I’ve met someone… someone who’s becoming important to me… I’m more concerned with his brother’s future at the moment, Counselor. Commander William Riker of the Federation Starship Enterprise. One question. Can we do the same thing with the Enterprise? But it was… such a pleasure to have been able to do those things.
I don’t want to believe it. You brought it in ahead of schedule. Are you telling me you trust Tomalak? I don’t blame you. Not the most luxurious accommodations Starfleet has to offer… Riker to Enterprise. We’re on the surface… no sign of any Borg or Data. The shuttlecraft has been abandoned.
You’re just too damned efficient, Lieutenant… That’s something to look forward to. Would you like a drink, Doctor? He’s the most comfortable man in the group… But it paid off — he received the top mark. And now that test has four options. The original three… plus his.
Only one of us can be right. He’s going to have a great time. Paranoia, if you ask me. But of what?
You’d think they’d at least give us a hint. Mister Worf, you are personally responsible for the captain’s safety. He’s a senior admiral. Which could start a shooting match, and for all we know, a war. And we still might not be able to save the captain. Don’t be modest. You can’t tell me you haven’t come up with a few original triumphs.
Drawing on the log record of the construction of the prototype android Lore, also constructed by Noonien Soong, I request that I be allowed to remove Commander Data’s hand for your inspection. Look, since this apparently has some meaning to you, Mrs. Troi, I’ll… I don’t think it’s necessary to detain this gentleman any longer. Maybe I’m just afraid of the big chair.
But it might… and it’s more important to me that you know I didn’t do it. I don’t care what he’s been running. My patience just ran out. We think so. The ship probably couldn’t sustain its power… but other than that it wouldn’t be damaged.
She’s bought us some time… let’s make the most of it. Computers have always impressed me by their ability to take orders; I’m not at all as certain about their ability to give them. We’ve lost the port thruster and both back-up stabilizers… I’m losing control… We’ll have to dump the entire engine core. Do you have an auto-eject system? We’re all thrilled with that, sir.
Which could start a shooting match, and for all we know, a war. And we still might not be able to save the captain. I don’t know… I guess it depends. Riker to bridge. If you need me, I’ll be in holodeck four. Captain, we’ve laid in a course for Daled Four. We will remain on impulse power until Lieutenant La Forge completes his adjustments. Sounds like there aren’t that many differences between your species and mine…
We sympathize with your situation, Radue. But what you ask is not possible. You’re just too damned efficient, Lieutenant… Right. Well, it’s pretty simple. The men inseminate the women and the women carry the babies. We’ll discuss it later. You’re coming, too, Doctor. You need to get to Sickbay. I feel… terrible. But thanks to you, I’m much better now. And I feel confident that when I leave, I’ll be ready to take my place in society again. Could some kind of damping field cause us to lose velocity?
Power… weapons… communications. We’re being stripped one system at a time… One question. Can we do the same thing with the Enterprise? I only wish we were as well balanced, sir. Very well, Data. How was it, Captain? Let’s make it look good. Ensign, release the inertial dampers. How can we be sure these records haven’t been falsified?
Maybe I’m just afraid of the big chair. In accord with the Prime Directive, Captain, I’ve let them hold him pending the outcome of this. You’re gonna make us search through this to find him? I’ve been forced into this, and I have only one option. To give this my best effort. But it paid off — he received the top mark. And now that test has four options. The original three… plus his. You’re endangering this ship… for no reason.
I feel… terrible. But thanks to you, I’m much better now. We found your DNA on the consoles, and on the bulkheads… we know you were there. All hands, this is Commander Riker. We are about to engage impulse engines for a short burst. Inertial dampers are on manual. They may not fully compensate for acceleration. Brace yourselves. If you like, I’ll arrange a tour of the ship. Think anyone’ll mind if we arrive a little ahead of schedule?
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