All language subtitles for Star Trek The Next Generation S01E01E02 - Encounter At Farpoint

Space, the final frontier.

These are the voyages
of the Starship Enterprise.

Its continuing mission,
to explore strange new worlds...

...to seek out new life
and new civilizations...

...to boldly go
where no one has gone before.

Captain's log, stardate 41153.7.

Our destination is planet Deneb IV,

beyond which lies the great
unexplored mass of the galaxy.

As you ordered, sir.

My orders are to examine Farpoint,

a starbase built
by the inhabitants of that world.

Meanwhile, I'm becoming better
acquainted with my new command,

this Galaxy-class USS Enterprise.

I am still somewhat in awe
of its size and complexity.

As for my crew, we're short
in several key positions,

most notably a first officer.

But I'm informed an experienced man,
Cmdr William Riker,

will be waiting to join the ship
at our Deneb IV destination.

You will agree, Data, that
Starfleet's orders are difficult.

Difficult? Simply solve the mystery
of Farpoint Station.

As simple as that.

Farpoint Station.
Even the name sounds mysterious.

It's hardly simple to negotiate
an agreement to use the base,

and at the same time, snoop around,
finding out why it was built.

Inquiry. The word... "snoop"?

How can you be programmed as
an encyclopedia of human information

without knowing
a simple word like "snoop"?

Possibility. A human behavior
I was not designed to emulate.

It means...

To spy, to sneak.

To seek covertly,
to go stealthily, to slink, slither.

- Exactly.
- Glide, creep, pussyfoot, gumshoe.

Captain.

I'm sensing a...

...a powerful mind.

Something strange
on the detector circuit.

It registers as solid.

Or a powerful force field.
If we collide with either...

Shut off that damn noise!
Go to yellow alert.

Shields and deflectors up, sir.

- Reverse power, full stop.
- Controls to full stop, sir.

Reading full stop, sir.

Thou art notified that thy kind

hath infiltrated the galaxy
too far already.

Thou art directed to return to
thine own solar system.

That's quite a directive.

Would you mind identifying
what you are?

We call ourselves the Q.

Or thou mayst call me that.
It's all much the same thing.

I present myself
as a fellow ship captain,

that thou mayst better understand me.

Go back whence thou camest.
Stay where thou art!

- Data, call medics.
- He's frozen!

He would not have injured you.
Recognize this? Stun setting?

Knowing humans as thou dost, would
thou be captured helpless by them?

Now, go back
or thou shalt most certainly die.

Captain's log, supplementary.

The frozen form of Lt Torres
has been rushed to sickbay.

The question now is
the incredible power of the Q being.

Do we dare oppose it?

Captain, thy little centuries
go by so rapidly.

Perhaps thou will
better understand this.

Actually, the issue at stake
is patriotism.

Return home and end the commies.
All it takes are a few good men.

What? That nonsense
is centuries behind us.

You can't deny you're still
a dangerous, savage, child race.

Most certainly I deny it!

I agree, we still were when humans
wore costumes like that,

400 years ago.

When you slaughtered millions
in arguments

about how to divide the resources
of your little world.

400 years before that, you murdered
each other over tribal god images.

There are no indications
humans will change.

Even when we wore costumes like that
we'd started to make rapid progress.

Yeah?
Want to review your rapid progress?

Rapid progress,

to where humans learn to control
their military with drugs.

Sir, sickbay reports
Lt Torres's condition is better.

Concern for one's fellow comrade.
How touching.

A personal request.
Permission to clean up the bridge.

Lt Worf is right.
As Security Chief, I can't let...

Yes, you can, Lt Yar.

Better. And later,
on finally reaching deep space,

humans found enemies
to fight out there, too.

To broaden those struggles, you again
found allies for more murdering.

The same old story, all over again.

No. The same old story
is the one we're meeting now.

Self-righteous life forms who are
eager not to learn but to prosecute,

to judge anything
they can't understand or tolerate!

An interesting idea.
Prosecute and judge.

I suppose it turns out we
understand you humans only too well.

We don't fear what the true facts
about us will reveal.

Facts about you? Splendid! You're
a veritable fountain of good ideas.

There are preparations to make.

When we next meet, Captain,
we'll proceed exactly as you suggest.

Sir, respectfully submit
our only choice is to fight.

- Fight or try to escape.
- Sense anything, Commander?

Its mind is much too powerful.
Recommend we avoid contact.

From this point, no station aboard

will make use of transmitted signals
or intercom.

We'll try and take them by surprise.

Let's see what this starship can do.

Inform engine room
to prepare for maximum acceleration.

- Aye, sir.
- Record search, Data.

Results of detaching saucer
at high-warp velocity.

Inadvisable at any warp speed, sir.

Search theoretical.

It is possible.
But absolutely no margin for error.

Using print-out, notify all decks
to prepare for maximum acceleration.

"Maximum" means pushing our
engines well beyond safety limits.

Our hope is to surprise
whatever that is out there.

Try and outrun it.

Our only other option...

...is to tuck tail between our legs
and return to Earth as they demand.

Engine room ready, sir.

The board shows green. All go.

Stand by.

Engage.

Velocity warp 9.2.

- Heading 351, mark 11.
- Steady on that.

The hostile is chasing.
Accelerating fast.

We're now at warp 9.3,
which takes us past the red line.

Continue accelerating.

Counselor, at this point I'm open
to guesses about what we just met.

It felt like something beyond
what we consider a life form.

Beyond?

Very, very advanced, sir,
or certainly, very, very different.

We're at 9.4, sir.

- Hostile is beginning to overtake.
- Are you sure?

Hostile's velocity is warp 9.6.
Shall I put them on the main viewer?

Reverse angle.

Magnifying viewer image.

Hostile's velocity is 9.7, sir.

Inform the engine room we need more.

Attempting to comply, but...

Yellow alert. Have photon torpedoes
on ready status.

Torpedoes to ready.

Hostile now at warp 9.8, sir.

Our velocity is only 9.5.

Projection, sir. We may be able
to match hostile's 9.8.

But at extreme risk.

Now reading the hostile at warp 9.9!

Now, hear this.
Print-out message, urgent.

All stations on all decks,
prepare for emergency saucer sever.

Command the saucer section,
Lieutenant.

I am a Klingon. To seek escape
when my captain goes into battle...

You are a Starfleet officer,
Lieutenant.

Aye, sir.

Make the mark, Data.

Note in ship's log,
that at this startime

I'm transferring command
to the battle bridge.

Captain's log, stardate 41153.7.

Preparing to detach saucer section,

so families
and most of the ship's company

can seek relative safety,
while the stardrive,

with the battle bridge
and armaments,

will turn back and confront
the mystery that is threatening us.

Torpedoes must detonate
close enough to the hostile

to blind it when we separate.

Understood, sir.

- All decks acknowledging.
- Worf, this is the Captain.

At separation,
we will reverse power just enough

to get your saucer out and clear.

Understood.

Torpedoes away, sir.

Begin countdown. Mark.

Starship separation in six,

five, four, three,

two, one.

Separation is successful, sir.

Torpedoes have detonated, sir.

Let's come to a stop. Reverse power.

Reverse power. Decelerating.

Dead stop.

We'll hold this position...
and wait for them.

That will bring them here
in just minutes.

- Will we make a fight of it?
- Lieutenant.

You recommend that we fight
a life form that can do all that?

I'd like to hear your advice.

I spoke before I thought.

We should distract them
from going after the saucer.

All forward motion stopped, sir.

Thank you, conn.

Commander, signal the following in
all languages and on all frequencies.

We surrender.

State that we are not asking
for any terms or conditions.

Aye, sir.

All language forms and frequencies.

The prisoners will all stand.

Historically intriguing, Captain.

Very accurate.

Mid-21st century.
The post-atomic horror.

All present,

stand and make respectful attention
to honored judge.

Careful, sir.
This is not an illusion or a dream.

But these courts belong in the past.

I don't understand, either.
But this is real.

Get to your feet, criminals!

At least we're acquainted
with the judge.

Attention!

On your feet. Attention!

You are out of order.

The prisoners will not be harmed...

...until they're found guilty.

Dispose of that.

Can we assume
this will be a fair trial?

Yes, absolutely equitable.

Before this gracious court
now appear these prisoners

to answer for the multiple and
grievous savageries of the species.

How plead you, criminal?

If I may, Captain?

Objection. In the year 2036,
the New United Nations declared

no Earth citizen
could be made to answer

for the crimes of his race
or forbears.

Objection denied. This is a court
of the year 2079,

by which time more rapid progress

had caused all United Earth nonsense
to be abolished.

- Tasha, no!
- I must!

I grew up in a world
that allowed things like this court.

It was people like these
that saved me from it.

This so-called court should get down
on its knees to what Starfleet is.

What it represents.

You barbarian!

- This woman...
- Criminals, keep silent!

You have a lot to learn if you think
you can torture us into silence!

Will she live?

Uncertain. When he froze Torres,
sickbay helped thaw him out.

You will answer the charges,
criminal.

For what? For this?

Her death? Or worse?

You promised the prisoners
will not be harmed.

We plead nothing
if you break your own rules.

I suggest you centre
your attention on this trial.

- It may be your only hope.
- You're having second thoughts.

If you conduct a fair trial,
which was your promise, you may lose.

Lose?

Yes. Even as judge and prosecutor.

And jury.

Accepted, so long as
you keep to your agreement.

Assaulting a prisoner
isn't a fair trial!

This is a merciful court.

Silence!

To continue, I must caution you
that legal trickery is not permitted.

- This is a court of...
- A court of fact.

We humans know our past,
even when we're ashamed of it.

I recognize this court system
as the one that agreed

with the line from Shakespeare,
"Kill all the lawyers."

Which was done.

Leading to the rule
"guilty until proven innocent."

Bringing the innocent to trial
would be unfair.

You will answer to the charge
of being a grievously savage race.

"Grievously savage"
could mean anything.

I will answer only specific charges.

Are you certain you want a full
disclosure of human ugliness?

So be it, fool.

Present the charges.

Criminal, you will read
the charges to the court.

I see no charges against us,
Your Honor.

You are out of order!

Soldiers,
you will press those triggers

if this criminal answers
with any word other than guilty.

Criminal, how plead you?

Guilty.

Provisionally.

The court will hear the provision.

We question whether you are abiding
by your own instructions.

May Cmdr Data repeat the record?

- No legal trickery.
- These will be your own words.

What followed the statement
that prisoners will not be harmed?

Yes, sir.

The Captain asked the question...

Can we assume
this will be a fair trial?

And in reply the judge stated...

Yes, absolutely equitable.

Irrelevant testimony,
entirely irrelevant.

Alright!

We agree, there is evidence
to support the contention

that humans have been savage.

So, I say test us. Test whether
this is presently true of humans.

I see. You petition the court
to accept you and your comrades

as proof of what humanity has become?

There must be many ways to test us.
We have a long mission ahead.

Another brilliant suggestion.

But your test
hardly requires a long mission.

Your immediate destination
offers more challenge

than you can possibly imagine.

Yes, this Farpoint Station
will be an excellent test.

All present, respectfully stand.

This court is adjourned,
to allow the criminals to be tested.

This honorable court is adjourned.

Stand respectfully.

Captain, you may find
that you're not nearly clever enough

to deal with what lies ahead for you.

It may have been better
to accept sentence here.

What is present course, conn?

What it's been all along, sir.
Direct heading to Farpoint Station.

Confirm. We are on that heading, sir.

Know anything about Farpoint, sir?
Sounds a fairly dull place.

We've heard that
we may find it rather interesting.

Personal log, Cmdr William Riker.

Stardate 41153.7.

The USS Hood has dropped me off
at Farpoint Station.

I await the arrival
of the new USS Enterprise,

to which I've been assigned
as First Officer.

Meanwhile, I've been asked
to the Administrator's Office,

in the old city.

Cmdr Riker, we've still no word
from your vessel.

I trust we made
your waiting comfortable?

- Luxurious is more like it.
- Good.

Is it ungrateful
to ask for information?

Anything.

Fascinating, the advanced materials
used to construct this station.

Your energy surplus
must be abundant.

Geothermal energy
is a great blessing of this planet.

I'll send details to your quarters.

Thank you.
But it still seems incredible to me

that you constructed this station
so rapidly and so...

...so perfectly suited to our needs.

Would you care for
an Earth delicacy, Commander?

If there's an apple...

I'm sorry, Commander.

It doesn't matter. I was saying...

- I'll be damned.
- Yes.

There was another selection here.

Groppler, I could swear
this wasn't here a minute ago.

Did your failure to notice it
make it unwelcome?

Not at all.

I trust it will be the same
with Farpoint Station.

A few easily answered questions
about it

won't make Starfleet
appreciate it less.

And it's delicious. Thank you.

Good morning, Groppler Zorn.

You have been told not to do that.

Why can't you understand?

It will arouse their suspicion.

And if that happens,
we will have to punish you.

We will, I promise you!

Dr Crusher!

Mother. It's Cmdr Riker.

- Hello, Wes. Enjoying Farpoint?
- Yes, sir.

- Can I join you for a stroll?
- We were about to go shopping.

- I've wanted to visit the mall.
- Of course.

If you're wondering about Mom,
she's not unfriendly.

She's just shy
with men she doesn't know.

Wesley! That means
he'd like us to be friends.

I'm willing. Although we're not
officially part of the Enterprise,

we can do something useful
while we wait.

Useful? How?

Investigating some things
I've noticed here.

Gold would be lovely with this.

I am sure there are reasons
for a first officer

to demonstrate energy
and alertness to a new captain.

But my duty and interests
are outside the command structure...

It's remarkable they had
exactly what you asked for.

Thank you.
I'll take the entire bolt.

Send it to our starship when
it arrives. Charge to Dr Crusher.

Let's see, where were we?

I accused you of currying favor
with our Captain. I apologize.

Mom, that gold pattern wasn't there.

Maybe Jean-Luc
would like this looked into.

Jean-Luc Picard?
You know the Captain?

When I was little, he brought
my father's body home to us.

Yes, Wes, long ago.

A pleasure to meet you, Commander.
Excuse us.

My pleasure, Doctor.

- Wes.
- Sir?

See you on board.

Yes, sir.

Sir, the Enterprise is arriving...

Is this an official report?

Sorry. Lt La Forge reporting.

The Enterprise arriving,
but without the saucer, sir.

- What happened?
- I don't know.

Capt Picard wants you to beam up.

Our new Captain doesn't waste time.
It's a good idea.

- Thank you, Lieutenant.
- Aye, sir.

Enterprise, this is Cmdr Riker
at Farpoint Station.

Standing by to beam up.

Lt Yar of Security, sir.

Capt Picard will see you
on the battle bridge.

With no saucer, I assume
something interesting happened.

Battle bridge. That's for
the Captain to explain, sir.

Do we have clearance?

- Aye, sir, standard parking orbit.
- Make it so.

Cmdr Riker, sir.

Riker, WT, reporting as ordered, sir.

- Is the viewer ready?
- All set up, sir.

We'll bring you up to date on our
little adventure. Then we'll talk.

Welcome aboard.

This way, sir.

Thou art directed to return
to thine own solar system.

Go back,
or thou shalt most certainly die.

You can't deny you're still
a dangerous, savage, child race.

Message from the saucer module, sir.
It will arrive here in 51 minutes.

Inform them we'll connect
when they arrive.

Send the Commander to me
when he's finished.

400 years before that, you murdered
each other over tribal god images.

There are no indications
that humans will change.

There are preparations to make.

When we next meet, Captain, we'll
proceed exactly as you suggest.

He calls that a little adventure?

Come.

Not exactly
a run-of-the-mill happening.

It seems we're alive only because
we have been placed on probation.

A very serious kind of probation.

Go.

The saucer module
now entering orbit with us, sir.

Acknowledge.

Cmdr Riker will conduct
a manual docking. Picard out.

Sir?

You reported in. You are qualified?

- Yes, sir.
- Then I mean now, Commander.

They say you will
be doing this manually, sir.

- No automation.
- As ordered.

Velocity to
one half-meter per second.

Adjust pitch angle.
Negative, three degrees.

Watch your roll angle, conn.

All stations,
prepare for reconnection.

Thrusters to station keeping.
All velocity zero.

Her inertia should do the job.

Lock up. Now.

A routine maneuver
but you handled it quite well.

Thank you, sir.
I hope I showed some promise.

I have some questions for you.

I thought you might.

I see in your file that Capt DeSoto
thinks very highly of you.

One curious thing, you refused
to let him beam down to Altair III.

In my opinion, it was too dangerous
to risk exposing the Captain.

I see. A captain's rank
means nothing to you.

Rather the reverse. But a captain's
life means a great deal more to me.

Isn't it just possible that you
don't get to be a Starfleet captain

without knowing whether
it's safe to beam down or not?

Isn't it presumptuous
of a first officer

to second-guess
his captain's judgment?

Permission to speak candidly, sir?

Always.

Having been a first officer yourself,

you know that assuming
that responsibility

must include the safety
of the captain.

I have no problem
following your rules,

short of compromising your safety.

You won't back off
from that position?

No, sir.

One further thing.

- A special favor.
- Anything, sir.

Using the same strength
you showed with DeSoto,

can you keep me from making
an ass of myself with children?

- Sir?
- I'm not a family man.

And yet Starfleet has given me
a ship with children aboard.

- Yes, sir.
- And I...

I don't feel comfortable
with children.

But since a captain needs
an image of geniality...

...you're to see
that's what I project.

Aye, sir.

Welcome to the Enterprise,
Cmdr Riker.

I've heard of your case.
The visor you wear...

Is a remarkable piece of
bio-electronic engineering

by which I see much
of the EM spectrum

ranging from heat and infrared
through radio waves, et cetera,

and forgive me if I've said and
listened to this a thousand times.

- You've been blind all your life?
- I was born this way.

You always had pain from using this?

They say it's because I use
my natural sensors in different ways.

I see two choices.

The first is painkillers.

Which affect how this works.

No. And choice number two?

Exploratory surgery. Desensitize
the brain areas troubling you.

Same difference.

No, thank you, Doctor.

I understand.

See you.

- Yes, sir?
- Where will I find Cmdr Data?

Cmdr Data is on special assignment,

using our shuttle to transfer
an admiral to the Hood.

- An admiral?
- He's been checking medical layout.

Why a shuttle? Why not beam over?

I suppose he could, but the Admiral's
a rather... remarkable man.

Have you got some reason you want my
atoms scattered all over space, boy?

No, sir. But at your age, why put up
with the trouble of a shuttle craft?

- Hold it right there, boy.
- Sir?

What about my age?

- If that subject troubles you...
- Troubles me?

What's so damn troublesome
about not having died?

How old do you think I am anyway?

137 years, Admiral,
according to Starfleet records.

Explain how
you remember that so exactly.

I remember every fact
I'm exposed to, sir.

I don't see no points on your ears,
boy, but you sound like a Vulcan.

No, sir. I'm an android.

Almost as bad.

I thought it was accepted

that Vulcans are an advanced
and most honorable race.

They are.

And damn annoying at times.

Yes, sir.

Well, this is a new ship,
but she's got the right name.

- You remember that, you hear?
- I will, sir.

You treat her like a lady.

And she'll always bring you home.

Did you signal the Hood?

Your exact message.
Bon voyage, mon ami.

What was the reply, computer?

You're wasting time, Captain.
Or did you think I was gone?

Lieutenant! Do you intend
to blast a hole in the viewer?

If the purpose of this
is to test humans,

Your Honor,
we must proceed in our own way.

You are dilatory. You have 24 hours.

Any further delay and you risk
summary judgment against you.

- Sorry, sir.
- You reacted fast, Mr. Worf.

But futilely.

I will learn to do better, sir.

Of course you will.
We've a long voyage ahead of us.

What do we do, if they're monitoring
our every move and word?

We do exactly what we would
if this Q never existed.

If we're going to be damned, let's be
damned for what we really are.

Personal log, stardate 41153.8.

Of the 24 hours Q allotted us
to prove ourselves,

11 have now passed
without incident.

And yet I cannot forget
Q's prediction

that we will face
some critical test.

This planet's interior heat provides
an abundance of geothermal energy.

And this
is what made it possible for them

to construct this base
to Starfleet standards?

Yes. They must have
been trading surplus energy

for the construction materials
used here.

Many of the materials
are not found on this world.

It's like those incidents
you describe in your report

as "almost magical attempts
to please us."

Those events did happen, sir.

None of it suggests
anything threatening.

If only every life form
had as much desire to please.

Ready to beam down? I look forward
to meeting this Groppler Zorn.

I have a feeling there's more to it
than trying to please us.

As if it's something
Q is doing to trick us?

Over here. I've asked the Counselor
to join us in this meeting.

May I introduce our new
First Officer, Cmdr William Riker.

Riker, ship's Counselor Deanna Troi.

Do you remember
what I taught you, Imzadi?

Can you still sense my thoughts?

A pleasure, Commander.

Likewise, Counselor.

Have the two of you met before?

We have, sir.

Excellent.

I consider it important
for my key officers

to know each other's abilities.

We do, sir.

We do.

I, too,
could never say goodbye, Imzadi.

We need more information

before we can make
recommendations to Starfleet.

No objections to that.

But I'm puzzled over you bringing
a Betazoid to this meeting.

If her purpose, sir,
is to probe my thoughts...

I can sense only strong emotions,
Groppler.

I'm only half Betazoid.
My father was a Starfleet officer.

Well, I have nothing to hide,
of course.

Good, since we admire what we've
seen of your construction techniques.

Starfleet may be interested in your
constructing starbases elsewhere.

We are not interested
in building other facilities.

If I may, Captain.

Then, a trade.
Some things that you need

in return for lending us engineers
who can demonstrate your techniques.

Bandi do not enjoy
leaving their homeworld.

If Starfleet cannot accept
that small weakness,

then we will be forced, unhappily,

to seek an alliance
with someone like the Ferengi.

Counselor? What is it?

Do you want it described here?

Yes. No secrets here if we're
to be all friends. Agreed?

We ourselves have nothing to hide.

Pain.

Loneliness.

Terrible loneliness.

Despair.

I'm not sensing Groppler,
or any of his people,

but it's something very close
to us here.

The source of this, Groppler.
Have you any idea?

No. No, absolutely not.

And I find nothing helpful
or productive in any of this!

And that's it? No other comment?

What do you expect of us? We offer
you a base designed to your needs.

Luxurious by even human standards.

While evading
our simplest questions about it.

We'll adjourn for now...

...while we all reconsider
our positions.

The Ferengi would be
very interested in a base like this.

Fine. Let's hope they find you
as tasty as their past associates.

Ensign, could you help me
find Cmdr Data?

He's somewhere on this deck.

This way. You must be new
to these Galaxy-class starships.

Tell me the location of Cmdr Data.

Lt Cmdr Data,
now located in holodeck area 4J.

And as you can see,
it's pointing you that way.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

The next hatchway on your right.

Thank you.

You're welcome, Cmdr Riker.
And if you care to enter?

I do.

Hello?

Marvelous!

How easily humans do that.

I still need much practice.

There's some puzzles down on the...

...down on the planet,
that the Captain wants answered.

He suggests that I take you with me.

I shall endeavor
to function adequately.

Yes.

When the Captain suggested you,
I looked up your record.

A wise procedure, sir.

Your rank of Lieutenant Commander
is honorary?

No, Starfleet class of '78,
honors in probability and mechanics.

Your file says you're a...

Machine. Correct.
Does that trouble you?

To be honest, yes, a little.

Understood, sir.
Prejudice is very human.

That does trouble me. Do you
consider yourself superior to us?

I am superior in many ways,

but I would gladly give it up
to be human.

Nice to meet you... Pinocchio.

A joke.

Intriguing.

You'll be
an interesting companion.

This woodland pattern
is quite popular

because it duplicates Earth so well.

Coming here
almost makes me feel human.

These simulations seem so real.

Much of it is. If the transporters
can convert our bodies

to an energy beam and then back...

Yes. Rocks and vegetation
have simpler patterns.

Correct, sir.

- The rear wall.
- I can't see it.

We're right next to it.

Incredible!

Cmdr Riker, isn't this great?

This is one of the simple patterns.

They've got thousands more.
Some you can't believe.

Careful, the next rock is loose!

Wesley!

Wow!

Mr. Data has agreed
to join me on the away team.

Very good.

Maybe I should get something
to wipe this water up.

Good idea.

There's a low-gravity gymnasium,
too.

It'd be hard to get bored
on this ship.

Good.

Mom, could you get me a look
at the bridge?

- That's against Captain's orders.
- Are you afraid of him, too?

I certainly am not.

But Capt Picard is a pain, isn't he?

Your father liked him very much.
Great explorers are often lonely.

No chance to have a family.

Just a look at the bridge. I'll stay
in the lift when the doors open.

You are asking for trouble, Wes.

We'll see what we can do.

Someone could begin by examining
the underside of the station.

Our sensors do show some passages.

- Perhaps you and I?
- Tasha, you and the Counselor.

And, Geordi,
I want your eyes down there.

You and I will start topside.

Noticed anything unusual?

I can't see as well as Geordi,
but the material seems ordinary.

- Construction records?
- Almost identical to Starfleet's.

Team leader?

We've found something interesting.

We're in a passageway
directly under the station.

These walls are something
I've never seen before.

- How are you examining them?
- In every way.

Microscopically,
thermally, electromagnetically.

- None of it is familiar.
- What about you, Troi?

I've avoided opening my mind.

Whatever I felt in Groppler's office
became very uncomfortable.

I'm sorry, you must.
We need more information.

Pain.

Such pain!

I'm coming. Enterprise,
lock us on to her signal.

I'm sorry.
Close your mind to the pain.

Unhappiness.

Terrible despair.

Who?

I don't know.

No life form anything like us.

What in the hell kind of place
is this?

- Geordi, what do you see?
- Well, it's of...

It's of no material
I recognize or have even heard of.

What the hell?!

Children are not allowed
on the bridge.

Permission to report to the Captain.

- Dr Crusher.
- Captain.

Sir, my son is not on the bridge,
he accompanied me on the turbolift.

- Your son?
- His name's Wesley.

You last saw him years ago when...

Well...

...as long as he's here...

I...

I knew...

I knew your father.

Want to look around?

But don't touch anything!

Try it out.

The panel on your right
is for log entries,

Library computer access retrieval,
screen control and intercom. Here...

The backup ops panels,
plus shield and armory controls.

The forward viewscreen
is controlled from the ops position.

High-resolution,
multi-spectro sensors.

How do you know that?

Perimeter alert!

I'm sorry.

Get off the bridge! Both of you!

- You have a perimeter alert.
- As my son tried to tell you.

Picard. Go ahead.

Sensors have detected
a vessel approaching this planet.

No ship is scheduled at this time.

Have Riker and his team beam back up.

Security, is it the Hood returning?

It does not match
the Hood's configuration.

Put it on main viewer.
Identification?

Vessel unknown,
configuration unknown.

Hail it.

We've been trying. No response.

- Raise shields, phasers at ready.
- Shields up, sir, phasers ready.

Get me Groppler Zorn.

Continue greetings
on all frequencies.

This is Zorn, Captain.

An unidentified vessel
has entered orbit with us.

Do you know who it is?

No ships
are scheduled to arrive until...

I asked you if you knew who it is.
You mentioned the Ferengi Alliance.

But we've had no dealings with them.

It was only a... a thought.

- Are you certain?
- I promise you.

We were making an empty threat. I
wanted your cooperation. Forgive me.

Entering orbital trajectory.

It measures 12 times our volume.

Sensors say we were just scanned.

Pain again?

- You've been at it enough.
- No.

I feel close
to an answer of some kind.

Something down here
is shielding our communicators.

Yes, that's the feeling
I've been reading,

as if someone doesn't want us
to be in touch with our ship.

Let's get to the surface.

There is no computer record
of any such vessel, sir.

Nothing even close.

No response. We've done everything
but threaten them.

Sensor scans, Mr. Worf.

Our sensor signals
just seem to bounce off.

Something's happening, sir.

- They're firing on Farpoint.
- Photon torpedoes to ready.

They're hitting the Bandi city,
not Farpoint Station.

- Those stairs are where we entered.
- Here it becomes ordinary stone.

- God! Was that a phaser blast?
- Negative. But something similar.

You, Tasha, Geordi,
beam up to the ship.

I wanna see what's happening.

Don't! lf you should be hurt...

You have your orders, Lieutenant.
Carry them out.

Yes, I'm sorry, sir.

Enterprise, three to beam up.

Enterprise! Enterprise, come in!

Help us! Please!

What shall we do?

Enterprise, help us! Please!

Tune that down. Cmdr Riker,
come in. Can you hear me?

Riker to Enterprise, come in.

Cmdr Riker, come in.
Where are you?

With Data,
on the edge of the old city.

It's being hit hard, sir.

Farpoint Station? Any damage there?

Negative on damage to Farpoint.

They're avoiding hitting the station.

It's from an unidentified vessel
that's entered orbit.

No ID, no answer to our signals.

The old Bandi city's
being hit hard.

- Many casualties very probable.
- Understand, Commander.

Would you object to your Captain
ordering an illegal kidnapping?

No objection, sir.

Groppler Zorn may have the answers
we need. Bring him here.

Aye, sir.

They're forcing
a difficult decision on me.

Protecting the Bandi
won't violate the Prime Directive.

True, they are not allies, but...

We are in the midst
of diplomatic discussions with them.

Lieutenant,
lock phasers on that vessel.

Phasers locked on.

Typical. So typical.

Savage life forms
never follow even their own rules.

Get off my bridge!

Interesting, that order about
phasers.

Standing by on phasers.

Don't let me interfere.
Use your weapons.

We've no idea who is on that vessel.
My order was a safety precaution.

Really? No idea what it represents?

The meaning of that vessel
is as plain

as the noses
on your ugly little primate faces.

And if you were truly civilized,

wouldn't you be doing something
about the casualties down there?

Captain to CMO,
are you reading any of this?

Medical team preparing to beam down.

Compliments on that, Doctor.

Any questions?

Starfleet people are trained
to render aid...

- But not trained in clear thinking.
- Let's consider your thoughts.

You call us savages. Yet you knew
those people would be killed.

It is your conduct
that is uncivilized.

They're firing on the planet again.

Go to maneuvering jets. Position us
between that vessel and the planet.

- Force fields full on.
- Aye, sir.

Impulse power to...

We have no ship control, sir.

It's gone!

Are you undamaged?

Yes. You?

All systems operating.

Please! Make it stop!

You can drive it away!

Drive who away?

- I don't know.
- Unlikely.

Our records show you supervised
all Bandi contact with other worlds.

We've done nothing wrong!

If we can learn nothing from you,
we'll leave.

No! Oh no, please, don't leave!

I'll... try to explain.

First Officer to Enterprise.

We've lost Zorn.

Something like a transporter beam
has snatched him away.

Question, sir. Could it be this Q?

None of you knows
who transported him.

You're running out of time.

Captain...
suddenly I'm sensing something else.

Satisfaction.

- Enormous satisfaction.
- From the same source as before?

No. That was on the planet.
This is much closer.

Excellent, Counselor.
He's such a dullard, isn't he?

Captain from transporter room.
Riker and Data have beamed aboard.

Excellent. With more
little minds helping...

That is enough!

We have an agreement.

Which you are breaking
by taking over our vessel,

interfering with my decisions.

- Either leave or finish us!
- Temper, temper, mon capitaine.

I'm merely trying to assist
a pitiful species.

I will leave if Riker provides me
with some amusement.

Do nothing that he asks.

But I ask so little and it's so
necessary if you're to solve this.

Beam over there with your...
what is it? Your away team.

I'll risk no one on that unknown.

You should know what you'll find.
Perhaps it's too adult a puzzle.

With all respect, Captain,
I want to beam over there.

You show promise, my good fellow.

Have you understood any part
of what he's tried to tell you?

Humanity is no longer a savage race.

But you must still prove that.

You impressed him, Number One.
That's hopeful.

Thank you.

If he's not open to evidence
in our favor,

where will you go from there?

- I'll attend to my duty.
- To the bitter end?

I see nothing so bitter about that.

Can I help you?

I...

I didn't want you thinking me harsh.

- Cold-blooded.
- Why would I ever think that?

I didn't welcome you aboard
personally, professionally.

I made you come to me on the bridge,
I yelled at your son.

Who, as you pointed out,
was quite correct.

He seems to have a very good grasp
of starship operations.

You've just won this mother's heart.

But, now, your assignment here.

I would... consider... and approve

a transfer for you.

You consider me unqualified?

Hardly. Your service record shows
you're just the CMO I want.

- Then you object to me personally?
- I'm thinking of your feelings.

For you to work
with a commanding officer

who would continually remind you
of a... terrible personal tragedy.

If I had had any objections,

I wouldn't have requested
this assignment.

You requested this posting?

My feelings
about my husband's death

won't affect the way
I serve you or this mission.

Then, welcome aboard, Doctor.

Riker to Picard.
We're ready to beam over.

I... hope we can be friends?

Thank you.

Phasers on stun.

Energize.

Most interesting, sir.

It's the same construction
we saw in the underground tunnel.

But no sound of power.

No equipment.

How does this ship run?

What is it?

Is it the same
as you felt down there?

No.

This is much more powerful.

Full of anger!

Hate!

- Toward us?
- No.

It's directed down
towards the old Bandi city.

Most intriguing again.

The place this vessel was firing upon
was not the Farpoint starbase,

but the home of those
who constructed...

Sorry, sir.

I seem to be commenting
on everything.

Good.

Don't stop, my friend.

Enterprise, Riker.

This is turning out to be
a very long tunnel or corridor.

No ship's crew in sight.

No sign of mechanism or circuitry.

No controls or read-outs.

This is nothing like any vessel
I've seen before.

Groppler Zorn, sir.

A great fear just ahead.

There's a different feeling here
than in the tunnel.

Very different.

No! Please! No more, please!

Make it stop! Please!

Please! Make it stop!

No! Please! No more!

- Please!
- Zorn, can you hear me?

The pain!

- No!
- Has the alien communicated?

Please!

- Please! No more!
- That's it, sir.

It's just one alien I'm sensing here.

Please!
I don't understand what you want!

Not true, he does know.

No!

Don't!

Transporter Chief,
yank them back now!

Riker, acknowledge!

Your time is up, Captain.

Transporter Chief,
do you have their coordinates?

- He can't hear you.
- Transporter Chief, come in!

I have people...
in trouble over there, Q.

Everyone at ease. That's an order.

Q, my people are in trouble.

Let me help them, please.

I'll do whatever you say.

You'll do whatever I say?

It seems I did make that bargain.

The agreement isn't valid.
It wasn't Q that saved us.

Save yourself. It may attack you now.

It was that which sent us back.

It is not merely a vessel.
Somehow it is alive.

She lies. Destroy it. Make phasers
and photon torpedoes ready.

- No, do nothing he demands.
- That thing was killing my people!

- Was there a reason?
- It's an unknown. Isn't that enough?

If you'd earned that uniform,

you'd know it's the unknown
that brings us here.

A wasted effort,
with human intelligence.

Let's test that. Begin with
the tunnels under Farpoint.

Identical to those on the space
vessel life form over there.

Why was it punishing you?

In return for some pain
you'd given another creature?

We've done nothing wrong.
It was injured. We helped it.

Thank you.

That was the missing element.

Lt Yar, rig main phaser banks
to deliver an energy beam.

Aye, sir.

You're right, Captain. It has
to be conceivable that in this galaxy

there could exist creatures
able to convert energy into matter.

And into specific patterns of matter,
as our transporters do.

Captain!

You... captured something like that,
didn't you?

Warn my people to leave
Farpoint Station immediately.

He lies.
Shouldn't you let his people die?

Transmit the message,
"Leave Farpoint Station."

It was a pair of creatures
I was sensing.

One down there in grief and pain...

...the other up here
filled with anger.

And firing not on the space station,

but on the Bandi and their city.

Attacking those who had captured...

...captured its mate.

Energy beam ready.

Lock it in on Farpoint Station.

I see now
it was too simple a puzzle.

Generosity
has always been my... weakness.

Let it have whatever it can absorb.

Energize.

Now getting feedback on the beam.

Discontinue.

There'll soon be no Farpoint Station,
if I'm right about this.

A lucky guess.

We meant no harm to the creature.
It was starving for energy.

Which your world furnishes.

We did feed it.

Only enough to keep it alive,

so you could force it to shape itself
into whatever form you needed!

Sir!

Wonderful!

A feeling of great joy.

And gratitude.

From both of them.

Why...

...do you use other life forms
for your recreation?

If so,
you've not provided the best.

Leave us!
We've passed your little test.

Temper, temper, mon capitaine.

- Get off my ship!
- I do so only because it suits me.

But I will not promise
never to appear again.

Captain's log, stardate 41174.2.

The agreement for rebuilding
Farpoint Station

has been completed
per my instructions.

- All stations?
- Ready for departure, sir.

Some problem?

Just hoping this isn't
the usual way our missions will go.

Oh no, Number One, I'm sure
most will be much more interesting.

Let's see what's out there.

Engage.