Riker: Looking good. I'll go five.
Pulaski: Five here.
Laforge: And five more.
Data: I believe the wiser course of action here is to bend.
Laforge: You mean fold, Data.
Data: That is correct. Fold. To bend. To make compact or to capitulate.
Worf: I raise fifty.
Data: I do not believe Lieutenant Worf understands all the nuances of this betting procedure.
Riker: I wouldn't be so quick to judge, Data. His pile's a lot bigger than yours.
Pulaski: Than any of ours.
Data: The cards have been favoring the Lieutenant, but that is the result of random chance, therefore, a temporary condition.
Laforge: You hope.
Worf: Talk or play. Not both.
Riker: Fifty, right?
Pulaski: Fifty is the bet. What's the matter? Feet getting cold?
Riker: My cards are getting cold. Here you go.
Pulaski: I'm glad you stayed in. I need the chips.
Laforge: Talk, talk, talk
Pulaski: Okay, here's the action. Fifty, and another fifty.
Laforge: Ouch. Fold, fold, fold
Worf: Your fifty, and fifty more.
Riker: Love to play, but not with these cards.
Pulaski: Looks like it's just us, handsome. I'll see you.
Pulaski: Beats my straight.
Riker: The Iceman wins again.
Pulaski: You took my last chip. You could at least smile, Worf.
Laforge: Smiling would break his concentration.
Worf: Your deal.
Data: Geordi.
Data: The game is seven card stud. After the queen, one-eyed jacks and low card in the hole are wild.
Laforge: Wait a minute, let me write this down.
Worf: I open with fifty.
Crewman: Bridge to Commander Riker. We're receiving a class eleven emergency signal from Starfleet Command.
Riker: On my way.
Laforge: Fifty? You were bluffing.
Worf: Klingons never bluff.
Laforge: Yeah, right.
Picard: Mister Data?
Data: Emergency signal reads as follows. Enterprise to divert to coordinates four-two-three by one one two by five one immediately. Further orders forthcoming.
Riker: That's it? What's the emergency?
Data: The message does not elaborate.
Riker: You'd think they'd at least give us a hint.
Clancey: Course laid in, Captain.
Picard: Warp eight. Whenever Starfleet gets enigmatic, I know we're about to face a challenge. Engage.
Data: Our destination is a point near the Boradis system.
Picard: That area was colonized fairly recently, as I recall.
Data: The first Federation outpost was established thirty four years ago on Boradis Three.
Riker: Since then, the Federation has colonized several planets in that sector.
Data: Yet we are not headed for a specific colony. The coordinates given are outside the Boradis system.
Picard: Any problems reported in that area?
Data: None, sir.
Picard: What the devil is going on?
Worf: Captain, Starfleet Command is hailing us.
Picard: About time. On screen.
Gromek: Greetings, Captain Picard.
Picard: My compliments, Admiral Gromek.
Gromek: Captain, you will soon be joined by a Federation special emissary from Starbase One Five Three. We Are now transmitting the specifics.
Data: We are receiving, sir.
Gromek: The rendezvous will be a bit tricky, so it is imperative you reach the intercept point on schedule.
Picard: Understood. And the mission?
Gromek: The envoy will fill you in. You are to cooperate fully.
Picard: Admiral, can you give me any details?
Gromek: Negative.
Picard: Admiral, it's a little difficult to prepare for a mission I know nothing about.
Gromek: I sympathize, Jean-Luc, but Starfleet Command considers this a top security matter. Once the envoy has briefed you, I think you will understand our caution. Gromek out.
Riker: Data, what ship is carrying the envoy?
Data: Apparently there were no starships available on Starbase One Five Three. The envoy is aboard a class eight probe.
Riker: A class eight probe is just over two meters long.
Picard: Yes, that's true, Number One. But if the transmitters and the sensors were removed and life-support installled, there would be just enough room for one person.
Riker: And it is designed to travel at warp nine.
Data: By sending the probe to meet us rather than diverting the Enterprise, they are saving us six point one hours.
Picard: Obviously Starfleet feels that time is of the essence.
Riker: But still, to seal someone inside a class eight Probe and launch it off. It's a hell of a way to transport a Federation dignitary.
Clancey: Coming to three one mark one one three. i
Data: We are on a course precisely parallel to the probe, sir.
Picard: Increase speed to warp eight point nine.
Clancey: Eight point nine, aye.
Picard: Full sensors aft.
Worf: Scanning.
Riker: Data, if we project our course beyond the rendezvous coordinates, what lies ahead?
Data: As far as I can determine, sir, very little. There are four colonies in the Boradis system, as well as nine other outposts scattered throughout the sector.
Worf: I have it, sir. Bearing zero five mark two three one. Velocity, warp nine.
Clancey: I see it.
Picard: Adjust speed to intercept.
Worf: Probe is coming up to starboard. Range, eighty two hundred. Tractor beam ready.
Picard: Mister La Forge?
Laforge: Transporter ready, Captain.
Worf: Range now seventy five hundred.
Picard: Steady as she goes
Worf: Probe is standing abeam.
Picard: Engage tractor.
O'Brien: Transporter beam locked, Captain.
Picard: Energize.
O'Brien: Probe aboard, Captain.
Picard: Acknowledged. Number One?
Riker: I'll welcome our visitor.
Picard: Resume original course and speed.
Clancey: Aye, sir.
Laforge: All yours, Commander.
Riker: Something wrong, Doctor?
Pulaski: I'm not sure. The readings are quite interesting.
K'Ehleyr: I greet you. I am K'Ehleyr.
Riker: nuqneH. qaleghneS.
K'Ehleyr: You speak Klingon.
Riker: A little. I am Commander William Riker. This is Chief Medical Officer Katherine Pulaski. I hope your voyage wasn't too unpleasant.
K'Ehleyr: Klingons are not supposed to mind hardship. Nonetheless, I am delighted to be out of that damned coffin.
Riker: I don't blame you. It's not the most luxurious accommodation Starfleet has to offer.
K'Ehleyr: Whoever said that getting there was half the fun never rode in a class eight probe.
Pulaski: How are you feeling? Your vital signs are rather atypical for a Klingon.
K'Ehleyr: No doubt because I am only half Klingon.
Pulaski: Oh?
K'Ehleyr: Yes. My father was Klingon. My mother was human.
Riker: Captain, allow me to present Special Federation Emissary K'Ehleyr.
Picard: Welcome aboard. I'm Jean-Luc Picard. This is Counselor Troi, Lieutenant Commander Data, and this is Lieutenant
K'Ehleyr: Worf. So this is where you've been hiding. I told you we'd meet again. Aren't you going to greet me?
Worf: I have nothing to say to you.
K'Ehleyr: Haven't changed a bit. Well, I missed you, too. Two days ago, Starbase Three Three Six received an automated transmission from a Klingon ship, the T'Ong. That ship was sent out over seventy five years ago.
Riker: When the Federation and the Klingon Empire were still at war.
K'Ehleyr: The message was directed to the Klingon High Command. It said only that the ship was returning home and was about to reach its awakening point.
Picard: Which suggests that the crew had been in cryogenic sleep for that long journey.
K'Ehleyr: Exactly.
Riker: And when this crew is revived?
K'Ehleyr: We'll have a ship full of Klingons who think the war is still going on.
Picard: So our task is to find the ship, and tell the Klingons they're no longer at war.
Riker: Why us? Wouldn't a Klingon ship be a better choice?
K'Ehleyr: A Klingon ship, the P'rang, is on its way, but it's two days behind us. That may be too late.
Troi: Why too late?
Riker: When the T'Ong crew awakens it will be within striking range of several Federation outposts.
Data: There are thirteen colonies with minimal defenses in that sector.
K'Ehleyr: Nice, ripe targets for a Klingon warship.
Troi: And you believe you can convince these Klingons that the humans are now their allies?
K'Ehleyr: No, not a chance. If you ask me, talking will be a waste of time. Klingons of that era were raised to despise humans. We'll try diplomacy. But I promise you it won't work. And then you'll have to destroy them.
Picard: No.
K'Ehleyr: No. Captain, these Klingons are killers. You'll have no choice.
Picard: We shall find another choice. I want options and I want them before we encounter the Klingon ship. Lieutenant, I'm assigning you to help the Emissary. Dismissed.
Troi: I will escort you to the guest quarters.
K'Ehleyr: Captain.
Picard: Lieutenant?
Worf: Sir. I suggest Commander Riker or Data would better serve Special Emissary K'Ehleyr.
Picard: Are there any personal reasons you don't want the assignment?
Worf: Yes.
Picard: Any professional reasons?
Worf: No. I withdraw my request, Captain.
Picard: Good.
Troi: I didn't know it was possible for a human and a Klingon to produce a child.
K'Ehleyr: Actually, the DNA is compatible, with a fair amount of help. Rather like my parents.
Troi: I know exactly what you mean. My father was human and my mother is a Betazoid.
K'Ehleyr: Really? It was the other way around for me. My mother was human. You must've grown up like I did, trapped between cultures.
Troi: I never felt trapped. I tried to experience the richness and diversity of the two worlds.
K'Ehleyr: Perhaps you got the best of each.
K'Ehleyr: Myself, I think I got the worst of each.
Troi: Oh, I doubt that.
K'Ehleyr: Oh, yes. Having my mother's sense of humor is bad enough. It's gotten me into plenty of trouble.
Troi: And your Klingon side?
K'Ehleyr: That, I keep under tight control. It's like a terrible temper. It's not something I want people to see.
Troi: Everyone has tempers.
K'Ehleyr: Not like mine. Sometimes I feel there's a monster inside of me, fighting to get out.
Troi: And it frightens you.
K'Ehleyr: Of course it does. My Klingon side can be terrifying, even to me.
Troi: It gives you strength. It's a part of you.
K'Ehleyr: That doesn't mean I have to like it.
Worf: You are late.
K'Ehleyr: Sorry. Had to make myself beautiful.
Worf: I fail to understand why.
K'Ehleyr: Worf, we're alone now. You don't have to act like a Klingon glacier. I don't bite. Well, that's wrong, I do bite.
Worf: Shall we proceed with our assigned duties?
K'Ehleyr: You weren't this aloof six years ago. Or don't you remember?
Worf: There is nothing wrong with my memory.
K'Ehleyr: Well there's something wrong with the rest of you. You're not even looking at me.
Worf: I am familiar with your appearance.
K'Ehleyr: And it gives you no pleasure to see me again. It isn't as if we tried it and it didn't work, you know. You never gave it a chance.
Worf: I never?
K'Ehleyr: I mean, as I see it, we have some unfinished business, you and I.
Worf: Not as far as I'm concerned. According to the library computer, the captain of the T'Ong is K'Temoc. But there is nothing regarding the ship's mission.
K'Ehleyr: Probably some secret military objective.
Worf: Perhaps, but we have no evidence of that.
K'Ehleyr: Why else would there be no record of the mission?
Worf: The records may simply have been lost.
K'Ehleyr: What does it matter? Our concern is the present, the possible threat.
Worf: And to contend with that threat, we need information.
K'Ehleyr: We have all the information we need.
Worf: That is foolish. Knowing their mission might help us understand them.
K'Ehleyr: There is nothing to understand. These are Klingons. They'll attack. In their minds, we're the enemy, and there's no way we're going to talk them out of that!
Worf: And I do not appreciate being interrupted.
K'Ehleyr: And I do not appreciate wasting my time.
Worf: We were instructed to come up with options.
K'Ehleyr: There aren't any. The assignment's hopeless.
Worf: There are always options.
K'Ehleyr: Oh, are there? Tell me, whatever happened to that wonderful Klingon fatalism of yours?
Worf: My experiences aboard this ship have taught me that most problems have more than one solution.
K'Ehleyr: Starfleet hasn't improved you one bit. You're as stubborn as ever.
Worf: Are you going to carry out your duties, or aren't you?
K'Ehleyr: All right, I will. Upon due consideration of the problem and careful examination of all possible options, my original recommendation stands. Meeting adjourned.
K'Ehleyr: Come.
Troi: You're upset.
K'Ehleyr: Your finely-honed Betazoid sense tells you that?
Troi: Well, that and the table.
K'Ehleyr: I warned you about my Klingon half.
Troi: May I make a suggestion?
K'Ehleyr: I thank you, Counselor. But I don't want any counseling.
Troi: Actually, I was going to suggest something else.
K'Ehleyr: Oh?
Troi: I find the exercise programs on the holodeck rigorous enough to put my mind off most frustrations.
K'Ehleyr: And it'll keep me from wrecking the ship.
Troi: That, too
Computer: Enter program.
K'Ehleyr: Show me the exercise menu. Hold. Calisthenics program of Lieutenant Worf.
Computer: Program complete. You may enter when ready.
Picard: Status, Mister Data?
Data: Based on the last assumed position of the Klingon vessel, its apparent trajectory, and our estimates of their cruising speed, we should be in scanner range in fifteen hours, eight minutes.
Picard: Lieutenant?
Worf: Special Emissary K'Ehleyr has declared a short recess, sir. I wish to run a full diagnostic test on all tactical back-up equipment.
Riker: We just ran a full test of those systems.
Worf: I feel it necessary to check them again.
Picard: Lieutenant, I commend your diligence. However, I'm concerned that you're working yourself too hard.
Worf: Sir, considering the unknown elements we are about to face
Picard: Lieutenant, I order you to relax.
Worf: I am relaxd. Yes, sir.
Picard: I've never before seen the Lieutenant so unsettled.
Riker: The Iceman's finally melting.
K'Ehleyr: It's not much of a program.
Worf: Computer, level two.
K'Ehleyr: Some calisthenics programs are better than others.
Worf: You still can make jokes.
K'Ehleyr: You don't like people with a sense of humor?
Worf: I did not say that.
K'Ehleyr: Worf, you're the perfect Klingon. The ultimate minimalist. Talk to me.
Worf: I've noted that some people use humor as a shield. They talk much, yet say little.
K'Ehleyr: Whereas others take a simpler approach. Say nothing.
Worf: When one does not have the words
K'Ehleyr: Or is loath to speak them. Why didn't we do this six years ago?
Worf: We were not ready.
K'Ehleyr: I was.
Worf: No, we were both too young, too unaware. We lacked commitment.
K'Ehleyr: Perhaps we lacked courage as well.
Worf: No longer. tlhIngan jIH.
K'Ehleyr: Wait. You can't mean
Worf: We are mated.
K'Ehleyr: Yes, I know. I was there. But
Worf: And now we must solemnize our union with the oath.
K'Ehleyr: I'm not going to become your wife!
Worf: You already are.
K'Ehleyr: Don't give me that Klingon nonsense.
Worf: You would dishonor our sacred traditions?
K'Ehleyr: They're not sacred. They're absurd! Marrying you is out of the question for a million reasons.
Worf: None of which stopped you earlier.
K'Ehleyr: Worf, it was what it was. Glorious and wonderful and all that, but it doesn't mean anything.
Worf: That is a human attitude.
K'Ehleyr: I am human!
Worf: You are also Klingon!
K'Ehleyr: So that means we should bond for life?
Worf: It is our way!
K'Ehleyr: Yours, not mine!
Worf: tlhIngan jIH!
K'Ehleyr: I will not take the oath!
Worf: Then this night had no meaning. And that, I will not believe.
K'Ehleyr: Believe what you will.
Clancey: Approaching the coordinates.
Picard: Slow to impulse.
Tactical: Short and long-range sensor scans negative, Captain.
Picard: Lay in a standard search pattern.
Clancey: Search pattern laid in.
Picard: Full impulse. Engage.
Riker: I hope we find them before they come out of their nap.
Picard: Agreed. There's not an outpost in this area could defend itself against a Klingon warship.
K'Ehleyr: I've been working on our assignment, trying a few computer simulations.
Worf: Your devotion to duty is commendable, if belated.
K'Ehleyr: Unwilling to be alone with me?
Worf: I asked Lieutenant Commander Data to help us analyze the alternatives.
K'Ehleyr: An android chaperon.
Data: Android, of course, is correct, but I fail to see how chaperon is applicable in this situation.
K'Ehleyr: Never mind. I guess I can't blame you. Tell me one thing. You would have gone through with the oath, wouldn't you? Regardless of the consequences to our careers, to our lives?
Worf: Honor demanded no less.
K'Ehleyr: What do you want? Is honor all you care about? Don't you feel anything else? No comment, huh? Poor android. Whose behavior do you find more perplexing? Human or Klingon?
Data: At the moment, I would find it difficult to choose.
K'Ehleyr: So would I. Okay. When we locate the T'Ong, there are two possibilities. First
K'Ehleyr: We find the ship before it reaches the awakening point. In that case, we simply keep the crew asleep.
Picard: Is that feasible?
Laforge: We can beam an away team onto the T'Ong and override the cryogenic controls, sure.
K'Ehleyr: Then we await the arrival of the Klingon ship P'rang.
Troi: So that when the T'Ong's crew awakens, they're surrounded by their fellow Klingons.
Riker: That would be ideal.
K'Ehleyr: But there's the second possibility. That the crew of the T'Ong has already revived.
Laforge: They realize they're in Federation territory and attack the nearest outpost.
Troi: They could have been on a scientific voyage.
K'Ehleyr: Klingons of that ear doing research for its own sake?
Riker: The point is, they may be reasonable.
K'Ehleyr: The point is that this is beside the point. These are Klingons, at war with us. Whatever their mission was, once they see a Federation target, they'll attack.
Picard: Could the T'Ong be disabled rather than destroyed?
Laforge: We could probably knock out their warp drive engines without damaging the rest of their ship.
K'Ehleyr: That would gain you nothing. Disable the ship, and K'Temoc will destroy it himself.
Worf: Klingons do not surrender.
K'Ehleyr: If we don't reach the T'Ong before its crew wakes up, you have no alternatives.
Picard: I can't not accept that. There must be some way that we can make the Klingons listen. If we can only convince them
Data: Captain, we are detecting a ship,
Data: Bearing three one-six mark four two
Data: Extreme sensor range.
Picard: Lay in intercept course. Go to yellow alert.
Worf: Shields are up.
K'Ehleyr: Better lock in phasers. This may be the only chance you get.
Clancey: Intercept course laid in.
Picard: Hold this position. Let's see if they've spotted us. Magnification, one hundred. Mister Data?
Data: Sensors show life forms aboard, but I am unable to ascertain whether they are awake or dormant. However, the vessel's propulsion systems are inactive, so I would hypothesize that the crew is asleep.
Data: However, I could be in error.
Worf: Shields holding.
Riker: They've cloaked themselves.
K'Ehleyr: Well, Captain you've had your chance.
Laforge: Transferring Engineering to the Bridge.
Picard: Can you find them?
Laforge: I think so. Those old shields weren't particularly efficient at blocking gamma ray output. If I can tune the sensors to a particular band of. There. Got them. Transferring coordinates to helm.
Picard: Intercept. Warp two.
Clancey: Warp two, sir.
K'Ehleyr: Captain let them die like Klingons, in battle. They deserve that much.
Worf: Captain. I have another option.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 42901.3. Despite their cloaking shields, we have located the Klingon vessel, T'Ong. In an effort to avoid further confrontation, we're about to implement the option presented by Lieutenant Worf.
Data: The T'Ong has changed course to three two mark eight one. Increasing to warp three.
Riker: Standard evasive maneuver.
Picard: Helm, stay with them.
Clancey: Yes, sir.
Data: The T'Ong is now on a heading of four two mark one one three. They are accelerating to warp five.
Riker: They're going to make a break for it.
Picard: Overtake, warp eight.
Clancey: Aye.
Picard: Now, put us right in their path and come to a full stop. Full power to shields.
Tactical: Full power, sir.
Picard: Well, we've thrown down the gauntlet. Let's see if they pick it up.
Data: They are slowing to impulse, sir.
Tactical: Phaser hit on forward shields. Firming up now. No damage.
Riker: I guess we've piqued their interest now.
Picard: Agreed. Let's give them the chance to look their enemy in the face. Ready, Lieutenant?
Worf: Open hailing frequencies.
Tactical: Open, sir.
K'Temoc: What? What is this?
Worf: Captain K'Temoc, have you lost your mind? Halt your vessel and drop your shields.
K'Temoc: What treachery is this? By whose authority?
Worf: I am Worf, commanding the Enterprise. And it is you who have committed an act of treason by firing upon this ship.
K'Temoc: I have standing orders to fire on all Federation ships!
Worf: You fool! Did it not occur to you that the war would be over by now?
K'Temoc: I have no proof of that.
Worf: Trust your eyes. Or is your brain still stuck in its long slumber?
K'Temoc: How do I know this is not a Federation trick? How can I be sure?
Worf: Captain, as you are new to this century, I have tried to be patient. But I will tolerate no further insubordination. Drop your shields. Immediately.
K'Temoc: And if I refuse?
Worf: Then die in ignorance. I can waste no more time on you. Phasers to full power.
Tactical: Aye, sir. Phasers ready. Target locked.
K'Temoc: You dare not destroy us. We are on a crucial mission by order of the Klingon High Command.
Worf: Has the T'Ong dropped its shields?
Tactical: No, sir.
Worf: Very well. Fire all phasers.
K'Temoc: Wait! Lower the shields. I yield command of the T'Ong to you, Captain Worf. Long live the Klingon Empire.
Worf: A wise decision, Captain. Commander K'Ehleyr will board your ship and take command. The Klingon cruiser P'rang will soon arrive and escort you home. And, Captain
K'Temoc: Yes?
Worf: Welcome to the twenty fourth century.
Worf: I return command of the ship to you, Captain.
Picard: Thank you, Lieutenant. Congratulations. A very fine first command. Well done.
Riker: How did you like command?
Worf: Comfortable chair.
K'Ehleyr: And you wore it well.
Worf: One to beam aboard the T'Ong.
O'Brien: All set.
Worf: I relieve you.
O'Brien: Yes, Lieutenant.
Worf: The Klingon vessel P'rang will rendezvous with you in three days.
K'Ehleyr: In the meantime, I'll begin the assimilation of these Klingons to our era.
Worf: Is there anything else you require?
K'Ehleyr: No. Nothing else. Damn you, Worf. You'd let me go without saying another word, wouldn't you?
Worf: What needs to be said?
K'Ehleyr: Nothing. Everything. We're about to go our separate ways again.
Worf: And that disturbs you?
K'Ehleyr: I hid the truth from you. Last night did have meaning. I was tempted to take the oath with you, but it scared me. I've never had such strong feelings toward anyone.
Worf: Nor have I.
K'Ehleyr: Then it was more than just a point of honor. Maybe someday, when our paths cross again, I won't be as easy to get rid of.
Worf: K'Ehleyr. I will not be complete without you.


Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 42923.4. Despite misgivings, I have agreed to Starfleet's request that the Enterprise divert to the Braslota System, to take part in a war game exercise. Joining us as observer and mediator is the Zakdorn Master Strategist, Sirna Kolrami.
Picard: Mister Kolrami. Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Welcome aboard.
Kolrami: Captain. I bring greetings from those at Starfleet Command.
Picard: Would you care to be shown to your quarters?
Kolrami: I require little rest, Captain. I prefer that we commence with our mission.
Worf: Despite their reputations, this Zakdorn does not appear to be a very formidable warrior
Data: In the game of military brinksmanship, individual physical prowess is less important than the perception of a species as a whole. For over nine millennia, potential foes have regarded the Zakdorns as having the greatest innately strategic minds in the galaxy.
Worf: So no one is willing to test that perception in combat.
Data: Exactly.
Worf: Then the reputation means nothing.
Kolrami: The Braslota System. In orbit around the second planet is the eighty-year old Starcruiser, Hathaway. He is still your first choice?
Picard: Commander Riker will captain the Hathaway.
Kolrami: You will have forty eight hours to ready your vessel before the Enterprise attacks.
Riker: And we'll experience actual battle conditions?
Kolrami: Correct. Engineering will disconnect the Enterprise's weapons and link the system with the modified laser-pulse beam. All hits will be recorded electronically. If the computer registers damage, it will act accordingly, shutting down the affected areas for the appropriate repair time. Additional questions? Captain Picard, it is my understanding that you initially resisted Starfleet's request for this simulation.
Picard: Yes.
Kolrami: May I know why?
Picard: Starfleet is not a military organization. Its purpose is exploration.
Kolrami: Then why am I here?
Picard: With the Borg threat, I decided that my officers and I needed to hone our tactical skills. In a crisis situation, it is prudent to have several options.
Riker: I prefer brains over brawn as well. I think it's a waste of effort to test our combat skills. It's a minor province in the make-up of a starship captain.
Kolrami: Your objection is noted. Let us hope your distaste for the exercise will not affect your strategic abilities.
Riker: Mister Kolrami, when I agree to do something. I do it. Do you care to surrender now, Captain?
Picard: Well, Number One, you are allowed a complement of forty, so select whom you will, save of course Mister Data, who will serve as my first officer during your absence.
Kolrami: I had envisioned you defining the crew.
Picard: On my ship, the leader of an away team has total control of the mission. If you want to judge leadership, why not start at the beginning?
Kolrami: Very well, Captain.
Pulaski: My, what a charmer.
Picard: Doctor.
Pulaski: Captain, he needs an attitude adjustment.
Data: The Zakdornian culture is replete with self-assuredness and confidence. Seldom is it undeserved. For example, Kolrami is a third level grand master at the game of Strategema.
Laforge: Another millimeter. That's it. A little more. There. That's excellent.
Riker: Lieutenant?
Laforge: Yes, Commander.
Riker: You've heard of the simulation aboard the Hathaway?
Laforge: Yes, sir, and the best of luck to you. I've researched the old Avidyne engines. They're archaic by our standards, very touchy.
Riker: Anticipating the worst, do you think they can be whipped into shape in forty eight hours?
Laforge: I've already taken the liberty of putting together a few necessities.
Worf: Enter!
Riker: Am I disturbing you?
Worf: Just finished.
Riker: You know of the simulation. What do you think?
Worf: Waste of time.
Riker: It's just designed to be an exercise.
Worf: Useless. If there is nothing to lose, no sacrifice, then there is nothing to gain.
Riker: You mean besides pride. Well, in this case it doesn't matter. I probably haven't got a chance.
Worf: There is always a chance.
Riker: Slim. The Hathaway's most sophisticated weapon system, even in a computer mock-up, can't hope to defeat the Enterprise.
Worf: Well, still
Riker: You're out-manned, you're out-gunned, you're out-equipped. What else have you got?
Worf: Guile.
Riker: Join me.
Worf: The honor is to serve.
Picard: Begin long-range scanning of all sectors within three light years of Braslota. How is your crew shaping up?
Riker: It's complete, but I would like to request an addition.
Picard: Anyone in particular?
Riker: With your permission, I would like Acting Ensign Crusher aboard for educational observation.
Wesley: Thank you, Captain.
Riker: It appears we will have some time before reaching Braslota. I was wondering if you'd agree to play me in a game of Strategema.
Kolrami: Although I am intrigued by the audacity of your request, I can't fathom why you wish the encounter.
Riker: I enjoy a challenge.
Kolrami: Very well. An opponent of limited dimensions can often be quite diverting.
Riker: Thank you.
Laforge: So you're going to beat him?
Riker: Nope.
Laforge: Well, then it's going to be a close one.
Riker: No.
Laforge: But you have got a chance?
Riker: Nah.
Laforge: Are you going to bother to show up?
Riker: Sure, Kolrami is the best ever at Strategema. Just to get to play him is a privilege.
Laforge: Other aside from your being privileged, is there anything else I can look forward to?
Riker: Nope.
Laforge: This is going to be exciting.
Pulaski: Against an opponent of approximate skill, Strategema can last well over one thousand moves.
Laforge: I wouldn't bet on us being here that long.
Worf: I have wagered heavily in the ship's pool that you will take him past the sixth plateau.
Riker: And if I don't?
Worf: I will be irritated.
Data: Forever curious, this urge to compete.
Pulaski: It's a human response. That inborn craving to gage your capabilities through conflict.
Data: Doctor, there are other ways to challenge oneself.
Pulaski: Perhaps, but they all lack a certain thrill.
Troi: Data, humans sometimes find it helpful to have an outsider set the standard by which they're judged.
Data: To avoid deceiving oneself.
Pulaski: Maybe you should challenge Kolrami to Strategema.
Data: Why, Doctor?
Pulaski: Because when someone is that smug, you occasionally have to deflate them just a little.
Laforge: Yeah, Data, I'd like to see your neural flex tear him down a peg.
Data: To what end?
Worf: Computer. Actuation positions for Strategema. Ready? Begin.
Laforge: Come on, Commander, come on now.
Troi: Will.
Laforge: You can do it. You can get him. Come on, Commander. Come on, you got him, you got him, watch out. Here you go.
Pulaski: That's it?
Riker: I'm afraid so.
Pulaski: But but you only made twenty-three moves.
Riker: Yes. Congratulations. <
Picard: Commander Riker, there's your next challenge.
Worf: Away team assembled and ready to transport, Commander.
Riker: I may get over there and want to come right home.
Picard: Good luck, Number One. Captain.
Kolrami: The simulation will commence in forty eight hours.
Laforge: There should be some emergency Bridge lighting here.
Worf: Not good.
Riker: Ah, you're wrong, Mister Worf. It's fantastic. And it's ours. Mister Worf.
Worf: Sir, Lieutenant La Forge is a superior officer. The honor should be his.
Riker: Worf, this is a battle simulation. You're my Tactical Officer. I've discussed this with Geordi and we agreed. You need to be at my side.
Laforge: Besides, Worf, if Engineering's anything like the Bridge, I'm going to have my hands full.
Riker: Attention, crew of the USS Hathaway. This is your Captain. Over the next two days, you might lose a lot of sleep, but with your skill and your stamina, we'll have this old lady ready to fly. I want hourly progress reports from all stations. Riker out.
Riker: Nice job, Geordi.
Riker: Now, what are the possibilities of warp drive?
Laforge: Not good. There are only a few dilithium fragments left in the holding clamps. Even if we had crystals that were intact, there's no anti-matter to fuel the drive.
Riker: Any recommendations?
Laforge: No, sir.
Wesley: We haven't got a prayer.
Riker: Would you like to transfer back
Riker: To the Enterprise, Mister Crusher?
Wesley: No, sir.
Riker: Wes, remember our purpose is to improvise,
Riker: It's the effort that counts.
Picard: Open.
Kolrami: I believe the rules are understood by all.
Picard: The weapons conversion, Lieutenant Burke?
Burke: Complete, Captain.
Worf: Signal received. Locked on.
Riker: She's really been stripped down, Captain.
Kolrami: The only offensive systems you'll need will be simulated by computer.
Riker: What's the Zakdornian word for mismatch?
Kolrami: Challenge. We do not whine about the inequities of life. And how you perform in a mismatch is precisely what is of interest to Starfleet. After all, when one is in the superior position, one is expected to win.
Picard: Screen off. You have the Bridge, Mister Data.
Data: Aye, sir.
Kolrami: Lieutenant Commander Data, I am intrigued by your challenge. Doctor Pulaski informed me of your desire to play a game of Strategema.
Data: But I expressed no such interest.
Pulaski: What Commander Data means is that he would never have asked you himself, but I know he's very interested in pitting his skill against yours.
Kolrami: Play against a machine. Why should I wish to?
Pulaski: I don't blame you. It's no fun going into a game when you know you're going to lose.
Kolrami: But I wouldn't lose. Now you're no doubt going to tell me that I have to prove it to you.
Pulaski: Come on, Data, you can't let that pass.
Data: Indeed, I. Cannot.
Kolrami: Then you will play for the honor of your ship.
Pulaski: The honor of the ship? It's your reputation that's on the line.
Worf: With my knowledge of the Enterprise's security override, we may be able to convince the sensors that an enemy ship is approaching. Their instruments would lie to them.
Riker: If you can pull that off, Mister Worf, it might just give us the edge we're looking for.
Nagel: But what about the viewscreen?
Worf: If I am successful, the computer will project a false image of the enemy ship on the main viewscreen.
Riker: So unless someone runs to a window and looks out
Nagel: They're going to fall for it.
Wesley: The lining's still smooth. We should to be able to do something with these dilithium fragments we scavenged.
Laforge: Sure, the system is functional. But without antimatter, what difference does it make?
Wesley: Geordi, I have to return to the Enterprise.
Laforge: Wes, we've only got thirty two hours.
Wesley: This is important.
Laforge: And this isn't?
Worf: Attempt the routing bypass here. If it works, they will be surprised.
Nagel: Where am I going to get the opticable?
Worf: Anywhere.
Wesley: Captain? I left an experiment running back on the Enterprise. May I go back and shut it down?
Riker: It's that important?
Wesley: It has to be monitored. And it is my final grade in plasma physics.
Burke: Message from the Hathaway, sir.
Picard: On screen.
Riker: Request permission for Ensign Crusher to reboard the Enterprise.
Picard: Why?
Riker: Apparently he was so anxious to be join the away team, he left a very critical experiment unattended.
Picard: Have you any objection?
Kolrami: He should be escorted, and have no contact with anything save his research.
Picard: Permission granted. Mister Burke, will you handle that?
Burke: Aye, sir.
Kolrami: I saw no sense in Riker choosing him anyway. Just a non-commissioned child.
Wesley: I can't believe I forgot about this. It's a good lesson not to let excitement cloud your thinking.
Burke: Yeah.
Wesley: It's very dull. I spent six weeks setting this up.
Burke: Lot of work.
Wesley: Oh, no. This is ruined.
Burke: That's too bad. Look, is this going to take much longer?
Wesley: I'm going to have to dispose of this safely It's very volatile. I'll beam it off the Enterprise and leave it particalised.
Burke: Fine, let's just do it.
Wesley: I'll transfer the coordinates to the transporter room.
Data: In the present context, what did she mean by bust him up?
Troi: In her own way, Doctor Pulaski was instructing you to take the shortest route to victory.
Data: As opposed to what?
Burke: Ready? Begin.
Pulaski: I can't believe it. The computer beaten by flesh and blood.
Troi: You advanced quite far against such a worthy opponent.
Kolrami: Thoroughly enjoyable, Mister Data. I am at your disposal for a rematch.
Data: Thank you, but what would be the point?
Pulaski: How can you lose? You're supposed to be infallible!
Data: Obviously, I am not.
Picard: Ensign, where is Commander Data?
Burke: He has temporarily removed himself from bridge duty, sir.
Kolrami: Your crew is excellently trained, Captain. A tribute to your leadership. Although I doubt their extensive preparation will be needed.
Picard: Why is that?
Kolrami: I do not expect Captain Riker will present much of a challenge.
Picard: Mister Kolrami, may I speak with you in private?
Picard: I would like to know the root of your prejudice for my First Officer.
Kolrami: Captain, I
Picard: Mister Kolrami, you have been nothing but denigrating and abusive of Commander Riker since coming aboard this ship. Now I would like some explanation.
Kolrami: Having studied William Riker's file prior to this assignment, I have found him wanting.
Picard: In what regard?
Kolrami: His work record is exemplary, but, as you well know, a starship captain is not manufactured. He, or she, is born from inside. From the character of the individual. My interviews have revealed a man who displays circumstantially inappropriate joviality, belying the seriousness of his station.
Picard: Don't confuse style with intent. Only a fool would question Commander Riker's dedication to Starfleet and the men and women under his command. He is simply the finest officer with whom I have ever served.
Kolrami: We shall see if your faith is well founded.
Picard: The test is if a crew will follow where Commander Riker leads. His joviality is the means by which he creates that loyalty. And I will match his command style with your statistics any time.
Data: Come in, please.
Troi: Data.
Data: Counselor. Is something wrong?
Troi: That was going to be my question.
Data: With my repository of knowledge, I expected to perform better against a humanoid life form.
Troi: You know, some of our greatest advances have come from analyzing failure. While it can be ego-bruising
Data: But Counselor, I do not have an ego.
Troi: Yes. Well, a loss can be disheartening.
Data: But Counselor, I do not have a
Troi: Data. You can handle defeat in two ways. You can lose confidence, or you can learn from your mistakes.
Data: That is what troubles me. I made no mistakes. I have conducted a diagnostic check of all of my programs. I am cross-checking with the ship's computer.
Troi: Is that all necessary?
Data: I believe so. I have proven to be vulnerable. At the present time, my deductions should be treated with skepticism.
Troi: That is why you haven't been on the Bridge.
Data: Yes. The Captain would be ill advised to rely upon my judgment.
Troi: I think you're really over-reacting. I'm sure you're all right.
Data: I, however, am not sure.
Laforge: Easy now. Is that it?
Wesley: Yeah.
Laforge: Good. Good work. All right, Hand me the connector on that kit.
Riker: What is that?
Wesley: My experiment from the Enterprise.
Riker: Wes?
Wesley: It deals with high energy plasma reactions with anti-matter.
Riker: You went back to the Enterprise for that? Wes, you cheated.
Wesley: No, sir. You told me to improvise.
Laforge: The hard part's going to be calibrating the thermal curve necessary to start a controlled reaction.
Riker: Assuming you can, can you regulate the reaction?
Wesley: There's just enough crystal to do it. We plan to channel the reaction through the chips.
Laforge: Are we good?
Riker: You're better than good. Great. Brilliant. It's going to be fun. Carry on.
Data: Come in, please.
Pulaski: All right, Data, enough of this.
Data: Doctor?
Pulaski: How long are you going to sit sulking like Achilles in his tent?
Data: I am conducting diagnostic
Pulaski: You may be able to sell Troi that story, but not me. You're smarting because you were beaten. Well, it happens.
Data: No, Doctor, this is not ego. I am concerned about giving the Captain unsound advice.
Pulaski: I wish I had never maneuverd you into playing that game. I'm sorry.
Data: Why, Doctor? It is done, and perhaps just as well. This has indicated that I am damaged in some fashion. I must find the malfunction.
Riker: The simulation begins in one hour.
Laforge: You'll have warp drive, Captain, though it may not be what you expected.
Riker: I think that deserves some kind of explanation.
Laforge: We'll have warp one for about
Wesley: Just under two seconds.
Riker: That's not long enough for an escape, but used as a surprise it may give a strategic advantage.
Laforge: Sir, all of this is theoretical.
Riker: And if your theory fails to pay off?
Laforge: Ever driven a Grenthemen Water Hopper?
Riker: Yes.
Laforge: Ever popped the clutch?
Riker: You're saying we're going to stall the Hathaway?
Wesley: And the Enterprise will waltz right over and pulverize us.
Picard: Let me try to understand. You're saying that Commander Data is suffering from a profound loss of confidence, and that you believe only I can restore the balance?
Troi: Yes, sir.
Pulaski: Both Deanna and I have tried, but we're not getting through to him.
Picard: Don't you think you both might be overreacting? Data is not capable of the emotions which you are assigning to him.
Pulaski: The effects are the same, whether they're caused by human emotions or android algorithms. Data's not on the Bridge, and I don't think Data's going to be on the Bridge until we find some way to address his problem.
Picard: I am less than an hour away from a battle simulation, and I have to hand-hold an android.
Pulaski: The burdens of command.
Data: Come in, please.
Picard: Commander, I require your presence on the Bridge.
Data: Captain, with all due respect, perhaps it would be better if you choose another to serve as your First Officer.
Picard: Data, you are my First Officer.
Data: I have not been able to isolate the problem, sir. I might make a mistake.
Picard: Yes, you might. But that does not alter your duty to me and to this ship. Now, do you know how to formulate a premise?
Data: Yes, sir.
Picard: Then formulate this one. How do I deal Riker and the Hathaway? I will await your answer on the Bridge. And, Commander, it is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.
Data: I believe I understand, sir.
Picard: And Data, will you leave your hesitation and self-doubt here in your quarters.
Data: I have several examples of Commander Riker's battle technique. At the Academy, he calculated a sensory blind spot on a Tholian vessel and hid within it during a battle simulation. And as a lieutenant aboard the Potemkin, his solution to a crisis was to shut down all power, and hang over a planet's magnetic poles, thus confusing his opponent's sensors.
Troi: And from these specifics, what general conclusion can you extrapolate?
Data: Only twenty-one percent of the time does he rely upon traditional tactics. So, the Captain must be prepared for unusual cunning. Counselor, Commander Riker will assume we have made this analysis, and knowing that we know his methods, he will alter them. But, knowing that we know that he knows that we know, he might choose to return to his usual pattern.
Troi: Wait, wait. You're over-analyzing, Data. One cannot deny human nature. What kind of a man is Commander Riker?
Data: A fighter?
Troi: Yes.
Data: The weaker his position, the more aggressive will be his posture.
Troi: And he won't give up.
Data: Then despite whatever options he is given, he must be
Troi: The man that he is. Exactly.
Data: Is that a failing in humans?
Troi: You'll have to decide that for yourself.
Picard: On screen. The hunt begins, Number One.
Riker: We're ready. Just remember, Enterprise. Captain Riker has never lost.
Kolrami: Begin now.
Picard: Screen off. Set course two two three mark three five seven. Full impulse power. Initiate Kumeh maneuver.
Laforge: Kumeh maneuver? Why would they start out with such a recognizable ploy?
Riker: He's teasing. He wants us to reveal our tactics on his terms. Mister Worf?
Worf: Counter with Talupian maneuver on instrument sighting.
Riker: Agreed. Three quarters impulse, full on my command. Ensign Nagel, maximum shields. Mister Worf, prepare your little surprise.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Set course three one mark seven three. Present minimal aspect. Ready warp one, optimal spread on simulated torpedoes.
Burke: Captain. Romulan warship approaching fast from astern.
Picard: What the?
Burke: It came from nowhere, sir!
Picard: Bring us about, Ensign. Maximum shields.
Data: Disengage modified beams.
Picard: Full weapon systems. Lock on. Open a hailing frequency.
Burke: I can't, sir. There's nothing there.
Picard: Warp three, evasive. Stand by. Disengage weapons and shields. Re-engage modified beam.
Kolrami: He's quite good.
Picard: He's the best.
Data: Computer reports simulated damage to several aft decks, sir. Repair time, three point six days.
Burke: How did he do that?
Picard: Mister Worf must have overridden the sensor codes, played some holographic games. Mister Data, input a new code. Attack posture, circumvental attitude. Prepare beams for photon mode.
Burke: Bye, bye, Hathaway.
Worf: Computers report heavy damage to Enterprise.
Wesley: They're moving off, sir. Why not go after them?
Riker: Because they're not through coming after us. Wesley, Geordi, prepare to warp jump.
Laforge: There are no guarantees here, sir.
Riker: There never are, Lieutenant. I'm going to trust your expertise. Secure your stations. Stand by for my signal.
Picard: Ready photon torpedoes.
Burke: Captain, sensors picking up a Ferengi warship closing at warp five.
Picard: Did you input that new code?
Burke: Aye, sir.
Picard: Mister Worf, I didn't give you enough credit. Continue the simulation.
Picard: Divert all power to shields!
Data: Sever modified beams.
Picard: Stay between the Ferengi and the Hathaway.
Data: Engage phasers and target.
Picard: Fire when ready.
Nagel: That's no ghost attacking the Enterprise. That's real.
Worf: We must assist, sir.
Riker: With what? We have no offensive weapons.
Picard: Where are my weapons?
Burke: Unavailable, sir! We cannot disengage the modified beams. The connections have been fused.
Kolrami: We must retreat!
Picard: Unacceptable!
Data: The Ferengi have broken off their attack. Drop shields. Transport the away team aboard.
Burke: Transporter functions gone, sir.
Data: Shields reduced to one fifth intensity.
Kolrami: Use their moment of indecision to escape!
Picard: I have forty crewmembers on board the Hathaway.
Kolrami: Who should be sacrificed to save a thousand! Acceptable tactical losses, considering the circumstances.
Picard: Not to me! Notify Starfleet. Priority. Hail the Ferengi on my command. Formulate alternatives.
Kolrami: As the Starfleet observer I am ordering you to withdraw!
Picard: I am the Captain of this vessel! Your order is nullified! Ferengi on main viewscreen.
Picard: I am Jean-Luc Picard, of the Federation Starship, USS Enterprise. Why have you attacked my vessel?
Bractor: Why was your ship combative with another Federation vessel of lesser design? Why do you now protect your former target? What is its value to you?
Tactician: Our probes indicate you were aware of our approach, yet took no action.
Bractor: Your answers will dictate our response.
Picard: We have refrained from launching a counter-attack in the hope that this can be resolved this peacefully.
Bractor: Our probes indicate that you are crippled, and the ship you protect has no weaponry, no light speed drive, and only a scarce crew.
Tactician: This makes no sense to us. Unless it contains something very valuable.
Bractor: I am Bractor, leader of the Ferengi attack vessel Kreechta. I shall have the secret of the other Federation ship. Surrender it to me, and I will allow your Enterprise to leave unharmed. You have ten of your minutes.
Burke: Sir, they're massing a surge of power. We're being scanned. They've locked on.
Picard: Data?
Data: Our shields will not withstand another assault.
Kolrami: Then there are no options. Retreat or die. Captain's log, supplemental. Due to a miscalculation on my part, Enterprise has been subjected a surprise attack by the Ferengi. I find myself with little time to decide the fate of forty of my crew stranded aboard the derelict Hathaway.
Picard: I am open to suggestions.
Burke: Captain, we are now capable of launching a limited number of photon torpedoes.
Kolrami: I've already given you my advice, Captain. The Hathaway is expendable.
Burke: Commander Riker is hailing, sir.
Picard: On screen. Number One, have you been monitoring communications?
Riker: And Kolrami's right. You've got to save the Enterprise.
Picard: That would leave you defenseless.
Riker: When Bractor closes in, we'll hit our warp drive and take our chances.
Picard: Your what?
Riker: We have a limited, two-second warp capability.
Kolrami: Impossible! That ship was rendered warp inactive.
Picard: I told you he was the best. I'd like to hear about this, Number One, later. Right now I have to work something out with Mister Data.
Data: Premise. The Ferengi wish to capture the Hathaway believing it to be value. Therefore we must remove the ship from their field of interest.
Kolrami: And they will soon relocate it after a two second warp.
Picard: There is a way. Number One, can you hear this?
Riker: Yes, sir. We're all here.
Riker: Waiting for you to pull another rabbit out of your hat.
Picard: Mister Data
Data: On the Captain's signal, we will fire four photon torpedoes directly at the Hathaway.
Data: One millisecond after its detonation, the computer will trigger your warp jump.
Laforge: I think I hate this plan. Data, we're not even sure our warp jump
Laforge: Will work.
Data: If the warp engines fail to function, the result could be unfortunate.
Worf: Very unfortunate.
Worf: We will be dead.
Picard: Captain Riker
Picard: I cannot order you to do this.
Riker: What the hell. Nobody said life was safe.
Picard: The advantage is, that it will appear from the Kreechta's perspective as though you were destroyed in the explosion.
Worf: That only deceive them for a few minutes. Their sensors will soon locate us.
Riker: We'll only need few minutes, Mister Worf, because you're going to prepare another surprise for them.
Picard: Then we're agreed.
Picard: On my mark, four minutes.
Data: Remember, Geordi, if the implementation is off by a millisecond
Data: The Hathaway will not survive.
Laforge: Data, that's the one part of this plan that we're all absolutely sure about.
Picard: Are we ready, Number One?
Data: Ready, Captain.
Riker: Ready, Captain.
Picard: Good luck to both of you. Bractor.
Bractor: I will wait no longer, Picard.
Picard: You needn't. The answer is no. Your actions have been wholly criminal. You will not profit by them.
Bractor: You are a fool.
Tactician: How can you stop us?
Picard: You feel the Hathaway has value? We deny you your prize. Fire!
Tactician: Destroy your own rather than suffer the ignominy of defeat and capture?
Bractor: I did not think the Federation had such iron.
Picard: You had no claim to that vessel. It was ours to destroy.
Bractor: As you are ours to destroy.
Picard: You can try.
Tactician: Enterprise targeted, Leader. Leader, there is another Federation ship closing. A starship!
Bractor: Maximum shields! We have been outmaneuverd. Retreat!
Burke: Captain, our sensors show no Federation starship nearby.
Riker: Of course not, Mister Burke. That was Klingon guile.
Picard: You made it, Number One. Smooth ride?
Riker: Well, it certainly was different.
Picard: We'll lock on and pick you up.
Riker: With pleasure, Captain.
Kolrami: I must admit your Commander Riker acquitted himself quite admirably. And so, Captain, have you. My report to Starfleet will be most favorable.
Picard: Thank you. Initiate recovery procedures. Continue repairs. Plot a course for the nearest starbase.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. With the transporter repaired and my crew safely back aboard, we have officially ended our first Starfleet battle simulation.
Kolrami: Bah!
Data: Why have you suspended the game?
Kolrami: Because this is not a rematch. You have made a mockery of me.
Riker: Data, you beat him!
Data: No, sir. It is a stalemate.
Worf: No game of Strategema has ever gone this high.
Laforge: What did you do?
Data: I simply altered my premise for playing the game.
Riker: Explain.
Data: Working under the assumption that Kolrami was attempting to win, it is reasonable to assume that he expected me to play for the same goal.
Wesley: You didn't.
Data: No. I was playing only for a standoff, a draw. While Kolrami was dedicated to winning, I was able to pass up obvious avenues of advancement and settle for a balance. Theoretically, I should be able to challenge him indefinitely.
Pulaski: Then you have beaten him.
Data: It is a matter of perspective, Doctor. In the strictest sense, I did not win.
Troi: Data!
Pulaski: Data!
Data: I busted him up.
All: Yes!


Laforge: There you are. What's wrong?
Riker: Something jabbed me here in the calf.
Laforge: O'Brien, Commander Riker's been injured. Lock on and bring him up.
O'Brien: Stand by.
Riker: Geordi, it's just
Laforge: A scratch. Right. Sorry, Commander. We can't take any chances. We're the first survey team to set foot on this planet. We don't know what the risks are.
Laforge: O'Brien, what's the hold up?
O'Brien: The transporter's detected unidentified microbes in Commander Riker's body.
Laforge: Well, can't the bio-filter screen them out?
O'Brien: Apparently not.
O'Brien: But Doctor Pulaski has been notified.
Laforge: Acknowledged.
Riker: I wasn't ready to leave here anyway.
O'Brien: Here's the biofilter's analysis of the microbes.
Pulaski: That's not much to go on.
O'Brien: I can override and beam Commander Riker aboard .
Pulaski: No. I'd better go down and make an evaluation there.
O'Brien: I hope these are the right coordinates. Just kidding, Doctor. I know how much you love the transporter.
Pulaski: About as much as I love comical Transporter Chiefs.
O'Brien: Ready?
Riker: Over here, Doctor.
Pulaski: Fill me in.
Riker: I was walking along minding my own business, doing a simple geological sweep. Something stuck me in the leg.
Pulaski: Any pain?
Riker: No. Just a little numb, that's all.
Pulaski: Do you know what it was that stuck you?
Laforge: We've been looking for it. No luck.
Pulaski: Well, whatever it was, it left something behind. I'm going to take you up to Sickbay. O'Brien, this is Doctor Pulaski.
Pulaski: Medical override is authorized.
O'Brien: Acknowledged.
Riker: This is the strangest feeling. My whole leg just went dead.
Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 42976.1. During a geological survey on Surata Four, Commander Riker has become infected by an unidentified microbe.
Picard: Number One.
Riker: Captain.
Picard: Put your foot where it didn't belong?
Riker: The Doctor said she was getting bored. I just thought I'd give her a challenge.
Pulaski: That you did. The Commander's nervous system has been invaded by an unknown microorganism. Not a bacteria, not a virus, but with the elements of both. There's the point of entry. The microbes are infecting the great sciatic nerve, and they are multiplying at an incredible rate. There.
Picard: Can you remove it?
Pulaski: Not surgically. The organisms fuse to the nerve, intertwining at the molecular level.
Riker: That's why the transporter's biofilters weren't able to extract it.
Pulaski: There's no evidence of nerve damage, but the organisms are impeding nervous function.
Riker: My leg's still asleep.
Picard: Prognosis?
Pulaski: The infection is spreading. It will eventually reach the brain.
Picard: And if it interfered with neural activity there?
Pulaski: Commander Riker could die.
Picard: How can I help?
Pulaski: I need to know more about its composition.
Picard: And for that, you need a sample.
Pulaski: Exactly.
Picard: Commander Data, Mister La Forge, prepare to beam down to the planet.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Data: I must reiterate, it would be better if I went alone.
Laforge: Don't like my company?
Data: Your company is not at issue. Your vulnerability to the microorganism is.
Laforge: I'll watch where I step. Besides, how do we know that this bug doesn't like androids more than it likes humans?
Data: Possible, but highly unlikely. In any event, why risk both of us?
Laforge: Because I know exactly where Commander Riker was when it happened.
Data: Mister O'Brien, energize.
Laforge: He was right over here.
Data: I am detecting no animal life within fifty kilometers. However, I am reading extensive animal remains, mostly fossilized.
Laforge: A graveyard?
Data: I do not know.
Laforge: Data, that a look at this.
Data: The structure is rhizomatous.
Laforge: Careful.
Data: I am always careful.
Data: It appears to be dead.
Laforge: I'm not so sure. I can see thermal variations. Let it go for a second, Data. Let's try something. Perhaps it likes humans more than androids.
Data: If you are correct, you are placing yourself in grave danger.
Laforge: I'm counting on those great android reflexes of yours.
Laforge: That must be what we're looking for.
Data: I would tend to agree.
Laforge: Stand by, O'Brien. Got it. Energize!
Laforge: Thanks, O'Brien. Another minute, and we'd have been fossils ourselves.
Data: Not precisely, Geordi. True fossilization requires several millennia.
Laforge: Here's your sample, Captain.
Picard: Get it to Sickbay right away.
Picard: Report.
Data: Captain, Commander Riker's injury was not accidental. Certain vines on the planet evidently seek out warm-blooded beings and deliberately infect them.
Picard: To what end?
Data: Unknown, sir. It is conceivable there is a symbiotic relationship involved.
Picard: Go on.
Data: There are numerous animal remains in the area, leading me to hypothesize that the vines could be predatory.
Picard: Vines infect animals in order to kill them?
Data: It is possible. For Commander Riker's sake, I hope my hypothesis is in error.
Picard: Unfortunately, Mister Data, your hypotheses rarely are.
Pulaski: All negative.
Picard: Is there nothing that will cure this infection?
Pulaski: This microorganism is very mysterious. I can't even figure out what's keeping it alive.
Picard: Or how to kill it.
Pulaski: Oh, I can kill it but not without destroying the nerves it's inhabiting.
Picard: I know you're doing your best, Doctor.
Pulaski: My best may not be good enough.
Picard: Comfortable?
Riker: Why wouldn't I be comfortable? They're waiting on me hand and foot. I hope that they don't find out that I'm faking it.
Picard: I wish you were faking it. I've seen the thorn.
Riker: Yes, Doctor showed it to me, too. Rather harmless-looking thing, I thought.
Picard: And deadly. I'm sorry.
Riker: Well, these things happen.
Picard: When least expected.
Riker: I'm surprised they don't happen more often. After all, we are exploring the unknown.
Picard: And the unknown can be benign or malevolent.
Riker: Captain, one of the things I've learned anything on these voyages, on this ship, and from you, is that most life forms act out of an instinct for survival, not out of malice.
Picard: It's an important lesson, and I admire your lack of resentment, Number One.
Riker: If you drop a hammer on your foot, it's hardly useful to get mad at the hammer.
Picard: Anything?
Pulaski: Not yet.
Picard: What can I do?
Pulaski: You can get out of my hair.
Picard: Aye aye, Doctor.
Riker: This bug is persistent, I'll admit that. But I'm not worried. We Rikers are ornery, too. As a matter of fact, my great grandfather once got bit by a rattlesnake. After three days of intense pain, the snake died.
Troi: You're a very entertaining patient.
Riker: I try.
Troi: Yes. you're making quite an effort to be cheerful.
Riker: You, of all people, should know.
Troi: You feel what anyone in your position would feel.
Riker: As the First Officer on this ship, I have to set an example.
Troi: Even now?
Riker: Now more than ever. Deanna, facing death is the ultimate test of character. I don't want to die, but if I have to, I'd like to do it with a little pride.
Troi: And a lot of impudence.
Riker: You bet. Dying is bad enough but, to lose my sense of humor? Forget it.
Troi: Imzadi.
Riker: I haven't given up yet.
Pulaski: It's spread to the spinal column. It's weakening his autonomic nervous system. Judging by its present rate of growth and its infiltration pattern, the infection will spread to the brain within an hour. Medical log, Stardate 42976.3. I can't keep the alien infection from spreading to Commander Riker's brain. Once there, it will kill him by dampening neural impulses. The only way I can keep him alive is to force the neurons to stay active by stimulating them directly with electrical impulses.
Pulaski: Let's proceed.
Pulaski: Good. Stand by with five milligrams of tricordrazine in case of seizure. Here goes.
Riker: Tasha? Data? Geordi? Worf? Anybody?
Pulaski: We've stimulated random wave activity, but the patterns are dangerously erratic.
Troi: Hang on, Will. Hang on.
Pulaski: The wave patterns are still too irregular.
Troi: Why won't they stabilize?
Pulaski: Wait. I've found the right amplitude. There. The patterns are steadier.
Troi: Is the stimulation preventing the infection from taking hold?
Pulaski: For now. The vertex waves indicate a K-complex corresponding to an REM state.
Troi: He's dreaming.
Riker: Hello!
Data: Marvelous. How easily humans do that. I still need much practice.
Riker: There are some puzzles down on the planet that the Captain wants answered. He suggested that I take you with me on the away team I'll be leading.
Data: I shall endeavor to function adequately, sir.
Riker: Yes. When the captain suggested you, I looked up your record.
Data: Yes, sir. A wise procedure, sir, always.
Riker: Then your rank of Lieutenant Commander is honorary?
Data: No, sir. Starfleet class of '78. Honors in probability mechanics and exobiology.
Riker: But your files they say you're a
Data: Machine? Correct, sir. Does that trouble you?
Riker: To be honest, yes, a little.
Data: Understood, sir. Prejudice is very human.
Riker: Now that does trouble me. Do you consider yourself superior to us?
Data: I am superior, sir, in many ways. But I would gladly give it up to be human.
Riker: Nice to meet you, Pinocchio. A joke.
Data: Ah! Intriguing.
Riker: You're going to be an interesting companion, Mister Data.
Wesley: What should I say? How do I act? What do I do?
Riker: Guinan, I need your help. Could you step over here a minute?
Guinan: Sounds simple enough.
Riker: Now, the first words out of your mouth are the most important. You may want to start with something like this here. You are the most beautiful woman in the galaxy. But that might not work.
Guinan: Yes. Yes, it would.
Riker: You don't know how long I've wanted to tell you that.
Guinan: But you were afraid.
Riker: Yes.
Guinan: Of me?
Riker: Of us. Of what we might become.
Wesley: Commander?
Riker: Or that you might think that was a line.
Guinan: Maybe I do think it's a line.
Riker: Then you think I'm not sincere?
Guinan: I didn't say that. There's nothing wrong with a line. It's like a knock on the door.
Riker: Then you're inviting me in?
Guinan: I'm not sending you away.
Riker: That's more than I expected.
Guinan: Is it as much as you hoped?
Riker: To hope is to recognize the possibility. I had only dreams.
Guinan: Dreams can be dangerous.
Riker: Not these dreams. I dream of a galaxy where your eyes are stars and the universe worships the night.
Guinan: Careful. Putting me on a pedestal so high, you may not be able to reach me.
Riker: Then I'll learn how to fly. You are the heart in my day and the soul in my night.
Wesley: I don't think this is my style.
Guinan: Shut up, kid. Tell me more about my eyes.
Riker: I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye.
Troi: I don't like goodbyes. How about, until next time.
Riker: How about, until next time.
Troi: It's been a pleasure working with you, Commander.
Riker: The feeling is mutual, Counselor.
Troi: I'm supposed to know how everyone feels, but I can't read you right now.
Riker: Perhaps your own feelings are getting in the way.
Troi: My job is to help others sort out their emotions. My own feelings are beside the point.
Riker: Not to me. Our feelings are what make us all human.
Troi: Are you feeling sad?
Riker: Yes, I am.
Troi: So am I.
Troi: He's relaxd. Experiencing feelings of warmth and friendship.
Pulaski: He's reliving memories. It's a natural side effect of neural stimulation. Look at this. The organisms' metabolism has changed. I wonder if the stimulation is affecting them somehow. I'm going to refocus the impulse pattern on the interpretative cortex.
Troi: To intensify his memories?
Pulaski: Exactly. We'll see if that has an effect on the microbes.
Rivan: Everyone! We've brought the visitors.
Liator: Please, enjoy what we have.
Riker: Gentlemen, if this is what you call enhancement, you've got a gift for understatement. What's a knockout like you doing in a computer-generated joint like this?
Minuet: Waiting for you.
Riker: Waiting for me? You can't be serious?
Minuet: Oh yes, Will. I've never been more serious in my life.
Pulaski: Something wrong?
Troi: No, it's just that Commander Riker's emotions are rather passionate.
Pulaski: As in erotic?
Troi: Very much so.
Minuet: A dream? Is that what this is? Is that what I am?
Riker: I know you are a computer-generated image, but your smell, your touch, the way you feel. Even the things you say and think seem so real.
Minuet: Thank you.
Riker: How far can this relationship go? I mean, how real are you?
Minuet: As real as you need me to be.
Beata: You resist. Don't you find me attractive?
Riker: Yes, I find you very attractive.
Beata: You attract me like no man ever has.
Riker: It's not my function to seduce or be seduced by the leader of another world.
Beata: It's not the reason.
Riker: No, it's not. But will you still respect me in the morning?
Beata: I hope so.
Brenna: William, is something wrong?
Riker: What do you mean?
Brenna: Do you not like girls?
Riker: Of course I do. Oh, is there a technique to this foot washing?
Brenna: You generally start at the top and work your way down.
Riker: I think I can handle that.
Brenna: I was hoping you might.
Pulaski: The organisms responded all right. Their growth rate has doubled.
Troi: Then all we've done is made things worse.
Pulaski: Now we know the organism's growth rate is related to the memories he's experiencing.
Troi: Or the emotions that they produce.
Pulaski: Different mental processes generate different chemicals. Perhaps the organisms are sensitive to brain endorphins.
Troi: Then if some types of endorphins attract them
Pulaski: Others will repel them. I'm going to change the differential current pattern and see what happens.
Tasha: We're not going without our shuttle crew.
Armus: I warn you.
Tasha: Enough! We have people who need attention. We won't hurt you, but we must help them.
Picard: Number One!
Riker: The creature attacked us. Lieutenant Yar is down.
Data: It seems to feed on our phaser energy.
Riker: We had no effect on it.
Picard: What's Lieutenant Yar's condition? Doctor Crusher, report!
Crusher: She's dead.
Pulaski: I'm losing life signs.
Troi: You must save him.
Pulaski: I'm sorry.
Pulaski: Growth rate has definitely slowed. What is he feeling? Can you tell?
Troi: Sadness.
Pulaski: Which is the opposite of before, and it's having the opposite effect on the infection.
Troi: Then your theory's correct. The organisms are sensitive to different types of endorphins.
Pulaski: And negative emotions
Troi: Such as sadness
Pulaski: Produce endorphins that inhibit the organisms' growth.
Troi: Then we've found a way to repel the infection.
Pulaski: Assuming we're not too late already.
Troi: How much time do we have?
Pulaski: I'm not sure. His vital signs are getting weaker. I don't want to risk another dose of tricordrazine unless I have to. I must refocus the pattern again. We need to isolate memories that generate stronger negative emotions.
Riker: I have been assigned to serve this ship and to obey your orders. And I will do exactly that.
Kargan: Will you take an oath to that effect?
Riker: I just did.
Klag: Do not believe him! He lies!
Kargan: Speak in their language. This is your Second Officer, Lieutenant Klag.
Riker: Is there something you wanted to say to me, Lieutenant?
Klag: Yes sir. I do not believe you.
Riker: Then I take it you challenge my authority over you.
Klag: Correct.
Riker: And your position on this, Captain?
Kargan: I would say it your first command decision.
Riker: Ready for your tour, Admiral?
Quinn: Quite ready, Commander.
Riker: What's in the case?
Quinn: Actually, I brought it for Doctor Crusher. But perhaps you would like you to see it first?
Riker: What is it?
Quinn: A form of life. It was discovered accidentally by a survey team on an uncharted planet.
Riker: Why haven't we heard anything about that?
Quinn: Oh, you'll be hearing about it shortly, but first there remains much scientific study to be done. After all, it is a superior form of life.
Riker: Superior?
Quinn: Totally. Come, have a look.
Riker: I think I'll summon my Science Officer.
Quinn: It won't like your Science Officer. It does like you! Vitamins. They do wonders for the body.
Riker: Riker to Security. Guest quarters seventeen. Emergency.
Pulaski: We've reduced the growth rate even further, but not enough. And his vital signs are deteriorating.
Troi: But we've isolated the specific areas to stimulate. The feelings were primal. Survival emotions.
Pulaski: They must be producing a type of endorphin that's poisonous to the organisms.
Troi: Can't you intensify that emotion?
Pulaski: I can refocus the impulse pattern even tighter. But I don't know if he can withstand it. He's extremely weak.
Troi: Do we have a choice?
Pulaski: No. If we don't neutralize the infection, within half an hour he'll be dead. Medical log, supplemental. Commander Riker's condition is still critical. I've discovered a way to reverse the infection's growth rate, but I may be too late.
Troi: He's getting weaker, isn't he?
Pulaski: Respiration shallow, heartbeat extremely irregular, but we can't delay any longer.
T'Jon: You will take us to our planet and leave us there with our medicine or this person dies. Don't you see I have no choice? We were sent to bring the felicium back. The suffering on my planet is too great. People are dying. It doesn't matter whether we're entitled to it or not. We must have it.
Picard: Let him go.
T'Jon: You will take us there now, or give us a shuttle. But we must have the medicine. If you refuse, this person will die.
Picard: I will not be coerced.
T'Jon: I will do it. I will kill him.
Riker: Who are you?
Riker: Help! Data, something's got me!
Armus: Touch him and he dies.
Riker: No! No, don't!
Data: Enterprise?
Data: Armus has enveloped Commander Riker.
Picard: I'm beaming you up.
Armus: If any of you leave now, he dies.
Armus: And so do the survivors of the crash.
Pulaski: The growth rate's down to seven percent. The organisms are still impairing his neural functions. Respiration's erratic, pulse grossly irregular, blood pressure almost nil. Tricordrazine.
Troi: Can we tighten the pattern further?
Computer: Recognize Picard, Jean-Luc, Captain. Recognize Riker, William T, Commander.
Picard: Set auto-destruct sequence.
Computer: Does the First Officer concur?
Riker: Yes. Set auto-destruct sequence. Now.
Computer: Auto-destruct will detonate in four minutes and fifty-nine seconds.
Korris: I am Korris.
Riker: We'll handle the formalities later. Right now we have to get off this ship. Are there any others survivors?
Korris: No.
Data: I believe I have found a quicker way out of here, sir.
Riker: Check him out.
Data: He is alive, sir, but just barely.
Riker: Then pick the body and let's get out of here.
Korris: No. I will carry him.
Data: As you wish.
Laforge: Come on, let's go!
Picard: Tasha, go to transporter room three. I want you there when the away team returns.
Tasha: Aye, sir.
Laforge: Commander, we are out of time. This ship is blowing.
Riker: Transporter room, have you got a lock on us?
Tasha: Too much interference. You have to get farther away from the Engineering section.
Worf: Sir, the Engineering section is critical. Destruction of the Batris is imminent.
Picard: They're out of options. Do it!
Picard: Now!
Troi: The growth rate's almost down to zero.
Pulaski: That's not good enough.
Remmick: We seek peaceful co-existence. (T'Jon attacks Riker. Quinn shoots at Picard and Riker at Starfleet Headquarters. They set Autodestruct again. Data tries to fix the computer in Naked Now. Armus grabs him again. He fights Klag. 'Autodestruct'. The Loud as a Whisper assassin gets killed. Klag's head goes into the computer panel. 'Now'. The Lantree goes Bang. 'Now'. Batris goes Boom. Remmick and the parasites get phasered to atoms. 'Now.' Tsiolkovsky gets smashed by the stellar matter.)
Riker: Data, something's got me!
Pulaski: Sickbay to Bridge.
Picard: Yes, Doctor?
Pulaski: We've eradicated the infection.
Picard: I'm on my way.
Riker: You're still here?
Troi: I could ask you the same question.
Pulaski: How do you feel?
Riker: Beat. You wouldn't believe the dreams I was having.
Troi: Oh yes we would.
Pulaski: You'll be pleased to know that we've terminated the infection.
Riker: Great work, Doctor. Now, if I can get out of here, I'd like to get back
Pulaski: Lie still. I have a few dozen tests to run first.
Riker: Why? I feel fine.
Pulaski: There may be some residual memory loss. I just want to be sure you still know who you are.
Riker: Of course I know who I am. I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise.
Picard: I'm delighted that you're feeling better, Captain. The Admiral and I were worried about you.
Data: Captain, I do not believe you have the authority to promote me to the rank of Admiral.


Data: Captain. Doctor. I am honored by your presence, but may I suggest you attend the second concert.
Crusher: Why, Data?
Data: Ensign Ortiz will perform the violin part. My rendition will be less enjoyable.
Picard: Oh?
Data: Although I am technically proficient, according to my fellow performers, I lack soul.
Crusher: Data, telling us why you're going to fail before you make the attempt is never wise.
Data: But is not honesty always the preferred choice?
Picard: Excessive honesty can be disastrous, particularly in a commander.
Data: Indeed?
Picard: Knowing your limitations is one thing. Advertising them to a crew can damage your credibility as a leader.
Data: Because you will lose their confidence?
Crusher: And you may begin to believe in those limitations yourself.
Riker: Captain, we're receiving a message from the Sheliak Corporate.
Worf: Origin point of the message confirmed, sir. It is from the Shelia star system.
Riker: The Sheliak have not attempted to communicate with the Federation for a hundred and eleven years. Why are they doing it now?
Picard: On screen.
Sheliak: Federation creatures, there are humans on the fifth planet of Tau Cygna. This planet was ceded to the Corporate in section one hundred and thirty-three, paragraph seventy seven of the Treaty of Armens. We will begin settlement of this world in four days. Remove the humans.
Picard: What the devil?
Sheliak: Federation creatures, there are humans on the fifth planet
Picard: Cancel message.
Riker: Tau Cygna Five is in the de Laure Belt. Heavy concentrations of hyperonic radiation.
Picard: Humans can't survive in that environment. Exposure to hyperonic radiation is fatal.
Riker: Then the Sheliak are asking us to chase ghosts.
Picard: No, Number One. The Sheliak haven't broken a century of silence to send us after phantoms. An investigation is in order. Set course for Tau Cygna Five.
Worf: Captain, human life form readings from the planet.
Riker: So the Sheliak weren't hallucinating.
Picard: Numbers?
Worf: Impossible to get an accurate reading. High levels of radiation are disrupting our sensors.
Data: Hyperonic radiation also interferes with ship's transporters. They are now inoperable.
Worf: So are the ship's phasers.
Riker: How can humans survive down there?
Crusher: They must have found a way to adapt. Milan's work with radiation sensitivity suggests it is possible. Perhaps with extensive viral therapy.
Picard: Well, whoever they are, and however they survived, we've got to get them off the planet.
Riker: By treaty, that world still belongs to the Sheliak.
Picard: Who are within their rights to demand the removal of these trespassers.
Riker: And if we don't remove them, the Sheliak will. Forcefully.
Crusher: How forcefully?
Riker: The Sheliak consider humans a lower life form. They would have no compunctions about exterminating the intruders.
Picard: Mister Data, as you are unaffected by hyperonic radiation, I'd like you to go to the planet via shuttlecraft and commence evacuation procedures.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: Number One, any speculation on what we might find down there?
Riker: My guess would be a lone survey ship. Maybe a dozen or so survivors.
Haritath: I think it's some sort of shuttlecraft.
Kentor: Where's it from?
Haritath: Look at the markings. It must be from the Federation.
Data: Greetings, gentlemen.
Haritath: We saw your ship You're the first visitor we've had in
Kentor: The first visitor we've ever had.
Haritath: You're not human.
Data: That is correct. I am an android. I am Lieutenant Commander Data of the Federation Starship Enterprise.
Haritath: Our great-grandparents were citizens of the Federation. But you don't want to waste time talking to us.
Kentor: You want to speak to Gosheven. We'll take you to him.
Haritath: I'm sure the Federation will be very proud of us. Wait until you see all we've accomplished.
Data: And who, precisely, is us?
Haritath: Don't you know? Oh, no, I don't guess you would. We're descendants of the original settlers, from the colony ship Artemis.
Riker: Got it. The Artemis. Launched ninety two years ago. Destination Septimus Minor. When they failed to check in, Starfleet began an extensive search.
Picard: What carried the Artemis
Picard: So far off course?
Data: My local informant does not have that information. In the early days on Tau Cygna Five, survival was more important than history.
Picard: Understood. How many are there?
Data: Fifteen thousand two hundred fifty three, sir.
Picard: Fifteen thousand!
Riker: Three days, no transporters. We'll never get them out in time.
Picard: Shuttles?
Worf: Loading all the Enterprise shuttlecraft to capacity, evacuation will take four weeks, four days.
Picard: We need more time. Mister Data, prepare the colonists for an evacuation.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: Get me the Sheliak.
Worf: Their home world is quite distant, Captain. This will take some time.
Haritath: Gosheven, look what's come.
Data: Lieutenant Commander Data of the Starship Enterprise.
Kentor: He's an android.
Gosheven: So he is. Well, now that you're here, what do you want?
Data: My mission is to prepare this colony for evacuation.
Gosheven: Why?
Data: Because this planet belongs to the Sheliak.
Gosheven: And who is this Sheliak?
Data: The term is plural. The Sheliak are a non-humanoid, intelligent life form, classification R3.
Gosheven: Well, this colony's been here over ninety years. We've never seen a Sheliak. I'd say that makes Tau Cygna Five our planet.
Data: The original destination of the Artemis was Septimus Minor.
Gosheven: The guidance system on the Artemis failed. Took them off course. Far off course. Our ancestors were lucky to find any place to land.
Haritath: And when they did, the radiation started killing them.
Gosheven: Hyperonic radiation took the lives of a third of the colonists before they learned they could adapt to it.
Kentor: But our colony survived and prospered.
Gosheven: Look around. We have brought water to the desert, built a community.
Data: Your accomplishments are truly remarkable. Yet the Sheliak and the Federation have a treaty which clearly makes this planet Sheliak domain.
Gosheven: Then change the treaty.
Data: That may not be possible. The Sheliak wish to colonize this planet, and are unwilling to share it with humans. If you are still here when the Sheliak colony ship arrives, they will eradicate you.
Haritath: They'd kill all of us?
Data: They have little regard for human life. Thus, the most sensible course is to prepare a contingency plan for the evacuation of your people.
Gosheven: We're not evacuating.
Data: Perhaps I have not made myself clear.
Gosheven: Yes, you have. Let me be equally clear. There's going to be no evacuation. You've delivered your message, so go back to your ship. I have work to do.
Ard'Rian: Nice catch. Wonderful reflexes. Sorry to test you like that, but I was curious.
Gosheven: Found a new toy, have we, Ardi?
Ard'Rian: Toy? This is the most incredible android I've ever seen.
Data: Have you seen many?
Ard'Rian: Actually, no. You're the first.
Gosheven: Only you would get this excited over a walking calculator.
Ard'Rian: Cybernetic intelligence fascinates me. Are your neural pathways duotronic?
Data: No, positronic.
Ard'Rian: I didn't know that was possible! What's your memory capacity? How many operations per second? I have a million questions.
Data: I'm afraid I have no time to answer a million questions. I have a mission to accomplish. I need to know more about your people, and Gosheven seems unwilling to talk to me further.
Ard'Rian: I'm Ard'rian McKenzie. Perhaps I can help you.
Riker: Gentlemen, we're giving you an assignment. One thing we don't want to hear is that it is impossible.
Picard: I need the transporters to function despite the hyperonic radiation.
Laforge: Yeah, but that's im. Yes, sir.
Riker: Even if we get the Sheliak to talk, they're not likely to be accommodating.
Troi: Captain, when the treaty was first negotiated the Federation sent three hundred and seventy two legal experts. What do we have?
Picard: Thee and me?
Worf: No response.
Picard: Try them again. Boost the signal strength.
Worf: Sheliak Corporate. This is the starship Enterprise. Respond please.
Sheliak: Conversation is neither required nor desired.
Picard: Conversation is necessary if we are to find a solution to our mutual problem.
Sheliak: Our involvement in Federation illegality is not indicated.
Picard: Both parties are involved, sir.
Sheliak: Remove the humans from the Tau Cygna system. Three Earth days remain.
Picard: Let us negotiate in good faith.
Sheliak: Negotiate to what purpose? The treaty is signed.
Picard: There is a thriving colony on that planet. Rather than uproot these people, may I offer a compromise?
Sheliak: Denied.
Picard: Why?
Sheliak: The law is paramount. We are entitled.
Picard: This is not a law. It is a treaty. It is designed to smooth relations between peoples. Not to act as a strait
Picard: Jacket.
Ard'Rian: You really think we'll have to leave Tau Cygna Five?
Data: The possibility does exist, yet Gosheven seems unwilling to prepare for it. Why?
Ard'Rian: Maybe because you're an android. I don't think Gosheven likes the idea of machines ordering him around.
Data: I am not ordering him to do anything. I am merely trying to persuade him that his people should prepare to evacuate. Do you believe my suggested course of action should be followed?
Ard'Rian: Of course.
Data: In spite of the fact that I am an android?
Ard'Rian: Because of that fact. I don't have any silly prejudice against computers. I like them. Not that any computer we have is half as sophisticated as you are.
Data: No, I would say not.
Ard'Rian: People can be selfish, irrational, stubborn, malicious, you name it. But computers don't have those failings.
Data: And you conclude because of this that I am impartial. Hence, you accept my recommendations? Yet Gosheven does not.
Picard: Picard to Commander Data.
Data: Data here.
Picard: The Sheliak won't bargain.
Data: Understood, sir.
Picard: I'm contacting Starfleet to arrange transport. Get those people prepared to evacuation. We may have to move quickly.
Data: Aye, sir. We must speak to Gosheven immediately.
Riker: Gentlemen, how's it coming? What the hell is that?
Laforge: Our first attempt.
Riker: Keep at it. We need those transporters.
Gosheven: You see this? Do you have any idea what it is, or what it means?
Data: It is water. A substance composed of two atoms of hydrogen
Gosheven: It's not water. It's blood and it's sweat. It's the result of a ninety years of combined effort. This isn't a town. It's a monument to every man, woman, and child who's lived and died on Tau Cygna Five.
Ard'Rian: Gosheven, you're talking nonsense.
Gosheven: Am I? My grandfather is buried on that mountain. He died in a rock slide surveying the route for this aqueduct. This colony exists because of his sacrifice, and the sacrifice of thousands of others. No, we're not leaving.
Data: The Sheliak will not accept humans on their planet, And they will not hesitate to use force to remove you.
Gosheven: We will not be bullied off our land. Not by you, and not by the Sheliak.
Ard'Rian: Stubborn and irrational. Now what do we do?
Data: Are his sentiments typical of the colonists?
Ard'Rian: I hope not.
Data: If I can convince enough people of the necessity of leaving
Ard'Rian: Don't you mean, if we can convince?
Picard: Come.
Riker: Yes, sir?
Picard: Three weeks. Starfleet is profuse in their apologies, but it will still be three weeks until the arrival of a colony transport ship equipped with dedicated personnel shuttles.
Riker: We can't wait three weeks.
Picard: Then the Sheliak must agree to extend our deadline. They plan to settle Tau Cygna Five two days from now.
Riker: One of their ships must already be en route.
Picard: We're going to intercept that ship.
Riker: The Sheliak may interpret that as a hostile act.
Picard: A risk we have to take.
Riker: The Enterprise is going to try to intercept the Sheliak colony ship. Your job well, you know what your job is.
Data: Commander.
Data: In human parlance, I do not believe I can get the job done. My training has prepared me for starship command duties. As a cultural contact I am proving to be
Data: Less than exemplary.
Riker: What's the situation?
Data: Their leader refuses my counsel.
Data: He denies the logic of my arguments and speaks of structures they have built.
Riker: Then try something else.
Data: I have, sir.
Data: In the last three hours and eight minutes, I have spoken to fifty six colonists. Ten of those refused to believe a threat exists. Twenty two favor staying and fighting the Sheliak. Sixteen prefer negotiation or
Data: Some form of passive resistance. Only eight were willing to consider evacuation. And of those eight
Riker: Data, I can't help you. I don't know these people. I haven't talked to them. You have. Use that fancy
Riker: Positronic brain of yours and carry out your mission.
Data: Sir, if I do not succeed, how violent is the Sheliak reaction likely to be?
Riker: The treaty is the only thing that prevented them from eradicating the colony the moment they discovered it.
Data: Ah.
Riker: Ah is right, Data.
Riker: The lives of fifteen thousand people are riding on you.
Riker: You'd better get innovative. Riker out.
Ard'Rian: Data? We're having an effect. So many people are asking questions about the Sheliak that Gosheven has called a public meeting.
Data: Is there any indication that Gosheven has changed his position?
Ard'Rian: No. But a meeting will give you the chance to present your recommendations.
Data: So far, my attempts at persuasion have been ineffective.
Data: Why did you do that?
Ard'Rian: You appeared to need it.
Data: Among humans, a kiss usually serves to seal a friendship, or indicate support, attraction, affection. In this context, I must assume that your intention was to express support.
Ard'Rian: You don't really understand human behavior, do you?
Data: That is something of an understatement.
Ard'Rian: Sometimes I don't either. androids are a lot more rational.
Data: Thus far, that quality has not helped me to accomplish my mission.
Ard'Rian: A rational argument isn't always enough. Maybe to be more persuasive, you need to use a little reverse psychology.
Data: Elicit a desired behavior by advocating its opposite. That implies deception, does it not?
Ard'Rian: A little. But if it helps us get our point across.
Data: Perhaps this is a situation where excessive honesty can be detrimental.
Picard: Now, are we progressing, Mister La Forge?
Laforge: About like you'd expect, sir.
Picard: Splendid. Splendid. Carry on.
Wesley: He wants the impossible.
Laforge: That's the short definition of Captain.
Gosheven: You've all heard of the android Starfleet sent here, and you've been discussing why he's come. I've called this meeting to replace misinformation with cold, hard fact.
Data: I wish to speak.
Gosheven: No. Leave now.
Data: Do you consider your position so weak that it cannot withstand debate?
Haritath: Let him talk.
Data: You know of the Sheliak threat. Starfleet wishes to evacuate you for your own protection. Yet Gosheven has decided otherwise. That is his right, And I will not waste time trying to reverse that decision. I admire your conviction in the face of certain defeat. Though doomed, your effort will be valiant. And when you die, you will die for land and honor. Your children will understand that they are dying for a worthy cause. Long after the battle is over, their courage will be remembered and extolled.
Ard'Rian: Remembered by who?
Data: Yes, that is true. There will be no one left alive to remember.
Gosheven: A valiant try, android, but what a low opinion you must have of us.
Data: I was simply attempting to describe your inevitable destruction in a manner that would have an emotional effect.
Haritath: And he describes it pretty damned well.
Gosheven: Are you ready to follow this machine? Give up without a fight? He says we're going to lose, but I think that's just his cowardice talking!
Kentor: What if he's right and you're wrong? Shouldn't we consider that possibility?
Gosheven: This colony exists because generations gave their lives for it. Many people died before we found a way to adapt to the radiation. And many more died bringing water to the desert. My grandfather
Ard'Rian: Is buried on that mountain. Well, who'll be left to bury you?
Gosheven: Have you considered what this evacuation means? Everything we have, we abandon. Everything that we have built turns into dust. Everything that we have accomplished means nothing. Well, I say no. You elected me your leader. Follow me now. I don't think our chances are as hopeless as he says. And I'm willing to stake our lives on it. Any objections? Good, because here we stand.
All: Aye, We stand with you.
Data: Then here you die.
Haritath: Mister Data, I just want you to know that Gosheven doesn't speak for all of us. I see no reason to die needlessly.
Data: And you?
Kentor: I'm not sure. Gosheven's done well for us, but I'd like to hear more of what you have to say.
Haritath: There are many others that feel the same way but they're very uneasy about confronting Gosheven.
Ard'Rian: Get them together and we'll meet at my house.
Troi: In our dealings with other non-humanoid races there has been some point of reference. Not so with the Sheliak.
Picard: But we must have something in common. We communicate.
Troi: Barely. They have learned several Federation languages, but theirs continues to elude us.
Picard: Telepaths?
Troi: Attempted and failed. Actually, the fact that any alien race communicates with another is quite remarkable. We are stranded on a planet. We have no language in common, but I want to teach you mine. S'smarith. What did I just say?
Picard: Cup? Glass?
Troi: Are you sure? I may have meant liquid, clear, brown, hot. We conceptualize the universe in relatively the same way.
Picard: Point taken.
Troi: In your talks, you must be extremely accurate. The treaty is five hundred thousand words. The length was to accommodate the Sheliak. They consider our language irrational, and demanded this level of complexity to avoid any future misunderstandings.
Riker: Captain, we have the vessel carrying the Sheliak colonists on visual.
Picard: On my way. So, it begins.
Picard: Hailing frequencies.
Worf: Open.
Picard: This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise.
Sheliak: Your purpose, Enterprise?
Picard: We desire face-to-face negotiation to settle the crisis on Tau Cygna Five.
Sheliak: Meaningless.
Picard: We are entitled to consultation under paragraph six hundred and fifty three subparagraph nine.
Sheliak: Granted.
Riker: Was that an invitation?
Picard: I am taking it as such. Counselor. You have the Bridge, Number One.
Riker: Helm, maintain relative position. Mister Worf, tell transporter room two to stand by.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Kentor: And once the Federation resettles us, we'll be left alone?
Data: If you so desire.
Haritath: We do. We like to do things on our own.
Data: The Federation will offer as little or as much help as you dictate.
Ard'Rian: Kentor, are you with us?
Kentor: Yes. The question is, how do we convince Gosheven?
Haritath: Why do we need to?
Kentor: Because he's respected. Most people will do what he says.
Ard'Rian: They respect you, too. If you take a stand, they'll fall in line.
Kentor: I don't know. Gosheven's got a lot of supporters.
Gosheven: Don't forget that, Kentor. I'm disappointed. I thought we'd settled this.
Data: Apparently, that is not correct.
Gosheven: Still stirring up trouble?
Ard'Rian: Since when is talk trouble?
Gosheven: It's over. Don't you get it? You had your say. You lost.
Data: I appear to be reversing that defeat.
Gosheven: No, you're not. You're just stubborn. Well, let me tell you something.
Gosheven: So am I.
Ard'Rian: Damn you, Gosheven.
Haritath: You killed him?
Gosheven: I've killed no one. I merely shut down a machine. That's it, everyone. It's time to go home. You'll see that I'm right.
Sheliak: Advance and speak.
Picard: Director, we will comply with your request to remove the colony from Tau Cygna Five, but we need time.
Sheliak: The given time has elapsed. We carry the membership and we will proceed with their debarkation.
Troi: The temporary presence of these humans should not interfere with your plans.
Sheliak: Unacceptable. You must remove the creatures.
Picard: I'm trying, but the needed ship will not be available for three weeks.
Sheliak: Then you are in violation.
Picard: I have admitted that. I am only asking for a little flexibility.
Sheliak: Section five hundred and one, paragraph seven hundred and sixteen, subparagraph five. Unwanted lifeforms inhabiting H class worlds may be removed at the diskretion of the Sheliak Corporate.
Picard: We will remove them, but you must grant us the time we require.
Sheliak: You need time, Picard of the Enterprise? We will save you time. We will eradicate the human infestation.
Picard: They are not vermin. They are citizens of the Federation. I will not permit this outrage!
Sheliak: Intelligent converse is impossible. You do not discuss, you gibber.
Picard: Between intelligent species of good will
Riker: I take it the Sheliak just hung up on us again.
Ard'Rian: I was afraid your neural pathways were scrambled beyond repair.
Data: I am equipped with diagnostic circuits and am able to correct many malfunctions.
Ard'Rian: I'm not surprised at Gosheven's behavior. But Kentor and the others, they said they were with us. I guess words don't mean very much.
Data: Perhaps that is a part of our difficulty. Words are all we have been using. Humans seem to take much stronger notice of actions. I require a phaser.
Ard'Rian: What's a phaser?
Data: A type of weapon. Unfortunately it does not function in the presence of hyperonic radiation. I will have to be innovative.
Data: Hyperonic radiation randomizes phaser beams. But I believe I can improvise a servocircuit which will compensate by continuously recollimating the output.
Ard'Rian: You're using your own neural subprocessors to build a smarter phaser.
Data: Essentially correct. Get word to Gosheven. Tell him I am coming to the pumping station. Tell him I am going to destroy the aqueduct.
Ard'Rian: He'll try to stop you.
Data: I sincerely hope so.
Picard: Go to yellow alert. Shields up.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Mister Riker, put us nose to nose with the Sheliak ship. Any move she makes, match it.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Picard: Mister Worf, hailing frequency.
Worf: Open. They are not responding.
Picard: They don't have to answer. They just have to listen. Sheliak vessel, you will have to get past me to get at the colony on Tau Cygna Five.
Worf: No response.
Picard: Close channel. And get me that treaty. They've been beating us over the head with it for three days. Let's see if we can't find something in it that we can turn to our own advantage.
Data: Stop. That was the stun setting. This is not.
Data: I can reduce this pumping station to a pile of debris, but I trust my point is clear. I am one android with a single weapon. There are hundreds of Sheliak on the way and their weapons are far more powerful. They may not offer you a target. They can obliterate you from orbit. You will die never having seen the faces of your killers. The choice is yours.
Kentor: There are other places, other challenges.
Gosheven: I really was willing to stay here and die for this.
Data: I know that. This is just a thing, and things can be replaced. Lives cannot.
Worf: This is hopeless. Fighting would be preferable.
Picard: That's it.
Troi: I don't follow you, sir.
Picard: Mister Worf, get me the Sheliak.
Worf: Yes, sir. Coming through, sir.
Picard: Pursuant to paragraph one thousand two hundred and ninety, I hereby formally request third party arbitration of our dispute.
Sheliak: You have the right.
Picard: Furthermore, pursuant to subsection D three, I name the Grisellas to arbitrate.
Sheliak: Grisellas?
Picard: Unfortunately, they are currently in their hibernation cycle, However, they will awaken in six months, at which time we can get this matter settled. Now, do you want to wait or give me my three weeks?
Sheliak: Absurd. We carry the membership. We can brook no delay.
Picard: Then I declare the treaty in abeyance,
Sheliak: Wait! Negotiation is permiss
Riker: You enjoyed that.
Picard: You're damned right.
Worf: Captain, they are hailing us.
Worf: Sir?
Picard: On screen.
Sheliak: You may have your three weeks, Picard of the Enterprise.
Picard: Thank you.
Laforge: Captain, we can do it. We can modify the transporters.
Picard: Excellent.
Laforge: It'll take fifteen years, and a research team of a hundred.
Picard: Mister La Forge, I believe we will postpone.
Laforge: Yes, sir.
Data: Lieutenant Commander Data to Enterprise. I am preparing to leave Tau Cygna Five and await rendezvous instructions.
Worf: Acknowledged. Stand by.
Ard'Rian: Hi. The evacuation plan is going well. When the ship arrives, we'll be ready to leave. You succeeded.
Data: I could not have succeeded without your support and insight. I am grateful for your assistance.
Ard'Rian: Good. Then you won't forget me.
Data: I am incapable of forgetting. I will remember every detail of my visit here with perfect clarity.
Ard'Rian: But nothing more?
Data: I do not understand.
Ard'Rian: I guess what I really want to know is, do you have any feelings for me?
Data: I have no feelings of any kind.
Ard'Rian: No, of course you don't.
Ard'Rian: What was that for?
Data: You appeared to need it.
Ard'Rian: So you saw I was unhappy and did what you concluded would make me feel better. Rational to the last.
Ard'Rian: Bye.
Picard: Come. Welcome home, Mister Data. Well done.
Data: Thank you, sir.
Picard: The good doctor was kind enough to provide me with a recording of your concert. Your performance shows feeling.
Data: As I have recently reminded others, sir, I have no feeling.
Picard: It's hard to believe. Your playing is quite beautiful.
Data: Strictly speaking, sir, it is not my playing. It is a precise imitation of the techniques of Jascha Heifetz and Trenka Bronken.
Picard: Is there nothing of Data in what I'm hearing? You see, you chose the violinists. Heifetz and Bronken have radically different styles, different techniques, yet you combined them successfully.
Data: I suppose I have learned to be creative, sir, when necessary.
Picard: Mister Data, I look forward to your next concert.