Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46578.4. The Enterprise has arrived at Station Deep Space Nine, to assist in the reconstruction of the Bajoran aqueduct systems damaged during the Cardassian occupation.
Crusher: I should be through with the water contaminant analysis in a few hours. Then I'm going to check out one of the holosuites. They have got a relaxation program here, Jean-Luc, from Alture Seven. Listen to this. First they bath you in a protein bath. Then a cloud of chromal vapor carries you into a meditation chamber. You should try it.
Picard: Well, I'll be too busy discussing the finer points of water management with ten Bajoran bureaucrats. And they won't be carrying me on a cloud of chromal vapor. Ops.
Worf: What is this?
Laforge: It's pasta al fiorella. One of my favorites. Don't worry, you'll love it. You know, I really want to take a look at those Ktarian antiques. I understand they've got a twenty first century plasma coil in almost perfect condition. I'll have to talk to Chief O'Brien about these replicators. Worf, I don't see how you can eat that stuff. It tastes like liquid polymer.
Worf: Delicious.
Laforge: You know, I think I'm going to try that kiosk on the other side of the promenade. It looked like they had some real food.
Data: Commander, I am reading a minor power drain in the starboard EPS conduit.
Riker: What's causing it?
Data: The problem's originating in Sickbay. There has been an unauthorized access into the computer's bio-imaging systems.
Riker: You'd better check it out.
Data: Aye, sir.
Data: Excuse me. Do you have authorisation to work in this area?
Bashir: Come in, come in. I need a hand with this field generator. See if you can boost the power output to sixty five percent.
Data: I am sorry, but use of sickbay equipment is limited to ship's medical personnel.
Bashir: Ah. Doctor Julian Bashir, Chief Medical officer, Deep Space Nine. And you are Commander?
Data: Data.
Bashir: Commander Data. The synthetic lifeform.
Data: Yes.
Bashir: It's an honor to meet you, sir. I've heard so much about you. You must have a fascinating perspective into biocybernetic research. I'd be delighted if we could discuss the subject sometime.
Data: I would be happy to do so. However, I must ask you to stop your experiment.
Bashir: Ah, yes. I realize I should have asked before using your sickbay, but it would've taken me days to analyze this device with the computer I have on Deep Space Nine.
Data: What type of device is this?
Bashir: It was discovered in the Gamma Quadrant. I think it must be some sort of medical instrument.
Data: It appears to employ plasma inputs.
Bashir: I'm hoping it's a medical scanner. I wanted to use your computer to find out how it works.
Data: I suggest we take it to Engineering and run a complete circuit-pathway diagnostic.
Bashir: Splendid. I must admit, Commander I didn't think you'd be so personable.
Shrek: Klingon. You are Starfleet Klingon.
Worf: I am Lieutenant Worf.
Shrek: Worf. Son of Mogh.
Worf: What of it?
Shrek: I am Jaglom Shrek, a man with information to sell.
Worf: You have no information I could use.
Shrek: I would not be so sure. It is about your father, Mogh.
Worf: My father died twenty five years ago at Khitomer.
Shrek: That is what you believe. What if I tell you he is still alive?
Worf: My father is dead.
Shrek: No, he's not. I know where he is.
Worf: How is that possible?
Shrek: I expect to be paid for my information. Perhaps we could negotiate an exchange. The location of your father, for
Worf: Tell me what you know.
Shrek: Not all of the Klingons at Khitomer were killed during the massacre. Many were captured by the Romulans and placed in a prison camp on a remote planet. Your father was among them.
Worf: Where is this planet?
Shrek: Not far from here. I could give you the location, for a price.
Worf: A Klingon would rather die than be taken prisoner. I should kill you for spreading lies about my family. My father was killed defending Khitomer.
Worf: Ensign Lopez. This duty roster is unacceptable. The assignments should be listed in order of priority. Prepare it again. I will expect it no later than oh nine hundred hours. Dismissed.
Riker: Worf, we need to get your rendezvous schedule to Commander Rudman on board the Merrimac as soon as you
Worf: I am well aware of your request, Commander.
Riker: Lieutenant, are you all right?
Worf: Yes, sir. I am fine. I will send your schedule, sir. Excuse me.
Worf: Enter.
Troi: Did the table do something wrong?
Worf: No.
Troi: I'm glad you weren't that hard on Ensign Lopez.
Worf: He made a mistake. The duty roster was inaccurate.
Troi: Would you like to talk about what's bothering you or would you like to break some more furniture?
Worf: Today on the Promenade, a Yridian approached me. He knew who I was and tried to sell me information about Mogh.
Troi: Your father?
Worf: He claimed that he's alive and is being held captive in a Romulan prison camp.
Troi: My god. Could it be true?
Worf: A Klingon would never allow himself to be captured. A warrior fights to the death. If my father were alive it would dishonor his sons and their sons for three generations. Even Alexander would bear the burden of guilt.
Troi: So, you're willing to ignore the possibility because you're concerned about dishonor?
Worf: My father is dead. That Yridian is selling lies!
Troi: If you're so sure about that, why are you still so upset? Worf, you can't deny the possibility just because you don't want it to be true. If you want to talk about this, you know where to find me.
Data: If we transfer twenty megajoules of energy from the dilithium chamber into the plasma inputs, it should be sufficient to activate the device.
Laforge: It's worth a try. You two can begin by connecting the coil to the chamber. I'll configure the energy transfer.
Bashir: Right. Data, can I ask you a personal question?
Data: Certainly.
Bashir: Does your hair grow?
Data: I can control the rate of my follicle replenishment. However, I have not yet had a reason to modify the length of my hair. Why do you ask?
Bashir: Just curious.
Data: Power conduits are ready. Is something wrong, Doctor?
Bashir: You're breathing.
Data: Yes. I do have a functional respiration system. However, its purpose is to maintain thermal control of my internal systems. I am, in fact, capable of functioning for extended periods in a vacuum.
Bashir: And you have a pulse.
Data: My circulatory system not only produces bio-chemical lubricants, it regulates micro-hydraulic power. Most people are interested in my extraordinary abilities. How fast I can compute, my memory capacity, how long I will live. No one has ever asked me if my hair will grow, or noticed that I can breathe.
Bashir: Your creator went to a lot of trouble to make you seem human. I find that fascinating.
Laforge: Okay, I think we're ready to begin the transfer.
Data: Power connections are complete.
Bashir: I'll monitor the coil's transfer rate. Will you keep an eye on the transient power response?
Data: Of course. We are ready, Geordi.
Laforge: Okay. Initiating energy transfer.
Bashir: Power levels are holding steady.
Data: Transient response is normal.
Bashir: Hold on. I'm picking up a power surge. Reduce the transfer rate.
Laforge: Reducing rate by twenty percent.
Laforge: What happened?
Bashir: The power connections blew. It sent out some kind of plasma shock.
Laforge: His synaptic energy is dropping.
Bashir: Data, are you all right?
Data: I believe so. What has happened?
Laforge: A plasma shock overloaded your positronic net. You were down a good thirty seconds.
Data: That cannot be possible. I have a memory record for that period of time. I can recall a series of images. I saw Doctor Soong. My father.
Laforge: Data, I can't find anything wrong with your positronic subprocessors or your circuit controllers. No sign of any residual energy fluctuation, cascade overload.
Data: My internal diagnostic indicates that my memory systems are functioning within normal parameters. For the forty seven seconds that I was inactive, there is no record of cognitive activity.
Laforge: There's no doubt about it, Data. You were completely shut down. Maybe you had some kind of random power fluctuation, caused you to access one of your memory files.
Data: That cannot be. The image I saw was of Doctor Soong as a young man. I did not encounter him until much later in his life. There appears to be no rational explanation for my experience.
Laforge: I'll take another look at the diagnostic log. In the meantime, you'd better disconnect that device.
Bashir: Data, perhaps we're going about this the wrong way.
Data: How so?
Bashir: Well, maybe you had a dream or a hallucination.
Data: I am not capable of either of those functions.
Bashir: Yet you can't account for what happened today, can you?
Data: At present, I cannot.
Bashir: Well maybe you should approach this from a more human standpoint. You're right that machines can't have hallucinations, but then again, most machines can't grow hair.
Worf: Wait. What is it, Commander?
Data: I am sorry to bother you, but I have a question of a personal nature. Do you have a moment?
Worf: A moment.
Data: I have heard you mention that you once experienced a vision.
Worf: Yes. When I was young my adoptive parents arranged for me to partake in the Rite of MajQa.
Data: I understand it involves deep meditation in the lava caves of No'Mat. That prolonged exposure to the heat induces a hallucinatory effect.
Worf: Why are you asking me about this?
Data: I have recently had an unusual experience, which might be described as a vision.
Worf: What happened?
Data: An accident in Engineering shut down my cognitive functions for a short period of time, yet I seemed to remain conscious. I saw my father.
Worf: You are very fortunate. That is a powerful vision.
Data: If it was a vision, I do not know how to proceed.
Worf: You must find its meaning. If it has anything to do with your father, you must learn all you can about it. In the Klingon MajQa ritual, there is nothing more important than receiving a revelation about your father. Your father is part of you, always. Learning about him teaches you about yourself. That is why no matter where he is or what he has done, you must find him.
Data: But I am not looking for my father.
Worf: Yes, of course. Do not stop until you have the answer.
Data: Thank you, Worf.
Shrek: Lieutenant Worf. You have reconsidered.
Worf: Yes. I wish to go to the Romulan prison camp.
Shrek: Excellent. I can provide you with the coordinates.
Worf: No. You will take me there.
Shrek: No, it's not possible. I have no means of transportation.
Worf: I checked the station records. You have a vessel that is capable of warp speed.
Shrek: I, I do not have the time. I have other business.
Worf: What is the real reason you do not wish to take me? Is it because what you have told me is not true?
Shrek: No. The camp is located on the edge of Romulan space. It is a dangerous journey.
Worf: Dangerous? It would be more dangerous for you to refuse.
Shrek: Very well. But I will require full payment in advance.
Worf: No. No, I will pay you after.
Shrek: But
Shrek: Yes, yes, of course. After.
Worf: If you are lying, if there is no prison camp, I will kill you.
Shrek: The Romulan guards have a detection perimeter. It will be necessary to transport you to the surface thirty kilometers from the prison camp.
Worf: The foliage is very dense. It will take me approximately twelve hours to reach the camp. I may have to travel during the night.
Shrek: That would be unwise. This is not an empty jungle. There are many predators.
Worf: I am prepared.
Shrek: Very well. But I recommend that you look up from time to time. The arboreal needle snake likes to attack from above. I will provide you with a map of the camp.
Worf: How did you learn of this camp?
Shrek: It is not important for you to know.
Worf: Why have you not informed the Klingon government of this place?
Shrek: I sell information. I do not give it away.
Worf: You do this for profit.
Shrek: I have my reasons, Mister Worf.
Worf: What reasons could you have for letting these people suffer?
Shrek: We will arrive in the Carraya Sector in approximately three hours. I suggest you get some rest.
Picard: Come.
Picard: Yes, Mister Data?
Data: I am sorry to disturb you, sir.
Picard: Not at all. I'm here studying the intricacies of Bajoran aqueduct management. I would welcome an interruption. Please, sit down.
Data: I require your advice. I have come to an impasse regarding my recent unexplained experience.
Picard: Your vision of Doctor Soong. How is your investigation proceeding?
Data: I have analyzed over four thousand different religious and philosophical systems, as well as over two hundred psychological schools of thought, in an effort to understand what happened.
Picard: And what have you found?
Data: I have been unable to find a single interpretation of the images I saw during the time I was shut down. The hammer, for instance, has several meanings. The Klingon culture views the hammer as a symbol of power. However, the Taqua tribe of Nagor sees it as an icon of hearth and home. The Ferengis view it as a sign of sexual prowess.
Picard: I'm curious, Mister Data. Why are you looking at all these other cultures?
Data: The interpretation of visions and other metaphysical experiences are almost always culturally derived, and I have no culture of my own.
Picard: Yes, you do. You're a culture of one, which is no less valid than a culture of one billion. Perhaps the key to understanding your experience is to stop looking into other sources for a meaning. When we look at Michaelangelo's David or Symnay's Tomb and we don't ask what does this mean to other people. The real question is, what does it mean to us? Explore this image, Data. Let it excite your imagination. Focus on it. See where it leads you. Let it inspire you.
Data: I believe I understand, sir. Thank you.
Picard: Good luck, Mister Data.
Shrek: The camp is in a southeasterly direction. After approximately ten kilometers, you will come to the edge of the sulfur canyon. Look for a riverbank and follow it until you come to the camp. This is a homing device. It will allow you to find my ship when I return. I will not be landing in the same location.
Worf: When will you return?
Shrek: Fifty hours. Do not be late.
Ba'El: Who's there? Toq, is that you? I can see you. I hope you're enjoying yourself. Toq, I swear I will hang you by your
Worf: Stop, please,
Ba'El: Who are you?
Worf: I've come to help you.
Ba'El: Help me?
Worf: Yes. How did you get out of the camp? Does anyone know you are gone?
Ba'El: Yes I come here often
Worf: You must lead me to the camp.
Ba'El: You are Klingon. Where did you come from?
Worf: That does not matter. I have come to take you home.
Ba'El: Home? This is my home.
Romulan: Ba'el?
Worf: It is very important you tell no one you saw me.
Ba'El: Is it time for the ceremony?
Romulan: Yes, we're about to begin.
Data: Come in.
Laforge: Data, what are you doing? We were supposed to meet at
Laforge: Data, what are you doing?
Data: I am painting.
Laforge: I can see that. How long have you been at this?
Data: I have created twenty three individual illustrations in the past six hours, twenty seven minutes. I believe you could say I have been inspired.
Laforge: I'll say.
Data: I have done as Captain Picard suggested. I have tried to explore the images.
Laforge: Has it helped?
Data: I am not certain. I began by painting the image of the blacksmith. Then I painted the corridor. After that, the anvil, the hammer, and Doctor Soong's face. The thought then occurred to me that I should paint smoke.
Laforge: Smoke? Why smoke?
Data: I cannot explain it. It is not an image I saw during my vision.
Laforge: Well, you have the smoke coming out of a bucket of water. Blacksmiths used to use water to cool the metal. Maybe that's why you painted it.
Data: Perhaps. After I painted the smoke, it then occurred to me to paint a bird's wing. I then drew an entire bird. A flock of birds flying in formation. An individual feather. If the image of a bird is related to my vision, I do not understand how. I am left with more of a mystery than ever. Geordi, I would like to recreate the experiment which caused my initial shut down.
Laforge: What for?
Data: I do not know how much longer my vision would have continued had I not been reactivated.
Laforge: Data, that plasma shock almost fused your neural net. I don't think it's such a good idea to try that again.
Data: I am aware of the risks involved. But I can think of no other way to investigate my experience. Will you help?
Laforge: Yeah. Yeah, sure. I'll go find Doctor Bashir.
Data: I will prepare the power transfer.
Laforge: Okay, Data, we're going to monitor every subsystem in your positronic net. If I see any neural pathways overload beyond sixty five percent, I'm shutting down the experiment.
Data: Agreed.
Bashir: We're ready.
Laforge: Initiating energy transfer. Get ready, Data.
Bashir: Power levels are rising.
Laforge: It should be any second now.
Data: The bird did not appear in my original experience. This vision is different.
Soong: Of course it's different. It's never the same. Always changing. Unpredictable. It doesn't make sense.
Data: What is happening, Father?
Soong: I don't know, Data. What is happening?
Data: We are on the Bridge of the Enterprise. My cat is present, my potted plant, and my paintings.
Soong: A beginning. Still a little grounded in the mundane, but showing promise.
Data: I do not understand.
Soong: You're not supposed to. No man should know where his dreams come from. It spoils the mystery, the fun. I'm proud of you, son. I wasn't sure you'd ever develop the cognitive abilities to make it this far. But if you're here, if you can see me, you've crossed over the threshold from being a collection of circuits and subprocessors and have started a wonderful journey.
Data: What type of journey?
Soong: Think of it, think of it as an empty sky.
Data: I do not understand.
Soong: Shh. Just dream, Data. Dream. Data, you are the bird.
Data: The images I saw during the time I was shut down were generated by a series of previously dormant circuits in my neural net. I believe Doctor Soong incorporated those circuits into my base programming, intending to activate them when I reached a certain level of development.
Bashir: But the plasma shock activated them prematurely.
Data: That is correct.
Bashir: I'm curious. Now that those circuits are active, what are you going to do with them?
Data: I plan to shut down my cognitive functions for a brief period each day. I hope to generate new internal visions.
Bashir: It sounds to me like you're talking about dreaming.
Data: An accurate analogy.
Bashir: Remarkable. You know, this is just the kind of thing that might get me published in the Starfleet Cybernetics Journal. Would you mind if I authored a paper on all this?
Data: Of course not.
Bashir: Thank you, Data. And sweet dreams.
L'Kor: van'aj javDIch Qong DIr Sa'VIch ghIH yot quelI'Pa qevas HoH Qa. teblaw'nghu mughato'Du ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo'
Worf: Quiet! I'm a friend.
L'Kor: Who? Who are you?
Worf: Worf, son of Mogh.
L'Kor: Why have you come here?
Worf: I have come to find my father. Is he alive? Is he here?
L'Kor: Your father fell at Khitomer.
Worf: Did he die in battle?
L'Kor: He was fortunate.
Worf: You were captured.
L'Kor: Yes.
Worf: Romulans. They robbed you of your right to die in battle. There's very little time. How many Klingons are being held here?
L'Kor: Seventy three.
Worf: How many Romulans guard the camp?
L'Kor: Worf, there are things you do not understand.
Worf: What do you mean?
L'Kor: I must speak with the Elders.
L'Kor: ghoS! I knew your father well, Worf. And I remember you. A boy, barely able to lift a bat'leth. Once your father insisted we take you on the ritual hunt. You were so eager, you tried to take the beast with your bare hands. It mauled your arm.
Worf: I still have the scar. I do remember you now.
L'Kor: You should not have come here, Worf.
Worf: I do not understand.
L'Kor: You should not have come.
Gi'Ral: Who is this?
Worf: I am Worf, son of Mogh. I have come to help you escape.
L'Kor: He does not know.
Gi'Ral: He must leave at once.
L'Kor: No, it is too late for that. He would bring others. vang ghaH!
L'Kor: We are not leaving here and neither are you. To Be Continued...


Shrek: Not all the Klingons at Khitomer were killed during the massacre. Many were captured by the Romulans and placed in a prison camp on a remote planet. Your father was among them.
Worf: If my father were alive, it would his sons and their sons for three generations. Even Alexander would bear the burden of guilt.
Troi: So, you're willing to ignore the possibility because you're concerned about dishonor?
Worf: My father is dead. That Yridian is selling lies.
Shrek: This is a homing device. It will allow you to find my ship when I return.
Ba'El: You are Klingon. Where did you come from?
Worf: That does not matter. I have come to take you home.
Gi'Ral: He must leave at once.
L'Kor: No, it's too late for that now. He would bring others. We are not leaving here and neither are you. And now, the conclusion.
L'Kor: Take his pack.
Worf: Are you afraid to die while escaping?
L'Kor: We are dead, Worf. We died at Khitomer.
Gi'Ral: We were captured. It was worse than death.
Worf: Why did you allow it to happen?
Gi'Ral: We had no choice. We were defending an outpost on the perimeter. The Romulans took out our shields. The next blast rendered us unconscious. When we awoke, we were prisoners, unarmed and shackled.
L'Kor: We were interrogated for three months. We tried to starve ourselves but they kept us alive.
Gi'Ral: The Romulan Commander Tokath thought he was being kind.
L'Kor: The Romulans hoped to trade our lives for territorial concessions, but the Klingon High Council refused to negotiate. They would not acknowledge that their warriors had been taken prisoner.
Gi'Ral: And when it was clear that we would be of no use to them, Tokath offered to let us go.
L'Kor: But we knew that our families believed we had fallen in battle, so we did not wish to return to dishonor them.
Gi'Ral: We asked Tokath to let us stay and he took pity on us.
Worf: I understand your desire to preserve your family's honor. But what of your own? There is no honor in remaining prisoners.
L'Kor: We lost our honor when we were captured. It does not matter what happens to us.
Gi'Ral: All that matters is that our families are not dishonored.
L'Kor: Why did you come here? If you had found your father you would have found only dishonor.
Worf: If he had been captured as you were, if I had found him here, I would be glad to see him. There is no room in my heart for shame.
L'Kor: I can only hope that if my son came here, he would be Klingon enough to kill me.
Worf: This is a gin'tak spear.
Toq: What of it?
Worf: Have your parents taught you nothing? This is used for battle, not tilling soil.
Toq: We have no need for weapons here. The war is far away.
Worf: What war?
Toq: The war our parents came here to escape.
Worf: That war was over many years ago.
Toq: I'm not interested in what you have to say, Klingon. I have work to do.
Ba'El: Hello again, Worf. They say you've come to stay with us.
Worf: Not by choice.
Ba'El: Aren't you happy to have escaped the war?
Worf: The war.
Ba'El: Yes. We've heard the stories all our lives. How people are slaughtered in terrible battles, forced to fight whether they want to or not. That's why our parents came here, to make a safe home, a place where they could raise their children in peace. I should think you'd be relieved to get away from the fighting. You're safe here.
Worf: A place can be safe and still be a prison. Where I come from, people are free to come and go as they choose.
Ba'El: So are we.
Worf: Tell your father that you would like to leave. Tell him that you would like to visit the Klingon Home world. See what he says.
Ba'El: Why would I want to go there? It's dangerous.
Worf: Not any longer.
Gi'Ral: Ba'el! Come here!
Ba'El: Yes, Mother. You are not allowed to leave the compound? Then I suppose I won't be seeing you at the pond again.
Gi'Ral: I told you not to speak with him.
Ba'El: I'm sorry, Mother.
Worf: Enter.
Tokath: I am Tokath. I can return later if I am disturbing you?
Worf: It is a strange thing when a jailer concerns himself with his prisoner's comfort.
Tokath: Mine is a strange prison.
Worf: You robbed the Klingons of who they were. You dishonored them.
Tokath: By not slitting their throats when we found them unconscious?
Worf: I do not expect you to understand. You are a Romulan.
Tokath: You're just like L'Kor was twenty years ago. Proud and angry. He hated me. All the Klingons did. And I had no love for them, I won't deny it. When I informed the High Command that the Klingons wanted to remain here, I was told that unless I stayed to oversee them myself, they would be killed. My decision ended my military career.
Worf: Why did you do it?
Tokath: I don't expect you to understand. You're a Klingon. But I do expect you to understand this, We've put aside the old hatreds. Here, Romulans and Klingons live in peace. I won't allow you to destroy what we have.
Worf: Do not deceive yourself. These people are not happy here. I see the sadness in their eyes.
Tokath: That's not what I see when I look in my wife's eyes. I married a Klingon. So you see, when I warn you not to disrupt our lives here I'm not speaking just as a jailer, but as a man protecting his family. Do not test my tolerance.
Ba'El: Bagh Da tuHmoh. ChojaH Duh rHo. ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo'
Worf: Do you know what that song means?
Ba'El: No. I just like the melody.
Romulan: Stop!
Romulan: There.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46759.2. The Yridian vessel Lieutenant Worf boarded at Deep Space Nine has failed to arrive for our scheduled rendezvous. It is now twelve hours overdue.
Riker: Still no sign of them on long range scanners.
Picard: Contact DS9. Find out what they know about this Yridian trader.
Riker: Hopefully he filed a flight plan before he left the station.
Picard: That's the only chance we have of finding Worf.
Tokath: We haven't had to use one of these for a long time. It implants a small boridium pellet under the skin. We can use its energy signature to track you.
L'Kor: In time, you will grow accustomed to life here.
Worf: Never.
Tokath: He is one of yours. Deal with him however you like. But I warn you, if he becomes a disruption, I will not be so tolerant.
L'Kor: Toq. You guard him. He is free to move around inside the compound. But make certain he does not cause trouble.
Ba'El: What are you doing?
Worf: This is the mok'bara. The form clears the mind and centers the body.
Worf: No. Like this. First you must learn to breathe. Stand tall. As tall as you can. Now, take a wider stance.
Toq: You must stop.
Worf: These forms are the basis for Klingon combat. You would be wise to learn them. I will teach you. Join us.
Toq: We'll see what L'Kor thinks of this.
Ba'El: Mother? She's not here. Come in. This is what I wanted to show you.
Ba'El: I don't know why, but I'm not supposed to look at these things. They're Klingon, aren't they?
Worf: Yes.
Ba'El: I thought you might be able to tell me about them.
Worf: This is a warrior's armor. And this is a d'k tahg. It should not be allowed to rust like this.
Ba'El: Isn't it beautiful?
Worf: That is a jinaq. It is given to a daughter who has come of age, old enough to take a mate.
Gi'Ral: Ba'el!
Ba'El: Mother.
Gi'Ral: Take that off at once.
Worf: Why is she forbidden to know what these things are?
Gi'Ral: They are not needed here. Go!
Worf: Kahless held his father's lifeless body in his arms. He could not believe what his brother had done. Then his brother threw their father's sword into the sea, saying, if he could not possess it, neither would Kahless. That was the last time the brothers would speak.
Ba'El: What happened to the sword?
Worf: Kahless looked into the sea and wept, for the sword is all he had left of his father. The ocean filled with his tears and flooded beyond the shore.
Toq: That is impossible!
Worf: For you, perhaps. Not Kahless. He was a great warrior.
Toq: You're making it up.
Worf: No. These are our stories. They tell us who we are.
L'Kor: It is late. It is time to sleep.
Ba'El: Worf. You never answered my question. Did Kahless ever find his father's sword?
Worf: Yes. He found it.
Ba'El: The stories that you tell, are they true?
Worf: I have studied them all of my life, and find new truths in them every time.
Ba'El: This Kahless, did he ever take a mate?
Worf: That is another story.
Ba'El: Tell me.
Worf: You are Romulan.
Ba'El: Tokath is my father. I thought you knew that.
Worf: How could your mother mate with a Romulan?
Ba'El: Why shouldn't she?
Worf: It is an obscenity.
Ba'El: What are you saying? They love each other.
Worf: Romulans are treacherous, deceitful. They are without honor.
Ba'El: My father is a good man. He is kind, and generous. There is nothing dishonorable about him.
Worf: He took part in a cowardly attack at Khitomer. Thousands of Klingons were massacred, many of them women and children.
Ba'El: I don't know what you're talking about. My father came here to escape the wars. He would never kill anybody.
Worf: Ask him. Ask your mother. Tell them you want to know the truth.
Picard: What is it, Number One?
Riker: We've just received the Yridian's flight plan from Deep Space Nine.
Laforge: He gets around. He's been to three different systems in this past week. He could have left Worf at any of them.
Picard: Are any of these systems near Romulan space?
Laforge: Two of them. The Nequencia and the Carraya systems.
Picard: Let's head for the closer one.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Ba'El: What do you want?
Worf: I am sorry if I upset you.
Worf: I was surprised. I became angry. But I do not blame you. You cannot help being what you are.
Ba'El: There's nothing wrong with what I am.
Worf: What I mean is, it is not your fault.
Ba'El: What, being born? I'm sorry if that offends you.
Worf: No, I. It is hard to explain. Klingons and Romulans are blood enemies. Have been for centuries.
Ba'El: Not here. Here, we live in peace.
Worf: But I don't live here.
Ba'El: Worf, before you knew, you were attracted to me. Can't you leave the hatred behind, too? Can't you accept me as I am?
Worf: I do not know.
Boy: Come on, Toq.
Boy: Who's next? Okay? Try again.
Worf: Ka'la!
Toq: That is not how you play this game.
Worf: The qa'vak is not a game. It hones the skills of the hunt.
Toq: The hunt? We have replicators here.
Worf: Klingons do not hunt because they need food. The hunt is a ritual that reminds us of where we come from.
Toq: I know where I came from. Right here.
Worf: It is a difficult skill to master. Perhaps you are too young.
Toq: Throw it.
Worf: Your arm is strong, but you need practice. Hold your other arm like this and aim along it. Roll.
Worf: You learn quickly. Perhaps it is time to put your skills to the test.
Toq: What do you mean?
Worf: Come. I will take you on the hunt.
Toq: You Are not allowed to leave the compound. They won't allow it.
Worf: I think they will.
Tokath: Hunting? Have you lost your mind?
Worf: The boy can come with me. I cannot sit in the compound like an old man. I must practice my skills.
L'Kor: We can't let you out. You've already tried to escape once.
Worf: I give you my word as a warrior. I will not try to escape.
Tokath: Leave us. We have work to do.
L'Kor: Tokath. He gave his word.
Tokath: Are you seriously suggesting that we open the gates and let him wander free, with only a boy as his guard?
L'Kor: Twenty three years ago I gave you my word. In all this time, have I ever broken it?
Tokath: I told you he was yours to deal with. If you want to take this risk, the responsibility is yours.
L'Kor: You will go with him. Take a weapon. If he breaks his word and tries to escape, kill him.
Worf: He is there. The wind has shifted. We must wait.
Toq: Why? We're so close.
Worf: Never approach your prey from upwind. The breeze will carry your scent. The wind is shifting again.
Toq: I can't smell anything.
Worf: He is there.
Toq: How can you? Yes. I can smell it.
Worf: Remember the scent. More than anything else, it will guide you.
Toq: It is strong. I cannot believe I couldn't smell it before.
Worf: Let it work its way into your blood.
Toq: I can feel my heart pounding.
Worf: Yes. This is the moment where life and death meet. This is what we are. Warriors.
Toq: I was never taught that.
Worf: There is much you were never taught.
Tokath: Aren't you hungry, L'Kor? Or are you upset because your prisoner has not returned?
L'Kor: I should not have sent the boy with him. If he has been hurt
Tokath: Don't worry, my friend. They'll come back. After all, a warrior keeps his word. Isn't that so?
Ba'El: Father if I wanted to visit Romulus, or the Klingon Home world, would I be allowed to go?
Toq: Ka'la! Tonight, we eat well.
Tokath: Get that off my table.
Toq: You do not kill an animal unless you intend to eat it.
Tokath: Get rid of it.
Toq: I intend to, Tokath. But not until it's cooked. Today I learned the ritual hunt. But that is not all I learned. I discovered that warrior's blood runs in my veins. I do not know how or why, but we have forgotten ourselves. Our stories are not told, our songs are not sung. Tonight, as we came home, we sang a song of victory. A song known only to me as a lullaby. But it is a warrior's song. Bagh Da tuHmoh. Fire streaks the heavens. ChojaH Duh rHo. Battle has begun. Bagh Da tuHmoh. ChojaH Duh rHo. ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo' ylja'Qo.
Tokath: Ba'el.
All: Ylja'Qo ylja'Qo! ylja'Qo!!
Tokath: Well, Worf, you've had quite an effect on the young people.
Worf: I have done nothing more than show them what they are.
Tokath: No. You have shown them what you want them to be. Tell me this. Do you know of any place, any time in history, when Klingons and Romulans have lived together in peace? We have despised each other, fought each other, for centuries. Except here, on this remote planet, Romulans and Klingons live together in harmony. No government, no leader, has ever done what I have done here.
Worf: And what about Toq? I saw what happened to him when he caught the scent of his prey on the wind. For the first time in his life, he felt powerful, and that is what he has been denied living here. And that is what you have tried to take away from him. Now you may be content to sit here in the jungle and wither to old age, but Toq and the others have tasted what it is to feel truly alive, and they will not give that up now.
Tokath: Enough of this. We could talk all night and not convince each other. I offer you a choice. Live with us as one of us
Worf: Or?
Tokath: Or I will have you put to death.
Worf: Then that is what you will have to do.
Tokath: Worf, consider this carefully.
Worf: That death will be honorable. The young people will see what it is to die as a Klingon.
Worf: Enter.
Ba'El: Thank you. I will remove the tracking device. Then you can go over the wall and hide in the jungle.
Worf: Why are you doing this?
Ba'El: My father is wrong. No matter how I might feel about you, you don't deserve to die.
Worf: I am not going to run away, Ba'el.
Ba'El: They will kill you.
Worf: Yes. But they will not defeat me.
Ba'El: I don't understand you.
Worf: A Klingon does not run away from his battles.
Ba'El: Is that really the lesson you want us to learn? You've taught us a great deal, awakened something in us that we never knew existed, but I don't understand what we can learn from your death.
Worf: Then you do not yet understand what it is to be Klingon.
Ba'El: Worf, in spite of everything that's happened, I still sense that you care for me. Am I wrong? You talk so much about being a warrior, about honor and death. Is it so hard to speak of love? Worf, please.
Worf: I would not have thought it possible to love a Romulan.
Ba'El: But you do?
Worf: Yes.
Ba'El: Well if you've come that far, can't you take it one more step? Can't you stay here with us? With me?
Worf: If there were a way, I would take you away with me.
Ba'El: If there is anything that I've learned from you, from your reaction to me, it's that I have no place out there. Other Klingons will not accept me for what I am.
Worf: And if I stay here, these Klingons will not accept me for what I am.
Ba'El: Why did you come here? We were so happy. We didn't know there was anything missing in our lives.
Worf: Ba'el.
Ba'El: Goodbye, Worf.
Tokath: I know that there are those among you who may question what I'm about to do. And you would not be wrong to do so. I have questioned myself. I have spent the night considering my decision, challenging myself to justify whether it is right. And I have reached the conclusion that it is absolutely necessary to put this man to death. What we have built together would be destroyed by this man. And I cannot allow that to happen. I give you one last chance to accept our way of life.
Worf: Those are eloquent word, Tokath, but the truth is, I am being executed because I brought something dangerous to your young people. Knowledge. Knowledge of their origins. Knowledge of the real reasons you are here in this camp. The truth is a threat to you.
Tokath: Enough. Stand ready. Raise your weapons.
Ba'El: Father.
Toq: Stop this!
Toq: If you kill him, you will have to kill me.
Tokath: Step aside, Toq.
Toq: Worf would rather die than accept this way of life. And so would I. I want to leave, as do many others. You will have to kill us to keep us here.
Worf: You see, Tokath? It is already too late.
Tokath: I am warning you. Move aside, now.
Tokath: Stand ready.
L'Kor: Toq. Move away.
Tokath: Take aim.
Tokath: Ba'el.
Gi'Ral: Tokath. Long ago, when your captives asked to stay here, our hope was to avoid dishonoring our children on the Home World. But perhaps, over the years, we lost sight of our children that we raised here. This is our prison. It should not be theirs.
Worf: Years ago, your parents made a great sacrifice for the sake of their families. Today, they do so again. For that, we must honor them. You must promise them never reveal to their secret. No one must know of this place.
Toq: A supply ship's due in a few days. They will take us. When they arrive, Tokath will explain it to them. Then we will start a new life.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Our search for Lieutenant Worf was cut short when we received a cryptic message from him requesting a rendezvous with a Romulan vessel. He has informed us we will be taking on passengers.
Crusher: It's good to see you. He seems fine. We're giving everyone a thorough checkups in Sickbay.
Picard: Thank you, Doctor.
Picard: Welcome home, Mister Worf.
Worf: Thank you, sir.
Picard: Picard to Bridge. Signal the Romulan ship that the last group is on board.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Picard: You found what you were looking for, Mister Worf?
Worf: No, sir. There was no prison camp. Those young people are survivors of a vessel that crashed in the Carraya system four years ago. No one survived Khitomer.
Picard: I understand.


Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46682.4. The Enterprise is docked at the Remmler Array, where it will undergo a routine procedure to eliminate accumulated baryon particles. In preparation for the sweep, we are evacuating the ship.
Crewwoman: Attention personnel on decks fourteen and fifteen. Your transporter room assignment has been changed. Report to transporter room three.
Troi: Captain. We're still behind schedule on decks seven and eight. Shall I tell Arkaria Base there'll be a delay?
Picard: No. Open up the transporters in Cargo bay two and divert everyone from deck seven to there. That should put it back on track.
Troi: Right.
Crewman: All beta shift Engineering personnel are requested to report to main Engineering prior to disembarking.
Crusher: Captain. Arkaria Base does not have the medical storage units I have requested. I have seven living tissue samples that won't survive the baryon sweep anymore than you or I would. I've tried to reason with them, but
Picard: All right, all right. Have Commander LaForge transport a stasis unit from the astrophysics lab. You should be able to convert it to store tissue samples.
Crusher: Thank you, Captain.
Crewwoman: All science personnel. Please check in with your section chief for station-side duty assignments.
Riker: Captain. I was just heading for deck seven. I've put the auto-shutdown sequence on hold until we get back on schedule.
Picard: Oh, I think we can resume the sequence. Counselor Troi is taking care of the situation on deck seven.
Riker: Aye, sir.
Data: Captain.
Picard: Bridge.
Data: It has been quite a day, has it not?
Picard: Yes, it has.
Data: However, a change of routine is often invigorating and can be a welcome diversion after a long assignment.
Picard: Exactly.
Data: I understand that Arkaria has some very interesting weather patterns.
Picard: Mister Data, are you all right?
Data: Yes, sir. I am attempting to fill a silent moment with non-relevant conversation.
Picard: Small talk.
Data: Yes, sir. I have found that humans often use small talk during awkward moments. Therefore, I have written a new subroutine for that purpose. How did I do?
Picard: Perhaps it was a little too non-relevant. But if you really are interested in small talk, then you should keep your eye on Commander Hutchinson at the reception this afternoon. He's a master.
Data: Thank you, sir. I will.
Laforge: Captain.
Worf: Captain.
Worf: After you, sir.
Laforge: No, after you.
Worf: No sir. I believe you spoke first.
Picard: Gentlemen, gentlemen, we're running out of time. Mister Worf?
Worf: The computer needs your authorisation to disable command functions during the baryon sweep.
Picard: Are we ready, Commander La Forge?
Laforge: Almost. I've requested two additional field diverters. One for the computer core and one for the Bridge. They haven't been installled yet.
Picard: Additional units?
Laforge: Yes, sir. We've logged in five years more warp hours than most ships do in ten, so our baryon particle levels are high. I'm a little concerned that when the Remmler Array starts to sweep the ship it'll have to use a stronger beam than normal in order to get rid of all the radiation.
Picard: And that might overload the field diverters protecting our key systems. How long until the new ones are in place?
Laforge: I'd say about twenty minutes.
Picard: Very well. Computer, disable all command functions in thirty minutes. Authorisation, Picard gamma six zero seven three.
Computer: Authorisation acknowledged.
Worf: Captain, incoming message. It's the station administrator, Mister Orton.
Picard: In my Ready room, Mister Worf.
Worf: Captain. Request permission to be excused from Commander Hutchinson's reception.
Picard: Permission granted. I wish I could excuse myself as well.
Laforge: Captain, permission to be
Picard: Mister La Forge, I cannot excuse my entire senior staff. Mister Worf beat you to it.
Picard: Go ahead, Mister Orton.
Orton: Captain, if you're on schedule, I'd like to confirm that we'll begin the baryon sweep at fifteen hundred hours, approximately one hour from now.
Picard: Confirmed.
Orton: Commander Hutchinson also wanted me to make sure that you'll be able to attend his reception this afternoon.
Picard: Tell him I'm looking forward to it.
Orton: He'll be delighted to hear that. Arkaria Base out.
Kelsey: Tell Arkaria base that we're almost finished here.
Neil: We're going to need two more conduits.
Kiros: I need to run a diagnostic on the diverter.
Devor: Get the diverter aligned so that we can begin the isolation procedure.
Neil: Where's the ODN interface?
Hutch: Beverly. Lovely as ever. How do you manage it?
Crusher: It's good to see you again.
Hutch: It's been far too long. What is it, four years? Now I want to hear everything that happened after you left Starfleet Medical. And I have so much to tell you. Oh, that must be Commander Riker. Excuse me.
Crusher: Of course.
Man: Pardon me.
Hutch: You must be Will Riker.
Riker: I must be.
Hutch: Calvin Hutchinson. Call me Hutch. Calvin, awful name, I've never forgiven my parents. As soon as I saw you, I knew you had to be the Enterprise's First Officer.
Riker: Oh?
Hutch: Of course. Your reputation proceeds you. Flashing blue eyes, square jaw. Quite the ladies man I hear. Now don't be modest, Will. May I call you Will?
Riker: Sure.
Hutch: I also hear that you're a musician. I certainly hope you'll play something for us. It's not often we get to entertain the command crew of the flagship. Oh, and speaking of command. Hello, Captain Picard.
Picard: Commander.
Hutch: I was just telling your First Officer what a real pleasure it is to have all of you here. So, how are you anyway?
Picard: Very well, thank you.
Data: It is very good to see you both again. Beverly. May I call you Beverly? Beverly, have you noticed that the mean temperature here on Arkaria is slightly higher normal for human comfort levels? I have found that humans prefer a body temperature of twenty one degrees Celsius in order to operate most efficiently. However, there are several cultures who actually prefer that their body temperature is identical to the temperature of the room in which they are standing. The Sheliak, for example.
Hutch: I'm telling you, you have never seen anything like this. There were thousands of these creatures. The whole northern sky turned dark. I
Picard: Oh, er, Geordi, Deanna. I don't think you've met our host. This is Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge, Counselor Deanna Troi. This is Commander Hutchinson.
Hutch: Oh, please, call me Hutch.
Troi: Hello.
Hutch: I was just telling your captain about some of the fascinating sights here on Arkaria. Either of you interested in ornithology?
Troi: Er, well.
Hutch: The mating habits of the Arkarian horn fowl are quite interesting. If the weather were better, we could take horses to the southern promontory and visit the nesting grounds.
Picard: Horses?
Hutch: Yes. We have a network of trails through the plains. Unfortunately, it's not very pleasant right now. Cold, muddy. Not a soul for kilometers.
Picard: Sounds perfect. Mister La Forge, how long before the baryon sweep begins on the Enterprise?
Laforge: About twenty five minutes, sir.
Picard: Then I have enough time to back to the ship and get my saddle.
Troi: Your saddle?
Picard: Yes. A saddle is a very personal thing. It has to be broken in, used, cared for.
Laforge: You keep a saddle on board the Enterprise?
Picard: Oh yes, yes. I never know when I'll have the opportunity to ride.
Troi: I see.
Picard: It's perfectly normal. Most serious riders do have their own saddles.
Troi: Of course.
Hutch: Absolutely.
Picard: Well, if you'll excuse me.
Hutch: Amazing man. You know, he reminds me of another officer I knew years ago. A Captain Edwell. Now he was fascinating. Born on Gaspar Seven, but you wouldn't know it from the way he looked.
Computer: Auto-shutdown sequence in progress. Defensive systems offline. Baryon sweep begins in eight minutes.
Devor: What are you doing?
Picard: Someone left this ODN junction box open. I thought your crew was supposed to be off the ship once the field diverters were in place.
Devor: The diverters have to be synchronized. I was laser bonding a backup link.
Picard: I see. Well, I'd better let you finish up so you can get off the ship.
Devor: Excuse me a minute.
Computer: Auto-shutdown sequence in progress. Primary power offline in one minute.
Kelsey: Get Pomet started on it right away.
Computer: Primary power offline in thirty seconds.
Computer: Final warning. Primary power offline in ten seconds.
Data: Hmm. Yes. I find it fascinating that your family chose to drop the prefix Pel from your surname. It was my understanding that Pel Orton is a more noble appellation on Arkaria than simply Orton.
Orton: Yes.
Data: Perhaps the recent Arkarian trend toward a more egalitarian society is partly responsible, eh?
Orton: Perhaps.
Hutch: The crew of the Magellan actually put on a talent show here. Captain Conklin did a poetry reading, if you can imagine that.
Riker: I'm trying to.
Hutch: Did I ever tell you how I came to be stationed here? It's a fascinating story. I was serving on Admiral Mitchell's staff on Starbase ninety seven. Awful place, by the way.
Riker: Have you met our Commander Data?
Data: As a matter of fact, I find it oddly amusing.
Hutch: No, I don't think so.
Riker: I'll introduce you.
Data: There are several cultures in this sector with extremely similar etymological histories. For example
Riker: Mister Data, I don't know if you've had a chance to meet our host, Commander Hutchinson. Call him Hutch. Lieutenant Commander Data, our second officer.
Hutch: A pleasure.
Data: The pleasure is mine, Hutch. I have been meaning to compliment you on your choice of colors here.
Hutch: Oh, you really think so? It wasn't easy making a final decision, let me tell you.
Data: I can well imagine. The light in this room would make color selection exceptionally problematic.
Hutch: Precisely.
Orton: Thank you.
Riker: You're welcome. I'm not sure which one to feel sorry for.
Waiter: Mister Orton?
Orton: You'll excuse me, Commander.
Riker: Geordi, what happened to the Captain?
Laforge: Oh, he went back to the ship to get his saddle.
Riker: His saddle?
Laforge: Any serious rider would have his own saddle.
Riker: Oh.
Laforge: Probably he went right to the stables. I bet he's ten kilometers from here already.
Riker: Lucky him. Thank you.
Kelsey: Kelsey to Devor. Devor, this is Kelsey. Reply. Devor, do you read me? Kelsey to Kiros.
Kiros: This is Kiros.
Kelsey: Devor isn't responding. There must be too much interference from the baryon sweep. Go find him and see if he finished by passing the regulator on deck seven, then meet us in main Engineering.
Kiros: Understood.
Picard: Hey. Hey. Who are you? What are you doing on my ship?
Devor: The baryon sweep uses a high-frequency plasma field. Your phaser won't work.
Picard: You're probably right. But I'd like to bet this will. A laser welder can be deadly. What's going on in main Engineering? I suggest that you cooperate.
Devor: You're Starfleet. You won't kill me.
Picard: You sure?
Picard: Seems you're right.
Data: Yes, but Tirellian laser art is very similar in both form and composition.
Hutch: Of course. You know, funny you should mention that. I used to be stationed on Tirellia.
Data: Really? Did you know that there are currently five Tirellians serving aboard the Enterprise.
Hutch: That's fascinating. Not too many people know this, but Tirellia is one of only three known inhabited worlds without a magnetic pole.
Data: I was aware of that. But are you aware that Tirellia is one of seven known planets with no atmosphere whatsoever.
Hutch: Really?
Troi: They're still at it.
Riker: Non-stop. I have to admit it has a certain strange fascination. How long can two people talk about nothing?
Waiter: Is something wrong?
Laforge: I don't know. I was just getting some very strange energy readings from your table here.
Waiter: I'm sure it's nothing serious. Perhaps the heating element under the table is malfunctioning.
Laforge: Maybe I should take a look at it for you.
Orton: I'm sure we can handle this, whatever it is, Commander. There's no need to concern yourself.
Laforge: Well, maybe I should look at the heating element. I mean, in case it
Orton: It's all right. Please, don't worry.
Riker: What was all that about?
Orton: I assure you it's all right. We'll look into it. You don't have to concern yourself.
Waiter: Orton, now!
Hutch: What is going on?
Orton: Stay right where you are.
Satler: Reduce the plasma pressure to zero point six percent nominal.
Pomet: Zero point six.
Satler: How does the conduit look?
Pomet: It's clear.
Satler: All right. The main plasma flow has been shunted to the aft conduit. We're ready here.
Neil: Okay. That should do it. I think.
Kelsey: Be sure, Neil.
Neil: Yes. Yes, that does it. All right. Transfer five hundred milligrams from the reserve system to the engine core.
Neil: Perfect.
Kelsey: Adequate. Disable the containment overrides and get the interlocks off the magnetic seal. Pomet, prepare the transport assembly. Keep watching the power flow. It might
Kelsey: Keep working. Where did he come from?
Kiros: I found him on deck seven.
Kelsey: Who are you?
Picard: My name is Mot. I'm the barber.
Kelsey: The barber? What the hell are you doing here? Everyone was supposed to be evacuated to the surface.
Picard: Yes, I know. But I wanted to go riding, but I didn't have my saddle, so I went back to get it and
Kelsey: Your saddle?
Picard: Yes, that's right. It's on deck seven. I left it in the corridor. And then the power went out and I got lost
Kelsey: All right, all right, shut up. Shut up! Any sign of Devor?
Kiros: No.
Kelsey: Satler. Get down here and keep an eye on our barber. All right, go see if you can find Devor. Make sure nothing's wrong.
Satler: Sit down.
Picard: All right. Just don't point that thing at me.
Satler: Just do what I tell you, and you won't have to worry.
Kelsey: How long until you're ready?
Pomet: Forty, maybe fifty minutes.
Kelsey: The baryon sweep hits this compartment in thirty minutes.
Pomet: The field diverter will protect us.
Kelsey: It's not us I'm worried about, it's that storage unit. I want the trilithium resin in there and secured before the sweep gets here. I don't want to take any chances.
Pomet: Understood.
Troi: They haven't tried to communicate with the outside.
Riker: No demands, no political statements, no theft. They must want something.
Troi: Orton is not as calm as he looks. He's very agitated and nervous, as if something's gone wrong.
Data: It is possible that Geordi upset their timetable when he saw the hidden weapons.
Riker: Orton may be improvising. Maybe he didn't plan to take us hostage so early and now he doesn't know what to do.
Data: If they do not have a plan for this contingency, we may have the initiative.
Riker: Maybe, but we need to figure out how to use it. How is he?
Crusher: There's no permanent damage. I've adjusted the optical transducer in his visor to block some of the pain receptors in his brain. It's only partially effective. I need to get him to a medical facility.
Riker: I doubt if they'll agree to that. But maybe if we tell them Geordi's dying, they would give us access to a medical kit. We might be able to use some of the tools to make a weapon.
Data: Perhaps we can use the visor as a weapon. If the optical transducer were modified, we might be able to generate a hypersonic pulse.
Crusher: A hypersonic pulse would overload the audio receptors of everyone in the room. It would cause immediate unconsciousness.
Riker: Can you make the adjustments on the visor by yourself? It'll look suspicious if you're both working on it.
Crusher: I'll try. I might need Geordi to help me through some of it.
Riker: All right. Be as casual as you can. Let us know when you're ready.
Pomet: Ready.
Kelsey: Begin draining the trilithium at one hundred milligrams per minute.
Kelsey: Neil, what's going on? Neil, get over here. Put that down.
Neil: Don't worry, I've got it. I'll be right there.
Neil: The primary inducer is completely fused. There's no way to fix it. Without the diverter, we don't have any protection from the baryon sweep.
Kelsey: I know that. How long before the baryon sweep gets here?
Neil: About twelve minutes. We should go to Ten Forward. That's the last place on the ship that'll be swept by the baryon field.
Kelsey: All right, we're leaving. But we're taking the trilithium with us.
Neil: What? Do you know how volatile trilithium is? We can't just start hauling it through the ship.
Neil: I'll, I'll try to make some modifications.
Pomet: Satler's dead. He ran into the baryon sweep.
Kelsey: What about Mot?
Pomet: I don't know. But I don't think he's a barber. I found this in the Jefferies Tube.
Kelsey: Kelsey to Kiros.
Kiros: This is Kiros.
Kelsey: We have a problem. There's a Starfleet officer still on board. He's killed Satler and he may have killed Devor. He also destroyed the diverter in Engineering so we have to leave here before the baryon sweep enters this section.
Kiros: What about the trilithium resin?
Kelsey: We're taking it with us to Ten Forward. There should be enough time before
Picard: Kelsey. Don't be a fool.
Picard: You know better than to try and move trilithium resin.
Kelsey: Mister Mot. Or should I call you Lieutenant? Lieutenant Commander perhaps?
Picard: You may call me whatever you wish.
Picard: Moving trilithium resin requires very specific equipment. You can't simply improvise something.
Kelsey: I wouldn't need to improvise if you hadn't damaged our field diverter. But if you're so concerned about the trilithium
Kelsey: I suggest you stop interfering with us
Kelsey: Before you set off an explosion that would destroy the Enterprise and you.
Picard: I would rather destroy the ship than allow that material to fall into the hands of terrorists.
Kelsey: What makes you think I'm a terrorist?
Picard: Trilithium resin is a highly toxic waste product produced by our engines.
Picard: It's only possible use could be as a weapon.
Kelsey: You might be right, Mister Mot, but we've been planning this for a long time, and I doubt that you'll really be able to stop us.
Kelsey: Or even slow us down.
Neil: There. Three hundred milligrams of trilithium. I'm using a dynamic stabilizer to act as a control rod. There. That should keep the resin stable enough for transport.
Kelsey: Come on! Don't be so tense, Neil. If something goes wrong, you won't have time to worry about it. Let's go.
Kelsey: Three more decks, then we take corridor fifteen B all the way to Ten Forward.
Neil: What's wrong?
Kelsey: We have to find another way up. The rungs are cut.
Kelsey: That wasn't very clever, Mister Mot.
Kelsey: If you knew where we were, you should have attacked us. Now we'll just take another route. One you might not be able
Kelsey: To predict.
Picard: There are only so many ways to Ten Forward. Ten Forward is the logical place to be if you want to stay ahead of the baryon sweep.
Kelsey: That sweep is just as big a threat to you as it is to us. In fact, if I were you, Mister Mot
Kelsey: I'd be trying to find a way off this ship.
Picard: I plan on leaving the same way you do. On your ship.
Kelsey: What ship?
Picard: Come on, Kelsey.
Picard: If you've been planning this so long, you must have a way of getting off the Enterprise and leaving this system. I think you have a ship coming for you. I plan to be on it.
Kelsey: It's a small ship, Mot. I don't think there's going to be room for both of us.
Picard: I'm sorry to hear that. I'll send your regrets.
Riker: How is he, Doctor?
Crusher: He's in a lot of pain, but I think he should be fine. He needs some water. Is that all right?
Crusher: We're almost ready. When we set the visor to emit the hypersonic pulse, there'll be a short burst of light. We need a distraction.
Troi: They need a distraction.
Riker: How long?
Troi: Just a few seconds.
Riker: I think I can distract Orton for a few seconds.
Troi: I don't think Orton's in a talking mood, Will.
Riker: You just have to know how to talk to him. Orton, I think we need to discuss the situation.
Orton: There is nothing to discuss. Sit down.
Riker: There's a lot to discuss. Can't we be reasonable?
Orton: I am not interested in hearing your hostage negotiation tactics, Commander.
Riker: It can't hurt you to listen, can it?
Orton: All right.
Riker: Thank you. Now, the first thing I think we need to discuss is this.
Kiros: Hold it. Put your weapon down. Kelsey, this is Kiros. I'm on deck ten.
Kiros: I have Mott.
Kelsey: Is he alive?
Kiros: Yes.
Kelsey: Good. Meet us at intersection forty one.
Kiros: Understood.
Kiros: This way. Move.
Kelsey: Give me the trilithium.
Neil: How much farther do we have to go?
Kelsey: Not far. With all the modifications you've made to this unit, are we going to have any troubles removing the trilithium?
Neil: No. Just remove the control rod, drain the unit. There shouldn't be any problem.
Kelsey: That's all I wanted to know.
Kelsey: Well, not as clever as you thought. Where's Pomet?
Kiros: He shot him with some kind of an arrow.
Picard: He's not dead.
Kelsey: Well, he will be soon. The sweep's nearly here. We don't have time to go back for him.
Kiros: What about Neil?
Kelsey: The sweep got him. Let's go.
Troi: I thought you were just going to talk to him.
Riker: I did. He just didn't like what I had to say.
Data: That was a perimeter warning from the Remmler Array. A small ship is approaching. I believe Mister Orton has dropped his defense shields.
Riker: This must be the sign they were waiting for. Mister Data, you will be the only one unaffected by the hypersonic burst. As soon as every else is unconscious, I need you to get to the computer panel and stop that ship somehow.
Data: I will try, sir.
Crusher: Now.
Picard: Kelsey, perhaps we can work out a deal.
Kelsey: You're the only one who needs a deal, Mot.
Picard: My name isn't Mot. It's Jean-Luc Picard.
Kelsey: Captain Picard. This is all beginning to make sense.
Picard: Leave the trilithium here and take me with you. You can use me as a hostage instead of threatening
Kelsey: I'm not a terrorist Captain, nor do I have a political agenda, although I know some people who do have agendas. And they are very interested in this little container.
Picard: Profit. This is all about profit.
Kelsey: I prefer to think of it as commerce. Open the door. Now go through, slowly.
Kelsey: I guess, I'll be the one to send your regrets.
Picard: Picard to Arkaria base. Deactivate the baryon sweep. Arkaria Base, this is Captain Picard on board the Enterprise. Deactivate the baryon sweep!
Picard: Arkaria Base, this is Captain Picard. Deactivate the baryon sweep immediately!
Data: Data to Captain Picard. Do you read me, sir?
Picard: Picard here.
Data: Are you all right, Captain?
Picard: Yes, Mister Data.
Data: Sir, an unidentified
Data: Scout ship has just beamed someone off the Enterprise.
Data: Do you know anything about it?
Picard: I know they won't get very far.
Crusher: Hold still. You have got a nasty little cut here.
Picard: Any luck?
Troi: I'm sorry, Captain. I don't know what could have happened to it.
Crusher: Hold still. I can't heal this cleanly if you don't stop fidgeting.
Riker: I've had three security teams search deck seven. They couldn't find anything.
Crusher: There.
Worf: I found it. Someone put it in a maintenance locker.
Picard: Thank you.
Worf: Captain, you keep a saddle on board?
Riker: Mister Worf, I'm surprised at you.
Crusher: Anyone who is an experienced rider naturally has his own saddle.
Troi: It's perfectly normal.
Picard: Actually, it came in handy. I only wish I'd had the opportunity to use it on a horse.
Worf: Of course.


Picard: Good evening, Mister Data.
Data: Actually, good morning, sir. Ship status is
Picard: No need to report. I'm just here to do some work on my own.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: I'd like to talk to Doctor Mowray at his archeological site on Landris Two. Could you put it through to my Ready room?
Data: I'm sorry, sir, but Stellar Cartography has requested a communications blackout while they run an experiment.
Picard: How long will it be?
Data: Another three hours twenty two minutes, sir. I can override it if necessary.
Picard: No, it's not important.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: Computer, display the latest excavation schematics on Landris Two.
Computer: Library computer is temporarily offline.
Picard: Explain.
Computer: Library systems have been allocated to Stellar Cartography.
Picard: Tea, Earl Gray. Hot.
Computer: Replicator systems are offline at the request of PICARD +
Computer: Stellar Cartography.
Picard: What could they possibly be doing down there?
Nella: In or out, just close that door. And don't move. It'll take a second for our eyes to re-adjust. Okay, levate to three point two, Marquez.
Marquez: Now at three point two, Commander.
Nella: Good. Good we can do this. No, no, no, we're losing vertical alignment. Compensate. Compensate!
Marquez: Compensating.
Nella: Gently. Gently, Marquez, don't bump it. No. No wait. Hit the. Oh, forget it. Forget it. Lights. Whoever you are, you just ruined four hours of work.
Picard: You might have taken the simple precaution of locking the door.
Nella: It's three o'clock in the morning. Captain Picard.
Picard: I assume that you must be Lieutenant Commander Daren.
Nella: Yes, sir. I'm sorry. It's just we weren't expecting anybody to be up at this hour.
Picard: Well, you're new on the Enterprise. You'll have to learn to expect the unexpected.
Nella: That's why I put in for this assignment, sir.
Picard: Excellent. Now perhaps you can tell me what was so important that it required depriving the Captain of his cup of Earl Gray?
Nella: Earl Gray? No wonder you can't sleep. Computer, bring replicators back online and give me a cup of Daren herbal tea blend number three, hot. You shouldn't be drinking a stimulant at this time of night. I think you'll like this.
Nella: I've programmed seven other blends into the replicator. You're bound to like one of them.
Picard: I look forward to sampling them.
Nella: I'm sorry if the system blackouts we requested inconvenienced you. We're taking very precise gravimetric readings. It wouldn't have taken much to throw them off.
Picard: What were the readings for?
Nella: I'm trying to construct a mathematical model of an emerging star system. If it works, we'll be able to predict the configuration of a star system that won't be formed for another two million years.
Picard: A long time to wait to see if you're right.
Nella: I have a few things to do between now and then.
Riker: Captain, we'll be arriving at the Borgolis Nebula in three hours.
Picard: Yes. I understand it has unusual radioactive emissions, and I'm sure that Stellar Sciences will find it a most interesting study.
Riker: Commander Daren has already requested extra time on the main sensor array.
Picard: Well, you have the Bridge, Number One.
Data: Captain, I would like to remind you of our concert this evening in Ten Forward. We will perform Chopin's Trio in G Minor.
Picard: I'll be there.
Picard: And so the upshot is that we'll be close enough for you to slip away for a few days and see Wesley.
Crusher: Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you, Jean-Luc. This is delicious. What is it?
Picard: It's an herbal tea blend. I, er, found it in the replicator files. Have you met any of the new crewmembers who came aboard at Starbase two eighteen?
Crusher: In fact, I have a new nurse, Beck. He's an obstetrics specialist.
Picard: I met the new head of Stellar Sciences last night. Lieutenant Commander Daren.
Crusher: Yes. Nella Daren. She came into Sickbay for her physical last week. I like her. Very forthright.
Picard: Did you know it is now possible to predict the configuration of a star system which won't be formed for another two million years?
Crusher: Really? No, I didn't.
Picard: It's really quite intriguing. The whole thing is made possible by a complex mathematical construct based on fractal particle motion. But that's only the foundation. The modeling itself is done by gravimetric wave input.
Crusher: I see.
Picard: Well, I know this is all pretty dry stuff. Stellar cartography isn't everybody's cup of tea.
Crusher: I'm sure it's really quite fascinating.
Picard: You know, we'd should be getting along to Ten Forward. We're going to be late for the concert.
Picard: Thank you.
Nella: Well done, Mister Data. Well done.
Picard: Commander, that was a remarkable performance.
Crusher: You are very talented.
Nella: Thank you.
Data: I noticed that the applause this evening exceeded average decibel levels.
Nella: I guess that means they enjoyed themselves.
Picard: I think that much was obvious.
Data: Excuse me. I have not yet congratulated Ensign Cheney.
Crusher: I'll go with you.
Picard: Commander, you must have been playing since you were young. I played the piano for a while when I was small, but I didn't put in the practice you must have.
Nella: Practicing was never my problem. In fact, my parents had to make me go out and play.
Picard: I wanted to ask, during the second arpeggio in the first movement, I noticed that you played an F minor chord instead of a diminished D.
Nella: You're a musician. What's your instrument? We should play some time.
Picard: No, no, no, I'm just an amateur. But your choice in that arpeggio was delightful. Not at all what one would expect.
Nella: Well, Captain, now that I'm on your ship, maybe you should start expecting the unexpected.
Nella: Excuse me, sir. I was hoping that my people in Spectral Analysis could have another few hours on the main sensor array?
Riker: I'm sorry, the array has already been allocated to Engineering. They're running some warp field tests.
Nella: If we go offline now, we'll lose the gas flow pattern we've been tracking.
Riker: I understand, but there are other departments waiting to use the array.
Nella: We're at a critical juncture, sir.
Riker: Commander. I'll see what I can do to find you some more time tomorrow.
Nella: Tomorrow? Tomorrow. Thank you, sir.
Picard: Computer, pause playback. Come. Oh, Commander Daren.
Nella: I hope you don't mind me dropping by like this?
Picard: No, please, come in. I'm delighted.
Nella: What kind of flute is that?
Picard: It's Ressikan.
Nella: I've never saw one before.
Picard: They're not made anymore.
Nella: Have you been playing long?
Picard: Er, yes, a long time.
Nella: I'd love to hear you play sometime.
Picard: I'm not very good.
Nella: That doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it.
Picard: Yes, but I wouldn't want to inflict it on someone else.
Nella: May I try?
Picard: Yes, of course. Yes, you're not holding it quite right. May I?
Nella: Please.
Nella: You're better than you think. Really. We should play together.
Picard: There isn't a piano.
Nella: Ah, but there is.
Nella: I picked it up on Mataline Two. It's amazing.
Picard: That is remarkable. Why don't you play something?
Nella: You start and I'll jump in.
Picard: What shall we play?
Nella: What were you working on before I came in?
Picard: Bach, the third Brandenburg.
Nella: Perfect. Go ahead.
Picard: I'm sorry.
Nella: It's all right. You're not used to playing with anyone, are you?
Picard: Just the computer.
Nella: I may not be as precise as a computer, but I think you'll enjoy it more. Why don't we start with something a little simpler. How about?
Nella: Good. Very good. Now let's have a little fun with it.
Nella: You try it. Improvise around the melody. Anything you want.
Nella: That's wonderful. Keep going. It's so good.
Nella: You're definitely better than you think.
Picard: Number One, my fencing partner's canceled for this afternoon. I was wondering if you wanted to join me?
Riker: Fencing? I'm really not very good.
Picard: It doesn't matter so as long as you enjoy it.
Riker: Why not?
Picard: Good. Excellent. Fourteen hundred hours, then.
Crusher: You have a mild strain.
Nella: I've been playing the piano a lot. I guess the Captain and I overdid it a little last night.
Crusher: The Captain?
Nella: Yes, he plays a kind of flute. A Ressikan, I think he said.
Crusher: Yes, but I didn't know he played duets.
Nella: He never did before. He seemed to enjoy it. He's actually quite promising.
Crusher: I see.
Nella: Tell me, have you known him long?
Crusher: Yes, a very long time.
Nella: He seems somewhat isolated.
Crusher: I'd say he's a very private person, but not isolated. There, that should help.
Nella: That feels much better. Thank you.
Crusher: Good.
Nella: I was afraid I might have to cancel.
Crusher: Another duet?
Nella: Keep climbing.
Picard: Where are we going?
Nella: We're almost there.
Picard: I don't see why we couldn't just practice in my quarters.
Nella: Do you know where we are?
Picard: Yes, this is the fourth intersect in Jefferies tube twenty five.
Nella: No, this is the most acoustically perfect spot on the ship.
Nella: The intersection acts as a resonance chamber.
Picard: How did you find it?
Nella: A little exploring.
Picard: You mean to say you climbed through every tube on the ship?
Nella: Well, not every one. Try it. See how it sounds.
Nella: That's beautiful. What is it?
Picard: It's an old folk melody.
Nella: I've never heard you play with such feeling.
Data: Is there a problem, Geordi?
Laforge: I hear music.
Data: Music? I do not hear anything.
Laforge: Are you sure? I know I heard something. Oh, it's stopped.
Nella: I'd heard about Kerelian tenors all my life, but nothing could've prepared me for this man's voice. Soaring, incredible range. Wonderful.
Picard: I understand there are nuances that only Kerelians can pick up. We just don't have the ears for it.
Nella: I should be finished with my survey by eleven hundred hours.
Picard: Very good, Commander.
Worf: Captain. The Federation Outpost on Bersallis Three reports that they are entering a period of fire storm activity.
Laforge: Bersallin fire storms happen on seven year cycle. They're not expecting any for another eight months.
Picard: We don't rendezvous with the Havana for another two days. That'll give us plenty of opportunity to study this phenomenon.
Riker: Helm, set course for Bersallis Three. Warp five.
Helm: Aye, sir.
Picard: Counselor, could I speak with you in my Ready room? You have the Bridge, Number One.
Picard: Sit down, Counselor. I want to talk to you about a matter of protocol. I know there are no Starfleet regulations about a Captain becoming involved with a fellow officer, but
Troi: You would like my opinion about you and Commander Daren.
Picard: It's that obvious?
Troi: In a way that pleases people who care about your happiness, yes, it is.
Picard: But I have to be concerned about more than my own happiness.
Troi: And you think that your feelings toward Nella could change the way you function as Captain.
Picard: Yes. Relationships with co-workers can be fraught with consequences.
Troi: That's true. But cutting yourself off from your feelings can carry consequences that are just as serious.
Picard: You seem I've always believed that becoming involved with someone under my command would compromise my objectivity. And yet.
Troi: Captain, are you asking my permission?
Picard: If I were, would you give it?
Troi: Yes.
Nella: Come in.
Picard: Nella.
Nella: Can I help you, sir?
Picard: I'm really very sorry about what happened in the turbolift. When the crewmember walked in, I felt very self-conscious. It's going to take a while for me to get used to the idea of crew seeing the two of us together.
Nella: I understand. I'm glad you told me. For a minute there I thought I'd misread you. One kiss and you're off to find somebody else.
Picard: I can assure you that I'm not given to casual relationships. There is something that I want to tell you. But not here.
Picard: Do you remember that folk melody I played for you this morning?
Nella: Yes.
Picard: I learned it on a planet called Kataan.
Nella: Never heard of it.
Picard: No, I'm not surprised. Its sun went nova more than a thousand years ago.
Nella: I don't understand.
Picard: The Enterprise encountered a probe that had been sent from the planet before it was destroyed. It had scanned me and I lost consciousness, and in the space of twenty five minutes I lived a lifetime on that planet. I had a wife, and children, and a grandchild. And it was absolutely real to me. When I awoke, all that I had left of that life there was the flute that I had taught myself to play.
Nella: Why are you telling me this?
Picard: Because I want you to understand what my music means to me. And what it means for me to be able to share it with someone.
Nella: Thank you.
Riker: Hello.
Crewwoman: Sir.
Nella: Commander. I was hoping to talk to you about Ensign Cabot's transfer.
Riker: Quantum Mechanics doesn't want to give him up.
Nella: But he wants to come to my department.
Riker: How do you know that?
Nella: I offered it to him.
Riker: Transfers are to be approved by me before any offers are made.
Nella: I'm sorry. We were just talking and
Riker: It's all right. But Cabot should stay where he is.
Nella: Commander, please, don't make that decision final. I realize I shouldn't have made the offer, but he's perfect for the job. And quantum mechanics is over staffed anyway.
Riker: Commander, do you realize the position you're putting me in?
Nella: Well, I think I'm just doing what any good department head would do. Trying to build the best staff I can.
Riker: Look, I'll review the situation and let you know as soon as I can.
Picard: Come.
Riker: May I have a minute?
Picard: Yes, of course. Come in, Number One.
Riker: It's about Lieutenant Commander Daren. As a department head, she comes to me for systems allocation, personnel transfers, things like that. I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable with her requests.
Picard: Because of her relationship with me?
Riker: Yes, sir.
Picard: Are her requests unusual?
Riker: No.
Picard: Would you say that she's just trying to do her job?
Riker: Yes, sir.
Picard: Then let her do it, and feel free to do yours. Ship's resources are your responsibility. I've always had absolute confidence in your judgment.
Riker: Thank you, sir.
Nella: I can't believe I'm going to get the chance to study the fire storms on Bersallis. Apparently they're generated by particle emissions from the Bersallin sun. They cause a cascade effect in the planet's atmosphere that. Oh, I'm boring you.
Picard: No, no, no you're not. It's just that Commander Riker came to talk to me this afternoon. About you.
Nella: About the personnel transfer? I thought he looked uncomfortable. He thought I was asking for special treatment. I was just doing what I thought was best for my department.
Picard: That's what I told him. But we have to be careful. Obviously it's easy for people to misunderstand.
Nella: I don't like the thought of having to second-guess people all the time. If I have to worry about what people are thinking about me, I'll be concentrating on the wrong thing, and I won't be as effective an officer.
Picard: All I'm saying is that it's something we have to be aware of. But you mustn't compromise yourself. You must do what you have to do. Because if I find that my head of Stellar Sciences isn't being effective, then I shall do what I must to do and I shall replace her.
Nella: Noted, sir.
Picard: Now, I think that we should just forget about this and enjoy out evening.
Nella: What about that special dessert you promised me?
Picard: Right. Now this is something that I first tasted on Thelka Four.
Worf: Bridge to Captain.
Picard: Go ahead, Mister Worf.
Worf: Bersallis Three reports that the storm has changed its speed and heading. They are predicting it will hit the outpost within eight hours, and are requesting evacuation.
Picard: I'm on my way.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46693.1. We have entered the Bersallis star system and are making preparations to evacuate the Federation outpost on the third planet.
Laforge: A fire storm can kick up winds of over two hundred kilometers per hour and temperatures as high as three hundred degrees C.
Crusher: Incredible. What causes them?
Nella: They form when solar flare radiation reacts with high energy plasma present in the planet's atmosphere.
Crusher: Wasn't the outpost built to withstand the conditions?
Laforge: It was, both reinforced and insulated. But this is no ordinary storm. It's twice as strong as anything they've ever seen. The outpost just won't withstand it.
Riker: We'll arrive about an hour before the storm gets there. It will take at least two hours to evacuate all the colonists off the surface.
Nella: I led a team of geologists to study the plasma geyser on Melnos Four. We cross-connected a few thermal deflector units to create a protective shield against the heat.
Laforge: A firewall.
Nella: Would something like that work here?
Laforge: You know, it might. The storm is approaching the outpost from this direction. If we were to set up a series of thermal deflector units along the northern perimeter, we could create a fire wall and deflect some of the heat. The insulation from the outpost should be able to handle the rest.
Data: Thermal deflectors generate a field approximately four hundred meters wide. We would need to cross-connect six units and align them so the fields overlap.
Riker: How many people would it take to set that up?
Laforge: Twelve. Two per team. Cross-connecting that many units will be a little tricky. Once they're set up, we'll have to leave the units in place and transport our people out. Nobody would be able survive very long outside that structure.
Picard: Let's do it.
Riker: The storm is going to interfere with communications. Everything will need to be coordinated from the surface. Mister Data, you will coordinate the evacuation of the colonists. Doctor, they have nine patients in the outpost infirmary. Your first priority will be to get them to Sickbay. After that you will stay on board the Enterprise, be ready to receive casualties. Marquez, you will take some people down and track the storm. All the other teams will need to be kept apprised of its heading. Commander, you're in charge of deploying the deflectors. Let's go.
Picard: Commander Daren. About these thermal deflectors.
Picard: There must be one of any number of people could coordinate their deployment.
Nella: I assume Commander Riker chose me because I'm the best person for the job. Didn't we agree not to let our relationship get in the way of our work? I'll be all right.
Riker: Lieutenant Marquez has already set up on the surface. Apparently the storm is still gaining speed. He's estimating
Riker: It'll hit the colony in less than fifty minutes. Ensign, make sure you maintain a continuous transporter lock on all away team personnel. We may have to pull them out in a hurry.
Ensign: Yes, sir.
Riker: I don't want to take any unnecessary chances. If they get into trouble, beam them up immediately.
Picard: Energize.
Picard: Mister Worf, how long before the storm reaches the outposts?
Worf: Seventeen minutes.
Laforge: La Forge to Bridge.
Picard: Go ahead, Mister La Forge.
Laforge: The ionization from the storm is interfering with the transporters, Captain. I'm compensating, but it's slowing things down a bit.
Picard: Keep at it, Mister La Forge.
Riker: Riker to Daren.
Nella: Daren here. Go ahead, Commander.
Riker: You've got less than nine minutes before the storm reaches the northern perimeter.
Nella: I'm here with team six. We're just about to bring the deflectors online.
Riker: Whenever you're ready.
Nella: Daren to perimeter team. Stand by to cross connect deflectors.
Crewman: Standing by.
Nella: Activate. Team three, increase your output by point two percent.
Crewwoman: Yes, sir.
Nella: Good. Good. Deng, decrease nutation by point four percent. Good, we've almost got it.
Crusher: Crusher to Bridge.
Picard: Go ahead, Doctor.
Crusher: We just brought aboard the last of the infirmary patients and they're on their way to Sickbay. But we still have over
Crusher: A hundred colonists down there.
Picard: Understood.
Nella: Daren to Commander Riker.
Riker: Riker here. Go ahead.
Nella: We've got a problem. We're having trouble keeping the deflectors cross connected. So the only way this is going to work is if we calibrate them manually.
Riker: If you stay with the deflectors, will they protect you when the storm hits?
Nella: I don't know, sir. For a few minutes maybe.
Picard: Picard to Commander Riker. How many more colonists do you have to transport?
Riker: Seventy three, sir.
Picard: How long do you need?
Riker: At least ten more minutes.
Worf: Captain, the storm will reach the northern perimeter in four minutes.
Picard: Picard to perimeter teams.
Picard: It is imperative that you hold your position until we finish evacuating the colony. Picard out.
Picard: Picard to Mister La Forge.
Laforge: La Forge here.
Picard: I want a signal lock on every member of the perimeter teams.
Laforge: Captain, the storm's interference won't
Picard: As soon as the last of the colony is evacuated, I want those perimeter teams out of there. Is that understood?
Laforge: Yes, sir.
Nella: Daren to perimeter teams. The storm's interference is going to make our job harder than we thought. We may lose communication, so it's up to each of you to keep your units operational. A lot of people are depending on us. Daren out.
Nella: Oh, my god.
Worf: The storm has reached the perimeter.
Riker: I got out with the last of the colonists. If it hadn't been for the perimeter teams, none of us would have made it. We were able to clear out four of the teams, and the interference prevented us from getting two more. I don't know how they could have survived.
Picard: Which teams are missing?
Riker: Three and six.
Riker: The last I knew, Commander Daren was on team six.
Worf: Bridge to Captain.
Picard: Go ahead, Mister Worf.
Worf: We have found survivors, sir. They are beaming up now.
Picard: I'm on my way.
Nella: That's it.
Crewman: Here, let me help up.
Nella: Thank you.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 46697.2. Although we succeeded in rescuing all six hundred forty three Bersallin colonists we lost eight crewmembers. Let the record show that they gave their lives in the performance of their duty.
Nella: When communications went out, I knew we had to fend for ourselves. We modified our phasers to create resonant disruptions in the deflector field. The disruptions formed small pockets inside the plane of the field and we each stood inside one to wait out the storm. Richardson didn't make it. All Deng and I could do was stand there and watch.
Picard: I'm so sorry.
Nella: Don't. Don't say you're sorry.
Picard: It must have been terrible.
Nella: At first, when you told us to hold our positions, I didn't question it. Of course we would. That was our job. But when I saw that storm coming toward us.
Picard: Part of you must have blamed me.
Nella: A small part, maybe. But in the end, I was more afraid that you would blame yourself if I died. Would you have?
Picard: I've lost people under my command. People who were very dear to me. But never someone I've been in love with. And when I believed that you were dead, I just began to shut down. I didn't want to think or feel. I was here in my quarters, and the only thing I could focus on was my music, and how it would never again give me any joy. Then I saw you standing on the transporter pad and I knew that I could never again put your life in jeopardy.
Nella: If I stayed here, you might have to.
Picard: You could always resign your commission. Stay here with me.
Nella: And you could resign yours and come to a starbase with me. I'll apply for a transfer.
Picard: But we could still see each other. People do. We could arrange shore leave together. And, for the future, who knows?
Nella: Of course. Promise me something? Don't give up your music.