Nurse: Watch the door. Careful, he may have suffered cranial damage.
Tava: Move him onto the diagnostic pad.
Nurse: Right.
Tava: Slowly.
Nurse: Right, here we go.
Tava: Slowly. That's good.
Nurse: All right. Careful.
Nilrem: Readings?
Nurse: They're fluctuating, sir.
Nilrem: He took a severe blow. Possible trauma to the telencephalon.
Tava: Start fifteen octares of quadroline. We'll need a complete del-scan series.
Nilrem: I can't find his cardial organ.
Tava: What do you mean? I'm reading a steady circulation.
Nilrem: There it is. Up here.
Tava: In his digestive tract?
Nilrem: Ever seen anything like this?
Tava: He's missing three costal struts on one side and four on the other.
Nilrem: You think that's something? Look at this
Nilrem: He has digits on his terminus.
Tava: What are you?
Riker: What happened?
Berel: You're in the crisis room at the Sikla Medical Facility. You've had a severe injury, but you're going to be all right.
Riker: I was caught in the riots when the police moved in. It's the last thing I remember.
Berel: Can you tell us your name?
Riker: Rivas. Rivas Jakara.
Berel: Rivas Jakara? Where do you live?
Riker: In the Marta community on the southern continent.
Tava: You're a long way from home. Do you have any members of your family we should notify?
Riker: No, I have no family. I can't stay here. I have to get back.
Berel: You're in no condition to leave yet. There are several unusual things about your case, Mister Jakara. Your cranial lobes, for instance, they seem to be surgical implants.
Riker: I had cosmetic surgery to correct a genetic birth defect.
Berel: And these? Another birth defect?
Riker: Yes, isn't that something? My father's were the same way.
Nilrem: You want us to believe that all your abnormalities are inherited genetic traits?
Riker: I understand your confusion. My personal physician is much more familiar with these genetic irregularities. To be honest, I would much feel better back home under her care.
Berel: Why don't I talk to her about that. What's her name?
Riker: Crusher. Actually, I'm not sure you'll be able to reach her.
Berel: Why not?
Riker: She's taking a sabbatical.
Berel: Well, we'll do the best we can for you. Oh, there was one other thing. We found this curious-looking device in your clothes. What is it?
Riker: It's just a toy. I was taking home as a present.
Berel: I thought you didn't have any family.
Riker: It's for a neighbor's child. Was there anything else found? I had one piece of jewelry, a metal pin.
Berel: No, I'm sorry, this was all we found.
Nilrem: Genetic irregularities? That thing isn't even the same species as we are.
Berel: Keep your voice down. The last thing we need is a panic in here over some
Nilrem: It's all the space flights. They have attracted creatures from outer space.
Berel: That's exactly the kind of thing I don't want to hear.
Tava: What are you going to do?
Berel: Of all the medical facilities available, why did he have to end up here?
Nilrem: I think we ought to call Central Security.
Berel: Well, I'm not calling anybody yet. Not till we've done a lot more. A lot more. I want his story checked out. Run a complete search through the medical library. Be absolutely certain there's never been anything like him.
Nilrem: What if there're more of them? They could be everywhere.
Berel: Cordon off the wing. I want security on his door twenty nine hours a day, and I want this kept quiet.
Voice: Code three drill in B wing. All instructors report immediately.
Mirasta: At twelve point four after launch, the warp field generator will be activated.
Durken: That's when it would break the light barrier?
Mirasta: Yes, Chancellor. If we're successful, the craft will leave our star system, and in a matter of minutes will be on its way to the Garth system.
Krola: And then what?
Mirasta: And then, Krola, we'll see what's there.
Durken: How long, Mirasta?
Mirasta: We have the prototype design for the warp engine. It would simply be a matter of building the actual production units. If I get your approval today, ten months, maybe less.
Krola: Chancellor, I'll admit Mirasta's enthusiasm for her work is seductive, but perhaps we're moving too fast. Your opponents will see this as another example of your determination to pull us further from our traditional ways.
Durken: My opponents look back as I look forward. I cannot believe that my people would choose to retreat after all we've done.
Mirasta: I agree.
Krola: The people were willing to accept your social reforms because they believe in you, Chancellor. But there are many who say we have gone far enough. All these new ideas, new technology, and now space travel? It confuses them, frightens them.
Durken: I will not allow them to remain in the dark ages. The warp program will proceed as you have outlined, Mirasta. And then we will slow down, Krola, to let everyone catch their breath. Including you.
Picard: Mirasta Yale?
Mirasta: Yes.
Troi: Please, don't be alarmed at our appearance.
Picard: My name is Jean-Luc Picard. This is my associate Deanna Troi.
Mirasta: What are you?
Troi: We've come with some important information.
Mirasta: About what?
Picard: About space. About the universe you are preparing to enter.
Troi: We come from a federation of planets. Captain Picard is from a planet called Earth, which is over two thousand light years from here. I'm from another planet called Betazed.
Picard: We've been monitoring your progress toward warp-drive capability. When a society reaches your level of technology and is clearly about to initiate warp travel, we feel the time is right for first contact. We prefer meeting like this, rather than a random confrontation in deep space.
Troi: We've come to you first because you're a leader in the scientific community. Scientists generally accept our arrival more easily than others.
Picard: We almost always encounter shock and fear on this sort of mission. We hope that you will help us facilitate our introduction.
Mirasta: Is this a joke? Did Lupo and the others from the lab put you up to this?
Picard: It's certainly no joke. As you can see, we are physically quite different from Malcorians. And, with your permission, I'm prepared to prove it to you.
Mirasta: I would like that.
Picard: Picard to Enterprise. Three to beam up.
Mirasta: It's everything I've ever dreamed of. When I was a child, my parents would take me to the planetarium and we would sit in the dark and it was as if I was on a spaceship, on my way to another world to meet people on other planets. Part of me keeps waiting for the lights to come up and the program to end. How did you know about me?
Picard: We learn as much as possible about a planet before we make first contact.
Troi: One of the things we monitor are your broadcast signals, your journalism, your music, your humor. Try to better understand you as a people.
Mirasta: I hate to think how you would judge us based on our popular music and entertainment.
Picard: Indeed, we do get an incomplete picture, which is why we also do surface reconnaissance.
Mirasta: You've had people on our planet?
Troi: For several years.
Picard: These are specialists, highly trained observation teams, superficially identical to yourselves and therefore able to blend naturally into your society. You see, we have discovered that the most hazardous aspect of these missions is a lack of sufficient information
Mirasta: You don't have to explain. I understand, although not everybody on my planet would. They would think you were trying to infiltrate our society.
Picard: There is a difficulty here, one that has forced us to accelerate this entire process. One of our people is missing. My First Officer, Commander William Riker. He was down on the planet surface, coordinating with the observation team the final details of contact. He disappeared. My people have made enquiries but they've not been able to locate him. If there is anything you can help
Mirasta: Of course. Where was Riker's last known location?
Troi: The capital city. He was under the name of Rivas Jakara, a tourist from the Marta community.
Mirasta: We must find him before someone realizes what he really is. If this gets out prematurely, it could seriously complicate matters. Our ideology is based on the assumption that the Malcorian is a supreme lifeform, and our world is the center of the universe. Your arrival will change our entire understanding of life, and some will not want it to change.
Picard: What about Durken?
Mirasta: Durken. He will be open-minded, but cautious. I strongly suggest that you do not discuss your surveillance teams with him. At least not right away.
Picard: But with the disappearance of Commander Riker, wouldn't it be prudent
Mirasta: Captain Picard, I must ask you to trust me on this. If you tell the Chancellor about Commander Riker, you will undermine everything that you hope to accomplish here. Durken will assign Krola, our Minister of Security, to find him. Krola has his own political agenda. He will perceive you as the greatest threat that our people have ever known. And he will not hesitate to use Riker to prove that he is correct.
Nurse: From another planet, hundreds of them.
Nilrem: It doesn't make sense that he's the only one. Think about it.
Berel: I thought I said this was to be kept a secret.
Tava: You know Nilrem.
Berel: Well, it's getting out of control. I don't know what else he is, but he is still a patient in this medical facility and we have a responsibility for his care and recovery. Remind them of that, will you?
Tava: You're not going to be able to contain this much longer.
Berel: I know.
Tava: If people get scared enough, anything could happen
Berel: Mister Jakara, we have been unable to confirm anything you told us. No physician named Crusher is on file. Not on this planet. Your address in Marta's an eating establishment. The cook has never heard of Rivas Jakara.
Riker: Obviously there's been some misunderstanding.
Berel: There's a growing number of people on the other side of that door who believe you are not one of us, Mister Jakara.
Riker: Not one of you?
Berel: That you are from another planet. Are you, Mister Jakara?
Riker: Do you realize what you're saying?
Berel: I know how it sounds. I'm not anxious to make a fool of myself. This new era of space flight, it fires the imagination. People see unidentified vessels in the sky that turn out to be weather balloons.
Riker: Well, it's far more likely that I am a weather balloon than an alien.
Berel: Our medical journals have documented several cases of genetic mutation in recent history. Some unusual physical disfigurations have occurred.
Riker: I'm another case for the medical journals, then.
Berel: Perhaps. But you, Mister Jakara, are hiding something, and unless you tell me the truth about yourself, this rumor will persist and grow and could even become dangerous. Most especially to you.
Male: Chancellor, Minister Yale of the Space Bureau would like to introduce you to someone.
Durken: Call her back. See if the Vice-Chancellor will do.
Male: They're out here waiting to see you, sir.
Durken: All right. Send them in.
Durken: Always time to meet your friends, Mirasta.
Mirasta: Chancellor, I think you might want to clear your afternoon schedule for this.
Picard: And this is the Bridge.
Mirasta: Chancellor.
Picard: Here we have Environmental and Engineering stations, mission operations, and the two principal science stations.
Picard: Data, allow me to introduce Chancellor Avel Durken and Space Administrator Mirasta Yale.
Data: Chancellor. Minister.
Picard: Commander Data is my Second Officer.
Mirasta: He's an android, Chancellor. A constructed being.
Durken: A machine?
Data: In a manner of speaking. The term artificial lifeform would be more accurate.
Durken: Captain Picard, is there someplace we might speak together without distraction?
Picard: Certainly.
Mirasta: Chancellor, with your permission, I would like to beam to the surface. I have several matters to attend to.
Durken: Not a word to anyone about this, Mirasta.
Mirasta: Of course.
Picard: Mister Data, will you escort the Minister to the transporter room? Chancellor.
Mirasta: Has there still been no communication from Commander Riker, Data?
Data: No, Minister. He has not returned to our designated transport coordinates. We have continued to scan the capital city without success.
Picard: I've been saving this for a special occasion. My brother on Earth produces fruit known as grapes, which he turns into wine. He's really quite good at it. Chancellor, we have a tradition called a toast. It is a drink to salute one's friends and good fortune, and I would like to propose a toast to a new friendship.
Durken: We have something very much like this here on Malcor Three.
Picard: I think we shall find we have much in common.
Durken: And much that is not in common.
Picard: An opportunity to learn from one another.
Durken: You speak the language of diplomacy very well, Captain. It is a language I appreciate and understand, but I have learned to not always trust it.
Picard: Trust requires time and experience.
Durken: My world's history has recorded that conquerors often arrived with the words, we are your friends.
Picard: We are not here as conquerors, Chancellor.
Durken: What do you want?
Picard: A beginning. But how we proceed is entirely up to you.
Durken: And if my wishes should conflict with yours?
Picard: There'll be no conflict.
Durken: And if I should tell you to leave and never return to my world?
Picard: We will leave and never return. Chancellor, we are here only to help guide you into a new era. I can assure you we will not interfere in the natural development of your planet. That is, in fact, our Prime Directive.
Durken: I can infer from that directive that you do not intend to share all this exceptional technology with us.
Picard: That is not the whole meaning, but it is part of it.
Durken: Is this your way of maintaining superiority?
Picard: Chancellor, to instantly transform a society with technology would be harmful and it would be destructive,
Durken: You're right, of course. I'm overwhelmed, Captain Picard. I'm quite overwhelmed. I go home each night to a loving wife, two beautiful daughters. We eat the evening meal together as a family, I think that's important. And they always ask me if I've had a good day.
Picard: And how shall you answer them tonight, Chancellor?
Durken: I will have to say this morning, I was the leader of the universe as I knew it. This afternoon, I am only a voice in a chorus. But I think it was a good day.
Lanel: There are guards out there. You'll never escape that way. I'm not afraid of you.
Riker: Good. Because there's nothing to be afraid of.
Lanel: We shouldn't fear the unknown. We should embrace it.
Riker: Can you help me get out of here?
Lanel: Are you really an alien? It's all right to tell me.
Riker: No, I'm not an alien.
Lanel: I don't believe you. You are an alien.
Riker: I really have to leave.
Lanel: I could divert the guard's attention. You might stand a chance if you took the service exit down the hallway to the right.
Riker: To the right? Fine, let's do it.
Lanel: Why should I?
Riker: Well, you know why. I don't belong here. I have to get back on my ship, in space.
Lanel: I believe you.
Riker: Now, will you help me?
Lanel: If you make love to me.
Riker: What?
Lanel: I've always wanted to make love with an alien.
Riker: Listen, Miss
Lanel: Lanel.
Riker: Lanel, I really have to get going. All the other aliens are waiting for me.
Lanel: Oh, it's not so much to ask, and then I'll help you escape.
Riker: It's not that easy. There are differences in the way that my people make love.
Lanel: I can't wait to learn.
Riker: But it's
Lanel: It's your only way out of here, my alien.
Lanel: Something's happened to him. I think he's dead. Go on, get some help.
Lanel: Okay. No, that way.
Riker: Thanks.
Lanel: Will I ever see you again?
Riker: I'll call you the next time I pass through your star system.
Nilrem: Stop him! Somebody stop him!
Nurse: Hold it.
Voice: He's escaping! The alien's escaping!
Berel: Stop it! All of you! Stop it now! Have you all lost your minds?
Tava: They've aggravated the injury to his renal organ. He's bleeding internally.
Berel: Get him into a surgical cubicle. And call Central Security. This has gone too far.
Durken: Their leader, Picard, has made it clear that how we proceed is entirely our own decision.
Krola: You cannot possibly be suggesting surrender, Chancellor.
Mirasta: They are not hostile.
Krola: Mirasta, you are incredibly naive. Can you be so enraptured with the notion of space travelers that you are blind to the threat they represent?
Durken: I have seen their vessel, Krola. If they chose to be hostile, I do not think we would be standing here now.
Krola: Why should they use force when we are ready to lay down in fear.
Durken: I do not lay down in fear, to them or to you, Krola.
Krola: Chancellor, I mean no disrespect, but I have repeatedly warned you about your policies, taking us so quickly where we had no business going in the first place. New philosophies, new economics, new technologies. There are many people who still value our traditional way of life and I for one am willing to die to defend it.
Mirasta: Open your eyes, Krola. We are part of a greater community. We cannot ignore it.
Krola: You would ignore them as they infiltrate and spy on us.
Durken: What are you saying, Krola?
Krola: We have captured one of their spies.
Mirasta: Chancellor, he is Captain Picard's first officer, Commander Riker.
Durken: You knew about this, Mirasta?
Mirasta: He has been missing for two days. I told Captain Picard not to discuss this because I was afraid this is exactly what would happen.
Durken: What else do you know, Mirasta? Everything!
Mirasta: They have been on our planet, observing, for several years.
Krola: Years! Imagine what they have done. Influenced our young, stirred up dissent.
Mirasta: They were collecting information.
Durken: Where is this Commander Riker now?
Krola: He's in the Sikla Medical facility. He's recovering from surgery. He suffered head injuries in an escape attempt. He will recover consciousness in a few hours.
Krola: Will he survive?
Berel: I didn't think he would have survived the injuries.
Krola: I have to interrogate him before he dies.
Berel: At least give him time to regain some strength. Come back tomorrow.
Krola: It cannot wait until tomorrow.
Mirasta: Krola, we can get help from his ship. With their medical technology, he might recover.
Krola: We're not giving him back. He's the one advantage we have now. Use your drugs to revive him.
Berel: Those drugs increase cardial rate and vascular pressure. That's the last thing we need to do to him right now.
Mirasta: It will probably be enough to kill him. You can't do it!
Krola: Revive him.
Berel: I'm just a physician, Minister. I don't know much about affairs of state, but he is a living, intelligent being. I don't care if the Chancellor himself calls down here. I have sworn an oath to do no harm, and I will not.
Krola: Then I'll find someone to replace you.
Picard: Chancellor.
Durken: You are punctual, Captain.
Picard: I know how busy you are.
Durken: Do you? I think you know a great deal more about me than I know about you.
Picard: In what respect?
Durken: You speak of trust and peace and working together to enter a new era, and at the same time you conduct secret surveillance posing as Malcorians.
Picard: Commander Riker?
Durken: Commander Riker.
Picard: Mirasta said it would be a mistake to discuss this with you.
Durken: Yes, she's tried to accept the responsibility.
Picard: It was my error, not hers. Chancellor, there is no starship mission more dangerous than that of first contact. We never know what we will face when we open the door on a new world, how we will be greeted, what exactly the dangers will be. Centuries ago, a disastrous contact with the Klingon Empire led to decades of war. It was decided then we would do surveillance before making contact. It was a controversial decision. I believe it prevented more problems than it created.
Durken: I can appreciate the logic of your position, Captain. But it would seem a full disklosure after contact would have been in order.
Picard: In time there would have been full disklosure. I can only ask you to believe that. On other worlds it would not be an issue. But here, everything our observers reported indicated that the people of this world would almost certainly react negatively to our arrival. We could see that even surveillance might even be interpreted as an act of aggression. I hoped that we would have found Commander Riker before you did so the matter would not complicate our introduction. It was a mistake.
Durken: Yes. A mistake I might have made in your place. I rather like it actually.
Picard: Like it?
Durken: That you make mistakes like any man.
Picard: Chancellor, I have made some fine ones in my time. Now, I must ask you, will you release my officer?
Durken: We'll talk again later, Captain.
Picard: Enterprise, one to beam up.
Berel: Yes I understand.
Berel: I have been relieved of my duties, as I'm sure you already know. You are Acting Director of the facility, Nilrem.
Krola: Revive him.
Krola: Leave us.
Krola: I am Minister Krola of Internal Security. You are Riker, an alien. Yes, we know.
Riker: Please bring my people here.
Krola: In time. In time. But first I need to ask you some questions.
Mirasta: Thank you for seeing me.
Durken: If I did not depend so much on your expertise in space matters, I would have asked for your resignation.
Mirasta: I felt I was acting in the best interests of our people, Chancellor.
Durken: When you are selected to occupy this office, then you will have the privilege of deciding the best interests of our people. Picard I can excuse, but you, Mirasta, you should have trusted me.
Mirasta: Chancellor, we must release Riker to Picard Any hope for a relationship with these people depends on it.
Durken: I can't afford to be the idealist you are, Mirasta.
Mirasta: Riker
Durken: I am prepared to release Riker after we have interrogated him.
Mirasta: Are you prepared for him to die, Chancellor? His injuries are extremely serious. A mob at the medical facility almost killed him. Krola has ordered drugs to be used to revive him for questioning, drugs that in his condition would be dangerous for him. Without medical aid from his ship, I believe that Riker will not survive the day. You must tell Picard where he is.
Krola: You have lied since the moment of your capture and I believe you are lying now, Commander.
Riker: No. We're here on a mission of peace.
Krola: Such noble creatures. Why do peaceful people develop such lethal weapons? Or do you still insist it's just a toy?
Krola: An interesting toy, to be sure.
Riker: It's only used for defense.
Krola: Perhaps, like many conquerors, you believe your goals to be benevolent. I cannot. For however you would describe your intentions, you still represent the end to my way of life. I cannot permit that to occur. Eventually, Durken would choose to welcome your people with arms open and eyes closed. I must force him down another path.
Krola: When they find us, I will be dead, killed by your weapon. The lines will be drawn. A peaceful accord will no longer be an option.
Riker: No.
Krola: For my people.
Tava: What happened?
Nilrem: He shot him. The alien shot Krola.
Tava: Get me three octares of adrulmine, high frequency EM charge unit now!
Nilrem: I have a circulation pattern. It's very weak. We have to get him on vital buffers right now
Crusher: I'm a physician, don't be frightened. I need to know what happened. Are you doctors?
Tava: Yes. He shot him.
Nilrem: With that thing.
Crusher: Crusher to Picard.
Picard: Go ahead, Doctor.
Crusher: Commander Riker is near death.
Crusher: But there's still some brain activity. I need to get him back to the ship.
Picard: Acknowledged.
Crusher: And there's a Malconian male with a phaser wound in his upper chest. I need to get him back as well.
Picard: We'll meet you on the Enterprise. Picard out.
Crusher: They're both going to be okay. We were able to stabilize Will. If we had been any later
Durken: Krola?
Crusher: He was never in any real danger. The phaser was on stun.
Mirasta: Stun?
Picard: It's a defensive weapon. Have you been able to ascertain what happened?
Crusher: Based on the angle of impact, it suggests that Krola's left hand was on the phaser when it went off,
Durken: They were struggling for the weapon?
Crusher: Commander Riker was in no position to offer any kind of struggle, Chancellor.
Mirasta: Krola was trying to be a martyr?
Krola: Where is this?
Durken: You're aboard the starship, my foolish old friend.
Krola: No. Chancellor, you must not. You must not pursue relations with them. You must not.
Durken: I know. I know.
Mirasta: But Chancellor
Durken: Mirasta, it goes against every instinct in my being. My people are not ready to accept what you represent. Everything that happened in the hospital proves it. And Krola is the best evidence of all. We must slow down and allow all those like him to join us in the present before we can move into the future.
Mirasta: But when we encounter other beings in space, our people must be ready.
Durken: The warp program will have to be delayed. We will divert more resources to education and social development to prepare for the day when we are ready.
Mirasta: Chancellor, I strongly disagree.
Durken: I know. Captain, you once said if I ask you to leave, you would without hesitation. I'm afraid I must ask you to do just that.
Picard: Well, it's your decision, Chancellor. But I must say, I regret that I won't have the opportunity of knowing your people better.
Durken: We're a good people, Captain. A society with much potential. Once we cross the threshold of space, we will have to give up this self-importance, this conceit that we are the center of the universe. But this is not the time for that. For now, we will have to enjoy that sweet innocence.
Picard: How will you keep us a secret when so many have seen and heard so much?
Durken: The stories will be told for many years, I have no doubt. Of the ship that made contact, of an alien who was held prisoner in the medical facility. There'll be charges of a government conspiracy. Some of the witnesses will tell their tales and most people will laugh at them, and go back and watch more interesting fiction of the daily broadcasts. It will pass.
Mirasta: I'm sorry to say he's probably right. Captain Picard, I have one last request. Take me with you.
Durken: She will be unhappy with the restrictions I must place on her at home, Captain.
Picard: We may not be back here in your lifetime. And I have to believe that you cannot be fully prepared for the realities of space travel.
Mirasta: I have been prepared for the realities of space since I was nine years old, and sitting in a planetarium.
Picard: Mister Worf to my Ready room.
Picard: Escort Chancellor Durken to the transporter room, Lieutenant. And assign quarters to Minister Yale. She will be remaining on board.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: Until we return, then.
Durken: With luck, we'll both be around to renew our friendship, Captain.


Scene: Captain's Log, Stardate 44614.6. We are approaching Starbase three one three, where we will pick up a shipment of scientific equipment for transport to a Federation outpost in the Guernica System. During the journey we will be hosting a special guest.
Picard: Come.
Laforge: You wanted to see me, Captain?
Picard: Yes, Mister La Forge. It seems that the exemplary nature of your work has caught the attention of Starfleet Command. In fact, someone is coming on board just to see the engine modifications you've made.
Laforge: Who, Captain?
Picard: The Senior Design Engineer of the Theoretical Propulsion Group. Doctor Leah Brahms.
Laforge: Leah is coming here? This is terrific.
Picard: It is?
Laforge: Well, I mean, I've studied her schematics for years. She was responsible for a lot of the engine design on the Enterprise.
Picard: Well, it should be a very enjoyable visit, then. She'll be transporting on board as soon as we reach the Starbase. Would you like to greet her on our behalf?
Laforge: I would love to, Captain. Thank you.
Guinan: If you keep picking at that uniform you'll wear it out.
Laforge: I guess I am a little nervous. It's not every day a man comes face to face with his dream.
Guinan: What?
Laforge: You remember about a year ago when we were caught in that booby trap the Menthars set? Okay. While we were trying to get out of it, I went down to the holodeck to study an engine prototype that was made when the Enterprise was first designed. And the computer, well, it gave me an image of the engine but it also created this hologram of the designer. Doctor Leah Brahms.
Guinan: So you met a computer-simulated female.
Laforge: Yeah, but not an ordinary computer-simulated female. I mean, she was brilliant, of course, but warm, you know? Friendly. It' was like we worked as one. I would start a sentences, she'd finish it. What I didn't think of, she did. It was just so comfortable. Okay, I know it was just a holographic image but the computer was able to incorporate personality traits from her Starfleet record.
Guinan: You know, Geordi, everybody falls in love with a fantasy every now and then.
Laforge: No, no, Guinan, see, you've got it all wrong. I'm not necessarily expecting anything romantic here. It's just I know whatever, Leah Brahms and I are going to be good friends.
Crewwoman: Doctor Brahms is ready to transport, sir.
Laforge: Okay, bring her over.
Laforge: Hi. I mean, welcome aboard, Doctor Brahms. I'm Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge, Chief Engineer.
Leah: La Forge. So you're the one who's fouled up my engine designs.
Leah: The matter-antimatter ratio has been changed. The mixture isn't as rich as regulations dictate.
Laforge: Experience has shown me that too high a ratio diminishes efficiency. I worked with the mixture until I got the right balance.
Leah: The magnetic plasma transfer to the warp field generators doesn't correspond to the recommended specs.
Laforge: Right. Again, I adjusted the flow. Sometimes things happen a little differently here is space than they do on the drawing board.
Leah: Is that a criticism, Commander?
Laforge: No, of course not. It's just a well known fact. There's theory and there's application. They don't always jibe.
Leah: You've charted a completely new swap-out schedule for main components replacement.
Laforge: You bet. I found the Starfleet estimates for the MTBF units to be unrealistic. I simply determined my own schedule based on observation and experience.
Leah: Is that going to be your only defense, Commander, that same tired rhetoric? Out here in the field we learn things you designers couldn't possibly understand.
Laforge: In the first place, Doctor, I'm not aware of needing any defense. And in the second place, if you're determined to be.
Crewwoman: Doctor Brahms, you have an incoming message on subspace.
Leah: I'd like to hear this message privately.
Laforge: In my office. Be my guest.
Leah: Thank you.
Data: Commander, I am picking up some unusual readings from the Alpha Omicron system. At this range, all I am able to diskern is that it is an asymmetrical field of intense energy.
Riker: What type of radiation signature?
Data: Unknown, sir. The Alpha Omicron system is yet to be charted. I recommend we take this opportunity for further research.
Riker: Well, we're way ahead of schedule. Alter course for Alpha Omicron.
Laforge: Doctor Brahms, there's no reason for us to argue. We're on the same side here.
Leah: I'm aware of that.
Laforge: So, why don't I take you on a little tour, show you the adjustments I've made, why I think they work and we can begin pulling together on this? Okay. Then why not start with the dilithium chamber. Okay?
Leah: Okay.
Data: The anomaly is orbiting the seventh planet, sir. It is a mass of plasma energy contained within discrete boundaries by an outer covering of silicates, actinides, and carbonaceous chondrites.
Picard: On screen. Magnify. Is it a ship?
Worf: It does not conform to any known design.
Riker: Any records of similar phenomena in Starfleet listings?
Data: None, sir. This has never been seen before.
Picard: Ensign Rager, ahead one quarter impulse.
Rager: Aye, sir.
Picard: Put us in orbit of the seventh planet. Keep us at a relative distance of ten kilometers from the object.
Riker: Alert science stations to standby. Tell them to coordinate all efforts with Commander Data.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Leah: What happened here? Who did this?
Laforge: You remember, the crystal's been reoriented to adjust the direction of the lattice structure.
Leah: Remember? Why would I remember?
Laforge: Right, why would you? Well, the ship was experiencing some difficulty, and we made this adjustment hoping that it would work, and it did.
Leah: So it was your idea?
Laforge: Not exclusively, no.
Leah: It's curious. this modification was due to be introduced.
Laforge: In the next class starship.
Leah: Yes. How did you know?
Laforge: I didn't. I mean, well, it's the next logical step, right? Listen, Doctor, sometimes we have to fly by the seat of our pants out here so it stands to reason that once in a while we're going to come up with the same solutions you do. Listen. I've got a personnel review scheduled to start in about five minutes, and I know it's been a long day for you. So, why don't we get together later? Sort of plan our agenda for the next day or two?
Leah: Agenda?
Laforge: What it is we want to accomplish here, how we might best go about that, maybe even get to know each other a little bit. It might make this easier.
Leah: Maybe you're right.
Laforge: Okay, great. How about my quarters. Nineteen hundred hours? Maybe even have a bite to eat? I make a great fungilli.
Leah: I love fungilli.
Laforge: Is that right?
Data: Sensors are having difficulty penetrating the interior. However, the radiated output suggests a coherent system of energy storage and utilization.
Riker: Then it was constructed by someone?
Data: It is a possibility. However, the sensor data gathered thus far suggests a naturally occurring phenomenon with biological properties.
Picard: A life form.
Data: Yes, Captain.
Riker: Mister Worf, begin compiling readings for transmission to Starfleet Headquarters. Mister Data, prepare to launch three level-five probes. Ensign, aft thrusters. Standard observation posture.
Data: Level-five probe sequence ready for launch, Commander. On your mark.
Riker: Stand by, Mister Data.
Data: Aye, sir.
Picard: What would it be like, Counselor? No ship, no bulky spacesuit. Just to live between the stars, have the entire galaxy as a home.
Worf: Captain, we are being probed. Recommend we raise shields.
Picard: Negative, Mister Worf. If we are curious about it, it has a perfect right to be curious about us.
Data: Change in readings, sir. The life form has increased its energy output by fifty percent.
Worf: It is moving toward us.
Picard: Reverse course, Ensign, three hundred kph.
Rager: Aye, sir.
Picard: Easy, we don't want to alarm or provoke it.
Data: We are caught in an energy damping field, sir.
Picard: Raise shields.
Worf: No effect, Captain.
Picard: Reverse power, full impulse.
Rager: Impulse engines at full power.
Data: No change in position.
Riker: Red alert!
Picard: Mister La Forge, prepare to initiate warp drive.
Laforge: Sorry, Captain. There's too much interference to form a warp field.
Computer: Warning. Radiation levels at sixty five millirads per minute and rising.
Riker: Riker to Doctor Crusher.
Crusher: Go ahead, Commander.
Riker: All decks prepare for radiation protocol.
Crusher: Acknowledged. Crusher out.
Computer: Warning. Radiation levels at three hundred millirads per minute and rising. Lethal exposure in one minute.
Picard: Mister Worf, ready phasers. Minimum power.
Worf: Ready.
Picard: Fire.
Data: Radiation levels dropping back to normal, Captain. Energy patterns are breaking down, sir. The radiation signature is no longer stable.
Data: Energy output is negligible, sir. Radiation patterns no longer coherent. I believe it is dead, sir.
Picard: We're out here to explore, to make contact with other life forms, to establish peaceful relations but not to interfere. And absolutely not to destroy. And yet look what we have just done.
Troi: Captain, everything you did was consistent with established Starfleet procedures.
Picard: Number One, you have the Bridge.
Data: Captain, sensors are picking up a new energy reading from the life form.
Picard: Elaborate, Data.
Data: There is a new concentration of ionizing radiation growing in the center of its body.
Picard: Then, perhaps it's still alive.
Laforge: Okay. Computer, subdued lighting. No, that's too much. I don't want it dark, I want it cozy.
Computer: Please state your request in precise candlepower.
Laforge: See, it's not a matter of precision, computer, it's a matter of mood. Brighter than this. More. More. A little more. Hold. Right there. Perfect. Now, some music. Maybe a little soft jazz. No, that's not right. Let me think here. Oh, I got it! Some Brahms! A piano etude. Nah, that's too corny. Probably everybody thinks of that. Computer, just give me some guitar. Classical guitar. Doesn't matter who. Yes, thank you.
Laforge: Come on in.
Leah: Oh, you've changed.
Laforge: Yeah. The uniforms are so formal.
Leah: You're less formal than any Starfleet officer I've ever met, Commander.
Laforge: Am I? I really just wanted to make you feel more comfortable.
Leah: I'm fine. Thank you.
Laforge: I'm sorry. Come in and have a seat. Can I get you a drink?
Leah: No, thank you.
Laforge: You sure? You know, your hair, it's different.
Leah: Different than a few hours ago?
Laforge: No, I mean it's different than I expected. Different from your Starfleet records.
Leah: Oh. Yes, I used to wear it up.
Laforge: Yeah.
Leah: Why would you need to see my personnel file?
Laforge: Standard procedure when guests come on board. Protocol. I mean, it was nothing specific, actually. Just, you know.
Leah: Commander La Forge, if I seem to be somewhat unyielding in my views, it's because I care so very much about my work.
Laforge: Oh, I know.
Leah: To be honest, people find me cold, cerebral, lacking in humor.
Laforge: But they're wrong, I assure you.
Leah: Well, I try not to be that way, but when it comes to my designs, my engines, especially the ones on the Enterprise.
Laforge: It's like they're your children.
Leah: Yes. Exactly.
Laforge: So naturally you're a little possessive about them.
Leah: You understand that?
Laforge: Yes, I do. You see, I feel the same way.
Leah: That's amazing. I don't think anyone has ever. Sometimes I feel more comfortable with engine schematics than people.
Laforge: Well, maybe you just haven't met the right people. You hungry? I'm hungry. Why don't I just start dinner, okay?
Leah: Commander.
Laforge: Please, call me Geordi.
Leah: I'm sorry, I hope that I didn't put you to a lot of trouble but I can't stay.
Laforge: You can't?
Leah: I just don't think that it's appropriate.
Laforge: Oh.
Leah: I'll meet with you at oh eight hundred tomorrow. I'm preparing a list of diskrepancies that I've identified in your modifications. I hope, now that we've reached an understanding that you'll be prepared to discuss them with me in a more objective fashion.
Laforge: Sure. Fine.
Leah: Thank you. Goodnight, Commander.
Laforge: Goodnight.
Data: This new concentration of energy was detected only after the surrounding material became inert.
Riker: Could this be some sort of tissue regeneration?
Data: The radiation signature is similar to the original pattern, but with significant differences.
Picard: Some kind of reaction to our phaser fire, perhaps.
Data: I believe it is separate and self-contained within the body of the dead life form.
Riker: Another entity.
Data: Yes, sir. It appears to be a smaller, less developed version of the original creature.
Picard: No wonder it attacked us. It was about to give birth.
Picard: Doctor.
Crusher: It's dangerous to generalize about new life forms, but based on my experience with other beings who bear their young in this manner, I'd say that the offspring is still premature. Otherwise, it would be able to break through the outer body shell of the parent.
Picard: Will this creature be able to survive on its own without the parent?
Crusher: There's no way to tell. We don't have enough information about the bio-functions of the adult, much less the child.
Troi: Is there something we can do to help?
Crusher: If we were in Sickbay, I'd try a Cesarean section. The first priority is to free it from the body of the parent.
Riker: We could use our phasers as a scalpel.
Crusher: Yes, that might work.
Worf: I advise against this, Captain. The parent proved to be a threat to the ship. We do not know how the offspring will react.
Picard: Your objection is noted, Mister Worf, but we are directly responsible for the death of the parent. We cannot simply wash our hands of it now. Doctor, we will proceed at your diskretion.
Leah: Good morning.
Laforge: Good morning.
Leah: The first thing I'd like to do is inspect the power transfer conduits.
Laforge: You realize the only way to inspect them is to crawl inside.
Leah: I designed them, Commander. I know what's involved.
Laforge: Here we go. Power taps. Watch yourself.
Leah: The acoustic signature doesn't sound right.
Laforge: You're probably the only other person in the galaxy who could pick that up.
Leah: What's causing it?
Laforge: It's right up here.
Leah: I've never seen anything like this before. What is it?
Laforge: It's a mid-range phase adjuster. Puts the plasma back into phase after inertial distortion.
Leah: This has never been done before. I don't even think this has ever been conceived of before. You should write a scientific paper.
Laforge: Uh-uh, Doctor, no. Writing is not one of my strong suits.
Leah: But this kind of refinement should be shared, and you deserve the credit for it.
Laforge: Well, maybe we could collaborate. Writing is one of your strong points.
Leah: Commander La Forge, ever since I came on board, there seems to be something a little peculiar about your attitude. You seem to know things about me, even though we've never met.
Laforge: Well, to tell you the truth, I've studied you. Your writings, your Starfleet file. I've admired you. You know, your work.
Leah: Well, I'm flattered, but.
Laforge: And, well, I really, I really wanted to meet you for a long time, And I'd like to think that we could become friends. Maybe good friends.
Leah: I thought you knew. I mean, you know everything else about me, but Commander, if I'm hearing what I think I'm hearing, then you should know that I'm married.
Crusher: Set phaser power to three percent, narrow beam.
Worf: Three percent.
Crusher: All right, here we go.
Data: The first incision is complete.
Crusher: Ideally the offspring should now be able to push through the outer shell of the parent by itself.
Riker: I think it needs a little more help.
Crusher: We've done all we can. I don't want to risk hitting the offspring by accident.
Troi: Come on. You can do it.
Crusher: Captain, I'd like to announce the birth of a large baby something.
Picard: Well done, Doctor. Well done.
Laforge: How could it have been so far off? It was based on every piece of information on record about Leah Brahms. Okay, with an admitted margin for error. but this is an error that's a light year wide.
Guinan: Not what you hoped for, huh?
Laforge: Hoped? Guinan, the woman is about as friendly as a Circassian plague cat, only cares about her work, hates what I've done to her engines, and to top it off she's married. Computer never even told me she was married.
Guinan: Computer glitch?
Laforge: Must have been.
Guinan: Maybe it was your old visor.
Laforge: What are you talking about?
Guinan: The one you wore when you were on the holodeck with her.
Laforge: Guinan, it's the same visor.
Guinan: Really? Oh, I figured it was probably the one that lets you see what you want to see.
Laforge: What's that supposed to mean?
Guinan: You saw exactly what you wanted to see in the holodeck. Sure, the computer made it look like her, gave it personality, but when it came to the relationship. La Forge, you filled in the blanks. And you had a perfectly wonderful, marvelous little fantasy. until the real Leah showed up and ruined it. She's probably done the most horrific thing one person can do to another, not live up to your expectations. So I'd take a good, hard, long look at her, La Forge. See her for who she is, not for what you want her to be.
Data: The life form's patterns are stable, Captain. It seems able to withstand the solar radiation.
Picard: Good. Ensign, set course for the Guernica system.
Rager: Aye, sir.
Riker: We're not staying?
Picard: No, Number One. We've done all we can to help. Now it's time to move on. This creature can continue its existence without any further interference from us.
Riker: It might be wise to put some distance between us before we initiate warp drive.
Picard: Very well. Five hundred kph. Ensign. Engage.
Worf: Captain, it is following us. Maintaining a distance of four kilometers, directly astern.
Picard: Seventeen degrees to port, Ensign.
Rager: Aye, sir.
Worf: It is turning with us, sir.
Riker: Increase to half impulse.
Worf: It is matching our velocity.
Troi: It's imprinted on us. It thinks the Enterprise is its mother.
Data: A change in energy readings, sir. I am reading an internal buildup of gamma particles in
Worf: Its velocity is increasing. It is moving directly toward the ship.
Picard: Evasive maneuvers, full.
Riker: Report.
Worf: Minor damage.
Data: The creature is now in direct contact with the hull, sir.
Picard: On screen.
Picard: Mister Data?
Data: Sir, the life form is draining energy directly from the fusion reactors.
Troi: It's feeding off the energy of the Enterprise as it would from its mother.
Worf: What action should we take, sir?
Picard: None, Lieutenant. None at all.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. Since the newborn has attached itself to the hull, it has been making greater and greater demands on the ship's energy, but we have been able to stabilize our power systems temporarily.
Picard: How long before the power drain becomes critical, Mister La Forge?
Laforge: If it continues to increase at the current rate, six, maybe seven hours.
Leah: We may be able to modify the engine to extend that a little longer, Captain.
Picard: Your help would be appreciated, Doctor.
Laforge: By then, Junior may not need us any more.
Picard: Mister Data, is there any way to determine what the destination of the parent might have been?
Data: I can attempt to extrapolate from the heading it was on when we encountered it, sir.
Crusher: Perhaps it was its way to a safe and supportive environment for its newborn.
Picard: We might be able to deliver it to the same destination.
Riker: Which brings up the question of how do we get Junior off the hull once we get there.
Leah: It's almost completely covering the door of shuttlebay two. If we open the door and deactivate the atmospheric force field.
Laforge: the pressure from inside the ship might push it away from the hull.
Picard: Make it so.
Data: Sir, is the appellation Junior to be the life form's official name?
Picard: No, it is not.
Leah: We can save a lot of energy just by improving engine efficiency.
Laforge: We've run into similar problems before. That's actually why I reoriented the dilithium crystal.
Leah: And why you added the mid-range phase adjusters?
Laforge: Right.
Leah: Commander it seems that you've made a lot more modifications than I'm aware of. Do you have a file on all the work you've done?
Laforge: It's in the computer.
Picard: Picard to La Forge.
Laforge: La Forge here.
Picard: Commander, I need to see you on the Bridge.
Laforge: On my way, Captain. You go on ahead, Doctor. Ensign Palvik can show you the file on the engine modifications.
Leah: Phase coils upgraded to fifty five field densities. Plasma inducers interlinked with generator. Ensign, would there be any other files with data on the original engine specifications?
Pavlik: I believe so, Doctor.
Leah: This file utilizes the prototype engine schematic.
Pavlik: It's a holographic program, set in the drafting room at Utopia Planitia.
Leah: I'll run it on holodeck three.
Leah: Computer replay program nine one four zero. Engine schematic at Utopia Planitia.
Computer: Program loaded and ready.
Laforge: She went where?
Pavlik: Holodeck three, sir. I didn't think there was anything wrong with her seeing the file.
Laforge: Of course not. Nothing at all.
Holo Leah: I'm with you every day, Geordi. Every time you look at this engine, you're looking at me. Every time you touch it, it's me.
Laforge: Computer, freeze program.
Leah: Now I understand.
Laforge: No, you don't. It's not the way this may look.
Leah: I called up a replay of the program file. I was all ready to compliment you again, Commander, for constructing a program which contained the prototype engine so that you would always have a baseline reference for your modifications. And now I find that it's all about a fantasy plaything.
Laforge: It's not like that, I swear.
Leah: I'm outraged by this. I have been invaded. Violated. How dare you use me like this? How far did it go, anyway? Was it good for you?
Laforge: Nothing like that happened. It was a professional collaboration.
Leah: Oh, I can tell. Every time you're touching the engine you're touching me. Real professional.
Laforge: Look, if you watched the whole program, you saw what it was. We were working together to solve a problem in a crisis situation.
Leah: How do I know how far it went? How many other programs did you create? Perhaps dozens of them, one for every day of the week, one for every mood.
Laforge: All right, look. Ever since you came on board, you've been badgering me and I've taken it. I've shown you courtesy, and respect, and a hell of a lot of patience. Oh, no, no, no, wait a minute. I've tried to understand you. I've tried to get along with you. And in return, you've accused, tried and convicted me without bothering to hear my side of it. So, I'm guilty, okay? But not of what you think. Of something much worse. I'm guilty of reaching out to you, of hoping we could connect. I'm guilty of a terrible crime, Doctor. I offered you friendship.
Worf: Captain, its total volume has increased by eight point five percent in the last three hours. I now read it at forty six million cubic meters.
Data: Captain, I have completed the analysis of the parent's course through this system.
Riker: It was headed for an asteroid belt.
Picard: Ensign Rager, set course two five nine mark three one eight, half impulse.
Rager: Aye, sir.
Picard: Hold a position five hundred kilometers from the periphery of the asteroid field.
Rager: Aye, sir.
Worf: Difficulty getting a clear sensor reading beyond four thousand kilometers.
Data: The asteroids contain large quantities of meklonite, which is interfering with our scanners. I am also detecting traces of kephneum, a compound found in the outer shell of the parent being. It is likely the asteroids provide sustenance for this lifeform, sir.
Riker: We could leave the child here. If Data's right, it would have an ample supply of food.
Picard: Agreed. Mister La Forge, are you ready to separate our guest from the hull?
Laforge: Ready, Captain.
Picard: Proceed.
Laforge: I am deactivating the atmospheric force field now.
Picard: Engineering, report.
Pavlik: Power drain just jumped to ninety three percent, sir.
Data: Captain, the offspring is emitting high frequency radio transmissions.
Riker: Is it trying to communicate?
Pavlik: The power drain is increasing, Approaching auto-shutdown.
Riker: Take the engines offline. Supplement with auxiliary power only. All decks go to emergency level seven. Life support and critical operations only.
Picard: Mister La Forge, what is your status?
Laforge: Sorry, Captain.
Laforge: The bay's been completely depressurized, but it's still hanging on.
Data: I am detecting other radio transmissions, Captain.
Worf: Sensors detect movement within the asteroid field. Bearing two five seven mark one six one.
Picard: On screen. Magnify.
Data: At their current speed, sir, the entities will intercept us in ten minutes, thirty one seconds.
Riker: Weapons status?
Worf: Auxiliary power only. Two seconds phaser fire available.
Laforge: Ensign, power readings.
Pavlik: We're on auxiliary generators. life support is functioning, that's about all.
Laforge: Keep your eye on that generator console. We've got less than six minutes to get that baby off our back before his relatives get here. Whatever we try, Junior responds by sucking up more energy.
Leah: Commander, I have a thought. If you're interested.
Laforge: Of course. What is it?
Leah: If the baby is nursing, perhaps what we need is to find a way to sour the milk. If we could contaminate the energy he's feeding on, we could try to
Laforge: make it unpalatable somehow. But the emergency generators are all we've got.
Leah: And how do we modify them without losing life support?
Laforge: Exactly. Unless.
Leah: What?
Laforge: Well. this is a space baby, right? I mean, these creatures are born, live, and die in interstellar space.
Leah: Apparently.
Laforge: Okay. All matter in space vibrates in a specific radiation band.
Leah: Twenty one centimeters. That's good, Commander, that's very good. If we could alter the power frequency so that it's completely foreign to the life form's natural vibrations
Laforge: It might just give us enough to pour a little vinegar in baby's milk.
Leah: We have to be careful, though. If we upset it this time, we might lose auxiliary power too.
Laforge: If we're gradual enough it won't be such a shock. Hopefully it'll just lose interest. La Forge to Bridge.
Picard: Go ahead.
Laforge: Captain, Doctor Brahms and I have a plan.
Worf: Two minutes until the creatures intercept, Captain.
Laforge: Captain, we're ready down here.
Picard: Proceed.
Laforge: Lowering wavelength in the energy system now.
Leah: Reading eighteen, fifteen thirteen, eleven, eight, five, three. Now at the two centimeter level.
Laforge: Any reaction, Bridge?
Data: Negative. I detect no reduction in the life form's rate of energy consumption.
Worf: One minute thirty seconds to intercept.
Laforge: Okay not sour enough. Leah, take it down further.
Leah: Reading one, point eight, point four
Leah: Point two.
Laforge: I guess it noticed what we're doing.
Data: The lifeform is emitting its high frequency transmission. Energy consumption is rising, sir.
Worf: Captain, the creatures are accelerating their approach. They are changing color.
Picard: Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Captain.
Laforge: Just a little more time. Leah, nudge it down even further, toward point oh two.
Worf: Thirty seconds to intercept.
Leah: Point oh eight.
Leah: Oh five, oh three.
Leah: Now at point oh two centimeters.
Data: Auxiliary generators losing power, Captain.
Data: The entity has disengaged, sir. Power levels are returning to normal, Captain.
Riker: Bring the engines online and take us out of here.
Rager: Aye, sir.
Picard: Mister La Forge, Doctor Brahms, congratulations. You've weaned the baby.
Laforge: Good work.
Leah: You, too.
Laforge: Yeah, I admit it. I did get a little attached to that lady in the holodeck.
Leah: The computer never told you that I was married?
Laforge: I never asked. And the computer is notorious for not volunteering information.
Leah: You know, I really owe you an apology.
Laforge: No, you don't. I should have told you straight out.
Leah: Well if you had, then I never would've got a chance to see the look on your face when you walked in on me and me in the holodeck.
Laforge: The look on my face? How about the look on your face? I will remember that for a long, long time.
Leah: I wouldn't change a thing. Except for the way I behaved. I guess I came here with my own set of preconceptions about you.
Laforge: Well, I guess I'm just glad that I got the opportunity to get to know you. The real you.
Leah: Me, too.
Worf: Worf to La Forge. There is an incoming message on subspace for Doctor Brahms.
Laforge: Acknowledged, Worf. La Forge out.
Leah: My husband.


Picard: Captain's log, Stardate 44631.2. We are proceeding through the rim of an uncharted binary star system, where we may have located the USS Brittain. The missing science vessel failed to arrive at its destination and has not been heard from since a distress call twenty nine days ago.
Picard: On screen. Magnify.
Riker: That's the Brittain, all right.
Data: The ship is intact, sir, with no indication of structural damage.
Riker: Engines?
Data: All propulsion systems are shut down. The ship is drifting, sir.
Picard: Life form readings?
Data: Inconclusive.
Picard: Counselor?
Troi: There is life on board, but
Picard: What is it?
Troi: I don't know. Something
Picard: Number One, assemble your team.
Riker: Doctor Crusher, report to Transporter room three. Worf. Data.
Troi: Commander, I need to come too.
Data: There is no malfunction in any of the main systems, sir.
Worf: Commander. Here's another one. This was done by a phaser on a setting of six or seven.
Riker: And more over here.
Crusher: The entire Bridge crew.
Riker: Whoever did this could still be on the ship.
Troi: There is someone alive, but he didn't kill these people. Here.
Troi: I think he's Betazoid. It's all right. We're going to help you. Who did this? Who did this to you?
Crusher: We're almost finished with the autopsies, Captain.
Picard: How long will it take to compile the data?
Crusher: It's complicated. The dead were found all over the ship. Some were found locked in their rooms, barricaded, with weapons piled all around them. Others were found in the corridors where they'd obviously had hand to hand combat. It's going to take some time to analyze and sort through the details. We've identified him as Andrus Hagan, from Betazed, scientific advisor. He's in a profound catatonic state.
Troi: I'm not getting much, Captain. A few words, disconnected phrases. I can feel his terror but I can't seem to get through to him.
Picard: Stay with him, Counselor. We're examining the Brittain for clues, but this man is the only one left who knows what happened there.
Troi: I'm here. I'm right here.
Hagan: Are there voices?
Troi: Voices? What do they say?
Hagan: Both things. No. No.
Troi: Keep talking to me. I'll try to understand.
Laforge: All the engines check out perfectly, Commander. Once we get them started, the Brittain can get back to Starbase under her own power.
Riker: Let's give it a try.
Laforge: Pre-heating injectors. Data, fuel flow?
Data: Matter valves are open and operating. Magnetic containment of antimatter pods is constant.
Laforge: Okay, open injectors.
Data: Injectors open. There is no engine activity at all, sir.
Riker: What's wrong?
Laforge: Nothing's wrong. I don't understand it.
Picard: Come.
Crusher: I've been studying the autopsy reports. The conclusion is appallling. There was no outside source, no alien presence. All thirty four of them appear to have killed each other.
Picard: What could have caused such an event? Drugs? A virus? Poison?
Crusher: Toxicological tests showed no unusual substances in their systems, and they all appear to be in good health. But for whatever reason, they seemed to turn against each other, using phasers and knives and bare hands. I'd like you to see this, Captain. It's from the logs of the Brittain. Captain Zaheva's mental condition deteriorated steadily once they'd became stranded. She began talking of plots and mutinies. This was the last entry log, made after they had been adrift for over three weeks.
Zaheva: First Officer Brink and his men were behind it. They got to the engines. They don't work anymore. Had to eliminate Brink. the ship is out of, out of, we're running out. Too dangerous! Out of Brink! And his men!
Voice: Eyes in the dark. One moon.
Troi: Where are you? I'm coming. Where are you?
Voice: Eyes in the dark. One moon. Eyes in the dark. One moon circles. See the eyes in the dark. One moon.
Troi: Where are you?
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44635.8. Four days have passed, but we have made little progress in solving the mystery of the Brittain. I have decided we should return to Starbase two twenty, and to that end, Commander La Forge is rigging the Brittain for towing.
Laforge: I'm going to try re-calibrating the field generators. I still don't see why we can't get the engines started. It just doesn't make any sense.
Peeples: Someone's still here.
Laforge: What did you say, Ensign?
Peeples: Can't you hear it? There's someone still alive on the ship! I heard, I mean, I thought I heard something.
Laforge: The ship was searched thoroughly. There's nobody left on board.
Peeples: Sorry, sir. My mistake.
Laforge: Don't worry about it. There were thirty four people were found dead on this ship. That's enough to make anybody uneasy.
Peeples: Thank you, sir.
Troi: I'm here. Can you hear me? Tell me about the voices you hear.
Hagan: Bright. Bright out there.
Troi: I don't understand. Bright what? Tell me more.
Keiko: Boy, what a day this was. I'm doing an isozyme study on some populations of Cardilia but they're turning out to have these really weird polymorphisms. What a headache!
O'Brien: Is that why you're late?
Keiko: Oh, no, I had a conference with Doctor Balthus. She wants to do a study on the laticifer ontogeny of the Kaladian Thorn Flower, but I don't have time to oversee another project.
O'Brien: Was Tom Corbin there?
Keiko: What?
O'Brien: Tom Corbin from the science lab. Remember him?
Keiko: Of course I remember him, but
O'Brien: You use any excuse you can to pay him a visit.
Keiko: Miles, what are you saying?
O'Brien: I think you know exactly what I'm saying.
Keiko: If I didn't know better, I'd say you were jealous.
O'Brien: Do you take me for a fool?
Gillespie: Hello, Chief. Having coffee?
O'Brien: No, I'm drinking too much coffee.
Gillespie: I'm surprised to see you here at this hour.
O'Brien: Why's that?
Gillespie: You're not out of the honeymoon yet. Usually newlyweds can't keep their hands off each other.
O'Brien: She has work to do. She heads up the plant biology lab, you know.
Gillespie: Any strange things going on down there?
O'Brien: Like what?
Gillespie: I've been hearing things. Kenicki in Engineering told me he saw a man in an old Starfleet uniform riding the lift near the engine core. When the lift got to the top, there was no one on it.
O'Brien: Ghost stories.
Gillespie: There's more, there's lots more. There are strange things happening on this ship, O'Brien.
O'Brien: I'm surprised at you, Gillespie. A Starfleet officer. I have more things to worry about than shades and spirits.
Picard: Come.
Picard: Come.
Picard: Yes, yes.
Picard: Come.
Picard: What?
Crusher: Captain, do you have a moment?
Troi: We're concerned. We're afraid whatever happened on the Brittain may be starting here.
Picard: Explain.
Troi: Well, Beverly and I have been getting unusual reports. People behaving strangely, others hearing sounds that aren't there.
Picard: Are we talking about hallucinations?
Crusher: In some cases. In others just erratic behavior.
Troi: We can't track down any element that might be responsible.
Picard: But everything started when we found the Brittain?
Crusher: Yes. Captain, we have to get the Enterprise away from here before it gets any worse.
Picard: We're preparing to take the Brittain in tow. We'll be on our way within the hour.
Picard: Ensign, maneuver us into tractor beam range.
Rager: Aye, sir.
Data: Is there a problem, Ensign?
Rager: I can't seem to remember how to enter the coordinates, sir.
Riker: Ensign Lin.
Data: Ready now, Captain.
Picard: Report to Sickbay, Ensign Rager.
Picard: Ready tractor beam, Mister Worf.
Data: Captain, thrusters are losing power.
Picard: Impulse engines. Ahead, minimum power.
Lin: Impulse engines are not responding, sir.
Riker: Geordi, what's going on down there?
Laforge: I don't know, sir. Nothing's responding.
Picard: Go to warp engines, factor one. Engage.
Laforge: Captain
Laforge: We don't have warp drive either.
Picard: We have no functional propulsion systems?
Data: No, sir. Apparently we do not.
Lin: We're adrift.
Riker: Just like the Brittain.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44639.9. The Enterprise has now been adrift for a total of ten days. We have sent subspace distress calls, but because of our distant location, we cannot expect a response for at least another two weeks.
Data: After analyzing the sensor logs of the Brittain and the Enterprise, as well as the data from the last series of probes, I conclude that we have become trapped in a massive rupture in space, into which energy is absorbed.
Picard: You mean a Tyken's rift.
Crusher: A what?
Data: A rare anomaly named after Bela Tyken, the Melthusian captain who first encountered it.
Laforge: Tyken's rift. That would explain why we don't have engine power.
Data: The ship's energy is being drained into the fissure before we can utilize it.
Worf: I was detained.
Data: When Tyken was trapped in the rift, his analysis determined that a massive energy release might overload and dislocate the anomaly. Fortunately, his cargo included anicium and yurium, which he used to detonate the explosion. He then escaped through the ruptured center of the rift.
Laforge: But we aren't carrying anything that could produce that kind of explosion. Not even our photon torpedoes would be enough.
Riker: Couldn't we replicate the elements that Tyken used?
Data: No, sir. We no longer have the power to reproduce complex elements in the replicator. We must find a way to generate a violent energy release without using conventional means.
Crusher: Data, in Tyken's experience did the crew exhibit behavioral changes?
Data: No. There were no reports of unusual conduct among the crew.
Troi: What about nightmares?
Data: There were no records of sleep disturbances of any kind, Counselor.
Crusher: Then, what is it? What's happening to us?
Riker: The only one who doesn't seem affected by all this is Data.
Riker: Bridge.
Picard: Number One, how?
Riker: Sir?
Picard: Any hallucinations, nightmares?
Riker: No. I'd be a liar if I said I felt like myself. I've had to bite my tongue to keep from snapping at people. A couple of times, I've gone to my quarters and felt as if there was someone in there, waiting for me.
Picard: I've had similar feelings. With everyone succumbing it's even more important that one of us attempt to keep control of his faculties. I want you to turn in, take a nap. I'll be on the Bridge. You can relieve me in four hours.
Riker: Yes, sir. Deck eight.
Picard: No!
Worf: Sir?
Picard: As you were. Mister Data, will you join me in my Ready room.
Data: Commander La Forge and I have come up with a potential solution to our predicament. Perhaps the modifications used to increase firepower against the Borg could be effective here.
Picard: Channeling power to the main, er, deflector dish.
Data: Yes, sir. I believe that within six hours we could generate a concentrated burst of energy which might disrupt the Tyken's rift.
Picard: Very well. Proceed. Mister Data?
Data: Yes, sir?
Picard: It appears that I am not immune to the strange forces that are at work on this ship.
Data: Yes, sir.
Picard: It's a terrifying prospect to lose control of one's mind. When I was young, I remember watching my grandfather deteriorate from a powerful, intelligent figure to a frail wisp of a man, who could barely make his own way home. Mister Data, it is my responsibility somehow to see that this ship is guided to safety. I will need to rely on you from now on. We may need to count on you for our very survival.
Data: I will do my best, sir.
Crusher: I'd like to do more cross-sections on the brain tissue of some of these bodies. Set up the positron emission sensor in Sickbay, and I'll decide which ones I want to study.
Medic: Yes, Doctor.
Crusher: Go away.
Crusher: Captain, let me ask you this. Since we located the Brittain, can you remember any of your dreams?
Picard: I hardly ever recall dreams.
Crusher: Most people don't, but think. Have you even had a dream in the last ten days?
Picard: I don't recall.
Crusher: I'm willing to bet you haven't. What's more, neither has anyone else on board this ship, except for Troi. I began to realize that when she talked about having nightmares. I've done some additional brain tissue tests on, er, bodies, some of the bodies from the, er, the.
Data: The Brittain, Doctor.
Crusher: Right. And I've also done some scans on a random cross-section from our crew. They both have the same results, a unique chemical imbalance.
Picard: Caused by?
Crusher: Dream deprivation. Every night when we enter into sleep.
Data: I believe the Doctor means is that humans enter what is known as REM sleep. Rapid eye movement. It is the level of brain wave activity at which one dreams.
Crusher: We have to dream in order to survive. If we don't reach REM sleep, we don't dream, we begin to lose our cognitive abilities, we find it hard to concentrate. We forget how to do the most ordinary task. Then we become irritable, paranoid. Some people experience hallucinations.
Picard: You're describing the situation on this ship. But Counselor Troi reported nightmares.
Crusher: Maybe it's because she's Betazoid. I don't know why. All I know is there's more going on here than being caught in a Tyken's rift, and I don't know how or why it's happening. But I do know this. There is an inevitable conclusion to this pattern, and if I can't find a way to stop it, we will all go insane.
Voice: Eyes in the dark. One moon circles.
Troi: Where are you?
Voice: Eyes in the dark. One moon circles.
Troi: I'm still here. I haven't gone anywhere. Do you remember anything more?
Hagan: Double. Double.
Troi: What does that mean? Is something doubled?
Crusher: Deanna, nothing's working. I've tried somatic drugs, I've tried inducing theta waves into the entorhinal cortex. No matter what I do, no one can reach REM sleep. No one can dream, except for you.
Troi: Except me. And all I have is nightmares. I can hardly sleep at all anymore. In the end, I'll be like him. Just like him.
Gillespie: Well, I think it's some kind of experiment. You see, Captain Picard is trying to see how long we'll take it, stuck here like rats.
Guinan: You couldn't be more wrong.
Gillespie: It's like we're laboratory animals. I don't want to sit and wait for death to sneak up behind me.
Guinan: What's that supposed to mean?
Gillespie: You heard about them on the Brittain. Shut in their rooms, dying alone. That's not for me. I'd rather go out fighting.
Laforge: Okay, all the power has been channeled to the, er, the
Data: The main deflector dish.
Laforge: Yes. Right. The deflector dish. So, what do we do now?
Data: Data to Bridge. Mister Worf, activate the deflector.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Worf: Deflector power banks approaching maximum. Discharge in fifteen seconds.
Laforge: Data, this detonation better work. We're not going to last much longer.
Worf: Discharge in three seconds, two, one.
Riker: Nothing. It just fizzled out.
Data: Captain, it appears the energy output
Data: Has been absorbed into the rift.
Picard: Data, can we try again?
Data: No, sir. If we draw
Data: More power, we risk losing life support systems.
Picard: Understood. Keep me appraised, Commander.
Worf: lujpu' jiH'e, Alexandrijn.
Troi: Worf, no!
Worf: You will not stop me.
Troi: Security to Lieutenant Worf's quarters, immediately.
Worf: No one can stop me.
Troi: Why? What is it?
Worf: I am no longer a warrior. I am no longer strong. I feel.
Troi: What? What do you feel?
Worf: I feel fear.
Troi: To admit that you're afraid gives you strength.
Worf: Something is waiting for us. I am not strong enough to fight it.
Troi: No, Worf. It's just an illusion. It's not real. Please, put down the knife.
Security: Counselor?
Troi: It's all right. Everything's fine, thank you.
Troi: Let me take you to Sickbay. Acting
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44642.1. I have assumed command of the Enterprise at the request of Captain Picard. Our situation is deteriorating. Many of the crew are unable to function and our life support systems are beginning to falter.
Troi: Once before you said double. What did you mean? What is double?
Hagan: Mates, too bright. Twin. Cannot leave the twin. One moon circling.
Troi: What do you mean? you can't leave?
Hagan: No, no, please. Can't.
Troi: You want to leave. Why can't you?
Hagan: Can't go. Help. One moon circling. Eyes, that's it. Eyes in the dark.
Troi: Eyes in the dark. That's what the voice said in my dream. Is that where you heard it? In a dream? Over and over? Beverly, I know what it is. I know what's happening.
Crusher: What?
Troi: My nightmare. It's not a dream. It's not a dream at all. It's a message.
Troi: REM sleep occurs at a different frequency for Betazoids than other humanoids. I believe the beings are using that frequency to communicate telepathically.
Data: It is possible that this telepathic communication is creating interference in the REM sleep of other species. That would explain why the rest of our crew is not dreaming.
Picard: Counselor, what are these beings trying to tell us?
Troi: They're calling for help. I think they're trapped just like we are. Eyes in the dark could mean this twin star system.
Data: Your hypothesis is certainly plausible. There may be another ship on the other side of the fissure, where we cannot detect it.
Crusher: Is there a way we could block their signals?
Data: There is no technology to block telepathic transmissions, Doctor.
Troi: Maybe communication through dreams can work both ways. I could try to get them to stop.
Data: Perhaps we can accomplish more than that. If there is another ship, and we can reach them, we might be able to coordinate our efforts to free ourselves.
Troi: It is conceivable. When working with patients with debilitating nightmares, I've often used a therapeutic treatment called directed dreaming. Dreamers can learn to control of their dreams, retain a conscious memory even while in REM sleep. I could remember a short message and deliver it to them.
Picard: If it were possible, what would you say?
Data: Working together with the aliens, we must discover a means by which we an produce an explosion more intense than either one of us could achieve alone.
Troi: What is it you're looking for?
Data: These are the elements we have available. Some of them could be used in the creation of an explosive reaction. If we could communicate this inventory to the other ship, perhaps they would be able to
Troi: No, Data, no. This is too complex. This has to be a simple, clear message.
Data: I am uncertain if a simple transmission will be adequate.
Troi: Stop. Go back. Further back. There. Stop. One moon circles.
Data: Yes, Counselor. One electron circles one proton. This is a hydrogen atom.
Troi: One moon circles. That's what they've been telling me over and over.
Data: Perhaps the aliens are thinking as we are, to collaborate in producing an explosion. If hydrogen is combined with another element, calendenium for example, it is extremely volatile. But would the message mean they have hydrogen or they want hydrogen?
Troi: Well, if it's a distress call, I think they'd be asking for what they need, not what they already have.
Data: Then the proper course of action would be to release hydrogen into the rift, and hope that they have a substance that will detonate it.
Troi: How do I tell them what to do?
Data: If you are correct, Counselor, I believe they have already told us what to do and are waiting for us to do it. When we are ready, the only message you should attempt to convey is, now.
Crusher: I can help keep you in REM sleep for a while with this cortical scanner. It will maintain electrical activity in your brain at the proper frequency.
Data: Counselor
Data: You will have to communicate with the other ship within two minutes of entering REM sleep.
Troi: Two minutes.
Troi: Is that all, Data?
Data: Unfortunately, yes.
Data: We have only enough power to emit a hydrogen stream for that amount of time. They must understand that they will have to detonate it immediately. Captain, we are ready to implement the plan.
Picard: Proceed.
Data: We will have to draw power from the life-support systems in order to discharge the collectors. This is Acting Captain Data. All personnel will report to designated shelter areas
Data: Immediately. Life support systems will continue only in emergency shelter areas.
Gillespie: Hear that? Get us jammed into shelter areas. We sit and wait to die. Nobody'll ever find us.
Guinan: Relax, Gillespie. Everybody relax. Ten Forward is a designated shelter area. Relax.
Gillespie: Do we want to die here like helpless children?
Guinan: Security to Ten Forward immediately.
Gillespie: We don't even know what we're dying for.
O'Brien: Sit down, Gillespie. You're not helping matters any.
Gillespie: What's wrong with standing up for ourselves?
Gillespie: Picard owes us some answers.
Gillespie: What is that?
Guinan: It's a little souvenir I picked up on Magus Three. That was setting number one. Anyone want to see setting number two?
Crusher: PGO signals steady. Visual cortex showing increased activity. Rapid eye movements commencing. Crusher to Bridge.
Crusher: She's in REM sleep.
Data: Thank you, Doctor. Activating Bussard collectors.
Troi: Where are you?
Data: Ninety seconds remaining.
Voice: One moon circles.
Troi: Where are you? I have to find you. I have to tell you.
Data: Forty five seconds remaining.
Voice: One moon.
Troi: Please, I must find you to tell you.
Data: Thirty seconds remaining.
Voice: Eyes in the dark. One moon
Data: Ten seconds remaining.
Picard: Nothing. No explosion.
Data: The Counselor was unsuccessful.
Picard: Activate impulse engines.
Data: Engines activated, sir.
Data: We have cleared the rift, sir. Warp engines are coming back online.
Picard: Set a course to.
Data: Setting a course for Starbase two twenty. Sir, as my final duty as Acting Captain, I order you to bed. I shall do the same for all personnel.
Picard: Very well, Mister Data. And Mister Data, thank you.
Data: Pleasant dreams, sir.