The High Ground ( episode ) Doctor Crusher is captured by terrorists who want to involve the Federation in their struggle for freedom . Summary . Teaser . The is in orbit above the non - affiliated planet Rutia IV on a routine mission dropping off medical supplies . Lt . Commander Data , Lt . Worf , and Dr . Beverly Crusher are on the surface having lunch . When she calls for the waiter , a bomb explodes injuring several bystanders . Crusher rushes to help the wounded while Worf tries to provide security for her , knowing that their position is vulnerable . The doctor orders him to get medical supplies for the wounded . Data reminds her that the Rutians have physicians ; she snaps back that none are there right now while she is . Worf and a shopkeeper returns with the improvised medical supplies . Data informs the ship about the attack , and Captain Picard orders the team to beam up , under protests from Crusher . Commander Riker suggests that if they do beam her up , he does not want to meet her on the pad . Out of nowhere , an Ansata terrorist appears , killing a police officer before abducting Crusher , unchallenged by the two Starfleet officers remaining , or the three other officers . Act One . Discussing the abduction in the " Enterprise " s conference lounge , Data could not find anything related to where she may have been taken , with the possibility that her combadge may have been deactivated or she is being held in a location that would make her signal untraceable . Picard asks why her , and Worf believes she was the terrorists intended target . Riker wonders why the rebels would abduct her , a Starfleet officer ; since the Federation is not part of their conflict . Shackled , Crusher is met by the leader of the Ansata rebels , Kyril Finn . Carrying a tray of food , he asks if she was hungry and wanted something to eat . Crusher , with her Starfleet training , holds the high ground by refusing to cooperate with him , even saying no to food . Finn explains that she is a doctor on a Federation starship . Unfazed , she speaks no words regarding it . Whatever the outcome , Finn may have been fazed by her lack of cooperation . Picard explains to Wesley that it may be possible that they may be holding her as a bargaining chip , to use her in their fight for independence . He isn ' t sure what the reason is , as long as he gets her back to the ship . He explains that he and Riker will meet with the head of Rutian security Alexana Devos and try to get more information on who they ' re dealing with . Wesley wants to go with him , but Picard says he is needed on the ship to figure out a counter for their ability to shift in and out . Counselor Troi explains that he needs his strength , but Picard concedes that , as history shows , strength can be meaningless when dealing with terrorism . Both officers meet with Devos , who is stunned and helpless as they never did take hostages , and the device makes them even more powerful . She grants them permission to study the device , and will put them in touch with their research teams . Devos says that the Ansata terrorists are like dealing with animals , not people . She hints that advanced Federation weaponry might turn the tide in favor of the Government and aid in Crusher ' s recovery , but Picard flatly refuses , silently citing the Prime Directive , which Devos understands . Picard returns to the " Enterprise " leaving Riker behind to coordinate the recovery operation with her , who isn ' t too keen on it as she knows her enemy , and that does not leave much room for optimism . Sleeping , Crusher is met again by Finn , who asks if she was hungry . She becomes defensive when he comes close to her , but Finn instead removes her shackles . He then concedes that her not eating is bothering him . Finally , she eats . Finn introduces himself to her again , and Crusher breaks her silence by asking why he brought her there . They needed a doctor , says Finn , and she was with the Federation flagship and it had to be her . Finn then asks why the Federation is helping the Rutians . Dr . Crusher explains to him that they in fact don ' t , and that all they did was bring medical supplies to them . Finn reveals himself as the leader of the rebels , which horrifies Crusher . Finn takes the plate away and forcefully gets her up . Crusher reveals that she has a son , and Finn tells her she will be with him soon , as he has no reason to kill her . Act Two . Finn shows Crusher to a medical room filled with weak , suffering Rebel agents . She requests medical supplies from the " Enterprise " , but Finn denies it . She reminds him that the Federation is not allied ; they are on an errand of mercy . Finn understands that , but sends her medical supplies that bear Federation markings , meaning that they were stolen from the Rutian medical stations . Meanwhile , when shown a list , Riker asks if all the names are actual Ansata members . Devos replies no , stating that the organization may consist of only 200 members , but there are over 5 , 000 sympathizers that supply them with weapons and information , participate in pro Ansata demonstrations , general strikes , or riots . When asked when it all started , it is stated that the government denied them independence seventy years ago which in turn gave them the cause needed for an armed conflict . Now they use it as an excuse for more violence . Riker sees the hatred in her eyes . She claims that she used to be less passionate about all this until a terrorist attack on a shuttle school bus which claimed the lives of 60 school children . That incident opened her eyes to the immense injustice she was seeing . The Ansata claimed it was a mistake and that they wanted to target a police transport , but that did not make the situation go away . After that day , she vowed to put an end to terrorism . Crusher , assisted by a child , work together to try to cure the Ansata of their mysterious affliction . However all they can do is try and ease their suffering . She tells Finn they ' re dying and that there ' s nothing she can do . If she could find out the cause , she could prevent the suffering . Finn explains that the inverter is the culprit : while it gives them a powerful new weapon , it seriously damages their health . Crusher is surprised to hear that they use it for dimensional shifting . Finn doesn ' t care , and tells her that one dead martyr is worth ten posturing leaders . Data and Wesley are amazed at the design , but still don ' t know what it is used for . Lt . Commander La Forge picks up faint nuclear vibration that the Rutians picked up from the terrorists movements . That gets Wesley ' s mind going , and he calls up the files of the Elway Theorem , and correctly matches the vibrations to the theorem , which gives Starfleet a major break : The files give them the tools needed to trace the rebels . Data informs Picard that using this form of transport would cause irreparable damage that can be detected . Picard now fully understands why they needed the services of a medical doctor . As the authorities round up the suspected terrorists , Riker shows remorse for both sides , when he watches small children being handcuffed and detained as suspects , indicating there is no way people can live like this . Devos explains that her method is much less harsh than her predecessors , who would round up suspected terrorists , and no one would hear from them again . She also tells Riker about how the bomb on the shuttle bus was carried by a child . After watching him draw pictures , Finn and Crusher clash over their ideals . Finn tries to paint himself like George Washington on Earth , and tries to depict their struggle as similar to that of the American Revolution and its struggle for freedom and independence . Crusher tells him that Washington was a military general , not a terrorist , and blasts him by telling him that he is killing innocent people . Finn thinks that the difference between a terrorist and a General is a matter of subjective interpretation . He rebuts by asking how many innocent lives were lost for the cause of peace for the Federation ; how many good and noble societies have bombed innocent civilians and wiped out whole cities in the name of their cause for freedom and unity . However , now people like Dr . Crusher , who are enjoying the comforts that come from these battles and killings , have the nerve to frown on Finn ' s morality and judge him ? Finn states firmly that he is willing to die for his freedom and that in the finest tradition of Dr . Crusher ' s own great civilization , he is willing to kill for it too . Act Three . Suspected members of the terrorist movement are being interrogated by Devos , with Riker observing . When the waiter Katik Shaw sat down , he became very uncooperative . Riker had enough of his stalling and gives a message , indicating that the Federation is willing to discuss terms for Crusher ' s release . Devos protests , but Riker points out she is a Starfleet officer and his responsibility . They want terms , they ' re willing to listen . Devos insists they should track him , but she ' ll play it Riker ' s way . She gets very irate at the fact that all she wants to do , is go back to her own country , without the fear and paranoia she has gotten from her stay here . Back on the " Enterprise " , Data has the ability to track their movements , but is unsure how many jumps it would take to physically track them . He then talks to Picard regarding terrorism and wonders why they would go to extreme measures . He then takes examples such as Irish Unification of 2024 , the independence of the Mexican state from Spain , and the Kenzie Rebellion of uses of successful terrorism tactics that have worked , and asks if terrorism is justified for change . Picard explains to Data that the question is something that mankind has been struggling for years to answer , and that his confusion is very ' Human . ' The messenger Shaw delivers Riker ' s message to Finn , but Finn is infuriated believing the Federation may have sided against them , which contradicts what Crusher has been saying . Crusher tells him that they want her back , but Finn tells her she will not be released until they find a cure for the sickness . Crusher pleads with him that she has a life and a son who needs her . Finn shows remorse that her son is on the ship , which makes her fearful . Finn calls out that they have shouted and no one has heard them for 70 years but one act would make them be heard across the galaxy : Destruction of the Federation flagship , and puts the blame of her son ' s eventual death on the Federation . Under duress , Crusher pleads with him not to attack the " Enterprise " . Finn reveals to her he had a son too , but died in detention when he was 13 . Finn walks off , as Crusher is helpless to do anything more for Wesley . Two crewman walk in the decks of the " Enterprise " , as a terrorist attacks them . Worf detects intruders , while Wesley discovers they ' re using dimensional shifts . Picard orders red alert . La Forge is surprised by the klaxon , but notices something odd through his VISOR . Two terrorists appear and one engineer is shot by the terrorist , while another escapes . They then fire on La Forge who calls for security while taking cover . Worf spots them in engineering , but neither the transporter or force field s can stop them as they are moving inter - dimensionally . The terrorists toss a device and attach it to the main warp reactor . As soon as they shift , La Forge approaches it and realizes it is a bomb . Picard orders the bomb to be transported out , but it is scrambling the sensors , making it unable to be pinpointed . Picard orders an emergency saucer separation , while La Forge tries to remove it . Using a tool to remove it , he sets in on the ground , while ordering the transporter room to lock on to his signal . Troi doesn ' t know why his signal , but Picard gestures that he knows what he ' s doing . He attaches his combadge to the device and gets out of the way , as the bomb explodes harmlessly off the starboard nacelle seconds later . Finn and another terrorist shift on to the bridge , shooting both the helmsman ' s console and Data ' s . Picard greets Finn with a vicious punch that sends him down and Picard leaps to tackle him . The other terrorists fires on Worf , and scores a hit , but Worf retaliates and scores a hit on her . Troi rushes to Worf , in a state of panic , calling security while Wesley and another crewman check on Worf . Both terrorists shift out , taking Picard before Data can help him . Two terrorists take Picard to their base and shackle him . Picard sees Crusher for the first time , realizing that both of them are now in Finn ' s hands . Act Four . Riker and Devos return to the " Enterprise " . Troi reports that the attack has left three people dead and four others wounded , and Worf ' s wound was not severe . La Forge points out that another millisecond and the " Enterprise " would be a giant dust cloud orbiting the planet . Riker is dumbfounded as to why the Ansata attacked a Federation starship . All he asked was to talk . Devos balks at Riker ' s diplomatic stance . Riker then gets some good news from Wesley indicating that if the Ansata uses their device again , they should be able to track its source , which pleases Devos . Picard explains the attack to Crusher . He did assure her that Wesley did take cover when they assaulted the bridge . Crusher explains the motive behind her abduction , which was exactly what Picard knew , and gave high praise to Wesley for putting them on the right track . He notes that he will be a very fine Starfleet officer . Then clashes occur when Crusher admits she should have returned to the ship , while Picard explains that she should have beamed her anyway , which crosses her to the core . It even gets on to a subject about Finn and his men , which even casts doubts on Crusher ' s views on the Federation ' s mission to the planet , which Picard shoots back indicating she is arguing for someone who almost could ' ve killed her son . Finn enters and explains that they didn ' t destroy the ship , and settled for her captain instead . An angry Picard points out that he made a miscalculation , by attacking a Federation starship and her crew , abducting two of her officers ; and acts as if Starfleet is going to sit idly by and do nothing , which is incorrect , according to Finn . Picard asks if he really wants Federation involvement ; Finn counters by in fact , the Federation is involved , but by not admitting it , the Federation is tainted with moral cowardice with non - aligned worlds , and doing business with the Rutians . He points out that he can now take on both the Rutians and the Federation because of Picard . He knows that the Federation will grow tired of his abduction and will want him back . It will go to a point where they will force the Rutian government to give in to Finn ' s demands . Picard states that he will not cooperate , but Finn points out he already has , just by being his captive . Finn returns to the " Enterprise " to deliver his message to Troi . Using both Picard and Crusher as pawns , Finn demands that an embargo and trade s are levied against Rutia , and that the Federation uses Starfleet to establish a blockade of the planet . No ships can enter or leave the planet . This will continue until both the Rutia government and the Ansata initiates talks that are mediated by a Federation Council . He then leaves before security arrives . Unknown to Finn , Wesley tracks the source to their base , located on the southern tip , thirty meter s below in a cavern with no surface access . Riker notes that any light must be artificially generated . Devos points out if they are able to disable it , the confusion would buy time for them to get their people out . Worf emerges on the bridge , asks to be part of the rescue party , indicating he " " owes it to the captain " . " Riker grants Worf ' s request and gives Data command . Wesley wishes them good luck , and Riker promises they will bring the captain and his mother home . Act Five . Finn warns Crusher that he may have to kill Picard soon . Crusher pleads with him to reconsider , as she could make him listen . Finn then tries to get her in his shoes , but Crusher angrily rejects that her position would not be reversed . She ' s been terrified for this whole ordeal , and that Finn controls using fear . He states that fear is not his best weapon , but it is a good one . Crusher fears that he may win the fight and gain real power . Finn asks her not to fear him , and gives her a scrapbook containing drawings of her eyes , and a picture of her face . The combined Federation / Rutian rescue team beams down to the base , and approach it cautiously , with phasers drawn . Worf and another police officer subdue two terrorists , and proceeds with caution , while Riker locates the generator . Their plan is in motion as Devos and her men take up positions , while Worf and Riker take up theirs . Crusher sees Picard who is trying to think of an escape . Asking if she ' s gained Finn ' s confidence , she shows him the scrapbook . Picard agrees that she has , and even more , which could prove as an advantage . Crusher prepares to reveal some secrets in the event that neither of them make it out , when the lights go off , indicating that they may have been found . In a scramble , the terrorists prepare for battle . Behind cover , Riker and Worf attack two guards who they were hiding from , using melee combat . After subduing them , they proceed to find their officers , while the police round up the terrorists from their base . Devos spots the two officers , and Finn as he prepares to kill Picard . Before he has a chance to , Devos shoots him from behind , killing him . Riker says that Devos did not have to kill him . She points out that if he was a prisoner , he would be a focal point for violence as his followers would free him . This way , he is a martyr . The death toll may drop for a time , she says ; and points out it is an imperfect solution to an imperfect world . From behind , a boy points a weapon at Devos preparing to kill her . Crusher intervenes and says " " No more killing " " . In conflict with his beliefs , he agrees with Crusher and lowers his weapon , as he is taken into custody . Devos knows this all too often as another is ready to take Finn ' s place . Riker points out that he could ' ve killed her , and that maybe the violence could end with a boy lowering his weapon . Crusher steps on the bridge of the " Enterprise " with Picard , Riker , and Worf . She warmly reunites with Wesley and owes him her rescue . Wesley takes it in stride and indicates he was only " " part of the team " " . Memorable quotes . " " In a world where children blow up children , everyone ' s a threat . " " " " This is a war for independence , and I am no better or different than your own George Washington . " " " " Washington was a military general , not a terrorist . " " " " The difference between generals and terrorists is only the difference between winners and losers . If you win you are called a general . If you lose . . . " " " " You are killing innocent people ! ! " " " " How much innocent blood has been spilled for the cause of freedom in the history of your Federation , Doctor ? How many good and noble societies have bombed civilians in war ? Wiped out whole cities . And now that you enjoy the comfort that has come from their battles , their killing , you frown on my immorality ? I am willing to die for my freedom . And , in the finest tradition of your own great civilization , I ' m willing to kill for it , too . " " " " I have a son . " " " " You ' ll be with him again , doctor . I see no reason to kill you . " " " " History has shown us that strength may be useless when faced with terrorism . " " " " But if that is so , Captain , why are their methods so often successful ? I have been reviewing the history of armed rebellion , and it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change . " " " " Yes , it can be . But I have never subscribed to the idea that political power flows from the barrel of a gun . " " " " Yet there are numerous examples when it was successful : the independence of the Mexican state from Spain , the Irish Unification of 2024 , and the Kenzie Rebellion . " " " " Yes , I am aware of them . " " " " Then would it be accurate to say that terrorism is acceptable , when all options for peaceful settlement have been foreclosed ? " " " " Data , these are questions that mankind has been struggling with throughout history . Your confusion is . . . only Human . " " " " Beverly , you are arguing for a man who may have just murdered your son ! " " " " If you want , I could become more persuasive . . . " " " " No ! " " " " Captain , there ' s a lot to admire in the Federation , but there ' s a hint of moral cowardice in your dealings with non - aligned planets . You do business with a government that ' s crushing us . And then you say you aren ' t involved ? You ' re very much involved . You just don ' t want to get dirty . " " " " Your son ' s on that ship ? " " " " Yes . . . " " " " I ' m sorry he ' s on that ship . " " " " Please , Finn , don ' t do this ! I will do anything you ask . " " " " I had a son , too . He was thirteen when he died in detention . " " " " I am fighting the only war I can against an intractable enemy . Now I ' m fighting a bigger war against a much more powerful adversary . Can ' t you see how that helps me ? " " " " I ' m afraid I can ' t . " " " " He ' s added another chair to the negotiating table . " " " " You added the chair , captain . I am merely forcing you to sit in it . " " " " Beverly , it is our obligation to think of escape . " " " " He ' s prepared to kill you . " " " " An excellent reason to escape . " " " " As a prisoner , he would have been a focus for violence as his followers tried to free him . Now he ' s a martyr . But the death toll might go down , at least in the short term . It ' s an imperfect solution for an imperfect world . " " " " No more killing . " " Links and references . References . 2024 ; 23rd century ; 2296 ; 2365 ; adaptive subspace echogram ; alcohol ; Ansata ; assassination ; astral physics ; DNA ; drawing ; Earth ; Eastern continent of Rutia IV ; Elway ; Elway Theorem ; embargo ; emergency power ; Federation ; folded - space transport ; folded - space transporter ; general quarters ; immorality ; intruder alert ; inverter ; Ireland ; Irish Unification of 2024 ; Kenzie Rebellion ; kilometer ; Lumar Cafe ; magnetosphere faint echogram ( magnetosphere ) ; meter ; Mexico ; murder ; North America ; [ [ nuclear vibration ] ; ; [ [ police transport ] ] ; [ [ red alert ] ] ; [ [ riot ] ] ; [ [ Rutia IV ] ] ; [ [ Rutian ] ] ; [ [ Rutian school children 001 | 60 Rutian school children ] ] ; ; [ [ scrapbook ] ] ; [ [ shore leave ] ] ; [ [ shuttlebus ] ] ; [ [ sleight - of - hand ] ] ; [ [ Spain ] ] ; [ [ subspace field coil ] ] ; [ [ subspace pressure modulation ] ] ; [ [ terrorism ] ] ; [ [ tricorder ] ] ; [ [ waiter ] ] ; ; [ [ Western continent of Rutia IV ] ] External links . [ [ de : Terror auf Rutia - Vier ] ] [ [ es : The High Ground ] ] [ [ fr : The High Ground ( épisode ) ] ] [ [ ja : 異次元テロリスト （ エピソード ） ] ] [ [ nl : The High Ground ] ] [ [ pl : The High Ground ] ] [ [ Category : TNG episodes | High Ground , The ] ]