Star Trek: The Next Generation s02e21 Episode Script

Captain's log, stardate 42923.
4.
Despite misgivings,|I have agreed to Starfleet's request to divert to the Braslota system to take part|in a war-game exercise.
Joining us|as observer and mediator is the Zakdorn master strategist,|Sirna Kolrami.
Mr Kolrami, Capt Jean-Luc Picard.
|Welcome aboard.
Captain, I bring you greetings|from those at Starfleet Command.
Would you care to see your quarters? I require little rest.
I prefer that we commence|with our mission.
Despite their reputations, this Zakdorn does not appear|to be a very formidable warrior.
In military brinksmanship, individual physical prowess|is less important than the perception|of the whole species.
For over nine millennia,|foes have regarded the Zakdorns as having the greatest|strategic minds in the galaxy.
So no one is willing to test|that perception in combat.
Exactly.
Then the reputation means nothing.
The Braslota system.
|In orbit around the second planet is the 80-year-old starcruiser|Hathaway.
He is still your first choice? Cmdr Riker|will captain the Hathaway.
You have 48 hours to prepare|before the Enterprise attacks.
- We'll experience battle conditions?|- Correct.
Engineering will disconnect|the Enterprise's weapons and link the system|with a modified pulse beam.
Hits are recorded electronically.
If the computer registers damage,|it will act accordingly, shutting down the affected areas|for the appropriate repair time.
Additional questions? Capt Picard,|it is my understanding that you initially resisted|the request for this simulation.
Yes.
May I know why? Starfleet is not military.
|Its purpose is exploration.
Then why am I here? With the Borg threat, I decided that my officers and I|needed to hone our tactical skills.
In a crisis situation, it is|prudent to have several options.
I prefer brains over brawn, too.
It's a waste of effort|testing combat skills.
It's a small part in the make-up|of a captain.
Your objection is noted.
Let us hope that|your distaste for the exercise will not affect|your strategic abilities.
Mr Kolrami, when I agree|to do something, I do it.
Do you care to surrender now? Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages|of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission,|to explore strange, new worlds, .
.
to seek out new life|and new civilizations, .
.
to boldly go|where no one has gone before.
Your team should number 40,|so select whom you will, except Mr Data,|who will serve as my First Officer.
I had envisaged you|defining the crew.
Here, the leader of an away team|controls the mission.
If you want to judge leadership,|start at the beginning.
Very well, Captain.
- My, what a charmer.
|- Doctor Captain,|he needs an attitude adjustment.
The Zakdornian culture is replete|with self-assuredness.
Seldom is it undeserved.
Kolrami is a third-level grandmaster|at the game of strategema.
Another millimeter.
That's it.
A little more.
|There.
That's excellent.
- Lieutenant?|- Yes, Commander? - You've heard about the simulation?|- Yes.
Good luck.
I researched those Avidyne engines.
|They're archaic.
Touchy.
Anticipating the worst,|can they be overhauled in 48 hours? I've already taken the liberty of|putting together a few necessities.
Enter! Am I disturbing you? Just finished.
What do you think of the simulation? - Waste of time.
|- It's just an exercise.
Useless.
If there is nothing|to lose, no sacrifice, then there is nothing to gain.
You mean, besides pride.
In this case, it doesn't matter.
|I probably haven't got a chance.
- There is always a chance.
|- Slim.
The Hathaway's|most sophisticated weapons, even in a computer mock-up,|can't defeat the Enterprise.
Well, still You're out-manned, out-gunned,|out-equipped.
What's left? Guile.
Join me.
The honour is to serve.
Scan all sectors within|three light years of Braslota.
- How's your crew shaping up?|- One last request.
Anyone in particular? I would like Acting Ensign Crusher|on board for educational observation.
Thank you, Captain.
We'll have some time|before reaching Braslota.
Would you play me|in a game of strategema? Although I'm intrigued|by the audacity of your request, I can't fathom|why you would wish the encounter.
- I enjoy a challenge.
|- Very well.
An opponent of limited dimensions|can often be quite diverting.
Thank you.
- You're gonna beat him?|- No.
- Then it's gonna be close?|- No.
- But you have a chance?|- No! - Are you going to show up?|- Sure.
Kolrami's the best.
|Just to play him is a privilege.
Aside from that, is there anything|to look forward to? No.
This is gonna be exciting.
Against an opponent|of approximate skill, strategema can last over 1,000 moves.
I wouldn't bet on being here|that long.
I have wagered heavily|in the ship's pool that you will take him|past the sixth plateau.
And if I don't? I will be irritated.
Forever curious,|this urge to compete.
It's a human response.
That inborn craving to gauge|your capabilities through conflict.
There are other ways|to challenge oneself.
Perhaps, but they all lack|a certain thrill.
Humans can find it helpful to have an outsider set the standard|by which they're judged.
To avoid deceiving oneself.
Maybe you should|challenge Kolrami to strategema.
Why, Doctor? When someone is that smug, you occasionally|have to deflate them a little.
Yeah, I'd like to see your|neural flex tear him down a peg.
To what end? Computer,|actuation positions for strategema.
Ready? Begin.
- Come on, Commander.
|- Will.
You can get him.
Come on.
Come on, you got him.
Here you go.
- That's it?|- I'm afraid so.
- But you only made 23 moves.
|- Yes.
Congratulations.
Cmdr Riker,|there's your next challenge.
Away team assembled|and ready to transport.
I may get there|and want to come right home.
Good luck, Number One.
Captain.
The simulation|will commence in 48 hours.
There should be some|emergency bridge lighting here.
Not good.
You're wrong, Mr Worf,|it's fantastic.
And it's ours.
Mr Worf? Sir, Lt La Forge is a superior|officer.
The honour should be his.
This is a battle simulation.
|You're my Tactical Officer.
I've discussed this with Geordi|and we agreed.
Besides, if Engineering's anything|like the bridge, I'll be busy.
Attention, crew of the USS Hathaway.
|This is your Captain.
Over the next two days|you might lose a lot of sleep, but with your skill and stamina|we'll have this lady ready to fly.
I want hourly progress reports|from all stations.
Riker out.
Nice job, Geordi.
Now what are|the possibilities of warp drive? Not good.
There are only a few dilithium|fragments left in the holding clamps.
Also, there's no antimatter|to fuel the drive.
Any recommendations? - No, sir.
|- We haven't got a prayer.
Would you like to transfer back|to the Enterprise, Mr Crusher? No, sir.
Wes, remember our purpose|is to improvise.
It's the effort that counts.
Open.
I believe the rules|are understood by all.
- Weapons conversion, Lt Burke?|- Complete, Captain.
- Signal received.
Locked on.
|- She's been stripped down.
The only offensive systems you need|will be simulated.
What's the Zakdornian word|for mismatch? "Challenge.
" We do not whine|about the inequities of life.
How you perform in a mismatch is|what is of interest to Starfleet.
After all, when one is|in the superior position, one is expected to win.
Screen off.
|You have the bridge, Mr Data.
Aye, sir.
Lt Cmdr Data,|I'm intrigued by your challenge.
Dr Pulaski informed me of your|desire to play a game of strategema.
But I expressed no such interest.
Data means he would never|have asked you himself, but he wants to pit|his skill against yours.
Play against a machine.
|Why should I wish to? I don't blame you.
It's no fun|when you know you're going to lose.
But I wouldn't lose.
Now you'll|no doubt tell me to prove it.
- Data, you can't let that pass.
|- Indeed, I Cannot.
Then you will play|for the honour of your ship.
The honour of the ship? It's your reputation|that's on the line.
With my knowledge of the|Enterprise's Security override, we may be able|to convince the sensors that an enemy ship is approaching.
Their instruments would lie to them.
That might give us|the edge we're looking for.
But what about the viewscreen? If I am successful, the computer will project|a false image of the enemy ship.
So unless someone|runs to a window and looks out They're going to fall for it! The lining's still smooth.
We should be able to do something|with the dilithium we scavenged.
I'm sure the system's functional.
But without antimatter,|what difference does it make? I have to return to the Enterprise.
We've only got 32 hours! - This is important.
|- And this isn't? Attempt the routeing bypass here.
If it works, they will be surprised.
Where am I going to get|the opti-cable? Anywhere.
Captain? I left an experiment|running on the Enterprise.
- May I go back and shut it down?|- It's that important? It has to be monitored.
It is|my final grade in plasma physics.
- Message from the Hathaway, sir.
|- On screen.
Request permission|for Ensign Crusher to reboard.
Why? Apparently, he left a very critical|experiment unattended.
- Any objection?|- He should be escorted, and have no contact|with anything save his research.
Permission granted.
|Mr Burke, will you handle that? Aye, sir.
I don't know why Riker chose him.
Just a noncommissioned child.
I can't believe I forgot about this.
|I let excitement cloud my judgement.
It's very dull.
|I spent six weeks setting this up.
- That's a lot of work.
|- Oh, no! This is ruined.
Too bad.
Look, is this going|to take much longer? I'll have to dispose of this safely.
|It's very volatile.
- I'll beam it off the Enterprise.
|- Fine.
Just do it.
I'll transfer it|to the transporter room.
In the present context, what did|she mean by, "Bust him up"? In her own way,|Dr Pulaski was instructing you to take the shortest route|to victory.
As opposed to what? Ready? Begin.
I can't believe it.
A computer beaten|by flesh and blood? You advanced quite far|against a worthy opponent.
Thoroughly enjoyable, Mr Data.
I'm at your disposal for a rematch.
Thank you.
|But what would be the point? How can you lose?|You're supposed to be infallible.
Obviously, I am not.
Ensign, where is Cmdr Data? He has temporarily removed himself|from bridge duty, sir.
Your crew is excellently trained.
|A tribute to your leadership.
Although I doubt their extensive|preparation will be needed.
Why is that? I do not expect Capt Riker|will present much of a challenge.
Mr Kolrami,|may I speak with you in private? I want to know the root of|your prejudice for my First Officer.
Captain.
Mr Kolrami, you have denigrated|and abused Cmdr Riker since coming aboard this ship.
I would like some explanation.
Having studied William Riker's file|prior to this assignment, I have found him wanting.
In what regard? His work record is exemplary, but, as you know, a starship captain|is not manufactured.
He, or she, is born from inside.
From the character of the individual.
My interviews have revealed a man who displays circumstantially|inappropriate joviality, belying the seriousness|of his station.
Don't confuse style with intent.
Only a fool would question|Riker's dedication to Starfleet and the people under his command.
He is the finest officer|with whom I have ever served.
We shall see if your faith|is well founded.
The test is whether the crew|will follow where he leads.
His His joviality is the means|by which he creates that loyalty.
And I will match his command style|with your statistics any time.
Come in, please.
Data.
Counsellor.
Is something the matter? That was going to be my question.
With my repository of knowledge, I expected to perform better|against a humanoid life form.
Some of our greatest advances|have come from analyzing failure.
- While it can be ego-bruising|- I do not have an ego.
Yes.
Well, a loss can be disheartening.
- But I do not have a|- Data! You can handle defeat in two ways.
You can lose confidence,|or you can learn from your mistakes.
That is what troubles me.
|I made no mistakes.
I have conducted a diagnostic|check of all my programs.
I am checking the ship's computer.
Is that all necessary? I believe so.
|I have proven to be vulnerable.
At present, my deductions|should be treated with scepticism.
That's why you haven't been|on the bridge? Yes.
The Captain would be ill-advised|to rely upon my judgement.
I think you're overreacting.
|I'm sure you're alright.
l, however, am not sure.
Easy now.
- Is that it?|- Yeah.
Good.
Good work.
Alright.
Hand me|that connector on the kit.
- What is that?|- My experiment from the Enterprise.
Wes? It deals with high-energy|plasma reactions with antimatter.
You went back to the Enterprise|for that? - You cheated.
|- No, sir.
You told me to improvise.
We need to calibrate a thermal curve|to start a controlled reaction.
Assuming you can,|can you regulate the reaction? There's just enough crystal left|to do it.
We'll channel|the reaction through the chips.
- Are we good?|- Better than good.
Great.
Brilliant.
|It's gonna be fun.
Carry on.
Come in, please.
- Alright, Data, enough of this.
|- Doctor? How long are you going to sulk|like Achilles in his tent? I'm conducting diagnostic You can sell Troi that story,|but not me.
You're smarting because|you were beaten.
Well, it happens.
No, Doctor, I'm concerned about|giving the Captain unsound advice.
I wish I had never manoeuvred you|into playing that game! I'm sorry.
Why, Doctor? It is done,|and perhaps just as well.
This has indicated|that I am damaged in some fashion.
I must find the malfunction.
The simulation begins in one hour.
You'll have warp drive,|but maybe not what you expect.
That deserves an explanation.
- We'll have warp one for|- Just under two seconds.
Not enough for an escape.
|It may give us strategic advantage.
- All of this is theoretical.
|- And if it fails to pay off? Have you ever driven|a Grenthemen water hopper? - Ever popped the clutch?|- We could stall the Hathaway? And the Enterprise|will pulverise us.
Let me try to understand.
|You are saying that Cmdr Data is suffering from|a profound loss of confidence, and that you believe|that only I can restore the balance? Yes, sir.
Deanna and I have tried,|but we're not getting through to him.
Don't you think you're overreacting? Data is not capable of the emotions|you're assigning him.
The effects are the same, whether it's human emotions|or android algorithms.
Data is not on the bridge|and I don't think he will be until we find some way|to address his problem.
I'm less than one hour away|from a battle simulation, and I have to hand-hold an android.
The burdens of command.
Come in, please.
I require your presence|on the bridge.
Captain, with all due respect, you should choose|another First Officer.
You are my First Officer.
I have not isolated the problem.
|I might make a mistake.
Yes, you might.
But that does not alter|your duty to me and to this ship.
Do you know|how to formulate a premise? - Yes, sir.
|- Formulate this.
How do I deal with|Cmdr Riker and the Hathaway? I will await your answer|on the bridge.
And, Commander, it is possible to commit|no mistakes and still lose.
That is not a weakness.
|That is life.
I believe I understand, sir.
Will you leave your hesitation and|self-doubt here in your quarters? I have several examples of|Cmdr Riker's battle technique.
At the Academy, he calculated a sensory blind spot|on a Tholian vessel and hid within it|in a battle simulation.
As a lieutenant on the Potemkin, his solution to a crisis|was to shut down power and hang over|a planet's magnetic pole, confusing|his opponent's sensors.
From these specifics, what|conclusion can you extrapolate? Only 21 percent of the time does|he rely on traditional tactics.
So, the Captain must be prepared|for unusual cunning.
Counsellor, Cmdr Riker will assume|we have made this analysis.
Knowing that we know his methods,|he will alter them.
But knowing that he knows|that we know that he knows, he might return to his usual pattern.
Wait! You're overanalyzing, Data.
One cannot deny human nature.
What kind of a man is Cmdr Riker? - A fighter?|- Yes.
The weaker his position,|the more aggressive his posture.
And he won't give up.
Then despite whatever options|he is given, he must be The man that he is.
Exactly.
Is that a failing in humans? You will have to decide|that for yourself.
On screen.
The hunt begins, Number One.
We're ready.
Remember, Enterprise,|Capt Riker has never lost.
Begin now.
Screen off.
Set course 223, mark 357.
Full impulse power.
|Initiate Kumeh manoeuvre.
Kumeh manoeuvre? Why start|with such a recognizable ploy? He wants us to reveal our tactics.
|Mr Worf? Counter with the Talupian manoeuvre.
Agreed.
Three-quarter impulse,|full on my command.
- Mr Worf, prepare your surprise.
|- Aye, sir.
Set course 317, mark 73.
Present minimal aspect.
|Ready warp one.
Optimal spread|on simulated torpedoes.
Romulan warship approaching|from astern.
- What?|- It came out of nowhere.
Bring us about.
Maximum shields.
Full weapon systems.
|Open hailing frequency.
I can't, sir, there's nothing there.
Warp three, evasive.
Disengage weapons and shields.
|Re-engage modified beam.
- He's quite good.
|- He's the best.
Computer reports simulated damage|to several aft decks.
Repair time, 3.
6 days.
How did he do that? Mr Worf overrode the sensor codes.
|Played some holographic games.
Mr Data, input a new code.
Attack posture,|circumvental attitude.
Prepare beams for photon mode.
Bye-bye, Hathaway.
Computers report damage|to the Enterprise.
They're moving.
|Why not go after them? They're not through with us.
|Prepare warp jump.
- There are no guarantees.
|- There never are.
I'm gonna trust your expertise.
|Stand by for my signal.
Ready with photon torpedoes.
Captain, sensors picking up|a Ferengi warship at warp five.
- Did you input that new code?|- Aye, sir.
Mr Worf, I didn't give you enough|credit.
Continue the simulation Divert all power to shields! Sever modified beams.
- Engage phasers and target.
|- Fire when ready! That's no ghost attacking.
|That's real.
- We must assist, sir.
|- We've no offensive weapons.
Where are my weapons? Unavailable, sir.
We cannot disengage|the modified beams.
- We must retreat!|- Unacceptable.
The Ferengi|have stopped their attack.
Transport the away team aboard.
- Transporter functions gone, sir.
|- Shields reduced.
Use this moment to escape.
I have 40 crew on the Hathaway.
Sacrifice them to save 1,000.
Acceptable tactical losses|under the circumstances.
Not to me! Notify Starfleet.
Hail the Ferengi|on my word.
Formulate alternatives.
As the observer,|I order you to withdraw! I am the Captain! Your order is nullified.
|Ferengi on main viewscreen.
I am Capt Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship|USS Enterprise.
Why have you attacked my vessel? Why was your ship combative with another Federation vessel|of lesser design? Why do you now protect|your former target? What is its value to you? Our probes indicate you were aware|of our approach, yet took no action.
Your answers|will dictate our response.
We have refrained|from launching a counterattack in the hope|of a peaceful resolution.
Our probes indicate|that you are crippled, and the ship you protect|has no weaponry, no light-speed drive,|and only a scarce crew.
This makes no sense to us.
Unless it contains|something very valuable.
I am Bractor, Leader of the Ferengi|attack vessel Kreechta! I will have the secret|of the other Federation ship.
Surrender it to me, and I will allow|your Enterprise to leave unharmed.
You have ten of your minutes.
Sir, they're massing|a surge of power.
We're being scanned.
|They've locked on.
Data? Our shields will not withstand|another assault.
Then there are no options.
|Retreat or die.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Due to my miscalculation,|the Enterprise has been subjected to a surprise attack|by the Ferengi.
I have little time to decide|the fate of 40 of my crew stranded aboard|the derelict Hathaway.
I am open to suggestions.
Captain, we can launch a limited|number of photon torpedoes.
I've given you my advice.
|The Hathaway is expendable.
- Cmdr Riker is hailing, sir.
|- On screen.
Have you been|monitoring communications? Yes, sir.
Kolrami's right.
|Save the Enterprise.
That would leave you defenceless.
When Bractor closes in, we'll hit|our warp drive, take our chances.
Your what? We have|a two-second warp capability.
Impossible! That ship|was rendered warp inactive.
I told you he was the best.
I'd like to hear more about this.
|Later.
Right now, I have to|work something out with Mr Data.
Premise.
The Ferengi|want the Hathaway, believing it to be of value.
We must remove it|from their field of interest.
They will soon locate it|after a two-second warp.
There is a way.
|Number One, can you hear this? Yes, sir.
We're all here.
Can you pull a rabbit|out of your hat? - Mr Data?|- On the Captain's command, we will fire four photon torpedoes|at the Hathaway.
One millisecond later, the computer|will trigger your warp jump.
I hate this plan.
We're not even sure|our warp jump will work.
If the warp engines|fail to function, the result could be unfortunate.
Very unfortunate.
We will be dead.
Capt Riker, I cannot order you to do this.
What the hell?|Nobody said life was safe.
The advantage is, that it will appear from the|Kreechta's perspective as though As though you were destroyed|in the explosion.
That will deceive them|only for a few minutes.
Their sensors will soon locate us.
We only need a few minutes.
|You'll prepare a surprise for them.
Then we're agreed.
On my mark, four minutes.
Remember, if the implementation|is off by one millisecond, the Hathaway will not survive.
That's the one thing|we're all absolutely sure about.
Are we ready, Number One? - Ready, Captain.
|- Ready, Captain.
Good luck to both of you.
Bractor.
- I will wait no longer, Picard.
|- The answer is no.
Your actions have been criminal.
|You will not profit by them.
- You are a fool!|- How can you stop us? You believe the Hathaway has value? We deny you your prize.
Fire! Destroy your own, rather than|suffer the ignominy of defeat? I did not think the Federation|had such iron.
You had no claim on that vessel.
|It was ours to destroy.
As you are ours to destroy.
You can try.
Enterprise targeted, Leader! Leader, there is|another Federation ship closing.
- A starship!|- Maximum shields! We have been outmanoeuvred.
|Retreat.
Our sensors show|no Federation starship nearby.
Of course not.
|That was Klingon guile.
You made it, Number One.
|Smooth ride? Well, it certainly was different.
- We'll lock on and pick you up.
|- With pleasure, Captain.
I must admit, your Cmdr Riker|acquitted himself quite admirably.
And so, Captain, have you.
My report to Starfleet|will be most favourable.
Thank you.
Initiate recovery procedures.
|Continue repairs.
Plot a course|for the nearest starbase.
Captain's log, supplemental.
With the transporter repaired|and my crew safely aboard, we have officially ended|our Starfleet battle simulation.
Why have you suspended the game? Because this is not a rematch!|You have made a mockery of me.
- Data, you beat him!|- No, sir.
It is a stalemate.
No game has ever gone this high.
- What did you do?|- I simply altered my premise.
Working under the assumption|that Kolrami wanted to win, he expected me|to play for the same goal.
You didn't.
No.
I was playing|for a standoff.
A draw.
While Kolrami|was dedicated to winning, I passed up obvious avenues of|advancement to settle for a balance.
Theoretically,|I could challenge him indefinitely.
Then you have beaten him.
It is a matter of perspective.
In the strictest sense,|I did not win.
Data! - I busted him up.
|- Yes!