Original subtitles

So, tell me.

Why is it so important that you find this man?

We had business dealings.

He owes me money.

Ooh.

Well, if we had business dealings

I can tell you that I wouldn't disappear.

Maybe we can discuss that possibility.

Ooh.

But first...

I have to find him, collect the money I'm owed.

I'll be closing in a few hours.

Perhaps we could, uh...

discuss this more privately.

If I don't find him, I'm going to have to move on.

Oh...

Are you sure you haven't seen him?

Human.

About... two meters tall...

smooth-headed.

Hmm.

No.

I don't remember anyone like that.

You're lying.

And you're a Betazoid.

I thought so.

Listen.

People that come in here...

they count on a certain amount of anonymity.

And if I were to start answering questions about them...

even to a very beautiful woman...

well, I wouldn't be in business very long.

And being a businesswoman, I'm sure you understand.

Great story.

I'll remember it next time I'm in a knife fight.

Any luck?

I think the one over there knows something.

He would not admit to having seen the Captain

but he said anyone who visited the ruins of Nafir

would probably come here eventually.

I suspect he knows more.

Let's go.

Commander, I told...

My friend tells me you know something

about the man we're looking for.

The only reason I'm talking to you

is that I have a sister, too.

I explained to him that we are looking for a man

who impregnated your sister.

So, you can imagine how much this means to me.

Family honor is important.

If someone had defiled my sister

I would do anything, pay anything

to find the one responsible.

And how much might "anything" be?

As much as five bars of gold-pressed latinum.

I think you've had a little too much to drink.

You'd better leave.

On your way, Yranac.

I'm sorry...

but I think he wants to stay.

Sit down.

That's my sister.

She's angry.

She's got a vicious temper.

I wouldn't cross her.

You say one word and you're a dead man.

Perhaps there's an element of risk here

that I did not fully appreciate.

Hmm. And how much more latinum will it take

to offset this risk?

This isn't about latinum.

As a man with a sister... a sister with a temper...

I can sympathize with you.

But... how did you come here?

Do you have a ship in orbit?

Yes.

Then take me with you.

You can drop me anywhere.

Agreed.

Now, talk.

The man you're looking for was here several weeks ago.

There was a group of aliens sitting at this table.

He was asking them questions.

Who were these "aliens"?

I don't know, but they looked dangerous.

They attacked him.

He managed to incapacitate three of them

before he was knocked down.

He was thrown against that wall

and fell there.

I'm picking up Starfleet fiber traces

and human cellular debris.

Can you establish a DNA reading?

There's something strange here.

The cell structures are badly distorted.

It's as if they've been exposed

to some kind of high-energy field.

A weapon discharge?

It could be.

I'm picking up some faint traces of micro-crystalline damage

in the floor material.

But I'm not familiar with the pattern I'm getting.

Who are you people?

You didn't say anything about a weapon.

I hadn't finished yet.

You'll like this.

The man got what was coming to him.

When they knocked him down

one of them took out a weapon and fired.

He was vaporized.

He's telling the truth.

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.

Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 47135.2.

Dr. Crusher has positively identified

Captain Picard's DNA.

There is no doubt now that he is dead.

Come.

How are you doing?

I'm all right.

The crew's pretty shaken up.

I'm arranging a memorial.

I think you should be the one to deliver the eulogy.

I think you'd be better at something like that.

Or Beverly.

She knew him the longest.

I know it's not going to be easy

but I think it's important

that we face up to what's happened.

You're in command now.

The crew's looking to you for guidance.

You don't understand.

I can't give the eulogy

because I won't be at the service.

Will, a memorial service

helps to give everyone a sense of completion.

It helps them begin the healing process.

That's exactly the point. I don't want to heal.

Will...

I have an open wound.

Right here. It hurts like hell.

I don't want it to get better

and I don't want to pretend that everything's all right.

I know you're angry.

You're damn right!

And I intend to stay angry until I find

whoever's responsible for the Captain's death.

Will, that's pretty selfish of you.

Do you think you're the only one in pain?

Do you think you have the monopoly on loss?

Well, let me tell you something.

We're all hurting, and we're all angry.

And whether you like it or not

you have a responsibility to this crew!

And you can't just indulge

your personal desire for revenge!

That is enough, Counselor.

Deanna?

I'm sorry.

This is not about revenge.

This is about justice.

The Captain died in a bar fight for nothing.

Somebody has to answer for that.

Then I can mourn.

Commander, I am receiving a transmission

from Admiral Chekote at Starbase 227.

I'll take it in the ready room.

Aye, sir.

Sir.

I read your report, Commander.

My condolences to you and to your crew.

Captain Picard's death is a loss to the entire Federation.

Now, I see that you've asked

to postpone your mission to the Argus sector.

For what reason?

I have a request, sir.

I would like to conduct an investigation

into Captain Picard's death.

The Dessican authorities

have jurisdiction in this case, Commander.

I know that, sir.

Frankly, I don't have much confidence

in the authorities on Dessica II.

There's every reason to believe that they're corrupt.

Well, I suspect you're right, but the question remains

are you the one to pursue this?

The Captain's death hit me pretty hard

and I may not be completely objective

but there's no one who is more determined.

I won't rest until I find out who's responsible.

All right, Commander.

I'm officially placing the Enterprise on detached duty.

Your mission is at your discretion.

Good luck.

Thank you, sir.

Mmm... mmm.

Ah! Commander Riker.

I've been meaning to speak to you.

I was wondering

if you could move me to better quarters.

I-I don't care much for the decor here.

These are the best quarters we have.

Hmm.

I was hoping now that you've had a chance to relax

you might have remembered some of the details

about the aliens you saw...

something you may have forgotten before.

Sorry. My memory isn't what it used to be.

They murdered a man in cold blood

in full sight of everyone in the bar

and you can't remember anything about them?

Now that you mention it, I do remember one thing.

They said they'd kill anyone who talked about what happened.

Do you know where they went?

So, you know who they are

and you know where I can find them.

Perhaps I do.

What do you want?

Not a great deal, Commander.

Just a shuttlecraft.

I believe I'd like to travel for a while

see more of the galaxy.

You understand.

A shuttlecraft.

Well, here's my offer.

Instead of the ship, I'll give you some time.

Time?

If you're lucky, you'll only spend

the next five years in prison, instead of the next 20.

You've got 12 outstanding arrest warrants

for fraud and petty theft in the Klingon Empire.

You tell me what you know, I'll pull some strings.

Maybe they'll reduce your sentence

after you've been extradited.

If I tell you what I know

you must promise not to give me to the Klingons.

I'll think about it.

Perhaps you could... send me

to a Federation rehabilitation colony instead.

Talk.

The aliens were some kind of mercenary group.

They've been operating in this sector

for the last six months.

Where do we find them?

I heard one of them mention the Barradas system.

I think they were headed there.

You think?!

That's all I know.

Riker to Data.

Data here.

Take us out of orbit.

Set course for the Barradas system.

Warp six.

Aye, sir.

Barradas III is the only Class-M planet

in this system and it is listed as unpopulated.

However, sensors have detected intermittent energy signals

emanating from its surface.

What's the source?

Well, the signals are difficult

to localize, but they could be emissions

from some kind of power converter.

Which would indicate a base or a ship.

What else do we know about Barradas III?

The planet was used as an outpost for the Debrune

approximately 2,000 years ago.

The Federation's archaeological survey

has catalogued numerous ruins on the surface.

Mr. Worf, I'd like a security detail

to accompany the away team to the surface.

I'll lead the away team. Geordi, you're with me.

Mr. Data, you have the Bridge.

Aye, sir. Commander?

As Acting First Officer

I must question your decision to accompany the away team.

If Captain Picard were here...

He's not.

I realize that, sir, but if he were

and he wanted to lead an away team

you would tell him that the Captain's place...

Is on the Bridge.

Not this time.

Ensign, you take that area.

Yes, sir.

Here you are, sir.

Geordi?

It's tough to get accurate sensor readings.

There's an awful lot of interference in the area.

From what?

I'm not sure.

It's very unlocalized, but it could be atmospheric.

What do you make of these?

Well, these ruins around here are pretty ancient

but I'd say that this indentation

was made fairly recently.

It could be the site of some battlefield.

This doesn't look like any blast point

I've ever seen.

The shape is too perfect.

Commander, there's micro-crystalline damage

all throughout this area.

It's the same kind of pattern that Dr. Crusher picked up

on the floor of that bar on Dessica II.

Commander!

I've found something.

It looks as if someone could have just dropped it.

La Forge to Enterprise.

We are under attack down here.

I repeat, we are under attack.

Commander, we've lost contact with the away team.

Is there a malfunction?

No, sir.

The com system is being jammed.

What is the source?

Somewhere on the surface.

Bridge to Transporter Room Two.

Can you get a lock on the away team?

Negative, sir.

There's too much interference.

I'm going to head for those trees over there.

If I can get there, we might be able to set up a cross fire.

Data to away team.

Please respond.

Data, we've been attacked.

We've got one casualty

and Commander Riker has been taken captive.

Sir, the mercenaries have beamed away.

They must have a base or a ship nearby.

Can the sensors locate anything?

Commander, we're picking up a vessel leaving orbit.

Why was it not detected earlier?

They could have been using the planet as a shield.

Sir, they're powering up their weapon systems.

Raise shields.

Red Alert.

Damage report.

Minor hit on the port deflector. No damage.

They're running, sir.

Their speed is warp 8.7 and holding.

I think they're at their maximum.

Take us to warp nine and pursue.

Lock phasers on target.

Sir, we should be within phaser range

in 23 seconds.

Switching to long-range scanners.

Commander, the sensor image of that ship is extremely weak.

It's fading.

The ship doesn't register on the long-range sensors.

I'm sorry, sir.

We've lost them.

Increase the sensor field bandwidth.

Patch in the lateral sensor arrays.

It's no good.

The signal's gone.

It just... disappeared.

Plot a course

and take us back to Barradas III.

Notify the away team to prepare for transport.

Aye, sir.

Starfleet Intelligence confirms

that a ship matching this configuration

has been linked to raids

on several other planets in this sector.

For the short time it was within our visual range

we were able to take

sensor readings of the mercenary vessel.

It appears to be encased in an energy-absorbing material.

Although we can see the ship

this energy sheath renders it virtually undetectable

to our long-range sensors.

There must be some way we can track it.

Data?

I know this is a long shot

but if I remodulate the long-range sensor array

I might be able to make it sensitive enough

to detect the ship.

Without a full compositional analysis

of the energy sheath, our chances of finding

the correct remodulation sequence are remote.

Sir, they have taken Commander Riker.

We must do something.

We cannot just sit here.

On the contrary, Lieutenant

that is precisely what we must do.

Since there are no viable alternatives

we will return to the surface and attempt to determine

what these mercenaries are doing on this planet.

An investigation might reveal

some indication of their purpose.

Please notify me when you have assembled

your search teams.

Dismissed.

What's the problem?

I warned you not to push the engines so hard.

Two of the power shunts are on the verge of collapse.

We'll be lucky if we can maintain warp six.

How long will it take to repair?

I can try to realign the warp core.

It'll take at least 11 hours.

But I'll have to shut the engines down completely.

We're not stopping.

We can't afford to be sitting helpless in space.

I want warp eight available in five hours

and I don't want to hear your excuses.

What were you doing on Barradas III?

William T. Riker

Commander, SC 231-427.

Oh, really?

Well, I am Arctus Baran

and I don't have a number.

Now, what were you doing on Barradas III, Commander?

We were studying the ruins.

It was a scientific expedition.

Don't patronize me.

Those ruins have been studied for centuries.

There's nothing new to learn from them.

Then what were you doing there?

Oh, don't bother, Commander.

You can't remove it.

It's a neural servo connected directly

to your nervous system.

It lets me control precisely how much pain you feel.

This setting is usually sufficient.

However, if necessary, it can go much higher.

These devices were the idea of my predecessor.

It's a convenient way of enforcing discipline.

What happened to him?

He failed to enforce it with me.

This is a waste of time, Baran.

Get rid of him now.

You should be more patient, Vekor.

It might be rewarding.

We will wait.

Let the memory of his pain argue with him for a while.

It might change his attitude.

Vekor is right. We should get rid of him.

It's dangerous having someone from Starfleet on board.

Dangerous?

It might be profitable.

A Starfleet Commander is a valuable hostage.

Starfleet won't negotiate with us

but they'll pursue us as long as we have him.

This discussion is over.

Get back to your post, Vekor.

They're right, Baran.

And you know it.

I say kill him.

Now.

If he has nothing to give us

we should kill him now and be done with it.

Everybody seems to recognize that fact, except you.

I don't need a consensus to run this ship, Galen.

What's going on?

I'm bypassing the aft plasma couplings.

The power loss should only last for a few seconds.

You should learn not to limit your options.

Riker could be very useful to us in the future.

He may not be as useful as you think

if this is the same Riker that I've heard about.

What Riker might that be?

Commander of the Enterprise

formerly assigned to the USS Hood.

That's right.

Then you must be the William T. Riker

with a history of insubordination.

He was even once relieved of duty

during the Cardassian incident

at Minos Korva.

How do you know all this?

Look, I've been smuggling artifacts

from Federation sites for years.

You can't help developing

a familiarity with certain Starfleet personnel.

If we hadn't have captured him

he'd probably have ended up before a court-martial.

I've gotten out of them before.

Look, he's no use to us.

Finish him now

or let me do it for you.

Watch him.

We're accelerating.

What have you done?

It has nothing to do with my repairs.

I think there's a malfunction

in the engine's intermix chamber.

Plasma pressure is rising.

Where's the malfunction?

It could be one of any 30 subsystems.

It'll take time to locate.

I don't think you're going to have the chance.

Plasma pressure has reached critical levels.

Seal off the intermix chamber.

I can't... the override sequence won't engage.

The antimatter-flow regulator is locked open.

Logic subsystem still not responding.

Get out of the way.

Plasma pressure has exceeded maximum levels.

Eight percent above critical and rising.

We have to jettison the core.

No. We'll be stranded here.

The flow regulator is frozen.

Let me do it.

I've had a lot of experience

with this sort of systems failure.

I might be able to do something.

Plasma pressure is 11% above critical.

The containment fields

- are beginning to degrade. - Go.

Flow regulator

is not responding to manual override.

Containment fields won't hold much longer.

Looks like you've got a control logic lockout

on your regulator's subsystem.

I'm going to attempt to run an active bypass

through the plasma-flow converter.

You! Start running phase-Iocked feedback

through that regulator.

I want about a six-second delay.

What are you saying?

I don't take orders from you.

You do as he says.

Plasma pressure is 14% above critical.

If you fail...

We'll all be dead, anyway.

I just need a few more seconds.

Plasma pressure is dropping.

We're back into safe levels.

You want to make sure that doesn't happen again

you'd better reinitiate your regulator subcompressors.

A full diagnostic of your intermix chamber

wouldn't hurt, either.

Do it.

Put him in quarters for now.

You still wish you'd killed me?

The search teams have reported in.

They found several archaeological sites.

Each one has been looted.

It's possible that

the micro-crystalline damage I found

in these indentations is the result of some kind

of high-energy transporter beam.

But I still don't understand.

There's nothing here that's particularly valuable.

Why would anyone want to steal any of these things?

Perhaps these artifacts

have a special value to the Romulans.

The Romulans?

These structures were built by the Debrune.

That race is an ancient offshoot of the Romulans.

The ruins on the planet where Captain Picard was killed

were also Romulan in origin.

The leader of the group that attacked us was Romulan.

Perhaps they are controlling the mercenaries.

The question remains...

why are they stealing these artifacts?

There are several archaeological sites in this sector

containing ruins which are Romulan in origin.

These are the locations

that were attacked by the mercenary vessel.

Looks like they did a pretty thorough job.

The only sites not attacked were on Calder II

Yadalla Prime and Draken IV.

Yadalla and Draken are at the far edge of the sector

but Calder II... that's less than a day from here at maximum warp.

That would be their next likely target.

According to this

there's a Federation outpost at Calder II.

But it is only a small science station.

It has limited defensive capabilities.

I do not believe it could withstand an attack

from the mercenary ship.

Mr. Worf, send a message

to the Federation outpost on Calder II.

Advise them that if a ship matching the configuration

of the mercenary vessel approaches

they should attempt to delay it until our arrival.

Ensign, take us out of orbit.

Set a course for the Calder system.

Warp nine.

Aye, sir.

We don't have much time.

It's good to see you, Will.

I didn't expect to meet you here.

I was looking for the people who killed you on the surface.

A witness said they saw you vaporized.

These mercenaries use weapons

that can activate their transporter.

It gives them the opportunity to beam things away quickly

just by firing at them.

That's what they did to me.

I don't understand any of this.

Who are these people?

What are you doing involved with them?

The site that I wanted to study had been raided.

One of the artifacts had been stolen.

The site had been practically destroyed.

Well, I wanted to find out who was responsible.

I tracked them to that bar on Dessica II.

Well, I must have asked too many questions.

They captured me.

They wanted to find out

how much I knew about their operation.

And then you became part of their crew?

I convinced them I was a smuggler

and that my name was Galen.

I offered to help them appraise the artifacts

that they'd stolen.

Will, these are not common thieves.

They are stealing Romulan artifacts

on archaeological sites throughout this sector.

Baran has me analyzing each one of them

for a particular particle signature.

Will, they are looking for a specific artifact.

Why?

That's what we have to find out.

Baran is the key.

I think that he knows more about what we're really looking for

than anyone else on this ship.

I want you to get close to him.

Try and get his confidence.

That's why you set up the engine failure...

because you knew that I'd be able to fix it.

He also believes that you're

a less-than-perfect Starfleet officer.

Will, I want you to play into that role.

Baran and I...

well, he doesn't care very much for me.

But he has to tolerate me

because he needs my help with these artifacts.

But if you and I become enemies

then there's a better chance of you and he becoming friends.

All right.

I'll do what I can.

What are you doing here?

Getting some answers.

Because you can't get him to talk.

No one conducts an interrogation on this ship

without my permission.

Is that understood?

Our next objective should prove an interesting challenge.

We're headed for the Sakethan burial mounds

on Calder II.

What?

Calder II isn't just another archaeological site, you know.

It's a Federation outpost.

I don't see that as a problem.

It's defended by Starfleet.

You don't think they're just going to stand by

while we walk in there and take whatever we want?

I am familiar with the tactical situation.

What are their defenses?

Nothing to worry about.

They have a type-4 deflector shield

protecting the outpost and the ruins.

They also have a minimum of two phaser banks

and possibly photon torpedoes.

Is that enough to worry about?

How do you know so much about this outpost?

Because I tried to smuggle a Sakethan glyph stone

out of there nearly two years ago.

I barely got away in one piece.

Our weapons are more than a match

for their defenses.

I anticipate that we'll be able to destroy the outpost

within 15 minutes.

Then we'll send in Tallera and the landing party

to secure the relics.

Why don't we use Riker?

A Starfleet Commander

could talk us past the outpost security

without raising their suspicions.

Then, when their shields go down

we could beam the artifacts up here

without ever leaving the ship.

Why would Riker help us?

Just because he's out of favor with Starfleet

doesn't mean that he's ready to betray them.

If he doesn't help us

we'll have to destroy the outpost

and kill everyone on it.

He's still a Starfleet officer.

He won't want to take innocent lives

if he can possibly prevent it.

The last time we engaged Starfleet

we lost a man.

We can't afford any more casualties.

If we can avoid a battle, I think we should.

All right, we'll try it.

We'll be at Calder II within five hours.

You all know your duties.

I want this ship prepared for battle...

in case your plan doesn't work.

Computer, reset diagnostic for a new sample.

Lot number... 478-B.

Access spectral analysis and begin scan, mode three.

Scan complete.

Terikon particle decay profile

does not fall within specified reference range.

Probability of match: 0.04%

Computer, reset diagnostic for a new sample.

Lot number 369-B.

Access spectral analysis, mode two, begin scan.

Baran wants to see the analysis of the last lot.

He thinks you're moving a little slowly.

You can tell Baran, if he wants

the analysis done faster, he can do it himself.

If he wants it done correctly, he can wait.

Do you enjoy living dangerously, Galen?

Baran can kill you in an instant

if he activates his control device.

I doubt that he'll do that.

I've increased the accuracy of the identification process

by a factor of ten.

I'm the best person to analyze these artifacts.

Baran knows that.

He may need you now, but I know Baran.

And I can tell you

he's not going to back down forever.

You accomplish nothing by provoking him.

I don't like operating in the dark.

If I knew what the point of this mission were

why I was analyzing these relics...

If Baran felt it were wise to let the crew know that

I'm sure he would have.

Do you know what all this is about?

What Baran knows, I know.

Then what's going on here?

Why are we risking our lives taking these artifacts?

Who wants them?

I see no reason to tell you anything.

But you can rest assured.

I don't necessarily share everything I know

with Baran either.

This conversation, for example will stay between us.

You can tell Baran every word that I've said.

He knows that I don't think much of him as a leader.

He's been in charge of this crew for a long time.

Baran wouldn't last five minutes as Captain

if he didn't have that control device.

The crew follow him because they have no choice.

Baran's power is based on fear and intimidation.

That almost sounds like a prelude to mutiny.

If someone were to challenge him

the rest of the crew would follow.

I was right.

You do like living dangerously.

I like you, Galen.

I can tolerate a lot from someone like you

but only to a point.

I intend to complete this mission successfully

and get what's been promised me.

If it looks as though

you're getting in the way of that

I'll deal with you myself.

Commander, no one is allowed on the surface

without prior authorization

from the Federation Science Council.

I'm aware of that, Lieutenant

but your outpost is in imminent danger of attack.

I would like to station security personnel

on the surface for your protection.

Now, I'm ordering you to drop your shields.

I'm sorry, sir

but the regulations are very specific.

I can't do it.

If you'd like, you can remain in orbit

until we contact the Science Council.

But we're experiencing

some communication difficulties right now, so that...

This isn't working.

They're delaying on purpose.

Someone has warned them.

Charge main disrupter array.

Destroy the outpost.

No! There's no time for that!

Starfleet will be here any minute.

What are you doing?

I'm configuring the disrupters to fire

a phase-resonant pulse.

If I can hit their shield generator

with precisely the right frequency

I should be able to take it out with one shot.

Firing.

Their shields are down.

The artifacts should be located in several small structures

arranged in staggered formations.

I'm scanning.

I think I've found them.

Lock coordinates and start bringing them up.

There should be at least two more down there.

I've lost transporter lock.

They managed to get their shields back up.

I need those artifacts.

Lock all disrupters on target.

This time, I want that outpost destroyed.

Direct hit on their aft deflectors.

They are undamaged.

Ensign, scan for Starfleet combat signals.

Is Commander Riker aboard that ship?

I can't tell, sir.

Sensors are unable to penetrate their hull.

Open a channel.

Open.

This is the Federation Starship Enterprise.

You are ordered to stand down.

Drop your shields, and prepare to be boarded.

You sent them a message.

You told them where to find us.

That's ridiculous.

When did I have a chance?

This is set to kill.

Order your ship to disengage.

Activate visual.

Commander...

are you all right?

Tell them.

Mr. Data, withdraw the Enterprise.

That's an order.

That is impossible, sir.

The ship you are on

has violated a Federation outpost.

It is my duty to stop it.

I'm your commanding officer.

I'm giving you a direct order.

Understood?

Commander, if you could explain...

I've never explained my orders before.

I'm not about to start now.

I'm not about to let him blow this ship into space.

If I can set up a low-level com link

between the two ships

I can use my personal command codes.

I can deactivate the shields.

Do it.

Sir, we are receiving some kind of signal

from the mercenary ship.

These are Commander Riker's access codes.

He is attempting to shut down our shields.

That doesn't make sense.

He knows those codes would have been changed

as soon as he was captured.

That is correct, Counselor.

He does know.

Mr. Worf...

prepare to drop shields.

Sir...

we would be totally defenseless.

I am aware of that.

Sir, as soon as they see us...

Mr. Worf...

that is an order.

Aye, sir.

It worked.

The shields are dropping.

Fire.