Original subtitles

Jake!

Jake!

Jake, wait a second.

How you doing?

I'm fine.

Really.

Jake, I'm sorry.

Acting Ensign Crusher

report to Transporter Room eight.

It's not your fault.

Yeah, I know.

I wish both of us were going.

Ah... only 32 points...

Mr. Crusher, respond.

I'm on my way, Doctor.

I've got to go.

I know.

Hey, Wes...

do well for both of us, okay?

All right.

Captain's Log, Stardate 41416.2:

We are orbiting Relva Vll

where Wesley Crusher is about to be tested

for entrance into Starfleet Academy.

And to my great surprise, I have just learned

that my old friend, Admiral Gregory Quinn

is on Relva Vll and has requested

to be beamed aboard the Enterprise immediately.

Welcome aboard, Admiral.

Thank you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard--

Lieutenant Commander Dexter Remmick.

Sir.

Allow me to introduce my staff.

First officer, William Riker

Chief Medical Officer

Beverly Crusher

Chief of Security, Natasha Yar.

Well, what can we do for you?

I need to speak with you.

Certainly. This way.

Number One?

Alone.

Is this a personal matter?

Official business.

Well, then, my First Officer should...

Alone, Captain.

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.

Commander Remmick is with the lnspector General's office.

Oh.

He'll be conducting a full investigation

of the Enterprise.

What are you looking for?

I have reason to believe

that there may be something very wrong on this ship.

Tell me what you suspect.

It's inappropriate to discuss it at this time.

Mr. Remmick, Starfleet is counting on you.

You will find out what is wrong on this ship.

Yes, sir.

Nothing and no one will stand in my way.

And you, Captain...

are ordered to cooperate in every way necessary

with this investigation.

Is that clear?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Remmick, unless there are any further questions...

No questions, sir.

Get on with your duties.

Yes, sir.

We've known one another for years.

Tell me what you believe is wrong.

Captain, it is vitally important

that my orders be followed exactly.

I'll be staying on the ship.

As you wish, Admiral.

What is it?

What?

The unit you just put down.

Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.

It's a flux coordinating sensor unit.

I'm Oliana Mirren, one of the other finalists.

You must be Wesley Crusher.

Yeah.

Do you know me?

I heard there was a very smart, very young man

who would be tough competition.

Well, you wouldn't be here...

if I weren't smart.

I know.

But there's a lot more to it than just that.

You're lucky.

You've had practical experience aboard the Enterprise.

Oliana.

T'Shanik of Vulcana Regar.

Wesley Crusher of the Enterprise.

You do not look as if you meet the age requirements.

I'll be 16 next month.

Oh, happy birthday.

Excuse me.

I'm Wesley Crusher.

Mordock.

Mordock?

The Mordock?

The Benzite who constructed the Mordock Strategy?

I thought you were already in the Academy.

No.

Only a hopeful, like you.

Finalists...

please take your seats.

Thanks.

I am Tac Officer Chang.

Welcome.

You are here because you are all

top candidates.

Although only one student

will be chosen for the Academy

you have shown from the preliminary testing

that any of you could easily qualify.

Now, this may be the most difficult

exhausting experience of your life--

and the most exciting

challenge.

Expect

the unexpected.

May you all do your best.

May I help you, Mr. Remmick?

Keep doing whatever it is you're doing, Commander Data.

There's, uh, nothing much to see here, Commander.

We're in a standard orbit, and, uh...

the station has to be manned even if it's just routine.

Something I can help you with, Mr. Remmick?

When I'm ready, Mr. Riker

I'll want to speak with you... privately.

Commander.

Just having that guy around makes me feel guilty.

What's he after, anyway?

I don't know, Geordi, but I'm going to find out

right now.

Come.

Captain, may I speak frankly?

Always, Number One.

As First Officer, I should be informed.

I should know everything that you know.

That's right, you should.

Then what's this about?

Remmick's going to turn this ship upside down.

That's his job.

And my job is to see that this ship runs smoothly.

Which you do very well.

Sir, am I under investigation?

I don't know.

And if you did?

I couldn't tell you.

I don't understand, sir.

This is extremely frustrating.

No less for me.

But I promised cooperation, and that's what we shall give.

Sir.

I want some answers from you now

Commander Riker...

Later.

-You were ordered to cooperate. -Not now!

When it doesn't interfere with my duties, Remmick.

Last question on the hyperspace physics test.

If the matter and antimatter tanks on a galaxy class starship

are nine-tenths depleted, calculate the intermix ratio

necessary to reach a starbase a hundred light years away

at warp factor 8.

Begin.

Time elapsed.

You now have one hour free before the next test.

I must admit, Wesley, you have a very fast mind.

Once I realized it was a trick question

there was only one answer.

Yes. There is only one ratio with matter-antimatter.

One to one.

You both don't know how lucky you are.

I can't imagine what it would be like

to have things come so easily.

I have to push every step of the way.

Oh, no, Oliana

it doesn't come that easily.

I have to study all the time.

It's a good thing you're cute, Wesley

or you could really be obnoxious.

See you later.

Did you hear what she said, Mordock?

She said I was cute.

Is that good, Wesley?

Yes.

I think.

I think I should apologize, Captain.

No need, Number One.

Mr. Remmick's presence is unnerving

to say the least.

Are you available now, Mr. Riker

or do you still have duties to perform?

I'm available, Mr. Remmick.

Any problem with using your ready room, Captain?

No, Mr. Remmick.

Be my guest.

If you prefer to stand, fine, Mr. Riker.

It won't have an effect on the length of my inquiry.

Now...

there are several seeming discrepancies

in the Captain's Log.

Let's go over them one by one, shall we?

The Captain's Log?

Yes.

To the best of your knowledge

has the Captain ever falsified a log?

Have you discussed this with him?

Right now, I'm asking you.

If you want to discuss anything about Captain Picard

you bring him in here, and you ask him, face-to-face.

You are required to answer my questions, Mr. Riker

unless you're trying to cover something up!

Now... there are several discrepancies

in the Captain's Log.

Shall we go over them one by one?

Proceed.

REMMlCK So, you are saying

Captain Picard had no control over this vessel.

He handed it over to Kosinski

who took the entire crew

to the edge of the universe.

No, sir, that's not what I'm saying.

Now, Kosinski was sent here by Starfleet

to improve our warp drive system.

Captain Picard was ordered to take him aboard.

According to his own logs

his Bridge crew didn't think highly

of Mr. Kosinski's theories.

Yet, the Captain allowed him to access the engines anyway.

Is that true, La Forge?

Not exactly, sir.

One way or the other, La Forge

Picard lost control of this ship.

Is that true?

Well, yes, but that's not how it happened.

So...

the answer is yes.

Do you believe the Captain

is emotionally and psychologically fit

for command of this starship?

There's nothing in his history or personality

that would suggest, uh...

mental lapses?

Nothing.

Not even the Ferengi incident

aboard his old starship, the Stargazer?

He was being controlled by a mind-altering machine

Commander...

...without his knowledge!

I would call that "a mental lapse."

Ensign.

What are you doing on the holodeck?

I thought you were still on Relva Vll.

I'm finished testing for the day.

I've disturbed you.

I'll leave.

Wait.

I thought I wanted to be alone.

I guess I don't.

How is the testing?

Okay, so far.

It's not the ones that I've studied for

that I'm worried about.

It's the psych test--

facing my deepest fear and living through it.

I'm trying to figure out

what images to bring up.

Why?

Guess I want to scare myself.

What do you think?

Bulgallian rats?

Lightning storms?

Do those things frighten you?

Sort of, I guess.

The psych test is no more or less important

than the rest of the process.

That's what they said

but I can't stop thinking about it.

Thinking about what you can't control only wastes energy

and creates its own enemy.

How can they know what my deepest fear is when I don't?

By analyzing your psychological profile.

They were very accurate about everyone I tested with.

Including myself.

You?

I thought there was nothing

that could frighten a Klingon warrior.

Only fools have no fear.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant.

I'm asking too many personal questions.

It is very difficult for me

to depend on anyone for anything...

...but especially for my life.

But on the Enterprise, you do that every day.

Everyone depends on everyone else to protect them.

Yes.

So you overcame it?

No. It is still my enemy.

With this new extricator, sir, we could eliminate

three more bulky machines from cargo space.

That's excellent, Number One.

Captain, there's an unauthorized entry in main shuttle bay.

Unauthorized?

Who is it, Lieutenant?

Computer reads the lD number of Jake Kurland.

Bridge to main shuttle bay.

Mr. Kurland, this is Lieutenant Yar. Respond.

Isn't that area secured?

Not now, Remmick.

He's going to take this out, Captain.

I'm locking off

bay launch doors, Captain.

Too late. He's using the flight emergency override.

Smart kid.

Kid?

He's launching.

On viewer.

Lieutenant Yar, open channel.

Enterprise to shuttlecraft.

Mr. Kurland, this is Captain Picard.

Mr. Kurland?

Captain, I'm going to Beltane lX

to sign on to a freighter.

Tell my father l...

I'm sorry.

You can tell him yourself, in person.

Bring that ship back, at once.

No.

I can't face him.

I'm leaving.

Captain, he's unbalanced the dilithium reaction.

I've lost power.

All he's got left is his maneuvering jets, Captain.

At this trajectory

he'll enter the atmosphere and burn up at an altitude

of 200 kilometers.

Probable impact?

Atmospheric entry, 78 seconds.

Options?

Tractor beam?

Not possible.

He's too far away for a positive lock.

He's out of transporter range.

Captain, you are completely responsible

for that boy's life.

Mr. Remmick, either get out of my way and keep quiet

or I will have you removed from the Bridge.

Viewer on shuttle cockpit.

Visual on main viewer.

Mr. Kurland?

I can't get the engine started.

What am I going to do?

I'm going to crash.

He needs another 50 seconds for the core to cool down

before he can restart.

Stay calm, Jake.

We'll get you back.

Please, help me.

Jake.

It's no use, Captain.

I'm going to die out here.

He'll need another 30 seconds before he can restart.

Irrelevant, sir.

Even if he restarts his engine now

he will not have enough thrust to escape impact.

Mr. Kurland, you are not going to die out there.

You are going to do exactly what I tell you.

Now...

take the nose of the shuttlecraft

and aim it directly at Relva Vll.

But... aim it at Relva?

I-I can't do that.

That's crazy.

Do it!

But I'll burn up!

28 seconds to impact.

Jake, listen very carefully.

This is Captain Picard, and I am giving you an order.

Aim the shuttle at Relva.

Okay.

It's done.

Good.

Now, monitor your speed exactly.

When it hits.020, I want you to restart the engine

and when I tell you, pull up hard.

.020 speed.

Captain, l... I sure hope you're right.

You'll just have to trust me.

.003...

.009...

.012.

Six seconds to impact.

Hold on, Jake, it's going to be a little bumpy.

.015...

.019.

Restart the engine, now.

Pull up hard!

Yeah!

Incredible, Captain.

How did he do it?

I-I thought...

He built up enough speed

and then bounced her off the atmosphere.

Mr. Kurland?

I assume you can maneuver it home.

Yes, sir.

Do it.

Then report to Mr. Riker.

Yes, sir.

Very original, Captain.

But how did that child acquire access to a shuttlecraft?

Kurland is a highly qualified

Enterprise Academy candidate--

fully trained in many areas

including shuttles.

Did this "full training" include discipline?

Mr. Remmick, young men sometimes make rash choices

which is why Mr. Kurland will receive a strong refresher

specifically in discipline.

I'll note that in my report.

Hmm... full cooperation, Number One.

You! I have a package for Operations.

Where is it?

End of the corridor, room on your right. 104.

Excuse me.

You blocked my path.

You Bulgallian sludge rat!

I'm sorry.

It was an honest mistake.

I apologize.

Is there a problem here, gentlemen?

Uh, no, sir, l...

Look, how dare you?!

I am Rondon, you despicable

Mellanoid slime worm!

Liar!

Who do you think you're bullying?!

You bumped into me!

It was your mistake!

You were at fault!

Do you want this to become violent?

Friend...

I like you.

A very strange reaction.

Not really.

When he raised his hand, I saw that it was webbed--

the sign of a Zaldan.

But you became hostile.

Zaldans are infuriated by courtesy.

They view it as a form of phony social behavior

designed to cover true feelings.

Congratulations, Mr. Crusher.

You handled that particular instant very well.

Was this incident deliberate?

It's important to know how you candidates

deal with other cultures, other species.

Then it was a test.

Yes.

Not all tests are announced or what they appear to be.

Zaldans have webbed fingers.

I wouldn't have passed.

You're an android, correct?

Yes, sir.

And as an android

you are programmed to tell the entire truth?

Yes, sir.

There is a problem with this ship, Mr. Data.

It's in the records.

Somewhere.

I need your help to find it.

All of the ship's records are available to you, sir.

But this information is very cleverly hidden.

Your Captain is not what he appears to be.

Do not forget that you have loyalty to Starfleet

above all else.

Loyalty is not the issue, Commander.

There is nothing wrong with Captain Picard

or the ship's logs.

Therefore, there must be something wrong

with your original assumption.

That is not acceptable, Mr. Data.

Acceptable or not, sir...

it is the truth.

Just how did this contaminant get aboard the ship?

By accident, sir.

Meaning Captain Picard

has not standing procedure for this type of situation?

No.

Meaning by accident... sir.

You don't like me very much, do you?

Is it required, sir?

How would you characterize

your relationship with Captain Picard?

We're Starfleet officers

who've known one another for years.

Everything said here is confidential, Doctor.

You can be completely open with me.

About what?

About how you feel serving with the man...

who is responsible

for the death of your husband.

My personal feelings about Captain Picard

are irrelevant to this investigation

and none of your business.

Then you confirm the accuracy of the log report?

You violated the Prime Directive of the Edo.

You deliberately interfered

with their laws.

Yes. It is exactly as I explained it

in the log records.

All to save Dr. Crusher's son.

A member of my crew was being held unjustly.

I stand by my decision.

Mr. Remmick, you've talked to every member of this ship.

I think you've had enough time to find out

whatever it is you're looking for.

Are you afraid if I keep looking

I'll find that you're guilty?

The only thing I'm guilty of

is allowing this charade to go on so long.

Admiral, if it is me you're investigating

ask me directly what it is you want to know

and please tell me exactly what is going on.

I need a little more time, Jean-Luc.

How much time?

I won't tolerate my crew being harassed any longer.

Remmick's full report is almost ready.

I want to be here when he presents it.

That has always been my intention.

Commander Remmick, report to Admiral Quinn.

On my way, sir.

This has been a strain on our friendship.

I know.

Believe me, Jean-Luc, I regret that.

But it has been necessary.

I can't get it.

Yes, you can.

Don't fight it.

Relax into it, and let it come by itself.

No, it's going too fast.

Wesley, I can't do it.

Yes, you can.

You've got your rotation factor.

Just put in your vector coordinates.

Time elapsed.

Congratulations, Mordock.

That was the second fastest time

ever recorded on this test.

You all did well.

No.

It should not have been that way.

Mr. Crusher helped me.

Yes, I know.

An interesting choice, Mr. Crusher--

especially considering how close you and Mr. Mordock are

in overall score.

You all have an hour

to prepare for your last test.

The psych test, sir?

We prefer to think of it as a psychological evaluation

based on reactions to various individual problems

but, uh, "psych test" will do.

Sir?

Please sit down, Mr. Remmick.

Proceed with your report.

Admiral, I've done my best to be thorough

during this investigation.

Continue.

I couldn't find what you asked for, sir.

I spoke to officer after officer, a-at length.

I pried into the ship's logs

and yet I could find nothing wrong

except, perhaps

a casual familiarity among the Bridge crew

but mostly that comes from a sense of teamwork...

...and a feeling of family.

I'm sorry, sir.

I did my best.

Quite.

You're dismissed, Commander.

Yes, sir.

Captain Picard.

My tour in the lnspector General's office

will be up in six months.

When I'm finished, this is where I'd like to serve, sir.

Don't judge the young man too harshly.

He's a good officer.

It's not him I'm inclined to judge.

Don't judge me too harshly, either

until I've finished.

We had to be very sure of you.

Some of us at Starfleet Command

became suspicious of certain problems in the Federation.

What kind of problems?

Someone or something is trying to destroy

the fabric of everything

we've built up in the last 200 years.

What's your evidence?

I can't go into that.

There are too many people involved.

What do you want from me?

I don't know whether the threat comes from the inside

or whether it's from outside.

I need people I can trust

in strong positions throughout the Federation.

You have my complete support, you know that.

That's not enough.

I want to promote you to admiral

and I want you to take over as commandant of Starfleet Academy.

The Academy?

Yes.

The Academy?

I need you close.

Then there was never a problem with the Enterprise.

No.

But I had to be sure you hadn't been co-opted.

Then, Greg, uh...

this is... politics, and, uh...

...I, uh...

I'm not good at politics.

Surely there are others who are better suited.

All right.

Even if I am wrong, and I hope I am

you're still the best man for the job.

I appreciate the value of what you're offering.

It's not a decision I can make quickly.

I need an answer soon.

All right.

You'll have it tonight, Admiral.

Thank you.

Mr. Mordock will be finished with his psych test momentarily.

Mordock?

Are you all right?

I will be.

Mr. Crusher.

You're next.

Good luck.

I'm here.

I'm ready.

Maybe they forgot.

Breathe.

Got to remember to breathe.

Evacuate immediately.

65 seconds to seal-off.

Somebody, help!

There's something wrong in the environmental lab!

Help!

Help! We're trapped.

I can't move!

Please, help me!

We're going to die in here!

The liquid hydrogen's

going to blow.

The shutoff valve's ruptured. Hurry up!

My legs are crushed!

You've got to help me!

Give me a hand with this!

We're going to die!

Help me!

I can't!

It's too late!

30 seconds to seal off.

Come on!

If we don't get out of here fast

they'll seal us in to contain the explosion.

Come on!

You're not hurt!

I can't move through that!

Yes, you can!

You've got to!

20 seconds to seal off.

Come on! I can't carry you both!

You're not hurt!

Ten seconds to seal-off.

Come on!

It's too late!

I'm sorry.

Officer Chang, there's...

Wesley!

It's all right.

Thanks.

An excellent performance, Mr. Crusher.

Performance?

That was the test.

Yes.

A man could have died.

Theoretically, yes.

You had to make a choice, and you did.

There's no right or wrong about it.

Your greatest fear has been that you couldn't make that decision.

Because of my father?

Because Capt...

Because someone made that choice...

and my father died.

Sir?

Yes, Number One?

Mr. Remmick has left the ship.

Yes.

He found nothing wrong on the Enterprise

and you can inform the crew

that Admiral Quinn is most impressed.

Thank you.

They'll be pleased to hear that.

Can you explain now what he was after?

They were after me, Number One.

They want me to take over

as commandant, Starfleet Academy.

Congratulations.

What a wonderful choice, sir.

You'll be able to shape the minds

of the future leaders of Starfleet.

You haven't decided what you're going to do.

Yes, I have, Number One.

I've decided I'm going for a walk.

I'm proud of all of you.

You've done a superb job.

Each of you would make

a fine Starfleet officer.

It's unfair that only one candidate from Relva

will attend the Academy this year...

and a loss to the Federation

if the rest of you do not return to test again.

Mr. Mordock will be the candidate.

His results were slightly higher

than Mr. Crusher's.

Congratulations, Mr. Mordock.

You're the first Benzite in Starfleet.

Thank you, sir, but it's not right.

It shouldn't be me.

Wesley lost points because he helped me.

He should not be punished for his generosity.

He wasn't.

He lost time, but it wasn't only that.

Candidates, thank you.

And good luck.

I am sorry, Wesley.

It's okay. You deserve to win.

Besides, you would have done the same for me.

Yes. I believe I would.

Congratulations.

Well, personally, I hate losing.

So you'd better be ready next year, Wesley.

I won't be easy to beat.

Mr. Kurland.

Yes, sir.

Are you, uh...

feeling better?

Yes, sir.

Look, l-I'm sorry l-I damaged the shuttle, Captain.

But Mr. Riker said I can work on fixing it

as part of my discipline training.

Good idea.

I hope you've learned

that running away solves nothing.

Oh, yes, sir

and l-I am sorry I messed up.

But at least you kept your wits about you out there.

Don't forget that.

No, sir.

And thank you.

Thank you for-for...

for saving my life.

That's my job, young man.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Crusher?

Why aren't you in your dress uniform

for Admiral Quinn's farewell dinner?

I didn't think that would be appropriate, sir.

Why not?

I failed, Captain.

I didn't get into the Academy.

I failed you and I failed the Enterprise.

Ridiculous.

Did you do your best?

Yes.

When you test next year--

and you will test next year--

do you think your performance will improve?

Yes.

Good.

The only person you are truly competing against, Wesley

is yourself.

Then you're not disappointed?

Wesley, you have to measure

your successes and your failures within--

not by anything that l or anyone else might think.

But, um...

if it helps you to know this...

I failed the first time

and you may not tell anyone.

You?!

You failed?

Yes, but not the second time.

Now...

you, uh, do me the courtesy

of joining us at dinner.

I have to disappoint an old friend.

Wish I could convince you to change your mind.

I'll serve you better here.

This is where you belong.

If you should need me...

I've been playing politics too long.

Perhaps I see conspiracies everywhere.

Don't worry.

Safe travels, my friend.

Set course for Algeron lV, Mr. Crusher.

Course plotted and laid in, sir.

Then shall we continue with our mission?

Yes, sir.

Excellent.

Mr. Crusher...

engage.