Original subtitles

First Officer's Log, Stardate 41986.0

We are awaiting the return of Captain Picard

who was summoned to Starbase 7-1 -8

for an emergency conference.

Meanwhile, our sensors have been monitoring

an ancient capsule

floating in our vicinity, which appears to be from Earth.

I wonder how it got out here.

At its present speed and heading it will eventually enter

the Kazis binary system

and will certainly be destroyed.

I could attach a tractor beam and adjust its heading.

I think not, Mr. Worf.

It's just a piece of space debris.

If we hadn't been sitting here, waiting for the Captain

we wouldn't have noticed it.

Let it be.

Let nature take its course.

How long until Captain Picard returns?

The last communication

indicated it would be several hours.

Commander

request permission to investigate this vehicle.

Why, Data?

It's just a derelict.

It is a piece of history.

The opportunity to examine such an ancient vehicle

does not come around

very often.

And, as you pointed out

we do have the time.

Very well.

Be prepared to beam back before the Captain returns.

Thank you, sir.

Lieutenant Worf, go with him.

Aye, sir.

Minimal oxygen atmosphere.

An ancient solar generator--

still operating.

Commander, look at this.

The on-board computers have ceased functioning.

I may be able to download this old-style disk drive

back to the Enterprise.

Must be sealed.

Probably with age.

Ah, not necessary.

The seal has been broken

and the environment corrupted.

Here's another.

This one is empty.

Commander

Iook at this.

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.

Were they frozen for an extended journey?

If that were the purpose, there would be evidence

of a more sophisticated monitoring system.

These containers were designed solely for refrigeration.

The Captain's shuttle

is approaching the main Shuttle Bay, sir.

Enterprise, this is the Captain.

Number One, I want to get underway

as soon as the shuttle is secure.

Aye, sir.

We'll make all preparations.

Commander Data--

return to the Enterprise, immediately.

We have run into an unusual situation, sir.

There are people on board--

frozen.

Frozen? How many?

Three.

The vehicle has suffered severe damage.

Most of her systems have failed.

Are you suggesting they be transferred to the Enterprise?

I do not believe we should leave them here, sir.

With your permission

we will be returning with three containers.

Whatever you do, do it quickly.

Mr. La Forge, set course zero-five-eight

mark one-seven-three.

Laying it in, sir.

Number One, I want a staff meeting

on the Observation Deck.

Captain

those coordinates will take us

right into the Neutral Zone.

That is correct, Mr. La Forge.

Warp factor eight.

Aye, sir. Warp eight.

Engage.

Two Federation outposts in sector three-zero

have been destroyed.

There's been no communication

with Federation starbases in sector three-one

since Stardate 41903.2

Romulans.

That's the assumption.

There's been no direct contact with the Romulans

since the Tomed incident.

The questions are: why now?

What's their objective?

For 50 years, there's barely a whisper out of them

and now, for no apparent reason

they seem to be back with a roar.

Everything we know about them is based on rumor

or conjecture.

The strategic decision

is to send one ship.

The Enterprise.

We could get out there and find ourselves

greatly overmatched.

True enough.

It's a gamble.

This first encounter--

coming so suddenly after all this time--

we have to assume it's a setup.

If force is necessary, we will use it

but that will mean we have failed.

Our goal here is to establish some kind of relations

with the Romulans.

If we don't succeed

then, to convince them of our resolve.

The general feeling at Starfleet is that they are seeking

confrontation.

They may want

to test themselves in battle

against a Federation starship.

See how far we have advanced.

If that is the case, then I need to know it.

Counselor, I shall need a full profile on them.

There is limited information

but I will

prepare something.

Computer, estimated time of arrival at the Neutral Zone?

19 hours, 28 minutes.

Let's reassemble in six hours.

Stay sharp, no surprises.

I would rather outthink them than outfight them.

Questions?

What is it, Doctor?

It's the people from the capsule.

Capsule? People? What people?

The people Data beamed over.

I wasn't aware that he had.

Well, he did

and they were frozen.

I thawed them.

You what?

Well, I didn't know what else to do.

The crypts in which they were frozen

were literally falling apart.

So, what's their condition?

Right now, they're all sleeping.

Each of them needed minor medical attention.

Minor now

but, then, their conditions were obviously terminal.

One had a heart problem

another, an advance case of emphysema

with extensive liver damage.

You know, the most surprising thing of all

is that each of them had been frozen after they died.

After they died?

Cryonics.

It was a kind of fad in the late 20th century.

People feared dying.

It terrified them.

So, at the moment of death

they would be frozen

so that later, sometime in the future

presumably, when medical science had found a cure

for whatever killed them--

they could be thawed back to life, healed

and sent on about their business.

Well, in the case of this group, it apparently worked.

Mr. Data, will you report to Sick Bay...

...immediately.

Look, I am never critical

of any member of my staff being curious, but...

it's just that the timing is so...

I could not leave them there, Captain.

The condition of their vehicle was deteriorating.

But, Data, they were already dead.

I mean, what more could have happened to them?

I see your point, Captain

but, at the time, it seemed the proper thing to do.

Well, they're alive now.

We're going to have to treat them as living human beings.

Alive and well and ready to be awakened.

Look, before you wake them up

I want to have security here.

Lieutenant Worf, report to Sick Bay.

I have them sedated now

but they should be up and about

as soon as possible.

Well, then we have no other choice.

None that I can see.

Welcome to the 24th century.

I was able to retrieve some information

from the ancient disk I removed from the module's computer.

Her name is Clare Raymond--

age 35

occupation, homemaker.

Must be some kind of construction work.

She died of an embolism.

It probably happened very suddenly.

Otherwise, her physical condition was excellent.

His name is Ralph Offenhouse--

age, 55; occupation, financier.

Advanced cardiomyopathy.

Inoperable at the time

but easily correctable now.

He must have known his condition was terminal

for quite some time.

Much of his file, we could not retrieve.

His name is L.Q. Sonny Clemonds.

Apparently, his occupation had something to do with music.

There was marked deterioration in every system of his body.

Probably from massive chemical abuse.

Unbelievable.

Sounds like someone who hated life

yet he had himself frozen, presumably

so he could go through it all again.

Too afraid to live, too scared to die.

Well, Doctor, this seems to be a situation

more suited to your talents.

I'll leave it with you.

I'll be on the Bridge.

Number One, kindly take charge of our guests

until we have time to decide

what we are going to do with them.

Aye, sir.

And, Number One--

keep them out of my way.

I know this is all very confusing to you

so I'll attempt to explain.

You are on the starship USS Enterprise

American?

No, it's a vessel

of the United Federation of Planets

and Earth is a member.

Uh, what year is this?

By your calendar--

2364.

What?

My heart, is it...

It's perfectly fine.

In fact, all of you are now in excellent health.

It worked.

I made it.

What is that?

An android.

You mean a robot?

Actually, there is a distinct difference

between an android and a robot.

And him-- the one I saw before with the head?

She means Worf.

He's a Klingon.

That takes a little more explanation.

Now, listen, guys.

I paid some idiot a lot of money

to freeze me

when I died

and I just got to hear the words.

Am I alive?

Oh, yes, absolutely.

And the liver that was about to explode in my face?

Perfectly sound.

Excuse me.

Could someone please tell me what's going on here?

About 370 years ago, you died of a massive embolism.

I don't remember anything about that.

You and the others were frozen.

Cryonics-- you know, it's freeze you now and heal you later.

Yeah, I've heard of it.

I just never gave it much thought.

How did we get here?

You were in a space module.

The whacko that sold me this scam said

that by putting us in orbit

there wasn't going to be no chance of a brownout.

Yes, several cryonics companies fell into disrepute

because of power failures

which adversely affected their refrigeration system.

Their stocks were severely depressed.

The whole deal was a long shot

but, I figured, what the hell

might as well give them the dough

instead of leaving it to my ex-wives.

But, you know, son, I just figured

it was all a bunch of hooey.

"Hooey?"

Ah, as in hogwash, malarkey, jive--

an intentional fabrication.

There you go.

Now you got it.

Now, if you didn't contract for this, who did?

It must have been my husband, Donald.

If it was new and foolish, he would have popped for it.

Well, I'll say this for it--

it's the first thing he's ever bought into that worked.

I, for one, never had a doubt.

My stock in this company

must have split at least a dozen times by now.

Actually, the process of cryonics

was never more than a fad

and did not continue much beyond the mid-21st century.

Uh-huh.

I need to make a phone call as soon as possible.

A phone call?

Yes, I have provided for myself.

I have a substantial portfolio.

It's critical that I check on it.

Let the bank know that I'm alive and well.

Uh, that's going to be a little difficult right at the moment.

Well, do you at least have a copy of the Wall Street Journal?

I think we should take the Doctor's advice.

Take this very slowly until we've all adjusted.

And then we'll talk to the Captain.

As you know, sir, there is very little available

on the Romulans.

Counselor, anything will be helpful.

They seem to be creatures of extremes.

One moment, violent beyond description

the next, tender.

They are related to Vulcans

but, as each race developed

their differences grew wider.

They're intensely curious.

Their belief in their own superiority is beyond arrogance.

For some reason, they have exhibited

a fascination with humans

and it is that fascination, more than anything else

that has kept the peace.

One other thing, they will not initiate anything.

They will wait for you to commit yourself.

Counterpunches.

Thank you, Counselor.

That's quite valuable.

Talk.

I'd like me a thick Kansas City steak

and some country-fried potatoes

and a mess of greens.

Oh, hell, just forget all that

and give me a martini straight up with two olives...

for the vitamins.

Whoo.

Is something wrong?

Wrong?

Well, only that your computer here

fixed about the best martini I ever had.

I might just get to like this place.

Let's see if the Braves are on.

How do you cut on this TV?

TV?

Yeah, the boob tube.

I'd like to see how the Braves are doing after all this time.

Probably still finding ways to lose.

I believe he means television, sir.

That particular form of entertainment

did not last much beyond the year 2040.

Well, what do you guys do?

I mean, you don't drink and you ain't got no TV.

Must be kind of boring, ain't it?

Number One.

Riker here.

Would you and Mr. Data report to the Bridge?

At once, sir.

Uh, with whom

were you speaking?

The Captain.

Good, would you tell him that I would like to see him

as soon as it's convenient.

What's going to happen to us?

Do we stay here with you?

Do we go back to Earth?

That will all be up to the Captain.

Well, get him in here.

I have to phone Geneva right away

about my accounts.

Why, the interest alone

could be enough to buy this ship.

The Yankee's right.

Let's get the big boy in here.

I'll pass along your request.

If you'll excuse us.

Duty calls-- hey, I understand.

Why don't you come back later on, and you and me will find us

a couple low-mileage pit woffies

and help them build a memory.

What is to be done with them, sir?

I don't know.

Commander-- "a low-mileage pit woffie"?

This time you've got me.

I haven't a clue.

They are the most unusual humans

I have ever encountered.

Well, from what I've seen of our guests

there's not much to redeem them.

Makes one wonder how our species survived the 21st century.

Report.

We are six hours from the Neutral Zone.

I've been unable to establish communications

with any Federation colony

or station in this vicinity.

How many outposts are there in this sector?

Nine.

I think we should work

under the assumption that they've all been destroyed.

By the Romulans?

It fits their historical pattern.

Since we have had no contact with the Romulans

for 53 years, seven months, 18 days

we must consider that the information we do have

is out of date.

The positive side of that is

that the information they have about us is also out of date.

Captain, I think it's that lack of information

that this is all about.

Go on.

In my opinion, the Romulans want a confrontation

specifically with us.

The Enterprise?

Well, not by name, but the Federation.

They know that the Federation will send their best.

That will give them a perfect chance

to see firsthand how far we've advanced

both in technology and technique.

What are you recommending?

I'm not sure I have a specific recommendation.

Perhaps, we should assume the initiative.

I agree with Commander Riker.

This may be our only opportunity.

We should seize it.

Mr. Data?

The strategy is built on a single premise--

the hostile intent of the Romulans.

If the premise is sound, so is the proposal.

If their intention isn't hostile

what is it?

Captain Picard!

This is Captain Picard.

To whom am I speaking?

Ralph Offenhouse.

I need to talk to you.

What is going on here, Number One?

Did you give him permission

to contact me?

Of course not, he must have seen me use the com panel.

Ah, listen, Mr., um, Offenhouse

we're in a very important conference right now.

I'm sick and tired

of being put off by you and your staff.

This is the worst run ship I have ever been on.

You should take some lessons from the Q.E. Il.

Now that's an efficient operation.

Data, identify.

What is a "Q.E. Il"?

It was a passenger liner

which mostly traveled Earth's Atlantic Ocean

during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

He's comparing the Enterprise to a cruise ship?

Captain Picard, I demand that you see me!

I think I have been very, very patient.

I demand a phone or a radio or whatever else you have

but frankly, enough is enough.

Especially under the circumstances

and considering what I paid for this procedure.

I must make contact with my law...

I'm Captain Picard.

Excellent.

Now maybe we'll be able

to get some things straightened out.

We may indeed.

Those com panels are for official ship business.

Well, if they're so important

why don't they need an executive key?

Aboard a starship vessel, that is not necessary.

We are all capable

of exercising self-discipline.

Now, you will refrain from using them.

Now, just a minute.

We are in a very serious

and potentially dangerous situation.

I'm sure whatever it is seems very important to you

but my situation is far more critical.

I don't think you are aware of your situation

or of how much time has passed.

Believe me, I am fully cognizant of where I am and when.

It is simply that I have more to protect

than a man in your position could possibly imagine.

No offense meant, but a military career

has never been considered to be upwardly mobile.

I must contact my lawyer.

Your lawyer has been dead for centuries.

Yes, of course I know that

but he was a full partner in a very important firm.

Rest assured, that firm is still operating.

That's what all this is about.

A lot has changed in the past 300 years.

People are no longer obsessed with the accumulation of things.

We've eliminated hunger, want, the need for possessions.

We've grown out of our infancy.

You've got it all wrong.

It has never been about possessions--

it's about power.

Power to do what?

To control your life, your destiny.

That kind of control is an illusion.

Really?

I'm here, aren't l?

I should be dead

but I'm not.

What is it?

I don't know, it just started, and it won't stop.

I keep thinking about my boys.

Counselor Troi, will you report to the guest lounge?

Captain, we are approaching Science Station Delta Zero-Five.

Slow to half-impulse.

I'm on my way.

Captain, I need to see

that pretty little doctor of yours.

I'll inform her.

Captain, I didn't mean to come on so strong.

It's just that I've built my whole life

on knowing what's going on

and for the first time, I feel...

completely out of touch.

It's, uh, making me crazy.

You can understand that?

It's the first thing you've said I do understand.

I'll see what I can do.

And please stay off the com panels.

Counselor, will you get those people under control.

We cannot afford this continuing distraction.

Yes, sir.

Hello.

My name's Deanna.

They sent you here to settle me down?

I'm the Ship's Counselor.

I thought you might want to talk.

The local shrink?

I'm sorry, I'm not familiar

with that term.

It doesn't matter.

You're feeling profoundly sad.

I can't stop crying.

I miss my sons.

And then I think, "I'm here, but they're gone."

Donald-- that's my husband--

I love that man

but, good intentions aside, he'd mess up a free lunch.

Why on Earth he ever decided to do this.

He must have thought you would have wanted it.

No, I can tell you exactly what happened.

He couldn't think about going on alone.

I died, and he couldn't face it, so...

he figured he'd have me frozen

and then, in his mind, I wasn't really gone.

Sounds crazy

but you'd have to know Donald.

I wish I knew what happened to my children.

Did they get married?

Did they have kids?

Let's see if we can find out.

Computer, this is Counselor Troi.

Request personal history on...

What are their names?

Tommy-- he's eight and Eddie's five.

Full names, date and place of birth.

Um, they were born in Secaucus.

That's in Jersey.

Can this really work?

Can this tell me

what's happened to them?

Well, there must be a record somewhere.

There's a good chance we can find it.

Well, whether we do or not, I want to thank you...

for trying.

Date of birth--

Tommy was born February 17.

Well, I just got to have

a little something to jump-start the morning

and a little something else to shut down the night.

You have no medical need.

Well, it ain't a matter of "need" darling.

It's a matter of survival.

Sorry.

Not to worry.

Ol' Wade Toss'll scuffle along the best way he can.

How do I get hold of that fella with the strange-looking face?

I beg your pardon.

What's his name-- that, uh, android fella.

You mean

Lieutenant Commander Data?

That's the one.

I'll let him know you're looking for him.

Much obliged.

You know, you just about the prettiest

Iittle ol' doctor I ever seen.

Much obliged.

This is amazing.

It's all right here.

Ten generations of your progeny.

Everyone I've ever known is dead.

Do you mind?

I'd like to be alone.

No, not at all.

You asked to see me?

Hey, look, I'm about to go out of my mind for something to do.

I mean, sitting here alone just don't get it.

Now, what say you and I put together

a little party.

A celebration?

No, nothing that fancy.

Just some folks, some suds and some sounds.

Why, hell, it ain't nothing but something to do.

I will speak to the Captain.

Great, you do that.

Inquiry.

You do not seem to be having as much difficulty adjusting

to your current circumstances as the others.

You mean being here on this tub

400 years from where I started?

Oh, heck, it's the same dance, it's just a different tune.

You think anybody here's got a guitar I could borrow?

No, but the computer can replicate such an instrument.

I was kind of hoping to get one

while I still remembered the chords.

Commander Data, we are approaching the Neutral Zone.

Report to the Bridge.

I must leave now.

What's this "neutral zone"?

It is a buffer between the Romulan Empire

and the Federation.

Why does that make me nervous?

I do not know.

Well, we won't be inviting

these Romulans to our party, will we?

No, that would not be... appropriate.

Captain's Log, supplemental.

We have arrived at the edge of the Neutral Zone

where we will now have an opportunity

to learn firsthand what happened

to our distant outposts.

Captain, there is nothing left

of Outpost Delta Zero-Five.

Must have been one hell of an explosion.

Sensors indicate no evidence of conventional attack.

Can you determine what happened?

The outpost was not just destroyed.

It is as though some great force

just scooped it off the face of the planet.

Could it have been a natural phenomenon?

Insufficient information, sir.

Mr. La Forge.

Sir?

Set course for the next closest station.

Aye, sir.

I have spent my entire career being able to tell

when the other guy's mouth is dry.

There is something going on here.

Something serious.

The tension level

on this ship has jumped up.

Well, even if you're right

what can we do about it?

And besides, these ol' boys here don't need us

tellin' 'em where the bear sits.

Look here what that

young fella made for me.

How did he do that?

He called it a pattern replication.

It plays real good, too.

I am trying to tell you that there is a situation developing

on this vessel that directly affects us

and all you can talk about is that stupid guitar.

Hey, now these folks don't need us swimming in their soup.

So, why don't you just relax and let them do their jobs?

Well, that may be all right for you

but I am not willing to allow my fate

to be decided by others.

I, at least, want to know what is going on.

We are approaching Tarod Nine.

The condition is identical, Captain.

Everyone and everything is gone.

Captain

I strongly recommend that we go to red alert.

If the Romulans have improved their cloaking device--

and we'd be fools to believe they haven't--

we should assume a more defensive posture.

I agree, Captain.

I recommend we go immediately to battle stations.

I appreciate your advice and concern

but this is not the time for rash actions.

We are still investigating.

There are three other stations in this sector we have to visit.

Let's proceed in a calm and orderly manner.

If not battle stations, may we at least take the ship

to yellow alert?

Yes, Number One, that would be prudent.

Make it so.

All decks, yellow alert.

Um... Iet's see, uh...

I want to go to the, uh...

to the, um...

Where would the Captain be?

Captain Picard is located on the Main Bridge.

Well then, take me to the Main Bridge.

Captain, my sensors indicate a disturbance.

It is large and moving, but l cannot get a positive lock.

Nor can I get it on the viewscreen.

Shields up.

Aye, sir.

Captain, I recommend we transfer all power to the phasers

and arm the photon torpedoes.

Wait, if that is a Romulan ship, they will read our intent.

It will force them into taking up a similar posture.

We don't want to engage in battle.

Captain, this is sufficient evidence.

Outposts have been destroyed.

Countless lives have been lost.

I have a positive lock.

They're disengaging their cloaking device.

They'll only be vulnerable for an instant

as they become visible.

Captain, this may be our only chance.

No.

Where are they?

The signal is weakening.

I've lost them.

Damn.

Mr. Data, your sensors picking up anything?

You should be detecting a disturbance.

Negative, sir.

We wanted to know if they had improved the cloaking device.

Guess we have our answer.

They were trying to determine our intent.

They wanted to see if we would fire.

Who the hell are "they?"

Get that man off the Bridge now.

I'm not going anywhere.

Captain!

They're back.

Amazing.

I never thought I'd see a Romulan vessel.

Not this close.

The last time we encountered them

was decades ago.

It cost thousands of lives.

I can believe that.

Stay calm, everyone.

Open hailing frequencies.

Captain, these are Romulans.

They are without honor.

They killed my parents in an attack on Khitomer

when they were supposed to be our allies.

They believe humans and Klingons are a waste of skin.

Lieutenant, control your emotions.

Please open hailing frequencies.

Hailing frequencies open.

Romulan vessel, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard

of the USS Enterprise.

Sensors indicate all of their systems are armed, sir.

But they have not fired.

I am Commander Tebok.

Commander, you have crossed the Neutral Zone.

This is Federation territory.

It was necessary.

It might be viewed as an act of aggression.

If our intent were aggression

you would not be here now.

If we go to war

Iet us be sure it is for the right reason.

We are here because our outposts

which border on the Neutral Zone

were also attacked.

Destroyed in the exact same manner as your own.

Even so, what gives them the right

to enter Federation space?

Silence your dog, Captain.

Lieutenant Worf's question is valid.

To even ask such a question

implies that we need permission.

We do not.

Do you think that we attacked your outposts?

Once we realized the level of destruction

we knew it could not have been you.

Who is responsible?

They haven't got a clue.

They're hoping you know

but they're too arrogant to ask.

You're out of line, mister.

Yes, but it's a correct assessment.

We do not know

who is responsible.

Why entire outposts on both sides

have been carried off.

I would like to offer a proposal.

An alliance?

Between the Romulans and the Federation?

Nothing so grandiose.

Just this... cooperation.

There was an intent here.

Whoever or whatever did this

is more powerful than either of us.

Let's collaborate.

Let's share whatever we learn about what has happened here.

Agreed, on this one issue

and only if it is convenient

and appropriate at the time.

Captain Picard

because your actions

are those of a thoughtful man

I'll tell you this.

Matters more urgent caused our absence.

Now, witness the result.

Outposts destroyed

expansion of the Federation everywhere.

Yes, we have indeed been negligent, Captain

but no more.

Commander, we have made some progress here.

Let's not ruin it with unnecessary posturing.

Your presence is not wanted.

Do you understand my meaning, Captain?

We are back.

I think our lives just became a lot more complicated.

Get him off my Bridge.