All language subtitles for Star.Trek.TNG.S07E09.BDRip.x264-FGT

- Geordi?
LA FORGE: In here, Data.

Got her now. She's trapped.

Come on out of there, you ungra--

[CAT HISSES

Hey, hey. Don't you spit at me.

Why is Spot under the bed?

Probably because she knows
if I catch her, I'm gonna kill her.

Has Spot been misbehaving?

So far, she's broken a vase,
a teapot,

she's ruined one of my chairs,
using it as a scratch post,

and she's coughing hairballs
up all over my carpet.

These incidents are common
to cat owners.

When you borrowed Spot,
you said you wanted to experience

the full range of feline behavior
before getting a cat yourself.

Yeah, well, l'm not ready.

You can take her back
with my blessings.

Go ahead, call her.

Spot does not respond
to verbal commands.

She doesn't come
when you call her?

Data, have you ever considered
training this cat?

I never found it to be necessary.

Necessary?
Data, the cat is out of control.

Half the time,
I didn't know if she was gonna lick me

or scratch my face off.

I have never experienced
this kind of behavior in Spot.

Although she does have
the unfortunate habit

ofjumping on my computer console
when I am working.

She needs training.

RlKER [OVER COM :
Riker to senior staff.

Please report
to the Observation Lounge.

Mission briefing in 1 0 minutes.

All right,
we have to get her out of here.

I'll scare her, you grab her
when she comes out, okay?

- I do not think it wise to startle her.
- Ready?

[LA FORGE SHOUTS
AND SPOT MEOWS]

[GLASS BREAKlNG

Training. Definitely.

PICARD:
Space, the final frontier.

These are the voyages
ofthe starship Enterprise.

Its continuing mission:
to explore strange new worlds,

to seek out new life
and new civilizations,

to boldly go
where no one has gone before.

Captain's log, stardate 4731 0.2.

We're investigating
the disappearance

of the medical transport Fleming

somewhere in the Hekaras Corridor.

Our search is complicated

by the unique properties
of this particular region of space.

The Fleming last contacted Starfleet
four days ago.

According to them,

nothing was out of the ordinary when
they entered the Corridor.

Data.

DATA: The unusually intense
tetryon field in this sector

poses a severe navigational hazard
to warp-driven vessels.

The Hekaras Corridor
is the only route in this sector

which is free of tetryon fields.

Ships traveling at warp
must use the Corridor

to ensure safe passage
through the region.

How long will it take
to complete a level-one search?

DATA:
At least two days, sir.

The Corridor
is over 12 light years long,

and the surrounding tetryon
interference will limit our sensor range.

Could we send out reconnaissance
probes to supplement the sensors?

LA FORGE:
Won't be very effective.

The interference will make it difficult
to maintain contact with the probes.

The best we can do
is to increase sensor efficiency.

We've installed multi-phase buffers
on all the sensor modules, captain.

- Should help a little.
- Hekaras II is inhabited, isn't it?

Maybe they've had contact
with the Fleming.

They haven't. l've already spoken
to the Hekaran government.

According to them,

only one ship has passed
through the system in the last week.

It was a Ferengi trader.

The Fleming was carrying a supply
of rare bio-mimetic gel,

which is very valuable.

Is it possible that the Ferengi
might have hijacked it?

I wouldn't put it past them.

I think we should prepare
for that contingency.

I agree. All right, then.

Mr. Worf,
initiate your search pattern.

Let's head in.

DATA:
Geordi.

There has been a slight drop
in sensor efficiency.

Perhaps we should examine
the phase buffers.

No problem, Data.
I'll be right with you.

Okay, Hanson. Transfer the EPS
Conduit 1 3 to the stabilizer matrix.

HANSON:
Aye, sir.

- Is there a problem with the engines?
- No.

Then why are you stabilizing
the EPS conduit?

Just trying to get a slightly
higher power conversion level.

But that would not affect the engines
in any way.

I know that, Data. It's not the point.

What is the point?

I'm just trying to get
a higher conversion level, that's all.

Hmm.

Why?

- You know the Intrepid?
DATA: Yes.

Well, their chief engineer
is Commander Donald Kaplan.

He and l went through
the Academy together.

I just like to make sure
that our power conversion levels

are a little bit higher than theirs.

I understand. You are
in competition with Mr. Kaplan.

You might say that.
This is the flagship.

We should be better
than everybody else.

Then you are trying
to outperform the Intrepid.

Actually, it's more a matter
of personal pride.

I mean, these are my engines.

And there's nothing wrong
with a little friendly rivalry.

Okay. Computer, how much
have the conversion levels increased?

COMPUTER:
Levels are unchanged.

All right, I'll deal with this later.

Let me give you a hand
with those sensors.

- How's that?
- One moment.

The phase buffer is operating
within normal parameters.

Sensor efficiency has increased
by 6.7 percent.

Six-point-seven.

One of the stages
must still be out of alignment.

Let's try Junction A-9.

DATA: Geordi, I have taken
your suggestion regarding Spot.

LA FORGE:
Coming down.

I have begun training her.

- Really?
- Yes.

I am studying
several new techniques.

Huh.

I began with simple conditioned
response exercises

and followed
with environmental enhancement.

Next, l plan to explore
bio-conditioning devices.

Devices?

Such as sensor nets
for behavior modification.

Or biofeedback motivators.

Unfortunately,
I have been less than successful.

I've got an idea.

How about a phaser?

A low stun setting at just
the right moment might do the trick.

Geordi, I cannot stun my cat.

I was kidding, Data.

Let's see what we've got.

No, this isn't it either.

Clearly, there is a misalignment
somewhere in this system.

That's for sure.

Well, we've got one more possibility.

Junction at C-12?

I am somewhat concerned that
my training efforts will ultimately fail.

Maybe you're just going about it
the wrong way, Data.

I have consulted
numerous animal training manuals.

Some of them claim
that cats are inherently untrainable.

I don't believe that for a second.
Listen to me.

My sister didn't know a thing
about animals

and she was able to train her cat.

How complicated could it be?

What did she train her cat to do?

She had that cat
jumping into her arm on command.

Interesting. Perhaps I could modify
your sister's techniques

to keep Spot
from jumping on the console.

Do you know
how she was able to train her cat?

Well, as I recall,

she walked around for two months
with a piece of tuna in her blouse.

Hmm.

[LA FORGE GRUNTS]

I was right.
This buffer is out of alignment.

Okay, try that.

Phase alignment has stabilized.

However,
sensor efficiency has increased

by only an additional 1 .3 percent.

Well, it's not much,
but every little bit's gonna help.

RlKER [OVER COM : Riker to Data.
- Data here.

RIKER: We're picking up a ship ahead
on long-range sensors.

If you and Geordi
are through down there,

we'd like to have you on the Bridge.

We're not gonna squeeze
anything else out of these systems.

Acknowledged, sir.
We are on our way.

- We are within visual range, sir.
- On-screen.

WORF: It is a Ferengi transport ship,
D'Kora-class.

That's the same Ferengi vessel
that entered the Corridor a week ago.

LA FORGE: Captain, there are
no emissions from their plasma vents.

Their warp drive must be inactive.

That is correct, sir.
Their impulse system is down as well.

Power generation
is at extremely low levels.

What about life signs?

Life support systems
are also functioning at low levels.

There are approximately
450 Ferengi onboard.

That is a standard complement
for a ship of that class.

Mr. Worf, open a hailing frequency.

There is no response
on any channel, sir.

I'm not picking up any subspace
emissions from the ship at all, captain.

Looks like every one of their field coils
has been overloaded.

That would explain why
they haven't responded to our hails.

It would also explain
the failure of their warp drive.

Captain,
Ferengi sensors are still online.

I could modify
one of our deflector emitters

to transmit old-style delta waves.

If I modulate that with a com signal,
they should be able to pick that up.

Make it so.

If they did hijack the Fleming,

they sure didn't get very far
with the cargo.

Mr. Worf,
have tractor beams standing by.

We may have to take them
undertow.

- Helm, take us within tractor range.
WOMAN: Aye, sir.

Captain, l am picking up power
emissions from the Ferengi vessel.

- They are locking weapons.
- Shields up.

[ALARM WAILlNG

Ready phasers.
Prepare to return fire.

Target their weapons array only.

- Phasers locked.
- Fire.

Direct hit.

- Their weapon systems are down.
- Damage report.

We sustained minimal damage
to decks 5 and 7, sir.

Captain, the Ferengi ship's power
has stabilized.

They appear to have
impulse capability.

They were just playing dead,

conserving power
until we got in close enough.

Then why would they attack us
in the first place?

Somehow I don't think they'll let us
beam over there and ask them.

Mr. La Forge, how are you coming
with that com link?

Almost ready, captain.

- All right, let's give it a try.
PICARD: Open a channel.

This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard
of the Enterprise.

Will you please explain
why you attacked us?

Our attack?
We were defending ourselves.

Do you deny that you are
responsible for disabling my vessel?

DaiMon, your ship was adrift,
your communications inoperable.

We were attempting
to assess your status.

You were attempting to move in
for the kill.

Do not toy with me, Picard.
We are obviously at your mercy.

But know this:

When the Ferengi Council
learns of your actions,

they will consider this an act of war.

DaiMon, clearly there has been
some misunderstanding.

I think it would be in all our interests

if you were to come aboard
and we discuss this situation.

I see no reason to trust you,
human.

In that case, we'll be on our way.

I'll relay your position
to your government, if you wish,

in case you are unable
to complete your repairs

and you remain stranded.

Perhaps,

it would be better
to discuss the situation. Hmm.

We detected what appeared to be
a Federation signal buoy.

When we approached it,
it emitted a massive verteron pulse.

Our warp drive, our sensors,

our communications systems
were all disabled.

We assumed we were the victims
of a new Federation weapon.

The Federation
established this Corridor

to ensure a safe access
through this sector.

We have nothing to gain
by mining it.

Whatever happened to your ship may
not have been an isolated incident.

A Federation medical transport
was recently lost in that Corridor.

We passed a Federation ship
several days ago.

It did not appear to be
in any distress.

Can you give us an idea
of its heading?

It is possible
that information was recorded

in our sensor logs, commander.

Unfortunately, my entire crew
was occupied with our repairs.

I don't think there will be time
to search our records.

DaiMon,

if we assigned an engineering team
to assist you with your repair efforts,

would that give you time
to retrieve your logs?

I believe it would, captain.

Spot. Spot.

Spot, down.

Down.

Spot.

Down.

This is down. Down is good.

This is up. Up is no.

[DOOR BEEPS

One moment.

- Come in.
LA FORGE: Data.

I had another idea that might help
boost the power conversion levels.

- Can you give me a hand?
- I would be happy to.

Don't tell me you're trying to teach
the cat to use the console.

It is part of her training program.

I am teaching Spot to jump down
from the desk on my command.

How's it going?

I have not been entirely successful.

[CHUCKLES]

[SPOT MEOWING]

Feline supplement number 221 .

Data, that cat
definitely has a mind of her own.

Maybe she's just not trainable.

I suppose
I must accept that possibility.

It may be that Spot lacks
the intelligence necessary

to learn the appropriate responses
to my commands.

[SPOT MEOWS]

Hmm?

Mm.

LA FORGE:
I don't know about Spot,

but it seems to me your training
is coming along just fine.

Come on, let's go.

Data, keep the EPS constant, will you,
while l remodulate the power taps.

This procedure will only increase
the conversion level by .8 percent.

- I know, but it could be just enough.
- Enough?

I just received this
from Commander Kaplan subspace.

"La Forge, I got the Intrepid's power
conversion levels up to 97.1 percent.

Maybe you should try cleaning
your plasma grid once in a while."

Can you believe
the nerve of that guy?

We perform maintenance
on the plasma grid at regular intervals.

I know.
He's just trying to get me angry.

There. That should do it.

Computer, what are the current
power conversion levels?

COMPUTER: Power conversion levels
are at 97.2 percent.

Too bad, Mr. Kaplan.

[CHUCKLES]

PICARD:
Captain's log, supplemental.

We have traced
the Fleming's most likely course.

It now appears that the vessel may
have come to an unfortunate end.

- What's the origin of this debris field?
- Unknown, sir.

It does not appear in any of
the Federation charts of the Corridor.

Could it be
what's left of the Fleming?

It is a possibility.

The debris consists primarily
of duranium

and poly-composite fragments
which suggest a ship.

Furthermore,
the field contains sufficient mass

to account for the Fleming.

All right, let's take a closer look.
Maybe we can find something

that will give us
a more positive identification.

Helm, take us through the debris field.
Ahead slow.

Captain, l am picking up
a small metallic object,

approximately
3.5 meters in diameter.

Could be a ship's log recorder
or a probe casing.

I do not believe so.
It is emitting an unusual signal.

Captain, it is beginning to generate
a verteron field.

Shields up. Full reverse, now.

Damage report.

Warp engines are offline.
Shields are down.

All subspace systems
are inoperative.

Just like the Ferengi vessel.

Unidentified ship heading toward us.
Two life forms are aboard.

On-screen.

Captain, they are initiating
their transporter system.

Can we get more power
to the shields?

- No, sir.
- All decks, security alert.

Captain, we are being boarded.

LA FORGE:
La Forge to Bridge.

We have intruders
in Main Engineering.

I need a security team down here
immediately.

WORF:
It's on its way.

- What do you want?
- We're trying to make you listen.

You're killing us.

You have made
a very serious accusation.

I want you to explain it.

Captain, according to our research,

warp fields cause a dangerous
reaction in this region of space.

SEROVA:
Our planet is already being affected.

We have measured large gravitational
shifts throughout our system.

If something isn't done,
our planet will become uninhabitable.

Captain,
I've heard this theory before.

Their research was evaluated
by the Federation Science Council

a few years ago.

But frankly, it didn't hold up.

SEROVA:
That research was only preliminary.

Our original analysis
was incomplete.

If you wanted us
to review your research,

you should have made a request
through the Science Council.

Their resources are limited.
It would have taken over a year

before they dispatched a science ship
to come and evaluate our work.

We were not willing
to wait any longer.

We knew that if we disabled
enough ships, Starfleet would come.

Then at least
we would be able to present our case.

That's how you rationalized
these attacks?

Neither you nor the Ferengi
suffered any casualties, commander.

The actual damage to your vessels
was negligible.

We dispersed verteron probes
in the Corridor

merely to disable warp-driven ships.

- Nothing more.
- You can call it whatever you like.

The fact remains,
you deliberately disguised your probes.

You made them look like
signal markers.

You hid them in the debris field.
You mined the Corridor.

Mr. La Forge,
how long do you estimate

it will take to restore the engines?

Their verteron pulse
overloaded our field coils, captain.

It will take at least 36 hours
to get underway.

I know precisely
how our pulse affected your field coils.

With my help, your ship
could be operational in 1 0 hours,

provided you agree
to review our research.

Because of the seriousness
of your claim,

I am willing to listen to your case.

But let there be no mistake.

Our priority here
is the recovery of the Fleming.

Now, l expect you to help us
restore our engines

and deactivate all of
the remaining probes in the Corridor.

If you do not,
you will both be taken to the brig

and from there,
to the nearest starbase,

where you will answer charges
for what you have done.

My sister and I do not wish
to impede your rescue process.

Rabal, don't. The probes
are the only leverage we have.

- If we--
- Serova.

We will do as you ask, captain.

- But please, reexamine our data.
- We will.

It is part of our job
to retain an open mind,

even under these circumstances.

Mr. La Forge,
take them to Engineering,

- get the core back online.
- Yes, sir.

Mr. Data,
I want you to review their research.

I'd like your report
as soon as possible.

There. Shields have been restored.

You will be able
to re-engage your engines

in approximately eight hours.

You know,
even when we get the engines online,

it's gonna take at least a week
to recalibrate them properly.

I'm sorry
you've been inconvenienced.

But that's all it is, an inconvenience.

Our concerns
are much more important

than the condition of your engines.

What if the Fleming had been
transporting perishable supplies?

Or was on an emergency mission?

Your plan
might have cost a lot of lives.

That didn't happen, commander.

And saving lives
is precisely what we're trying to do.

You have a very interesting way
of going about it.

There's no point
in trying to talk to you.

You've already decided not to listen.

Commander, I know my sister
can be somewhat, uh, aggravating.

- I'd have to agree with that.
- But please, try to understand.

She believes profoundly
in this cause.

She has sworn to dedicate her life
to exposing the dangers of warp drive.

Warp drive has been around
for three centuries.

It's a proven technology.

And you sound just like I did,
about four years ago.

- You didn't believe her either?
- No.

What l didn't realize
was just how brilliant my sister is.

It took two years of study for me

to even grasp the principles
behind her theoretical models.

They're that sophisticated.

Well, our Commander Data
is no slouch.

If there's anything there, he'll find it.

RABAL:
Well, I hope so.

Because
once we persuade Starfleet

to stop warp travel
through the Corridor,

we're gonna have
to convince our own people

to give up warp drive completely.

Hekaras II is the only inhabited world
in this region.

Without warp drive,
you'd be completely isolated

from the rest of the Federation.

Are you really willing
to take that step?

Yes.

And if you were in my position,

I hope you'd be willing
to do the same thing.

Serova and Rabal believe
that there are regions

of potential subspace instability
within the Corridor.

They believe that if these regions

continue to be exposed
to warp field energy, they will rupture.

Subspace will extrude
into normal space, forming a rift.

Like pacing up and down
on the same piece of carpet.

Eventually, you wear it out.

That analogy
is essentially correct, sir.

- Can this theory be proven?
DATA: Not at this time, sir.

There is insufficient evidence
to do so.

In order to determine
whether or not a rift will form,

a region must be exposed
to warp field energy

approximately 1 million times greater

than that normally generated
by a starship.

Commander, we believe
the warp field effect is cumulative.

Each starship that passes through
the Corridor at warp

brings us one step closer
to forming a rift.

I agree that is a possibility.

Captain, l suggest
we ask the Federation Science Council

to send a research vessel
to this area.

A more detailed investigation
will resolve many of our questions.

That's your response?
More research, more delays.

I suppose I shouldn't have expected
anything different.

RIKER: Bridge to Captain Picard.
- Go ahead, Number One.

We've located the Fleming
on long-range sensors.

Approximately 0.3 light years away.

PICARD: What's their condition?
- The vessel appears to be intact.

They have shields.

But it looks like
their subspace systems are out.

Very well. We'll be underway
as soon as our engines are online.

RlKER:
Aye, sir.

I would like you all
to put together a research proposal

for the Science Council.

I will give it my full recommendation.

I appreciate the opportunity
you're giving us.

- It's a beginning that we needed--
- Not we.

You can do
whatever you want, Rabal.

I'll have no part of this.

It's just another delay.

[SIGHS

Captain,
the engines are back online.

- All systems are ready.
- Very good.

Helm, lay in a course
for the Fleming.

WOMAN: Aye, sir.
- They appear to be in good condition.

Our sensors show
their shields are back to full strength.

Captain,
the Hekaran ship is moving off.

There is one person onboard.

It is Serova.

- Doctor, what is going on?
- I don't know.

- Captain, may I speak to her?
- Mr. Worf, open a channel.

RABAL:
Serova, what are you trying to do?

They wanted proof.
I'm going to give it to them.

I'm sorry.

Captain, the Hekaran ship's engines
are beginning to overload.

I believe Serova is attempting
to create a warp core breach.

No.

RlKER:
Prepare for impact.

Shields at maximum. Full reverse.

[ALARM WAILlNG

- Report.
DATA: We're clear of the shock wave.

However, tetryon flux in the area
is increasing rapidly.

It's incredible.

Mr. Data, what's your analysis?

The event is approximately
0.1 light years in diameter

and it is emitting extremely
high levels of tetryon radiation.

It appears to be what Rabal
and Serova predicted, a subspace rift.

She was right.

Can you get a fix on the Fleming?

- Is she still in one piece?
DATA: Scanning.

The Fleming is near
its previous coordinates.

It appears to be intact,
but it is now within the rift.

Doctor, is it possible for a ship
to survive in there?

Doctor, I'm sorry about your loss,
but we need your help now.

Of course, captain.

Does the rift pose any danger
to the Fleming?

I don't know.

[RUMBLING

What was that?

Some kind of high-energy
distortion wave.

Looks like they're being generated
from within the rift.

If we maintain our current position,

our shields should provide
sufficient protection.

What about the Fleming?
How long can they survive in there?

The waves are even more intense
within the rift.

I estimate her shields will fail
in approximately 12 hours.

Can we risk going in there
to get them out?

Not at warp, commander.

According to these readings,
the rift is in a state of instability,

which would make it extremely
sensitive to warp field energies.

If we go in at warp,
we might expand it even further.

I don't think we have a choice.

It would take weeks
to reach them at impulse.

I want some better options.

Data, Geordi, take Dr. Rabal
and begin an analysis of the rift.

We need to find some way
to get the Fleming out of there.

DATA: Second officer's log,
stardate 4731 2.1 .

Our new sensor readings

have greatly improved
our understanding of the rift.

However, we have been unable to find
any way to counteract it.

LA FORGE: Everything here
supports Serova's theories.

I can't find any way to close the rift
or even reduce its size.

[RUMBLING

Doctor, is it possible there are areas
inside the rift which are stable?

Where we can safely use
our warp engines?

Perhaps.

Computer, scan the rift
for regions of low instability.

There's no area stable enough
to withstand a warp pulse.

Wait a minute, this is strange.

Computer, display grid delta 1 7.

Enhance and magnify.

What do you make of that?

It's a subspace instability
outside the rift.

That should not be possible.

Commander, I'm gonna begin
a field-enhanced scan of this sector.

I'd like to get a closer look at this.

We'd better tell the captain we don't
know how to get to the Fleming.

I am not certain that is true.

I believe l have an idea.

- I suggest we coast into the rift.
- Coast?

We can initiate a brief, high-intensity
warp pulse from our current position.

We should be able to attain
sufficient velocity to enter the rift,

beam the crew off the Fleming
and exit,

without using our warp engines.

All right, let's say we initiate
a full-power warp pulse.

How much time do we need
to drop out of warp?

If we field-saturate the nacelles,

we should be able to sustain warp
speed for approximately two minutes.

That doesn't give us much time.
And it could get pretty rough in there.

Our timing will be critical.

Begin your calculations, Mr. Data.

- We'll go as soon as you're ready.
- Aye, sir.

I believe the maximum saturation level
should be 1 8.3 percent.

All right. With these parameters,

we should be able to maintain warp
speed for two minutes, eight seconds.

I don't think
we can get any more than that.

I agree.

But based on the size of the rift,

it should give us sufficient time
to complete the rescue.

Computer,
initiate nacelle field saturation.

- How did we miss it, Data?
- Beg your pardon?

How did we miss the connection

between warp drive
and the formation of the rift?

Between the two of us, we've logged
thousands of hours on these engines.

We're supposed to be
warp field experts.

We certainly were wrong this time.

Technically, Geordi,
we were not wrong.

Serova's theories rested on
assumptions which were unprovable.

Seems to me, she managed
to prove them pretty conclusively.

By using methods any reputable
scientist would never employ.

Yeah. She was willing to die
in order to make her point.

Should have listened to her
more closely, Data.

We reviewed Serova's research
to the best of our abilities.

And we were prepared
to continue studying the problem.

But that was unsatisfactory.

I can remember times
when I was a little stubborn,

trying to get people to believe me
when I didn't have enough proof.

I do not believe you would have
resorted to such extremes.

But she had to,
just to get us to listen.

Why was I so resistant?

Perhaps because
her aggressive methods

created an adversarial situation.

Yeah.

Maybe I was taking
the whole thing personally.

I do not understand.

[SIGHS

Maybe I was a little threatened.

The thought that warp engines
might be doing some kind of damage.

It's gonna take another half an hour
for the nacelles to saturate.

Will you call me when they're done?

- Commander.
- May l join you?

I wanted to say
I'm sorry about your sister.

Thank you.

I'm trying to tell myself
that she died for what she believed in.

But somehow
that isn't much comfort.

I wish
it could have happened differently.

Maybe I should have looked
at the research more closely.

It's possible
there's something that I missed.

No, you didn't miss anything.

The problem was time.

We needed more time
to do the proper research.

- Serova wasn't willing to wait.
- No.

I guess the question is now,
where do we go from here?

I don't think we can look
at space travel the same way anymore.

We're going to have to change.

I've been in Starfleet a long time.
We depend on warp drive.

I just don't know
how easy it's gonna be to change.

It won't be easy at all.

Captain, warp pulse calculations
are complete.

We will be firing the engines
at maximum intensity

for 6.3 seconds before disengaging.

Damage control teams
are standing by on all decks.

The course to the Fleming
is plotted and laid in, sir.

Mr. La Forge,
whenever you're ready.

LA FORGE:
Aye, sir.

Initiating warp pulse now.

Engines disengaged.
We are now entering the rift.

Hull stress is increasing.

Eighty-three percent
of maximum tolerance and rising.

How long
until we reach the Fleming?

One minute, 22 seconds.

All transporter rooms
are standing by.

Captain, l am picking up
power emissions from the Fleming.

They may be attempting
to initiate their warp drive.

They might have been able
to repair their engines.

- Captain, if they activate their--
- I know, Mr. Data.

Can we establish communication?

No, sir.
Subspace interference is too high.

How long
until we reach transporter range?

WORF: Fifty-three seconds.
- I don't think we're going to make it.

Captain, they have initiated
their warp drive.

[ALARM WAILlNG

- Report.
- Damage on decks 6 and 14.

Our structural integrity field
is holding.

- What about the Fleming?
- They are badly damaged, sir.

Their life support systems
are failing.

All transporter rooms, prepare
emergency evacuation procedures.

Captain, when the Fleming
activated their warp drive,

the rift increased by 2.3 percent.

We no longer have
sufficient momentum to escape.

[RUMBLING

Distortion wave intensity
has increased by a factor of 1 0.

We are within transporter range
of the Fleming, sir.

Commencing
evacuation procedures.

Distortion waves
occurring every 59 seconds.

Hull stress
is nearing maximum tolerance.

Data, what if
we forced an EPS discharge

through the impulse reactor?

- Would that be enough to get us out?
- I do not believe so, sir.

And the resulting explosion

would likely destroy
the saucer section in the process.

Captain, we may be able to get out of
here without using the warp engines.

RlKER:
How, Geordi?

When was the last time
you went surfing, commander?

- A distortion wave?
LA FORGE: Exactly, captain.

If we can phase-match
our deflector shield

to the EM variants
of the distortion wave,

when the next one hits,
we'll be pulled along with it.

We could ride it through the rift
and then break away once we're clear.

That is, if we survive the ride.

Is everyone off the Fleming?

The last of the crew
has beamed aboard, sir.

All right, Mr. La Forge.
Get us out of here.

Yes, sir. Phase-matching
the deflector shields now.

The next distortion wave
will impact in 14 seconds.

Matching phases.

Prepare to engage the deflector shield
on my mark.

DATA:
Ten seconds.

And mark.

Engage deflector shield, full power.

We lost it.

We were unable to maintain phase
match with the distortion wave, sir.

What went wrong, Mr. La Forge?

LA FORGE: The speed differential
was too high, captain.

Another distortion wave approaching.
Impact in 26 seconds.

Our hull stress is already critical.

We can't handle
many more jolts like that.

Captain, l suggest
we take the ship to full impulse.

If we can attain sufficient speed,

it will lessen the impact
when the wave hits.

Helm, full impulse.
Head us out of the rift.

Mr. Worf, channel all available power
to the structural integrity fields.

- Aye, sir.
- Standby deflector shield.

We're ready, captain.

Distortion wave impact
in five seconds.

Engage deflector shield now.

We are now within
the distortion wave.

Hull stresses
have exceeded maximum tolerance.

Structural integrity fields
are failing on decks 1 0 through 1 6.

Switching to backups.

We're separating
from the distortion wave.

I'm attempting to compensate.

How much longer
until we clear the rift?

DATA:
Approximately 1 2 seconds, sir.

Hull stress is 120 percent
above tolerance.

A structural breach is imminent.

We have cleared the rift, sir.

Hull stress has returned to normal.

Cancel red alert.

Captain's log, stardate 4731 4.5.

We have been continuing
our research

while the Federation Council
studies our preliminary reports

on the subspace rift.

It now appears certain
that what we've seen here

will have repercussions
for many years to come.

Our scans show a lot of subspace
instabilities throughout the sector.

If they're exposed
to enough warp energies,

they could eventually create
other rifts.

Dr. Rabal?

Based on current warp drive patterns
in this sector,

we've projected where subspace rifts
will be most likely to be formed

over the next 40 years.

This is how things are now.

This is how they'll look in 1 0 years.

Twenty years.

Thirty years.

Forty years.

Thank you, doctor.

Mr. La Forge?

Uh...

We have received new directives from
the Federation Council on this matter.

Until we can find a way
to counteract the warp field effect,

the Council feels our best course is to
slow the damage as much as possible.

Therefore, areas of space
found susceptible to warp fields

will be restricted
to essential travel only.

And effective immediately,

all Federation vessels will be limited
to a speed of warp five,

except in cases
of extreme emergency.

Well, the Klingons
will observe these restrictions,

but the Romulans will not.

And what about the Ferengi?
And the Cardassians, for that matter.

The Federation is sharing all our data
with warp-capable species.

We can only hope that they realize
it's in their own interests

and take similar action.

Putting limits on warp speed

is only going
to prevent other rifts from forming.

What are we going to do
about this one?

Unfortunately, right now
there's not much we can do.

The gravitational shifts have already
begun to affect my planet's orbit.

Our climate is changing.

The Federation is setting up
a weather control matrix on Hekaras Il.

It's only a temporary solution,
but it should suffice for now.

We're lucky the rift took place
as far away from the planet as it did.

Gives us some time
to consider our options.

If there are no more questions,
you are all dismissed.

We should have
those thermal stabilizers ready

- for the Hekarans in another day, sir.
PICARD: Very well.

You know, Geordi,

I spent the better part of my life
exploring space.

I have charted new worlds,
I've met dozens of new species.

And I believed that these
were all valuable ends in themselves.

Now it seems that all this while,

I was helping to damage
the thing that I hold most dear.

It won't turn out that way, captain.

We still have time to make it better.