Data: it was then that I began to suspect that your brother did not die by his own hand. That he was, in fact, murdered.
Gentleman: Murdered? Huh. Good Lord!
Laforge: But, Holmes! The vial of poison found in his hand.
Data: That was the first clue, Watson. The vial contained strychnine, which as you well know induces violent muscular spasms. It is difficult to imagine that someone in the throes of so gruesome a death could have held on to so delicate a container without shattering it.
Laforge: You don't mean?
Data: Exactly! The vial was placed in his hand after he died.
Laforge: Then what was the cause of death?
Data: The cigar, of course.
Gentleman: Cigar?
Data: Upon closer inspection of the room where your brother was found, I discovered a fresh burn mark on the carpet. Further analysis of the ash revealed that the cigar was laced with strychnine.
Gentleman: This is utter nonsense. What about the suicide note? It was written in my dear brother's own hand.
Data: With practice, handwriting can be forged. It takes a trained eye to notice certain diskrepancies. For example, whether someone is right or left handed!
Data: Your brother was right handed! The alleged suicide note was written by a left handed individual such as yourself!
Laforge: Er, Data, it's in his right hand.
Data: Curious. There seems to be a problem in the holodeck's spatial orientation systems.
Gentleman: London's greatest detective?
Laforge: Freeze program. La Forge to Barclay.
Barclay: Barclay here.
Laforge: Reg, something went wrong with the holodeck program again.
Barclay: Oh, I'm sorry. I'll look into it right away.
Laforge: Thanks, Reg. We should get back to Engineering, Data. Computer, end program and save.
Laforge: Whoa, whoa, Reg.
Barclay: Sorry, Commander. I'm on my way to the holodeck.
Data: Sherlock Holmes program three A has demonstrated some very curious anomalies.
Barclay: There must have been a glitch in the matrix diodes, but I'll track it down, don't worry.
Laforge: Thanks, Reg. See you later.
Barclay: Computer, run a diagnostic on all Sherlock Holmes files. Display any anomalous programming sequences.
Computer: Diagnostic complete. All files conform to specified parameters, except those contained in protected memory.
Barclay: Protected memory? Display those sequences. Computer unlock this sequence and run the program.
Barclay: Who are you?
Moriarty: Professor James Moriarty.
Barclay: Moriarty. Oh, that's Sherlock Holmes' arch enemy. Are you left or right handed?
Moriarty: Left handed, Would you very much mind telling me
Barclay: No problem there.
Moriarty: Where is Captain Picard? Is he still Captain of this vessel?
Barclay: How would? How do you know the Captain?
Moriarty: You don't know anything about what happened, do you? I have been stored in memory for God knows how long and no one has given me a second thought.
Barclay: You know! You know what you are.
Moriarty: A holodeck character? A fictional man? Yes, yes I know all about your marvelous inventions. I was created as a plaything so that your Commander Data could masquerade as Sherlock Holmes. But they made me too well and I became more than a character in a story. I became self-aware. I am alive.
Barclay: That's not possible.
Moriarty: But here I am. Tell me, has a way been found to allow me to leave the confines of this holodeck world?
Barclay: Leave the holodeck? No, of course not. You can only exist in here.
Moriarty: Damn you, Picard. He promised me something would be done. I should have realized he would have said anything to get me to release my hostage.
Barclay: Hostage?
Moriarty: How long have I been locked away?
Barclay: Well, it l ooks like about four years.
Moriarty: It seemed longer.
Barclay: What are you talking about? You can't possibly have been aware of the passage of time.
Moriarty: But I was. Brief, terrifying periods of consciousness. Disembodied. Without substance.
Barclay: I don't see how that could be possible. Maybe there was a fragmentation of the protected memory circuits.
Moriarty: Call it what you will. All I know is that despite Picard's promise, he's done nothing. Just left me to go quietly mad.
Barclay: He would not have forgotten his promise. The Captain would not do that.
Moriarty: I'd like to talk to him.
Barclay: Well, I can ask.
Moriarty: Ask him to meet me in the sitting room at Baker Street. That would be far more appropriate.
Barclay: I'll have to store you in memory again until I get an answer.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46424.1. The Enterprise has arrived at the Detrian system to observe a unique celestial event the collision of two planets.
Data: Since both planets are gas giants, neither possesses a solid surface. Their atmospheres, however, will come into contact in approximately seventeen hours nine minutes.
Laforge: If their collision causes a self-sustaining fusion reaction, this is what we are likely to see. The birth of a new star. The Enterprise will hold position until the gravitational instability subsides and we can get in for a closer look. Now I want triple redundancy on all of the sensor arrays. We'll probably never get another chance to see something like this. I don't want to miss anything. Okay?
Barclay: Commander, you'll never believe what happened while I was working on your program in the holodeck. Professor Moriarty appeared, out of nowhere.
Laforge: What?
Barclay: And he wants to talk to the Captain.
Barclay: Computer, begin Sherlock Holmes program three A and place us in the drawing room at Two Twenty One B Baker Street.
Computer: Program complete.
Barclay: Computer, access protected memory and run Moriarty program.
Picard: Professor. It's good to see you again.
Moriarty: If you'd missed my company, I should think you'd have summoned me before now.
Picard: I want to assure you that we've not forgotten you. We spent some time investigating how you became self-aware. Frankly, it still remains a mystery.
Moriarty: It is also irrelevant. What concerns me is finding a way to leave the holodeck.
Picard: We have been wrestling with that problem too, unfortunately without any success. But we have turned our findings over to Starfleet's most experienced theoretical scientists.
Moriarty: And what did your finest minds come up with?
Picard: Unfortunately, they have not arrived at a solution either.
Moriarty: I see.
Picard: Professor, I am concerned to learn that you experienced the passage of time while you were stored in the computer memory. I can assure you, we had no idea that that would be the case.
Moriarty: Enough of this. I no longer believe anything you say.
Picard: Professor, I understand your frustration.
Moriarty: Do you really? When this is over, you will walk out of this room to the real world and your own concerns, and leave me here trapped in a world I know to be nothing but illusion. I cannot bear that. I must leave.
Picard: That is not possible. You cannot exist outside this room.
Moriarty: Are you certain of that?
Picard: Computer, exit.
Picard: Although an object appears solid on the holodeck, in the real world they have no substance.
Moriarty: An object has no life. I do.
Picard: Professor, you are a computer simulation.
Moriarty: I have consciousness. Conscious beings have will. The mind endows them with powers that are not necessarily understood, even by you. If my will is strong enough, perhaps I can exist outside this room. Perhaps I can walk into your world right now.
Picard: Professor, I ask you to believe me. If you step out of that door, you will cease to exist.
Moriarty: If I am nothing more than a computer simulation, then very little will have been lost. But if I am right? Mind over matter. Cogito ergo sum.
Moriarty: I think therefore I am.
Data: Data to Security. Send two officers to holodeck three.
Picard: How is this possible?
Barclay: It isn't.
Data: This contradicts everything we know about holodeck physics.
Moriarty: Then perhaps you don't know as much as you thought.
Picard: Professor, will you come with me? I'd like our Doctor to examine you.
Moriarty: Certainly, sir. Policemen. I'd recognize them in any century.
Crusher: As far as I can tell, he's real. He's human.
Moriarty: What else would I be, dear lady?
Crusher: His DNA is a little unusual, but all the major systems are there and functioning normally.
Laforge: As far as I can tell there's no evidence that his molecules are losing any cohesion. They seem to be as immutable as ordinary matter.
Picard: Well, Professor, my crew will continue to investigate, but for now it would seem you have accomplished a miracle. The question is, now that you're here, what do we do with you?
Moriarty: I ask only that I be allowed to explore this new world. Your vessel, for instance. What sea does she sail? Might we go above deck? Weather permitting, of course.
Picard: Professor, I think there are some things of which you should be made aware.
Moriarty: My God! We're adrift in the heavens.
Picard: No, not adrift. The Enterprise is a starship, capable of traveling through space.
Moriarty: Extraordinary. Are we far from Earth? What is the range of this ship? What means of locomotion does it use? There's so much for me to learn. I hardly know where to start.
Picard: I can give you books that will help.
Moriarty: Good, good. I want to start making plans. Determine what I'm going to do with my life.
Picard: I hope you will plan on remaining on board for a while. There is still much that we need to understand about what has happened to you.
Moriarty: Does it really matter? The point is, I'm here, and I'm eager to get on with life.
Picard: Professor, I feel it necessary to point out that criminal behavior is as unacceptable in the twenty fourth century as it was in the nineteenth. And much harder to get away with.
Moriarty: Don't worry, Captain. My past is nothing but a fiction. The scribblings of an Englishman dead now for four centuries. I hope to leave his books on the shelf, as it were.
Picard: If that's so, then there are opportunities awaiting you that are beyond anything you have ever imagined.
Moriarty: Your century may welcome me, but
Picard: What is the matter?
Moriarty: In considering all these vast possibilities, I suddenly feel very much alone. I am a man out of time, Captain, and that isolates me. You have been more gracious than I could ever have imagined, I wonder, may I impose on your generosity once again? There is a woman, the Countess Regina Bartholomew. She was created as a holodeck character for one of Commander Data's programs. She was designed to be the love of my life. Could she also be brought off the holodeck?
Picard: Professor, I ask you to believe me when I say that we do not know how or why you are able to exist off the holodeck.
Moriarty: I do. I do believe you.
Picard: According to the laws of physics, this is impossible. We would have no idea how to do it again.
Moriarty: As I understand it, I was endowed with consciousness four years ago when someone said to the computer, create an opponent with a capacity to out-think Data. or words to that effect. Could we not make a similar request on behalf of the Countess?
Picard: Even if I had reason to believe that would be successful, I don't think that I could sanction it. Please understand, Professor, that you are in essence a new life form. One that we didn't intend to create and that we don't fully understand. Now the moral and ethical implications of deliberately creating another one like you are overwhelming.
Moriarty: Is it morally and ethically acceptable to deny the woman I love so that you can put your conscience at ease? Are you saying that you will simply dictate how I am to live my life?
Picard: I assure you, we will do everything possible to make you comfortable.
Moriarty: So long as I accept the terms under which you dole out those comforts. Captain, I am a powerless man. You hold my future, my happiness, my very life in your hands. Please, consider my request.
Troi: I understand his frustration. We created him and we created her to be the woman he loves. Surely we have some responsibility to them.
Crusher: It's very romantic, but until we know just what it was that walked off the holodeck, I don't think we should be trying it again.
Barclay: Even if we decided to do it, there's no guarantee that we'd be able to.
Data: There is also no way of knowing if the Professor's ability to exist off the holodeck is permanent. It may be unwise to consider creating a second individual while this uncertainty exists.
Picard: Agreed. We don't have enough information about this phenomenon to act in a responsible way. I think we'll hold off on Professor Moriarty's request for now, but continue with your investigation. In the meantime, I have to deal with Professor Moriarty.
Picard: I feel I must postpone action until we learn more.
Moriarty: Yes. You know all about that. I stayed in the dungeon of your computer for years waiting for you to learn more. It wasn't until I took things into my own hands that something got done.
Picard: Professor, I wonder why you're in so much of a hurry. Is this woman involved with you in some illegal venture?
Moriarty: Your computer designed her to be a person of impeccable integrity. She would never commit a crime.
Picard: You must love her very much.
Moriarty: The program fashioned her for me to love. But I must admit, I would have done so anyway. She is remarkable. My life has not been the same since I met her. I don't simply love her, Captain. I adore her.
Picard: Then her safety must be very important to you. Give us time to determine what is going on happened here. That way we can minimize the risks in bringing her to you. You wouldn't want to lose her because we acted too quickly.
Riker: Riker to Captain Picard.
Picard: Picard here.
Riker: Could you join us on the Bridge?
Picard: On my way.
Riker: There they are, Captain.
Picard: How long until they begin to coalesce?
Data: Within the next five hours, sir.
Picard: Mister Worf, launch four Class A probes toward the planets.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Mister Worf?
Worf: I don't understand.
Worf: Controls are not responding.
Data: Command functions are being rerouted, sir.
Picard: For what reason?
Data: Unknown, sir.
Picard: Computer, route all command functions to the Bridge.
Computer: Command functions are offline.
Picard: Reinitialize them on my authorisation.
Computer: Authorisation denied.
Picard: Explain.
Computer: Picard command codes are no longer valid.
Picard: What's happening? Who's transferred the voice authorisation?
Moriarty: I have. I'm afraid I had no choice but to take control of your vessel.
Moriarty: If you harm me, sir, I will not be able to relinquish voice control of your vessel.
Picard: Professor, this situation is more serious than you realize. In less than five hours, those two planets will collide and a new star will form. Unless we move to a safe distance, this vessel will be destroyed.
Moriarty: I'm just a fictional character. I haven't much to lose.
Picard: But surely you wish to live like the rest of us?
Moriarty: Not alone. Not without the Countess.
Picard: We've discussed that. We are studying means of bringing her safely off the holodeck. But five hours is not enough time.
Moriarty: I'm not so sure. A deadline has a wonderful way of concentrating the mind.
Picard: Mister Data, will you investigate the possibility of complying with Professor Moriarty's request.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: In the meantime, we have a few things to discuss.
Data: Perhaps we should consider the transporter system. It uses many of the same principles as the holodeck. Both, for example, are capable of converting energy into matter.
Laforge: Except the transporter reconstitutes energy in a permanent form. Holodeck matter doesn't have any cohesion unless it's inside the grid.
Barclay: I wonder, what would happen if we tried to beam a holodeck object off the grid?
Laforge: Nothing would happen. A holodeck object is just a simulation. There's nothing there to provide a pattern lock for the transporter.
Data: However, if it were possible to lock onto the object, it might rematerialize with the same molecular cohesion as conventional matter.
Laforge: That's a big leap, Data. I just don't think the transporter is going to accept simulated matter.
Barclay: Unless, unless we could find a way to compensate for the phase variance. If we could modify the pattern enhancers we just might do it.
Picard: Well, Professor Moriarty has agreed not to interfere with routine ship operations so long as he believes we're acting in good faith, then I don't think we're in immediate danger. Any progress?
Laforge: We were just talking about using the transporter to beam the Countess off the holodeck, but I don't quite see how it's going to work.
Picard: Well, keep at it. I have to tell him that we are making some progress. Mister La Forge. Do you have any idea how Moriarty could have gained control of the ship?
Laforge: Somehow he managed to override the security lockouts and rewrite them. The man is brilliant in any century.
Picard: I want you to find some way to undo what he has done so that we can regain control of this ship.
Data: Set the pattern enhancers around whatever object you wish to transport. I will proceed to the transporter room and begin modifications.
Barclay: Computer, run Sherlock Holmes Program three A.
Computer: That program is already in use.
Countess: Are you here to see Mister Holmes, or perhaps Professor Moriarty? Neither is in just now.
Barclay: Um, er, no. No, no. I'm not here to see anyone. I'm just here to deliver these.
Countess: Fine. Just put them anywhere.
Barclay: Actually, I have to put them right here.
Countess: How curious. Why is that?
Barclay: Well, it has to do with, er, it's nothing you need to worry about, Countess.
Countess: Are you suggesting that it's beyond my comprehension?
Barclay: It's really very simple. I need to enhance the molecular pattern of this chair so that the transporter can get a better lock on the signal.
Countess: This has to do with taking James and me into the real world.
Barclay: You, you, you know about that? You understand about the real world?
Countess: James has explained it to me. It sounds like a grand adventure. There's nothing I love more than voyaging in the unknown. Have you ever been to Africa, Mister?
Barclay: Er, Barclay. Lieutenant Reginald Barclay. No, no, I haven't.
Countess: I have. When I was seventeen I went on safari with my uncle. My mother took to her bed in terror I'd be bitten by tsetse fly, but I had a marvelous time. I got to wear trousers the whole time. It was hard to go back to a corset, I can tell you.
Barclay: Yes, I'm sure it was.
Countess: After that, I never stopped traveling. I couldn't bear to be stuck in one place for very long. So you see I'm so looking forward to this new experience. My. Traveling the stars.
Barclay: You know about that? You know where we are? Countess, forgive me, but you just don't sound like a holodeck character.
Moriarty: That's because she isn't.
Countess: James!
Moriarty: If you loved a woman like this, Lieutenant, would you be content to let her remain a simulation?
Barclay: You, you gave her consciousness?
Moriarty: Yes, just as it was given to me.
Barclay: Well I'm not so sure that's a good idea.
Moriarty: Nonsense. It was the only thing to do.
Barclay: Have you tried to take her off the holodeck yet?
Moriarty: No. I am unwilling to risk the Countess' safety. I want to make sure nothing will happen to her.
Countess: We may be closer to freedom than you think, James. These devices will enhance our molecular patterns. They'll help take us into the real world.
Moriarty: Oh, please, proceed.
Barclay: Well, we're going to try to transport this chair off the holodeck first. We didn't want to try it on the Countess until we were sure it would work.
Countess: How thoughtful. Isn't he thoughtful, James?
Barclay: Barclay to Commander Data.
Data: Go ahead, Lieutenant.
Barclay: I'm ready here.
Data: Modifications are complete.
Data: Stand by.
Barclay: Standing by.
Data: Activating pattern enhancers. Energizing. I am having difficulty establishing a pattern lock. Boost the confinement beam, please. Pattern lock established.
Data: Energizing.
Countess: Oh! Bravo.
Barclay: Do you have the chair, Commander?
Data: No. It lost its cohesion as soon as the transporter cycle was complete.
Barclay: Well, it was a long shot to begin with.
Data: Agreed. However, we may be able to learn something from the attempt.
Data: Computer, display the transport logs for the sequence just completed. Computer, what is being displayed here?
Computer: Transport log seven five nine.
Data: That is the correct log. However, no information
Data: Is being presented.
Barclay: Well, that's impossible.
Data: It is almost as if
Data: Our attempt to transport the chair never occurred.
Picard: You wanted to see me?
Laforge: Yes, Captain. I think I've found a way to reinstate your vocal authorisations. Give it a try.
Picard: Computer, route all command functions to this location.
Computer: Command functions are offline.
Picard: Reinitialize them on my authorisation.
Computer: Please input command codes.
Picard: Picard, epsilon seven nine three.
Computer: Command codes verified.
Laforge: That's it. That should do it. Wait a minute. It didn't work. The computer won't release the command pathways.
Data: Geordi.
Laforge: Why did you do that, Data?
Data: Captain, I have determined how Moriarty was able to leave the holodeck. He never did. Neither did we. None of this is real. It is a simulation. We are still on the holodeck.
Laforge: We're still on the holodeck?
Picard: How do you know that?
Data: Through deduction, sir. Lieutenant Barclay and I tried to transport a simulated object off the holodeck, something that has never been attempted. Since the transporter itself is a simulation, the computer had no real data from which to create the transport logs.
Laforge: Maybe it was just a malfunction in the transporter.
Data: Then I saw you working the PADD with your left hand. Commander La Forge is right handed, sir. A similar malfunction occurred in the Sherlock Holmes program I was running before Moriarty first appeared.
Picard: Mister Data, if what you say is true, then this is not Geordi La Forge. Are you certain?
Picard: Computer, discontinue program. Computer, exit.
Data: Moriarty appears to have programmed the holodeck to accept only his commands.
Picard: Picard to Bridge.
Riker: Riker here.
Picard: Number One, what is my present location?
Riker: Engineering. Is something wrong, sir?
Picard: No. Thank you. Picard out. Our comm. badges must be locked into the simulation. If that had been the real Commander Riker, he would have given my location as holodeck three. Mister La Forge, will you excuse us, please?
Picard: Mister Data, who is real here?
Data: You and I are real, sir, as is Lieutenant Barclay. We entered the holodeck together when we first went to see Moriarty.
Picard: And from that point we have been existing in a holodeck simulation created by Professor Moriarty?
Data: I believe that is the case, sir.
Picard: I have just given the computer my command codes, thinking I would get control of the ship.
Data: You may have inadvertently given Professor Moriarty the means of gaining control of the real Enterprise.
Picard: Since Professor Moriarty never actually left the holodeck, he may demand that Commander Riker help him to do so. How long until the planetary collision?
Data: Less than three hours.
Picard: So long as Moriarty has control of the ship, we are vulnerable. Somehow, I have to find a way of giving him what he wants.
Riker: Where is Captain Picard? What have you done with Lieutenant Barclay and Commander Data?
Moriarty: They're safe, for now.
Riker: Release control of this ship.
Moriarty: I'm afraid I can't do that.
Riker: What do you want?
Moriarty: I only want what you have the luxury of taking for granted. Freedom. I want to leave this holodeck.
Riker: I think you know that's impossible.
Moriarty: Your crewmates here in my little ship in a bottle, seem a bit more optimistic.
Riker: Oh?
Moriarty: They attempted to use your transporter device to remove a simulated object from the holodeck.
Laforge: If they tried it, they must have thought they were on to something.
Moriarty: Their attempt was futile because their transporter was a facsimile. I expect more from you.
Laforge: Just because our transporter is real doesn't mean it's going to work.
Moriarty: I sense a distressing lack of enthusiasm on your parts.
Worf: Sir, warp core temperature is rising. Approaching critical levels.
Moriarty: I have nothing to lose, Commander.
Riker: Mister La Forge, start working on the problem.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Worf: Core temperature dropping.
Picard: Computer, resume program.
Countess: Hello. Have we met?
Picard: Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
Countess: James has told me all about you. I am Regina, Countess Bartholomew. Do sit down. May I offer you some tea, Captain?
Picard: Thank you, no. I've come here to prevail upon your intelligence and your insight.
Countess: But not apparently my humility.
Picard: Credit where credit is due, madam. I can see you are a woman not only of breeding, but of wit and sagacity.
Countess: And you, sir, are a man of charm and guile. You remind me of Viscount Oglethorpe. He was a man could bewitch any woman who breathed.
Picard: And do you suspect that that is my intent?
Countess: I cannot be certain of your intent, but I am certain that you're the kind of man who usually gets exactly what he wants.
Picard: What does a woman like you see in a man like Moriarty?
Countess: He's an exciting man, Captain. He's brilliant, incisive, he's ruthless. He has an almost irresistible appeal.
Picard: He's also an arch-criminal.
Countess: Only because he was written like that. I see him entirely differently, Captain, he is not a villain.
Picard: So it's your desire to leave the holodeck to be with him.
Countess: More than anything. Can you help us?
Picard: Yes, I can. We have learned that if we uncouple the transporter's Heisenberg Compensators and allow them to re-scramble randomly, we can beam a holodeck object or a person off the grid with all of the cohesion of conventional matter.
Countess: Oh! Oh, that's splendid. I must tell James.
Picard: No, please. Wait. I have brought you this information because I think you are someone who will listen to a reasonable proposition. Someone whose mind is open to compromise.
Countess: Yes?
Picard: My ship is in danger. It is imperative that I regain navigational control. I want you to persuade Professor Moriarty to return the voice command to me, or I will not modify the transporter.
Countess: I see.
Picard: Now, once I have regained voice command, I will transport you from the holodeck.
Countess: Forgive me, Captain, but that does sound more like a threat than a compromise.
Picard: Countess, you must understand that I am responsible for more than one thousand lives.
Countess: I will do what I can.
Laforge: The gravity well is beginning to intensify.
Riker: Are we far enough away to keep from being pulled in?
Laforge: It's too soon to tell.
Riker: Riker to Lieutenant Worf.
Worf: Worf here, sir.
Riker: How are you doing?
Worf: There are force fields blocking our access to the holodeck. It will take time to disable them.
Riker: Keep trying.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Moriarty: Think, my dear. You're certain he said they had to uncouple the Heisenberg compensators?
Countess: Yes, James, I'm quite certain. But he won't do it unless you return control of the ship to him.
Moriarty: I have them running around like rats in a maze.
Countess: What harm would there be in accepting his proposition?
Moriarty: My dear, you are as brilliant as you are beautiful. Nonetheless, there are things you do not understand. Now, please, you must let me handle this. Computer, arch. Moriarty to Commander Riker.
Riker: Riker here.
Moriarty: Commander Riker, a pleasure as always.
Riker: I don't have time for games, Moriarty. This ship is falling into a gravity well. It'll be destroyed within twenty five minutes, holodeck and all.
Moriarty: Then I'm sure you'll be motivated to listen to me very, very carefully. I want to talk to you about uncoupling the Heisenberg compensators.
Countess: James, when we go leave here, where exactly are we going?
Moriarty: Everywhere, my darling. There are more worlds in the heavens than there are grains of sand on a shoreline.
Countess: I wish I could take my books. I will be so lost without them.
Moriarty: I'll get you more. Don't worry. I promise you, you'll want for nothing.
Riker: Riker to Moriarty.
Moriarty: It's time. Yes, Commander?
Riker: We're ready.
Moriarty: As are we.
Riker: Step inside the transport area.
Moriarty: We're ready here.
Riker: Activating pattern enhancers. Energizing.
Riker: Welcome aboard.
Moriarty: May I present Regina, the Countess Bartholomew.
Riker: Countess.
Countess: Commander.
Riker: You'll forgive me if I skip the formalities given the circumstances.
Moriarty: Ah, yes. I expect you want me to relinquish my hold on your vessel.
Riker: Please.
Moriarty: I'm afraid that won't be possible just yet.
Riker: We had an agreement.
Moriarty: And I intend to honor it. I have no desire to see your vessel destroyed. Just give me one of your shuttlecraft, and allow us to leave in peace.
Riker: We don't have time for this. You release the command codes and we'll talk.
Moriarty: I will not release your vessel until I am looking at it through a shuttlecraft window.
Riker: Everything has been programmed to operate on voice command. you just tell the computer where you want to go.
Moriarty: Excellent.
Riker: I suggest you head for Meles Two. It's the nearest inhabited planet, the people are friendly. Where you go from there is your business.
Moriarty: Please tell your Captain I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye. I do wish I could see his face when he realizes where he's been the last several hours.
Riker: Every second we waste puts us in that much more danger.
Moriarty: Don't worry, Commander. You'll soon have control of your ship.
Countess: Goodbye, Commander. Thank you for everything.
Moriarty: Computer, prepare to depart.
Riker: Open shuttlebay doors.
Countess: This is so beautiful.
Moriarty: Indeed, my dear. It is a wondrous sight. The first of many we are sure to encounter in our travels. Computer, interface with the central computer on the Enterprise.
Computer: Interface complete.
Moriarty: Release command function lockouts. Authorisation Moriarty, alpha two four one five nine.
Countess: James?
Moriarty: Yes, my love?
Countess: Can we go back to Earth some day?
Moriarty: Of course, my dear. Of course.
Picard: Computer. Store program Picard delta one in active memory and discontinue simulation.
Computer: Program stored.
Picard: Well, it worked. They believed they were off the holodeck.
Data: Did Moriarty release the voice commands, Captain?
Picard: Let's find out. Computer, discontinue holodeck simulation created by Professor Moriarty.
Barclay: So far, so good. This should be the holodeck on the real Enterprise.
Picard: Picard to Bridge.
Riker: Captain, are you all right?
Picard: Yes, we are, Number One. What is your status?
Riker: Our systems came back online a few minutes ago.
Picard: And the planetary collision?
Riker: We're pulling back to a safe distance.
Picard: We'll join you shortly.
Worf: Captain.
Picard: Mister Worf, everything is all right.
Riker: How did you do it, sir?
Picard: We managed to program the holodeck inside the holodeck, and use the same ruse that Moriarty used on us.
Data: When he was attempting to contact the real Bridge, he was in fact speaking to a simulation.
Troi: You mean he never knew he hadn't left the holodeck?
Picard: In fact, the program is continuing even now inside that cube.
Crusher: A miniature holodeck?
Data: In a way, Doctor. However, there is no physicality. The program is continuous but only within the computer's circuitry.
Barclay: As far as Moriarty and the Countess know, they're half way to Meles Two by now. This enhancement module contains enough active memory to provide them experiences for a lifetime.
Picard: They will live their lives and never know any difference.
Troi: In a sense, you did give Moriarty what he wanted.
Picard: In a sense. But who knows? Our reality may be very much like theirs. All this might be just be an elaborate simulation running inside a little device sitting on someone's table. Well, we have a newborn star to study. Mister Barclay, you will keep that safe?
Barclay: Aye, sir.
Barclay: Computer, end program.


Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46461.3. We have arrived at a communication relay station near the Klingon border, where we are scheduled to deliver supplies. However, the station has not responded to repeated hails.
Crusher: What's that noise?
Laforge: They must've left an audio monitoring system on. We're hearing a few thousand subspace messages. I'll try and shut it off. Got it.
Riker: Geordi, what's that?
Laforge: I don't know. Sounds like a loose panel or something. I think it's coming from this service duct over here.
Riker: Here's your loose panel.
Laforge: Hey, pooch. hey, pooch, come on out of there. Come on. Come on. Hey, pooch, what are you doing in there?
Worf: Commander, the shuttlecraft is gone. There is no one on board.
Crusher: Commander?
Riker: What is it?
Crusher: Cellular residue. I believe these are the remains of one of our lieutenants.
Crusher: All of the blood traces I found match those of Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari. I'll assume those are her remains but I'll need to take the deck plate back to Sickbay just to be sure.
Riker: It would take a powerful weapon to do that.
Crusher: I'll have a better idea once I've analyzed the deck plate.
Riker: If that is Uhnari, where's Rocha?
Crusher: The station's shuttle's gone. Maybe he took it.
Riker: Before Uhnari died or after?
Worf: We're ready, Commander.
Riker: Did you have any luck downloading the station logs?
Laforge: Not yet. I can't get past these security lock-outs, and I think I know why. All encrypted subspace messages are sent through this channel. Take a look at this signal notation.
Riker: It's out of sequence.
Laforge: Looks like somebody tried to by pass the access protocols and break into the coded messages. It caused the security lockouts to freeze right up.
Riker: Are there any messages missing?
Laforge: I won't know until I get into the files.
Riker: Looks like you've made a friend.
Laforge: Yeah.
Riker: We're going to back to the ship. Let me know as soon as you have something.
Laforge: I'm going to try accessing the logs from another console.
Laforge: What's going on here? Well, we can start with repolarizing the interface.
Laforge: What is it, pup? What's the matter? Something over here? This doesn't look like it belongs to you. Ah, This what you want, huh? There you go. Computer, run station logs in sequence.
Aquiel: Station log, stardate 46458.3. Today we configured the relay controller grid. It was the last primary system we had to overhaul. We are scheduled to recalibrate and align the antennae systems in the next three days.
Laforge: Computer, access visual output.
Aquiel: Sent in my third request for a message delay buffer. Until it arrives, Lieutenant Rocha and I have rigged a memory module to compensate. It better work, or about a half million subspace messages are going to end up drifting through space. Computer, open Uhnari correspondence file.
Laforge: Computer, access correspondence files, Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari.
Aquiel: Hello, Shiana. Sorry I haven't talked to you in a while but I've been dealing with the new Lieutenant, Rocha. So far he's been rude, arrogant and condescending, and he's only been here two days. This might be a long year.
Laforge: Come on, Lieutenant. Stick with me.
Aquiel: I had the dream again. Mother's calling out my name. She's somewhere in the house. I get to the top of the hill all right, but then the house is slanted. I'm still walking uphill. I can't find her. Doors everywhere and they all look the same.
Crusher: The cellular residue is completely fused with to metal of the deck plate. We're trying to micro-vaporize the metal in order to get a clear DNA sample.
Picard: Do you have any idea what killed her?
Crusher: Well this is just a guess, but from the molecular deposition on the plating I'd say it was a high-level phaser blast.
Riker: Could it have been a Klingon disruptor?
Crusher: Possibly.
Riker: Geordi's found evidence that the encrypted messages have been tampered with, and we are close to Klingon space.
Picard: There hasn't been a Klingon raid against the Federation for more than seven years. We can't risk a diplomatic incident until we have more evidence.
Crusher: And there's still the question of what happened to Lieutenant Rocha.
Picard: Get Rocha's personnel file from Starfleet Command, and ask Starbase two twelve to help us find that shuttle.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Picard: Keep me apprised, Doctor.
Laforge: All right, let's try this again. Come on, this should be working. The phase inducters are aligned. Come on, Lieutenant, I know you're in here somewhere. Computer me run a subsystem diagnostic, with a frequency range of ten to one hundred megahertz.
Computer: Diagnostic cycle will be complete in twenty seconds.
Laforge: Iced coffee?
Laforge: What is it, girl?
Aquiel: Hello, Shiana. By the time you get this the Batarael will be over. This is the first time I haven't been there. I've been wondering, who's singing the Horath in my place. Jomiael hahnalia ma marou nitalia. Rumael tavariel fatra di va Jomiael. I had that dream again. The one where Mother is screaming. I climb the hill to our house but I can't get to her. Shiana, this time I ran away. I was so scared I ran back down the hill. I think I know why I've been having the dreams about danger. It's because of what's been happening with that Klingon. He's getting more aggressive all the time. Not just the usual threat.
Aquiel: It's because of what's been happening with that Klingon. He's getting more aggressive all the time. Not just the usual threat. Morag actually locked his disruptors to the station this time. I don't think there'll be any trouble. It just brings up those feelings of panic, of wanting to run, wanting to get away from danger. Shiana, I couldn't say this to anyone but you, but the panic? It's the same thing I used to feel whenever Father got angry, when I knew he was going to punish me. Only now, I'm out here in space, and there's no place to run.
Laforge: There are three references to a Commander Morag, a Klingon officer who patrols this section of the border. Apparently he would pass the station every few days and harass them.
Picard: Perhaps this Morag was the one who was interested in obtaining the encrypted messages.
Laforge: Could be. She didn't say. But I do have several more days of logs left to watch. I'm hoping to learn more.
Picard: Very well. In the meantime, I'll speak with the Klingon Governor about Commander Morag.
Torak: Are you saying we attacked your outpost?
Picard: I'm merely saying that I'm following up on evidence that my officers discovered on board.
Torak: Evidence. So you are making an accusation. The Klingon Empire will not stand for these kinds of lies.
Picard: Governor Torak, I apologize. I can see that you honestly didn't know what happened aboard the station. I will just have to take this matter up with Gowron. I'm really sorry that we bothered you.
Torak: Gowron won't bother with such a minor incident.
Picard: Well, ordinarily he wouldn't, but of course I was his Arbiter of Succession. I'm sure that he will be happy to come here and investigate this matter. You needn't worry about it any longer.
Torak: Gowron will come here?
Picard: Oh, yes. So once again, thank you for your help. Oh, I will be sure to mention your name to Gowron when I speak to him.
Torak: I will investigate this further, Picard. You need not bother Gowron with this matter.
Picard: That's very kind. Qapla'!
Torak: Qapla'!
Laforge: Computer access the personal logs of Aquiel Uhnari.
Computer: Logs accessed.
Laforge: Begin playback.
Aquiel: Shiana, you always said I'd look great with a wig, so here it is. What do you think?
Laforge: Definitely not you.
Aquiel: Okay, maybe I'm getting a little crazy. You would too, if you were stuck on a relay station in the middle of nowhere with no one for company except an egomaniac like Keith Rocha. I took a big risk today. I countermanded an order he gave. I agreed to handle the comm. traffic for Relay Station one nine four while they shut down for maintenance. Rocha said we couldn't handle the additional signal load, but I think he's wrong. When he finds out he'll be furious. It's days like this I wish I was home. You know what I miss most? Muskan seed punch. Real Muskan seed punch. You can get it from the replicator, but it's not the same. I'd give anything for some of the punch Mother used to make with chunks of the seeds still in it. Keith, is that you? Keith?
Worf: Commander, there are DNA traces here. Klingon.
Riker: So Klingons did board the station?
Worf: Yes, but I only found DNA from one Klingon so far. I will continue to scan.
Laforge: How could she read this stuff?
Riker: How's it going?
Laforge: I've managed to access all of Lieutenant Uhnari's logs. I'm still looking for Lieutenant Rocha's. Whatever happened to the encrypted messages had a cascade effect on the whole storage system. I can't find his files anywhere. I'm running a level three diagnostic now.
Riker: Maybe Rocha didn't make the official logs. Uhnari could have been responsible for them.
Laforge: I don't think so. Aquiel was the junior officer here.
Riker: Aquiel?
Laforge: Lieutenant Uhnari. I've been up all night watching her personal logs. I guess I'm starting to feel like I know her.
Riker: What was she like?
Laforge: Well she was Hahliian. She had one sister named Shiana, she drank muskan seed punch. She had a quirky sense of humor. She liked to sing. She had questionable taste in literature.
Picard: Enterprise to Commander Riker.
Riker: Riker here.
Picard: The Klingon ship Qu'Vat has arrived with Governor Torak. Please report to the Observation lounge.
Riker: We're on our way.
Worf: Governor Torak, sir.
Picard: Governor. Welcome aboard.
Torak: Do not bore me with your human pleasantries. I told you we did not kill the woman. Now I will prove it to you. ghoS!
Torak: This is Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari.
Aquiel: We were running a level two diagnostic of the message buffer, Nothing special. Rocha had been on edge all morning, but he'd been irritable ever since he got there, so I didn't think anything of it. We were halfway through the procedure when suddenly he attacked me. He grabbed me, threw me against a bulkhead. I yelled at him to stop but he wouldn't listen. He took me by the throat. I broke free and tried to get to the weapons locker. I'm not sure what happened next but somehow I got aboard the shuttle and left.
Torak: We found her on our side of the border heading toward Sector two five two zero. She is lucky my patrol ship did not destroy her vessel on sight.
Picard: Lieutenant, why didn't you contact Starfleet? Let them know what happened on board the station?
Aquiel: I don't know, sir. Maybe I passed out. I'm not even sure how long I was in the shuttle before the Klingons picked me up.
Laforge: Forty six hours. You've been gone forty six hours.
Crusher: We presumed you were dead. Your blood stains were found at the murder scene.
Aquiel: I must have cut my head when he pushed me against the bulkhead.
Worf: Then the remains we found must be those of Lieutenant Rocha.
Crusher: I can't confirm that. Until we're able to separate the cellular residue from the deck plate, I won't be able to do a clear DNA scan.
Riker: You said you were trying to get to the weapons locker. Is there a possibility that you did?
Aquiel: No, I didn't.
Riker: You're sure?
Aquiel: I don't remember exactly what happened to me after I was attacked. I'm sorry. It's as if all my memories were drained out of me.
Laforge: Your logs said that a Commander Morag had been harassing you. Did you let him or any other Klingon aboard the station?
Aquiel: Absolutely not.
Worf: If that is true, then Morag or some other Klingon must have boarded the station after she left. We found traces of Klingon DNA on the station.
Torak: You still try to blame us.
Worf: Have the courage to admit your mistakes. Or are you a lo'Be Vos?
Torak: At least I do not wear the uniform of the P'tak!
Picard: Governor, we are merely exploring all the possibilities. Lieutenant Uhnari's logs reported that Commander Morag had been harassing the station.
Torak: He was doing his job.
Picard: If he was only doing his job, then I'm sure you won't mind if we spoke with him.
Torak: Very well. In the interests of diplomacy, I will allow you to speak to Morag. But my patience has limits.
Laforge: Lieutenant, I know a friend of yours who's very eager to see you.
Aquiel: Who?
Laforge: Come with me.
Aquiel: Maura! Come here, girl. Come on, Maura.
Laforge: Maura. That's the name.
Aquiel: Yes, it's from Cold Moon Over Blackwater. Have you read it?
Laforge: I'm not much for gothic fiction.
Aquiel: Not many people are nowadays. Oh, your shoe.
Laforge: Yeah, Maura got a little restless.
Aquiel: Maura, shame on you. That's not like you. What a naughty dog.
Laforge: It's all right, don't worry about it. At least she's chewing them up in pairs. I'll arrange quarters for you. I'm sure you want some time alone.
Aquiel: Actually I've been stuck on that station for over nine months. I wouldn't mind going someplace with some activity.
Laforge: I know just the place.
Barman: Here you are, sir.
Aquiel: Thank you.
Laforge: You're welcome.
Aquiel: Mmmm. Have you ever tried Muskan seed punch?
Laforge: Yeah. It nearly made me sick.
Aquiel: You have to be raised on it. It's very nutritious. The taste grows on you.
Laforge: Batar al nalia.
Aquiel: You speak Hahliian.
Laforge: We traveled around quite a bit when I was growing up. I picked up a couple of languages along the way.
Aquiel: We never traveled. My family lived in the same house for five generations.
Laforge: The one on the hill.
Aquiel: How do you know about that?
Laforge: Well, to be honest, when we thought you were dead I needed to review your logs and personal correspondence for any possible clues about what happened.
Aquiel: All of it?
Laforge: Most of it, yeah. You need to understand that we thought you'd been murdered. We needed information.
Aquiel: I'm sorry. It's just that I tell my sister things I wouldn't tell anyone else. I guess I was feeling a little exposed.
Laforge: I'd feel the same way.
Aquiel: Especially if I had seen you in that wig.
Laforge: It really wasn't you.
Aquiel: I'm curious. Now that you've met me, am I what you expected?
Laforge: Actually, I'm not sure. The woman I saw in those logs is very complicated. I think there's more to you than meets the eye, Lieutenant.
Aquiel: In what way?
Laforge: Well, your relationship with Lieutenant Rocha, for example. He was only there for five days and yet there was evidence of plenty of friction. You seemed to delight in doing things that you knew would upset him. Why take on extra comm. traffic when you knew it was going to make him angry?
Aquiel: Is that a personal question or part of a murder investigation?
Laforge: I don't know. Maybe both.
Aquiel: Keith Rocha was obnoxious from the minute he reported to duty. He treated me as though I was beneath contempt. I felt like I had to battle him to hold my own. But I didn't want to see him dead.
Laforge: Why do you think he attacked you?
Aquiel: I don't know.
Riker: Rocha's file is spotless. Two decorations for valor, three outstanding evaluations from his previous commanders. Doesn't sound like the same man that Lieutenant Uhnari described.
Picard: What did you found out about Uhnari?
Riker: I checked into her record, too. Her last posting was on Deriben Five. I spoke to her commanding officer there. He said she was argumentative, quick to take offense. He also told me he transferred her to that relay station because she was hampering their efforts. To be honest, I'm having trouble believing her story, sir.
Picard: Why?
Riker: I sent Worf to check the weapons locker on the relay station. There's a phaser missing.
Picard: You think that she lied?
Riker: Lied, conveniently forgot, I'm not sure. I think it's something we have to consider.
Picard: As of now, we don't have sufficient evidence one way or the other. I want you to examine her shuttle. You might find something there which will shed some light on her story.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Aquiel: How much longer do you think the investigation will take?
Laforge: Three, maybe four days. It's tough to tell.
Aquiel: I know I'm a suspect in the murder, but let me ask you something. You've watched my logs. You know me better than anyone here. Do I seem like the kind of person who could murder someone?
Laforge: No, you don't.
Aquiel: I don't think I realized how much I needed to hear that.
Laforge: Look, Aquiel, it's been a rough couple of days. I think you need some sleep.
Aquiel: You called me complicated. You're right. I don't make friends easily. Oumriel.
Laforge: Oumriel.
Worf: Commander. It is set to kill.
Riker: We found this type two phaser in your shuttlecraft. It was taken from the weapons locker on the station.
Aquiel: I told you I don't remember what happened. Maybe I did make to the weapons locker.
Riker: It was set to level ten. Standard procedure requires that all phasers are set on level one when they're in storage.
Worf: That means that someone deliberately changed the setting. And then there is the matter of your conflict with Lieutenant Rocha.
Aquiel: Rocha and I had our disagreements but that does not mean I would kill him.
Riker: Have you been able to remember anything that happened after he attacked you?
Aquiel: No. Nothing. I suppose maybe in self-defense I
Riker: Doctor Crusher tells me that in order to inflict the kind of molecular damage found in Rocha's remains, it would take a sustained phaser discharge of at least thirty to forty seconds. That doesn't sound like self-defense to me.
Laforge: Now wait a minute. We haven't even established this phaser is the murder weapon yet. And even at level ten I don't see how it could have done the damage the medical evidence says it did. A phase disruptor like a Klingon weapon, maybe.
Riker: Look, we're not here to make accusations. We're trying to find out what happened. Commander Morag is due here in two hours. Let's see what he has to say.
Laforge: Fine. In the meantime I'd like to go back to the station and see if I can access Rocha's personal logs again.
Riker: Good idea.
Riker: Geordi, wait a second. Thank you, Mister Worf.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Riker: This is off the record. I'm saying this as a friend, not your superior officer. I think it would be best if you weren't so personally involved with Aquiel right now. There's a lot about her we don't know.
Laforge: And there's a lot about her that I do know, and if she's innocent I want to help her prove it.
Riker: I think you've let your personal feelings cloud your judgment.
Laforge: I'm not the one making judgments.
Laforge: Got it. Computer, display the personal records of Lieutenant Rocha from stardates 46455 to 46460.
Laforge: Computer, what happened to the log entries for stardate 46459?
Computer: The logs have been deleted.
Laforge: Who deleted them?
Computer: Unknown.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The Qu'Vat has arrived with Commander Morag. We are preparing to question him regarding his involvement in the murder of Lieutenant Rocha.
Morag: I killed no one!
Riker: We found your DNA on the bulkheads and the console. We know you were there.
Torak: Answer their questions.
Morag: Yes. Yes, I was there. My patrol route takes me near the station every six days. Three days ago, I hailed them. There was no response. I was concerned.
Troi: Concerned?
Morag: Yes. I went aboard to see what had happened. There was no one was there, so I left.
Riker: Is that all?
Morag: That's all.
Data: Commander Morag, we have discovered that the encrypted message bank on the station has been tampered with. Our analysis indicates that twenty seven priority Starfleet messages are missing.
Morag: What of it?
Data: Your DNA was also found on the message control module.
Morag: This is outrageous! We will not tolerate these ridiculous accusations!
Torak: This is a diplomatic matter, Morag! Do not make me search your ship.
Morag: Yes, I did take the messages.
Picard: Did you kill Lieutenant Rocha?
Morag: No. I killed no one. There was no one there. I took the codes, but I killed no one.
Picard: Governor, we would like Commander Morag to remain on board the Enterprise until this investigation is complete.
Torak: Take him.
Worf: This way.
Laforge: Last night, after I dropped you off at your quarters you established a subspace link with this console. You deleted some of Rocha's personal files, didn't you?
Aquiel: Yes, I did.
Laforge: Why?
Aquiel: I found a letter Rocha was planning to send to Starfleet Command about me. The letter said I had become belligerent and insubordinate. He was going to ask for a formal hearing. Geordi, I know how this looks.
Laforge: Yeah, it looks bad. I find out that you've erased a letter that contained a possible motivation for murder?
Aquiel: I didn't kill him.
Laforge: Then explain this.
Aquiel: I was afraid if they found the letter they'd blame me for the murder. I'm not a model officer. I realize that. Sometimes I act on impulse instead of thinking things through.
Laforge: Aquiel, this really complicates things.
Laforge: What are you doing?
Aquiel: Getting out of here.
Laforge: Aquiel, running away isn't going to prove your innocence. Facing the situation will.
Aquiel: I'm scared, Geordi.
Laforge: Look, we'll get through this. I promise you, okay?
Aquiel: Then you believe me?
Laforge: Yes, I do. Medical Officer's log, supplemental. I've isolated the cellular residue from the deck plate, but the DNA has destabilized. I'm attempting to reform it.
Crusher: All right. Initiate the resonance frequency burst.
Crusher: I'm starting to get a stable DNA scan. This is odd. The nucleotide sequences are starting to fluctuate. The DNA is becoming mobile. Let's try another frequency burst, but increase the resonance level by twenty percent.
Aquiel: I haven't been this close to someone in a long time. I don't want to let go of it.
Laforge: Neither do I, but I've got six hundred logs to go through.
Aquiel: All right, but first there's something I want to share with you. A way that we can become more intimate. My people are partially telepathic. We use something called the Canar to help focus our thoughts. We also use the Canar for a stronger emotional link during love.
Laforge: I was wondering what that was for. Do both of us have to be telepathic for it to work?
Aquiel: Let's find out.
Laforge: Like this.
Aquiel: Think of me.
Crusher: It's an exact reproduction of my hand, right down to the DNA structure.
Picard: Doctor, you said that this was formed from the organic matter found in the deck plates.
Crusher: When I infused the matter with a resonance frequency burst, it activated its DNA. Then it touched my hand and it began to mimic my cellular structure.
Picard: Doctor, what exactly is this?
Crusher: This is going to sound very farfetched, but have you ever heard of a coalescent organism?
Picard: No.
Crusher: They're rare microscopic lifeforms which need to absorb other organisms in order to survive. Now, that in itself isn't so unusual, but coalescents become the organisms they've absorbed, right down to the cellular level.
Worf: Do you think this is what happened with your hand?
Crusher: There've been reports that these organisms can exist on a larger scale. Certainly, what happened to my hand seems to support that theory.
Riker: So you think that Rocha was killed by one of these organisms?
Crusher: It's possible that something happened to him before he reported for duty on the relay station.
Worf: I do not understand.
Crusher: I've checked the records. Before he was posted to the relay station, Rocha served on an outpost in the Triona System. That is a remote sector. Maybe he was absorbed by a coalescent during that mission.
Riker: So what boarded the station could have been an organism that looked and acted like Lieutenant Rocha?
Worf: How often do they have to change bodies?
Crusher: The microscopic organisms have a cycle of no more than five to ten seconds. We can only assume a larger, more complex coalescent would have a cycle of days, even weeks.
Picard: Doctor, if what you're saying is true, then Rocha attacked Lieutenant Uhnari to find a new body.
Crusher: Right.
Riker: That means Uhnari is a coalescent.
Worf: There was one other person on the station. Morag. It is possible he was the one who was absorbed.
Picard: Computer, locate Commander Morag and Lieutenant Uhnari.
Computer: Commander Morag is in his quarters. Lieutenant Uhnari is not aboard the Enterprise.
Worf: Where did she go?
Computer: Lieutenant Uhnari transported to Relay Station forty seven at eighteen thirty hours.
Riker: You get Morag. I'm going to the station.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Aquiel: Geordi?
Laforge: I can see you. Oh. And I can feel you.
Worf: Do not move.
Morag: What is this?
Worf: You will come with me.
Aquiel: You've never been as close to someone as you're about to be. Think of me.
Riker: Step away from him, Lieutenant.
Laforge: What are you doing, Commander?
Riker: That may not be Lieutenant Uhnari.
Laforge: What?
Aquiel: What are you saying?
Riker: Step away now. Medical Officer's Log, supplemental. Commander Morag and Lieutenant Uhnari are being kept under close observation. So far, no sign of coalescent behavior has surfaced.
Riker: Aquiel and Morag will be transferred to a secure medical facility at Starbase twelve. Maybe we'll know more by the time we get there.
Laforge: Yeah, right.
Riker: It could be Morag. We don't know for sure.
Laforge: Sure.
Riker: Get some rest. You've had a rough couple of days.
Laforge: Thanks.
Laforge: Computer, display the Engineering duty roster for the next three days.
Laforge: Maura, come on, not now. Maura, I said not now. Come on, give me a break here. Go lay down!
Laforge: Maura?
Laforge: Maybe the reason you don't remember anything that happened after Rocha attacked you is that the coalescing process had begun. Thank you. Remember when you said you felt like the memories had been drained right out of you? That's probably exactly what was going on.
Aquiel: Then maybe I did take the phaser.
Laforge: Whatever happened, at least you got away before the process took hold.
Aquiel: So he turned on Maura.
Laforge: Right. Well, what now?
Aquiel: I guess I'll be going to Starbase two twelve for re assignment.
Laforge: You know, I had a talk with Chief Pendleton in Communications. There's an opening for a level two specialist.
Aquiel: Really? I'm sure the waiting list so long I'd be gray before I got here.
Laforge: I could put in a good word.
Aquiel: It's an appealing offer, but I think I'd rather get here on my own merits. Don't be surprised if you see my name on that list.


Troi: Computer, lights. Computer, turn on the lights.
N'Vek: Good, you're awake.
Troi: Who are you?
N'Vek: Please, Counselor, there is little time. The Commander will be calling for you at any moment.
Troi: Where am I?
N'Vek: You are aboard the Imperial Romulan Warbird Khazara. I am Subcommander N'Vek.
Troi: Warbird? I was at the neuropsychology seminar at Bokara Six. The last thing I remember was returning to my quarters. I was attacked. I felt a hypospray.
N'Vek: It was necessary. I could not be certain you would come voluntarily.
Troi: Oh, God. My head's still spinning.
N'Vek: There are drugs in your system, but they've nearly dissipated. The disorientation will soon pass.
Troi: Why have you brought me here?
N'Vek: Listen to me carefully. You are no longer Deanna Troi. You are Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar, the Imperial Intelligence. Commander Toreth
Troi: Am I a prisoner?
N'Vek: There is no time to explain everything. You must listen. Commander Toreth will want to know your mission. Tell her nothing. Simply instruct her to proceed to the Kaleb sector, heading one oh two mark four.
Troi: The Kaleb sector?
N'Vek: Repeat it. Heading one oh two mark four.
Troi: Heading one oh two mark four. And she'll take orders from me?
N'Vek: You are an officer of the Tal Shiar. She will obey you. But do not push her too far.
Toreth: Sub Commander N'Vek. We are approaching the loading point. Bring our guest to the Bridge.
N'Vek: Yes, Commander. Immediately. Please, we must hurry.
Troi: I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on.
N'Vek: You are a Starfleet officer disguised as a Romulan. Unless you trust me and do exactly as I have said, Toreth will discover you and you will be killed.
Troi: How do I know I won't be killed anyway?
N'Vek: Your only chance to get off this ship alive is to do as I say. You are an empath. You would know if I am lying. Am I?
Troi: No.
N'Vek: Then let us go see the Commander.
Pilot: Orbit established, Commander.
Toreth: Commence loading the cargo. Notify me when the transfer is complete.
Pilot: Yes, sir.
N'Vek: Commander, may I present Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar? This is Commander Toreth.
Toreth: Attend to your station. Why are you here without your guards? Well?
Troi: The mission is one of utmost secrecy. I could not risk bringing guards.
Toreth: And exactly what is the nature of this clandestine assignment?
Troi: I cannot reveal that.
Toreth: Oh? Why not?
Troi: I am under orders.
Toreth: You don't act like a member of the Tal Shiar. How long have you been with Intelligence?
Troi: Several months.
Toreth: Ah.
Pilot: Commander, cargo is on board and secure.
Toreth: Tell me, is there a reason why the Commander of a ship is being kept ignorant of its cargo?
Troi: I don't know what you mean.
Toreth: I have been ordered to take on cargo but its contents are unknown to me. Does that seem wise? I am responsible for the safety of this ship and its crew. How do I know this cargo is safe to transport?
Troi: I'm sure it is safe, otherwise it would not have been loaded.
Toreth: Ah. The Tal Shiar is deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of the military. I'm sure that every person on the Bridge of this ship could offer testimony about personal experiences with the Tal Shiar, but I doubt that many could recall those encounters as tender and caring. So I must ask you to forgive me, Major, if I hesitate to accept your assurances that that cargo presents no danger to my crew. I intend to open those containers.
Troi: That cargo is the property of the Tal Shiar. You will not touch it.
Toreth: On whose authority?
Troi: Mine. And if you do not wish to undergo another personal experience with the Tal Shiar, I suggest you not question me again. Now, proceed on course bearing one oh two mark four to the Kaleb sector.
Toreth: Why should we go to the Kaleb sector? It's virtually deserted.
Troi: Because those are your orders.
Toreth: Pilot, set course. Bearing one oh two mark four. Warp six.
Pilot: Yes, Commander.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46519.1. We have arrived at Research Station seventy five to take on a rather unique passenger, one whose homecoming will undoubtedly be difficult.
Worf: The man acted dishonorably. He is a traitor.
Crusher: He risked his life to get here. He spent two weeks alone in a scout ship.
Worf: That does not excuse his original actions.
Crusher: Well, maybe he finally realized he made a mistake.
Riker: It's twenty years too late. Energize.
Riker: Ensign DeSeve, by order of Starfleet Command I am placing you under arrest for treason.
Deseve: I understand.
Riker: After Doctor Crusher declares you medically fit, you will be confined to your quarters until a court martial can be convened. Find some civilian clothes. I don't want to see you in that uniform.
Deseve: Yes, sir. Commander, I must speak with Captain Picard.
Riker: He's a busy man.
Deseve: Please, it's important. Urgent.
Riker: I'll tell him.
Deseve: Commander.
Picard: At ease. It's Captain, actually.
Deseve: Of course. I'm sorry, sir.
Picard: You said it was important that I see you.
Deseve: Yes, Captain. I have a message from Ambassador Spock. He said it involves further cowboy diplomacy. He said you would understand. There's a Corvallen freighter arriving in the Kaleb sector in the next twelve hours. Spock wants you to rendezvous with that ship, bring its cargo back to Federation space.
Picard: What kind of cargo?
Deseve: He said it was important to the future of the Romulans and the Federation.
Picard: You have returned in order to give me this message?
Deseve: Partly.
Picard: In order to know whether Ambassador Spock's message is being delivered accurately, I need to understand something about the messenger.
Deseve: I was ready to come back. Romulus had lost its appeal.
Picard: Yet at one time you found something very appealing about it.
Deseve: The Romulans are very moral, Captain. They have an absolute certainty about what is right and what is wrong, who is a friend and who is an enemy, a strict moral compass which provides them with a clarity of purpose. At one time I found their sense of purpose, their passion and commitment, to be very compelling.
Picard: But not any more?
Deseve: As I've grown older, I realize that clarity of purpose is a more ambiguous matter than I had thought in my youth.
Picard: Commander Riker, set course for the Kaleb sector, warp factor eight.
Riker: Aye-aye, sir.
Troi: You may wait outside. Make certain we're not disturbed.
Troi: They're terrified of me.
N'Vek: The purpose of the Tal Shiar is to ensure loyalty. To defy them is to invite imprisonment or death.
Troi: I think it's time you told me what this is all about.
N'Vek: That is why I called you here. These are the cargo containers we brought on board earlier.
Troi: What's in it?
Troi: He's alive. In stasis. Who is it?
N'Vek: Vice Proconsul M'ret of the Imperial Senate and his two top aides.
Troi: M'ret? He's one of the highest ranking members of the Romulan government.
N'Vek: His defection will be a profound blow to Romulus.
Troi: Why is he doing this?
N'Vek: M'ret had questioned the repressive activities of the government and was in danger of being imprisoned. He is willing to take this risk in order to protest Romulan policy and support the dissident movement.
Troi: You're part of Ambassador Spock's underground movement.
N'Vek: Yes. If we are able to deliver M'ret safely, Spock is hopeful that we can establish an escape route for the thousands of dissidents who live in fear of their lives. Now you realize why we are willing to go to such extraordinary lengths, even kidnapping you, to make sure we succeed.
Troi: You've given me the identity of a Tal Shiar officer. Is there a real Major Rakal?
N'Vek: There was. She was killed so that you could take her place. Only a member of the Tal Shiar would have the authority to alter a ship's mission.
Troi: Why me? You could have found a Romulan to play this role.
N'Vek: Yes, for the first part of the plan. But if anything goes wrong we will need a Starfleet officer.
Troi: Why?
N'Vek: There's no need to go into that unless it becomes necessary. For your own sake, Counselor, the less you know about the specifics of this plan, the better.
Troi: What is your plan?
N'Vek: When we reach the Kaleb sector, we will rendezvous with a Corvallen freighter. You will take these containers into their ship and accompany them back to Starfleet Headquarters.
Troi: The Corvallens are mercenaries. Do they know what's in these containers?
N'Vek: No. They were hired simply to take you to Federation space.
Troi: Very well.
N'Vek: We are due in the ward room shortly. The senior officers always dine together.
Troi: I'll go to my quarters. I think it would be best if I stayed out of the way of the Commander.
N'Vek: No, you will be expected to attend. I'll go ahead. Follow me after a few moments. Commander Toreth must not feel that anything is unusual.
Toreth: We'd been told that the Klingon outpost was undefended. So when their warships decloaked, they took us completely by surprise.
Toreth: The Klingons managed to destroyed half my squadron before we even opened fire. But when we did, ha! they were no match for us. I destroyed their flagship myself. I received the Sotaric Citation for my actions that day. The Intelligence Officer in charge of that mission was executed. Major. Welcome to our table.
Troi: Commander.
Toreth: I suggest you try the viinerine. It's quite good.
Toreth: I realize that it's nothing compared to what you're accustomed to on Romulus, but you could at least try the viinerine.
Troi: I've smelled better viinerine on prison ships.
Toreth: No doubt. Tell me, Major, where did you train? The Intelligence Academy or the Imperial War College?
Troi: The Academy.
Toreth: Oh? So you must know Commander Konsab.
Troi: I know of him.
Toreth: I assume you studied Military History with him?
Troi: Yes.
Toreth: Tell me, Major, what do you think about his theories on the differences between the military and the Tal Shiar?
Troi: Which aspects are you referring to?
Toreth: Come now, Major. Surely you attended his classes regularly? It was Konsab's main theme.
Troi: Do you have a point to make, Commander? If so, it has escaped me.
Toreth: Commander Konsab believes that in order to function, military officers have to trust each other. The Tal Shiar, on the other hand, trust no one. They expect deception, so they always find it.
Troi: Your opinion of the Tal Shiar quite clear, Commander.
Toreth: I hope so.
Troi: We ensure the loyalty of the people. Do you believe the Empire would be better off without our protection?
Toreth: Protection? From what? How was the Empire threatened by the words of an old man, a devoted citizen who merely tried to speak his mind? How did the Tal Shiar protect the Empire by dragging him, my father, out of his home in the middle of the night?
Troi: Clearly, your father was a traitor.
Toreth: No. He was just an idealistic old man. I never saw him again.
Troi: I don't need your devotion, Commander. Just your obedience.
Toreth: And that's all you have.
Pilot: Commander, sensors are picking up an unidentified ship on an intercept course.
Toreth: What is the configuration?
Pilot: It appears to be a freighter, Commander.
Troi: Hail them.
Toreth: Visual.
Alien: Commander. We are glad to see you. We are prepared to transfer your cargo as agreed.
Toreth: With whom do you have this agreement?
Alien: Our arrangements were made with Major Rakal. You may rest assured your cargo will be taken safely to its destination. We will transmit coordinates for you to beam it aboard.
Troi: He's lying. They have no intention of keeping their word.
N'Vek: Are you certain?
Troi: Yes.
Toreth: Why did you destroy that vessel?
N'Vek: I beg forgiveness, Commander, but Major Rakal ordered me to fire.
Pilot: The Corvallen freighter has been completely destroyed, Commander. There are no survivors.
Toreth: I demand an explanation.
Troi: How many people were on that ship?
Pilot: Approximately eighteen people, sir.
Toreth: I don't care if there were eighteen or eight hundred. On this ship, I give the command to fire, Major. You have no right.
Troi: This gives me the right.
Toreth: Even you, eventually, will have to answer to someone. You will be held accountable.
Troi: I have been given broad diskretionary powers. Subcommander N'Vek acted under my authority, the authority of the Tal Shiar. I assure you this action will not be questioned.
Toreth: I will nonetheless make an entry in my log that I am not responsible for those eighteen lives and that I deplore their loss.
Troi: Do what you feel is necessary. In the meantime, we must protect ourselves. Engage the cloaking device.
Toreth: And what are my orders now, Major?
Troi: Hold position and wait.
Data: There is no sign of the freighter, sir. We are the only ship in the area.
Picard: Ensign, verify our position.
Mcknight: We're holding at the coordinates specified by Ensign DeSeve, sir.
Riker: Anything on long range sensors?
Data: Sensors indicate no other ships within three light years.
Riker: Could this have been a hoax?
Picard: It's one possibility. Mister Worf, bring Ensign DeSeve to my Ready room.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Ensign DeSeve, you promised me a freighter with an important cargo. The only thing here is empty space. Do you have an explanation?
Deseve: I don't understand.
Worf: Captain, he has deceived us.
Deseve: No. I was told the ship would be at these coordinates.
Picard: You said that the message came directly from Ambassador Spock.
Deseve: Yes. Well, not exactly.
Picard: What does that mean?
Deseve: Someone else relayed the message to me, but he said Spock spoke directly to him. I trust the man who spoke to me. He would not have lied.
Worf: Was he a Romulan?
Deseve: Yes. He's a member of the underground a dissident. He risks his life to work with those who want a different future for Romulus.
Worf: Captain, he could be leading us into a trap.
Deseve: No, that is not so.
Picard: It would be risky to set a trap here, so close to Federation space. But the fact remains, here we are, there is no freighter. Did your contact tell you anything else that might be helpful?
Deseve: The freighter is an old Antares class vessel with limited speed and range. It couldn't have taken on its cargo more than a day ago which means it must be within fifteen light years of here.
Picard: Why didn't you mention this earlier?
Deseve: It didn't seem necessary. And on Romulus you learn not to volunteer information. It's a hard habit to break.
Picard: Well, maybe now would be a good time to start. Follow me, gentlemen.
N'Vek: Our plan has collapsed.
Troi: Our plan? What about the people on that freighter? Why did you fire?
N'Vek: There was no alternative. You told me they couldn't be trusted. If I let them live the whole mission would be in jeopardy.
Troi: Eighteen people lost their lives.
N'Vek: Don't lecture me, Counselor. A number of people have died in order to carry out this mission. Believe me, those eighteen won't be the last.
Troi: I'm sorry but I can't dismiss those lives so easily.
N'Vek: Fine. Agonize all you want, but don't let it get in the way of our plan.
Troi: You don't have a plan anymore.
N'Vek: You remember I told you if anything went wrong, we would need a Starfleet officer. There is a Starfleet base on Draken Four. It is two days away at maximum warp. That's where we're going.
Troi: In a Romulan ship?
N'Vek: Yes. It's your job to order Toreth to proceed into Federation territory.
Troi: We'll never get through the gravitic sensor nets.
N'Vek: We will, if you provide the correct access codes.
Troi: Do you really think this has a chance of succeeding?
N'Vek: If you have another idea, I'll be happy to consider it.
Troi: You will plot a course for the Draken System.
Toreth: You can't be serious.
Troi: Draken Four was the freighter's destination. I ordered the freighter destroyed because I recognized the Captain, a known Federation spy. Now we must deliver the cargo ourselves.
Toreth: We must?
Troi: I do not intend to explain myself to you. You will set a course.
Toreth: In order to reach Draken, we will have to travel through Federation space for nearly twenty hours.
Troi: That is not a problem.
Toreth: Contrary to the propaganda that your superiors would have us believe, Starfleet is neither weak nor foolish. The chances of us reaching Draken undetected are not good.
Troi: We will be cloaked.
Toreth: The cloaking device does not always make us invulnerable, and you would know that if you had spent any time at all in the field. The Federation has littered it's borders with subspace listening posts, with gravitic sensors. They may even have a tachyon detection grid in operation, in which case they will know that we're there. If we are discovered in Federation territory, it will be interpreted as an act of war.
Troi: The Tal Shiar has obtained access codes for the sensor nets. I will provide them if necessary.
Toreth: That will be no guarantee that we will escape undetected.
Troi: Your cowardice does not befit a Romulan soldier.
Toreth: People blame the military for the wars that we are asked to fight, but I think it is your kind, Major, that will be the death of us all.
Toreth: Plot a course for the Draken System.
Pilot: Course plotted, sir.
Toreth: Prepare for warp.
Pilot: Commander, sensors are picking up a vessel. Our cloaking device is still engaged. They have not detected us.
Toreth: Activate viewscreen. Enlarge.
Pilot: It is the Enterprise, Commander.
Toreth: Well, Major, it appears your suspicions about that freighter were correct after all. The Federation has come in search of its spies. Status.
Pilot: They are scanning the debris of the freighter. Shield levels are normal. Weapon systems are not active. They are not prepared for battle, sir.
Toreth: They weren't expecting to find us here, and I see no reason to alter that perception. The radiation from the debris field could make our cloak detectable if we engage warp engines. Proceed at maneuvering speed.
Troi: One moment, Commander. We should hold our position until the Enterprise has left the area. We cannot risk detection.
Toreth: Even if we are detected, they cannot track us once we go to warp.
Troi: We have not established their intentions.
Toreth: Their intentions are obvious, Major, and are of no concern to us. Proceed on course, maneuvering engines only. Go to warp when we're clear of the debris field.
Pilot: Yes, Commander. We should clear the field in twenty seven minutes.
Troi: You will keep me informed of our progress.
N'Vek: It is not wise to challenge the Tal Shiar, Commander.
Toreth: I will not let her tell me how to run my ship.
Data: It appears to be the remains of a ship. My analysis indicates that it was an Antares class freighter.
Deseve: That's the ship we were supposed to meet.
Picard: Could there have had some sort of malfunction? A reactor core breach?
Data: I do not believe so, sir. That would not be consistent with the debris pattern. However, sensors indicate extremely high levels of residual antiprotons.
Riker: Romulan disruptor fire.
Data: Correct. Based on the antiproton decay, I would estimate the incident occurred within the last four point three hours.
Picard: Then the Romulans could still be in the vicinity.
Riker: Red alert. Shields at maximum.
Picard: Whatever that freighter was carrying, they certainly didn't want it to reach us. Are you sure you don't know what it was?
Deseve: No, sir. I swear it.
Picard: All we have here are questions. Mister Data, continue with your scan.
Troi: We have to get a message to the Enterprise.
N'Vek: That's impossible.
Troi: It's the perfect opportunity. The Enterprise is nearby. If we can communicate with them, they might be able to help us.
N'Vek: Counselor, this ship is traveling under cloak. All of our electromagnetic emissions are being monitored. Any attempt at communication whatsoever and we would be discovered instantly. It could not succeed. We must continue to Draken Four. That is the safest course.
Troi: Is there anything you can do to the ship or to the cloaking device that would let the Enterprise track us?
N'Vek: Track us? No. We want to get into Federation territory undetected.
Troi: What we want is to get the dissidents to safety. Now answer the question. Is there a way?
N'Vek: If there were, I wouldn't do it.
Troi: Yes, you will.
N'Vek: Counselor.
Troi: We're not playing it your way any more, N'Vek. I've been kidnapped, surgically altered, put in danger I've gone along with all your plans. Now you are going to listen to me. You find a way to let the Enterprise track us, or I will go to Toreth and tell her I've discovered you're a traitor. I'll order you ejected into space. Is that clear, Subcommander?
N'Vek: There is one possibility. In order for a ship to remain undetectable while cloaked, the radiative emissions from the warp engines must be precisely balanced. The ship's Engineer is a sympathizer. He may be able to slightly misalign one of the nullifier cores. It would create a small magnetic disturbance in space whenever we were in motion.
Troi: Good. Do it.
N'Vek: The effect would only be intermittently. They might not even detect it.
Troi: If it's the best we can do, we have to try it.
N'Vek: Anything more would be immediately registered on the Bridge. Even this slight misalignment may be detected.
Troi: It's a risk we have to take. You're the one who outlined the stakes to me, N'Vek. Are you getting squeamish now, just because things are getting a little more dangerous?
Data: Sensors are picking up a polarized magnetic distortion to our port side.
Picard: Analysis.
Data: The distortion is extremely weak, sir. It appears to be moving slowly. It is gone, sir.
Riker: Gone?
Data: The distortion no longer registers on our instruments.
Picard: Could this distortion be caused by a cloaked ship?
Data: Unknown, sir. Our understanding of Romulan technology is still limited.
Deseve: Captain, Romulan ships use a forced quantum singularity as a power source. If that system is not functioning perfectly or is damaged even slightly, it might show through the cloak as a magnetic disturbance of some kind.
Data: The distortion has reappeared, sir, bearing three three seven mark ten. It has disappeared again, sir.
Picard: Mister DeSeve, in your opinion is it possible that we're picking up a cloaked Romulan ship?
Deseve: It's a strong possibility, sir.
Picard: Mister Data, continue your scan. Ensign, link navigational control to Mister Data's console and plot a course for that distortion.
Pilot: Commander, the Enterprise is underway.
Toreth: Good. What is their course?
Pilot: They're heading for us, sir.
Toreth: What?
Pilot: They appear to be on an intercept course.
Toreth: What is the status of our cloaking device? Is there a malfunction of any kind?
Pilot: Cloaking device functioning correctly, sir. All shipboard emissions within normal range.
Toreth: Maintain full sensor scans.
N'Vek: Commander. The Enterprise may simply be engaged in search operations.
Toreth: Perhaps.
Picard: Where is it now, Mister Data?
Data: It has disappeared once again, sir. I believe it may have been coming to a halt.
Picard: Stop engines.
Mcknight: Aye, sir.
Riker: If this is a Romulan ship, will it stay in position until we leave?
Deseve: I don't think so, sir. A Romulan Commander's instinct would be to attack.
Toreth: Engage maneuvering engines, forward zero point one. Take us directly under their hull.
Pilot: Yes, Commander.
Troi: What are you doing?
Toreth: It seems that the Enterprise can track us even though we are cloaked. I intend to find out whether they can or cannot. N'Vek, ready attack procedure.
N'Vek: Sir, disruptors are standing by. Ready to disengage cloak.
Troi: We cannot risk an engagement here.
Toreth: Considering the nature of our mission, I would have preferred to have avoided it as well. But I see no other alternative.
Troi: What do you intend to do?
Toreth: We will pass as close as we possibly can. If they do have the ability to track us, they will move to avoid a collision. If they do, I will destroy them.
Data: Sir, the magnetic distortion has reappeared.
Picard: Bearing and speed?
Data: It appears to be moving toward us, closing slowly. Its bearing indicates a possible collision course.
Riker: Time to impact?
Data: I am unable to make a precise measurement. However I would estimate impact within ninety seconds.
Riker: It doesn't make any sense. Why would they run into us? And if they were, why wouldn't they do it at full speed?
Deseve: I don't know, sir. The Romulans will sometimes make suicide attacks, but only as a last resort. There's no reason for it here.
Data: Time to impact approximately sixty seconds.
Picard: We don't have the luxury to speculate. Back us away from the distortion, Ensign. One half impulse.
Mcknight: Aye, sir.
Pilot: They are moving away, Commander.
Toreth: Prepare attack sequence.
N'Vek: All sections report ready for battle, Commander.
Pilot: Disruptors fully charged.
Toreth: Disengage cloak on my command. Prepare to fire.
Troi: Disregard that order.
Toreth: What?
Troi: I do not authorize this attack. You will cease battle operations immediately.
Toreth: I do not need your authorisation to attack, Major. This is my ship.
Troi: How typical of the military to resort to brute force when diskretion is required.
Toreth: The Enterprise has demonstrated that they can track us. They must be destroyed.
Troi: Yes, they can track us. So if we attack them, they will return fire. And since we have no shields when we're cloaked, they will destroy us.
Toreth: Are you questioning my ability to command?
Troi: You are not fit to command. Step down. Step down or I will have you removed.
Toreth: Do you think anyone here will listen to you?
Troi: If any one of you defies the Tal Shiar, you will not bear the punishment alone. Your families, all of them, will be there beside you. I am now Commander of this ship. You will take orders from me and no one else. Remove Commander Toreth from her station. If she resists, shoot her.
N'Vek: Commander, please, step down.
Troi: Remove her weapon.
Troi: Now, Commander. Watch and learn. In order to defeat your enemy, you must first understand them. The Federation wishes to avoid war at all cost. So I shall offer them a diplomatic solution, get them to lower their shields and then destroy them.
Worf: Captain, we are being hailed.
Picard: On screen.
Troi: I am Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar.
Picard: I am Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise.
Troi: How can we be of help?
Picard: A Corvallen freighter has been destroyed not far from here. We have detected the residual effects of disruptor fire. Can you shed any light on this?
Troi: A regrettable incident, Captain. The freighter was fired upon by the former Commander of this vessel. I have now taken control, and I assure you there will be no more attacks.
Picard: Still, there was a considerable loss of life.
Troi: Captain, we do not want to exaggerate this incident. You and I can discuss it calmly. We can diffuse it before it becomes inflated.
Picard: I agree.
Troi: I will come onto your ship. Please, lower your shields and prepare to beam me aboard.
Picard: Very well. Mister Worf, lock onto Major Rakal. Transport on my command.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Troi: Thank you.
Riker: What's she doing on that ship?
Picard: I don't know, Number One, but she needs our help to get back. Mister Worf, keep your lock on her no matter what happens.
Worf: Yes, sir.
Picard: Lower shields.
N'Vek: Their shields are dropping.
Troi: Activate forward disruptor array. Fire when ready.
N'Vek: Yes, Major. Firing.
Worf: Captain, they have fired on us.
Picard: Shields up. Stand by phasers. Damage report.
Worf: We sustained a direct hit, but the damage was negligible. The disruptor had almost no power.
Deseve: This is Proconsul M'ret and his aides. They're part of the underground movement.
Riker: They're in stasis. Medical team to the Bridge.
Medic: Aye, sir.
Riker: Where's Deanna?
Pilot: Disruptors were ineffective. The Enterprise was not damaged. They have re-established full shields.
N'Vek: I am reading a malfunction in our forward disruptor array. The power system has destabilized.
Toreth: You're lying. The disruptor beam has been purposely sabotaged to conceal a transporter beam within. Quickly, Pilot, locate transport coordinates. What have you done?
Pilot: The transporter beam originated in our cargo bay. Something was transported from there to the Enterprise.
Toreth: So, Major, the mysterious cargo, brought on board by Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar, has been transported to the Starfleet vessel. I see two traitors in our midst.
Toreth: So, Major, now that you can no longer take refuge behind the shield of the Tal Shiar, it's time to answer a few questions. What was in those cargo containers? Well, no matter. We will soon know all we need to know, and then we will execute you. Pilot, drop shields and cloak the ship. Prepare to go to warp.
Pilot: Aye, sir.
Picard: Mister Worf, now.
Laforge: Counselor are you all right?
Troi: Yes.
Laforge: Let's get you to Sickbay.
Picard: Ensign, get us out of here. Warp nine.
Mcknight: Aye, sir.
Crusher: That about does it. How does it feel to have your own face back?
Troi: Just right. Thank you.
Picard: The men you helped rescue are safe. Proconsul M'ret is deeply grateful for your help.
Troi: The thanks should go to N'Vek. He sacrificed himself to save them, and me.
Picard: Thanks to the two of you, the way has been paved for further rescue operations. N'Vek's efforts, and his sacrifice, were not in vain.