3097 lines
91 KiB
Plaintext
3097 lines
91 KiB
Plaintext
Path: moe.ksu.ksu.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!sdd.hp.com!hp-cv!hplabs!hpda!hpcuhb!hpindda!mears@hpindda.cup.hp.com
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From: mears@hpindda.cup.hp.com (David Mears)
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Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
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Subject: Games People Play
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Message-ID: <101470002@hpindda.cup.hp.com>
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Date: 9 Mar 92 01:18:01 GMT
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Organization: HP Information Networks, Cupertino, CA
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Lines: 3086
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Well, I got my most recently submitted script back from Paramount with
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the standard rejection letter. And so, I thought I would make the script
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available to those of you out there who might find it entertaining. Even
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though the first script I submitted was actually submitted by myself and
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another person, and therefore I'm not sure if Paramount would consider
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this the second rejection of a script from me, I doubt I'll be sending in
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any more. At this point, I think I'll spend my creative energies (small
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though they've been for the last year or so) on getting a short story
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published in a magazine.
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I had submitted this script in the late spring/early summer time frame
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last year, in hopes it would be early enough for consideration of the
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entire season. The rejection letter that came back with the script was
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dated from the middle of August, though the postmark on the return
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envelope was dated from the middle of November. I guess it either got
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lost in the Paramount mail room, or they're so busy reading scripts it
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takes a while to get the rejected ones to the mail room. At the time
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I got it back, I decided to wait until after the holidays and the news
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group reorganization before posting the script. My only excuse for the
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extra time before finally posting it now is a combination of being both
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busy and lazy.
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It's too bad they didn't like this script (well, other than the obvious
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fact that I'd've liked to get a script accepted!) because with a few
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small changes, I think this story could've worked into the story line
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they used for Unification. Of course, I didn't know what Unification
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would look like or be about at the time I wrote this.
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If you like the story, or have useful constructive criticisms, feel
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free to send them to me. If you want to duplicate this script in some
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other publication (electronic or printed), I have three rules:
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1) Ask me before you do it. I will most likely say yes, but
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I ask that you give me the opportunity to say no.
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2) Keep all copyright notices and disclaimers attached.
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3) Send me a copy of the publication. If it's an electronic
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only publication, email is fine. Otherwise, I'd like a
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printed copy. When you email asking for permission, I'll
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send you an address where you can mail it.
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For whomever has been keeping the Star Trek FTP site, you hereby have
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my permission, as per 1) above, to keep a copy of this there. Just let
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me know you're doing so.
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And now, without further ado, here is ``Games People Play.'' Enjoy!
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----------
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Copyright 1988, 1991 by David B. Mears. All Rights
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Reserved.
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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
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"Games People Play"
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TEASER
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FADE IN:
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INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
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PICARD is alone, standing by the viewport staring out
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at the stars going by in standard warp effect. He is
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holding and sipping from a cup of steaming liquid.
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PICARD (V.O.)
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Captain's Log, Stardate 45407.7
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The Enterprise is returning from a
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full month patrol mission at the
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Romulan Neutral Zone.
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Reconstruction of the Fleet
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following the Borg incident is now
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complete, and it's hoped these
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extra patrols will soon no longer
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be needed. The past month has
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been particularly difficult for
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those members of my crew separated
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from families left behind with the
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saucer section at Omega Ceti
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Seven. Having now rejoined with
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them, we are on our way to Star
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Base twenty nine where we all look
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forward to some much needed rest
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and relaxation.
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A communicator chirp is heard.
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WORF'S COM VOICE
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Captain, we are receiving a
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priority message from Starfleet
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Command.
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PICARD
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Thank you, Lieutenant. I'll be
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right there.
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(to himself)
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There's just no rest for the
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weary.
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INT. BRIDGE
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WORF, RIKER, TROI, DATA and other assorted bridge
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personnel are present. Picard enters from his Ready
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Room.
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WORF
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The message is from Admiral
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Calavicci.
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Picard motions to Worf and the viewscreen changes to
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show a large man.
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CALAVICCI'S IMAGE
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Captain Picard. I'm aware the
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Enterprise is on her way to Star
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Base twenty nine for a well
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deserved rest, and I wouldn't
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interrupt that if I had any other
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choice, but I need you to divert
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to the Theta Niobe system to pick
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up Federation Under-Secretary
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Wilson. He'll be waiting when you
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arrive, and you'll be given full
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details then. Calavicci out.
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The viewscreen returns to the standard star image.
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PICARD
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Mister Data, set course and speed
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for Theta Niobe, Warp seven.
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DATA
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Aye, Sir.
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PICARD
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Well, Number One, it appears our
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time off will have to wait. When
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we arrive at Theta Niobe, bring
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Lieutenant Worf and meet me in
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transporter room five. Until
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then, I'll be in my quarters.
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EXT. ENTERPRISE
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Standard shot of Enterprise traveling through stars at
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Warp speed.
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INT. CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
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Picard is lying on his bed in the darkened room, eyes
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open, thinking about recent events. An intercom chirp
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is heard.
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RIKER'S COM VOICE
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Captain, we're approaching the
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Theta Niobe system.
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PICARD
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Thank you, Commander.
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INT. SHIP'S CORRIDOR
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Picard is walking briskly toward the door to the
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Transporter Room just ahead. Riker and Worf are seen
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approaching from the opposite direction.
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PICARD
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Good timing, Number One.
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INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM
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O'BRIEN is manning the transporter controls. Picard,
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Riker and Worf enter.
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O'BRIEN
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Theta Niobe Seven reports Under-
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Secretary Wilson ready for
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transport, sir.
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PICARD
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Then let's not keep him waiting.
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Energize.
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Wilson beams aboard. Throughout the following
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exchanges, he maintains a very jovial and relaxed
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demeanor.
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WILSON
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Captain Picard, Commander Riker,
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and Lieutenant Worf. Excellent!
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I'm so very pleased to have the
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opportunity to finally meet all of
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you. You've each developed quite
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a reputation, from that little
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Borg adventure to all of your
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other various exploits.
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Picard shakes his hand.
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PICARD
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Welcome aboard, Mister Secretary.
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Can you tell us what this is
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about? Or would you prefer we
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return to my Ready Room for some
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privacy?
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WILSON
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You weren't told, Captain? I
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assure you the secrecy was not
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intentional. One of the foibles
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of the bureaucracy, no doubt.
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WORF
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(sarcastically)
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No doubt.
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WILSON
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Well Captain, I would be most
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pleased if you would get me to
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Olympia as quickly as possible.
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RIKER
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Olympia? That's where the
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Federation Games are being played.
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WILSON
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Quite right, Commander. I was on
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my way, passing by little Theta
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Niobe here, when my transport ship
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broke down. As you can imagine, a
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small data station is ill prepared
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to attempt star drive repairs. I
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asked the Federation Council to
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have Starfleet send the nearest
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and fastest Starship available to
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pick me up, and here you are.
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WORF
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Then there is no emergency. You
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only want a ride to the Games.
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WILSON
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It's more of an emergency than
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I've made clear, Lieutenant. You
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see, my position in the Federation
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is Under-Secretary, Department of
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State, in Charge of Treaty and
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Other non-Federation Contact
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Affairs. This year the Games have
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been opened to non-Federation
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worlds, and it's critical, from a
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diplomatic point of view, that I
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be there.
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PICARD
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Of course. We're happy to be of
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service.
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(tapping com badge)
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Picard to bridge. Data, set
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course for Olympia, best possible
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speed.
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DATA'S COM VOICE
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Aye, Sir.
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WILSON
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I was told, Captain, that you were
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on your way to Star Base twenty
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nine for some recreation. If
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you'd change your mind and join me
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on Olympia instead, I can provide
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passes for the officers and crew
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and I believe you'll enjoy the
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Games as much as anything at Star
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Base twenty nine.
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PICARD
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Yes, and more so I'm sure, Mister
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Secretary. We'll be delighted to
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take you up on your offer.
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WILSON
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And I'd feel more comfortable with
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the Enterprise staying at Olympia.
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In addition to the several non-
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aligned worlds participating this
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year, the Federation has also
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invited the Romulans to come as
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observers, as a prelude to
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possible future diplomatic talks.
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FADE OUT.
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END OF TEASER
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ACT ONE
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FADE IN:
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INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
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Picard and Wilson are present.
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WILSON
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Captain, I have more reasons to
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want the Enterprise at Olympia
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than just the Romulans. There've
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been rumors a terrorist group may
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try to disrupt the Games and I
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wanted the best ship Starfleet
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could send to help protect against
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that.
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PICARD
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Terrorists? Within Federation
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space?
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WILSON
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Much as we'd like to think
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otherwise, Captain, it can happen.
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In any case, we must protect
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against even the possibility. The
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Games are much too important not
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to take any threat seriously,
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especially with non-Federation
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worlds, and the Romulans, present.
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PICARD
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The Enterprise was hardly intended
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for police work.
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WILSON
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I have every confidence in your
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ability to bring this mission to a
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satisfactory conclusion, Captain.
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PICARD
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My senior staff should be hearing
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this.
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WILSON
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What I've told you should be
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considered need-to-know only,
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Captain.
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PICARD
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The Enterprise does not function
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with a cloak-and-dagger mentality,
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Mister Secretary. Whatever the
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Enterprise' mission, my senior
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staff always has a need to know.
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WILSON
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My apologies, Captain. It is your
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ship, and I don't want to
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interfere with the way you run it.
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Notify your senior staff as you
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feel appropriate, but do limit the
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knowledge to the minimum you can
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feel comfortable with.
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(pauses)
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Captain, I can't stress enough the
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importance of this mission. The
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Federation lost more than just
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ships and men in the Borg attack.
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It lost credibility. Many members
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are questioning the ability of the
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Federation to protect them. The
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stability of the entire Federation
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is very precarious right now.
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It's the main reason we're willing
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to try to negotiate with the
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Romulans for peace.
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PICARD
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The Romulans have never given any
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indication in the past they'd be
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willing to consider negotiations,
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and they respect only strength.
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If they were to suspect this
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overture were based on a position
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of weakness ...
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WILSON
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I agree it's a major risk,
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Captain, but it's one we must
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pursue.
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PICARD
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And what of the Klingons? I
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assume they know?
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WILSON
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No, Captain, they don't. At
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least, not yet. That's another
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reason I must get to Olympia. I
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had planned to discuss the issue
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with Ambassador Krell before the
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Romulans have a chance to arrive.
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PICARD
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How do you think the Klingons will
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react?
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WILSON
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I don't know. Publically, the
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Klingons decry the Romulans as
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their worst enemy, but there have
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been rumors of Klingons who would
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rather be allied with the Romulans
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than the Federation. Getting both
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camps together, and forging a
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Peace Treaty acceptable to all
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will not be easy.
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PICARD
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It's a job I certainly wouldn't
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want to have to deal with.
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EXT. ENTERPRISE
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The Enterprise is approaching a class M planet. There
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are many ships in orbit around it.
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INT. BRIDGE
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Riker, Data, GEORDI, and others are present. The
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planet is seen on the viewscreen. Several ships of
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various sizes are already in various orbits. Wilson
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and Picard enter from the Ready Room.
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DATA
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Entering standard orbit now,
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Captain. Defensive shields and
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weapons systems disabled as
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required by the Olympian Contract.
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WILSON
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I'll be transporting down
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immediately, Captain. There are
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some important details that need
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attending to. I'll see to it
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preparations are made for you and
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your crew to enjoy the Games.
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PICARD
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Commander Riker will be heading
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the first shoreleave party. I
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have a few things I must do first,
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but I'll join you as soon as I
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can.
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GEORDI
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Captain.
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PICARD
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Yes, Commander?
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GEORDI
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For a moment, I thought I'd picked
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up the signature of a ship running
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under cloak, but now it's gone.
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WILSON
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As I was afraid, Captain. There
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IS a terrorist ship out there.
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RIKER
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Aren't you jumping a bit fast to
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your conclusions, Mister
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Secretary?
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PICARD
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Could it be the Romulans, Geordi?
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GEORDI
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Even the best Romulan cloak can't
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mask the mass of a ship and its
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effect on the surrounding space.
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If you know where to look for it,
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a cloaked vessel can't hide.
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Whatever I thought I saw, there's
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definitely nothing there now.
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WILSON
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Could they be using the
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gravitational field of the moon to
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hide their mass?
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GEORDI
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They could try, and the number of
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other ships out there would add to
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the sensor clutter and make it
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more difficult, but I'd be able to
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find a Romulan cloak if it were
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there.
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WILSON
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Then what about a terrorist cloak?
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RIKER
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Cloaking technology is kept under
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the tightest control by every
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major galactic confederation that
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has access to it. Even the
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Ferengi aren't stupid enough to
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sell that kind of technology to
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fringe groups. It would be
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impossible for a terrorist ship to
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have a cloak.
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WILSON
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Surely your chief engineer
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wouldn't have mentioned it if
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there wasn't something out there.
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PICARD
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It's standard operating procedure
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aboard the Enterprise to report
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anything out of the ordinary, even
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if there's very little chance of
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it being important. We don't like
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surprises.
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WILSON
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Nevertheless, Captain, perhaps it
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would be best if your senior staff
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were to stay aboard the Enterprise
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for a while, until you've
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determined just what you did see
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out there.
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PICARD
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I can assure you, if my chief
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engineer says there's nothing
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there, then there's nothing there.
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And even if there were, you'd want
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my staff planetside to help
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safeguard the Games.
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WILSON
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As you think best, Captain, as I
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said before, it is your ship. I'd
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best be getting down there to do
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my job.
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Wilson leaves the bridge through the aft turbolift.
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PICARD
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Number One, you should be getting
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down to the planet yourself to
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scout around. I'll join you soon.
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Riker motions to them and leaves with Worf, Geordi,
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and Data.
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EXT. ENTERPRISE
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Shot of Enterprise orbiting planet.
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INT. SHIP'S CORRIDOR
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Riker, Troi, Data, Worf, Geordi and BEVERLY are
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walking together down the corridor. All are dressed
|
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in casual clothing except Data who is still in
|
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uniform. Troi is not wearing a communicator badge.
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RIKER
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Everyone decided which events
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they're going to?
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GEORDI
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For me, handball, volleyball, that
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sort of thing.
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TROI
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I just want to lose myself in the
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hustle and bustle of the crowds
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for awhile. Then I'll decide if I
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want to attend any specific event.
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Care to come get lost with me,
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Beverly?
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BEVERLY
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I appreciate the offer, Deanna,
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but I want to be sure to get to
|
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the Medical facilities. Sports
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medicine has always been something
|
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of a hobby and I want to see the
|
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latest developments. Perhaps I'll
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find you later.
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|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
Now, now, Doctor. We're here for
|
|
fun, not work.
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
My work is fun, to me, Commander.
|
|
Any doctor who would tell you
|
|
otherwise shouldn't be in the
|
|
profession.
|
|
|
|
DATA
|
|
I find the human concept of fun to
|
|
be quite intriguing. It has been
|
|
said that as the complexity of an
|
|
organism increases, so does the
|
|
need for play.
|
|
|
|
TROI
|
|
That's true, Data. People need to
|
|
let off steam from time to time.
|
|
|
|
DATA
|
|
As a highly complex and organized
|
|
unit myself, it seems appropriate
|
|
that I research the methods humans
|
|
have created for play. I plan to
|
|
attend as many events as possible.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
You've been unusually quiet since
|
|
you found we were coming to the
|
|
Games, Worf. Where do your
|
|
interests lie?
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
The martial arts competitions.
|
|
Lieutenant Yar had been preparing
|
|
to participate in the Games the
|
|
next time they were played.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
I'm sure she would have done very
|
|
well.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
I also plan to visit the Klin Zha
|
|
exhibitions.
|
|
|
|
TROI
|
|
Klin Zha?
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
It is a ...
|
|
(slight pause)
|
|
contest from the Klingon Empire.
|
|
|
|
DATA
|
|
I have read about the Klin Zha.
|
|
It is similar to the human game of
|
|
chess, except it is played with
|
|
real people instead of board
|
|
pieces.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
The Klin Zha is a learning for
|
|
combat, and a test of wills. Only
|
|
the most rudimentary of children's
|
|
variations have any similarity to
|
|
chess.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
The Klin Zha, Data, is more than a
|
|
game. It's a simulation of and
|
|
preparation for life itself for
|
|
the Klingon warrior.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
You understand much of Klingon
|
|
culture, Commander.
|
|
|
|
They arrive at the Transporter Room door.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM
|
|
|
|
The door opens and the six enter the room and mount
|
|
the transporter platform. Chief O'Brien is manning
|
|
the transporter controls.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
We'll separate once we get to the
|
|
surface to get a quick overview.
|
|
Then, meet back at the beamdown
|
|
point in two hours to regroup and
|
|
compare notes.
|
|
(to O'Brien)
|
|
Ready, Chief. Energize.
|
|
|
|
O'Brien works the controls and the six disappear.
|
|
After they leave, a strange signal appears on the
|
|
control panel. O'Brien presses several controls but
|
|
is unable to affect it. He goes to a small cabinet in
|
|
the wall to look for a tool, but can't find it.
|
|
|
|
O'BRIEN
|
|
Engineers. They never put their
|
|
tools away when they're done with
|
|
them.
|
|
|
|
O'Brien leaves the transporter room to find it
|
|
elsewhere. A few moments later, the transporter
|
|
activates and a man transports aboard. He is wearing
|
|
grey athletic style clothing and is carrying what
|
|
appears to be a small specialized tricorder device.
|
|
Throughout the following, he acts very calm and
|
|
deliberate. He presses some buttons on his device and
|
|
the transporter warning indicator stops. He then
|
|
checks the device and cautiously exits to the
|
|
corridor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. SHIP'S CORRIDOR
|
|
|
|
Checking the device in his hand, the man heads off
|
|
down the corridor. Still checking the device, as he
|
|
comes to a junction, he suddenly stops and hides in a
|
|
doorway. Almost immediately, several crewmen come by
|
|
talking to themselves. When they have gone by, the
|
|
man once again starts off. Using the device as a
|
|
direction finder, he locates the nearest turbolift and
|
|
enters it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. TURBOLIFT
|
|
|
|
The man presses some controls on the device in his
|
|
hand and the turbolift takes off. After some moments,
|
|
he checks something on the device, then sets it on the
|
|
hand rail, presses some buttons on it and the device
|
|
dematerializes. Within moments, the turbolift comes
|
|
to a halt and the doors open to the bridge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. BRIDGE
|
|
|
|
Picard is present, but with only a skeleton bridge
|
|
crew. From this point on, the man acts animated and
|
|
excited. He exits the turbolift and quickly and
|
|
purposefully strides down to stand in front of where
|
|
Picard is seated. As he does so, Picard, startled,
|
|
stands up.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
What the ...?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Captain Picard? I would like to
|
|
place myself in your custody and
|
|
ask that you, as a representative
|
|
of your Federation, grant me
|
|
political asylum aboard the
|
|
Enterprise until such time as you
|
|
can transport me to a Federation
|
|
planet for processing.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
How the devil did you get here?
|
|
(tapping com badge)
|
|
Security!
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
I saw no security on my way here,
|
|
Captain. I am Lathe Lorien, a
|
|
member of the athletic delegation
|
|
from the planet Himsa, here to
|
|
participate in your Federation
|
|
Games.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I was warned terrorists might try
|
|
to disrupt the Games. Why should
|
|
I believe you're not a distraction
|
|
intended to mask such terrorist
|
|
activity?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
You could trust me, Captain. Or
|
|
you could contact the Himsan
|
|
delegation and ask them about me,
|
|
though I'd prefer you didn't do
|
|
that just yet. They'd be very
|
|
unhappy to know I'm no longer with
|
|
them. An unhappy Zildex can cause
|
|
much more havoc than any
|
|
terrorist.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Zildex?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
The head of the security
|
|
delegation from Himsa, here
|
|
ostensibly to make sure the Himsan
|
|
athletes are protected, though
|
|
kept under guard would be a more
|
|
accurate way of putting it.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Even assuming for the moment I'm
|
|
willing to give you the benefit of
|
|
the doubt, I have more pressing
|
|
concerns to deal with right at the
|
|
moment.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
What's more important to the
|
|
Federation than personal freedom?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Granting political asylum isn't a
|
|
simple matter. There are many
|
|
difficulties to overcome and steps
|
|
to be taken, including dealing
|
|
with your local governmental
|
|
representatives.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Before you talk with them,
|
|
Captain, I'd like the opportunity
|
|
to give you my side of the story.
|
|
|
|
The turbolift doors open and two security men enter
|
|
the bridge.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Very well. You'll wait in our
|
|
Observation Lounge until I can
|
|
assemble the rest of my staff.
|
|
|
|
The security men escort Lorien into the lounge.
|
|
|
|
FADE OUT.
|
|
|
|
END OF ACT ONE
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACT TWO
|
|
|
|
FADE IN:
|
|
|
|
INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
|
|
|
|
Picard and Lorien are seated, but silent. The
|
|
security guards are standing on either side behind
|
|
Lorien's chair. Beverly, Worf, Data, Geordi, and
|
|
Riker enter from the bridge entrance. Worf goes to
|
|
the security guards and briefly talks with them before
|
|
sitting down. As Riker enters, Picard stands and
|
|
speaks softly to him.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Where's Counselor Troi?
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
I don't know, Captain. We split
|
|
up after beaming down so we
|
|
weren't together when you called.
|
|
When I put out the call to return,
|
|
she didn't respond.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I was planning on being able to
|
|
use her empathic skills right now.
|
|
(tapping com badge)
|
|
Ensign Burlet, have you been able
|
|
to contact Secretary Wilson yet?
|
|
|
|
BURLET'S VOICE
|
|
No, Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Keep trying, and see if you can
|
|
get some help to locate Counselor
|
|
Troi.
|
|
|
|
BURLET'S VOICE
|
|
Yes, sir.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
(so everyone can hear)
|
|
I take it, Captain, this
|
|
conference has something to do
|
|
with our unknown guest?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Yes, it does. But I'll let him
|
|
explain why he's here.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
As I've already told your Captain,
|
|
my name is Lathe Lorien, and I'm a
|
|
member of the Himsan athletic
|
|
delegation to your Federation
|
|
Games. I've come to ask for
|
|
political asylum in your
|
|
Federation.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
Himsa's not a member of the
|
|
Federation? The name sounds
|
|
familiar.
|
|
|
|
DATA
|
|
Although Himsa is not a member of
|
|
the Federation, there is a
|
|
Federation scientific outpost on a
|
|
moon of the fourth planet in the
|
|
Himsan system.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
Ah yes. The Himsan system is the
|
|
only planetary system near the
|
|
Mutara Remnant. A research
|
|
station was established there for
|
|
scientific study.
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
But that's within Federation
|
|
space. Why is Himsa not a member?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
They were asked to join, Doctor,
|
|
but they declined. Remember,
|
|
unlike some galactic powers, the
|
|
Federation doesn't create
|
|
membership by force.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
Weren't you responsible for the
|
|
negotiations, Captain?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I was a member of the negotiating
|
|
team that lead to the
|
|
establishment of Marcus Station,
|
|
but I was hardly in charge. It
|
|
was one of the first diplomatic
|
|
assignments of my career.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
Political asylum is a rather
|
|
extraordinary request, Mister
|
|
Lorien. Do you really believe it
|
|
necessary?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
The government of Himsa is a
|
|
brutally oppressive dictatorship,
|
|
Commander. While the ranking
|
|
state officials enjoy great wealth
|
|
and luxury, the masses are wracked
|
|
with poverty and disease. There
|
|
are a few, such as the athletic
|
|
teams, who are granted some small
|
|
favor in exchange for presenting
|
|
an acceptable front to outside
|
|
worlds, but even we do not have
|
|
personal freedoms. We are
|
|
controlled by the government in
|
|
everything we do or say. Most are
|
|
content to live the lie in order
|
|
to escape the poverty. I found I
|
|
could not.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
Economic hardship, while
|
|
deplorable, isn't grounds for
|
|
granting asylum.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
I must find a way to let other
|
|
worlds know what is happening to
|
|
Himsa.
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
What about the scientists at
|
|
Marcus Station? Aren't they close
|
|
enough to be aware of what's going
|
|
on?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
The Himsan government has taken
|
|
great pains to cut the planet off
|
|
from any outside contact in order
|
|
to preserve the secrecy of their
|
|
atrocities. They neither allow
|
|
offworlders to visit the planet,
|
|
nor any unauthorized communication
|
|
out from the planet.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
The Himsans insisted negotiations
|
|
for the station be carried out on
|
|
the moon it was to occupy. Even
|
|
establishing first contact with
|
|
the Himsans to begin negotiations
|
|
was difficult because their planet
|
|
is completely shielded by an
|
|
energy field which blocks all
|
|
electromagnetic radiation and
|
|
sensor probes. Nothing gets in or
|
|
out unless they want it to.
|
|
(addressing Lorien)
|
|
Which will make it difficult to
|
|
get independent corroboration for
|
|
any claims. Do you have solid
|
|
evidence to present?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
I'm afraid I have nothing I can
|
|
share with you, Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Then I'm afraid there's nothing we
|
|
can do for you regarding asylum.
|
|
If the Himsans have no objection,
|
|
you are certainly free to stay
|
|
with us and find a new home in the
|
|
Federation. However, if they
|
|
object ...
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
(interrupting)
|
|
They will, Captain, they can't
|
|
afford to let me leave with what I
|
|
know.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
We are forbidden by our Prime
|
|
Directive from interfering in the
|
|
internal affairs of any sovereign
|
|
world. There's nothing more we
|
|
can do for you.
|
|
|
|
Lorien now takes on a manner of anxiety.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Captain, do you know what it feels
|
|
like to be controlled by a power
|
|
so much greater than yourself,
|
|
your individuality and identity
|
|
are stripped from you, and you
|
|
lose everything there is that
|
|
makes you a unique person?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I can empathize with you, Mister
|
|
Lorien, but there are larger
|
|
issues here to consider, unless
|
|
you can give me something more
|
|
substantial.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
If you send me back, Captain, they
|
|
will kill me. People on Himsa
|
|
have a tendency to disappear
|
|
without a trace.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Proof, Mister Lorien?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
What if I told you there were
|
|
spies at Marcus Station? The
|
|
Himsan government is anxious to
|
|
learn of Federation scientific
|
|
secrets they can use to further
|
|
their power. What if I told you
|
|
the Himsans are planning to ask
|
|
the Romulans to establish a base
|
|
on Himsa in exchange for the power
|
|
they seek?
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
Himsa is deep within Federation
|
|
territory. They can't allow the
|
|
Romulans in, can they?
|
|
|
|
DATA
|
|
While there is no precedent in
|
|
Federation history, Federation law
|
|
does allow every independent
|
|
governing body within Federation
|
|
space to affiliate with any other
|
|
governing structure they so
|
|
choose. Although this situation
|
|
was undoubtedly unforeseen by the
|
|
Federation founders, it is
|
|
possible.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
A Romulan base within Federation
|
|
space?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
What can you give me in the way of
|
|
evidence, Mister Lorien?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
(after short pause)
|
|
I'm afraid I have nothing I can
|
|
share with you, Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Then there's little more we can do
|
|
for you. We'll do what we can,
|
|
but I wouldn't get my hopes too
|
|
high. Until things are resolved,
|
|
you can stay in our guest
|
|
accommodations. A security guard
|
|
will escort you there.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Am I to consider myself a prisoner
|
|
on your ship, Captain?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Any time you wish to leave, you
|
|
need only ask. However,
|
|
considering how you came to us,
|
|
would you have me give you free
|
|
run of the ship without
|
|
supervision?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
No, you're right, Captain. I
|
|
understand completely. I'll be
|
|
waiting to hear from you,
|
|
hopefully with positive news.
|
|
|
|
Lorien and the security guards leave via the door to
|
|
the outside hallway. Data, Geordi and Riker return
|
|
through the door to the bridge. Beverly stays seated,
|
|
and Worf stops to talk to Picard before leaving for
|
|
the bridge.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
Captain, I wish to place myself on
|
|
report.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
For what, Lieutenant?
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
As Chief of Security, it was my
|
|
responsibility to prevent
|
|
unauthorized access to the
|
|
Enterprise and to the bridge. I
|
|
failed in my duty.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
You weren't even aboard at the
|
|
time, Lieutenant.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
I am still responsible for the
|
|
actions or inactions of my men.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Very well, Mister Worf, consider
|
|
yourself on report. Just make
|
|
sure it doesn't happen again!
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
Yes, Sir!
|
|
|
|
Worf leaves and returns to the bridge. Beverly gets
|
|
up and comes to talk to Picard.
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
You're not going to let them get
|
|
their hands on him, are you?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
You know I'm sympathetic to his
|
|
supposed plight, Doctor, and I'd
|
|
like to believe him, and let him
|
|
stay in the Federation, but my
|
|
hands are going to be tied. If
|
|
his people ask for him back, I
|
|
have no choice but to return him.
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
You hide it from nearly everyone,
|
|
Jean Luc, but I know you too well.
|
|
You still haven't fully gotten
|
|
over what the Borg put you
|
|
through. How can you calmly send
|
|
him back, knowing what kind of
|
|
environment he'd be subjected to?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
You don't understand, Beverly.
|
|
There are more things going on
|
|
here than you're aware of.
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
What I do understand is that he'll
|
|
be killed if we return him.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
And what of the hundred or so
|
|
people at Marcus Station? The
|
|
treaty establishing the station
|
|
disallowed all weapons, either
|
|
offensive or defensive. If we
|
|
upset the Himsans, those people
|
|
could be in danger.
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
I've never believed in trading one
|
|
life for many. It may be an
|
|
interesting philosophical
|
|
discussion if you're the one
|
|
volunteering for the sacrifice,
|
|
but do you have the moral right to
|
|
make that decision for someone
|
|
else?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Do you have the moral right to
|
|
make that decision for the station
|
|
scientists, Doctor?
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
You don't know for sure they'd be
|
|
in any real danger.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
We don't know for sure Lorien
|
|
would be killed. We don't know
|
|
any of what he told us is true.
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
I know people, Captain, and I can
|
|
feel in my heart he's right.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
As much as I value your opinion,
|
|
Doctor, you're not Counselor Troi.
|
|
Sometimes, Beverly, you think
|
|
entirely too much with your heart.
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
As Chief Medical Officer aboard
|
|
this ship, it's part of my job
|
|
description. Look it up.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Why can't you look at things from
|
|
a more rational viewpoint, just
|
|
once?
|
|
|
|
BEVERLY
|
|
Because, my dear Jean Luc, that's
|
|
your job.
|
|
|
|
Beverly leaves to return to her duties, leaving Picard
|
|
to ponder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. BRIDGE
|
|
|
|
Data and an unnamed Ensign are seated at Ops and Conn.
|
|
Worf is at the tactical station, and Riker is in the
|
|
Captain's chair. Picard enters the bridge from the
|
|
Observation lounge, and Riker moves to let him sit
|
|
down.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Any word yet on Secretary Wilson
|
|
or Counselor Troi?
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
No sir, but we are receiving a
|
|
message from the planet's surface.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
On screen.
|
|
|
|
The main view screen changes to show an attractive
|
|
petite woman wearing a dark suit that looks something
|
|
like a uniform as well. Behind her are two very large
|
|
men wearing similar suits.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
Captain Picard, I believe?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
And you are?
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
Colonel Zildex, commander Himsan
|
|
Protective Forces. Captain, we
|
|
seem to have, um, temporarily
|
|
misplaced one of our fine
|
|
athletes, one by the name of Lathe
|
|
Lorien. Have you, by any chance,
|
|
seen him?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
The Enterprise is not at Olympia
|
|
to run a lost and found service
|
|
for missing athletes, Colonel.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
Don't play games with me, Captain.
|
|
I know Lorien illegally made his
|
|
way aboard your vessel and has
|
|
probably by now tried to trick you
|
|
with some fantastic story.
|
|
Unfortunately, we didn't realize
|
|
until after arriving at Olympia
|
|
that he's a very sick man,
|
|
suffering from delusional
|
|
behavior. He's dangerous to you
|
|
and to himself and we must have
|
|
him back. You will return him to
|
|
us immediately.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Colonel Zildex, I'm sure you
|
|
command great respect on your own
|
|
world, but one does not address
|
|
the Captain of a Starfleet vessel
|
|
demanding anything. Mister Lorien
|
|
is here as a guest of the
|
|
Federation and will remain so
|
|
until all the details of his
|
|
situation have been determined and
|
|
a final decision has been made.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
Decision? What decision?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Mister Lorien has asked permission
|
|
to stay within the Federation.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
We cannot allow that, Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I assure you, Colonel, the
|
|
Federation has no intention of
|
|
interfering with the internal
|
|
affairs of any lawful world
|
|
government. Unless we find reason
|
|
to do otherwise, Mister Lorien
|
|
will be returned to you at the
|
|
earliest possible convenience.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
Very well, Captain, we can be
|
|
patient, but only to a point. Do
|
|
not delay what you know is
|
|
inevitable. Contact your
|
|
superiors, make your decisions,
|
|
and return him to us.
|
|
|
|
The viewscreen image returns to the planet.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
It's a shame to waste such beauty
|
|
on such an unpleasant personality.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I'm sure she's considerably more
|
|
formidable than appearances would
|
|
indicate, Number One. We mustn't
|
|
allow ourselves to become
|
|
complacent.
|
|
|
|
FADE OUT.
|
|
|
|
END OF ACT TWO
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACT THREE
|
|
|
|
FADE IN:
|
|
|
|
INT. BRIDGE
|
|
|
|
The same people are present as before.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
I have finally been able to
|
|
contact Secretary Wilson, Captain.
|
|
|
|
The screen changes to show the image of Wilson.
|
|
|
|
WILSON'S IMAGE
|
|
I was expecting your call,
|
|
Captain. I apologize for not
|
|
being able to answer you earlier,
|
|
but I had some other matters to
|
|
attend to first. I suppose you're
|
|
calling now about the Lorien
|
|
affair.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Then you're aware of what's going
|
|
on?
|
|
|
|
WILSON'S IMAGE
|
|
Colonel Zildex contacted me a few
|
|
minutes ago and gave me her side
|
|
of the story. I can pretty well
|
|
guess the other side as well.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Are you aware that Lorien has
|
|
officially asked for political
|
|
asylum in the Federation?
|
|
|
|
WILSON'S IMAGE
|
|
No, I wasn't. What did you tell
|
|
him?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
That we would look into the
|
|
matter, but we're unlikely to be
|
|
able to accommodate him. I told
|
|
him if the Himsans asked for his
|
|
return, we'd have to oblige them.
|
|
|
|
WILSON'S IMAGE
|
|
You've done the right thing,
|
|
Captain. We can't afford to have
|
|
the Himsans making a fuss right
|
|
now. Just the appearance of
|
|
meddling, even if untrue, could
|
|
seriously jeopardize everything
|
|
we're working so hard for.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Lorien has said he has information
|
|
vital to the security interests of
|
|
the Federation. He claims the
|
|
Himsans are planning to allow the
|
|
Romulans to set up a base within
|
|
the Himsan system.
|
|
|
|
WILSON'S IMAGE
|
|
(concerned)
|
|
If this becomes widely known, it
|
|
could jeopardize the negotiations.
|
|
Did he provide you with any
|
|
evidence?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
No.
|
|
|
|
WILSON'S IMAGE
|
|
(relieved)
|
|
Then I think we can safely ignore
|
|
it as rumor. He must be returned
|
|
to the Himsans to avoid an
|
|
incident.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I was afraid that would be the
|
|
case. I'd hoped, however, you
|
|
might be able to give me a viable
|
|
alternative.
|
|
|
|
WILSON'S IMAGE
|
|
If there were anything I could do,
|
|
Captain, to give Mister Lorien a
|
|
way to escape his captors, I
|
|
would. It's an unpleasant
|
|
situation, but such is the nature
|
|
of this job. I do have the utmost
|
|
confidence in you, Captain.
|
|
|
|
The viewscreen image returns to the planet.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Lieutenant Worf, please contact
|
|
Mister Lorien and have him report
|
|
to the bridge, then get Colonel
|
|
Zildex on main viewer.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
There's no response from guest
|
|
quarters.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Not there? Or not answering?
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
Captain, I now have an intruder
|
|
alert in main engineering.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Lorien?
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
Unknown.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Very well. I'll go to Engineering
|
|
to see about our intruder. You
|
|
stay here and try to contact
|
|
Lorien's guard.
|
|
(tapping com badge)
|
|
Chief O'Brien. We have uninvited
|
|
guests in main engineering. Be
|
|
prepared to remove them on my
|
|
signal.
|
|
|
|
O'BRIEN'S COM VOICE
|
|
You've got it.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Commander Riker, you have the
|
|
bridge.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
Captain, I ...
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Don't worry, Lieutenant, this time
|
|
you caught them.
|
|
|
|
Picard leaves the bridge through the aft turbolift.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. MAIN ENGINEERING
|
|
|
|
Geordi, Zildex, her two companions, and two security
|
|
guards are present. The two guards have phasers
|
|
trained on the Himsans. Geordi is holding some
|
|
objects. Picard enters and confronts Zildex.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Zildex!
|
|
|
|
UNNAMED GUARD
|
|
We found them as they were trying
|
|
to leave engineering.
|
|
|
|
GEORDI
|
|
(holding up objects)
|
|
And we found these planted at the
|
|
base of the fusion couplers.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Thermite bombs.
|
|
|
|
GEORDI
|
|
They wouldn't have done much real
|
|
damage, but they'd've produced
|
|
quite a diversion, assuming that's
|
|
what they intended.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
A cover to try to sneak around the
|
|
Enterprise to find Lorien,
|
|
Colonel? You've made a grave
|
|
miscalculation this time.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
No, Captain, it's you who've
|
|
miscalculated. We told you our
|
|
patience had limits. We will have
|
|
Lorien.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
You're in no position to demand
|
|
anything any more, Colonel. For
|
|
your information, I was preparing
|
|
to contact you to make the
|
|
arrangements for Lorien's return
|
|
when you pulled this little stunt.
|
|
Now, I'm no longer sure I want to
|
|
do that.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
You must, Captain. There are many
|
|
worlds that will not look kindly
|
|
on the Federation interfering in
|
|
Himsan internal affairs.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
And how will they react to an
|
|
illegal boarding party of Himsans
|
|
making an armed assault on a
|
|
Federation starship?
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
We are not armed, Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
(pointing to the bombs)
|
|
Then how do you explain these?
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
Planted by Lorien, for whatever
|
|
twisted goals he has in mind.
|
|
|
|
UNNAMED GUARD
|
|
We also found these on them,
|
|
Captain.
|
|
|
|
The guard holds up some crude old style phasers.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
Planted on us by your own guards,
|
|
Captain, to make us look bad.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Do you expect anyone will actually
|
|
believe that, Colonel?
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
If only one world believes,
|
|
Captain, it will be enough. Why
|
|
not just make things simple for
|
|
yourself and release Lorien to us.
|
|
If you do that, we promise to
|
|
forget the entire incident.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Colonel, I have more important
|
|
issues to deal with than your
|
|
petty little games.
|
|
|
|
Picard is interrupted by an intercom chirp.
|
|
|
|
RIKER'S COM VOICE
|
|
Captain Picard, we've just
|
|
received a message from Chief
|
|
Magistrate Harlaw of Central City.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Regarding Counselor Troi?
|
|
|
|
RIKER'S COM VOICE
|
|
No, she's still missing, but
|
|
Harlaw reports Secretary Wilson
|
|
has been kidnapped.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Kidnapped? More of your tricks,
|
|
Colonel?
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
Captain, you wound us. Why can't
|
|
you believe we are a peaceful
|
|
people and would never seek to
|
|
harm anyone?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
You've given me every reason to
|
|
believe otherwise, Colonel.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
We are not responsible for
|
|
Secretary Wilson's disappearance.
|
|
However, Captain, do let me put
|
|
your mind at ease about your
|
|
missing counselor.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
What have you done with her,
|
|
Colonel? If you think holding
|
|
Troi prisoner will help you get
|
|
Lorien back, you're sadly
|
|
mistaken. It will only make
|
|
things worse.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
Troi a prisoner, Captain? Oh no,
|
|
no, no! Counselor Troi is an
|
|
honored guest of the Himsan
|
|
government and is enjoying the
|
|
finest hospitality we can provide.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Let me speak with her.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
She asked not to be interrupted,
|
|
Captain, while she's being
|
|
entertained. But perhaps if you
|
|
would allow us to return with
|
|
Lorien now, she would wish to
|
|
celebrate the occasion back aboard
|
|
your ship with her friends.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
If you harm her in any way,
|
|
Colonel ...
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX
|
|
Captain Picard, you accuse us
|
|
unjustly, yet who is making the
|
|
threats?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
(tapping com badge)
|
|
Chief O'Brien, our Himsan guests
|
|
wish to leave. Now!
|
|
|
|
The transporter effect removes the three Himsan
|
|
security personnel. Captain Picard begins to leave to
|
|
return to the bridge.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Mister LaForge, be sure there are
|
|
no more little gifts from the
|
|
Himsans left behind.
|
|
|
|
Red Alert klaxons begin to sound.
|
|
|
|
WORF'S COM VOICE
|
|
Captain Picard. A Romulan Warbird
|
|
has just decloaked and is taking
|
|
up orbit around Olympia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. BRIDGE
|
|
|
|
Worf, Riker, Data and others are present. Picard
|
|
returns to the bridge through the aft turbolift.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Status, Mister Worf.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
Sensors say his weapons and
|
|
shields are disabled, as required,
|
|
but I do not trust him.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Very well, go to yellow alert.
|
|
And get me the commander of that
|
|
Warbird on screen.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
He is already asking for you,
|
|
Captain.
|
|
|
|
The main view screen changes to show the interior of
|
|
the Warbird and its commander.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
So, Tomalak. What's the meaning
|
|
of this?
|
|
|
|
TOMALAK'S IMAGE
|
|
We were invited to observe the
|
|
Games by your own Federation,
|
|
Picard. We're here on peaceful,
|
|
and officially sanctioned,
|
|
business.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
That doesn't give you the right to
|
|
arrive cloaked and show up
|
|
unannounced, Commander.
|
|
|
|
TOMALAK'S IMAGE
|
|
It is the way Romulans arrive. Do
|
|
not try to sidestep the issue,
|
|
Picard. We are the ones being
|
|
wronged here. Olympian officials
|
|
have been most uncooperative
|
|
placing us in contact with
|
|
Federation Under-Secretary Wilson.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
The Secretary is temporarily
|
|
indisposed.
|
|
|
|
TOMALAK'S IMAGE
|
|
It would be most unfortunate,
|
|
Captain, if Secretary Wilson were
|
|
unwilling to meet with us after
|
|
we've traveled all this way to see
|
|
him.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
He's merely unavailable at the
|
|
moment. I can assure you he'll be
|
|
most anxious to talk to you as
|
|
soon as he's able. In the mean
|
|
time, if you'd care to discuss
|
|
matters with me, ...
|
|
|
|
TOMALAK'S IMAGE
|
|
We are not pleased, Captain. We
|
|
will wait for Wilson. For a short
|
|
time. Do not keep us waiting
|
|
long.
|
|
|
|
The screen image returns to the planet.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
Captain, Ambassador Krell is
|
|
asking for you now.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
On screen.
|
|
|
|
The viewscreen changes to show the Klingon Ambassador.
|
|
|
|
KRELL'S IMAGE
|
|
A Romulan Warbird has just taken
|
|
up orbit around Olympia and you
|
|
have done nothing to challenge it,
|
|
Picard?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Ambassador Krell, hasn't Secretary
|
|
Wilson contacted you about this?
|
|
|
|
KRELL'S IMAGE
|
|
We have not seen the Secretary.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I don't understand. Secretary
|
|
Wilson was supposed to meet with
|
|
you as soon as he arrived to let
|
|
you know about the Romulans. The
|
|
Federation has invited them to act
|
|
as observers at the Games in hopes
|
|
of beginning negotiations on a
|
|
Peace Treaty.
|
|
|
|
KRELL'S IMAGE
|
|
There can never be peace between
|
|
Klingons and Romulans.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Not more than seventy years ago,
|
|
the same was said about Klingons
|
|
and the Federation, by both sides,
|
|
yet here we are, Mister
|
|
Ambassador.
|
|
|
|
KRELL'S IMAGE
|
|
This incident will be reported to
|
|
the Klingon High Council, Captain.
|
|
I can not promise what their
|
|
response will be.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I'm certain Secretary Wilson will
|
|
be able to clarify things once we
|
|
find him.
|
|
|
|
KRELL'S IMAGE
|
|
He is missing?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
So I've been told. I haven't yet
|
|
had time to contact Magistrate
|
|
Harlaw for the details.
|
|
|
|
KRELL'S IMAGE
|
|
Very well, Captain. As we are
|
|
within Federation territory, we
|
|
will do nothing for the moment. I
|
|
assure you, however, we will be
|
|
watching the Romulans very
|
|
closely. If they make even the
|
|
slightest move to arm their
|
|
weapons systems, we will make sure
|
|
they have no opportunity to use
|
|
them.
|
|
|
|
The viewscreen image changes to the planet.
|
|
|
|
FADE OUT.
|
|
|
|
END OF ACT THREE
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACT FOUR
|
|
|
|
FADE IN:
|
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INT. BRIDGE
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The same people are present.
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WORF
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I have Magistrate Harlaw for you,
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Captain.
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The main viewscreen changes images to show a short,
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fat, balding, nervous looking man seated behind a
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cluttered desk, with beads of sweat on his forehead
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and upper lip.
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PICARD
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Magistrate Harlaw, you're no doubt
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aware that a Romulan Warbird has
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just entered orbit around your
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planet.
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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Yes, Captain, they've already
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contacted me, looking for
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Secretary Wilson.
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PICARD
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What can you tell us about the
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Secretary's disappearance?
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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Not much, Captain. We received a
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message indicating that Secretary
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Wilson had been taken hostage and
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that further information would be
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sent at a later time.
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PICARD
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Could the message have come from
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the Romulans?
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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I don't think so. It came quite
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some time before they arrived, and
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at least outwardly, they've been
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nothing but polite.
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PICARD
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Were you able to trace the
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message?
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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No, Captain, not really. It was
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sent in milliburst and we weren't
|
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able to absolutely pinpoint its
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origin, though we were able to
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determine it came from planetary
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orbit. There are, however, no
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ships in the general area where we
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believe it originated, so we may
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be mistaken.
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PICARD
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Could it have come from the
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Himsans?
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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Definitely not from their
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planetary delegation. I'm not as
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sure about their ship, but I don't
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believe so. It's in a different
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orbital position than the general
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area our sensors detected the
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message coming from.
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PICARD
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I was just talking with Colonel
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Zildex and she denied any
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knowledge of Wilson's
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disappearance, but they have been
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threatening and I don't trust her.
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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I don't either, Captain, but I
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have no evidence that would
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implicate her in this.
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PICARD
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Are you absolutely certain
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Wilson's been taken?
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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After we got the message, we
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checked the office the Secretary
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was using, and he wasn't there.
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There was no sign of a struggle,
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though, Captain, so we don't
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believe he was taken by force from
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that location. We've been unable
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to locate him in any of the other
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places he might be expected to be.
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PICARD
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And what of Counselor Troi?
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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We've had no luck in finding her
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either, Captain, but there are
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millions of people here for the
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Games and she could realistically
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be anywhere among them.
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PICARD
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Colonel Zildex claimed she was
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with the Himsans someplace, but
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she wouldn't say where.
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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We can provide no evidence one way
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or the other, Captain. We will
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continue our search concentrating
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on areas where the Himsans are
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located, but we have no authority
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to pursue the search into their
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private compounds. In fact,
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Captain, we have very little
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authority to do much of anything
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even if we were to find her in
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their custody. This is a small
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world, established primarily for
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the Games, and our offices aren't
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prepared for anything more than
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simple administrative chores.
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PICARD
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Thank you, Magistrate, I know
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you're doing all you can, and we
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do appreciate it.
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HARLAW'S IMAGE
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We'll let you know if we find
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anything, Captain.
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The view screen image reverts to the planet.
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PICARD
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Lieutenant Worf, until we can find
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Wilson, there's little else we can
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do with the Romulans but keep a
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watchful eye on them. Mister
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Data, Olympian officials may not
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have the authority to physically
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search Himsan compounds, but
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there's nothing to prevent us from
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focusing our own sensor search for
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her there.
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DATA
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Yes, sir.
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Data begins making adjustments on the control board in
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front of him as he searches. After a short while, he
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responds.
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DATA
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There appear to be no persons in
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or near any of the known Himsan
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compounds matching the physical
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characteristics of Counselor Troi.
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If they are indeed holding her
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captive, it is somewhere else.
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RIKER
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Their ship perhaps?
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Data makes some more adjustments.
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DATA
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I am unable to get any life
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readings at all from within their
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ship. It is surrounded by a field
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which prevents sensor access.
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RIKER
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Shielded, like their planet.
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The aft turbolift doors open and Lorien and his
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security guard enter the bridge.
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LORIEN
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I understand you were looking for
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me, Captain. It was to deliver
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good news, I hope.
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PICARD
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No, I'm afraid not. I was about
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to let you know we were going to
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return you to your people, when we
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had an intruder alert in
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Engineering.
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LORIEN
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And you suspected me, so you were
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checking up. You still don't
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trust me, Captain?
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PICARD
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Trust must be earned, Mister
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Lorien, and so far you've done
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nothing to earn it. However, I do
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tend to believe you've been honest
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with us so far, for other reasons.
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LORIEN
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Well, Captain, I suppose that is
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something.
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PICARD
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Why weren't you in the guest
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quarters?
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LORIEN
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You told me I wasn't a prisoner,
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Captain. I assumed that meant I
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wasn't to be confined to quarters
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either. I wanted some time to
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reflect and I asked my companion
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here if he could escort me to your
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Botanical Gardens.
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GUARD
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I didn't think it would be a
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problem, Captain, since it's not
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in a restricted area.
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PICARD
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No, it's all right, normally it
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wouldn't have been a problem at
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all. The timing was just
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unfortunate.
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LORIEN
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And your intruder, Captain?
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PICARD
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Colonel Zildex, come to try to
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take you by force.
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LORIEN
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She's even bolder than I expected.
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Letting me get away must put her
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in more trouble than I imagined.
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PICARD
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And now, we're not only missing a
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member of my crew, but someone has
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claimed to have abducted a
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Federation official.
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LORIEN
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Zildex?
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PICARD
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Colonel Zildex claims to know
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nothing of Wilson, but she does
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claim our Counselor is a guest of
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the Himsan government. She no
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doubt believes she can force us to
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trade you for her.
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LORIEN
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Can she, Captain?
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PICARD
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No. The Federation does not deal
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with terrorists, even if they're
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representatives of an officially
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recognized government. Every
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member of my crew knows and
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accepts the risks that come with
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their job.
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LORIEN
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You are an honorable people
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indeed, Captain. I never intended
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to place your ship or your crew in
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any jeopardy. Perhaps I should
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leave your ship and take my
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chances eluding Zildex.
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PICARD
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I appreciate the gesture, Mister
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Lorien, but ...
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WORF
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(interrupting)
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Captain, we are being hailed.
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On the viewscreen, a small scout ship suddenly
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decloaks in front of them.
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PICARD
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On screen, Lieutenant.
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The viewscreen shows the interior of the small scout
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ship. There are several people who are wearing
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costumes and masks which hide their faces and bodies.
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Wilson can be seen seated in a chair with two of the
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costumed people in back of him guarding him. The
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voice of the terrorist is electronically altered.
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TERRORIST IMAGE
|
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As you can see, Captain Picard,
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Secretary Wilson is safe with us.
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PICARD
|
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(quietly)
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Data, what can you tell me about
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that ship or the people on it?
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DATA
|
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(working controls)
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There is a force shield
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surrounding their ship our sensors
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cannot penetrate.
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PICARD
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Does it match the Himsan sensor
|
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shields?
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DATA
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While there are some similar
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properties, they are not
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identical.
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LORIEN
|
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That doesn't look like any Himsan
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vessel I've even seen, Captain.
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RIKER
|
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With a cloaking device like that,
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they must be Romulan.
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TERRORIST IMAGE
|
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Captain Picard, you are ignoring
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us.
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PICARD
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What is it you want?
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TERRORIST IMAGE
|
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We want you to send us the Himsan
|
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fugitive. Once we have him,
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Secretary Wilson will be free to
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join you.
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WILSON'S IMAGE
|
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Don't do it, Picard. You know the
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Federation can't bargain with
|
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terrorists.
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PICARD
|
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What would you possibly want with
|
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Mister Lorien?
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TERRORIST IMAGE
|
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Why we wish him to join us is of
|
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no concern to you, Captain.
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Suffice it to say we simply do.
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He's not a member of your crew, or
|
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even of the Federation, why should
|
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you care what happens to him?
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PICARD
|
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I'm responsible for the welfare of
|
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everyone aboard my ship, be they
|
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crew, family or guest, and I will
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do everything in my power to see
|
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they all remain safe.
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TERRORIST IMAGE
|
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It really doesn't matter, Captain.
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The only way Secretary Wilson will
|
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be returned to you is in exchange
|
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for the Himsan. You have one hour
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to decide. We will contact you
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then.
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PICARD
|
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One hour or one year will make no
|
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difference. Secretary Wilson is
|
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expendable, if necessary, and he
|
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knows and accepts that, as does
|
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every other Starfleet or
|
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Federation representative. We
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will not deal with threats.
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TERRORIST IMAGE
|
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One hour, Captain.
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The viewscreen image fades and the scout ship has
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disappeared.
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WORF
|
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If we could find them, we could
|
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disable them and take Secretary
|
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Wilson from them.
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PICARD
|
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Geordi, can we find them?
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GEORDI
|
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I'm trying, Captain, but I don't
|
|
think so. I don't know if it's
|
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interference from the other ships,
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or if the Romulans have had a
|
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tremendous breakthrough in
|
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cloaking technology, but I can
|
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find no trace of them.
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PICARD
|
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Mister Worf, even if we could find
|
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them, how do you propose we
|
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disable them with our weapons
|
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systems disarmed?
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WORF
|
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We must activate all systems.
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Without our shields, we are open
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to attack from the terrorist ship.
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PICARD
|
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And if we do activate shields, the
|
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Romulans will surely detect it and
|
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react. It could be the beginning
|
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of galactic war.
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WORF
|
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Captain, the Romulans are
|
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contacting us again.
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The viewscreen shows the interior of the Romulan ship.
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TOMALAK'S IMAGE
|
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Captain, what is the meaning of
|
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this? If you have lured us here
|
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to demonstrate some new Federation
|
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weapon, you will be sorry indeed.
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PICARD
|
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I assure you, Commander, this is
|
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not a Federation plot. It could,
|
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however, very easily be a Romulan
|
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plan to disrupt the Games and
|
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endanger the negotiations between
|
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our two governments.
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TOMALAK'S IMAGE
|
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Does the Federation desire war
|
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with the Romulan Empire so
|
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fervently, Picard, or is it just
|
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you who do?
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PICARD
|
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No one wants war, Tomalak. And if
|
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you truly know nothing about that
|
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ship out there, then you have
|
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nothing to fear. We will contact
|
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you when Secretary Wilson is ready
|
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to talk with you. Until that
|
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time, please stand by.
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Picard motions to have the connection cut off.
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LORIEN
|
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Captain Picard, I've already told
|
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you I had no intention of letting
|
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your ship or crew become
|
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endangered because of me. I can
|
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do no less for an official of the
|
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Federation. I will turn myself
|
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over to these people so you can
|
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get your friend back.
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RIKER
|
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From what you've told us and
|
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everything we've seen, those
|
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terrorists are almost certainly
|
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Romulans. They don't want you
|
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telling the Federation about their
|
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plans any more than Colonel Zildex
|
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does. And they won't be any
|
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kinder to you than she would.
|
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PICARD
|
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Absolutely not, Mister Lorien,
|
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it's too dangerous.
|
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LORIEN
|
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You were perfectly willing to turn
|
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me over to Zildex a little while
|
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ago, Captain. I'd be dead within
|
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minutes of getting into her
|
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clutches. Whatever the terrorists
|
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do to me could be no worse than
|
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that.
|
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RIKER
|
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You don't know the Romulans.
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LORIEN
|
|
Regardless of what you believe, I
|
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have no proof they are Romulans
|
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and I'd much rather take my
|
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chances with the unknown than
|
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Zildex.
|
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PICARD
|
|
There's no guarantee they'll
|
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release Secretary Wilson even if I
|
|
do let you go. I'm sorry, Mister
|
|
Lorien, but I cannot permit you to
|
|
jeopardize yourself.
|
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LORIEN
|
|
(angrily)
|
|
You cannot allow me? I'm not a
|
|
member of your crew that you can
|
|
order to do, or not to do. You've
|
|
told me repeatedly I'm not a
|
|
prisoner here, yet you continue to
|
|
treat me as if I were. Are you
|
|
going to prevent me from doing
|
|
this?
|
|
|
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PICARD
|
|
(reluctantly)
|
|
No. But I don't like it. It sets
|
|
a bad precedent to deal with
|
|
terrorists.
|
|
|
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LORIEN
|
|
You're not, Captain. I'm doing
|
|
this of my own free will. The
|
|
Federation has nothing to do with
|
|
this.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
Colonel Zildex won't like this one
|
|
little bit.
|
|
|
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LORIEN
|
|
(smiling)
|
|
All the more reason to do it.
|
|
Shall we tell her, Captain?
|
|
|
|
FADE OUT.
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|
|
END OF ACT FOUR
|
|
|
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|
|
ACT FIVE
|
|
|
|
FADE IN:
|
|
|
|
INT. BRIDGE
|
|
|
|
The same people are present as before.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
I have Colonel Zildex, now,
|
|
Captain.
|
|
|
|
The viewscreen changes to show Zildex and her two
|
|
companions.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
So, Captain, I see you have Lorien
|
|
there with you. You are ready to
|
|
turn him over to us?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Not exactly.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
For some unknown reason, Zildex,
|
|
the people who kidnapped Wilson
|
|
want me in exchange for him. The
|
|
Captain once told me I'd done
|
|
nothing to earn his trust. I'm
|
|
about to change that.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
You can't do that, Picard. Lorien
|
|
belongs to us.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
So long as Mister Lorien is aboard
|
|
a Federation vessel, he is a free
|
|
man and belongs to no one. Now
|
|
that he's asked to be permitted to
|
|
do this, there's nothing within
|
|
Federation law that would allow me
|
|
to stop him. Of course, once he's
|
|
left our ship, you may feel free
|
|
to attempt to negotiate with the
|
|
kidnappers for his return to you.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
And just how do you expect me to
|
|
do that, Picard? I don't even
|
|
know who or what they are.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
At that point, it will no longer
|
|
be Federation business.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
The galaxy will not take kindly to
|
|
Federation interference, Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
On the contrary, Colonel, the
|
|
Federation has nothing to do with
|
|
it.
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
If you ever expect to see your
|
|
Counselor again, Picard ...
|
|
|
|
At that moment, the aft turbolift opens and Counselor
|
|
Troi enters the bridge and calmly sits down in her
|
|
seat.
|
|
|
|
TROI
|
|
I see we have a visitor, Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Counselor!
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
(worried)
|
|
Counselor?
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
Deanna, are you all right?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
How did you escape?
|
|
|
|
TROI
|
|
Escape what, Captain? I've been
|
|
on Olympia enjoying the crowds and
|
|
the Games. When I couldn't find
|
|
any of the other members from the
|
|
shoreleave party, I decided to
|
|
return to the Enterprise.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
But we couldn't contact you by
|
|
communicator.
|
|
|
|
TROI
|
|
I left it in my cabin. We ARE
|
|
supposed to be on vacation,
|
|
Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Zildex!
|
|
|
|
ZILDEX' IMAGE
|
|
Uh, Captain, we seem to be having
|
|
some technical difficulties in our
|
|
communications. We'll have to
|
|
contact you at a later time.
|
|
|
|
The viewscreen image returns to the planet.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
It is good to see you, Counselor!
|
|
You can't imagine what's been
|
|
going on here in your absence.
|
|
I'm afraid it'll take some time to
|
|
explain.
|
|
|
|
WORF
|
|
We are being hailed.
|
|
|
|
RIKER
|
|
Whoever they are, they're
|
|
punctual.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
On screen.
|
|
|
|
The viewscreen changes to show the inside of the scout
|
|
ship as it was seen before.
|
|
|
|
TERRORIST IMAGE
|
|
Have you made your decision,
|
|
Captain?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
As I told you before, the
|
|
Federation does not make deals
|
|
with terrorists.
|
|
|
|
TERRORIST IMAGE
|
|
That is truly unfortunate,
|
|
Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
However, Mister Lorien has
|
|
requested I allow him to come to
|
|
you on a voluntary basis and I've
|
|
agreed.
|
|
|
|
TERRORIST IMAGE
|
|
That's much better, Captain. I
|
|
knew you wouldn't let me down.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I want you to understand this
|
|
decision was Mister Lorien's alone
|
|
and as such is not an officially
|
|
sanctioned position by myself or
|
|
the Federation.
|
|
|
|
TERRORIST IMAGE
|
|
I really don't care, Captain, I
|
|
have what I want. If you wish to
|
|
wash your hands of it, that's your
|
|
business.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
How do we know you'll keep your
|
|
word and return Secretary Wilson
|
|
to us once Mister Lorien is aboard
|
|
your ship?
|
|
|
|
TERRORIST IMAGE
|
|
You don't. You'll just have to
|
|
trust us. You have no other
|
|
choice.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I believe we do. If you'll
|
|
permit, my Transporter Chief can
|
|
rig a bidirectional transporter
|
|
lock. Wilson and Lorien will be
|
|
transported simultaneously, and
|
|
each of us will be able to abort
|
|
the transfer if either detects any
|
|
tricks by the other.
|
|
|
|
TERRORIST IMAGE
|
|
Very well, Captain. You may have
|
|
your bidirectional transporter
|
|
lock. We will be monitoring until
|
|
you're ready for transfer.
|
|
|
|
The viewscreen changes to the planet image.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Captain, I'd like to speak with
|
|
you, privately, before I go, if I
|
|
may.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
We can speak in my Ready Room.
|
|
|
|
Picard and Lorien exit the bridge and enter the
|
|
Captain's Ready Room.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
|
|
|
|
Picard and Lorien have just entered the room.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Is this room equipped with a
|
|
security field, Captain?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
That won't be necessary. My crew
|
|
would never violate my trust by
|
|
spying.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
As you think best, Captain, it is
|
|
your ship and your crew.
|
|
(pauses)
|
|
I'm violating my most basic
|
|
instinct by talking to you here,
|
|
but I believe you deserve to know
|
|
some of the truth. Nothing of
|
|
what is said, or not said, here
|
|
must ever leave this room.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
You have my word.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
I can tell you're still concerned
|
|
about my safety and that of your
|
|
friend.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I have no reason to trust those
|
|
people, and every reason not to.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Do you feel you can trust me, yet?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I believe so.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Then believe me, Captain, when I
|
|
tell you now that I guarantee I
|
|
will be well taken care of when I
|
|
leave your ship, and Secretary
|
|
Wilson will be returned having
|
|
suffered nothing for the ordeal.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
You can't guarantee that unless
|
|
you're working with the
|
|
terrorists.
|
|
(pauses looking for reaction)
|
|
And if that were the case, you've
|
|
been involved in an operation that
|
|
put at risk the life of an
|
|
important Federation official.
|
|
Under those circumstances, I have
|
|
no choice but to place you in
|
|
custody.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Secretary Wilson was never in any
|
|
danger and has cooperated at every
|
|
step.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Are you suggesting this was a
|
|
Federation operation?
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Officially, I can make no such
|
|
suggestion.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Then the advanced cloaking
|
|
technology on that ship is of
|
|
Federation origin? I'd not even
|
|
heard rumors of such breakthroughs
|
|
in Federation science.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
There are many things in the
|
|
Federation that are not widely
|
|
discussed. I was placed into
|
|
Himsan society a long time ago to
|
|
find out what they would be so
|
|
eager to hide. I now have that
|
|
information and it's absolutely
|
|
vital to Federation security
|
|
interests. What I told you about
|
|
them inviting the Romulans to set
|
|
up a base was true.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
You also said you had no positive
|
|
proof.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
I said I had no proof I could give
|
|
you.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
The Federation would never spy on
|
|
another government as you suggest.
|
|
It would be a blatant violation of
|
|
the Prime Directive. The
|
|
Federation is an open society, it
|
|
does not spy.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
When you make first contact with
|
|
an emerging planet, you send in
|
|
spies to scout things out.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
People are sent to gather needed
|
|
information so that problems can
|
|
be prevented during the actual
|
|
contact, but they're not spies.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
They go in, unknown, to gather
|
|
information. You may call it
|
|
something else, but how is it
|
|
different from spying?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
It's entirely different. We do
|
|
not interfere in the planet's
|
|
evolution or government. The goal
|
|
is entirely different. The
|
|
Federation is a peaceful society.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
If the Federation loves peace so
|
|
dearly, why create a warship such
|
|
as the Enterprise and a military
|
|
such as Starfleet?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
The Enterprise is not a warship,
|
|
it is a ship of exploration and
|
|
peace.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Then it must be the most heavily
|
|
armed ship of exploration in
|
|
history. Do you need to be able
|
|
to destroy a planet in order to
|
|
explore it?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
We never use our weapons in an
|
|
offensive capacity.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Then why have them?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Not every society believes in
|
|
peace as the Federation does. We
|
|
must be able to defend ourselves
|
|
when necessary. The use of force
|
|
is a choice never to be taken
|
|
lightly, but it sometimes is the
|
|
only choice available to us.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
Exactly, Captain. And sometimes
|
|
the rules of a civilized society
|
|
can be too restrictive when
|
|
dealing with those who don't play
|
|
by the rules. It is a choice
|
|
never to be taken lightly, but it
|
|
sometimes is the only choice
|
|
available.
|
|
(slight pause)
|
|
There are many types of games,
|
|
Captain. There are those played
|
|
on Olympia, with wreaths and
|
|
medals for prizes. And there are
|
|
much more deadly games where the
|
|
stakes are much higher.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I'm still not convinced I can
|
|
agree with your position, Mister
|
|
Lorien, but you certainly do
|
|
present an interesting argument.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
I should be going now, Captain.
|
|
Am I still free to do so?
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
It's against my better judgement,
|
|
but I suppose I owe it to you
|
|
anyway.
|
|
|
|
Picard and Lorien leave the Captain's Ready Room.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM
|
|
|
|
O'Brien is present. The door opens and Picard and
|
|
Lorien enter. Lorien takes his place on the
|
|
transporter platform.
|
|
|
|
LORIEN
|
|
It's been quite an experience,
|
|
Captain Picard. And you're quite
|
|
an exceptional man. Perhaps
|
|
someday, if things turn out well,
|
|
we'll meet again and we can
|
|
continue our discussion.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
I would look forward to that.
|
|
|
|
O'BRIEN
|
|
Two-way lock established, Captain.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Thank you Mister O'Brien.
|
|
Energize.
|
|
|
|
The transporter effect occurs over two pads, removing
|
|
Lorien and bringing in Wilson on an adjacent pad.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Welcome aboard the Enterprise,
|
|
again, Mister Secretary.
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
It's good to be back, Captain.
|
|
|
|
An intercom chirp sounds.
|
|
|
|
RIKER'S COM VOICE
|
|
The terrorist ship has
|
|
disappeared, Captain. And the
|
|
Romulans are getting very
|
|
restless. Is Secretary Wilson
|
|
safely aboard?
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
I've never felt better, Commander.
|
|
|
|
RIKER'S COM VOICE
|
|
That's good to hear, Mister
|
|
Secretary. Captain, Colonel
|
|
Zildex has contacted us again and
|
|
asked for political asylum. She
|
|
doesn't want to return to Himsa
|
|
having failed in her mission.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
What did you tell her, Number One?
|
|
|
|
RIKER'S COM VOICE
|
|
I told her we'd be unable to help
|
|
her, as it would interfere with
|
|
the internal affairs of the Himsan
|
|
government, but that perhaps she
|
|
could try the Romulans. She
|
|
didn't seem very happy.
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
(laughing)
|
|
I don't imagine she would be.
|
|
|
|
RIKER'S COM VOICE
|
|
What now, Captain?
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
I do apologize for the
|
|
difficulties you've had to endure
|
|
since coming here, Captain, but my
|
|
original offer still stands.
|
|
Please join me on Olympia and
|
|
enjoy the Games.
|
|
|
|
Picard pauses, uncertainly.
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
(continuing)
|
|
I promise, Captain, I expect no
|
|
more unpleasant surprises.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Very well. Number One, start
|
|
organizing the shore parties.
|
|
|
|
RIKER'S COM VOICE
|
|
Yes, sir! Right away.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
If I didn't know better, Mister
|
|
Secretary, I'd almost be led to
|
|
think this entire incident was
|
|
well planned in advance.
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
Ah, but Captain, you do know
|
|
better, don't you? I can see we
|
|
have some things to discuss.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Would you care to join me for a
|
|
drink in our Ten Forward lounge?
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
I think your Ready Room would be
|
|
more appropriate.
|
|
|
|
Picard and Wilson exit the transporter room.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
|
|
|
|
Picard and Wilson are present.
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
I want to thank you, Captain, for
|
|
everything you've done to resolve
|
|
this crisis.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
But I didn't really do anything.
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
Precisely, Captain. Sometimes
|
|
that's the best possible choice in
|
|
a crisis. I knew you'd carefully
|
|
examine all options and would make
|
|
no rash decisions. We've been
|
|
able to keep the Federation pretty
|
|
much out of this incident and I
|
|
think things will not go poorly
|
|
for us as a result.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Even with popular opinion on our
|
|
side, and Colonel Zildex out of
|
|
the picture, the Himsan government
|
|
may still seek to take revenge on
|
|
the scientists at Marcus Station.
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
The USS Excalibur is at Marcus
|
|
Station now delivering supplies.
|
|
They can stay there as long as
|
|
necessary to prevent any problems.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
Everything's been accounted for,
|
|
hasn't it? But you took an awful
|
|
chance having the Romulans here.
|
|
And why didn't you prepare the
|
|
Klingons for their arrival as you
|
|
said?
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
I'll tell you the truth, Captain,
|
|
even though we invited them, we
|
|
never really expected the Romulans
|
|
to show up. And I didn't want to
|
|
put any strain on our Alliance
|
|
with the Klingons if it wasn't
|
|
necessary.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
So when the Romulans did show up,
|
|
it was a risk you hadn't planned
|
|
on. We all believed they were
|
|
behind the kidnapping.
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
When Tomalak showed up, I did
|
|
consider calling the whole thing
|
|
off. I probably would have if you
|
|
hadn't told me about the Romulan
|
|
base. Until that point, we had no
|
|
idea what Lorien had discovered.
|
|
|
|
PICARD
|
|
When I practically accused Tomalak
|
|
of being involved with the
|
|
terrorists ...
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
It certainly did make things more
|
|
interesting, and my job more
|
|
difficult, but I thrive on a
|
|
challenge, Captain. It's too
|
|
early to tell, but things could
|
|
turn out better than we expected.
|
|
|
|
Wilson suddenly becomes jovial again.
|
|
|
|
WILSON
|
|
(continuing)
|
|
And when this is over, I WILL take
|
|
you up on that drink offer. I
|
|
hear you have quite an interesting
|
|
hostess in your Ten Forward. I
|
|
look forward to meeting her.
|
|
|
|
FADE OUT.
|
|
|
|
END OF ACT FIVE
|
|
|
|
THE END.
|
|
|