Galaxy ' s Child ( episode ) La Forge finds out that a scientist is hardly what he imagined her to be . Meanwhile , they must work together to save the child of a space - borne alien the " Enterprise " has accidentally killed . Summary . Teaser . The is en route to Starbase 313 in order to pick up some equipment to transport to the Guernica system . At the starbase , Dr . Leah Brahms , comes on board to study the engine modifications Geordi La Forge has made . Dr . Brahms was responsible for most of the engine design on the " Enterprise " , when the ship was built at Utopia Planitia . La Forge , however , previously met Dr . Brahms in a holodeck simulation , in order to get the ship out of trouble , and has also had some romantic experience with the computer - simulated female . When Captain Picard informs La Forge of Dr . Brahms ' arrival and asks him to greet the Doctor on the " Enterprise " s behalf , La Forge is more than happy , hoping that he and the " real " Brahms might become romantically involved . Later , in talking to Guinan , he insists that he is not expecting anything more than friendship . But once Ensign Hubbel beams Dr . Brahms aboard , she skips the greeting and immediately insults La Forge by accusing him of having " " fouled up [ her ] engine designs . " " Act One . La Forge takes Dr . Brahms through engineering as she proceeds to remark on his extensive engine modifications including the matter / antimatter ratio , magnetic plasma transfer , and a completely new swap - out schedule for replacement of main components . She calls them " not per regulations " but La Forge explains that they were necessary from experience ; the classic tug - of - war between theory and application . On the bridge , Data informs Riker that the sensor s are picking up some strange readings in the nearby Alpha Omicron system , which was then still unexplored by Starfleet . Riker decides that they should investigate , since " " we ' re way ahead of schedule . " " Back down in engineering , La Forge tries to get along with Dr . Brahms , reminding her that " " There is no reason for us to argue , we ' re on the same side here . " " To reach a better understanding , he proposes " " Why don ' t I take you on a little tour , show you the adjustments I made , why I think they work and we can begin pulling together on this ? " " La Forge then shuts down the warp core in order to show the dilithium chamber to Brahms . She immediately notices the dilithium crystal ' s orientation different than designed . La Forge accidentally reminds her why , but that was her hologram a year ago , and goes into the full explanation . He doesn ' t claim the full credit for the idea , but doesn ' t go further than that . La Forge then suggests that the two meet later in order to " " plan out our agenda for the next day or two . " " Brahms agrees to meet with La Forge in his quarters at 1900 hours , maybe to have a bite to eat – he claims that he can make a great fungilli . Brahms tells that she loves fungilli and smiles for the first time since she has arrived on the ship . The ship then arrives at the Alpha Omicron System and the crew are starting to investigate the source of the strange energy readings the ship ' s sensors previously picked up . They learn that a lifeform is orbiting the seventh planet of the system . A lifeform , that is , as Picard tells Troi , " " just to live between the stars , and have the entire galaxy as a home . " " While the ship analyzes the lifeform , it probes the ship , suddenly starts to attack it , and captures it in " " an energy damping field . " " All of the crew ' s attempts to free themselves fail , and then the computer announces : " " Radiation levels at 300 millirads per minute and rising . Lethal exposure in one minute . " " Forced to act quickly , Picard orders phaser s be fired at the creature , at minimum power . But even at minimum power , the phaser fire is strong enough to kill the creature , and ruin Picard ' s efforts to initiate peaceful relations with a new species . Act Two . Almost stunned by the accident , Picard wants to retreat to his ready room , as Data starts picking up some energy reading from the lifeform – a reading which may suggest that the creature is still alive . Meanwhile , La Forge goes into great efforts to prepare himself and his quarters for Brahms ' arrival – he struggles to teach the computer what a " cozy " light intensity is , tries to choose a good ambient music and gets into casual wear , since " " uniforms are so formal . " " Brahms arrives on time , and they start to talk . She admits , that she is often very possessive about her engine designs – " " . . . it ' s like . . . they are your children . " " She tells that she doesn ' t want to be that way but sometimes she simply feels better with engine schematics than with people . La Forge understands , and Brahms also sympathizes with him . When La Forge tries to continue and get dinner , she cuts him off and tells him that she doesn ' t think it would be appropriate if she stayed – and abruptly leaves . Back on the bridge , Data , Riker and Picard analyze the new energy reading from the body of the creature , and conclude that it is a second lifeform – a child . Picard states that it was no wonder that the parent lifeform attacked the ship because " " it was about to give birth . " " Act Three . Worf , Crusher , Counselor Troi , Riker and Picard meet in the Observation Lounge to discuss what to do . Dr . Crusher suggests , that the child may not be able to free itself from the body of the parent being . Riker then proposes using the ship ' s phasers as a scalpel to perform a Caesarean section . Worf advises against this , claiming that the child may be a threat to the ship , just as was the parent . Picard agrees , but reminds him that they have accidentally killed the parent , and so they are now responsible for the survival of the child . The next morning in engineering , Brahms and La Forge go through a list of discrepancies which Brahms has found in the engine modifications . They crawl into some Jefferies tube s in order to inspect the power transfer conduit s . Brahms quickly notices that the sound of the engines is not correct , and La Forge shows her the cause : he has added a so - called mid - range phase adjuster . Brahms is quite overwhelmed by this technical refinement and tells La Forge that he should write a scientific paper on it , as she feels that this improvement should be shared . La Forge refuses and claims that he isn ' t good at writing . Instead , he proposes , that " " we could collaborate . Writing is one of your strong points . " " When Brahms hears that , it ' s the last straw in a series of familiar comments he has made . She directly asks him how he knows her so well . He lies , and claims that he admired her work and so he studied her for years and is a great fan of her – and wanted to meet her a long time ago . Brahms realizes that La Forge is seriously interested in her , and tells him that he should know that she is married – one fact about her of which La Forge had " not " been aware . Later , in Ten Forward , a depressed La Forge plays a game of chess with Guinan , and speaks his mind . He says that he is quite disappointed in the ' real ' Leah Brahms , as the holographic simulation of her was so very different , saying to Guinan that the real Brahms is as friendly as a Circassian plague cat . Guinan points out that the computer may have been able to give the holo - Brahms personality from her Starfleet records , but when it came to the relationship , " " you filled in the blanks . And you had a perfectly wonderful , marvelous little fantasy . " " She advises him that he should take a good look at her , and see for who she really is , and not for what he may want her to be . On the bridge , the crew perform the procedure , and place an incision in the dead body of the parent , clearing the way for the child creature . This creature then makes its way out of the body , and the captain is very relieved . The crew make sure that the child being is okay , and then set to resume their course to Starbase 313 . Riker suggests , that " " it might be wise to put some distance between us before we go to warp . " " Picard agrees and orders the ship to be moved away from the newborn at a gentle velocity . The newborn however , starts to follow the ship , then softly lands on the rearmost upper surface of the " Enterprise ' s " primary hull and adheres itself there , not letting off it . Troi reveals that it now thinks that the " Enterprise " is its mother . Ensign Rager increases the ship ' s speed , but the creature just won ' t let go . Ultimately , it attaches itself more firmly to the hull of the " Enterprise " and starts draining the ship ' s power directly from the fusion reactors . Again , Troi has the answer : " " It ' s feeding off the energy from the " Enterprise " as it would from its mother . " " Picard decides that they should not try and remove the child from the hull by force . Act Four . In the observation lounge , the crew discuss what action to take . Data states that he may be able to determine the destination of the parent being – Dr . Crusher claims that " " perhaps it was on its way to provide a safe and supportive environment to its newborn . " " The captain decides to head for this destination , and to leave the child alone there . Dr . Brahms , who is part of the discussion , suggests that " " could be removed from the hull by opening the door to shuttle bay two . The pressure from inside the bay might push the child away from the hull , as it is nearly completely covering the bay door . The captain agrees to this plan . On their way to engineering , La Forge and Dr . Brahms discuss how they could fit the engines for continually rising demands of power of the child - lifeform . Dr . Brahms asks La Forge whether there is a complete list of the modifications he has made . Captain Picard then summons La Forge to the bridge . La Forge asks Dr . Brahms to proceed to engineering alone , and tells her that Ensign Pavlik can show her the computer file which contains the list with the engine modifications . There she discovers the holographic simulation in which La Forge met her for the first time . When La Forge returns to engineering and Pavlik tells him that Dr . Brahms has gone to the holodeck , he immediately runs away to intercept her . He arrives too late , and Dr . Brahms has already seen most of the program . She is outraged by what she has seen and shouts angrily at La Forge . He claims that nothing intimate happened and insists that it was just a professional collaboration . Ultimately , he lets loose and tells Dr . Brahms what he really thinks about her : " " Alright , look – ever since you came on board you ' ve been badgering me – and I ' ve taken it ! I ' ve shown you courtesy , respect and a hell of a lot of patience . " " He says angrily that he regrets having offered " her " his friendship , and leaves the puzzled Dr . Brahms alone in the holodeck . Meanwhile on the bridge , Data has managed to determine the destination of the parent being , an asteroid belt . Picard immediately orders Rager to take them there . Upon their arrival , Data suggests that some chemical compounds in the asteroid field may provide sustenance for this lifeform and that the child would have a good supply of food there . Now in shuttle bay two , La Forge opens the external door and deactivates the atmospheric force field – but the child does not let go of the hull . Instead , it increases its power drain and starts emitting radio transmissions to communicate with other beings of its species . Riker orders main power to be shut down to compensate for the increasing power drain of the child , and an emergency level 7 . Three other creatures in the asteroid belt immediately head for the " Enterprise " – leaving some ten minutes until intercept . Act Five . Down in engineering , the crew is desperate to find a way to get the child - creature to detach itself off of the ship ' s hull . Dr . Brahms shows up , and tells La Forge that she has an idea . She suggests that they need to look for a way to " " sour the milk . " " However , since the ship is already running on auxiliary power only , this plan seems impossible to accomplish at first . But then La Forge has an idea and suggests adding " vinegar " to the baby ' s milk . Since all matter in space vibrates in a 21 centimeter radiation band , he suggests that they could try and " " alter the power frequency so that it ' s completely foreign to the baby ' s natural vibrations . " " Dr . Brahms agrees and La Forge informs the bridge that he and Dr . Brahms " together " have a plan . They make the necessary preparations and implement the plan . Dr . Brahms lowers the wavelength down to 2 cm , but the lifeform ' s power drain is unaffected . After taking the wavelength down to 0 . 2 cm , the creature begins to drain more and more power , and notifies the other creatures , which immediately accelerate their approach and prepare to attack the " Enterprise . " However , when Dr . Brahms lowers the wavelength even further to 0 . 02 cm , the child disengages and is welcomed by the other creatures , which cease their plans to attack the ship . Riker orders main power to be restored and the ship piloted away . Picard then complements La Forge and Brahms for having " " weaned the baby . " " Down in engineering , the two look at each other and congratulate each other for their cooperation . Having struck up an authentic friendship , Brahms and La Forge share a drink in Ten Forward , laugh and speak their minds , La Forge noting that " " the computer is notorious for " not " volunteering information ! " " She apologizes for being so impolite , saying , " " I wouldn ' t change a thing . Except for the way I behaved . " " He apologizes for having lied to her and admits that he ' s glad " " to know you . The " real " you . " " They agree to remain friends . A message from her husband then summons Dr . Brahms and she walks out of Ten Forward while La Forge sits alone , looking out into space . Memorable quotes . " " I ' m Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge , chief engineer . " " " " La Forge . . . so you ' re the one who ' s fouled up my engine designs . " " " " Computer , subdued light . " " ( laughs ) " " No , that ' s too much . I don ' t want it dark , I want it cozy . " " " " Please state your request in precise candlepower . " " " " See , it ' s not a matter of precision , Computer , it ' s a matter of mood . Brighter than this . " " " " We ' re out here to explore , to make contact with other lifeforms , to establish peaceful relations but not to interfere . . . and absolutely not to destroy . And yet , look at what we have just done . " " " " Sometimes , I feel more comfortable with engine schematics than people . " " " " Well , maybe you just haven ' t met the right . . . people . " " " " No wonder it attacked us . . . it was about to give birth . " " " " The acoustic signature doesn ' t sound right . " " " " You ' re probably the only other person in the galaxy who could pick that up . " " " " Commander La Forge , ever since I came on board . . . there seems to be something a little . . . peculiar about your attitude . You seem to know things about me . . . even though we ' ve never met . " " " " Come on . You can do it ! " " " " Captain , I ' d like to announce the birth of a large baby . . . something . " " " " She ' s probably done the most horrific thing one person can do to another : not live up to your expectations . " " " " Take a hard look through your VISOR , La Forge . . . see her for who she really is . . . not what you want her to be . " " " " It thinks the " Enterprise " is its mother . " " " " Sir . Is the appellation ' Junior ' to be the lifeform ' s official name ? " " " " No , it is not ! " " " " Mr . La Forge , Dr . Brahms , congratulations . You ' ve weaned the baby . " " " " Captain , the creatures are accelerating their approach . They are changing color ! " " Links and references . References . actinide ; Alpha Omicron VII ; Alpha Omicron asteroid belt ; Alpha Omicron system ; antimatter ; antimatter containment ; appellation ; asteroid belt ; auxiliary power ; ; bussard collector ; Caesarean section ; candlepower ; carbonaceous chondrite ; Circassian plague cat ; classical guitar ; dampening field ; degauss ; dilithium ; dilithium chamber ; Dilithium articulation frame ; Drafting Room 5 ; emergency level - 7 ; emergency power generator ; engineering log ; étude ; evasive maneuvers ; Federation ; field density ; force field ; fungilli ; fusion reactor s ; ; gamma particle ; Guernica system ; holodeck ; holo - program ; intermix ratio ; Jefferies tube ; ; Junior ' s mother ; Junior ' s species ; Junior ' s species adults ; kefnium ; level - 5 probe ; magnetic containment field ; magnetic plasma transfer ; Mars ; matter - antimatter reaction assembly ; meklinite ; mid - range phase adjuster ; " " ; Milky Way Galaxy ; millirad ; Menthar s ; milk ; MTBF unit ; music ; Number one ; optical nanoprocessor ; outpost ; personnel review ; phase coil ; phaser ; piano etude ; plasma ; plasma energy ; plasma inducer ; plasma injection throttle ; power tap ; power transfer conduit ; radiation ; radio transmissions ; red alert ; scalpel ; science station ; shuttlebay ; silicate ; soft jazz ; spaceborne species ; spacesuit ; star ; Starbase 313 ; Starfleet Command ; Theoretical Propulsion Group ; Three - dimensional chess ; tritium ; Utopia Planitia ; Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards ; " Variations on a Theme of Paganini " ; vinegar ; warp field ; warp field generator Unused production references . Garran IV ; Michael