Riker: Geordi, have you found it yet?
Laforge: Not yet. I'm starting to get some fumes. Ammonia, chlorine, potassium chloride.
Laforge: I can feel the heat from here.
Laforge: There it is.
Riker: How far?
Laforge: About ten meters up the ODN line. Boy, it's hot. I'd say over two thousand degrees. I'm going in.
Laforge: We're okay. I've activated the emergency suppression system.
Crusher: All his vital functions are completely normal.
Data: The interface unit is operating within expected parameters.
Riker: Why did he start coughing when he went through the gasses?
Crusher: Psychosomatic response.
Laforge: I feel like I'm actually here. I mean there, in the Jefferies tube. It's funny. When I saw the smoke, I couldn't help but cough.
Data: No one else has reported so complete a sensory experience.
Crusher: The interface is perfect for Geordi because his visor inputs allow the probe to transmit information directly into his cerebral cortex.
Riker: It looks like this is going to work. Geordi, I'd like to get the probe out of the Jefferies tube and onto the launch bay before we reach Marijne Seven.
Laforge: Will do. Wait a minute.
Laforge: Something's wrong. Can't get my left leg to work.
Riker: What is it?
Crusher: The probe is designed to respond to any movement Geordi intends to make. When his brain sends a message to move his leg, the interface should move the probe instead.
Data: Apparently the tactile sensors are too low. I will increase the input.
Laforge: There it goes. I'm on my way down.
Riker: Why the body suit?
Data: It provides tactile sensations so that Geordi can feel he's in the same environment as the probe.
Crusher: Geordi, what's wrong?
Laforge: Nothing. I'm seeing my reflection in a panel.
Laforge: I forgot what a handsome guy I am.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47215.5. We are responding to a distress call from the science vessel Raman, which is apparently trapped inside the turbulent atmosphere of an unusual gas giant planet. We will use an experimental interface probe in our attempt to rescue it.
Data: I have reviewed the vessel's mission plans. The Raman was to descend to the lower atmosphere, eleven thousand kilometers below its current position. The crew was to sample the atmosphere at that level, and then return to a safer orbit.
Laforge: Something must have happened down there. Maybe the shields failed, or they had some kind of inversion reaction in the nacelles.
Picard: Any life signs?
Laforge: Our biosensors are useless. There's too much interference in the atmosphere.
Riker: The crew might still be alive. There's no way we can tell from up here.
Picard: Will the probe be able to transmit through that interference?
Data: The probe sends information via a focused particle beam. It should be able to cut through the interference.
Laforge: But we may have to operate the probe at close to tolerance levels.
Picard: Will your nervous system be able to handle that much sensory input?
Laforge: We've already tested the interface at about seventy percent tolerance.
Riker: We shouldn't have any trouble going higher. The safety override will kick in at about ninety eight percent tolerance, and that'll disengage the interface.
Worf: Captain, I am receiving a transmission from Starfleet Command. Admiral Holt.
Picard: In my ready room. The seven people on that ship are our first priority. Is the probe ready for launch?
Data: Yes, sir.
Picard: Send it directly to the aft section of the Raman through the secondary air lock. That way it should put it just one bulkhead away from the Bridge.
Laforge: I'll interface with the probe as soon as it's ready, take it the rest of the way from there.
Picard: Make it so.
Picard: Hello, Marcus.
Holt: Jean-Luc.
Picard: How's life on DS Three?
Holt: We're hosting this year's palio. The Ferengi have already been accused of trying to bribe the Breen pilot into throwing the race.
Picard: There's nothing unusual about that.
Holt: Nothing at all. I wish I could say I was just calling to catch up on things. Nine days ago, the Hera left here on a routine courier mission. We were in contact with them for five of those days. Then the ship disappeared without a trace.
Picard: The Hera?
Holt: I'm afraid so. The Excelsior and the Noble have been retracing its course for the last seventy two hours. Nothing. I'm going to keep them at it for another seventy two. But to be honest, I don't think another week would make any difference.
Picard: I'll inform Commander La Forge.
Picard: Mister Data, I'd like a word with Commander La Forge.
Data: Aye, sir. I will be on the Bridge.
Picard: Geordi, I've just spoken with Starfleet. The Hera is missing.
Laforge: Missing? My mother?
Picard: Captain La Forge has disappeared along with the rest of her crew.
Silva: I saw your father last week and your sister about ten days before that. I decided I missed my favorite son.
Laforge: Your only son, Ma.
Silva: You're going to have to see the Hera again. We've got a lot of new faces on board, including a Chief Engineer who juices up the nacelles every chance she gets. I think she's the best technician in the fleet. Okay, second best.
Laforge: Come in.
Riker: I'm sorry, I didn't know you were
Laforge: Don't worry about it.
Silva: Maybe you should meet her. We're going to be in the same sector next week. Take a shuttle over and I'll introduce you.
Laforge: My mother's always trying to find me a wife.
Silva: But if you're too busy, I'll see you at your father's birthday party. Remember, if you talk to him it's a surprise.
Laforge: This came in about three weeks ago. I never got back to her.
Riker: Geordi, the probe has entered the planet's atmosphere and I'm ready to take it onto the ship. If you would like to take a couple of days off, I'll run the interface.
Laforge: The interface is calibrated specifically to my visor's inputs. It would take you at least ten hours to convert it, and those crewmen down there can't wait.
Riker: The interface doesn't have to be fully compatible. I could run it right now. I wouldn't have the same control that you have, but it would still work.
Laforge: Forget it. I'm the best person for the job, and there's no reason why we shouldn't proceed as planned.
Riker: The Hera is reason enough.
Laforge: The Hera is missing, that's all. Now until I hear something different, my mother might just as well have taken the crew on an unscheduled holiday. Let's go.
Riker: Captain, the probe is through the airlock and in position aboard the Raman.
Picard: Picard to Commander Data. Report.
Data: We are ready to bring the interface online, sir.
Picard: Proceed.
Data: Activating the remote sensors. Initiating interface now.
Crusher: Vital signs normal. Geordi, how do you feel?
Laforge: Fine.
Data: Do you have visual contact?
Laforge: Not yet.
Laforge: Data, turn up the input sensors. I'm not seeing anything.
Data: Acknowledged.
Laforge: Okay, I can see.
Laforge: But no colors.
Data: Increasing signal strength to seventy five percent of tolerance.
Laforge: Ah, that's better.
Crusher: Your pulse has gone up. Your nervous system probably has to get used to the input levels.
Laforge: I'm excited, that's all, Doctor. This is like being on a roller coaster. Or a first date. I'm all right.
Crusher: I'll be the judge of that. If your heart rate gets too high, we're going to disconnect you.
Laforge: Understood.
Laforge: It's a mess in here. There must be a breach in the hull someplace. I'm picking up atmospheric gasses in the corridor. Methane and ammonia, primarily. That break in the hull might even be on the Bridge itself. I'm heading towards the Bridge. I've found someone.
Data: What is your position?
Laforge: About twelve meters up the main corridor. He's trapped under some conduit from the bulkhead. I can't move it. I'm going to need more power to the tractor beam.
Crusher: Go to eighty percent of tolerance, Data. No higher.
Laforge: He's dead. Data, that door at the end of this corridor. What's it lead to?
Data: A magnetic storage bay.
Laforge: If there was a break in the Bridge, that'd be the safest place to go. Data, give me a phaser burst. Narrow focus, level four intensity.
Laforge: I've found them. They're dead. All of them. There's a fire in here. Argh!
Crusher: Data, disconnect! What happened? Geordi?
Laforge: I don't know. My hands.
Crusher: They're burned.
Picard: How did this happen?
Crusher: There was some kind of energy discharge in the interface suit.
Picard: But shouldn't the safety overrides have prevented that?
Crusher: Yes, but I have a theory why they didn't. The tolerance levels of the interface were set extremely high. I think Geordi's neural response to the input was so strong that it created a feedback loop.
Laforge: The sensors that were transmitting the sensation of heat to my hands must've overloaded.
Picard: The crew of the Raman are dead. I would like to retrieve them and their vessel, but not if it means putting Geordi's safety at risk.
Laforge: If we turn down the sensory input on the probe, I should be fine. Seven people lost their lives down there, Captain. We should at least retrieve the information they were collecting.
Picard: Doctor?
Crusher: If we operate the interface at lower input levels, I'd say the risk is acceptable.
Picard: Picard to Riker.
Riker: Riker here.
Picard: We will proceed with the probe.
Riker: We'll have to take it into the Raman's auxiliary control room. Their Bridge is too badly damaged.
Picard: How long before you have it in position?
Riker: A couple of hours. We have to cut through the bulkhead.
Picard: Acknowledged.
Crusher: Well, it looks like you'll have time to recuperate.
Laforge: Yeah. There's something I've got to do anyway.
Laforge: How are you, Dad?
Dr La Forge: As well as expected, under the circumstances. Are you okay?
Laforge: Yeah.
Dr La Forge: I spoke with your sister this morning. She said she'll be in touch with you in a few days. Right now, she's pretty upset. The service for the Hera will probably be on Vulcan. Most of the crew was from there. But your sister and I want to have a private ceremony.
Laforge: Dad. Don't you think everybody's jumping the gun here? Last I heard there were still two starships out there looking for them. They've found no debris, no residual warp distortion.
Dr La Forge: And no ship.
Laforge: Not yet, but that doesn't mean they won't.
Dr La Forge: Starfleet is considering the Hera lost. The search isn't much more than a formality at this point. Geordi, your mother's gone.
Laforge: Yeah, well you can think that if you want. But until I see some hard evidence, I'm not going to give up hope.
Dr La Forge: All right, Geordi. Call me if you need anything.
Data: Come in.
Laforge: Hey, Data. Still working?
Data: No. I have completed the adjustments on the interface. I am now waiting for Commander Riker to finish moving the probe. Do you need to be comforted?
Laforge: No. I was just passing by. I was wondering what you were up to.
Data: I am using the time to catch up on my study of poetry.
Laforge: Data, there's nothing on the screen.
Data: That is not entirely correct. While it is true the display is currently blank, this emptiness has a poetic meaning. Therefore it cannot be considered nothing as such.
Laforge: Says who?
Data: The ancient Doosodarians. Much of their poetry contained such lacunae or empty spaces. Often these pauses measured several days in length, during which poet and audience were encouraged to fully acknowledge the emptiness of the experience.
Laforge: I remember a few lectures from Starfleet Academy that seemed like that.
Data: Are you certain you do not wish to talk about your mother?
Laforge: Why would you ask that?
Data: You are no doubt feeling emotional distress as a result of her disappearance. While you claim to be just passing by, that is most likely an excuse to start a conversation about this uncomfortable subject. Am I correct?
Laforge: No, Data. Sometimes just passing by means, just passing by.
Data: Then I apologize for my premature assumption. This particular poem has a lacuna of forty seven minutes. You may experience the emptiness with me if you wish.
Laforge: Thanks. You know, Data, maybe you gave up a little too easily.
Data: I do not understand.
Laforge: Well, when I said just passing by means just passing by, I really didn't mean it.
Data: My initial assumption was correct. You do wish to speak of your mother.
Laforge: Am I crazy to think that she's still alive?
Data: Your sanity is not in question. However, your evaluation of the available information is biased.
Laforge: She's a starship captain. She's gotten herself into and out of impossible situations before. Why should this be any different?
Data: Disappearances fitting the profile of the Hera have rarely ended with the safe recovery of ship and crew.
Laforge: Well that makes me feel much better. Look, I'm sorry, Data. I didn't mean to snap at you.
Data: I am not offended. You are upset. Your reactions are not surprising.
Laforge: It's just that, if she really is dead, I don't know what I'm going to do.
Crusher: We're receiving the probe's telemetry.
Data: The input levels are currently at fifty three percent of tolerance.
Laforge: That's too low, Data. I won't be able to do anything down there.
Crusher: I want to start with as wide a margin of safety as possible. We can adjust upward later. Ready?
Laforge: Go ahead.
Data: Initiating interface.
Laforge: I can't see anything.
Data: I am increasing the input now.
Laforge: Yeah. Yeah, that's better, but I need more.
Data: Is this level sufficient? Geordi? Geordi, do you hear me?
Laforge: Mom? Mom, is it you?
Silva: Is it you?
Laforge: Oh, I forgot. All you can see is this probe. Yes, it's me. I'm actually on the Enterprise. I'm interfaced with this probe.
Crusher: Geordi, who are you speaking to? What are you seeing?
Laforge: But is it really you?
Silva: Yes, Geordi. It's mom.
Laforge: But bow can that be? I mean, how is it possible?
Silva: There's no time to explain. We have to go down.
Laforge: Down where?
Silva: The surface.
Crusher: Geordi, report.
Laforge: Hang on, Doctor. Why? Why do we have to go down to the surface?
Silva: We're dying.
Laforge: We? The Hera? You mean the Hera is down there?
Crusher: We're disconnecting you right now.
Laforge: No, wait.
Silva: We need your help. I need your help. Geordi
Laforge: Mom.
Data: The cut off has been automatically activated.
Crusher: He's in neural shock.
Crusher: The sensory overload didn't cause any permanent damage, but I wouldn't want to expose his brain to that kind of stimulus again.
Picard: Is there any indication what caused this hallucination?
Crusher: His brain functions are normal.
Laforge: I told you, I wasn't hallucinating.
Data: Geordi, I have analyzed the probe's sensor logs. There are no record to indicate the presence of a living human on board the Raman.
Laforge: Well she wasn't actually there. Her ship is down on the surface.
Picard: So you believe that what you saw was some kind of transmission?
Laforge: Somehow she has managed to communicate with me.
Data: We have no indication of a transmission of any kind.
Laforge: Maybe I'm the only one who can detect it because I'm interfaced with the probe.
Data: The probe does allow Geordi to sense quantum fluctuations, subspace anomalies, and other phenomenon not perceptible by any other kind of sensors.
Picard: Granted, but how could he perceive his mother visually as if she were standing there in the room?
Crusher: I'm not sure, I do know that our brains weren't designed to process the kind of sensory information Geordi was getting. When the brain receives something it can't understand, it interprets the input as best it can, sometimes as a smell or a sound, sometimes visually.
Laforge: You see?
Crusher: But Geordi, I'm not saying that your mother was really communicating with you. I'm just trying to give you a reason why you might've thought that she was.
Laforge: Look, I'm telling you my mother's ship is trapped down there and we've got to help them.
Picard: Geordi, the Hera's last reported location was three hundred light years away. How could it end up here?
Data: If the Hera is on the surface, its hull could not possibly withstand the pressure of the atmosphere.
Laforge: Well at least let me go back down there just to be sure.
Crusher: I do not recommend that he use the interface again. The sensory overload almost killed you.
Laforge: I'll be all right.
Picard: No, no, I'm sorry, Geordi. I'm not prepared to risk your life. Data, find another way of salvaging the Raman. I want an alternate plan in two hours.
Picard: Geordi, I'd like you to talk to Counselor Troi. She's expecting you.
Laforge: Aye, sir.
Troi: What's your mother like, Geordi?
Laforge: If you think I'm going to start talking about my childhood, Counselor, you're way off.
Troi: That's not what I asked.
Laforge: Well, she's, she's brilliant. Funny. She's incredibly perceptive. She knows people. Knows what they're all about even before they open their mouths. She's always been that way. She's a real good judge of character.
Troi: When was the last time you saw her?
Laforge: About seven months ago, when she first took command of the Hera. I went to a party she had for her crew. She wanted me to come over and see her, but I was really busy at the time. I mean I suppose I could have made the time to go and see her, but, you know, I just didn't think that. I mean, you know, I, I didn't think that
Troi: You didn't think it would be your last chance to see her.
Laforge: That's not what I was going to say.
Troi: I want to suggest something. Call it a theory, all right?
Laforge: All right.
Troi: You're worried about the disappearance of your mother, guilty that you didn't see her when you had the chance, so you're unwilling to consider that she might be dead. Your need to believe she's alive is so strong that it manifests itself as a physical image.
Laforge: But she told me she's trapped on that planet, that she's in danger. Now, if this was some kind of wish fulfilllment, don't you think I'd be fantasizing her safe and sound?
Troi: No. Because that would be the end of your fantasy. You'd know it wasn't true. The more involved and complicated and unending your story is, the longer you can believe your mother's still alive.
Laforge: Yeah, well, that's your theory, Counselor. I've got one of my own.
Data: I have been exploring the possibility of using a tractor beam to pull the Raman from the atmosphere. However, the high level of interference prevents a positive lock.
Riker: If we set up some sort of relay system?
Data: That is my conclusion as well, Commander. Two shuttlecraft, staggered between the Enterprise and the Raman, with their shields adjusted to refocus the tractor beam.
Picard: Can we get the shuttles close enough without danger? Mister La Forge.
Laforge: Sure. Yeah. As long as we keep them both above the troposphere, that'll be all right.
Picard: Then in that case
Laforge: But what about the Hera? We'd be leaving my mother and her crew stranded on the planet.
Picard: Commander.
Laforge: I've been thinking about this. A couple of weeks ago I got a message from my mother. She said she had a new Chief Engineer who had been experimenting with the warp drive. Now, I've seen the Hera. It uses trionic initiators in the warp coil. They have a reputation of strange side effects, especially when you start playing around with them.
Data: There have been reports of warp bubbles and other subspace deformations.
Laforge: So, what if that's what happened? Not a warp bubble, but a subspace funnel.
Riker: Connecting two points through subspace?
Laforge: Well the Hera could have accidentally created a distortion that emptied out right here at Marijne Seven.
Picard: Why here?
Laforge: The Hera passed near this planet just ten days ago. There's an awful lot of subspace disturbance in the atmosphere. The ship could've accidentally picked up some residual traces that directed the funnel right back here.
Riker: So the Hera's in one piece somewhere out there?
Laforge: Maybe it's being surrounded by some kind of warp field, but who knows for how long?
Picard: Mister La Forge, do you have any evidence to support this hypothesis?
Laforge: I did pick up some pretty strange subspace readings when I was interfaced with the probe.
Riker: Geordi, that could have been anything.
Laforge: Yeah, but I talked to her, Commander. She asked me to bring the Raman closer to the planet.
Picard: Mister Data, is any of this possible?
Data: Yes, sir. However, it is highly unlikely.
Picard: How unlikely?
Data: Nearly impossible, sir.
Picard: let's proceed with the shuttle plan.
Laforge: Captain
Picard: Dismissed. Mister La Forge.
Picard: I want you to know that I am not unsympathetic to what you're going through. Your mother's disappearance is tragic, but I cannot risk your safety on the basis of a dubious hypothesis.
Laforge: Captain, if I'm right and there's just one chance in a million that she's alive
Picard: I'm sorry, Geordi. My decision is made.
Laforge: I understand, sir.
Riker: We'll be in position to use the tractor beam in less than an hour.
Laforge: You didn't come all the way down here to tell me that.
Riker: No, I didn't. Geordi, I may have seemed a little harsh about the situation aboard the Raman. I just don't like the idea of one of my best officers putting himself in unnecessary danger.
Laforge: I guess I feel like I should be the one to decide whether it's unnecessary or not.
Riker: My mother died when I was a baby. All I have is pictures, and the stories that my father used to tell me about her. I begged him to tell those stories over and over. When I was five and I went to school, I started to tell my new friends those same stories, pretending that she was alive. Then I started believing that she was alive, that she'd just gone away, that she was coming back. The teacher got wind of this, and she and my father had this talk with me. They told me it was important to accept the fact that my mother was dead and that she wasn't coming back. And all the hoping in the world wouldn't make it so. In my mind, that was the day that my mother actually died. I cried all that night. But after that, it started feeling better.
Laforge: Your mother was dead. There was proof. There was a body, and a funeral. It was a reality.
Riker: Geordi.
Laforge: If I could see a body, if there were wreckage, I could accept it, but my mother has just disappeared. And now, there's a possibility that she is alive. And I'm not going to quit. Not yet.
Data: I suspected you would attempt to operate the interface alone.
Laforge: Did you?
Data: I am familiar enough with your behavior patterns to predict certain decisions.
Laforge: Well I guess you know me pretty well.
Data: You are disobeying the Captain.
Laforge: I can't just sit back and do nothing when I know that my mother might be down on that planet.
Data: I can not allow you to endanger your well-being.
Laforge: Data, if I leave without knowing for sure, then I'll have to live with that for the rest of my life, wondering if I left her to die. I couldn't do that. That's why I've got to do this.
Data: I could have you confined to quarters for the duration of the mission.
Laforge: If that's what you need to do, Data, then do it. Because nothing short of that is going to stop me from trying to save my mother.
Laforge: What are you doing?
Data: I will monitor the interface and attempt to keep you safe. I can not have you confined to quarters for something you have not yet done.
Laforge: You know we could both get in a lot of trouble for this.
Data: There is a high degree of probability that you are correct.
Laforge: Thanks, Data.
Data: However, I do have a request.
Laforge: Yeah? What's that?
Data: I would ask you to consider the possibility that what you see is not real.
Laforge: I will. I promise.
Data: I am establishing the interface.
Laforge: Mom? Mom?
Silva: Hello, Geordi.
Laforge: Mom, how did you get here?
Silva: I'm not really with you, Geordi. I'm on my ship, on the surface. We were pulled into a warp funnel.
Laforge: That's just what I thought. How are we communicating?
Silva: We found a way to send a subspace signal that could cut through the atmospheric interference.
Data: Geordi, are you seeing the image of your mother?
Laforge: Yes, and she's just
Laforge: Confirmed everything I've been saying.
Data: I am reading unusual subspace energy in your vicinity, similar to what the probe sensor recorded the first time you encountered your mother.
Laforge: That's how she's communicating with me. It's the only kind of signal they could send that could cut through the interference.
Silva: We need your help.
Laforge: I've been thinking about this. I'm going to take the Raman into a low stationary orbit and initiate an inverse warp cascade.
Silva: Why?
Laforge: The subspace distortion from the cascade should reverse the warp funnel. Your ship will end up right back where it started.
Data: Geordi, the atmosphere becomes increasingly turbulent the farther down you go. You may not be able to bring the Raman close enough to the Hera before being destroyed.
Laforge: I have to try, Data.
Silva: We're running out of time.
Laforge: Shields back online. We're starting our descent. Thank God.
Silva: Thank God?
Laforge: That you're alive. That I was right about all of this. I can't wait to call Dad. He and Ariana had given up.
Silva: We're going home.
Laforge: Well, eventually, yeah. Data, everything's fading in and out.
Laforge: I'm losing the interface.
Data: The probe is descending out of range.
Laforge: You'll have to turn up the input gain to maintain my connection.
Data: We are already at seventy five percent of tolerance.
Laforge: Data, you can turn it all the way up to a hundred if you increase it slowly enough. Give my nervous system chance to adjust.
Data: That is theoretically true, but even at this level of input you are already experiencing dangerous neural feedback.
Laforge: There are over three hundred people on board the Hera, Data. You and I are the only chance they've got.
Data: I will increase the gain incrementally as you descend.
Laforge: It's working.
Data: When we are ready to disconnect the interface, we must allow enough time to lower the input levels, otherwise your nervous system will go into shock from the sudden drop in input.
Laforge: Once I initiate the warp cascade we can start dropping the gain.
Data: Understood.
Laforge: We'll be in sensor range of the Hera within a few minutes. Mom, I'm really sorry I didn't by to see you a few weeks ago.
Silva: You were too busy with work.
Laforge: Yeah, well, I'm sorry. It won't happen again.
Worf: Captain, the Raman is descending toward the planet.
Riker: Geordi.
Data: We are at ninety percent of tolerance. My calculations show you will reach one hundred percent of tolerance before you are in range of the Hera.
Laforge: Then we're going to have to go beyond tolerance.
Data: That would not be advisable. You must cease your descent.
Silva: No, Geordi, don't, please.
Laforge: Data, I'm taking this ship down. Now, if you don't boost the gain past tolerance levels, I'll lose the interface when we go out of range and my system will go into shock.
Data: Geordi, you are putting me in a difficult position. Please, cease your descent.
Laforge: I won't do it, Data. You're going to have to increase the tolerance.
Data: Disengaging safety systems. Going to full tolerance levels, now.
Laforge: Thank you, Data.
Laforge: We're getting close.
Silva: Thank God.
Picard: Commander La Forge.
Laforge: Yes, Captain?
Picard: Stop your descent. Prepare to disengage the interface.
Laforge: Sorry, Captain, but I can't do that.
Picard: Damn it, Geordi, you're going to kill yourself.
Laforge: If I come back now, my mother and her entire crew will die.
Laforge: I'm scanning for your ship. I'm not getting anything.
Silva: We're still too far away.
Laforge: No, not really. I should be picking something up by now. I'm not finding anything. There's no warp funnel, no ship. There's nothing there.
Picard: Doctor, report.
Crusher: His neural synapses are overloading. He can't survive this.
Picard: Geordi, what's happening to you?
Laforge: Reverse tractor beam.
Data: Reversing tractor beam.
Laforge: What are you?
Silva: You're killing us. We must go down.
Picard: Geordi?
Picard: What's happening? Report.
Laforge: You're, you're trapped?
Picard: Is there any way that we can disconnect him?
Crusher: If we take him off too abruptly, he'll go into neural shock.
Laforge: Caught on the ship?
Picard: Reduce the input gradually, and still get him out before it's too late.
Laforge: Are you saying that you killed the Raman's crew?
Data: Perhaps we could deceive his neural receptors.
Picard: Deceive them?
Data: By feeding them the sensory information recorded from his earlier experiences with the probe.
Crusher: We could disconnect the interface and still maintain the input levels.
Data: We could then lower them in a controlled manner.
Laforge: What do you want?
Picard: Like a decompression tank? Let's try it.
Laforge: Then, it was an accident? Captain, I have to take the ship into the lower atmosphere.
Picard: Explain.
Laforge: As I understand it, when the Raman got close to the planet it accidentally picked up some lifeforms that live in the lower atmosphere.
Laforge: Subspace beings of some kind. Intelligent. When the ship went back into a higher orbit, the beings were trapped.
Picard: How do you know all this?
Laforge: One of them can communicate with me.
Laforge: It must have read my thoughts through the probe interface and took the form of my mother to try to talk me into taking the ship closer to the surface.
Picard: Are these beings
Picard: Responsible for the death of the Raman's crew?
Laforge: Yes, but I don't think it was on purpose. They probably tried communicating with them the same way they're communicating with me, by directly accessing their thoughts. It must've been fatal to the crew. I guess the interface is what protected me.
Laforge: I have to take them back, Captain. They can't survive so far up in the atmosphere. I'll turn the ship around and come back as soon as I'm
Picard: Geordi, what's happening?
Laforge: The atmosphere is getting more turbulent. It's overloading the systems.
Laforge: I'm having difficulty keeping the shields up.
Silva: Geordi. We're safe now. Goodbye.
Laforge: I'm losing power.
Laforge: Total shield failure in eight seconds.
Picard: Can we switch the input?
Crusher: Almost.
Laforge: Shields are failing!
Crusher: Switching inputs.
Picard: Is it working?
Crusher: His vital signs are stabilizing. He's going to make it.
Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. We have succeeded in disengaging Mister La Forge from the interface and are en route to Starbase four nine five.
Picard: You disobeyed my direct order. You put yourself in grave danger. I am not happy.
Laforge: Yes, sir. I take complete responsibility. Data was only
Picard: I will deal with Mister Data at another time. Meanwhile, I will have to write this incident into your permanent record.
Laforge: Yes, sir.
Picard: Dismissed. Geordi? I'm very sorry that you didn't find your mother.
Laforge: Thank you, sir. You know, it was funny. When I was down there, it was so real. I felt like I had a chance to say goodbye.


Bartender: So, tell me, why is it so important that you find this man?
Troi: We had business dealings. He owes me money.
Bartender: If we had business dealings, I can tell you that I wouldn't disappear.
Troi: Maybe we can discuss that possibility. But first, I have to find him, collect the money I'm owed.
Bartender: I'll be closing in a few hours. Perhaps we can discuss this more privately.
Troi: If I don't find him, I'm going to have to move on. Are you sure you haven't seen him?
Bartender: Human, about two meters tall, smooth-headed. No. I don't remember anyone like that.
Troi: You're lying.
Bartender: And you're a Betazoid. I thought so. Listen, people who come in here, they count on a certain amount of anonymity. And if I were to start answering questions about them, even to a very beautiful woman, well, I wouldn't be in business very long. And being a businesswoman, I'm sure you understand.
Riker: Great story. I'll remember it next time I'm in a knife fight.
Riker: Any luck?
Worf: I think the one over there knows something.
Worf: He would not admit to having seen the Captain, but he said that anyone who visited the ruins of Nafir would probably come here eventually. I suspect he knows more.
Riker: Let's go.
Worf: Commander, I told
Riker: My friend tells me you know about the man we're looking for.
Yranac: The only reason I'm talking to you is that I have a sister, too.
Worf: I explained to him that we are looking for a man who impregnated your sister.
Riker: So you can imagine how much this means to me.
Yranac: Family honor is important. If someone had defiled my sister I would do anything, pay anything, to find the one responsible.
Riker: And how much might anything be?
Yranac: As much as five bars of gold-pressed latinum.
Bartender: I think you've had a little too much to drink. You'd better leave. On your way, Yranac.
Crusher: I'm sorry, but I think he wants to stay. Sit down.
Riker: This is my sister. She's angry. She's got a vicious temper. I wouldn't cross her.
Bartender: You say one word and you're a dead man.
Yranac: Perhaps there's an element of risk here that I did not fully appreciate.
Worf: And how much more latinum will it take to offset this risk?
Yranac: This isn't about latinum. As a man with a sister, a sister with a temper, I can sympathize with you, but, how did you come here? Do you have a ship in orbit?
Riker: Yes.
Yranac: Then take me with you. You can drop me anywhere.
Riker: Agreed. Now talk.
Yranac: The man you're looking for was here several weeks ago. There was a group of aliens sitting at this table. He was asking them questions.
Worf: Who were these aliens?
Yranac: I don't know, but they looked dangerous. They attacked him. He managed to incapacitate three of them before he was knocked down. He was thrown against that wall and fell there.
Crusher: I'm picking up some Starfleet fiber traces and human cellular debris.
Riker: Can you establish a DNA reading?
Crusher: There's something strange here. The cell structures are badly distorted. It's as if they've been exposed to some kind of high-energy field.
Worf: A weapon discharge?
Crusher: It could be. I'm picking up some faint traces of microcrystalline damage in the floor material, but I'm not familiar with the pattern I'm getting.
Yranac: Who are you people?
Riker: You didn't say anything about a weapon.
Yranac: I hadn't finished yet. You'll like this. The man got what was coming to him. When they knocked him down, one of them took out a weapon and fired. He was vaporized.
Troi: He's telling the truth. Acting
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47135.2. Doctor Crusher has positively identified Captain Picard's DNA. There's no doubt now that he's dead.
Riker: Come.
Troi: How are you doing?
Riker: I'm all right.
Troi: The crew's pretty shaken up. I'm arranging a memorial. I think you should be the one to deliver the eulogy.
Riker: I think you'd be better at something like that. Or Beverly. She knew him the longest.
Troi: I know it's not going to be easy, but I think it's important that we face up to what's happened. You're in command now. The crew's looking to you for guidance.
Riker: You don't understand. I can't give the eulogy because I won't be at the service.
Troi: A memorial service helps to give everyone a sense of completion. Helps them begin the healing process.
Riker: That's exactly the point. I don't want to heal.
Troi: Will.
Riker: I've an open wound, right here. It hurts like hell. I don't want it to get better, and I don't want to pretend that everything's all right.
Troi: I know you're angry.
Riker: You're damn right! And I intend to stay angry until I find whoever's responsible for the Captain's death.
Troi: That's pretty selfish of you. Do you think you're the only one in pain? Do you think you have the monopoly on loss? Well, let me tell you something. We're all hurting, and we're all angry. And whether you like it or not, you have a responsibility to this crew, and you can't just indulge your personal desire for revenge.
Riker: That is enough, Counselor. Deanna. I'm sorry. This is not about revenge. This is about justice. The Captain died in a bar fight for nothing. Somebody has to answer for that. Then I can mourn.
Worf: Commander, I am receiving a transmission from Admiral Chekote at Starbase two twenty seven.
Riker: I'll take it in the Ready room.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Riker: Sir.
Chekote: I read your report, Commander. My condolences to you and your crew. Captain Picard's death is a loss to the entire Federation. I see that you've asked to postpone your mission to the Argus sector. For what reason?
Riker: I have a request, sir. I would like to conduct an investigation into Captain Picard's death.
Chekote: The Dessican authorities have jurisdiction in this case, Commander.
Riker: I know that, sir. Frankly, I don't have much confidence in the authorities on Dessica Two. There's every reason to believe that they're corrupt.
Chekote: I suspect you're right. The question remains, are you the one to pursue this?
Riker: The Captain's death hit me pretty hard, and I may not be completely objective, but there is no one who is more determined. I won't rest until I find out who's responsible.
Chekote: All right, Commander. I'm officially placing the Enterprise on detached duty. Your mission is at your diskretion. Good luck.
Riker: Thank you, sir.
Yranac: Ah, Commander Riker. I've been meaning to speak to you. I was wondering if you could move me to better quarters. I don't care much for the decor here.
Riker: These are the best quarters we have. I was hoping now that you've had a chance to relax you might have remembered some of the details about the aliens you saw. Something you may have forgotten.
Yranac: Sorry, my memory isn't what it used to be.
Riker: They murdered a man in cold blood in full view of everyone in the bar and you can't remember anything about them?
Yranac: Now that you mention it, I do remember one thing. They said they'd kill anyone who talked about what happened.
Riker: Do you know where they went? So you know who they are and you know where I can find them.
Yranac: Perhaps I do.
Riker: What do you want?
Yranac: Not a great deal, Commander. Just a shuttlecraft. I believe I'd like to travel for a while, see more of the galaxy. You understand.
Riker: A shuttlecraft? Well, here's my offer. Instead of the ship, I'll give you some time.
Yranac: Time?
Riker: If you're lucky, you'll only spend the next five years in prison instead of the next twenty. You've got twelve outstanding arrest warrants for fraud and petty theft in the Klingon Empire. Tell me what you know, and I'll pull some strings. Maybe they'll reduce your sentence after you've been extradited.
Yranac: If I tell you what I know, you must promise not to give me to the Klingons.
Riker: I'll think about it.
Yranac: Perhaps you could send me to a Federation rehabilitation colony instead.
Riker: Talk.
Yranac: The aliens were some kind of mercenary group. They've been operating in this sector for the last six months.
Riker: Where do we find them?
Yranac: I heard one of them mention the Barradas system. I think they were headed there.
Riker: You think?
Yranac: That's all I know.
Riker: Riker to Data.
Data: Data here.
Riker: Take us out of orbit. Set course for the Barradas system, warp six.
Data: Aye, sir.
Data: Barradas Three is the only class M planet in this system, and it is listed as unpopulated. However, sensors have detected intermittent energy signals emanating from its surface.
Riker: What's the source?
Laforge: The signals are difficult to localize, but they could be emissions from some kind of power converter.
Worf: Which could indicate a base or a ship.
Riker: What else do we know about Barradas Three?
Data: The planet was used as an outpost for the Debrune approximately two thousand years ago. The Federation's Archeological survey has catalogd numerous ruins on the surface.
Riker: Mister Worf, I'd like a security detail to accompany the away team to the surface. I'll lead the team. Geordi, you're with me. Mister Data, you have the Bridge.
Data: Aye, sir. Commander, as Acting First Officer, I must question your decision to accompany the away team. If Captain Picard were here
Riker: He's not.
Data: I realize that, sir. But if he were, and he wanted to lead an away team, you would tell him that the Captain's place is
Riker: On the Bridge. Not this time.
Riker: Ensign, you take that area.
Ensign: Yes, sir.
Riker: Geordi?
Laforge: It's tough to get accurate sensor readings. There's an awful lot of interference in the area.
Riker: From what?
Laforge: I'm not sure. It's very unlocalized. It could be atmospheric.
Riker: What do you make of these?
Laforge: Well, these ruins around here are pretty ancient but I'd say that this indentation was made fairly recently. Could be the site of some battlefield.
Riker: It doesn't look like any blast point I've ever seen. The shape is too perfect.
Laforge: Sir, there's microcrystalline damage all throughout this area. The same kind of pattern that Doctor Crusher picked up in the floor of that bar on Dessica Two.
Worf: Commander! I found something.
Riker: Looks as if someone could have just dropped them.
Laforge: La Forge to Enterprise. We are under attack down here.
Laforge: I repeat, we are under attack.
Giusti: Commander, we've lost contact with the away team.
Data: Is there a malfunction?
Giusti: No, sir. The comm. system is being jammed.
Data: What is the source?
Giusti: Somewhere on the surface.
Data: Bridge to Transporter room two. Can you get a lock on the away team?
Chief: Negative, sir. There's too much interference.
Riker: I'm going to head for those trees over there. If I can get there, we might be able to set up a crossfire.
Data: Data to away team. Please respond.
Laforge: Data, we've been attacked.
Laforge: We've got one casualty and Commander Riker has been taken captive.
Worf: Sir, the mercenaries have beamed away. They must have a base or a ship nearby. Can the sensors locate anything?
Giusti: Commander, we're picking up a vessel leaving orbit.
Data: Why was it not detected earlier?
Giusti: They could have been using the planet as a shield. Sir, they are powering up their weapon systems.
Data: Raise shields. Red alert.
Data: Damage report.
Giusti: Minor hit on the port deflector. No damage. They're running, sir. Their speed is warp eight point seven and holding. I think they're at their maximum.
Data: Take us to warp nine and pursue. Lock phasers on target.
Giusti: Sir, we should be within phaser range in twenty three seconds. Switching to long-range scanners. Commander, the sensor image of that ship is extremely weak. It's fading. The ship doesn't register on the long-range sensors. I'm sorry, sir. We've lost them.
Data: Increase the sensor field bandwidth. Patch in the lateral sensor arrays.
Giusti: It's no good, the signal's gone. It just disappeared.
Data: Plot a course and take us back to Barradas Three. Notify the away team to prepare for transport.
Giusti: Aye, sir.
Data: Starfleet Intelligence confirms that a ship matching this configuration has been linked to raids on several other planets in this sector. For the short time it was within our visual range, we were able to take sensor readings of the mercenary vessel. It appears to be encased in an energy absorbing material. Although we can see the ship, this energy sheath renders it virtually undetectable to our long range sensors.
Troi: There must be some way we can track it.
Laforge: Data, I know this is a long shot, but if I remodulate the long range sensor array, I might be able to make it sensitive enough to detect the ship.
Data: Without a full compositional analysis of the energy sheath, the chances of finding the correct remodulation sequence are remote.
Worf: Sir, they have taken Commander Riker. We must do something. We cannot just sit here.
Data: On the contrary, Lieutenant. That is precisely what we must do. Since there are no viable alternatives, we will return to the surface and attempt to determine what these mercenaries are doing on this planet. An investigation might reveal some indication of their purpose. Please notify me when you have assembled your search teams. Dismissed.
Baran: What's the problem?
Narik: I warned you not to push the engines so hard. Two of the power shunts are on the verge of collapse. We'll be lucky if we can maintain warp six.
Baran: How long will it take to repair?
Narik: I can try to realign the warp core. It'll take at least eleven hours, but I'll have to shut the engines down completely.
Baran: We're not stopping. We can't afford to be sitting helpless in space. I want warp eight available in five hours, and I don't want to hear your excuses.
Baran: What were you doing on Barradas Three?
Riker: William T. Riker, Commander, SC two three one dash four two seven.
Baran: Oh really? Well, I am Arctus Baran and I don't have a number. Now what were you doing on Barradas Three, Commander?
Riker: We were studying the ruins. It was a scientific expedition.
Baran: Don't patronize me. Those ruins have been studied for centuries. There's nothing new to learn from them.
Riker: Then what were you doing there?
Baran: Don't bother, Commander, you can't remove it. It's a neural servo connected directly to your nervous system. It lets me control precisely how much pain you feel. This setting is usually sufficient. However, if necessary, it can go much higher. These devices were the idea of my predecessor. It's a convenient way of enforcing diskipline.
Riker: What happened to him?
Baran: He failed to enforce it with me.
Vekor: This is a waste of time, Baran. Get rid of him now.
Baran: You should be more patient, Vekor. It might be rewarding. We will wait. Let the memory of his pain argue with him for a while. It might change his attitude.
Narik: Vekor is right. We should get rid of him. It's dangerous to have someone from Starfleet on board.
Baran: Dangerous? It might be profitable. A Starfleet Commander is a valuable hostage.
Vekor: Starfleet won't negotiate with us, but they'll pursue us as long as we have him.
Baran: This discussion is over. Get back to your post, Vekor.
Picard: They're right, Baran, and you know it. I say kill him. Now.
Picard: If he has nothing to give us, we should kill him now and be done with it. Everyone seems to recognize that fact except you.
Baran: I don't need a consensus to run this ship, Galen.
Baran: What's going on?
Narik: I'm bypassing the aft plasma couplings. The power loss should only last for a few seconds.
Baran: You should learn not to limit your options. Riker could be very useful to us in the future.
Picard: He may not be as useful as you think, if this is the same Riker that I've heard about.
Riker: And what Riker might that be?
Picard: Commander of the Enterprise formerly assigned to the USS Hood.
Riker: That's right.
Picard: Then you must be the William T. Riker with a history of insubordination. He was even once relieved of duty, during the Cardassian incident at Minos Korva.
Baran: How do you know all this?
Picard: Look, I've been smuggling artifacts from Federation sites for years. You can't help developing a familiarity with certain Starfleet personnel. If we hadn't have captured him, he'd probably have ended up before a court martial.
Riker: I've gotten out of them before.
Picard: Look, he's no use to us. Finish him now. Let me do it for you.
Tallera: Watch him.
Vekor: We're accelerating.
Baran: What have you done?
Narik: It has nothing to do with my repairs. I think there's a malfunction in the engine's intermix chamber.
Tallera: Plasma pressure is rising.
Baran: Where's the malfunction?
Narik: It could be one of any thirty subsystems. It'll take time to locate.
Tallera: I don't think you're going to have the chance. Plasma pressure has reached critical levels.
Baran: Seal off the intermix chamber.
Vekor: I can't. The override sequence won't engage.
Picard: The antimatter flow regulator is locked open.
Tallera: Logic subsystems still not responding.
Baran: Get out of the way.
Tallera: Plasma pressure has exceeded maximum levels. Eight percent above critical and rising.
Narik: We have to jettison the core.
Baran: No, we'll be stranded here.
Picard: The flow regulator is frozen.
Riker: Let me do it. I've had a lot of experience with this sort of system failures. I might be able to do something.
Tallera: Plasma pressure is eleven percent above critical. The containment fields are beginning to degrade.
Baran: Go!
Narik: Flow regulator is not responding to manual override. Containment fields won't hold much longer.
Riker: Looks like you've got a control logic lockout in your regulator subsystem. I'm going to attempt to run an active bypass through the plasma flow convertor. You, start running phase-lock feedback through that regulator. I want about a six second delay.
Narik: What are you saying? I don't take orders from you.
Baran: You do as he says.
Tallera: Plasma pressure is fourteen percent above critical.
Baran: If you fail
Riker: We'll all be dead anyway. Just need a few more seconds.
Tallera: Plasma pressure is dropping. We're back into safe levels.
Riker: If you want to make sure that doesn't happen again, you'd better re-initiate your regulator sub-compressors. A full diagnostic of your intermix chamber wouldn't hurt either.
Baran: Do it. Put him in quarters for now.
Riker: You still wish you'd killed me?
Worf: The search teams have reported in. They found several archeological sites. Each one has been looted.
Laforge: It's possible that the microcrystalline damage I found in these indentations was the result of some kind of high energy transporter beam but I still don't understand. There's nothing here that's particularly valuable. Why would anyone want to steal any of these things?
Data: Perhaps these artifacts have a special value to the Romulans.
Worf: The Romulans?
Data: These structures were built by the Debrune. That race is an ancient offshoot of the Romulans. The ruins on the planet where Captain Picard was killed were also Romulan in origin.
Worf: The leader of the group that attacked us was Romulan. Perhaps they are controlling the mercenaries.
Data: The question remains, why are they stealing these artifacts?
Data: There are several archeological sites in this sector containing ruins which are Romulan in origin. These are the locations that were attacked by the mercenary vessel.
Laforge: Looks like they did a pretty thorough job.
Data: The only sites not been attacked were on Calder Two, Yadalla Prime, and Draken Four.
Laforge: Yadalla and Draken are at the far edge of the sector, but Calder Two? That's less than a day from here at maximum warp.
Data: That would be their next likely target.
Laforge: According to this, there's a Federation outpost at Calder Two.
Data: But it is only a small science station. It has limited defensive capabilities. I do not believe it could withstand an attack from the mercenary ship. Mister Worf. Send a message to the Federation outpost on Calder Two. Advise them that if a ship matching the mercenary vessel approaches, they should attempt to delay it until our arrival. Ensign, take us out of orbit. Set course for the Calder system. Warp nine.
Ensign: Aye, sir.
Picard: We don't have much time. It's good to see you, Will. I didn't expect to meet you here.
Riker: I was looking to find the people who killed you on the surface. A witness said they saw you vaporized.
Picard: These mercenaries use weapons that can activate their transporter. It gives them the opportunity to beam things quickly, just by firing at them. That's what they did to me.
Riker: I don't understand any of this. Who are these people? What are you doing involved with them?
Picard: The site that I wanted to study had been raided. A lot of the artifacts had been stolen. The site had been practically destroyed. I wanted to find out who was responsible. I tracked them to that bar on Dessica Two. I must have asked too many questions. They captured me. They wanted to find out how much I knew about their operation.
Riker: And then you became part of their crew?
Picard: I convinced them I was a smuggler, and that my name was Galen. I offered to help them appraise the artifacts that they had stolen. Will, these aren't common thieves. They are stealing Romulan artifacts from archeological sites throughout this sector. Baran has me analyzing each one if them for a particular particle signature. Will, they are looking for a specific artifact.
Riker: Why?
Picard: That's what we have to find out. Baran is the key. I think that he knows more about what we're really looking for than anyone else on this ship. I want you to get close to him. Try and get his confidence.
Riker: That's why you set up the engine failure, because you knew that I'd be able to fix it.
Picard: He also believes that you're a less than perfect Starfleet officer. Will, I want you to play into that role. Baran and I, well, he doesn't care very much for me, but he has to tolerate me because he needs my help with these artifacts. But if you and I become enemies, then there's a better chance of you and he becoming friends.
Riker: All right. I'll do what I can.
Baran: What are you doing here?
Picard: Getting some answers, because you can't get him to talk.
Baran: No one conducts an interrogation on this ship without my permission. Is that understood?
Baran: Our next objective should prove an interesting challenge. We're headed for the Sakethan burial mounds on Calder Two.
Picard: What? Calder Two isn't just another archeological site, you know. It's a Federation outpost there.
Baran: I don't see that as a problem.
Picard: It's defended by Starfleet. You don't think they're just going to stand by while we walk in there and take whatever we want.
Baran: I'm familiar with the tactical situation.
Vekor: What are their defenses?
Baran: Nothing to worry about. They have a type four deflector shield protecting the outpost and the ruins.
Picard: They also have a minimum of two phaser banks and possibly photon torpedoes. Is that enough to worry about?
Tallera: How do you know so much about this outpost?
Picard: Because I tried to smuggle a Sakethan glyph stone out of there nearly two years ago. I barely got away in one piece.
Baran: Our weapons are more than a match for their defenses. I anticipate that we'll be able to destroy the outpost within fifteen minutes. Then we'll send in Tallera and the landing party to secure the relics.
Picard: Why don't we use Riker? He's a Starfleet Commander. He could talk us past the outpost security without raising their suspicions. Then when their shields go down, we can beam the artifacts up here without ever leaving the ship.
Vekor: Why would Riker help us? Just because he's out of favor with Starfleet doesn't mean that he's ready to betray them.
Picard: If he doesn't help us, we'll have to destroy the outpost and kill everyone on it. He's still a Starfleet officer. He won't want to take innocent lives if he can possibly prevent it.
Tallera: The last time we engaged Starfleet, we lost a man. We can't afford any more casualties. If we can avoid a battle, I think we should.
Baran: All right, we'll try it. We'll be at Calder Two within five hours. You all know your duties. I want this ship prepared for battle, in case your plan doesn't work.
Picard: Computer, reset diagnostic for new sample, lot number four seven eight B. Access spectral analysis and begin scan, mode three.
Computer: Scan complete. Terikon particle decay profile does not fall within specified reference range. Probability of match zero point zero four percent.
Picard: Computer, reset diagnostic for new sample, lot number three six nine B.
Picard: Access spectral analysis, mode two, begin scan.
Tallera: Baran wants to see the analysis of the last lot. He thinks you're moving a little slowly.
Picard: You can tell Baran if he wants the analysis done faster, he can do it himself. If he wants it done correctly, he can wait.
Tallera: Do you enjoy living dangerously, Galen? Baran can kill you in an instant if he activates his control device.
Picard: I doubt that he'll do that. I've increased the accuracy of the identification process by a factor of ten. I'm the best person to analyze these artifacts. Baran knows that.
Tallera: He may need you now, but I know Baran, and I can tell you he's not going to back down forever. You accomplish nothing by provoking him.
Picard: I don't like operating in the dark. If I knew what the point of this mission were, why I was analyzing these relics.
Tallera: If Baran felt it were wise to let the crew know that, I'm sure he would have.
Picard: Do you know what all this is about?
Tallera: What Baran knows, I know.
Picard: Then what's going on here. Why are we risking our lives taking these artifacts? Who wants them?
Tallera: I see no reason to tell you anything, but you can rest assured I don't necessarily share everything I know with Baran, either. This conversation, for example, will stay between us.
Picard: You can tell Baran every word that I've said. He knows that I don't think much of him as a leader.
Tallera: He's been in charge of this crew for a long time.
Picard: Baran wouldn't last five minutes as captain if he didn't have that control device. The crew follow him because they have no choice. Baran's power is based on fear and intimidation.
Tallera: That almost sounds like a prelude to mutiny.
Picard: If someone were to challenge him, the rest of the crew would follow.
Tallera: I was right. You do like living dangerously. I like you, Galen. I can tolerate a lot from someone like you, but only to a point. I intend to complete this mission successfully and get what's been promised me. If it looks as though you're getting in the way of that, I'll deal with you myself.
Sanders: Commander, no one is allowed on the surface without prior authorisation from the Federation Science Council.
Riker: I'm aware of that, Lieutenant, but your outpost is in imminent danger of attack. I would like to station security personnel on the surface for your protection. Now, I'm ordering you to drop your shields.
Sanders: I'm sorry, sir, but the regulations are very specific. I can't do it. If you'd like, you can remain in orbit until we contact the Science Council, but we're experiencing some communication difficulties right now, so that
Baran: This isn't working. They're delaying on purpose. Someone has warned them. Charge main disruptor array. Destroy the outpost.
Picard: No, there's no time for that! Starfleet will be here any minute.
Baran: What are you doing?
Picard: I'm configuring the disruptors to fire a phase resonant pulse. If I can hit their shield generator with precisely the right frequency, I should be able to take it out with one shot. Firing. Their shields are down.
Baran: The artifacts should be located in several small structures arranged in staggered formations.
Tallera: I'm scanning. I think I've found them.
Baran: Lock coordinates and start bringing them up.
Baran: There should be at least two more pieces down there.
Tallera: I've lost transporter lock.
Picard: They managed to get their shields back up.
Baran: I need those artifacts. Lock all disruptors on target. This time I want that outpost destroyed.
Worf: Direct hit on their aft deflectors. They are undamaged.
Data: Ensign, scan for Starfleet combadge signals. Is Commander Riker aboard that ship?
Giusti: I can't tell, sir. Sensors are unable to penetrate their hull.
Data: Open a channel.
Worf: Open.
Data: This is the Federation Starship Enterprise. You are ordered to stand down.
Data: Drop your shields and prepare to be boarded.
Baran: You sent them a message. You told them where to find us.
Riker: That's ridiculous. When did I have a chance?
Baran: This is set to kill. Order your ship to disengage. Activate visual.
Data: Commander. Are you all right?
Baran: Tell him!
Riker: Mister Data, withdraw the Enterprise. That's an order.
Data: That is impossible, sir. The ship you are on has violated a Federation outpost. It is my duty to stop it.
Riker: I'm your commanding officer. I'm giving you a direct order. Understood?
Data: Commander, if you could explain
Riker: I've never explained my orders before. I'm not about to start now.
Riker: I won't let him blow this ship into space. If I can set up a low level comm. link between the two ships, I can use my personal command codes. I can deactivate the shields.
Baran: Do it.
Worf: Commander, we are receiving some kind of signal from the mercenary ship. These are Commander Riker's access codes. He is attempting to shut down our shields.
Troi: That doesn't make any sense. He knows those codes would have been changed as soon as he was captured.
Data: That is correct, Counselor. He does know. Mister Worf, prepare to drop the shields.
Worf: Sir, we would be totally defenseless.
Data: I am aware of that.
Worf: Sir, as soon as they see
Data: Mister Worf, that is an order.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Riker: It worked. The shields are dropping.
Baran: Fire. To Be Continued...


Riker: My friend tells me you might know about the man we're looking for.
Yranec: There was a group of aliens sitting at this table. He was asking them questions. One of them took out a weapon and fired. He was vaporised.
Riker: This is about justice. The Captain died in a bar fight for nothing.
Baran: Those ruins have been studied for centuries. There's nothing new to learn from them.
Riker: Then what were you doing there?
Picard: Baran wouldn't last five minutes as captain if he didn't have that control device.
Tallera: That almost sounds like a prelude to mutiny.
Picard: They captured me to find out how much I knew about their operation.
Riker: Then you became a member of their crew?
Picard: I convinced them I was a smuggler. Will, these are not common thieves. They are stealing Romulan artifacts from archeological sites throughout this sector.
Data: Mister Worf, prepare to drop shields.
Worf: Sir, we would be totally defenseless.
Data: I am aware of that.
Baran: Fire. And now, the conclusion.
Worf: Direct hit to the port nacelle. Only minimal damage. Hit to the starboard nacelle. Still, no appreciable damage.
Troi: Will must've done something to their weapons.
Data: I believe you are right, Counselor. It is now up to us to play along. Release inertial dampers and cut power to decks thirty one through thirty seven.
Giusti: Aye, sir.
Data: Set phasers to twenty five percent. Return fire.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Baran: Continue firing!
Picard: I've lost three plasma relays on the disruptors. Auxiliary power is, is not available.
Baran: Transfer weapons control to my station. There's a way to bypass the relays and feed power
Narik: The antimatter containment units are starting to buckle!
Tallera: The Enterprise has been badly damaged but they still have superior firepower. If we remain here, we will be destroyed. The logical course of action is to withdraw.
Baran: We've done enough damage. Narik, set course one eight zero, mark two one five. Warp six. Initiate.
Giusti: They're preparing to activate their warp drive, Commander.
Worf: Sir, we cannot be able to track them with our sensors if they go to warp. I can still disable them
Data: I am aware of the tactical situation, Lieutenant. Let them go.
Troi: I've gone over every word, every inflection, every facial response, and I still can't find any kind of code or hidden message.
Data: I agree the existence of such a message is remote, but I believe we should check.
Troi: I'll keep trying.
Worf: Two starships have been sent to intercept the mercenaries at Yadalla Prime and Draken Four, in case they attempt to attack those planets.
Data: Inform Starfleet Command that we will hold this position until further notice.
Worf: So, we are just going to remain here?
Data: Yes, but we will continue to pursue all avenues of investigation.
Worf: If we had not let them to escape, this would not be necessary.
Data: That is correct. But I believe Commander Riker wanted us to let them escape.
Laforge: Commander, I think I've got something. I've been studying the comm. link Commander Riker used to transmit his command codes. I didn't see anything at first, but then I ran the transmission through a subharmonic analysis. I found this. It was sent by the same carrier wave as the command codes.
Troi: It might be the message we've been looking for.
Data: Possibly. I will attempt to resequence the signal. Begin running a search for a decryption key.
Narik: I'm taking the engines offline.
Baran: How long will it take to repair our battle damage?
Narik: It will take at least five hours to replace the antimatter containment unit.
Baran: You have three hours, Narik. One minute beyond that and you'll answer for it with your life. I suppose I should thank you. None of us would be alive if it weren't for you.
Riker: You're welcome.
Picard: What's wrong, Commander? You having second thoughts about betraying your comrades? Because that's what you've done, betrayed them. Betrayed them in order to save yourself. You used to be just a second rate officer, now you're a traitor and a coward. How does that feel?
Riker: I don't know. How did that feel?
Baran: That's enough. Galen, go down to the cargo hold and check out those artifacts. Move.
Picard: You can tell Baran that I'm working as fast as I can. What?
Tallera: I'm trying to decide if you're incredibly stupid or incredibly smart. Why didn't you continue to fire on the Enterprise when their shields dropped?
Picard: You were there. The disruptors lost power. Computer, reset for diagnostic of new sample. Begin scan.
Tallera: I've watched you handle the weapon systems before. You know exactly how to bypass a problem like that. And why do you continue to argue with Riker? It should be obvious that by alienating Riker you also alienate Baran, and yet you continue to do so. Why?
Computer: Scan complete. Terikon profile negative.
Picard: Computer, reset diagnostic for new sample and begin scan. Look this isn't a Romulan labor camp. I don't have to answer your questions. And I don't give a damn what you think.
Computer: Scan complete. Terikon profile positive. Ninety eight percent probability of match.
Picard: Well, whatever it is we're looking for, it seems we've found it.
Tallera: Tallera to Captain.
Baran: Yes, what is it?
Tallera: I'm in the cargo hold. Galen's made a positive Terikon match on
Tallera: One of the artifacts.
Baran: Good. Bring it to me immediately. Don't let anyone get near it.
Tallera: Understood. Tallera out.
Riker: That sounds like good news.
Baran: Very. It means we've completed half of what promises to be a very profitable mission. And even better than that, I'm almost ready to get rid of your friend Galen.
Riker: Really?
Baran: There's one more artifact to find. Once Galen confirms that it's genuine, his usefulness on this ship will come to a very sudden end.
Riker: I can't say I'm sorry to hear that.
Baran: Galen might be a loud mouthed fool, but sometimes he's quite perceptive. His observations about you, for instance.
Riker: Oh?
Baran: After what you did on Calder Two, I doubt if you have much of a future in Starfleet.
Riker: Yes, I must say I've come to the same conclusion.
Baran: Well, assuming that you were not my prisoner, what would you do now?
Riker: I guess I'd start looking for a new career. There must be a place where someone with fifteen years of Starfleet technical knowledge would be useful. You wouldn't happen to know a place like that?
Baran: Well, possibly. However, there's one thing that I have learned on this ship, and that's to be cautious and never to blindly embrace what might appear to be good fortune. And right now, you're a rather large stroke of good luck.
Riker: I haven't exactly sworn my undying allegiance to you either, Baran. For instance, I'd like to know a little bit more about the job.
Baran: Such as?
Riker: Such as what you meant by a very profitable mission.
Baran: Well, it's enough to know right now that your share will ensure a very wealthy and long life far from the Federation.
Riker: Sounds promising.
Baran: It is, only you're going to have to earn it. And you can start by putting aside your dislike for Galen and becoming his friend.
Riker: Why?
Baran: Galen has allies on this ship. They could cause trouble if I decide to kill him. I want you to find out from him who they are.
Riker: Okay.
Baran: One more thing, Riker. When the time comes, I want you to kill Galen.
Data: I have completed my analysis of the signal from the mercenary ship. I believe these groupings represent bearings and coordinates taken from their navigational system.
Laforge: So you think this is their flight plan?
Data: Yes. If I am correct, the mercenary ship is heading toward these coordinates in the Hyralan Sector.
Worf: Their maximum speed is warp eight point seven. It will take them at least fourteen hours to reach that position.
Laforge: We could be there in five.
Data: Make it so.
Worf: Finally. Set course for the Hyralan Sector and engage at warp nine.
Ensign: Aye, sir.
Data: Lieutenant, may I see you in the ready room?
Worf: Of course.
Data: Lieutenant, I am dissatisfied with your performance as First Officer.
Worf: May I ask in what way?
Data: You continually question my orders in front of the crew. I do not believe this is appropriate behavior.
Worf: With all due respect, sir, I have always felt free to voice my opinions even when they differ from those of Captain Picard or Commander Riker.
Data: That is true. But in those situations, you were acting as Head of Security, not as First Officer. The primary role of the second in command is to carry out the decisions of the Captain in this case, me.
Worf: But is it not my duty to offer you alternatives?
Data: Yes. But once I have made a decision, it is your job to carry it out regardless of how you may personally feel. Any further objections should be given to me in private, not in front of the crew. I do not recall Commander Riker ever publicly showing irritation with his Captain as you did a moment ago.
Worf: No, sir.
Data: If you do not feel capable of carrying out this role, I will assign it to Commander La Forge and return you to Tactical. I would not enter it into your record as a reprimand, simply as a transfer.
Worf: I would prefer to remain at my current post.
Data: Then I expect you to conform to the guidelines I have laid out.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Data: Dismissed. Mister Worf, I am sorry if I have ended our friendship.
Worf: Sir, it is I who has jeopardized our friendship, not you. If you will overlook this incident, I would like to continue to consider you my friend.
Data: I would like that as well.
Worf: Thank you, sir.
Riker: Good to see you, too.
Picard: I've had some unpleasant surprises. Will, this isn't a good idea. Baran might grow suspicious.
Riker: As a matter of fact, it was Baran who sent me here. He told me to pretend to be friendly with you and help you organize a mutiny, so he can determine who your supporters in the crew and then eliminate them.
Picard: What a tangled web we weave. I have difficulty remembering whose side I'm on. So, what have you been able to find out?
Riker: When we reach the Hyralan Sector, we're supposed to rendezvous with a Klingon transport ship. I'm not sure, but I think they may be delivering another of the Romulan artifacts to us.
Picard: A second artifact? Oh, by the way, that first artifacts is not Romulan. It's Vulcan.
Riker: Vulcan?
Picard: I have been looking over the glyphs and pictograms from the Calder Two artifact. And although I don't have enough data to translate all the inscriptions, the alphabet and symbology is much more consistent with early Vulcan than Romulan.
Riker: Do these artifacts have some religious or cultural significance, something that would make them valuable enough to kill for?
Picard: I don't know. If I could just get access to the Enterprise computer just for a few moments. So, what will Baran do once he's obtained the second artifact?
Riker: You're supposed to verify its authenticity, and then I'm supposed to kill you, and I take your place.
Picard: Will, you always seem to be after my job. Well, as soon as Baran feels that I've outlived my usefulness, he can kill me simply by using the neural servo. So, I think we had better start planning a mutiny.
Picard: We need a new captain and I've come to one inescapable conclusion
Narik: I agree. But I don't think that's you.
Picard: Oh?
Narik: I don't trust you, Galen. I don't think the rest of the crew does either. They're not going to follow you.
Picard: Then who will they follow? You?
Narik: No, but they will follow Tallera and so will I.
Tallera: Who are you?
Picard: What?
Tallera: You're no smuggler and I don't think your name's Galen. You will tell me who you really are and what you are doing on this ship or I will kill you right here.
Picard: What are you talking about?
Tallera: I will not play games with you. I found the message you sent to the Enterprise. When Riker was using his command codes to drop their shields, you sent them a transmission on the same carrier wave. You're a Starfleet officer. Do not deny it. It is the only logical conclusion. My name is actually T'Paal, and I am a member of the V'Shar.
Picard: Vulcan Security?
Tallera: That is correct. I infiltrated this ship a year ago posing as a Romulan mercenary. I'm here to investigate a possible threat to Vulcan.
Picard: What sort of threat?
Tallera: First things first, Galen. Who are you?
Picard: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise.
Tallera: Very well. To answer your question, for several years now, there has been a small but growing movement of extreme isolationists on Vulcan. A group that believes contact with alien races has polluted our culture and is destroying Vulcan purity. This group advocates the total isolation of Vulcan from the rest of the galaxy and the eradication of all alien influences from our planet.
Picard: That sounds like an illogical philosophy.
Tallera: Agreed. But extremists often have a logic all their own.
Picard: Tell me, Tallera, what are these artifacts we've been collecting? I know that they are Vulcan in origin.
Tallera: I am sure you are familiar with the ancient history of my people, before we found logic, before we found peace.
Picard: You were much as my people once were. Savage, warlike.
Tallera: There was even a time when we used our telepathic abilities as a weapon. A time when we learned to kill with a thought.
Picard: The Stone of Gol!
Tallera: You know of it?
Picard: I know the story from Vulcan mythology.
Tallera: The Stone of Gol is real, but there is nothing supernatural or magical about it. It is a psionic resonator, a device which focuses and amplifies telepathic energy. It is one of the most devastating weapons ever conceived.
Picard: But according to the legend, the Stone was destroyed by the gods when the Vulcan people found the way to peace.
Tallera: The resonator was believed to have been destroyed during the Time of the Awakening. Only one piece is known to have survived and it was placed in a Vulcan museum under heavy guard. A year ago, that piece was stolen from the museum. Soon after, mercenary ships began raiding archeological sites across the quadrant. We believe a member of the isolationist movement is attempting to reassemble the resonator.
Picard: A telepathic weapon.
Tallera: My orders are to find that assassin and stop him.
Picard: It would seem that Baran has to deliver these artifacts to the assassin in order to get paid. Therefore, you and I should continue our masquerade.
Tallera: Agreed. But Captain, I cannot allow the resonator to be assembled. If necessary, I will destroy this ship, its crew, all of us to prevent that from happening. Acting
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47160.1. The Enterprise is entering the Hyralan Sector, which I believe to be the next destination of the mercenary ship.
Giusti: I'm picking up a small vessel bearing one two seven mark three three five.
Data: Is it the mercenary ship?
Giusti: No, sir. It's a Klingon ship.
Worf: A Toron class shuttlecraft. One person.
Data: Open a channel. This is Lieutenant Commander Data of the Federation Starship Enterprise.
Koral: Koral.
Data: I take it that is your name? May I inquire as to your destination?
Koral: No.
Data: May I ask the purpose of your journey?
Koral: No.
Data: Perhaps I have not made our intentions clear. We are investigating
Data: He seems most uncooperative.
Troi: He may have been curt, but he was also very worried and even a little scared.
Worf: Sir, may I recommend that we bring the shuttle aboard with our tractor beam, search it, and interrogate Koral.
Data: According to the terms of the Klingon-Federation Treaty, Koral has every right to free transit through Federation space. We cannot board or search his vessel without cause.
Worf: Yes, sir. However, the Treaty does give us the right to conduct health and safety inspections of any ship in our space.
Troi: Health and safety inspections?
Data: I am not sure that using this clause as an excuse to conduct a search would be consistent with the spirit of the Treaty.
Worf: Yes, sir.
Data: However, if Koral wishes to contest our actions he can file a protest with the Judge Advocate General's office. Bring the shuttle aboard. Then you and Doctor Crusher can begin the inspection.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Crusher: Hello. I'm Doctor Crusher, and this is Lieutenant Worf. We're here to conduct a health and safety inspection of your ship.
Koral: Health and safety inspection?
Crusher: That's right. You know, radiation leaks, biochemical contamination, other health hazards. Excuse me.
Crusher: Well, no radiation so far. I'm sure you're glad to hear that. Right.
Vekor: There's an incoming message. It's from the Klingon shuttle. It was sent approximately fifteen minutes ago. He's at the rendezvous coordinates but he's been detained by the Enterprise. That's all there is. He's stopped transmitting.
Baran: The Enterprise.
Picard: How could they have found out about the rendezvous, Commander?
Baran: Quiet! All that matters now is that the Enterprise has the second artifact in their possession. We don't have a choice. We'll have to board the Enterprise and take the artifact.
Picard: Do you have any idea how many security officers there are on board a ship like that?
Baran: No, I don't. But he does.
Riker: I could get us on the Enterprise. I can find the artifact.
Picard: Oh, yes, very convenient. We beam you back aboard your old ship and we have to take a risk that you won't change your mind and betray us.
Riker: I have saved your life twice already, Galen. I would think you'd begin to show some gratitude by now.
Baran: Galen, if you're so worried about Riker, then you can go on the raiding party and watch him.
Picard: Agreed.
Baran: Draw weapons and equipment for a raiding party of five.
Baran: If you're thinking of betraying us to your friends on the Enterprise, you might remember that I still have the ability to kill you at the first sign of trouble.
Riker: I haven't forgotten.
Baran: I have an additional task for you, one that will prove your loyalty. This raid is an opportunity to get rid of Galen. Once you've found that artifact, kill him.
Troi: I'm sure the health and safety inspection won't last much longer. And in the meantime, I'm really glad that we have this opportunity to get to know you. May I ask what business you're in?
Data: Lieutenant Worf has programmed our replicators to make a very good approximation of Klingon bloodwine. I believe you will find it to your liking.
Crusher: Well, that's my third scan and I still haven't find anything out of the ordinary.
Worf: He must be hiding something. We should download his computer memory and analyze it.
Crusher: I'd have a hard time defending that as part of a safety inspection.
Worf: We could claim that the computer was generating abnormal radiation signatures.
Crusher: Worf, we're on pretty shaky ground as it is. We can't just
Picard: Don't!
Riker: Watch that door.
Worf: What is going on?
Narik: Shut your mouth, Klingon.
Riker: I guess you're surprised to see me, Doctor.
Crusher: You could say that.
Riker: I've had a change of profession.
Picard: It's not in here. Hey, you, where's the artifact?
Worf: I do not know what you're talking about.
Riker: Use your brain. They wouldn't be searching the shuttle if they had the artifact. Koral must have it. Where is that Klingon pilot?
Crusher: In the Observation lounge with Data and Troi.
Narik: How far?
Riker: Twelve decks away.
Worf: Security will not allow you to get that far.
Riker: They won't get the chance. We'll use the transporter in that shuttle. We'll beam directly to the Observation lounge. Sorry about this.
Riker: Let's go.
Data: If you could tell us something about the nature of your mission.
Koral: What is this?
Riker: Quiet! Does he have it?
Picard: This is it.
Narik: Are you sure, Galen?
Picard: Yes, I can recognize the inscription pattern from the first artifact.
Data: Commander Riker, by taking this action you risk charges of assault, theft, piracy, and treason.
Riker: Really? Then I guess adding one more charge wouldn't hurt.
Picard: Is he dead?
Troi: Yes.
Picard: Good. Activate the transporter.
Data: Security alert. Medical emergency team to the Observation lounge. Data to Bridge. Raise shields and begin sensor sweeps for the mercenary ship.
Giusti: Aye, sir.
Troi: He's all right. He's only stunned.
Data: I must admit, I am experiencing a similar sensation.
Riker: This is going to take a little time to explain.
Baran: Set course three one zero mark two one five, warp six.
Baran: Where is it?
Picard: I have something else for you, Baran.
Picard: Tell him what happened, Narik.
Narik: Riker turned on us. He tried to kill Galen before we beamed back.
Picard: He might have killed all of us. And I believe he was acting under direct orders, Baran. You betrayed us. This has gone far enough. I think it is time that we had a new commander. Someone who will lead us to those profits that we've been promised.
Baran: Oh, really? And who would that be, Galen? You? He's plotted this all along, opposed me at every turn, endangered all of us by refusing to follow his orders.
Picard: Follow your orders? The orders of a small man trying to fill a role too big for him. I say it's time for a change. Who's with me?
Picard: It's over, Baran.
Baran: Not quite. As long as I have this, I'm still Captain of this ship.
Picard: You can't kill all of us. You need us to run the ship more than we need you to command it.
Baran: I don't have to kill you all. Just you, Galen.
Tallera: What happened?
Picard: I switched the transponder codes. Given his feelings about me, it seemed a sensible thing to do.
Tallera: Baran was nothing. We have a mission to complete and the crew needs a leader.
Picard: There'll be no more punishment on this ship. Now, do your duties and I'll see to it that we complete our mission and get our payment.
Tallera: Remove that.
Vekor: Orders?
Picard: Maintain our present course and speed for now. I'm going to find out when and where we're supposed to deliver our cargo.
Vekor: Aye, Captain.
Worf: Worf to Commander Riker. Minister Satok of Vulcan Security is standing by on a secure channel.
Riker: Put it through in here.
Satok: Greetings, Commander. How may I be of service?
Riker: Minister, I thought I should let you know that the mercenary ship which has been raiding planets in the Taugan sector is probably on its way to Vulcan right now.
Satok: I do not understand.
Riker: I'm sorry. It's been a difficult couple of days. I know that one of your operatives has been on a mercenary ship investigating the possible re-assembly of a psionic resonator. I didn't want someone to make a mistake and start firing at them when they approach your planet.
Satok: Commander, I believe there is a problem. We have no operative aboard a mercenary ship.
Picard: According to Baran's logs, we are to deliver the two pieces to the T'Karath Sanctuary on Vulcan.
Tallera: I know that place. It was an underground stronghold for one of the factions during the last civil war. It's been abandoned for centuries.
Picard: Galen to Bridge. Alter course for Vulcan.
Vekor: Understood.
Picard: Oh, I wonder if you can possibly help me with something. I have been able to translate most of the writing on these two pieces For the most part, they're warnings of death and destruction to anyone who opposes the resonator, but I am not able to determine what appears on the anterior side. For example, this symbol represents the Vulcan god of war and this is the god of death, but if you look really carefully, you can see a third symbol missing. Now that obviously should belong to the final piece. Now what's odd about this is that the gods of death and war would typically always stand alone on an artifact. They would never be combined with a third glyph.
Tallera: Fascinating. But I am not an archeological expert.
Picard: I'm really anxious to see the final artifact, because it might provide a valuable insight into Vulcan mythology.
Tallera: When we arrive at Vulcan, I will take these pieces to a secure holding area before going on to the Sanctuary. I prefer to go alone. It will arouse less suspicion on the part of the isolationists.
Picard: Well there should be no problem about our entering orbit. I asked Commander Riker to contact the Vulcan authorities from the Enterprise and let them know that we were approaching.
Tallera: Why did you do that?
Picard: Well, I didn't want to risk a misunderstanding. Someone might have mistaken this for an actual raid.
Tallera: It was a wise precaution.
Picard: Perhaps I should contact the Enterprise, have them meet us at Vulcan just in case these isolationists try to escape.
Tallera: Your offer is appreciated but our security forces are more than adequate.
Picard: I see. Do you think it's wise for you to go there alone? After all, they were expecting Baran to show up. Don't you think if I were to accompany you, it might seem more plausible.
Tallera: Captain, I do understand your human emotional need to be there at the final moment, but this is a Vulcan matter.
Picard: Of course.
Tallera: Thank you.
Vekor: We have entered orbit of Vulcan.
Picard: Tallera, I've decided on a change of plan. Take one of the artifacts with you. Leave the other here. As soon as we have our payment in full, we'll complete the delivery.
Tallera: That was not the agreement.
Picard: I realize that. But it's safer for all concerned to leave one behind.
Tallera: They will not pay us until they get both pieces.
Picard: They've been waiting a long time for this. They're not going to take any risks. Now, take one of the artifacts and beam down.
Tallera: That is all I was waiting for. Go to the navigational computer and check file one three seven slash omega. You'll find a message secretly transmitted to the Enterprise, containing our entire flight plan.
Vekor: She's right.
Tallera: The message was sent by Galen. He's a Starfleet officer.
Picard: Tallera is right. But what she's not telling you is that those artifacts she's holding are part of an incredibly powerful weapon. There's no reward waiting for you down on the surface. As soon as she's got those artifacts, she'll leave you behind to be captured by Starfleet.
Vekor: I don't care what it is you want, Tallera. I don't care if that's a weapon for your personal use or if you're really just making a delivery as planned. All I care about is my money. So I propose a compromise. Narik and I will go with you to the surface to guarantee that we receive our payment.
Narik: After that, you can go anywhere you want.
Tallera: Agreed. Bring him as well. We'll use him as a hostage if Starfleet arrives. If not, we'll kill him on the surface.
Tallera: There. Your reward, as promised.
Narik: Is it all there?
Vekor: No, this is less than half of what we were promised. Where's the rest of it?
Tallera: That is all I could manage. I suggest you take it and leave.
Narik: I did not come this far to be cheated. I want it all, now.
Tallera: Very well. You will get what you deserve.
Tallera: Go ahead, Captain. Pick up the phaser. See what good it will do.
Picard: You'll never get away with this. Starfleet will never stand and watch you tear apart one of the founding worlds of the Federation.
Tallera: How little you understand what you're facing, Captain. You're used to fighting enemies like yourself. People on ships with defense shields, energy weapons, warp drives. But this is unlike anything you've ever faced. This is the power of the mind. Pick up the phaser, Captain.
Picard: Listen to me, all of you! Drop your weapons! Do it! Don't make any aggressive movements. The resonator amplifies violent feelings and emotions. And that's why you wanted me to pick up the phaser. That's how you were able to kill Narik and Vekor. But I can see the symbol on that third artifact, and it is the Vulcan symbol for peace standing between the symbols for war and death. It's a warning that the power of the resonator can be overcome by peace.
Tallera: You are about to see how wrong you are.
Picard: Empty your minds of violent thoughts.
Tallera: No!
Picard: Think, Tallera. Two thousand years ago your people were being consumed by war. But when peace came to Vulcan, the resonator became useless. That's why it was dismantled.
Picard: You were right, Tallera. The resonator cannot be stopped by phasers and shields, but it can be defeated by peace.
Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47169.2. Security Minister Satok has taken Tallera into custody and begun a search for the rest of the isolationists.
Riker: Once we realized that you were no longer on the mercenary ship, we scanned the surface for your neural implant. We tracked the signal into the caverns.
Data: What will become of the resonator, sir?
Picard: Satok has assured me that all three pieces will be destroyed.
Data: It is unfortunate it cannot be studied. The resonator is a key artifact from a remarkable period of history.
Picard: Normally, I would be the first one to agree, but perhaps some things best left in the past.
Riker: What's going to happen to the mercenaries?
Picard: Oh, they will be detained by the Vulcan authorities for the moment. But they're also facing charges from the Klingons, the Cardassians, the Ferengi, and at least seven other worlds. I don't think we'll be hearing from them for a while. Number One, will you set course for Starbase two twenty seven. I'll join you on the Bridge shortly.
Riker: Wait a minute. You've been declared dead. You can't give orders around here.
Data: If we are to adhere to the exact letter of Starfleet regulations, then technically, sir, you have been declared a renegade. In fact, I believe you are facing twelve counts of court martial offenses. You cannot give orders either, sir.
Picard: That's quite right. And as I'm supposed to be dead, I'll go and get some sleep. And, Mister Data, I suggest that you escort Commander Riker to the brig.
Data: Aye, sir.
Data: This way, sir.
Riker: Data, he was joking. You know that, right? Data?