Star Trek: The Next Generation s05e11 Episode Script

Captain's log, stardate 45397.
3.
Two days ago, Starbase 514 lost|contact with the research vessel Vico which was sent to explore|the Black Cluster.
We are en route to investigate.
Captain, we're entering Sector 97.
I am picking up|gravitational fluctuations.
- Take us out of warp, Ensign.
|- Yes, sir.
The Black Cluster|is within visual range.
- On screen.
|- Aye, sir.
Let's find that ship.
|Full sensor sweep.
Aye, sir.
What a sight.
One of the most ancient formations|in the galaxy.
I have located the Vico.
|It appears to be adrift.
Let's see it.
- Life signs?|- Nothing, Commander.
Damage report, Mr Data? Outer and inner hulls|have been breached.
Decks seven to 12|are exposed to space.
Set up a translink|to their computer core.
I cannot.
|The emergency bulkheads are in place.
Our signal cannot penetrate them.
Structural status? Stress readings indicate pressure|on the transfer supports.
Stable enough for an away team? Yes, sir, but the risk of collapse|is high.
Have transporter room one|maintain a lock on the away team.
Take us to 15,000 metres.
|Data, you're with me.
This station is inoperable, sir.
- This one is stuck in a loop.
|- Tap into the computer.
The ODN junction is down here.
Data? Core transfer is engaged.
Exchange protocol verified.
The files are intact.
|At least, some of them.
Stay here, Geordi.
Data.
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.
A young boy,|shielded from sensor scans, has been discovered|pinned beneath a fallen beam.
The damage to the Vico|is making rescue difficult.
Transporter room one, can you transport him directly|to sickbay? I'll try, Captain.
|But there's a lot of shielding.
Acknowledged.
Picard to Crusher.
Sickbay here, Captain.
- Prepare for emergency transport.
|- Yes, sir.
- Crusher out.
|- Picard to Riker.
Is the boy ready? - Ready, sir.
|- It's your signal.
Aye, Captain.
It's going to be OK.
Here we go.
Energise.
- Ensign, do we have him?|- The lock is holding.
I just can't resolve|the matter stream, not with all that victurium alloy.
Cmdr Riker,|get him into the corridor.
I could move the beam.
But it may initiate|the collapse of the supports.
I recommend you and Geordi return.
Agreed.
La Forge.
I'm locked onto them.
I'll energise|once they clear the bulkheads.
- Whenever you're ready.
|- Yes, sir.
Are you gonna lift that? Yes.
|Then I will take you to the corridor.
We will transport|to the Enterprise from there.
- How can you pick that up?|- I am an android.
My strength is many times|that of a human.
It is going to be OK.
I will count to three.
|One, two, three.
Energise.
Don't be afraid.
Captain's log, supplemental.
A search of the Vico has revealed|no additional survivors.
We have begun counselling the boy|about the tragedy.
We were in the Black Cluster.
I don't know where they came from.
They had a big ship.
They kept shooting at us.
Then they beamed over.
They had purple helmets on|and phaser rifles.
I saw them.
They didn't see me.
You're safe now, Timothy.
I'm sorry for what happened.
|It's gonna be alright.
I bet you're hungry.
|Would you like something to eat? I must join La Forge in Engineering.
If you will excuse me.
Timothy, would you like Data|to stay a little longer? Sections of the primary|and secondary hulls were torn off.
The shearing planes|are here, here and here.
How much longer|till we can access their logs? Almost an hour.
The boy was here.
The hallway outside|the computer core.
His mother was the systems engineer.
The second away team|found her body inside the core.
- And his father?|- Ship's second officer.
He was most likely on the bridge|when it was exposed to space.
Most likely.
He'll sleep for a few hours at least.
I don't need to keep him here|but I need to see him tomorrow.
You've got your work cut out for you.
His world is gone.
We have to|help him build a new one.
This is not good.
|Whatever hit the Vico set up an EM pulse that flashed|through their computer banks.
Nearly 83 percent of their records|have been lost.
All their sensor logs.
Let's use what we got|from our own sensors.
I'll call up the structural analysis|and the surface scans.
Geordi, as a child, did you ever|experience a traumatic event? - You're wondering about Timothy?|- Yes.
I was caught in a fire once.
I must have been,|I don't know, about five, I guess.
It was before I got the first visor.
And it was only a couple of minutes|before my parents pulled me out.
And nobody got hurt,|but I tell you, .
.
that was the longest|couple of minutes of my life.
It was a while before I could let|my parents get out of earshot.
It was like I absolutely needed|to know that they were there, you know? Timothy no longer has that support.
Yeah.
"Dara and her brother|found themselves in Tagas, where the ruler, Elamos the|Magnificent, proclaimed as law, 'No children will be tolerated|within the great kingdom.
"' "When Dara saw the proclamation,|she laughed and said, 'How magnificent a ruler,|to be frightened by us!"' - We're done with sculpture.
|- It's not finished.
We'll come back to it.
|Why not pick up your mythology book? But it's not finished.
Magnetic analysis confirms|the Vico was definitely attacked inside the Black Cluster.
Graviton wave fronts pushed it|to where we found it.
- No signs of phaser burns?|- No, sir.
Torsional-stress levels point|to a disruptor-style weapon.
Fracture points indicate|a range of less than 3,000 metres.
That's a strategy|consistent with a cloaked vessel.
Romulan.
Or Klingon.
But we're|a distance from their territories.
The Breen have outposts|in this sector.
The attack is consistent with their|battle tactics and their technology.
Thank you.
But what would the Breen be doing|inside the Black Cluster? The boy described a boarding party|with helmets and phaser rifles.
Boarding party?|I don't think that's likely, sir.
Counsellor.
There was no evidence of anyone|coming aboard the Vico.
We'd have a transporter-field trace.
Or in the entry ports, we would have found an electrostatic|differential, and we didn't.
Could Timothy have imagined that? Or could he be lying? If he's lying, I haven't sensed it.
Perhaps his emotional-trauma level|is too high.
Why wouldn't he tell the truth? He's in shock.
It's hard to know|what's going on in his mind.
I'll check the readings again,|but we won't find anything.
- Thank you, Geordi.
|- Data.
Captain, we should ask Data|to spend time with him.
- I do not understand.
|- I'm worried about his behaviour.
What I just heard|doesn't make me feel better.
You're the only one|he's reached out to.
You rescued him.
We can use your relationship|to help him.
Would Timothy be inclined|to tell Data the truth? It's a possibility.
Proceed with Timothy|as the Counsellor suggests.
Aye, sir.
Counsellor,|exactly how shall I proceed? Just be with him.
Your presence he trusts.
|That's what he needs most now.
What? Data.
Hello, Timothy.
May I enter? Yeah.
You are attempting to recreate .
.
the Dokkaran temple|of Kural-Hanesh? Isn't it great? There's the big hallway|the teacher told us about.
That's where everybody came in.
That's where they stood.
|That's where the altar was.
What do you think? Do you wish a frank evaluation? It lacks the harmony of the temple,|and Dokkaran culture in general.
- You hate it.
|- No.
I am not capable of hatred.
I can't do anything right.
You are making|an unwarranted extrapolation.
I was offering an aesthetic analysis|of this model.
The base appears quite sturdy.
I told you! May I suggest a different approach? You were constructing the upper level|before the supports were in place.
Observe.
La Forge to Data.
Data here.
I need help with the modulators.
I will join you in a moment.
Lt La Forge requires my assistance.
Incredible.
Data.
How come you can do that? I am designed to exceed human|capacity, mentally and physically.
Androids are better than humans? "Better" is a highly subjective term.
I do not possess the ability|to experience emotion as humans do.
No emotions? You mean,|you can't be happy or sad? - That is correct.
|- Why not? My positronic brain is not able|to generate those conditions.
Goodbye.
Data! Can we build something else later? That would be acceptable.
Bye! I am designed|to exceed human capacity.
That is correct.
The Black Cluster was formed|nine billion years ago when hundreds of protostars collapsed|in close proximity.
The gravitational forces|are both violent and unpredictable.
To get near the centre, we have to push through|the graviton wave fronts.
I've adjusted our shields.
The gravitational forces|will affect sensor accuracy.
Detecting an enemy vessel|will be difficult.
Maybe the Vico didn't see anything|until it was too late.
Counsellor, has the boy volunteered|any information? No, but I do have|an appointment with him.
If there's a possibility of getting|more from him, pursue it.
But we need to continue|our investigation.
We'll enter the Black Cluster|at 0700 hours tomorrow.
Dismissed.
Hello, Timothy.
|Are you ready to go? - Yes.
I am ready.
|- How are you feeling? I am functioning|within established parameters.
Established parameters?|You sound like Data.
I am an android.
I see.
Well, let's go for our walk,|shall we? That would be acceptable.
So, what would you like? Androids do not need to eat or drink.
However, we sometimes like|to taste things.
A Tamarian frost, please.
|Would you like anything? - No, I'm fine, thank you.
|- As you wish.
So, you're no longer human? - I'm an android.
|- When did this happen? I've always been an android.
What's it like, being an android? I am designed|to exceed human capacity, both mentally and physically.
- But I do not experience emotions.
|- You don't? No emotion at all? That is correct.
- An android?|- I know it sounds unusual.
But it is understandable.
Technically,|it's called enantiodromia, conversion into the opposite.
Timothy went from human to machine, from being emotional|to being emotionless.
But the underlying trauma|is still there.
He's just found|a new way to suppress it.
Counsellor.
How long will this behaviour last? As long as he needs it to.
|Timothy is rebuilding his identity.
The android persona|is just one step along the way.
As soon as he feels stronger,|it should drop away.
This is not the time|to confront him about his ship? Not yet.
The best thing we can do now is let Timothy take us|where he wants to go.
We should support the process,|even encourage it.
Data, make Timothy|the best android he can possibly be.
Timothy, your head movements|are counterproductive.
- Can you be still?|- But you do it.
The mechanisms in my neck|approximate human movements.
I did not realise|the effect was so distracting.
I like it.
Data, are there any other androids|in Starfleet? No, I am the only one.
How come you're not captain? My service record|does not yet warrant such a position.
Data.
What's the scariest thing|that ever happened to you? Fear is not a quality that I possess.
- Because it's an emotion?|- Correct.
But what if you had a nightmare? I have never had a nightmare.
|I do not require sleep.
Timothy.
Are you having disturbing dreams? I do not require sleep.
Is that satisfactory? It's perfect.
Transfer circuits are functioning.
- Within established parameters?|- Absolutely.
Input processing,|pattern recognition, all within established parameters.
Thank you, Doctor.
- I ran out of red ochre.
|- You may use mine.
Thank you.
Perhaps you should|return to your quarters.
I'm fine.
The mechanisms in my mouth|approximate human movements.
That is not bad.
Thank you.
It is very expressive.
Thank you.
Is your painting|representative of something? It's just a painting.
Timothy, you understand|that you may speak to me about anything you wish?|Any subject? I understand.
At times, l, too, find it difficult|to share my thoughts with others.
I am not always confident|that I express myself in a manner|which humans can comprehend.
But I know We are approaching the perimeter.
|Picking up wave fronts.
Engage forward shields 35 percent.
Shields up.
- Drop to one-quarter impulse.
|- Yes, sir.
Bridge to Engineering.
Adjusting shield frequencies now.
We'll have this smoothed out|in just a second.
- Adjust course for any deviations.
|- Yes, sir.
- Resume one-third impulse.
|- Captain.
I am reading something at 400,000|kilometres off starboard.
- Possibly a ship.
|- Red alert! - Take us to visual range.
|- Adjusting course.
Sensor readings have disappeared.
Wait! I have another reading at|400,000 kilometres off the port bow.
It's gone.
No.
|It is back to starboard.
The cluster|is distorting the sensors.
We are picking up our echoes|reflecting off the wavefronts.
Cancel red alert.
Mr Worf, adjust sensors|to compensate.
Aye.
Sensor difficulties have been|reported, but never this extreme.
That formation|is seven times more massive than any explored previously.
|That could explain the difference.
- Resume previous course.
|- Yes, sir.
He laughed.
Yes.
It's nice to see, isn't it? It is certainly not consistent|with his android persona.
I'd say he's beginning|to let go of that fantasy.
Then my work with him is done.
No, I don't think it is, Data.
A laugh is one step|in the right direction.
We need to help him take more steps.
How, Counsellor? I'd like you to talk to him|about your fascination with humanity.
If you explain to Timothy|the appeal that humanity has for you, he might find it easier|to become a boy again.
This is great.
How is yours? The polysaccharides|in reaction with the carbon dioxide produces an unusual combination|of texture and effervescence.
But how does it taste? Is it good? I am not capable of tasting|in the manner you suggest.
However, I can analyse|the composition of a dessert and make comparative conclusions|about its effect on the palate.
But I neither like it nor dislike it.
I didn't realise that.
I often wonder what it must be like|to have one's mouth water in anticipation of a confection, or to feel the pleasure I observe|in humans as they consume it.
You sound like|you don't want to be an android.
I am an android.
|That will never change.
But if you could change, would you? I have often wished to be human.
I study people in order to|approximate human behaviour.
Why? We're stronger and smarter|than humans.
We can do more.
But I cannot take pride|in my abilities.
I cannot take pleasure|in my accomplishments.
But we never have to feel bad,|either.
I would gladly risk|feeling bad at times if it also meant|that I could taste my dessert.
Gravitational-wavefront intensity|is increasing steadily.
Let's see if anyone's out there.
Mr Worf,|attempt a wide-range sensor sweep.
Aye, sir.
Gravitational distortion|is too great.
The scanning signal|is again being reflected.
I'm unable to compensate.
|The sensors are useless.
- Mr Data to the bridge.
|- Acknowledged.
Adjust sensors to short range.
|Attempt a limited positron scan.
- The distortion is still in effect.
|- Better jacket the scanning beam.
The secondary beam|is being distorted as well.
Mr Data, our sensors are rendered|ineffective by the distortion.
I want your analysis.
Mr Worf.
Fire phasers, maximum intensity,|limited spectrum.
- An experiment, Captain?|- Exactly, Number One.
Firing phasers.
Explanation, Mr Data? Phaser energy|was reflected by the wavefronts.
It is similar to the phenomenon|distorting our sensors.
Phasers and sensors both useless? Mr Data, this reflection phenomenon, would it have the same effect|on a disruptor? Yes.
Disruptors would be ineffective.
- The ship's cloaking field?|- Difficult to maintain, sir.
Mr Data, is it likely that the Vico|was attacked inside the cluster? Given these effects, the probability|is exceedingly remote, sir.
- Picard to Counsellor Troi.
|- Yes, Captain? Counsellor, bring Timothy|to my ready room.
Can you tell us|what happened to your ship? I did tell you! - Tell us again.
|- We were attacked.
That is highly unlikely.
|Our investigations We were attacked! Timothy.
Androids do not lie.
It was me.
Please explain.
It was me.
I did it.
I killed them all.
Everything was shaking.
I lost my balance.
I was just trying|to hold on to something.
I didn't mean to do it.
What didn't you mean to do? My arm hit the computer panel.
That's what destroyed the ship.
The ship was damaged|when your arm hit the computer panel? Timothy, listen to me.
The damage to your ship might have occurred at the same time|your arm touched the panel.
But it was only a coincidence.
This wasn't your fault.
- Yes, it was!|- It is not possible.
The on-board control systems|for every starship require a user-code clearance.
You could not inadvertently affect|the Vico's systems.
Your computer had safety precautions.
There is nothing you touched|that would damage your ship.
You're not responsible|for what happened to your parents.
But if it wasn't me We are trying to determine|what happened right now.
If there is anything you can remember|that might assist That's just how it was|when it started on the Vico.
Wavefront intensity has increased.
- Increase shields to 75 percent.
|- Aye, sir.
- Damage, Worf?|- Minimal.
Shields are holding.
Ensign, full about.
Go to warp two.
The gravitational distortion|is too high.
We can't maintain a warp field.
- Full shields.
|- Aye.
Captain, impulse power|has been disrupted.
The helm won't respond.
We couldn't get out either.
Timothy, perhaps we should go below,|out of the way.
- No!|- La Forge.
- More power to the shields.
|- Stand by.
That's what they kept saying.
|"More shields.
" - "More shields.
"|- Timothy, accompany me, please.
Recall everything said aboard|the Vico before it was destroyed.
I don't know.
Just "more shields".
Captain, I've transferred fusion|reactors into the shield array.
That doubles shield strength.
Wavefront intensity has increased|by an order of magnitude.
Impact in three, two, one.
Wavefront intensity is increasing.
Structural over-pressure|exceeding 180 percent.
- La Forge?|- I don't understand.
We could run it off the warp drive.
Go ahead.
Initiating warp-transfer pathways|now.
Diverting warp power to the shields.
Warp power to the shields.
|They said that, too.
I'm positive.
Wavefront intensity|has increased by a factor of ten.
Contact in 31 seconds.
Without more power to the shields,|the hull will not hold.
- La Forge!|- Transfer to the shields complete.
That's as strong as they'll get.
Impact in 15 seconds.
- Sir, drop the shields.
|- That's suicide, Data! Captain, drop the shields.
- Make it so!|- Aye.
Our shields caused the increases|in the wavefronts.
We experienced|a harmonic-amplification effect.
The more energy to the shield,|the worse the impact.
Precisely.
|That is also what destroyed the Vico.
When Timothy remembered|similar procedures on his ship, I analysed shield output|to wavefront amplification and discovered a correlation.
If we had transferred all that power,|it would have torn the ship apart.
Status? - Navigation is back on line.
|- Full about.
One-quarter impulse.
|Take us out of here.
Timothy is a boy feeling great pain.
But he is a boy again.
Is this difficult for you, Data? Difficult? To watch him moving away|from being like you? That would require an emotional|context which I cannot provide.
OK, everybody, let's go.
Come on.
Hello, Timothy.
Hi, Data.
How are you? I am operating within established|parameters.
How are you? I miss my parents.
But, I'm OK.
I guess you thought I was silly|when I had my hair like yours.
I have been told that imitation|is the highest flattery.
Can we still do things,|even if I'm not really an android? I have many human friends.
I would be pleased|to count you among them.
That would be .
.
acceptable.