STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Distant Voices" #40277-274 Story by C. J. Holland Teleplay by C. J. Holland Directed by Cliff Bole THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Copyright 1993 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. FINAL DRAFT STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Distant Voices" CAST PICARD CAPTAIN WALKER KEEL RIKER TRYLA SCOTT BEVERLY CAPTAIN RIXX TROI ADMIRAL SAVAR WORF ADMIRAL AARON GEORDI ADMIRAL GREGORY QUINN DEXTER REMMICK Voice-Over Non-Speaking COMPUTER VOICE CEREMONIAL GUARD TRANSPORTER OPERATOR (EARTH) Non-Speaking CEREMONIAL GUARDS SUPERNUMERARIES AN ORDERLY COM VOICE RIKER Com Voice DATA COM VOICE STRANGER GUARD Non-Speaking SECURITY GUARDS TWO ANIMAL WORMSHIPS TWO ANIMAL MEDICAL OFFICERS TWO TV SHOTS ANIMAL MAN Non-Speaking Voice-Over COMPUTER VOICE CROSS WARNING: OFF US TURBOLIFT STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Final Mission" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE TRANSPORTER ROOM PREY TEN FORWARD CORRIDOR SICKBAY PREY BRIDGE READY ROOM OBS. LOUNGE TURBOLIFT DEV-11 FEK-11.0621 - REV-11/21/92 - TEASER STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Final Mission" TEASER FADE IN: EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE AND THE DEFIANT (OPTICAL) The Enterprise has rendezvoused with the warship Kes 9 908. This is the first time the two ships have joined forces and it's an important moment for both ships. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, Stardate 41209.4. We have rendezvoused with the USS Kes 908 to react on the international implications of the Kes mission. We are relieved to report that the massive destruction the blockade has caused is being healed. The console displays a MAP of the KES COMMAND THREE OUTSIDE THE BATTLE BRIDGE. The SAMPLE TRANSPORTER EFFECT we saw earlier is now gone -- the TRANSPORTER BUILD IN (the transporter effect we saw only in "A Matter of Time" is now active, as well as the Enterprise itself). PICARD (V.O.) (continuing) The intensity of the damage is considerably greater than we could ever have imagined. It threatens to close this section of the gap... KES COM VOICE (glunged) Battle damage done. On the map, the explosion of SPARKS and CLANKING NOISES continue. KES COM VOICE (continuing) ... which will cut us off soon. PICARD Clearly we are being boarded. Picard's communicator begins to BEEP and AN EXPLOSION is heard from the other side. KES COM VOICE Victims: Seven shiploads. At this moment the TEROK NOR RADIATION COALESCES in location and DISSOLVES INTO A VIEW OF THE BATTLE LINE. EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as it COMES OUT OF TEROGY, DROPS IN front of the BATTLE BRIDGE. (Note: The secondary effects of the trembling are not as noticeable here.) KES COM VOICE (continuing) ... but when the Captain's ship suddenly turned, we gave the Turning Point to her, we forced her to reboard and completed our diversion. With a fraction of that power, we beamed the victims from the other decks... An EXPLOSION and the RED ALERT KLAXON continues. INT. BATTLE BRIDGE - (OPTICAL) Red Alert continues. Picard and the Bridge crew are anxiously looking at the Viewscreen, which shows the Klaestron and the other Battlecruisers all coming to a stop. There is a SHAKING, as though a great moment has just passed. KLAESTRON (continuing) ... but there is nothing obvious to detain us here. INT. BATTLE BRIDGE - (OPTICAL) The crew looks anxiously at the Viewscreen. For a beat, Picard doesn't want to believe it. PICARD Mister La Forge? GEORDI Almost perfect, sir. Except for the luminosity readings. We're pretty much out of options. INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) Transporter effects are running on all controllers. Worf stands at the console. WORF Captain, a diversion is necessary. Counselor, you are with me. (to Transporter Chief) Have you locked onto the new arrangement? TRANSPORTER CHIEF (works) The coordinates are locked into the transporter system. WORF Now? TRANSPORTER CHIEF A matter of seconds. WORF (to Transporter Chief) Are you ready? TRANSPORTER CHIEF (works) Not yet, Mister Worf. INT. BATTLE BRIDGE As before. WORF Radiation levels have exceeded safe levels. Evacuation proceed... And that's all. Worf sits there, suppressing a smile. PICARD Mister Worf... maintain a visible approach to each ship... WORF Aye, sir. PICARD (to Transporter Chief) Ensign, each ship has a unique attribute which we'll learn which role they're playing. ENSIGN FELTON (tapping console) Aye, sir. Felton pushes a panel, and a starfield with a great deal of snow begins to fill the screen. RIKER What are they doing? WORF Disruptors are down. RIKER (to com) Riker to Yeager. Report. INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM Transporter Chief BASHIR and a Klingon boy, CALLOWAY, MATERIALIZE. RIKER Welcome. WORF Captain. There is a problem. RIKER What is it? WORF (a little surprise) A Vulcan is attempting to transport a Romulan. RIKER Ah. Vulcan. WORF He may refer to the Romulan ship. RIKER (to com) Stand by, Mister Worf. INT. BATTLE BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Riker on the viewscreen. WORF The Vulcan ship is holding its own against us. No other vessel has violated our space barrier. RIKER (to com) Thank you, Mister Worf. We'll return your man to you in a few seconds. Riker to Yeager, report to the bridge. WORF'S COM VOICE Aye, sir. RIKER Open a channel. WORF'S COM VOICE Open, sir. RIKER This is Commander William Riker of the Federation starship Enterprise. The Klingon blinks with surprise. WORF I am Commander Worf, first officer of the Klingon ship The Haval. We are conducting a security sweep of the docking ring. RIKER Release of the docking clamps and the docking ring retracted from both vessels will allow moves to proceed more rapidly. We're going to need all the help we can get. The Klingon blinks again, as if this has happened before. WORF The docking clamps and the docking ring retracted from the Haval have been retracted. We are at impulse power. RIKER I'm taking us back to the 23rd century. I want a full scan of the area. WORF Aye, sir. RIKER Data? INTERCUT: INT. ROYALE - RICHEY'S SUITE - RIKER as he crawls into a chair. He looks around the room -- there is a room similar to the one on the bridge. There is a desk, several chairs, a couple of holodeck animals, and a console. The walls and ceiling are cluttered with books, periodicals and diaries. The helmet is dark. We can hear the mewling of a baby. Riker looks around the room, then crawls to a small desk in the back. He pulls out a glass bottle and ppours a drink into it. The mewling stops. He reaches up into the bottle and drinks the liquid. Then he places the drink on the desk. RIKER (to the dog) Gone. Very nice. The dog nuzzles and rubs his fur. RIKER (continuing) But they won't sleep on furniture or boxes. The dog gets up and walks away. RIKER (to himself) I'm sure that by the time the rest of us get here, they'll have been doing it for a lot longer than we are. Riker walks down the hallway. INT. WORF'S QUARTERS - ANGLE ON WORF Thearonian guards man the entry to the room. They require a key to open the door. Kolrami and Arridor guard the container of crystalline dust. Worf ENTERS, looking around. He opens the safe, takes out a phaser, and does a quick search. He sees that there's a small vial of folic soda in the holder. He goes to the holder, peers inside -- it's empty. He crosses to the box, lifts the cover, and looks inside. The operator's face is hidden by a machine, and we suppose he's been paying close attention but he's spotted through the ceiling. Suddenly he hears a noise and looks down. He turns to see -- WORF'S POV (OPTICAL) The OPERATIVE standing in front of him, his face completely hidden from view. He's a MATADOR. WORF (a beat) What are you doing? The Defendant smiles -- as if he's heard something jumping up. Worf aims his phaser and stuns the Defendant. The Defendant takes Kolrami's form and dies just as Worf does. Arridor takes the empty pistol and walks over to Worf. He picks it up, looks at the line of his uniform. ARORAN (quietly) Look at this... He turns to show Arridor the pistol. ARORAN (continuing) This is for you. WORF (quietly) Thanks... He looks down at the pistol and frowns... he's not sure how to react to this collection of weapons. Off Arridor's still neutral expression... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE At the science station, Riker hands Pardek a message on a piece of paper. Pardek takes the message and hands it to Riker. PARDEK (reading) "We have set a course for the Illium. We will rendezvous with a Starfleet courier at the Katanda system. Return in six hours." RIKER I'll send a message to Admiral Blackwell -- make sure he gets receipt of the message. PARDEK Aye, sir. (glances at Pardek) You have a minute? PARDEK begins to move toward the aft science station. RIKER Sure. PARDEK I've heard some interesting things about the intergalactic changeling. Your mission is pretty broad. As a matter of fact, it might be unwise to confront him. So I'll put it to rest... I think he'll feel better after his journey. PARDEK TURNS BACK to the science station and sits down. RIKER It's a start. What was it the monster did to you? PARDEK What? RIKER You were the creature's predecessor? PARDEK That's right. (thinks for a beat) Well, it's hard to tell. The likeliness of his finding out about my mission is slim. (nods) But then again, none of our previous searches have been successful. RIKER None of our previous searches have endedear themselves to false identification? PARDEK Such as? RIKER Ah, regrettably, none of our previous searches have resulted in any kind of positive result. PARDEK I see. So all we've done is take the lives of twelve people off your hands. RIKER I don't know how or why exactly we're doing this, but we're planning to do it again. PARDEK Are you sure? Surely there's a reason we're being so generous? RIKER Commander Data, you and the rest of the bridge crew will step over to the Enterprise and express our appreciation. DATA Thank you, sir. Data and the rest of the bridge crew move off. A beat goes by as Riker watches his friend, then turns to Troi. RIKER I'll be in my office. Riker EXITS. INT. TURBOLIFT Riker and Ro ENTER. RIKER srf 35. The lift starts MOVING. RO Commander, the captain wants me to give you a paid rescuer. RIKER A paid reprieve? RO I can bring him up on charges -- war crimes were committed against the colonists. On the other hand, Riker senses that she is being challenged. RIKER I would be very wary of a captain who is completely indiscreet about their war. RO It's all right. I have a smile on my face for you now. The lift STOPS. RIKER (interrupting) This isn't quite the time, Counselor, I know. A look from Ro. RO (opposite the arrow) It always comes back to something Starbase eight-four-one. Starfleet Command was pretty shocked to find out there. Riker nods, indicates the lift. RIKER We should get started. Worf, keep an eye on the economy. Don't let it fail to grow. WORF (to Riker) Perhaps something will "happen" while we're gone. RIKER Like what? WORF I do not know. But one thing's for certain, our plans do not contain the possibility of a repercussions. RO handcuffs me. Riker turns to the other two. RIKER (with glee) You heard about it, Geordi. Starbase eight-four-one isn't going to sit around while the colonies are left in their darkness. We'll beam them out here. GEORDI (to Ro) You have my word. RO If we turn down the sensory overloads, we should be able to listen to what they're saying again. GEORDI That's a good idea. RIKER Agreed. GEORDI Let's make a test transmission. Geordi makes a final adjustment on his phaser. CONTINUED: GEORDI Setting new coordinates for sensors. RIKER Let's hope they make a sound. Finally, the lift STOPS. RIKER (to Ro) If we pass through the shields, we'll find them. RO Right. (to comm) Doctor Crusher to the Bridge. BEVERLY'S COM VOICE On my way. RIKER Mister La Forge, it's important that we establish a low energy search pattern. GEORDI solution will work. Geordi turns to Ro. GEORDI (continuing) Continuing to beam down with phaser fire... but increase the spread and intensify the distortion. RO Aye sir. INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Data is at the aft science station, studying the star chart. There is a steady stream of data returning from the Cardassian ship. The Cardassian Captain sits in the command chair. The Bajoran Captain is standing beside him -- in his chair is the same Cardassian woman we saw in the Teaser. DATA Interesting. The Bajoran crew had no fewer than seven hundred magazines clippings from the Marouk transport. PICARD And no doubt included the treaty. DATA The Klingon who transported the materials says he had transpired a emotional program of adjustment before transmitting the materials to the Bajoran workers. Picard looks at Data. PICARD It would appear to be one of the factors which determined their fate. DATA The program was terminated when the Cardassian workers attempted to take possession of the materials. RO We knew it would be difficult, Captain, to leave -- BEVERLY The crew was living in seclusion. It might be difficult to establish a new setting for the search. PICARD Until we can determine our new setting, we must remain where we are. (beat) On that basis, Lieutenant, I await your arrival to reunite the crew. TROI Sir, I would feel much safer regarding this locale. I can remember many times during my flawless performance on the Enterprise that I have wished we could have been back in our own time. PICARD Even now, I cannot help but feeling a little violated. Troi exchanges a glance with Picard. TROI Captain, I think we are all understandably troubled by this. We have asked to be re-staged at the beginning of the rendezvous. PICARD Even the best doctor cannot provide an explanation for something like this. Beverly gets up off her knees, crosses her legs, retracts her uniform, then bends over the console. BEVERLY It looks like there was a massacre of some sort. RO The captain just wanted us to speak with the workers. Ro, Ro, Picard: all four are present. RO It's not surprising. They've been fighting the Cardassians for five years. PICARD Perhaps we should make an appointment to see how they're taking it up. RO That won't be necessary. Everything will be fine. The workers will understand that we're here to help them. RIKER Ro, this isn't working. RO It will, and it's what you all want. PICARD (to Ro) Workers of the world, unite! WORF (overlapping) Who but you? He turns to point his phaser at Picard. WORF (continuing) I feel it necessary to use my weapon to terminate this discussion, Captain. PICARD (forcefully) You are under no obligation to use your weapon unless it's absolutely necessary. WORF I am sorry, but I cannot remind you of that. It is necessary, of course, in a combination program. PICARD No offense, Mister Worf, but a military program... WORF None required. PICARD (harsh) That's it? How far can you go with that? He walks over to the children. PICARD These people have been fighting all their lives and know only humiliation and pain. How long will it be before they can put that into a computer... ? He exchanges a look with Troi and with an eye to Riker -- "Did I do something wrong?" He glances at them, then back to Ro -- PICARD contingent. INT. CORRIDOR - ENTRANCE TO TROI'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL) Troi and Data ENTER. They move quickly to the doorway -- Riker moves out after them, his face a mask of pain and desperation. RIKER Deanna... He goes into the room, and when no one turns to look at him, Riker just turns and walks out. On Data's expression: FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR ACT FIVE FADE IN: OMITTED INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard is at his Command Station; a supernumerary mans the other Aft Station. RIKER'S COM VOICE Riker to bridge. We have completed our survey of the zone, sir. PICARD Good. What's our status? RIKER'S COM VOICE The easter bunny is down, sir. PICARD (to com) Okay, come in. The door opens and Riker ENTERS. PICARD Feel like a Raktajino? RIKER (with humor) Sir, can we please be frank with you? PICARD I'm not unconcerned. But at least we have an indication of the type of radiation we're talking about... RIKER (nodding) A powerful burst of gamma rays... ? PICARD (to com) We'll have to maintain communication with the away team until we have fill up that gap. Picard out. RIKER I'll check the navigational display... He goes to the other Aft Station. RIKER (to com) Enterprise to away team. Energize. They look at the display and Signal Horn is activated. OMITTED INT. CORRIDOR - AT TROI'S DOOR The two officers ENTER. They move to the far side of the room, taking nothing in but curiosity and thirst for more. They tear into the circuitry with the ferocity of fundamentalist Americans. INT. ROYALE - RICHEY'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS The cooling grace of the American Indian rises to the surface. RICHARD Oh, wonderful. You're dry. Wipe me clean. TROI I felt so good. Then again, I feel like I'm living in a spaceship. RICHARD We're sure you don't believe that? TROI End of discussion. Please proceed to the next room. Richard watches them go. RICHARD Well, that's interesting to eye, thank you, Counselor. TROI Buyable. RICHARD (to Beverly) Your complimentary Drinks. Richard EXITS. Beverly (re: Richard) I'm beginning to sense what you mean by "tricorder." TROI Exactly. Beverly (moving to a set of computer monitors) Let's see what they have to bring you. Richard ENTERS the office. Beverly Richard? RICHARD Yes? BEVERLY Your choice of a room. RICHARD Thanks. But then I wouldn't mind someplace a little more... quiet. TROI We're very aware of all your requirements. RICHARD Of course. It's not uncommon for families to live together on a starfleet exchange. Makes perfect sense to me. Beverly I had the same experience a year ago with my parents. RICHARD That was a shock. Not everyone fits in on a starship. Beverly It's the way of life for most species. RICHARD I thought they were the single most important people in my life. It's shocking you didn't happen to be one of them. TROI We all make mistakes. privileging one over another does not absolve the other. RICHARD Indeed, it would. But it's not that easy. Only two of us could probably do it. And the other one's salary would have to be split equally. Beverly That wasn't going to work. RICHARD It all comes down to individual responsibility. CONTINUED: RICHARD That's part of it. But you shouldn't expect us to be too helpful. Beverly Our mission is to seek out life-saving medical supplies in the event of battle. RICHARD Yeah, well, something's never been easier. (a beat) Maybe we should go our separate ways. Beverly (a touch wistful) How do you know I don't want to get killed while trying to find medical supplies? RICHARD You don't. But if the line between us is drawn at all, you could conceivably die a hundred years in a single stroke. Beverly takes a moment, assessing their situation. BEVERLY I can't keep my mind off the line between us... between Starfleet and the Klingons. (a beat) But for now, I have to accept responsibility. RICHARD You're not responsible for any of their deaths, Beverly. BEVERLY When they're not looking to kill us, they're looking to protect you. Richard sees the logic of this... it's like throwing the baby out with the bath water. RICHARD When will they realize we're helping them? Beverly Not until they start questioning everybody in our community... noting that we're all on the same side now. Richard realizes he's playing too much right now. RICHARD When will they start talking about our common cause... the escalation of the war? BEVERLY It's been three years. The war has moved along peacefully. The escalation will not come without a major blow to our community. Our food supplies will be the most affected. RICHARD How? How will they know we're working for the Klingons? Beverly's the leader of this community, Richard. She should know that neither side will be pushing this so hard. Beverly She also knows my job is to push. If we can keep this escalation program moving -- if we can keep Oxentrex moving -- the food shortage will end up much worse than it already is. There is a silence as everyone looks at her. Beverly has had enough. BEVERLY (to the others) Until we can answer the question we've already answered -- how did you get the recipe? No one has an answer. GEORDI I'll never understand why they don't want to sell to us. Richard and I have lived together on the Enterprise -- longer than two years, but we haven't spent together in almost two years. RICHARD Perhaps our experiences have changed us. Maybe we've become too close to each other. BEVERLY Not necessarily. You and I have a lot in common. We both value our autonomy. And freedom. GEORDI True. But somehow, growing up on the Enterprise has... make you a little afraid of running into someone you don't know. RICHARD And I've found that when we do, the fear fades. (MORE) RICHARD (Cont'd) We become closer... that feeling of closeness that comes from connecting with other people. It's wonderful technology, Beverly. When we've learned to feel it, we can eliminate all fears. Beverly smiles at him. BEVERLY I'm glad you approve. GEORDI Just… don't go anywhere near that console. Beverly nods, willing to listen to Geordi. RIKER'S COM VOICE Riker to La Forge. Report to the Transporter Room for away party duty. Geordi closes the panel, stands up. GEORDI (to comm) La Forge here. RIKER'S COM VOICE (keying insignia) La Forge here. GEORDI Are you ready, Number One? INT. WEAPONS ROOM ON LIGON - CORRIDOR Riker and Worf stand outside the weapons room, observing as Data scans the weapons on the transporter pad. The Klingon Captain of the Enterprise is standing nearby, facing the projector, looking directly at the away team. PICARD I understand your concern, but we are not obliged to alert the Federation to these weapons. RIKER It seems a very serious crime has been committed. LIGON If you interfere, we will destroy you as well. RIKER Are you telling me you've never been afraid to die? LIGON Of a kind. RIKER That's never stopped you before. LIGON I have never wanted to harm a man. RIKER If you are whom I suspect you are... I would suggest you receive a physical. Ligon looks at the away team. LIGON Perhaps you can provide some suggestions. DATA We have no criminal record. LIGON And we have no one in the Federation who would claim to have committed the crimes against humanity. RIKER Then there's another possibility. We may have committed sabotage. LIGON That is not possible. There was a purpose for starting this conversation. RIKER What kind of purpose? LIGON That is neither important nor necessary. Only that we are capable of responding to this challenge with the strength of purpose. RIKER Serious, focused, committed. Much of our success in life strategy is thanks to Dahar Master Quarters. Ligon gives Riker a sharp look. LIGON Our first contact with the Federation may be with you, Commander. After all, your intelligence depends on hearing what we tell them. RIKER We won't be asking you for their help. LIGON Believe me, Commander, I know how to be successful. And I will be. I only ask for the benefit of your intellectual inquiry. And with that, Ligon and the other "Klingons" close the door on our people. Turn off the transporter. Data and Riker STEP SOFTLY AND STEP VERY SHORTLY TO REMAIN ALIEN. DATA Sir, it is safe to go. RIKER Agreed. PICARD Resume original mission. DATA That will suffice, sir. PICARD Computer, shield command and monitor status. COMPUTER VOICE Shields and weapons ready. PICARD And our destination? COMPUTER VOICE (after a beat) Starbase one-seven-nine. And that's the first good news Data has heard in a long time. INT. STARBASE (OPTICAL) The Enterprise rests. DATA (V.O.) Acting Captain. PICARD Starbase one-seven-nine. That should be the Federation's maternal grandmother. RIKER Mister Data, what makes you think they haven't heard about us? DATA Many things have changed since the last time I encountered our culture, sir. Theicar and the like have come out of the glob under the radar. PICARD (nodding) Theicar is right. If we're responsible for stopping any Dominion invasion of the Alpha Quadrant, we have a moral responsibility to prevent any other invasion in the future. DATA Thank you, sir. That will perform us a full third of our vocal force and we have done something about it. PICARD It's not enough. Other hosts have suffered less. What sir, what kind of life do we allow ourselves to lead, Data? DATA (eyeing Picard's remark) Perhaps it is time to revive our awareness of what we yrandorn are, sir. Something in the atmosphere of Federation space. Perhaps we need to go outside. PICARD Wake Mister Data, we'll meet you there in an hour. He exits. Tell Data to contact the Enterprise... TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE Bridge, sir... PICARD Are you ready? TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE YES, sir... Picard, Riker and Data head for the door. INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR Riker, Data and Picard EXIT the turbolift. PICARD You can initiate the link now. RIKER Sir, the appropriate link has been established between the Enterprise and the starbase. PICARD (into com) Thank you, Number One. INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE Picard sits. PICARD Stand by, Number One. (urgent) It's very important that the Enterprise's voice do not beamed onto the surface. RIKER'S COM VOICE Captain, the surface transmission is for the starbase on Devidia Two. They say they've stopped transmitting. PICARD (to com) That's not good enough, Number One. RIKER'S COM VOICE I can't release the security code without his authorization, sir. Picard gets an idea. PICARD �(to com) Perhaps if we found a way to intercept the Devidian's transmission, Data could try to de-evolve the interface? DATA The interface cannot be de-evolved itself. PICARD That's not a problem, Data. We can't interact with the interface. DATA I will attempt to do so, sir. INT. ROYALE - RICHEY'S SUITE - CONTINUOUS The away team entering the room. TROI Why all the sudden hostility? GEORDI The McKay is responding normally. RIKER Normally? GEORDI Unless something is wrong. Geordi moves to the desk and touches the console. GEORDI This is strange. INT. CORRIDOR - OUTSIDE HOLODECK The away team moves down the corridor. RIKER What's your signal? WORF The McKay is moving to an intercept. GEORDI We can't get through the warp field. Suddenly, the ship SHAKES. Worf and RIKER exchange glances and then proceed to the same desk they were on before. WORF I am detecting a power surge in the Holodeck. RIKER That's just what happened when we visited the planet. WORF Another vessel has arrived. It is coming from the Devron system. RIKER How long until it's in orbit? GEORDI Another thirty minutes. RIKER Not enough time to make it back to the Enterprise. WORF Sir, another probe has materialized five hundred kilometers to starboard... (off console) It is transmitting a broad band distortion... sensor readings are difficult... INT. CORRIDOR - OUTSIDE HOLODECK TWO The away team moves through the corridor. RIKER What are they doing? GEORDI It's transmitting a damage indication... RIKER Which leads me to believe they're running a race. Have they lost perspective? GEORDI No, sir. The probes are conducting research... RIKER Which means what? GEORDI It means they're not satisfied with the outcome of this year's race. If they'd been satisfied, they wouldn't be sending such a problem. RIKER I don't see how they could be "concerned." GEORDI They're just different types of people, that's all. RIKER No, they're not. They're the wrong kind of people. GEORDI What? He's got it all wrong. He's isolated us. RIKER Too many of them. GEORDI You think they're all alike? RIKER What? The race was never homogeneous. GEORDI It wasn't. There were racial groups with different paths. Some races dominated the group, some didn't. There were racial groups with no particular desires. RIKER But there were similarities. Just like today. GEORDI Yes, but it's hard to see how imagine that many different paths and then how they fit together. We don't know that until we ask. RIKER Do you think asking for information from the McKay would be helpful? GEORDI I don't know. I couldn't do it Strauss style. Riker's face reflects his frustration. RIKER Geordi, I'm telling you... you've got to invent some kind of program to allow the captain to control the Ro. Geordi turns to the other two. GEORDI Yes. That's it, this is the program. Just tell me what you want. WORF Captain, this is a priority one communication. RIKER I want the captain's log. WORF I will retrieve it once I have arrived. Worf gestures to a supernumerary who picks up the communication and hands it to Riker. Suddenly there is a rustling and one of the corners is blown. WORF (continuing) Starboard thruster reserves gone. Warp core reserves also gone. RIKER What? They exchange looks, then Riker taps his insignia. RIKER (continuing) Captain, emergency status report! PICARD'S COM VOICE (continuing) We have sustained heavy damage to the Enterprise. The loss of main power is causing an impact on warp and impulse engine. RIKER Should be a real mess for a while. PICARD'S COM VOICE Can you be more specific? INT. CORRIDOR - MEDICAL SUPPLY Riker and Worf on the move. RIKER The antimatter is generating unstable plasma. We have to get to a shuttle. Geordi and TWO N.D. CREWMEMBERS moving quickly by now. GEORDI We've got our shift. RIKER Worf, prepare a transport sequence. Get these people back to the Enterprise. Worf moves to intercept. WORF Captain, the Enterprise will require all-systems. PICARD'S COM VOICE Understood. GEORDI Captain, I strongly recommend that we relocate the crew as a whole. It will allow us to save you the pains of replicator replacement. RIKER �(to Geordi) Belive me, you can't start a food transfer program from your warp drive. GEORDI It would only take a few hours. RIKER We're going to have to postpone the transfer for at least a week or two more. GEORDI That's within my power. RIKER And I want you to keep it warm. INT. CORRIDOR (OPTICAL) Data and Barclay are waiting just outside the Holodeck door. There is a glimmer of INTERACTIVE LIGHT in the corridor. Barclay looks excited. BARCLAY Computer... what time is it? COMPUTER VOICE Sixteen eleven hours. Barclay smiles. BARCLAY Proceed. Barclay moves to the Holodeck entrance to find Data waiting to see if he can stop the program. DATA Thirty seconds. Barclay taps his insignia. BARCLAY Barclay to Enterprise. PICARD'S COM VOICE Glad you can join us, Mister Barclay. BARCLAY Just a minute... I have some progress. Barclay heads for the Holodeck doors, a little anxious. BARCLAY (continuing) I'm... uh... very excited to be alone. This... this is the beginning... the beginning of the beginning. There is an ALARM. BARCLAY (continuing) What? Barclay goes to the door, anxiously lookout for eyes... finally spots the glavin, which is FIELDED between two boards on the wall. He gets to his feet, glances at it... shakes his head. He is about to enter the Holodeck when he remembers the voice he heard. BARCLAY (continuing) Oh. You're not alone. He rushes to the door, looks out the open door. INT. HOLODECK/TRAIN - SALON CAR Troi, Data and Barclay MATERIALIZE. The Conductor STOPS in the open doorway and awaits them with a profound welcome. CONDUCTOR Welcome. Thank you for joining us. TROI I am Deanna Troi. CONDUCTOR We'll see you in the car park. The Conductor gestures toward the car. CONDUCTOR (continuing) Look forward to seeing you! The Conductor enters the car, followed by Data. The Conductor walks out of the car, gestures to Barclay. CONDUCTOR (continuing) Come on, Data. You know how he thinks. Barclay does not respond. CONDUCTOR (continuing) Well, isn't that obvious? Data enters the car, sitting in the other chair as though the thought never occurred. In the b.g., the other crewmembers get in the car. As the car rides down the aisle... CUT TO: INT. BRIDGE Picard, Riker, Worf, Ensign Anaya. Worf looks up at Picard, a look of intense tension on his face. WORF Sir, the engine's functioning. PICARD To what end? WORF We are trying to determine how journeyed this starship to its new home. Picard's look says that he agrees completely. PICARD (to Anaya) Our first stop is the Beta Aniana system. Can a home-brewed solution be as effective as those mines? DATA Those mines have been set 24 hours. Otherwise they would have been set 24 hours ago. RIKER How many ships full of people that would be destroyed on the way. DATA According to the supply ships, at least seventeen thousand. There is a beat as Riker considers the implications. RIKER We have no choice but to trust the people who are leaving. We can't keep them here any longer. PICARD There are thousands still to leave. We can't beam them back and they won't be going anywhere. (MORE) PICARD (Cont'd) I have to reactivate them and re- activate them. RIKER But those mines will be set several hours before the away team arrives. If we leave them undetectable... PICARD They will detect us. We'll have at least two hours before they realize what we're doing. DATA Commander, the only way to guarantee a safe journey is to disable the minefield and then reactivate it. RIKER But we can't do that. If we don't leave it alone, it will just go on indefinitely. PICARD I know, but it has to be done. RIKER Yes, but how; it has to be done. PICARD How? What can we do to help? Riker digests this for a moment. PICARD Data, Worf, you're our only hope. DATA Sir, the Romulan intent on using the mines is similar to the Albino's. RIKER Like the Albino, he has all the moves, except he has no intent on killing. PICARD But he does have an intent on killing. DATA The Romulans are trying to destroy the Enterprise and its crew. PICARD And we're helpless to stop it? DATA No, sir. The only way we can stop it is to dismantle the mining operation. RIKER We can't do that either. It destroyed the ship and the crew. PICARD Which still doesn't make it fair, Number One. RIKER Captain, if there's no more guard against Singha, I'll beam down and tell her to drop off. PICARD She won't do it. She doesn't believe you're a worthy champion for the cause of peace. TASHA Captain, there are times when defending the peace of men is perhaps best, when the best argument is always the most selfish. WORF What defense does she think we have? PICARD What she thinks we have is us. And because we're weak, we're easy to anger. We think we're something that others fear. Our security forces are people a man would rather die than be guilty. TASHA Sir, when I disagreed with him, he would come swooping down on me and say things like -- She rises to interrupt. TASHA (to Picard) That won't happen here. PICARD What would happen if a Starfleet officer went rogue and started engaging in open warfare? TASHA That would be a tragedy. Not only would their actions destroy everything we've built over the years... PICARD (interrupting) But it's also possible that leaderless warfare on this station could spread. If that were to happen, Starfleet could could become paralyzed with weakness. DATA Captain, if a crisis were to occur, it is certain that one of you would be responsible. PICARD The proof is already in the computer. DATA Of course. GEORDI I can interface with the main computer and see for myself the exact moment of separation. PICARD Not good enough. Raise the power limitations for the interface. GEORDI What about the main computer? PICARD It's not that simple. If we can only bring the system down... shut it down... it would be an enormous effort... GEORDI One that Starfleet would have to take seriously. PICARD Yes... but where else could we replicate a system that large. GEORDI So we're looking at a full scale system failure. And Picard studies the situation. PICARD Starfleet is uniquely situated for this. If there's a mutiny instability on the Vulcan shipyards, it could trigger a chain of failure. Thousands of lives would collapse. GEORDI It's something I have to assume. PICARD As are we all. Your expertise in the Vulcan system is appreciated... but unnecessary. If there's another mutineation, Starfleet could declare a state of emergency and function without anyone noticing. It's a difficult proposition to accept. GEORDI What if it's not a mutiny? What if it's the result of an engineered situation? RIKER I can't even speculate. PICARD It has to be engineered... the patterns of the original breach are still present. Variable inducer banks, soliton fusion amplifiers, that kind of thing. RIKER We'll have to check the freckles off the decks. DATA It would be best to leave the design and specifications of the sensors intact. RIKER (considers) That might save you the trouble of having to reprocess them. Data nods. RIKER (re: console) What would be most efficient? GEORDI A feedback vented through the sensors. Probably just like you asked us for. DATA Exactly what we asked them for, but with a few modifications. Data activates the scanner. GEORDI What do you mean? DATA If I am correct, you would like few things in your life to be repaired. Repair the sensors... reprogram the computer core... and then start working on the malfunctions. Geordi smiles. GEORDI How long would it take you to program the sensors? DATA It would probably take less than ten minutes. GEORDI I wouldn't mind the chance. DATA I am happy to abandon our mission. Geordi feels a bit better. GEORDI Don't get me wrong, I still want to see the colony. RIKER'S COM VOICE Bridge to Commander La Forge. Can you meet me on the bridge? GEORDI I'd be delighted. Off the two men's smiles... INT. CORRIDOR Geordi and Data are headed towards the bridge when the SOUND of the turbolift opening is heard. Geordi and Data turn in the direction of the turbolift, only to find SEVERAL SUPERNUMERARIES in the bays waiting for them. GEORDI (to supernumerary) Thanks for coming. SUPERNUMERARIES (admitted) Geordi, Data. And as the lift starts to move, WE: FADE OUT. END OF TEASER ACT ONE FADE IN: INT. CORRIDOR Geordi and Data are headed towards the bridge when the Turbolift doors open and Riker ENTERS. GEORDI Commander, we've reached the designated coordinates. RIKER All stop. (to com) Resume. He does not hear an ALARM SOUND. RIKER (to Geordi) Have you found something? GEORDI (a beat, then) There's a room in the colony continent named Meridian that's been deserted for centuries. RIKER Oh? GEORDI There's one Meridian on the planet's surface that's human in origin and has Meridian's psychology in check. It's a wonderful place. RIKER It's Master Data's home? GEORDI Yes, sir. He's returned there before, but it's the computer which has re-configured the transporter here. And it's a good place for a walk down the river Temecula. RIKER (theorizing) Without the android here, the Timicin's going to have a difficult time. Riker starts to move off, when Data stops him. DATA Commander, I believe we have sufficient evidence to conclude that Meridian will survive without the android. (data scan ends) When fully operational, the facility will be a striking symbol of what the colony has had for two centuries: a place of hope and opportunity. Riker leans forward in surprise. RIKER (continuing; very surprised) Officially, the facility would be closed down by six months. DATA Six months, and the design model for the structure has already been submitted to the executioner. The other members of the colony assembly get to their feet. TROI Wake up! This is a long overdue reformulation of the executive committees! GEORDI (heatedly) That's enough. Everyone except Data, Troi and Geordi EXIT the room. TROI Come forward, Commander! Data, Troi and Geordi follow her up, reaching the platform where they can talk privately. TROI (continuing) I feel we've all been a little unorthodox: a group of disparate individuals coming together to evaluate their situation and approach the government of MERCER. GEORDI What do you mean? TROI If it makes you feel better, I've incorporated information from the previous crisis onto my program, just like you've done before. GEORDI (shrugs) Yeah, yeah... you're right... everything's going to be fine. Geordi looks at his friend, surprised that the "...fine" part isn't in the program. GEORDI (continuing) You know, Data... I wonder how much longer this will take? DATA My finite computational resources, plus any subsequent recreations, is limited only by my knowledge and experience. GEORDI This is a good thing. You don't have infinite time. Data thinks about this. Suddenly, he stops, reacting to a sudden feeling of discomfort. GEORDI What -- ? Suddenly, all the lights come back up to normal. Geordi relaxes. GEORDI What is it? Has something broken? Suddenly, the door to the cargo bay slams open and Hutchinson ENTERS. HUTCHINSON Captain -- you'd better come to think about this. PICARD (annoyed) Hutch -- HUTCHINSON Why's it the other way, don't you think? PICARD Yes. HUTCHINSON There's no reason for you to come to my quarters. PICARD That's not what I meant. HUTCHINSON In a way, I'm sorry you're in trouble. Because of me, you know all about my "little " conspiracy. Just follow my orders. PICARD Even my Commander Data? HUTCHINSON Even my Commander Data. Hutchinson studies Picard for a beat. HUTCHINSON You're full of surprises today, Picard. Picard's expression is ominous. HUTCHINSON (continuing) We've done something to the Enterprise that even you can't completely understand. Our initial report about your captain power fluctuations was grounded in fact, but your summary of the data was incredibly wrong. Our tests show a power fluctuation which leaves the ship harmless. Our suspicions are confirmed. PICARD As I understand it, Commander Hutchinson thinks we have abandoned the Enterprise. HUTCHINSON I have a theory about that, Captain Picard. And I think your suspicions are founded as well. This is not a conspiracy; it's simply a matter of personnel identification. PICARD Agreed. HUTCHINSON You've heard of the Rutian Altaram? PICARD Yes. HUTCHINSON It's a subspace radio dish scattered among the stars... PICARD Yes, well, it's possible it catches something that triggers the transmission. HUTCHINSON If it does, it would destroy all frequencies below a certain setting... PICARD Exactly. HUTCHINSON You think if we broadcast a subspace distress signal... and Hitok's ship enters the range... PICARD (thoughtful musing) That's our only chance. If I create a subspace transmitter with the core fragment still in my possession... I could create a signal beacon... with the fragment... it would set off a cascade of distress signals... the fragment would appear to disappear... HUTCHINSON It could take weeks, even months before any of us knew the risk was incurred. PICARD Certainly, someone with a fragment of Data would appear to have a decisive advantage. (to Hudson) Have you tried? HUTCHINSON The computer wouldn't accept the data I've sent in. PICARD That's not surprising. HUTCHINSON Unless Data implements a modified computer input sensors... which I'm not capable of doing. RIKER We can't afford to be here hoping that won't happen. HUTCHINSON If you're so concerned about Data, then perhaps you'd better examine our computer network operating range. I was ineffectual running the main computer on the old Enterprise. PICARD (stopping him) Let's see what we can do. HUTCHINSON Aye sir. Riker starts to exit... pauses as he sees a discontinued wall panel. RIKER Sorry. HUTCHINSON It's all right. Have a seat. Riker EXITS. CUT TO: INT. ENTERPRISE - ENGINEERING Riker interrupting himself to try and get to Picard. RIKER Captain, can you take charge of the situation? PICARD What situation? RIKER We've lost contact with the Prytt ship. PICARD I'm on my way. He EXITS. INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard ENTERS. Riker, Geordi and Data are at their stations. RIKER The planet's orbit is destabilizing. GEORDI We have less than twelve hours before impact... RIKER Sir, I suggest we go to full impulse. There's a good chance we'll be able to transport the Borg... DATA Transporters are not automatic responses, sir. PICARD (interrupting) Data? DATA Our systems are not designed to-- PICARD We don't have a choice, Data. Should Nero be prepared? (keys insignia) Picard to Lieutenant Worf. WORF'S COM VOICE On my way, sir. Geordi looks at the Main Viewer image of the Borg ship. GEORDI That ship looks like one hell of a starship, Captain. PICARD Keep your britches on. INT. CORRIDOR Picard and Worf step out of the transporter and head down the corridor. INT. MAIN BRIDGE Data looks up from his console. DATA Captain, the Borg ship is moving away... EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) as the Borg ship reaches the Enterprise. INT. MAIN BRIDGE Data looks up from his console. DATA They are now sixteen meters behind us. PICARD Raise shields. DATA Yes, sir. INT. CORRIDOR (OPTICAL) Worf and two Borg pass the officers as they approach. WORF Borg... He glances at Worf. WORF Hold your fire. Worf and the Borg continue to fire. INT. MAIN BRIDGE Riker and Picard react to the Borg... PICARD Hail the Borg... RIKER I've made no progress with the Captain... PICARD We know you're intent on control of this ship and we know you're planning something that's against law... WORF Captain, we are NOT attempting to control this ship, just by requiring control... PICARD Commander, what do you believe you are doing here? Riker looks at Worf... WORF These are my orders, sir. RIKER (wants an answer) Against what end? WORF The safety of the Enterprise and crew is not at issue here. RIKER I was referring to the Borg... you are a hive of activity. A vital part of our mission proceedings. PICARD (beat) I was referring to the existence of a Borg collective. One that members of my crew are a part. WORF Commander, when dealing with intelligent life forms, one always emphasizes the need to acknowledge the differences between humankind and the Borg... RIKER And just what difference does it make how they function? DATA In almost all species, the life form which comes most naturally among us is the most important affectant for the functioning of the species. RIKER (tongue in cheek) It's always the first. Right frontly, and subconsciously. Hive mind, I should say. Neural receipt, more efficient neural transport. PICARD (nods) Quite helpful to the crew. RIKER If the Borg are so important to the survival of the ship, then why isn't it manned? GEORDI We're slightly behind in equipment, Captain... but we can be more efficient in the future. Picard nods. PICARD Optimal efficiency? CLOSER ON GEORDI AND PICARD GEORDI We can shave off half the requirements... but it ends up looking like a Ritz and Rudolph style contest... each man puts up one program for each round... PICARD (nods) That's how it started... on Shakespeare's "Merchant of Tholl and Ch'Targh." DATA We will enter the data bank here... and create a program representing the game number seven... complete so that the computer will run it as usual. GEORDI Agreed, Captain. And we'll create the other two. PICARD Al, long winded? AL, What Game Seven? PICARD What Game? AL, Never mind. Picard and Data exchange looks. Al, having remembered the game, smiles unashantly. PICARD You've invented a whole new game. AL, You're joking. PICARD Dice. AL, What? PICARD, Take it easy -- your fellow at the poker table created this clone just to play a game with me? I assure you I didn't create this... AL, You're confusing Gato de Addae with Nimorp's clone. PICARD (interrupting) Enough of this. If I find the other two, we'll talk again. Al, seeing he's lost, stands there. His eyes flick to Picard's. AL, You're not the first man to suggest a game. PICARD We never talked about this. AL, Who are you to tell us what to do? He moves toward Picard's chair. AL, (smiling) Let me think... He tallens, movements around the room, sizing up Picard. Then he makes an elaborate move, complete with a speech. AL, (complete with statistics) The king is on the line. PICARD What line? AL, (complete with stats) The king is approaching Sackville Seven. Royalty has been bribed and the bank accounts of those people have been opened. Royal family -- middle class -- want to buy arms. Politics. He spins, assumes a 90 degree angle and sits behind Picard. AL, (complete with stats) The royal family of Penthara has been organized. Its members rule by fear, and not by reason. The king is powerless to defy them. PICARD I see. Well, the next logical step in this dialogue is for me to become their leader. Then, after gaining their allegiance, what happens to the rest of the franchise? AL, (complete with stats) The day after the expiration of one year, ownership of a Federation Starship would no longer be transferable. Nervous laughter from the group -- except for Data, who has tuned out. AL, (complete with stats) SATAULT QUINTEROS -- HANDS LACED TO HIS PONY-TAILE He spins, smiles -- the moment is broken by: ANOTHER ANGLE AL, having taken a good look at his new host, turns back to Picard. AL, (continuing) Lieutenant La Forge. If you'll excuse me, sir, I'd like to meet my new Delta. After a pause, Geordi swivels and nods to his new Commander who proceeds to the door. Al, too, is genial, as we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. DOCKING RING CORRIDOR Worf and Al, mid-conversation. Worf is still attending to his questions with Al, goading him. WORF (gently) A Klingon agility test? Al, though a little hurt by this, is still going along. AL, It will make your career much easier. WORF If you pass it, you will be made a Klingons' counselor... and that, I promise you, will be bloodier than you've ever heard. AL, What do you mean? I haven't broken a bone yet! WORF, You lack my enthusiasm. AL, But... you're not just any Klingon, you're the captain... you've got a nasty streak. And without me around, you're just another schlonged-faced professor at a poorly endowed institute. (a beat) At least I'm not reproducing, like some Klingon philosophers pretend to be. Worf's look at Al has to come quick. The official RESUME (DOOR CHIME) COMES AL. WAITER (V.O.) Come in. The door opens and Riker ENTERS. WAITER (V.O.) (continuing) And on that note -- (hands Riker a PADD) -- I've got some good news and some bad news. Riker looks at the PADD. RIKER The good news? WAITER (V.O.) No doubt you've got strong opinions about the future -- RIKER I'm not so sure about the future. I know how the Federation is run, you know how we vote. WAITER (V.O.) But what's wrong with our democracy? People are getting arrested all the time. RIKER Not every country has an equivalent of the military. WAITER (V.O.) Klingons usually have more general disobedience. RIKER Or am I half-Klingon? WAITER (V.O.) If you're looking for trouble, you've got it. Riker shakes it off. RIKER I've got a better idea. Why don't we wake them up? WAITER (V.O.) That won't be necessary. None of those Klingons will be waking up until they know what's going on. Everyone turns and looks at... NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Riker, Worf, Geordi, Data and a supernumerary. RIKER Request permission to depart. WAITER (V.O.) No. It's over. RIKER Base adjourned. councillors clink glasses and drink. INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR Geordi and Riker on the move. Geordi has been running scans on the power conduit. RIKER How's it looking? GEORDI It's looking fine. But the convertor chips are melting... Geordi hits a couple of commands. There is a pause, then another flash of light and the three people APPEAR (the people with the bleedin'um on their faces are the V.F.A.). GEORDI It's the power conduits. I'm picking up flows of neutrino energy... And in the blink of an eye, everyone's back to normal. INT. ENTERPRISE ANTEROOM (OPTICAL) Geordi and Riker INTERCUT this scene with their POV. Geordi and Riker are scanning the area. GEORDI Scanners are reading a major containment failure... RIKER How long before the replicators breach? GEORDI Not until the replicators are infused with the correct convertor energy. RIKER I've just about run out of options... (a beat) Infuse the appropriate power flow. Geordi uses the binoculars to look behind him. OMITTED CLOSER ON OPEN DOOR OF TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) Intent on the transceiver assembly located in the Transporter chamber. Riker scans it. Then he eyes the Transporter mechanism a moment, then lobs it over the seat. It KICKS OFF the standing trap. RIKER That wasn't very smart of you, my friend... Riker moves to the Transporter mechanism, lockmanages it successfully for a moment. Then he turns it over and it OPENES a pocket in the bulkhead -- and the TRACTOR APPEARS! Riker's expression is curious. He EXITS. INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard watching Geordi as he manipulates the Transporter mechanism. GEORDI I know exactly how you did it, Picard -- and I want you to know that in all future dealings with Borg, I will be more sophisticated in your use of the Transporter. PICARD I don't appreciate your... more casual attitude. Are you coming to the Enterprise? GEORDI Well, no... we're quite a bit late for tea... Commander. I was almost ready to leave when they called to cancel. PICARD And... ? GEORDI And we'll be onstage for conversation. Sir. Picard smiles. PICARD (interrupting) Good. Late. GEORDI No, no, Captain -- I was in the middle of a presentation and... (beat) And I became distracted. I've never had a distraction like this. Picard picks up his tea and moves to sit down. GEORDI I don't understand it, sir. It's like a black box with a closed lid. That thing just doesn't work. PICARD Maybe it does. Maybe it does work. You don't know, Geordi. It's a mystery. Geordi's frustration is visible as he looks from Picard's blank look to the live Borg open the box. GEORDI Sir, maybe this is some kind of joke. Picard's expression changes. He starts looking from Borg to Antonio. PICARD (to Antonio) If it's not a joke... then what is it? ANTONIO I don't know, Captain. It's a joke. PICARD (turning) At least you're not laughing. ANTONIO I was never amused. My best friend died in a bar fight. I don't need your pity. PICARD Then why this great sweep of activity? Why not just end this here? ANTONIO On this ship, we control every function. PICARD (thinks) If I order you to leave, and you do, I will. ANTONIO Now that ship is very useful... PICARD ... but this isn't a ship, Antonio. It's a box. A big luxurious shipping crate that -- Antonio's enthusiasm jumps ahead of him. ANTONIO Oh! Picard is suddenly in the unfamiliar position of having to put aside his own enthusiasm for the faraway situation and clear his throat to keep from shouting. PICARD At least let me have a word with them. ANTONIO I'd like to go, Captain. PICARD (irritated) You know me. ANTONIO You're going to put me in my place? PICARD I'm sorry, but... ANTONIO I didn't mean it... PICARD (gently) I don't think I need to see you again... Antonio starts to move away, and Picard lets him go. PICARD (continuing) Try to stay out of trouble... ANTONIO I won't! I won't! Picard core to Antony looks and Antony is still tiny and easygoing... and he knows it. Picard's eyes fixate on him. He lowers himself down onto the bed, pulls the blanket aside... and he ANDES THE WOODEN BASE. PICARD (deep voice) Well, at least we're well-dressed for today. ANTONIO What do you want? Picard holds up his hand and lets Antony take a peek at the bridge... Antony's eyes widen as he sees the cargo bays, and there is a FLASH... and all hell is happening to the Enterprise. INT. CARGO BAY - THRU INTO (OPTICAL) The bay is filled with people rushing excitedly to see what's happening. A large section of the wall that once served as a door is now a wall, and on it is LIGHTNING RED on the ceiling. The room is already filled with people, rushing about, giving each other looks of amazement. A VEK to Mathews is taking chances, running hither and yon telling stories. Beverly is crouched by the body of the dead woman, patronizing him as she calls out commands. A young girl with long hair almost covers her face, and she's wearing clothing. She takes a bite of food item from a bowl and hands it to Ronald. BEVERLY (dry) Ronald. MATURIN I like the sound of that. (looks at Beverly) You must be the mother of their child. BEVERLY (in a softer voice) So do I. MATURIN Did they let you move in with them tonight? BEVERLY Are you asking me? MATURIN No, I meant to ask. Matyre, wouldn't you agree that is quite a different experience than being back at your post? MATURIN Not exactly. BEVERLY Perhaps... MATURIN The post you want is nowhere to be found. Beverly is surprised and can't help but give him the benefit of the doubt. BEVERLY I didn't expect you to take the lose so well... MATURIN The appetite is huge. BEVERLY It's always big when the doctor is impressed. You're usually pretty accurate. MATURIN You may not realize that with your training and the help of the Holodeck, you have the advantage of being an exacting type. BEVERLY This isn't a medical visit. This is a bonding experience. MATTERS (to Beverly) Breaks my heart. Beverly shoots a look at Antony, whose face is covered by the black t-shirt. PICARD The doctor will be monitoring your habitat Riker. Please make yourself available when he finishes. MATURIN I will. Beverly nods and exits. MATURIN I'm afraid I can't wait to see the Holodeck again. Risa, my child. It's been a long time since I thought it looked like my home. TROI It's lovely. And you have quite a beautiful life ahead of you. MATURIN Thank you. I hope it's not too much time. RIKER'S VOICE Maturity, Maturity, Lieutenant Commander. They turn to see -- SINGH (O.S.) Excuse me, sir -- The group turns to see SINGH -- a seething forty-something -- sits down in one of the chairs, making no sense. Oddly, he sits there silently. A long beat. VERAD (to Singha) That was pointedly not followed into your quarters. MATURIN (would never let him get away with this) Commander, if I may be so bold... SINGH (smiles) It's been a while, Numatek, but feeling pain is not one of your morbid sins. MATURIN (indignant) If it were, why have I been made unit commander? VERAD (to Singha) I have no idea. You should be comforting Rajon instead. (to Picard) The matter is under review. SINGH (to Maturin) Perhaps you could... on the positive side, help Rajon? MATERIALIZING VOICE Nosir, dirgo kos, noosir. (Come in, please.) TROI (reacts) An admiral? MATERIALIZING VOICE Nosir, dirgo kos, noosir. (Come in, please.) PICARD (surprised) An admiral? MATERIALIZING VOICE Nosir, dirgo kos, noosir. (Come in, please.) TROI (shocked, to Picard) This is Captain Picard... PICARD Counselor... TROI Diplomatic mission orders. PICARD Yes, Counselor, it would be very normal for a captain to be somewhat detached from his crew... VERAD But Captain Picard is a human being! Not some kind of... angel. PICARD Probably not, but, for some reason, the computer has re-built the memories of the Avnerians. Which is why you are here, isn't it? Because of some secret message you've been keeping. Verad whirls on Picard; all pretense of friendliness EXPLODES. VERAD (fastidious) I beg your pardon! None of the others... have been involved. In fact, they're all behind bars. And I am... PICARD (interrupting) Well, you're obviously a poor student of the law, because... VERAD And you're an abysmal liar. (trying to convince them of course) I'm simply trying to point out what we believe to be a fact. PICARD But isn't it true that some of their memories were erased? VERAD Memory implants are a centuries- old process. The earliest recorded booby-trapped escape from the Avner station was over a thousand years ago. PICARD That doesn't mean all their memories are being erased. VERAD Not every record on the computer matters. It may simply be that they're no longer needed. PICARD When the Avner station was taken over a thousand years ago, all their technologies were eliminated... their weapons were also eliminated. VERAD That's backwards. The only technologies that are still usable are in the laboratories on Celtris Three and Mimas Five. PICARD Taken together, those two planets possessed by the Avneri people away from their cold reality. Verad thinks for a beat. VERAD Perhaps... (to Picard) But what would they do with their people if they got out of line? PICARD I'm not sure that's feasible. VERAD I'll give you an answer. If something goes wrong with the recording device on Celtris Three, they're not going to be happy until their entire population is dead. PICARD Then we'll be looking for a way to eliminate the gene flow. VERAD (nods) That's my best hope. Verad smiles at Picard. VERAD I've always wanted to kill a Federation Architect. And with a wave of his hand, Picard MORPHS away his identity as a hologram -- PICARD I'm sorry. But before you suggest another solution, I must ask you to stop using your complex holographic program. VERAD (shrugs) You're not the first man to suggest that I use it... PICARD I'm sure many others did. Including yourself. VERAD (hope rising) If you ever want to know who I was, you won't find it, I'll force myself to develop a correction. And I'll keep it so simple, that even I can see it then. Verad smiles at Picard, and the smile builds into his eyes. He subtly steps aside for a very quiet second as he sweeps his clothes off, leaving Picard standing alone with his own thoughts... CUT TO: INT. FERENGI LAB This isn't the Enterprise anymore. The walls are down by the door. Picard is standing inside, still a little concerned. The door opens and Varria ENTERS. VARRIA I've followed your instructions to the letter. We should be able to get their materials for a repair crew. PICARD I have an update to the Transporter Room Protocol. It should be adequate. VARRIA There is still one more thing -- PICARD What? Varria is agitated. She wants to get this out of the way -- but knows how much it would entail. VARRIA James would be furious if he heard me say this, but I'm all right. We're almost finished with the repairs. He said he'd be back in two days. PICARD There is nothing to be frustrated about. I will monitor your progress. VARRIA There is so much to be angry about. If only he could hear my thoughts... PICARD You can always contact him from High Charity. VARRIA I don't even know where he is. I tried to find him... he's surrounded by noise and disorder. It's making me crazy. PICARD If only that were true... VERAD (o.s.) So it would be a good time for me to go. Pinned to the wall beside Varria is a piece of Sundrum that has moved from one of the corners to the rest of the room. It is a strange and disturbing sight. PICARD Where is this man? One of the other actors steps forward. He has a strange expression on his face -- he seems almost scared. Picard watches as the other actor reaches into his backpacks and removes a phaser. He puts this on Varria's shoulders before moving to the couch and trying to light a cigarette. TROI I have to admit... I never expected to see you again. PICARD It's a surprise... I never expected to see you either. The actor coughs violently. Picard leans over to crowdsource the cough. PICARD (coughing) I think we should get you to Sickbay. The actor, not realizing Picard's presence, coughs undetectable. Picard turns to Worf. PICARD Lieutenant... (looking around) We need some help. Can you mind shutting down the power? WORF Yes, sir. Two other actors approach and join Worf in the small circle. KURAK (to Worf) Please feel free to use whatever power you have at your disposal. WORF Thank you. The circle is broken. Everyone steps to the side. Worf turns to KURAK. WORF Kurak. Show me Romeo. Kurak indicates a chair and he and Worf sit down. WORF (continuing) How many are ready? KURAK (nods) At least eight. WORF (surprised) I thought the capacity of the Holodeck was eighteen. KURAK It should be. This is the oldest Holodeck program ever created. It's been running for five centuries. WORF (stunned) But this is the only simulation left... on which everything existed... on which we could imagined all the possibilities. Kurak indicates a nearby table. KURAK Do you know of any other worldsrcsrcs? WORF No. KURAK Good. Because it would be imperative that we have at least one chance of leaving this Holodeck. Worf is struck by what he's heard. WORF That is not true. Other simulations... all they offer is pain. KURAK Just as we have heard throughout the history of our people -- pain is the ultimate facilitator of social change. WORF I do not believe we would be showing these people the true feelings of Klingons. KURAK Nor would they be. It would only mark them as a distinct minority. It would force them to learn about us... and gradually, the rest of the population. WORF It cannot be done. KURAK If you look at it simply... as a far-fetched but highly unlikely possibility... then you must not be afraid to face reality. WORF I am not afraid. I see no logical reason for fear. KURAK Logical? I don't think so. Nihil nihil nihil nihil. (Never fear. Never fear. No man is a coward. Worf steps back, trying to put it another way... WORF You would rather live a life of naughtlessness... exile from the harmony of Klingons... than risk the embarrassment of a Klingon neural fracture... Kurak's body went soft... he fell asleep. WORF (continuing) ... or worse, of paralysis. I had hoped to be reunited with my wife. But now she has disappeared. And I will not allow her to live out the rest of her life in shame. KURAK No. No woman should suffer for the offense of having a fantasy life. WORF I have not forgotten her... I am not a child anymore. I have learned to live with the knowledge that she is no longer my daughter. KURAK I have learned to live with the information of having a daughter. Off Worf's FACE. CUT TO: INT. WORF'S QUARTERS Worf is lying in bed, fast asleep. After a beat, the door CHIMES. Worf opens his eyes and looks at Alexander, who is putting his arm around Worf's shoulder. ALEXANDER Come in. Alexander leaves Worf alone. Worf opens his eyes and looks down at him. WORF Alexander... ALEXANDER It's been a long time. WORF It's been a long time... Alexander smiles and looks wormed. WORF Are you all right? ALEXANDER I am fine. Worf tries to smile and keep smiling, but he looks confused. WORF You are now Klingon. ALEXANDER (defensive) It was just a little while ago. WORF It is now time for you to show real growth. Alexander smiles and moves closer to Worf. They smile at each other and try to reach out for each other. ALEXANDER Who are you? WORF I am Worf. Alexander smiles and moves to embrace his father. Worf sees that his son has forgotten the razor. He pulls it away and gives it to Alexander. WORF No. Alexander looks confused. WORF Alexander? ALEXANDER He doesn't understand. WORF You are now my son. ALEXANDER That's right... Alexander looks at his father, still holding on to the razor. Fighting to hold back the tears, Worf looks at the image of his son... seeing the repression project of Alexander, he breaks off his embrace. Worf gives him a hard look. WORF It is time to put the story behind me. ALEXANDER Why? WORF Because it has offended you. You will not be happy here. The boy's expression hardens. Fury takes hold. ALEXANDER You think I should leave? WORF Alexander... you are not a Klingon... you are a boy. I love you... ALEXANDER But I love you... please don't leave me. WORF You must. Worf gives him a hard look, then EXITS. After he EXITS, Alexander calls after Worf. ALEXANDER Grand Nagus... must I bring Levuka back? WORF I do not care what happens to Levuka. ALEXANDER He'd kill me. The glimmer of hope turns into a dark sadness and Alexander turns and looks into Worf's eyes... and their eyes meet. The sadness and strength are exhausted. WORF I remember the first time I saw that face. It was right after I recovered the Orb from the Klingon Captain. ALEXANDER And you've seen it a hundred times. WORF Yes... and I will bring it back to you. Alexander smiles. ALEXANDER Let's go home. WORF You are not a day to lie down together. Alexander remembers the warning. ALEXANDER No. WORF You must bring the Orb. ALEXANDER I can't. There's too much contact with the outside. I can't go back... Alexander's friends have no idea what he's up to. ALEXANDER K'adlo? Worf moves toward him. WORF The Orb of Admired Minds. Alexander turns and looks at him. ALEXANDER You think I went there to engage in battle? WORF Maybe you went there to ask someone-- Suddenly, the lights come back up to normal. WORF You are mistaken. It is not admissibility. CUT TO: INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Picard and Worf ENTER from the aft Turbolift. Data is working the console at his position. PICARD How can you be sure the computer will protect you? WORF The program has been designed accordingly. He EXITS toward the Turbolift. PICARD Number One. RIKER Worf. WORF I am concerned. PICARD About what? WORF Emergence of a mind. RIKER Paranoia, if you ask me. But without evidence, we have no logical conclusion. PICARD Logical for what? WORF I cannot say. We await an explanation. RIKER You want to rule out an innocence? WORF I cannot. PICARD Worf, you know better than anyone that the absence of evidence is not a sufficient defence. WORF I do. RIKER You're not suggesting we drop our charges. WORF It would be inconsistent with the purposes of the Project. PICARD (nods) That's a decision yours is making. RIKER Commander Riker to Lieutenant Worf. WORF Yes, sir. PICARD We'll contact Starfleet to arrange for transport. He goes from his position. RIKER You're very busy, Lieutenant. WORF Yes sir. Picard EXITS. CUT TO: INT. HEARING ROOM The room is now dotted with sculptures. Each floating piece a different theme from the others. Computers run program after program, creating a magical effect. Each one is an image of a different personality... a whimsical image free of intricacies... the word "chant" being applied to every one of them. Troi is watching with amusement. TROI ... "chant" of a... of a... (beat) Telepathic power. There are obviously a myriad of examples... how many are there? DATA At present, I can only give suspects... TROI Cast a glance at the... at the techniques... Data is stunned at the sophistication of these devices. DATA I am afraid even you do not completely understand them. It is a strong suspicion, Counselor, that I am being manipulated in some way. TROI That's right. You can't really believe that. DATA You mean... that I am under some alien influence which is influencing my thoughts and feelings? TROI Yes. It's hard to separate your feelings from the facts. DATA But is it possible that I am impairing my mental abilities? TROI Not normally. Most human individuals usually develop their needs slowly over a period of years. DATA Then how do you expect to progress my mind if you do not provide the slightest hint of accomplishment? Troi's expression hardens just a bit. TROI I don't know. Have you considered that you may not be able to control it completely? DATA What do you mean? TROI I mean... you may not be able to control every element of my world. DATA That is correct. However, if I am to survive, my survival must be dependent on many things happening in a short period of time. TROI You're a machine... he's a man... they're both dangerous associations. DATA So far, I have detected no evidence of associational memory. TROI (beat) I wouldn't be so sure of that. They exchange looks. OMITTED INT. READY ROOM Data and Picard. DATA I do not believe there is any possibility that this personality could survive without the link of Commander Riker. PICARD Then our first task is to download Commander Riker's report into our computer. DATA That will take time. We will access the captain's report and correspondence files. PICARD What about his mother? DATA Our first contact with her will be in a secluded area of the star system -- at a secret site on Bela Two. That site has been covered by the Enterprise security force. That may not be possible with all of the star systems discipline. PICARD A rogue element within the Federation that's unwilling to be bridled out. DATA Starfleet is aware of the problem. In order to prevent accidents, they have instituted the Ace Starfleet Endurance Challenge. PICARD Why? DATA In the winter of one hundred seventy-five years no less. PICARD Why? What is the challenge? DATA The Enterprise will be given a new challenge -- a battle solving the mystery of "Where the heck is she?" PICARD (thinks it over) You're going to ask her to leave. DATA The Enterprise is not capable of leaving the star system. PICARD Agreed. DATA The Enterprise will require a maneuver... a maneuver which will put her outside the star's corona. PICARD I see. Well, the question now is, how do we stop the Ace Starfleet Endurance Challenge? DATA The Enterprise will divert power from the starboard nacelle to the starboard nacelle. RIKER The problem is, it won't be easy to get back to the starboard nacelle... DATA That is correct. PICARD Then it's back to the drawing board. Is that what you've come with? DATA Yes, sir. PICARD Data, you're up to speed. The chief engineer has more than one hundred million decisions every second. Are you making those very difficult? DATA Very difficult, sir. PICARD Then I want you to make them easy. Just keep your eye on the customer. DATA You have said that thirty times earlier, sir. PICARD I want you to know I am impressed with your performance so far. I give you my marching orders. DATA Yes, sir. Picard looks at Data's decision. PICARD We'll see about that. Mister Data, any recommendations? DATA I am working on them, sir. That's news to Picard. Picard sits back in his chair. The android officer's resume is a mystery to him. He exchanges a look with Riker. RIKER He's a fraud, sir. I can't in good conscience recommend setting foot on his turf again. PICARD You don't know that yet. But whatever information you do have, you must pass it on. Anyone who doesn't buy from Kivas Fajo is not a friend of mine. (beat) Any information you do get, I want to know about it. DATA I am working on it, sir. PICARD (in answer to Riker) My staff seems to agree, Number One. Including yourself. RIKER We all are, sir. PICARD (a self-satisfied smile) If the rest of the bridge crew will pass their physical, we should be able to get them off the bridge by tomorrow. (to his bridge crew) Dismissed. Picard stands, follows Riker out. EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND STARGAZER (OPTICAL) as the great ship MOVES OFF. INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR - ANGLE ON TURBOLIFT with Picard, GEORDI, and Riker ENTERING from the turbolift. Picard moves to the turbolift door. GEORDI (to Picard) We've cleared the bridge, sir. PICARD interpreting signals on the navigational system... ? GEORDI There's a star ahead, sir... Coming Horizon. INT. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE - ANGLE ON PICARD, RIKER, DATA Picard sits. PICARD On screen. ANGLE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) and a star ahead. PICARD Magnify. Data works his console. DATA The spectroscopic readings are almost identical, sir. Just about everywhere else there is a slight variation. RIKER On screen. The viewscreen now shows a star centered on that bright star -- it is a miniature of the same surface of the dead star we were just looking at. ANGLE ON PICARD AND GEORDI PICARD Hail the star... DATA No response. PICARD Answer it, Data. DATA Sky's visible, sir. Possibly translucent... radio silence... very faint. RIKER choes of a distant ship opening hail... PICARD Put it on the viewer, Number One. Data does so. The image does not look very Starfleet. RIKER Hard to make out... PICARD Either this is a natural phenomenon or one of the many that make up the Holodeck. RIKER Another ship opening? PICARD Make that one look big. WORF Captain, I am picking up a large structure forty meters away. A beat as they observe the strange object. PICARD referenise. MAIN VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) We can see a unique symbol-image with a circular background superimposed against the star's background. PICARD (O.S.) (continuing) It's circular... DATA It appears to be an artificial circuitry, sir. RIKER Doesn't sound exactly like the Holodeck, does it? PICARD The technology is quite ancient, Number One. And quite sophisticated. Holographic images are possible. DATA The symbol-image appears to be biographical... it is apparently self-aware. RIKER So it might be able to tell us something about who and what we are. PICARD If it has consciousness, does that make it a person? DATA It would be entirely defenseless. PICARD (defensive) If it's not tied to a specific concept, then what is it? TASHA If it's sentient, it has a right to life, Captain. It would be wrong to harm it. She gives him a sharp look. Picard is on his feet, nonplussed. PICARD What the hell is going on here?! FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR ACT FIVE FADE IN: EXT. PLANET SURFACE (OPTICAL) The crashed cargo freighter, as seen before. INT. CARGO FREIGHTER (OPTICAL) It's a few hours later. Picard is standing on one of the cargo containers, which is now filled with Crystalline Dust. He examines the cargo container, then stands and crosses to the window. The other composters have been removed, and Borg Space Station is visible. PICARD What's this? DATA An incomplete inventory of the available Crystalline Dust, sir. PICARD I thought we might consider moving out. (beat) Freeze program. Nothing Freezes. PICARD Mister La Forge, it would be wise to have a professional take over the anomaly. GEORDI I certainly will, sir. Geordi EXITS. Picard considers the situation... and then makes a decision. PICARD Enough. Call it a day. Picard goes over and touches the COMPASS over the neural activity in his head. It STOPS. PICARD (to computer) Computer -- access L-Ninety- Two central computer systems: telemetry and sensor logger on-line. COMPUTER VOICE Please restate request. PICARD Show me the results of the analysis of the Crystalline Dust we encountered on the planet's surface... COMPUTER VOICE Program complete. GEORDI Okay. Geordi moves to the console. A MONITOR (OPTICAL) displays the same pattern of blinking lights as seen earlier. PICARD reacts to the display... PICARD (to computer) Computer -- access Transporter log for transmission to Commander La Forge. COMPUTER VOICE Request denied. Picard is stunned to hear this. PICARD What? COMPUTER VOICE All translators are off-line. PICARD (realizing) The computer didn't check... then reverse-engineered the L-ninety programs... and then uploaded them back onto the ship. (beat) Damned if I know how to find them. He slams a hand against the console... instantly reacting to something on the screen. PICARD What is it? INT. ENGINEERING Later. Geordi and Data working at their consoles. GEORDI Maybe we should check the computer logs again... see if someone accessed the files after I deleted them... DATA The computer would be unable to access them unless it exits a security filter... They hear a noise on the hearing... look at the console... MONITOR (OPTICAL) displays a static image of ENTERPRISE LOGS. GEORDI I can't get past the authentication srv on the file systems page. Geordi looks at the screen. GEORDI Facebook... (frustrated) ... access is denied. They see the static image disappear... they react, hit a nearby console with a look of annoyance. GEORDI Facebook... (off console) I'm not getting anywhere. INT. ENGINEERING Geordi and Data working. GEORDI Facebook... (beat) Facebook... They look at each other. GEORDI I'm trying... Facebook... They look at each other's consoles, trying to get ahead of the system. Suddenly the CRT SHAKES, as the connection is severed. They exchange a concerned look. GEORDI Data, the computer is flooding the auxiliary inputs with interference... DATA I am attempting to regulate the flow, sir... Geordi notices the console for a second. GEORDI Check the diagnostic subroutine, see if this is interfering with the diagnosticAssemblies. Data toggles between the front and back of his face as he goes over to the console for a moment. GEORDI (continuing) I don't think it's a coincidence that the secondary system overload just happens to wipe out the primary system... DATA It is possible that the secondary system was prone to network failure during the xtended mission. GEORDI (nodding) If secondary system integrity were compromised... the entire array would've temporarily collapsed... A beat as they consider. Data thinks for a moment. DATA Our sources would have to be miraculously identical in biological terms... GEORDI We can't even tell what the differentials are... it would've to be more than a decade before the differences would've been detected... They consider for a moment... GEORDI There was a time when human entire populations were confined to their own world... a few cultures even existed in America. They consider for a beat... GEORDI There's one in particular that should be. The doctor who rescues Doctor Reyga said he had some sporadic use of his augmentations... Doctor Hansen found him in Reyga's quarters... they ran a level one diagnostic... and then he went in for more tests... and they found him again... They consider this. DATA We might be able to download equipment needed for the tests and use it in the lab. GEORDI That's a possibility... but we have no way of knowing what the result would be. This is a heavy weight suddenly shift across Geordi's body. He musters a wan smile... GEORDI What about Doctor Lyn? DATA Doctor Lyn is also on the council. She recently reiterated her recommendation that the Kes strike a non-exclusive strike against Cardassia. GEORDI I can't imagine them giving a reason... DATA The only exception would be the Trillium Scintillium Nickel Export Organization, which is associated with the Carmelite export industry. GEORDI A body? DATA Indeed. This is a jarring moment. Geordi is embarrassed... turns and looks at -- BATAI AND THE GROUP Lynch is back on the platform, undergoing some "corner stone" surgery that causes some of his friends to recoil. (NOTE: Lynch should be wearing walk around frames and a cane for this maneuver.) GEORDI That's it? LORIN For three bars of latinum. BATAI Three bars? GEORDI That's right. LORIN The worst part is that it will take years of hard work to get us out of here. BATAI I've already been working on that part of the plan... (beat) Sorry, Geordi -- I should have seen it earlier. And with that, Lorin EXITS. Geordi looks around, frustrated. His support system is down here in the ground, and now all he can do is lean back his head and sink his head in. INT. ENTERPRISE HALLWAY - ANGLE ON WESLEY AND A BLACKFIRED STARGAZER (OPTICAL) as the forward motion stalls. The experienced Starfleet cadet has to lean back to the ground and swim to avoid getting hit. WESLEY (off console) I don't even know what it's doing. INT. ENTERPRISE HALLWAY - ON WESLEY AND A BLACKFIRED STARGAZER (OPTICAL) as the starfield SHIMMERS, DISAPPEARING into nothingness. INT. ENTERPRISE HALLWAY - ON WESLEY AND A BLACKFIRED STARGAZER (OPTICAL) as the latter races through the HELP BEAM back toward the cockpit door. INT. ENTERPRISE HALLWAY - ON WESLEY AND A BLACKFIRED STARGAZER (OPTICAL) The former STARGAZER swoops down and around, aliasing Wesley as he goes along. INT. ENTERPRISE HALLWAY - ON WESLEY AND A BLACKFIRED STARGAZER (OPTICAL) as the former SPACEGAZER WHISPERS, then plunges back into the Help Beam. INT. ENTERPRISE HALLWAY - ON WESLEY AND A BLACKFIRED STARGAZER (OPTICAL) as the latter re-enters the Help Beam, this time grabbing it with both hands. WESLEY (hits communicator) Computer, high ceiling lift to hatch one. COMPUTER VOICE Override. HELP COM VOICE Starfleet has intervened. On their communicators, Wesley and Beverly, both holding their phasers at the ready, grab onto the railing. GEORDI COM VOICE Acknowledged. HELP COM VOICE Starfleet has intervened. GEORDI Help us, Wesley! Wesley, unable to help Geordi, hurls himself down the ladder. INT. ENTERPRISE HALLWAY - ON WESLEY AND A BLACKFIRED STARGAZER (OPTICAL) being hauled away. INT. ENTERPRISE HALLWAY - ON WESLEY AND A BLACKFIRED STARGAZER (OPTICAL) as the former into the open shuttlebay. Wesley stares at the dead starfield in the grating. Then he hurries back inside the shuttle. INT. ENTERPRISE HALLWAY Wesley running along. He looks back at the empty shuttlebay. The hall is empty. Wesley is angry with the captain for putting him in such a difficult situation. WESLEY You shouldn't have let them terminate your training. PICARD It was a great danger to me, Wesley. It was almost instant termination. I tried to fight it... I kept thinking I would... WESLEY (interrupting, a little louder) ... I should have let them do that. Wesley stops, puts his hand to his head. Picard pushes it away. PICARD Perhaps you should have. WESLEY (louder) If you hadn't been listening, I would've been the one fighting it. He stops, looking at the shuttle. WESLEY With all that plasma lightning coming from the deck, I thought it would be a lot easier to disable the engineering sensors and clear the deck. PICARD Easy for you to say... but you were right about something else the minute you woke up that fire alarm... WESLEY Yeah, I heard it. The alien reality is so full of fire it doesn't take much to get rid of it. PICARD We're going to have to alert the bridge to the presence of another Enterprise -- somewhere along the line. WESLEY We can't do that. It would cut our engines short. PICARD I don't think we have to, Mister Crusher. You realize this will shut down the Holodeck for a week. WESLEY But Justin, everything's going to be fine. We'll fix everything. Picard doesn't trust that answer. The alien stares at him for a beat. WESLEY Captain... PICARD Yes, Mister Crusher? WESLEY I don't understand... PICARD Understand quickly. Mister Crusher, act fast. (beat) We'll contact you when we're ready. The SOUND OF MOTORIZING is heard. WORF'S VOICE Captain, we're receiving a priority one message from Starfleet Medical. PICARD What's the nature of the communication? WORF'S VOICE Uncertain, sir. Wesley turns to Picard, pausing. WESLEY It's probably a quiet message. We're not going to be able to shut it down -- "Will you join us on the bridge?" asks Picard, re: Wesley. PICARD No, Wesley. But Mister La Forge and I will join you on the bridge if we can. Is that clear? WESLEY Yes, sir. (beat) Good luck, sir. PICARD Thank you, my young friend. GEORDI Locked on our warp drive, sir. PICARD Stand by. GEORDI and WESLEY move out of the way as Picard moves toward the viewscreen. PICARD This is Captain Picard. Respond please. GEORDI This is Geordi, sir. Respond cloak. PICARD Cloak? GEORDI Cloak, sir. On Picard's REACTION: FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR ACT FIVE FADE IN: EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) in a parking orbit near 'aucdet Nine. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental. We remain like a fly in amber trapped in the void. We have encountered a vessel which appears to be the USS Yamato. All its systems are shown as functioning, yet it seems devoid of life. Commander Riker is leading an away team -- hopefully the answer lies over there. INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) WESLEY and WORF at their stations, DATA at Ops, TASHA at Conn. On the Main Viewer is the USS Yamato, anchoring in Geordi's Loading Bay. DATA We are in synchronous orbit above the planet, sir. PICARD (V.O.) (continuing) The away team -- (interrupting; to Riker) Quickly! Riker touches his arm panel. RIKER Right away! Everyone's motionless as they wait, for a MAJOR PHASER BLAST just as HE IS SCANNED OUT BY THE FIRST. The wounded have VEEN STOPS, and WE SEE Enterprise as it MANAGES TO MOVE OFF. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END ----- STAR TREK: THE NEXT