Strategy Summary . The " Enterprise " is under attack by a ship of unknown design . During the attack , Troi is injured in her quarters , and Worf is late getting to the bridge due to taking the time to assist her and call for medical attention . The last attack has damaged the sub - light engines and taken their shields to 24 % . La Forge reports that if they push too much , other systems may start to fail . Data reports that the sensor s have been reconfigured to recognize the warp signature of the alien vessel , but no sign of them at the moment . La Forge notes that " " the ship has the disruptor nacelle s and the warp core of a Romulan warbird , a Starfleet - style saucer section – all of it protected by the shield structure of a Borg cube . " " La Forge notes that a class 9 probe could get the information to Starbase 122 in two days . After the meeting , Picard tells Worf that he appreciates the help he gave to a fellow officer , but tells him that when the first officer gives him an order , it is to be followed " " immediately , and without hesitation . . . regardless of personal relationships . " " Down in sickbay , Riker talks with Dr . Crusher about Troi ' s condition , and Crusher reports that they ' d almost lost her twice already . Troi begins to come to as Riker holds her hand and mumbles " " . . . Worf . . . " " On the bridge , Worf and Data investigate the pattern of attack , trying to find a reason . Data notes that the ship had received several subspace transmissions and that the " " the attacker knew exactly where to target weapons to disable the warp drive and communications . " " Worf suggests that perhaps the attack was aimed at Troi . Riker enters the bridge , and they share their findings with him . Just then , the ship is rocked by another attack , knocking the shields down to 16 % . Return phaser fire has no effect , and Troi arrives on the bridge , saying " " . . . have to tell you . . . " " before collapsing . Riker tells Worf to get her to sickbay and takes over tactical himself . Down in sickbay , Troi tells Worf that she believes that the ship is receiving some sort of remote command , and that there is nobody on board . Data , Riker , and Picard quickly brainstorm methods of interrupting the subspace signals and come up with the idea of placing beacons to create a " wall of sound " . They approach the alien vessel , their left nacelle disabled , and fire the beacons into place . The vessel begins to power weapons and the " Enterprise " shields are down to 3 % , not enough to survive a direct hit . Just then , an enormous explosion occurs . Back in orbit around Starbase 122 , Worf enters Troi ' s quarters to find her and Riker in the midst of a pillow fight . Riker notes that they were talking about old times and thanks Worf for telling him to bring a Ktarian chocolate puff , Troi ' s favorite desert . Troi kisses Worf and Riker excuses himself for a " date " . In Picard ' s ready room , Picard and Data discuss what may have occurred and surmise that the ship may have had a self - destruct instruction when contact with its creator was broken . Picard notes that the Romulans have a history with remote - controlled vessels and that Starfleet has no knowledge of vessels of this type . Memorable quotes . " " A class - 9 probe could carry the information . From this position , it should reach Starbase 122 in about two days . " " " " One day , nineteen hours , and forty - seven minutes , to be exact . " " " " The attack may have been directed at Counselor Troi . " " " " Based on what evidence ? " " " " The " lack " of evidence actually . ' When all options fail , the true course is the only one that remains . ' " " " " Sherlock Holmes ? " " " " Elementary , my dear Commander . " "