Star Trek: The Next Generation s04e21 Episode Script
The Drumhead
Captain's log, stardate 44769.
2.
We have had a Klingon exobiologist on board as part of a scientific exchange programme.
Unfortunately, we suspect he was involved in a security breach and in the possible sabotage of our warp drive.
Why did you access the propulsion- system files on stardate 44758? I didn't.
Yes, you did, from computer 12B-9, deck 36.
The computer logged in your ID from your communicator.
It must be a mistake.
J'Dan, we have reports that schematic drawings of our dilithium chamber fell into Romulan hands one week later.
I know nothing about it.
Or the explosion that disabled the warp drive at the same time? No.
I was not involved! You accuse me because I am Klingon.
Our chief of security is Klingon.
That has nothing to do with it.
Send me home then if you are so distrusting.
We've contacted the Klingon High Council.
You'll be returned home after our investigation.
- I have nothing more to say.
- Very well.
Worf, accompany the Lieutenant to his quarters.
- What do you think? - It's hard to tell.
He's very closed, but he is hiding something.
On the Klingon homeworld your name is not mentioned.
It is as though you never existed.
A terrible burden for a warrior to bear, to become nothing, to be without honour, without the chance for glory.
I have friends, powerful friends, on the homeworld.
I could talk to them.
They might help to restore your name .
.
if you could just take me to a shuttlecraft.
It could be done without anyone knowing about it.
I don't know how you sent information to the Romulans, but I will find out.
Pahtk! When we inform the Klingon High Council, they will put you to a slow death.
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 civilisations, .
.
to boldly go where no one has gone before.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Retired admiral, Norah Satie, who exposed the alien conspiracy against Starfleet three years ago, is arriving to assist in our inquiry.
Captain Picard.
Admiral Satie, welcome aboard.
Delighted to be here.
I managed to acquire my former staff.
My aide, Sabin Genestra from Betazed and my assistant, Nellen Tore from Delb II.
This is my first officer, Cmdr William Riker.
May I show you to your quarters? Starfleet Command was so concerned with your report they brought me out of retirement.
- I think I should get right to work.
- Very well.
Cmdr Riker, please see to the Admiral's staff.
I'd like to inspect the damage to your engine room.
Admiral Satie, this is Cmdr Data, Cmdr La Forge.
Admiral.
We can't get in.
The radiation level is still too high to raise the door.
How much longer? At the rate the level is decreasing, we will gain entry in 49 hours.
Would you like to see the visual log of the explosion? Yes.
This was logged four days ago at 0300 hours.
The confinement field was activated and the isolation doors came down.
No one was killed, but two people have radiation burns.
Have you made any assessments? Slow-motion study suggests that the articulation frame collapsed.
The schematics stolen from the Enterprise, some involved the articulation frame of the dilithium chamber.
That's one reason we tend to suspect sabotage.
Other evidence lends credence to that theory.
The sensor logs indicate all systems were within normal parameters before the explosion.
We haven't found anything suggesting a malfunction.
Captain, I think I'll need a full briefing before we go any further.
By all means, Admiral.
Cmdr Data, La Forge, I don't envy you your job.
Good luck.
There are disturbing overtones in a Klingon providing information to the Romulans.
Are you aware of other Klingon-Romulan connections Starfleet might have encountered recently? I don't believe .
.
what Starfleet Command knows or doesn't know is for me to reveal.
This ship has encountered several incidents, which suggest a potential alliance between the two.
We're aware of that.
What we must concentrate on is the business at hand.
Come.
- Excuse me, I did not know - Please come in.
I want my guest to meet you.
This is my head of security, Lt Worf.
Captain, I've been pursuing the investigation of Lt J'Dan.
I know how he transferred information off the Enterprise.
Well done, Lieutenant! This is J'Dan's.
A hyposyringe he uses to treat his Ba'ltmasor Syndrome, but it's been fitted with an optical reader modified to read data from Starfleet isolinear chips.
He can extract digital computer data, encode it in amino-acid sequences and transfer them into a fluid in the syringe.
Then he injects someone, perhaps without their knowledge.
Or perhaps with their knowledge.
The information would be carried in their bloodstream in inert proteins.
The body itself becomes a conveyor of top secret files.
Lieutenant Worf, when we confront J'Dan, I want you to conduct the interrogation.
I would be honoured.
Captain.
Admiral.
Captain, I predict that officer will be extremely valuable in this investigation.
I've tracked the movements of everyone who's left the Enterprise since you came.
I traced one Tarkanian diplomat as far as the Cruses System, where he disappeared and has not been seen since.
That proves nothing.
A hyposyringe was discovered in your quarters.
I take injections.
Everyone knows that.
Your injections do not include an optical chip-reader.
This device has but one function, to transform computer information into biological sequences.
The blood of Klingons has become water! Since the Federation alliance, we have become mewling babies.
Romulans are strong, worthy allies.
They don't turn Klingons into weaklings like you! Lieutenant.
How did you damage the dilithium chamber? I had nothing to do with that.
You mean it was coincidence it was sabotaged after you gave the design plans to the Romulans? - I had nothing to do with it.
- You've admitted your crime.
Why lie now? I am not lying.
Mr Worf, you may have him confined.
- Sabin? - I believe he's telling the truth.
He admits stealing files but not sabotaging the chamber.
I get no sense he's lying.
But if you're right someone else may be involved.
I think, Captain, you have a bigger problem on your ship than just one Klingon exchange officer.
I've seen this before.
The spectre of conspiracy on a starship is a frightening one.
I can scarcely believe it myself.
But I am so grateful for your presence, Admiral.
If anyone in Starfleet can help us, it's you.
Captain, I find myself changing my mind about you.
In what way? When Starfleet ordered me here, it was with the express command that we work on this as equals.
My father taught me to avoid partnerships.
Most are lopsided.
That sounds like Judge Aaron Satie.
- You knew my father? - Only from his writings.
He was required reading at the Academy.
He was an extraordinary man.
Every night at the dinner table, he would pose a question for debate.
My brothers and I would wrangle it from one side and the other.
Father would referee, with a stopwatch, so we'd learn brevity.
He wouldn't let us leave until we had completely explored the issue.
I'll wager you trounced your brothers in debates.
More than once.
Father loved it when I nailed them with some subtle point of logic.
All that I am, I owe to him.
He was a giant.
You must miss him very much.
Captain, I always preferred working alone.
That way if something went wrong, I didn't have to go far for the cause.
I resented you being assigned to me.
But I was wrong.
We're going to be quite a team.
J'Dan did not make friends easily.
- There are not many to question.
- You've done a thorough job.
I am strongly motivated in this matter.
Yes, I can see that.
I don't mind telling you I'm surprised.
Frankly, when I first heard about your father My father? Yes.
There are some who believe he betrayed your people to the Romulans.
What he did or did not do is no one's concern but my own.
Of course.
I only meant before I saw you in action I considered you a possible security risk.
But you have the Admiral's and my complete confidence.
You have nothing to prove to us.
If there is a conspiracy on board, I promise you I will find it.
Good.
You know the ship and the personnel.
You know exactly what we're up against.
We're counting on you.
I will arrange for the interviews to begin.
How often did Lieutenant J'Dan come in for his injections? About once a week.
- Did you administer them yourself? - No.
- Then who did? - I had one of my assistants do that.
Did he ever say anything that seemed innocent that might now shed light on this investigation? No, nothing.
In fact, he rarely spoke at all.
Thank you, Dr Crusher.
We appreciate your time.
Mr Worf, bring in the next person.
Please sit down, Mr Tarses.
For the record, tell us your name and position.
Simon Tarses, Crewman First Class, medical technician.
I assure you, Mr Tarses, this is an informal inquiry.
We are not accusing you of anything.
However, if you would like counsel, it can be provided.
No, sir, I have nothing to hide.
How long have you held your appointment? Since stardate 43587.
Mr Tarses, your records state that you were born on Mars Colony.
- That's right.
- Then you are human? Largely.
My pa paternal grandfather was Vulcan.
I see that.
What is your relationship with the Klingon, J'Dan? He There's no relationship.
He just came in for his injections.
Did you give him those injections? Sometimes.
There were several of us.
I might have done it twice.
Did he make comments that are, in retrospect, suspicious? Not really.
He hardly ever talked.
Did you ever see him outside sickbay? Once or twice in ten-forward, with a group.
But I never had a conversation with him.
Thank you, Mr Tarses.
I think that's all.
Captain? You are excused.
Mr Worf? Wait.
He's lying.
He's frightened.
He's covering something.
It's clear he's frightened.
That's hardly It's more than that.
He wasn't truthful.
He's covering a lie, one so big, it's overwhelming him.
I think we've found the man.
Admiral.
I have to tell you, you must not expect me to permit any action against Mr Tarses solely on the basis of Betazoid intuition.
Sabin has uncanny instincts.
I've learned to trust them.
I'm not happy about this use of a Betazoid.
You have a Betazoid counsellor.
You are aware of the advantages.
There is a difference between a counsellor and an investigator.
Do you never use your counsellor during interrogations? Yes, I do.
But I would not act solely on the basis of her instinct.
Nor do I.
But you're asking You're asking me to restrict Mr Tarses' movements solely on the basis of Sabin's feeling.
If Counsellor Troi suggested that someone on this ship were dangerous, would you not act on that, observe him, curb his activity? Yes, I admit I probably would.
And perhaps I should re-evaluate that behaviour.
Oh, nonsense.
Let's keep our priorities straight.
It's important to uncover the conspiracy on this ship and prevent further damage.
If Tarses is a possible saboteur, you cannot allow him access to sensitive areas.
And I strongly suggest continuous surveillance.
If we had clear evidence We will have clear evidence.
Sabin and Lt Worf are continuing to investigate.
But if you don't act until then, it may be too late.
No.
I won't treat a man as a criminal unless there is cause to do so.
While being so generous, you give a saboteur a chance to strike again? Last time it was just a hatch cover.
What if next time it's more serious? What if lives are lost? Can you afford not to act? - Engineering to Captain Picard.
- Yes, Mr La Forge? Can you come to Engineering? We've got something to show you.
We'll be right there.
We got in here six hours ago.
We've been going over it inch by inch.
We made analyses of the dilithium chamber, the hatch, the blast pattern from the explosion.
We did mass spectrometer readings, sifted the debris for bomb fragments.
- What did you find? - This is the frame for the hatch.
It ruptured right along here.
When we take a reading of that spot See? I'm out of my element, Commander.
You'll have to interpret for me.
There are submicron fractures in the metal casing.
A breakdown of the atomic cohesive structure.
Yes, and what caused them? Those fractures suggest nothing more than simple neutron fatigue.
I speculate that when the engine was last inspected, the casing was replaced with one with an undetectable defect.
I believe the conclusion must be that the explosion was not intentional.
That's how I see it.
This wasn't sabotage.
It was nothing more than an accident.
An accident? I find that hard to believe.
If my crew say it was not sabotage, then there was none.
Let us keep our perspective.
Just because there was no sabotage doesn't mean there isn't a conspiracy.
- We do have a confessed spy.
- And he had confederates.
- Do we know for sure? - Of course he did.
Do you think J'Dan could have come on board and accomplish what he did without inside help? I agree it would be difficult.
But not impossible.
We should continue to investigate Tarses.
He was hiding something.
Captain, Lt Worf and I are working well together.
I suggest we continue, if only to determine Tarses' innocence.
Now, please! Let me remind you he is innocent until proven guilty.
Of course he is.
What Sabin is saying is that he and Lt Worf would like to establish his innocence, unequivocally, for his own sake.
Very well.
But let us put this to rest as quickly as possible.
You opened the hearing to spectators? It isn't good to have closed-door proceedings.
It invites rumour and speculation.
Nevertheless, it's wise Spies and saboteurs don't like the bright lights of an open inquiry.
They're like roaches, scurrying for the dark corner.
This hearing is convened on stardate 44780 as a continuing inquiry into the activities of Crewman Simon Tarses.
For your own protection, I've assigned a counsel to you, Cmdr William Riker.
Thank you, but I don't need protection.
I have done nothing wrong.
Dr Crusher, have you observed Crewman Tarses with J'Dan? Well, yes.
He gave him his injection.
I meant outside of sickbay.
I think so, perhaps in ten-forward.
Whom else have you observed at these occasions? I don't understand the relevance.
It was an innocent social gathering.
If it was so innocent, why do you hesitate to give us the names? Thank you, Doctor.
If you have a case to make against Simon Tarses, make it, otherwise I'm stopping this here and now.
Mr Tarses, .
.
do you have access to the biological supplies in sickbay? It's part of my job, yes.
J'Dan used deoxyribose suspensions to carry the encoded files.
Isn't one of your duties to prepare the suspensions? The job is shared.
Isn't it true your security clearance allows you access to stores and files in sickbay? - Access at any time? - Because I have access doesn't What if I told you there is evidence that the explosion in the engine room was caused by a corrosive chemical, one that is kept stored in sickbay? - I had nothing to do with that.
- How can we believe you? How can we believe someone whom we know to be a liar? I object! There is no basis for calling him a liar.
Agreed.
Mr Sabin Captain, the basis will become clear in a moment.
Mr Tarses, didn't you deliberately lie on your personnel application, and compound the lie by repeating it to this committee? What? Isn't it true that the grandfather of whom you speak was not a Vulcan but was in fact a Romulan? That is Romulan blood you carry and a Romulan heritage you honour? We're waiting, Mr Tarses! On the advice of my counsel, I refuse to answer that question in .
.
in that the answer .
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might serve to incriminate me.
You and Marcus will track Tarses' movements over the last five years.
Ensign Kellogg, I want a list of all relatives, known associates and especially old school friends.
- And arrange for a polygraph scan - Mr Worf? - Yes, Captain? - I need to speak with you.
You are dismissed.
Please get your reports to me as soon as possible.
Do you see what is happening here, Mr Worf? Sir? This is not unlike a a drumhead trial.
I do not understand.
would upend a drum, sit at it and dispense summary justice.
Decisions were quick, punishments severe, appeals denied.
Those who came to a drumhead were doomed.
But we know there is a traitor here.
J'Dan has admitted his guilt.
True.
He will stand for his crime.
Tarses has all but done the same.
How? He didn't answer a question about his grandfather.
That is not a crime, Worf! Nor can we infer his guilt because he didn't respond.
Sir, if a man were not afraid of the truth, he would answer.
Oh, no.
We cannot allow ourselves to think that.
The Seventh Guarantee is one of the most important rights granted by the Federation.
We cannot take a principle of the Constitution and turn it against a citizen.
Sir, the Federation does have enemies.
We must seek them out.
Oh, yes.
That's how it starts.
But the road from legitimate suspicion to rampant paranoia is much shorter than we think.
Something is wrong here, Mr Worf.
I don't like what we have become.
There you are, Mr Tarses.
Would you care for some lemon? No, thank you, sir.
This is fine.
Tell me about yourself, Crewman.
I know you were born on Mars Colony.
Yes, sir.
All my life I wanted to be in Starfleet.
I went to the Academy's programme for enlisted personnel.
I trained as a medical technician and served at several outposts.
The day I was posted here was the happiest of my life.
Did you consider applying to the Academy to become an officer? My parents wanted me to.
Then I thought about it.
I used to sit under this big tree near the parade grounds - An elm with a circular bench? - That's the one.
I spent many an hour there.
It was my favourite spot to study I used to sit under that tree and watch the drills.
Picture myself an officer.
I know it would have made my mother very happy but - You didn't do it.
- No.
I was 18 and eager.
The last thing I wanted was to spend four years sitting in classrooms.
I wanted to be out there, travelling the stars.
I didn't want to wait for anything.
And now it's done, isn't it? My career in Starfleet is finished.
Not if you aren't guilty, Simon.
It doesn't matter.
I lied on my application.
That mistake will be with me for the rest of my life.
Mr Worf has found a brother who still lives on Mars Colony.
- Have him interviewed.
- Admiral Satie? Start a check into all his friends at the Academy.
- Admiral Satie? - Yes, Captain? - I would like a word with you.
- Of course.
In private.
and off the record.
Of course.
After all, you are my partner in this.
- I cannot believe you mean this! - But I do.
This must stop.
It has gone too far.
You lied about the engine room.
There were no volatile chemicals.
It was a tactic.
A way of applying pressure.
- We are hounding an innocent man.
- And how have you determined that? I've talked with him.
I see.
He told you he was a victim of circumstance, blameless and pure? No.
He admits his mistake in falsifying his application.
It does not make him a traitor.
How can you be so incredibly naive? Captain, may I tell you how I've spent the past four years? From planet to starbase to planet.
I have no home.
I live on starships and shuttlecraft.
I haven't seen a family member in years.
I have no friends.
But I have a purpose.
My father taught me, from the time I was a little girl, that the United Federation of Planets is the most remarkable institution ever conceived.
And it is my cause to make sure that this extraordinary union be preserved.
I cannot imagine why you are trying to block this investigation.
Others in the past have doubted me.
They came to regret it.
The hearings on Simon Tarses will stop.
If necessary, I will go to Starfleet Command.
I have news for you, Captain.
I've been in constant contact with Starfleet Command.
The hearings are not going to stop.
- They're going to be expanded.
- What are you saying? I'm going to get to the heart of this conspiracy if it means investigating every last person on this ship.
Every hearing from now on will be held in the presence of Admiral Thomas Henry of Starfleet Security.
- I've requested he be brought here.
- You never told me about this.
I report to Starfleet Command directly.
I do not need your permission or your approval for my decisions.
Admiral.
What you're doing here is unethical.
It's immoral.
I'll fight it.
Do what you must, Captain.
And so will I.
Captain, warp engines are back on line.
We are ready to commence restart sequences.
- Sir? - Yes? Yes, yes, of course.
Proceed, Mr Data.
You alright, Captain? Yes, of course, Number One.
Just a little preoccupied.
Admiral Satie orders you to report to the interrogation room at 0900 hours.
You are to be questioned before the committee.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Admiral Henry, who has worked closely with Norah Satie in the past, has arrived to observe the hearings.
- Your full name? - Jean-Luc Picard.
- Your rank? - Captain, Starship Enterprise.
- How long have you held this post? - Three years, since stardate 41124.
- Very well.
Admiral? - There is something I'd like to say.
If you have a statement, you'll have an opportunity to make it later.
I believe Article 12 of the Uniform Code of Justice grants me the right to make a statement before questioning begins.
Very well.
I'm deeply concerned about what is happening here.
It began when we apprehended a spy, a man who admitted his guilt and who will answer for his crime.
But the hunt didn't end there.
Another man, Mr Simon Tarses, was brought to trial.
And it was a trial, no matter what others choose to call it.
A trial based on insinuation and innuendo.
Nothing substantive offered against Mr Tarses, much less proven.
Mr Tarses' grandfather is Romulan.
And for that reason his career now stands in ruins.
Have we become so fearful, have we become so cowardly, .
.
that we must extinguish a man because he carries the blood of a current enemy? Admiral, .
.
let us not condemn Simon Tarses, or anyone else, because of their bloodlines, or investigate others for their innocent associations.
I implore you, do not continue with this .
.
proceeding.
End it now.
Captain, do you believe in the Prime Directive? Of course.
In fact it is Starfleet's General Order Number One, is it not? Your point, Admiral? Would it surprise you to learn you have violated it nine times since you took command of this ship? It certainly surprised the hell out of me.
My reports to Starfleet document the circumstances of those instances.
We're looking into those reports, very closely into those reports, after which we will have more questions for you about your so-called commitment to Starfleet Prime Directive.
Captain, could you tell us just what happened on stardate 44390? - Pardon? - Let me refresh your memory.
You were transporting a Vulcan ambassador, T'Pel.
I was following orders to take this ambassador to a location near the Neutral Zone.
We don't need the preamble.
In fact, she was not a Vulcan at all, was she? She was a Romulan spy! That's correct.
A spy you delivered back into the hands of the enemy! Tell me, Captain, when the deception was revealed and she stood proudly on the bridge of a Romulan ship, did you make any effort to retrieve her? - No.
- No.
Even though you knew she carried Federation secrets she'd been accumulating for years.
The Enterprise could have been captured by the Romulans! Capt Picard did the only thing he could.
Really? Where were you when the traitor was on board? Where was ship's Security? Isn't it questionable to have a security officer whose father was a Romulan collaborator? Lieutenant.
Tell me, Captain, have you completely recovered from your experience with the Borg? Yes, I have completely recovered.
It must have been awful for you, actually becoming one of them, being forced to use your vast knowledge of Starfleet operations to aid the Borg.
Just how many of our ships were lost? And a loss of life, I believe, measured at nearly 11,000.
One wonders how you can sleep at night, having caused so much destruction.
I question your actions, Captain.
I question your choices.
I question your loyalty.
You know, there are some words I've known since I was a schoolboy.
"With the first link, the chain is forged.
The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.
" Those words were uttered by Judge Aaron Satie as wisdom and warning.
The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged.
- I fear that day - How dare you! You who consort with Romulans invoke my father's name to support your traitorous arguments! It is an offence to everything I hold dear.
And to hear those words used to subvert the Federation! My father was a great man.
His name stands for integrity and principle.
You dirty his name when you speak it.
He loved the Federation.
But you, Captain, corrupt it.
You undermine our very way of life.
I will expose you for what you are! I have brought down bigger men than you, Picard! I have nothing more to say.
Perhaps we should call a recess until tomorrow.
Am I bothering you, Captain? No.
Please, Mr Worf, come in.
It is over.
Admiral Henry has called an end to any more hearings on this matter.
That's good.
Admiral Satie has left the Enterprise.
We think we've come so far.
Torture of heretics, burning of witches, it's all ancient history.
Then, before you can blink an eye, suddenly it threatens to start all over again.
I believed her.
I helped her.
I did not see what she was.
Mr Worf, villains who twirl their moustaches are easy to spot.
Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well camouflaged.
I think, after yesterday, people will not be so ready to trust her.
Maybe.
But she, or someone like her, will always be with us, waiting for the right climate in which to flourish, spreading fear in the name of righteousness.
Vigilance, Mr Worf, that is the price we have to continually pay.
2.
We have had a Klingon exobiologist on board as part of a scientific exchange programme.
Unfortunately, we suspect he was involved in a security breach and in the possible sabotage of our warp drive.
Why did you access the propulsion- system files on stardate 44758? I didn't.
Yes, you did, from computer 12B-9, deck 36.
The computer logged in your ID from your communicator.
It must be a mistake.
J'Dan, we have reports that schematic drawings of our dilithium chamber fell into Romulan hands one week later.
I know nothing about it.
Or the explosion that disabled the warp drive at the same time? No.
I was not involved! You accuse me because I am Klingon.
Our chief of security is Klingon.
That has nothing to do with it.
Send me home then if you are so distrusting.
We've contacted the Klingon High Council.
You'll be returned home after our investigation.
- I have nothing more to say.
- Very well.
Worf, accompany the Lieutenant to his quarters.
- What do you think? - It's hard to tell.
He's very closed, but he is hiding something.
On the Klingon homeworld your name is not mentioned.
It is as though you never existed.
A terrible burden for a warrior to bear, to become nothing, to be without honour, without the chance for glory.
I have friends, powerful friends, on the homeworld.
I could talk to them.
They might help to restore your name .
.
if you could just take me to a shuttlecraft.
It could be done without anyone knowing about it.
I don't know how you sent information to the Romulans, but I will find out.
Pahtk! When we inform the Klingon High Council, they will put you to a slow death.
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 civilisations, .
.
to boldly go where no one has gone before.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Retired admiral, Norah Satie, who exposed the alien conspiracy against Starfleet three years ago, is arriving to assist in our inquiry.
Captain Picard.
Admiral Satie, welcome aboard.
Delighted to be here.
I managed to acquire my former staff.
My aide, Sabin Genestra from Betazed and my assistant, Nellen Tore from Delb II.
This is my first officer, Cmdr William Riker.
May I show you to your quarters? Starfleet Command was so concerned with your report they brought me out of retirement.
- I think I should get right to work.
- Very well.
Cmdr Riker, please see to the Admiral's staff.
I'd like to inspect the damage to your engine room.
Admiral Satie, this is Cmdr Data, Cmdr La Forge.
Admiral.
We can't get in.
The radiation level is still too high to raise the door.
How much longer? At the rate the level is decreasing, we will gain entry in 49 hours.
Would you like to see the visual log of the explosion? Yes.
This was logged four days ago at 0300 hours.
The confinement field was activated and the isolation doors came down.
No one was killed, but two people have radiation burns.
Have you made any assessments? Slow-motion study suggests that the articulation frame collapsed.
The schematics stolen from the Enterprise, some involved the articulation frame of the dilithium chamber.
That's one reason we tend to suspect sabotage.
Other evidence lends credence to that theory.
The sensor logs indicate all systems were within normal parameters before the explosion.
We haven't found anything suggesting a malfunction.
Captain, I think I'll need a full briefing before we go any further.
By all means, Admiral.
Cmdr Data, La Forge, I don't envy you your job.
Good luck.
There are disturbing overtones in a Klingon providing information to the Romulans.
Are you aware of other Klingon-Romulan connections Starfleet might have encountered recently? I don't believe .
.
what Starfleet Command knows or doesn't know is for me to reveal.
This ship has encountered several incidents, which suggest a potential alliance between the two.
We're aware of that.
What we must concentrate on is the business at hand.
Come.
- Excuse me, I did not know - Please come in.
I want my guest to meet you.
This is my head of security, Lt Worf.
Captain, I've been pursuing the investigation of Lt J'Dan.
I know how he transferred information off the Enterprise.
Well done, Lieutenant! This is J'Dan's.
A hyposyringe he uses to treat his Ba'ltmasor Syndrome, but it's been fitted with an optical reader modified to read data from Starfleet isolinear chips.
He can extract digital computer data, encode it in amino-acid sequences and transfer them into a fluid in the syringe.
Then he injects someone, perhaps without their knowledge.
Or perhaps with their knowledge.
The information would be carried in their bloodstream in inert proteins.
The body itself becomes a conveyor of top secret files.
Lieutenant Worf, when we confront J'Dan, I want you to conduct the interrogation.
I would be honoured.
Captain.
Admiral.
Captain, I predict that officer will be extremely valuable in this investigation.
I've tracked the movements of everyone who's left the Enterprise since you came.
I traced one Tarkanian diplomat as far as the Cruses System, where he disappeared and has not been seen since.
That proves nothing.
A hyposyringe was discovered in your quarters.
I take injections.
Everyone knows that.
Your injections do not include an optical chip-reader.
This device has but one function, to transform computer information into biological sequences.
The blood of Klingons has become water! Since the Federation alliance, we have become mewling babies.
Romulans are strong, worthy allies.
They don't turn Klingons into weaklings like you! Lieutenant.
How did you damage the dilithium chamber? I had nothing to do with that.
You mean it was coincidence it was sabotaged after you gave the design plans to the Romulans? - I had nothing to do with it.
- You've admitted your crime.
Why lie now? I am not lying.
Mr Worf, you may have him confined.
- Sabin? - I believe he's telling the truth.
He admits stealing files but not sabotaging the chamber.
I get no sense he's lying.
But if you're right someone else may be involved.
I think, Captain, you have a bigger problem on your ship than just one Klingon exchange officer.
I've seen this before.
The spectre of conspiracy on a starship is a frightening one.
I can scarcely believe it myself.
But I am so grateful for your presence, Admiral.
If anyone in Starfleet can help us, it's you.
Captain, I find myself changing my mind about you.
In what way? When Starfleet ordered me here, it was with the express command that we work on this as equals.
My father taught me to avoid partnerships.
Most are lopsided.
That sounds like Judge Aaron Satie.
- You knew my father? - Only from his writings.
He was required reading at the Academy.
He was an extraordinary man.
Every night at the dinner table, he would pose a question for debate.
My brothers and I would wrangle it from one side and the other.
Father would referee, with a stopwatch, so we'd learn brevity.
He wouldn't let us leave until we had completely explored the issue.
I'll wager you trounced your brothers in debates.
More than once.
Father loved it when I nailed them with some subtle point of logic.
All that I am, I owe to him.
He was a giant.
You must miss him very much.
Captain, I always preferred working alone.
That way if something went wrong, I didn't have to go far for the cause.
I resented you being assigned to me.
But I was wrong.
We're going to be quite a team.
J'Dan did not make friends easily.
- There are not many to question.
- You've done a thorough job.
I am strongly motivated in this matter.
Yes, I can see that.
I don't mind telling you I'm surprised.
Frankly, when I first heard about your father My father? Yes.
There are some who believe he betrayed your people to the Romulans.
What he did or did not do is no one's concern but my own.
Of course.
I only meant before I saw you in action I considered you a possible security risk.
But you have the Admiral's and my complete confidence.
You have nothing to prove to us.
If there is a conspiracy on board, I promise you I will find it.
Good.
You know the ship and the personnel.
You know exactly what we're up against.
We're counting on you.
I will arrange for the interviews to begin.
How often did Lieutenant J'Dan come in for his injections? About once a week.
- Did you administer them yourself? - No.
- Then who did? - I had one of my assistants do that.
Did he ever say anything that seemed innocent that might now shed light on this investigation? No, nothing.
In fact, he rarely spoke at all.
Thank you, Dr Crusher.
We appreciate your time.
Mr Worf, bring in the next person.
Please sit down, Mr Tarses.
For the record, tell us your name and position.
Simon Tarses, Crewman First Class, medical technician.
I assure you, Mr Tarses, this is an informal inquiry.
We are not accusing you of anything.
However, if you would like counsel, it can be provided.
No, sir, I have nothing to hide.
How long have you held your appointment? Since stardate 43587.
Mr Tarses, your records state that you were born on Mars Colony.
- That's right.
- Then you are human? Largely.
My pa paternal grandfather was Vulcan.
I see that.
What is your relationship with the Klingon, J'Dan? He There's no relationship.
He just came in for his injections.
Did you give him those injections? Sometimes.
There were several of us.
I might have done it twice.
Did he make comments that are, in retrospect, suspicious? Not really.
He hardly ever talked.
Did you ever see him outside sickbay? Once or twice in ten-forward, with a group.
But I never had a conversation with him.
Thank you, Mr Tarses.
I think that's all.
Captain? You are excused.
Mr Worf? Wait.
He's lying.
He's frightened.
He's covering something.
It's clear he's frightened.
That's hardly It's more than that.
He wasn't truthful.
He's covering a lie, one so big, it's overwhelming him.
I think we've found the man.
Admiral.
I have to tell you, you must not expect me to permit any action against Mr Tarses solely on the basis of Betazoid intuition.
Sabin has uncanny instincts.
I've learned to trust them.
I'm not happy about this use of a Betazoid.
You have a Betazoid counsellor.
You are aware of the advantages.
There is a difference between a counsellor and an investigator.
Do you never use your counsellor during interrogations? Yes, I do.
But I would not act solely on the basis of her instinct.
Nor do I.
But you're asking You're asking me to restrict Mr Tarses' movements solely on the basis of Sabin's feeling.
If Counsellor Troi suggested that someone on this ship were dangerous, would you not act on that, observe him, curb his activity? Yes, I admit I probably would.
And perhaps I should re-evaluate that behaviour.
Oh, nonsense.
Let's keep our priorities straight.
It's important to uncover the conspiracy on this ship and prevent further damage.
If Tarses is a possible saboteur, you cannot allow him access to sensitive areas.
And I strongly suggest continuous surveillance.
If we had clear evidence We will have clear evidence.
Sabin and Lt Worf are continuing to investigate.
But if you don't act until then, it may be too late.
No.
I won't treat a man as a criminal unless there is cause to do so.
While being so generous, you give a saboteur a chance to strike again? Last time it was just a hatch cover.
What if next time it's more serious? What if lives are lost? Can you afford not to act? - Engineering to Captain Picard.
- Yes, Mr La Forge? Can you come to Engineering? We've got something to show you.
We'll be right there.
We got in here six hours ago.
We've been going over it inch by inch.
We made analyses of the dilithium chamber, the hatch, the blast pattern from the explosion.
We did mass spectrometer readings, sifted the debris for bomb fragments.
- What did you find? - This is the frame for the hatch.
It ruptured right along here.
When we take a reading of that spot See? I'm out of my element, Commander.
You'll have to interpret for me.
There are submicron fractures in the metal casing.
A breakdown of the atomic cohesive structure.
Yes, and what caused them? Those fractures suggest nothing more than simple neutron fatigue.
I speculate that when the engine was last inspected, the casing was replaced with one with an undetectable defect.
I believe the conclusion must be that the explosion was not intentional.
That's how I see it.
This wasn't sabotage.
It was nothing more than an accident.
An accident? I find that hard to believe.
If my crew say it was not sabotage, then there was none.
Let us keep our perspective.
Just because there was no sabotage doesn't mean there isn't a conspiracy.
- We do have a confessed spy.
- And he had confederates.
- Do we know for sure? - Of course he did.
Do you think J'Dan could have come on board and accomplish what he did without inside help? I agree it would be difficult.
But not impossible.
We should continue to investigate Tarses.
He was hiding something.
Captain, Lt Worf and I are working well together.
I suggest we continue, if only to determine Tarses' innocence.
Now, please! Let me remind you he is innocent until proven guilty.
Of course he is.
What Sabin is saying is that he and Lt Worf would like to establish his innocence, unequivocally, for his own sake.
Very well.
But let us put this to rest as quickly as possible.
You opened the hearing to spectators? It isn't good to have closed-door proceedings.
It invites rumour and speculation.
Nevertheless, it's wise Spies and saboteurs don't like the bright lights of an open inquiry.
They're like roaches, scurrying for the dark corner.
This hearing is convened on stardate 44780 as a continuing inquiry into the activities of Crewman Simon Tarses.
For your own protection, I've assigned a counsel to you, Cmdr William Riker.
Thank you, but I don't need protection.
I have done nothing wrong.
Dr Crusher, have you observed Crewman Tarses with J'Dan? Well, yes.
He gave him his injection.
I meant outside of sickbay.
I think so, perhaps in ten-forward.
Whom else have you observed at these occasions? I don't understand the relevance.
It was an innocent social gathering.
If it was so innocent, why do you hesitate to give us the names? Thank you, Doctor.
If you have a case to make against Simon Tarses, make it, otherwise I'm stopping this here and now.
Mr Tarses, .
.
do you have access to the biological supplies in sickbay? It's part of my job, yes.
J'Dan used deoxyribose suspensions to carry the encoded files.
Isn't one of your duties to prepare the suspensions? The job is shared.
Isn't it true your security clearance allows you access to stores and files in sickbay? - Access at any time? - Because I have access doesn't What if I told you there is evidence that the explosion in the engine room was caused by a corrosive chemical, one that is kept stored in sickbay? - I had nothing to do with that.
- How can we believe you? How can we believe someone whom we know to be a liar? I object! There is no basis for calling him a liar.
Agreed.
Mr Sabin Captain, the basis will become clear in a moment.
Mr Tarses, didn't you deliberately lie on your personnel application, and compound the lie by repeating it to this committee? What? Isn't it true that the grandfather of whom you speak was not a Vulcan but was in fact a Romulan? That is Romulan blood you carry and a Romulan heritage you honour? We're waiting, Mr Tarses! On the advice of my counsel, I refuse to answer that question in .
.
in that the answer .
.
might serve to incriminate me.
You and Marcus will track Tarses' movements over the last five years.
Ensign Kellogg, I want a list of all relatives, known associates and especially old school friends.
- And arrange for a polygraph scan - Mr Worf? - Yes, Captain? - I need to speak with you.
You are dismissed.
Please get your reports to me as soon as possible.
Do you see what is happening here, Mr Worf? Sir? This is not unlike a a drumhead trial.
I do not understand.
would upend a drum, sit at it and dispense summary justice.
Decisions were quick, punishments severe, appeals denied.
Those who came to a drumhead were doomed.
But we know there is a traitor here.
J'Dan has admitted his guilt.
True.
He will stand for his crime.
Tarses has all but done the same.
How? He didn't answer a question about his grandfather.
That is not a crime, Worf! Nor can we infer his guilt because he didn't respond.
Sir, if a man were not afraid of the truth, he would answer.
Oh, no.
We cannot allow ourselves to think that.
The Seventh Guarantee is one of the most important rights granted by the Federation.
We cannot take a principle of the Constitution and turn it against a citizen.
Sir, the Federation does have enemies.
We must seek them out.
Oh, yes.
That's how it starts.
But the road from legitimate suspicion to rampant paranoia is much shorter than we think.
Something is wrong here, Mr Worf.
I don't like what we have become.
There you are, Mr Tarses.
Would you care for some lemon? No, thank you, sir.
This is fine.
Tell me about yourself, Crewman.
I know you were born on Mars Colony.
Yes, sir.
All my life I wanted to be in Starfleet.
I went to the Academy's programme for enlisted personnel.
I trained as a medical technician and served at several outposts.
The day I was posted here was the happiest of my life.
Did you consider applying to the Academy to become an officer? My parents wanted me to.
Then I thought about it.
I used to sit under this big tree near the parade grounds - An elm with a circular bench? - That's the one.
I spent many an hour there.
It was my favourite spot to study I used to sit under that tree and watch the drills.
Picture myself an officer.
I know it would have made my mother very happy but - You didn't do it.
- No.
I was 18 and eager.
The last thing I wanted was to spend four years sitting in classrooms.
I wanted to be out there, travelling the stars.
I didn't want to wait for anything.
And now it's done, isn't it? My career in Starfleet is finished.
Not if you aren't guilty, Simon.
It doesn't matter.
I lied on my application.
That mistake will be with me for the rest of my life.
Mr Worf has found a brother who still lives on Mars Colony.
- Have him interviewed.
- Admiral Satie? Start a check into all his friends at the Academy.
- Admiral Satie? - Yes, Captain? - I would like a word with you.
- Of course.
In private.
and off the record.
Of course.
After all, you are my partner in this.
- I cannot believe you mean this! - But I do.
This must stop.
It has gone too far.
You lied about the engine room.
There were no volatile chemicals.
It was a tactic.
A way of applying pressure.
- We are hounding an innocent man.
- And how have you determined that? I've talked with him.
I see.
He told you he was a victim of circumstance, blameless and pure? No.
He admits his mistake in falsifying his application.
It does not make him a traitor.
How can you be so incredibly naive? Captain, may I tell you how I've spent the past four years? From planet to starbase to planet.
I have no home.
I live on starships and shuttlecraft.
I haven't seen a family member in years.
I have no friends.
But I have a purpose.
My father taught me, from the time I was a little girl, that the United Federation of Planets is the most remarkable institution ever conceived.
And it is my cause to make sure that this extraordinary union be preserved.
I cannot imagine why you are trying to block this investigation.
Others in the past have doubted me.
They came to regret it.
The hearings on Simon Tarses will stop.
If necessary, I will go to Starfleet Command.
I have news for you, Captain.
I've been in constant contact with Starfleet Command.
The hearings are not going to stop.
- They're going to be expanded.
- What are you saying? I'm going to get to the heart of this conspiracy if it means investigating every last person on this ship.
Every hearing from now on will be held in the presence of Admiral Thomas Henry of Starfleet Security.
- I've requested he be brought here.
- You never told me about this.
I report to Starfleet Command directly.
I do not need your permission or your approval for my decisions.
Admiral.
What you're doing here is unethical.
It's immoral.
I'll fight it.
Do what you must, Captain.
And so will I.
Captain, warp engines are back on line.
We are ready to commence restart sequences.
- Sir? - Yes? Yes, yes, of course.
Proceed, Mr Data.
You alright, Captain? Yes, of course, Number One.
Just a little preoccupied.
Admiral Satie orders you to report to the interrogation room at 0900 hours.
You are to be questioned before the committee.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Admiral Henry, who has worked closely with Norah Satie in the past, has arrived to observe the hearings.
- Your full name? - Jean-Luc Picard.
- Your rank? - Captain, Starship Enterprise.
- How long have you held this post? - Three years, since stardate 41124.
- Very well.
Admiral? - There is something I'd like to say.
If you have a statement, you'll have an opportunity to make it later.
I believe Article 12 of the Uniform Code of Justice grants me the right to make a statement before questioning begins.
Very well.
I'm deeply concerned about what is happening here.
It began when we apprehended a spy, a man who admitted his guilt and who will answer for his crime.
But the hunt didn't end there.
Another man, Mr Simon Tarses, was brought to trial.
And it was a trial, no matter what others choose to call it.
A trial based on insinuation and innuendo.
Nothing substantive offered against Mr Tarses, much less proven.
Mr Tarses' grandfather is Romulan.
And for that reason his career now stands in ruins.
Have we become so fearful, have we become so cowardly, .
.
that we must extinguish a man because he carries the blood of a current enemy? Admiral, .
.
let us not condemn Simon Tarses, or anyone else, because of their bloodlines, or investigate others for their innocent associations.
I implore you, do not continue with this .
.
proceeding.
End it now.
Captain, do you believe in the Prime Directive? Of course.
In fact it is Starfleet's General Order Number One, is it not? Your point, Admiral? Would it surprise you to learn you have violated it nine times since you took command of this ship? It certainly surprised the hell out of me.
My reports to Starfleet document the circumstances of those instances.
We're looking into those reports, very closely into those reports, after which we will have more questions for you about your so-called commitment to Starfleet Prime Directive.
Captain, could you tell us just what happened on stardate 44390? - Pardon? - Let me refresh your memory.
You were transporting a Vulcan ambassador, T'Pel.
I was following orders to take this ambassador to a location near the Neutral Zone.
We don't need the preamble.
In fact, she was not a Vulcan at all, was she? She was a Romulan spy! That's correct.
A spy you delivered back into the hands of the enemy! Tell me, Captain, when the deception was revealed and she stood proudly on the bridge of a Romulan ship, did you make any effort to retrieve her? - No.
- No.
Even though you knew she carried Federation secrets she'd been accumulating for years.
The Enterprise could have been captured by the Romulans! Capt Picard did the only thing he could.
Really? Where were you when the traitor was on board? Where was ship's Security? Isn't it questionable to have a security officer whose father was a Romulan collaborator? Lieutenant.
Tell me, Captain, have you completely recovered from your experience with the Borg? Yes, I have completely recovered.
It must have been awful for you, actually becoming one of them, being forced to use your vast knowledge of Starfleet operations to aid the Borg.
Just how many of our ships were lost? And a loss of life, I believe, measured at nearly 11,000.
One wonders how you can sleep at night, having caused so much destruction.
I question your actions, Captain.
I question your choices.
I question your loyalty.
You know, there are some words I've known since I was a schoolboy.
"With the first link, the chain is forged.
The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.
" Those words were uttered by Judge Aaron Satie as wisdom and warning.
The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged.
- I fear that day - How dare you! You who consort with Romulans invoke my father's name to support your traitorous arguments! It is an offence to everything I hold dear.
And to hear those words used to subvert the Federation! My father was a great man.
His name stands for integrity and principle.
You dirty his name when you speak it.
He loved the Federation.
But you, Captain, corrupt it.
You undermine our very way of life.
I will expose you for what you are! I have brought down bigger men than you, Picard! I have nothing more to say.
Perhaps we should call a recess until tomorrow.
Am I bothering you, Captain? No.
Please, Mr Worf, come in.
It is over.
Admiral Henry has called an end to any more hearings on this matter.
That's good.
Admiral Satie has left the Enterprise.
We think we've come so far.
Torture of heretics, burning of witches, it's all ancient history.
Then, before you can blink an eye, suddenly it threatens to start all over again.
I believed her.
I helped her.
I did not see what she was.
Mr Worf, villains who twirl their moustaches are easy to spot.
Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well camouflaged.
I think, after yesterday, people will not be so ready to trust her.
Maybe.
But she, or someone like her, will always be with us, waiting for the right climate in which to flourish, spreading fear in the name of righteousness.
Vigilance, Mr Worf, that is the price we have to continually pay.