Picard: I don't know why we have to do this every year. I thought that last year the teachers had agreed that they wouldn't do this anymore.
Troi: Captain Picard Day is one of the children's favorite school activities. They look forward to it all year.
Picard: Why does it have to be me?
Troi: Because you're the Captain, and they look up to you. You're a role model for them.
Picard: Well, they seem to have a somewhat exaggerated impression of me.
Riker: I don't know. I think the resemblance is rather striking. Wouldn't you agree, Number One?
Picard: Isn't there something else you have to do?
Riker: I'll be on the Bridge.
Troi: Will.
Troi: The finalists will be here in half an hour. You have to pick a first, second and third place, and four honorable mentions.
Worf: Worf to Captain. Incoming transmission from Admiral Blackwell. It is coded Priority One.
Picard: Put it through, Mister Worf. Excuse me, Counselor.
Picard: Yes, Admiral?
Blackwell: Captain, what is your status?
Picard: We are conducting energy output studies of the Mekoria Quasar. All systems normal. The ship is fully operational.
Blackwell: Good. I'm postponing the quasar study for the moment. The Enterprise is to rendezvous with the starship Crazy Horse in sector one six zero seven immediately. You're authorized to exceed warp speed limitations for the duration of this assignment.
Picard: I understand. What is our assignment?
Blackwell: I'd prefer not to discuss it over subspace channels. The Crazy Horse will be carrying someone from Starfleet Intelligence. He'll brief you when he arrives.
Picard: Very well.
Blackwell: Captain Picard Day?
Picard: Oh, er, yes. It's, er, it's for the children. I'm, er, ha, ha, I'm a role model.
Blackwell: I'm sure you are. Starfleet out.
Riker: So, who won the contest?
Picard: Paul Menegay, a seven year old. He did a most interesting clay sculpture of my head.
Riker: Was that the orange one with the lumpy skin?
Picard: Yes. Oh, you'll be interested to know that I've arranged for a Commander Riker Day next month. I'm even considering making an entry myself.
Riker: Great.
Picard: Energize.
Crewman: Aye, sir.
Pressman: Will. I'll bet you never thought you'd see me again.
Riker: It's good to see you, sir.
Pressman: Yeah, sure it is. You look like you're about to faint.
Riker: No. It's just it's been a long time. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Admiral Erik Pressman.
Picard: Pressman? Yes, of course. You were Will's first commanding officer, on the Pegasus.
Pressman: That's right. As a matter of fact, the Pegasus is the reason I'm here.
Riker: Sir?
Pressman: The Pegasus is still out there, Will. And the Romulans found her.
Pressman: As you know, the starship Pegasus was lost in this sector some twelve years ago along with most of its crew. I was the captain and Commander Riker here was my helmsman.
Picard: I remember hearing about it. The ship was destroyed by a warp core breach as I recall.
Riker: The Captain and I, along with seven others managed to get to the escape pod before the breach became critical.
Pressman: From space, we saw what appeared to be a matter-antimatter explosion which vaporized the ship.
Riker: No wreckage was found, so Starfleet officially declared the ship destroyed.
Pressman: However, all that changed three days ago. Starfleet Intelligence has an operative in Romulan High Command. He sent us a message that a Romulan warbird had located a piece of debris in the Devolin system which was positively identified as being from the Pegasus. The warbird was then ordered to locate the rest of the ship, if possible, and retrieve it.
Laforge: What would the Romulans want with pieces of a twelve year old starship?
Pressman: The Pegasus was a prototype. Experimental engine, new weapon systems. In fact, some of our designs were used in constructing the Enterprise. There are a lot of things on board the Romulans would love to get their hands on.
Picard: What are our orders?
Pressman: To find the ship before the Romulans do. Salvage it if possible, destroy it if necessary. You command the Enterprise while I remain in command of the overall mission.
Laforge: We'll need metallurgical and chromographic specs on the Pegasus in order to set up the proper search parameters.
Pressman: I'll make the appropriate information available to you.
Picard: Very well. Lay in a course for the Devolin system.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Data: Captain, we are approaching the Devolin system.
Picard: Any sign of the Romulans?
Data: No, sir.
Pressman: Oh, they're out there. They're just waiting to see what you're going to do.
Picard: Mister La Forge?
Laforge: There's an awful lot of ionizing radiation in this system, Captain. That and the sheer amount of rock is going to slow down our search a little.
Picard: How slow?
Laforge: I'd say at least
Worf: Sir, Romulan warbird decloaking directly ahead.
Worf: They are powering weapons.
Riker: Shields up. Red alert. Prepare phasers.
Worf: Sir, they are hailing us.
Picard: On screen.
Sirol: I am Commander Sirol of the Romulan vessel Terix. To whom do I have the honor of speaking?
Picard: I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise.
Sirol: Captain Picard. I've heard so much about you. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope our sudden appearance didn't startle you.
Picard: Not at all. But your unannounced appearance might have unfortunate consequences. It would be an awful shame if your ship were damaged due to some misunderstanding.
Sirol: I am touched by your concern for my ship, but I doubt we were ever in any danger. May I ask what you are doing in this system?
Picard: I might ask you the same question.
Sirol: We are conducting a survey of gaseous anomalies.
Picard: How interesting. So are we. Perhaps we could combine our efforts and share our findings.
Sirol: I doubt our objectives are compatible.
Picard: Perhaps you're right.
Sirol: This has been a most pleasant conversation, but we must return to our research.
Picard: Then I won't keep you.
Worf: Sir, they are moving off, resuming their tachyon scans of the system.
Picard: Stand down Red alert, but keep tracking their movement, Lieutenant.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Commander, how long will it take us to search this system?
Laforge: At least seven days, sir.
Worf: And the Romulans have a two day head start.
Picard: Then let's get to it. Mister Data?
Data: Initiating sensor sweep of grid zero one.
Pressman: How long have you had that beard?
Riker: About four years. I got tired of hearing how young I looked.
Pressman: What was it that Lieutenant Boylen used to call you?
Riker: Ensign Babyface.
Pressman: You never did have much of a sense of humor.
Riker: I like to think that I've lightened up a little in my old age.
Pressman: Really?
Riker: I've been known to tell a joke or two.
Pressman: Well, it's about time. You were always so serious on the Pegasus.
Riker: We went through some serious times. Do you really think we're going to find the Pegasus again?
Pressman: I wouldn't have come all the way out here if I didn't.
Riker: What about the experiment? Do you think we're going to find that too?
Pressman: Maybe.
Riker: I think a lot about what happened, especially on that last day.
Pressman: So do I. It's not the kind of thing you just forget.
Riker: Do you ever wonder if we did the right thing?
Pressman: Never. What happened was a tragedy, yes, but it wasn't your fault and it wasn't mine. What we were doing was for the good of the Federation, and we can't blame ourselves if the others couldn't see that.
Riker: I know, but, maybe we went about it the wrong way.
Pressman: Well, this time we may have a chance to do it the right way. If this mission is successful, if we find the Pegasus and the experiment, we can finish what we started twelve years ago.
Riker: You want to try again?
Pressman: It's not just me, Will. The Chief of Starfleet Security has personally given me her assurance of complete support.
Riker: Admiral Raner? How many other people know about this?
Pressman: Not many, and it's up to us to make sure it stays that way. Raner has given me written orders for you. You'll find them coded in the Enterprise computer. You've been instructed not to reveal the true nature of our mission to anyone else, not even Captain Picard. Will, don't worry. It won't be like it was twelve years ago. And this time, no one's going to stop us. (for those who care about these things, the travesty that was the Enterprise series finale takes place at some point from here on in...)
Picard: As a matter of fact, I never met Will until he reported on board at Farpoint Station.
Pressman: You chose your first officer without ever meeting him?
Picard: I was looking through the records of about fifty candidates and Will's was much like all the others, filled with lots of dry statistics and glowing letters of recommendation that tell you nothing. I was about to put it aside and look at another file and then something caught my eye. There was an incident on Altair Three when Will was First Officer of the Hood. He refused to let Captain DeSoto beam down during a crisis. He disobeyed a direct order and he risked a general court martial because he thought he was right. When I read that, I knew that I had found my Number One.
Pressman: You wanted someone with a history of disobedience?
Picard: I wanted someone who would stand up to me. Someone who was more concerned with the safety of the ship and accomplishing the mission than with how something looked on his record. To me, that's one of the marks of a good officer.
Pressman: Frankly, I've always felt it was more important for an officer to trust his captain's judgment. In a crisis, there's no time for explanations. Orders have to be obeyed without question or lives may be lost.
Picard: I am aware of that, Admiral.
Pressman: Of course you are. I guess this mission has brought up some old ghosts for me. You know what it's like to lose a ship. You're always wondering if there was something else you should have done, something you missed.
Picard: Admiral, the record regarding the loss of the Pegasus is a bit vague from the moment just before you abandoned ship. Is there anything that you can add to the official account?
Pressman: I'm afraid not. But I can tell you this. Twelve years ago, I needed an officer that I could count on in a crisis. Someone who would support and obey my decisions without question. Someone who was willing to trust my judgment. And that someone was Will Riker. Without his loyalty, none of us would have survived.
Crusher: What's wrong?
Riker: I think I busted a rib.
Crusher: Excuse me. What were you doing?
Riker: I was doing bat'leth moves with Mister Worf. I jabbed when I should've blocked. He caught me right in the side. It's a good thing we were using sticks instead of the real blades.
Crusher: It's broken all right. Give him ten cc's of terakine for the pain.
Riker: I can't believe how stupid I was.
Crusher: You both must have got a little carried away, that's all.
Riker: No, it was my fault. I got distracted at a crucial moment.
Crusher: It can happen to anyone.
Riker: I knew what I was supposed to do and I didn't do it. If those had real bat'leths I might be dead right now.
Crusher: There, all better. Will, it's all right. You made a mistake. No harm done. You'll be better next time.
Riker: Yeah, maybe.
Data: Scan of grid one five seven is complete. I am moving to grid one five eight.
Worf: The Romulan warship is still searching grid two seven zero.
Riker: They're sure spending a lot of time over there. I wonder if they
Laforge: Commander, I think we might have just struck paydirt. There's a subspace resonance signature coming from that asteroid. From the frequency variances, it looks like the pattern from a Federation warp core.
Riker: Captain Picard to the Bridge. Take us to within ten kilometers of asteroid gamma six zero one.
Riker: Geordi's found something.
Laforge: There's a subspace resonance signature coming from that asteroid, sir. It could be the warp core of the Pegasus.
Pressman: I think he's right. I recognize some of the variance patterns.
Picard: Put the asteroid on the main viewscreen.
Data: I have confirmed Geordi's readings. The resonance signature is originating from somewhere beneath the asteroid's surface.
Pressman: Beneath the surface? How's that possible?
Data: This asteroid contains several deep chasms large enough for a starship to enter. It is possible the Pegasus drifted into the asteroid's gravitational field and was pulled down into one of the fissures.
Worf: Sir, the Romulan warbird has altered course once again. They are heading toward our position.
Riker: They probably want to see what we're so interested in over here.
Picard: Mister Data, how long will it take to determine the exact location of the Pegasus?
Data: At least another six hours, sir.
Pressman: That's too long. If the Romulans start searching the asteroid, they could find the ship before we do.
Riker: I recommend we destroy the asteroid. It would take most of our photon torpedoes, but it would preclude any possibility of the Pegasus falling into Romulan hands.
Pressman: Our top priority is to salvage the ship, Commander. I'll consider destroying it only as a last resort.
Riker: Yes, sir.
Pressman: Captain, could you give me a third alternative?
Picard: Mister Data, would it possible to saturate the asteroid with verteron particles that could mask the resonance signature and prevent the Romulans from detecting it?
Data: In order for the deception to succeed, it would have to appear to be a natural phenomenon. Verteron particles are artificial in nature.
Laforge: Wait a minute. We could blanket the asteroid with high levels of ionizing radiation. There's so much of it in the system already, the Romulans won't know the difference.
Picard: Mister Data?
Data: Theoretically, sir, it should work.
Riker: If we do this, we have to do it fast the Romulans will be within sensor range in less than a minute.
Picard: Make it so, Mister Data.
Data: Aye, sir. Initiating ionization field pulse.
Picard: When he's finished we'll have to move away and make it look like we've scanned the asteroid but haven't find anything.
Riker: Lay in a course for the next search grid. Stand by to engage.
Picard: If it works, the Romulans won't find anything and we can return later. If it doesn't
Pressman: If it doesn't work, we'll have handed them the Pegasus.
Data: Ionization pulse complete.
Picard: Helm, one quarter impulse. Engage.
Data: The Romulans are initiating a tachyon scan of the asteroid. They have switched to their lateral sensor array. Beginning another scan.
Riker: They're certainly being thorough.
Data: The warbird has completed its sensor sweep.
Pressman: If they found the resonance signature, they should be sending away teams any second.
Data: They are moving out.
Picard: Mister Data, we must convince the Romulans that we're still looking for the Pegasus. I want you to continue scanning this system.
Data: Yes, sir.
Picard: I want to be back at this asteroid at oh eight hundred hours tomorrow. Plan your search pattern accordingly.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Picard: Admiral, would you care to join me for some late dinner?
Pressman: Please excuse me, Captain, but I think I'd better turn in early.
Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One. Oh, and will you bring the scan analysis to my quarters when you're off watch?
Riker: Aye, sir.
Riker: Initiate search of grid one six three.
Data: Beginning sensor sweeps.
Pressman: Commander, I want to see you in the Captain's Ready room.
Riker: Mister Data, you have the Bridge.
Data: Aye, sir.
Pressman: What the hell is the matter with you? Destroy the Pegasus before we've even taken a look at it?
Riker: I thought it was more important that the Romulans
Pressman: Well, you were wrong! We have a chance here to change the balance of power in this quadrant, but we can't very well do that if we destroy the Pegasus, now can we?
Riker: No, sir.
Pressman: It hasn't been easy for you I'm sure, keeping your Captain and friends in the dark like this.
Riker: I haven't enjoyed it, if that's what you mean.
Pressman: I hope you understand that it's necessary.
Riker: I understand that you think it's necessary.
Pressman: You have changed.
Riker: Changed?
Pressman: Something the Captain and I were talking about. To be honest I'm glad to see this kind of change in you, Will. State your opinion and stand by it. It's a far cry from the young man who used to sit at my helm and worry about pressing the wrong button.
Riker: A lot of things can change in twelve years, Admiral.
Pressman: Yes, they can. But it's important that a man changes the right things in his life, not his sense of duty, not his sense of loyalty.
Riker: I'd like to think that I haven't changed those things, sir.
Pressman: I would like to think that too. Because those things say more about a man than the rank on his collar or the uniform he wears. They define him. Twelve years ago, a lot of older and more seasoned officers turned away from their duty, but you stood up for what was right. I'm sorry, Will. I know the kind of man you are. I know that I can count on you again.
Picard: Come.
Riker: The scan analysis you asked for.
Picard: Thank you.
Riker: Is there something else, sir?
Picard: Yes, there is. Judge Advocate General's Report. Stardate 36764. Subject, inquiry into mutiny aboard USS Pegasus. Based on testimony from Captain Pressman and other surviving officers, the Judge Advocate believes there is sufficient evidence to conclude that certain members of the crew did mutiny against the captain just prior to the destruction of the Pegasus. Mutiny on a Federation starship? That's shocking. It's unthinkable. And yet you've never mentioned it.
Riker: No, sir.
Picard: You know, it wasn't easy to get this record. I had to pull in quite a few favors at Starfleet just to get a look at it. It seems that it was classified by Starfleet Intelligence. So, not only was the Pegasus carrying sensitive equipment which must be allowed to fall into Romulan hands, not only was there a mysterious explosion which seemed to destroy the ship but didn't, but it seems there was a mutiny on board. Now, I've read the official report of the inquiry on that mutiny, but I want to know your version of what happened.
Riker: I was on the Bridge. The ship was at yellow alert. We were running some tests on the engines. Something went wrong. There was an explosion in Engineering. Heavy casualties. In the midst of this crisis, the First Officer, the Chief of Engineering and most of Bridge crew mutinied against Captain Pressman.
Picard: Why?
Riker: They thought he was jeopardizing the ship.
Picard: And you?
Riker: I was seven months out of the Academy, my head still ringing with words like duty and honor. When they turned on him, I thought they were a bunch of self-serving, disloyal officers, so I grabbed a phaser and defended my captain. Two or three others joined us, but it was clear by then that the mutineers had most of the crew behind them. We felt a need to get off the ship. There was a running firefight all the way to the escape pod. About five minutes after we left the ship there was an explosion.
Picard: The Judge Advocate also believes that the surviving officers are deliberately withholding vital information from this inquiry. Further investigation is recommended. Will, there was no further investigation. This report was classified and then it was quietly buried. Why?
Riker: Sir, may I suggest you take this up with Admiral
Picard: I'm taking this up with you, Will! The Judge Advocate thought you were participating in a conspiracy to cover up the truth. Now, what the hell is going on here, Will? Why did that mutiny happen? Why is Pressman so determined to find your ship twelve years later?
Riker: I've said all I can. I am under direct orders from Admiral Pressman not to discuss this, sir.
Picard: Very well. He's an admiral, I'm a captain. I cannot force you to disobey his orders. Therefore I will have to remain in the dark on this mission. And I will just have to trust that you will not let Pressman put this ship at unnecessary risk. And if I find that that trust has been misplaced, then I will have to re-evaluate the command structure of this ship. Dismissed.
Blackwell: Captain, Starfleet places the highest priority on the success of this mission. Your request for a delay is denied.
Picard: Margaret, something's very wrong here. Do you know what's going on?
Blackwell: I know that the Chief of Starfleet Intelligence herself is watching this one, Jean-Luc. So you'd be well advised to follow Pressman's orders and leave it at that. Starfleet out.
Worf: Worf to Captain Picard. We are approaching asteroid gamma six zero one, sir.
Picard: On my way.
Picard: Mister Worf, where are the Romulans?
Worf: They are out of sensor range on the far side of the system.
Picard: Take us to within fifteen kilometers of the asteroid and hold that position.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Mister Data, report.
Data: For the past several hours, I have been scanning the area where we detected the resonance signature of the Pegasus. From the strength and polarity of the signature, it would appear that most of the warp core is still intact.
Pressman: If we're lucky, the entire engineering section could be down there.
Riker: But how do we get to it? I wouldn't want to try to transport through that much solid rock.
Picard: Agreed. What about a shuttle? We could send it down through one of these fissures.
Data: I would recommend against it, sir. There may be gravimetric or magnetic fluctuations inside the asteroid which would overpower the engines of a shuttlecraft.
Pressman: Sounds like the best solution is to take the Enterprise in.
Riker: Into the asteroid?
Pressman: That's right. Put this fissure on the main viewer. This chasm is large enough for us to maneuver in. Besides, if we ever hope to salvage the Pegasus, we're going to need a starship to do it.
Picard: Mister Data?
Data: It is theoretically possible, sir, but I am unaware of any prior situations where a starship was taken so deeply inside a planetary body. There may be unforeseen difficulties.
Picard: Admiral, I don't think we can risk
Pressman: I've made my decision. Prepare to take the Enterprise in, Captain. That's an order.
Picard: Mister Data, will you please note in the ship's log that this action is being taken over my explicit objections.
Data: It is so noted, sir.
Picard: Yellow Alert.
Riker: Shields up. Inertial dampers at maximum.
Picard: Ensign Gates, plot a course into the chasm, maneuvering thrusters only.
Gates: Course plotted, sir.
Picard: Take us in.
Data: We are now two kilometers beneath the surface.
Worf: Captain, we are encountering shifts in the magnetic field density.
Picard: Admiral, if is passage narrows to less than five hundred meters, I will abort the mission. You can charge me with insubordination if you wish, but I'm not going to risk the Enterprise for a salvage operation.
Worf: Captain, I am reading a large resonance signature directly ahead.
Pressman: Pegasus.
Riker: What the hell happened?
Data: Sensors show that the ship is still intact. However, sixty five percent of it is contained within the asteroid.
Riker: It looks if half the ship materialized inside solid rock.
Data: Yes, sir. I do not understand how this could have happened.
Pressman: Let's keep the speculation to a minimum. We have to begin the salvage operation. The equipment we need was in main Engineering. Can you scan that section of the Pegasus?
Data: The starboard bulkhead of main Engineering is contained within the rock face, but most of its compartment is still intact.
Worf: There is a hull breach in that section.
Picard: If we begin a power transfer, can we restore life support systems to that compartment?
Data: I believe so, sir. The breach can be temporarily sealed by extending our shields.
Pressman: See to it. Once you've restored life support, Commander Riker and I will beam directly into Engineering.
Picard: Admiral, I would like to send down a complete away team
Pressman: There's some very sensitive equipment over there. I don't want anyone else near it.
Picard: Yes, sir.
Pressman: This room was open to space for twelve years.
Riker: Vacuum preserved everything.
Riker: I wonder how many of the crew are buried back there.
Pressman: We're not here for a memorial service. It's still intact. What's the matter, Will? Don't you understand? We've found it.
Riker: I know. I kept hoping it wouldn't be here. That it had been destroyed or that it was buried in that rock back there.
Pressman: What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Riker: It means that I can't put this off any longer. Right up until this moment I had the luxury of time, but now I've got to make a choice. And, Admiral, I'm afraid my choice is this. I can't let you start these experiments again. It was wrong twelve years ago, and it is wrong today.
Pressman: You had better reconsider that position, Commander. We have a mission to accomplish and you're going to carry it out.
Riker: That's all you care about, starting these damn experiments again. Look around. This room is filled with dead bodies. These people died because of this thing.
Pressman: Keep your self-righteous comments to yourself. I knew most of these people a lot longer than you did. Yes, it was tragic, but it was their fault.
Riker: You don't know that. Neither of us knows what happened after we left.
Pressman: Well, it's not hard to guess. They tried to shut down an experiment they didn't understand. Something went wrong and it killed them.
Riker: No. We killed them.
Pressman: Now that doesn't sound like the same man who grabbed a phaser and defended his captain twelve years ago.
Riker: I've had twelve years to think about it, and if I had it to do over again I would have grabbed the phaser and pointed it at you instead of them.
Pressman: So on reflection you'd rather be a traitor than a hero.
Riker: I wasn't a hero and neither were you. What you did was wrong and I was wrong to support you, but I was just too young and too stupid to realize it. You were the captain. I was the ensign. I was just following orders.
Pressman: And if you hadn't you'd be dead right now along with all the rest of them. Dead because you listened to a bunch of mutinous cowards who were too blinded by fear to see what I was trying to do.
Riker: They were brave enough to risk their lives to stop you from violating a treaty the Federation signed in good faith.
Pressman: That treaty has bound our hands and given the Romulans a tactical advantage for the last sixty years. I was simply trying to level the playing field.
Riker: And now you want to try it again? How many people will die this time? Fifty? A hundred? A thousand?
Pressman: All right, you don't want to help me? Fine. But you are still under my direct orders not to talk about what you know and I expect you to follow those orders to the letter. I made you, mister, and I can break you just as easily. Do you understand me, Commander?
Picard: Picard to away team. Prepare to return to the ship immediately.
Pressman: Stand by, Enterprise.
Pressman: Pressman to Enterprise. Two people and one piece of equipment to beam up.
Pressman: Report.
Picard: The Romulans have destroyed the entrance to the chasm with their disruptors. They've sealed us in.
Worf: Sir, there is an incoming message. It is from the warbird.
Picard: On screen.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Sirol: Captain, you seem to be in a very unfortunate circumstance. How can we help?
Picard: Are you responsible for this?
Sirol: I'm not sure. We were conducting some geological experiments on the surface of the asteroid. It is entirely possible that we accidently sealed you in. If only we had known you were beneath the surface, if you had shared your plans with us, this might have been avoided.
Picard: What do you want, Sirol?
Sirol: I don't want anything, Captain, but I will offer to help you.
Picard: How?
Sirol: By transporting your crew aboard my ship. We'll take you back to Romulus where, after a short stay as our guests, you will be returned to the Federation.
Picard: Thank you for your generous offer. I will take it under advisement.
Sirol: As you wish. We will be continuing our research in this system for a while longer. I await your decision.
Pressman: We can't do it. If we abandon the Enterprise they'll come back here and get their hands on both ships.
Picard: Agreed. Options?
Worf: Captain, I believe we could use the phasers to cut our way out.
Data: The asteroid's internal structure is highly unstable. Any attempt to cut through the rock could cause the entire chasm to collapse.
Riker: Captain, I have a suggestion. There's a piece of equipment in Admiral Pressman's quarters under guard which might get us out of here. It's a prototype for a Federation cloaking device.
Pressman: You just ended your career, Will.
Picard: That's what it's all about. A cloaking device. In the Treaty of Algeron the Federation specifically agreed not to develop cloaking technology.
Pressman: And that treaty is the biggest mistake we ever made. It's kept us from exploiting a vital area of defense.
Picard: That treaty has kept us in peace for sixty years, and as a Starfleet officer, you're supposed to uphold it.
Pressman: Now that's enough. I'm taking command of this vessel. Mister Worf, escort the Captain to his quarters.
Riker: I don't think anyone's going to come to your defense this time.
Picard: How do we use the cloak to escape from the asteroid?
Riker: It's more than just a cloak. It changes the structure of matter. In theory, a ship using this device could pass through normal matter.
Picard: I see why you were so eager to find it.
Pressman: Can't you see the potential here? The phasing cloak could be the greatest breakthrough in weapons research in the last fifty years.
Picard: Except it's illegal. It's in violation of an agreement that the Federation signed in good faith.
Riker: Captain, I think we could adapt the cloak for the Enterprise.
Picard: Mister Data?
Data: Theoretically it is possible, sir. But it would take several hours to study the device and determine how to link it to our systems.
Picard: Make it so.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47457.1. We have been trapped inside the asteroid for over eight hours. Mister Data and Commander La Forge inform me that they are nearly ready to engage the cloak.
Laforge: Commander, we've routed the impulse engines through the plasma conduits, but you'll have to watch the intercooler levels. If they get too high, we'll blow the entire relay system.
Riker: Understood.
Riker: I think that's what happened twelve years ago. The cloak blew out the plasma relays on the Pegasus after we left the ship. The plasma ignited in space, and it looked as if the ship had been destroyed.
Pressman: So the ship drifted into this system still in a phased state, and when it passed through this asteroid
Riker: The cloak failed, and half the ship materialized in solid rock.
Laforge: La Forge to Bridge.
Laforge: The cloak is online and ready to begin phase sequencing.
Picard: Proceed, Number One.
Riker: Aye, sir. Activating power systems.
Picard: Report.
Riker: The cloak appears to be functioning normally. The ship's matter-energy phasing rate should be sufficient to pass through the asteroid.
Picard: Take us out. Maneuvering thrusters only.
Worf: Aye, sir. We will reach the rock face in five seconds.
Worf: We have passed through two kilometers of the asteroid. Now within one kilometer of the surface.
Riker: We're approaching the surface.
Worf: We have cleared the asteroid, Captain. The warbird is off the port bow.
Riker: They're still waiting for us to make up our minds.
Picard: Disengage the cloaking device, Commander.
Pressman: You cannot do that! If the Romulans see us decloak, they'll know
Picard: They'll know the truth, Admiral. Which is what everyone will know very shortly. Carry out my orders.
Picard: Mister Worf, send a message to the warbird. Inform them that their government will be contacted shortly about this incident.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Admiral, I am hereby charging you with violation of the Treaty of Algeron. As Captain of the Enterprise, I'm placing you under arrest. Mister Worf?
Worf: Admiral, if you will come with me.
Riker: Captain, I'll have to be placed under arrest as well. Admiral.
Pressman: I have a lot of friends at Starfleet Command, Captain.
Picard: You're going to need them.
Picard: I've spoken to Fleet Admiral Shanthi. There will be a full inquiry once we reach Starbase two four seven, and that will probably lead to a general court martial of Admiral Pressman and several others at Starfleet Intelligence. Your involvement in this affair is going to be thoroughly investigated, Will. There'll be some hard questions for you to answer.
Riker: I understand.
Picard: You made a mistake twelve years ago, but your service since then has earned you a great deal of respect, but this incident may cost you some of that respect.
Riker: I can't help but feel I should have come forward a long time ago.
Picard: When the moment came to make a decision, you made the right one. You chose to tell the truth and face the consequences. So long as you can still do that, then you deserve to wear that uniform. And I will still be proud to have you as my First Officer.


Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47423.9. We have arrived at Boraal Two in response to an emergency distress call from Lieutenant Worf's foster brother, Nikolai Rozhenko. He has been stationed on the planet as a cultural observer.
Picard: Analysis. Mister Data.
Data: The planet's atmosphere is dissipating, sir. Intense plasmonic reactions are destroying it. The stratosphere is already breaking down. There are turbulent radiation storms across much of its surface. I estimate that the planet will be uninhabitable in less than thirty eight hours.
Riker: The distress call came in only four days ago. Why would Doctor Rozhenko have waited so long before sending it?
Data: Atmospheric dissipation is a rare and essentially unpredictable event. When it occurs, it proceeds rapidly. Doctor Rozhenko may not have had sufficient warning.
Picard: What was that?
Data: The dissipation effect is generating plasmonic energy bursts.
Riker: Is there any danger to the ship?
Data: I do not believe so. However, we may experience intermittent system failures and power surges as a result.
Picard: Keep an eye on it. Mister Worf, any luck?
Worf: There is still no response to our hails, sir. I am attempting to scan the observation post.
Riker: He could be hurt. Maybe he can't respond.
Worf: Sensor interference is significant, but the post appears to be intact. Their power grid is still functioning. However, I am reading no life forms within the structure.
Riker: It's not like him to the post.
Picard: Especially under these circumstances.
Worf: Captain, I am detecting faint power emissions from a system of caverns near the post. It could be a deflector shield.
Riker: That can't be native to the planet. The Boraalans don't have anything close to that level of technology.
Worf: Captain, request permission to lead an away team.
Picard: Very well. But regardless of this planet's immediate situation, we must observe the Prime Directive. I want to minimize the risk of contact with the inhabitants. You will go alone, Mister Worf, and I want to have you surgically altered so that you could pass as a Boraalan.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Crusher: You're worried about Nikolai, aren't you?
Worf: Yes.
Crusher: Are the two of you close?
Worf: We are brothers.
Crusher: You never talk much about him. What's he like?
Worf: Nikolai is older than I. We are not alike. We had many disagreements when we were growing up.
Crusher: That's not unusual.
Worf: Nikolai has a mind of his own. He attended Starfleet Academy, but he was unable to follow the rules. He left after one year. But he has many fine qualities. He is brilliant, persuasive. A natural leader.
Crusher: Sounds intriguing. I look forward to meeting him.
Vorin: What are you doing here? You're not from our village. Who are you?
Kateras: Who is this?
Worf: My name is Worf. I am a traveler.
Vorin: How did you survive the storms?
Nikolai: I would know that voice anywhere. Worf, is it really you? It's good to see you. You've changed a lot in four years.
Worf: Nikolai?
Nikolai: Yes. Oh, Worf. This is my brother, Worf. He's come to help us.
Vorin: But if you were able to get here, the storms must have subsided.
Worf: Please.
Vorin: Do you think it's safe enough to return to the surface?
Worf: Please, I must speak to my brother.
Worf: Nikolai, what have you done?
Nikolai: They were dying. I refused to sit there safe in that observation post and watch it happen. I set up a deflector shield to screen these caves from the radiation and then I brought them here.
Worf: What did you tell them?
Nikolai: They think I'm a Boraalan. I told them I was from another village far from here.
Worf: At least you had that much sense.
Nikolai: When I sent the distress call I knew the Enterprise was in this sector, but I wasn't sure you'd be the one to come. I'm so glad that you're here, Worf.
Worf: Nikolai, there is nothing we can do for these people. You have only postponed their deaths.
Nikolai: I want to discuss that with your Captain.
Worf: And I am certain he will want to speak with you.
Nikolai: Friends, my brother and I must go back to the surface. He has provisions and will need help bringing them here. We'll return shortly.
Dobara: It's too dangerous. The storms can occur without warning. If you're caught in one.
Nikolai: Don't worry. Worf is a seer. He understands the nature of the storms. He'll know when it's safe to travel.
Worf: Yes, that is correct.
Kateras: Our seer died when the storms first came. We've been without his guidance for many weeks.
Vorin: Let me go with you. I know the terrain better than anyone and I can help.
Nikolai: No, Vorin. Worf and I will be safe. We'll return shortly.
Picard: Doctor, you were fully aware that the atmospheric dissipation could not be stopped. What did you hope to accomplish by assisting these people?
Nikolai: I was trying to give them a future. What I propose is we create an atmospheric shield on the planet. We can camouflage the equipment just as was done with my observation post. No one will ever know it's there.
Riker: You can't be serious.
Nikolai: Indeed I am. I realize it will only provide atmosphere for a limited area on the surface, but it will be enough to save one village.
Picard: I have no intention of compounding what you have done by committing another gross violation of the Prime Directive.
Nikolai: Captain, the Boraalans have a rich and beautiful culture, a deep spiritual life. They deserve the chance to survive. And isn't that what the Prime Directive was truly intended to do, to allow cultures to survive and grow naturally?
Troi: Not entirely. The Prime Directive was designed to ensure non-interference.
Crusher: But aren't we interfering either way? If we take no action, it's a conscious decision to let the Boraalans die.
Nikolai: Exactly. We have the power to save some of them. All we have to do is exercise it.
Picard: We are sworn to uphold the principle of the Prime Directive, and until that is changed there is no further course of action that we can take. Is that understood?
Nikolai: Some of my log recorders are still in my observation post. They contain most of my research. Since it appears that the only way I'm going to preserve Boraalan culture is in a museum, I request permission to return to the surface and retrieve them.
Picard: I'm afraid that won't be possible. But you can have full use of the ship's computer to set up a comm. link and upload your data from here. If there's nothing further, you're dismissed.
Worf: I'm sorry, Nikolai. I wish there were another way. I am quite familiar with your communications systems. If you like, I will help you set up your comm. link.
Nikolai: I'll do it myself.
Data: Captain, atmospheric dissipation has accelerated over the past several hours. I estimate the planet's atmosphere will be completely gone within three minutes.
Nikolai: Captain, I've completed my data uplink. With your permission, I would like to integrate my research logs with the ship's library computer.
Picard: Of course.
Data: The mesosphere is gone. Plasmonic reactions are now beginning to break down the troposphere.
Picard: Put it on screen.
Picard: What's going on?
Data: It appears the plasmonic reactions are continuing to interfere with our sensors.
Riker: I thought you had compensated for that.
Data: I had, sir. I will attempt to engage additional filtering elements. Visual re-established.
Picard: This is one of those times when we must face the ramifications of the Prime Directive and honor those lives which we cannot save.
Nikolai: I find no honor in this whatsoever, Captain. You will forgive me if I don't stay.
Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One.
Riker: Helm, take us out of orbit. Set a course for Starbase eighty seven, warp five.
Gates: Aye, sir.
Riker: What happened?
Data: There appears to be an unusual power drain in the EPS distribution net.
Riker: What's the source?
Data: Unknown, sir. It is difficult to localize.
Worf: The power drain has registered on my security grid as well, sir. It appears to be coming from deck ten.
Riker: All right, Mister Worf, get a security team on it.
Worf: Concentrate your scans on the EPS transfer links.
Worf: Computer, open holodeck five.
Computer: Unable to comply. Holodeck five is in use.
Worf: Override. Authorisation, Worf theta six one nine.
Computer: Unable to comply. Holodeck control systems have been bypassed.
Nikolai: Worf Come in.
Worf: What are you doing here?
Nikolai: I have to show you something. Whatever you do, stay quiet.
Nikolai: Look.
Nikolai: I've done what you refused to do. I've saved them.
Nikolai: I started thinking about this days ago when it became clear the planet was doomed. I knew if I could get access to your ship's computer, I could generate a replica of the caves. The hard part was transporting the Boraalans into the holodeck without anybody on the Enterprise noticing. But I was able to blank out the sensors and make it look like interference from the plasmonic bursts. And it worked, perfectly. The Boraalans were transported while they were sleeping. They never knew anything had happened.
Worf: Bridge.
Nikolai: It's a simple plan, really. That's the beauty of it. Worf, trust me. This is going to work.
Worf: Trust you? You never had any intention of obeying the Captain.
Nikolai: I wasn't going to let those people die just because your Captain started quoting Federation dogma to me.
Worf: Your duty was to respect the Captain's orders and to uphold the Prime Directive.
Nikolai: Duty. That's all that really matters to you, isn't it? Well, I refuse to be bound by an abstraction. The lives of the people of Boraal are far more important to me. You worry too much, Worf. You always did. Everything will work out.
Worf: You have disgraced yourself and you have disgraced me. I want nothing more to do with you.
Picard: You realize your career is finished.
Nikolai: I know that, Captain, and I would do it all again.
Picard: What do you expect us to do now? You have left us with a colony of Boraalans who think they're still on their planet.
Nikolai: I didn't beam them up without a plan. I've given this a lot of thought. I think we can find a new planet, an M class world, that can be their new home.
Picard: A home which would look very different from Boraal. You can't really believe that they'll be fooled.
Nikolai: That's where the holodeck comes in. I'll go back and tell the Boraalans we're going on a journey, to a different place where they'll be safe from the storms. The holodeck can gradually change the terrain as we travel, so that at the end, the holodeck simulation will match the conditions on the new planet. Then we'll simply beam them down.
Picard: What if it doesn't work? What if they become aware that something strange is going on?
Nikolai: Captain, I can't prepare for every contingency, but I assure you I'm accustomed to thinking on my feet. I'll deal with the situation as it evolves.
Picard: I'm not enthusiastic about this plan, but I don't see that we have another option. Very well, let's give it a try.
Nikolai: Thank you, Captain.
Crusher: There are countless M class planets in Federation space which can support the Boraalans. We need to narrow the parameters.
Data: It will take approximately nine and one half hours to complete the analysis.
Picard: Even then there's no guarantee that we'll find a suitable planet.
Data: That is correct, sir.
Laforge: Captain, you'd better take a look at this.
Picard: What is it?
Laforge: We've got a problem, sir. I don't think it's going to be possible to keep this holodeck simulation stable.
Picard: Why not?
Laforge: The plasmonic energy surges from the planet are affecting the ship's systems. We're having problems with the EPS systems and the power distribution matrix.
Nikolai: And as a result, the holodeck imaging processor has been severely destabilized.
Laforge: It's not a question of whether the simulation will break down, it's a question of when.
Picard: There's no way round it?
Laforge: Not while it's running. In order to fix it, I'd have to shut down all of the holodecks and re-initialize the entire system.
Picard: That will take hours.
Nikolai: We'll just have to hope the simulation holds long enough.
Picard: Very well. Let's try it. Mister La Forge, I want you to monitor the situation very carefully, and keep an open comm. link with the Holodeck so as to be apprised of any problems.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Nikolai: Captain, I'll return to the holodeck as soon as my surgical alterations are completed and I'll prepare the Boraalans for their journey.
Picard: Considering the situation you have put us in, I don't think it's wise to leave you alone with those people. Mister Worf will accompany you.
Worf: Sir, perhaps someone else would be a better choice. Counselor Troi is familiar with
Picard: Mister Worf, the Boraalans already know you. There's no need to introduce them to anyone new.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Keep a close eye on your brother. I don't want him making this situation worse than it is.
Nikolai: My friends, we have returned. We have food. This is difficult to say, but you have a right to hear it. By the time Worf and I had reached the surface, the village was gone. The storms have destroyed everything. There is nothing for us to return to.
Dobara: We can't survive in here. Our supplies won't last forever.
Nikolai: That's why we must leave. There is a place far from here where there are no storms. It will be a difficult journey, but in the end we will have a new home.
Worf: I know a way through the caves. We will travel safely until we return to the surface.
Vorin: Where is this new land?
Worf: As we said, it is far from here. It will not be like the home you knew. Even the stars may be different.
Vorin: Why would they be different? And how do you know we'll be safe there?
Nikolai: My brother is a seer. If he says we'll be safe, you must trust that we will be safe.
Kateras: What's wrong?
Tarrana: Look.
Worf: Do not worry. It is an omen.
Dobara: What does it mean?
Worf: This is the sign of La Forge. It is a message to travelers. It is said when these lines appear and disappear
Worf: In a pool of water, the road ahead will be filled with good fortune.
Laforge: Hang in there, Worf. Give me just a second. There. That should do it.
Nikolai: You see? Our journey is already blessed. The road ahead is long. Let us have a meal together, then we'll make preparations to leave.
Nikolai: Worf, very good work. Apparently we don't make such a bad team after all.
Worf: We are not a team. I am here because Captain Picard ordered me here.
Nikolai: Worf, don't we both share the same goal? Aren't we both trying to make this plan work?
Worf: Only because you forced us into it.
Nikolai: I'm not ashamed of what I did. I'm not sorry I saved their lives.
Worf: You have not changed. You still expect people to solve the problems you create.
Nikolai: I'm not here to work out the issues of our childhood. I'm here to save a people who I care about. And if that upsets you, then so be it.
Data: These are the two planets which best match our search criteria. Draygo Four features an unusually large temperate zone. However, it is within three light years of Cardassian space.
Crusher: There are constant border disputes in that sector.
Data: The alternative is Vacca Six. It is located in the Cabral sector.
Crusher: That's pretty isolated.
Data: It offers a less hospitable climate than the Boraalans are accustomed to. However, it would still appear to be the better choice. Do you disagree, Doctor?
Crusher: No, Data, you're right. It's just that the enormity of what we're doing is overwhelming. We are deciding the future of a species.
Data: It is a formidable responsibility.
Crusher: There are so many questions we don't have answers to. What if the climate is so different that it affects them in a way that we can't anticipate? How do we even know they'll be able to survive? And if they do, how will their society evolve and what impact will it have on the Vaccan system? We have no idea what this decision will mean to their future.
Data: Doctor, I do not believe we can offer any guarantees. We can simply make the best choice we have at the moment.
Crusher: All right, Data. Vacca Six it is.
Data: Data to Bridge.
Picard: Picard here.
Data: We have located a new home for the Boraalans, sir.
Data: It is Vacca Six in the Cabral sector.
Riker: We can reach that in forty two hours at maximum warp, sir.
Picard: Very well. Helm, set course for Vacca Six.
Gates: Aye, sir.
Worf: What is this?
Vorin: Our chronicle. The history of our village. Doesn't your village keep a chronicle?
Worf: Not in this manner.
Vorin: Then how do you teach your children their history, who their ancestors were, where they come from?
Worf: We tell each other stories, make up songs.
Vorin: Stories change with each person who tells them. This, this will always be the same. Our chronicle has been maintained for seventeen generations. I was only able to save the last six. This shows the destruction of our village. This is you and Nikolai leading us to safety.
Worf: We must leave. Gather your belongings.
Vorin: One of the scrolls is gone. I must have dropped it in the passageway. I'll go find it.
Worf: We must stay together. We will have to leave it behind.
Vorin: Worf, the chronicle is the life of our village. Without that past, our future means nothing. I must find it.
Worf: Go, and return quickly.
Kateras: Seer. I am an old man. Would you help me with my gear?
Worf: Of course.
Kateras: That is Tarrana, my daughter. I am fortunate she was old enough to survive the storms.
Worf: She is a fine girl.
Kateras: She is a beautiful girl. She has not been promised to anyone. If I do not reach our new home, I would like her to become your wife.
Worf: You will reach your new home. I promise.
Woman: Can I help you?
Man: All right, all right, it's okay. Do you need some help? It's okay.
Riker: All right, everybody. Back off, back off.
Troi: I know things must look very strange to you, but everything's going to be all right. No one's going to hurt you. We're friends of Nikolai and Worf. Don't be afraid.
Vorin: Nikolai?
Troi: Yes. He's my friend. That means you are, too. I promise I won't hurt you.
Vorin: Please, help me. Where am I?
Crusher: I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do. His neural physiology is unusual. I can't wipe his memory.
Picard: I see. How is he?
Crusher: As well as can be expected. I've given him a mild sedative and Troi's been speaking with him. And he seems much calmer.
Picard: Does he understand the situation?
Crusher: I think so.
Picard: Contact Mister Worf. Make sure he knows what's going on.
Troi: Here he is now. This is Captain Picard.
Picard: Vorin, isn't it?
Vorin: Why did you bring us here?
Picard: Your planet was dying. It could no longer support life. We took you away from it.
Vorin: But we never left the caves.
Picard: We have the ability to create the illusion of other places, like the caves on your planet. You have actually spent the last two days here on this starship, not on Boraal.
Vorin: Then our home is gone.
Troi: Yes.
Picard: Vorin, listen to me. We can visit many other worlds. We can take you to one where you can build a new life.
Vorin: A new life?
Picard: A chance for your culture, your people, to survive and grow.
Vorin: How can we grow when everything that made us who we are is gone?
Nikolai: Dobara, you go on ahead.
Worf: I will carry your pack. Go and join the others.
Kateras: Thank you, seer.
Nikolai: It'll be dark soon, in a few hours. Would you ask Mister La Forge to create a suitable campsite for us a few kilometers from here? What's wrong?
Worf: Vorin has left the holodeck.
Nikolai: How did he get out?
Worf: I do not know, but Doctor Crusher cannot erase his memory.
Nikolai: What will they do with him?
Worf: They have explained the situation to him. He must make his own decisions.
Nikolai: Wait. Are you saying that if Vorin wants to come back in here, they'll let him?
Worf: That is right. He is not a prisoner.
Nikolai: But if he comes back here and tells the others what he has seen on the Enterprise, everything we have done will be for nothing.
Worf: Then you should have considered that before you beamed them on board. But you never think about the consequences of your acts.
Nikolai: If you mean by that that I'm willing to do something while others hesitate, that's true.
Worf: Wherever you go, you create chaos. How many times did our parents lie awake at night, wondering what kind of trouble you were in?
Nikolai: Oh, if only I could have been like you. Worf, the perfect son.
Worf: I was not perfect, but I was not wild and disobedient.
Nikolai: Of course not. You were too busy doing your duty.
Worf: I would rather be accused of that than making our mother weep. But I see it is clear you have no intention of changing. I see no reason to discuss it further.
Worf: Commander, the holodeck malfunctions
Worf: Are increasing.
Laforge: I'm running every stabilization routine I know.
Worf: How much longer till we reach the new planet?
Laforge: We'll be there in less than eight hours. You're just going to have to hold things together a little while longer.
Worf: Someone is coming.
Dobara: May I speak with you?
Worf: Yes, of course.
Dobara: I don't know what Nikolai said to you but, please, forgive him.
Worf: It is an old argument.
Dobara: I've never seen him like this. He's usually so confident, so sure of himself. But now he seems different. Do you know why?
Worf: No. No, I do not.
Dobara: Ever since Vorin was lost, people have been afraid. Worried that we won't reach our new home. We need Nikolai's strength now more than ever. When the storms first came to our village, many of us were ready to die. But Nikolai refused to let us. He gathered us together and led us into caves. He saved us. He is a brave and compassionate man, and I love him. Please, go to him. Make things right between you. I want us to be a family.
Worf: Us?
Dobara: Yes. I want you to consider yourself my brother. After all, you're going to be the uncle of my child.
Data: We are in synchronous orbit above the beam down site, sir.
Picard: Good. Mister La Forge, how much longer before we can transport the Boraalans?
Laforge: A few more hours, Captain, but we've got some problems here.
Laforge: I don't think the holodeck's going to last that long. We've had materialization errors and resolution failures all over the place, and it's getting worse. The simulation could fall apart any minute.
Picard: We'll have the transporter room standing by. But we may have to transport the Boraalans whether you're ready or not. Please keep Mister Worf apprised.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Picard: You have the Bridge, Number One. We still have one more problem to worry about.
Vorin: Yes.
Picard: We have arrived at the planet that I told you about. Have you made a decision?
Vorin: I believe I would like to go back to my people.
Picard: I see. What do you intend to tell them?
Vorin: I don't know.
Picard: If you tell them the truth, what will happen? Will they believe you?
Vorin: I'm not sure. It is a fantastic story.
Picard: Perhaps they will think that you have had an hallucination, or that you're insane.
Vorin: I don't think I would like to live my life knowing what I know and being regarded as a madman.
Picard: On the other hand, they may believe your fantastic story. They would learn about alien worlds, starships.
Vorin: That would be disastrous. It would destroy everything they believed in. I can't tell them the truth, but I don't think I can live with a secret.
Picard: Then stay here. Make a future for yourself with us.
Vorin: I need some time. Please.
Worf: How could you have mated with a Boraalan? What were you thinking?
Nikolai: I don't owe you an explanation. This is a matter between Dobara and me.
Worf: As usual, you are thinking only of yourself.
Nikolai: And as usual, you are here to point out the error of my ways.
Worf: You have treated Dobara with dishonor.
Nikolai: I have not! I love her and we're going to raise our child together.
Worf: That is not possible. I cannot allow you to stay here.
Nikolai: You will have to kill me first.
Dobara: What does it mean ?
Nikolai: The storms have returned.
Kateras: We will be killed.
Nikolai: No, you won't. Worf has the power to end the storms once and for all.
Worf: Yes. But everyone must take shelter in the tents.
Kateras: The tents won't protect us.
Nikolai: Worf will protect you. You must trust him. Hurry, hurry. Get to your tents now.
Worf: Commander, it might be helpful if you could produce
Worf: A storm. Wind, lightning and thunder.
Laforge: I'll see what I can do.
Nikolai: Get in! Get in! The storm is getting worse! Stay inside. Worf and I will take care of you.
Worf: Commander, energize.
Worf: The storms will not return.
Nikolai: As I said he would, my brother Worf has saved us all.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47427.2. The Boraalans have safely reached the site of what will eventually become their new village. None of them suspects they ever left their planet. However, our success has come at a high price.
Crusher: I think it was some form of ritual suicide.
Picard: He said that he had nowhere to go.
Crusher: He would have died even if we hadn't interfered.
Picard: But he wouldn't have died alone and afraid.
Crusher: Are you saying you're sorry we saved the Boraalans?
Picard: No, of course not. Our plan for them worked out well. But I wish that Vorin could have bridged the gap between our two cultures. I would have liked the chance to have known him better.
Nikolai: Go inside.
Dobara: Nikolai, don't.
Nikolai: Please.
Nikolai: I told you, you would have to kill me to get me away from here.
Worf: I do not want to fight you, Nikolai.
Nikolai: Things were never easy between us, were they?
Worf: No.
Nikolai: It's my fault. If I'd been more like you, we wouldn't have had so many problems.
Worf: No. If you had been more like me, these people would not be here now. You gave them a chance at a new life.
Nikolai: And I intend to share that life with them. The village will need a new chronicle. Someone will have to begin it. My child will need a father. My place is here. I'm finally taking responsibility.
Worf: You were never good at drawing. How will you keep a chronicle?
Nikolai: I learn quickly.
Worf: Then perhaps there is hope.
Worf: Could I take this with me?
Nikolai: It's yours.
Worf: I will have to explain all of this to mother and father.
Nikolai: They won't understand.
Worf: They may. I will tell them that you are happy.


Crusher: Most people on this colony will remember my grandmother as a healer, but her abilities went beyond that. She didn't just relieve pain and fight illness. She knew that wellbeing is more than a healthy body. Her remedies often included words of advice as well as medicinal teas, and often they were just as bitter tasting. I will miss Felisa Howard very much. Her healing, her advice, and most of all, the inspiration she has provided me throughout the years. Rest in peace, Nana.
Maturin: And so now we commit her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope that her memory will be kept alive within us all.
All: Amen.
Troi: That was a beautiful.
Crusher: Oh, thank you. Deanna, did you notice a strange man at the service? He was in his mid-thirties with longish hair?
Troi: No.
Crusher: He threw a flower on Nana's grave. A camellia. It was her favorite flower. She used to keep them all over the house.
Troi: Maybe he was a friend or one of her patients.
Crusher: It was a very personal gesture, and he gave me a remarkable look. Well, I guess I should be going back to the house. There are some things I need to do. It's only a few minutes from here. Would you mind coming along?
Troi: I'd love to.
Crusher: Thanks.
Maturin: How long do you plan on staying?
Picard: A few more hours. Why?
Maturin: Well, as you know, Caldos is one of the first terraforming projects of the Federation. Our weather controls and fusion systems are nearly a century old. I wouldn't mind having a starship Engineer take a look at them. Perhaps give us a few upgrades. Maybe in exchange for a tour of the colony and a home-cooked meal?
Picard: Well, we are due at Starbase six two one tomorrow morning, but we could delay for a few days. Yes, I'm sure we could find the time.
Maturin: Excellent.
Picard: I would enjoy that tour. Caldos Colony is a most impressive accomplishment. I actually feel as if I'm in the Scottish Highlands.
Maturin: That was the intent. The cornerstone of every building in town was brought from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen. The founders wanted everyone to feel they had a piece of the real thing here. They didn't want to just imitate Scotland, they wanted to recreate it.
Picard: Tell me, Governor, I'm curious. You're obviously not Scots yourself. What was it that drew you here?
Maturin: Something about the culture, the heritage. When I was a boy, my family visited Glamis Castle in Scotland. As I looked out across the highlands, I felt as if I had come home.
Troi: Your grandmother had remarkable green eyes.
Crusher: Every woman in the Howard family has had green eyes, except for my mother and me.
Troi: How well do you remember your mother?
Crusher: Very well. I loved her very much. I can remember her face smiling down at me, and I can remember the sound of her voice and her scent. But mostly I remember Nana, who raised me after my mother died.
Troi: That's beautiful.
Crusher: It's a family heirloom. It's been in the Howard clan for generations. It's supposed to symbolize the enduring Howard spirit. Wherever they may go, the shining light to guide them through their fortune. Nana always kept it lit. I remember sitting here listening to ghost stories with only the candle burning.
Troi: You should take it with you.
Crusher: I think I will.
Troi: I'm going to head back to the ship.
Crusher: You don't have to leave.
Troi: I just thought you'd like some time alone. I'll see you later.
Crusher: Thanks.
Crusher: Who's there?
Crusher: What the hell are you doing? Get out of my house.
Quint: I wouldna be so high and mighty with me, Beverly Howard Crusher. I've spent more time here in the past five years than ye have in the past twenty.
Crusher: How do you know who I am?
Quint: I'm Ned Quint. I took care of your grandmother's house and her affairs.
Crusher: Nana never mentioned you.
Quint: There's a lot of things she didna talk about. Let me get rid of that candle.
Crusher: Why?
Quint: That candle has brought nothing but misery and bad luck to your grandmother.
Crusher: Look, Mister Quint, I don't know what your relationship was with my grandmother, but this is my house now and these are my things.
Quint: That candle has been a curse on your family for generations. If ye have a lick of sense, you'll listen to me right now and do away with it. Now give it to me.
Crusher: This is a family heirloom and I intend to keep it. Now would you please get out of my house. Now!
Quint: Howard women. Always the same stubborn fools. I wash my hands of it now. You stay on in this house and you keep that damned candle. I'll not be responsible for what happens.
Crusher: Get out.
Data: The colony's aqueduct system is functioning normally, as are the communication relays.
Maturin: We've been having a few tremors over the past couple of months. Could you check the seismic stabilizers?
Data: Certainly.
Maturin: You can't imagine what it's like trying to enjoy afternoon tea while the earth is shaking.
Laforge: Governor, did you know you had a power fluctuation in your weather control system?
Maturin: No. Our weather control's been working perfectly for the last twenty two years.
Laforge: I can't isolate the exact source, but the fluctuation seems to be originating from one of the substations that regulates atmospheric humidity for the colony.
Maturin: Is this going to be a problem?
Laforge: No, not yet, but power distribution patterns are already off by five percent.
Data: I suggest we analyze the planet's weather patterns to see if they have been affected. I am reading unusually high humidity across the entire southern desert region and there is increasing cloud activity above the northern coastal area. Possibly the formation of a storm system.
Maturin: A storm? It's the middle of summer. We don't have rain at this time of year.
Laforge: Data, let's see if we can correct this. I'll check out the colony's climatic flow array.
Data: I will run a diagnostic on the thermal regulators.
Laforge: Don't worry, Governor. We'll keep you dry.
Maturin: I certainly hope so. There's a caber toss scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I'd hate to see it spoiled by an unexpected downpour.
Crusher: You wouldn't believe what I've been reading about in my grandmother's journals. You know she had a lover? Can you believe that? Nana was a hundred years old.
Picard: It would seem the Howard women have exceptionally vigorous libidos.
Crusher: I certainly hope so. After all, I hope I can find a handsome young man in his thirties when I pass the century mark.
Picard: Thirties?
Crusher: Yes. According to these journals, his name is Ronin and he's thirty four years old. They met just after my great-grandmother's death. And I think I saw him at the funeral. A handsome young man tossed a camellia onto her grave. But the strange thing is, she never mentioned him in her letters. Never once. And yet it appears they spent almost all their time together. It's as if she led an entire life that I knew nothing about.
Picard: Well it looks like we're going to be on Caldos for a few days more. This will be a good opportunity to get your grandmother's affairs in order.
Crusher: Thank you.
Picard: Thirties?
Ronin: Beverly.
Troi: You dreamt you were in bed with someone?
Crusher: Not exactly. I was in bed but there wasn't another person in my dream. It was more like a presence.
Troi: You said you felt a touch.
Crusher: A pair of hands. They were moving across my skin.
Troi: Like a caress?
Crusher: Yes. And there was a voice, a man. He whispered my name. It was as if I knew him, or more like he knew me. He knew exactly how I liked to be touched. It was the most physical dream I've ever had. The sensations were very real and extremely arousing.
Troi: Frankly, I'm envious.
Crusher: I did fall asleep reading a particularly erotic chapter in my grandmother's journal. She wrote very detailed descriptions of her experiences with Ronin.
Troi: Well, that's bound to cause a dream or two. So, shall we start going over the personnel reports?
Crusher: You know, I think he had a ring on one of his hands when he touched my shoulder, my neck. I wonder if I'll have another dream tonight.
Troi: I'd read two chapters.
Quint: You probably want to be alone. I'll leave.
Crusher: No, Ned, it's okay. Look, I'm sorry we got off to a bad start yesterday. I've been reading my grandmother's journals and I know how much you meant to her.
Quint: Aye, she was a grand lady. You'll not see many more like her. You have your grandmother's fire, that's for sure.
Crusher: Ned, you're welcome to stay at the house after I've gone. I need someone to take care of the place.
Quint: That's verra kind of you, lass, but I'll ne'er set foot in that house again. And I recommend that you dinna, either.
Crusher: Why?
Quint: Like I tried to tell your grandmother, the hoose is haunted.
Crusher: Haunted?
Quint: You believe what you want, lass. Just dinna light that candle.
Crusher: Why not?
Quint: It'll bring the ghost. It's his home. Oh, he's out now, wanderin' across the land, angry, angry at being driven out. That's why he's bringing the storms.
Crusher: Ned, the weather systems control is malfunctioning. The Enterprise is trying to repair it.
Quint: Oh, sure. But who do you think is causing the malfunction?
Crusher: I think your imagination is
Quint: Think what you want. See what you want. Just do as I say. Dinna light that candle or dinna go to that hoose, or before you know it, they'll be burying another Howard in this cemetery.
Worf: Captain, I am detecting atmospheric turbulence over the colony and large pockets of electrical activity.
Picard: On screen.
Worf: It is growing in intensity, sir.
Riker: That's one hell of a thunderstorm.
Picard: Bridge to Engineering. Mister Data, we're reading
Picard: An extremely large storm system over the Caldos colony.
Picard: I thought that the weather control malfunction was not severe.
Data: It began as a minor power fluctuation, sir, but the effect has spread throughout the control grid. It has caused an unusual concentration of cumulonimbus activity above the colony.
Laforge: Captain, I suggest we set up a power transfer between the Enterprise and the weather substations. Try to give them enough power to stabilize the storm.
Picard: Make it so.
Crusher: Who's there? Ned? Is that you? Hello? I know somebody's here, so I suggest you
Crusher: All right now, that's it. If you don't show yourself right now I am calling the Enterprise and there will be ten security guards here within thirty seconds.
Ronin: Beverly. Beverly, I've come back for you
Crusher: Who are you?
Ronin: Don't you remember? I came to you last night while you were asleep.
Crusher: No, that was a dream. I'm calling the Enterprise.
Ronin: Now do you remember me?
Crusher: Yes. What's, what's happening to me? Right now I feel so strange.
Ronin: I love you, Beverly, just as I loved Felisa before you.
Crusher: Are you Ronin?
Ronin: Yes. You saw me at the funeral.
Crusher: Who are you?
Ronin: I'm a spirit.
Crusher: I don't believe in
Ronin: Ghosts? Nor did I in the beginning. I was born in sixteen forty seven, in Glasgow on Earth.
Crusher: You're telling me that you're an eight hundred year old ghost?
Ronin: I found a home with Jessel Howard. She was a pretty lass with a mane of red hair, and eyes like diamonds. I loved her very much. When she died, I stayed with her daughter, and her daughter, and on down through the years, generation after generation.
Crusher: And now you're here on Caldos, two hundred light years away?
Ronin: When your family moved out into the galaxy, I moved with them.
Crusher: I don't believe you.
Ronin: I believe you are the most beautiful women I have ever known.
Crusher: What's, what's happening to me?
Ronin: We're becoming one, Beverly. We're going to be together.
Crusher: I don't understand. Stop it!
Crusher: Come in.
Troi: Hi, Bev. I just wanted to see if you were going to mok'bara class this morning.
Crusher: No, I think I'll skip it today. I'm exhausted.
Troi: Did you have another dream last night?
Crusher: Not exactly.
Troi: Is anything wrong?
Crusher: Not at all.
Troi: Beverly, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were seeing someone.
Crusher: Deanna.
Troi: Now I know you're seeing someone.
Crusher: I'm not seeing anybody. I met someone, that's all.
Troi: Well, you obviously have romantic feelings for him. Beverly, when are you going to realize that you can't fool me? Who is it?
Crusher: All right. I met Ronin.
Troi: Ronin? Your grandmother's lover?
Crusher: He's unlike anyone I've ever met before. I know this sounds crazy, but I have never known anyone who was so
Troi: Passionate.
Crusher: Exactly. I can see why Nana fell in love with him. This sounds very strange, doesn't it?
Troi: I admit it's unusual. I'm very happy for you. But I want you to consider something. You and Ronin have both suffered a tremendous loss. Very often, shared traumatic experience can create the illusion of closeness and romance.
Crusher: Thank you for your concern, but I think I know what I'm doing. Besides, I didn't say I was in love with him. I'm just intrigued.
Maturin: You know, Captain, I moved to this colony because it was a recreation of Scotland, but I must admit it's getting to be a little too realistic.
Picard: What the hell is going on?
Data: There appears to be a condensed suspension of water vapor, approximately one degree Celsius.
Picard: Fog.
Riker: It just sort of rolled in on us, sir.
Worf: There has been a malfunction in the ship's environmental control.
Riker: We've traced the problem to the power transfer beam. There's some sort of feedback coming from one of the colony's weather substations.
Maturin: Another power fluctuation?
Worf: Captain, the temperature in Ten Forward has dropped to below freezing and deck thirteen has lost gravity.
Picard: Mister Data, disengage the power transfer.
Data: I am unable to terminate the connection, sir. A feedback loop has formed in the transfer beam. I will have to go to the substation and attempt to correct the problem from there.
Picard: Make it so.
Picard: In the meantime, I think I'll go get my jacket.
Data: I have analyzed the control module in the primary weather control grid. It appears the station is experiencing a system wide power failure.
Laforge: This is impossible. The back up systems should have
Data: Excuse me, sir. You are dismantling the primary power conduit. I must ask you to stop.
Quint: No! Get away from me! You dinna understand. He's trying to kill us all.
Data: He is dead.
Laforge: From what I can tell, he was trying to shut down the entire weather control system. He was pulling out the primary plasma conduit. That's probably what caused the plasma discharge that killed him.
Maturin: I knew Ned Quint. He was an honest man. He mostly kept to himself. I don't know why he'd try something like that.
Laforge: It's going to take us some time to get the system back online. I'd say we need another day at least.
Data: In the meantime, Governor, you should expect the weather problems to continue.
Crusher: I think you'd better take a look at this.
Crusher: Data, you said there was a plasma discharge from the console when Quint was killed.
Data: That is correct.
Crusher: Well, that wasn't what killed him. I'm detecting an anomalous energy residual throughout his body, right down to the cellular level. Whatever it is, it wasn't the result of a plasma discharge.
Laforge: Anything?
Data: I cannot identify the energy residual. However, it appears to have the same anaphasic signature as the power fluctuations we observed from the weather control system.
Laforge: Then it's possible that whatever caused the weather malfunctions also killed Quint.
Data: It is possible.
Laforge: We should scan the colony for any energy readings that match this anaphasic signature.
Crusher: Governor, with your permission, I'd like to take the body back to the ship to run further tests.
Maturin: Of course, Doctor.
Crusher: Ensign, ask Doctor Selar run a biospectral analysis.
Nurse: Yes, Doctor.
Maturin: You're not going to run the tests yourself?
Crusher: No. I have some things I need to attend to.
Crusher: Ronin, I've got to talk to you. Are you here?
Ronin: I'm here. Beverly, did you miss me?
Crusher: Yes. But I must talk to you. There's been an accident.
Ronin: I know. Quint is dead.
Crusher: Why did it happen? What was he doing?
Ronin: Beverly, there's something more important we should talk about.
Crusher: Ronin, I've got to know. Quint's dead.
Crusher: Ronin?
Ronin: Yes. I need you to help me.
Crusher: Help you?
Ronin: It's not easy for me to take corporeal form. I can't do it for long. I want you to light the candle.
Crusher: Quint said you lived in the candle. Is that true?
Ronin: Yes. If I'm away from it for too long, I begin to weaken. That's why the women in your family have always kept the candle lit.
Crusher: The candle's on the ship. I'll go get it.
Ronin: No. I must go with you.
Crusher: How?
Ronin: The power transfer beam. I can travel along it.
Crusher: And when the candle's lit, then what happens?
Ronin: Then we'll be together, always.
Crusher: Computer, secure door.
Crusher: I lit the candle. Where are you?
Ronin: It's all right. We're together. we're going to be one. I'm going to become part of you, Beverly. Would you like that?
Crusher: Oh, yes. More than anything.
Ronin: As it was with your grandmother, and your great-grandmother, and all of the Howard women before them. I'll take care of you. And you will feel love as you've never felt it before.
Picard: Beverly, what the hell is this?
Crusher: I thought it was pretty self-explanatory. I'm leaving Starfleet. Energize.
Picard: Belay that order.
Crewman: Aye, sir.
Picard: Beverly, you can't just resign.
Crusher: I can, and I have. I've decided to stay on Caldos and become a healer like my grandmother. It's a proud Howard tradition and I've decided to uphold it. Energize. I've resigned my commission, so unless you plan on kidnapping me?
Troi: Beverly was attracted to Ronin in a very intense and intimate way. I warned her that it was all very sudden but she didn't want to talk about it, so I let her alone. I sensed that she was holding something back, that she wasn't telling me the whole truth.
Picard: Do you think this Ronin could be exerting some sort of influence over her? That it's because of him that she's staying?
Troi: It's possible. But she may really believe she's in love with him.
Picard: This is a rash decision, ill considered. It's not like Beverly at all.
Troi: I agree, but she does have the right to make that choice, even if we don't feel it's a good one.
Picard: Come.
Data: Captain, Geordi and I have detected an energy residual with the same anaphasic signature as the one we found on Ned Quint's body.
Picard: Where?
Data: Approximately seventeen kilometers from the center of the colony, sir. It is coming from the cemetery.
Picard: Data, I want you to go down to the cemetery. See if you can pinpoint the source.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: In the meantime, I would like to meet with this Ronin.
Laforge: The energy readings are coming from this direction, but I can't get an exact location. I'll try narrowing the scan field.
Data: The energy readings appear to be originating approximately two meters below the surface. I believe they are concentrated within this burial site.
Crusher: I'm so glad you're here. I can't imagine what life was like before I met you.
Ronin: And it will only get better.
Crusher: Oh, Ronin. I had no idea I could feel this way.
Ronin: We're nearly merged now. As two candles join to form a single light, so we will flourish as one.
Ronin: I love you, Beverly.
Crusher: I love you.
Picard: Beverly?
Crusher: Jean-Luc.
Picard: Sorry I startled you. I knocked but there was no answer. The door was open. I hope you don't mind.
Crusher: What do you want?
Picard: Well, I'd hoped to meet your new friend, Ronin.
Crusher: He's not here.
Picard: Well, perhaps I could wait, if you don't mind. I'm really anxious to meet this remarkable young man who swept away not just one, but two of the Howard women.
Crusher: Jealousy doesn't suit you, Jean-Luc.
Picard: Have you changed the color of your eyes?
Crusher: I just grew tired of the other color. Don't you think it suits me?
Picard: I think that I preferred your eyes the way they were before. I think I preferred you the way you were before, Beverly.
Crusher: Well, this is the way I am now. And this is my life. I've made my decision and I'm not going to change my mind, so please leave me alone.
Picard: Oh, no, there's something's wrong here. Now, Beverly, this is more than just an obsessive love affair that has got out of hand. Tell me, why is it that no one has seen this Ronin except you?
Ronin: All right, Captain. Here I am. I believe Beverly asked you to leave her alone.
Picard: So, you're Ronin. It's a pleasure to meet you. Where are you from?
Ronin: Earth. Scotland.
Picard: How long have you been on Caldos?
Ronin: All that matters is that I'm here now, and that Beverly and I plan to be together for the rest our lives.
Data: Data to Picard.
Picard: Go ahead, Data.
Data: Captain, we have located the source of the energy residual. It appears to be concentrated within Felisa Howard's coffin.
Laforge: Captain, we'd like permission to exhume the body.
Ronin: You can't do that. Leave her alone.
Picard: Why not? What are you afraid of?
Ronin: I'm not afraid of anything. But I cannot allow you to desecrate her grave.
Picard: Data, ask Governor Maturin's permission to exhume the body. Picard out.
Ronin: I won't stand for this. I'll go to the Governor myself.
Picard: Go on. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't know who you are. He'll probably have the same questions that I do. How did you get here? What ship did you come on?
Crusher: Jean-Luc, leave him alone.
Picard: Why don't you answer my questions? What ship? I'd like to look at the passenger list. Where have you been living here? What's your position? Who are your neighbors?
Picard: Come on, Beverly, we've got to get out of here.
Crusher: Jean-Luc.
Ronin: Beverly, we must stop the others. They cannot exhume the body.
Crusher: We can't just leave him. He might die.
Ronin: You must come. I am your love. I am the one who will take care of you.
Crusher: I can't just let him die.
Ronin: Beverly, come with me.
Crusher: No. No!
Ronin: I'm sorry, I'm going to stop them.
Crusher: Come on, come on.
Picard: I'm all right. Beverly, go after him. Go to the cemetery.
Laforge: La Forge to Enterprise. We're ready down here.
Crewman: Aye, sir.
Data: I am reading definite signs of anaphasic energy in her body. It appears to extend to the cellular level.
Laforge: That's impossible. She wasn't anywhere near the weather station when Quint was killed. She died of natural causes.
Data: I suggest we run a deep tissue scan to look for any signs of
Crusher: No! Ronin, stop this. Stop this, please.
Felisa: Beverly, it's all right. Have trust in me.
Crusher: You're not Nana. Nana's dead. Leave her alone!
Ronin: Beverly! Forgive me. These men were trying to stop us from being together. Once they're gone, everything will be right.
Crusher: No, it won't. You've been infusing me with the same sort of anaphasic energy that killed Quint.
Ronin: He was trying to destroy me. I had to defend myself. My love. I could never harm you. I am here to protect you.
Crusher: No, you're not. There's no such thing as a ghost. You are some sort of anaphasic lifeform. Anaphasic energy is extremely unstable. It needs an organic host in order to maintain molecular cohesion or else you'll die. Isn't that right?
Ronin: Beverly.
Crusher: I also scanned the candle. The flame is plasma based. You were using it as a receptacle for yourself in order to get to me, in order to merge with me. You have been using me, Nana, my entire family for centuries.
Ronin: And I loved all of them! And they loved me. Give me the candle, Beverly.
Crusher: No. No.
Ronin: Put it down, or I will kill him. Set it down and walk away.
Ronin: No!
Crusher: Crusher to Riker. Will, close off all the plasma conduits in the weather control system. I'll explain later.
Riker: Understood.
Crusher: You've nowhere left to go.
Ronin: Yes, I do.
Crusher: Keep away from me.
Ronin: Beverly. I love you. Beverly.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Commander La Forge and Mister Data have recovered from their exposure to the anaphasic energy, but I'm afraid Doctor Crusher's recovery will be of a more personal nature.
Crusher: Somehow, he realized that one of my ancestors had a biochemistry that was compatible with his energy matrix. I imagine that he took human form and seduced her like he did me. I was about to be initiated into a very unusual relationship. You might call it a family tradition. But there's a part of me that's a little sad.
Troi: How so?
Crusher: I re-read the entries in my grandmother's journals. Whatever else he might have done, he made her very happy.