DIRECTED BY
AIRED ON
April 5, 1993
RUNTIME
45 minutes
STARRING
VIEWS
196
LAST UPDATE
2024-09-11 20:37:29
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Version 1
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SUMMARY
Stardate: 46693.1. Picard must choose between love and command when he must make a decision that could place the woman he loves in a potentially deadly and high-risk mission.
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REVIEWS
The board is set
Written by
Pike on 2018-05-14
★
★
★
DRUNK OPENING
The episode starts with an excellent opening. In it, McNulty is once again completely drunk, but this time even more than usual. When we see him driving, one could easily imagine that he will jump into a river or something overly dramatic. But no, not in The Wire. Because the series is totally authentic. In real life, chances are that you won't just die in a dramatic fashion. He simply partially breaks his car. And does it again. This was, once again, very interesting.
LET'S GO TO COURT!
Once again, exactly like in the first season, the legal lady friend of McNulty is asked to review the policemen case. Let's go again to court! While this feels like deja vu, it still works well.
THEY KNOW
But what I liked the most in this episode was by far the fact that "the bad guys" (I really shouldn't use that expression for such a realistic series) are now aware that they are under surveillance. This makes everything more compelling and even though the end of the season is just starting I already miss the ending that I have not yet seen. It is that good.
SUMMARY
A very good episode where the bad guys learn that they are under surveillance. I give it 6 out of 10.
___________________________________________
The price of being Captain
Written by
kimmy on 2019-05-31
★
★
★
★
Picard gets laid, again! He progressively falls for the head of stellar cartography Daren, a strong-willed woman who has a way of convincing others to have it her way and who shares with Picard her love of classical music. I love it that this show has fans of astrophysics and classical music! He even opens up to her with something very personal from him, the flute from The Inner Light! Although you know where this is going — she dies or she leaves — this doesn’t mean that the execution is impeccable. Actually, she dies and she leaves, as Picard has first to suffer remorse at potentially having her killed on duty before realizing that he has left his personal feelings interfere with his professional judgement; but she survived, and they separate on good terms knowing fully well that they won’t really keep their promise of maintaining a long-distance relationship. This is the cost of being a captain. You could argue that this is why Picard has resisted starting a relationship with Beverly Crusher — but then he does let himself go at Dr. Daren here! There are some hints of jealousy from Beverly, but the two don’t get a scene face to face to address the underlying tension. Maybe only in the series finale? In the meantime, characters have relationships on the side (Beverly in The Host, Riker with...many...) without letting go of the main relationship and without this being the end of the world, and this loose polyamory is great from Star Trek!
TRANSCRIPT
[Bridge]
PICARD: Good evening, Mister Data.
DATA: Actually, good morning, sir. Ship status is
PICARD: No need to report. I'm just here to do some work on my own.
DATA: Aye, sir.
PICARD: I'd like to talk to Doctor Mowray at his archaeological site on Landris Two. Could you put it through to my Ready room?
DATA: I'm sorry, sir, but Stellar Cartography has requested a communications blackout while they run an experiment.
PICARD: How long will it be?
DATA: Another three hours twenty two minutes, sir. I can override it if necessary.
PICARD: No, it's not important.
DATA: Aye, sir.
[Ready room]
PICARD: Computer, display the latest excavation schematics on Landris Two.
COMPUTER: Library computer is temporarily offline.
PICARD: Explain.
COMPUTER: Library systems have been allocated to Stellar Cartography.
PICARD: Tea, Earl Grey. Hot.
COMPUTER: Replicator systems are offline at the request of
PICARD + COMPUTER: Stellar Cartography.
PICARD: What could they possibly be doing down there?
[Stellar cartography]
(the room is dark as Picard enters)
NELLA: In or out, just close that door. And don't move. It'll take a second for our eyes to re-adjust. Okay, levate to three point two, Marquez.
MARQUEZ: Now at three point two, Commander.
NELLA: Good. Good we can do this. No, no, no, we're losing vertical alignment. Compensate. Compensate!
MARQUEZ: Compensating.
NELLA: Gently. Gently, Marquez, don't bump it. No. No wait. Hit the. Oh, forget it. Forget it. Lights. Whoever you are, you just ruined four hours of work.
PICARD: You might have taken the simple precaution of locking the door.
NELLA: It's three o'clock in the morning. Captain Picard.
PICARD: I assume that you must be Lieutenant Commander Daren.
NELLA: Yes, sir. I'm sorry. It's just we weren't expecting anybody to be up at this hour.
PICARD: Well, you're new on the Enterprise. You'll have to learn to expect the unexpected.
NELLA: That's why I put in for this assignment, sir.
PICARD: Excellent. Now perhaps you can tell me what was so important that it required depriving the Captain of his cup of Earl Grey?
NELLA: Earl Grey? No wonder you can't sleep. Computer, bring replicators back online and give me a cup of Daren herbal tea blend number three, hot. You shouldn't be drinking a stimulant at this time of night. I think you'll like this.
(Picard tries it and pulls a face, but anyone who can drink hot Bergamot shouldn't criticise other blends)
NELLA: I've programmed seven other blends into the replicator. You're bound to like one of them.
PICARD: I look forward to sampling them.
NELLA: I'm sorry if the system blackouts we requested inconvenienced you. We're taking very precise gravimetric readings. It wouldn't have taken much to throw them off.
PICARD: What were the readings for?
NELLA: I'm trying to construct a mathematical model of an emerging star system. If it works, we'll be able to predict the configuration of a star system that won't be formed for another two million years.
PICARD: A long time to wait to see if you're right.
NELLA: I have a few things to do between now and then.
[Bridge]
RIKER: Captain, we'll be arriving at the Borgolis Nebula in three hours.
PICARD: Yes. I understand it has unusual radioactive emissions, and I'm sure that Stellar Sciences will find it a most interesting study.
RIKER: Commander Daren has already requested extra time on the main sensor array.
PICARD: Well, you have the Bridge, Number One.
DATA: Captain, I would like to remind you of our concert this evening in Ten Forward. We will perform Chopin's Trio in G Minor.
PICARD: I'll be there.
[Picard's quarters]
(a shared meal)
PICARD: And so the upshot is that we'll be close enough for you to slip away for a few days and see Wesley.
CRUSHER: Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you, Jean-Luc. This is delicious. What is it?
PICARD: It's an herbal tea blend. I, er, found it in the replicator files. Have you met any of the new crewmembers who came aboard at Starbase two eighteen?
CRUSHER: In fact, I have a new nurse, Beck. He's an obstetrics specialist.
PICARD: I met the new head of Stellar Sciences last night. Lieutenant Commander Daren.
CRUSHER: Yes. Nella Daren. She came into Sickbay for her physical last week. I like her. Very forthright.
PICARD: Did you know it is now possible to predict the configuration of a star system which won't be formed for another two million years?
CRUSHER: Really? No, I didn't.
PICARD: It's really quite intriguing. The whole thing is made possible by a complex mathematical construct based on fractal particle motion. But that's only the foundation. The modeling itself is done by gravimetric wave input.
CRUSHER: I see.
PICARD: Well, I know this is all pretty dry stuff. Stellar cartography isn't everybody's cup of tea.
CRUSHER: I'm sure it's really quite fascinating.
PICARD: You know, we'd should be getting along to Ten Forward. We're going to be late for the concert.
[Ten Forward]
(the raised area in front of the windows is the stage. Data and a cellist enter, then the pianist, Nella. Troi picks up Picard's emotions during the performance)
(afterwards, at the bar) PICARD: Thank you.
NELLA: Well done, Mister Data. Well done.
PICARD: Commander, that was a remarkable performance.
CRUSHER: You are very talented.
NELLA: Thank you.
DATA: I noticed that the applause this evening exceeded average decibel levels.
NELLA: I guess that means they enjoyed themselves.
PICARD: I think that much was obvious.
DATA: Excuse me. I have not yet congratulated Ensign Cheney.
CRUSHER: I'll go with you.
PICARD: Commander, you must have been playing since you were young. I played the piano for a while when I was small, but I didn't put in the practice you must have.
NELLA: Practising was never my problem. In fact, my parents had to make me go out and play.
PICARD: I wanted to ask, during the second arpeggio in the first movement, I noticed that you played an F minor chord instead of a diminished D.
NELLA: You're a musician. What's your instrument? We should play some time.
PICARD: No, no, no, I'm just an amateur. But your choice in that arpeggio was delightful. Not at all what one would expect.
NELLA: Well, Captain, now that I'm on your ship, maybe you should start expecting the unexpected.
[Bridge]
(at the nebula)
NELLA: Excuse me, sir. I was hoping that my people in Spectral Analysis could have another few hours on the main sensor array?
RIKER: I'm sorry, the array has already been allocated to Engineering. They're running some warp field tests.
NELLA: If we go offline now, we'll lose the gas flow pattern we've been tracking.
RIKER: I understand, but there are other departments waiting to use the array.
NELLA: We're at a critical juncture, sir.
RIKER: Commander. I'll see what I can do to find you some more time tomorrow.
NELLA: Tomorrow? Tomorrow. Thank you, sir.
[Picard's quarters]
(Picard is listening to the 3rd Brandenburg with an unfamiliar instrument in it, when the doorbell chimes)
PICARD: Computer, pause playback. Come. Oh, Commander Daren.
NELLA: I hope you don't mind me dropping by like this?
PICARD: No, please, come in. I'm delighted.
NELLA: What kind of flute is that?
PICARD: It's Ressikan.
NELLA: I've never saw one before.
PICARD: They're not made anymore.
NELLA: Have you been playing long?
PICARD: Er, yes, a long time.
NELLA: I'd love to hear you play sometime.
PICARD: I'm not very good.
NELLA: That doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it.
PICARD: Yes, but I wouldn't want to inflict it on someone else.
NELLA: May I try?
PICARD: Yes, of course. Yes, you're not holding it quite right. May I?
NELLA: Please.
(Picard plays one of his plaintive melodies)
NELLA: You're better than you think. Really. We should play together.
PICARD: There isn't a piano.
NELLA: Ah, but there is.
(she unrolls a keyboard on the coffee table)
NELLA: I picked it up on Mataline Two. It's amazing.
(a quick grand piano arpeggio)
PICARD: That is remarkable. Why don't you play something?
NELLA: You start and I'll jump in.
PICARD: What shall we play?
NELLA: What were you working on before I came in?
PICARD: Bach, the third Brandenburg.
NELLA: Perfect. Go ahead.
(Picard starts, but gets lost when she joins in)
PICARD: I'm sorry.
NELLA: It's all right. You're not used to playing with anyone, are you?
PICARD: Just the computer.
NELLA: I may not be as precise as a computer, but I think you'll enjoy it more. Why don't we start with something a little simpler. How about?
(she plays Frere Jacque and they do the roundel)
NELLA: Good. Very good. Now let's have a little fun with it.
(she plays it with minor variations, and Picard's eyes pop)
NELLA: You try it. Improvise around the melody. Anything you want.
(he does)
NELLA: That's wonderful. Keep going. It's so good.
(they play it though)
NELLA: You're definitely better than you think.
[Bridge]
PICARD: Number One, my fencing partner's cancelled for this afternoon. I was wondering if you wanted to join me?
RIKER: Fencing? I'm really not very good.
PICARD: It doesn't matter so as long as you enjoy it.
RIKER: Why not?
PICARD: Good. Excellent. Fourteen hundred hours, then.
[Sickbay]
CRUSHER: You have a mild strain.
NELLA: I've been playing the piano a lot. I guess the Captain and I overdid it a little last night.
CRUSHER: The Captain?
NELLA: Yes, he plays a kind of flute. A Ressikan, I think he said.
CRUSHER: Yes, but I didn't know he played duets.
NELLA: He never did before. He seemed to enjoy it. He's actually quite promising.
CRUSHER: I see.
NELLA: Tell me, have you known him long?
CRUSHER: Yes, a very long time.
NELLA: He seems somewhat isolated.
CRUSHER: I'd say he's a very private person, but not isolated. There, that should help.
NELLA: That feels much better. Thank you.
CRUSHER: Good.
NELLA: I was afraid I might have to cancel.
CRUSHER: Another duet?
[Jefferies tube]
(Picard and Nella are both in casual clothes, going up the ladders)
NELLA: Keep climbing.
PICARD: Where are we going?
NELLA: We're almost there.
PICARD: I don't see why we couldn't just practice in my quarters.
(they sit at an intersection)
NELLA: Do you know where we are?
PICARD: Yes, this is the fourth intersect in Jefferies tube twenty five.
NELLA: No, this is the most acoustically perfect spot on the ship.
(she starts up the Moonlight Sonata on her keyboard)
NELLA: The intersection acts as a resonance chamber.
PICARD: How did you find it?
NELLA: A little exploring.
PICARD: You mean to say you climbed through every tube on the ship?
NELLA: Well, not every one. Try it. See how it sounds.
(he plays what seems like a variation of the Skye Boat song)
NELLA: That's beautiful. What is it?
PICARD: It's an old folk melody.
NELLA: I've never heard you play with such feeling.
(she plays the tune and he joins in)
[Engineering]
(Geordi can hear the music, and goes into the main Jefferies tube access to investigate)
DATA: Is there a problem, Geordi?
LAFORGE: I hear music.
DATA: Music? I do not hear anything.
LAFORGE: Are you sure? I know I heard something. Oh, it's stopped.
(because the musicians are kissing)
[Turbolift]
NELLA: I'd heard about Kerelian tenors all my life, but nothing could've prepared me for this man's voice. Soaring, incredible range. Wonderful.
PICARD: I understand there are nuances that only Kerelians can pick up. We just don't have the ears for it.
(a crewwoman enters)
NELLA: I should be finished with my survey by eleven hundred hours.
PICARD: Very good, Commander.
[Bridge]
WORF: Captain. The Federation Outpost on Bersallis Three reports that they are entering a period of fire storm activity.
LAFORGE: Bersallin fire storms happen on seven year cycle. They're not expecting any for another eight months.
PICARD: We don't rendezvous with the Havana for another two days. That'll give us plenty of opportunity to study this phenomenon.
RIKER: Helm, set course for Bersallis Three. Warp five.
HELM: Aye, sir.
PICARD: Counsellor, could I speak with you in my Ready room? You have the Bridge, Number One.
[Ready room]
PICARD: Sit down, Counsellor. I want to talk to you about a matter of protocol. I know there are no Starfleet regulations about a Captain becoming involved with a fellow officer, but
TROI: You would like my opinion about you and Commander Daren.
PICARD: It's that obvious?
TROI: In a way that pleases people who care about your happiness, yes, it is.
PICARD: But I have to be concerned about more than my own happiness.
TROI: And you think that your feelings toward Nella could change the way you function as Captain.
PICARD: Yes. Relationships with co-workers can be fraught with consequences.
TROI: That's true. But cutting yourself off from your feelings can carry consequences that are just as serious.
PICARD: You seem I've always believed that becoming involved with someone under my command would compromise my objectivity. And yet.
TROI: Captain, are you asking my permission?
PICARD: If I were, would you give it?
TROI: Yes.
[Stellar cartography]
NELLA: Come in.
PICARD: Nella.
NELLA: Can I help you, sir?
PICARD: I'm really very sorry about what happened in the turbolift. When the crewmember walked in, I felt very self-conscious. It's going to take a while for me to get used to the idea of crew seeing the two of us together.
NELLA: I understand. I'm glad you told me. For a minute there I thought I'd misread you. One kiss and you're off to find somebody else.
PICARD: I can assure you that I'm not given to casual relationships. (a crewman enters) There is something that I want to tell you. But not here.
[Picard's quarters]
PICARD: Do you remember that folk melody I played for you this morning?
NELLA: Yes.
PICARD: I learned it on a planet called Kataan.
NELLA: Never heard of it.
PICARD: No, I'm not surprised. Its sun went nova more than a thousand years ago.
NELLA: I don't understand.
PICARD: The Enterprise encountered a probe that had been sent from the planet before it was destroyed. It had scanned me and I lost consciousness, and in the space of twenty five minutes I lived a lifetime on that planet. I had a wife, and children, and a grandchild. And it was absolutely real to me. When I awoke, all that I had left of that life there was the flute that I had taught myself to play.
NELLA: Why are you telling me this?
PICARD: Because I want you to understand what my music means to me. And what it means for me to be able to share it with someone.
NELLA: Thank you.
(another kiss, and they lean out of camera)
[Corridor]
RIKER: Hello.
CREWWOMAN: Sir.
NELLA: Commander. I was hoping to talk to you about Ensign Cabot's transfer.
RIKER: Quantum Mechanics doesn't want to give him up.
NELLA: But he wants to come to my department.
RIKER: How do you know that?
NELLA: I offered it to him.
RIKER: Transfers are to be approved by me before any offers are made.
NELLA: I'm sorry. We were just talking and
RIKER: It's all right. But Cabot should stay where he is.
NELLA: Commander, please, don't make that decision final. I realise I shouldn't have made the offer, but he's perfect for the job. And quantum mechanics is over staffed anyway.
RIKER: Commander, do you realise the position you're putting me in?
NELLA: Well, I think I'm just doing what any good department head would do. Trying to build the best staff I can.
RIKER: Look, I'll review the situation and let you know as soon as I can.
[Ready room]
PICARD: Come.
RIKER: May I have a minute?
PICARD: Yes, of course. Come in, Number One.
RIKER: It's about Lieutenant Commander Daren. As a department head, she comes to me for systems allocation, personnel transfers, things like that. I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable with her requests.
PICARD: Because of her relationship with me?
RIKER: Yes, sir.
PICARD: Are her requests unusual?
RIKER: No.
PICARD: Would you say that she's just trying to do her job?
RIKER: Yes, sir.
PICARD: Then let her do it, and feel free to do yours. Ship's resources are your responsibility. I've always had absolute confidence in your judgment.
RIKER: Thank you, sir.
[Picard's quarters]
(a romantic dinner)
NELLA: I can't believe I'm going to get the chance to study the fire storms on Bersallis. Apparently they're generated by particle emissions from the Bersallin sun. They cause a cascade effect in the planet's atmosphere that. Oh, I'm boring you.
PICARD: No, no, no you're not. It's just that Commander Riker came to talk to me this afternoon. About you.
NELLA: About the personnel transfer? I thought he looked uncomfortable. He thought I was asking for special treatment. (Picard nods) I was just doing what I thought was best for my department.
PICARD: That's what I told him. But we have to be careful. Obviously it's easy for people to misunderstand.
NELLA: I don't like the thought of having to second-guess people all the time. If I have to worry about what people are thinking about me, I'll be concentrating on the wrong thing, and I won't be as effective an officer.
PICARD: All I'm saying is that it's something we have to be aware of. But you mustn't compromise yourself. You must do what you have to do. Because if I find that my head of Stellar Sciences isn't being effective, then I shall do what I must to do and I shall replace her.
NELLA: Noted, sir.
PICARD: Now, I think that we should just forget about this and enjoy out evening.
NELLA: What about that special dessert you promised me?
PICARD: Right. Now this is something that I first tasted on Thelka Four.
WORF [OC]: Bridge to Captain.
PICARD: Go ahead, Mister Worf.
WORF [OC]: Bersallis Three reports that the storm has changed its speed and heading. They are predicting it will hit the outpost within eight hours, and are requesting evacuation.
PICARD: I'm on my way.
Captain's log, stardate 46693.1. We have entered the Bersallis star system and are making preparations to evacuate the Federation outpost on the third planet.
[Observation lounge]
LAFORGE: A fire storm can kick up winds of over two hundred kilometres per hour and temperatures as high as three hundred degrees C.
CRUSHER: Incredible. What causes them?
NELLA: They form when solar flare radiation reacts with high energy plasma present in the planet's atmosphere.
CRUSHER: Wasn't the outpost built to withstand the conditions?
LAFORGE: It was, both reinforced and insulated. But this is no ordinary storm. It's twice as strong as anything they've ever seen. The outpost just won't withstand it.
RIKER: We'll arrive about an hour before the storm gets there. It will take at least two hours to evacuate all the colonists off the surface.
NELLA: I led a team of geologists to study the plasma geyser on Melnos Four. We cross-connected a few thermal deflector units to create a protective shield against the heat.
LAFORGE: A firewall.
NELLA: Would something like that work here?
LAFORGE: You know, it might. (goes to the wall monitor) The storm is approaching the outpost from this direction. If we were to set up a series of thermal deflector units along the northern perimeter, we could create a fire wall and deflect some of the heat. The insulation from the outpost should be able to handle the rest.
DATA: Thermal deflectors generate a field approximately four hundred metres wide. We would need to cross-connect six units and align them so the fields overlap.
RIKER: How many people would it take to set that up?
LAFORGE: Twelve. Two per team. Cross-connecting that many units will be a little tricky. Once they're set up, we'll have to leave the units in place and transport our people out. Nobody would be able survive very long outside that structure.
PICARD: Let's do it.
RIKER: The storm is going to interfere with communications. Everything will need to be coordinated from the surface. Mister Data, you will coordinate the evacuation of the colonists. Doctor, they have nine patients in the outpost infirmary. Your first priority will be to get them to Sickbay. After that you will stay on board the Enterprise, be ready to receive casualties. Marquez, you will take some people down and track the storm. All the other teams will need to be kept apprised of its heading. Commander, you're in charge of deploying the deflectors. Let's go.
PICARD: Commander Daren. About these thermal deflectors.
(everyone else leaves)
PICARD: There must be one of any number of people could coordinate their deployment.
NELLA: I assume Commander Riker chose me because I'm the best person for the job. Didn't we agree not to let our relationship get in the way of our work? I'll be all right.
[Corridor]
RIKER: Lieutenant Marquez has already set up on the surface. Apparently the storm is still gaining speed. He's estimating
[Transporter room]
RIKER: It'll hit the colony in less than fifty minutes. Ensign, make sure you maintain a continuous transporter lock on all away team personnel. We may have to pull them out in a hurry.
ENSIGN: Yes, sir.
RIKER: I don't want to take any unnecessary chances. If they get into trouble, beam them up immediately.
PICARD: Energise.
[Bridge]
PICARD: Mister Worf, how long before the storm reaches the outposts?
WORF: Seventeen minutes.
LAFORGE [OC]: La Forge to Bridge.
PICARD: Go ahead, Mister La Forge.
[Transporter room]
LAFORGE: The ionization from the storm is interfering with the transporters, Captain. I'm compensating, but it's slowing things down a bit.
(Colonists are arriving)
PICARD [OC]: Keep at it, Mister La Forge.
[Planet surface]
(the deflectors are set up on a ridge, the teams are below in rock formations)
RIKER [OC]: Riker to Daren.
NELLA: Daren here. Go ahead, Commander.
RIKER [OC]: You've got less than nine minutes before the storm reaches the northern perimeter.
NELLA: I'm here with team six. We're just about to bring the deflectors online.
RIKER [OC]: Whenever you're ready.
NELLA: Daren to perimeter team. Stand by to cross connect deflectors.
CREWMAN [OC]: Standing by.
NELLA: Activate. Team three, increase your output by point two percent.
CREWWOMAN [OC]: Yes, sir.
NELLA: Good. Good. Deng, decrease nutation by point four percent. Good, we've almost got it.
[Bridge]
CRUSHER [OC]: Crusher to Bridge.
PICARD: Go ahead, Doctor.
[Transporter room]
(a different one, with Guy Vardeman at the transporter controls)
CRUSHER: We just brought aboard the last of the infirmary patients and they're on their way to Sickbay. But we still have over
[Bridge]
CRUSHER [OC]: A hundred colonists down there.
PICARD: Understood.
NELLA [OC]: Daren to Commander Riker.
RIKER [OC]: Riker here. Go ahead.
NELLA [OC]: We've got a problem. We're having trouble keeping the deflectors cross connected. So the only way this is going to work is if we calibrate them manually.
RIKER [OC]: If you stay with the deflectors, will they protect you when the storm hits?
NELLA [OC]: I don't know, sir. For a few minutes maybe.
PICARD: Picard to Commander Riker. How many more colonists do you have to transport?
RIKER [OC]: Seventy three, sir.
PICARD: How long do you need?
RIKER [OC]: At least ten more minutes.
WORF: Captain, the storm will reach the northern perimeter in four minutes.
PICARD: Picard to perimeter teams.
[Planet surface]
PICARD [OC]: It is imperative that you hold your position until we finish evacuating the colony. Picard out.
[Bridge]
PICARD: Picard to Mister La Forge.
LAFORGE [OC]: La Forge here.
PICARD: I want a signal lock on every member of the perimeter teams.
LAFORGE [OC]: Captain, the storm's interference won't
PICARD: As soon as the last of the colony is evacuated, I want those perimeter teams out of there. Is that understood?
LAFORGE [OC]: Yes, sir.
[Planet surface]
(the people look a mess, dirty and sweaty)
NELLA: Daren to perimeter teams. The storm's interference is going to make our job harder than we thought. We may lose communication, so it's up to each of you to keep your units operational. A lot of people are depending on us. Daren out.
(she peeks up over the ridge)
NELLA: Oh, my god.
[Bridge]
WORF: The storm has reached the perimeter.
[Sickbay]
RIKER: I got out with the last of the colonists. If it hadn't been for the perimeter teams, none of us would have made it. We were able to clear out four of the teams, and the interference prevented us from getting two more. I don't know how they could have survived.
PICARD: Which teams are missing?
RIKER: Three and six.
RIKER: The last I knew, Commander Daren was on team six.
[Picard's quarters]
(the flute lies in it's box, forlorn)
WORF [OC]: Bridge to Captain.
PICARD: Go ahead, Mister Worf.
WORF [OC]: We have found survivors, sir. They are beaming up now.
PICARD: I'm on my way.
[Transporter room]
(Picard enters as one group arrives, then Nella is beamed up supporting Deng)
NELLA: (to Deng) That's it.
CREWMAN: Here, let me help up.
NELLA: Thank you.
(and she leaves without a word to Picard)
Captain's log, stardate 46697.2. Although we succeeded in rescuing all six hundred forty three Bersallin colonists we lost eight crewmembers. Let the record show that they gave their lives in the performance of their duty.
[Picard's quarters]
NELLA: When communications went out, I knew we had to fend for ourselves. We modified our phasers to create resonant disruptions in the deflector field. The disruptions formed small pockets inside the plane of the field and we each stood inside one to wait out the storm. Richardson didn't make it. All Deng and I could do was stand there and watch.
PICARD: I'm so sorry.
NELLA: Don't. Don't say you're sorry.
PICARD: It must have been terrible.
NELLA: At first, when you told us to hold our positions, I didn't question it. Of course we would. That was our job. But when I saw that storm coming toward us.
PICARD: Part of you must have blamed me.
NELLA: A small part, maybe. But in the end, I was more afraid that you would blame yourself if I died. Would you have?
PICARD: I've lost people under my command. People who were very dear to me. But never someone I've been in love with. And when I believed that you were dead, I just began to shut down. I didn't want to think or feel. I was here in my quarters, and the only thing I could focus on was my music, and how it would never again give me any joy. Then I saw you standing on the transporter pad and I knew that I could never again put your life in jeopardy.
NELLA: If I stayed here, you might have to.
PICARD: You could always resign your commission. Stay here with me.
NELLA: And you could resign yours and come to a starbase with me. I'll apply for a transfer.
PICARD: But we could still see each other. People do. We could arrange shore leave together. And, for the future, who knows?
NELLA: Of course. (a kiss) Promise me something? Don't give up your music.
2024-09-11 20:37:29 -
Pike:
Added the transcript.
