Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45376.3. We are approaching the planet Bilana Three, where a new method of propulsion known as the Soliton Wave is being developed. The Enterprise has been asked to participate in one of the first tests of this new technology.
Laforge: Data! Data, isn't this exciting? We are going to witness a moment in history.
Data: Every nanosecond in this continuum is a moment in history, once it has elapsed.
Laforge: No, no, no, no. I mean, we're going to see something that people will talk about for years. I mean, think about it. No more bulky warp engines or nacelles. A ship just generates a Soliton wave and then rides it through space like a surfboard. This is going to be like being there to watch Chuck Yeager break the sound barrier, or Zephram Cochrane engage the first warp drive.
Data: It should be interesting.
Worf: Very exciting.
Laforge: I'm talking to the wrong crowd. Donaldson! Donaldson, you're an engineer.
Crewwoman: Lieutenant Worf, you have a subspace communication from the transport ship Milan.
Worf: Transfer the signal to this station.
Helena: Hello, Worf.
Worf: Mother.
Helena: I hope you don't mind us dropping in on you like this, but when I heard the Enterprise was to be in this sector, we took the first transport and here we are.
Worf: Is father with you?
Helena: No, but I brought Alexander with me. I thought the two of you would like a chance to visit.
Worf: Very well. I will make arrangements for you to come aboard.
Helena: Good.
Helena: Worf. Worf. It's so good to see you. You look wonderful. Is that a touch of gray in your beard? Don't worry, the Rozhenko men have always had beards of iron gray.
Worf: Hello, Alexander.
Alexander: Hello.
Worf: It is good to see you both. How long can you stay?
Alexander: I'm not going back.
Helena: Did you see the look on Alexander's face when he saw the play area? He's going to love it here.
Worf: Mother, why does Alexander believe he is remaining?
Helena: Lapsang suchong tea, please. Have you been eating? You look thin.
Worf: Mother.
Helena: When your father was in Starfleet, I always had to make sure that
Worf: Mother. We need to talk about Alexander.
Helena: Alexander is a fine boy, Worf. He's smart and he's high-spirited. Like you were at that age. Sometimes, when he comes running through the house and knocks over that big green lamp, just like you used to do.
Worf: I don't remember you smiling when I knocked over that lamp.
Helena: Well maybe once, when you weren't looking. When we learned Alexander was to come to live with us, we were so happy. The house had been so empty since you left, and we thought here is our chance to fill it with the sound of children again. But the truth is, Worf, your father and I, we're getting old.
Worf: Mother, you both have many years
Helena: I don't mean we're ready for the grave. Not yet, anyway. But we're a little less active. It's harder for us to keep up with Alexander. We're ready to be just grandparents. Alexander needs to be with his father.
Worf: Mother, that is not possible. We must find another option.
Helena: He needs his father, Worf. Alexander's, he's having difficulties.
Worf: Difficulties?
Helena: He's disobedient.
Worf: Mother, Klingon children are often difficult to control.
Helena: I do know something about how Klingon children behave. It's not just his willful attitude. He doesn't always tell the truth.
Worf: My son is a liar?
Helena: He is a boy, Worf, and boys sometimes take the wrong path. They need guidance. He needs a father, his father, to give him that guidance. I have to leave soon. The transport will be leaving for Earth. You must do what you think is best for him. That's all a parent can hope to do.
Worf: Did you enjoy going to school on Earth?
Alexander: Yes.
Worf: Did you like your teachers?
Alexander: Yes.
Worf: Good. I understand you lived in my old room.
Alexander: Ah ha.
Worf: Good.
Kyle: Come in. Lieutenant Worf. Very nice to see you again. And you must be Alexander. I hear you'll be coming to school with us for a while? Well, we're very excited to have you with us. I know the other boys and girls will be happy to have a new classmate. First I need to get a little information from you. Let's start with your name. Alexander Rozhenko. That's a tough one. Maybe you can help me with that. Could you spell your last name for me?
Worf: Alexander. The teacher asked you a question.
Kyle: It doesn't matter. I think I can figure it out. Date of birth?
Alexander: The forty third day of Maktag, stardate 43205.
Worf: Yes. Yes, of course.
Kyle: I'll get the rest of his personal records from the school on Earth, and, oh, one last question. How long will he be staying aboard ship?
Worf: It has not been decided.
Picard: Come. Mister Worf, I thought our meeting was scheduled for eleven hundred hours.
Worf: I apologize for being late, Captain. I was detained in school. I was enrollling my son in class.
Picard: I see. Well, Mister Worf, as you're aware, several new security officers will be transferring to the Enterprise next week and I would like to discuss.
Kyle: Kyle to Lieutenant Worf.
Worf: Worf here.
Kyle: I'm sorry to bother you again, Lieutenant, but I forgot to mention that we need to arrange for a series of placement examinations for Alexander. If you could tell me when
Worf: This is not a good time. I will contact you shortly, Miss Kyle. Sorry, Captain.
Picard: I would like to discuss with you the specific areas of ship's security that I would like
Crusher: Sickbay to Worf.
Worf: Yes, Doctor?
Crusher: I need to schedule a physical examination for Alexander. I also need his complete medical records from Earth and the medical records of his
Worf: I would rather discuss this at a later time.
Crusher: There's no rush. Crusher out.
Picard: Mister Worf. You are not the first officer on this ship to have a new family member. Take care of your son. The security matters can wait.
Worf: Thank you, Captain.
Ja'Dar: Twenty three field coils, working in concert, will generate the soliton wave from this point on the planet surface. We will have our test ship towed to a position approximately two million kilometers from Bilana Three. If our theories are correct, the wave will envelop the ship and push it into warp.
Picard: Warp without warp drive.
Riker: They're going to put you out of a job, Geordi.
Laforge: I hope so, Commander.
Data: Doctor Ja'Dar, how closely will the Enterprise need to follow the test vehicle?
Ja'Dar: The soliton emits a great deal of subspace radio interference. You'll need to remain within twenty kilometers in order to receive telemetry.
Picard: Doctor, how will you end the experiment?
Ja'Dar: The wave will be directed toward Lemma Two, about three light years distance. Our sister facility there which will generate a scattering field which will dissipate the wave and bring the ship out of warp. I'll be sending you more detailed operational plans within the hour.
Picard: Very well, Doctor. We'll contact you again once we've finished studying the mission specs.
Troi: Worf. I was just talking with Mrs. Kyle the primary school teacher. She told me you enrollled Alexander in her class this morning.
Worf: Yes.
Troi: I'm sure he'll do very well. She's a wonderful teacher.
Worf: Good.
Troi: Did she tell you about the father-son field trip this afternoon?
Worf: Yes. We cannot attend.
Troi: Why not?
Worf: I have a personnel review scheduled at thirteen hundred hours.
Troi: This would be a good opportunity for you to meet some of the other students and parents.
Worf: I might be able to reschedule the review.
Troi: Good. I'll let them know you're coming.
Kyle: As the value of their horns increased, the number of white rhinos in the wild kept falling, until they finally became extinct about two centuries ago. Now, I'd like to show you a pair of animals we're trying to save from extinction. Would you follow me? They're from Corvan Two, where their homes in the rainforests are being threatened by industrial pollutants. They're called Corvan gilvos. They're a little shy.
Kyle: The eating habits of gilvos are very similar to those of Earth's Draco lizards, which died out over three hundred years ago. There are only fourteen gilvos left on Corvan Two. We're transplanting these two to the protected planet Brentalia, where they should thrive. Well, why don't you all have a look around on your own for a while. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Kyle: Alexander, I'm sorry. I forgot to tell everyone that the models on the tables were for everyone to play with. So I guess you didn't know you weren't supposed to take them. I saw you playing with the lizard model a little while ago. Do you still have it?
Worf: Are you accusing him of stealing?
Kyle: Lieutenant Worf, I can only tell you that
Worf: Alexander, did you take the model of the lizard from the table?
Alexander: No, sir.
Kyle: Lieutenant, I saw Alexander put the model inside of his jacket. Lieutenant Worf, personal log, stardate 45376.8. Alexander has acted shamefully, and as his father I must now deal with him. But I find that I would gladly fight ten armed Baldur warriors rather than face one small child.
Worf: A Klingon's honor is more important to him than his life. A Klingon would gladly face the most horrible punishment rather than bring shame or disgrace to his family name. His word is his bond. Without it, he is nothing. Do you understand?
Worf: Why did you lie to me?
Alexander: I don't know.
Worf: Did you fear the punishment you would receive?
Alexander: I don't know.
Worf: You don't know why you lied, and yet you did. You don't know why you stole, and yet you did! Alexander, come here. When I was a child, younger than you, I lost my parents, my family, my people. Everything I had was taken from me except my sense of honor. It was the one thing I had which was truly Klingon and which no one could take away. Do you know who they are?
Alexander: Kahless?
Worf: And his brother, Morath. They fought for twelve days and twelve nights because Morath had broken his word and brought shame to his family. When you lie or steal, you not only dishonor yourself, but your family. You dishonor me.
Alexander: I'm sorry, Father. I won't do it ever again. I promise.
Worf: I accept your word. We will not speak of this matter again.
Troi: Worf.
Worf: Counselor?
Troi: I just wanted to know how the field trip went yesterday.
Worf: You have not heard?
Troi: No. Why?
Worf: Bridge. There was an incident. Alexander stole a small model and then told a falsehood. But I have remedied the situation.
Troi: May I ask how?
Worf: I pointed out his error, told him about Kahless and Morath, and explained the value of honor. The boy understood.
Troi: I see. Sometimes these things aren't over as quickly as they seem to be. I'd be happy to help if you have any further problems.
Worf: Thank you, that will not be necessary. Alexander will not repeat this mistake.
Data: The prototype has been towed into position, Captain.
Riker: Initiate a radio link to the ship.
Laforge: Link established. Receiving prelaunch telemetry now.
Worf: Incoming message from Doctor Ja'Dar.
Picard: On screen.
Ja'Dar: Captain, we're ready to begin the launch sequence.
Picard: Mister Riker?
Riker: All science labs standing by.
Felton: Course laid in, sir.
Picard: The Enterprise is ready, Doctor.
Ja'Dar: This is Doctor Ja'Dar to all stations. You may begin the launch sequence.
Picard: And Doctor? Good luck.
Ja'Dar: Thank you, Captain.
Data: Sensors indicate the field generators on the planet surface are charging, Captain.
Laforge: The soliton wave has been initiated. It's heading for the test ship.
Data: The test ship has successfully entered warp, sir.
Picard: Ensign, engage.
Picard: Ensign, bring us to within twenty kilometers of the test ship.
Felton: Aye, sir.
Laforge: Telemetry looks good. Soliton wave is steady.
Data: The test ship is maintaining at warp two point three five, sir.
Laforge: That's a little faster than they anticipated, but still well within mission parameters.
Felton: We're at twenty kilometers, Captain.
Picard: Mister Data, is the wave affecting our warp drive?
Data: No, sir. The effect has been localized to within two kilometers of the wavefront.
Riker: Mister La Forge, what is the power efficiency of the wave?
Laforge: Energy transfer is ninety eight percent!
Riker: Ninety eight?
Laforge: Yes, sir. There's less than a two percent energy loss between the wave and the ship.
Data: That is four hundred and fifty percent more efficient than our own warp drive.
Picard: Astonishing. Commander Riker, have science lab three begin a series of gamma emission tests.
Data: Sir, the wave's power signature is fluctuating.
Laforge: Wave efficiency has dropped to seventy three percent.
Riker: The test ship's warp field is becoming unstable. Sensors show multiple disruptions.
Felton: I'm reading a severe subspace distortion, sir.
Data: It is expanding toward us, sir. It appears to be interfering with our engines, Captain.
Laforge: I can't compensate for it.
Picard: Bring us out of warp, Ensign. All stop.
Felton: Aye, sir. All stop.
Riker: Damage report.
Picard: Hold on!
Riker: Damage report.
Laforge: Sensors and warp drive are offline. Deflectors down to fifteen percent.
Worf: Several injuries reported on deck twenty seven. No fatalities.
Picard: What happened to the test ship?
Data: Our last readings indicate the craft exploded due to extreme shearing stress.
Worf: Incoming message from Bilana Three, Captain.
Picard: On screen.
Ja'Dar: Captain, are you all right? Was anyone hurt?
Picard: We sustained some minor damage. Do you know what happened?
Ja'Dar: The preliminary data we received indicate a transient power imbalance.
Laforge: That would be consistent with our telemetry readings from the ship. We detected a sudden drop in transfer efficiency just before the explosion.
Ja'Dar: Are you still tracking the wave?
Laforge: No, the explosion damaged our main sensor array, but I think we'll have it repaired in a couple of hours.
Picard: We'll contact you as soon as the sensors are back online.
Laforge: Doctor. You did it. Warp without warp drive. For a while there it was really something to see.
Ja'Dar: Well, I hope you're here to see it next time we try, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: So do I, Doctor.
Worf: I apologize. I was detained.
Kyle: It's quite all right. Please sit down.
Worf: Thank you.
Kyle: Lieutenant, your son is a very bright, very spirited young man. From his test scores, I'm sure he'll turn out to be one of my best students. However, from his behavior in class so far, I do have some concerns.
Worf: What sort of concerns?
Kyle: Frankly, he's defiant, he's overly aggressive toward the other students, and he has a great deal of difficulty paying attention.
Worf: Perhaps you do not have experience dealing with Klingon children. They require a firm hand.
Kyle: And he seems to still have difficulty telling the truth. He takes toys from other the other students and then denies taking them. He acts like a bully and then says someone else started the fight. And he's bluntly told me you said Klingons do not listen to teachers.
Worf: I did not tell him that.
Kyle: No, of course not. He's acting on his internal feelings and then making up stories to explain them. It might be a good idea for the two of you to sit down with Counselor Troi and
Worf: Computer, where is Alexander Rozhenko?
Computer: Alexander Rozhenko is on holodeck four.
Kyle: Lieutenant, I think we should
Worf: I will handle this.
Worf: Computer, what program is being run?
Computer: Calisthenics program of Lieutenant Worf. Difficulty level, Novice.
Worf: Computer, freeze program.
Alexander: Did you see it, Father? I won.
Worf: Yes, I saw. Why are you here?
Alexander: I'm training.
Worf: But you did not ask permission to take my bat'leth, or permission to use the holodeck.
Alexander: You said you wanted me to be a warrior.
Worf: I also said I wanted you to obey your teachers and keep your promise to me. Ms. Kyle has told me about your behavior. About your lies.
Alexander: I have not lied!
Worf: Alexander, do not continue to
Alexander: She's lying! She hates me, that's why she makes up stories about me!
Worf: I will not listen to more lies. Return to our quarters.
Alexander: You said we could go see the gilvos again.
Worf: Not now. Not after you have broken your word.
Alexander: You promised. You said that we could.
Worf: Enough! It is now clear to me that I have failed in my duties as your father. You have no understanding about what it means to be Klingon. I will arrange for you to attend a Klingon school. There you will learn the lessons I have failed to teach you.
Alexander: No! I won't go!
Worf: Would you further dishonor our family with your disobedience?
Alexander: No, sir.
Worf: You will go to our quarters and remain there until I return.
Riker: Riker to Engineering. What's your estimate on the engines, Geordi?
Laforge: I need another hour, Commander. I still have to replace three power couplings.
Riker: Understood.
Data: Sir, sensors are coming back online.
Riker: Good. Begin a sensor sweep for the soliton wave.
Data: Aye, sir. The wave is continuing on course for the Lemma Two colony. It is bearing zero two zero, mark three two nine.
Riker: Open a channel back here to Doctor Ja'Dar.
Data: Sir, the wave has increased in velocity to warp four point one.
Riker: Doctor, we've located the soliton wave. It's still on a course for Lemma Two. However its velocity has increased to warp four point one.
Ja'Dar: Have you checked the frequency resonance of the subspace
Data: Sir, the energy level of the wave has increased by a factor of twelve. At this rate, it will have increased by a factor of two hundred by the time it reaches Lemma Two.
Riker: Will they still be able to dissipate the wave?
Ja'Dar: Commander, at that energy level, the wave will not only destroy the colony, it'll take most of the planet with it.
Troi: Are you sure this is what you want?
Worf: It is not a question of what I want. It is a question of what is best for the boy. He will be better off at a Klingon school.
Troi: Have you discussed this with Alexander?
Worf: He is a child. I informed him of my decision.
Troi: I see.
Worf: You disapprove?
Troi: I'm not here to approve or disapprove of the way you raise your son. My concern right now is how this decision is going to affect you. How will you feel when Alexander's gone?
Worf: I will be pleased that he is receiving the guidance he requires.
Troi: Is that how you felt when he left to live with your parents?
Worf: That was different. At the time, I felt he needed a home, a family. Things I could not provide for him.
Troi: I understand. The idea of raising a child can seem a tremendous burden, particularly to a solitary parent.
Worf: He was no burden. I simply knew that a Klingon child required more attention than I could provide.
Troi: I see. Have you ever wondered how Alexander felt about being sent away?
Worf: He was very young. I'm sure he was confused.
Troi: Do you think he felt abandoned? After all, he left very soon after K'Ehleyr's death. In a way, he not only lost his mother, he lost his father as well.
Worf: Are you saying that his misconduct is a result of feeling abandoned?
Troi: It's possible. Children don't have the experience to handle emotional crises. Instead of dealing with their feelings, they act on them. Tell me about the last time you spoke with K'Ehleyr, the night she died.
Worf: We argued.
Troi: What about?
Worf: Alexander. About how she did not tell me about him when he was born.
Troi: So you were angry with her?
Worf: Yes.
Troi: Are you still angry with her?
Worf: Of course not.
Troi: It would be very normal to be angry with her. Angry because she died and left you alone with a son you never knew you had. Being angry doesn't mean you loved her any less, Worf, but you can't hide from your feelings, just as Alexander cannot hide from his. You both have a lot of healing to do. Perhaps you should think about doing it together.
Worf: Alexander.
Alexander: I'm almost done.
Worf: Stop for a moment. Let us talk.
Alexander: Why?
Worf: I want you to understand why you are going away.
Alexander: I understand. You're ashamed of me.
Worf: You do not understand. I'm concerned about your future. A Klingon school will be a better environment for you.
Alexander: You don't care about me.
Worf: That is not true.
Alexander: All you care about is your honor!
Worf: Alexander. If your mother were here I do not think she would want us to fight like this.
Alexander: My mother wouldn't send me away.
Riker: Lieutenant Worf, please report to the Observation lounge.
Worf: Acknowledged. Remain here. I will return shortly.
Picard: Report.
Laforge: The soliton wave has continued to increase in
Worf: Excuse me.
Laforge: The soliton wave has continued to increase in power. Its energy level has risen by a factor of ninety six. At its current rate of acceleration, the wave should hit the planet in a couple of hours.
Picard: How do we stop it?
Laforge: Well, there are two possibilities. We could attempt to use our own warp engines to generate an inverse-resonance wave. If we could match the exact frequency and amplitude of the soliton, we should be able to neutralize it.
Riker: You don't sound very confident.
Data: Because the soliton is constantly changing in both frequency and amplitude, it will be extremely difficult to achieve an exact match.
Picard: Let's hear the second option.
Laforge: It's a little more dangerous, but I think there's a better chance for success. We could create a backfire, an explosive force set off just in front of the soliton wave. A large enough explosion, say five photon torpedoes, should be enough to disrupt the wave and allow it to dissipate.
Picard: How fast is the wave traveling now?
Data: Warp six point three seven.
Laforge: The good news is we can catch it. The bad news is that in order to set up this backfire we have to be in front of it.
Data: Which would require the Enterprise to go through the wave.
Riker: Why can't we go around it?
Data: The wave has been growing in size as well as power. There is insufficient time remaining for us to circumvent it before it reaches Lemma Two.
Picard: How much protection will the shields provide if we attempt to penetrate the wave?
Worf: The shields have not been fully restored. Shield strength is down to thirty three percent.
Riker: It's going to be quite a ride.
Picard: It's a better choice. Lay in a course for the soliton wave.
Picard: Ensign, after we've passed through the wave, I want you to take us at a relative position twenty three kilometers in front of it.
Felton: Aye, sir.
Riker: Alert sickbay to prepare for possible casualties.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Data: The wave has increased speed to warp seven point two, Captain.
Picard: Ensign, take us to warp seven point two one.
Felton: We are approaching the wave, Captain. Distance two hundred kilometers.
Riker: Let's see it.
Picard: Stand by to increase speed to warp seven point three. On my mark.
Riker: Red Alert. Load torpedo bays. Set warhead yields to level sixteen.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Riker: All deck, this is the Bridge. Brace for impact.
Worf: Torpedoes loaded.
Picard: Engage.
Picard: Report.
Data: We have passed through the wave, Captain.
Felton: We have dropped to warp seven point two. The wave is directly astern at a distance of twenty three kilometers.
Worf: Deflector strength is down to twelve percent. There are fluctuations in several warp transfer conduits. Tractor beams and transporters offline.
Riker: We have some gaps in the aft shields, Captain. When the torpedoes explode, these areas will be contaminated with ion radiation. We need to evacuate sections twenty four to forty seven, decks thirty five through thirty eight.
Picard: Make it so.
Worf: Sir, there is a fire in biolab four, The fire suppression apparatus is not functioning.
Picard: Seal off the compartment. Prepare to vent the air from
Data: Sir, there are life forms present in that biolab.
Riker: We're transporting endangered animals from Corvan Two.
Data: Readings also indicate the presence of a humanoid, Captain.
Picard: Computer, identify humanoid life form in biolab four.
Computer: Life form is identified as Alexander Rozhenko.
Picard: Bridge to biolab four. Alexander, can you hear us?
Worf: Sensors show he is alive. He may be injured.
Riker: Can we transport him out of there?
Worf: Transporters are still offline.
Felton: Captain, warp power is dropping. We're losing speed.
Riker: Riker to Engineering. Geordi, what is going on?
Laforge: We lost four warp transfer conduits, Commander.
Riker: The wave is gaining on us.
Riker: We need more speed.
Laforge: I doubt that I can keep this speed up
Laforge: Much longer, Commander. You'd better fire those torpedoes while we're still in front of the wave.
Picard: Mister Data, how long before the wave overtakes us?
Data: At our current speed, four minutes thirty seconds, sir.
Worf: Captain, permission to leave the bridge.
Picard: Granted. Commander, will you accompany Mister Worf to biolab four.
Data: Captain, biolab four is one of the areas that will be flooded with ion radiation.
Picard: Commander. I can't let the soliton wave hit the colony. You have three minutes, not one second more.
Riker: Primary control's shorted out.
Worf: Stand clear.
Worf: Alexander!
Riker: Alexander, can you hear me? Alexander?
Data: The soliton wave has closed to ten kilometers, Captain.
Picard: Stand by to fire torpedoes on my command.
Riker: Alexander!
Worf: Commander, I've found him!
Riker: Worf! Where are you Worf?
Worf: Over here. Help me.
Riker: It's too heavy. I've got to find something to help us.
Alexander: Father?
Worf: Lie still, I am here.
Alexander: My leg hurts. I'm scared.
Alexander: The gilvos!
Riker: There's no time.
Alexander: Please, they'll die!
Data: The wave has closed to one kilometer, Captain.
Picard: Picard to Commander Riker. Bridge to Lieutenant Worf, acknowledge.
Data: The wave is about to overtake us, sir.
Picard: Commander Riker, acknowledge! Fire torpedoes.
Data: The wave has been disrupted, sir.
Picard: Picard to Riker.
Riker: Riker here, Captain. We made it
Riker: Sir. The boy's going to be all right.
Crusher: You're a very lucky little boy. Just some minor smoke inhalation and a hairline fracture of the tibia. That's a bone in your leg. I'd like to keep him overnight, but he should be fine by tomorrow.
Worf: Thank you, Doctor.
Alexander: Are you going to get in trouble because of me?
Worf: Do not concern yourself with that.
Alexander: Am I in trouble?
Worf: Yes, but we will discuss that at a later time.
Alexander: I'm sorry. I promise I'll be good at the Klingon school. I'll make you proud of me.
Worf: Klingon schools are designed to be difficult. The physical and mental hardships faced by the students are meant to build character and strength. However, if you wish to face a greater challenge, you may stay here with me. It will not be easy, for either one of us, but perhaps we can face the challenge together.
Alexander: I accept your challenge, Father. I will stay.
Worf: I believe your mother would be pleased.


Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45397.3. Two days ago, Starbase five one four lost contact with the research vessel Vico, which was sent to explore the interior of a Black Cluster. We are en route to investigate.
Felton: Captain, we are entering sector nine seven.
Data: I am picking up massive gravitational fluctuations, sir.
Picard: Take us out of warp, Ensign.
Felton: Yes, sir.
Worf: The Black Cluster is within visual range, Captain.
Picard: On screen.
Worf: Aye, Captain.
Riker: Let's find that ship. Full sensor sweep, Mister Data.
Data: Aye, sir.
Riker: What a sight.
Picard: One of the most ancient formations in the galaxy.
Data: I have located the Vico, sir. The vessel appears to be adrift.
Riker: Let's see it. Life signs?
Worf: Nothing, Commander.
Riker: Damage report, Mister Data.
Data: Outer and inner hulls have been breached. Decks seven through twelve are exposed to space.
Riker: Set up a translink to their computer core. Let's see what happened.
Data: I cannot, sir. The emergency bulkheads on that deck are in place. Our linkup signal cannot penetrate them.
Picard: Structural status, Commander?
Data: Stress readings indicate considerable pressure on the transverse supports.
Picard: Is it stable enough for an away team?
Data: Yes, sir, but the risk of structural collapse is quite high.
Picard: Have transporter room one maintain a lock on each member of your away team. I want you out of there at the first sign of trouble.
Riker: Take us to fifteen thousand meters, Ensign.
Felton: Yes, sir.
Riker: Data, you're with me.
Data: This station is inoperable, sir.
Laforge: This one seems to be stuck in a feedback loop.
Riker: Let's see if we can tap directly into the computer core.
Laforge: The ODN junction is right down here.
Laforge: Data?
Data: Core transfer is engaged.
Laforge: Exchange protocol verified. The files are intact. At least some of them, anyway.
Riker: Stay here, Geordi. Data.
Timothy: Are my parents alright?
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. A young boy, shielded from our initial sensor scans, has been discovered pinned beneath a fallen beam. The degree of damage to the Vico is making our rescue attempt difficult.
Picard: Transporter room one, can you lock on
Picard: To him and transport directly to Sickbay?
Hutchinson: I'll try, Captain, but there's a lot of shielding to pull him through.
Picard: Acknowledged. Picard to Crusher.
Crusher: Sickbay here, Captain.
Picard: Prepare for emergency transport.
Crusher: Yes, sir.
Crusher: Crusher out.
Picard: Picard to Commander Riker.
Picard: Is the boy ready, Number One?
Riker: Ready, sir.
Picard: It's your signal.
Riker: Aye, Captain. It's going to be okay. Here we go. Energize.
Picard: Ensign, do we have him?
Hutchinson: The lock is holding. I just can't resolve the matter stream, not with all that victurium alloy in the way.
Hutchinson: Commander Riker. You'll have to get him out into the corridor.
Data: I could move the beam, sir. However, it may initiate the collapse of the surrounding supports. I recommend you and Geordi return to the ship.
Riker: Agreed. La Forge.
Hutchinson: I'm locked onto Commander Data and the boy, sir. I'll energize as soon as they've cleared the bulkheads.
Riker: Whenever you're ready, Data.
Data: Yes, sir.
Timothy: Are you're going to lift that?
Data: Yes. Then I will take you to the corridor. We will transport back to the Enterprise from there. Do you understand?
Timothy: How come you can pick up something so heavy?
Data: I am an android. My strength is many times that of a human. It is going to be okay. I will count to three. One two three.
Data: Energize.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. A thorough search of the Vico has revealed no additional survivors. We have begun the process of counseling the boy with regard to the tragedy.
Crusher: Don't be afraid.
Timothy: We were in the Black Cluster. I don't know where they came from. They had a big ship and they kept shooting at us. Then they beamed over. They had purple helmets on and phaser rifles. I saw them. They didn't see me.
Crusher: You're safe now, Timothy. I'm sorry for what happened. It's going to be all right. I bet you're hungry. Would you like me to get you something to eat?
Data: Counselor, I must join Commander La Forge in Engineering. If you will excuse me.
Troi: Timothy, would you like Data to stay with you a little bit longer?
Laforge: Sections of the primary and secondary hull were torn right off. The shearing planes are here, here, and here.
Picard: How much longer till we can access their logs?
Laforge: Almost an hour.
Picard: The boy was here.
Laforge: The hallway outside the computer core. His mother was the ship's systems engineer. The second away team found her body here inside the core.
Picard: And his father?
Laforge: Ship's second officer. He was most likely on the bridge when it was exposed to space.
Picard: Most likely.
Crusher: He'll sleep for a few hours at least. I don't need to keep him here but I will need to see him again tomorrow. You've got some work cut out for you.
Troi: His world is gone, Data. We're going to have to help him build a new one.
Laforge: This is not good. Whatever hit the Vico must have set up an EM pulse that flashed through their computer banks.
Data: Nearly eighty three percent of their records have been lost.
Laforge: And all of their sensor logs. Let's use what we got from our own sensors. I'll call up the structural analysis and the surface scans.
Data: Geordi, as a child, did you ever experience a traumatic event?
Laforge: You're wondering about Timothy?
Data: Yes.
Laforge: I was caught in a fire once. I must have been, I don't know, about five, I guess. It was before I got the first visor. And it was only a couple of minutes before my parents found me and pulled me out. And nobody got hurt, but I tell you that was the longest couple of minutes of my life. It was a while after that before I could even let my parents get out of earshot. It was like I absolutely needed to know that they were there, you know?
Data: Timothy no longer has that kind of support.
Laforge: Yeah.
Teacher: Dara and her brother found themselves in the land of Tagas where the ruler, Elamos the Magnificent, had proclaimed as law. 'No children will be tolerated within the Great Kingdom'. When Dara saw the proclamation, she just laughed, and said, 'How magnificent a ruler, to be frightened by the likes of us.' Timothy, we're done with sculpture for now.
Timothy: It's not finished.
Teacher: We'll come back to it next period. Why don't you pick up your mythology book and follow along?
Timothy: But it's not finished.
Laforge: Magnetic residual analysis confirms that the Vico was attacked inside the Black Cluster. The graviton wave fronts pushed the ship to where we found it.
Picard: No signs of phaser burns on the hull.
Laforge: No, sir. Torsional stress levels point to a disrupter-style weapon.
Data: Fracture points indicate that the energy burst came from a range of less than three thousand meters.
Picard: But that's a strategy consistent with a cloaked vessel. Romulan. Or Klingon. But we're quite a distance from either of their territories.
Data: The Breen have outposts in this sector. The attack on the Vico is consistent with their battle tactics and their level of technology.
Picard: Thank you, Data. But what would the Breen be doing inside the Black Cluster? The boy described a boarding party with helmets and phaser rifles.
Laforge: Boarding party? I don't think that's likely, sir.
Picard: Counselor.
Laforge: There was absolutely no evidence of anybody coming on board the Vico. We would have found a transporter field trace. Or if somebody had used the entry ports, we would have found an electrostatic differential in the docking latches, and we didn't. Could Timothy have imagined that, Counselor?
Picard: Or could he be lying?
Troi: If he's lying, I haven't been able to sense it. Perhaps his emotional trauma level is too high.
Picard: Why wouldn't he tell us the truth?
Troi: He's still in shock. it's hard to know what's going on in his mind right now.
Laforge: Well, I'll go back and check the sensor readings again but I don't think we're going to find anything.
Picard: Thank you, Geordi.
Troi: Data. Captain, I think we should ask Data to spend some time with him.
Data: I do not understand.
Troi: I'm very worried about his behavior and what I've just heard doesn't make me feel any better. Data, you're the only one he's reached out to, because you rescued him. We can use your relationship with him to help his recovery.
Picard: Would Timothy also be more inclined to tell Data the truth about what happened?
Troi: It's a possibility.
Picard: Commander, proceed with Timothy as the Counselor suggests.
Data: Aye, sir.
Data: Counselor, exactly how shall I proceed?
Troi: Just be with him. You're a presence he trusts, and that's what he needs most right now.
Timothy: What?
Timothy: Data.
Data: Hello, Timothy. May I enter?
Timothy: Yeah.
Data: Ah. You are attempting to recreate the Dokkaran temple of Kural Hanesh?
Timothy: Isn't it great?! See, there's the big hallway the teacher told us about. That's where everybody came in. That's where they stood. And that's where the altar was. What do you think?
Data: Do you wish a frank evaluation? It lacks the harmony that characterized this particular temple and Dokkaran culture in general.
Timothy: You hate it.
Data: No, I am not capable of hatred.
Timothy: I can't do anything right.
Data: You are making an unwarranted extrapolation. I was merely offering an esthetic analysis of this particular model. The base appears quite sturdy.
Timothy: I told you.
Data: May I suggest a different approach? You were attempting to construct the upper level before the supports were in place. Observe.
Laforge: La Forge to Data.
Data: Data here.
Laforge: I need your help with the shield modulators.
Data: I will join you in a moment, Geordi. Data out. Lieutenant La Forge requires my assistance.
Timothy: Incredible. Data, how come you can do that?
Data: I am designed to exceed human capacity, both mentally and physically.
Timothy: Androids are better than humans?
Data: Better is a highly subjective term. I do not, for example, possess the ability to experience emotion as humans do.
Timothy: No emotions? You mean you can't be happy or sad?
Data: That is correct.
Timothy: Why not?
Data: My positronic brain is not capable of generating those conditions. Goodbye.
Timothy: Data! Can we build something else later?
Data: That would be acceptable.
Timothy: Bye.
Timothy: I am designed to exceed human capacity. tilts head) That is correct.
Data: The Black Cluster was formed almost nine billion years ago when hundreds of protostars collapsed in close proximity. The resulting gravitational forces are both violent and highly unpredictable.
Laforge: To get anywhere near the center, we're going to have to push through the gravitational wavefronts like the science vessel was designed to do. I've already adjusted our shields accordingly.
Worf: The gravitational forces will affect sensor accuracy. Detecting an enemy vessel will be difficult.
Riker: Maybe that's what happened to the Vico. They didn't see anything coming until it was too late.
Picard: Counselor, has the boy volunteered any further information?
Troi: No, but I do have an appointment with him in less than half an hour.
Picard: If there's a possibility of getting more from him, I'd like you to pursue it. But we need to continue our investigation. We'll enter the Black Cluster at oh seven hundred hours tomorrow morning. Dismissed.
Troi: Hello, Timothy. Are you ready to go?
Timothy: Yes, Counselor. I am ready.
Troi: How are you feeling?
Timothy: I am functioning within established parameters.
Troi: Established parameters? You sound like Data.
Timothy: I am an android.
Troi: I see. Well, let's go for our walk, shall we?
Timothy: That would be acceptable.
Troi: So, what would you like?
Timothy: Androids do not need to eat or drink. However, sometimes we like to taste things. A Tamarin frost, please. Would you like anything, Counselor?
Troi: No, I'm fine, thank you.
Timothy: As you wish.
Troi: So you're no longer a human?
Timothy: I'm an android.
Troi: When did this happen?
Timothy: I've always been an android.
Troi: What's it like being an android?
Timothy: I am designed to exceed human capacity, both mentally and physically. But I do not experience emotions.
Troi: You don't? No emotion at all?
Timothy: That is correct.
Picard: An android?
Troi: I know it sounds unusual, but it is understandable. Technically, it's called enantiodromia. Conversion into the opposite. Timothy went from human to machine, from being emotional to being emotionless. But the underlying trauma is still there. He's just found a new way to suppress it.
Picard: Counselor, how long will this behavior last?
Troi: As long as he needs it to. Timothy is rebuilding his identity as best he can. The android persona is just one step along the way. As soon as he feels stronger and more sure of himself, it should drop away naturally.
Picard: I assume this is not a time to confront him about what happened to his ship.
Troi: Not yet. The best thing we can do right now is to let Timothy take us where he wants to go. We should support the process and even encourage it.
Picard: Data, I would like you to make Timothy the best android he can possibly be.
Data: Timothy, your head movements are counterproductive. Can you be still?
Timothy: But you do it.
Data: The servo mechanisms in my neck are designed to approximate human movements. I did not realize the effect was so distracting.
Timothy: I like it. Data, are there any other androids in Starfleet?
Data: No. I am the only one.
Timothy: How come you're not Captain?
Data: My service experience does not yet warrant such a position.
Timothy: Data, what's the scariest thing that ever happened to you?
Data: Fear is a quality that I do not possess.
Timothy: Because it's an emotion?
Data: Correct.
Timothy: But what if you had a nightmare?
Data: I have never had a nightmare. I do not require sleep. Timothy, are you having disturbing dreams?
Timothy: I do not require sleep.
Data: Is that satisfactory?
Timothy: It's perfect.
Crusher: Transfer circuits are functioning properly.
Timothy: Within established parameters?
Crusher: Absolutely. Input processing, pattern recognition, all within established parameters. DATA +
Timothy: Thank you, Doctor.
Timothy: I ran out of red ochre.
Data: You may use mine.
Timothy: Thank you.
Data: Perhaps you should return to your quarters.
Timothy: I'm fine. The servo mechanisms in my mouth are designed to approximate human movements.
Timothy: That is not bad.
Data: Thank you. It is very expressive.
Timothy: Thank you.
Data: Is your painting representative of something?
Timothy: It's just a painting.
Data: Timothy, you understand that you may speak with me about anything you wish? Any subject?
Timothy: I understand.
Data: At times, I too find it difficult to share my thoughts with others. I am not always confident that I am expressing myself in a manner which humans can comprehend. But do I know that
Worf: We are approaching the perimeter. I'm picking up the gravitational wavefronts.
Riker: Engage forward shields thirty five percent.
Worf: Shields up.
Picard: Drop to one quarter impulse, Ensign.
Felton: Yes, sir.
Riker: Bridge to Engineering.
Laforge: Adjusting shield frequencies now, Commander. We'll have this smoothed out in just a second.
Riker: Ensign, adjust course for any deviations.
Felton: Yes, sir.
Riker: Resume one third impulse.
Worf: Captain, I am reading something at four hundred thousand kilometers off the starboard bow. Possibly a ship.
Riker: Red alert.
Picard: Take us to visual range, Ensign.
Felton: Adjusting course.
Worf: Sensor readings have disappeared. Wait, I am picking up another reading at four hundred thousand kilometers off the port bow. It's gone. No, it is back to starboard.
Riker: Captain, the Black Cluster is distorting the sensors. We're picking up echoes of the Enterprise reflecting off the wavefronts.
Picard: Cancel Red alert. Mister Worf, adjust the sensors to compensate for the distortion.
Worf: Aye.
Picard: Sensor difficulties have been reported by ships traveling through black clusters, but never this extreme.
Worf: Captain, that formation is seven times more massive than any explored previously. That could explain the difference.
Picard: Resume previous course, Ensign.
Felton: Yes, sir.
Data: He laughed.
Troi: Yes. It's nice to see, isn't it?
Data: It is certainly not consistent with his android persona.
Troi: I'd say he's beginning the process of letting go of that fantasy.
Data: Then my work with him is done.
Troi: No, I don't think it is, Data. A laugh is one step in the right direction. We need to help him take a few more steps.
Data: How, Counselor?
Troi: I'd like you to talk to him about your own fascination with humanity. If you can explain to Timothy the appeal that humanity has for you, he might find it easier to become a boy again.
Timothy: This is great. How is yours?
Data: The complex polysaccharides, in reaction with the carbon dioxide, produces an unusual combination of texture and effervescence.
Timothy: But how does it taste? Is it good?
Data: I am not capable of tasting in the manner you suggest. However, I can analyze the composition of a dessert and make comparative conclusions about its possible effect on the human palate. But I neither like it nor dislike it.
Timothy: Oh. I didn't realize that.
Data: I have often wondered what it must be like to have one's mouth water in anticipation of the arrival of a confection, or to feel the pleasure I have observed in humans as they consume it.
Timothy: You sound like you don't want to be an android.
Data: I am an android. That will never change.
Timothy: But if you could change, would you?
Data: I have often wished to be human. I study people carefully in order to more closely approximate human behavior.
Timothy: Why? We're stronger and smarter than humans. We can do more than they can.
Data: But I cannot take pride in my abilities. I cannot take pleasure in my accomplishments.
Timothy: But we never have to feel bad, either.
Data: I would gladly risk feeling bad at times if it also meant that I could also taste my dessert.
Worf: Captain, gravitational wavefront intensity is increasing steadily. Eleven hundred standard G units and rising.
Picard: Let's see if anyone's out there. Mister Worf, attempt a wide range sensor sweep.
Worf: Aye, sir. Gravitational distortion is too great, Captain. The scanning signal is again being reflected off the wavefronts. I am unable to compensate. The sensors are useless.
Picard: Mister Data to the Bridge, please.
Data: Acknowledged.
Picard: Adjust sensors to short range. Attempt a limited positron scan.
Worf: The distortion is still in effect.
Riker: Better jacket the scanning beam.
Worf: The secondary beam is being distorted as well.
Picard: Mister Data, our sensors have been rendered ineffective by the field distortion. I want your analysis. Mister Worf, fire phasers, maximum intensity, limited spectrum. Zero zero one mark zero four five.
Riker: An experiment, Captain?
Picard: Exactly, Number One.
Worf: Firing phasers.
Picard: Explanation, Mister Data.
Data: Phaser energy was reflected by the gravitational wavefronts. It is similar to the phenomenon distorting our sensor signals.
Picard: Phasers and sensors both useless? Mister Data, this reflection phenomenon, would it have the same effect on a disruptor-style weapon?
Data: Yes, sir. Disruptors would be ineffectual.
Picard: And a ship's cloaking field?
Data: It would be extremely difficult to maintain.
Picard: Mister Data, is it at all likely that the Vico could have been attacked inside the cluster?
Data: Given the effects we have observed, the probability is exceedingly remote, sir.
Picard: Picard to Counselor Troi.
Troi: Yes, Captain?
Picard: Counselor, will you bring Timothy to my Ready room?
Picard: Timothy, can you tell us what happened to your ship?
Timothy: I did tell you.
Troi: Tell us again.
Timothy: We were attacked.
Data: That is highly unlikely. Our investigations have clearly demonstrated
Timothy: We were attacked! We were attacked!
Data: Timothy, androids do not lie.
Timothy: It was me.
Data: Please explain.
Timothy: It was me. I did it. I killed them all. Everything was shaking. I lost my balance. I was just trying to hold on to something. I didn't mean to do it.
Picard: What was it that didn't you mean to do, Timothy?
Timothy: My arm hit the computer panel. That's what destroyed the ship.
Troi: The ship was damaged when your arm hit the computer panel? Timothy, listen to me. The damage to your ship might have occurred at the same time your arm touched the panel, but it was only a coincidence. This wasn't your fault.
Timothy: Yes it was.
Data: It is not possible. The onboard control systems for every starship require a user code clearance. You could not have inadvertently affected any of the Vico's systems.
Picard: Your computer had safety precautions. There is nothing you could have touched that would have damaged your ship.
Troi: You're not responsible for what happened to your parents, Timothy.
Timothy: But if it wasn't me
Picard: We're trying to determine what happened right now, and if there is anything you can remember that may assist
Timothy: That's just how it was when it started on the Vico.
Worf: Wavefront intensity has increased.
Riker: Increase shields to seventy five percent.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Riker: Damage, Mister Worf.
Worf: Minimal, sir. Shields are holding.
Picard: Ensign, full about. Go to warp two.
Felton: The gravitational distortion is too high. We can't maintain a warp field.
Picard: Full shields.
Worf: Aye.
Felton: Captain, impulse power has been disrupted. The helm won't respond.
Timothy: We couldn't get out either.
Troi: Timothy, perhaps you and I should go below and get out of everyone's way.
Timothy: No.
Riker: Riker to La Forge. Can you give me more power to the shields?
Laforge: Stand by.
Timothy: That's what they kept saying. More shields, more shields.
Data: Timothy, accompany me, please. I want you to recall everything you heard people say aboard the Vico before it was destroyed.
Timothy: I don't know. Just that. Just more shields.
Laforge: Captain, I've transferred
Laforge: Fusion reactors four through nine into the shield array. That should double the shield strength.
Worf: Wavefront intensity has increased by an order of magnitude. Impact in three, two, one.
Worf: Wave front intensity is continuing to increase. Structural over-pressure now exceeding one hundred eighty percent.
Picard: La Forge?
Laforge: I don't understand. That should have been enough.
Laforge: We could run the shield grid directly off the warp drive.
Picard: Go ahead, Commander.
Worf: Initiating warp-transfer pathways now.
Laforge: Diverting warp power to the shields.
Timothy: Warp power to the shields. They said that too, Data. I'm positive.
Worf: Wavefront intensity has increased by a factor of ten. Contact in thirty one seconds. Without additional power to the shields, the outer hull will not hold.
Riker: La Forge?
Laforge: Warp transfer to the shields complete.
Laforge: That's as strong as they're going to get.
Worf: Impact in fifteen seconds.
Data: Sir, drop the shields.
Riker: That's suicide, Data.
Data: Captain, drop the shields.
Picard: Make it so.
Worf: Aye.
Data: Our own shields caused the increases in the wavefronts, sir. We have been experiencing a harmonic amplification effect.
Riker: The more energy we dumped into the shield grid, the worse the impact.
Data: Precisely. That is also what destroyed the Vico. When Timothy remembered similar procedures on his ship, I initiated an analysis of shield output to wavefront amplitude and discovered a correlation.
Picard: If we had transferred all that warp power to the shields, it would have torn the ship apart.
Riker: Status, Ensign?
Felton: Navigation is coming back online.
Picard: Full about, one quarter impulse. Take us out of here.
Troi: Timothy's a boy feeling a great deal of pain. But he is a boy again. Is this difficult for you, Data?
Data: Difficult?
Troi: To watch him moving away from being like you.
Data: That would require an emotional context which I cannot provide.
Teacher: Okay, everybody, let's go. Come on.
Data: Hello, Timothy.
Timothy: Hi, Data. How are you?
Data: I am operating within established parameters. How are you?
Timothy: I miss my parents. But I'm okay. I guess you thought I was pretty silly when I had my hair like yours and everything.
Data: I have been told that imitation is the highest form of flattery.
Timothy: Can we still do things together, even if I'm not really an android?
Data: I have many human friends. I would be pleased to count you among them.
Timothy: That would be acceptable.


Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45429.3. While on a mapping survey, we are conveying a delegation of Ullians to Kaldra Four. These telepathic historians conduct their research by retrieving long-forgotten memories.
Keiko: It's a chipped cup, off-white, with a crack in it. I can see it but I don't remember anything else about it.
Tarmin: When you see it, do you hear any sounds?
Keiko: No, I don't think so. Wait, yes. Humming. Someone's humming.
Tarmin: A woman?
Keiko: Yes, but I don't know who it is.
Tarmin: Try to touch the cup.
Keiko: It has a sharp edge where it's chipped.
Tarmin: Is there anything inside the cup?
Keiko: A liquid, dark.
Tarmin: Like tea?
Keiko: It's not hot. It's bitter.
Tarmin: There's something else inside the cup.
Keiko: Yes, a wooden handle.
Tarmin: A spoon?
Keiko: No, it's more delicate than that.
Tarmin: Reach out for it.
Keiko: A brush. An ink brush. I hear that humming again.
Tarmin: Keep listening to it, and hold out the brush. See if anyone takes it from you.
Keiko: It's Obaachan! My grandmother. She's doing ink brush writing. I can remember it now. She used that cup for cleaning the brushes, and it was my job to fill it with water and bring it to the table. I would sit beside her and watch the most beautiful characters come from that brush. And the whole time, she'd be humming to herself. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Crusher: That is remarkable. You remembered such vivid detail.
Keiko: For years I've seen that old cup in my memory but I could never remember what it was or why it was important. Thank you.
Tarmin: You're entirely welcome, young lady. Perhaps someone else would care to try? You, madam. You're thinking of that first childhood kiss. Would you like to remember more about it?
Jev: Father, you know you're not supposed to probe someone's memory unless they've given you permission.
Tarmin: You are right, but sometimes with a beautiful woman, I can not help myself.
Laforge: How about you, Commander? Got any memories you feel like digging up?
Riker: None that I'd care to share with an audience.
Keiko: It's getting late. I'd better be going.
Data: It is perplexing to me that the Ullians' ability to retrieve memory is so highly prized. If an event were important enough to be recovered, why would it have been forgotten?
Laforge: It's not quite the same for us as it is for you, Data. You record every second of every moment of your life.
Data: That is correct.
Laforge: And then if you want to recall any one of those moments, you just access the proper memory circuit.
Data: My understanding of the human brain suggests that the process is the same for you. Each memory is encoded in chains of molecules. If you want to retrieve it, you simply access the proper RNA sequence.
Laforge: Yeah, that's true.
Data: Then in what way is it different?
Laforge: Sometimes there are memories we just can't access at the spur of the moment. For instance, I have no recollection of how I spent my last birthday. Birthdays are important occasions, and you would think that I'd remember how I spent the day, but right now I can't even remember where I was.
Laforge: Deck two. On the other hand, I remember everything about the time I got my first pet. A Circassian cat. I was eight. I remember how funny-looking he was. I remember how excited I was. It's as if it happened last week.
Data: Perhaps you remember the pleasant memories and forget the unpleasant ones?
Laforge: No, sometimes the bad memories can be the most intense of all.
Data: It would seem there is no predictable pattern to human memory.
Laforge: It would seem.
Jev: This library of ours has been in the planning stages for years. A collection of the retrieved memories of races from many different star systems.
Tarmin: What my son means to say is, we think of ourselves as archeologists of the mind. We believe that the history of a world is contained in the personal experience of its people.
Picard: Rather like the ancient oral historians on Earth.
Tarmin: Exactly. The library we propose will be a vast storehouse of these individual memories.
Riker: That sounds like quite a project. How long will it take to finish your studies on Kaldra?
Inad: Many months. We've been working for years, and we've surveyed only eleven planets in eight star systems.
Jev: But it's our way of life. We wouldn't want to do anything else.
Crusher: Captain, Mister Tarmin gave us a demonstration of his abilities this afternoon. It's fascinating. Perhaps you would like to resurrect some memories.
Tarmin: I'd be happy to probe your recollections, Captain. Most people find it an enjoyable experience.
Picard: I'm sure. However, I don't think I would make a particularly good subject.
Crusher: I'm sure you'd be ideal, and you must have some intriguing memories.
Tarmin: We won't be on your ship for long. This may be your last chance.
Picard: Yes. Well.
Inad: Tarmin, we mustn't influence people. We must let them come to us willingly.
Tarmin: I have found over the years there are many who want the experience of memory retrieval, but who lack some encouragement in order to come forward.
Tarmin: You, Mister Worf? I would love to explore Klingon memories.
Worf: Klingons do not allow themselves to be probed.
Tarmin: But there is nothing to fear.
Jev: Father.
Worf: I am not fearful.
Tarmin: Commander La Forge, you?
Laforge: I don't think so. Thanks anyway.
Tarmin: I have rarely encountered such squeamish people. Doctor Crusher? Commander Riker?
Troi: Mister Tarmin, are all Ullians able to read memories?
Tarmin: Oh, no, my dear. The technique requires special training. It is a serious commitment.
Inad: It takes years of study. Tarmin is the most proficient of our group.
Tarmin: Once Jev spent two days with a contingent of elderly Gentons. He couldn't get anything from them. I spent only one hour with them and retrieved a fragment from the Gentonian trade wars.
Jev: Excuse me.
Inad: Exactly how long will it be before we reach Kaldra, Captain?
Picard: Mister Data?
Data: Four days, eleven hours.
Troi: Jev?
Jev: I'm sorry. I'm being rude.
Troi: No, not at all.
Jev: My father finds it amusing to demean me in public. I reach the point where I don't want to hear any more.
Troi: It's not easy having an overbearing parent. Believe me, I know how you feel.
Jev: Oh, that's right. You're an empath.
Troi: Oh, I can't read Ullians, but I do know a certain Betazoid mother who is a great deal like your father.
Troi: Deck eight.
Jev: Deck sixteen.
Troi: I've learned to remind myself that my mother and I are two separate individuals.
Jev: And have you enjoyed much success with this approach, Counselor?
Troi: No. But I do keep reminding myself.
Troi: Goodnight.
Jev: Goodnight, Counselor. And thank you.
Riker: Have you stopped thinking about us?
Troi: Hot chocolate.
Troi: Imzadi, we can't. Not when we're serving on the same ship.
Riker: Have you stopped thinking about us? Just answer that. I can't stop thinking about you.
Troi: Will, don't.
Troi: Imzadi, we can't. Not when we're serving on the same ship.
Riker: Have you stopped thinking about us?
Troi: We mustn't do this. Will, don't. Will, no!
Jev: Imzadi. Have you stopped thinking about us? Just answer that.
Troi: No! No! No! Don't!
Jev: I can't stop thinking about you. Imzadi. Have you stopped thinking about us?
Troi: No!
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45430.9. Counselor Troi has fallen into a deep coma. After a thorough examination, Doctor Crusher has been unable to find signs of illness or infection.
Crusher: Any change, Doctor Martin?
Martin: No. I'm still getting unusual neurotransmitter readings in the diencephalon, but they might be a result of the coma.
Picard: Can you bring her out of it?
Crusher: I've tried standard revival techniques. She doesn't respond. Until I find out what's caused this, I don't want to try anything more extreme.
Riker: Do we know what she was doing when this happened?
Crusher: No. She was found in her quarters this morning when she didn't show up for an appointment. She was dressed for bed but the bed hadn't been slept in.
Picard: Who was the last person to speak with her?
Riker: She left the dinner last night with one of the Ullians. I'll talk to him.
Picard: Ask if they would consent to an examination, just to be certain.
Crusher: I'll check the biofilter readings from the Ullian transporter log. It's possible they could still be carrying a harmful organism.
Riker: May I join you?
Jev: Commander. Of course. Something's wrong?
Riker: Counselor Troi's ill.
Jev: I'm sorry to hear it
Riker: She's more than ill, she's in a coma. Doctor Crusher doesn't know what's causing it or how to treat her.
Jev: When did this happen?
Riker: Apparently some time last night. That's why I wanted to talk to you. You may have been the last person to see her. Did you go with her into her quarters?
Jev: Are you suggesting that I behaved improperly, Commander?
Riker: Not at all. I'm just trying to trace her steps.
Jev: We talked in a turbolift, briefly. She got out at deck eight. I did not go with her.
Riker: Jev, I'm not accusing you of anything. Did she mention feeling ill?
Jev: She seemed fine. She has a wonderful sense of humor.
Riker: If you have no objections, Doctor Crusher would like to examine you and your group.
Jev: To what end?
Riker: She's just trying to eliminate the possibility that one of you might be carrying an organism that was harmful to Deanna. I'm not implying that you did anything intentional. I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Jev: We have nothing to hide. If you wish to spend time examining us.
Riker: Fine. Thank you.
Riker: Deanna, I don't know if you can hear me. I've heard doctors say that even when someone's in a coma, they may be able to hear when people talk to them. That it might help stimulate the brain, speed the healing. In fact, I think you did that for me once, when I was in pretty bad shape. I just thought it might help to hear a friendly voice, even if you don't know you're hearing it. We've been busy mapping the sector. It's been pretty routine. The most unusual thing we've seen is a binary star system. Let's see, what else? I finished the personnel review that we were working on. You can check it out when you wake up. I miss you. Please don't stay away too long.
Crusher: Will? Will, I promise I'll let you know the minute that she regains consciousness.
Riker: I know.
Crusher: There's nothing you can do here. You'll wear yourself out.
Riker: Right.
Crusher: It's late. Go to bed. That's an order.
Davis: Keller is still in there!
Riker: Let's move it! Out, out, out! Let's go! Everybody move! Everybody move! Out! Out! Come on, keep moving!
Laforge: Commander, I need to bring that door down!
Computer: Antimatter injection breach. Evacuate immediately.
Riker: Keller, can you get to a Jeffries tube? Ensign Keller, answer me!
Davis: You killed her. Keller is still in there!
Laforge: Commander, radiation levels are critical. We've got to seal it off.
Davis: She was right behind me!
Riker: Bring down the door!
Riker: Bring down the door.
Laforge: I need to bring that door down.
Riker: Out, out! Let's go!
Davis: Keller is still in there.
Jev: Didn't you hear him? Keller is still in there.
Riker: Riker to transporter room three. Prepare to beam Ensign Keller out of the engine room.
Jev: Keller is still in there.
Jev: Keller is still in there.
Davis: You killed her.
Riker: Ensign Keller, answer me.
Jev: You killed her.
Laforge: I've got to get that isolation door down!
Jev: Keller is still in there.
Riker: Bring down the door!
Jev: You killed her.
Davis: You killed her.
Jev: You killed her.
Laforge: I need that door down!
Davis: Keller is still in there.
Jev: You killed her.
Picard: Bridge to Commander Riker. Picard to Commander Riker, answer please. Computer, locate Commander Riker.
Computer: Commander Riker is in his quarters.
Worf: On my way, sir.
Scene: Medical log, stardate 45431.7. Commander Riker is the second officer who has fallen into an unexplained coma. I have examined the Ullians and ruled out the possibility that they carry a harmful organism.
Crusher: I compared Deanna's brain scan to one that I took during her last physical. There is a difference. This time there's a trace of electropathic activity.
Picard: And Commander Riker?
Crusher: I found the same pattern. If I didn't know better, I'd say they both had Iresine syndrome. That's the only medical condition that would produce that pattern.
Worf: What is Iresine syndrome?
Crusher: A very rare neurological disorder first diagnosed in the twenty third century. It's characterized by an identical electropathic residue.
Picard: Why discount the possibility that it's responsible for these comas?
Crusher: Iresine is always accompanied by a severely decreased histamine count. Both Will and Deanna showed normal levels. I've asked Commander La Forge to conduct a shipwide diagnostic to determine any other agent that might cause the same electropathic pattern.
Worf: Commander Riker and Counselor Troi were in perfect health until the Ullians arrived. It would be wise to quarantine the aliens.
Picard: I believe that it would be premature to take that action, Mister Worf. There's no real evidence linking these comas with the Ullians.
Crusher: That's true, but there is something curious. The electropathic residue I discovered is located in the thalamus. That's the area of the cerebral cortex that involves memory function.
Tarmin: I've been accused of putting people to sleep with one too many stories, Captain, but this is the first time it's ever been suggested that I might be the cause of someone's coma.
Picard: I mean no disrespect, but we are faced with an alarming situation
Inad: Why do you suspect us, Captain?
Picard: Suspect is perhaps too strong a word. I'm simply trying to determine what has caused two of my officers to fall into comas.
Jev: But you've already examined us. We aren't carrying anything harmful.
Crusher: In further study of the victims, I detected some abnormal patterns in the area of the brain that involves memory.
Picard: In light of your telepathic abilities, it raises the question.
Inad: Captain, it is not our wish to obstruct you. What would you like?
Crusher: If I could do further examinations tomorrow. Perhaps monitor you during a memory probe.
Tarmin: Scrutiny does not frighten us.
Jev: We will be happy to cooperate, Doctor.
Crusher: Thank you. I'll contact you in the morning.
Crusher: You're the only person on board to undergo a memory probe by the Ullians. I'd like to do a neurological work up and see if I can detect any residual effect. Doctor Martin will monitor your vital signs while I conduct the scan.
Keiko: I'm happy to help.
Crusher: Have you had any unusual symptoms since the probe? Headaches? Dizziness?
Keiko: No, nothing like that. It was a wonderful experience.
Crusher: Electrical activity is normal. CPK levels are normal. Hippocampus is stable, and the thalamus? The thalamus is normal. There is no indication at all of the electropathic residual.
Keiko: Is that good?
Crusher: Oh, you're fine, Keiko. But I am no closer to solving this mystery.
Laforge: Computer, locate the electropathic pattern described in medical database four delta one.
Computer: Electropathic pattern located.
Laforge: Okay, we're going to track down any possible cause of that brain pattern. First, what are the medical conditions that might account for it?
Computer: Iresine syndrome is a cause of the electropathic pattern.
Laforge: Right. And Doctor Crusher already eliminated that, so how many non-medical forces or substances might cause the pattern?
Computer: There are twenty two non-medical agents.
Laforge: Okay. And how many of those are present on the Enterprise?
Computer: None are present on the Enterprise.
Laforge: Are the ship's sensors calibrated to detect all those agents?
Computer: All agents are scanned by the sensors.
Laforge: Okay. Let's start with the chemical substances. Name them.
Computer: Ferrazene, hylanatine, dardilion, chrysimite, and manzene.
Laforge: Ferrazene has a complex molecular structure. It breaks down into bilenium and tarrisite. Do the sensors scan for those?
Computer: Ship's sensors scan for both compounds.
Laforge: And are they present on the Enterprise?
Computer: Bilenium and tarrisite are not present.
Laforge: Do any of the substances break down into by-products that are not scanned for?
Computer: Dardilion contains the byproduct nilizene. Sensors do not routinely scan for that substance.
Laforge: Well, this isn't a routine situation. Scan for the nilizene.
Computer: There is no nilizene on the Enterprise.
Laforge: How did I know you were going to say that? Okay. Let's move on to the non-chemical agents.
Martin: Anything more I can do for you?
Crusher: No, thanks. I was just doing some reading on the Iresine syndrome. If a new strain has developed, that might explain the normal histamine count.
Martin: Any luck?
Crusher: Not so far.
Martin: Okay. I'll see you tomorrow.
Picard: You shouldn't remember him like this.
Picard: You don't have to do this.
Crusher: It's important to me. I have to see him. To see him. To see him. To see him.
Crusher: It's good of you to come.
Picard: It's the least I can do.
Picard: You shouldn't remember him like this.
Crusher: I have to face the fact that he's gone.
Picard: You shouldn't remember him like this
Crusher: It's good of you to come with me.
Picard: It's the least I can do.
Jev: You shouldn't remember him like this.
Picard: It's the least I can do
Laforge: I've spent two hours having a cozy chat with the computer. I've checked everything I can think of. Any possible agent that might cause that electropathic pattern.
Data: I assume from your tone of voice that you were unsuccessful.
Laforge: Didn't find a thing.
Laforge: Doctor Crusher's not going to be too happy with
Data: Emergency medical team to Doctor Crusher's office immediately.
Laforge: Doctor Crusher had me working on a shipwide diagnostic. I'd gone to give her the results when I found her.
Picard: Did your scans provide any insights into these comas?
Laforge: None. I've checked and cross-checked. They're just dead ends.
Data: We seem to have eliminated the all known factors that may have caused the comas, except for the Ullians.
Picard: Mister Data, I want you to investigate those eleven planets that the Ullians visited. See if there were any reports of unexplained comas.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: In the meantime, we must consider restricting them to their quarters, as a precautionary measure.
Laforge: If one of them is behind this, will keeping telepaths in their quarters prevent it from happening again?
Picard: What else can we do? Station a guard? Set up a force field? I don't see that those would be any more effective.
Martin: Sickbay to Captain Picard.
Picard: Picard here.
Martin: Counselor Troi has regained consciousness. She's asked for you, sir.
Picard: I'm on my way.
Troi: It's like waking up from a nightmare and not remembering what it was about.
Picard: What is the last thing you do remember?
Troi: My hair. I was brushing my hair.
Picard: And then?
Troi: I don't know. Just waking up here. Why do I feel so frightened? What happened to me?
Picard: We were hoping that you could tell us.
Troi: How long have I been here?
Martin: Three days.
Troi: Three days?
Picard: You were the first. The next day Commander Riker fell into a similar coma. Last night, Doctor Crusher.
Troi: What is going on here?
Picard: We're not certain. It may be that there is some unusual effect produced by the Ullians' telepathic activity. I'm going to talk to them, and in the meantime, you're to stay here and recuperate. And if you remember anything at all about what happened, I want you to tell me immediately.
Tarmin: What are you suggesting, Captain?
Picard: That you voluntarily confine yourself to your quarters, at least until we have unraveled this mystery.
Tarmin: We're to be prisoners?
Jev: Father.
Picard: No, please don't look on it like that. We have done everything we can to explain these comas. We have performed physical examinations, and neurological scans. We have conducted a ship-wide diagnostic, looking for viruses, parasites, infestations. We have investigated every possible cause we can imagine. We have found nothing. Nothing to explain these comas. The only variable that we have not been able to eliminate is your presence here on this ship. Now, in the light of our actions, we would ask you to understand my request and to agree to it.
Jev: Captain, our history indicates that we do not adversely affect the people we contact.
Picard: I know that.
Jev: Then are you implying an intentional assault?
Picard: I'm simply considering all possibilities.
Jev: Surely you would give us the chance to prove that we are innocent?
Picard: If that's possible, of course.
Jev: Then I would propose doing a memory probe of Counselor Troi. You have said that she doesn't remember anything that happened before she lapsed into unconsciousness. I could retrieve that memory There is a possibility that it could explain the coma and prove our innocence.
Picard: I'm sorry. I couldn't possibly subject Counselor Troi to a potentially dangerous procedure.
Tarmin: And I refuse to be a party to any of these proceedings.
Inad: Jev is making a reasonable request, Captain. If we're to be accused, surely we're entitled to a defense? Tarmin did a memory probe on another of your crew. Has she suffered any ill effects?
Picard: No.
Inad: And neither will Counselor Troi. Please, you may have as many people here as you need to guarantee her safety, but give us this chance to vindicate ourselves.
Picard: I will discuss the matter with Counselor Troi.
Laforge: Well, that's it for Melina Two. No unexplained comas during the time the Ullians were working there.
Data: We have yet to receive transmissions from the two planets of the Nel system. Perhaps they will show different results.
Laforge: Maybe. Or maybe we're not checking for the right thing.
Data: Please clarify.
Laforge: We haven't look into the comas that were explained.
Data: Why would we do that?
Laforge: Well, remember what Doctor Crusher said right after Counselor Troi became unconscious? That it looked exactly like Iresine syndrome except for the histamine count?
Data: Yes.
Laforge: Maybe not every medical facility is as careful as Doctor Crusher. Maybe it's easier to just make a quick diagnosis rather than to keep hunting for the real cause.
Data: You are searching for instances of Iresine syndrome?
Laforge: Right, and correlating them with visits by the Ullians. And there we are.
Data: Two cases of Iresine syndrome on Hurada Three, at exactly the time Tarmin and his group was there.
Laforge: Let's check the other planets. I think we may have something here.
Picard: Counselor, I want to reiterate, if you have any doubts whatsoever about this procedure, you don't have to go through with it.
Troi: I want to do it, Captain. Something awful happened to me and I don't even know what it was.
Picard: Very well.
Jev: Counselor, what's the last thing you remember the other night?
Troi: Brushing my hair.
Jev: Would you get your hairbrush?
Jev: Tell me about brushing your hair. Do you do it every night?
Troi: Yes, when I'm ready for bed.
Jev: What is it?
Troi: Someone touching my hair.
Jev: Someone's with you in the room?
Troi: No. No, I'm alone. There's no one there.
Jev: Go on.
Troi: I get some hot chocolate.
Jev: Something's happening.
Troi: I'm alone in my quarters. I'm remembering something from a few years ago.
Jev: Go back into that memory. You said someone was touching your hair?
Troi: Yes. And.
Troi: It's Will Riker. That's right. I was thinking of him.
Jev: Remembering a time when you were with him.
Troi: Yes, after a poker game.
Jev: It's a pleasant memory. Stay with it.
Troi: Now he's hurting me no.
Jev: You're frightened.
Troi: I want him to stop. It's not Will. Somebody's taken his place.
Jev: Someone else is there? Who is it?
Troi: No! He shouldn't be here. Why is he here? Stop! You're hurting me.
Jev: Can you see his face?
Troi: Yes.
Tarmin: Imzadi.
Troi: No! Stop! You're hurting me.
Inad: Who is it? Who's doing this to you?
Troi: It's Tarmin. It's your father.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45433.2. We have set a course for Starbase four forty, where the Ullians will disembark and return home.
Jev: Inad and I have contacted our home planet. If you want to prosecute my father, the authorities there will support you.
Picard: I'm not sure we have any legal basis for such a prosecution. Memory invasion is simply not a crime we've ever had to contend with.
Jev: According to what I've just learned, it's a practice that was abolished on our world centuries ago.
Picard: What could motivate someone like your father to commit such an act?
Jev: I don't know. A perverse source of pleasure, perhaps? A way to exercise control over another?
Picard: Your father claims quite strenuously that he is innocent.
Jev: My father has never been one to admit that he's wrong. But it is difficult to believe he'd be capable of this. I am told that the punishment for this crime is quite severe. We are monitoring my father's telepathic activities. You have my assurance he won't assault anyone else. I am sorry for this, Captain.
Picard: Picard to Commander Data.
Data: Yes, Captain.
Picard: How's your search coming?
Data: We have uncovered several cases, sir, but we have not yet completed our investigation.
Picard: We'll inform the medical personnel on those planets that we have discovered the true nature of the comas. I'm sure they'll appreciate knowing what
Picard: Really happened.
Data: Yes, sir. We will keep searching, sir.
Laforge: We just got the transmission from the Nel system, Data. No mention of Iresine syndrome but there are two unexplained comas on one planet, none on the other.
Data: And were the Ullians present?
Laforge: Checking the mission logs. That's funny. On stardates 45321 and 45323, when the comas occurred, Tarmin was on his home planet. He wasn't anywhere near the Nel system.
Troi: Come in.
Troi: Hello, Jev.
Jev: We'll be reaching starbase soon. I wanted to say goodbye, and to apologize again for my father.
Troi: There's no need. You're not responsible for what he did.
Jev: Before all this happened, I had hoped we might become friends.
Troi: We still can.
Jev: After what he's put you through? Maybe you can forget. I'm not sure I can. You're so lovely. I have to go. Goodbye.
Troi: Jev, you're upset. Would you like to talk?
Jev: No.
Troi: You'd feel better if you did.
Jev: Why do you have to be so nice? So lovely.
Troi: What? What's happening? It's happening again.
Jev: You're so beautiful. So fragile.
Troi: It was you. It was always you.
Jev: Have you stopped thinking about us?
Troi: No!
Troi: Don't. Don't. I won't let you!
Troi: No! No!
Data: Counselor. Are you all right?
Troi: Yes.
Troi: Why are you here? How did you know?
Data: We discovered two instances of unexplained coma on Nel Three while the Ullians were there, but Tarmin was not part of the group. Further examination revealed that only one Ullian was present at all incidents of coma. Jev.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45435.8. Doctor Crusher and Commander Riker regained consciousness while we were en route to the Ullian home world. The slow process of their recovery has begun.
Tarmin: I have asked that the finest physicians on my world meet with you all upon our return, to help you in your healing process.
Crusher: They have been in contact with us already. Thank you.
Tarmin: It has been three centuries since anyone was treated for this, this form of rape. But there are medical records from that era. It was a time of great violence among my people. A time we thought we had put far behind us. That this could happen now, it's unimaginable.
Picard: Earth was once a violent planet, too. At times, the chaos threatened the very fabric of life, but, like you, we evolved. We found to find better ways to handle our conflicts. But I think no one can deny that the seed of violence remains within each of us. We must recognize that, because that violence is capable of consuming each of us. As it consumed your son.