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January 29, 1990
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45 minutes
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2024-09-11 10:15:00
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SUMMARY
Stardate: 43510.7. Dr. Crusher is abducted by a group of terrorists while delivering crucial medical supplies to a planet ravaged by civil war.
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REVIEWS
The dark side of the Federation
Written by
kimmy on 2018-05-09
★
★
★
★
★
This was unexpected! Most TNG episodes have been focused on a science fiction story or a demonstration of what a utopian way to deal with things in the 24th century looks like; but this episode and its focus on terrorism is clearly tackling socio-political issues. There is much here that could be expected from such an episode -- one man's terrorist is another man's hero and the such -- but the high quality of the dialogue for all characters and excellent casting of the lead rebel elevate this episode above expectations. Unfortunately this was Melinda Snodgrass's last episode for TNG, and oddly enough the other writers didn't like this episode; she left due to differences with showrunner Michael Piller (she also wrote season 2's "The Measure of a Man"). Of note: Beverly's confession to Jean-Luc is cut at the last moment and we are left to wonder what it would be. Another quick hint that there's a lot going on under the surface!
But what was *most* unexpected from this episode is that it paints the Federation in a dark light for the first time in the history of the series, I think! (and much earlier than DS9) The terrorists are presented as three-dimensional characters with senseful motivations and questionable choices, and we are led to extend this moral relativism to the Federation itself: what if the terrorists were right and the Federation is unfairly choosing sides, even indirectly? The question is too big for a single episode to tackle; the story of this episode is neatly wrapped up at the end with, obviously, the terrorists safely neutralized, but the issues raised by it remain. And we still have six years left, according to Data, for the reunification of Ireland thanks to terrorism.
Alumni-spotting:
Richard Cox as the lead terrorist Kyril Finn was memorable as the lawyer Al Pepper in Millennium's extraordinary "Powers, Principalities, Thrones and Dominions"!
The quote:
Finn: "I am willing to die for my freedom. And, in the finest tradition of your own great civilization, I'm willing to kill for it, too."
TRANSCRIPT
Captain's log, Stardate 43510.7. The Enterprise has put in at Rutia Four to deliver medical supplies following an outbreak of violent protests. Although non-aligned, the planet has enjoyed a long trading relationship with the Federation. Now, a generation of peace has ended with terrorist attacks by Ansata separatists, who are demanding autonomy and self-determination for their homeland on the western continent. Recreational shore leave has been prohibited and all away teams have been beam down armed.
[Plaza Cafe]
(The situation isn't stopping Beverly and Worf from drinking beverages in pleasant cafes in shopping areas)
DATA: We have only a few minutes before our next meeting, Doctor.
CRUSHER: It's all right. We're finished. Waiter?
(Big explosion in the plaza. Screams, injured passers by, alarms going off. Beverly rushes to help)
WORF: Doctor!
[Plaza]
POLICEMAN: Keep back!
CRUSHER: Put that away. I'm a doctor. (to an injured woman) Just lie still. Try not to move.
CRUSHER: Lieutenant Worf, I need some bandages, disinfectant, something with alcohol in it.
WORF: Doctor, it is not safe.
CRUSHER: That's an order, Lieutenant.
(She goes to the next casualty)
CRUSHER: Don't be afraid. There's a lot of bleeding, but it's not as bad as it looks.
POLICEMAN: The Klingon's right. These Ansata, they're madmen. There could be another bomb. (to bystanders) Clear this area. Everyone out of the plaza.
DATA: Doctor, I believe it would be prudent to return to the Enterprise. There are physicians on this planet.
CRUSHER: Who are not here. I am.
WORF: Doctor.
(He hands her black material and a bottle of alcohol)
CRUSHER: Thank you.
(The waiter puts a bottle down too)
CRUSHER: Thank you.
KATIK: Not at all, Doctor.
DATA: Captain, there has been an incident.
[Bridge]
DATA [OC]: A bomb has been detonated by Ansata terrorists.
PICARD: Your security status?
DATA [OC]: Vulnerable, sir.
PICARD: Transporter room three, lock onto the away team, prepare to beam them back.
CREWMAN [OC]: Yes, Captain.
[Plaza]
DATA: Sir, I've recommended such a course, but there are several wounded people and Doctor Crusher
[Bridge]
DATA [OC]: Is insisting on attending to
PICARD: I understand. Picard to Doctor Crusher.
[Plaza]
CRUSHER: Go ahead.
PICARD [OC]: Doctor, Commander Data has informed me of your situation.
CRUSHER: I already know what you're going to say.
PICARD [OC]: Doctor, will you at least allow me to
CRUSHER: The longer we argue, the longer
[Bridge]
CRUSHER [OC]: It's going to take me to save
PICARD: Doctor, you are endangering yourself and the away team.
[Plaza]
CRUSHER: Captain, I am trying to put life back into a wounded body with sleight of hand. I'm not going anywhere. Data and Worf
[Bridge]
CRUSHER [OC]: Don't have to stay. Crusher out.
PICARD: Transporter room, do you have lock on the away team?
CREWMAN [OC]: Aye, sir. Shall I transport them?
RIKER: I don't want to be in the transporter room to greet her.
PICARD: Commander Data.
[Plaza]
PICARD [OC]: Hold your position until the Rutian medics arrive.
DATA: Aye, sir.
WORF: The tricorder is not reading any other explosive devices in this vicinity.
(Then a man pops in out of thin air)
ALEXANA: Get out of the way!
(The police draw their weapons and the man grabs Beverly's arm, then shoots a policeman)
CRUSHER: You don't understand. I'm a
(Then Beverly and the man vanish again)
[Observation lounge]
DATA: A transporter would leave residual ionization in the air. Our tricorder readings found no trace after the incident.
RIKER: People don't just appear and disappear. There must be some way to track her.
DATA: We have been unable to detect a signal from her communicator. Either it has been deactivated or she is being held in a shielded location.
PICARD: Why her?
WORF: Sir, I believe she was the intended target of the abduction.
RIKER: Why would they want to take a Federation hostage? Their fight doesn't involve us.
WORF: It does now.
[Side cave]
(A man enters carrying a plate with what look like pieces of meat on it)
FINN: You hungry? You want something to eat?
(Beverly stares impassively straight ahead)
FINN: I doesn't matter to me. You want to be hungry, be hungry. What's your name? You're a doctor on a Federation starship. I always wondered what it would be like to travel across the galaxy. It's not something I've exactly had time for. This isn't the best way to meet new people, is it? If you need anything, ask for me. My name is Kyril Finn. They know me.
[Ready room]
TROI: We have no reason to believe she's been hurt in any way.
PICARD: In fact, it's more than likely that they will take good care of her, if they want to use her as a bargaining chip.
WESLEY: Bargaining chip?
TROI: The innocent often become the pawns in conflicts of this type, Wes.
PICARD: You see, the Ansata separatists have been trying for generations to freed themselves from the rule of the eastern continent. If they can get the government just to acknowledge their demands, then kidnapping your mother will have served its purpose. I think that may be what they're after, but it may not. Frankly, Wesley, I don't care. My only concern is to get your mother back. Very shortly, we shall be leaving to have a meeting with the authorities.
WESLEY: Request permission to be on the away team, sir.
PICARD: No. You have an important job to do here. If we are to free your mother, then we have to be able to trace the movements of the terrorists. I want you to work with the team that are investigating this new technology of theirs.
WESLEY: I understand.
PICARD: Report to Mister Data. Dismissed.
(Wesley leaves)
TROI: He needs your strength right now.
PICARD: History has shown us that strength may be useless when faced with terrorism.
[Alexana's office]
(The police chief's office is full of wall monitors and such like)
PICARD: And what exactly is Ansata policy with regard to hostages?
ALEXANA: I doubt they have one. They don't usually take hostages. These are not people we're dealing with here. They're animals. Fanatics who kill without remorse or conscience. Who think nothing of murdering innocent people.
PICARD: But they could just as easily have shot her where she stood.
ALEXANA: Don't ask me to explain them. I can't. The atrocities that I've seen. And now they have this new device that makes them even more deadly. How do I combat an enemy who fails to register on any scanner until they're literally standing in front of you, pointing a phaser at your head?
RIKER: What can you tell us about this device?
ALEXANA: Not much, really. They first started using it two months ago. We've taken several of these off dead terrorists. Our people have looked at them Nothing they can explain
RIKER: Do you mind if we take one of these with us and have our people study it?
ALEXANA: Not at all. And I'll put you in touch with our research people, if you wish.
PICARD: I appreciate your help.
ALEXANA: Perhaps if we found ourselves in possession of some of that advanced Federation weaponry of yours, it would shift the balance of power back to our favour.
PICARD: Of course you know that is out of the question.
ALEXANA: Yes, of course.
PICARD: I would like to leave Commander Riker to assist in your search for Doctor Crusher.
ALEXANA: If you like.
RIKER: You don't sound very optimistic.
ALEXANA: I know my enemy, Commander. They don't leave much room for optimism.
[Side cave]
(Beverly is lying down, trying to sleep)
FINN: You hungry? You want something to eat? Relax, relax. I'm just going to
(He unshackles her ankles and then her wrists)
FINN: Now eat something. What's the point of not eating? You're the only one who suffers. Do I look like it's bothering me? Okay, it's bothering me. Come on.
(She takes the plate from him, and eats)
FINN: No forks. Sorry. Did I mention my name is Finn? And you're?
CRUSHER: Why have you brought me here?
FINN: I need a doctor.
CRUSHER: There are doctors on Rutia.
FINN: I need someone better. I heard you were with the Federation flagship and I knew you had to be.
CRUSHER: Who told you that?
FINN: I heard. Now you'll help me, just like you helped them.
CRUSHER: What are you talking about?
FINN: Your ship carries medical supplies for them, for the other side. Why does the Federation ally itself with the Rutians?
CRUSHER: We don't. All we did was bring
FINN: Medical supplies.
CRUSHER: People were hurt.
FINN: I know. I hurt them. You're finished eating. Get up. Get up!
CRUSHER: I have a son.
FINN: You'll be with him again, Doctor. I see no reason to kill you.
[Infirmary]
(The whole place is a very big cavern, with lighting, and people working. Finn hands Beverly her tricorder and takes her behind a glass wall to the infirmary area)
CRUSHER: I need some instruments from my ship in order to diagnose this.
FINN: You think if I allow you to contact your ship, they will transport the instruments?
CRUSHER: When I inform the Captain how serious the situation is, I'm sure he'll agree. I've told you, Finn, the Federation is not allied with Rutians. We're here on an errand of mercy.
FINN: And since the Federation does not wish to take sides, they will send the supplies that you need.
CRUSHER: Absolutely.
FINN: I've anticipated your needs.
(A boy comes in carrying boxes)
CRUSHER: These are Federation supplies. The ones we had delivered to the medical dispensary.
FINN: I heard.
[Alexana's office]
RIKER: You mean to tell me all these people belong to the Ansata?
ALEXANA: No, not really. We suspect the organisation itself only to consist of some two hundred members. There are over five thousand names on this list, citizens we know to be sympathetic to their cause. They pass along weaponry and information, march in pro-Ansata demonstrations, participate in general strikes or the occasional riot.
RIKER: How did this ever get started?
ALEXANA: Seventy years ago we denied them independence. That gave them a noble cause. Now it's just an excuse for more violence.
RIKER: You hate them as much as they hate you.
ALEXANA: Believe it or not, I always considered myself moderate.
RIKER: What changed your mind?
ALEXANA: Being stationed here for six months, watching the body count grow. The three assassination attempts on my life.
RIKER: Well, that'll change your point of view.
ALEXANA: The event that really opened my eyes took place only a few days after my arrival. A terrorist bomb destroyed a shuttlebus. Sixty schoolchildren. There were no survivors. The Ansata claimed that it was a mistake, that their intended target was a police transport. As if that made everything all right. That day I vowed that I would put an end to terrorism in this city. And I will.
[Infirmary]
(The boy is staying with Beverly, handing her things)
CRUSHER: Thank you. You're very helpful. You could learn to do this when you grow up. If you grow up.
(She goes over to Finn)
CRUSHER: They're dying. I'm seeing a complicated set of conditions. Their DNA is warped somehow, and it's distorting their entire cellular chemistry.
FINN: You can't do anything?
CRUSHER: I can make them more comfortable. That's all. The damage is too extensive.
[Cavern]
CRUSHER: If I could detect their condition earlier
FINN: You could reverse the damage?
CRUSHER: Perhaps. I don't know. What happened to them?
FINN: It's the inverter. It's given our cause a new life, but it asks for our lives in return.
CRUSHER: What does it do?
FINN: We transport through a dimensional shift that the Rutian sensors can't trace.
CRUSHER: Dimensional shifting? You can't do that with humanoid tissue.
FINN: There are risks, the designers told us, But it works.
CRUSHER: You're showing the same distorted readings. Not as severe as the others, but
FINN: It doesn't matter.
CRUSHER: It does if it kills you.
FINN: Don't you know? A dead martyr's worth ten posturing leaders.
[Engineering]
(Data and Wesley are examining the terrorist device)
DATA: A subspace field coil with an isolated power source. Curious.
LAFORGE: Hey, guys. Come here. Look at this. The Rutian team picked up a faint nuclear vibration during the terrorist movements.
WESLEY: Nuclear vibration?
DATA: That could possibly indicate subspace transition rebound during transport.
WESLEY: Wait a minute, wait a minute. May I? Computer, call up the files on. What was his name? We spent two hours on him in astral physics last year. Folded-space transport.
LAFORGE: Adaptive transport.
WESLEY: Yes.
DATA: Are you referring to the Elway Theorem?
WESLEY: Yes. Computer, call up the files on the Elway Theorem. What if they're using inter-dimensional travel?
DATA: But the Elway Theorem proved to be entirely inaccurate. All research was abandoned by the mid-twenty third century.
WESLEY: But Data, look, the nuclear vibrations are the same, and Elway used a model similar to this.
LAFORGE: It would certainly be untraceable by any standard method of detection.
DATA: But it was proven to be fatal. To use this technology would be an irrational act.
PICARD: We may be dealing with irrational people, Data. Is there a way to trace this?
LAFORGE: With an adaptive subspace echogram, maybe?
DATA: Captain, anyone who is willing to transport in this manner, would suffer significant internal damage that could be detected.
PICARD: It sounds as though they may require the services of a doctor.
[Plaza]
(The waiter has been arrested)
RIKER: This is no way to live.
ALEXANA: For us or them?
RIKER: For both of you.
ALEXANA: I know it's not pretty, Riker, but this is what terrorism has done to this city.
RIKER: There's got to be a better way to deal with it than this.
ALEXANA: My methods may seem harsh but believe me, they're gentle compared to my predecessors. Suspects would be brought into police headquarters and mysteriously vanish. I put a stop to that.
RIKER: What happened to your predecessors?
ALEXANA: They were murdered.
RIKER: Are you going to tell me that little boy's a threat?
(Two children are being handcuffed)
ALEXANA: It's possible. That shuttlebus I told you about? The bomb was set by a teenager. In a world where children blow up children, everyone's a threat.
[Infirmary]
(Finn is sketching as Beverly tends to her patients with the boy)
CRUSHER: It's okay. Over there.
(She sees what he's drawing - her hand holding another hand)
CRUSHER: You should be drawing, not killing people.
FINN: I can do both.
CRUSHER: How can you have such a casual attitude toward killing?
FINN: I take my killing very seriously, Doctor. You are an idealist.
CRUSHER: I live in an ideal culture. There's no need for your kind of violence. We've proven that.
FINN: Your origins on Earth are from the American continent, are they not?
CRUSHER: North America.
FINN: Yes, I've read your history books. This is a war for independence, and I am no different than your own George Washington
CRUSHER: Washington was a military general, not a terrorist.
FINN: The difference between generals and terrorists, Doctor, is only the difference between winners and losers. You win, you're called a general. You lose
CRUSHER: You are killing innocent people! Can't you see the immorality of what you're doing or have you killed so much you've become blind to it?
FINN: How much innocent blood has been spilled for the cause of freedom in the history of your Federation, Doctor? How many good and noble societies have bombed civilians in war, have wiped out whole cities. And now that you enjoy the comfort that has come from their battles, their killing, you frown on my immorality? I am willing to die for my freedom, Doctor. And in the finest tradition of your own great civilisation, I'm willing to kill for it, too.
[Alexana's office]
ALEXANA: All right. You can go.
(The suspect glares at Riker and is escorted out of the room)
POLICEMAN [OC]: Next man.
ALEXANA: If you want, I could become more persuasive.
RIKER: No.
(The waiter comes in)
ALEXANA: You're Katik Shaw, the waiter from the Lumar Cafe. You witnessed both the explosion and the kidnapping.
KATIK: I saw nothing.
ALEXANA: We're aware of your ties with the Ansata. For all we know you planted the bomb yourself. Where have they taken her?
KATIK: I don't know what you're talking about.
RIKER: I've had enough of this. I want you to take a message back to your people. You tell them the Federation is willing to negotiate for the release of Doctor Crusher.
ALEXANA: Riker!
RIKER: She's a Starfleet officer. She's my responsibility. Your people have terms. We're willing to listen. We want her back. It's as simple as that. I don't think it's necessary to detain this gentleman any longer.
ALEXANA: Get out.
(Katik the waiter leaves, and Alexana gestures for the other policeman to leave them alone)
ALEXANA: I should have him followed, but we'll try it your way.
RIKER: Is that what you want?
ALEXANA: What I want is to go home. Back to my own country. To leave behind the roundups, the interrogations, the bodies lying in the street. To be able to walk without bodyguards, and to not have to jump at every unexpected noise. That's what I want, Riker!
[Bridge]
DATA: A dimensional jump can create subspace pressure modulation, Captain. By setting up a magnetosphere echogram that can monitor each of their movements, we may be able to collect enough data to trace their power source.
PICARD: Can you estimate the number of jumps it will take?
DATA: Dimensional shifting is such an unstable procedure, sir, that I cannot say. Sir, I am finding it difficult to understand many aspects of Ansata conduct. Much of their behavioral norm would be defined by my programme as unnecessary and unacceptable.
PICARD: By my programme as well, Data.
DATA: But if that is so, Captain, why are their methods so often successful? I have been reviewing the history of armed rebellion and it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change.
PICARD: Yes, it can be, but I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun.
DATA: Yet there are numerous examples where it was successful. The independence of the Mexican State from Spain, the Irish Unification of 2024, and the Kensey Rebellion.
PICARD: Yes, I am aware of them.
DATA: Then would it be accurate to say that terrorism is acceptable when all options for peaceful settlement have been foreclosed?
PICARD: Data, these are questions that mankind has been struggling with throughout history. Your confusion is only human.
[Infirmary]
KATIK: Finn, everyone is being rounded up.
FINN: Because of her?
KATIK: The Federation wants to negotiate her release.
FINN: While they arrange for the Rutian police to fill up the detention cells.
KATIK: A Starfleet officer is working with the director. He wants a meeting with you.
FINN: I'm sure he does. Your Federation colleagues have engineered mass arrests to pressure me into releasing you.
CRUSHER: I'm sure you've misunderstood.
FINN: They're working with the police. He's seen it with his own eyes.
CRUSHER: All they want is to get me back safely.
FINN: I'm not releasing you. I need you here.
CRUSHER: To find a way to reverse the effects of the dimensional shift? I can do that right now. Stop using it! I have a life, Finn. I have a son who needs me.
FINN: Is your son on the ship?
CRUSHER: Yes.
FINN: I'm sorry he's on the ship.
CRUSHER: No.
FINN: They have joined forces with the Rutians against us.
CRUSHER: We are not your enemy.
FINN: They are more valuable to me than an enemy. For seventy years we have shouted, and no one's heard us. Destroy the Federation flagship, someone will listen.
CRUSHER: Please.
FINN: They are the ones who interfered. They are the ones who sent medical supplies. They are the ones who organised mass arrests. They are killing your son, not me.
CRUSHER: Please, Finn, don't do this. I will do anything you ask.
FINN: I had a son, too. He was thirteen when he died in detention.
[Corridor]
(A female terrorist jumps into the corridor)
CREWMAN: What?
(She guns him down while the woman runs back round a corner)
[Bridge]
WORF: Intruder alert, deck twelve.
WESLEY: Another subspace reflection. Dimensional shift, sir.
PICARD: Go to Red alert. Sound general quarters.
[Engineering]
(A man jumps into the upper core area and kills an engineer)
LAFORGE: Security to Engineering.
(Geordi just manages to avoid a hail of bullets)
[Bridge]
WORF: Intruders in Engineering
DATA: Casualties reported on deck twelve. Sickbay responding.
PICARD: Seal off all decks. Lock on transporters to the intruder signals.
CREWMAN [OC]: Intruder signals unstable, Captain, I cannot lock on.
DATA: They are moving inter-dimensionally. Neither transporters nor forcefields will contain them, sir.
[Engineering]
(Two terrorists place a bomb on the warp core and jump out. Geordi has seen them)
LAFORGE: Explosive charge on the main warp chamber.
[Bridge]
PICARD: Transporter room three, lock on the explosive device and energise.
CREWMAN [OC]: It's scrambling the sensors, Captain. I can't pinpoint it.
PICARD: Begin emergency evacuation. Stand by for saucer separation, Mister La Forge, can you remove the charge from the engine core?
LAFORGE [OC]: I'm trying. Hold on.
[Engineering]
LAFORGE: They've got it locked on somehow. Stand by.
(He gets a laser tool and cuts it off the core)
LAFORGE: Transporter room, lock on my signal and stand by to transport two kilometres off the starboard nacelle.
[Bridge]
TROI: His signal?
[Engineering]
LAFORGE: Transporter Room, now!
(There's a bang in space)
[Bridge]
PICARD: Mister La Forge, report.
[Engineering]
LAFORGE: Transport complete, Captain. I have a man down.
[Bridge]
WESLEY: More dimensional shifts, sir.
PICARD: Can you calibrate their destination?
WESLEY: No, sir, the readings are
(Finn and another terrorist jump onto the Bridge. Finn fires at the navigation console. Picard punches him and knocks him down. The woman terrorist shoots Worf in the leg as he shoots her)
TROI: Security. Code one emergency. Security!
(The woman, Picard and Finn, vanish)
[Side cave]
(Beverly comes in to see Picard shackled hand and foot)
[Bridge]
(Riker and Alexana enter)
TROI: Lieutenant Worf is recovering in Sickbay. The wound was not severe.
RIKER: Dead? Injured?
TROI: Three dead, four wounded.
LAFORGE: Another millisecond, there'd have been a big dust cloud orbiting Rutia instead of the Enterprise.
RIKER: Why? I just asked if they would talk.
ALEXANA: You have your answer, Riker.
WESLEY: Sir, the next time the Ansata use their dimensional jump we should be able to get a fix on the power source.
[Side cave]
PICARD: Worf went down. I don't know if he's alive or dead. And there were other casualties.
CRUSHER: Was Wes on the Bridge?
PICARD: Yes. He took cover. I didn't see any more than that. But you all right though?
CRUSHER: Yes, they needed a doctor.
PICARD: The side effects of the transport?
CRUSHER: Yes.
PICARD: We're getting closer to tracing their movements. Actually, it was Wesley who put us onto this dimensional jump of theirs. He has been extraordinary, Beverly. He's going to make a very fine officer.
CRUSHER: He's had good role models. I'm sorry. If I'd only gone back to the ship.
PICARD: I should have beamed you up.
CRUSHER: You wouldn't dare.
PICARD: Oh yes I would, and should.
CRUSHER: Without my permission?
PICARD: If you don't follow orders.
CRUSHER: If you'd give reasonable orders, I'd obey.
PICARD: Doctor, I will be the judge of reasonable.
CRUSHER: There aren't any exits to the surface.
PICARD: So the only way out is by the transporter. Or the dimensional jump.
CRUSHER: A mode of travel I'd encourage you to avoid. It's killing them.
PICARD: They're mad.
CRUSHER: I don't know any more. The difference between a madman and a committed man willing to die for a cause. It's all become blurred over the last few days.
PICARD: Beverly, I don't have to remind you of the psychological impact of being a hostage.
CRUSHER: I know. I understand that. But their leader, Finn, he's not what you'd expect.
PICARD: No, he's certainly not what I would expect. Without cause or reason, he and his little band of outlaws has attacked my ship!
CRUSHER: But he did have reasons. The medical supplies, the arrests. Jean-Luc, if we really examined our role in all this
PICARD: Beverly, you are arguing for a man who may have murdered your son.
FINN: I didn't kill your son, Beverly. We weren't able to destroy the ship. We had to settle for him. She wouldn't even tell me her name. I call her Doctor.
PICARD: You have made a grave miscalculation.
FINN: Oh?
PICARD: You have assaulted a Federation starship, killed and wounded several members of her crew, kidnapped two of her officers, and you don't expect a response?
FINN: On the contrary, I'm counting on it.
PICARD: You want Federation involvement?
FINN: Captain, the Federation has a lot to admire in it, but there's a hint of moral cowardice in your dealings with non-aligned planets. You're doing business with a government that is crushing us and you say you're not involved. You're very, very much involved. You just don't want to get dirty.
PICARD: You accuse us of cowardice while you plant bombs in shadows?
FINN: I am been fighting the only war that I can against an intractable enemy. Now, I'm fighting a big war against a more powerful adversary. Can't you see how that helps me?
CRUSHER: I'm afraid I can't.
PICARD: He's added another chair to the negotiating table.
FINN: You added the chair, Captain. I am simply forcing you to sit in it. The Federation will quickly tire of our little war. They'll want you back. They will want to get as far away from Rutia as they can. And I will not make it easy. Eventually, the Federation will force the government into make concessions. And then a few more, and then a few more. Until we can finally reach an honourable agreement that saves face for all sides. Except we win.
PICARD: You understand I will not cooperate with you in any way.
FINN: You've already cooperated, Captain, just by coming here.
[Corridor]
(Finn jumps in, in pain, as Troi is walking along)
FINN: I am not here to hurt you. Just hear what I have to say. Your people are safe. How long they stay that way depends on you. We demand an embargo and trade sanctions levied against Rutia. The Federation will blockade the planet. No ships will be allowed in or out. This will continue until the government of Rutia consents to talks mediated by a Federation council. You have twelve hours to make your decision.
[Bridge]
WESLEY: Got it. We've pinpointed the Ansata base to some three hundred kilometres from the city, on the southern tip of the continent.
DATA: Sensors indicate it is located thirty metres below the ground, implying a cavern-like dwelling.
RIKER: Any passages leading to the surface?
DATA: Our readings show no evidence of any, Commander.
RIKER: Any light they have must be artificially generated.
ALEXANA: If we could shut that down, you could use the confusion to find your people.
WORF: Request permission to join the rescue party, sir. I owe it to the Captain.
RIKER: Permission granted. You have the bridge, Mister Data.
DATA: Aye, sir.
WESLEY: Commander? Good luck.
RIKER: We'll bring her home, Wes.
[Infirmary]
FINN: You're glad to see your Captain.
CRUSHER: Yes.
FINN: I may have to kill him. I just wanted to warn you.
CRUSHER: He can help you, Finn. He is very influential.
FINN: He will not help us.
CRUSHER: If you could just convince him that your cause is
FINN: You may be able to convince him, perhaps. Not I.
CRUSHER: I've talked to him. I'll try.
FINN: If our places were reversed, I would expect to die.
CRUSHER: Your places would never be reversed. He would never forcibly abduct you or play games with your life. He would treat you with respect.
FINN: I've treated you with respect.
CRUSHER: You've scared the hell out of me, Finn. You've controlled me through fear just like you've tried to control this whole continent.
FINN: You haven't tasted real fear yet, Doctor.
CRUSHER: Is that the best you can do? Is fear the only weapon you have?
FINN: No, but it's a good one.
CRUSHER: You know what scares me the most, Finn? It scares me to think that you might win this fight and gain real power.
FINN: Doctor. I don't want you to fear me.
(He gives her his sketch book. He's been doing studies of her eyes)
[Cavern]
(The rescue party of combined police and Starfleet forces beam into an unoccupied passage. They use small devices to knock out terrorists they find as they make their way to the main area)
RIKER: Generator's right over there.
[Side cave]
PICARD: Beverly, how dangerous would another ride through the inverter be to us?
CRUSHER: I don't know. But I don't want you to start thinking about
PICARD: Beverly, it is our obligation to think of escape.
CRUSHER: He's prepared to kill you.
PICARD: An excellent reason to escape. Do you think you've gained his confidence?
(She shows him the sketch book)
PICARD: Indeed you have. And more. This might prove to be an advantage to us.
CRUSHER: Jean-Luc, there are some things I want to tell you in case we don't get out of this.
(Then the lights go out)
PICARD: Have they found us?
[Cavern]
(There's a lot of people running around in the twilight. A klaxon is blaring)
VOICES: Turn those circuits on. Sandor, come with me. Do we have any emergency power?
(Worf and Riker take on some hand to hand, then the police dash in)
POLICE: Freeze! Hold it right there. Hands up. Hands up, let's go.
[Side cave]
(Finn points a gun at Picard, but Alexana is right behind him)
CRUSHER: Finn!
(Alexana shoots Finn in the back. Worf frees Picard)
CRUSHER: He's dead.
RIKER: You didn't have to kill him.
ALEXANA: As a prisoner he would have been a focus for violence as his followers tried to free him. Now, he's a martyr. But the death toll might go down, at least in the short term. It's an imperfect solution for an imperfect world.
(The boy appears, pointing a weapon at Alexana. A policeman has his weapon trained on the child)
PICARD: Riker!
CRUSHER: No more killing.
(The boy lowers the gun and is taken away)
ALEXANA: Already another one to take his place. It never ends.
RIKER: He could have killed you. He didn't. Maybe the end begins with one boy putting down his gun.
[Bridge]
(Mother and son hug each other)
CRUSHER: I hear I owe my rescue to you.
WESLEY: I was just part of the team. It's good to have you back. Both of you, sir.
PICARD: Take us out of orbit, Mister Crusher. At your convenience.
2024-09-11 10:15:00 -
Pike:
Added the transcript.
