Laforge: Another Coco-no-no?
Christy: No thanks, I think I've had enough already.
Laforge: Yeah. Yeah, me too. Oh, I almost forgot.
Christy: Geordi. I'm sorry. I think I'd better go back.
Laforge: Too chilly? I can turn down the breeze.
Christy: No, it's been a lovely program.
Laforge: Yeah.
Christy: And you're a terrific guy.
Laforge: Yeah.
Christy: I just don't feel that way about you.
Laforge: Yeah. Knock it off.
Wesley: This was the final battle, wasn't it?
Data: Neither side intended Orelious Nine to be the decisive conflict.
Wesley: There's not much left, is there.
Data: The destruction is remarkable considering the primitive weapons of the period.
Wesley: Uh, oh.
Data: I beg your pardon, Wesley?
Wesley: Geordi had a big date with Christy tonight. He spent days putting together the perfect program. Looks like it ended kind of early.
Data: Uh, oh.
Riker: Commander Data to the Bridge immediately.
Data: Acknowledged.
Riker: We're picking up a signal, coordinates two one one mark six one.
Picard: It would seen to be an ancient interplanetary code. Mister Data?
Data: Confirmed, sir.
Riker: Survivors on Orelious Nine after all this time? Not possible.
Picard: Well, hardly possible, Number One. Lay in a course to the source of the signal.
Data: Approaching the source, Captain.
Picard: Put it on the viewer.
Worf: A Promellian battle cruiser?
Picard: With its Lang-cycle fusion engines still intact.
Data: Sensors indicate no life signs aboard, Captain.
Picard: I should hope not, Mister Data. That ship belongs in a museum. I'm afraid we're a little late. That call for help was probably initiated over a thousand years ago.
Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 43205.6. We have arrived at Orelious Nine, to chart the battle in which the Menthars and Promellians fought to their mutual extinction. Among the ruins we have found a relic, a Promellian battle cruiser that has withstood the centuries.
Picard: Indulge me, Number One.
Riker: I would prefer it if Lieutenant Worf and I were able to a security sweep of the ship first.
Picard: No. Captain's prerogative. This one's mine. We have examined every conceivable risk.
Riker: The risks on a ship this old and fragile are inconceivable, Captain.
Picard: Ghosts, perhaps? Number One, have you never dreamed of climbing inside the bottle?
Riker: Sir?
Picard: The ship in the bottle. Model air ships. I used to build them when I was a child. My God, I bet I had a Promellian battle cruiser too.
Picard: Ready to beam down to the vessel?
O'Brien: Locked on to the main bridge, Captain.
Riker: You're certain about the atmospheric conditions, Data ?
Data: There is adequate oxygen for life support, Commander.
Picard: It is exactly as they left it, Number One. In the bottle. The ship in the bottle. Good Lord, didn't anybody here build ships in bottles when they were boys?
Worf: I did not play with toys.
Data: I was never a boy.
O'Brien: I did, sir.
Picard: Thank you, Mister O'Brien. Proceed.
O'Brien: I did. I really did. Ships in bottles. Great fun.
Riker: What's that?
O'Brien: I'm not sure. The secondary power bus may need adjusting.
Riker: Keep me posted.
Picard: Extraordinary.
Worf: Admirable. They died at their posts.
Picard: Hmm. You'd expect the bridge layout of this era to be clumsy, awkward, but look at this. It's a model of simplicity. Elegant, functional. They built this craft for generations. And it worked.
Laforge: Don't you have anything stronger than this, Guinan?
Guinan: Yes.
Laforge: Would it help?
Guinan: No.
Laforge: Tell me something, Guinan. You're a woman, right?
Guinan: Yes, I can tell you I'm a woman.
Laforge: What is it that you want in a man?
Guinan: Me personally?
Laforge: As a woman. What's the first thing you look at?
Guinan: His head.
Laforge: His mind. Of course.
Guinan: No, his head. I'm attracted to bald men.
Laforge: Seriously?
Guinan: Seriously.
Laforge: Why?
Guinan: Maybe because a bald man was very kind to me once when I was hurting. Took care of me.
Laforge: I'd like to do that.
Guinan: I take care of myself these days.
Laforge: I mean, take care of somebody. I just don't get it, Guinan. I can field strip a fusion reactor. I can realign a power transfer tunnel. Why can't I make anything work with a woman like Christi? It's like I don't know what to do, I don't know what to say.
Guinan: You're doing fine with me.
Laforge: You're different.
Guinan: No, you're different.
Laforge: But I'm not trying now.
Guinan: That's my point.
Riker: What is it, Wes?
Wesley: The main power returner is acting a little weird.
Riker: Define weird.
Wesley: I'm getting fluctuating waveguide readings.
Riker: Run a maintenance sweep.
Wesley: Right.
Data: Activating power pack, Captain.
Picard: Mister Worf, be sure we get tricorder images of their tactical display.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Data: The source of the distress signal appears to be coming from up there, Captain.
Picard: Let's put an end to their last cry for help.
Data: Captain, I believe this is an information storage device. A crude analog of our isolinear optical chip.
Picard: Crude by our standards today, Data. But when this ship was built, humans on Earth were just perfecting the mechanical clock, still using steel crossbows in battle. Is there any way to see what's on this?
Data: Questionable, sir. I believe I can supply power to its playback unit, but its components are quite old. I will attempt to amplify its image with my tricorder.
Galek Sar: I am Galek Sar, Captain of the Promellian cruiser, Cleponji. I wish anyone who finds this record to know my crew has behaved courageously. I want it recorded for all time that I, alone, am responsible for the fate that befell us. I have failed as a captain, and as the man responsible for all the souls aboard my ship.
Picard: Picard to Enterprise.
Riker: Go ahead, Captain.
Picard: I think we have seen all there is to see here. At Mister O'Brien's leisure, we're ready to return.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Picard: Thrilling. That was absolutely thrilling. And I was right, Number One. There were ghosts aboard that old ship. One of them actually spoke to us.
Riker: A friendly one, I hope?
Picard: My own counterpart. The captain's final message, praising his crew.
Riker: I hope you'll be as thoughtful when the time comes.
Picard: Mister Data, advise the Astral Five annex. This should be catalogd and scheduled for retrieval.
Data: Aye, sir.
Troi: I'm sorry, Captain, it's just a rare pleasure to meet this side of your personality.
Picard: Mister Crusher, set course for the original coordinates.
Wesley: Yes, sir.
Data: Captain, we are experiencing a two percent drop in energy reserves. Compensating.
Riker: We were having a few problems while
Worf: Readouts indicate we are being bombarded with a field of high intensity radiation.
Riker: Shields up.
Data: Captain, energy loss increasing to five percent.
Picard: Yellow Alert.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Data: Energy loss increasing, sir.
Picard: Mister Crusher. Reverse course. Full impulse power.
Wesley: No response, sir.
Picard: Increase speed to warp one.
Wesley: Engines are not responding, Captain.
Riker: Mister La Forge.
Riker: We need warp power now!
Laforge: Matter-anti matter mixture ratio settings at optimum balance Reaction sequence corresponding to specified norms. Magnetic plasma transfer to warp field generators per program specs. Commander, we should be going like a bat out of hell.
Data: Power loss now at twelve percent, Captain.
Picard: Red alert.
Worf: Radiation intensity increasing.
Laforge: We'd better slow these engines down before we burn out the reaction chamber.
Riker: Slow to idle, Geordi.
Picard: Is it possible we've fallen into the same snare that killed them? A thousand year old booby trap?
Laforge: With the engines idling, the energy loss has been limited, but our reserves will be depleted in less than three hours. We won't be able to hold our shields in place.
Picard: Mister Worf, have you been able to identify the source of the radiation?
Worf: No, sir. The radiation field is so strong it interferes with our sensors.
Picard: And no apparent explanation for the energy loss?
Laforge: No, sir.
Riker: Is there anything in the history books, Data, that could give us a clue?
Data: There are many fascinating records of Menthar battle strategy. They were exceptionally innovative. In fact, they were the first to use the Kavis Teke elusive maneuver as well as the passive lure stratagem that is comparable to Napoleon's
Riker: Any mention of a situation like this?
Data: No, sir.
Riker: I recommend that I return to the cruiser with an away team.
Laforge: They didn't have much success with this problem, Commander.
Riker: No, but they knew who their enemy was better than we do. They may have known what caused the trouble. They just didn't know how to get out.
Picard: Agreed. Mister Worf, what would be the impact of lowering the shields long enough to get the away team out?
Worf: Negligible.
Laforge: Won't do much for our energy conservation, Captain.
Picard: That's your job, Commander La Forge. Determine some way to keep the Enterprise up and running. Data, you join Commander Riker on the away team. Find out what happened on that ship.
Laforge: So why can't we move? Computer. As we increased our power levels, was there any counter-reaction?
Computer: Affirmative. The opposing force grew in direct proportion to the power output of the Enterprise.
Laforge: So it kept us from forming a subspace field for the warp drive?
Computer: That is correct.
Laforge: Computer, who is this L. Brahms?
Computer: Doctor Leah Brahms, engineer. Graduate of the Daystrom Institute Theoretical Propulsion Group. Galaxy class starships, team seven, junior member.
Laforge: Junior member, huh? Looks like she wrote the book on propulsion. Call up subspace design logs.
Computer: Select menu. Visual records or L. Brahms' voice entries.
Laforge: Voice entries.
Leah: Theoretical propulsion logs, Federation Starship Enterprise, Galaxy class. Heading, Subspace. Author, Leah Brahms.
Laforge: Geordi La Forge. How're you doing, Doc?
Leah: Specify program.
Laforge: Yeah, down to work. You're absolutely right.
Crusher: I recommend we evacuate and seal off all non-operational areas, and group the families and crew on the odd-numbered decks.
Picard: Proceed.
Crusher: I'd also like to set up an assembly area for treating radiation symptoms in case it's needed.
Picard: After the shields fall, how long before fatal exposure?
Crusher: Thirty minutes. After that, there is nothing that can be done.
Riker: Away team to Enterprise. Captain, we may have found something. There's a file of memory
Riker: Coils here.
Data: They are identical to the coil we found earlier, Captain.
Picard: The
Picard: Captain's log, perhaps?
Riker: That's what we were thinking.
Picard: Mister Data, are they in working condition?
Data: I believe so, sir.
Data: We can enhance them through the image processor in the ship's computer.
Picard: Good. Return at once.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Laforge: Computer, generate a cross section image of the dilithium crystal chamber. What about re-orienting the crystal?
Leah: It is possible to reorient the crystal. The key lies in adjusting the lattice structure direction. This modification will be integrated into the next class starship.
Laforge: Sorry, can't wait. You and me, Leah, we've got just two hours to figure this thing out. You know what I need to do? I need to get inside there. I need to be able to turn that thing inside out. Computer, is there a cross section image we can replicate on a holodeck?
Computer: Select menu. Design specifications or prototype schematic.
Laforge: Prototype? Elaborate.
Computer: A development stage prototype schematic at Utopia Planitia. Drafting room five of the Mars Station, Stardate 40174.
Laforge: Perfect. Recreate it in holodeck three. Stay with me, Doc.
Laforge: Ready, computer?
Computer: Holodeck three program is ready.
Laforge: Damn. Right back where it all started. Whoa, this is incredible. Leah, did you design this?
Leah: The dilithium crystal chamber was designed at outpost designated Seran T One, Stardate 40052. Some of the Federation's best engineering minds participated in its development.
Laforge: That's the visiting dignitary talk. What's the inside story? Off the record.
Computer: Access denied. Personal logs are restricted.
Laforge: Great. Another woman who won't get personal with me in the holodeck. Leah, I want to find a way to supplement the energy supply to the ship and to the engines. Could we alter the matter-antimatter paths?
Leah: Theoretically, yes. The system should be able to accept more reactants at a faster rate of injection.
Laforge: Well, this is your baby. Show me which ones.
Laforge: Computer, did I ask for a simulation?
Computer: Affirmative. You asked Doctor Brahms to show you which system could accept reactants at a faster rate. By accessing available imagery, an adequate facsimile was possible.
Laforge: I did do that, didn't I? Okay, well, it's good to see you, Leah. Continue your analysis.
Leah: Systems L-452 through L-575 will accept reactants, providing all other systems are calibrated to an equal factor.
Laforge: Then, if we use multiple injector streams, hitting more than one crystal facet, we could do it, we could hold our own. Leah, you're beautiful. La Forge to Picard.
Picard: Go ahead.
Laforge: Captain, we've found a way to extend the matter-antimatter energy supplies.
Picard: Well done, Mister La Forge.
Riker: Geordi, can you give us enough power to get us out of here?
Laforge: Sorry, Commander, we haven't addressed that one yet. First priority was to maintain the shields.
Riker: Acknowledged.
Laforge: We'll get to work on it right away, Sir.
Picard: Pass my congratulations to the rest of your team.
Laforge: Thanks, Captain. We're all smiles down here.
Data: Captain. We've been able to verify that these coils are the logs of the Promellian captain, but most of them have decayed and cannot be repaired.
Riker: Can you get any playback at all?
Data: On most, there are brief sections which may yield some information.
Riker: Do the best you can, Data. Let's just hope we can get the section we need.
Picard: Surely he must have logged the cause of the ship's death. What captain wouldn't?
Riker: All found in an open locker? I don't think he was too concerned with security.
Laforge: 452 through system L-575.
Computer: Adjustments to dilithium crystal chamber complete.
Laforge: Impact analysis, computer.
Computer: Warp energy has increased fourteen percent. Reactants per unit time remaining steady.
Laforge: Yes! All right! Computer, do you have any, you know, personality on file for Doctor Brahms?
Computer: Starfleet personality profile analysis, stardate 40056.
Laforge: Did she ever debate at the intergalactic caucuses on Chaya Seven?
Computer: Doctor Brahms attended Chaya Seven caucuses on the following stardates
Laforge: Never mind the dates. Computer, if you add data from all these sources, could you synthesize a true representation of Doctor Brahms?
Computer: There would be a nine point three seven percent margin of error in the interactive responses from the facsimile.
Laforge: I can live with that. Do it. Doctor Brahms?
Leah: Geordi, it's me, Leah. Don't start calling me Doctor Brahms or I'll call you Commander La Forge.
Laforge: Right.
Leah: Now, we've managed to maintain energy but we can't leave it in this realignment forever without burning out components, so we need to move quickly.
Leah: Are you with me?
Laforge: Yeah. Yeah! Yeah!.
Galek Sar: We have been stripped of all propulsion, and our weapons are useless. We cannot move and we cannot fight. The ship is being lashed with lethal radiation from the aceton assimilators concealed in the wreckage surrounding the
Picard: Aceton assimilators?
Data: Aceton assimilators are a primitive generator which can drain power from distant sources.
Riker: Generators?
Data: It would not be difficult to modify them to convert energy into radiation.
Riker: The Menthars hide them in floating debris. An unsuspecting enemy ship flies in. Instant booby trap.
Picard: And now we're supplying the devices with the energy to kill us.
Laforge: No, no, no!
Leah: Will you listen to me!
Laforge: You can't boost the warp power that way!
Leah: You can just increase the speed of the parallel subspace field processor to gain a quicker response time
Laforge: I want to give us enough power to strengthen the shields and barrel out of here, not blow us up!
Leah: This is my design we're talking about. I did all the calculations myself.
Laforge: I don't care if you built it with your bare hands out of an old Ferengi cargo ship, it's going to go and we're going with it.
Leah: I am not used to having people question my judgment.
Laforge: And I'm not used to dying. Okay, look. You worked in a lab on a static model. This is a working machine. It's got tens of thousands of light years on it.
Leah: True.
Laforge: Damn right. Listen, we'd never be certain that the circuit paths are sealed.
Leah: You're good. Very good.
Laforge: I know my ship. Inside and out.
Leah: Well then you must know me inside and out. 'Cos a lot of me is in here.
Laforge: You know, I always wished that a Chief Engineer could be present when a ship is being built.
Leah: That's what's wrong with designers. We never get out in space.
Laforge: Well, you're there now.
Riker: Commander La Forge to the Bridge.
Laforge: On my way, Commander. Don't go away. I mean, computer, save program.
Picard: How many devices do we think we're dealing with, Mister Data?
Data: To create this radiation field would take several hundred thousand, sir.
Riker: They've been out there a long time, Data. There must have been some deterioration.
Data: There is no way to precisely calculate that, Commander, but it is likely.
Picard: Is there any indication of a weakness in a specific part of the field?
Worf: Nothing substantial, Captain.
Picard: Of any kind.
Worf: There is a point one percent dip in the strength of the radiation field at two one mark eight by four two mark zero.
Picard: I want that point one percent.
Riker: I recommend we fire directional phasers at those coordinates.
Laforge: We won't be able to maintain energy reserves. We might even lose a few circuits in the new configuration.
Picard: How critical will the losses be?
Laforge: Not enough to shut down our engines, but if we don't make it I don't know that I can hold the shields.
Data: There is also the possibility that the phasers will supply the assimilators with what they need most. Energy.
Picard: You know, I imagine a very similar discussion taking place on our neighbor ship over a thousand years ago. Let's hope our decisions are more successful than theirs were. Mister La Forge, I want you to return to Engineering and continue with your efforts without delay. Mister Worf, prepare the phasers.
Worf: Phasers locked on coordinates.
Picard: Fire.
Riker: Nothing.
Worf: Radiation levels increasing. Eight percent. Ten percent.
Data: Energy reserves are dropping rapidly, sir.
Picard: Damn you.
Laforge: Wouldn't that increase the output of the subspace processors to gain a quicker response time?
Leah: The processors can handle the extra input.
Laforge: Yeah, but how do we reconfigure?
Computer: Energy reserves reaching critical stage. Standard procedure requires termination of all simulations.
Laforge: Computer, override standard procedure.
Computer: Override authority restricted.
Laforge: What? Computer!
Laforge: The crystal lattice is breaking down. We'll have to pick up repairs when we can reach a starbase.
Riker: The optimist of the group.
Picard: How long do we have shields based on current calculations?
Worf: Under two hours, Captain. And the radiation field has increased by seventeen percent.
Picard: So what impact will that have on fatal exposure?
Crusher: Down to twenty six minutes.
Riker: If we resist, we die. If we don't resist, we die.
Picard: Mister La Forge, have we shut down all non-essential energy usage?
Laforge: Yes, sir. In fact, I need to get some back. I'm running a program on holodeck three.
Picard: For what purpose?
Laforge: Well, I've gone back to the beginning
Laforge: To the earliest construction entries of the Enterprise. I've created a propulsion design model to assist me.
Laforge: I believe we're making progress.
Picard: Computer, reinstate holodeck three program.
Computer: Holodeck three program is reinstated.
Picard: Mister La Forge, your best suggestion in an hour.
Picard: Picard out.
Laforge: Computer, resume holodeck three program.
Computer: Enter when ready.
Leah: There isn't much time left.
Laforge: Somehow we have to generate enough energy to get out of here, but we've got a booby trap that eats energy for breakfast. How do we fool it, block it, shut it down, anything? Okay, we know for every movement the Enterprise makes, there's a counter movement by the energy field. Can we use that to our advantage somehow?
Leah: Maybe. There must be a time differential between the force and counter force. If we can just make quick, continuing adjustments in the linkups before the counterforce reacts, we might just be able to move this bucket.
Laforge: Yeah. Yes! Leah, you like Italian food?
Leah: Like it? Wait till I make you my fungilli.
Laforge: Okay. Fusion reactor uplink to navigation processor.
Laforge: But then we have to adjust the vector processor and the drive coils. This is impossible.
Laforge: Don't do that.
Leah: I'm sorry. I thought it would feel good.
Laforge: I don't want to feel that good right now. What time is it?
Leah: Coming up on sixteen hundred hours.
Laforge: God, what am I supposed to tell the Captain? It's possible and yet it's not possible. Everything we've done says we can't adjust that fast, but if we could, it might work.
Leah: I could do it.
Laforge: Data couldn't even do it. It'll take a hundred, maybe even a thousand adjustments every second. How are you going to do it? It's humanly impossible.
Leah: I'm not human.
Laforge: You mean the computer could do it.
Laforge: Captain. Captain, this is a holographic simulation of one of the propulsion experts who designed the Enterprise engines. Leah Brahms. We've, I've been examining the force-counter force response times, trying to see if we could create linkage at maximum power.
Picard: And?
Laforge: There's a chance we could maneuver out of this trap if we turn the ship over to the computer.
Picard: What kind of chance?
Laforge: I don't know yet, but we could program it and try it out on a few simulated runs.
Picard: And this is the only way?
Laforge: I think so, sir.
Picard: Come.
Riker: Any word from La Forge?
Picard: He's come up with something that may give us a chance, if we agree to stay out of it. He proposes to turn total control of the ship over to the computer because it is capable of making quicker adjustments than any human being.
Riker: Computers have always impressed me with their ability to take orders. I'm not nearly as convinces of their ability to creatively give them.
Picard: You know, Number One, you missed something not playing with model ships. They were the source of imaginary voyages, each holding a treasure of adventures. Manning the earliest space craft, flying a airplane with only one propeller to keep you in the sky. Can you imagine that? Now the machines are flying us.
Computer: End simulation. Fatal exposure.
Laforge: Computer, reduce thrust levels another four percent. Adjust trajectory angle to compensate. Begin simulation again.
Leah: There you go. We got out.
Laforge: Repeat simulation, same levels.
Computer: End simulation. Fatal exposure.
Laforge: You see? Same variables, only this time the computer didn't quite make it.
Computer: Deflector shield failure. Lethal radiation levels. Fatal exposure in twenty six minutes.
Leah: It might work, Geordi.
Laforge: And it might not. I can't ask Captain Picard to turn the ship over to a computer.
Leah: It's all we've got.
Picard: Picard to La Forge.
Laforge: Captain.
Laforge: Two minutes. Give me just two minutes.
Laforge: There is another way, Captain. Two minutes, please.
Picard: Two minutes, Mister La Forge. Picard out.
Leah: Geordi, there's no other way.
Laforge: No, no, wait. Listen. Turn it completely around. Literally. Come at it from the opposite direction. God, it's so simple it might even work. Okay, computer, new simulation.
Laforge: Everything we've tried to do has been based on overpowering the trap. More energy, faster adjustments. But that's exactly what we can't do because that's what we're supposed to do. That's the booby trap. The answer lies in our own computer, the mind. The best piece of engineering we'll ever need.
Picard: But didn't your researches indicate a thousand adjustments per second would be required?
Laforge: Not if we shut everything off. One blast of everything we've got left for a microsecond to beat the inertia and then we shut it all down, except minimal life support and two thrusters. No impulse engines. No computer.
Riker: One propeller, Captain?
Computer: Deflector shield failure. Lethal radiation levels. Fatal exposure in twelve minutes.
Picard: Have you analyzed the risk factor?
Laforge: The numbers say it's even money. It's no better than turning it over to the computer, but no worse either. But I say forget the numbers. There's no way the computer can compensate for the human factor. The intuition, the experience.
Picard: And the wish to stay alive. Make it so.
Laforge: I've run the simulations, Captain. If you want, I'll take the conn.
Picard: Thank you, Mister La Forge, but you've done your job. Now I must do mine. I relieve you, Mister Crusher.
Wesley: Yes, sir.
Riker: All hands, this is Commander Riker. We are about to engage impulse engines for a short burst. Inertial dampers are on manual. They may not fully compensate for acceleration. So brace yourselves.
Computer: Deflector shield failure. Lethal radiation levels.
Riker: Computer, discontinue radiation warning till further notice. It's all yours, sir.
Picard: Thank you, Number One. Firing impulse engines.
Data: Impulse engines are down.
Laforge: Shutting down all systems.
Data: Velocity is one hundred thirty five meters per second.
Worf: We will be entering the debris field in eight seconds.
Data: Starboard thruster firing.
Riker: Coming to heading three four zero mark one zero.
Data: Thruster is off.
Riker: Captain, that large mass to port may contain an assimilator.
Data: Port thrusters firing.
Worf: No reaction from the assimilator.
Riker: Okay, we're over the first hurdle.
Worf: Sir! Object to port.
Data: Port thruster is firing. Sir, the gravitational attraction of the various masses has reduced our velocity by eight percent. By my calculations, we no longer have sufficient momentum to clear the debris field.
Picard: Thank you, Mister Data.
Data: The asteroid's gravity is drawing us closer. Velocity is increasing. Velocity still increasing. Now at two hundred and nineteen meters per second. Starboard aft thruster. You have used the asteroid's gravitational pull as a slingshot. Excellent.
Riker: We're out. We got through.
Picard: You have the conn, Mister Crusher.
Wesley: Yes, sir.
Picard: Initiate full restart. Put all systems back online.
Laforge: With pleasure, sir.
Picard: Number One, make sure that booby trap doesn't bother anyone again.
Riker: Mister Worf, ready photon torpedoes. Set to detonate on impact with the Promellian vessel.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Laforge: You know, I've always thought that technology could solve almost any problem. It enhances the quality of our lives. Lets us travel across the galaxy. Even gave me my vision. But sometimes you have to turn it all off. Even the gypsy violins.
Leah: Violins?
Laforge: Different program.
Leah: We made a good team.
Laforge: Maybe we can do it again some time.
Leah: I'm with you every day, Geordi. Every time you look at this engine, you're looking at me. Every time you touch it, it's me.
Laforge: Computer, exit holodeck. End program.


Riker: Placing beam-out marker. Return transport, fourteen minutes, forty seconds. Is your view any better, Geordi?
Laforge: Not too bad, Commander. A lot of charged-particle precipitation, but I can compensate.
Worf: Communicators are dysfunctional.
Riker: Tricorders?
Worf: Readings only valid within five meters.
Riker: Good thing we didn't bring Data. We'd be unscrambling his circuits for a week.
Laforge: Commander! Picking up something on the positron scan. Over here. Some electrically conductive objects.
Riker: Recognize those markings, Worf?
Worf: Yes, sir. Romulan.
Riker: What the hell are they doing in a Federation sector?
Laforge: Picking up traces of ultritium residue. An explosive device must've been used to destroy the craft after it crashed.
Riker: All right, let's spread out. Twenty five meter radius. Our window back closes in twelve minutes.
Worf: Commander!
Worf: Commander Riker!
Worf: Four minutes to beam-up.
Riker: Where is he? Wait here.
Laforge: Worf! Worf! Commander Riker!
Riker: Geordi! Geordi!
Laforge: Worf! Commander Riker!
Riker: Hold your position, Mister Worf.
Laforge: Worf!
Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 43349.2. An unidentified distress signal has led to the discovery of a crashed Romulan vessel on the surface of Galorndon Core, a Federation planet. We have recovered one survivor, but Lieutenant Commander La Forge did not report back with the away team and is still missing.
Crusher: Get him to Sickbay.
Worf: Secure Sickbay. Post a guard in visual contact at all times.
Crusher: He's not going anywhere, Lieutenant.
O'Brien: I'm sorry, Commander. There's just no way to lock in on anything down there.
Riker: Keep trying, O'Brien.
O'Brien: The electrical storm's creating thousands of ghosts.
Riker: Well beam some of those ghosts back. One of them may be Geordi. Permission to lead another away team, sir.
Picard: Denied. When we get another window in the storms. The crash site?
Riker: The Romulan craft is a total loss. There's nothing there to salvage unless you want to use tweezers.
Picard: No sign of others?
Riker: You couldn't see two meters in front of yourself down there.
Picard: It certainly is the last place one would expect Romulan encroachment. On the other hand, Galorndon Core would provide ideal cover for an opening move of a new offensive.
Riker: I doubt if they were there for the climate.
Crusher: We thought it would be like working on Vulcans, but there are subtle differences. Too many of them.
Picard: Can you treat him?
Crusher: He has cell damage to vital areas. He's going to need a transfusion of compatible ribosomes in order to recover. I'm setting up a schedule to test every member of the crew.
Picard: We can't use the replicator?
Crusher: The molecules are too complex.
Riker: Will he survive?
Crusher: I can't answer that yet.
Riker: Well let me put it another way. Will he survive long enough to tell us what he was doing here?
Picard: Doctor, it's an important consideration.
Crusher: I can bring him around for a few minutes. But there is one serious complication. His brainwaves indicate early neural-pathway degeneration.
Riker: Head injury?
Crusher: There's no obvious cranial trauma. I'm guessing his exposure to the magnetic fields on the surface was slowly breaking down his synaptic connections.
Riker: Will it affect Geordi the same way?
Crusher: He'll be conscious for a minute or two.
Riker: You are on board the Federation Starship Enterprise. We're treating your injuries. How long were you down on Galorndon Core? Do you understand me?
Patahk: I will not answer questions.
Riker: We need to know if there are other survivors on the surface.
Patahk: I am alone. I will not answer any questions.
Riker: Do you have a mother ship who should be advised of your condition?
Picard: The only answer he wants to give is that he was alone.
Riker: Which suggests that he wasn't.
Riker: Something, anything to can cut through the storm. Some way to get a signal through to him.
Wesley: A neutrino pulse. We could build a portable neutrino source and send it in a probe to the planet surface. It'll act like a beacon.
Data: A neutrino pulse would send non-charged particles back up through the atmosphere and would be detectable by Geordi's Visor.
Wesley: He can show us that he's found it by modifying the pulse
Picard: Make it so.
Data: Captain, I have a new transmission on a parallel frequency to the distress call.
Picard: From the surface?
Data: No, sir. From inside the Romulan Zone. We should be able to view the transmission.
Picard: On screen.
Tomalak: Tomalak to Pi. We have received your distress signal. Respond. If you can hear me, we are entering the Neutral Zone now. We will reach you in six hours.
Picard: Mister Worf, hail the Romulan vessel.
Worf: Hailing frequencies open, sir.
Picard: Romulan vessel, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise.
Worf: The frequency is open, sir.
Picard: Commander Tomalak, we have intercepted your transmission. You are not to enter Federation space.
Tomalak: Captain Picard, my apologies. Had I known you were in this sector, I certainly would have advised you before crossing the Neutral Zone.
Picard: Indeed?
Tomalak: I'm sure you will understand when I explain. One of our ships had a slight navigational error and apparently crashed on Galorndon Core.
Picard: A slight navigational error? Nearly half a light year past the Neutral Zone?
Tomalak: I assure you, Captain, no aggression was intended.
Picard: Commander, we have recovered one of your survivors.
Tomalak: He is on board your ship?
Picard: He is being treated for severe injuries.
Tomalak: And his craft?
Picard: Destroyed, deliberately, after the crash.
Tomalak: I'm sure you are prepared to leave at once and rendezvous with me in the Neutral Zone.
Picard: I have an away team on the planet. We are waiting for a window in the storm to beam them up.
Tomalak: And then you will return my officer?
Picard: Are there any other Romulans we should be looking to recover from Galorndon Core?
Tomalak: No. It was a one-man craft. Captain, we will be at the Federation border of the Neutral Zone in roughly five hours. We will expect you to rendezvous at that time.
Picard: Counselor?
Troi: There's great hostility behind his smile. He'll stop at nothing to complete his mission.
Riker: Including the Neutral Zone border.
Worf: Captain, I see no reason to return the Romulan to his ship. He should be held and interrogated.
Riker: We have every right to detain him, sir.
Picard: Without evidence of intent, Number One, it will not be a simple matter.
Riker: It obviously wasn't pilot's error. I think it demands a response from us.
Picard: But we must measure our response carefully, or history may remember Galorndon Core along with Pearl Harbor and Station Salem One as the stage for a bloody preamble to war.
Crusher: I want him off all the drugs. They're not doing anything. Doctor Crusher to Picard.
Picard: Go ahead, Doctor.
Crusher: My patient is not responding
Crusher: To treatment.
Picard: You haven't found a compatible ribosome donor?
Crusher: The lab is still processing the tests. Early results indicate humans have far
Crusher: Too many bio-rejection factors. I've also ruled out the Vulcans we've tested.
Crusher: I think I'll try a little old-fashioned country medicine. Keep the fever down, try to let the body heal itself.
Picard: Keep me advised. Picard out.
Wesley: Captain, the neutrino beacon is operational, and we've placed it aboard a class three probe.
Picard: Well done, Ensign. Mister Worf, launch the probe.
Worf: Aye, aye, sir.
Worf: Probe has reached the surface, sir.
Data: The neutrino stream is coming in strongly. Sensors are tracking the probe despite the interference.
Laforge: A stationary neutrino source. Wesley Crusher. Thank you, Wesley.
Bochra: You are my prisoner.
Laforge: Right. Congratulations. Surely a strategic triumph for the Romulan Empire.
Bochra: Stay there.
Laforge: My shoes are getting full of sand. I just hate that, don't you?
Bochra: Name and rank.
Laforge: Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge. I don't think I got yours?
Bochra: A Romulan ship will arrive shortly. You will accompany me on board.
Laforge: I don't think so. You see, we heard your message too and well, the fleet's in, Commodore. Sky's full of Federation ships.
Bochra: You're lying.
Laforge: I never lie when I've got sand in my shoes, Commodore.
Bochra: Get up.
Laforge: Seriously, the only one way out of here is for you to put that thing down and soon as there's a window in the storm
Laforge: Are you okay?
Laforge: You gotta be kidding.
Bochra: Sit.
Laforge: Welcome to Galorndon Core, where no good deed goes unpunished.
Worf: Yes, Doctor?
Crusher: Lieutenant, good. Come in. Please sit down. We have finally found a compatible ribosome match for the Romulan. But only one. You.
Worf: That is impossible. I am a Klingon.
Crusher: Different species, yes. But many humanoids have comparable cell structures. And you have what this Romulan needs. There's absolutely no risk to you. You did understand that was the purpose of all the testing?
Worf: I have no objection to tests.
Crusher: You have an objection to being a donor?
Worf: Yes.
Crusher: Lieutenant, I understand your feelings about the Romulans, but this is not the time or place.
Worf: If you had seen them kill your parents, you would understand, Doctor, it is always the time and place for those feelings.
Crusher: This Romulan didn't murder your parents. And you are the only one who can save his life.
Worf: Then he will die.
Laforge: I sure wish you'd put that away.
Bochra: You're afraid of dying.
Laforge: You bet I am. Who isn't?
Bochra: I'm not.
Laforge: Right.
Bochra: To die in the service of my people.
Laforge: Ah, the Romulan path to glory.
Bochra: You can be sarcastic now, but in a few millennia, when humans are extinct and the Romulan Empire spans the galaxy.
Laforge: You really believe that stuff, don't you, Commodore?
Bochra: You may address me as Centurion Bochra.
Laforge: Bochra? Good, solid Romulan name. What's the matter?
Bochra: Nothing.
Laforge: Wrong. Your heart rate just shot way up. It translates a wide range of radiation into neural impulses. Allows me to see.
Bochra: Without it, you're blind?
Laforge: Yes.
Bochra: How did this happen?
Laforge: I was born that way.
Bochra: And your parents let you live?
Laforge: What kind of question is that? Of course they let me live.
Bochra: No wonder your race is weak. You waste time and resources on defective children.
Laforge: Whoa. I must be having some sort of polarity shift. The diagnostic insists everything's fine. Hey, hey, your body temperature's gone up another full point.
Bochra: What are you saying?
Laforge: I don't know. It must be this place, all that electromagnetic soup, it's wreaking havoc on our nervous systems. Your metabolism's messed up, so's my interface with the Visor. We've got to get out of here while we still can.
Bochra: Sit down.
Laforge: Bochra
Bochra: Sit down!
Riker: What is that?
Wesley: It's just a background fluctuation, Commander. He hasn't found it yet.
Riker: Then he must be hurt or dead. When does our next window open up, Mister Data?
Data: There is no indication, Commander. I have no way to predict.
Worf: Incoming Romulan transmission, Captain.
Riker: They're early.
Data: The Romulan warbird should still be twenty nine minutes away from the edge of the Neutral Zone.
Picard: Close enough, however, to see we're not there. On screen.
Tomalak: Picard, I'm approaching the Federation border and the Enterprise is not to be found. Why?
Picard: My away team is unable to leave the surface because of the storms.
Tomalak: And my officer?
Picard: He is alive.
Tomalak: His life remains in jeopardy?
Picard: Yes.
Tomalak: And yet you will still not permit me to cross into your precious Federation space to retrieve him?
Picard: If the point hasn't been made clearly, Commander, let me make it again. Romulan warships do not enter Federation space unless they are prepared to do battle.
Tomalak: But a mission of mercy?
Picard: A mission to recover one of your officers who has been caught on a Federation planet for reasons as yet unknown.
Tomalak: I have already explained.
Picard: And I have rejected your explanation.
Tomalak: Territories! You would measure territories against a man's life?
Picard: Commander, I am singularly impressed by your concern for a life. Do not risk any more lives by leaving the Neutral Zone. Picard out.
Laforge: Bochra. Bochra, you're in bad shape and my vision's getting worse. Now there's a beacon out there that'll get us back to my ship, but not if I can't find it.
Bochra: I cannot surrender to the Federation.
Laforge: Then stay here and die.
Bochra: If the situation were reversed would you not die to avoid capture?
Laforge: I don't know. I might, if I thought it was necessary. If the stakes were high enough. But they'd have to be pretty damn high. I guess I'd make a pretty lousy Romulan, huh?
Bochra: I no more wish to die than you do.
Laforge: Bochra, there are times when it is necessary to die for one's ideals. Do you believe this is one of those times?
Laforge: Come on. Let's go find that beacon. Whoa!
Bochra: What is it?
Laforge: Everything's gone blank. I'm blind.
Riker: Come. Worf.
Worf: You are busy. Forgive my intrusion.
Riker: For what it's worth, I understand your bitterness.
Worf: With respect, sir, you cannot. I am asked to give up the very lifeblood of my mother and my father to those who murdered them.
Riker: Must you blame all Romulans for that?
Worf: Yes.
Riker: Forever? What if some day the Federation made peace with the Romulans.
Worf: Impossible.
Riker: That's what your people said a few years ago about humans. Think how many died on both sides in that war. Would you and I be here now like this if we hadn't been able to let go of the anger and the blame? Where does it end, Worf? If that Romulan dies, does his family carry the bitterness on another generation?
Worf: Then you believe I should?
Riker: What I believe doesn't matter.
Worf: My Starfleet training tells me one thing, but everything I am tells me another.
Crusher: Lieutenant Worf, report to Sickbay.
Worf: Acknowledged.
Crusher: Lieutenant, his life is coming to an end. I thought it important for you to see him again. It's not too late to change your mind.
Patahk: Come close to me, Klingon. Let me die with my hands at your throat.
Worf: There is a substance within my cells which you need to survive.
Patahk: Then you've come to hear me beg for my life?
Worf: No.
Patahk: I would rather die than pollute my body with Klingon filth!
Bochra: I've lost almost all feeling in my legs.
Laforge: My synapses must be turning to jelly. The Visor's fine. I just can't see a thing.
Bochra: How do we locate the beacon?
Laforge: We don't.
Bochra: Do all humans give up so easily?
Laforge: Bochra, we're lost, unless you've got something that can smell neutrinos.
Bochra: We have the sensor device you are carrying.
Laforge: Tricorder? It's not set up to detect neutrinos.
Bochra: Your eye device does. Connect them.
Laforge: That's crazy. They don't speak the same language. Besides, I'd never be able to get an accurate sampling. Wait a second. Wait, I wouldn't need an accurate sampling, just need a pointer. A neutrino Geiger counter. No, it's still not possible.
Bochra: You cannot do it?
Laforge: Under normal circumstances, maybe. Here, no way.
Bochra: Why?
Laforge: Because I can't see. Adapting the neural output pods of the Visor is tricky work. It can't be done by touch.
Bochra: Then I will be your eyes.
Data: The storm is beginning to subside, Captain. We should have a window in less than an hour.
Riker: There's still no indication that he's found the beacon, sir.
Picard: Assemble an away team.
Riker: Yes, sir.
Worf: Captain, the Romulan warship has crossed the Neutral Zone border. It is in Federation space and heading toward us.
Picard: Belay that order, Number One. Red alert.
Laforge: Make sure the scanner select limiter matches the Visor output range.
Bochra: Not so fast.
Laforge: Now, place the neural output pods in contact with the tricorder scanner heads.
Bochra: Ready.
Laforge: Let her rip.
Bochra: Bearing three five zero.
Laforge: We did it! The first Federation-Romulan co-venture.
Bochra: The storm may be breaking.
Laforge: With any luck, there'll be an electromagnetic window opening up and we can get out of here.
Bochra: At which point, I'll be your prisoner.
Laforge: Can you walk?
Bochra: I don't know.
Laforge: Let's find out. Come on. Okay, let's go.
Bochra: Straight ahead.
Laforge: Okay.
Bochra: To the right.
Picard: Come.
Worf: You wished to see me, Captain.
Picard: Yes, Lieutenant. I assume you know what it's about.
Worf: Yes.
Picard: The Romulan ship will reach us within the hour. If our patient dies it may be just the excuse the Romulan commander needs to start an incident. The death of a Romulan officer at the hands of the Federation. Think of it.
Worf: I have, Captain.
Picard: So, there is no question that the Romulan officer is more valuable to us alive than dead.
Worf: I understand.
Picard: Lieutenant, sometimes the moral obligations of command are less than clear. I have to weigh the good of the many against the needs of the individual, and try to balance them as realistically as possible. God knows, I don't always succeed.
Worf: I have not had cause to complain, Captain.
Picard: Oh, Lieutenant, you wouldn't complain even if you had cause.
Worf: If you order me to agree to the transfusion, I will obey, of course.
Picard: I don't want to order you. But I ask you. I beg you to volunteer.
Worf: I cannot.
Picard: Lieutenant.
Worf: Sir?
Picard: That will be all.
Picard: Picard to Doctor Crusher.
Crusher: Go ahead.
Picard: Do not continue to enlist the cooperation of Lieutenant Worf.
Crusher: I won't have to, Captain. The Romulan has died.
Bochra: We've found it!
Laforge: Now we have to alter its signal pattern so the Enterprise knows we've found it.
Bochra: Will that be difficult?
Laforge: No, not with your help.
Data: Scanners are showing a window, Captain.
Picard: Expected duration?
Data: Nine minutes, forty seconds, sir.
Wesley: No change in the neutrino beacon signal, sir.
Worf: Romulan ship approaching. Bearing three fifty four mark two eight seven.
Picard: On screen.
Worf: Entering phaser range. We are being hailed, sir.
Picard: On viewer.
Tomalak: You have one chance to escape destruction, Picard. Return my officer at once.
Picard: Commander, you have entered Federation space despite my warning.
Tomalak: You forced the situation. I will not leave without him.
Picard: He's dead.
Tomalak: Then he is but the first to fall, Picard.
Worf: The Romulan ship is routing power to its forward disruptor array.
Picard: All shields to maximum.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Lock phasers on target.
Worf: Phasers locked and ready.
Wesley: Captain, the signal pattern from the neutrino beacon is modulating.
Troi: It's Geordi.
Riker: We can't transport him with the shields up.
Worf: If we lower our shields, the Romulan will strike.
Data: The electromagnetic window on the planet is closing, sir. Three minutes remain.
Picard: Transporter room, lock onto the neutrino beam and stand by.
O'Brien: Standing by, Captain.
Data: The window is allowing intermittent sensor readings. There are still numerous ghost images, but I believe we are picking up two life forms near the beacon.
Riker: Another Romulan?
Data: I cannot say. The electromagnetic interference prevents an accurate reading.
Picard: But it's a likely hypothesis, Number One. If Commander La Forge has located a second survivor. Lieutenant, hail the Romulan vessel.
Worf: Aye, sir. They're ignoring our hail, sir.
Picard: Repeat the hail all channels. You see, they have no way of knowing how accurate our sensors are. Put on your best poker face, Number One. Open a frequency. Commander Tomalak. It would appear our away team has rescued a second man from your one man ship. We're preparing to beam them to the Enterprise. After which, of course, we will return the survivor to you.
Worf: No acknowledgement, sir.
Picard: Commander, both our ships are ready to fight. We have two extremely powerful and destructive arsenals at our command. Our next actions will have serious repercussions. We have good reason to mistrust one another, but we have better reasons to set our differences aside. Now, of course, the question is, who will take the initiative? Who will make the first gesture of trust? The answer is, I will. I must lower our shields to beam these men up from the planet surface. Once the shields are down, you will of course have the opportunity to fire on us. If you do, you will destroy not only the Enterprise and its crew, but the cease-fire that the Romulans and the Federation now enjoy. Lieutenant, lower the shields. Leave the hailing frequency open.
Worf: Yes, sir. Shields down.
Picard: Mister O'Brien, transport Mister La Forge and the Romulan directly to the Bridge.
O'Brien: Aye, sir. Energizing.
Worf: Security team to the Bridge.
Picard: Belay that order, Lieutenant. Shields up. No one is going to harm you.
Laforge: You have my word on that.
Picard: Well, Commander?
Tomalak: If he has been in any way mistreated.
Bochra: I have given them no information, Commander, but I have not been mistreated. In fact, this human saved my life.
Picard: Tomalak, how is it possible you didn't know of the second Romulan on Galorndon Core?
Tomalak: A simple misunderstanding, Captain Picard. I was obviously misinformed as to the size of the craft. I assure you I intended no deception.
Picard: Of course not.
Tomalak: You doubt my good faith?
Picard: Let's just say my faith would be strengthened by a gesture from you, such as powering down your disruptors.
Worf: Disruptors powering down.
Picard: Thank you. Cancel Red alert, Lieutenant. Commander, we shall return your officer and escort your ship to the Neutral Zone.
Tomalak: That is acceptable.
Picard: Good to have you back, Commander.
Laforge: Good to be back, sir. Actually, I have Centurion Bochra to thank for it.
Picard: Indeed. Commander La Forge and Lieutenant Worf, escort our guest to transporter room one.
Laforge: Yes, sir. Come on.
Riker: Close call.
Picard: Too close, Number One. Brinksmanship is a dangerous game.


Troi: Computer, dispatches.
Computer: A research enquiry from the Manitoba Journal of Interplanetary Psychology and three communiqués from your mother.
Troi: Transfer the letters from my mother to the viewscreen. And, computer, I would like a real chocolate sundae.
Computer: Define real in context, please.
Troi: Real. Not one of your perfectly synthesized, ingeniously enhanced imitations. I would like real chocolate ice cream, real whipped cream
Computer: This unit is programmed to provide sources of acceptable nutritional value. Your request does not fall within current guidelines. Please indicate whether you wish to override the specified program?
Troi: Listen
Picard: Picard to Counselor Troi.
Troi: Now what? Yes, Captain?
Picard: The pleasure of your company is requested, Counselor. We're having a little impromptu reception for the arriving delegates.
Troi: Captain, I'm not really dressed for a reception.
Picard: Oh, Counselor
Picard: Just throw on any old thing. We're about to get our first look at the wormhole.
Troi: Of course, Captain. I'm on my way.
Troi: God forbid I should miss my first look at the wormhole.
Riker: May I escort you, Miss Troi?
Troi: Just tell me there's some chocolate here.
Picard: Ah, Counselor Troi. Will you allow me to do the introductions? This is Premier Bhavani of Barzan. Counselor Deanna Troi.
Troi: Your discovery has produced a great deal of excitement, Premier.
Bhavani: Hopefully, it will also produce a new era of prosperity for my people.
Mendoza: We'll see to that.
Picard: You know Mister Mendoza, the Federation negotiator.
Mendoza: A pleasure to see you again, Counselor Troi.
Picard: This is a worthy Federation competitors in the bidding, Leyor of the Caldonians.
Leyor: Madame.
Ral: And I'm Devinoni Ral.
Troi: Ship's Counselor Deanna Troi.
Mendoza: My good friend, Ral, is the best hired gun in the business.
Troi: Hired gun?
Ral: My good friend Mendoza means that I'm a negotiator who serves a variety of clients. On this particular occasion I represent the Chrysalians.
Bhavani: I believe it's almost time, isn't it Captain?
Picard: Indeed. It will be visible directly ahead.
Mendoza: Is it always on time, Bhavani?
Bhavani: Always. We see it every two hundred and thirty three minutes. Our scientists say it's due to radiation buildup in the accretion disk. The visible burst is very brief.
Bhavani: There it is, ladies and gentlemen, the first and only stable wormhole known to exist. It's yours, for the right price.
Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 43385.6. We are orbiting Barzan Two, which is entertaining bids for control of what appears to be a stable wormhole, which could provide a permanent shortcut to the distant Gamma Quadrant.
Bhavani: And as you all know, the environment on my planet is completely inhospitable to most other life forms. So I'd like to express my appreciation to you, Captain Picard, for hosting these negotiations. The Barzan has been a society dependent on others for generations. We want that to end. The appearance of this stable wormhole in our space provides us with our first true natural resource. We have neither the experience nor the technology to exploit it. But you do.
Riker: Excuse me. There's a delegation of Ferengi who wishes to be beamed aboard, sir.
Picard: Were you expecting the Ferengi, Premier?
Bhavani: No, but I do not wish to create ill will, Captain. If they are interested in bidding, I have no objection.
Picard: Chief O'Brien, this is Captain Picard. Will you beam the Ferengi directly to the Observation lounge?
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
Goss: On behalf of all Ferengi, I protest. Why were we not invited to these negotiations?
Bhavani: My apologies. We did not anticipate your interest. You're welcome to join us.
Goss: My name is DaiMon Goss. These are my consuls, Kol and Doctor Arridor. We'll need chairs.
Picard: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise. I'm serving as host for these proceedings.
Goss: Good, then see to it that we get chairs.
Picard: Let me explain.
Goss: Fine, fine, just have your Klingon servant get us some chairs.
Worf: I am in charge of Security.
Goss: Then who gets the chairs?
Picard: DaiMon, due to the delicate nature of these negotiations, all parties have agreed that one representative would suffice. Now I will be happy to provide your consuls with accommodations and you may have my chair.
Goss: Very well.
Picard: Premier.
Goss: Kol, the bag.
Riker: Gentlemen, this way.
Goss: We can handle all the pleasantries later. Now, let's get down to business.
Goss: I'll match anyone's best offer, and add the gold on top of it.
Computer: Devinoni Ral, human. Age forty one. Born Brussels, European Alliance. Relocated at age nineteen to Hurkos Three.
Troi: Come in.
Ral: Should I call for an appointment ?
Troi: No, I was just looking over some personnel files.
Ral: Well, that's too bad. I thought you might be thinking about me.
Troi: I thought you'd be deep in negotiations by now.
Ral: In recess. I never play the opening rounds, anyway. Inconsequential. Besides there are much better things to negotiate on this ship. Like dinner tonight?
Troi: What about your traveling companion?
Ral: My traveling companion is traveling. I sent her home.
Troi: Why?
Ral: You know why.
Troi: Weren't you getting along?
Ral: Don't do that.
Troi: What?
Ral: Don't do Counselor Troi.
Troi: Was I?
Ral: Yes, you were. When you leave this office, who are you? Oh. So that's how it goes. You never do. You never do leave the office.
Troi: What
Ral: Shush.
Ral: Dinner at eight?
Data: The data from the Barzan's probe of the wormhole are quite impressive, Captain. The wormhole delivered the probe beyond the Denkiri Arm, in the Gamma Quadrant.
Picard: It would take nearly a century at warp nine to cover that distance.
Data: The same distance could be achieved in a matter of seconds through the wormhole.
Riker: Imagine the Ferengi collecting tolls if we lose to them.
Mendoza: I don't think the Ferengi are the greatest threat at the table. With all of DaiMon Goss' bluster, they don't have the resources the Barzans need.
Riker: I think that Devinoni is the one that we need to watch out for.
Mendoza: An accurate observation. How did you recognize that?
Riker: He was the most one in the group.
Mendoza: You must play poker, Commander.
Riker: Poker? Is that a game of some sort?
Picard: Commander Riker conducts masterclasses in poker.
Mendoza: Our skills are not dissimilar, Commander.
Picard: Mister Mendoza, if this lives up to its billing, it will be a discovery of extraordinary value. But it is a big if.
Riker: A wormholes is there one moment, and then gone the next. A stable wormhole is unheard of.
Mendoza: Are you saying this may not be what it seems?
Data: The Barzans do not have manned space travel, so they had to resort to an automated probe. Its findings are limited. It cannot be determined from these charts how stable the wormhole really is, or how long it will remain intact.
Picard: The Federation could wind up buying a proverbial lemon.
Data: Proverbial lemon?
Picard: Later, Data.
Mendoza: And of course that means, once the contract is negotiated and closed, we would be obliged to fulfilll the terms.
Riker: We think we should take a look for ourselves.
Mendoza: I don't think Bhavani could object to that.
Riker: Geordi has continuous visual contact with the wormhole, Captain. I think he's the logical choice.
Data: I would also like to volunteer, sir.
Picard: Nobody's going in there until we have done a full sensor analysis. I want to do everything possible to determine that it's safe, and when I am satisfied, then you, Data, and Commander La Forge will enter the wormhole tomorrow.
Arridor: Just a moment of discomfort for a good cause, DaiMon. You understand this will not be lethal.
Goss: Doctor, you surprise me. I have no wish to kill anyone. A short term crippling will suffice.
Arridor: Then, this will be just fine.
Arridor: A distilllation of your own blood pyrocytes. Harmless to you. Undetectable by the ship's bio-filters, but when absorbed through your victim's skin, it will provoke an extreme allergic reaction.
Goss: I'd say it is time to extend the hand of the Ferengi to the representative of the Federation.
Ral: Much better.
Troi: Thank you. Come in for a drink?
Ral: Ah, Federation decor.
Troi: Not your style?
Ral: Well, conformity is not my style.
Troi: What would you like?
Ral: I'd even like another. There she is again, Counselor Troi.
Troi: I'm not. Computer, champagne.
Ral: For two. Am I moving too fast for you?
Troi: No, I'm moving too fast for me.
Ral: I like that better.
Troi: I haven't been able to stop thinking about you all day.
Ral: You must have had a nice day.
Troi: Anticipation is fun. We'll be late for dinner.
Ral: Very late.
Crusher: Mister Mendoza.
Mendoza: I seem to be a bit warm.
Crusher: I need some help here
Goss: You attempt to gain every unfair advantage, Picard.
Picard: Premier Bhavani has no objection.
Goss: Well, I most certainly do. First, you conveniently arrange to play host, then you plan to send your own manned probe into the wormhole. The Federation thinks it can do anything it wants to. Well, I will not tolerate it!
Picard: I will gladly share the results of our exploration with all the delegates.
Goss: And you expect us to believe what you report?
Riker: Then send in your own probe, Goss.
Goss: That's exactly what I intend to do. And I should strongly suggest you stay out of our way.
Picard: Tell Data and La Forge to do themselves a favor, and stay out of their way.
Crusher: Captain Picard, please come to Sickbay.
Picard: Acknowledged, Doctor.
Crusher: Whatever he's got is obviously not life threatening. It's some kind of system-wide histaminic reaction. He certainly can't go back to negotiations for several days.
Picard: Will you keep me informed?
Picard: The Federation's top negotiator taken out by a mysterious ailment. Suspicions?
Riker: With the Ferengi around? Always.
Picard: You'll have to fill in, Number One.
Riker: Me?
Picard: Well, I'm the designated host. It would be a most awkward transition. You're the next likely choice. And Mister Mendoza will certainly agree. He's quite impressed by your natural instincts.
Riker: Excuse me, sir, but those weren't natural instincts. Those were poker instincts. A card game doesn't exactly prepare me for this.
Picard: Yes, the stakes are higher. But then, isn't that when the game gets interesting, Commander?
Wesley: The wormhole will reappear in thirty seconds, sir.
Worf: The Ferengi pod is moving into position.
Picard: Shuttle nine, stand by.
Laforge: Ferengi pod, this is Lieutenant Commander La Forge in the Enterprise shuttle.
Arridor: This is Doctor Arridor, go ahead.
Laforge: Would you care to take the point, Doctor?
Arridor: We will gladly yield that honor to you, Lieutenant Commander.
Laforge: You know, if this doesn't work, the thought of spending the rest of my life in here is none too appealing.
Data: There is a bright side, Geordi. You will have me to talk to.
Data: It is visible, Captain.
Picard: Proceed when ready.
Data: and intense energy fields which appear to be stabil
Wesley: They've traveled beyond our communication capabilities, sir
Riker: A complete analysis of our bid is available on the ship's computer for your consideration.
Ral: Commander, I realize what a difficult position this must be for you. If you don't understand something, I hope you won't be too embarrassed to ask me.
Riker: I think I have an idea what the rules are.
Ral: Well, that's what makes it so interesting. The rules of the game change to fit the moment.
Riker: Not unlike commanding a starship, Mister Ral.
Ral: Well, Mister Riker's placed a great deal of emphasis on defense, a subject he obviously knows well, having served Starfleet in a number of conflicts. Now, the Chrysalians, we're enemies to no one, and we choose to remain that way. Neutral.
Riker: Neutral, and uninvolved, sir, in virtually all interstellar matters of consequence.
Ral: No one would claim that the Chrysalians are as powerful as the mighty Federation, but we have resources, and technology, and scientists too. But we also have had peace for ten generations.
Ral: You know, I was thinking.
Troi: Mmm?
Ral: Maybe I could stretch out these negotiations for a few days. Would you like that?
Troi: Mmm-hmmm. Devinoni Ral. Who are you?
Ral: Well, what do your Betazoid senses tell you about me?
Troi: Not much. My human physical response must be blocking them out.
Ral: Good.
Troi: It never happened to me before.
Ral: I rather like it that I'm more difficult to read than your other men.
Troi: There aren't any others. Currently.
Ral: What about Commander Riker?
Troi: Who have you been talking to?
Ral: No one. No one. I just sensed something when I saw the two of you together.
Troi: Will Riker and I are good friends.
Ral: Ah ha.
Troi: It was once a little more than that.
Ral: Ah.
Troi: How come we're talking about me instead of you?
Ral: Don't you have enough people talk about their lives to you? Who counsels the Counselor?
Troi: Oh no, I want to know about you.
Ral: I'm what you see right now. Just me, wanting to run away with you, but knowing you'd never leave this damned ship.
Troi: When I first saw you, I felt as if I'd been waiting for you. I'm trying to understand why or how that's possible.
Ral: Does it matter? Well, it will when I tell you. But you must promise never to tell anyone else.
Troi: What?
Ral: I am part Betazoid too. My mother was one half, I am one quarter.
Troi: You're empathic?
Ral: The only one of five children. I must admit I was never as comfortable sensing emotions as you seem to be.
Troi: That's why you left Earth.
Ral: Yes. I learned to live with it, use it, as you have. But still, it isolates us, doesn't it? And I thought it would always would, so I tucked my heart away. I didn't need it, I didn't want it. At the negotiating table, it can be fatal to have a heart. But I never realized how much I needed mine until I looked at you.
Laforge: I'm picking up an increase in accretion matter filtering in from the terminus.
Data: Monitors are functioning normally again.
Laforge: Ferengi pod, everybody in one piece over there?
Arridor: Our condition is no concern of yours, Enterprise shuttle. We are competitors in this venture, not partners.
Arridor: Ferengi pod, out.
Laforge: Yeah, happy landings to you, too.
Data: Curious. We are not where we are supposed to be.
Laforge: What do you mean? We're on the other side of the wormhole, aren't we ?
Data: According to the Barzan probe, we should be in the Gamma Quadrant but these readings clearly indicate we are nearly two hundred light years away in sector three five five six of the Delta Quadrant.
Laforge: Maybe the Barzan readings were wrong.
Data: Perhaps the readings were correct. Their probe could have exited the wormhole at a completely different location.
Laforge: Data, my Visor's picking up subatomic fluctuations. Meson and lepton activity is definitely increasing.
Data: Gravitational acceleration is also increasing.
Laforge: Something very strange is happening to this wormhole.
Troi: Sorry.
Crusher: You're unusually limber this morning.
Troi: I'll say. Devinoni Ral. It's ridiculous, and wonderful. I feel completely out of control. Happy. Terrified. But there's nothing rational about this.
Crusher: Who needs rational when your toes curl up?
Troi: I'm afraid I'm going to lose myself. I can't get enough of him. Is it possible to fall in love in one day?
Crusher: I did.
Troi: It was like this for you and Jack?
Crusher: No, it was another fellow. I fell in love in a day, it lasted a week. But what a week. Then I met Jack. It took months to figure it out with him.
Troi: Well then, maybe I should slow down. Catch my breath. Not let this get out of control. CRUSHER +
Troi: No.
Ral: To be honest, I was surprised to see the Caldonians here at all, Leyor.
Leyor: You must think Caldonia very insular, Mister Ral.
Ral: Oh, no, no, not at all. Not at all. On the contrary, I've respected your world's commitment to pure research. It's just that, well.
Leyor: Go on, please.
Ral: Well, scholars don't always enjoy administrative demands. And certainly we've seen here that the administration of the wormhole is
Leyor: Yes, I must admit, I have begun to feel some trepidation about that.
Ral: Yes. Yes, I'm sure you have, Leyor. I'm sure we all have. Do you realize that in the next century, the number of ships that will pass
Bhavani: Gentlemen, this open session is called by request of the Caldonian delegation.
Leyor: Madame Bhavani, Caldonia withdraws from these proceedings.
Bhavani: For what reasons, Leyor?
Leyor: It has been made very clear that the maintenance and administrative requirements are beyond our abilities.
Riker: Leyor, the Federation would like to negotiate a trade agreement in which we could acquire your planet's rich deposits of trillium 323 which we would add to our bid, Premier Bhavani.
Leyor: My apologies. We have already reached an agreement with the Chrysalians.
Riker: Mister Ral? You either had very good instincts, or foreknowledge of the Caldonian withdrawal.
Ral: Some people just don't wish to transact business with the Federation, Commander. The Chrysalians hereby add the Caldonian trillium 323 to its bid, Premier.
Laforge: I'm telling you, it's changing.
Laforge: I can see it with my Visor.
Arridor: I have no intention of leaving yet. We have not finished taking our readings.
Laforge: Listen, Doctor.
Laforge: Your readings must be telling you the same things we're getting. This is not the Gamma Quadrant.
Arridor: I will not confirm your speculations.
Data: This is not a speculation, Doctor. We are not where the Barzans said we should be, which would indicate
Data: This side of the wormhole is not stable.
Laforge: There are meson and lepton fluctuations. Local gravitational fields are increasing exponentially. Everything says we'd better get the hell out of here.
Arridor: It will be visible again in forty seconds. We will make our own judgments then.
Laforge: I can see it now and I'm telling you that you don't have time to wait. Not even forty seconds.
Arridor: Ferengi pod out.
Laforge: Damn it, Arridor, we're seventy thousand light years away from our ships. Come on, now. Follow us in. We'll lead you.
Laforge: Idiots. It's getting worse. I'm taking us in, Data. With or without them.
Data: Thrusters at half power. Three quarters.
Laforge: Entering outer event horizon.
Arridor: They panic quickly under pressure. There, precisely as scheduled. Right where I expected it to be.
Troi: Everyone was talking today about the way you absorbed the Caldonian bid.
Ral: Well, the opening was there. I took it
Troi: Commander Riker didn't know how you managed it.
Ral: Let me tell you something about Commander Riker. He's good. He's the most dangerous man in the room to me.
Troi: But he doesn't have an edge. Your edge.
Ral: Our edge. You make it sound unethical.
Troi: Isn't it?
Ral: Deanna, it's just business.
Troi: Why haven't you told anyone you're an empath?
Ral: Because I find it makes people uncomfortable.
Troi: I think you don't tell them so you can gain an advantage.
Ral: Well, I gained an advantage by using it with you. You didn't seem to mind that. Look, Deanna, the point of negotiating is to take advantage. I don't know what the other side is offering, and they don't know what I'm offering. So we dance around each other until somebody wins. I never cry foul when I lose.
Troi: But you're reading their emotional states, their inner selves, and then using that to manipulate them.
Ral: Well, people have been doing that for thousands of years, just by listening carefully, by watching body language. I just happen to be better at it. You do it.
Troi: I do it to help my crew, not outmaneuver them. And I don't hide that I'm an empath.
Ral: Oh, so you announce it to every alien culture you encounter? Or do you use it to give your side an advantage. Do you tell the Romulan that's about to attack that you sense that he may be bluffing? Or do you just tell it to your Captain?
Troi: That's different. That's a matter of protection.
Ral: Yes, protection. Your protection, your Captain, your crew, your edge. Yes. Now it's a matter of life and death when you take the advantage. Me, I deal in property. Exchanges. No body gets hurt. So you tell me, which one of us would you say has more of a problem with ethics? Excuse me.
Ral: May I join you, Commander?
Riker: Bought out the Ferengi yet, Ral?
Ral: Think I should give it a try?
Riker: No, but I think that you will. One way or another, it's going to come down to you and me.
Ral: You know, you're very good at this. Very good. Much better than you realize.
Riker: I hope I'm better than you realize.
Ral: The last mile of the marathon is always the toughest. That's when the winners are willing to take the big risks. Are you willing to do that?
Riker: We'll see, won't we?
Ral: Well, let's see now. I'm prepared to reach a firm agreement with Bhavani before we learn the outcome of your probe's expedition. Are you? Well, well, well. That would not be looked upon favorably by the Federation, I'd imagine. See, you have to be willing to take that last step alone or it just isn't worth playing.
Riker: Your point of view, not mine.
Ral: Oh, I see that, Commander, I see that. Otherwise you wouldn't be second in command of this starship. You know, I feel responsible for you in a way. Related. Deanna. We both love Deanna. Oh, in different ways, of course.
Riker: I will remove the burden of that responsibility right now. My relationship with Deanna stands very well on its own without any help from you.
Ral: Of course it does. Of course it does. It's just that, well, she's an extraordinary woman. Brilliant. Lovely. Very passionate. And she could have been yours, Will, but you just didn't do enough to keep her. And now, well, I'm here, and I'm going to take her too.
Riker: That's the first bad play I've seen you make. If you can bring happiness into Deanna's life, nothing would please me more. You know, you're really not such a bad sort, Ral, except you don't have any values, beyond the value of today's bid, that is. Deanna is just the woman to bring some meaning to your sorry existence, if you're smart enough to take it. I doubt that you are. To the last mile.
Worf: Sir, the Ferengi vessel is moving out of orbit. Impulse power They are approaching the entry to the wormhole, sir.
Picard: Computer, is the Ferengi Goss still on board the Enterprise?
Computer: DaiMon Goss departed the Enterprise at fourteen hundred hours.
Worf: They are powering forward missile launchers, sir.
Picard: Yellow alert. Hail the Ferengi.
Picard: Request an explanation of your actions, DaiMon Goss.
Goss: I've learned from informed sources that the Federation has manipulated these negotiations from the very beginning, and has already signed a secret agreement with the Barzans.
Picard: That is not true.
Goss: The Ferengi offer was never seriously considered.
Picard: Premier Bhavani welcomed you to these proceedings, despite my better judgment.
Goss: We will be ignored no longer.
Worf: They've fired a missile directly at the opening, sir.
Picard: Destroy it.
Worf: On screen. Firing phasers.
Bhavani: Your offers both have merit, gentlemen. if I could find a deciding factor
Riker: Riker to Picard. What's happening, Captain?
Picard: Goss has fired a missile at the wormhole.
Picard: I need you on the Bridge, Number One.
Riker: Excuse me.
Ral: Excuse me for saying so under the circumstances, Premier, but this fight is really between the Federation and the Ferengi. Now it seems unconscionable that your wormhole is being used as a pawn in their power struggle.
Picard: You must know we will not allow you to do this.
Goss: If the Ferengi cannot have the wormhole, no one will.
Picard: A missile will have no destructive effect on a wormhole, but if it should explode near the shuttlecraft they will be destroyed.
Goss: Casualties of war, Commander. My men are prepared to die. Are yours?
Troi: Captain, he's lying. I'm almost sure of it. He doesn't mean what he says.
Riker: Why? What is he doing it for then?
Bhavani: Permission to enter the Bridge, Captain.
Picard: Premier, with all due respect
Ral: Captain, I believe I am in a better position to settle this with DaiMon Goss than you are. May I address him?
Picard: Premier.
Ral: DaiMon Goss, this is Devinoni Ral.
Goss: I have nothing to say to you, Ral.
Ral: Well then, just listen. The planet Barzan has reached an agreement with the Chrysalians for long term control of the wormhole. Now on behalf of the Chrysalians, I am prepared to offer the Ferengi free access to the wormhole in perpetuity.
Goss: I have your word on this?
Ral: Yes, my word, sir, in exchange for Ferengi convoy privileges to be negotiated in good faith.
Goss: This is an acceptable offer.
Worf: Ferengi vessel has shut down its forward missile launcher.
Picard: Stand down red alert.
Bhavani: Commander Riker. I'm sorry you had to learn about my decision this way. You represented the Federation well, but I have come to believe that the Chrysalians' tradition of peace is more desirable to my planet.
Troi: Excuse me, Premier. There's something you should know. I'm sorry, was there something you wanted to say?
Ral: No, not at all.
Troi: I sensed you suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Ral: Well, after all, it was a very tense situation.
Troi: But that's what's so odd. It wasn't tense at all. In fact, I sensed no tension from you or Goss.
Goss: But I was tense! I was ready to blow it up! I strongly protest!
Picard: Screen off.
Troi: It was as though you were performing a scene for all of us.
Ral: Pardon me, Captain, I believe there's a slight conflict of interest here.
Troi: I agree, entirely. Mister Ral asked me not to tell anyone he has empathic powers which he uses to manipulate his competitors in a negotiation. And yes, it did put me in a conflict of interest, which I hope I have now resolved. Premier, I believe Ral has used your fear of continuing aggression between the Federation and its enemies to undermine our position. I also believe that this incident was staged by Ral and Goss to provide you a reason to choose in favor of the Chrysalians.
Wesley: Captain, it's the shuttlecraft. They're coming back through.
Laforge: Shuttle nine to Enterprise.
Picard: On screen.
Laforge: This is shuttle nine reporting in.
Laforge: Barely.
Picard: And the Ferengi pod, Commander?
Laforge: Trapped on the other side, sir.
Laforge: In the Delta Quadrant. We tried to warn them. They wouldn't follow us.
Picard: Elaborate.
Data: Captain, this end of the wormhole is currently stable, but the other end apparently shifts positions periodically.
Data: The Barzan probe had no way to recognize this. Eventually, both sides will be unstable.
Laforge: It's a dry well, Captain. Worthless.
Picard: Acknowledged, Shuttle. Main shuttlebay, prepare for final approach.
Crewman: Aye, sir.
Worf: Captain, DaiMon Goss is demanding to know where his men are.
Picard: Advise him to set his coordinates for the Delta Quadrant. He may run into them in eighty years or so.
Riker: Mister Ral, congratulations on winning the rights to the Barzan wormhole.
Ral: I take the risks, Mister Riker, and I stand by my agreements.
Troi: Come in. When do you leave?
Ral: Soon. I've been recalled by the Chrysalians. Explanations demanded and so forth.
Troi: I'm sorry.
Ral: I've done well for them over the years. They understand the stakes. It'll be fine. I had to do it, Troi. Bhavani was ready to go with the Federation. I sensed it. I'd used up every card in the deck. I needed to change the rules.
Troi: You must have known I couldn't allow you to do that
Ral: My human physical response must have been blocking my Betazoid senses. I'm very grateful for what you did, in a way. It's made me take a hard look at who I am. I don't like what I see. I once asked you to run away with me. Now I'm asking again. I need you. You could help me change. You could be my conscience.
Troi: I already have a job as Counselor. If you want to know what happens to Arridor and Kol in the Delta Quadrant, here is the tale.