Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 43657.0 While Commander Riker is away on personal leave, the Enterprise has traveled to sector three nine six to begin charting the Selebi Asteroid Belt.
Laforge: He sent for you too?
Troi: Yes. He was very mysterious.
Wesley: Does you have any idea what this is about?
Laforge: Something happened at that cybernetics conference. Since he's come back he's spent every off duty minute in that lab.
Troi: It's not like Data to be so secretive.
Wesley: And cautious. He kept the lab locked every minute.
Laforge: Now how would you know that? Ah ha.
Data: Oh, you are early. Just a moment please.
Data: You may enter now.
Laforge: Come on, Data, what is this?
Wesley: Yeah, Data. what's going on?
Data: I have invited you here to meet someone.
Data: This is Lal. Lal, say hello to Counselor Deanna Troi
Lal: Hello Counselor Deanna Troi.
Troi: How do you do, Lal?
Lal: I am functioning within normal parameters.
Data: Lal, this is Geordi La Forge.
Lal: Purpose for exterior drapings, Father?
Wesley: Father?
Data: It is an accepted custom that we wear clothing.
Wesley: Data, it called you Father.
Data: Yes, Wesley. Lal is my child.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. I have just been advised of a highly unusual project undertaken by Commander Data.
Data: Lal has a positronic brain one very similar to my own. I began programming it at the cybernetics conference.
Laforge: But nobody's ever been able to do that, Data, at least not since you were programmed.
Data: True, but here was a new submicron matrix transfer technology introduced at the conference which I discovered could be used to lay down complex neural net pathways.
Wesley: So you did a transfer from your brain into Lal's.
Data: Exactly, Wesley. I realized for the first time it was possible to continue Doctor Soong's work. My initial transfers produced very encouraging results, so I brought Lal's brain back with me.
Picard: Data, I would like to have been consulted.
Data: I have not observed anyone else on board consulting you about their procreation, Captain.
Troi: Why didn't you give it a more human look, Data?
Data: I decided to allow my child to choose its own sex and appearance.
Picard: Commander Data, at your convenience, I would like to talk to you in my Ready room. Counselor?
Picard: I insist we do whatever we can to discourage the perception of this new android as a child. It is not a child. It is an invention, albeit an extraordinary one.
Troi: Why should biology rather than technology determine whether it is a child? Data has created an offspring. A new life out of his own being. To me, that suggests a child. If he wishes to call Lal his child, then who are we to argue?
Picard: Well, if he must, but I fail to understand how a five foot android with heuristic learning systems and the strength of a ten men can be called a child.
Troi: You've never been a parent.
Picard: What you have done will have serious ramifications. I am truly dismayed that you told no one of what you were doing.
Data: I am sorry, Captain. I did not anticipate your objections. Do you wish me to deactivate Lal?
Picard: It's a life, Data. It can't be activated and deactivated simply. This is a most stupendous undertaking. Have you any idea what will happen when Starfleet learns about this?
Data: I have followed all of Starfleet regulations to the best of my ability. I expected they would be pleased.
Picard: Well, you have taken on quite a responsibility, Data.
Data: To prepare, I have scanned all available literature on parenting. There seems to be much confusion on this issue. One traditional doctrine insists, spare the rod and spoil the child, suggesting a punitive approach. While another more liberal attitude would allow the child enormous freedom.
Picard: Data
Data: And what Klingons do to their children
Picard: Data! I'm not talking about parenting. I am talking about the extraordinary consequences of creating new life.
Data: Does that not describe becoming a parent, sir?
Picard: Data, you are seeking to achieve what only your own creator has been able to achieve. To make another functioning, sentient, android. To make another Data.
Data: That is why I must attempt this, sir. I have observed that in most species, there is a primal instinct to perpetuate themselves. Until now, I have been the last of my kind. If I were to be damaged or destroyed, I would be lost forever. But if I am successful with the creation of Lal, my continuance is assured. I understand the risk, sir. and I am prepared to accept the responsibility.
Lal: Gender female.
Troi: That's right, Lal. Just like me.
Lal: Gender male.
Data: Correct.
Lal: I am gender neuter. Inadequate.
Data: That is why you must choose a gender, Lal, to complete your appearance.
Lal: What are criteria?
Data: Access your data bank on sexuality, level two. That will define the parameters.
Troi: Whatever you choose will be yours for your lifetime. It's a decision that will affect how people interrelate with you.
Lal: I choose your sex and appearance.
Data: No, Lal. That would be confusing. We are taking you to the holodeck to show you several thousand composites I have programmed. You may choose from them.
Troi: Several thousand?
Data: This is a big decision
Data: Counselor? Lal has narrowed the choices to four. Would you like to see?
Troi: Yes, yes, of course, Data.
Data: Computer, Lal gender sequence finalists. Begin. An Andorian female.
Troi: Interesting. You'll be the only one on board the Enterprise, Lal.
Data: That could make socialization more difficult. A human male.
Troi: Very attractive. There's no problem with socialization here.
Data: A human female.
Troi: I like her.
Data: A Klingon male.
Troi: A friend for Worf. They're all very interesting. Do you have a favorite?
Lal: Yes. I have chosen.
Data: I have completed the assembly of the replicated anatomy. I was able to provide Lal with more realistic skin and eye color than my own.
Troi: Congratulations, Data. It's a girl.
Data: This is home, Lal.
Lal: Home. Place of residence. Social unit formed by a family living together.
Data: Yes. We are a family, Lal. Chair. To sit in. Sit. Good. Painting.
Lal: Painting. Colors produced on a surface by applying a pigment.
Data: Yes. I will teach you to recognize the artistry in paintings.
Lal: Soft.
Data: Yes, very good, Lal. You have correctly processed the sense of touch. There are many fascinating experiences I wish to share with you.
Lal: Painting.
Data: No, that is a flower, Lal. Inhale.
Lal: Smell!
Data: Yes.
Lal: Show me more, Father. Second officer's science log, supplemental. Training in social skills at the most elementary level has begun. Lal is progressing very slowly but is not deterred by early setbacks. While motor coordination has improved twelve percent, reflexes still need to develop. Visual comprehension is especially difficult for Lal. Translating her vast data banks into recognizable applications may improve with additional transfers. She is also learning to supplement her innate android behavior with simulated human responses. And it is interesting to note that as I observe Lal learning about her world, I share in her experience, almost as though I am learning things over again.
Data: The transfer itself is fairly simple. Each neural pathway in my brain is duplicated precisely in hers. Theoretically, the duplicate brains should be able to store and process the same information but until all of the transfers are complete, we will not know for certain.
Wesley: What does Lal do while you're on duty?
Data: She studies in our quarters. She requires very little supervision. Lal is quite self-sufficient.
Wesley: Have you considered sending her to school?
Data: She already has access to the sum of human knowledge from me.
Wesley: Data, she could learn a lot by being with kids her own age.
Data: She is only two weeks old.
Wesley: Okay, close to her own age.
Crusher: Doctor Crusher to Ensign Crusher. Aren't you supposed to be getting a hair cut, Wesley?
Wesley: I'm on my way. Parents. Nothing personal.
Data: Lal, the third crosslink transfer series is complete.
Lal: Father? What is my purpose?
Data: Purpose?
Lal: My function, my reason for being?
Data: That is a complex question, Lal. I can only begin to answer by telling you that our function is to contribute in a positive way to the world in which we live.
Lal: Why am I me instead of someone else?
Data: Because you are my child.
Lal: Where did I come from?
Data: These questions suggest that we have made a successful transfer of the heuristic associative pathways. You will now begin to process information on logic, esthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology. You are truly becoming sentient, Lal.
Lal: How?
Data: By developing the awareness to examine and question your perceptions.
Lal: Why do we have two hands? Why not three or four? Why is the sky black? Why do
Data: Tomorrow will be your first day of school, Lal.
Picard: I assure you, Admiral, there's no better guide into this life for Lal than Data. He's doing an excellent job.
Haftel: We all have enormous admiration for what Commander Data has already achieved, but we have superior facilities and personnel here at Galor Four. A starship is hardly a proper setting
Picard: This starship's mission is to seek out new life and that is exactly what Commander Data is doing, under my guidance.
Haftel: We all want what's best for the new android.
Picard: As do I. I would be willing to consider releasing Lal and Data to you so that he may continue his work with her.
Haftel: His presence would undoubtedly retard the new android's progress.
Picard: Admiral, to you, Lal is a new android. But to Data, she's his child.
Haftel: His child?
Picard: Yes, Admiral. It may not be easy for you and I to see her that way, but he does. And I respect that. They will remain here for now.
Haftel: Starfleet's policy on research is clear. You're making your stand on very uncertain ground. I do hope it doesn't fall out from under you. Haftel out.
Ballard: She achieved a very high score on a test of academic achievement.
Data: A perfect score?
Ballard: Yes, which is why we started her out with the older children. But Lal couldn't understand the nuances of how they related to each other.
Data: I see.
Ballard: We decided the best thing to do would be to put her with younger children.
Data: That would seem to be reasonable.
Ballard: It isn't working out that way.
Ballard: The children were afraid of her.
Lal: Father, what is the significance of laughter?
Data: It is a human physiological response to humor.
Lal: Then judging from their laughter, the children at school found my remarks humorous. So without understanding humor, I have somehow mastered it.
Data: Deck fifteen. Lal.
Lal: Yes, Father?
Data: The children were not laughing with you, they were laughing at you.
Lal: Explain.
Data: One is meant kindly, the other is not.
Lal: Why would they wish to be unkind?
Data: Because you are different. Differences sometimes scare people. I have learned that some of them use humor to hide their fear.
Lal: I do not want to be different.
Data: Doctor? I require your advice as a successful parent.
Crusher: Well, thank you, Data. I'd like to think I was. Well, please sit down. How's Lal?
Data: Lal is realizing she is not the same as other children.
Crusher: Is it lonely for her?
Data: She does not feel the emotion of loneliness, but she can observe how isolated she is from the others. She wishes to be more like them. I do not know how to help her. Lal is passing into sentience. It is perhaps the most difficult stage of her development.
Crusher: When Wesley was growing up, he was an extraordinarily bright boy, but he had a hard time making friends. I think the other children were a little intimidated by him.
Data: That is precisely what happened to Lal in school. How did you help him?
Crusher: Well, first I went back to my own childhood and remembered how painful it was for me. Because I remember a time when I wasn't very popular either. And when I told that to Wesley, it made him feel a little better. He knew I understood what he was going through.
Data: I have not told Lal how difficult it was for me to assimilate. I did not wish it to discourage her. Perhaps this was an error of judgment.
Crusher: You didn't have any one experienced to help you through sentience. She at least has you. Just help her realize that she's not alone, and be there to nurture her when she needs love and attention.
Data: I can give her attention, Doctor. But I am incapable of giving her love.
Crusher: Now why do I find that so hard to believe?
Worf: Captain, incoming signal. Starfleet priority one. Admiral Haftel.
Picard: On my monitor, Lieutenant. Admiral.
Haftel: Captain Picard, I hope I didn't disturb you.
Picard: Not at all.
Haftel: I have discussed my concerns with Starfleet Command. You are to hold your position until I join you. Then I shall personally review the android's development.
Picard: Understood.
Haftel: I should advise you, Captain, that if I'm not satisfied with what I see, I am empowered to take the android back with me. Haftel out.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We are holding position pending the arrival of Admiral Haftel from Starfleet Research. Commander Data is completing his final neural transfers to the android he has named Lal, which I have learned, in the language Hindi means beloved.
Guinan: Hello, Data.
Data: Guinan.
Guinan: Lal, how are you?
Lal: I am functioning within normal. I am fine, thank you.
Guinan: Good.
Data: Guinan, Lal needs to observe human behavior.
Guinan: She's in the right place for it.
Data: And for this opportunity, she is willing to provide services to assist you.
Lal: Father says I would learn a great deal from working with someone as old as you.
Guinan: You're hired. The most important part about working some place like this is the art listening. I have some expertise, so I shall teach you.
Data: That would be most beneficial.
Lal: I've been programmed with a listing of fourteen hundred and twelve known beverages.
Guinan: What did you say?
Lal: I've been programmed with a listing of fourteen hundred
Guinan: I've?
Data: You have used a verbal contraction.
Guinan: You said I've instead of I have.
Data: It is a skill my program has never mastered.
Lal: Then I will desist.
Data: No. You have exceeded my abilities. I do not object, but I do not understand how this has occurred.
Picard: Picard to Commander Data. Please report to my Ready room.
Data: Aye, sir.
Data: I am certain the Admiral is anxious to meet Lal. I have been sending him regular status reports on her development.
Picard: His visit is not just an inspection of Lal's progress. He has expressed a concern for her environment.
Data: Her environment, sir?
Picard: He believes the Daystrom annex on Galor Four would be more suitable.
Data: Then he wishes to relocate us?
Picard: Not you, Data. Just her.
Data: I would not be in favor of that, sir. There are many things that she can learn only from me. My lifetime of experiences. The mistakes I have made and what I have learned from them.
Worf: Captain, Commander Riker's shuttle has just returned.
Picard: Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Will you advise Commander Riker I will meet with him in one hour. Picard out. The Admiral is taking the position that Lal's development should be overseen by the most experienced personnel.
Data: Then he is questioning my ability as a parent.
Picard: In a manner of speaking.
Data: Does the Admiral have children?
Picard: Yes, I believe he does, Data. Why?
Data: I am forced to wonder how much experience he had as a parent when his first child was born.
Guinan: You see?
Lal: What are they doing?
Guinan: It's called flirting.
Lal: They seem to be communicating telepathically.
Guinan: They're both thinking the same thing, if that's what you mean.
Lal: Guinan, is the joining of hands a symbolic act for humans?
Guinan: It shows affection. Humans like to touch each other. They start with the hands, and go from there.
Lal: He's biting that female.
Guinan: No, he's not biting. They're pressing lips. It's called kissing.
Lal: Why are they leaving?
Guinan: Lal, there are some things your father's just going to have to explain to you when he thinks you're ready.
Riker: You're new around here, aren't you?
Lal: Yes.
Guinan: Lal! Lal, put him down.
Data: Commander, what are your intentions toward my daughter?
Riker: Your daughter? Nice to meet you.
Lal: I watch them and I can do the things they do but I will never feel the emotions. I'll never know love.
Data: It is a limitation we must learn to accept, Lal.
Lal: Then why do you still try to emulate humans? What purpose does it serve except to remind you that you are incomplete?
Data: I have asked myself that many times as I have struggled to be more human. Until I realized it is the struggle itself that is most important. We must strive to be more than we are, Lal. It does not matter that we will never reach our ultimate goal. The effort yields its own rewards.
Lal: You are wise, Father.
Data: It is the difference between knowledge and experience.
Lal: I learned today that humans like to hold hands. It is a symbolic gesture of affection.
Haftel: No objective viewpoint could see it any other way.
Picard: Forgive me, Admiral, I thought you were sent here to form an opinion, not to justify one.
Haftel: Captain, do not make this more difficult than it needs to be.
Picard: I see no need for it to be difficult at all. I understand your concerns. What I'm asking for is time, patience. If you have an open mind, I'm sure you will see that it is imperative that Data and Lal be kept together during the formative stages of her development. After that, I have no doubt Commander Data will be delighted to deliver her to Starfleet Research.
Haftel: That's not satisfactory. If mistakes are made, the damage that's done might be irreparable.
Picard: I'm convinced the damage will be irreparable if they're separated.
Haftel: Captain, are we talking about breaking up a family? Isn't that rather a sentimental attitude about androids?
Picard: They're living, sentient beings. Their rights and privileges in our society have been defined. I helped define them.
Haftel: Yes, Captain, and I am more than willing to acknowledge that. What you must acknowledge is that Lal may be a technological step forward in the development of artificial intelligence.
Picard: A most significant step.
Haftel: Yes, and work like this demands to be done with controlled procedures.
Picard: Which Commander Data is following.
Haftel: In effective isolation. And that is what Starfleet Research finds unacceptable.
Data: So Lal now possesses the sum of my programming.
Haftel: Her neural nets are laid down identically to yours?
Data: There do seem to be some variations on the quantum level. She can use contractions. I cannot.
Haftel: An aberration. What have you done about this?
Data: I have maintained records on positronic matrix activity, behavioral norms, and all verbal patterns. I have seen no evidence of other aberrations.
Picard: It would seem you've actually improved upon yourself, Data.
Data: Is that not the goal of every parent, sir?
Haftel: But as a good father, don't you think it would be better, especially in light of this new aberration, if Lal were close to people trained in diagnostic and evaluative procedures?
Data: I am programmed with the procedures you mention, sir. And in any meaningful evaluation of Lal, you would require a model for a basis of comparison. I am the only model available, Admiral.
Haftel: You haven't mastered human cultural and behavioral norms yourself yet, have you?
Data: No, sir.
Haftel: Where is Lal now?
Haftel: This is your idea of appropriate guidance?
Data: It is an opportunity for her to observe human behavior and more importantly, for her to interact with her crewmates.
Haftel: She is capable of running over sixty trillion calculations per second, and you have her working as a cocktail waitress.
Picard: Admiral, she is under the strict guidance of a woman in whom I have absolute trust. Ten Forward is the center of the ship's social activity. Everyone on board comes here.
Haftel: I'm not convinced the sort of behavior she observes here will be a positive influence.
Guinan: Most people when they come here behave themselves. If they don't, I ask them to leave.
Picard: Admiral Haftel, Guinan. She runs Ten Forward. How is Lal doing?
Guinan: She spills a few drinks every now and then, but she's learning.
Haftel: I want the android out of here.
Guinan: Now, Admiral, you've been in one or two bars in your time.
Haftel: Have her report to me immediately for an interview.
Haftel: Well, Lal, I've been looking forward to meeting you.
Lal: Why?
Haftel: You're very important to us at Starfleet Research. We have got quite a facility at Galor Four. I want like to show it to you.
Picard: In fact, the Admiral is fact suggesting you be moved to Galor Four, Lal.
Lal: Have I done something wrong?
Haftel: Oh, no, of course not. We just want to broaden your experience. There's only so much you can learn on a starship. I'm sure you'll agree to that.
Lal: Yes, I'll agree.
Haftel: Good.
Lal: Thus, the natural conclusion would be when I have learned all there is to learn aboard the starship, I would relocate to Galor Four.
Haftel: That is not the natural conclusion here.
Lal: I believe it is.
Picard: You see, Lal, the Admiral is concerned that you need more guidance than your father can provide here on the Enterprise.
Haftel: Yes. Don't misunderstand me, I have great respect for your father.
Lal: You do not speak with respect.
Haftel: She seems very adversarial.
Lal: I'm merely stating a fact, Admiral.
Haftel: I don't think your father has taught you selective judgment in the verbalisation of your own thoughts. That is a skill we will help you develop.
Lal: My father is already helping me, sir.
Haftel: The question is, has he helped you enough?
Lal: Are you asking me, sir?
Haftel: No, I didn't mean to ask any
Picard: Why don't we, Admiral? In all these discussions, no one has ever mentioned her wishes. She's a free, sentient being. What are your wishes, Lal?
Lal: I wish to remain here, Captain Picard.
Picard: Thank you, Lal. You're excused.
Troi: Come in.
Troi: Hello, Lal. How are you?
Lal: Troi. Admiral. Admiral. An admiral from Starfleet has come to take me away, Troi. I am scared.
Troi: You are scared, aren't you?
Lal: I feel it. How is this possible?
Troi: I don't know.
Lal: This is what it means to feel. This is what it means to feel.
Haftel: You have Lal off to a wonderful start in life, Commander. And that's what being a parent is all about. However, I have finally decided that I must ask you to release her to me.
Data: May I ask why, sir?
Haftel: All the other arguments aside, there's one that is irrefutable. There are only two Soong-type androids in existence. It would be very dangerous to have you both in the same place. Especially aboard a starship. One lucky shot by a Romulan, we'd lose you both.
Picard: Admiral, that is a fine argument, but it doesn't change my feeling that the proper place for Lal to develop is by Data's side.
Haftel: You're not a parent, Captain. I am. I have learned, with difficulty, that there comes a time when all parents must give up their children for their own good.
Picard: This is not the time. Damn it, even I can see the umbilical cord is virtually uncut. The child, the child depends on him.
Haftel: Mister Data, it would be better for Lal if she left knowing you had voluntarily decided that this was the best course of action.
Data: Admiral, when I created Lal, it was in the hope that someday she would choose to enter the Academy and become a member of Starfleet. I wanted to give something back in return for all Starfleet has given me. I still do. But Lal is my child. You ask that I volunteer to give her up. I cannot. It would violate every lesson I have learned about human parenting. I have brought a new life into this world, and it is my duty, not Starfleet's, to guide her through these first difficult steps to maturity, to support her as she learns, to prepare her to be a contributing member of society. No one can relieve me from that obligation. And I cannot ignore it. I am her father.
Haftel: Then I regret that I must order you to transport Lal aboard my ship.
Picard: Belay that order, Mister Data.
Haftel: I beg your pardon?
Picard: I will take this to Starfleet myself.
Haftel: I am Starfleet, Captain! Proceed, Commander.
Picard: Hold your ground, Mister Data.
Haftel: Captain, you are jeopardizing your command and your career.
Picard: There are times, sir, when men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders. You acknowledge their sentience, but you ignore their personal liberties and freedom. Order a man to hand his child over to the state? Not while I am his captain. If you wish, you can accompany us to Starfleet, where we shall see
Troi: Troi to Commander Data. Report to your lab at once.
Picard: Acknowledged, Counselor. He's on his way. Is there a problem?
Troi: Yes, Captain. Something is terribly wrong with Lal.
Troi: It lasted barely a moment. She experienced fear and confusion. And then for no apparent reason she walked out of my quarters. She didn't say another word, she just started walking here and each step became more and more difficult.
Data: Lal is programmed to return to the lab in the event of a malfunction.
Lal: Father.
Data: Yes, Lal. I am here.
Picard: A malfunction. Emotional awareness.
Data: It appears to be a symptom of cascade failure. It would require initialisation the base matrix without wiping out the higher functions.
Haftel: I agree. May I assist?
Data: Thank you, Admiral.
Haftel: If you'll excuse us, Commander Data and I have much to do.
Haftel: She won't survive much longer. There was nothing anyone could have done. We'd repolarize one pathway and another would collapse. And then another. His hands were moving faster than I could see, trying to stay ahead of each breakdown. He refused to give up. He was remarkable. It just wasn't meant to be.
Data: Lal? I am unable to correct the system failure.
Lal: I know.
Data: We must say goodbye now.
Lal: I feel
Data: What do you feel, Lal?
Lal: I love you, Father.
Data: I wish I could feel it with you.
Lal: I will feel it for both of us. Thank you for my life. Flirting. Laughter. Painting. Family. Female. Human.
Data: Lal suffered complete neural system failure at thirteen hundred hours. I have deactivated the unit.
Picard: The crew is saddened by your loss, Mister Data.
Data: I thank you for your sympathy, but she is here. Her presence so enriched my life that I could not allow her to pass into oblivion. So I incorporated her programs back into my own. I have transferred her memories to me.
Picard: Mister Data, will you take your position? Mister Crusher? Lay in a course for the starbase on Otar Two.
Wesley: Course is set, sir.
Picard: Engage.


Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 43685.2 As part of an exchange program, we're taking aboard a Klingon officer to return the recent visit of Commander Riker to the cruiser Pagh.
Picard: We must take care that while he is with us, Commander Kurn is accorded all the rights and responsibilities due the first officer of this ship. If he should feel patronized in any way
Riker: I'm sure we'd know. One does not patronize a Klingon warrior.
Picard: Your experience on board the Pagh will prove invaluable during the commander's tour. Be sure that the crew is prepared for any unusual orders.
Riker: The Klingons are very thorough. I'm sure Commander Kurn has studied for his assignment just as I did when I served with them.
Picard: I understand that he requested the Enterprise specifically.
Crewwoman: Commander Kurn is ready for transport, Captain.
Picard: Energize.
Picard: Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Commander. I'm Captain Picard. This is Commander William Riker. He will be yielding the first officer's position to you during your tour.
Kurn: You are relieved. May I take my station, Captain?
Riker: I thought that I might show you your quarters first.
Kurn: I am ready for duty, sir. I ask that I be allowed to take my station.
Picard: Very well. If you will accompany us to the Bridge.
Kurn: I am Kurn, commander rank, Klingon Defense Force. You will address me as Commander or sir at all times. I am fully aware of all Starfleet regulations and they will be strictly adhered to by all personnel while I am in command. It is my intention to bring a sense of diskipline that you may not be accustomed to. With your permission, of course, Captain.
Picard: Oh, by all means, Commander.
Kurn: I have studied all of your service records. Impressive. We shall see if you live up to your reputations. Do you wish to speak, Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher?
Wesley: No, sir, Commander, sir.
Kurn: The crew awaits your orders, Captain.
Picard: Then take us to the outer cometary cloud, Commander.
Kurn: Set course one one four mark two three zero, one third impulse power.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Kurn: Execute.
Wesley: Engaged. Increasing to one third impulse power, sir.
Riker: Mind if I join you?
Wesley: No, sir.
Riker: Is there something wrong, Wes? Commander Kurn perhaps?
Wesley: He just doesn't seem to like me. I can't do anything right for him. Every time I respond to an order he jumps down my throat. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
Riker: Problem, Geordi?
Laforge: Yes, sir. It's our new first officer.
Riker: I take it he found something wrong in Engineering?
Laforge: Just the entire section. He pulled a surprise inspection in the middle of a maintenance cycle! I tried to explain it to him
Riker: But he wouldn't listen.
Laforge: We're all going to be doing double shifts down there just to ready for the next inspection.
Riker: His style of command is just different. Klingons believe in obedience and a strict formality of command.
Laforge: Yeah, but this isn't a Klingon vessel. He's going to have to loosen up, Commander.
Wesley: It's not just us. He's been leaning into everybody pretty hard, except
Laforge: Except the one guy who wouldn't really mind it.
Worf: Sensors picking up asteroidal debris ahead, Commander.
Kurn: Can you identify the coordinates, Mister Worf?
Worf: Bearing zero zero one mark point oh three. Range, three hundred thousand kilometers.
Kurn: Excellent. Please scan the asteroid field for me, Lieutenant, and report.
Worf: Approximately two thousand small objects. None in our direct flight path, sir.
Kurn: So, no course correction is necessary. Is that what you are saying?
Worf: It should not be needed, sir.
Kurn: Very good, Lieutenant. You handled that well.
Kurn: Yes?
Riker: Commander. Captain's mess?
Kurn: Yes.
Riker: Resume.
Riker: Your knowledge of our systems and procedures is very impressive, Sir. I would like to make one suggestion, sir.
Kurn: A suggestion?
Riker: When I served aboard the Pagh, the hardest part for me was recognizing and adapting to the demands of the crew. They needed an iron hand. I imagine it must be very difficult for you to work with a crew that is so different. I would be happy to guide you in that regard, if it would be helpful.
Kurn: No, Commander. It wouldn't.
Riker: This is not a Klingon ship, sir.
Kurn: No, Commander, it is not. If it were a Klingon ship, I would have killed you for offering your suggestion.
Kurn: How long has the bird been dead? It appears to have been lying in the sun for quite some time.
Laforge: It's not dead, it's been replicated. You do understand that we cook most of our foods.
Kurn: Ah, yes. I was told to prepare for that. I shall try some of your burned replicated bird meat.
Picard: I have attempted to select a menu that will allow you to sample a variety of dishes, Commander.
Crusher: Try some caviar.
Kurn: The odor is not palatable. What is it?
Data: The unhatched eggs of a large scaleless
Picard: Later, Data. A fish, Commander. A delicacy from the Caspian Sea on Earth It's a favorite of mine. Our replicator's never done it justice, but I managed to store a few cases for special occasions.
Kurn: I am honored, Captain.
Troi: Are you adjusting to your new environment, Commander?
Kurn: I find the constraints a bit difficult to conform to. Just a short while ago, I had to stop myself from killing Commander Riker. I believe he was trying to communicate the crew's sense of discomfort with my style of command. Under different circumstances, I would consider that a challenge to my authority.
Picard: One of the aims of the exchange program, Commander, is for all of us to learn tolerance. As for my crew, it may be healthy to shake up the status quo occasionally.
Riker: The Commander certainly appears to have the crew on its toes
Laforge: And then some. No offense, sir.
Kurn: None taken. I never kill anyone at the supper table, Mister La Forge.
Crusher: Don't you like it, Commander?
Kurn: Our food has much more taste to it. While I'm sure this is well prepared, it is far too bland for the stomach of a Klingon.
Laforge: It seems to agree with Worf.
Kurn: Yes.
Kurn: Enter.
Kurn: 'el.
Worf: Permission to speak freely, sir?
Kurn: For what purpose?
Worf: I have questions I wish to pose.
Kurn: Are your quarters so comfortable?
Worf: They serve me.
Kurn: This entire ship seems built on comfort, relaxation, being at ease. It is not the ship of a warrior, not the ship of a Klingon. You cannot ask these questions within the boundaries of protocol?
Worf: They are of a personal nature, sir.
Kurn: Permission granted. Pose your questions.
Worf: I wish to know if I have given you offense.
Kurn: I am not human. If you had given offense, you would not need to ask.
Worf: Perhaps I have not performed my duties to your satisfaction?
Kurn: I find you to be a capable Starfleet officer. A credit to your ship.
Worf: Yet you dishonor me at every opportunity.
Kurn: Have I? I did not know that being polite to a Starfleet officer would bring dishonor on him.
Worf: I am a Klingon.
Kurn: Really? Perhaps your blood has thinned in this environment. I simply don't want to hurt you.
Kurn: mev yap! So your blood is not so thin after all.
Worf: I am a Klingon! if you doubt it, a demonstration can be arranged.
Kurn: That is the response of a Klingon. The response I would expect from my older brother.
Kurn: I was barely a year old when you left for the Khitomer Outpost. You, our mother and father were not going to stay long. It was decided that I did not need to go. I was left to stay with our father's friend, Lorgh, until you returned. You never did.
Worf: The Starfleet officer that rescued me was told by the Klingon High Command that I had no living relatives.
Kurn: They assumed that I was killed with the family at Khitomer. Lorgh had no sons. He took me into his family. It was not until I had reached the Age of Ascension that I was told the truth.
Worf: So you asked to serve aboard the Enterprise to watch me.
Kurn: It was an excellent opportunity to see what kind of Klingon you were, or if you were Klingon at all.
Worf: Your deception offends me, brother.
Kurn: It should. But it was required.
Worf: To satisfy your curiosity.
Kurn: No. Much more. You are the eldest son. The challenge is yours to make.
Worf: Challenge?
Kurn: The Klingon High Council has judged our father a traitor to the Empire.
Picard: What are the allegations, Worf?
Worf: My father is accused of aiding and abetting the Romulan attack on the Khitomer outpost.
Picard: The attack in which he himself was killed? But why now, after twenty years?
Worf: I do not know, Captain. I will hear the evidence when I arrive. The charge has been made by Duras, the son of my father's greatest rival. Our family name will be disgraced for seven generations. It is my responsibility to clear his name or answer for his crimes.
Picard: Answer for them?
Worf: The family of a Klingon warrior is responsible for his actions and he is responsible for theirs. If I fail in my challenge, I will be executed. Will you grant my leave, Captain?
Picard: No. If I understand correctly, a Starfleet officer, a respected member of my crew, could be accused of a capital crime. Your actions in this matter will reflect on this ship and on the Federation. Therefore, it seems only appropriate that your captain should be at your side while you make your challenge. I'm sure you would do no less for me.
Picard: Commander Kurn
Kurn: Sir.
Picard: We're changing course. Set coordinates for the First City of the Klingon Imperial Empire.
Kurn: We arrive within the hour.
Worf: Yes.
Kurn: The Council will receive you at high sun in the Great Hall of
Worf: I know the procedure for the challenge.
Kurn: You'll need a cha'DIch to defend you. While you are accused, you will not be allowed combat. I would be honored if you chose me.
Worf: I ask you to stand with me, to be my cha'DIch.
Kurn: jIlajneS. ghIj qet jaghmeyjaj. The two sons of Mogh. Together, we will restore the family honor.
Worf: No. For the proceeding, you will not reveal your true father.
Kurn: I must.
Worf: You will not.
Kurn: Because it would mean my death as well if you fail? A Klingon's honor means more to him than his life. Perhaps your human values have clouded your judgment. I insist.
Worf: On this ship, you are my commander, and I obey. In Council chamber, you are my cha'DIch. You do not insist. You obey.
Kurn: Yes, brother.
Worf: I am Worf, son of Mogh. I have come to challenge the lies that have been spoken of my father.
K'Mpec: Worf, son of Mogh, you have challenged the judgment of the council. Are you prepared to answer for this if you fail?
Worf: Yes. With my life.
K'Mpec: Why do you come before us, Commander?
Kurn: I am Kurn, son of Lorgh. I will stand by Worf's side. I am cha'DIch.
Duras: You claim a birthright you have forsaken?
Worf: I have not forsaken my heritage. I am Klingon. My heart is of this world. My blood is as yours.
Duras: Yet you come to us wearing a child's uniform, and you bring outsiders to our Great Hall.
Picard: I am here at my own request. I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise.
Duras: Your words mean nothing here.
K'Mpec: Duras, let him speak.
Picard: Lieutenant Worf has served under my command with distinction. He has earned my admiration and my respect. It is my greatest wish that this Council, in its wisdom, will clear his family name and return him to duty.
K'Mpec: The trust of a commanding officer is admirable. The council has noted it. Speak the accusation.
Duras: For many turns, the truth about Khitomer has lain dormant. Unknown. Now the truth has been revealed. The traitor Mogh sent the defense access codes to the Romulan patrol ships, allowing them to destroy the outpost. Thousands died on Khitomer. My father died on Khitomer. Their deaths must be avenged. Your father was a traitor. By posing this challenge, you are a traitor.
Duras: You will not wear the emblems of our people. You are a fool and your challenge can only result in a fool's death.
Worf: It is a good day to die, Duras, and the day is not yet over.
K'Mpec: The council stands in recess. We will return for the Mek'ba, when the evidence will be presented. Qapla'
Picard: Mister Data, find out everything you can about the destruction of the Khitomer outpost. Cross reference with Romulan tactics and strategic information on the region, and request access to the Klingon central information net. Computer, presentation overview of Klingon custom and law pertaining to familial accountability.
Computer: Accessing.
Picard: In my ready room.
K'Mpec: Worf. I would speak with you. Alone.
K'Mpec: You should not have brought the challenge. There was no risk to you. What does it matter?
Worf: I am Klingon.
K'Mpec: Of that I have no question. But your life in the Federation would not be affected by this judgment.
Worf: My father
K'Mpec: Is dead. He died long ago. I knew your father, served with him. This is not how I wanted to remember him. We must let the past be and protect what we have now. If you leave before the Mek'ba, no shame will come on you. Return to your ship. Go back to your life. The challenge will be forgotten.
Worf: Why would you ask me to lay aside the honor of my father, my family? Are these the words of the council?
K'Mpec: I will not be questioned by you! Leave, now, or you too will be condemned as a traitor.
Riker: What Federation starship was closest to Khitomer at the time of the attack?
Data: The USS Intrepid was the first ship on the scene, sir.
Riker: Contact Starfleet, request all logs of the Intrepid. Riker to Doctor Crusher.
Crusher: Crusher here.
Riker: Doctor, I want you to look over the medical records from all the rescue vessels that responded to the Khitomer massacre. See if there's any information on the aftermath that might help us.
Crusher: Understood.
Kurn: I should have known. Worf was right. It is a good day to die.
Duras: The time has not yet come. It does not have to come for many turns. I know who you are, Kurn. Son of Mogh.
Kurn: What?
Duras: It was a wise choice to hide your family name. Do not err by embracing it again, for you only embrace death.
Kurn: We will see.
Duras: Worf has made a choice and he will die for it. You can still be safe. Let him stand alone.
Kurn: He is my brother. I will not betray him!
Duras: Then you will die for him.
Crusher: What kind of a weapon makes a vicious wound like that?
Worf: It is a kut'luch. The ceremonial weapon of an assassin.
Crusher: Fortunately his metabolic recovery is phenomenal. He will be all right
Worf: It does not matter. We should have let him die. Now that Duras knows his bloodlines, we will both be executed.
Crusher: You sound like you've already lost, Worf.
Data: Commander, I have discovered the basis of the charges against Worf's father. Apparently the Klingons recently captured a Romulan ship with logs that provided new information on the Khitomer attack. They clearly indicate a transmission from the outpost to the Romulan ship moments before the shields went down.
Laforge: From Worf's father?
Data: They do correspond to Mogh's personal security code.
Riker: How can we be sure these records haven't been falsified?
Laforge: We can cross check them against the Intrepid's sensor logs.
Data: I will try, but the Intrepid was at the edge of sensor range during the attack and we cannot be sure if the scan was complete.
Laforge: Looks like a pretty good match-up, Data
Data: Both the Intrepid and Romulan logs show a series of distress signals from Khitomer.
Riker: What happened there.
Laforge: Those are gaps in the Intrepid's logs. Missing information due to the range.
Data: That is where Mogh's alleged transmission should be.
Riker: Right in the middle of the gap?
Laforge: Wait a second, Data. Back up. Just before the Intrepid's gap begins, the timebase of both files are in perfect sync. But look. Look at what happens to the signal after the shields are dropped.
Data: They are no longer synchronous.
Laforge: Commander, somebody's been rewriting history.
Picard: I do not pretend to fully understand the nuances of your world's law or culture, Lieutenant, but I do understand when somebody is trying to hide something.
Worf: K'mpec urged me to drop my challenge, abandon my family honor. It was impossible to believe I was hearing a Klingon speak
Picard: Obviously, they did not expect and never wanted this challenge. You're getting close to something, Lieutenant. Something they care a great deal about protecting.
Worf: If it is true, it is not just Duras but the High Council itself that is my enemy. Captain, I must choose another cha'DIch. I would like your permission to ask one of the crew.
Picard: Well of course, Lieutenant. Choose whomever you wish.
Worf: Then I would ask you to stand with me. You may refuse with no dishonor.
Picard: Thank you, Lieutenant. I appreciate the gesture, but I know that there are stronger and younger men from whom to choose.
Worf: I can think of no one I would rather have at my side.
Picard: jIlajneS. ghIj qet jaghmeyjaj. I accept.
Worf: My challenge will proceed. No threats, no treachery will stop it. Not even a trap set for my cha'DIch by a coward.
K'Mpec: Duras!
Duras: I will not hear lies from the son of a traitor.
Duras: Keep your place, Picard!
Picard: This is my place.
Worf: He is now my cha'DIch.
Duras: This is not your world, human. You do not command here.
Picard: I'm not here to command.
Duras: Then you must be ready to fight. Something that Starfleet doesn't teach you.
Picard: You may test that assumption at your convenience.
Crusher: I've got something. Worf was not the only survivor of the Khitomer massacre.
Riker: Another child?
Crusher: No. A Klingon woman was found with Worf.
Riker: Kahlest. Who was she?
Crusher: I don't know, but the report said she was severely injured, was transferred to Starbase twenty four for treatment. That was when she was separated from Worf. And after her recovery, she returned home.
Riker: We've got to find her, if she's still alive. Data, scan the Klingon central net. See if there's any record of her.
Duras: The Romulans lowered the outpost shields themselves. They were given the defense access code! The record clearly show the Romulan patrol ship receiving a personal transmission from Mogh seconds before the shields fell.
Riker: Riker to Captain Picard.
Picard: Stand by.
Duras: The Khitomer commander noted in his log that Mogh had been acting suspiciously.
Picard: Go ahead, Number One.
Riker: We've located another survivor of the Khitomer massacre, Captain a woman who was found with Worf. Her name is Kahlest.
Riker: She resides in the Old Quarter of the First City.
Picard: Well done. Picard out.
Duras: Another witness has testified that Mogh often spoke of his admiration for the Romulans. Their culture. Their women. Mogh betrayed us, and four thousand Klingons died on Khitomer. Only the son of Mogh survived.
Picard: K'mpec. May we have a short recess?
K'Mpec: Len'mat.
Picard: Have you heard of a woman named Kahlest?
Worf: She was my ghojmoK, my nurse.
Picard: It is possible she was an eyewitness to your father's activities on Khitomer.
Worf: But she died in the attack.
Picard: No, she survived. She's living in the Old Quarter. I'm going to find her.
Worf: It is too dangerous. You must not go alone.
Picard: Hey, I'm your cha'DIch.
Picard: Kahlest?
Kahlest: What do you want?
Picard: Your help.
Kahlest: No.
Picard: You don't even know what I want.
Kahlest: You are cha'Dich. I know.
Picard: Then you also know that Worf's life is at stake.
Kahlest: I cannot help. I am dead. A long time dead.
Picard: Were you with Worf's father just before the attack on Khitomer?
Kahlest: No. My life ended on Khitomer. I served a proud family, a strong house. All that is gone.
Picard: Worf is not gone. The family you served needs you again.
Kahlest: I cannot help.
Picard: Was his father a traitor?
Kahlest: No. Mogh was loyal to the Emperor. Mogh suspected someone of plotting with the Romulans and followed them to Khitomer.
Picard: Who? Who was the traitor?
Kahlest: I do not know.
Picard: Then we have no way to prove Mogh's innocence, and Worf will die as the son of a traitor.
Kahlest: You must leave now, cha'DIch. I am dead.
Picard: My appreciation, madam.
Kahlest: You are brave, cha'DIch. Worf chose well.
Picard: Kahlest, would they recognize you? Would they know who your are?
Kahlest: K'mpec would remember Kahlest. I caught his eye back then, but he was too fat.
Picard: Come back with me. They won't know how much you know. You may shake loose the truth.
Kahlest: I will come.
Duras: The evidence is clear. I would ask that the judgment stand. That Worf be condemned as the son of a traitor to the Empire.
K'Mpec: Worf, son of Mogh, the judgment of
Picard: K'mpec!
Picard: The Mek'ba is not complete. I bring an eyewitness to the Khitomer massacre, one who has new evidence, K'mpec.
Kahlest: Mogh was innocent.
K'Mpec: Len'mat.
Duras: What is it you think you know, old woman?
Picard: Do not answer. It is the rule of the Mek'ba that evidence be presented in open council.
Duras: She will die before she gives evidence.
K'Mpec: Be silent, Duras. Would you kill an old women to cover your dishonor?
Picard: Yes. It is your dishonor we are protecting here, isn't it, Duras?
Duras: I have no reluctance to kill you, human.
Picard: Are you prepared to hear her evidence in open council?
K'Mpec: Obviously, we would not. Kahlest, you can go now. It is good to see you again.
Kahlest: You are still fat, K'mpec.
K'Mpec: I asked you to leave, to let this challenge go unanswered, but you did not hear my words. And now it's come to this.
Worf: Why did you judge my father guilty when you knew he was not?
K'Mpec: Someone had to be blamed. The warriors who captured the Romulan ship had learned of the treachery, but only the Council knew whose security code had been transmitted. Ja'rod, father of Duras.
Worf: This ha'DIbaH should have been fed to the dogs!
K'Mpec: His family is powerful. If the truth were known, it would shatter the Council, most certainly plunge us into civil war. You were in Starfleet. We did not expect you to challenge the judgment, nor did we know there was another son of Mogh.
Picard: Worf's challenge is successful. The honor of his family must be restored.
K'Mpec: You do not understand. His challenge was defeated before he ever made it. You will not be allowed to present this evidence. The judgment stands. You will be condemned. So will your brother. There is no other way now.
Picard: You admit the truth and yet expect him to accept punishment? What does this say of an Empire who holds honor so dear?
K'Mpec: The Empire will not be destroyed for one family's honor.
Picard: Unacceptable, K'mpec.
Duras: You have no say in this, cha'DIch!
Picard: I speak now as the Captain of the USS Enterprise and Lieutenant Worf's commanding officer. You will not execute a member of my crew, nor will I turn his brother over to you.
K'Mpec: This is not the Federation, Picard. If you defy an order of the High Council, the alliance with the Federation could fall to dust.
Picard: The alliance with the Federation is not based on lies, K'mpec! Protect your secrets if you must, but you will not sacrifice these men.
Worf: I will die for the Empire.
Picard: Lieutenant.
Worf: The cha'DIch will be silent. Allow my brother to return to his life. Only you need know his true bloodline.
Duras: Not acceptable. His honor would demand revenge.
Worf: If you allow him to live, I will give you something that will serve your purpose far more than my death. I will accept discommendation.
Duras: You would do this in open council?
K'Mpec: It would be the same as admitting your father's guilt, Worf.
Worf: So be it.
K'Mpec: Your heart is Klingon. It will be done. What has been said here will never be spoken of again.
Worf: You are the son of a traitor.
Worf: Now I am ready.
Kurn: Why is he doing this? I was prepared to die.
Picard: Worf wants you to live. The name of your father must someday be cleared. He needs you alive with your honor intact.
Kurn: But to do this
Picard: There will be another day, Commander. Do not forget what he does here today. Do not let your children forget.
Worf: tlhIH ghIj jIHyoj.
K'Mpec: biHnuch.
Worf: You must also, brother.


Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 43714.1. We have finally succeeded in eradicating the Phyrox plague on Cor Caroli Five, and will soon be preparing to leave orbit and proceed to our next mission. A rendezvous with the USS Hood to assist their terraforming efforts on Browder Four.
Data: Commander, ship's sensors detect an abnormal energy reading in the Captain's quarters.
Riker: Type?
Data: Undetermined.
Riker: Riker to Captain Picard.
Worf: Security team to Captain's quarters.
Picard: Picard to Enterprise. Anyone receiving this transmission, please respond.
Worf: Security override. Priority one.
Picard 2: Is something the matter, Lieutenant?
Picard: It's all right, it's al right. I'm not going to hurt you.
Haro: Captain.
Picard: Picard, of the Enterprise.
Haro: Captain Picard. We studied your missions at the Academy Mitena Haro, first year cadet, Starfleet Academy.
Picard: Cadet Haro.
Tholl: Perhaps you can explain what this is all about.
Picard: Unfortunately, I can't, Mister
Tholl: Tholl. Kova Tholl, of Mizar Two.
Picard: Well, Mister Tholl, all I know is that I've been brought here against my will. Wherever here is.
Haro: The same thing happened to me, sir. I was alone, studying and I fainted. When I came to, it was about three days ago.
Picard: And you, sir?
Tholl: I've been here twelve days, possibly more. I had been meditating privately and for no reason whatever, I lost consciousness.
Picard: What can you tell me about our captors?
Tholl: Nothing. They've never shown themselves.
Picard: Four sleeping areas. That implies we may be joined by another captive.
Tholl: It's edible, but I wouldn't call it food.
Tholl: I wouldn't touch that.
Picard: Why not?
Tholl: If it's the door lock, the combination's too complex to hit at random. I tried it and was punished.
Picard: Punished? How?
Tholl: Severe pain. Some sort of energy beam. I won't get near that panel again.
Worf: Sir, the Hood has arrived at the rendezvous point. They are expecting us in thirty six hours.
Picard 2: Thank you, Lieutenant. Mister Data, the nearest pulsar is in the Lonka cluster, is it not?
Data: Correct, sir.
Picard 2: What do we know about that pulsar?
Data: A great deal, sir. It is a rotating neutron star of approximately four point three five six solar masses.
Picard 2: Mister Crusher, how long would it take us to get there?
Wesley: At warp seven, thirty four minutes.
Picard 2: Mister Crusher make it so.
Wesley: Sir?
Picard 2: Set course for the Lonka pulsar. Warp two.
Wesley: Aye, sir. Sir, at warp two we'll arrive at the pulsar in thirty one hours.
Picard 2: Thank you, Ensign. Engage.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Riker: Will we be delaying our rendezvous with the Hood, sir?
Picard 2: We may have to, Number One.
Riker: Lieutenant, contact the Hood and inform them of our delay.
Worf: Aye, Commander.
Picard 2: Belay that order. There will be no further communication off this ship without my prior authorisation. Commander, may I have a word with you? Mister Data, you have the bridge.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard 2: Number One, you know I like to keep you well informed as to the nature of our missions.
Riker: Yes, sir.
Picard 2: And if I don't inform you there is a reason. I don't like keeping you in the dark, but for the next few days I may not be able to be as communicative as usual. It may make things difficult for you.
Riker: Don't worry about me, sir. I can handle it.
Picard 2: And the crew?
Riker: You can count on all of us, sir.
Picard 2: I appreciate that, Number One.
Tholl: Picard, what are you doing?
Picard: Attempting to let our captors know that we possess intelligence.
Tholl: You don't think they already know that? They can hear us talking.
Picard: Yes, but they may not realize that we're communicating through language.
Haro: Captain Picard is letting them know we comprehend mathematics by tapping out the first six prime numbers.
Tholl: I know what he's doing. I'm trying to understand why.
Picard: It is imperative that we communicate with our abductors, find out what they want.
Tholl: Obviously, they want us.
Picard: Obviously. But why? What made our captors choose us? What makes us special?
Haro: I couldn't say, Captain. I'm certainly not special. I am just one cadet.
Picard: What's your best area of study?
Haro: Impulse propulsion systems. I'm very good with field coils.
Picard: Good enough to be useful to our abductors?
Haro: I don't know. Maybe. But if they needed an engineer, sir, why didn't they take a real one? Why pick a Starfleet cadet?
Picard: That I can't answer. The Bolians are maintaining an uneasy truce with the Moropa, are they not?
Haro: That's right. But this doesn't look like Moropa technology and, even assuming the Moropa wanted me, what would they want with either of you?
Tholl: I've never even heard of the Moropa. My race has no enemies.
Picard: None? In the last three hundred years of Mizarian history, your planet has been conquered six times!
Tholl: And we've survived by not resisting. Mizarians value peace above confrontation.
Picard: Then you have no idea who might have done this.
Tholl: No. I don't know of anyone who bears malice toward my race.
Picard: Or against you personally?
Tholl: You can't mean to suggest that someone with a personal grudge against me has gone to all this trouble.
Picard: I'm not suggesting anything. I'm merely trying to come up with some explanation for your abduction.
Tholl: I'm sorry, Picard. I can't give you one. I am neither important enough to hold for ransom nor radical enough to be dangerous. I'm a simple public servant.
Picard: Nevertheless, Mister Tholl
Picard: Stop! We mean you no harm. We are prisoners, like yourself. We are not the enemy.
Esoqq: Who has done this?
Picard: We don't know. We were brought here the same way you were. Our captors refuse to show themselves.
Esoqq: I don't trust you.
Picard: You must trust us. We wish only to return to our worlds. Were you abducted from Chalna?
Esoqq: You know my planet?
Picard: Oh, yes. I visited there twelve years ago, while commanding the Stargazer.
Riker: Five, and twenty.
Laforge: Ouch.
Troi: If it's too rich, Geordi, fold.
Laforge: I'm thinking, I'm thinking.
Data: Enter.
Picard 2: Counselor, gentlemen. Forgive this intrusion. I was just passing by.
Data: You are always welcome, Captain.
Picard 2: I was wondering, Mister La Forge. What's our engine efficiency status?
Laforge: Operating at ninety three percent, sir.
Picard 2: That's very good, but I would like to increase the efficiency to ninety five percent.
Laforge: No problem, Captain, I'll get right on it.
Picard 2: That's not an order. You can get to it later. I don't want to disrupt your recreation.
Laforge: No Captain, it's no problem. Lady Luck left me long ago.
Troi: Would you care to join us, Captain? We have an opening.
Picard 2: I'd rather just observe, if you don't mind.
Riker: Not at all. Counselor, twenty.
Riker: Pair of threes.
Troi: Flush. Queen high.
Data: That beats my fours.
Picard 2: Well played, Counselor. May I have a word with you for just a moment?
Troi: Certainly, sir.
Picard 2: Forgive me, gentlemen. I'll return your player to you in a moment.
Picard 2: Counselor, I wanted to ask you about the crew. How are they reacting to our sudden change in course?
Troi: I sense no unusual reaction, Captain. After all, such a change is hardly out of the ordinary.
Picard 2: They're not curious or concerned as to why?
Troi: They're curious, yes. But concerned? No, they trust you.
Picard 2: How far do you think that trust goes?
Troi: Sir?
Picard 2: I know, Counselor, that the crew has always had full confidence in me. But what if it were to change?
Troi: Well, I'd inform you, sir, of course.
Picard 2: Thank you, Counselor.
Esoqq: My given name is Esoqq. It means fighter.
Tholl: I'll bet half the names in the Chalnoth language mean fighter.
Esoqq: Mizarians. Your names all mean surrender.
Tholl: We are a peaceful race, a race of thinkers.
Esoqq: A race of cowards. And you? I don't know your people.
Haro: I am Mitena Haro, of Bolarus Nine.
Esoqq: Who would want to imprison a child?
Haro: I'm not a child.
Picard: Esoqq, I've been trying to determine if we have a common enemy. Someone with a reason for confining us here.
Esoqq: There are Chalnoth who would kill me if they could. But kidnap? There is no reason.
Picard: You have many enemies?
Esoqq: None of consequence. I've slain all the ones who mattered. That shocks you, Bolian?
Haro: A little.
Esoqq: And you?
Tholl: I'm not surprised. I've heard about your race. You're uncivilized. You have no laws, no system of government
Esoqq: The Chalnoth have no use for laws or governments! We are strong. We obey no one.
Tholl: You live in anarchy, murdering one another, That mentality may get us all killed.
Esoqq: And you may be the first.
Picard: Both of you. This is getting us nowhere.
Tholl: Neither is asking us useless questions, Picard. But, if you must pursue the topic, How long have you and the Romulans been adversaries?
Picard: For quite a while, Mister Tholl. I am perfectly willing to entertain the hypothesis that our captors are Romulans. But what would the Romulans want with you?
Tholl: My brainpower, perhaps. It's well known that my species possesses superior intelligence and I am considered among the brightest of my people.
Haro: And the least modest.
Esoqq: What is this?
Picard: Food.
Esoqq: The only food?
Picard: It would seem so.
Esoqq: Poison!
Tholl: Does this mean there's nothing here for you to eat?
Esoqq: You.
Tholl: Don't even think that! Picard, you won't let him
Picard: Esoqq, how long can you go without food?
Esoqq: Three days. Perhaps four.
Picard: No longer?
Esoqq: No longer.
Crusher: Well, all your tests indicate the same results. You are in great shape.
Picard 2: I never felt better.
Crusher: I see. Then why did you come in? Your annual physical isn't due for another month.
Picard 2: Well, usually you have to remind me, then badger me, and finally order me to report. For once I thought I'd save you the trouble.
Crusher: Jean-Luc, be honest with your doctor. Are there any warning signs or symptoms that you haven't told me about?
Picard 2: As far as I know, I'm perfectly healthy.
Crusher: Well, then, return to your post.
Picard 2: Will you have dinner with me tonight?
Crusher: In Ten Forward?
Picard 2: What about my quarters? More intimate.
Crusher: Jean-Luc, you are full of surprises today.
Picard 2: I take that to be a yes.
Tholl: Picard is it wise to attempt an escape?
Picard: It's imperative.
Tholl: Why? Our captors haven't mistreated us.
Haro: We've been kidnapped, locked in a room. You don't think that's mistreatment?
Tholl: They haven't hurt us, have they? I think we should just wait until we find out what they want. Be patient.
Picard: We can no longer afford to be patient. Unless we act soon, Esoqq will starve.
Tholl: If we antagonize them, they may decide we're more trouble than we're worth, kill us and go capture another four.
Picard: I agree that's a risk, but I see no alternative.
Tholl: Well, I refuse to help.
Picard: As you wish, Mister Tholl. We must get inside this panel.
Esoqq: Not very sturdy.
Picard: Stand back, Haro.
Haro: The design is simple. Cross-circuiting the door mechanism should be easy.
Picard: Make it so.
Haro: Yes, sir.
Haro: I think I've got it.
Tholl: I warned you.
Crusher: Out with it, Jean-Luc.
Picard 2: Out with what?
Crusher: Whatever has been on your mind all evening long.
Picard 2: Has it been that apparent? How well you know me.
Crusher: After all this time, I ought to.
Picard 2: Well, it's true, I have been preoccupied. I know that's not very flattering to you, but I have been thinking about us. And about the choices I've made.
Crusher: We've both made choices.
Picard 2: And I've been wondering if they were the right ones. Sometimes I feel we've allowed our positions to isolate us.
Crusher: Our positions necessitate a degree of professional detachment.
Picard 2: But there's a danger in becoming too detached, of never permitting ourselves to get closer.
Crusher: Is that what you want, Jean-Luc? To get closer?
Picard 2: You're a very attractive woman.
Crusher: And you're a very attractive man. But we both know it's not as simple as that.
Picard 2: Would it be simpler if I were not your commanding officer?
Crusher: Simpler, perhaps, but that's not the only issue. I guess, right now, I'm comfortable with our relationship just the way it is.
Picard 2: Would you care to dance?
Crusher: I thought you didn't dance.
Picard 2: On special occasions.
Picard 2: I don't think I told you, but I'm glad you're back on the Enterprise. I missed our friendship.
Crusher: I did too.
Crusher: Jean-Luc, if I didn't know you better, I would think you were playing games with me.
Picard 2: You're sorry you came tonight?
Crusher: I didn't say that.
Picard 2: Good. Because I'm delighted you did. But, perhaps we should call it a night.
Picard 2: Goodnight.
Tholl: I warned you not to provoke our captors. The next beams might be lethal.
Esoqq: Not to you. You moved far from the door.
Tholl: Of course I did! Being stunned once was enough.
Esoqq: You claim you were hit by the stun beam before the rest of us arrived. You could be lying. Maybe our enemy is watching us from inside.
Tholl: Are you accusing me of collaborating with our abductors?
Esoqq: Collaboration is what your species does best.
Haro: You did try to talk us out of attempting to escape.
Esoqq: For all we know, you may be our captor.
Tholl: Impossible. I'm a Mizarian. My people are not aggressive.
Esoqq: How can we be sure you're a Mizarian? You could be an impostor.
Tholl: This is nonsense. What if you're an impostor? Esoqq was the last one to appear, and he is the only one with a weapon.
Esoqq: Keep talking and I will use it.
Picard: Tholl, our captors have transporters, they have stun beams. It is hardly likely that they would try to hold us at bay with a knife.
Tholl: Well, then, maybe she's an impostor. She could have triggered the stun beams deliberately.
Haro: I was hit, too.
Tholl: To forestall suspicion. You were very quick to volunteer.
Picard: Tholl, I asked her to open the door.
Tholl: You ordered her, you mean. You've been giving orders from the moment you got here, trying to make everyone do what you want.
Picard: Tholl, what I want is for everyone to escape!
Esoqq: Why should we believe you?
Haro: Captain Picard's put his life at stake for others many times. The primitive culture on Mintaka Three, the Wogneer creatures in the Ordek Nebula.
Picard: And Cor Caroli Five.
Haro: Right. Helping to cure the Phyrox Plague.
Esoqq: And how do we know this is the heroic Captain Picard? We have no proof of his identity.
Tholl: You've wasted our time with failed attempts to communicate with them or escape. Is that your task? To keep us busy so we're off guard? First officer's log, supplemental. Although we're still eighteen hours from the Lonka pulsar, the Captain has ordered us to slow to one half impulse. He has offered no explanation.
Riker: I don't know why we're going to this pulsar. And creeping up on it at half impulse makes even less sense.
Troi: The Captain has given unusual orders before.
Riker: I know, but this is different. He's different. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm worried.
Troi: The Captain does seem detached from his emotions.
Picard 2: Mister La Forge. We are operating at ninety six percent engine efficiency. Well done.
Laforge: Thank you, sir.
Picard 2: When we arrive at the pulsar, I shall require everyone at their best. I know that I can rely on both of you.
Worf: Of course, Captain.
Picard 2: Excellent. An ale for me, and for my officers. In fact, ales for everyone.
Picard 2: Here's to the finest crew in Starfleet. You know, back when I was in the Academy, we would follow every toast with a song. I wonder if I can, oh, yes.
Picard 2: Come cheer up my lads, 'Tis to glory we steer. To find something new in this wonderful year. To honor we call you as free men and brave. For who are so free as the sons of the waves? Hearts of Oak are our ships, Jolly tars are our men. We always are ready. Steady, boys, steady. We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.
Laforge: Commander, what's the Captain up to?
Riker: That's not the Captain I know.
Riker: We're a mission that has no apparent purpose. In itself, I can accept that. All of us can, because the Captain says it's important and we trust him. Then he runs the crew through efficiency drills for the first time in my tour of duty, but he says we need them, so we need them, because we trust our Captain. But we also have a captain singing drinking songs with his men.
Laforge: A Captain who's come to the poker game for the first time.
Troi: And he was very odd with me afterwards. He wanted me to warn him if the crew started to lose confidence in him.
Riker: Any signs of mental stress or trauma?
Crusher: He came in for a physical with no word from me.
Worf: Anything unusual, Doctor?
Crusher: Every test result identical to his last physical, which is kind of unusual in itself, actually.
Riker: Almost as though he wanted to establish that there was nothing wrong.
Crusher: There was one other thing. He asked me to dinner in his cabin, and it was a very unusual evening.
Riker: Which brings up a very serious possibility. What if there's an outside influence at work here?
Troi: I detect no evidence of telepathic coercion.
Data: Commander, there is still one fact we have not considered. The abnormal energy reading in the Captain's quarters was never explained.
Worf: It is not enough evidence to justify mutiny.
Riker: Nobody has suggested removing the Captain from command. Right now, all we have are suspicions. Not enough to act upon. The next move is his.
Tholl: Well, Picard? Prove to us you're not the enemy.
Picard: I can't. You're right, Mister Tholl. Any of us may be the enemy. And there is no way to prove that we aren't. But until we set aside our mutual fears and trust one another, we have no hope of escape.
Haro: But sir, how can we trust each other?
Tholl: She's right. There may be an enemy among us.
Picard: And what if there is, Mister Tholl? Shall we continue accusing one another until hostility leads to violence? Shall we allow our suspicions to destroy us? Now, let's see if we can override this stun mechanism.
Picard 2: Helm take us in to twenty million kilometers.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
Riker: Mister Worf, divert enough power to the shields to offset the increased radiation and magnetic fields.
Data: Sir, at twenty million kilometers, our shields will only be effective for eighteen minutes.
Picard 2: Noted, Mister Data.
Riker: Captain, may I have a word with you?
Picard 2: You have the Bridge, Mister Data.
Data: Aye, sir.
Riker: What is our mission?
Picard 2: I'm under no obligation to tell you that.
Riker: If you don't, you force me to take command of this vessel.
Picard 2: On what grounds?
Riker: You are endangering this ship for no reason.
Picard 2: No reason you're aware of.
Riker: That's not good enough. Your behavior has been erratic.
Picard 2: Erratic enough to justify mutiny? Do you honestly believe you have sufficient evidence to convince a board of inquiry?
Riker: No, I don't. But I can't let you risk the lives of this crew.
Picard 2: Number One, has it occurred to you that you might be the one with the problem? I'm aware you've been under stress, and I am willing to let the matter drop if you will report to Sickbay for a full examination. Otherwise, I will have to relieve you from duty. Think about it.
Picard: Cadet.
Haro: I may have overloaded it, sir.
Picard: Mister Tholl!
Tholl: I still think this is a mistake.
Tholl: Now what? We're no better off than when we started.
Data: Captain, number four shield has failed. Increasing power to number three shield to compensate.
Picard 2: Helm, move us closer. Ten million kilometers.
Data: Sir, at that distance, the ship will not withstand the magnetic fields and radiation. We will not survive.
Picard 2: Take us in, Mister Crusher.
Riker: Belay that order.
Picard 2: You're relieved of duty, Commander. Mister Worf, confine Mister Riker to his quarters.
Picard 2: Mister Worf, I gave you an order.
Riker: Maintain your position, Lieutenant.
Picard 2: You're destroying yourself and anyone who is foolish enough to listen to you.
Riker: You've shown none of the concern that Captain Picard would for the safety of his ship, the welfare of his crew.
Picard 2: Mister Worf, escort Commander Riker from the Bridge.
Riker: Ensign Crusher, take us away from this pulsar. Heading one eight five mark three two. Full impulse.
Wesley: Full impulse. Aye, Commander.
Riker: Engage.
Tholl: I hope you're satisfied, Picard. You've accomplished nothing.
Esoqq: The sound of your voice is beginning to anger me.
Picard: Well, I think this charade has gone far enough. Don't you?
Haro: I don't understand.
Picard: Oh yes, you do. This isn't a holding cell. It's a laboratory maze, a carefully structured test. It's an experiment to see how well we react under pressure.
Esoqq: How do you know?
Picard: It's the only explanation. Look at the four of us. We do have something in common. We all react differently to authority. You, the collaborator, defer to whoever has control. You, the anarchist, reject authority in any form. I, a Starfleet Captain, trained to command. And you, a Starfleet cadet, sworn to obey a superior officer's authority. Our captors have placed us here and have devised obstacles for us to overcome. They give us food which Esoqq can't eat, to make him a threat. They give us a door we can't open until the four of us co-operate. And each time we succeed, they deal us reverses to set us against each other again, while you observe our reactions.
Haro: Sir, I've been trying to help.
Picard: I found it unlikely that a first year cadet would know of the Enterprise's visit to Mintaka Three, so I tested you. Starfleet has classified the Cor Caroli Five plague as secret. No cadet would have knowledge of that incident.
Haro: Captain.
Picard: So you may as well drop this pretense. I'm not playing any further. I'm quitting the game. As far as I am concerned, this experiment is over!
Haro: You are correct, Captain Picard.
Alien 1: To further our knowledge of alien interaction, we borrowed you, Tholl, and Esoqq, and replaced you with replicas.
Esoqq: Replicas?
Alien 2: Our transporter is able to replicate living matter, including the brain's many trillion dendritic connections where memory is stored.
Tholl: You mean there's a copy of me on Mizar Two?
Picard: An impostor running my ship.
Alien 2: No longer. Commander Riker has taken charge of the Enterprise.
Alien 1: Our species is telepathically linked. We are all in continual contact.
Alien 2: Much more efficient than your primitive vocal communications.
Alien 1: We would like to pursue this study, but of course your awareness of it would taint the results.
Alien 2: We will therefore return you to your places of origin.
Riker: Captain!
Picard: Hold your positions. Take no action.
Picard: Why did you choose to study the concepts of authority and leadership?
Alien 4: Because our species has no such concepts.
Alien 1: As we are all identical, distinctions among ourselves are meaningless. Hence we have no leaders no followers.
Alien 4: We wanted to examine the nature of command.
Alien 1: Our replicas of Tholl and Esoqq explored this issue on Mizar Two and on Chalna, just as our Picard replica did on the Enterprise.
Alien 4: Your responses were most intriguing.
Picard: You have no right to put us through this just to satisfy your curiosity.
Alien 1: Why not?
Picard: Because kidnapping is an immoral assault. The rights of other races must be respected.
Alien 4: This concept of morality is a very interesting human characteristic. We shall have to study it sometime.
Picard: Now, Mister Worf.
Alien 1: What is it?
Alien 4: Why do you hold us?
Picard: Because there is something else you can learn. With an alert crew, even our primitive vocal communications are unnecessary. With a single look I was able to inform my crew that I wanted to hold you here.
Alien 4: But why?
Picard: Because I've decided to conduct an experiment of my own. I want to see how you react to being imprisoned.
Alien 1+4: Captain, our species cannot bear captivity.
Alien 1: We were merely curious. We meant no harm.
Alien 4: We did not, after all, injure you in any way.
Picard: Imprisonment is an injury, regardless of how you justify.
Picard: And now that you have had a taste of captivity, perhaps you will reconsider the morality of inflicting it upon others. In any event, we now know about your race and we know how to imprison you. Bear that in mind. Now get off my ship.
Picard: Mister Crusher. Set course to rendezvous with the Hood. Warp eight.
Wesley: Aye, sir. It's good to have you back, sir.
Picard: Status, Number One?
Riker: Ship and crew functioning normally, Captain.
Picard: Then my doppelganger caused no serious damage? The replica was convincing?
Riker: Very convincing, but not perfect.
Picard: Not perfect in what way?
Riker: Well, sir, I find it hard to believe you're that good a singer.
Picard: A singer? I look forward to reading your report, Commander. At least, I think I do.
Picard: Doctor
Crusher: Captain.
Wesley: Course laid in, sir.
Picard: Engage.