concentrate on walking first.
Crusher: Let's try again, a little more slowly this time.
John: Much more slowly.
John: I envy your reflexes, Captain.
Picard: I envy your strength of will. Doctor Crusher has been keeping me informed of your progress. It's quite extraordinary.
John: I have an extraordinary doctor. She gave me back my life. I hope that I am worthy of her efforts.
Picard: Are you still unable to recall anything about your past?
John: Unfortunately, Captain, my memories begin the moment I woke up in Sickbay. Doctor Crusher told me you think I was in some kind of battle.
Picard: I'm quite sure of that. Have you any idea how you came to be in that escape pod, or what happened to the ship?
John: No. Believe me, Captain, it's a horrible feeling not knowing who you are or where you're from.
Picard: Have you tried synaptic induction?
Crusher: His neural nets don't conform to any known patterns. Conventional neurotherapy has proven ineffective. Hopefully, in time, his memory pathways will reestablish themselves naturally.
Crusher: That same pain?
John: Yes. I think I've made enough progress for one day.
Picard: Not a relapse I hope.
Crusher: This is nothing to do with his previous wounds. I think this has something to do with the continuing mutation of his cell structure.
Picard: You still have no theory as to what's causing it?
Crusher: It doesn't make any sense.
John: I seem to be a mystery, Doctor. To you and to myself.
Christi: Well, this is where I get off. See you tonight in Ten Forward?
Laforge: Yeah, I'll be there.
Christi: Hello, Commander.
Riker: Miss Henshaw.
Riker: Bridge.
Laforge: Deck six.
Riker: So, you and Miss Henshaw have been seeing a lot of each other.
Laforge: Every night this week.
Riker: Is that all? I thought you'd been walking around with that smile on your face a lot longer than that.
Laforge: I guess I have. This whole last month or so everything seems to be going my way. I don't know what it is, but something sure has changed around here.
Riker: The only thing that's changed is you.
Laforge: Me? I'm the same old guy I always was.
Riker: If you say so. I don't remember the old Geordi having that much success with Miss Christi Henshaw.
Laforge: Well, maybe I am a little bit more confident than I used to be.
Crusher: What happened to you?
O'Brien: I was kayaking in the holodeck again.
Crusher: You dislocated your shoulder. Sit down, I'll get the osteotractor frame.
Wesley: Hi mom. We still on for dinner tonight?
Crusher: Seven thirty sharp. I'll be right back.
Wesley: Kayaking again?
O'Brien: Yeah.
Wesley: How's my mom's favorite patient?
John: Judge for yourself.
Wesley: Not bad.
John: Your mom promised me a tour of the ship tomorrow. You may find this hard to believe, but Sickbay can be an incredibly boring place to be.
O'Brien: Hey, Doc! I'm dying here.
John: Don't worry my friend. You'll be alright.
O'Brien: The pain's gone.
Crusher: It's completely healed. I don't understand. What did you do?
John: I don't know. It was instinct. I just touched him.
Crusher: I've run every test and scan on him that I can think of, and yet there's no physiological evidence to indicate that he would possess such powers. But then, there's so much about John that's a mystery.
Wesley: You know, I really like him.
Crusher: He does have a certain charm doesn't he? The entire medical staff has commented on it.
Wesley: You seem a little taken with him yourself.
Crusher: He has a strength and serenity that I find very attractive. And yet he's vulnerable. I guess I find him intriguing.
Wesley: Seems like there's a little more to it than that.
Crusher: Is this your way of asking me if I'm getting romantically involved with him?
Wesley: You said it, I didn't.
Crusher: My feelings toward him aren't romantic exactly. I mean, I know that the doctor-patient relationship can sometimes create a false sense of intimacy, but this is different. There's an almost spiritual connection. I guess I'm not making any sense, am I?
Wesley: I think I understand.
Laforge: Data, I was thinking about the storage capsule last night and I was wondering, what if we've been going about this thing the wrong way? We've been trying to analyze its mechanical properties. What if it is a biochemical storage medium?
Data: Are you suggesting that it employs memory RNA like an organic cell?
Laforge: Well, it does contain quantities of nucleic acids.
Data: Perhaps the information sequences are encoded in the molecular patterns themselves.
Laforge: Computer, scan the storage capsule. Analyze molecular sequences on nucleic acid chains.
Laforge: Well. what do you know. A navigational chart.
Data: It appears that your hypothesis was correct, Geordi.
Laforge: I knew it. Captain?
Picard: Found something?
Data: We have determined that the storage cube from John Doe's escape pod contains navigational information.
Picard: Can you match these stars to our charts?
Data: Computer, run transformational matrix calculations. Match navigational referents to known stars in this sector.
Computer: Information on this sector is incomplete. No correlation.
Laforge: I'm not giving up yet. Not after coming so close to cracking this thing. You know, that might be flight path information from John's ship, but without a frame of reference, I can't determine its origin points.
Data: Computer, assume those paths are course corrections and derive gravitational values for stellar objects near those flight paths.
Data: Most of these are ordinary G-type stars. This would appear to be a neutron star, possibly a pulsar.
Laforge: Which means that this might be a rotational time reference.
Data: Computer, assume these symbols are pulsars. Translate associated values into standard temporal notations. Computer, is there a pulsar with a rotational period of one point five two four four seconds within sensor range?
Computer: Affirmative.
Laforge: Bingo! Now, Computer, overlay navigational chart using referenced pulsars and project a flight path back to it's origin.
Computer: Flight path originated at bearing zero zero three, mark zero one five. Distance, two point three parsecs.
Laforge: That's it, Captain. That's where John Doe came from.
Data: That bearing is almost directly along our planned course, sir.
Picard: Good. Then we can continue our mission without significant interruption.
John: Home?
Picard: Yes. Using the information we found in your escape pod, we may be able to return you to your people.
John: I cannot go back.
Picard: Why is that?
John: You must not take me home, Captain.
Crusher: John, your memory, has it returned?
John: All I know is that we came out here to escape.
Picard: Escape?
Crusher: There were others with you?
John: Yes, I was not alone. But what happened to the others, or what we were escaping from, I cannot remember. But I do know you must not take me back. Not yet.
Picard: We will not arrive in your star system for at least three weeks. That will give us plenty of time to discuss this further.
Crusher: Hopefully, by then you will have regained more of your memory.
John: You're right, of course, Captain. I apologize for my outburst.
Picard: It's understandable.
John: This ship is astounding. It seems to stretch on without end.
Crusher: We can see the rest of it some other time. This is your first day out of Sickbay and I don't want you to overexert yourself.
John: This looks like an ideal place to rest.
Crusher: My thoughts exactly.
John: Truly remarkable.
Crusher: What is?
John: These people. They're all so different from one another yet they work together freely.
Crusher: That surprises you?
John: It is new to me. My people are different somehow. If only I could remember. Yesterday, for one terrifying moment, there was clarity.
Crusher: You mean the energy pulse?
John: Yes. For that moment my purpose seemed clear, and then it was gone.
Crusher: The pain, the energy pulse, must be linked to the cell mutation in the body. I wish I could help you find the truth.
John: Beverly, you've done so much for me. I only wish there was some way I could repay you.
Crusher: But you have. The friendship we've developed has made me very happy.
John: The rapport that exists between us also means a great deal to me. But I am on some kind of journey. Whatever brought me here, whatever is happening to my body, is all part of that journey. And I must complete it before any other consideration.
Worf: Sir, I am reading a vessel on long range scanners. It is coming from sector nine five six nine.
Picard: What configuration?
Worf: Impossible to identify at this distance. However, it is on an intercept course.
Data: Captain, the ship is traveling at warp nine point seven two.
Riker: Warp nine point seven two?
Picard: Time to intercept?
Data: At present course and speed, ten hours fifty three minutes.
Picard: Try and hail them, Mister Worf.
Worf: No response, Captain.
Picard: Keep monitoring their approach. Repeat the hail every half an hour.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Riker: Whoever they are, they're in a big hurry to get here.
Temple: Doctor Crusher, medical emergency, room four.
John: I can't make it stop.
Crusher: John, tell me. Is it worse than before?
John: Much worse.
Temple: Should I get something for the pain?
Crusher: No. The readings are fluctuating too wildly. Besides, it wouldn't do any good. His entire cell structure is transforming.
John: I have to leave, Beverly.
Crusher: John, where do you have to go?
John: I must get off this ship.
Crusher: That's impossible. Not in your condition.
John: I must!
Crusher: Security.
Laforge: Okay, let's realign the magnetic inducer on the starboard nacelle.
Crusher: John!
Worf: Leave the control booth immediately!
Crusher: John, listen to me. You must come down. I'll try to help you.
Worf: Step away from the controls.
John: Get back. Please, stay away.
Worf: I have no wish to harm you, but you must return to Sickbay immediately.
John: No. Do not come any closer. I cannot control over what is happening to me.
Crusher: His neck is broken. No life signs. Sickbay, form a resuscitation team. I have a code seven in shuttlebay two. Transporter room, stand by.
Security: Hold it.
Crusher: No, don't.
Crusher: Hold still.
Laforge: Doc.
Crusher: I can't believe it. There's no trace of injury.
Picard: You admit you were trying to steal a shuttlecraft.
John: Yes.
Picard: So I ask you again, why?
John: I don't know.
Picard: Unacceptable. You had a reason. I want to know what it was. Damn it, you nearly killed a member of my crew.
Crusher: And healed him.
Picard: I'm not forgetting that. That's the reason he's here and not in the brig.
John: I warned him. I told him it was dangerous.
Picard: Why? Why was it dangerous? What is happening to you?
John: I don't know.
Crusher: The rate of metamorphosis is accelerating. It's almost as if your body were generating an electrical field that's warping the tissue.
Picard: Who are you? What are you?
John: I'm afraid. For myself. For all of you. I have to get away. Isolate myself. Whatever is happening to me, it's dangerous.
Picard: As Lieutenant Worf discovered.
John: I don't want to hurt anyone. Captain, for the sake of your crew, let me go before this happens again.
Crusher: John, I don't believe you're capable of harming any
Data: Captain, the alien vessel is coming within weapons range. Its shields are up.
Picard: I'm on my way. I want him kept under constant surveillance.
Laforge: John, I really want to thank you.
John: For what?
Laforge: I don't know how, or even why, but down on the planet you gave me something. A new confidence.
John: I doubt I can take credit for that. Perhaps I only helped you find something you already had.
Data: Captain, on screen. Alien vessel approaching at half impulse, sir. Heading zero five one mark one one four.
Picard: Raise shields. Slow to one third impulse power. Bring us to one zero three mark zero two five. Mister Worf, hail the alien vessel.
Worf: They continue to ignore our hails, sir.
Data: They are scanning us, Captain.
Worf: They are answering our hail, Captain.
Picard: On screen.
John: Sunad.
Picard: You know him?
John: Yes. I don't know how, but he's dangerous.
Sunad: I am Commander Sunad of Zalkon. You are trespassing into our space and you are holding a Zalkonian citizen.
Picard: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the United Federation of Planets. We do not intend transgression of
Sunad: You will return him to us immediately.
Picard: Sunad, this individual is a guest aboard our ship. We found him dying in a shipwreck. We returned him to health.
Sunad: Then you aided a criminal. He is one of four escaped prisoners. We eliminated the other three. We thought this one dead as well. Return him so we may complete our task.
Picard: Of what is he accused?
Sunad: He is a disruptive influence. He spreads lies. He encourages dissent. He disturbs the natural order of our society.
Picard: In what way?
Sunad: It is not your concern. I will give you two hours to comply.
Riker: Tactical analysis.
Worf: The Zalkonian ship has a formidable armament. Their weaponry is comparable to ours.
Laforge: They're as fast and probably just as maneuverable.
Picard: Counselor, do they mean to carry out their threat?
Troi: I believe so. Sunad's hatred for John was evident but there's something else. The Zalkonians are afraid of John.
Picard: Commander Riker, Counselor, Doctor. John, I want you to join us. Mister Data, you have the Bridge. Mister Worf stay at Tactical. Counter any moves the Zalkonian makes.
Worf: Aye, sir.
John: I can neither confirm nor deny what the Zalkonians told you.
Picard: They make serious accusations against you.
John: Their accusations may be true. I don't know. I don't believe that I am a criminal.
Picard: You understand the difficult position in which I'm placed.
John: Completely, and I refuse to place your ship in danger. If necessary, I will surrender to them. But I am convinced there's more at stake here than my life. There's something important I must complete. My survival is vital. If I could explain it, I would.
Picard: I'll inform you of my decision shortly.
Crusher: Captain, you can't seriously be considering
Picard: We must consider all options, Doctor, and not let our personal feelings impede our judgment.
Crusher: You're going to tell me it's irrelevant that we'd be sending him to his death.
Picard: Whether we approve of the Zalkonians' intentions is not the issue. But for what it's worth, I believe John is correct that his existence has broader ramifications than that of a simple criminal.
Troi: Sunad thinks so. He feels personally threatened by John.
Crusher: Sunad called John a disruptive influence. That's hardly a capital offense.
Picard: It's not up to us to judge their laws, Doctor.
Riker: I know how I would feel if the situation were reversed, if they were in our territory holding a Federation citizen.
Troi: The Zalkonians truly don't understand our indecision about returning John. In their eyes, we shouldn't even be involved.
Crusher: But we are involved. I saved his life. For what? So that they could chase him down and take away that life away?
Sunad: Picard, we will not tolerate more delays.
Picard: Commander, let me remind you we are on a mission of exploration. Our purpose is to establish peaceful relations with the civilizations we encounter.
Sunad: We do not want relations with you.
Picard: If that is your wish, we will respect it.
Sunad: We simply want you to leave Zalkonian space as soon as you return the criminal.
Picard: Commander, we will leave. It is not our policy to intervene in the affairs of other cultures. But before I return the survivor to you, I would appreciate a more detailed explanation of what he has done to merit a death sentence.
Sunad: As I said. it is not your concern.
Picard: Agreed. However, there are circumstances of which you may be unaware. The survivor has suffered a memory loss. He's therefore ill-equipped to defend himself against your accusations.
Sunad: There is no defense. Our judgment is final.
Picard: There's something else. Since his recovery, he's manifested unusual abilities.
Sunad: What kind of abilities?
Picard: He apparently has the power to heal injuries with a simple touch.
Sunad: Lies.
Picard: And even to reverse death itself.
Sunad: Obviously he has corrupted you as well. I see I am wasting my time.
Crusher: I can't breathe.
John: It's come back to me, Beverly. I know who I am. What I am.
Sunad: Ready all weapons.
John: You will no longer harm these people, Sunad.
Sunad: Fire upon that ship.
John: Do not be afraid. I won't hurt you.
Sunad: Kill him, Captain. He's evil.
John: You could learn from these people, Sunad. They do not fear me.
Sunad: They don't know how dangerous you are, you and the others like you.
John: That is what you and the other leaders have maintained for generations, but it is not true. Captain, my species is on the verge of a wondrous evolutionary change. A transmutation beyond our physical being. I am the first of my kind to approach this metamorphosis. They tried to convince us it was a sickness we would never survive, that the pain and energy pulses would kill us. They claimed we were dangerous so they destroyed anyone who exhibited the signs of the transfiguration.
Sunad: We were protecting our society.
John: By murdering us? You saw the mutations as a threat to your authority. You were terrified of something you couldn't understand. Some suspected that what was happening to them was not evil. Four of us decided to flee Zalkon and let the metamorphosis take its course. You hunted us down, killed the others, but I survived with the help of a kind and generous people.
John: There is nothing to fear. You can join me. All Zalkonians can. Let me show you.
Sunad: Don't touch me!
John: As you wish. But others will listen now that you can no longer prevent me from telling them the truth. Those who are willing will follow me.
Worf: Sunad is back aboard the Zalkonian vessel, Captain.
John: My people are about to embark upon a new realm, a new plane of existence, thanks to you.
Picard: It is our mission to seek out life in all forms. We are privileged to have been present at the emergence of a new species.
John: Beverly, you gave me life and more. I do not have the words for my gratitude nor my sorrow at leaving you.


Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 43989.1. The Enterprise has arrived at Jouret Four in response to a distress signal from one of the Federation's outermost colonies.
Riker: Anything from the surface?
Worf: No sir. There have been no communications from the colony for over twelve hours.
Riker: Sensors picking up any signs of life?
Worf: None.
O'Brien: The surface environment is safe for transport, Commander.
Riker: Mister O'Brien
Riker: Verify these are accurate coordinates for New Providence colony.
O'Brien: Coordinates verified, sir.
O'Brien: You're at the center of town.
Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 43992.6. Admiral Hanson and Lieutenant Commander Shelby of Starfleet Tactical have arrived to review the disappearance of New Providence colony. No sign remains of the nine hundred inhabitants.
Hanson: The truth is, hell, we are not ready. We've known they were coming for over a year. We've thrown every resource we have into this, but still
Riker: Then you're convinced it is the Borg?
Shelby: That's what I'm here to find out. The initial descriptions of these surface conditions are almost identical to your reports from system J two five.
Picard: Commander Riker wrote those reports. He agrees with you.
Hanson: Commander Shelby took over Borg tactical analysis six months ago. I've learned to give her a wide latitude when I want to get things done. That's how I intend to operate here.
Shelby: My priority has been to develop some kind, any kind of defense strategy
Riker: Obviously nothing we have now can stop them.
Shelby: We've been designing new weapons but they're all still on the drawing board.
Hanson: We expected much more lead time. Your encounter with the Borg was over seven thousand light years away.
Picard: If this is the Borg, it would indicate they have a source of power far superior to our own.
Shelby: I'd like to see the colony site as soon as possible, Captain.
Riker: It'll be dark there in thirty minutes. We've scheduled an away team for dawn.
Picard: Number One, why don't you show the Commander to her quarters?
Riker: It's our poker night, Admiral. There's always an open seat for you.
Hanson: Another time, Commander. Your captain and I have a lot to cover. But rumor has it Commander Shelby's played a hand or two.
Hanson: Keep your eye on her, Jean Luc. She's one very impressive young lady.
Picard: You seem rather taken with her, JP.
Hanson: Just an old man's fantasies. When Shelby came into Tactical, every admiral's uncle had a take on this Borg business. She cut through it. She put us on track.
Picard: Earl Gray?
Hanson: Please. She'd make you a hell of a first officer.
Picard: I already have a hell of a first officer.
Hanson: Don't tell me he's going to pass up another commission?
Picard: One's available?
Hanson: The Melbourne. It's his if he wants it. Hasn't he told you?
Picard: He'll make a fine captain, JP.
Hanson: You may want to tell him that. We're still waiting on his decision. This is the third time we've pulled out the captain's chair for Riker. He just won't sit down. Let me tell you something, Jean-Luc. There are a lot of young hotshots like Shelby on their way up. Riker could suddenly look like he's standing still next to them. He's hurting his career by staying put. If I were you, I'd kick him in the rear end for his own good.
Shelby: I don't know exactly what I'm looking for, but we've tested the sections of the Enterprise's hull that were damaged by the Borg. There were some unusual magnetic resonance traces.
Riker: A Borg footprint?
Shelby: That's my theory. I'll see if it holds up tomorrow. I've reviewed your personnel. I'll be assigning Mister La Forge and Mister Data to accompany me on the away team.
Riker: I've already assigned them to the away team. And I'll be with you as well, Commander.
Shelby: Of course. I appreciate any assistance you can offer. Tell me, Commander. Is serving aboard the Enterprise as extraordinary an experience as I've heard?
Riker: Every bit.
Shelby: Good. Because I intend to convince Captain Picard I'm the right choice for the job.
Riker: Job? Which job?
Shelby: Yours, of course. I'm sorry. I heard that you were leaving.
Riker: If I were, I'm sure you'll be the first to know. Poker's at seventeen hundred hours in my quarters. Deck eight.
Wesley: Got another king in the hole, Data?
Data: I am afraid I cannot answer that Wesley. And as you are a newcomer to the game, may I say it is inappropriate for you to ask. I will buy another card, Counselor.
Troi: No help there.
Laforge: Fold. Again.
Troi: Three jacks looking back for the handsome young ensign. Pair of deuces stands. Flush, possible straight flush. Your bet, Mister Crusher.
Wesley: I'm in for ten.
Shelby: Call.
Riker: Now it's time for the long pants. There's your ten, and one hundred.
Laforge: He's got the straight flush, folks.
Data: Not necessarily. Commander Riker may be bluffing, Wesley.
Wesley: I don't think so. Fold.
Laforge: With three jacks? What, are you kidding? Wesley, you may get straight A's in school, but there's a lot you need to learn about poker.
Shelby: Well, I've only got two pair, but I've got to see your hole card. I'll call.
Laforge: You got him.
Riker: Mister Data and our guest appear to be tardy.
O'Brien: Sir, Commander Shelby and Data beamed down to the planet surface an hour ago.
Riker: On whose authority?
O'Brien: On hers, sir.
Shelby: Morning. Early bird gets the worm, eh? We've had some interesting results.
Riker: Commander Shelby. Walk with me, Commander.
Data: Early bird? I believe Commander Shelby erred. There is no evidence of avifaunal or crawling vermicular lifeforms on Jouret Four.
Laforge: That's not what she meant, Data, but you're right. She erred.
Shelby: I'm sorry, but I woke up early and I saw that a weather system was moving in it. It could have affected the soil readings.
Riker: So without any regard to the risk of coming down alone
Shelby: Really, Commander, if we ran into the Borg here, two extra bodies wouldn't've made a hell of a difference, now would they? We had three hours before the storm front hit, less than two hours now. Data was available. I took him. We came. I don't see your problem.
Riker: My problem, Commander, is I expect to be notified before there's a change in my orders.
Shelby: Noted for future reference. Do you wish to hear my report, sir?
Riker: Go ahead.
Shelby: The soil contains the same magnetic resonance traces That's our footprint. There's no doubt any more. It is the Borg.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 43993.5. With confirmation of the Borg's presence in Federation space, Admiral Hanson has returned to Starbase three two four to discuss strategy with Starfleet Command. Lieutenant Commander Shelby remains on board to continue tactical preparations.
Riker: I've also ordered a standing Yellow Alert. All Federation and allied outposts have been warned. Ops will continue to monitor long range sensors. I've assigned Data, La Forge and Mister Crusher to work with Commander Shelby.
Picard: Good. You've covered all the bases. What's your impression of Shelby?
Riker: She knows her stuff.
Picard: She has your full confidence?
Riker: Well, I think she needs supervision. She takes the initiative a little too easily. Sometimes with risks.
Picard: Sounds a little like a young lieutenant commander I once recruited as a first officer.
Riker: Perhaps.
Picard: Will, what the hell are you still doing here?
Riker: Sir?
Picard: You've been offered the Melbourne.
Riker: I've decided not to pursue that commission at this time.
Picard: She's a fine ship, Will.
Riker: Yes, but she's not the Enterprise. With all due respect, sir, you need me. Particularly now.
Picard: Indeed? Starfleet needs good captains, particularly now. Reconsider your decision.
Riker: Are you telling me to leave, Captain?
Picard: I'm asking you to look at your career objectively. Will, you're ready to work without a net. You're ready to take command. And, you know, the Enterprise will go along just fine without you.
Riker: What am I still doing here? Deanna, I pushed myself hard to get this far. I sacrificed a lot. I always said I wanted my own command, and yet something's holding me back. Is it wrong for me to want to stay?
Troi: What do you think?
Riker: Maybe I'm just afraid of the big chair.
Troi: I don't think so.
Riker: The Captain says Shelby reminds him of the way I used to be. And he's right. She comes in here full of drive and ambition. Impatient, taking risks. I look at her and I wonder whatever happened to those things in me? I liked those things about me. I've lost something.
Troi: You mean you're older, more experienced. A little more seasoned.
Riker: Seasoned. That's a horrible thing to say to a man.
Troi: I don't think you've lost a thing, and I think you've gained more than you realize. You're much more comfortable with yourself than you used to be.
Riker: Maybe that's the problem. I'm too comfortable here.
Troi: I'm not sure I know what that means. You're happy here. Happier than I've ever known you to be. So, it comes down to a simple question. What do you want, Will Riker?
Shelby: A manipulation effect in the Borg ship's subspace field. A definite pattern at four point eight minute intervals during your first confrontation with them.
Laforge: Might indicate high output auxiliary generators kicking in.
Shelby: One theory is that their systems are decentralized with redundant power sources located throughout the ship.
Data: That is a reasonable conclusion. Borg technology has given each member of their society the ability to interface and function collectively. It is likely they have constructed their ship with the same philosophy.
Wesley: You knock out one generator and another takes over without interruption.
Riker: What kind of damage would we have to do to shut them down?
Shelby: Projections suggest that a Borg ship like this one could continue to function effectively even if seventy eight percent of it was inoperable.
Wesley: And our best shot barely scratched the surface.
Laforge: Well, from what I've seen, I can't believe any of these new weapons systems can be ready in less than eighteen months, Commander.
Shelby: We've been projecting twenty four.
Riker: Is there anything we can do here to adapt to our current defense systems?
Laforge: We'll have to go through the specs again, but. I don't know. My mind's turned to clay.
Wesley: Mine too.
Shelby: I think we should look at modifying the plasma phaser design.
Riker: Commander, I think we should call it a night. That's an order. We'll reconvene at oh five hundred.
Shelby: Sir, if you'll allow me to continue with Mister Data, who does not require rest.
Riker: You need rest, Commander.
Shelby: If we have a confrontation with the Borg without improving our defense systems
Riker: If we have a confrontation, I don't want a crew fighting the Borg at the same time they're fighting their own fatigue. Dismissed.
Hanson: At nineteen hundred hours yesterday, the USS Lalo departed Zeta Alpha Two on a freight run to Sentinel Minor Four. At twenty two hundred hours and twelve minutes, a distress signal was received at Starbase one five seven. The Lalo reported contact with an alien vessel described as cube shaped. The distress signal ended abruptly, and she's not been heard from since.
Picard: Mister Data, how long would it take to get there at warp nine?
Data: One hour, seventeen minutes, sir.
Picard: Make it so.
Hanson: We're coming with every available starship to assist, Captain, but the closest help is six days away.
Picard: We'll try and keep them occupied until you arrive.
Hanson: I know you will. Hanson out.
Riker: All hands will stand to battle stations.
Picard: Commander Shelby, what is the status of out defense preparations?
Shelby: Mister La Forge has a plan to modulate shield nutation. Hopefully, that'll hold them off for awhile.
Laforge: At the same time, we'll be retuning phasers to higher EM base emitting frequencies to try to disrupt their subspace field.
Picard: What's your assessment of our potential effectiveness?
Laforge: It's a shot in the dark, Captain. But for now it's the best we can do.
Picard: Dismissed.
Worf: Sir, reading unidentified vessel just entering sensor range. Bearing two one zero mark one five one.
Picard: Hail them, Mister Worf.
Worf: No response, sir.
Picard: Move to intercept.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Worf: Sir, the vessel has already changed course to intercept us. Approaching at warp nine point three. Entering visual range.
Picard: On screen. Magnify.
Picard: Mister Worf, dispatch a subspace message to Admiral Hanson. We have engaged the Borg.
Worf: Captain, you are being hailed.
Picard: I am?
Worf: Yes, Captain. By name.
Riker: Data, is it the same ship we faced at J two five?
Data: Uncertain, Commander, but the dimensions are precisely the same.
Picard: On screen. I am Jean Luc
Borg: Jean Luc Picard, captain of the Starship Enterprise, registry NCC 1701D, you will lower shields and prepare to transport yourself aboard our vessel. If you do not cooperate, we will destroy your ship.
Picard: You have committed acts of aggression against the United Federation of Planets. If you do not withdraw immediately
Borg: You will surrender yourself or we will destroy your ship. Your defensive capabilities are unable to withstand us.
Riker: What the hell do they want with you?
Shelby: I thought they weren't interested in human life forms, only our technology.
Picard: Their priorities seem to have changed. Open.
Worf: Channel open.
Picard: We have developed new defense capabilities since our last meeting and we are prepared to use them if you do not withdraw from Federation space.
Laforge: Captain.
Laforge: The shields are being probed. I'm modulating nutation.
Worf: Captain, the Borg are attempting to lock on to us with their tractor beam.
Picard: Load torpedo bays. Arm phasers. lock coordinates on the source of the tractor beam.
Riker: Shield status?
Data: Holding, sir.
Shelby: The nutation modulation has them confused.
Riker: They have the ability to analyze and adapt, Commander.
Laforge: Shield modulation has failed. They've locked on.
Worf: Shields are being drained. Ninety percent. Eighty.
Laforge: Trying to recalibrate nutation. Damn.
Worf: Shields have failed.
Picard: Fire all weapons.
Laforge: Their subspace field is intact. New phaser frequencies had no impact.
Riker: Reverse engines.
Laforge: Full reverse.
Laforge: We're not moving.
Picard: Fire at will.
Worf: Launching torpedoes. Phaser spread continuing.
Data: Still no damage to the Borg vessel, sir.
Computer: Warning. Outer hull breach.
Worf: They're cutting into the hull. Engineering section.
Riker: Geordi, evacuate Engineering.
Laforge: Computer. Evacuation sequence.
Computer: Sealing doors to core chamber.
Laforge: Come on, move it, people! Let's go! Let's go!
Computer: Decompression danger, deck thirty six, section four.
Computer: Sealing Main Engineering.
Shelby: Data, fluctuate phaser resonance frequencies. Random settings. Keep them changing. Don't give them time to adapt.
Worf: The tractor beam has been released.
Picard: Warp nine. Course, one five one mark three three zero. Engage.
Worf: They are in pursuit, Captain.
Picard: Maintain course.
Riker: Damage report, Geordi?
Laforge: Hull rupture in main Engineering. The damage is pretty heavy. We lost a lot of good people down there.
Data: Eleven dead, eight more unaccounted for, Captain.
Riker: Repair teams to Engineering. Seal hull breach.
Laforge: They didn't get to the core I can control functions from here.
Wesley: Now approaching the Paulson Nebula, sir.
Picard: Drop to impulse. Take us in, Ensign.
Wesley: The field is getting too dense, sir.
Picard: Steady. Analysis of the nebula cloud, Mister Data.
Data: Eighty two percent dilithium hydroxyls. Magnesium, chromium. It should provide an effective screen against their sensors, Captain.
Picard: Mister La Forge, prepare to reverse engines. Full stop.
Worf: The Borg ship is continuing scans, attempting to locate us.
Picard: Good. As long as they're looking for us, they won't hurt anyone else.
Shelby: Time index five one four. Data started to fluctuate phaser resonance frequencies. The Borg's beam breaks contact. Slow playback. Take a closer look, Commander. Mister La Forge?
Laforge: There's a two percent drop in power for an instant, but it is system wide. The phaser frequency spread was in a high narrow band.
Data: Conceivably, the ship's power distribution nodes are vulnerable to those frequencies.
Laforge: If we can generate a concentrated burst of power at that same frequency distribution, I mean a lot more than anything our phasers or photon torpedoes could ever provide.
Riker: How do we do that?
Wesley: The main deflector dish.
Laforge: It's the only component of the Enterprise designed to channel that much power at controlled frequencies.
Shelby: End program. Unfortunately, there is one slight detail. In the process, the blast completely destroys the Enterprise as well.
Riker: But if we could get further away, increase the deflector's range.
Shelby: It could work. In the meantime, we should retune all phasers, including the hand units, to the same frequency.
Riker: Proceed. I'll inform the Captain.
Shelby: There is one other recommendation I'd like to make, Commander. Separate the saucer section. Assign a skeleton crew to create a diversion
Riker: We may need the power from the saucer impulse engines.
Shelby: But it would give them more than one target to worry about.
Riker: It's too great a risk.
Shelby: I'd like the Captain to make that decision, sir.
Riker: Commander, I bring all the alternatives to the Captain's attention. That'll be all.
Laforge: I'm going to need to installl higher capacity power transfers to the deflector dish, Commander.
Riker: How long?
Laforge: Better part of a day.
Riker: She gets a full head of steam, doesn't she.
Laforge: She's a formidable presence, to say the least. But I'm convinced she can help us here, Commander.
Riker: I am too. Don't worry about it. I can handle Shelby.
Picard: Come.
Picard: Come in, Number One. Commander Shelby was just telling me of your concerns about her plan.
Riker: I'm sorry if she troubled you, sir. I have already informed her
Picard: Yes, I entirely agree with you, Number One. It's not the time. But the time may come when we will be required to take greater risks. I want you to consider her plan as a fall back position. Make the necessary preparations.
Riker: Very good, sir.
Shelby: Deck eight. Battle bridge.
Riker: Halt. Commander, you and I need to have a conversation.
Shelby: You never ordered me not to discuss this with the Captain.
Riker: You disagree with me, fine. You need to take it to the Captain, then fine. Through me. You do an end run around me again, I'll snap you back so hard, you'll think you're a first year cadet again.
Shelby: May I speak frankly, sir?
Riker: By all means.
Shelby: You're in my way.
Riker: Really? How terrible for you.
Shelby: All you know how to do is play it safe. I suppose that's why someone like you sits in the shadow of a great man for as long as you have, passing up one command after another. Proceed to deck eight.
Riker: When it comes to this ship and this crew, you're damned right I play it safe.
Shelby: If you can't make the big decisions, Commander, I suggest you make room for someone who can.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 43996.2. The Enterprise remains concealed in the dust cloud. And to my surprise, the Borg have maintained their position, waiting for us to come out of hiding. I have no explanation for their special interest in me or this ship. We continue to prepare our defenses for the inevitable confrontation, but I must admit, on this night I contemplate the distinct possibility that no defense may be adequate against this enemy.
Guinan: Trouble sleeping?
Picard: Something of a tradition, Guinan. The Captain touring the ship before a battle.
Guinan: Before a hopeless battle, if I remember the tradition correctly.
Picard: Not necessarily. Nelson toured the HMS Victory before Trafalgar.
Guinan: Yes, but Nelson never returned from Trafalgar, did he?
Picard: No, but the battle was won.
Guinan: Do you expect this battle to be won?
Picard: We may yet prevail. That's a conceit, but it's a healthy one. I wonder if the Emperor Honorious, watching the Visigoths coming over the seventh hill, truly realized that the Roman Empire was about to fall. This is just another page in history, isn't it? Will this be the end of our civilization? Turn the page.
Guinan: This isn't the end.
Picard: You say that with remarkable assuredness.
Guinan: With experience. When the Borg destroyed my world, my people scattered throughout the universe. We survived. As will humanity survive. As long as there's a handful of you to keep the spirit alive, you will prevail. Even if it takes a millennium.
Worf: Captain Picard, report to the Bridge.
Picard: I'm on my way, Lieutenant.
Riker: They're some kind of magnetometric guided charges.
Picard: Status of shields?
Worf: Back to forty eight percent, Captain.
Picard: Mister La Forge, I may have to take us out of the nebula. I want all the power you can give me.
Laforge: Engines are ready, Captain.
Laforge: Recommend we adjust shield harmonics to favor the upper EM band when you proceed.
Picard: Acknowledged.
Worf: Direct hit, deck nine.
Riker: Damage report?
Worf: Structural latching system integrity breached.
Picard: Prepare to take us out of here, Number One.
Riker: Fire up the engines. Half impulse until we clear the nebula, then punch it to warp nine.
Picard: Ready phasers. Load forward torpedo bays. Engage.
Worf: Borg tractor beam is attempting to lock on.
Picard: Fire at will. Continue rotating shield frequency.
Worf: Shields failing. Tractor beam has locked on.
Riker: It's no use. They've already adapted to the new frequencies.
Worf: The Borg ship is disengaging. Leaving at warp speed.
Riker: Maintain pursuit.
Worf: Borg vessel has reached warp nine. Nine point four, nine point six.
Riker: Stay with them. Riker to O'Brien. Can you get a fix on the Captain?
O'Brien: Negative, sir. There's some kind of interference. I can't lock in on his signal.
Riker: Senior officers, report to the Bridge.
Worf: Sir, the coordinates they have set, they're on a direct course to sector zero zero one. The Terran system.
Riker: Earth.
Borg: Captain Jean Luc Picard, you lead the strongest ship of the Federation fleet. You speak for your people.
Picard: I have nothing to say to you, and I will resist you with my last ounce of strength.
Borg: Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile. We wish to improve ourselves. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours.
Picard: Impossible. My culture is based on freedom and self determination.
Borg: Freedom is irrelevant. Self determination is irrelevant. You must comply.
Picard: We would rather die.
Borg: Death is irrelevant. Your archaic cultures are authority driven. To facilitate our introduction into your societies, it has been decided that a human voice will speak for us in all communications. You have been chosen to be that voice.
Worf: Commander, they are leading us into the heart of our own defenses.
Laforge: Yeah, well, so far they haven't had any reason to worry about our defenses.
Wesley: Commander, if the Borg stay at warp nine point six, we'll be forced to discontinue pursuit and power down in less than three hours.
Data: Two hours, forty minutes and three seconds.
Riker: How soon before the deflector's ready?
Laforge: We're close. Few hours maybe. I know, I'll get it done in two somehow, but Commander, I going to need serious power from the warp engines to make this weapon work. So far we're using everything we've got just to keep up with them.
Shelby: Sir, we've got to get that ship down to impulse.
Riker: I'm leading an away team over there to get the Captain back. We'll find a way to bring them out of warp. Ensign Crusher, you continue to assist Mister La Forge. Commander Shelby, you'll take the Bridge and coordinate with Starfleet. Data, Worf, Doctor, you're with me.
Shelby: Excuse me, sir. With my knowledge of the Borg
Riker: Those are my orders, Commander.
Troi: Commander Riker. It is inappropriate for you to lead the away team. Until the return of Captain Picard, you are in command of the Enterprise. We're in a state of war, and your place is on the Bridge.
Riker: Commander Shelby, you'll lead the away team. Make it so. First officer's log, stardate 43998.5. Our pursuit of the Borg continues on a course that will take us to the very core of the Federation. The devastation they could bring is beyond imagination.
Worf: These phasers have been retuned. Each has a different frequency spanning the upper EM band.
Shelby: All right, a reminder. We only get to use each of these once, maybe twice, before the Borg learn to adapt. Don't fire until you have to.
Crusher: What kind of resistance should we expect?
Data: At our first encounter, the Borg virtually ignored us when we beamed aboard their vessel. Clearly they did not consider our being there a threat to them.
Shelby: That may change, however, if we start interfering with their plans. Shelby to Bridge.
Shelby: Away team ready.
Riker: We've got fifty eight minutes before we have to power down and disengage.
Shelby: Understood.
Riker: Proceed. Commander
Riker: No unnecessary risks. Clear?
Shelby: Very clear, sir. Shelby out.
O'Brien: We've matched warp velocity for transport, Commander.
Shelby: Energize.
Worf: Tricorder functions minimal.
Shelby: Any signs of human life?
Worf: Inconclusive.
Crusher: Look at this. This is extraordinary.
Data: These appear to be some kind of power wave guide conduits which allow them to work collectively as they perform ship functions.
Shelby: There's no way to take out enough of these to disable them down.
Crusher: What if we look at this from a mosquito's point of view.
Data: Interesting metaphor, Doctor. What is your idea?
Crusher: If we sting them in a tender spot, they might stop for a minute to scratch.
Data: Distribution nodes.
Shelby: If we take out a few of these, it just might make them scratch.
Worf: The Captain's communicator. It is still activated.
Crusher: Crusher to Picard. Can you hear me?
Shelby: Can you locate it, Worf?
Worf: This way.
Riker: I strongly recommend redeploying all available defenses to protect sector zero zero one, Admiral.
Hanson: We're moving to intercept at Wolf three five nine. We'll make our stand there. How much longer can you maintain pursuit?
Riker: Twenty two minutes if they stay at current speed. If we can't bring them out of warp, we'll do as much damage as we can before we have to disengage.
Hanson: Picard?
Riker: Nothing yet, sir.
Worf: In here.
Shelby: Shelby to Enterprise.
Riker: Go ahead.
Shelby: We've found the Captain's uniform and his communicator. We're resuming our search.
Riker: Stand by, Commander.
Wesley: We're in business.
Laforge: It'll burn out the main deflector, but it'll be one hell of a bang.
Riker: Radiation danger?
Wesley: We're going to have to evacuate the entire forward half of the secondary hull and the lower three decks of the saucer.
Troi: I'll see to that.
Riker: Commander Shelby
Riker: We have only seventeen minutes of warp power left. Do whatever you can to get them out of warp.
Shelby: Acknowledged. Shelby out. Let's take out some of these distribution nodes and see what happens.
Wesley: Sir, they've done it. The Borg ship is dropping out of warp.
Riker: Go to impulse.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Laforge: Diverting warp energy to main deflector.
Riker: Move us to within forty thousand kilometers. Match velocity. Commence arming sequence. Increase deflector modulation to upper frequency band.
Shelby: Shelby to Enterprise. Encountering resistance. Prepare to beam us back on my signal.
Shelby: They're adapting to the frequencies.
Crusher: Jean-Luc!
Worf: Captain!
Shelby: Enterprise, get us out of here.
Riker: The Captain?
Data: We were unable to retrieve him, sir. Sir, The Captain has been altered by the Borg.
Riker: Altered?
Worf: He is a Borg.
Shelby: We'll go back. I need more people. We need to retune the phasers again. We'll get him out of there.
Laforge: Commander, reading subspace field fluctuations from within the Borg ship. Looks like they're regenerating, restoring power. They could be capable of warp any minute.
Riker: Is the deflector ready?
Laforge: It's ready.
Crusher: Will, he's alive. If we could get him back to the ship, I might be able to restore
Riker: This is our only chance to destroy them. If they get back into warp, our weapon is useless.
Shelby: We'll sabotage them again if we have to.
Riker: We can't maintain power. We don't have the time. Prepare to fire.
Shelby: At least consult with Starfleet Command. Get Admiral Hanson on subspace.
Riker: Belay that order, Lieutenant. There's no time.
Worf: Sir, we are being hailed by the Borg.
Riker: On screen.
Picard: I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us.
Riker: Mister Worf. Fire. To Be Continued


Picard: Mister Worf, dispatch a subspace message to Admiral Hanson. We have engaged the Borg.
Shelby: Data, fluctuate phaser resonance frequencies. Random settings. Keep them changing. Don't give them time to adapt.
Hanson: We're coming with every available starship to assist, Captain, but the closest help is six days away.
Shelby: All you know how to do is play it safe. If you can't make the big decisions, Commander, I suggest you make room for someone who can.
Laforge: If we can generate a concentrated burst of power at that same frequency distribution.
Riker: How do we do that?
Wesley: The main deflector dish.
Shelby: Shelby to Enterprise. We've found the Captain's uniform and his communicator.
Crusher: Jean-Luc!
Data: We were unable to retrieve him, sir. Sir, The Captain has been altered by the Borg.
Crusher: Will, he's alive. If we could get him back to the ship, I might be able to restore
Riker: This is our only chance to destroy them. If they get back into warp, our weapon is useless.
Picard: I am Locutus of Borg. From this time forward, you will service us.
Riker: Mister Worf? Fire. And now, the conclusion.
Laforge: Deflector power approaching maximum limits. Energy discharge in six seconds.
Worf: Firing, sir.
Worf: The Borg ship is undamaged.
Shelby: Impossible.
Computer: Warning. Warp reactor core primary coolant failure.
Laforge: Can't maintain it much longer, Commander.
Computer: Warning. Exceeding reaction chamber thermal limit.
Riker: Cease fire.
Laforge: Shutting down warp engines.
Riker: They couldn't have adapted that quickly.
Picard: The knowledge and experience of the human Picard is part of us now. It has prepared us for all possible courses of action. Your resistance is hopeless, Number One. First Officer's log, stardate 44001.4. The Borg ship has resumed its course toward Earth. We are unable to pursue pending repairs to the Enterprise.
Riker: As we anticipated, the blast burned out our main navigational deflector. We also have damage to our shields and our reactor core.
Laforge: We should be back up in eight to twelve hours, Admiral.
Hanson: Well, we'll miss you at the party.
Riker: The Enterprise'll be there, sir. Maybe a little late, but we'll be there, sir.
Hanson: Your engagements have given us valuable time. We've mobilized a fleet of forty starships at Wolf three five nine, and that's just for starters. The Klingons are sending warships. Hell, we've even thought about opening communications with the Romulans.
Shelby: You realize, Admiral, that with the assistance of Captain Picard, the Borg will be prepared for your defenses.
Hanson: Lieutenant a few years ago, I watched a freshman cadet pass four upper classman on the last hill of the forty kilometer run on Danula Two. The damndest thing I ever saw. The only freshman to ever win the Academy marathon. I made it my business to get to know that young fellow. I got to know him very, very well. And I'll tell you something. I never met anyone with more drive, determination or more courage than Jean-Luc Picard. There is no way in hell that he would assist the Borg. I want that clear.
Shelby: Of course, Admiral.
Hanson: He is a casualty of war.
Crusher: Then we have abandoned all hope of recovering him.
Hanson: In less than twenty four hours, this armada's going to hit that Borg vessel with everything we can muster. Either they survive or we do. As for Picard. A great man has been lost. Your Captain. My friend. Commander Riker, I hereby promote you to the field commission of Captain. The Enterprise is your ship now. Congratulations. I wish the circumstances were different.
Riker: Likewise. Good luck, Admiral.
Hanson: To us all.
Riker: Mister Crusher suggests we might design a chip that would automatically retune the phasers to a random setting after each discharge. Engineering.
Worf: That would be a great advantage.
Riker: We should also see if there's some way that we can neutralize their forcefields. We've got to let them know that we can adapt too, Mister Worf. We're no longer just fighting the Borg, we're fighting the life experience they've stolen from Captain Picard. Now how the hell do we defeat an enemy that knows us better than we know ourselves?
Worf: The Borg have neither honor nor courage. That is our greatest advantage.
Riker: I hope it's enough.
Shelby: Accelerator coils are responding normally.
Laforge: Excellent. Forward shields at fifty eight percent. Aft shields sensors must be down
Shelby: Checking. Sensors are fine. No. Aft shields have completely failed. Damn it. Auxiliary generators are out again.
Laforge: Just the man I need. We're having some problems with the aft shields. Generators going on and offline. I could really use your help, Worf
Riker: How soon do we get underway, Geordi?
Laforge: Still a couple hours. Commander Shelby can fill you in.
Shelby: The main navigational deflector is functional again. Sherbourne and Barclay are running through the final testing sequence now.
Riker: The warp reactor core?
Shelby: Reconstruction is proceeding normally. It's slow work. If we can nail down this shield generator problem, I agree with La Forge. We should be at operating capacity in two to three hours.
Riker: Good.
Shelby: Anything else, sir?
Riker: Yes. You did a good job on the Borg ship.
Shelby: I didn't get Picard.
Riker: You stopped them. You gave us our shot.
Shelby: Sir, I
Riker: Commander, we don't have to like each other to work well together. As a fact of fact, I'd like you to continue to keep me on my toes.
Shelby: Some might define that as the role of a first officer.
Riker: Damn, you are ambitious, aren't you, Shelby.
Shelby: Captain Riker, based on our past relationship, there's no reason for me to expect to become your first officer except you need me. I know how to get things done, and I have the expertise in the Borg.
Riker: And you have a lot to learn, Commander.
Shelby: Yes, sir.
Riker: Almost as much as I had to learn when I came aboard as Captain Picard's first officer. A fact he reminded me of when I commented on what a pain in the neck you are.
Shelby: Yes, sir.
Data: Data to Riker. Message from Starfleet, Captain.
Riker: Go ahead, Data.
Data: Starfleet reports
Data: It has engaged the Borg at Wolf three fifty nine, sir.
Data: Admiral Hanson on subspace, Captain.
Riker: On screen. Admiral?
Hanson: The fight does not go well, Enterprise. We're attempting to withdraw and regroup. Rendezvous with fleet Captain's Log, stardate 44002.3. Repairs are complete, and the Enterprise is warping to rendezvous with Starfleet at Wolf three five nine. Communications from the site of battle have been cut off, possibly by Borg interference.
Riker: Lieutenant Worf, everyone in this room shares my respect for your service to this ship. But right now, I need your experience at tactical. Commander Data, I realize your very nature omits ambition. Nevertheless, I want you to know I seriously considered you first officer.
Data: Thank you, sir.
Riker: But this is not the time for change. I need you all where you are, where Captain Picard always relied on you. I have been, reluctantly, forced to conclude that Commander Shelby, our expert on the Borg, is an ideal choice at this time for first officer. Based on our latest communication, we can assume that the Borg survived the fleet's attack. Your thoughts on our next encounter?
Shelby: What about the heavy graviton beam we were talking about?
Laforge: I've gone over it four times. The local field distortion just wouldn't be strong enough to incapacitate them.
Data: Doctor Crusher and I have been working on an interesting premise.
Crusher: With our recent experience in nanotechnology, we might be able to introduce a destructive breed of nanites into the Borg.
Shelby: Nanites?
Data: Robots small enough to enter living cells.
Riker: How long would it take to execute that?
Crusher: That's the problem. Two to three weeks.
Troi: In two or three weeks, nanites may be all that's left of the Federation.
Worf: We have the new phaser adapters.
Laforge: maybe in concert with photon torpedoes we can slow them down.
Riker: I'm sure Captain Picard would have something meaningful and inspirational to say right now. To tell you the truth, I wish he were here, because I'd like to hear it too. I know how difficult this transition has been for all of you. I can take over for him, but I could never replace Captain Picard. Nor would I ever try. Whatever the outcome, I'm sure our efforts in the coming battle will justify his faith in all of us. Dismissed.
Riker: What would you do?
Riker: Come.
Guinan: May I speak to you, Captain?
Riker: Actually, Guinan, I
Guinan: You know, Picard and I used to talk every now and again, when one of us needed to. I guess I'm just used to having the Captain's ear.
Riker: What's on your mind?
Guinan: I've heard a lot of people talking down in Ten Forward. They expect to be dead in the next day or so. They trust you. They like you. But they don't believe anyone can save them.
Riker: I'm not sure anyone can.
Guinan: When a man is convinced he's going to die tomorrow, he'll probably find a way to make it happen. The only one who can turn is around is you.
Riker: I'll do the best I can.
Guinan: You're going have to do something you don't want to do. You have to let go of Picard.
Riker: Maybe you haven't heard. I tried to kill him yesterday.
Guinan: You tried to kill whatever that is on the Borg ship. Not Picard. Picard is still here with us in this room. If he had died, it would be easier. But he didn't They took him from us a piece at a time. Did he ever tell you why we're so close?
Riker: No.
Guinan: Well, then let me just our relationship is beyond friendship, beyond family. And I will let him go. And you must do the same. There can only be one Captain.
Riker: It's not that simple. This was his crew. He wrote the book on this ship.
Guinan: And the Borg know everything he knows. It's time to throw that book away. You must let him go, Riker. It's the only way to beat him. The only way to save him. And that is now you chair. Captain.
Wesley: We're approaching the Wolf system, Captain.
Riker: On my way.
Riker: Slow to impulse. Take us to the battle coordinates, Mister Crusher. Yellow alert.
Worf: Sensors are picking up several vessels, Captain.
Riker: The fleet?
Data: No active subspace fields. Negligible power readings.
Riker: Life signs?
Data: Negative, sir.
Worf: Visual contact.
Riker: On screen.
Shelby: The Tolstoy, the Kyushu, the Melbourne.
Worf: Sir, sensors are picking up unusually strong eddy currents, bearing two zero zero, mark two one one.
Riker: Data, analysis?
Data: It could indicate the course of the Borg ship, sir.
Riker: Ensign Crusher, set in a course that follows those currents. Commander Shelby, prepare to initiate your plan to separate the saucer section when we find the Borg.
Shelby: Sir. I must remind you that Captain Picard was briefed on that plan. The Borg will be prepared for it
Riker: I'm aware of that, Commander. In fact, I'm counting on it.
Shelby: Crusher, Cartaino, Gleason. Report to the Battle Bridge.
Riker: Mister Data, Mister Worf? I have a special mission for you.
Riker: Locutus of Borg, this is Captain William T. Riker of the USS Enterprise.
Picard: You may speak.
Riker: We wish to end the hostilities.
Picard: Then you must unconditionally surrender.
Riker: We are prepared to meet to discuss your terms.
Picard: It is unlikely you are prepared to discuss terms. It is more likely that this is an attempt at deception.
Riker: Come now, Locutus. If Picard's knowledge and experience is part of you, then you know I've never lied to him. You should also implicitly trust me, is that not so?
Picard: Picard implicitly trusted you.
Riker: Then trust me now. Meet to discuss terms.
Picard: Discussion is irrelevant. There are no terms. You will disarm all your weapons and escort us to Sector zero zero one where we will begin assimilating your culture and technology.
Riker: Mister Gleason, can you pinpoint the source of the Borg transmission?
Gleason: I can put you within thirty meters of it, sir.
Riker: O'Brien, report.
O'Brien: The Borg have adapted their electromagnetic field to prevent main transporter functions, sir.
Riker: As expected. Mister Data, Mister Worf, proceed as we discussed.
Data: Aye, Captain.
Crewman: Channel open, sir.
Riker: We would like time to prepare our people for assimilation.
Picard: Preparation is irrelevant. Your people will be assimilated as easily as Picard has been. Your attempt at a delay will not be successful, Number One. We will proceed to Earth, and if you attempt to intervene, we will destroy you.
Riker: Then take your best shot, Locutus, because we're about to intervene.
Crewman: Channel closed.
Riker: Reset subspace communications. Scrambler code, Riker One
Gleason: Scrambler code, Riker One. Acknowledged.
Riker: Shelby, report.
Shelby: Ready for separation.
Riker: Make it so.
Shelby: Auto-sep sequence initiated.
Laforge: Docking latches clear, separation complete.
Wesley: Saucer velocity one hundred meters per second and increasing, sir.
Riker: Open fire, all weapons.
Shelby: Fire.
Wesley: Borg tractor beam attempting to lock on, sir.
Riker: Evasive maneuvers, pattern Riker Alpha.
Wesley: Riker Alpha confirmed. They're ignoring the saucer section completely.
Riker: Just as you should, Captain. Ensign, evasive pattern, Riker Beta.
Wesley: Riker Beta confirmed.
Riker: Proceed to second phase, Commander Shelby.
Shelby: Acknowledged. Fire antimatter spread.
Data: Shuttle launch sequence confirmed. Departing Enterprise in exactly three seconds.
Wesley: The Borg tractor beam has moved toward the antimatter spread.
Gleason: They might be picking up engine ionization from the shuttle
Riker: Data, cut your engines. Take her in unpowered.
Worf: Shuttle has penetrated the Borg electromagnetic field.
Riker: Understood.
Data: The shuttle escape transporter should provide enough power to beam us
Data: Onto the Borg ship from here, sir
Riker: Proceed.
Worf: Data!
Worf: Mission accomplished. We have him.
Data: Firing shuttle thrusters.
Wesley: They're clear of the Borg field, sir.
Riker: Beam them out of there, Mister O'Brien.
O'Brien: Locked in
O'Brien: Transport successful, sir.
Shelby: Captain, we've sustained damage to the impulse drive.
Shelby: The saucer section is disabled.
Gleason: Reading subspace field fluctuations from the Borg ship. Looks like they're getting ready to increase power.
Riker: Stand by, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Wesley: The saucer section's a sitting duck.
Riker: Prepare to draw their fire.
Wesley: Captain, the Borg ship is moving away. It's resuming its course to Earth, sir.
Riker: Rendezvous with the saucer section. Lay in a course of pursuit.
Crusher: There is extensive infiltration of microcircuit fibers into the surrounding tissue. His DNA is being rewritten.
Riker: Can you revive him?
Crusher: I'd like more time to study the structural changes in the motor pathways.
Riker: We don't have more time, Doctor. Once he was wired into the Borg, they knew everything that he knew. I just hope it goes both ways. If we're lucky, he had access to everything we need to know about them, especially their vulnerabilities.
Crusher: Jean Luc? It's Beverly. can you hear me?
Picard: Beverly. Crusher. Doctor.
Crusher: Yes. Don't try to move.
Picard: I am on board the Enterprise.
Riker: That's right.
Picard: A futile manuever. Incorrect strategy, Number One. To risk your ship and crew to retrieve only one man. Picard would never have approved. You underestimate us if you believe this abduction is any concern. There is no need for apprehension. I intend no harm. No harm. I will continue, aboard this ship, to speak for the Borg, while they continue without further diversion to Sector zero zero one, where they will force your unconditional surrender.
Data: Using multimodal reflection sorting, I have been able to detect a complex series of subspace signals between Locutus and the Borg ship.
Crusher: That's how they're controlling him?
Data: It is not just a matter of control, Doctor. The signals are interactive across a subspace domain similar to that of a Transporter beam. I would hypothesize that these frequencies form the basis of the Borg's collective consciousness.
Riker: Can't we block them?
Data: Possibly. But as you may recall on several occasions, we have witnessed the Borg removing key circuits from injured comrades, no doubt separating them from the group consciousness.
Riker: The injured Borg immediately self-destructed.
Data: That is correct, sir.
Crusher: Cutting the link to Locutus might be fatal to the Captain.
Riker: We have to find a way to reach him. We must know what he knows
Crusher: Without these interactive signals, it would only be a matter of microsurgery. I could do it. But as long as those Borg implants are functioning, there's no way I can separate the man from the machine.
Data: Then perhaps there is a way I can access the machine, Doctor.
Picard: Worf. Klingon species. A warrior race. You too will be assimilated.
Worf: The Klingon Empire will never yield.
Picard: Why do you resist? We only wish to raise quality of life for all species.
Worf: I like my species the way it is.
Picard: A narrow vision. You will become one with the Borg. You will all become one with the Borg. The android, Data. Primitive artificial organism. You will be obsolete in the new order.
Riker: Take him to your lab, Data.
Shelby: Shelby to Riker.
Riker: Go ahead.
Shelby: Captain, the Borg have entered Sector zero zero one.
Shelby: The Borg have dropped out of warp, sir. Jupiter outpost nine two reported visual contact at twelve hundred hours, thirteen minutes.
Riker: Planetary defenses?
Shelby: Responding. No reports on effectiveness but I can't believe that against the Borg
Riker: Ensign Crusher, at their current speed, when will they reach Earth?
Wesley: Twenty seven minutes.
Riker: The soonest we could intercept?
Wesley: Forty two minutes, sir.
Riker: Riker to Data.
Riker: What's your status?
Data: The initial cybernetic connection into Captain Picard's neural net pathways has been established. Mister O'Brien is ready to process the Borg signal through the transport pattern buffer.
Riker: Make it so. With dispatch, Mister Data.
Data: Proceeding immediately, sir. Data out.
Data: The neural link will be established in three stages. Doctor, I suggest you closely observe Captain Picard's lifesigns, while at each stage Chief O'Brien monitors my positronic matrix activity. Counselor, hopefully, you will be able to determine whether I am reaching Captain Picard.
O'Brien: At what point should I shut it down if there's a problem?
Data: I do not know. I have never done this before. Initiating first neural link.
Crusher: The Captain's vital signs are stable.
O'Brien: Positronic activity unchanged.
Data: First neural connection is confirmed. I cannot report any significant access to the Borg consciousness.
Worf: It is confirmed. The Borg have broken through the Mars defense perimeter.
Wesley: Enterprise now approaching Terran system, sir.
Riker: Slow to impulse. Time to intercept?
Wesley: Twenty-three minutes, fourteen seconds, sir.
Data: Second neural connection is confirmed. I still cannot report any significant access. Proceeding with the final link.
Crusher: Significant increase in premotor area and hypothalamus activity. His heartbeat is accelerating rapidly.
O'Brien: Sir, your submicron matrix activity is increasing exponentially.
Data: Neural connections complete. I have access to the Borg subspace signals. Processing. Processing.
Troi: Data!
Data: Stand by. Processing. Processing. Fascinating. The Borg group consciousness is divided into subcommands necessary to carry out all functions. Defense, communication, navigation. They are all controlled by a root command implanted into each
Crusher: Data, I'm picking up increased neural activity in Captain Picard, localized in the prefrontal and parietal lobes.
O'Brien: The Borg might be trying to terminate their link with him.
Data: Negative. The subspace signal configuration is unchanged. What is causing the increased neural activity is unclear.
Troi: No, it's not. It's him. It's Picard.
Troi: Troi to Bridge.
Troi: Data has made first contact with Captain Picard.
Riker: Can you communicate with him, Data?
Data: I have been unable to create a neural path around the Borg implants, sir. It is Captain Picard himself who has somehow managed to initiate contact.
Worf: Sir, the Borg have halted their approach to Earth.
Shelby: I think we got their attention.
Riker: Time to intercept?
Wesley: Two minutes, four seconds, sir.
Riker: They're worried. They're worried because we've got access to Picard. Mister Data, we have two minutes to figure out what we can do with it.
Data: Sir, it is clear the Borg are either unwilling or unable to terminate their subspace links.
Crusher: That may be their Achilles heel, Captain. Their interdependency.
Riker: What do you mean, Doctor?
Crusher: He's
Crusher: Part of their collective consciousness now. Cutting him off would like asking one of us to disconnect an arm or a foot
Crusher: We can't do it.
Shelby: They operate as a single mind.
Riker: One jumps off a cliff, they all jump off? Data, is it possible to plant a command into the Borg collective consciousness?
Data: It is conceivable, sir, but it would require altering the pathway from the root command
Data: To affect all iterative branch points in the
Riker: Make every effort, Mister Data.
Data: Sir
Data: What command shall I try to plant?
Riker: Something straightforward, like disarm your weapons systems.
Worf: Visual contact with the Borg.
Shelby: On screen.
Riker: Magnify.
Worf: Sensors reading increased power generation from the Borg.
Riker: Red alert. Load all torpedo bays. Ready phasers.
Worf: Aye, Captain.
Riker: Status of Borg weapons?
Worf: Their weapon systems are fully charged.
Riker: Data?
Data: Attempting to re-route subcommand paths, Captain. Defense systems are protected by access barriers.
Worf: Borg attempting to lock on tractor beam.
Riker: Rotate shield frequencies. Data, report?
Data: I am unable to penetrate defense systems command structure
Data: Captain.
Shelby: Try the power systems, Data. See if you can get them to power down.
Data: Acknowledged.
Data: Attempting new power subcommand path.
Laforge: Shields have failed. They've
Laforge: Locked on, sir. They're pulling us in.
Riker: Fire all weapons.
Data: I cannot penetrate Borg power subcommand structure, sir.
Data: All critical subcommands are protected, Captain.
Shelby: Then it's over.
Riker: Mister Crusher, ready a collision course with the Borg ship. You heard me. A collision course.
Wesley: Yes, sir.
Riker: Mister La Forge, prepare to go to warp power.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Picard: Sleep.
Crusher: He's regaining consciousness.
Picard: Sleep.
Troi: It is Captain Picard speaking, not Locutus.
Picard: Sleep, Data.
Crusher: He's exhausted.
Data: Yes, Doctor, but if I may make a supposition, I do not believe his message was intended to express fatigue but to suggest a course of action.
Worf: Borg cutting beam activated.
Riker: Mister Crusher? Engage.
Data: Data to Bridge. Stand by.
Riker: Stand by, all stations.
Data: I am attempting to penetrate the Borg regenerative subcommand path. It is a low priority system and may be accessible.
Computer: Warning. Outer hull breach.
Worf: Sir, shall I execute evacuation sequence?
Riker: Negative, Mister Worf. Mister Data, your final report.
Data: Stand by.
Riker: I can't, Mister Data.
Computer: Warning. Inner hull failure imminent on decks twenty three, twenty four, and twenty five. Decompression danger.
Riker: Mister Data, what the hell happened?
Data: I successfully planted a command into the Borg collective consciousness, sir. It misdirected them to believe it was time to regenerate. In effect, I put them all to sleep.
Riker: To sleep?
Data: Yes, sir.
Riker: Status of Borg power drive?
Worf: Minimal power.
Riker: Electromagnetic field?
Worf: Nonexistent.
Riker: Commander Shelby, take an away team and confirm that the Borg are asleep.
Shelby: Delighted, sir. Mister Worf.
Shelby: Shelby to Enterprise. It's true. They're all in a regeneration mode.
Shelby: They're dormant, sir.
Riker: Any indication to how long we can keep them like this?
Shelby: Checking.
Worf: Tricorder readings are fluctuating rapidly, Commander.
Shelby: Shelby to Enterprise. There are indications here that their entire power net's about to feed back on itself. I'd say we're looking at a self-destruct sequence activated by the Borg's malfunction. Do you want us to attempt to disarm it?
Riker: Stand by.
Crusher: There's no way to know what the destruction of the Borg ship will do to him.
Data: We should also consider the advantages of further examination of the Borg and their vessel, sir.
Riker: I don't think so. Data, separate yourself from Captain Picard. Away Team, get yourselves home. Mister Crusher, upon their return move us to a safe position.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Crusher: Life signs are stable. The DNA around the microcircuit fiber implants is returning to normal.
Troi: How do you feel?
Picard: Almost human. With just a bit of a headache.
Crusher: We'll get you to Sickbay. We won't have any trouble getting these implants out now.
Riker: How much do you remember?
Picard: Everything. Including some brilliantly unorthodox strategy from a former first officer of mine.
Riker: And Earth Station McKinley has advised they're ready to begin refitting the Enterprise.
Picard: Have they estimated time for repairs?
Riker: Five or six weeks. PICARD +
Riker: Come.
Shelby: Request permission to disembark, sir.
Picard: Permission granted. They've picked a fine officer for the task force, Commander.
Shelby: We'll have the fleet back up in less than a year. I imagine you'll get your choice of any Starfleet command, sir.
Riker: Everyone is so concerned about my next job. With all due respect, Commander, sir, my career plans are my own business, and no one else's. But it's nice to know I'll have a few options.
Shelby: I hope I have the fortune of serving with you again, sir. Captain.
Riker: Course to Station McKinley ready and laid in, sir.
Picard: Make it so, Number One.