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["", "STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION", "\"Encounter at Farpoint\"", "by", "D.C. Fontana", "and", "Gene Roddenberry", "This script is not for publicaion or reproduction.", "No one is authorized to dispose of the same. If lost or", "destroyed, please notify the Script Department.", "FINAL DRAFT", "April 13, 1987", "TEASER", "FADE IN:", "1", "EXT. SPACE - STARSHIP (OPTICAL)", "The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D traveling at warp speed", "through space.", "PICARD V.O.", "Captain's log, stardate 42353.7.", "Our destination is planet Cygnus", "IV, beyond which lies the great", "unexplored mass of the galaxy.", "2", "OTHER INTRODUCTORY ANGLES (OPTICAL)", "on the gigantic new Enterprise NCC 1701-D.", "PICARD V.O.", "My orders are to examine Farpoint,", "a starbase built there by the", "inhabitants of that world.", "Meanwhile ...", "3", "INT. ENGINE ROOM", "Huge, with a giant wall diagram showing the immensity", "of this Galaxy Class starship.", "PICARD V.O.", "(continuing)", "... I am becoming better", "acquainted with my new command,", "this Galaxy Class U.S.S.", "Enterprise.", "4", "CLOSER ON VESSEL DIAGRAM", "Showing the details and size of this enormous starship.", "PICARD V.O.", "I am still somewhat in awe of its", "size and complexity.", "5", "INT. LOUNGE DECK", "With its huge windows revealing the immense span of the", "Starship's outer surface.", "5", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD V.O.", "(continuing)", "... my crew we are short in", "several key positions, most", "notably ...", "6", "INT. BRIDGE - WIDE ANGLE", "PICARD, TROI, and DATA seated in the command area.", "Starfleet LIEUTENANT WORF, a young Klingon, is at the", "\"Ops\" station and a SUPERNUMERARY is at \"Conn\".", "PICARD V.O.", "(continuing)", "... a first officer, but I am", "informed that a highly experienced", "man, one Commander William Riker,", "will be waiting to join our ship", "when we reach our Cygnus IV", "destination.", "7", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING PICARD AND DATA", "As Picard turns to Data:", "PICARD", "You will agree, Data, that", "Starfleet's instructions are", "difficult?", "DATA", "Difficult ... how so? Simply", "solve the mystery of Farpoint", "Station.", "PICARD", "(smiles)", "As simple as that.", "TROI", "Farpoint Station. Even the name", "sounds mysterious.", "PICARD", "The problem, Data, is that another", "life form built that base. How", "do I negotiate a friendly", "agreement for Starfleet to use", "it while at the same time snoop", "around finding how and why they", "built it?", "7", "CONTINUED:", "DATA", "Inquiry ... the word snoop ... ?", "PICARD", "Data, how can you be programmed", "as a virtual encyclopedia of human", "information without knowing a", "simple word like snoop?", "DATA", "Possibility ... a kind of human", "behavior I was not designed to", "emulate?", "It is all Troi can do to keep from smiling.", "PICARD", "It means 'to spy, to sneak' ...", "DATA", "(interrupting;", "delighted)", "Ah! To seek covertly, to go", "stealthily, to slink, slither ...", "PICARD", "(wanting to cut it off)", "Exactly, yes ...", "DATA", "... to glide, creep, skulk,", "pussyfoot, gumshoe ...", "Data trails off his words, finally becoming aware of", "the annoyance registering on Picard's face. Troi cannot", "keep back the smile now ... then suddenly her face is", "contorted in pain.", "TROI", "Captain ... I'm sensing a ... a", "powerful mind ...", "Interrupted by the sound of a BRIDGE ALARM.", "8", "WIDER ANGLE", "All checking their consoles, puzzled at readings they're", "getting.", "WORF", "Something strange on the detector", "circuits ...", "8", "CONTINUED:", "OVERLAPPED by an ever more compelling SECOND BRIDGE", "ALARM (similar to the old naval HONKING SOUND) begins", "to sound. At the same time, the main viewer FLICKERS", "and an unusual SHINING, SPARKLING GRID SHAPE APPEARS", "stretching across the whole of the galaxy ahead of them.", "9", "EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND GRID (OPTICAL)", "Emphasizing the incredibly SHINING GRID which the", "Enterprise is approaching. Seeming impossibly large,", "yet in some ways as delicate as a spiderweb, it is", "composed of interlocking geometrical shapes.", "10", "INT. BRIDGE - VARIOUS ANGLES", "Data is looking up from his command position console,", "showing as much alarm as we'll ever see on his face.", "DATA", "It registers as solid, Captain...", "TROI", "Or an incredibly powerful", "forcefield. But if we collide", "with either ...", "PICARD", "(to Conn)", "Go to Condition Yellow. And shut", "off that damned noise.", "Conn turns OFF honking sound. Picard is taking time to", "check all readings but we're now coming very close to", "the strange grid.", "WORF", "Shields and deflectors, up, sir.", "Milking the drama of approaching collision. Then,", "conversationally:", "PICARD", "Reverse power, full stop.", "CONN", "Controls to full stop, sir.", "The strange shimmering GRID on the viewer is now very", "close to us as Enterprise movement stops.", "CONN", "Now reading full stop, sir.", "10", "CONTINUED:", "Overlapped by something akin to a ROLLING THUNDER STORM", "accompanied by a BRILLIANT AND SUSTAINED FLASH OF LIGHT", "ON THE BRIDGE to the side of Picard. The light burst", "physically shakes all bridge crew for an instant, then", "RESOLVES ITSELF INTO A HUMAN SIZE FIGURE standing at", "that point on the bridge. As the bridge crew's eyes", "adjust, it does indeed appear to be a human ... but one", "dressed and posturing as an Elizabethan era sea captain", "complete with Sir Walter Raleigh type \"court dress\",", "complete with neck ruffles, lace, leg stockings,", "ceremonial sword, etc. Now and later, we shall know", "this life form as \"Q\".", "11", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "as \"Q\" (Elizabethan) makes a formal bow (of that same", "era) to Picard. At which the turbolift doors snap open", "and TWO SECURITY CREW members start to ENTER, led by", "Security and Weapons Officer NATASHA YAR. However, \"Q\"", "merely gives a nod in that direction and a miniature of", "the space grid outside APPEARS AT THE TURBOLIFT", "ENTRANCE, barring the security team's entrance and", "CLOSES THE TURBOLIFT DOORS. Then \"Q\" turns toward", "Picard.", "\"Q\" (ELIZABETHAN)", "You are notified that your kind", "has infiltrated the galaxy too", "far already. You are directed", "to return to your own solar system", "immediately.", "12", "ANGLE TO INCLUDE OPS AND CONN", "We will see Conn stealthily, carefully reaching to the", "small phaser on his belt.", "PICARD", "That's quite a directive. Would", "you mind identifying what you are?", "\"Q\" (ELIZABETHAN)", "We call ourselves \"the Q\". Or", "you may call me that; it's all", "much the same thing.", "(indicating costume)", "And I have presented myself to", "you as a fellow ship captain so", "that you will better understand", "me.", "(indicates)", "Go back from where you...", "13", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "Interrupted by Conn drawing his phaser. But \"Q\" barely", "nods toward Conn at which a FLUTTERING ELECTRIC BLUE WAVE", "envelopes that bridge crewman, and we HEAR THE BRIEF", "BEGINNINGS OF A SCREAM as Conn falls with the SOUND of", "a frozen hard object striking the deck. Picard comes", "to his feet, ignoring \"Q\" as:", "\"Q\" (ELIZABETHAN)", "Stay where you are!", "14", "EMPHASIZING PICARD", "Who is clearly very angry as he kneels at the prone form", "of Conn who appears to have been instantly frozen solid.", "Troi hurries INTO SHOT kneeling too. There is even", "white evaporation vapor rising up from the body.", "PICARD", "Data, call medics!", "TROI", "He's frozen. Can you feel the", "cold?", "Picard grabs up Conn's phaser from the deck (reversing", "it, wisely), stands and puts it under \"Q's\" nose.", "PICARD", "He would not have injured you!", "(indicates phaser)", "Do you understand this; the stun", "setting?", "\"Q\" (ELIZABETHAN)", "Knowing humans as you do, Captain,", "would you want to be captured", "helpless by them?", "(moves closer)", "Now, go back or you will certainly", "die!", "FADE OUT:", "PART ONE", "FADE IN:", "15", "EXT. U.S.S. ENTERPRISE AND GRID (OPTICAL)", "Appropriate THEME MUSIC with spaceship hanging", "motionless, still facing the mysterious SHIMMERING GRID", "that stretches in front of it from galaxy horizon to", "horizon.", "16", "INTO. BRIDGE - EMPHASIZING CONN'S FORM", "In the b.g. on a floating stretcher Conn is being taken", "to the turbolift, advanced medical emergency aids are", "attached to his body.", "PICARD", "Is he still alive?", "MEDIC", "For now. We'll do our best, sir.", "17", "EMPHASIZING \"Q\" (OPTICAL)", "Ignoring the previous, intent instead on inspecting his", "Elizabethan costume as Picard comes up to him.", "\"Q\" (ELIZABETHAN)", "Your little centuries go by so", "rapidly, Captain. Perhaps you'll", "understand this better.", "The Visitor moves his hand slightly. We hear the same", "ROLLING THUNDER SOUND. Another BLINDING LIGHT FLASH", "and his body remains the same humanoid face and figure", "as with the Elizabethan dress, but now the green", "officer's uniform of the U.S. Marine Corps. Over his", "jacket pocket three rows of medals and his narrow", "garrison cap shows the bars of a Captain.", "\"Q\" (MARINE CAPTAIN)", "Actually, the issue at stake is", "patriotism. You must return to", "your world and put an end to the", "communists. All it takes is a", "few good men.", "PICARD", "What? That nonsense is centuries", "behind us!", "17", "CONTINUED:", "\"Q\" (MARINE CAPTAIN)", "But you can't deny Captain, that", "you're still a dangerous, savage", "child-race.", "PICARD", "Most certainly I deny it. I agree", "that we still were when ...", "(indicating)", "... humans wore costumes like that", "four hundred years ago...", "\"Q\" (MARINE CAPTAIN)", "At which time you slaughtered", "millions in silly arguments about", "how to divide the resources of", "your little world. And four", "hundred years before that you were", "murdering each other in quarrels", "over tribal god-images. And since", "there have been no indications", "that humans will ever change", ".....", "PICARD", "But even as far back as... !", "(indicates)", "... that costume, we had begun to", "make rapid progress.", "\"Q\" (MARINE CAPTAIN)", "Oh? Shall we review your \"rapid", "progress\"?", "18", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "The \"Q\" visitor moves a hand again to create THE SAME", "SOUNDS and the SAME BLINDING FLASH, producing the same", "human image but this time unshaven and with an UGLY", "AUTOMATION LOOK AND IN THE UNIFORM OF A MILITARY OFFICER", "FROM THE MID 21st CENTURY WARS. Q's voice sounds a bit", "drugged now as he eyes his new costume.", "\"Q\" (21ST CENTURY)", "(interrupting)", "Rapid progress to where humans", "learned to control their military", "with drugs.", "19", "ANGLE INCLUDING OPS POSITION", "As Worf gets a message and turns toward Picard.", "19", "CONTINUED:", "WORF", "Sir, sickbay reports that", "Lieutenant Graham's condition is", "better.", "All have turned toward Worf, showing relief.", "\"Q\" (21ST CENTURY)", "Concern for one's comrade. How", "touching.", "WORF", "(indicates \"Q\")", "And now, sir, a personal request.", "Permission to clean up the bridge?", "Picard shakes head, stares Worf down when he seems about", "to protest. Meanwhile Tasha has come to her feet too:", "TASHA", "Lieutenant Worf is right, sir.", "As Security Chief I can't just", "stand here and ....", "PICARD", "Yes, you can, Tasha.", "During this, \"Q\" has withdrawn a slender tube attached", "to his 21st Century uniform, makes an adjustment which", "lets a round pill roll into his mouth and bites down", "on it with a \"POP\" SOUND.", "\"Q\" (21ST CENTURY)", "Ah, yes... better!", "(deep breath, feeling", "it)", "Then later, on finally reaching", "deep space, humans of course found", "enemies to fight out there too.", "And to broaden those struggles....", "(indicating Worf and", "Tasha)", ".... you again found allies to", "permit still more murdering and", "all over again the same old story.", "19", "CONTINUED: (2)", "PICARD", "(interrupting; angry)", "No! The most dangerous 'same old", "story' is the one we're meeting", "now! Those who go on", "misinformation, half-information,", "self-righteous life forms who are", "eager not to learn but to", "prosecute, to judge anything they", "don't understand or can't", "tolerate.", "\"Q\" (21ST CENTURY)", "What an interesting idea.", "Prosecute and judge?", "CAMERA CENTERS ON \"Q\" as he absorbs what Picard has", "said. He takes a step or two, turns.", "\"Q\" (21ST CENTURY)", "(continuing)", "And suppose it turns out we", "understand you humans only too", "well?", "PICARD", "We've no fear of what the true", "facts about us will reveal.", "\"Q\" (21ST CENTURY)", "The facts about you? Splendid,", "splendid! You are a veritable", "fountain of good ideas.", "(smiling; pleasant)", "There are preparations to make,", "Captain, but when I return...", "\"Q\" gives a 21st Century salute to Picard.", "\"Q\" (21ST CENTURY)", "(continuing)", "... we will proceed exactly as you", "suggest!", "A BLINDING FLASH OF LIGHT and the alien visitor is gone.", "20", "WIDE ANGLE ON BRIDGE", "It takes a moment to accept the fact \"Q\" is really gone", "then Worf turns to Picard.", "20", "CONTINUED:", "WORF", "Sir... respectfully submit our only", "choice is to fight. If we", "Klingons understand anything, it", "is the meaning of that kind of", "talk.", "TASHA", "My sentiments too, sir. Fight or", "try to escape.", "21", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING PICARD", "Turning to Troi:", "PICARD", "Sense anything, Commander?", "TROI", "(shakes head)", "Its mind is much too powerful,", "sir. And frightening. Concur we", "avoid further contact if possible!", "22", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING PICARD", "Clearly he has to come up with something. He reflects", "for a moment more, then makes up his mind, turns to", "Troi.", "PICARD", "From this point, no station", "aboard, repeat no station, for", "any reason will make use of", "signals, transmission or intercom.", "(crossing quickly to", "Ops and Conn)", "We'll try to take them by", "surprise.", "(to Worf)", "Inform engineering to make ready", "for maximum acceleration. We'll", "find out what this Galaxy Class", "can do.", "WORF", "Aye, sir.", "As Worf stands and hurries off, Picard turns to Data.", "22", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "Records search, Data. Results", "of detaching the Saucer Section", "at high warp speeds.", "Data quickly draws on his memory.", "DATA", "Inadvisable at any warp speed,", "sir.", "PICARD", "Search theoretical.", "DATA", "(thinking; then)", "It is possible, sir. But", "absolutely no error margin.", "Picard nods and stands, RAISES VOICE:", "PICARD", "Attention bridge crew!", "23", "VARIOUS ANGLES", "Picard waits until all are turned toward him.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "Using print-out only, notify all", "decks to prepare for maximum", "acceleration. Maximum, you're", "entitled to know, means we'll be", "pushing our engines well past", "safety limits. Our hope is to", "surprise whatever that is out", "there, try to outrun it.", "(looks around, then)", "Our only other option would be", "to put tail between our legs and", "return to Earth as they demand.", "24", "INT. ENGINE ROOM - TRAVELING WITH WORF", "As he takes us into WIDE CAMERA ANGLE, aiming both for", "a feeling of the starship's huge size and enormous", "power.", "25", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "Worf nodding at a reading which an Engineer shows him,", "then EXITING to return to the bridge. Meanwhile,", "engineering personnel work at their controls and a LOW", "PITCHED WHINE quickly works itself up into a DEAFENING", "HIGH PITCHED SHRIEK while ENERGY DISPLAYS APPEAR AT MAIN", "ENGINE CONNECTIONS.", "26", "EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)", "Showing both the Enterprise and the mysterious grid.", "27", "INT. BRIDGE - ANGLES INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER", "Worf enters bridge from turbolift, crossing to his", "position.", "WORF", "Engine room ready, sir.", "Picard stands behind Data who is at the Conn position.", "TROI", "The board shows 'green', Captain.", "All go!", "Picard moving back to his command position as:", "PICARD", "Stand by...", "(takes his seat, checks", "bridge, then)", "ENGAGE!", "The entire bridge SHUDDERS under a SCREAM OF POWER as", "we", "CUT TO:", "28", "EXT. SPACE - ANGLE ON ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)", "Suddenly into maximum warp, the energy release", "momentarily DISTORTING BOTH THE ALIEN GRID AND THE STARS", "IN SIGHT AROUND IT. When the EFFECT is over, the", "starship has turned, seeming to almost brush against", "the mysterious grid, and is then racing away from it.", "29", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING GRID (OPTICAL)", "With Enterprise in b.g. at warp speed, escaping. Then", "the 'grid' suddenly shrinks in size, growing brighter", "as it coalesces together INTO THE SHAPE OF A BRIGHTLY", "COLORED SPINNING SHAPE which now races after the", "Enterprise.", "30", "INT. BRIDGE - VARIOUS ANGLES", "The faces of the bridge crew reflect the fact that", "Enterprise is at very high warp speed and continuing", "to accelerate into even higher warp.", "WORF", "Velocity warp nine point two.", "DATA", "Heading, 351 Mark 11, sir.", "PICARD", "Steady on that.", "TASHA", "The hostile is now giving chase,", "sir. Accelerating fast.", "WORF", "We're now at Warp nine point", "three, sir. Which takes us past", "the red line, sir.", "PICARD", "Continue accelerating.", "(to Troi)", "Counselor, at this point I'm open", "even to guesses about what we've", "just met.", "TROI", "(considers, then)", "It... it felt like something beyond", "what we'd consider a 'life form'.", "PICARD", "'Beyond'?", "TROI", "Very, very advanced, sir. Or...", "(considers)", "Or certainly, very, very", "different!", "30", "CONTINUED:", "WORF", "(with emphasis now)", "Sir, we're at warp nine point", "four.", "TASHA", "Hostile is now beginning to", "overtake us, sir.", "PICARD", "Are you sure?", "DATA", "Hostile's velocity is already warp", "nine point six, sir. Shall I", "put them on main viewer?", "PICARD", "(nods)", "Reverse angle on viewer.", "31", "ANGLE INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER", "VIEWER IMAGE SHIMMERS into reverse view, which is much", "the same as the forward view except for ONE BLINKING", "POINT OF LIGHT AT IMAGE CENTER.", "DATA", "Magnifying viewer image.", "ANOTHER VIEWER SHIMMER with the CENTER POINT OF LIGHT", "BECOMING THE SPINNING COALESCENCE seen earlier. It's", "still far away, tiny in size, but will grow in size", "during later SCENES.", "32", "VARIOUS ANGLES", "as needed.", "TASHA", "Hostile's velocity now at nine", "point seven, sir.", "PICARD", "Ops, inform Engineering we need", "more!", "DATA", "Engine room attempting to comply,", "sir. But they caution us...", "32", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "(interrupting; to Data)", "Go to yellow alert!", "Data hits a control and the Yellow Alert ALARM SOUNDS", "FIVE TIMES. Then Picard turns to Tasha.", "PICARD", "(to Tasha)", "Arm photon torpedoes, Weapons", "Station. Place them on ready", "status.", "TASHA", "Torpedoes to ready, sir.", "Picard is aware of the concerned glances received form", "Troi and Data.", "33", "WIDE ANGLE", "The entire bridge suddenly SHUDDERS HARD and it brings", "startled looks to the faces of some of the bridge crew.", "Then the motion eases.", "WORF", "That was a design tremor, sir.", "A warning.", "TASHA", "Hostile now at warp nine point", "eight, sir.", "WORF", "Our velocity is only nine point", "five, sir.", "DATA", "Projection, sir. We may be able", "to match the hostile's nine point", "eight, sir. But at extreme risk.", "TASHA", "Now reading the hostile at warp", "nine point nine, sir.", "Picard stands, raising his voice to carry throughout", "the bridge.", "33", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "Attention bridge. Print-out", "message, urgent, to all decks.", "(selecting the right", "words)", "All stations on all decks, make", "ready to detach ship's saucer", "section.", "Some of the bridge crew is startled but all are soon", "putting their consoles in order for the move. Picard", "turns to Worf at 'conn' position.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "You will command the saucer", "section, Lieutenant.", "Worf comes to his feet in protest.", "WORF", "I am a Klingon, sir. For me to", "seek escape while my captain goes", "into battle....", "PICARD", "(interrupts hard)", "You are a Starfleet officer,", "Lieutenant.", "WORF", "(hesitates, takes seat)", "Aye, sir.", "PICARD", "(to bridge again)", "Note in ship's log that at this", "startime, I am transferring", "command to the Battle Bridge.", "(to Data)", "Make the signal, Data.", "Data touches a control and we HEAR (still preserved from", "surface ship days) the BUGLE CALL \"BEAT TO QUARTERS\"", "which continues REPEATING as all bridge crew members", "(except Worf) begin leaving their posts. While", "SUPERNUMERARIES arrive on the turbolifts, our bridge", "crew begins exiting the bridge.", "FADE OUT.", "PART TWO", "FADE IN:", "34", "EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)", "Still at high warp. We cannot see the image of the", "following \"hostile\" (which is not magnified in this", "ANGLE).", "PICARD V.O.", "Captain's log, stardate 42354.1.", "Preparing to detach saucer", "section.", "35", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE", "As the turbolift doors snap open, Picard and the others", "ENTER the smaller, sparse and functional Battle Bridge.", "PICARD V.O.", "... so that families and the majority", "of the ship's company...", "36", "INT. MONTAGE OF SAUCER SETS", "Families, children, science technicians, etc., moving", "into safe areas.", "PICARD V.O.", "(continuing)", "... can seek relative safety while", "our vessel's stardrive, containing", "our Battle Bridge...", "37", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE - VARIOUS ANGLES", "Acquainting us with the smaller and more severe battle", "bridge, its configuration and positions. Picard is", "speaking the balance of his log entry to the microphone", "at his command position.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "... and main armaments, will turn", "back and confront the mystery that", "is threatening us.", "(turning to Tasha)", "Lieutenant, your torpedoes must", "detonate close enough to the", "hostile to blind it at the moment", "we separate.", "37", "CONTINUED:", "TASHA", "Understood, sir.", "PICARD", "Worf, this is the Captain....", "38", "INT. BRIDGE - EMPHASIZING LT. WORF", "The young Klingon at the Captain's command station now.", "WORF", "Yes Captain?", "PICARD'S INTERCOM VOICE", "Begin countdown....", "(touches panel control)", "Mark!", "39", "EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)", "Traveling through space for a moment, then photon", "torpedoes blasting out of the starship's aft tubes.", "The torpedo pattern disappears into the distance behind", "the vessel.", "40", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE", "All intent on what is happening as:", "TROI", "All decks acknowledging, sir.", "DATA", "Starship separation.... six, five,", "four, three, two, one....", "41", "EXT. ENTERPRISE - ANGLES ON SEPARATION MECHANISM (OPTICAL))", "As we see the largest of the assemblies begin to move,", "yawning open. Other mechanisms are doing their jobs", "too.... and THE MONOLITHIC STARSHIP DIVIDES INTO ITS TWO", "SECTIONS.... STARDRIVE AND SAUCER MOVING APART.", "PICARD V.O.", "Ship's log, exact moment of", "separation, stardate 42354.22.", "As the Stardrive Section gets safely clear of the", "saucer, it begins turning, doubling back to face the", "\"Q\" menace. And now in the direction of that threat,", "we begin to see PHOTON EXPLOSIONS in the far, far", "distance.", "42", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE - INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER", "On which we see a tiny but SOMEWHAT LARGER IMAGE OF THE", "HOSTILE VESSEL in front of which the last few PHOTON", "DETONATIONS HAPPEN AND FADE AWAY.", "TASHA", "All torpedoes have detonated, sir.", "PICARD", "(to Data)", "Reverse power and hold this", "position.", "DATA", "(gives a surprised look)", "Reverse power...decelerating.", "TROI", "That will bring them here in just", "minutes, sir.", "TASHA", "Will we make a fight of it,", "Captain? If we can at least", "damage their ship....", "PICARD", "(indicating viewer)", "Lieutenant... are you recommending", "we fight a life form that can do", "all those things?", "(as Tasha hesitates)", "I'd like to hear your advice.", "TASHA", "I... spoke before I thought, sir.", "We should look for some way to", "distract them from going after", "the saucer.", "DATA", "All forward motion stopped, sir.", "PICARD", "(to Troi)", "Commander, signal the following", "in all languages and on all", "frequencies: we surrender. State", "that we are not asking for any", "terms or conditions.", "TROI", "Aye, sir. All language forms and", "frequencies.", "43", "ANGLE ON MAIN VIEWER", "Where the IMAGE OF THE HOSTILE is rapidly growing in", "size.", "44", "EXT. SPACE - U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)", "As the HOSTILE IMAGE rushes down on the starship, THE", "COALESCENT SHAPE OPENING UP INTO SOMETHING LIKE THE", "SHIMMERING GRID WE'VE SEEN, but now as if to enclose", "(and perhaps crush) the starship. A FURY OF SOUNDS like", "CLANKING-SCREAMS OF METAL BEING STRESSED BEYOND ITS", "LIMITS.", "45", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE - VARIOUS ANGLES", "As the bridge and the entire Stardrive Section is SHAKEN", "ALMOST ANGRILY as the same CACOPHONY OF CLANKING-SCREAMS", "continues. All bridge crew cling to their seats until", "the SHAKING AND SOUNDS REACH A PEAK. As when \"Q\" first", "appeared, FLASHES OF LIGHT BLIND US and become:", "46", "INT. \"Q\" COURTROOM - EMPHASIZING PICARD, DATA, TROI, TASHA", "It is an immense courtroom meant to reflect strength", "and power. (We'll discover that it dates back to the", "mid-21st Century post-atomic crisis era.) Both decor", "and legal procedures reflect the time when a desperate", "humanity, still wounded and bleeding from nuclear war,", "sought answers to its pain and problems through the", "merciless strength of a new form of dictatorial", "government representing neither capitalism nor", "communism. Our four starship people are in old, ragged", "and stained uniforms which 'demean' them as criminals.", "In comparison with the gleaming steel and glass of the", "rest of the courtroom, the Prisoner's Dock at which our", "people sit is made of rough-hewn, hard and ugly wooden", "benches. Suddenly, our Starfleet group is CAUGHT IN", "A HARSH GLARING SPOTLIGHT. Data, looking around with", "great curiosity, is the first to speak:", "DATA", "Historically intriguing, Captain.", "Very, very accurate.", "PICARD", "(nods)", "Mid-21st Century, the post-atomic", "horror....", "Interrupted by the SOUND OF A BELL, and CUT TO:", "47", "ANGLE INCLUDING MANDARIN-BAILIFF", "Important, the MANDARIN-BAILIFF is not a fun figure.", "Despite the Asian robe and accent, he is an important", "authority figure--and his expression and actions", "underscore this. He caries a slim, portable view", "screen, the face of which contains scrolled information", "he will occasionally refer to. Now, as he nods to a", "Court Functionary who uses an ancient, oriental bell,", "DOLEFULLY CLANGING to gain attention.", "MANDARIN-BAILIFF", "All present, make respectful", "attention to honored Judge!", "48", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING SPECTATORS", "Some still arriving, chattering in excitement, having", "to be intimidated into silence by a 21st CENTURY SOLDIER,", "heavily armed. Picard waves in a way indicating Data, Tasha", "and Troi should not stand.", "TROI", "(quietly to Picard)", "Careful, sir. This is not an", "illusion or a dream.", "PICARD", "But these courts happened in our", "past....", "TROI", "I don't understand either, but", "this is real. I can feel that!", "49", "OTHER ANGLES AS NEEDED", "A 21st Century MILITARY OFFICER moving to our Starfleet", "group, leveling his automatic weapon toward them.", "FUTURE MILITARY OFFICER", "Get to your feet, criminals!", "Our people ignore him too. \"Mandarin-Bailiff\" is", "CLANGING THE BELL again. Data sees something,", "indicates:", "DATA", "At least we are acquainted with", "the judge, Captain.", "50", "ANGLE ON JUDGE", "The \"judge's bench\" (an appropriate 21st Century design", "on Chapman camera-crane) comes floating into the", "courtroom. Seated in it is \"Q\" (JUDGE), an arrangement", "which gives \"his Honor\" physical access to every part", "and corner of this courtroom. As he floats serenely", "over spectators' heads, suddenly there's the RATATATTAT", "of an automatic weapon.", "51", "ANGLE INCLUDING MILITARY OFFICER", "Just completing FIRING a warning burst at the feet of", "Picard.", "MILITARY OFFICER", "(screaming angrily)", "Attention! On your feet,", "attention!", "But Tasha pivoting in fast, taking the weapon and", "throwing the Officer crashing to the floor. Judge's", "\"bench\" (Camera Crane) brings \"Q\" INTO SCENE fast.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "You are out of order!", "But he's speaking to the downed military officer, not", "to Tasha. Which turns out to be a sentence of death", "-- carried out by a pair of Soldiers who step in,", "raising their automatic weapons, FIRING at the Officer", "lying on the floor. Spectators break into APPLAUSE as", "the Officer slumps and lies unmoving.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(continuing)", "The prisoners will not be", "harmed...", "(a glance at Picard)", "Until they are found guilty, of", "course.", "Still hovering over the fallen officer, \"Q\" indicates", "the body.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(continuing)", "Dispose of that.", "Picard has taken the automatic weapon from Tasha.", "51", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "Can we assume you mean this will", "be a fair trial?", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Yes, absolutely equitable.", "Picard hands the weapon to \"Bailiff\". \"Q\" (JUDGE)", "swings his \"bench\" to CENTER FRONT of the courtroom.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(continuing to", "Mandarin-bailiff)", "Proceed.", "MANDARIN-BAILIFF", "(refers to his portable", "viewscreen)", "Before this gracious court now", "appear these humans to answer for", "the multiple and grievous", "savageries of their species.", "Judge's \"bench\" swings \"Q\" (JUDGE) in literally", "nose-to-nose with Picard.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "How plead you, criminal?", "DATA", "If I may, Captain....", "(gets a nod)", "Objection, your honor. In the", "year 2016, the new United Nations", "declared that no Earth citizen", "could be made to answer for the", "crimes of their race or", "forbearers.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Objection denied!", "Followed by CLANGING OF BAILIFF'S BELL and CHEERS FROM", "THE SPECTATORS.", "52", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING \"Q\" AND PICARD", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(continuing)", "This is a court of the year 2049,", "by which time more 'rapid", "progress' had caused all 'United", "Earth' nonsense to be abolished.", "52", "CONTINUED:", "At which point Tasha comes to her feet very angry.", "PICARD", "Tasha, no...", "TASHA", "I must...", "(to \"Q\")", "... because I grew up on a world", "that allowed things like this", "court. And it was people like", "these that saved me from it. I", "say that this so-called court", "should get down on its knees to", "what Starfleet is, what it", "represents...", "53", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "And \"Q\" (JUDGE) flies INTO SCENE, gesturing toward Tasha", "as he did earlier to Conn on the bridge... resulting in", "the same FLUTTERING ELECTRIC BLUE WAVE THAT ENVELOPES", "HER. As Tasha goes rigid, frozen, Data supports her,", "lowers her form gently to the floor as:", "TROI", "(shouting to \"Q\")", "You barbarian! That girl....", "\"Q\" gestures and the same FLUTTERING ELECTRIC BLUE WAVE", "ENVELOPS HER TOO. Picard leaps in, keeps her frozen,", "rigid form from crashing down.", "MANDARIN-BAILIFF", "Criminals keep silence!", "54", "ANGLE ON PICARD", "bending over Tasha, then to \"Q\":", "PICARD", "You've got a lot to learn about", "humans if you think you can", "torture us or frighten us into", "silence.", "(to Data)", "Are they still alive?", "DATA", "Uncertain. Lieutenant Graham was", "when our medics thawed him out.", "54", "CONTINUED:", "\"Q\" (JUDGE) glides in closer on his \"bench\".", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "You will answer the charges!", "PICARD", "Or what? Or this, or worse? Or", "death? I suggest you take a", "better look at human history.", "Spectators have begun GRUMBLING over Picard's failure", "to answer \"Q\".", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "You are charged, criminals. How", "plead you?", "PICARD", "Just a moment ago, you promised", "\"the prisoners will not be", "harmed.\" We plead nothing so long", "as you break your own rules.", "LOUDER GRUMBLING from the Spectators now.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "I suggest you center your", "attention on the trial, Captain.", "It may be your only hope.", "PICARD", "And I suggest you now may be", "having second thoughts about this", "trial! You're considering that", "if you conduct it fairly, which", "was your promise, you may lose.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(laughs)", "Lose?", "PICARD", "Yes, even though you're judge, and", "prosecutor....", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(nods)", "And jury.", "54", "CONTINUED: (2)", "PICARD", "(considers it; nods)", "Accepted... so long as you keep", "to your agreement.", "(indicates Troi and", "Tasha)", "And assaulting prisoners is hardly", "a fair trial.", "55", "OPTICAL ANGLE ON \"Q\" (OPTICAL)", "Seems to be considering it. Then he looks downward,", "indicates.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "This is a merciful court.", "\"Q\" waves his hand DOWNWARD TO WARD TROI AND TASHA AND", "A RIPPLE OF LIGHT plays over the two women, UNFREEZING", "THEM.", "ANOTHER ANGLE \"Q\" (JUDGE)", "The court very disorderly now with some spectators", "standing on their benches SHOUTING as an annoyed \"Q\"", "brings his \"bench\" up hovering over the heads of", "everyone.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(greatly AMPLIFIED)", "SILENCE!", "The order is so LOUDLY AMPLIFIED that it comes near to", "shaking the entire courtroom structure. The spectators", "bite off their words and sink frightened into their", "seats. We notice \"Q\" throwing a glance toward Picard", "to see if the Captain is properly impressed. Then the", "\"bench\" is lowered to allow \"Q\" to face Picard again.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(continued)", "Continuing these proceedings, I", "must caution you that legal", "trickery is not permitted. This", "is a court of fact!", "55", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "(same words; same time)", "... court of fact!", "(nods)", "We humans know our past, even when", "we're ashamed of it. I recognize", "this court system as the one which", "agreed with Shakespeare's", "suggestion -- \"Kill all the", "lawyers\".", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(nods)", "Which humans did.", "PICARD", "Which led to the rule: \"Guilty", "until proven innocent\".", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Of course. Bringing the innocent", "to trial would be unfair.", "(leaning in; voice", "amplified)", "YOU WILL NOW ANSWER TO THE", "GRIEVOUS SAVAGERY CHARGE AGAINST", "HUMANITY.", "PICARD", "We'll be happy to answer specific", "charges. \"Grievous savagery\" could", "mean anything.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(interrupting)", "Obviously it means causing harm", "to fellow creatures!", "PICARD", "Such as you did when you froze", "a member of our bridge crew? Will", "you be joining us in the dock", "here?", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "You fool. Are you certain you", "want a full disclosure of human", "ugliness?", "(to Mandarin-Bailiff)", "So be it! Present the charges.", "Mandarin-Bailiff refers to his portable view screen,", "then steps forward and presents it for Picard's", "examination.", "55", "CONTINUED: (2)", "MANDARIN-BAILIFF", "Criminal, you will read the", "charges to the court.", "Picard takes the parchment, glances through some amount", "of it. Then he looks up.", "PICARD", "I see no charges against us, your", "honor.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(pounds \"bench top\")", "Criminal, you are out of order!", "Soldiers move in, unslinging automatic weapons, of which", "the barrels of two of them are now placed against Troi's", "and Data's heads.", "FADE OUT.", "PART THREE", "FADE IN:", "56", "INT. \"Q\" COURTROOM - WIDE ANGLE", "Action continuing from where it ended. The gun barrels", "are now pressing even closer to Troi and Data's heads", "as:", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Soldiers...", "(indicates guns)", "... you will press those triggers", "if this criminal answers with any", "word other than \"guilty\"...", "57", "CLOSER ANGLE", "The Soldiers CLICKING FIRING ACTION TO FULL COCK. \"Q\"", "turns to Picard.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Criminal, how plead you?", "Picard takes his time, looking to his people, the", "Soldiers holding the guns at their heads, then to \"Q\".", "He seems to be taking too much time, and one of them", "shifts his weight, the other begins grasping his weapon", "even more firmly. Then:", "PICARD", "Guilty...", "Picard's people can't help but show relief and even the", "soldiers lighten up their stance and their grip on the", "weapons, until:", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "... provisionally so.", "Surprised by this \"add on\", the Soldiers begin bringing", "their guns in close again, looking for guidance to \"Q\"", "who looks like he could decide either way. After", "considering it for a moment:", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "The Court will hear the provision.", "57", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "We question whether this court", "is abiding by its own trial", "instructions. Do I have", "permission to have Commander Data", "repeat the record?", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "If this is legal trickery...", "PICARD", "Your own words, your Honor.", "(to Data)", "Exactly what followed his Honor's", "statement that the prisoner would", "not be harmed?", "58", "EMPHASIZING DATA", "Taking a moment to consult his memory, then:", "DATA", "Yes, sir. The Captain has asked", "the question...", "(in Picard's VOICE)", "\"Can we assume this will be a fair", "trial?\"", "(in Data VOICE)", "And in reply, the judge stated...", "59", "OTHER ANGLES", "as Data goes on.", "DATA", "(continuing in \"Q\"'s", "VOICE)", "\"Yes, absolutely equitable.\"", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Unacceptable testimony, entirely", "unacceptable... !", "59", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "If your Honor pleases, there is", "a simple way to clear up this", "disagreement.", "(waits until he has", "\"Q\"'s attention)", "We agree there is evidence to", "support the court's contention", "that humans have been murderous", "and dangerous.", "(moves in closer to \"Q\")", "I say \"have been\" ... and", "therefore we will respectfully", "submit to a test of whether this", "is presently true of humans.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(suddenly alert)", "I see, I see.", "(an idea forming)", "And you petition the Court to", "accept you and your comrades as", "proof of what humanity has become.", "PICARD", "There should be many ways we can", "be tested. We have a long mission", "ahead of us...", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Another brilliant suggestion,", "Captain. But your test hardly", "requires a 'long mission'.", "(laughs)", "Your immediate destination offers", "more challenge than you can", "possibly imagine. Yes, yes, this", "Farpoint station will be an", "excellent test of human worth.", "Picard, like the others, is now becoming just a bit", "concerned. What does lie ahead of them on Farpoint", "Station?", "60", "ANGLE INCLUDING MANDARIN-BAILIFF", "with \"Q\" nodding to him as the Bailiff stands, raising", "his voice.", "MANDARIN-BAILIFF", "Stand respectfully. All present,", "respectfully stand!", "61", "WIDE ANGLE", "Spectators standing. Picard and his people coming to", "their feet too.", "62", "EMPHASIZING \"Q\" AND PRISONERS (OPTICAL)", "as \"Q\" moves his bench into position.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "This trial is adjourned to allow", "the criminals to be tested.", "The Mandarin-bailiff LOUDLY CLANGS HIS BELL.", "MANDARIN-BAILIFF", "This honorable court is adjourned!", "There is a smile coming onto the face of \"Q\" as he turns", "to Picard.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Captain, you may find you are not", "nearly clever enough to deal with", "what lies ahead for you. It may", "have been better to accept", "sentence here.", "\"Q\" WAVES TOWARD THEM, PRODUCING THE BLINDING LIGHT", "EFFECT we've seen before -- and the EFFECT BECOMES:", "63", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE", "Picard and the others now in their normal garb and at", "their regular stations, all beginning to register their", "realization of where they now are.", "64", "ANGLES EMPHASIZING DATA, TROI, AND TASHA", "Reacting to where they now find themselves. Data turns", "to the Ops position.", "DATA", "Uh... what is present course, Ops?", "The OPS OFFICER looks at Data, surprised.", "OPS", "(to Data)", "It's exactly what the Captain", "ordered, sir. Direct heading to", "Farpoint Station.", "64", "CONTINUED:", "Data has reviewed his console readings during this,", "turns to Picard:", "DATA", "Confirm we are on that heading,", "sir.", "OPS", "(to Data)", "Know anything about Farpoint?", "It sounds like a fairly dull", "place.", "PICARD", "Actually, Ops, I've heard just", "the opposite.", "Picard, Data, Troi and Tasha exchange looks, then settle", "back.", "65", "EXT. SPACE - LONG SHOT - PLANET (OPTICAL)", "moving in on a yellowish ball of a planet glowing", "against the black backdrop of starry space in the", "reflected light of its sun. There is some cloud layer.", "At this distance, the planet's land masses are vague", "and indistinct.", "RIKER'S VOICE", "Personal log, Commander William", "Riker, Star Date 42354.4, at", "Farpoint Station.", "66", "CLOSER - ON THE PLANETS AND THE USS HOOD (OPTICAL)", "An older class starship (the USS Hood) lies in", "geosynchronous orbit above the planet.", "RIKER'S VOICE", "... U.S.S. Hood has dropped me", "off at Farpoint Station where I", "await the arrival of the new", "U.S.S. Enterprise...", "67", "CLOSER - ON THE OLD CITY/STATION (SPEC.FX)", "AN AERIAL VIEW of the small, obviously old Bandi city", "connected to the modern sprawling spaceport/station,", "both set in the middle of a harsh and forbidding", "landscape. This is Farpoint Station. CAMERA PUSHES", "IN on the Old City portion.", "67", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER'S VOICE", "... to which I have been assigned", "as first officer. Meanwhile...", "68", "INT. OLD CITY CORRIDOR - PANNING RIKER", "Commander William T. Riker approaching the door leading", "to the office at Farpoint's Administrator.", "RIKER'S VOICE", "... I have been asked to visit", "the office of Farpoint Station's", "Administrator.", "69", "INT. ZORN'S OFFICE - OLD CITY - DAY - ANGLE ON RIKER AND ZORN 69", "Riker ENTERING, crossing to an elegant, unusually shaped", "desk where ZORN, the station Groppler (administrator)", "rises and (unused to handshaking) at first offers the", "wrong hand, then gets the procedure straightened out", "with MUMBLED APOLOGIES. As with all the Bandi, Zorn", "is tall, skinny, rather grey-looking -- appears to be", "sixtyish (as do all the Bandi, including the young", "ones.)", "ZORN", "I thought you might like to know,", "Commander Riker, that we've still", "no word from your vessel. But,", "I trust we have made your waiting", "comfortable?", "RIKER", "Luxurious is more like it. Would", "it seem ungrateful if I ask for", "some information?", "ZORN", "Anything!", "RIKER", "Fascinating how in the midst of", "an old city like this, you've", "built a completely modern", "tritanium and duraglass space", "station. Your energy supply must", "be as abundant as I've heard.", "69", "CONTINUED:", "ZORN", "Geothermal energy is the one great", "blessing of this planet. I'll", "have all the details of that sent", "to your quarters.", "RIKER", "Thank you. But it still seems", "incredible how you've built this", "station so rapidly and so... so", "perfectly suited to our needs.", "Pushes a desk top bowl of fruit toward Riker.", "ZORN", "Would your care for an Earth", "delicacy, Commander?", "RIKER", "Well, if there's an apple there...", "There isn't and we can SEE that this disappoints Zorn.", "RIKER", "(looking up; continues)", "It doesn't matter... what I was", "saying was...", "(sees something out of", "SCENE)", "Well, I'll be damned!", "70", "CAMERA PANS RIKER", "as he steps to the far end of Zorn's desk where ANGLE", "REVEALS a second bowl of fruit. Riker picks an apple", "from it.", "ZORN", "Ah... ah yes, there was another", "selection here...", "RIKER", "(perplexed)", "Zorn, I would have sworn it wasn't", "here a moment ago.", "ZORN", "And does your failure to notice", "it make it unwelcome?", "(smiles)", "The same with Farpoint Station,", "Commander.", "(MORE)", "70", "CONTINUED:", "ZORN (Cont'd)", "We hope a few easily answered", "questions about it won't make", "Starfleet appreciate it less.", "Riker eyes Zorn thoughtfully, then takes a bite out of", "the apple. He chews, then:", "RIKER", "I'm sure it won't, sir.", "(raises apple up)", "And this is delicious. Thank you.", "(crossing to door)", "Good morning, Groppler Zorn.", "He is EXITING even as Zorn levers himself out of his", "own chair.", "ZORN", "Good morning.", "The door closes behind Riker, and Zorn turns around", "angrily.", "ZORN", "(continuing)", "You've been told not to do that.", "Why can't you understand? It will", "arouse their suspicions.", "As he speaks, CAMERA ANGLE WIDENS TO REVEAL clearly that", "there is no one else in the room, nor does he appear", "to be speaking into any sort of communication device.", "He seems to be talking to the walls.", "ZORN", "(continuing)", "... and if that happens, we will", "have to punish you. We will, I", "promise you. We must!", "No reply that we can hear. Is this man mad?", "CUT TO:", "71", "INT. FARPOINT FOYER", "In considerable contrast to Zorn's old city office we", "just left, this structure has a \"starbase\" look with", "its dazzling tritanium and glass construction. The few", "people in sight are Starfleet personnel. ENTERING", "FOREGROUND are DR. BEVERLY CRUSHER and her", "fifteen-year-old son WESLEY.", "71", "CONTINUED:", "Like most other humans of this century, she doesn't look", "her age. Although forty years old, she looks hardly", "more than thirty. Her attractiveness is underscored", "by a naturally provocative walk -- the woman can't help", "it. This is counter-balanced by her quick intelligence", "and her professional knowledge and skill as a physician.", "Her son, Wes, has that same quick intelligence,", "multiplied by four. That lively brain is ensconced in", "the body of a perfectly normal boy with moderate good", "looks, a cheerful personality, but with considerable", "maturity for someone his age.", "72", "ANOTHER ANGLE", "Riker ENTERS SCENE behind them and hurries to catch up.", "He calls:", "RIKER", "Doctor Crusher...", "WESLEY", "Mother, it's Commander Riker.", "Beverly slows, lets Riker walk along with them. We see", "that despite her attractive face and form, she is", "naturally dignified and a bit reserved with new", "acquaintances like Riker.", "RIKER", "And hello to you, Wesley.", "Enjoying Farpoint Station?", "WESLEY", "(happily)", "Yes, sir.", "Riker smiles at the boy. It's clear he approves of this", "polite and likeable kid. Then he becomes aware that", "Beverly has not answered his greeting and is waiting.", "RIKER", "Saw you and thought I'd join your", "stroll, if I may.", "BEVERLY", "Actually, we're about to do some", "shopping.", "Riker throws her a look. Is she rejecting the offer", "of his company?", "72", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER", "I've been meaning to visit the", "mall myself. If I'm welcome?", "BEVERLY", "Of course.", "She moves toward an exit door. Wes has been looking", "from one to the other of them, interested in what", "they've said... and not said.", "73", "INT. FARPOINT SHOPPING MALL - DAY", "The ANGLE suggests a covered, airy mall with flowers", "and trees -- many of them Earth types but with a", "scattering of alien vegetation too. It is a spacious", "walkway with a number of pleasant shops and booths.", "In b.g. we SEE Bandi natives of this world, a tall and", "greyish life form, quiet and overly polite. Beverly,", "Wesley and Riker move down a line of shops.", "74", "CLOSER - BEVERLY, WESLEY, RIKER", "as they walk, Wes continuing to eye the two adults.", "Then:", "WESLEY", "If you're wondering about Mom,", "Mister Riker, she's isn't actually", "unfriendly. She's just shy around", "men she doesn't know.", "Beverly is startled; Riker amused.", "BEVERLY", "Wesley... !", "(swallows her annoyance;", "to Riker)", "I believe that means he would like", "us to be friends.", "RIKER", "(grins)", "I'm willing, Doctor.", "(more serious)", "And although we're not officially", "part of the Enterprise yet, I", "thought there might be something", "useful we could do while we wait.", "74", "CONTINUED:", "Beverly stops at a table in front of a shop selling", "exotic materials. The modest selections of cloth are", "lined up on the table, some draped for best effect.", "Beverly looks over them critically, feeling weight and", "texture. The Bandi SHOPKEEPER has stayed at the rear", "of the booth.", "BEVERLY", "\"Useful\"? How and what,", "Commander?", "RIKER", "Investigating some things I've", "noticed here, Doctor. The last", "was a piece of fruit...", "Beverly has frowned over a particularly pretty piece", "of material which she holds up for the shopkeeper to", "see.", "BEVERLY", "Would this be available in emerald", "green?", "The Bandi Merchant smiles, nods and takes the bolt of", "cloth INTO A SMALL CLOSED OFF AREA BEHIND. Wes watches", "the merchant go as Beverly turns to look at Riker", "appraisingly.", "BEVERLY", "(continuing)", "I'm sure, Commander, there are", "reasons for a first officer to", "want to demonstrate his energy", "and alertness to a new captain.", "But since my duty and interests", "are outside the command", "structure...", "The Bandi Merchant comes quickly with the bolt of cloth", "-- now emerald green -- interrupts Beverly by holding", "it up for her approval.", "RIKER", "Isn't it nice he happened to have", "the right color?", "Beverly glances sharply at Riker, suppressing a somewhat", "chagrined look.", "74", "CONTINUED: (2)", "BEVERLY", "(to Merchant)", "Thank you. I'll take the entire", "bolt. Charge it to Beverly", "Crusher, Chief Medical Officer,", "USS Enterprise.", "The Merchant nods, ticks the information off on a flat", "little gadget that dangles from his belt, hands her the", "bolt of cloth.", "75", "ANOTHER ANGLE - DOLLYING WITH BEVERLY, RIKER, WESLEY", "as they walk away, Riker enjoying the look that's come", "onto her face over this incident.", "RIKER", "Let's see, where were we?", "BEVERLY", "I was accusing you of inventing", "work in order to curry favor with", "your new captain. I apologize.", "WESLEY", "Finding the exact right color took", "him only about twelve seconds,", "Mom.", "They stop a little distance off and look back toward", "the shop.", "BEVERLY", "Maybe this is something Jean-Luc", "Picard will want looked into.", "RIKER", "Jean-Luc? You know Captain", "Picard?", "WESLEY", "(proudly)", "When I was little, he brought my", "father's body home to us.", "Riker is startled but Beverly only smiles, fondly pats", "her son's head.", "75", "CONTINUED:", "BEVERLY", "Yes, Wes, long, long ago.", "(to Riker)", "Shall we continue the walk? I'd", "like to know you better, Mister", "Riker.", "CUT TO:", "76", "INT. FARPOINT LOUNGE - DAY - ON GEORDI AND MARKHAM", "LT. GEORDI LaFORGE and ENSIGN SAWYER MARKHAM are in the", "small, comfortable lounge area. Markham is a likeable", "young man, enthusiastic, energetic. He is still", "inclined to shoot from the hip rather than consider", "before speaking, but he is a capable (and very new)", "graduate of the Academy. We SEE Geordi at first only", "from behind, and we may routinely register the fact he", "is black.", "MARKHAM", "Where is she? They say she's", "never late -- not since the old", "burrhog took over the captain's", "chair.", "RIKER'S VOICE", "You wouldn't be talking about the", "Enterprise, would you, Ensign", "Markham?", "77", "WIDER ANGLE", "The two young men turn around sharply to find Riker has", "come up behind them. The most important thing we notice", "about Geordi is that he wears a strange flattish device", "(like futuristic goggles) over his eyes. Although he", "is technically blind, his head always turns toward the", "person speaking to him because he can, in fact, see as", "well or better than anyone through the use of the visual", "prosthesis. As they realize that Riker is a senior", "officer, both young men straighten to attention.", "GEORDI/MARKHAM", "Sir. Yes, sir.", "Riker smiles at the ingrained and traditional response", "of the recent Academy graduate.", "RIKER", "You can stand at ease, gentlemen.", "We're not on the Enterprise yet.", "77", "CONTINUED:", "MARKHAM", "You know we're assigned to her,", "sir.", "RIKER", "(extending his hand)", "Riker. I'm slated to be First", "Officer.", "(they shake hands)", "I read the service records on all", "new personnel on the trip out.", "Excellent academic record at", "Starfleet Academy, Mister Markham.", "MARKHAM", "Thank you, sir.", "RIKER", "And you, Mister LaForge. Captain", "Dreyer praised your performance", "on the Hood. Why did you request", "transfer to the Enterprise?", "GEORDI", "Who wouldn't, sir? The biggest,", "newest, fastest starship in the", "fleet --", "RIKER", "Commanded by the best burrhog in", "the fleet. Right, Mister Markham?", "MARKHAM", "(sheepishly)", "Yes, sir.", "RIKER", "(grins)", "I've already forgotten who used", "those words.", "GEORDI", "Shouldn't we have heard something", "from her by now, sir?", "A BANDI WOMAN approaches:", "BANDI WOMAN", "Commander Riker?", "RIKER", "Yes?", "77", "CONTINUED: (2)", "BANDI WOMAN", "The Enterprise has been picked", "up on our monitors, sir. I should", "tell you, sir, it is only the", "Stardrive Section.", "All three crewman are surprised to hear this.", "RIKER", "(to Woman)", "What about the Saucer Module?", "BANDI WOMAN", "We've received no explanation,", "sir. But the captain signals that", "you're to beam up immediately.", "GEORDI", "(to Markham)", "Our new captain doesn't waste", "time.", "RIKER", "A good rule for all of us to", "follow, gentlemen.", "Riker touches his communicator. His VOICE now 'treated'", "to indicate he is transmitting. (This will be standard", "communicator format.)", "RIKER", "(continuing)", "Enterprise, this is Commander", "Riker on Farpoint. Standing by", "to beam up.", "TRANSPORTER EFFECT (OPTICAL)", "FADE OUT.", "PART FOUR", "FADE IN:", "78", "EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)", "The Enterprise stardrive module in orbit of the Farpoint", "planet.", "0", "INT. STARDRIVE TRANSPORTER ROOM - ANGLE ON PLATFORM (OPTICCAL)", "As Riker BEAMS IN. Lieutenant Tasha Yar of Security", "is there, waiting until Riker is fully materialized,", "then:", "TASHA", "Lieutenant Yar of Security, sir.", "Captain Picard will see you on", "the Battle Bridge.", "Riker was prepared to shake hands but Tasha is already", "leading the way toward the turbolift.", "80", "INT. TURBOLIFT", "As Riker follows her inside, she speaks quietly toward", "the controls:", "TASHA", "Battle bridge.", "The doors snap closed and the lift moves. Riker looks", "Tasha over, waiting, then:", "RIKER", "With the saucer gone, can I assume", "something interesting happened", "on your way here?", "TASHA", "I'll let the captain explain, sir.", "81", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE - ANGLE ON PICARD", "He is seated in the command chair with Data and", "a couple of other crewpersons at their stations.", "DATA", "We are cleared into the standard", "parking orbit, sir.", "81", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "(nods)", "Make it so.", "The bridge turbolift doors open, Riker ENTERS the bridge", "after Tasha, follows her to Picard.", "TASHA", "Commander Riker, sir.", "RIKER", "Riker, W.T., reporting as ordered,", "sir.", "Picard takes his time, looking Riker over and then", "offering his hand.", "PICARD", "I really didn't expect to welcome", "you to half a starship, Riker.", "(to Tasha)", "Is the viewer ready?", "TASHA", "All set up, sir.", "PICARD", "(to Riker)", "We'll first bring you up to date", "on a little... \"adventure\" we had", "on our way here, Commander. Then", "we'll talk.", "TASHA", "(to Riker)", "This way, sir.", "True, Picard does not waste time. Tasha is already", "leading Riker toward a viewer at the aft section of the", "Battle Bridge.", "82", "ANGLE ON AFT VIEWER", "as Tasha motions Riker to the seat, turns the VIEWER", "ON. The VIEWER SHOWS A SHOT FROM EARLIER WHEN \"Q\"", "(ELIZABETHAN) HAD APPEARED AND IS TALKING TO Picard.", "The VOICES ARE FAINT and Riker leans in, riveting", "attention to the bridge record.", "83", "ANGLE ON PICARD AND DATA", "as the android officer turns toward the captain.", "83", "CONTINUED:", "DATA", "(interrupting)", "Message from the Saucer Module.", "It will arrive here in fifty-one", "minutes, sir.", "PICARD", "Inform them we'll hook up as soon", "as they arrive.", "Picard stands, crosses past Tasha on his way to the", "turbolift.", "PICARD", "(to Tasha)", "Bring him to my Ready Room when", "he's done there.", "Picard EXITS via turbolift.", "84", "ANGLE ON RIKER", "Where VIEWER SHOWS ANGLE ON THE \"Q\" GRIDWORK STRETCHES", "OVER THE HEAVENS, THEN SHOT OF \"Q\" (21st CENTURY).", "Riker TURNS AWAY FROM VIEWER TOWARD CAMERA as he looks", "at the crewpersons on the bridge. He speaks to no one", "in particular.", "RIKER", "He calls that \"a little", "adventure\"?", "85", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE READY ROOM", "Picard at a viewer going over a rather complex screen", "of formulas. A KNOCK at the door, he turns the viewer", "off.", "PICARD", "Come.", "Riker ENTERS, crosses to where the captain indicates", "he's to sit. He does so, looking at Picard. Then:", "RIKER", "Wow!", "PICARD", "(laughs, nods)", "Exactly.", "85", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER", "This \"Q\", sir... is he crazy?", "I mean, seriously?", "PICARD", "Seriously, does it really matter", "how we judge them? We're dealing", "with something that can juggle", "starships as if they were pebbles.", "RIKER", "It's a rather astonishing \"little", "adventure\" you've had, Captain.", "PICARD", "(snaps)", "The issue isn't what we call it,", "Commander. The important thing", "is we can be dead certain...", "accent on dead... that \"Q\" wasn't", "joking. We're alive only because", "we were placed on \"probation\",", "a very serious kind of", "\"probation\".", "Over which we have heard a CHIME SOUND.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "Go.", "DATA'S VOICE", "The Saucer Module is now entering", "orbit with us, sir.", "PICARD", "Acknowledged. Commander Riker will", "conduct a manual docking. Picard", "out.", "RIKER", "Sir?", "PICARD", "You've reported in, haven't you?", "You are qualified?", "RIKER", "Yes, sir.", "PICARD", "Then I meant now, Mister Riker.", "Riker jumps to his feet, EXITS. CAMERA PANS to Picard", "whose expression now relaxes. He's not too unhappy with", "what he's seen of his new first officer so far.", "86", "EXT. SPACE - SAUCER SECTION, BATTLE SECTION (OPTICAL)", "As before, the Saucer Section is above and ahead of the", "battle section. The battle section is SLOWLY moving", "ahead toward the Saucer Section for link-up.", "87", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE - FULL SHOT", "Riker at the conn, concentrating. Tasha and Data are", "studying him, privately evaluating this new man.", "DATA", "You say you will be doing this", "manually, sir? No automation?", "RIKER", "As ordered.", "88", "EMPHASIZING RIKER", "He's making a couple of calculations, glancing up at", "the viewscreen.", "89", "ANGLE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)", "The rear end of the saucer is moving closer, but it is", "still high.", "90", "EMPHASIZING RIKER", "RIKER", "(to Data at Conn)", "Two percent rise. Up angle", "adjustment three degrees.", "Maintain docking speed.", "Ops and conn positions AD LIB repeats of Riker's orders.", "91", "EXT. SPACE - SAUCER AND BATTLE SECTION (OPTICAL)", "The battle section is seen rising, angling forward", "slightly, still moving slowly toward the saucer.", "92", "INT. BATTLE BRIDGE - EMPHASIZING RIKER", "glancing at the O.S. viewscreen, works his console", "again.", "RIKER", "Level her out. Maintain docking", "speed. Docking crew, prepare for", "reconnection.", "93", "EXT. SPACE - ANGLE ON SAUCER AND BATTLE SECTION (OPTICAL)", "The two are level now, quite close together, the battle", "section still moving slowly forward.", "94", "INT. BRIDGE - ANGLE ON RIKER", "Riker looks up at the viewscreen again.", "95", "ANGLE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)", "The saucer looms in the viewscreen -- everything is", "level, the docking section is dead ahead -- we are still", "moving forward.", "96", "CLOSE ON RIKER", "He makes a couple of quick entries on his console.", "RIKER", "All stop. Her inertia should do", "the job now.", "97", "EXT. SPACE - SAUCER AND BATTLE SECTION (OPTICAL)", "The two glide together smoothly.", "98", "INT. BRIDGE - WIDE SHOT", "Riker hits a couple more tabs on his panel as:", "RIKER", "Rejoin lock-up... now.", "99", "EXT. SPACE - FINAL HOOK-UP (OPTICAL)", "The reverse of disconnecting SHOTS we saw earlier --", "huge STARDRIVE SECTION and SAUCER MODULE MECHANISMS", "MAKING FINAL HOOK-UP.", "100", "EXT. ENTERPRISE IN ORBIT (OPTICAL)", "The docking complete.", "101", "INT. TURBOLIFT", "Riker with Data, Tasha, and others. The time this takes", "is indicative of the size of this new Enterprise.", "101", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER (V.O.)", "Enterprise log, First Officer", "entry. Ship's modules rejoined,", "stardate 42354.71 with command", "now transferred back to the main", "bridge.", "Riker looks up to see Tasha is watching him. Then:", "TASHA", "Neatly done, sir.", "RIKER", "I don't imagine many mistakes", "happen under Captain Picard.", "TASHA", "No sir, they don't.", "102", "INT. BRIDGE", "As the turbolift arrives. Lt. Worf crosses toward it,", "intercepts Riker.", "WORF", "I'm Lieutenant Worf, sir. Captain", "Picard requests you come", "immediately to his quarters.", "Having had little more than a glance at this main", "bridge, Riker turns and re-enters the turbolift.", "103", "INT. PICARD'S CABIN", "Much larger and more comfortable than the small battle", "Ready Room we were in earlier. Picard is there, turning", "as he hears a KNOCK:", "PICARD", "Come!", "Riker ENTERS.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "A fairly routine maneuver but you", "handled it quite well.", "RIKER", "Thank you, sir. I hope I show", "some promise.", "103", "CONTINUED:", "An exchange of looks between the two. Clearly, Riker", "is annoyed by this \"faint praise\" kind of welcome.", "Picard leads the way to a setting for coffee.", "PICARD", "Some coffee.", "RIKER", "No thank you, sir.", "PICARD", "(pours himself a cup)", "And now I have a kind of \"what", "sort of second-in-command have", "I inherited?\" question.", "RIKER", "Yes sir, I thought you might.", "There's nothing disrespectful in Riker's tone of voice,", "but he does leave an impression that he's not to be", "walked on either.", "PICARD", "I noticed in your envelope that", "Captain DeSoto thinks very highly", "of you. One curious thing,", "however, you refused to let him", "beam down to Altair IV?", "RIKER", "In my opinion, sir, Altair IV was", "too dangerous to risk exposing", "the captain.", "PICARD", "I see. A captain's rank means", "nothing to you.", "RIKER", "Rather the reverse, sir. A", "captain's life means a great deal", "to me.", "PICARD", "Let me postulate something here,", "Mister Riker. Isn't it just possible", "that you don't get to be a", "starship captain without knowing", "when it's safe to beam down or", "not? Isn't it a little", "presumptuous for a first officer", "to second guess his captain's", "judgment?", "103", "CONTINUED: (2)", "RIKER", "Permission to speak candidly, sir?", "PICARD", "Always.", "RIKER", "You've been a first officer", "yourself. You know that assuming", "that responsibility must, by", "definition, include the safety", "of the captain. I have no problem", "with following the rules you lay", "down. But under no circumstances", "will I compromise your safety.", "If you have a problem with that,", "sir, you can put me back on the", "Hood before she leaves.", "PICARD", "You don't intend to back off that", "position?", "RIKER", "No, sir, I can't.", "Picard takes another beat to study him carefully, then:", "PICARD", "One further thing... a special", "favor I have to ask of you.", "RIKER", "Anything, sir.", "PICARD", "Using the same kind of strength", "you showed with Captain DeSoto,", "I'd appreciate it if you can keep", "me from making an ass of myself", "with children.", "RIKER", "Sir?", "PICARD", "I'm not a family man, Riker, and", "yet, Starfleet has given me a ship", "with children aboard.", "RIKER", "(nods)", "Yes, sir. And families...", "103", "CONTINUED: (3)", "PICARD", "And I don't feel comfortable with", "children. But, since a captain", "needs an image of \"geniality\"", "toward the little monsters, you're", "to see that's exactly what I", "project.", "RIKER", "Aye, sir.", "For the first time, Picard smiles, extending his hand.", "We see he's surprisingly warm when he wants to be.", "Riker takes Picard's hand for a firm and friendly", "handshake.", "PICARD", "Welcome to the Enterprise, Mister", "Riker.", "104", "INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE", "as Riker steps out of the turbolift. He stops, takes", "in the size of his compared to the Battle Bridge. The", "Klingon Lieutenant is at the conn position. He turns,", "seeing Riker:", "WORF", "Yes sir, Commander?", "Riker crosses in, shakes hands.", "RIKER", "Thank you, Lieutenant. Is", "Commander Data on duty?", "WORF", "Commander Data is on a special", "assignment, sir. He's using our", "shuttlecraft to transfer an", "admiral over to the Hood.", "RIKER", "An admiral?", "WORF", "He's been aboard all day, sir,", "checking over medical layout.", "RIKER", "Why the shuttlecraft? Can he just", "beam over?", "104", "CONTINUED:", "WORF", "I suppose he could, sir. But the", "admiral's a rather remarkable man.", "105", "INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR - ANGLE AT INTERSECTION", "DATA'S VOICE", "But, sir, the transporter could", "have you on the Hood in a matter", "of seconds, Admiral.", "Data and the admiral ENTER SCENE at the intersection.", "The admiral is very old with an almost transparent look.", "ADMIRAL", "Have you got some reason to want", "my atoms scattered all over space?", "DATA", "No sir. But at your age, sir,", "I thought you shouldn't have to", "put up with the time and trouble", "of a shuttlecraft.", "The admiral stops. Facing Data, he draws himself. up", "as straight as he can. His voice is crotchety and", "trembly -- and fiercely stubborn.", "ADMIRAL", "My age? Hold it right there, boy,", "what about my age?", "DATA", "Sorry, sir. If that subject", "troubles you...", "ADMIRAL", "Troubles me? What's so damned", "troubling about not having died?", "How old do you think I am?", "DATA", "One hundred forty-seven years,", "Admiral. According to Starfleet", "records.", "ADMIRAL", "Explain how you remember that so", "exactly.", "DATA", "I remember every fact I am exposed", "to, sir.", "105", "CONTINUED:", "The admiral peers at him closely, scowling.", "ADMIRAL", "I don't see any points on your", "ears, boy, but you sound like a", "Vulcan.", "DATA", "No, sir. I am an android.", "ADMIRAL", "(snorts)", "Almost as bad.", "DATA", "(at a loss, but still", "respectful)", "I thought it was generally", "accepted, sir, that Vulcans are", "an advanced and most honorable", "race.", "The admiral stares at him a moment, his severe blue eyes", "gentling and his feisty scowl fading. He pats Data's", "sleeve and nods slightly.", "ADMIRAL", "They are, boy. They are. And", "also damned annoying at times.", "DATA", "Yes, sir.", "As they move away, Data gently assisting the old man:", "ADMIRAL", "This is a new ship, boy, but she's", "got the right name. Remember", "that.", "DATA", "I will, sir.", "ADMIRAL", "You treat her like a lady.", "(beat, quietly)", "She'll always bring you home...", "FADE OUT.", "PART FIVE", "FADE IN:", "106", "EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)", "Both the Enterprise and the Hood in orbit close", "together. CAMERA ANGLE shows how much LARGER the", "Enterprise is.", "107", "INT. SICKBAY", "Beverly is wearing medical \"blue\" -- or whatever color", "Science personnel are going to be assigned. She steps", "toward a LARGE VIEWSCREEN which comes on, showing", "readouts indicative of the status of the ship's medical", "facilities.", "BEVERLY", "Show me the results of Captain", "Picard's most recent physical", "examination.", "The screen promptly BEGINS TO FLASH UP PRINTED", "INFORMATION, followed by X-Ray type shots, etc. Beverly", "studies it for awhile.", "PICARD'S VOICE", "Already at work, Doctor?", "108", "ANOTHER ANGLE", "As Beverly turns to find Captain Picard ENTERING. She", "nods in answer to his question.", "BEVERLY", "Yes, on a subject that's very", "important to this mission,", "Captain.", "(unhurriedly to", "computer)", "Screen off.", "The screen GOES DARK.", "PICARD", "I wanted to say \"welcome aboard.\"", "109", "CLOSER ANGLE - BEVERLY AND PICARD", "As if they're appraising each other, then:", "109", "CONTINUED:", "BEVERLY", "Thank you, Captain.", "PICARD", "And I thought I should talk to", "you very personally about your", "assignment here.", "110", "CLOSER TWO SHOT", "As Beverly nods, waits for him to continue.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "I wanted you to know I protested", "your posting to the Enterprise.", "BEVERLY", "Oh? Do you consider me", "unqualified?", "PICARD", "Hardly. Your service record shows", "you exactly the kind of CMO I'd", "want.", "BEVERLY", "Then you must object to me", "personally. Has it to do with", "our last meeting?", "PICARD", "I'm trying to be considerate of", "your feelings, Doctor Crusher.", "For you to serve with a commanding", "officer who would continually", "remind you of such a terrible", "personal tragedy...", "BEVERLY", "(annoyed; snaps)", "If I had any objections to serving", "with you, I wouldn't have", "requested this assignment,", "Captain.", "PICARD", "You requested this posting?", "He turns to exit. Beverly stirs, and her next words", "stop him.", "110", "CONTINUED:", "BEVERLY", "Captain. My feelings about my", "husband's death will have no", "effect on the way I serve you,", "this vessel, or this mission.", "Picard gives it a moment's thought, extends his hand.", "PICARD", "Then, welcome aboard, Doctor.", "I'm pleased to have you here.", "Beverly allows only a perfunctory handshake.", "BEVERLY", "Thank you. And now, if I can", "return to my duties...", "It is clear that Picard wanted to say more but she has", "neatly blocked any further conversation.", "PICARD", "(uncomfortably)", "Well... as I said, \"welcome", "Aboard\".", "She doesn't respond further and he has no choice but", "to turn and exit.", "111", "EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND HOOD IN ORBIT (OPTICAL)", "Again, EMPHASIZING the considerable difference in the", "sizes of the two starships as we SEE that the USS Hood", "is PULLING AWAY, LEAVING ORBIT.", "112", "INT. BRIDGE - ANGLE ON RIKER", "He is standing before the huge viewscreen. Behind him", "is the young Klingon, Worf, at the conn position with", "the rest of the bridge stations only nominally manned.", "Set in geosynchronous orbit over the planet, the", "Enterprise requires minimal monitoring at this time.", "113", "ANGLE ON TURBOLIFT DOORS", "They OPEN, and Picard steps out onto the bridge.", "PICARD", "Have you signaled the Hood, Mister", "Riker?", "113", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER", "(nods)", "Your exact message.", "(in French)", "Bon voyage mon amie. Aye, sir.", "114", "ANOTHER ANGLE - TO INCLUDE MAIN VIEWER", "as Picard smiles and steps toward it.", "PICARD", "And what was my answer, computer?", "MAIN VIEWER FLICKERS, then startles us with an ugly", "FLASH OF LIGHT that becomes an IMAGE OF \"Q\" (JUDGE)", "who is in LIMBO, but looking directly at Picard. His", "VOICE BOOMS LOUDLY, annoyed in tone:", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "DO YOU EXPECT ME TO WAIT PATIENTLY", "THROUGH ALL THIS NONSENSE? OR", "DID YOU THINK I WAS GONE?", "Picard is as startled as Riker. The young Klingon,", "Worf, comes tumbling out of the conn position, drawing", "his phaser and placing himself protectively between", "Picard and the threatening \"Q\" image.", "PICARD", "Do you intend to blast a hole", "through the viewer, Lieutenant?", "Worf apologetically puts his phaser away, lets Picard", "wave him aside.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "If the purpose of this is to test", "human worth, your honor, you must", "let us proceed in a normal human", "way.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "YOU ARE DILATORY! YOU HAVE", "TWENTY-FOUR HOURS! ANY FURTHER", "DELAY AND YOU RISK SUMMARY", "JUDGEMENT AGAINST YOU, CAPTAIN.", "A FLASH OF LIGHT and the main viewer returns to an image", "of the planet below.", "115", "ANOTHER ANGLE", "WORF", "Sorry, sir...", "RIKER", "No criticism. You reacted fast...", "PICARD", "... but in a completely useless", "way.", "WORF", "I'll learn to do better, sir.", "PICARD", "Of course you will. We've a long", "voyage ahead of us.", "Picard dismisses Worf with a flicker of a smile which", "takes the sting out of what he just said.", "RIKER", "(lowers voice)", "Hope you're right, sir. About", "the long voyage ahead.", "Picard looks to main viewer as if checking that \"Q\" is", "truly gone.", "PICARD", "I hope so too.", "RIKER", "What do we do, sir? With them", "monitoring every move, every", "word...", "PICARD", "S.O.P., Mister Riker.", "RIKER", "Standard Operating Procedures?", "PICARD", "(nods)", "We do exactly what we'd do if this", "\"Q\" never existed. If we're going", "to be damned, let's be damned for", "what we really are.", "Riker is suddenly very pleased with this captain. He", "nods emphatically.", "FADE OUT.", "PART SIX", "FADE IN:", "116", "EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)", "U.S.S. Enterprise in orbit of planet Cygnus IV.", "PICARD V.O.", "Captain's log, stardate 42372.5.", "Of the twenty-four hours \"Q\"", "allotted us to prove ourselves...", "117", "INT. BRIDGE - ANGLE INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER", "Minimum bridge crew on duty.", "PICARD V.O.", "... eleven have now passed without", "incident. And yet I cannot forget", "\"Q's\" prediction that we will face", "here some critical test of human", "worth.", "118", "INT. BRIDGE READY ROOM", "Picard and Riker comparing notes.", "RIKER", "This planet's interior heat", "results in abundant geothermal", "energy, sir. But it's about all", "this world does offer.", "PICARD", "And it's your belief that this", "is what made it possible for them", "to construct this base to", "Starfleet standards?", "RIKER", "Yes sir. We have to assume that", "they've been trading their surplus", "energy for the construction", "materials used here. According", "to our ship's scans, many of the", "materials used are not found on", "this world.", "118", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "(smiles)", "Perhaps it's like those incidents", "you describe in your report as", "\"almost magical\" attempts to", "please us.", "RIKER", "Those events did happen, sir.", "PICARD", "And in time we'll discover the", "explanation. Meanwhile, none of", "it suggests anything threatening.", "If only every life form had as", "much desire to please Starfleet.", "(stands)", "Ready to beam down? I'm looking", "forward to meeting this Groppler", "Zorn.", "Picard is leading Riker to the cabin door.", "RIKER", "I'm convinced there's more to it", "than just \"pleasing us\", sir.", "PICARD", "(as they exit)", "Like something \"Q\" is doing to", "trick us?", "119", "INT. BRIDGE", "As Picard and Riker enter from the adjoining Ready Room.", "Troi is just arriving in the turbolift and Picard calls", "to her.", "PICARD", "Over here, Counselor!", "(to Riker)", "I've asked her to join us in this", "meeting.", "(indicating)", "May I introduce our new first", "officer, Commander William Riker.", "Mister Riker, our ship's", "counselor, Deanna Troi.", "120", "TWO SHOT - RIKER AND TROI", "He's obviously stunned to find her here, although she", "isn't at all surprised.", "TROI'S VOICE", "(carrying her thoughts)", "Do you remember what I taught you,", "Izmadi? Can you still sense my", "thoughts?", "Then, she holds out her hand formally.", "TROI", "A pleasure, Commander.", "RIKER", "(nervously)", "I, ah... likewise, Counselor.", "121", "ANGLE INCLUDING PICARD", "Studying the two of them with some curiosity now.", "PICARD", "(to Riker)", "Have the two of you met before?", "RIKER", "We... we have, sir.", "PICARD", "Excellent. I consider it", "important that my key officers", "know each other's abilities.", "TROI", "We do, sir; we do.", "Meanwhile, Picard has indicated the turbolift and is", "leading them toward it.", "122", "EMPHASIZING TROI", "As she looks back toward Riker serenely.", "TROI'S VOICE", "(her thoughts)", "I, too, would never say goodbye,", "Izmadi.", "123", "EXT. FARPOINT STATION (OPTICAL)", "ESTABLISHING SHOT as:", "PICARD'S VOICE", "My crew and I need a bit more", "information...", "124", "INT. ZORN'S OFFICE", "Where Zorn sits behind his desk, his posture and", "attitude indicating some nervousness. Seated facing", "him are Picard, Riker, and Troi. We see that Zorn's", "attention is on Troi.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "... before we make our", "recommendations to Starfleet.", "ZORN", "No objections to that, but...", "(eyeing Troi again)", "... but I'm puzzled over your", "bringing a Betazoid to this. If", "her purpose here is to probe my", "thoughts, sir...", "TROI", "I can sense only strong emotions,", "Groppler. I am only half Betazoid;", "my father was a Starfleet officer.", "ZORN", "I have nothing to hide, of course.", "PICARD", "Good, since we admire what we've", "seen of your construction", "techniques. Starfleet may be", "interested in your constructing", "starbases elsewhere too.", "125", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING TROI", "As her expression begins to indicate an awareness of", "something distressing, something painful. During which:", "ZORN", "Unfortunately, Captain, we are", "not interested in building other", "facilities.", "126", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING PICARD AND RIKER", "This stumps Picard for a moment, during which:", "RIKER", "If I may, Captain...", "(gets a nod)", "Then a trade, Groppler? Some", "things you need in return for the", "loan of architects and engineers", "who can demonstrate your", "techniques.", "127", "EMPHASIZING ZORN", "ZORN", "We Bandi do not wish to leave our", "home world. If Starfleet cannot", "accept that small weakness, then", "we will be forced, unhappily, to", "seek an alliance with someone like", "the Ferengi, or...", "Zorn interrupted by a small GROAN coming from Troi.", "Her eyes are now closed over a strong distress she's", "sensing.", "128", "VARIOUS OTHER ANGLES", "As appropriate.", "PICARD", "Counselor... ? What is it?", "TROI", "(glancing toward Zorn)", "Do you want it described here,", "sir?", "PICARD", "Yes! No secrets here if we're", "all to be friends.", "(to Zorn)", "Agreed, Groppler?", "ZORN", "We ourselves have nothing to hide,", "but...", "128", "CONTINUED:", "TROI", "(another GROAN,", "grimacing)", "Pain... pain, loneliness, terrible", "loneliness, despair...", "(indicates Zorn)", "I'm not sensing him, sir. Or any", "of his people... but it's", "something very close to this location.", "PICARD", "(to Zorn, demandingly)", "The source of this? Do you have", "any idea?", "ZORN", "No!", "(stands)", "No, absolutely not. And I find", "nothing helpful or productive in", "any of this!", "PICARD", "(stands, to Zorn)", "That's it? No other comment?", "ZORN", "What do you expect form us? We", "offer a base designed to your", "needs, luxurious even by human", "standards...", "Riker and Troi come to their feet too as Picard", "interrupts.", "PICARD", "... while refusing to answer even", "our simplest questions about it.", "(to Riker)", "We'll adjourn for now...", "(to Zorn)", "... while we all reconsider our", "positions.", "The three CROSS toward the exit.", "ZORN", "Captain, the Ferengi would be very", "interested in a base like this.", "PICARD", "Fine. I hope they find you as", "tasty as their other past", "associates.", "Picard and his people EXIT.", "129", "EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)", "The U.S.S. Enterprise still in orbit over Cygnus IV.", "130", "INT. HOLODECK CORRIDOR", "Riker moving as if seeking someone. He intercepts a", "YOUNG ENSIGN who is passing and the junior officer sees", "Riker's emblem of rank and snaps to attention.", "RIKER", "Ensign, can you help me find", "Commander Data? I was told he's", "somewhere on this deck.", "YOUNG ENSIGN", "This way, sir.", "131", "ANGLE AT CORRIDOR WALL", "As the Ensign steps to a black surface of the corridor", "wall.", "YOUNG ENSIGN", "You must be new to these galaxy", "class starships, sir.", "(puts hand on the black", "surface, saying)", "Tell me the location of Commander", "Data.", "At the touch and the words \"Tell me\" the black surface", "comes alive with light patterns showing appropriate", "information.", "COMPUTER VOICE", "Lieutenant Commander Data... now", "located in Holodeck area 4-J.", "YOUNG ENSIGN", "(indicating readout)", "And as you see, sir, it's pointing", "you that way.", "RIKER", "Go that way? How far?", "YOUNG ENSIGN", "(smiles)", "You'll know, sir.", "Riker AD LIBS a thanks, goes in the indicated direction.", "132", "PANNING RIKER", "Moving off in the indicated direction. Then the black", "surface there comes alive with a FLASHING DIRECTION", "SIGNAL.", "COMPUTER VOICE", "This way, please. The next", "hatchway on your right.", "RIKER", "(responding", "automatically)", "Thank you...", "COMPUTER VOICE", "You're more than welcome,", "Commander Riker.", "Which startles him a bit but he walks on and turns right", "at a sophisticated looking Holodeck Hatchway.", "133", "EXT. PARKLAND", "The Parkland hidden at this moment by a WILD SECTION", "OF CORRIDOR WALL AND HATCHWAY which, when the hatch is", "opened, will REVEAL PARKLAND.", "COMPUTER VOICE", "(continuing without", "delay)", "And if you care to enter,", "Commander...", "RIKER", "(snaps; interrupting)", "I do.", "Immediately, the hatch slides open and we SEE THE", "PARKLAND (LOCATION). It looks (and is) real, including", "land contours, trees, and even a small stream nearby.", "Beyond that the Parkland stretches off for what appears", "to be miles and miles away to the horizon.", "134", "ANGLE BACK TOWARD HATCHWAY", "As Riker ENTERS through it and stands inspecting the", "Parkland scene with genuine appreciation and then HEARS", "SOMEONE WHISTLING A MELODY, but doing it rather badly", "and laboriously.", "135", "ANGLE PAST RIKER INTO PARKLAND", "As he MOVES AWAY, seeking the source of the WHISTLING", "which will begin to grow LOUDER now.", "136", "ANGLE AT STREAM", "As Riker crosses, stepping from rock to rock. He makes", "a misstep, almost falls, then recovers and gets across.", "He looks back at the stone which caused it.", "137", "CLOSER ON RIKER", "As he walks, the WHISTLING is nearby now. He stops,", "calls:", "RIKER", "Hello!", "The WHISTLING has continued without pause, Riker cocks", "his ear, corrects his direction slightly.", "138", "EXT. WOODLAND GLEN", "Riker ENTERS SHOT through shrubbery, sees something and", "stops.", "139", "ANGLE ON DATA", "Lying there, cushioned by deep grass. He's totally", "absorbed in certain melody notes he's attempting -- and", "keeps missing.", "140", "PANNING RIKER", "Moving onto TWO SHOT where he stops, and WHISTLES the", "same melody, hitting the correct notes. A startled Data", "looks up blankly, then comes quickly to his feet, but", "Riker waves him back down, sits beside him.", "DATA", "Marvelous how easily humans do", "that, sir. I still need much", "practice.", "Riker, acting uncomfortable, avoids the subject. He", "hesitates, then:", "RIKER", "There are some puzzles down on", "the planet that Captain Picard", "wants answered. He suggests I", "put you on the away team I'll be", "using.", "140", "CONTINUED:", "DATA", "I shall endeavor to give", "satisfaction, sir.", "Riker hesitates, wanting to say something but not sure", "how to begin.", "RIKER", "Uh, yes. And when the captain", "suggested you I, uh, looked up", "your record...", "(hesitates)", "DATA", "Yes sir, a wise procedure always.", "RIKER", "Your rank of lieutenant commander,", "I assume now must be honorary.", "DATA", "No, sir. Starfleet Class of '78;", "honors in quantum mathematics", "and exobiology.", "RIKER", "But your files... they say you're", "a...", "DATA", "(waits, then)", "Machine? Correct, sir. Does that", "trouble you?", "RIKER", "(hesitates)", "To be honest... yes, a little.", "DATA", "Understood, sir. Prejudice is", "very human.", "RIKER", "Now that troubles me. Do you", "consider yourself superior to us?", "DATA", "I am superior in many ways. But", "I would gladly give it up to be", "human.", "RIKER", "(studies Data, then)", "Nice to meet you, Pinocchio,", "140", "CONTINUED: (2)", "Data seems confused by this.", "RIKER", "(continuing; explains)", "A joke.", "DATA", "(straight-faced)", "Ah! Intriguing.", "RIKER", "(big grin)", "You're going to be an interesting", "companion, Mister Data.", "FADE OUT.", "PART SEVEN", "FADE IN:", "141", "EXT. PARKLAND - RIKER AND DATA", "We HEAR A VOICE (Wesley) and Riker gets to his feet,", "looks off in that direction.", "DATA", "This pattern is quite popular,", "sir. Perhaps because it", "duplicates Earth so well, Coming", "here,", "(apologetically)", "makes me feel as if I'm human too.", "RIKER", "(taking it all in)", "I didn't believe these could be", "so real.", "DATA", "Much of it is real, sir. If the", "transporters can convert our", "bodies to an energy beam, then", "back to the original pattern", "again...", "RIKER", "Yes, of course.", "(indicates)", "And all these have much simpler", "patterns.", "142", "EXT. PARKLAND AT STREAM", "Data leading the way, then indicates.", "DATA", "The rear wall.", "RIKER", "(peers)", "I can't see it.", "DATA", "You will.", "PANNING RIKER TOWARD US", "He's squinting hard now. Then he stops, reacts at", "something he can now make out.", "RIKER", "Incredible!", "143", "INT. STAGE HOLODECK - ANGLE PAST RIKER (OPTICAL)", "As he hurries toward where we can now SEE the holodeck", "wall (REAR PROJECTION SCREEN) on which we can now SEE", "that the PARKLAND soil, rocks and vegetation blend with", "the PROJECTED IMAGE there. Astonished, Riker backs away", "from this, squinting again.", "144", "EXT. REAL PARKLAND - RIKER'S P.O.V.", "Where, of course, the wall blend is no longer visible.", "WESLEY'S VOICE", "(calling)", "Mister Riker, isn't this great?", "MEDIUM ON RIKER", "Turning, then grinning, waving.", "RIKER'S P.O.V. - THE ROCK CROSSING AT STREAM", "Where Wes Crusher is hurrying toward us, bouncing from", "rock to rock.", "WESLEY", "This is one of the simpler", "patterns, Mister Riker. They've", "got thousands more, some you just", "can't believe.", "ANGLE TO INCLUDE RIKER AND DATA", "Moving down the stream.", "RIKER", "Careful, that next rock is", "loose... !", "WIDER ANGLE", "As that rock moves underfoot, tumbling Wes into the", "stream.", "PANNING DATA IN, demonstrating his enormous strength", "as he easily lifts Wesley completely out of the water.", "An amazed Wesley looks at Data.", "WESLEY", "Wow!", "145", "EXT. PARKLAND - ANGLE ON WILD HATCHWAY AND CORRIDOR SECTION", "As the hatchway smoothly SLIDES OPEN AGAIN. Through", "it is REVEALED THE PARKLAND, through which Riker, Data", "and a very wet Wesley make their way to the HATCHWAY.", "As they MOVE THROUGH HATCHWAY, the bulkhead BEGINS", "CLOSING.", "146", "INT. HOLODECK CORRIDOR - ANGLE ON CAPTAIN PICARD", "The Captain walking with a Senior Officer when he sees", "Riker and the others. He motions the Senior Officer", "to continue on by himself, stops and waits.", "VARIOUS ANGLES - AS APPROPRIATE", "As Riker, Data and Wes move INTO SHOT with Picard. Wes", "is instantly aware that his soaked clothing is dripping", "water onto the starship deck. He'd like to remove", "himself but knows that Picard has already seen his", "puddle forming on the deck.", "RIKER", "Mister Data has agreed to join", "my away team, Captain.", "PICARD", "(with another glance", "toward Wes's puddle)", "Very good.", "WES", "Sir, maybe I should get something", "to wipe this water up.", "PICARD", "(coolly)", "Good idea.", "Picard turns and EXITS.", "147", "INT. SICKBAY - BEVERLY AND WESLEY", "Wesley is wiping himself dry now. He is", "enthusiastically trying to explain his adventures.", "WESLEY", "-- and there's a low gravity", "gymnasium, too. It would be hard", "to get bored on this ship.", "148", "CLOSER TWO SHOT - BEVERLY AND WESLEY", "As he wipes, he's been turning something over in his", "mind.", "WESLEY", "Mom...", "(beat)", "could you get me a look at the", "bridge?", "BEVERLY", "That's against the captain's", "standing orders.", "WESLEY", "Are you afraid of the captain,", "too?", "BEVERLY", "I certainly am not!", "WESLEY", "But Captain Picard is a pain,", "isn't he?", "BEVERLY", "Your father liked him very much.", "Great explorers are often lonely,", "... no chance to have a family...", "WESLEY", "Just a look, at the bridge, Mom.", "From the turbolift when the doors", "open. I wouldn't get off. I", "promise.", "BEVERLY", "You're looking for trouble, Wes.", "He shuts up. Beverly looks at him and can't ignore the", "very real want in his eyes.", "BEVERLY", "(continuing)", "Let's see what we can do.", "On Wes's delighted grin:", "CUT TO:", "149", "EXT. FARPOINT STATION/CITY - DAY - EMPHASIZING STATION", "TO ESTABLISH our location.", "150", "INT. STATION SHOPPING AREA - DAY - ON AWAY TEAM", "Which is made up of Riker, Data, Troi, Tasha and Geordi.", "There are a number of people in the mall area, some in", "identifiable Enterprise-type uniforms. The others are", "in various civilian clothes. They are taking in the", "Bandi shops, booths, food and drink offered by Bandi", "vendors.", "TASHA", "Recommend that someone could begin", "by examining the underside of the", "station, sir.", "TROI", "Our sensors do show some passages", "down there, sir. Perhaps you and", "I?", "Troi glances at Riker with just a shade of archness,", "perhaps the lift of an eyebrow. Riker glances away,", "troubled.", "RIKER", "Tasha, you and the Counselor.", "Troi and Tasha move off. Riker turns to Geordi.", "RIKER", "Let's us start with the topside.", "Have you noticed anything unusual?", "Riker and the others move out of scene, examining", "everything they pass.", "DISSOLVE TO:", "151", "INT. ANOTHER STATION AREA", "ON GEORDI as he looks around the area, moving slowly", "and carefully scanning. Then he shakes his head.", "GEORDI", "Well, I can't see through solid", "matter, sir, but the material so", "far looks very ordinary.", "DATA", "Confirmed by the construction", "records, sir. Almost exactly the", "same material that Starfleet uses.", "Riker reaches to his insignia, to switch on his", "communicator.", "151", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER", "Riker to Tasha, Troi, come in!", "We milk the next few moments, Riker growing", "apprehensive. Then, finally, with Riker showing relief:", "TASHA'S VOICE", "(from communicator)", "We were about to call you, Team", "Leader. We've found something", "interesting.", "152", "INT. UNDERGROUND PASSAGEWAY", "Not at all what one would expect of a \"service tunnel\",", "if this is indeed that. These are smooth, rounded,", "glistening walls whose GLOW lights up the entire", "passageway. (We'll see something similar later on a", "mystery vessel). Tasha is activating her communicator.", "TASHA", "We're in a passageway directly", "under the station sir. But the", "tunnel walls here are make from", "something we've never seen before.", "RIKER'S VOICE", "And Troi, have you sensed anything", "there?", "Troi appears reluctant as she activates her", "communicator.", "TROI", "Sir, I've avoided opening my mind.", "Whatever I sensed in the", "Groppler's office became very", "painful.", "RIKER", "I'm sorry, Counselor, but you", "must. We need more information.", "Troi complies... then her face contorts in agony and", "a SMALL SCREAM ESCAPES. She sinks to her knees, Tasha", "hurrying in to support her.", "TROI", "(continuing)", "No, no, such pain. It's so close to", "us here... pain, pain..", "152", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER'S VOICE", "(overlapping)", "Hang on, I'm coming... Enterprise,", "lock us onto her signal!", "Tasha has her arm around Troi, whispering words of", "comfort.", "153", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "After a moment, the familiar TRANSPORTER SOUND BEGINS.", "Riker, Data, and Geordi BEAM IN, SOLIDIFY. Then Riker", "hurries over to Troi while Data and Geordi examine their", "surroundings with great curiosity.", "154", "ANGLE ON TROI", "Riker helping her very tenderly:", "RIKER", "I'm sorry. Close your mind from", "the pain...", "TROI", "It's also unhappiness... terrible", "despair...", "RIKER", "Who?", "TROI", "I don't know! No lifeform anything", "like us.", "Riker is looking around at the glowing walls.", "RIKER", "What in the hell kind of place", "is this?", "(turning)", "Geordi, what do you see?", "Geordi has been inspecting the wall closely. He shakes", "his head.", "GEORDI", "It's of no material I recognize,", "sir. Or have even heard of.", "155", "EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)", "As before, in geosynchronous orbit.", "156", "INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - ANGLE ON PICARD", "in the captain's chair. The bridge is nominally manned", "at this time. We will see Worf at the ops panel.", "Picard glances around as the SOUND OF THE TURBOLIFT", "DOORS OPENING COMES OVER, and he freezes.", "157", "PICARD'S P.O.V. - BEVERLY AND WESLEY", "standing just inside the turbolift door. Beverly is", "uncomfortable; Wes is all eyes, taking in as much as", "he possibly can in this one limited look at his dream", "place. Beverly starts to step out, gesturing to Wes", "to stay in the turbolift.", "BEVERLY", "Permission to report to the", "captain...", "158", "WIDER ANGLE - INCLUDING PICARD, BEVERLY", "PICARD", "(coolly)", "Children are not allowed on the", "bridge, Doctor.", "BEVERLY", "Captain, my son is not on the", "bridge. He merely accompanied", "me on the turbolift.", "PICARD", "Your son?", "BEVERLY", "His name's Wesley. You last saw", "him years ago when...", "She trails her words; Picard understands.", "PICARD", "Oh, back then.", "He glances from Beverly to Wesley, clears his throat.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "Well -- as long as he's here...", "159", "WIDER - INCLUDING WESLEY, BEVERLY, PICARD", "Wesley looks to Picard hopefully. Beverly waits, then", "Picard shrugs, tries to sound friendly.", "159", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "I knew your father, Wesley. Want", "a look around?", "Wesley is out like a shot.", "PICARD", "(continuing; quickly)", "But don't touch anything!", "Wes is in awe. To him, this is the equivalent of a", "devout Catholic stepping into the nave of St. Peter's", "Basilica. The turbolift is on the level of the", "\"horseshoe\", so the command positions are spread below", "him. Picard moves down to the captain's chair level,", "Wes moving with him. He is careful to put his feet down", "just right so he doesn't even scuff the floor. Picard", "watches, steps aside to gesture toward the command", "chair.", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "Try it out.", "(as Wes does so)", "The panel on your right is for", "log entries, library-computer", "access and retrieval, viewscreen", "control, intercoms, and so on.", "WESLEY", "(nodding; pointing)", "Yes sir. And here, the backup conn", "and ops panels, plus armament and", "shield controls.", "Picard looks closely at Wes, perplexed.", "PICARD", "The forward viewscreen is", "controlled by the ops position...", "WESLEY", "Yes sir, which uses high", "resolution, multi-spectral imaging", "sensor systems...", "PICARD", "How the hell do you know that,", "boy?", "Before Beverly or Wes can reply, a VERY DISTINCTIVE", "SIGNAL SOUNDS (Captain's comm signal) and Wes, closest", "to the control, transfers the signal into audio as:", "159", "CONTINUED: (2)", "WES", "Perimeter alert, Captain!", "Wesley is instantly embarrassed; Beverly is mortified;", "Picard is ang7ry.", "WES", "BEVERLY", "I'm sorry. I didn't mean", "Wes! You shouldn't", "to...", "have touched anything...", "PICARD", "Off the bridge! Both of you.", "Worf has come to his feet, not sure whether or not he", "should respond to the call. Beverly is hustling Wesley", "toward the turbolift.", "WORF", "You have a perimeter alert,", "Captain.", "BEVERLY", "(to Picard)", "As my son tried to tell you!", "She EXITS into the turbolift, the doors CLOSING behind", "her and Wesley. Picard, slamming his fist into his", "other palm, jumps for his command chair as:", "PICARD", "Picard. Go ahead.", "SECURITY VOICE", "Ship's sensors have detected the", "presence of a vessel approaching", "this planet. No ship is scheduled", "to arrive at this time.", "PICARD", "Have Mister Riker, and his team", "beamed back up! Security, could", "that be the Hood returning here?", "SECURITY VOICE", "The vessel does not match the", "Hood's configuration or I.D.", "signal.", "PICARD", "Put it on main viewer!", "160", "ANGLE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)", "Instantly, the image of a ship is flashed on the screen.", "It appears big, dark, ominous -- even at far range --", "and it is approaching very swiftly.", "161", "ANGLE ON PICARD AND WORF", "PICARD", "Identification?", "SECURITY VOICE", "Vessel unknown, configuration", "unknown, sir.", "PICARD", "Hail it!", "WORF", "(works his panel)", "We've been trying, sir. No", "response.", "PICARD", "Raise all shields, phasers at", "ready.", "WORF", "(works panel)", "Shields up, sir. Phasers ready.", "(turns to Picard)", "Could this be that \"Q\" you", "mentioned, sir?", "162", "CLOSE ON PICARD", "staring at the viewscreen.", "PICARD", "I almost hope so, Lieutenant.", "We face too many \"unknowns\"", "already.", "163", "ANGLE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)", "The ship is closer now -- looks menacing -- and still", "coming fast.", "FADE OUT.", "PART EIGHT", "FADE IN:", "164", "EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)", "The Enterprise in orbit.", "165", "INT. BRIDGE - WIDE ANGLE", "All bridge positions are filled now, everyone watching", "the viewscreen intently.", "166", "ANGLE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)", "The mystery vessel approaching closer.", "167", "PICARD AND WORF", "PICARD", "Continue universal greeting on", "all frequencies. Get me Groppler", "Zorn.", "There is a BEEP, a pause, then:", "ZORN'S VOICE", "This is Zorn, Captain.", "168", "INT. ZORN'S OFFICE - DAY - ON ZORN", "He is seated at the desk, speaks into a small portable", "communicator grid shaped to fit the palm of his hand.", "PICARD'S VOICE", "There is an unidentified vessel", "moving into orbit with us. Do you", "know who it is?", "169", "INTERCUT BETWEEN ZORN AND PICARD AS NEEDED.", "ZORN", "There are no ships scheduled to", "arrive until --", "PICARD", "I asked if you know who it is,", "Groppler. You mentioned the", "Ferengi Alliance to me.", "169", "CONTINUED:", "ZORN", "(very nervous)", "But we have had no dealings with", "them. It was only a... a", "thought.", "PICARD", "Are you very, very certain of", "that, Groppler?", "ZORN", "I promise you we were making an", "empty threat, Captain. I wanted", "your cooperation. Forgive me --", "WORF", "Definitely entering an orbital", "trajectory, sir.", "SECURITY POSITION", "It measures half again our size,", "Captain.", "170", "EXT. SPACE - ANGLE ON MYSTERY VESSEL/ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)", "The mystery vessel approaches and settles into", "geosynchronous orbit. It is positioned slightly above", "and to the side of the Enterprise -- and it is a great", "deal larger than the Enterprise. Suddenly, A GLOWING", "PULSE OF LIGHT throbs out from the mystery vessel toward", "the Enterprise.", "171", "INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - FULL SHOT", "The LIGHT GLOWS OVER EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE ON THE", "BRIDGE. They are startled by it, but no one is hurt.", "As the GLOW FADES AWAY:", "PICARD", "All stations, give any damage", "reports.", "The others are looking at each other, shaking their", "heads. No problems.", "WORF", "I would guess we were being", "scanned, sir.", "172", "INT. UNDERGROUND PASSAGEWAY", "Troi is leaning against the strange, smooth and shining", "tunnel wall as if still feeling pain. Riker, obviously", "still concerned for Troi, is examining the strange", "tunnel walls with the tricorder while Geordi moves his", "\"eyes\" inches away from the surface to examine it", "closely. Data is testing his communicator and we'll", "HEAR him trying to get a signal back from the", "Enterprise.", "TASHA", "(to Troi)", "Pain again?", "RIKER", "(turning; sharply)", "Troi, you've been at it enough!", "TROI", "No, I feel close to an answer of", "some kind.", "DATA", "(interrupting)", "Commander, something down here", "is shielding our communicators.", "TROI", "(comes to her feet)", "Yes, that's exactly the feeling", "I've been reading. As if someone", "doesn't want us to be in touch", "with our ship.", "RIKER", "Come on...", "(leads the way)", "... let's get to the surface.", "173", "EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND MYSTERY VESSEL (OPTICAL)", "The mystery vessel clearly larger than the Enterprise", "and moving near it in orbit.", "174", "INT. BRIDGE - INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "On which is featured an IMAGE OF MYSTERY VESSEL.", "OPERATIONS POSITION", "There is no computer record of", "any such vessel, sir. Not even", "close.", "174", "CONTINUED:", "SECURITY POSITION", "Still no response, sir. We've", "done everything but threaten them.", "PICARD", "Sensor scans, Mister Worf.", "WORF", "Our sensor signals seem to just", "bounce off.", "(bites off words;", "indicates to viewer)", "Something's happening, sir...", "175", "FULL ON MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "As a beam of something STRIKES DOWNWARD TOWARD THE", "PLANET SURFACE. (It doesn't look exactly like the", "Enterprise phasers but is the same sort of thing.)", "176", "EXT. SPACE - ANGLE ON MYSTERY VESSEL (OPTICAL)", "As another phaser-like BEAM STRIKES DOWN AT THE PLANET.", "177", "INT. BRIDGE", "Excitement.", "178", "ANGLE ON OPS POSITION", "WORF", "They're firing on Farpoint,", "sir... !", "PICARD", "(toward Security", "position)", "Bring phasers and photon torpedoes", "to ready!", "WORF", "No, hold it, sir. They're hitting", "the Bandi city, not Farpoint", "Station.", "179", "INT. UNDERGROUND PASSAGEWAY", "Riker and his team racing to where the rounded, smooth", "and shining walls of the tunnel begin to give way to", "a more ordinary looking rectangular corridor of mixed", "stone and tile walls.", "180", "ANOTHER ANGLE - INCLUDING STAIRWAY AHEAD", "Riker pulling to a halt in order to examine with", "curiosity the blend where the unknown type tunnel walls", "give way to stone and tile construction similar to what", "we've seen in the old Bandi city. Ahead is a stone", "block stairway leading up to that old city. Geordi has", "hurried in, peering closely at the more familiar kind", "of wall surface.", "TROI", "(indicates ahead)", "Those stairs are where Tasha and", "I entered down here, sir.", "GEORDI", "At this point, it becomes ordinary", "stone and tile, sir.", "(turns, puzzled)", "Matching what's above.", "Followed by a LONG RUMBLING EXPLOSION (\"PHASER HIT\"", "type) WITH THE LONG FLASH OF IT REFLECTING DOWN THE", "STAIRWAY FROM THE UPPER LEVEL AHEAD. As this SOUND", "FADES, then we HEAR A FAINT DISTANT SCREAM which dies", "away too.", "TASHA", "My God! Was that a phaser blast?", "DATA", "Negative. But something similar.", "Again, the SAME KIND OF EXPLOSION SOUND followed by", "similar LIGHT FLICKERS from the stairway ahead. Riker", "turns to Troi:", "RIKER", "You, Tasha, and Geordi will beam", "up to the ship from here. Now!", "(to Data)", "Come on, I want to see exactly", "what's happening.", "Riker starts off to the stairway, Data following.", "TROI", "Don't. If you should be hurt...", "A stern look comes over Riker's face as he turns quickly", "to her:", "RIKER", "You have your orders, Counselor!", "Carry them out!", "180", "CONTINUED:", "TROI", "Yes sir, I'm sorry, sir.", "181", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "Riker and Data begin climbing the stairway, leaving the", "CAMERA CENTERED ON TROI, TASHA AND GEORDI. Troi has", "already reached for her communicator control.", "TROI", "Enterprise, three to beam up.", "After a moment, the familiar TRANSPORTER SOUND, followed", "by TRANSPORTER EFFECT ON THE THREE DISSOLVING INTO THE", "LIGHT SPARKLE. Then, they're gone.", "182", "INT. COVERED VILLAGE SQUARE (OPTICAL)", "OLD CITY IN IN B.G. where FIRE RAGES in a smashed", "structure in that part of the old city we can see. In", "CLOSER FOREGROUND is an entrance to the underground", "passageway, this entry guarded by thick, hand-worked", "metal door, locked. This village square is a connecting", "point between the Old City and Farpoint Station. A", "short distance in the OFF-CAMERA DIRECTION lies Farpoint", "Mall.", "183", "THE METAL DOORS (OPTICAL)", "We HEAR a hand phaser HUM as a GLOW FLICKERS OVER THE", "METAL DOORS which now spring open and a CLASHING OF", "METAL SOUND. Riker and Data ENTER SCENE though those", "door, phasers in hand.", "184", "CLOSER - RIKER AND DATA", "As Riker touches his communicator control.", "RIKER", "Enterprise, Riker. Come in.", "0T", "INTERRUPTED BY THE CLOSER SOUND OF A PHASER-LIKE BOLT FROM THE", "MYSTERY VESSEL. Also from closer, THE LIGHT OF THE", "BLAST REFLECTS ON THEIR FACES and they whirl to see:", "186", "ANGLE INTO OLD CITY", "Where a building is being BLASTED INTO STONES AND DUST.", "187", "INT. ZORN'S OFFICE - OLD CITY", "Filled with the dust and SOUNDS of a nearby BLAST. Zorn", "is working frantically with his communicator.", "ZORN", "Enterprise, Enterprise, help us!", "Come in, please...", "188", "INT. BRIDGE - WIDE ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "On MAIN VIEWER THE IMAGE OF THE mystery vessel which", "as we watch will FIRE ANOTHER PHASER-LIKE BOLT DOWN", "TOWARD THE PLANET. The bridge crew are anxiously poised", "on the edge of their seats, waiting for Picard's next", "order.", "ZORN'S VOICE", "... what shall we do? Help us,", "please.", "PICARD", "(overlapping)", "Tune him down!", "(into transmitter)", "Commander Riker, go ahead. Where", "are you?", "189", "ANOTHER ANGLE - INCLUDING TURBOLIFT", "As the doors SNAP OPEN TO REVEAL TROI, TASHA, AND GEORDI", "who hurry onto the bridge, take their regular positions", "(Geordi relieving Ops). Meanwhile:", "RIKER'S VOICE", "With Data, on the edge of the old", "city, Captain. It's being hit", "hard. Who's doing this?", "PICARD", "And Farpoint Station? Any damage", "there?", "190", "INT. COVERED VILLAGE SQUARE - FARPOINT MALL IN B.G.", "No indication that Farpoint Station has been damaged", "at all. Riker, standing with Data, is using his", "communicator.", "190", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER", "Negative on damage to Farpoint,", "sir. Whoever they are, it seems", "they're carefully avoiding hitting", "the station.", "PICARD'S VOICE", "It's from an unidentified vessel", "that's entered orbit with us here.", "No ID, no answer to our signals...", "During which there's another BLAST SOUND with the same", "kind of LIGHT FLICKERS.", "191", "ANGLE INCLUDING OLD CITY", "As Riker whirls again in that direction, interrupting", "Picard:", "RIKER", "They're hitting the Bandi city", "hard, sir. Many casualties very", "probable.", "192", "INT. BRIDGE - EMPHASIZING PICARD", "Everything as we last left it.", "PICARD", "(into transmitter)", "Understand, Commander. Would you", "object to a clearly illegal", "kidnapping assignment?", "RIKER'S VOICE", "No objection; anything you order,", "sir.", "PICARD", "Zorn may have the answers we need.", "Get Groppler Zorn and bring him", "here!", "RIKER'S VOICE", "Aye, sir!", "193", "ANGLE INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "Picard looks at the IMAGE of the huge mystery vessel", "still in orbit nearby. Picard turns to Troi:", "193", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "They're forcing a difficult", "decision on me, Counselor.", "TROI", "(nods)", "But, I doubt protecting the Bandi", "would violate the Prime Directive.", "True, they are not actual", "allies...", "PICARD", "But we are in the midst of", "diplomatic discussions with them.", "(turns to Tasha)", "Lock phasers on that vessel,", "Lieutenant.", "194", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "In b.g., Tasha touching panel controls.", "TASHA", "Phasers locked on, Captain.", "Anything further INTERRUPTED BY OPTICAL EFFECT, the", "BLINDING LIGHT FLASH we've seen before and FADING TO", "REVEAL \"Q\", wearing the Judge's costume from the earlier", "courtroom sequence. He is standing in front of Picard.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Typical, so typical. Savage", "lifeforms never follow even their", "own rules.", "FADE OUT.", "PART NINE", "FADE IN:", "195", "EXT. BRIDGE - EMPHASIZING PICARD AND \"Q\"", "Rather than being nervous over the arrival of \"Q\"", "(JUDGE), Picard has become coldly angry.", "PICARD", "Get off my bridge!", "196", "ANOTHER ANGLE", "\"Q\" stepping toward Picard, smiling sadly.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Also interesting, that order about", "phasers.", "TASHA", "(ignoring \"Q\"; to", "Picard)", "Still standing by on phasers,", "Captain.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(turning to Picard)", "Please don't let me interfere.", "Use your weapons.", "PICARD", "You're the one who has a lot to", "learn, \"Q\". With no idea of who's", "on that vessel, my order was a", "routine safety precaution.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(breaking into LAUGHTER)", "Really? No idea of what it", "represents? The meaning of that", "vessel is as plain as...", "(then taps his nose)", "... as plain as the noses on your", "ugly little primate faces.", "196", "CONTINUED:", "LOUDER LAUGHTER.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(trying to control it)", "And if you were truly civilized,", "Captain, wouldn't you be doing", "something about the casualties", "happening down there?", "In answer, Picard touches the communications control on", "his uniform.", "PICARD", "Captain to CMO, are you reading", "any of this?", "197", "INT. SICKBAY - ANGLE EMPHASIZING BEVERLY", "But she's with a half dozen MEDICAL ASSISTANTS very busy", "preparing medical supplies, bringing portable medical", "equipment, etc.", "BEVERLY", "Medical teams already preparing", "to beam down, Captain.", "PICARD'S VOICE", "(relieved)", "Compliments on that, Doctor!", "198", "INT. BRIDGE", "Picard turning back to \"Q\".", "PICARD", "Any questions? Starfleet people", "are trained to render aid and", "assistance whenever...", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(interrupting)", "But not trained in clear thinking.", "PICARD", "Let's consider your thoughts.", "You call us \"savages\" and yet you", "knew those people down there would", "be killed. You're the one whose", "conduct is uncivilized.", "WORF", "Sir, they're firing on the planet", "again.", "199", "ANGLE INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "Where we SEE the mystery vessel beginning to FIRE BLASTS", "down at the planet again.", "PICARD", "Forcefields full on.", "(to Worf)", "Go to thrusters! Position us", "between that vessel and the", "planet.", "WORF", "Aye, sir, thruster power to...", "Worf trails his words, perplexed. His panel is fading,", "GOING DARK.", "WORF", "(continuing)", "We have no ship control, sir.", "It's gone!", "200", "INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE ZORN'S OFFICE - DAY - RIKER AND DATA", "They are headed toward Zorn's office door when the BLUE", "BOLT HITS beside the door, flooding the scene with a", "FLASH OF BLUE LIGHT. The corridor rocks, and the", "ceiling comes down partially. Riker and Data are flung", "down by the explosion. A beat, and then Data stirs,", "sits up. Riker is slower, but is managing to haul", "himself upright.", "DATA", "Are you undamaged?", "RIKER", "Yes. You?", "Data's eyes glaze slightly as he seems to go into a sort", "of \"trance\" that lasts just a few seconds. Then:", "DATA", "All systems operating.", "201", "ANGLE INCLUDING ZORN'S OFFICE DOOR", "It is hanging by its hinges, and debris-dust is drifting", "out of it. Riker and Data move quickly to and through", "the open door.", "202", "INT. ZORN'S OFFICE - DAY - FULL SHOT", "As Riker and Data ENTER. The office has been badly", "damaged, especially near the door. O.S. THE SOUND OF", "ANOTHER BOLT EXPLODING echoes. The room shakes under", "the impact. There is a MUFFLED SOB near the desk.", "203", "CLOSER ANGLE - NEAR DESK", "Zorn is cowering under his elegant desk, shaking and", "sobbing in fear.", "ZORN", "Please. You can make it stop.", "Drive it away.", "RIKER", "Drive who away, Groppler?", "Zorn reacts as if he knows he's said too much.", "ZORN", "I don't know.", "DATA", "Unlikely, sir.", "(to Zorn)", "Our records show that you", "supervised all Bandi contact with", "other worlds...", "ZORN", "We haven't done anything wrong!", "RIKER", "Then if we can learn nothing from", "you, perhaps we'll leave.", "ZORN", "(frightened)", "No! No, don't leave, I'll try", "to explain some of...", "204", "EMPHASIZING ZORN (OPTICAL)", "A kind of TRANSPORTER SOUND is heard, and then a", "TRANSPORTER EFFECT, somewhat different from the", "Starfleet variety, centers on Zorn. He beging SCREAMING", "as he FADES FROM VIEW.", "205", "ANGLE ON RIKER", "As he keys his communicator.", "205", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER", "First officer to Enterprise.", "PICARD'S VOICE", "Go ahead, Riker.", "RIKER", "We've lost Zorn, sir. Something", "like a transporter beam, it", "snatched him out of here.", "206", "INT. BRIDGE", "\"Q\" still in the captain's seat, listening to:", "RIKER'S VOICE", "Question, sir, could it have been", "the \"Q\" character you met earlier.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(laughs)", "None of you know who it is?", "You're running out of time,", "Captain.", "207", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING PICARD AND TROI", "She's frowning, trying to 'feel' something.", "TROI", "Captain... Suddenly I'm sensing", "something else. It's", "satisfaction, enormous", "satisfaction.", "PICARD", "From the same source as before?", "TROI", "No, that was on the planet.", "(indicates)", "This seems to be from here.", "208", "ANGLE TO INCLUDE MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "And the image of the mystery vessel.", "208", "CONTINUED:", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(to Troi)", "Excellent, Counselor!", "(indicates Picard)", "He's such a dullard, isn't he!", "INTERCOM VOICE", "Captain from Transporter Room.", "First officer and Mister Data now", "beaming aboard.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "Excellent also!", "(to Picard)", "Perhaps with more of these little", "minds helping, you'll...", "209", "EMPHASIZING PICARD", "As he whirls suddenly on \"Q\".", "PICARD", "(interrupting)", "That is enough, damn it!", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "We have an agreement; have you", "forgotten... ?", "In b.g., the turbolift doors SNAP OPEN but unnoticed by", "Picard and \"Q\" as they continue their argument. Riker", "and Data appear, move onto bridge as:", "PICARD", "We have an agreement which you", "are at this moment breaking by", "taking over our vessel,", "interfering with my decisions!", "(steps up nose-to-nose)", "You are not welcome on my bridge.", "Now, either leave or finish us.", "One of the two!", "\"Q\" stands, during which we have the impression that", "everyone is holding his breath. Then:", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "(gently)", "Temper, temper, mon capitaine. I", "am merely trying to assist a", "pitiful species. Perhaps I'll", "leave if Mister Riker provides", "me with some amusement.", "209", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "(to Riker)", "Do nothing that he asks!", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "But I ask so little. And it is", "so necessary if you are to solve", "all this.", "(turns; indicates vessel", "image in Main Viewer)", "Beam over there with your... what", "is it called... your \"away team\"?", "(to Picard)", "You should already know what", "you'll find there. But perhaps", "it was too adult a puzzle for you.", "RIKER", "Captain, with all respect, I", "intended to suggest beaming over", "there.", "210", "EMPHASIZING \"Q\" (OPTICAL)", "Amused at all this. He turns from Riker to look at", "Picard.", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "You show promise, my good fellow.", "PICARD", "But you don't. You should have", "long ago realized that, humanity", "is NOT a criminal race!", "\"Q\" (JUDGE)", "YOU MUST STILL PROVE THAT!", "A familiar BLINDING FLASH, and then \"Q\" is gone.", "211", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING PICARD AND RIKER", "Realizing \"Q\" is gone, turning to look at each other.", "Riker checks a reading on his panel.", "RIKER", "Of the 24 hours \"Q\" gave us, we have", "less than one left, sir.", "211", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "(nods)", "But I had a feeling you impressed", "him, Number One. That's hopeful.", "RIKER", "Thank you, Captain, That's the", "first time you've called me", "\"Number One\".", "PICARD", "(small smile)", "I believe I'll enjoy getting to", "know you, Bill. If we live long", "enough.", "FADE OUT.", "PART TEN", "FADE IN:", "212", "EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND MYSTERY VESSEL (OPTICAL)", "In orbit over the planet.", "213", "INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM", "Riker's away team moving onto the transporter platform.", "With him are Data, Troi, and Tasha. They carry the", "usual away team equipment which they're now checking.", "RIKER", "Phasers on stun.", "Everyone checks hand phasers. AD-LIB answers of", "\"checked\", \"on stun,\" etc. Riker turns to Transporter", "Chief.", "RIKER", "Energize.", "214", "INT. MYSTERY SHIP TUNNEL - WIDE ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "TRANSPORTER SOUND, then the BEAMING EFFECT. Then, fully", "MATERIALIZED, Riker and the others look around to orient", "themselves.", "DATA", "Most interesting, sir.", "TASHA", "Much the same construction as the", "underground tunnel we saw.", "Which describes it perfectly. The same rounded shape", "and GLOWING WALL of unknown composition. The \"tunnel\"", "is deserted; NO SHIP SOUNDS of any kind.", "TASHA", "(continuing)", "But no sound of power; no", "equipment. How does this ship", "run?", "Riker nods a direction. Tasha takes the point as they", "move out. Clearly, these are exceptionally well trained", "people. Data is already using his tricorder to check", "the walls. He obviously gets nothing, shakes his head.", "Troi suddenly staggers, GROANS.", "214", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER", "Troi, what is it?!", "(waits anxiously)", "Is it the same as you felt down", "there?", "TROI", "No, this is... different. It", "feels much more powerful... full", "of anger... hate...", "TASHA", "Toward us?", "TROI", "No. It's directed down toward", "the old Bandi city.", "DATA", "Most intriguing again. The place", "that this vessel was firing", "upon...", "(abruptly stops; to", "Riker)", "Sorry, sir, I seem to be", "commenting on everything.", "RIKER", "(small smile)", "Good. Don't stop it, my friend.", "215", "EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)", "Enterprise and the mystery vessel still in orbit.", "216", "INT. BRIDGE - EMPHASIZING PICARD", "Geordi and Worf at their positions. Picard is in the", "command seat, antsy.", "RIKER'S VOICE", "Enterprise, Riker. This is", "turning out to be a very long", "tunnel or corridor, sir. Still", "no sign of mechanism or", "circuitry...", "217", "INT. NARROW MYSTERY SHIP TUNNEL - RIKER AND GROUP", "Still led and followed by the security people, they're", "now moving along fairly rapidly although this tunnel", "is narrower here. Otherwise, its look hasn't changed.", "RIKER", "(continuing)", "... or controls, readouts, nothing", "at all like any vessel I've seen", "before.", "TROI", "(interrupting)", "Groppler Zorn, sir... in great", "fear...", "(motions)", "Just ahead.", "218", "INT. TUNNEL CONNECTION", "Troi and the team arriving, standing puzzled at what", "seems to be only a sharp turn where we SEE a strange", "indentation in the tunnel wall there. Troi, intent on", "this, steps closer, pushes her body against the", "indentation.", "TROI", "It's definitely Zorn, Commander.", "Here!", "RIKER", "(stepping in)", "Careful...", "But the tunnel wall is soft here -- it gives", "perceptibly, as Troi pushes harder and then PLOP... she", "disappears through it. (NOTE: Or the 'wall' opens to", "let her through and then closes behind her.)", "RIKER", "Troi!!!", "Then he pushes, disappears through the same wall.", "219", "INT. ZORN'S \"CELL\"", "Riker sliding through the pliable opening in the tunnel", "wall, joining Troi who is standing there aghast at what", "is suspended in the center of this area.", "220", "ANGLE AT FORCE FIELD (OPTICAL)", "Zorn is held suspended off the deck in the center of", "a cylindrical forcefield. The force field edges GLITTER", "SOFTLY to outline the shape of it.", "221", "ANGLE ON THE AWAY TEAM (OPTICAL)", "As the other team members come through the 'wall' too,", "stand, reacting at the sight of Zorn.", "222", "ANGLE AT FORCE FIELD (OPTICAL)", "The FORCEFIELD SPARKLES, CLICKS, causing Zorn to writhe", "and twitch. He SCREAMS.", "ZORN", "No! Please! No more! Please,", "no more...", "223", "ANGLE ON AWAY TEAM (OPTICAL)", "They move forward toward him, and are brought up sharply", "by the leading edge of the force field. Data has", "already started to scan with his tricorder. Riker calls", "to Zorn.", "RIKER", "(continuing)", "Zorn. Can you hear me?", "Zorn manages to lift his head, and WE SEE his", "pain-filled face, his features twisted into a grimace", "of intense agony.", "ZORN", "Make it stop the pain. Please...", "TROI", "Has the alien communicated... ?", "(breaks off; then to", "Riker)", "That's it, sir! It's just one", "alien that I'm sensing here.", "ZORN", "(another GROAN)", "Please! I don't understand what", "it wants.", "TROI", "(studying Zorn; then)", "Not true. He does know.", "223", "CONTINUED:", "Data interrupts by holding his tricorder so that Riker", "can see the readings he's gathered. Riker registers", "at seeing something unique as Data pulls out his phaser,", "Riker does the same and both of them concentrate on", "making some exact setting on their phasers.", "224", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "As Data and Riker raise their phasers toward Zorn.", "ZORN", "(in terror)", "No, no, please don't!", "Data and Riker trigger their phasers and we SEE a SORT", "OF COLORED GLOW on the FORCEFIELD HOLDING Zorn, the GLOW", "SPREADING OVER THE ENTIRE FORCEFIELD. Then, suddenly", "the FORCEFIELD DISAPPEARS, GLOW AND ALL, and Zorn", "tumbles out onto the floor free of restraint.", "225", "EMPHASIZING \"LIVE\" PART OF CELL WALL (EFFECTS)", "Where the wall seems to be \"alive\", undulating. Beyond", "it, Tasha is assisting Zorn to his feet, supporting him.", "Meanwhile, Troi looks around Zorn's \"cell\", sensing", "something troubling. Riker has turned on his", "communicator:", "RIKER", "Away team to Enterprise...", "A TENDRIL OF PLASMA EMERGES FROM THIS PART OF THE WALL,", "swaying and moving toward Troi.", "DATA", "(interrupting; warning)", "Troi... !", "But the TENDRIL is already wrapping around her. Data", "tries to pull the TENDRIL from Troi, succeeds only in", "getting a NEW TENDRIL wrapped around himself.", "226", "ANOTHER ANGLE (EFFECTS)", "The floor of the area suddenly going soft, away team", "members sinking into it while still ANOTHER SECTION OF", "WALL FOLDS ITSELF OVER TASHA. (What we're seeing is", "this part of the mystery \"vessel\" becoming a living", "thing.)", "226", "CONTINUED:", "RIKER", "Enterprise, come in. Beam us...", "Interrupted as his feet are YANKED OUT FROM UNDER HIM.", "DATA", "Enterprise, we need help...", "Interrupted by the NEW TENDRIL WRAPPING ITSELF AROUND", "HIS HEAD.", "227", "INT. BRIDGE", "Picard speaking anxiously toward his command panel as", "we HEAR Riker's MUFFLED SOUNDS OF DISTRESS.", "PICARD", "Transporter chief, yank them back!", "Now!", "WORF", "Captain... !", "228", "ANGLE INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "Toward which Lieutenant Worf is pointing. On it the", "IMAGE of the mystery vessel is BEGINNING TO CHANGE IN", "SHAPE. The firm, hard edges of the spaceship are giving", "way to something softer, very mysterious in nature.", "229", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "In which we SEE a familiar BLINDING FLASH and \"Q\"", "appears, now wearing the uniform of a STARFLEET CAPTAIN.", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "Your time is up, Captain.", "PICARD", "Get off my bridge!", "(into command panel)", "Transporter Chief, do you have", "their coordinates?", "230", "ANOTHER ANGLE (EFFECTS)", "\"Q\" stepping to the command position.", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "He can't hear you, Captain.", "230", "CONTINUED:", "\"Q\" gestures upward, at which Picard is suddenly lifted", "into the air and then to the side of \"Q\"'s hand motion", "in that direction.", "PICARD", "\"Q\", I've people in trouble over", "there... !", "As Picard hovers above, \"Q\" steps up and sits in", "Picard's command position. Bridge personnel are coming", "to their feet angrily, then hesitate as:", "PICARD", "(continuing)", "Everyone, at ease! That's an", "order!", "(to \"Q\")", "My people are in trouble, \"Q\".", "Help them; I'll do whatever you", "say...", "As \"Q\" gives another hand signal downward, the Captain", "is gently deposited onto the deck.", "231", "WIDE PORTION OF BRIDGE (OPTICAL)", "As the same strange transporter SOUND that accompanied", "Zorn's \"kidnapping\" is heard and the same STRANGE", "TRANSPORTER EFFECT APPEARS, this time MATERIALIZING FIVE", "IMAGES -- Riker, Data, Troi, Tasha, and Groppler Zorn.", "232", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING PICARD", "Very surprised, looking from his away team to \"Q\".", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "You'll do whatever I say?", "PICARD", "(hesitates; nods)", "It seems I did make that bargain.", "TROI", "The agreement isn't valid, sir.", "It wasn't \"Q\" that saved us.", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "(quickly; indicating", "viewer)", "Save yourselves! It may attack", "you now.", "233", "ANGLE INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "On which the changed IMAGE of the mystery \"vessel\" seems", "to be floating in closer to the Enterprise.", "RIKER", "It was that which sent us back,", "Captain.", "TROI", "Yes sir. It's not a vessel, sir.", "It's alive somehow...", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "She lies! Destroy it while you", "have a chance.", "(to Tasha)", "Make phasers and photon torpedoes", "ready... !", "PICARD", "No! Do nothing he suggests!", "ZORN", "But that thing was killing my", "people, Captain...", "PICARD", "True, but why? Was there a", "reason?", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "It is an unknown, Captain! Isn't", "that enough?", "PICARD", "If you had earned that uniform", "you're wearing, you'd know that", "the unknown is what brings us out", "here!", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "Wasted effort, considering the", "human intelligence.", "PICARD", "Let's test that...", "(to Zorn)", "... starting with the tunnels you", "have under Farpoint, Groppler.", "RIKER", "Identical to the ones on that", "space vessel lifeform, over there.", "Why was it punishing you,", "Groppler?", "233", "CONTINUED:", "PICARD", "In return for pain you caused to", "some other creature?", "ZORN", "We did nothing wrong! It was", "injured, we helped it...", "PICARD", "(interrupting; to Zorn)", "Thank you, that was the missing", "part.", "(turns)", "Tasha, rig phasers to deliver an", "energy beam.", "TASHA", "(puzzled)", "Aye, sir.", "Tasha steps to her panel, makes settings on controls", "there.", "RIKER", "Yes, Captain, I understand now.", "It has to be conceivable that", "somewhere in the galaxy there", "could exist creatures able to", "convert energy into matter...", "PICARD", "(nodding)", "And into specific patterns of", "matter. Much as our transporters", "do.", "TASHA", "(indicating)", "On the viewer, Captain!", "234", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "Where the vessel/creature IMAGE is SOFTENING FURTHER", "INTO AN AMORPHOUS, COLORFUL AND LOVELY SHAPE. Picard", "turns to the Groppler, demanding:", "PICARD", "Zorn, you captured something like", "that, didn't you?", "On main viewer, the IMAGE NOW SHOWS LOVELY FEATHERY", "TENDRILS, and it is BEGINNING TO MOVE DOWN TOWARD THE", "PLANET. Zorn reacts to this, shows panic.", "234", "CONTINUED:", "ZORN", "Warn my people, please! Leave", "Farpoint Station immediately!", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "He's lied to you, Captain.", "Shouldn't you let his people die?", "PICARD", "(nods to Ops)", "Transmit the message. \"Leave", "Farpoint immediately\".", "TROI", "Then it was a pair of creatures", "I was sensing. One down there", "in grief and pain, the other up", "here, filled with anger...", "DATA", "(nodding)", "And firing not on the new space", "station, but on the old Bandi", "city.", "PICARD", "(to \"Q\")", "Attacking those who captured", "it's...", "(to Troi)", "... it's mate?", "TASHA", "Energy beam ready, sir.", "PICARD", "(to Tasha)", "Lock it in on Farpoint Station.", "\"Q\" stands in an annoyed manner, indicates the captain's", "position to Picard.", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "I see now it was too simple a", "puzzle. But generosity has always", "been my weakness.", "As \"Q\" moves aside, Picard takes his position, turning", "to Tasha.", "PICARD", "Let it have whatever it can", "absorb. Energize!", "235", "EXT SPACE - THE ENTERRPISE (OPTICAL)", "in orbit, as a THICK, PALE BLUE ENERGY BEAM AIMS", "DOWNWARD.", "236", "EXT. FARPOINT STATION (OPTICAL)", "HIGH DOWNWARD SHOT SHOWING THE ENERGY BEAM terminating", "and being absorbed into Farpoint Station.", "237", "INT. BRIDGE - INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "Picard and others watching the energy beam terminating", "at Farpoint Station.", "TASHA", "Now getting feedback on the beam,", "sir.", "PICARD", "Discontinue it.", "(to Zorn)", "Groppler Zorn, there'll soon be", "no Farpoint Station if I'm right", "about this.", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "A lucky guess!", "ZORN", "I know we deserve this loss, but", "please believe me, we meant not", "to harm the creature, but to use", "it.", "TROI", "Sir, a feeling of great joy. And", "gratitude.", "238", "EXT. FARPOINT STATION (OPTICAL)", "The city/station miniature -- the Farpoint Station part", "of it GROWING SOFT, SHIMMERING, SLOWLY BECOMES A", "CREATURE OF GOSSAMER, FEATHERY LIGHTNESS -- now", "gracefully rising up from its captivity.", "239", "ANOTHER ANGLE (OPTICAL)", "Where what was once the \"mystery vessel\" but now an", "increasingly beautiful COLORFUL, FEATHERY TENDRIL SHAPE", "is descending closer and closer to what was once the", "Farpoint Station part of city/station (miniature).", "239", "CONTINUED:", "THE TWO CREATURES (OPTICAL)", "The smaller one rising up toward its mate. They touch", "-- delicate matter/energy tendrils twining -- and then", "together they move upwards out of sight.", "240", "EXT SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)", "As the two creatures rise up past it.", "241", "INT. BRIDGE - INCLUDING MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)", "On which the two creatures are rising upward OUT OF", "IMAGE FRAME.", "TROI", "Great joy and gratitude... from", "both of them.", "242", "ANGLE EMPHASIZING \"Q\" (OPTICAL)", "As Picard turns on him.", "PICARD", "And why? Because it furnishes", "entertainment to you! You use", "other lifeforms for recreation.", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "If so, you've not provided the", "best...", "PICARD", "Get off my ship, you smug", "hypocrite.", "\"Q\" (STARFLEET)", "Why not? We can also meet", "another time, another place.", "PICARD", "That's doesn't frighten us at", "all! You accuse us of \"grievous", "savagery\"? No, the one proven", "guilty of that crime is you!", "242", "CONTINUED:", "ANOTHER BLINDING FLASH AND \"Q\" DISAPPEARS. It takes", "a moment to realize that he is gone. Then:", "RIKER", "I trust this isn't the usual way", "our missions will go, sir.", "Picard screws up his face in mock consideration of this,", "then nods.", "PICARD", "On no, Number One, I'm sure", "they'll be much more interesting.", "FADE OUT.", "THE END", "", " "] |