Laforge: Data, there you are. We need to installl that plasma conduit right away. We're bringing the new warp core on line in less than three hours.
Data: I will go to deck twenty and begin modifications.
Laforge: Great. I'll meet you in Engineering as soon as you're finished there. This ought to be a lot of fun.
Data: Excuse me. Do you have authorisation to work in this area? You are dismantling a warp plasma conduit. I must ask you to stop.
Workman: Be quiet!
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47225.7. Commander La Forge has completed the installlation of our new warp core. We are preparing to test its capabilities.
Riker: Something wrong, sir?
Picard: I just got a message from Starfleet command.
Riker: Bad news?
Picard: You could say that. I've been invited to the annual Starfleet Admiral's banquet.
Riker: My condolences.
Picard: I've managed to avoid it for the past six years, but now it would seem my luck has run out. I can't think of anything more tedious. Fifty Admirals shaking hands, making dull conversation, uninteresting food, boring speeches.
Riker: Can't you think of some excuse to get out of it?
Picard: After six years, Number One, I don't think I have any excuses left.
Data: Geordi, have you ever had a nightmare?
Laforge: Yeah, sure, Data. Everybody does from time to time.
Data: I have had one hundred eleven dreams since I first discovered this program nine months ago. In all of that time, I have never experienced such strange and disturbing imagery. I believe it was a nightmare.
Laforge: Nightmares are part of dreaming, Data. Maybe you've just discovered another new level to your program.
Data: Perhaps. I have also noted that I am spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about nightmare imagery. One could almost say I am preoccupied.
Laforge: Well, it's perfectly normal, Data. Sometimes when I have a nightmare, I can't shake that weird feeling for a couple of days.
Tyler: Commander La Forge?
Laforge: Speaking of nightmares.
Tyler: I just finished recalibrating the starboard EPS module.
Laforge: That's great, Ensign. Thank you.
Tyler: It's just like you said. Reset the power tap and the module came right online. You have such a wonderful grasp of engineering principles. I'm learning so much just by being around you.
Laforge: I'll tell you what. Why don't you help Farrell check the deuterium cartridges. I'm just about to bring the warp core online. All right?
Tyler: Anything you say.
Data: Geordi, you do not seem to appreciate Ensign Tyler's enthusiasm.
Laforge: She's enthusiastic all right. About me.
Data: I do not understand.
Laforge: She's got a crush on me, Data.
Data: You do not share her affection?
Laforge: Exactly. And quite frankly, it's beginning to get a little bit uncomfortable.
Data: I believe I understand. You are concerned about unintentionally hurting Ensign Tyler's feelings.
Laforge: Yeah, something like that.
Data: It would appear that you require a third party to intervene on your behalf. I will be happy to speak to her.
Laforge: No, Data! I'll take care of it myself. Thanks.
Data: Geordi, when I first awoke from my nightmare, there was a brief moment when I
Picard: Bridge to Commander La Forge. What's our status?
Laforge: We're ready to bring the new core online, Captain. Stand by. All right, let's do it. Initializing deuterium infusion sequence. It's a thing of beauty, isn't it? Now let's see how fast she can run. La Forge to Bridge.
Laforge: Warp power at your diskretion, Captain.
Picard: Acknowledged. Ensign Gates, set course for Starbase two nineteen, warp six. Engage.
Picard: Engage. Bridge to Engineering. Mister La Forge, why isn't my ship
Picard: Moving?
Laforge: I'm on it, sir. There's a warp plasma conduit out of alignment, but I think I've got it fixed now. Ready, sir.
Picard: Very well. Ensign Gates?
Picard: Mister La Forge?
Laforge: Stand by, Captain.
Data: Captain, I am taking the warp-coil engines offline.
Laforge: La Forge to Bridge. I'm sorry, sir, but we're going to have to reconfigure this plasma conduit. It's going to take at least a couple of hours, sir.
Data: Enter.
Troi: Hello, Data.
Data: Counselor.
Troi: What are you doing?
Data: I have been watching Spot sleep. In the past fifteen minutes, he has had twelve muscles spasms, which indicates he was dreaming. I have often wondered what Spot dreams about. His twitching and his rapid breathing would seem to suggest anxiety, but Spot has never seen a mouse or any other form of rodentia. He has never encountered an insect, or been chased by a canine.
Troi: I understand you've had some interesting dreams recently. Geordi was worried about you and he wanted me to check in and see how you were doing.
Data: That was very thoughtful of him. I've been debating whether or not to initiate another dream sequence.
Troi: Because of the nightmares?
Data: I have found them to be quite unsettling.
Troi: Data, you shouldn't be afraid of dark imagery in your dreams. It's a natural expression of your unconscious, if you have an unconscious. I'm not really sure how your positronic brain works but if it's anything like ours, then there's part of you that's trying to express itself through your dream state. And I think you should allow yourself to experience it. As Sigmund Freud said, dreams are the royal road to the knowledge of the mind.
Data: Thank you, Counselor. I believe I will initiate a dream program now.
Troi: Let me know how it goes. Goodnight, Data.
Data: Goodnight, Counselor. Goodnight, Spot.
Data: Computer, dim lights.
Worf: Mmm. Delicious.
Data: What kind of cake are you eating?
Worf: It is cellular peptide cake with mint frosting. Would you like a bite?
Data: No, thank you. Excuse me, Mister Worf.
Riker: Aren't you going to answer that, Mister Data?
Data: Sir?
Riker: That damn ringing. Answer it, will you?
Data: Yes, sir.
Data: Please identify yourselves. I must know what you are trying to
Workman: Be quiet!
Troi: Please, don't hurt me, Data.
Data: I am sorry, Counselor.
Troi: No! Don't! No! No! Data!
Troi: Data! Data!
Data: What is wrong?
Troi: We've been trying to wake you up for the last five minutes.
Laforge: When you didn't show up on time in Engineering, I got worried.
Data: My internal chronometer was supposed to wake me thirty five minutes ago.
Worf: You must have overslept.
Data: That is not possible. Something is wrong.
Laforge: I can't find anything wrong with your internal time base. As far as I can tell, your primary systems check out fine.
Data: I will compare my autonomic logs with the ship's chronometer. Perhaps we have overlooked something.
Laforge: You know, Data, there's an awful lot we don't know about your dream program. Maybe it was designed to cause side effects. I mean, for all we know, Doctor Soong might have intended for you to oversleep from time to time. It's part of the human experience.
Data: It is a possibility. However, I would prefer to make certain there are no anomalies in my neural net.
Laforge: You know, I'm curious. What were you dreaming about when we woke you up?
Data: I have not fully assimilated its impact. I would prefer to study the images further before discussing them.
Laforge: Sounds like it must have been pretty strange.
Data: Strange is not a sufficient adjective to describe the experience.
Freud: Tell me more about this cake.
Data: It is difficult to explain. Counselor Troi's body was a cake.
Freud: Her upper body. Describe the knife you used to cut the Counselor.
Data: It had a black handle and a serrated blade, and it was quite long.
Freud: How long?
Data: Twenty five centimeters in length.
Freud: And what happened next?
Data: One of the workmen pointed to her right shoulder. At that moment, I had an overwhelming urge to cut a piece out of the cake.
Freud: And did you?
Data: Yes. As I began slicing the cake, she reacted as though I was causing her pain. Yet I could not stop cutting. That is when I woke up. Doctor Freud, I am curious.
Data: I am curious. What do my nightmares mean?
Freud: I believe you are experiencing a classic dismemberment dream. Or in your case, being a mechanical man, a dismantlement dream.
Data: I do not understand.
Freud: Your mechanistic qualities are trying to reassert themselves over your human tendencies. Ego and id struggling for domination. The workmen symbolize the ever present id constantly working to destroy the ego. Now the image of Counselor Troi, a female, is devoured by you, clearly indicating an unconscious desire to possess your own mother.
Data: But I do not have a mother.
Freud: Do not interrupt. The knife in its violent connotation suggests a certain feeling of sexual inadequacy.
Data: But I have no sexual desire.
Freud: Ach! Impotence on top of everything. It is all becoming clear to me now. There might be a paper in this.
Data: I do not believe I am being helped by this session.
Freud: Classic transference. Your anger toward me is, in fact, the animosity you feel toward your father. You are a polymorphously perverse individual, Mister Data, and I recommend full psychoanalysis. I believe I can fit you in next Tuesday.
Data: That will not be necessary. Computer, end program.
Worf: Captain, incoming message from Admiral Nakamura.
Picard: On screen.
Picard: Admiral.
Nakamura: Captain. We were expecting you this morning. Is there a problem?
Picard: Actually, we have been experiencing a few minor difficulties with our new warp core, but my Chief Engineer assures me that we will be under way within the hour.
Nakamura: You're not trying to avoid this particular engagement, are you, Picard?
Picard: No, no, certainly not. I'm really looking forward to it.
Nakamura: Good. I'll expect you soon. Nakamura out.
Riker: I think he's on to you, sir.
Laforge: La Forge to Bridge.
Picard: Go ahead, Geordi.
Laforge: We've just started it up, Captain. All systems are holding steady.
Laforge: Ready when you are, sir.
Picard: Ensign Gates, set a course and engage.
Picard: Engineering, report.
Data: The warp field has collapsed, sir.
Laforge: It looks like we've blown the entire power converter, Captain. Impulse engines are down too. We're not going anywhere. But I know just how to fix this. Give me two, three hours, tops.
Laforge: Now what?
Riker: Talk about going nowhere fast.
Picard: Mister Worf, open a channel to Starbase two nineteen. Advise Admiral Nakamura I'll be a little later than I thought.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Laforge: Tyler, how're you coming with that relay diagnostic?
Tyler: Almost done, sir. Excuse me I need the plasma inverter.
Data: It appears Ensign Tyler still has a crush on you. It is clear you did not speak to her.
Laforge: No, Data, I haven't had the time. Listen, I want you to take this brace coil and run a metallurgical scan on it for me. See if there are any microfractures.
Laforge: Something wrong, Data?
Data: I am reminded of a recent dream. This brace is reminiscent of
Riker: Are you going to answer that, Commander?
Riker: What are you waiting for? Answer it.
Data: Hello?
Freud: Kill them. You must kill them all before it's too late.
Laforge: Data. Data, what's wrong?
Data: I do not know.
Data: Everything seems to remind me of the nightmare. Objects, sounds, smells. And now I have seen elements of the dream in a waking state. I cannot explain it.
Troi: Data, if you were one of my human patients, I might be concerned right now. I'd say you had a waking dream or an hallucination. But you're not human. I think we might be looking at some kind of technological problem.
Data: I have run three complete self diagnostics. All of my systems are functioning normally. Perhaps Doctor Freud was correct. The knife I dreamed about is the embodiment of my unconscious desire to inflict violence.
Troi: Data, even Freud said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. But the bottom line is, I think you're developing an almost obsessive interest in your own inner workings. I'd almost call it the beginnings of a neurosis.
Data: That is not possible.
Troi: Why not? You've eliminated all the technical explanations. And it makes sense that as your neural net becomes more complex, more human, that you might experience the same kind of psychological complexities as a human.
Data: Do you really think it is possible?
Troi: Data, you must be the first person who's come into my office and been excited at the prospect of a new neurosis. But yes, I do think it's possible, and I'd like to start counseling you on a regular basis.
Data: Daily?
Troi: No, we'll start weekly. And as a first step, I'd like you to shut down your dream program until our next session, just to be on the safe side. Give yourself a chance to reflect on this experience.
Data: Thank you, Counselor. I look forward to our next meeting.
Troi: And Data? Next time, see me before you see Sigmund.
Picard: Admiral, I can explain.
Nakamura: Let me guess. Your new warp core is malfunctioning again?
Picard: Unfortunately, the problem has affected our impulse systems. At the moment, we are adrift.
Nakamura: Are you expecting to have this problem fixed soon, or shall we send out a tow ship to bring you in?
Picard: That will not be necessary. I have full confidence in my Engineering staff. I will be at the banquet on time. Picard out.
Picard: Have you tried reconfiguring the plasma conduits?
Laforge: Yes, Captain. Two hours ago.
Picard: What about the relays? Are you absolutely certain you don't need a new phase invertor?
Data: I am currently running a level three diagnostic of the relays, sir. We will have the results of the analysis in approximately ten minutes.
Picard: I see. Oh, perhaps I could reconfigure these isolinear chips.
Laforge: No, sir, please don't touch that. Captain, Commander Data and I have the situation under control. Now, if you'd just let us care of it, the work would go much faster.
Tyler: Captain, we could use an extra hand moving the containment pods. If it wouldn't be an imposition.
Picard: Oh, no, not at all. I'd be delighted.
Laforge: Good work, Tyler. I thought he'd never leave. Data, I want you to give me a hand locking down this plasma conduit. Data? Data?
Troi: Deck thirty six.
Troi: Hello, Data. Are you all right?
Troi: What are you doing?
Data: Hold very still, Counselor.
Troi: No!
Worf: Ever since you gave Alexander that music program, he's been playing it all night, every night.
Riker: I just wanted to broaden his horizons. Besides, he likes it.
Worf: It is screeching, pounding, dissonance. It is not music.
Riker: Worf, it's better than music, it's jazz.
Riker: Medical emergency. Deck seventeen, section three alpha.
Medic: We're on our way.
Data: I believe I had another waking dream, sir. But this time, I had an uncontrollable urge to eliminate the image I saw.
Picard: And what you saw was some sort of a mouth on Troi's shoulder?
Data: Yes, sir. For a reason I cannot explain, I had the need to destroy it.
Riker: What about me? Did you see one of those mouths on my head as well?
Data: No, sir. I saw a straw coming out of your head.
Picard: A straw?
Data: As I said before, these are all images I originally experienced in my dream program. I do not have a rational explanation for them.
Picard: Mister La Forge?
Laforge: Captain, we've run every possible diagnostic on Data's positronic net we can think of. We can't find anything wrong. I could run a subpolymer scan, but it would take some time to set up the equipment.
Picard: Make it so. In the meantime, Mister Data, I'll have to relieve you of duty and confine you to your quarters.
Data: A sensible precaution, sir.
Troi: Data.
Crusher: Deanna, you're in Sickbay. It's all right.
Troi: Data.
Crusher: He's not here. Just try to relax. This vascular pad has healed the wound, but you've lost a lot of blood so I would like you to lie still for a while.
Crusher: That's odd. There shouldn't be any diskoloration after the treatment. This looks like some sort of rash.
Troi: What is it?
Crusher: I'm picking up cellular degradation. But it doesn't appear to be related to the lacerations. There's also some kind of residual interphasic signature. Nurse, bring me an interphasic scanner. I want to take a closer look at this.
Worf: Commander. I will have to confiscate your sidearm.
Data: Of course. May I ask a personal favor?
Worf: Yes.
Data: Will you take care of Spot for me?
Worf: Your animal?
Data: I am afraid if I have another waking dream, I might injure him.
Worf: Of course. Spot, come here.
Data: Unlike a canine, Spot does not respond to verbal commands. Goodbye, Spot. He will need to be fed once a day. He prefers feline supplement number twenty five.
Worf: I understand.
Data: And he will require water. And you must provide him with a sand box. And you must talk to him. Tell him he is a pretty cat, and a good cat.
Worf: I will feed him.
Data: Perhaps that will be enough.
Crusher: Captain, we have a problem. Take a look at this. Her tissue is breaking down on a cellular level and it's spreading. At first I thought it was a rash from the coil brace she was stabbed with, but when I used the interphasic scanner, I found this.
Picard: What is it?
Crusher: The question is, what are they?
Crusher: I've tested all the medical staff and I've found them on almost everyone so far. The cellular decay is accelerating in all cases. I haven't found a way to stop it or even slow it down. Looks like you're infected too. The organisms appear to be attached to our epidermal layers with osmotic tendrils. They're tapping directly into the bloodstream. And from what I can tell, they're spreading.
Riker: What are we dealing with here? Are these creatures feeding on us?
Crusher: Yes, in a very particular way. They appear to be extracting our cellular peptides. It's roughly analogous to the way terran leeches consume hemoglobin. If they're not removed soon, our bodies are going to lose all their cellular cohesion. We'll collapse into nothing but a few pounds of chemicals.
Picard: All right. Is there any way that we can affect these organisms?
Laforge: We've tried EM radiation, subspace fields, thermal protons, nothing's worked. They seem to exist in some sort of interphasic state, just beyond our range of visual and sensor acuity. The only way we can see them is to use an IP scanner. Tricorders can't even pick them up.
Riker: Do we know where these things came from, Mister Worf?
Worf: I scanned the vicinity with an IP scanner. There is no sign of any similar creatures, or any unusual interphasic activity.
Picard: What about Mister Data? There must be some connection between his odd behavior and these creatures. Is he infested as well?
Crusher: No. I scanned him, but I found nothing.
Picard: Data attacked Counselor Troi because he saw a mouth on her shoulder. And in that same area that we first saw one of the organisms.
Riker: Data also saw a straw in my head and then Beverly discovered an organism in the same place.
Laforge: Those images are all part of Data's dream. Maybe somehow he's unconsciously perceiving these creatures.
Picard: Then perhaps it is time that we took a closer look at Mister Data's dreams.
Data: It is an interesting hypothesis. If I am being affected by these interphasic creatures on an unconscious level, it may also explain my waking dreams, and my subsequent anti-social behavior.
Laforge: What we want to do, Data, is link your neural net into the holodeck and have you activate your dream program, so as you dream we can observe the dream images.
Picard: Perhaps we can learn more about these creatures by interpreting the symbols and images of your dreams.
Data: I see. The concept is similar to the method of directed dreaming.
Picard: Exactly. How soon can you have the link ready?
Laforge: We'd need about an hour to establish all the interface parameters.
Picard: Make it so. In the meantime, Mister Data, I suggest that you should prepare for bed.
Laforge: I think we're ready, Captain. The link is active. The holodeck has been calibrated to Data's neural net.
Picard: Ready, Mister Data?
Data: Yes, sir.
Picard: Normally, I would wish you pleasant dreams, but in this case, bad dreams would be more helpful.
Data: I understand, sir. Initiating dream program. Stand by.
Picard: Let's be very observant. Even the most insignificant image could be a very important symbol.
Laforge: Right.
Picard: Here he comes.
Data: Hello.
Picard: Can we speak to Data directly or would that wake him up?
Laforge: He should be perceiving us as just another part of his dream. Anything we say to him will be taken in that context.
Picard: You know, that sounds like a telephone ringer, but I don't see a receiver.
Data: Cake?
Picard: Oh. Er, thank you. Look at that. Her right shoulder. That is the same place that Data stabbed her.
Laforge: In his waking dream he said that there was a mouth on her shoulder.
Picard: They're both symbols of consumption. Mouth, food. Mister Data, what kind of cake is this?
Data: It is cellular peptide cake.
Worf: With mint frosting.
Laforge: Cellular peptides. That's exactly what the creatures are extracting.
Riker: Will someone answer that damn ringing! Captain, the ringing is getting worse.
Picard: What could the ringing symbolize? A bell? Sound? An old-fashioned way of communicating?
Crusher: Do you want some? It's delicious.
Riker: Will somebody please get that!
Laforge: Yes? It's for you.
Picard: Picard.
Freud: Kill them.
Picard: Kill who?
Freud: Kill them, before it is too late.
Picard: Who is this?
Freud: I am Doctor Sigmund Freud.
Laforge: How does he fit into all this?
Freud: If I were to interpret my own appearance in this dream, I would say I am the symbolic representation of Data's unconscious mind trying to warn him about the dangers he perceives around him.
Picard: You mean the interphasic organisms.
Freud: Of course.
Picard: Tell me, Doctor, how do we kill them?
Freud: Answer it. Nien, nien, nien. Do not be so literal. When I say answer it, I mean respond to it, to them.
Workman: Be quiet!
Picard: What do they represent?
Laforge: I don't know, but I do recognize that junction they're working on. It's the plasma conduit we installled with the new warp core.
Picard: Respond? Respond to them? What does that mean?
Laforge: What is it that you're doing?
Workman: Go away. Leave us alone.
Picard: Who are you?
Workman: We are your enemies.
Data: Stop. You must not hurt my friends.
Workman: Be quiet!
Picard: Data, the shrieking noise you made. It causes them pain.
Workman: Be quiet.
Data: I believe I understand.
Data: Geordi.
Laforge: Yes, Data.
Data: You must adjust my positronic subprocessor to emit an interphasic pulse.
Picard: Data, what's going on?
Data: The workmen in my dreams represent the organisms which are trying to demolish the ship. The incessant ringing of the telephone, Freud's cautions at the other end, were warnings of the dangers around us.
Picard: What about the shrieking noises that you made?
Data: My positronic subprocessor detected high frequency interphasic signatures from the organisms, which were symbolically represented in my dreams by a high shriek.
Picard: When you made those noises, the workmen reacted in pain.
Data: That is why I have asked Geordi to adjust my subprocessor. If I can produce a high frequency interphasic pulse, it may have a similar effect on the creatures.
Laforge: We're ready.
Picard: Picard to Sickbay. Beverly, we're going to be sweeping the ship with a high frequency IP pulse. Will you monitor the creatures for any response?
Crusher: Understood.
Crusher: It's working, Captain.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. The creatures infesting the Enterprise have been completely eliminated. We believe the infestation originated within the warp core we obtained on Starbase eighty four.
Laforge: This conduit was manufactured on Thanatos Seven using a new interphasic fusion process. We think it was that process which attracted the organisms to the conduit where they lay dormant until we activated the warp core. That's also why we couldn't get the core online. The creatures were disrupting the plasma flow.
Picard: How long before we have warp power again?
Laforge: Well, we're going to have to manufacture a new conduit. That's at least six hours work.
Picard: Six hour? The banquet will be completely over by then. That's very unfortunate.
Laforge: I can try and speed things up a bit.
Picard: No, no, no. I wouldn't want to sacrifice the safety of the ship.
Laforge: Understood, sir.
Data: Enter.
Data: Counselor. I did not have a chance to apologize for my actions.
Troi: Data, don't worry about it. Geordi explained everything to me. It wasn't your fault. But somehow I thought turnabout would be fair play, so I made us a little something to snack on.
Data: I wonder, what would Doctor Freud say about the symbolism of devouring oneself?
Troi: Data, sometimes a cake is just a cake.


Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47254.1. A delegation of the Cairn have just come on board. This telepathic species has no concept of spoken language, and is being instructed in its use by an old friend.
Lwaxana: I don't know what they'd have done without me. First, I had to learn how they communicate. It was an absolutely exhausting process.
Picard: It must have been.
Lwaxana: Quite different from Betazed telepathy. We transmit words. With the Cairn, it's images. A flood of them all at the same time. It's overwhelming.
Picard: I can imagine.
Lwaxana: Actually it's a very efficient way of communicating. If two Cairn were having this conversation it would have been over minutes ago.
Picard: Really?
Lwaxana: Of course, they realize that they'll want to communicate verbally if they join the Federation. Do me a favor. Introduce yourself to one of them. Engage him in conversation. They need the practice.
Picard: I'd be happy to.
Laforge: It's called a visor. It enables me to see.
Hedril: Like my vocal enhancer. It helps me make sounds.
Lwaxana: I see you've already met my star pupil. Hedril's picked up spoken language much faster than the others.
Data: It is often the case that children learn languages more easily than adults.
Lwaxana: Deanna was quite good at languages when she was little. Where is Deanna?
Laforge: Well, she must be here somewhere.
Lwaxana: Hedril, darling.
Hedril: What?
Lwaxana: Go find your father, dear. I want to talk to him.
Data: Mrs Troi?
Lwaxana: Yes yes just a little tired. This constant telepathy with the Cairn. I'm fine, really. Aren't you going to mingle, Mister Woof?
Worf: I do not care for telepaths. They make me uneasy.
Lwaxana: Don't worry. The Cairn couldn't read your thoughts even if they wanted to. Your brain isn't sophisticated enough. Neither is yours, dear. They can only communicate with other telepaths. Have either of you seen Deanna?
Riker: She was working, but she said she would be Speak of the devil.
Troi: Sorry I'm late. I lost track of the time.
Lwaxana: Deanna, dear, come with me. I want you to meet the senior diplomat of the Cairn delegation. Maques, this is the beautiful daughter I've been telling you about. Deanna.
Maques: Pleased to. Hello.
Troi: Hello. Pleased to meet you.
Maques: Oh, yes, that is it. Pleased to meet you, Deanna.
Lwaxana: Good. Well, I'll just let you young people chat.
Troi: Well, Maques, what do you think of the Enterprise?
Maques: It is beautiful. Comfortable, also.
Troi: I'm glad you think so.
Maques: There is another word that describes it. But I cannot remember.
Troi: You've learned a great deal in a very short time. I'm sure it won't be long before your words do justice to your thoughts.
Maques: Your mother told me of your need.
Troi: Need?
Maques: A moment. Husband. You need a husband. I need a wife.
Lwaxana: Deanna! Good morning. So what did you think of Maques?
Troi: Why did you do that, Mother? You embarrassed both of us.
Lwaxana: He's really very sweet. And lonely. Poor man. A widower, raising a child alone.
Troi: Mother, don't start.
Lwaxana: I just think it's time for you to settle down. If your father were still alive, I'm sure he'd say the same thing.
Troi: Deck eight.
Lwaxana: But you'll do exactly what you want. Just like always.
Troi: Mother, stop it.
Troi: Are you coming?
Troi: What's wrong?
Lwaxana: You are so precious to me. You're all I've got. If something happened to you I don't know what I'd do.
Troi: Nothing's going to happen to me.
Lwaxana: You'd better go.
Troi: My first appointment isn't for a few minutes. Why don't we talk for a while?
Lwaxana: No, I'm fine. I'm just tired from working with the Cairn. It's making me emotional.
Troi: Are you sure?
Lwaxana: Go on I'll see you later. Go on.
Troi: Maques.
Maques: I must to apologize for yesterday.
Troi: You don't have to.
Maques: My words, they were confused.
Troi: It wasn't your fault. Please. My mother misled you.
Maques: Not in everything. She has an image of you in her mind. She shared it with me. You are even more beautiful. The way my people communicate, it is direct. Nothing is hidden.
Troi: Yes?
Maques: Your mother is the first to learn our telepathy.
Troi: You mean you've never had telepathy with someone who wasn't Cairn?
Maques: No. To communicate with her is very different.
Troi: In what way?
Maques: Always there is a part of her that. Um. A part of her that is dark.
Troi: Dark?
Maques: A part of her that can not be seen. Do you understand?
Troi: I'm not sure. Have you ask my mother about this?
Maques: She called it. A moment. Privacy.
Troi: Of course. You said among the Cairn, nothing is hidden. We value honesty, but we don't always share everything we're thinking and feeling.
Maques: This is privacy?
Troi: Yes.
Maques: It is normal?
Troi: For us, yes.
Maques: If this is your way, I am relieved.
Troi: It is our way.
Maques: I will leave now.
Troi: I'm glad you stopped by.
Maques: I am glad to have stopped also.
Troi: I was all set for another round of arguing when all of a sudden she just fell apart.
Riker: She's under a lot of stress. She's preparing the Cairn to meet with the Federation Council.
Troi: It's more than that. I'm been sensing very erratic emotions from her. Even the clothes she's wearing are unusual. They're so subdued.
Riker: Maybe you just need to sit and talk with her.
Lwaxana: Commander! Take your hands off her.
Riker: Mrs Troi.
Lwaxana: Don't you Mrs Troi me.
Troi: Mother!
Lwaxana: Why don't you leave her alone? If it weren't for you she'd be married by now.
Troi: That's enough!
Lwaxana: Now I am warning you. Stay away from my daughter!
Troi: You're coming with me.
Lwaxana: I don't know what got into me. Please, tell Will how sorry I am.
Crusher: You're fine, but your psilosynine levels are a little low.
Lwaxana: Psilo-what?
Troi: It's a neurotransmitter involved in telepathy.
Crusher: It's been depleted by your work with the Cairn. You're going to have to try to avoid telepathic communication for a while.
Lwaxana: I can't.
Crusher: Why?
Lwaxana: We only have three days left and the Cairn have so much to learn.
Crusher: Lwaxana, I'm sorry, but you're going to have to take some time and rest.
Troi: Maybe I can help with the Cairn.
Lwaxana: No, you're only half Betazoid, dear. And you have no experience with their form of telepathy.
Troi: Then I won't use telepathy. We'll work verbally.
Lwaxana: I suppose we could do that. And if they don't understand something I'll explain it to them telepathically.
Troi: No, you'll work verbally too. The point is for you to get some rest, mother. Besides, it'll do them good to have to figure things out with words.
Lwaxana: I suppose you're right.
Troi: This is the ship's arboretum.
Hedril: Arbor means tree.
Troi: Very good, Hedril. This is where people come to relax, enjoy themselves in a natural setting.
Troi: Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose. It's an old earth poem by John Milton.
Maques: Please, what is a poem?
Troi: Poetry is an art form that uses words, put together in new and unexpected ways, sometimes in rhyme. Milton was speculating that in Heaven, roses wouldn't have thorns.
Hedril: Heaven?
Troi: Oh. Er, Heaven is. Well, it's, how can I put it?
Maques: Yes, I see. Thank you. Heaven.
Troi: Mother, you're supposed to be avoiding telepathy.
Lwaxana: I'm only trying to help, dear.
Troi: You don't look well.
Lwaxana: I'm just tired. Maybe I'll sit down.
Troi: Don't worry she'll be fine. This is something I think you'll find interesting. It's a jewel plant from Folnar Three. The plant secretes a resin which is collected within the blossom. By the time the bloom has faded, the resin has hardened into a rare and beautiful gem.
Troi: Mother!
Troi: Mother? Troi to Sickbay. Medical emergency in the arboretum.
Crusher: She's not responding to cortical stimulation. I'm not sure what else I can do.
Troi: I don't understand. She was fine just yesterday.
Crusher: It's so strange. It's almost as if her brain has shut itself down.
Picard: Is there a physiological cause?
Crusher: I'm running a subneural scan. As far as I can see there's no tissue damage, no neurochemical imbalance, no sign of infection, nothing.
Picard: Yet her neural activity is practically non-existent.
Crusher: The only exception is in the paracortex. Activity there is almost off the scale.
Troi: The paracortex is the Betazoid telepathic lobe. She communicated with Maques telepathically just before she fell.
Picard: Might there be some side effect of Cairn telepathy of which we're unaware?
Crusher: It's a possibility.
Picard: I think it's time that you and I had a talk with Maques.
Maques: I am very apologetic for what has happened to your mother.
Picard: Maques, is it possible that your telepathic communications with Mrs Troi harmed her in some way?
Maques: No. I tried to explain before. Bad thoughts, they hurt her.
Troi: What thoughts? Take your time.
Maques: Inside her, the dark place.
Troi: I don't understand.
Maques: She is, what are the words? I don't have the words.
Picard: Counselor? Stop it!
Troi: It's all right. I'm fine. He was just trying to communicate with me telepathically.
Maques: Do you understand now?
Troi: I'm not sure.
Troi: He communicated so much to me that at first it was just a jumble of images.
Crusher: Have you been able to sort any of it out?
Troi: I think so. During his telepathic contact with my mother, Maques sensed what he calls a dark place. He tried to tell me about it before, in my office, and I misunderstood. I thought he was talking about thoughts my mother was keeping private, but what he meant was that there was something happening in her met conscious mind.
Crusher: Metaconscious?
Troi: It's a part of the Betazoid psyche. It's a kind of filtering mechanism that protects us from psychic trauma.
Picard: Is Maques suggesting that your mother's metaconscious has been somehow damaged?
Troi: He feels that whatever is wrong with her is centerd there. If he's right it may mean that she's suffered some kind of trauma that her metaconscious just can't tolerate.
Crusher: Has your mother mentioned anything that happened to her lately, something that might have been traumatic for her?
Troi: No. Nothing.
Crusher: Maques could be wrong about this. There's still a chance that a subneural scan might be able to pinpoint an physiological cause for your mother's condition, something that I might be able to treat. The results won't be in until morning. Maybe we should all try and get some rest.
Troi: I'd like to stay here with her. I'm going to try to contact her telepathically.
Crusher: All right.
Troi: Mother can you hear me? Please come back to me. Please.
Lwaxana: Help me.
Troi: Mother?
Lwaxana: Help me.
Troi: How? How can I help you?
Troi: Tell me, mother. Please.
Troi: Computer, lights!
Troi: What are you doing?
Picard: Maques, what were you doing in Sickbay?
Maques: Helping. Trying to help Lwaxana.
Troi: How? What were you trying to do?
Maques: I was. She was. You, Deanna. Maybe you.
Troi: Yes?
Maques: You must. How can I explain
Troi: Tell me telepathically.
Troi: Maques believes my mother's psyche has collapsed in on itself. That for some reason, she has retreated into her metaconscious mind.
Picard: Was he trying to contact her telepathically?
Troi: Yes. He was able to access images being generated by her metaconscious, but he couldn't make any sense of them.
Maques: I did not understand.
Troi: He saw faces he didn't recognize, events he couldn't interpret.
Crusher: If we could decipher these images, we might be able to determine whether or not your mother's condition was induced by a traumatic event.
Troi: Maques feels he can provide a telepathic bridge that will allow me to access my mother's metaconscious. If he can, I might be able to find out what happened to her.
Picard: And if you succeed, can you use that information to help your mother?
Troi: I'm not sure. But I do know that there's a part of her that wants to be helped. When I tried to contact her telepathically, I heard a voice calling out to me.
Picard: If her psyche has collapsed in on itself, could accessing her mind pose any danger to you?
Troi: There's no way to know. I'd like to try.
Crusher: I'll be monitoring her throughout the entire procedure. If anything goes wrong, Maques can break the telepathic link.
Maques: Your mother. Part of her is very frightened. She may resist you.
Troi: I understand.
Lwaxana: Help me.
Troi: Mother?
Lwaxana: Help me.
Picard: Counselor? Can you hear me?
Troi: Captain?
Picard: Deanna, Doctor Crusher's become concerned that your paracortical readings have become erratic.
Troi: Are you talking to me from Sickbay?
Picard: Yes. I want you to sever your connection to your mother.
Troi: Why don't you ask Maques to do it?
Picard: I'm asking you. That is an order, Counselor.
Troi: You're not Captain Picard.
Picard: Leave me alone, please.
Troi: This isn't real. None of this is real.
Ian: Deanna.
Troi: Daddy?
Ian: Look at you. You've become a beautiful woman
Troi: Don't do this.
Ian: I'm sorry I had to go away when you were so little. I didn't want to.
Troi: You're not my father. You're part of my mother's mind. What is this place?
Ian: This is our house near Lake El'nar on Betazed. We used to live here. Deanna, let's not waste this chance. I want to hear everything about you.
Troi: Did I live here?
Ian: For a while when you were a baby. You were such a beautiful baby. Your mother and I loved you so much.
Troi: I don't remember these toys.
Ian: I bet you don't remember me singing you to sleep at night either, but I did.
Troi: I do remember. I always felt safe when you sang to me.
Ian: There was one song you always asked me to sing. You couldn't fall asleep unless you heard it.
Troi: Down in the valley.
Ian: Yes. Down in the valley, valley so low. Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.
Troi: No, you're just trying to keep me here. Keep me from finding something.
Ian: Your mother doesn't want to see you, Deanna.
Troi: I have to help her.
Ian: If you want to help her, leave. Let her have peace.
Troi: She called out to me. She does want me to help.
Ian: Stay with me, just a little while. Deanna, it's been so long. We'll never have this chance again.
Troi: Goodbye, Daddy.
Troi: Hedril.
Troi: Mother.
Lwaxana: Get away from her!
Troi: No!
Troi: Hedril, I asked your father to bring you here because I wanted to talk to you about something. You know that Lwaxana's sick, don't you?
Hedril: Yes. Is it my fault?
Troi: No, not at all. But I believe that she's been thinking about you. Do you know why?
Hedril: I make her sad.
Troi: Why do you say that?
Hedril: Because it's true.
Troi: Do you have any idea why Hedril would make my mother sad?
Maques: No.
Troi: Well, thank you for coming to talk to us. I'll see you later, all right?
Hedril: Counselor, I hope your mother gets better.
Troi: Thank you, Hedril. So do I.
Troi: I just don't understand how she fits in to all this.
Crusher: And I haven't found a physiological cause for what's happened to your mother, which makes me feel that Maques was right when he said that your mother's condition was precipitated by a traumatic event.
Picard: Could this event have involved Hedril?
Troi: I don't think so. My mother never mentioned her.
Crusher: Does your mother keep personal logs or a journal?
Troi: Yes, she does. I'll contact Mister Homn on Betazed and ask him to transmit a copy as soon as possible. There may be some clues there.
Data: Perhaps we are being too literal. I have recently learned in my study of dream analysis that people who appear in a dream can sometimes represent different aspects of the person who is dreaming.
Troi: That's right. A child might represent vulnerability. Hedril may depict some fragile part of my mother.
Picard: A part that she's protecting. You said that everything you encountered when you were in her mind was a barrier of one kind or another.
Troi: Yes. You, the wolf, my father. It was though she were summoning all her defenses to keep me away. But keep me away from what? What is she protecting?
Troi: Come in.
Picard: Counselor.
Troi: Hello, Captain.
Picard: I've just come from Sickbay. Doctor Crusher feels that your mother's condition is worsening. Her neural foundations are getting weaker. Have you had any luck here?
Troi: No, nothing. I've gone through all her belongings, read her journal from the last five years, and other than the fact that I'm not married yet, nothing bad seems to have happened to her.
Picard: Is this your Father?
Troi: Yes.
Picard: He had a kind face.
Troi: I remember when he died, my mother had to go through all his things and pack them away. I was seven. I remember thinking how mad he'd be when he came home and saw what she'd done. I didn't understand he wasn't coming back.
Picard: Deanna, your mother might still come out of this.
Troi: If we can't figure out what's wrong with her, Captain, I don't think she will. But I don't know what else to do. I've talked with Mister Homn, who's known her for years. I've checked her medical records. I've made enquiries to the government on Betazed, I've contacted her closest friends. If she's been through some kind of psychic trauma, there's just no evidence of it.
Picard: You said you'd reviewed her journals for the past five years. Maybe we should go further back.
Troi: That's a lot to review. My mother's kept a journal since before she was married.
Picard: Then let's start at the beginning. The first entry seems to be stardate 30620.1.
Troi: That's the year they were married.
Picard: That's odd. There's a seven year gap.
Troi: It starts about a year after the wedding.
Picard: And if I'm not mistaken, it ends a few months after your birth.
Troi: My mother's so diligent about her journal. why would she have stopped making entries for so long?
Picard: She didn't. The files were deleted, by your mother, almost thirty years ago.
Troi: I don't understand any of this. Captain, I have to go back inside my mother's mind. It's the only way we're ever going to get any answers.
Crusher: Thank you. Deanna, you understand that if your paracortical readings go too high again, I'm going to tell Maques to sever the connection.
Troi: I know.
Troi: Hedril, be careful.
Hedril: Who is Hedril?
Troi: Wait! I want to talk to you.
Lwaxana: Help me. Help me!
Lwaxana: Go.
Troi: Mother?
Lwaxana: Go away.
Troi: No. I want to help you. Why did you delete parts of your journal? Did something happen to you you don't want me to know about?
Lwaxana: Leave me alone, please.
Troi: Who's Hedril, mother? Why is she here? Is Hedril me when I was a little girl?
Lwaxana: No! Oh, no, I'd never let anything happen to you. Never.
Troi: Did you let something happen to someone? Was it here at El'nar?
Lwaxana: You were just a baby.
Troi: Tell me. Whatever it is. we can face it together.
Lwaxana: I can't. I can't.
Troi: You can. We can.
Hedril: Help me. Help me, papa.
Lwaxana: Please don't make me go through this again.
Ian: Hold on to him. Don't let him run off.
Hedril: I won't. Mommy, can we go play by the water?
Lwaxana: No, Kestra, stay here with us.
Hedril: Please?
Lwaxana: Kestra. Oh, Kestra, you've made the baby cry.
Troi: Kestra?
Lwaxana: Don't cry, Deanna. Don't cry, mommy's here.
Hedril: Mommy, please?
Ian: No, Kestra. We're going to eat in just a few minutes.
Lwaxana: What's wrong, what's wrong, little one? Tell mommy what's wrong. Ian, she's teething, Now where's her ring?
Lwaxana: No, no. I don't want to see this again. I can't.
Troi: What happened, Mother. What happened next?
Lwaxana: I don't remember.
Troi: You have to. You can't hold it back. It's killing you.
Lwaxana: The dog got away. She ran after him. We didn't notice.
Lwaxana: Why? Why did I look away? Why wasn't I paying attention?
Troi: You have to forgive yourself, Mother. You have to let go.
Lwaxana: How can I? I let her die.
Troi: It was a terrible tragedy. The worst thing that can happen to any parent. I know you feel responsible but it was an accident. And what you're doing isn't fair to Kestra.
Troi: I saw a little girl who was sweet and happy. She must have brought a great deal of joy to your lives.
Lwaxana: She woke up every morning with a smile.
Troi: Isn't it better to remember her like that? I just found out I had a sister I never knew. I'd like to learn what was good and joyous about her. To celebrate her life, not mourn it.
Lwaxana: How? How can I do that?
Troi: Kestra was here a few moments ago. Talk to her.
Lwaxana: No. No.
Troi: Do it, mother. Tell her how you feel. I'll be here with you. I'll help you.
Kestra: Mommy.
Lwaxana: Kestra. Oh, Kestra. My precious one. I'm so sorry.
Kestra: I have to go now.
Lwaxana: I know. I know.
Lwaxana: I remember the day I took this.
Troi: Mister Homn said he saved it in case someday you wanted to remember her.
Lwaxana: I wish you could have known her, Deanna. I wish you two could have grown up together.
Troi: Tell me about her. I want to know everything.


Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47304.2. The Enterprise has arrived at Kesprytt Three in order to evaluate an unusual request on the part of the Kes for associate membership in the Federation.
Crusher: This morning she was fifteen minutes late. That's the third time this week. Jean-Luc, you don't have the slightest idea what I'm talking about, do you.
Picard: No. I'm really sorry. I don't.
Crusher: I've been telling you about Nurse Ogawa and Ensign Markson for the last fifteen minutes.
Picard: You have? I'm really sorry.
Crusher: Are you worried about this mission with the Kes?
Picard: Not worried exactly. This notion of admitting half of their planet to the Federation while leaving the other half out.
Crusher: First of all, the Kes are not half the planet, they're nearly three quarters of it. And the Prytt are not being left out. They themselves simply don't want to have contact with anyone from the outside. not the Federation or anyone else.
Picard: Every member of the Federation entered as a unified world, and that unity said something about them. That they had resolved certain social and political differences and they were now ready to become part of a larger community.
Crusher: By all indications, the Kes are a very unified, very progressive people.
Picard: But the Prytt are not. They are reclusive to the point of xenophobia.
Crusher: Well, think about Earth. What if one of the old nation states, say Australia, had decided not to join the World Government in twenty one fifty? Would that have disqualified us as a Federation member?
Picard: That analogy is not exactly
Riker: Riker to Captain.
Picard: Go ahead, Number One.
Riker: We've received word from Ambassador Mauric. He's ready to see you and Doctor Crusher.
Picard: Inform him we're on our way. Thank you for breakfast.
Crusher: Wait until tomorrow. I have something very special planned. It's a Vulcan dish. That's all I'll say.
Worf: Captain. Doctor. I have the coordinates of Ambassador Mauric's chambers.
Picard: Let's not keep them waiting, Mister Worf.
Worf: Enterprise to Kes Security Relay Station One. We're ready to commence transport.
Kes: Acknowledged, Enterprise. We have lowered our defense shield.
Worf: Confirmed.
Picard: Energize.
Kes: This is Security Relay Station One. We are ready to receive your Captain and Medical Officer.
Worf: This is the Enterprise. We have completed the transport sequence. You should have them.
Kes: Negative, Enterprise. They are not here.
Picard: Beverly. Beverly.
Crusher: What happened?
Picard: I don't know.
Crusher: The last thing I remember we were beginning to transport.
Picard: I would assume we must be on Kesprytt. We're in some kind of prison cell. The question is, why? I can't imagine that Ambassador Mauric would have any reason to detain us.
Crusher: Jean-Luc.
Picard: What is it?
Crusher: Let me see.
Picard: What?
Crusher: It looks like an implant. It seems to be connected directly to the brainstem.
Picard: Some kind of coercive device?
Crusher: Whatever it is I doubt it's designed for our health.
Picard: What is going on here?
Crusher: If you tell us why you've taken us hostage, we might be able to
Lorin: You are not hostages. You are prisoners.
Picard: Prisoners on whose authority?
Lorin: You are being held under the authority of the Prytt Security Ministry. The charges are conspiring with the enemy.
Picard: Enemy? You mean the Kes.
Lorin: We're not fools. We are aware of the Federation attempt to establish a military alliance with the Kes. It will not be tolerated.
Picard: Your information is incorrect. We have no plans to enter into any
Lorin: There is no point in trying to mislead us, Captain. The devices which have been implanted in your cerebral cortexes will soon be calibrated to your psi-wave pattern. At that time, we will be able to get all the information we need.
Picard: And then you'll discover that we're telling the truth.
Lorin: We shall see.
Data: There is nothing wrong with the transporter. I have run a complete diagnostic of all the targeting components.
Riker: Then what happened to the Captain and Doctor Crusher?
Worf: Commander. The Transporter sensor log shows an unusual concentration of antigraviton particles in the emitter coil.
Data: A concentration of antigraviton particles suggests a tractor beam. It might have deflected the transporter beam to a different set of coordinates.
Riker: Is there a way to locate those coordinates?
Data: The tractor beam originated somewhere in the Prytt Alliance.
Worf: Why does the Prytt want Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher?
Riker: I don't know. And it's not going to be easy to find out. The Prytt have consistently refused all outside contact. We're going to have to work through the Kes. Contact Ambassador Mauric. Tell him I want a meeting right now.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Picard: What?
Crusher: What?
Picard: You're staring at me.
Crusher: I was just thinking about how to get out of here.
Picard: There may be a structural flaw that would allow us to escape.
Crusher: Right.
Picard: Beverly, the important thing during any confinement is to think positively and not give up hope. There is a way out of every box, there is a solution to every puzzle. It's just a matter of finding it.
Picard: Damn.
Crusher: Well, at least this means we won't starve to death.
Picard: It means they plan on keeping us here for a while.
Crusher: I'm beginning to think negatively, Jean-Luc.
Crusher: My tricorder!
Picard: Does it work?
Crusher: Yes. Except something's been added to the main directory.
Picard: It's a map.
Crusher: An escape route. That guard must be working for the Kes.
Picard: Possibly. Or it could be part of a very carefully laid trap.
Crusher: If you ask me, I'd like to take my chances out there.
Picard: Agreed. Is there a way to open the cell door?
Crusher: Yes, the code's been entered.
Mauric: Commander, on behalf of my government, I would like to take this opportunity to present my profound apologies regarding this unfortunate incident.
Riker: That's very kind, Ambassador. But I don't think anyone here holds you or the Kes government responsible for what's happened.
Troi: Our primary concern is not to assign blame, but to recover our missing officers.
Mauric: I agree. We are prepared to insert a hostage rescue team into the Prytt capital city on three hours notice.
Riker: Ambassador, we have not even attempted a diplomatic effort yet. I would rather not use force until we've exhausted all other options.
Mauric: I don't believe there is any diplomatic option, Commander. We have no formal relations with the Prytt. No ambassadors. There's simply no way to contact them.
Troi: Surely you must have some means of communication in case of a planetary emergency.
Mauric: We have never had need of such a system.
Worf: We can determine their communications frequencies and establish a link.
Mauric: Allow me to be blunt. The Prytt are a fanatical, xenophobic people, with little regard for civilized discourse. Even if you do establish communications link with them, it will be a complete waste of time.
Troi: How long has it been since your last diplomatic contact?
Mauric: Almost a century.
Troi: Then it's possible they may have changed over the years.
Mauric: We have had other less formal contacts with the Prytt. Contacts we cannot discuss. But I can assure you, they have changed very little.
Riker: With all due respect, Ambassador, I think I should try to communicate with the Prytt before I sanction the use of force.
Mauric: Of course, Commander. In the meantime, I will continue making preparations for a rescue attempt.
Riker: Agreed.
Mauric: I do have one request. We believe that the Prytt obtained their information about the transport of your captain and doctor through a breach in our communications network. If I could set up a base of operations here on the Enterprise, I'd feel much more secure.
Riker: Mister Worf will help you.
Mauric: Thank you, Lieutenant.
Mauric: You first.
Worf: Is there a problem, Ambassador?
Mauric: Probably not. Simply securing the area.
Worf: I can assure you there is no need.
Mauric: I'm sure you're right. Yes, this will do very nicely.
Worf: As Security Chief of the Enterprise, I would be glad to assist you in any way possible.
Mauric: There's no need. We'll take care of everything. Thank you, Lieutenant.
Picard: There must be a lava flow or a underground hot spring somewhere near here.
Crusher: It's a lava flow. It's about thirty meters below us. It says we should go this way. I smell gas.
Crusher: This whole chamber is filled with pockets of a methanogenic compound.
Picard: Can we get through it?
Crusher: I think so.
Picard: What did you say?
Crusher: I didn't say anything. There might be a fairly regular pattern to these eruptions. We should be able to navigate out way through them if we're careful.
Picard: Say when.
Crusher: Now.
Picard: The eruptions have stopped.
Crusher: The gas is building up!
Data: I have scanned the entire Prytt communications system. This appears to be the primary access module for the central government.
Riker: Can you determine which of the comm. links is connected to the Prime Minister's office?
Data: I believe so, sir. However, the Prytt have no link designed for extraterritorial communication. Our hail may come as a quite surprise to them.
Riker: Well, they're going to have to adjust. Open a channel.
Prytt: This is Prime Minister Horath's headquarters. How can I be of service?
Riker: This is Commander William T. Riker, Federation starship Enterprise. I know this may seem an unusual way
Prytt: The Enterprise? You mean the ship in orbit?
Riker: That's right.
Prytt: Why are you on this comm. link?
Riker: We're having trouble contacting your government directly. We had to start somewhere. If you would let me talk to your
Prytt: Did you get authorisation for this communication from the Security Ministry?
Riker: As I said, we're having trouble contacting you
Prytt: I cannot participate in an unauthorized communication. This transmission is terminated.
Riker: Not very friendly, are they?
Data: No, sir.
Worf: Sir, we are being hailed. It is the Prytt Security Council.
Riker: Well, it looks like we got someone's attention. On screen.
Lorin: Enterprise, this is Security Minister Lorin. You will immediately cease all attempts at communication with our people.
Riker: Minister, we've been attempting to contact someone in your government. It appears that you have detained two of our officers. We would like to discuss the situation.
Lorin: There is nothing to discuss. If you do not terminate these transmissions, we will be forced to take aggressive action against your ship.
Worf: Their weapon systems pose no threat to the Enterprise.
Riker: Just the same, let's keep the shields up for the time being.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Mauric: Is there a problem, Commander?
Riker: Our efforts with the Prytt just ran into a wall.
Mauric: I'm sorry. But perhaps this will brighten your spirits. We have freed your Captain and doctor.
Riker: What?
Mauric: They were being held in prison just outside the Prytt capital. One of our operatives was able to arrange their escape.
Worf: Where are they now?
Mauric: Well, they should be en route to the Kes border. Our operative provided them with a detailed map and instructions on where to go.
Riker: How will you get them across the border?
Mauric: At the moment, that information is confidential, but trust us, we do have a plan.
Riker: Ambassador, I'm afraid I must insist that you provide us with more information.
Mauric: I understand your concern, of course, but I would feel more comfortable discussing these operational details in a less public environment.
Riker: Certainly. We can step into the Ready room.
Mauric: I would prefer the quarters you provided me. They're safer.
Riker: All right.
Picard: There's no way out of here.
Crusher: Maybe we took a wrong turn.
Crusher: So am I.
Picard: What?
Crusher: I'm thirsty too.
Picard: I didn't say anything about being thirsty.
Crusher: I heard you. You said, I'm very thirsty.
Picard: I was thinking about it, but I didn't say anything.
Crusher: You were thinking it?
Picard: The transceivers. Lorin said that they would align themselves to our psi-wave patterns.
Crusher: The implants must be transmitting our thoughts. What am I thinking?
Picard: I don't know.
Crusher: I can't hear your thoughts, either. Maybe it was a fluke.
Picard: Well, right now we have more immediate concerns. Does your map show us a way out of here?
Crusher: Yes, we need to go up.
Crusher: There's a ledge about thirty meters up. That should lead to another tunnel that connects up to the surface.
Picard: Right.
Picard: I heard that. They were not words exactly. A sudden sense of fear. A sense of fear of heights.
Crusher: So much for that being a fluke.
Picard: It was a strange sensation. Suddenly having these thoughts appear in my mind.
Crusher: If you sensed a fear of heights, you sensed pretty accurately.
Picard: Come on, you've done this before. It's just like on a holodeck. One step at a time, just climbing steadily and slowly.
Crusher: Right.
Riker: I see you've done some redecorating.
Mauric: Just a few pieces of equipment necessary for security reasons. You understand?
Riker: Certainly.
Aide: He is all right.
Riker: How do you plan to get our people out of Prytt territory?
Mauric: You must realize that everything I'm about to say cannot leave this room. For some time, we have had certain friends among the Prytt. Citizens who realize that the long struggle between our two peoples can only end when the Prytt government is made to see reason.
Riker: You've recruited a few Prytt spies.
Mauric: That's a crude, but accurate term. These friends will be waiting for your Captain and Doctor when they reach the village of Ohn Kor near the Kes border. The map we provided your officers will take them to a tavern there.
Riker: Forgive me, Ambassador, but is it wise to send two human fugitives in Starfleet uniforms into a Prytt village?
Mauric: The danger is minimal. Our operatives control almost the whole village. Once contact has been made with Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher, our friends will escort them across the border into Kes.
Riker: I would still feel better if they could rendezvous with your operatives in a less public place.
Mauric: Commander, I assure you we know what we're doing. We've had a great deal of experience dealing with the Prytt. We'd hardly risk the safety of your people. After all, we still hope you will recommend our entrance into the Federation.
Picard: One of us is hungry.
Crusher: That would be me.
Picard: Do you mind thinking of something else. You're making me hungry.
Crusher: What do you want me to think about?
Picard: Something other than a large bowl of vegetable soup.
Crusher: My grandmother used to make it, with peas, carrots and
Picard: Beverly!
Crusher: I'm sorry.
Picard: I am not being unreasonable.
Crusher: I didn't say that you were. I may have thought it, but there's a difference.
Picard: You're right. We can't react to every random thought that crosses the other person's mind. Isn't astonishing, though, how much clutter there is in a consciousness. Odd memories coming to the surface. Bits of half-remembered songs.
Crusher: Stray day dreams, scattered minutiae. I wonder how true telepaths sift through it all. How can they really get to what someone's thinking if the minds keeps churning all this flotsam to the surface? That is not funny.
Picard: I just wanted to see if you were still listening.
Crusher: I think our link is getting stronger.
Picard: Maybe if we put some distance between us, that might weaken it. Not that I'm growing tired of hearing your most intimate thoughts.
Crusher: Certainly not.
Crusher: Jean-Luc.
Picard: What happened?
Crusher: I was suddenly overcome with a wave of nausea.
Picard: Me, too.
Crusher: There's nothing wrong with either of us. Maybe the air is toxic.
Picard: The same thing. But when you moved back toward me it got better. Well, it seems as if we're stuck with each other.
Picard: What is it?
Crusher: I'm not sure whether we should go over this hill or that one. The topography on this map is a little vague.
Picard: Let me see. This way.
Crusher: You don't really know, do you?
Picard: What?
Crusher: I mean, you're acting like you know exactly which way to go, but you're only guessing. Do you do this all the time?
Picard: No, but there are times when it is necessary for a captain to give the appearance of confidence.
Crusher: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist.
Picard: I'm beginning to realize that you seem to always have some acerbic remark on the tip of your tongue.
Crusher: Well at least I've trained myself not to say it anymore. When I was a little girl, my mouth was always landing me in trouble with my parents, my teachers.
Picard: Your friends. There was someone called Tom Norris?
Crusher: That's right. I had one date with him which I brought to an abrupt halt with the words, is that a beard or
Both: Is your face dirty?
Picard: There's something more. You're laughing, but actually you're embarrassed by that incident.
Crusher: Yes. I thought I was being cute but I really hurt him. That was a long time ago. I learned a valuable lesson.
Picard: This sharing of thoughts and feelings is quite compelling.
Crusher: Very. We'd better get going.
Crusher: I don't think so, either. Maybe we can find another way to reach the village.
Picard: No. It's several kilometers to find another way around that ridge. The border is just two kilometers east of here. There's a forcefield protecting it, but we can find some way to deal with that when we get there. Come on.
Aide: All right.
Riker: Is something wrong?
Mauric: Have a seat. Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher didn't show up at the designated rendezvous point.
Riker: Do you know what happened to them?
Mauric: No. We have no idea what happened to them. We find it strange that your officers should follow the escape plan so precisely and then fail to make the crucial rendezvous with our operatives.
Worf: It is possible they have been recaptured.
Mauric: Our sources would have informed us instantly if that had happened. Of course, if they weren't captured, if they simply made a different rendezvous, we might not ever know about it.
Riker: A different rendezvous? I'm not sure I know what you mean.
Mauric: Of course not. How could you know if your Captain and Doctor were meeting secretly with the Prytt? Meeting in order to set up a military alliance with the Federation.
Riker: What?
Mauric: It was a clever scheme. First, you pretend to lose your officers during transport, then you ask us for help and get us to expose several of our undercover operatives in the process. But what you didn't expect was for us to get your people out of prison so quickly. They needed more time. They needed more time to plot the destruction of the Kes with their new Prytt friends.
Riker: This is ridiculous. You're beginning to see conspiracies everywhere. We were invited here by the Kes. Why would we ally ourselves with the Prytt?
Mauric: Indeed, why?
Riker: You can believe what you like. We're going to find our people with or without your help.
Mauric: Then I believe it's time for us to be leaving the Enterprise.
Riker: Fine. Make sure you take all this junk with you.
Picard: No luck?
Crusher: I'm beginning to think there's not a single thing on this planet we can eat.
Picard: Well, by this time tomorrow we could be back on the Enterprise and you can plant yourself in front of a replicator with a knife and fork.
Crusher: Remember that Vulcan dish I promised you for breakfast? I was just. You hate having breakfast with me.
Picard: That's not true.
Crusher: Yes, it is. When I said breakfast, I heard you say, I hate that.
Picard: That's not quite what I meant.
Crusher: Well, then what did you mean?
Picard: It's just that I don't like
Crusher: What I've been choosing for breakfast recently.
Picard: You see, I think that breakfast should be a simple meal and recently you've been ordering these elaborate things.
Crusher: Coffee and croissants, that's all you really want, isn't it? Coffee and croissants. Well why didn't you just say so?
Picard: I didn't think it was important. You don't like those elaborate meals either.
Crusher: No, I usually prefer something simple myself but I thought you might enjoy more variety. Well, I guess it's Coffee and croissants for both of us from now on.
Both: I love firelight.
Picard: There's something about the flame, the smell of the smoke. It's always seemed to me to be intoxicating, somehow.
Crusher: I remember when Jack and I took Wesley on his first camping trip to Balfour Lake. Wesley kept throwing manta leaves in the fire, watching them pop. Jack kept telling him. What? Jean-Luc, I heard you. Don't push it away. When I said Jack and I, I felt this sudden wave of something. I didn't know you felt that way.
Picard: Didn't you?
Crusher: I guess I always knew that there was an attraction between us right from the start, but I never knew how strongly you felt. Why didn't you ever tell me you were in love with me?
Picard: You were married to my best friend. At first I thought it was harmless infatuation. Something hormonal rather than emotional.
Crusher: Then when the months went by and the three of us began spending more time together.
Picard: I realized that it was something else, and it wasn't right. But although I would never act on it, I couldn't help the way I felt.
Crusher: And when Jack died you felt guilty.
Picard: I felt guilty before he died> Having feelings like that for my best friend's wife. And then later, after the accident, I promised myself that I would never tell you know how I felt. It would be like betraying my friend
Crusher: That's why you didn't want me on the Enterprise seven years ago.
Picard: I didn't know how I would react. And then, little by little, I realized that I didn't have those feelings any more. Twenty years is, after all, a long time.
Crusher: And now we're friends.
Picard: Yes, friends.
Crusher: Well, we still have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow. We should get some sleep.
Picard: Right.
Riker: Ambassador, thank you for coming.
Mauric: Commander.
Riker: We're going to clear up this misunderstanding once and for all. Hail Minister Lorin, please.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Lorin: Enterprise, I have warned you about these unauthorized communications.
Riker: Yes, I know, but I think it's about time we all sat down together and tried to work this out. I have Ambassador Mauric here
Lorin: That is your misfortune. We have nothing to say to either of you.
Mauric: Commander, you're working with the Prytt. Putting on this little show for my benefit does neither of us any good.
Riker: We'll see. Mister Worf.
Riker: I believe there's someone waiting for us in the Observation Lounge.
Lorin: I should have known that anyone willing to deal with the Kes would be capable of such an outrage.
Riker: I'm sorry to resort to such drastic measures, Minister, but you left me little choice.
Mauric: Don't pretend the two of you are enemies. It's too late for charades.
Lorin: If that is an attempt to hide your military alliance with the Federation, you needn't bother. I already know far more than you can imagine.
Riker: Let's all just sit down and try to talk about what's happened to Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher.
Lorin: I will not sit at a table with him.
Mauric: No more than I would sit with her.
Riker: All right then, we'll stand. The important thing is that we start talking.
Lorin: I am not authorized to talk with a Kes official.
Riker: All right then, you talk to me. Where are my officers?
Mauric: As if you don't already know.
Crusher: Let's go.
Picard: I'm all right.
Lorin: We are already aware of your plan to use Federation technology to build new attack satellites. You will find that we are prepared for them.
Mauric: That is an interesting but pointless lie. I'd rather discuss your own plans to use Federation aid to stage a takeover of Kolrod Island.
Lorin: We have been over this before. Kolrod clearly belongs to the Prytt who originally
Riker: That's it! I can see that diplomacy is not going to get us anywhere today, and I do not have time for to negotiate. So let's put all of our cards on the table. You're concerned the Kes are going to be admitted to the Federation.
Lorin: Correct.
Riker: As First Officer of the Enterprise I think I can promise you that's not going to happen. The Kes will be denied membership.
Mauric: You have no authority to make that decision. Despite whatever games you played with the Prytt when you arrived, we still plan to take our petition directly to the Federation Council. They'll listen
Riker: They will also listen to the reports of the Captain of the Enterprise and his First Officer. And I can tell you right now the First Officer's report will go something like this. Kesprytt, a deeply troubled world with social, political, and military problems they have yet to resolve. The Kes, while a friendly and democratic people, are driven by suspicion, deviousness, and paranoia. It is the opinion of this officer they are not ready for membership. Now, the matter of our missing officers.
Lorin: They are still charged with spying, Commander. I have heard nothing here which would alter that.
Riker: Then maybe you should consider this. If anything happens to them, Starfleet is going to want a full investigation, which means more starships will be coming to Kesprytt and those ships are going to want answers which puts your country under a very large and very uncomfortable microscope. Remember how unhappy you were when we contacted just one of your people without authorisation? Well, just think of what it'll be like. Ten starships asking questions, contacting hundreds of your people. Massive sensor sweeps. They may even start sending down away teams. All because you wouldn't help me find my missing officers.
Crusher: I think I can use the tricorder to set up a multiphase pulse. That should weaken the field enough to let us through.
Picard: No, no. The modulation frequency is in the upper harmonic range.
Crusher: Right.
Picard: They're coming.
Crusher: I'm working as fast as I can.
Trooper: Minister, we have the human female. The male is standing in Kes territory.
Lorin: Very well. Transmit their coordinates to the Enterprise transporter room.
Trooper: Understood.
Riker: Thank you, Minister. Now, if you'll excuse me.
Riker: Mauric is determined to take his protest to the Federation Council, but I don't think he'll get very far.
Picard: I tend to agree, Number One.
Riker: Did I miss something?
Picard: Of course. Of course. You're absolutely right.
Crusher: That was wonderful.
Picard: My pleasure.
Crusher: Don't get me wrong, Jean-Luc, but I'm glad we're not joined at the hip anymore.
Picard: So, were you getting tired of my company?
Crusher: Just tired of bumping into you every thirty seconds. I was beginning to feel as if you were part of my uniform.
Picard: To freedom.
Crusher: Freedom. Penny for your thoughts?
Picard: I was just thinking that as distracting as it was, I was beginning to get used to hearing your thoughts and I find that I miss it.
Crusher: So do I. It was very intimate. You know, last night I couldn't sleep.
Picard: Oh?
Crusher: I was awake for several hours. And thanks to the implants, I got to hear some very interesting dreams of yours.
Picard: A man can't be held responsible for what his mind does while he's asleep.
Crusher: What about when he's awake?
Picard: So now that we've had this unique experience, what do we do?
Crusher: What do you mean?
Picard: You know exactly what I mean.
Crusher: No, I don't. The implant's been removed, remember?
Picard: Now that we know how each of us feels, perhaps we should not be afraid to explore those feelings.
Crusher: Or perhaps we should be afraid. I think I should be going now.
Crusher: Goodnight.
Picard: Goodnight.