All language subtitles for Star.Trek.The.Next.Generation.S04E13.1080p.BluRay.x265-RARBG.eng

You don't believe in me.

[In British accent] I don't.

What evidence would you have
of my reality

beyond that of your senses?

I don't know.

Why do you doubt your senses?

Because a little thing affects them.

A slight disorder of the stomach
makes them cheats.

You may be a bit of undigested beef,
a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese,

a fragment of an underdone potato.

Why, there's more of gravy
than of grave about you.

Whatever you are.

Humbug, I tell you. Humbug.

[Groans]

[Whimpers]

Freeze program.

Very well done, data.

Your performance skills
really are improving.

Your courtesy is appreciated, sir.

But I am aware that I do not
effectively convey the fear

called for in the story.

Well, you've never known fear, data.

But as an acute observer of behavior,
you should be able to approximate it.

Sir, that is not an appropriate basis
for an effective performance.

Not by the standards
set by my mentors.

- Your mentors?
- Yes, sir.

I have studied the philosophies
of virtually every known acting master.

I find myself attracted
to stanislavsky, adler, garnav.

Proponents of an acting technique
known as the method.

Method acting?

I'm vaguely familiar with it,

but why would you choose
such an old-fashioned approach?

Perhaps because the technique
requires an actor

to seek his own emotional awareness,
to understand the character he plays.

But surely
that's an impossible task for you, data.

Sir, I have modified the method
for my own uses.

Since I have no emotional awareness
to create a performance,

I am attempting to use performance
to create emotional awareness.

I believe if I can learn to duplicate
the fear of ebenezer scrooge,

I will be one step closer
to truly understanding humanity.

Riker [over com]: Captain picard,
please report to the bridge.

On my way, number one.

Data, the moment that you decided

to stop imitating other actors
and create your own interpretation,

you were already one step closer
to understanding humanity.

Riker: We've received
an emergency transmission

from the science station
on ventax ii, sir.

- What's the nature of the emergency?
- Uncertain, the signal was interrupted.

Contact reestablished
with ventax ii, sir.

On-screen.

[Garbled]
I am Dr. Howard Clarke,

director of the science station here
on ventax ll.

Thank you for responding.

Mr. Worf,
can you improve our reception?

Trouble is
at the transmission source, sir.

Dr. Clarke, we're barely able
to maintain communication with you.

Can you boost the level
of your power source?

I'm afraid not, captain.
It's under attack.

Under attack?

Clarke: There's a mob outside the
door, trying to break into the station.

The planet is in chaos.
Looting, fires, mass hysteria.

These people are all convinced

that their world
is coming to an end, tomorrow.

Please, we must have
your immediate...

Picard:
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.

Picard:
Captain's log, stardate 44474.5.

We have reached ventax I/

and are attempting to contact
the federation science station.

Which at last report,
was under siege by an angry mob.

- They are transmitting again.
- On-screen, before we lose contact.

Enterprise, enterprise,
do you read me?

Emergency! We need help!

Dr. Clarke, this is captain picard.

We are ready to beam you
and your team on board...

[Explosion on screen]

They're in! They're in!

Transporter room 3,
lock on to the science team.

- Beam them aboard.
- Man: I've locked on to Dr. Clarke.

I can't pick out the others.
It's a mess down there.

Then beam Dr. Clarke
aboard by himself.

Man: Yes, captain.

Worf, will you escort him
to my ready room?

Aye, sir.

Number one,

try and make some sense
out of this mess.

The people in ventax ii
live in an agrarian society.

- At least they do now.
- What do you mean, now?

That's an interesting
anthropological question.

One we were studying
before the trouble began.

In the distant past,

the ventaxian culture had achieved
an extremely advanced scientific level,

but a millennium ago,
they turned their backs on technology.

They reverted
to a simpler existence?

And remained that way for centuries.

First contact was made
by a klingon expedition 70 years ago.

Since then, the new technology's
been available to the ventaxians.

They simply are not interested in it.

Virtually no social problems
can be found on this planet.

In fact, I would have described
their society as idyllic until...

Until what, doctor?

It's hard to believe.

Several years ago,

acost Jared,
the ventaxian head of state,

began to grow increasingly obsessed
with the legend of ardra.

With each passing day,
he grew more anxious,

and he talked about little else.

"Ardra is coming back.
Ardra will be here soon."

"We must all leave
before ardra returns."

And who is this ardra?

For all intents and purposes,

captain, these people actually believe
they've sold their souls to the devil.

Riker [over com]:
Riker to captain picard.

Have you located
the science team, number one?

Riker: Evidently, they're being
held hostage.

Hostage?

Riker: There's a ventaxian leader
on the viewscreen,

name of acost Jared.

Doctor.

Jared, you must secure
the release of my people.

I can't believe you would allow this.

Howard, my friend, you know
how I abhor all acts of violence.

But events are out of my control.

I'm captain Jean-Luc picard.
Is there nothing you can do?

As the hour
of ardra's return approaches,

fear has overwhelmed my people.

It has been a thousand years.
The prophecies have come true.

Prophecies?

Ardra's arrival was supposed to be
heralded with the shaking of the cities.

Now there has been a series
of geological tremors on the planet.

Minor quakes, nothing extraordinary.

- Poorly timed.
- Jared: There is more.

For several nights,
there have been visions of ardra again,

just as the contract said
would occur before her return.

Visions? You mean dreams?

No, she has appeared.
I myself have seen her.

Jared, tell your people
if the hostages are released,

I am prepared to offer
federation assistance

should this ardra return.

I'm afraid it will not matter.

They know your weapons
are useless against her, captain.

I will make inquiries
concerning the hostages.

The innocent should not suffer
for our sins.

But I can make no promises.

This situation
is deteriorating, captain.

The people are reaching levels
of anxiety that could lead to suicide.

Picard: Mr. Data, what do we know
about this ardra?

She is a cornerstone
of ventaxian theology.

It seems ardra came to ventax ii

and promised 1,000 years
of peace and prosperity for a price.

Upon her return, she would enslave
the entire population.

In ventaxian culture,
it is considered bad luck

to speak her name out loud.

Clarke: There are ancient scrolls
concerning ardra

that are stored
in the athenaeum vaults.

Scholars study them,

they have been of little public interest
until recently.

I think I should meet
with this acost Jared.

He's still our best hope
for the release of the hostages.

I'll arrange to have him
transported on board.

No, I'm going down
to the planet myself.

Sir, you run the risk of being taken
as an additional hostage.

Mr. Worf, you and Mr. Data
will accompany me.

Mr. O'brien can keep a lock
on our communicators.

- He can pull us out if necessary.
- Yes, sir.

Picard:
Counselor, I want you to come too.

Captain picard.

You shouldn't have come.
Your life is in danger here.

You must calm your people.

- There is no reason for panic.
- No reason?

If these tremors
have frightened them,

leading to this hysteria over ardra,
let us reassure them.

We have scanned the tectonic
stress patterns of your planet's crust.

There is no evidence that the quakes
pose any kind of threat.

No, no, no, the threat is from ardra.

You cannot understand.

If you can, at least help us
to locate our people.

[Rumbling]

She is here.

Nonsense. It is only...

Time's up.

Ardra: I'm disappointed.

I expected my tenants
to take better care of my property.

Ardra, most powerful one.
I am Jared, leader of ventax ii.

I take responsibility
for all that displeases you.

Please, do not punish my people.

Punish? Who said anything
about punishing?

I merely expect
your end of our contract to be upheld.

Thank you, ardra.

And don't talk
like some ancient prophet around me,

with "thees" and "thous"
and "most powerful ones."

It was appealing for a few centuries,
but I bore easily.

And stop cowering.

When I want you on your knees,
I'll let you know.

Much better.
A fine example for the others.

Who would you be?

I'm captain Jean-Luc picard
of the federation starship enterprise.

Keep up the good work.

Now the first thing we'll need

is an accounting of all
you've been accumulating for me.

This form will provide guidelines
for a full census of the population,

with emphasis on productivity
and economic forecasts.

- Who are you?
- My, you are forceful, aren't you?

Good. I like my men to be forceful.

At least at the start.

If your intention is to intimidate,
you're not succeeding.

That's all right. I like a challenge.

An entire planet has been terrorized

because of the suggestion that
you're going to enslave the population.

Well, it's true.

Of course,
I wouldn't put it so melodramatically.

It's just a standard contract
with an unusually long term.

So you do purport to be
the mythic figure ardra?

I have many names, my pale friend.

I am mendora
in the berussian cluster.

Torak to the drellians.

The klingons call me fek'lhr.

You are not fek'lhr!

Ah, but I am.

I am the guardian of gre'Thor,

where the dishonored go
when they die.

But here on ventax ii,
I am called ardra.

The same ardra
who negotiated a contract

with these people
10 centuries ago today.

Oh, you doubt me. A non-believer.

Really, Jean-Luc picard
of the federation starship enterprise,

no doubt
you have traveled the galaxy,

encountered a diverse universe
of creatures.

Is there no room for the likes of me?

I've encountered many

who more credibly
could be called the devil than you.

Now there's one
I haven't heard in a long time.

You claim you visited this planet
a thousand years ago

and negotiated a contract?

- That's correct.
- I would like to see that contract.

The scrolls of ardra, captain.

A long-winded description of
a very simple business arrangement.

I did away with their wars, famine,
and economic ruin,

and provided them
a thousand years of paradise.

My terms were clearly stated.

They went into this
with their eyes open.

I'm sure you'll find
everything is in order.

You won't mind
if I don't take your word for it?

Jared, with your permission,

I'd like Mr. Data
to review these scrolls thoroughly.

It is no longer my decision, captain.

I have intrigued you,
haven't I, picard? Heh, heh.

I'm only here to secure the release
of the federation hostages.

Hostages? Is this true?

Uh, yes, ardra.

Panic gripped the people
as the time of your return grew closer.

Yes, I do have that effect on people.

See that the hostages
are released, now.

Immediately.

Let us not cloud this
with bit players, picard.

You will not leave
because you find me irresistible.

Enterprise, advise Dr. Clarke
that the hostages are being released.

Clarke [over com]:
This is Clarke. You did it, captain.

- Thank goodness.
- Goodness had nothing to do with it.

Three to beam up. Mr. Data
will remain on the planet's surface.

Data, I want a complete report
on the contents of these documents.

I refuse to abandon this planet
to that woman.

Energize.

Could she be another refugee
from the q continuum?

- For that matter, could she be o?
- Q would never bother with contracts.

- Or economic forecasts.
- I noticed that too, counselor.

I had the distinct impression

of being in the presence
of a flimflam artist.

Worf: But her powers?

Her powers are at the best unclear.
Think about it, Mr. Worf.

Transporter technology can make
things appear and disappear.

The illusion that she can transform
herself into a klingon creature

could be created
by holographic projection.

And creating a minor tremor
could be the result

of a low-frequency tractor beam
projected against the tectonic plates.

We are capable
of re-creating all of these events.

It's just that she dresses them up,

and she delivers them
with more dramatic flair.

Like a magician.

Exactly.

Troi: She has
an incredibly focused mind.

It was virtually impossible
to sense any deception.

Or anything else for that matter.

The best magicians will never let you
see what's up their sleeve, counselor.

She must be tapping
into some sort of power source

to produce those effects.

She's not hiding that up her sleeve.

Number one,
I want you and Mr. Worf

to run high resolution scans
of this star system.

Look for a ship, base of operations.

Anything large enough
to generate that power.

Mr. La forge,
accompany Dr. Clarke

back to the science station.

See if you can trace the origin
of these tremors.

Your chair offers
a lovely view of my planet, picard.

Come, sit with me.

Either leave my bridge,
or I will remove you by force.

By force?

[Chuckling]

You disappoint me.

You didn't strike me
as that sort, picard.

But by all means, try.

Mr. Worf.

I was really hoping
you'd try it yourself.

Transporter room 3,

lock on to the intruder
and transport her to the planet surface.

Man: Aye, sir.

Ensign, put up the shields
until further notice.

Yes, sir, captain. Whatever you say.

We are not impressed
with your magic tricks.

I pity you.

We live in a universe of magic,
which evidently you cannot see.

[Door opens]

Ah, my pale friend has returned.

Have you finished
examining the contract?

- I have, sir.
- Report, Mr. Data.

Contract agrees to deliver
the people of ventax ii

into the personal servitude of ardra
after 1,000 years of peace.

I have compared the terms

to the body of laws
which govern the planet.

The language of the agreement
is correct in every detail, sir.

Such speed and accuracy.

You're much too talented
to be human.

- I am an Android.
- Android?

Of course, how wonderful.
An unexpected bonus.

- Bonus? Ardra: Yes.

When the contract came to term,
I gained clear title to the planet.

Anything on the surface,
in the air or in orbit.

So, you see, the enterprise
belongs to me now as well. Ha, ha.

I am afraid the contract
could be interpreted in that way, sir.

Picard:
Captain's log, supplemental.

Although I consider
this woman's claim upon my ship

to be an empty threat

it has further inspired
my determination

to expose her for the fraud she is.

[Door chimes]

Come.

You wish to see me, sir?

Yes, Mr. Data.

A wise man once said,
"there is a sucker born every minute."

Barnum, sir. P.T.

I've been examining the dynamics

of what used to be called
the con game.

Quite fascinating.
Worthy of your study, data.

Sir, do you believe ardra is,
to use the vernacular, a con artist?

Yes, I do, data.

And I believe it is ourjob
to out-con the con artist.

Sir, I must point out
that the ventaxians

did have 1,000 years
of peace and tranquility,

as promised by ardra.

We can only speculate what happened
on that planet a thousand years ago.

Maybe a ventaxian leader saw
the destruction of his society at hand,

and he conceived this contract
of ardra to motivate change.

Or maybe there was an ardra
of some sort

who is the basis for this mythology,
who knows?

The point is that somehow

a fundamental theology was created
which transformed the society.

But in the process of change,
created this latent fear

which has been passed down
through generations.

Data, from your own experience
of performing ebenezer scrooge,

you're aware how fear
can be a very powerful motivator.

Indeed, sir.

In the story, the spirits used fear

to motivate scrooge
to reform his character.

And in the hands of a con artist,

fear can be used
to motivate obedience, capitulation.

The exploitation of innocent people.

And that is what I believe
has happened here,

and I intend to prove that.

I need to find a loophole.

Some way of challenging
the validity of this contract.

Sir, the language of the contract
seems carefully chosen

to avoid any loopholes.

Check it again, Mr. Data,

and check every ventaxian legal
precedent for the last 1,000 years.

- We'll talk again in the morning.
- Aye, sir.

Picard to bridge. Intruder alert.

- Picard to bridge.
- Oh, I've arranged for a bit of privacy.

[Beeps]

Just the two of us.

[Ardra laughs]

This is becoming very tiresome.

Oh, come now, picard.
You know you find me tantalizing.

Give in to your desires.

You know, there's nothing about you
I find tantalizing.

On the contrary,
I find you obvious and vulgar.

Easily fixed.

I can be your ideal woman, picard.
Prim and proper.

And chaste.
Until I succumb to your charms.

Or would your fantasies turn more
toward a professional woman.

One perhaps who wears
a starfleet uniform?

Perhaps I could even be
someone close at hand,

yet unattainable.

I can do anything for you, captain.

Anything you could ever imagine.

I could give you a night

that would light fire in your dreams
until you die, and you would reject me?

Oh, yes.

- You shall regret that.
- I think not.

Oh, but you will.

Captain picard!

- Captain, I wasn't expecting you here.
- Neither was I.

- La forge to enterprise.
- Worf [over com]: Go ahead.

Worf, captain picard is here.

You'd better transport him
back on board.

The captain? But I have no...

Picard:
It's all right, Mr. Worf.

Ardra somehow
transported me here.

Will you beam me directly
to my quarters?

Wo rf: Aye, sir.

We 're locked on to you.

Transporter's malfunctioning, captain.

Some sort of interference. Checking.

Just have Mr. Data
fetch me in a shuttle,

and have him bring along a uniform.

- Did you say uniform?
- Picard: Yes, I did.

Aye, sir.

Mr. La forge and Dr. Clarke
have made no headway.

Commander riker
and lieutenant worf

have picked nothing up
on their scans.

Sir, I believe I have found
an obscure precedent in ventaxian law

which may be of interest.

Yes?

The case involves a contract dispute

over services rendered
by a klingon craftsman

on the construction
of a ventaxian home.

Because the dispute involved
an alien culture,

the parties decided that arbitration,
rather than the courts,

should resolve the issue.

Both parties agreed
to choose an arbitrator.

It is the only known case
involving an alien claimant.

That's exactly what I needed.
Well done, data.

Shuttlecraft 1 to enterprise.

Prepare for docking sequence.

Riker [over com]:
Proceed, shuttle 1.

Enterprise.

Enterprise, do you read me?

Enterprise, come in!

I cannot locate the enterprise

anywhere within one light year
of the planet, sir.

I don't believe ardra is capable

of transporting the enterprise
a light year away.

Keep hailing them, Mr. Data.
Repeat on all frequencies.

Hey, I think
we found something here.

There's a sudden jump
in z particle readings

just about the time
the enterprise disappeared.

- Picard: Where did it originate?
- It was too brief to pinpoint.

But it could suggest
a hidden power source.

Gentlemen, we need to
find that source

if we're to defeat this woman.

Well, if you can get her to perform
a few more magic tricks like that one,

we just might be able
to track it down.

So, I trust you have
a bit more respect for me now.

- What have you done with my ship?
- I've done nothing with your ship.

My ship is safely in my possession.

I do not recognize
your claim on the enterprise.

Nor on this world, for that matter.

And in accordance
with ventaxian legal precedent,

I call for an arbitration.

An arbitration?
There's nothing here to arbitrate.

Oh, but there is.
You're a fraud, madame.

And I intend to prove that you
could not have effected the changes

that took place on this planet.

Do you not believe
what you see with your own eyes?

- Your ship is gone, captain.
- An illusion.

Magicians have been making things
of all sort disappear for ages.

You underestimate me.

But then, most people do
until it's too late.

But if you are who you say you are,
then you have nothing to lose.

I also have nothing to gain.

I already have possession
of this planet and your ship.

I am prepared to offer
an added incentive. If you win...

I'll take you to
the ruins of ligillium.

The zaterl emerald?
You know where it is?

Yes, I do.

[Chuckling]

You are too clever, captain.
But I have enough jewels.

If you wish this foolish arbitration,
I will choose my own prize.

Picard: And what would that be?

By all rights,
your body is already mine.

But I want more.

I want your heart,
your mind, your soul,

and I want you to give them to me
without resistance,

of your own free will.

So, do you still wish to pursue
this most dangerous game?

I agree to your terms.

Oh, picard, I will enjoy you
morning, noon and night.

But we must agree to an arbitrator.

Very well.

I choose Mr. Data.

Any objections?

Mr. Data is a member of my crew.

Of my crew. And he's an Android.

He is incapable of deceit or bias.

He has no feelings
to get in the way of his judgment.

Ardra, before he responds,

may I have a word in private
with captain picard?

Sir, I request you reject me
as an arbitrator.

- — Why?
- Ardra is right.

If I am chosen, I will perform my duties
without bias or sentiment.

I cannot guarantee
I will deliver a verdict in your favor.

Data, where else on this planet

can I find someone
she cannot intimidate?

Sir, I will have to follow the rules
of conduct for a ventaxian jurist.

I understand.
You'll make a fine judge.

A thousand years ago,
our planet was dying.

Overcrowded
and dangerous city-states

warred unceasingly with each other.

The air and water
were polluted with industrial waste.

And there was a constant threat
of starvation and epidemic.

- Then what happened?
- And then you came.

Objection, there is no
conclusive evidence

that this woman ever visited this planet
a thousand years ago.

And I suppose you want
a thousand-year-old witness?

That would be acceptable.

Jared, in the contract does it specify

how you would know me
when I return?

- Yes, by the date.
- Anything else?

By the shaking of the cities
and by the visions.

Ardra: And all of these occurred
on schedule?

Thank you.

Your honor, I submit
that I have established my identity

as stated by the contract.

Captain picard,
my interpretation of ventaxian law

suggests that under these
circumstances, this is acceptable.

Your objection is overruled.

- But, your honor...
- Sir, I have ruled.

Please sit down.

- You may proceed.
- Thank you, your honor.

Now, when I first set foot on ventax ii,
what did I offer your people?

According to the scrolls,

you offered us a thousand years
of peace and prosperity,

if we promised to surrender ourselves
to you at the end of the term.

And why do you think
they would strike such a bargain?

We had nothing to lose.
There was no hope in sight.

- Until I came along.
- Objection!

I withdraw the observation.

No further questions.

Your honor,
nothing in this testament

proves that ardra had the power
to affect the lives of the ventaxians.

My opponent has failed
to prove her case,

and I move that her claim
be summarily dismissed.

I find no cause
to invalidate the contract at this time.

The arbitration will continue.

Your honor,

captain picard,
as a new visitor to my planet,

has been a consistent doubter
of my abilities.

I would like to ask him
a few questions, if I may.

It is highly irregular
to question the opposing advocate,

but I see no reason to deny it.

Proceed.

Please do not take any offense
to these questions, captain.

- You know how fond I am of you.
- Objection.

Data: Sustained.

The advocate will refrain

from expressing personal affections
for her opponent.

You do not believe
my powers are real, do you?

No, I don't.

Then, sir, may I ask you
to explain this.

[Rumbling]

You are out of order.

Or this.

The advocate will refrain
from making her opponent disappear.

Can you explain it, picard?

Any more disruptions,
and I will rule you in contempt of court.

Is that understood?

I am sorry, your honor,
but can you explain it, picard?

Yes or no?

I rest my case, your honor.

[Chuckles]

The decay rate of these z particles

make it almost impossible
to trace the source.

I'm correlating
the particle trajectories.

They're beginning to align.
Wait a minute.

[Laughing]

I have coordinates.

Thirty-four degrees north,
62 degrees east,

at an altitude of 210 kilometers.

That would put it in orbit
above the western magnetic pole,

running visual scan.

Nothing.

This time, I don't buy the magic.
Something's gotta be there.

Jared, you've described quite
thoroughly the history of your people

before and after ardra's first visit.

But I'm a little unclear
about the change itself.

Did ardra simply snap her fingers

and transform the planet
into this paradise?

No, the changes occurred gradually
over a long period of time.

Did she personally form
the government

that so peacefully ruled this planet
for a millennium?

Historical records indicate
a council was convened

to assess our options.

They drew up a new constitution
which the population later ratified.

I see. So she advised this council?

Then she must have destroyed
all the weapons on the planet?

Jared: No, our leaders did that.

And they signed a treaty
of non-aggression.

Well, then let's move on to
the environmental gains on ventax ii.

How were they accomplished?

We shifted our economy
from an industrial to an agrarian base.

It was more ecologically sound.

But ardra must have purified
the polluted water and air.

Jared:

The record shows
there were a series of initiatives

covering everything from atmospheric
contaminants to waste disposal.

Did she not even
pick up one piece of trash?

Ardra had left ventax ii before
the environmental reforms began.

Forgive me, but it sounds as if
with a lot of courage, hard work,

your ancestors changed this world
all by themselves.

Objection.

The advocate
is drawing conclusions.

Sustained. I will draw
my own conclusions...

If you do not mind, sir.

No further questions.

Rebuttal?

Just two questions:

Is there any doubt in your mind,

any doubt at all,
that if I had not intervened,

the terrible conditions here
would have continued?

I remind you that you're under oath.

Then, as former head of state
for the ventaxian people,

you are satisfied that I fulfilled
my part of the bargain?

Yes, ardra.

Thank you.

Your honor, what more can be said?

Both sides agree the terms
of the contract have been fulfilled.

Captain picard,

do you have any further evidence
to present before I renderjudgment?

I believe my associate,
Mr. La forge,

may be bringing the answer
to that question.

I request a recess.

- Hi, data.
- Geordi.

One hour recess is granted.

Mr. La forge,
my reputation as a litigator,

not to mention my immortal soul,
is in serious jeopardy.

Well, whatever's been going on over
here gave us exactly what we needed.

Have you identified
the source of her power?

A cloaked ship.

- She has a romulan cloaking device?
- More likely a bad copy of one.

We picked it up
on a wavelength stretchout.

- The enterprise?
- Exactly where it's supposed to be.

Ardra extended her cloaking shields
around it,

set up a subspace damping field
to interfere with normal operations.

I've isolated the frequency spread
and penetrated the field.

- Can you make contact?
- Already have.

This is what I want to do.

But we have less than an hour.

Jared, you're a wise
and experienced leader.

And I assume
that you trust your senses.

Yes, I would say so.

And all your senses tell you
that this woman here

is the most powerful force
on this planet, don't they?

Jared:

And what would you say
if I were to tell you

that she has no powers whatsoever?

But we have seen her powers here.

That's right, and you will again.

Oh, yes, ardra's magic.

Jared, would you believe me if
I told you that I could steal her powers,

and perform the same magic acts
as she does?

I'm sorry, captain picard,
but you are not ardra.

Well, that's true. I'm not ardra.

But I can create tremors,
just as she did.

[Rumbling]

Objection, your honor.

I think he deserves
some leeway. Overruled.

But that will be
quite enough, captain.

Of course.

Ardra, will you do the honors
and stop the tremors?

Something the matter?

- I like the tremors.
- Well, I don't.

You recognize
the same old bag of tricks?

What about this one?

Come back, ardra, if you can.

No? Fine, allow me.

- Of all the impudence.
- Impudence?

Impudence is pretending to be
fek'lhr of klingon!

Your leeway has run out, captain.

[Growls]

Your honor,
I appreciate your indulgence.

Allow me to explain.

A team from the enterprise
has taken control of this woman's ship,

now in orbit around ventax ii.

Thank you for your help,
number one.

Riker [over com]:
Glad to be of service, sir.

They've been monitoring me
on my communicator.

Executing a prearranged program
on her ship's computer.

A fairly ingenious combination
of force field projection, holography,

and transporter effects.

Ardra controls her magic, literally,
by the blink of an eye.

Centuries-old technology.

An implant which permits
the movements of her eye

to choose and activate each illusion.

Ardra once told us
that she is known by many names.

Well, at least in that
she was being honest.

Her crew have admitted
that she is known

by 23 aliases in this sector alone.

You had no right.

Deceiving innocent people
with her petty schemes for years.

Ventax ii must have offered her
the greatest opportunity

of her nefarious career.

She learned of the myth of ardra.

Studied it.

And so expertly played on your fears

that your people were ready
to virtually surrender to her.

Your honor,
under the circumstances,

I believe it is only fair that I release
the ventaxians from their obligation.

And I will let them keep
the peace they have.

And I will just be on my way.

With the advocate's withdrawal,
the contract is hereby dissolved.

This arbitration is adjourned.

[Gavel bangs]

Thank you, captain picard.
You saved our lives.

No, Jared.

As I've tried to tell you, you saved
your own lives a long time ago.

Congratulations, sir.

Your honor.

Ardra: Tsk, tsk.

You would have had
a lot more fun if you'd lost.

Till we meet again, Jean-Luc picard
of the starship enterprise.

[Ardra laughs]