Star Trek: The Next Generation s06e07 Episode Script
Rascals
Captain's log, stardate 46235.
7.
Ensign Ro, Keiko O 'Brien, Guinan|and I are returning to the Enterprise after a fascinating visit|to the planet Marlonia.
And these pieces I found|on the tertiary level of the dig.
They're typical of 2nd-century|Marlonian cookware.
Look at those markings,|very similar to early Taguan designs, but the patterns are more intricate,|they're much closer to Buranian.
You were on the most beautiful planet|in the quadrant, and you spent your entire shore leave|in a cave? It was a very rewarding experience.
Look at these fragments.
They're nearly in perfect condition|and yet they're 700 years old.
So's my father.
Is that a Draebidium froctus? Actually, it's Draebidium calimus.
|You can tell by the leaves.
I didn't know you were interested|in plant biology.
I took a class at the Academy.
|I don't remember very much though.
- Enterprise to the Fermi.
|- This is the Fermi.
Go ahead.
We've received a distress signal|from the science team on Ligos VII.
Can you identify the problem? No.
The call was cut off|in mid-transmission.
Lay in a course and engage at|warp eight as soon as we're on board.
Aye, sir.
Rendezvous with the ship|in three minutes, sir.
- We're caught in an energy field.
|- Hard about, full-impulse.
Aye, sir.
What's happening? The shuttle is in an energy field.
|Engines and life support have failed.
Full-impulse.
|Bridge to transporter room three.
Beam the shuttle crew back|once we're in range.
Ready, sir.
I can't contact the Enterprise.
|Too much interference.
Transfer power to inertial dampers.
Warning.
Structural failure imminent.
- Have you got them?|- I'm trying.
I can't get a pattern lock.
The shuttle is coming apart!|Do it now! I've got them.
There's a 40-percent drop in mass.
|I may have lost one of them.
Thank you, Mr O'Brien.
|Another moment and 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.
According to the bioscans, their DNA structure|is consistent with preadolescence.
But, as far as we can tell,|only their bodies were changed.
Their intelligence|and their behavioural responses are the same as they were|before the accident.
What happened to the shuttle? It broke up after we beamed you out.
Mr Data is coordinating|the salvage efforts now.
Sir.
What about the energy field? We're scanning it,|but there's interference.
- It'll take time.
|- We can't afford to stay here.
We'll leave a probe behind|to study it, but the distress signal|from Ligos VII has top priority.
Let me know when you|have any more information.
Number One, you're with me.
Captain, I need to run|some additional tests.
Of course.
The three of you remain|as needed to assist Dr Crusher.
- What?|- You make a pretty cute kid.
Great.
Just what I want to be, cute.
Were you this much fun|when you were a kid? I was in a refugee camp.
|"Fun" wasn't in my vocabulary.
What about now?|You're not in that camp any more.
Fun is being back at work,|in my own uniform.
Bridge.
Mr Worf, prepare to launch a probe|to study the energy field.
I realise how unusual this must seem.
|My appearance is a result of an accident involving myself|and three other crew.
The effects of which|Dr Crusher is working to remedy.
I assure you, I am Capt Picard.
The probe.
Aye, sir.
Mr Data, have you secured|all of the shuttle debris? Almost.
It is being stored|in shuttlebay two.
Sir.
Very well.
As soon as Mr Data is finished,|take us to Ligos at warp eight.
Captain, may I see you privately|for a few moments? Of course.
Tea.
Earl Grey.
Hot.
Have you determined the cause|of our transformation? Not yet.
|I'm still waiting for some results.
I see.
There are 103 members|of the science team on Ligos VII.
We should prepare shuttlebay three|in case they have many casualties.
We'll be ready.
I see Ligos VII is prone|to periodic volcanic activity.
Perhaps it's entered an active phase.
Jean-Luc.
- We need to talk.
|- Alright, let's talk.
Are you here to relieve me of duty? I'd rather not|have to take that step.
I am still Jean-Luc Picard.
My judgement, my experiences,|my mental capacities are all intact.
That's true.
For now.
But this could be the first stage of|a condition that affects your mind.
- But you see no evidence of that.
|- Not yet.
What I do know|is that the Captain of this ship has undergone|an extreme physical transformation, the ultimate effects of which|I can't even begin to guess.
You are asking me to step down.
You are still Jean-Luc Picard.
|What do you think you should do? Cmdr Riker, take command of the ship|until further notice.
Understood.
So what the hell|am I supposed to do now? You're not supposed to do anything.
|That's what "relieved of duty" means.
I should be doing something|instead of just waiting for a cure.
- You're right.
Let's go play.
|- What? I haven't been young for a long time, and I intend to enjoy|every minute of it.
Fine.
Enjoy yourself.
What are you gonna do?|Go back to your room and pout? I am not 12 years old.
If I want to go to my quarters|and contemplate my situation, that does not mean|that I am pouting.
OK.
I could use a cup of coffee.
|How about you? I'll get it.
Two coffees, one with cream|and sugar, the other - Black, double sweet.
|- I know.
One double sweet.
- Careful.
That's hot.
|- Miles.
Sorry.
What's wrong? It's I don't know,|but this feels wrong somehow.
Miles Edward O'Brien,|I am still your wife.
- Technically, yes.
|- Technically? I mean, of course you're my wife.
|But you're also ten years old.
Beverly said|it's actually closer to 12.
- That's not the point.
|- So what is the point? - Is our marriage over?|- I didn't say that.
But until they find a way|to reverse this effect, it's hard to ignore the fact|that you're a little girl.
What if they can't find a way? What if I'm like this|for the rest of my life? What does that mean for us? - For our family?|- Mommy.
Mommy.
- What's wrong, sweetheart?|- I want Mommy to read me a story.
Alright.
What story|would you like to hear? Not you.
I want Mommy.
What if Daddy reads you a story?|Will that be OK? I'll be right back.
Keiko.
It's gonna be alright.
I promise.
We'll work this out.
How? I don't know.
First Officer's log, supplemental.
We have reached the Ligos system.
We have begun to search|for the missing science team.
Dr Crusher reports no progress|on a cure for the shuttle crew.
Come.
I came to see how you're doing.
I'll have to speak to my tailor,|but otherwise I'm well.
Thank you.
It's just so ridiculous.
I can't take myself seriously|like this.
Counsellor, if Dr Crusher can't find|a cure, if I have to stay this way, nobody's gonna take me seriously,|are they? I would say the people that|know you and have worked with you will be able to make|the adjustment eventually.
But some will find it difficult|to accept a 12-year-old captain.
I'll have to wait until I grow up|again before I get another command.
Which might be in ten,|maybe 15 years.
- What to do until then?|- You're still a Starfleet captain.
There are other assignments|you could be given.
I've spent 30 years on starships.
|I won't sit behind a desk now.
You could return to the Academy.
|Brush up on your Latin.
And be Wesley Crusher's roommate? I admit returning to the Academy|does have a certain appeal.
But I've spent my life|looking forward.
Going to the Academy again|feels like looking back.
Then perhaps you could spend|the time exploring other interests.
- Archaeology, for instance.
|- Leave Starfleet? Not permanently, just a sabbatical.
You could spend a few years|digging up artefacts and still become the youngest admiral|in Starfleet history.
It would give me a chance|to take up Dr Langford's offer and accompany her to the ruins|on Suvin lV.
But to leave the Enterprise In a way, you're very lucky.
You might have a chance to do|what most people only dream about.
Have a second childhood|without the pain of growing up again.
This is Capt Picard's|rybo-viroxic-nucleic structure from a tissue sample|I took this morning.
It's the same as a sample|I took before the accident, except it's missing several|of the key viroxic sequences.
It's been a long time|since I took genetics, Doctor.
RVN is one of the key factors|in our development during puberty.
Unlike DNA, which never changes, RVN takes on additional sequences|during adolescence.
Those sequences|determine how we develop physically.
- Without them we wouldn't mature?|- Exactly.
Somehow, they were eliminated|in the shuttle crew during transport.
So what do we do? Well, we have a couple of options.
These are the plants|Keiko was carrying.
Whatever turned the crew into|children turned these into seedlings.
I accelerated the growth|on one of them, and it developed|into a perfectly normal adult plant.
- That wouldn't work with people?|- No.
But at least we know|that if we do nothing, they will probably grow up|just as they did before.
That's one option.
However, I do have the adult|RVN patterns of all four of them.
I might be able to send them back|through the transporter and replace the missing sequences.
But we can't do that until we know|why this happened in the first place.
If somehow they were to lose|more viroxic sequences They would get even younger.
Chief, I got the sensor report|on the shuttle break-up.
It looks like it began|near the starboard bulkhead.
There's some bulkhead fragments|over here.
My visor's picking up some torsional|stress damage, some micro-fractures.
Hang on a second.
- What's this?|- Looks like tritanium from the hull.
Yeah, but look.
That's not tritanium any more.
The molecular structure|has been changed, broken down|into its constituent elements.
- No wonder the bulkhead shattered.
|- Yeah.
I'll take a sample to Engineering|and run a metallurgical analysis.
Well, this is exciting.
Would you rather|be playing with dolls? I'd rather be doing almost anything|other than watching you sulk.
This isn't some kind of|glorious second childhood, Guinan.
Our bodies have been violated,|changed.
- Doesn't that bother you?|- Sure it bothers me.
But, at the moment,|I can't do anything about it.
- So I might as well enjoy it.
|- Enjoy what? You think being short and awkward|is some kind of wonderful gift? There must have been some part|of childhood that you didn't loathe.
Look, it was a long,|depressing period of my life, and I was grateful|when it was finally over.
I'd rather not relive it.
I bet you were a jumper.
A jumper.
Someone who jumps up|and down on furniture all the time.
- What?|- You were a jumper, alright.
The quiet ones,|they always look so innocent.
You think you can turn your back|on them.
Next thing you know|They're bouncing on the bed.
That is the most ridiculous thing|I've ever heard.
Most of the time, I had no bed.
But you did have one sometimes,|and I bet you jumped on it.
- I most certainly did not.
|- Yeah, I can see it in your eyes.
You can barely resist the urge to leap up and start jumping around|like a Tarkassian razorbeast.
- Guinan.
|- Yeah.
- This is ridiculous.
|- That's right.
And don't you dare join me, Ro Laren.
You don't like jumping on beds.
Yeah? I can jump higher.
We think a molecular-reversion field|caused the ship to deteriorate.
When the field penetrated the hull,|it affected the crew.
When I tried to beam them off,|I couldn't get a lock.
The field was masking|part of the patterns.
The transporter only registered|part of the RVN patterns.
That explains the missing sequences.
With those sequences missing, the transporter|reconstructed them as children.
Could the transporter|reverse the effects? Maybe.
As long as there's no|reversion field to mask the patterns, we should be able to do it.
Chief, can you adjust the scanners - Bridge to Cmdr Riker.
|- Go ahead.
We are entering orbit|around Ligos VII.
On my way.
We'll discuss this later.
Standard orbit, Ensign.
Any sign of the science team? We've been scanning the area,|but our readings are being disrupted.
Cause? Extreme fluctuations|in the electromagnetic field.
However, there is no evidence of stellar or seismic activity|to cause the interference.
Any response to our hails, Mr Worf? No, sir.
I've been attempting to Commander,|two ships de-cloaking fore and aft.
Klingon birds-of-prey.
B'rel-class.
Maximum shields.
Take us out of orbit.
|Mr Worf, prepare to return fire.
- Damage report.
|- We have lost primary life support.
- Switching to secondary systems.
|- Lock phasers on target.
- Phasers locked.
|- Fire.
Minor damage to one ship.
|Its shields are holding.
Starboard power coupling is down.
|Warp engines are off line.
- Shields?|- Down to 13 percent.
Casualties reported|on deck 26 and 27.
Sensors and secondary generators|are off line.
Life support down to 67 percent.
Engineering, status report.
They took out auxiliary power|and emergency backup.
It'll take an hour|to get warp power back on line.
We have lost shields.
|Heavy casualties on decks 35 to 40.
I am detecting transporter signatures|in three cargo bays.
We are being boarded.
Come with me.
Initiate intruder alert.
|All Security teams report to Put down your weapons! Computer,|deactivate command functions.
Authorisation, Riker Omega three.
All command functions suspended.
This is Morta.
|We have secured the bridge.
Begin transporting all able-bodied|adults to the surface.
Come on.
Get up there.
Come on.
They have locked out|the command functions.
- You said they would not have time.
|- You led the assault team.
- You were too slow.
|- You dare to blame me? We have secured the ship, DaiMon,|but Morta's incompetence - My incompetence? You know|- Enough! Where is the captain of this ship? I'm in command of this vessel.
|Who are you? - And on whose authority?|- I am DaiMon Lurin.
And I declare this ship|to be a loss and open to claim according|to the Ferengi salvage code.
You will cooperate|with our salvage operations, or we will begin executing your crew.
- Is everyone alright?|- No injuries among the children.
The Ferengi have taken control|of Engineering and decks 23 to 37.
We have to assume|they have the bridge.
What have they done with the younger|children? With my little girl? They're taking all the adults|down to the surface.
They've kept the children on board.
|Where was she? - In primary care on deck 14.
|- She's probably still there.
I wouldn't worry.
We need to regain control|of the ship.
Options? Flood the ship with anesthezine gas.
That's been locked out|with the command functions.
If they're typical Ferengi,|they'll be pleased with themselves, maybe even getting overconfident.
Agreed.
They might think they don't|need many crew to hold the ship.
We could use surprise|to give us a tactical advantage.
Tactical advantage? Jean-Luc,|look at your team for a minute.
We're children.
We can't allow our ship|to be commandeered.
I'm not suggesting that we do, but|we can't act as if we were adults.
What do you suggest we do? We look like children, maybe it's time|we started acting like children.
I hope your profit margin's|high for this, because you're risking war|with the Federation.
We're not affiliated|with the Ferengi Alliance.
We are in business for ourselves.
Yes, it will be highly profitable.
For an investment of two surplus|Klingon ships, a few repairs and some weapons, we've netted a Federation|starship and her crew, not to mention|a planet rich in vendarite.
So that's what this is all about.
What did you do|with the science team? They've proved most helpful|in extracting the mineral.
You used them as slave labourers.
The addition of your crew|will greatly speed up the process.
As for your ship, .
.
I'm sure that it will fetch a handsome price|on the Romulan market.
But before that can happen, we need to regain access|to your central computer.
You don't really think I'll help you? I think that mines on Ligos VII|can be very hazardous.
Now, how many people on your ship? Very hazardous, Commander.
Hello.
I'm the classroom computer.
|What can I do for you today? Computer,|display interior security grid.
I'm sorry, but I can't do that.
- Would you like to play a game?|- No, I would not.
Computer, display|an internal schematic diagram.
I'm sorry, but I can't do that.
Would you like to see|some interesting plants or animals? It's a child's computer.
Remember? Computer, can you show me a picture|of the inside of the Enterprise? Yes, I can.
The Enterprise|is a Galaxy-class starship.
Do you know how to spell Enterprise? - E-N- T-E-R|- Delete audio.
Alright, this'll have to do.
We're here.
There's a service conduit that runs to here and leads|to a Jefferies tube here.
You and Ensign Ro will have to cross|this corridor to get to Engineering.
Captain.
Excellent.
Ready? Make it so.
- What the devil?|- I was just playing.
I'm sorry, Captain.
Alexander, would you mind|if I borrowed your toy for a while? - Go ahead.
|- Thank you.
After you.
I've got the phasers, Captain.
This is the first time these tubes|haven't seemed cramped.
How much farther do we have to go? About 50 metres.
|Don't tell me you're tired.
I'm not as young as I used to be.
This is it.
Main Engineering.
Now we wait.
- Report?|- Mission accomplished, sir.
- The one in sickbay never saw me.
|- Very good.
I'd say we're ready.
Have you|figured out how to get to the bridge? I'm afraid|I can only think of one way.
- What do you want?|- I need to see my father.
- Go back inside.
|- I need to see him now.
Do not argue with me.
|Go back inside! I need to see him now! Stop it! You've hurt me!|I want my father! Alright.
Just stop that! - Let me go!|- Here he is! - Now be quiet!|- What is going on? Dad! - So, son, how are you?|- I'm OK.
How are your friends,|Keiko, Guinan and Ro? They're OK, too.
- But|- What's wrong? Well, we don't have anything to do.
|None of the games are working.
The Ferengi made Daddy|turn off the main computer.
Can't you just turn on the kids'|computer in schoolroom eight? We just want to play a few games.
I don't know if they'll let me,|but I will ask.
Thanks, Number One.
He's my number-one dad.
Here they come.
How did it go? - Did Cmdr Riker get the message?|- He understood.
We should have access very soon.
Come in.
I understand your son|was here to see you.
That's right.
We Ferengi do not bring our offspring|along with us aboard ship.
Then, that's your loss.
Our families|are one of our strengths.
I think you will find|that they can also be a weakness.
Unless you release the computer|to our control, I will execute every child|on this ship, beginning with yours.
Even you wouldn't be that cruel.
It is cruel to put children in danger|by bringing them aboard a starship.
Alright.
Just so you don't harm my son.
You will release the computer and|show Morta exactly how to use it.
Computer, release command control.
|Authorisation, Riker Omega three.
Command functions restored.
OK, Morta.
The system is controlled by|three primary main-processor cores cross-linked|with a redundant melacortz ramistat, The core element|is based on an FTL nanoprocessor with 25 bilateral kelilactirals, with 20 of those being slaved into|the primary heisenfram terminal.
You do know|what a bilateral kelilactiral is? Well, of course I do, human.
|I am not stupid.
No, of course not.
This isopalavial interface|controls the main firomactal drive.
Don't touch that.
You'll blow up|the entire firomactal drive.
What is|Wait.
What is a firomactal drive? Just explain it to me.
That is the firomactal-drive unit.
It controls the ramistat core, and keeps the ontarian manifold|at 40,000 KRGs.
The drive is powered by Command lockout has been released.
Accessing transporter.
Weapons-deactivation program|in place.
Transporter security force field|standing by.
We're ready.
- Tag.
|- You're it.
Yes? I found this in the schoolroom.
|Is it yours? That just leaves two on the bridge.
- Wait here until I return.
|- Yes, sir.
The ramistat kiloquad capacity|is a function, square root of the intermix ratio|times the sum of the plasma quotient.
Come in.
I believe you're in my chair.
Captain's log, stardate 46236.
3.
We've taken Lurin and his men|into custody.
The Ferengi Alliance has denied|any knowledge of these renegades.
With the mining operation closed|and our crew on board, we can now turn our attention|to other problems.
Phase inducers activated.
- Energy levels nominal.
|- I'm loading the adult patterns.
Transposition matrix locked in.
That should do it, Captain.
Energise.
- How do you feel?|- I feel fine.
Everything seems a little smaller.
It's my mother.
The funny thing is, I never really drew a picture of her|when I was young.
It's just for some reason,|I wanted to now.
That's the wonderful thing|about crayons, they can take you to more places|than a starship.
- It's my turn, isn't it?|- Only if you're ready.
It's not quite as bad|as I remembered it.
Being a child, I mean.
Well, we'd better get going.
Well, what's the hurry? I mean, the transporter|will still be there.
Why don't you pass me the royal blue? - Here.
|- Thank you.
- Did you do this one, too?|- I did all of them.
All of them?
7.
Ensign Ro, Keiko O 'Brien, Guinan|and I are returning to the Enterprise after a fascinating visit|to the planet Marlonia.
And these pieces I found|on the tertiary level of the dig.
They're typical of 2nd-century|Marlonian cookware.
Look at those markings,|very similar to early Taguan designs, but the patterns are more intricate,|they're much closer to Buranian.
You were on the most beautiful planet|in the quadrant, and you spent your entire shore leave|in a cave? It was a very rewarding experience.
Look at these fragments.
They're nearly in perfect condition|and yet they're 700 years old.
So's my father.
Is that a Draebidium froctus? Actually, it's Draebidium calimus.
|You can tell by the leaves.
I didn't know you were interested|in plant biology.
I took a class at the Academy.
|I don't remember very much though.
- Enterprise to the Fermi.
|- This is the Fermi.
Go ahead.
We've received a distress signal|from the science team on Ligos VII.
Can you identify the problem? No.
The call was cut off|in mid-transmission.
Lay in a course and engage at|warp eight as soon as we're on board.
Aye, sir.
Rendezvous with the ship|in three minutes, sir.
- We're caught in an energy field.
|- Hard about, full-impulse.
Aye, sir.
What's happening? The shuttle is in an energy field.
|Engines and life support have failed.
Full-impulse.
|Bridge to transporter room three.
Beam the shuttle crew back|once we're in range.
Ready, sir.
I can't contact the Enterprise.
|Too much interference.
Transfer power to inertial dampers.
Warning.
Structural failure imminent.
- Have you got them?|- I'm trying.
I can't get a pattern lock.
The shuttle is coming apart!|Do it now! I've got them.
There's a 40-percent drop in mass.
|I may have lost one of them.
Thank you, Mr O'Brien.
|Another moment and 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.
According to the bioscans, their DNA structure|is consistent with preadolescence.
But, as far as we can tell,|only their bodies were changed.
Their intelligence|and their behavioural responses are the same as they were|before the accident.
What happened to the shuttle? It broke up after we beamed you out.
Mr Data is coordinating|the salvage efforts now.
Sir.
What about the energy field? We're scanning it,|but there's interference.
- It'll take time.
|- We can't afford to stay here.
We'll leave a probe behind|to study it, but the distress signal|from Ligos VII has top priority.
Let me know when you|have any more information.
Number One, you're with me.
Captain, I need to run|some additional tests.
Of course.
The three of you remain|as needed to assist Dr Crusher.
- What?|- You make a pretty cute kid.
Great.
Just what I want to be, cute.
Were you this much fun|when you were a kid? I was in a refugee camp.
|"Fun" wasn't in my vocabulary.
What about now?|You're not in that camp any more.
Fun is being back at work,|in my own uniform.
Bridge.
Mr Worf, prepare to launch a probe|to study the energy field.
I realise how unusual this must seem.
|My appearance is a result of an accident involving myself|and three other crew.
The effects of which|Dr Crusher is working to remedy.
I assure you, I am Capt Picard.
The probe.
Aye, sir.
Mr Data, have you secured|all of the shuttle debris? Almost.
It is being stored|in shuttlebay two.
Sir.
Very well.
As soon as Mr Data is finished,|take us to Ligos at warp eight.
Captain, may I see you privately|for a few moments? Of course.
Tea.
Earl Grey.
Hot.
Have you determined the cause|of our transformation? Not yet.
|I'm still waiting for some results.
I see.
There are 103 members|of the science team on Ligos VII.
We should prepare shuttlebay three|in case they have many casualties.
We'll be ready.
I see Ligos VII is prone|to periodic volcanic activity.
Perhaps it's entered an active phase.
Jean-Luc.
- We need to talk.
|- Alright, let's talk.
Are you here to relieve me of duty? I'd rather not|have to take that step.
I am still Jean-Luc Picard.
My judgement, my experiences,|my mental capacities are all intact.
That's true.
For now.
But this could be the first stage of|a condition that affects your mind.
- But you see no evidence of that.
|- Not yet.
What I do know|is that the Captain of this ship has undergone|an extreme physical transformation, the ultimate effects of which|I can't even begin to guess.
You are asking me to step down.
You are still Jean-Luc Picard.
|What do you think you should do? Cmdr Riker, take command of the ship|until further notice.
Understood.
So what the hell|am I supposed to do now? You're not supposed to do anything.
|That's what "relieved of duty" means.
I should be doing something|instead of just waiting for a cure.
- You're right.
Let's go play.
|- What? I haven't been young for a long time, and I intend to enjoy|every minute of it.
Fine.
Enjoy yourself.
What are you gonna do?|Go back to your room and pout? I am not 12 years old.
If I want to go to my quarters|and contemplate my situation, that does not mean|that I am pouting.
OK.
I could use a cup of coffee.
|How about you? I'll get it.
Two coffees, one with cream|and sugar, the other - Black, double sweet.
|- I know.
One double sweet.
- Careful.
That's hot.
|- Miles.
Sorry.
What's wrong? It's I don't know,|but this feels wrong somehow.
Miles Edward O'Brien,|I am still your wife.
- Technically, yes.
|- Technically? I mean, of course you're my wife.
|But you're also ten years old.
Beverly said|it's actually closer to 12.
- That's not the point.
|- So what is the point? - Is our marriage over?|- I didn't say that.
But until they find a way|to reverse this effect, it's hard to ignore the fact|that you're a little girl.
What if they can't find a way? What if I'm like this|for the rest of my life? What does that mean for us? - For our family?|- Mommy.
Mommy.
- What's wrong, sweetheart?|- I want Mommy to read me a story.
Alright.
What story|would you like to hear? Not you.
I want Mommy.
What if Daddy reads you a story?|Will that be OK? I'll be right back.
Keiko.
It's gonna be alright.
I promise.
We'll work this out.
How? I don't know.
First Officer's log, supplemental.
We have reached the Ligos system.
We have begun to search|for the missing science team.
Dr Crusher reports no progress|on a cure for the shuttle crew.
Come.
I came to see how you're doing.
I'll have to speak to my tailor,|but otherwise I'm well.
Thank you.
It's just so ridiculous.
I can't take myself seriously|like this.
Counsellor, if Dr Crusher can't find|a cure, if I have to stay this way, nobody's gonna take me seriously,|are they? I would say the people that|know you and have worked with you will be able to make|the adjustment eventually.
But some will find it difficult|to accept a 12-year-old captain.
I'll have to wait until I grow up|again before I get another command.
Which might be in ten,|maybe 15 years.
- What to do until then?|- You're still a Starfleet captain.
There are other assignments|you could be given.
I've spent 30 years on starships.
|I won't sit behind a desk now.
You could return to the Academy.
|Brush up on your Latin.
And be Wesley Crusher's roommate? I admit returning to the Academy|does have a certain appeal.
But I've spent my life|looking forward.
Going to the Academy again|feels like looking back.
Then perhaps you could spend|the time exploring other interests.
- Archaeology, for instance.
|- Leave Starfleet? Not permanently, just a sabbatical.
You could spend a few years|digging up artefacts and still become the youngest admiral|in Starfleet history.
It would give me a chance|to take up Dr Langford's offer and accompany her to the ruins|on Suvin lV.
But to leave the Enterprise In a way, you're very lucky.
You might have a chance to do|what most people only dream about.
Have a second childhood|without the pain of growing up again.
This is Capt Picard's|rybo-viroxic-nucleic structure from a tissue sample|I took this morning.
It's the same as a sample|I took before the accident, except it's missing several|of the key viroxic sequences.
It's been a long time|since I took genetics, Doctor.
RVN is one of the key factors|in our development during puberty.
Unlike DNA, which never changes, RVN takes on additional sequences|during adolescence.
Those sequences|determine how we develop physically.
- Without them we wouldn't mature?|- Exactly.
Somehow, they were eliminated|in the shuttle crew during transport.
So what do we do? Well, we have a couple of options.
These are the plants|Keiko was carrying.
Whatever turned the crew into|children turned these into seedlings.
I accelerated the growth|on one of them, and it developed|into a perfectly normal adult plant.
- That wouldn't work with people?|- No.
But at least we know|that if we do nothing, they will probably grow up|just as they did before.
That's one option.
However, I do have the adult|RVN patterns of all four of them.
I might be able to send them back|through the transporter and replace the missing sequences.
But we can't do that until we know|why this happened in the first place.
If somehow they were to lose|more viroxic sequences They would get even younger.
Chief, I got the sensor report|on the shuttle break-up.
It looks like it began|near the starboard bulkhead.
There's some bulkhead fragments|over here.
My visor's picking up some torsional|stress damage, some micro-fractures.
Hang on a second.
- What's this?|- Looks like tritanium from the hull.
Yeah, but look.
That's not tritanium any more.
The molecular structure|has been changed, broken down|into its constituent elements.
- No wonder the bulkhead shattered.
|- Yeah.
I'll take a sample to Engineering|and run a metallurgical analysis.
Well, this is exciting.
Would you rather|be playing with dolls? I'd rather be doing almost anything|other than watching you sulk.
This isn't some kind of|glorious second childhood, Guinan.
Our bodies have been violated,|changed.
- Doesn't that bother you?|- Sure it bothers me.
But, at the moment,|I can't do anything about it.
- So I might as well enjoy it.
|- Enjoy what? You think being short and awkward|is some kind of wonderful gift? There must have been some part|of childhood that you didn't loathe.
Look, it was a long,|depressing period of my life, and I was grateful|when it was finally over.
I'd rather not relive it.
I bet you were a jumper.
A jumper.
Someone who jumps up|and down on furniture all the time.
- What?|- You were a jumper, alright.
The quiet ones,|they always look so innocent.
You think you can turn your back|on them.
Next thing you know|They're bouncing on the bed.
That is the most ridiculous thing|I've ever heard.
Most of the time, I had no bed.
But you did have one sometimes,|and I bet you jumped on it.
- I most certainly did not.
|- Yeah, I can see it in your eyes.
You can barely resist the urge to leap up and start jumping around|like a Tarkassian razorbeast.
- Guinan.
|- Yeah.
- This is ridiculous.
|- That's right.
And don't you dare join me, Ro Laren.
You don't like jumping on beds.
Yeah? I can jump higher.
We think a molecular-reversion field|caused the ship to deteriorate.
When the field penetrated the hull,|it affected the crew.
When I tried to beam them off,|I couldn't get a lock.
The field was masking|part of the patterns.
The transporter only registered|part of the RVN patterns.
That explains the missing sequences.
With those sequences missing, the transporter|reconstructed them as children.
Could the transporter|reverse the effects? Maybe.
As long as there's no|reversion field to mask the patterns, we should be able to do it.
Chief, can you adjust the scanners - Bridge to Cmdr Riker.
|- Go ahead.
We are entering orbit|around Ligos VII.
On my way.
We'll discuss this later.
Standard orbit, Ensign.
Any sign of the science team? We've been scanning the area,|but our readings are being disrupted.
Cause? Extreme fluctuations|in the electromagnetic field.
However, there is no evidence of stellar or seismic activity|to cause the interference.
Any response to our hails, Mr Worf? No, sir.
I've been attempting to Commander,|two ships de-cloaking fore and aft.
Klingon birds-of-prey.
B'rel-class.
Maximum shields.
Take us out of orbit.
|Mr Worf, prepare to return fire.
- Damage report.
|- We have lost primary life support.
- Switching to secondary systems.
|- Lock phasers on target.
- Phasers locked.
|- Fire.
Minor damage to one ship.
|Its shields are holding.
Starboard power coupling is down.
|Warp engines are off line.
- Shields?|- Down to 13 percent.
Casualties reported|on deck 26 and 27.
Sensors and secondary generators|are off line.
Life support down to 67 percent.
Engineering, status report.
They took out auxiliary power|and emergency backup.
It'll take an hour|to get warp power back on line.
We have lost shields.
|Heavy casualties on decks 35 to 40.
I am detecting transporter signatures|in three cargo bays.
We are being boarded.
Come with me.
Initiate intruder alert.
|All Security teams report to Put down your weapons! Computer,|deactivate command functions.
Authorisation, Riker Omega three.
All command functions suspended.
This is Morta.
|We have secured the bridge.
Begin transporting all able-bodied|adults to the surface.
Come on.
Get up there.
Come on.
They have locked out|the command functions.
- You said they would not have time.
|- You led the assault team.
- You were too slow.
|- You dare to blame me? We have secured the ship, DaiMon,|but Morta's incompetence - My incompetence? You know|- Enough! Where is the captain of this ship? I'm in command of this vessel.
|Who are you? - And on whose authority?|- I am DaiMon Lurin.
And I declare this ship|to be a loss and open to claim according|to the Ferengi salvage code.
You will cooperate|with our salvage operations, or we will begin executing your crew.
- Is everyone alright?|- No injuries among the children.
The Ferengi have taken control|of Engineering and decks 23 to 37.
We have to assume|they have the bridge.
What have they done with the younger|children? With my little girl? They're taking all the adults|down to the surface.
They've kept the children on board.
|Where was she? - In primary care on deck 14.
|- She's probably still there.
I wouldn't worry.
We need to regain control|of the ship.
Options? Flood the ship with anesthezine gas.
That's been locked out|with the command functions.
If they're typical Ferengi,|they'll be pleased with themselves, maybe even getting overconfident.
Agreed.
They might think they don't|need many crew to hold the ship.
We could use surprise|to give us a tactical advantage.
Tactical advantage? Jean-Luc,|look at your team for a minute.
We're children.
We can't allow our ship|to be commandeered.
I'm not suggesting that we do, but|we can't act as if we were adults.
What do you suggest we do? We look like children, maybe it's time|we started acting like children.
I hope your profit margin's|high for this, because you're risking war|with the Federation.
We're not affiliated|with the Ferengi Alliance.
We are in business for ourselves.
Yes, it will be highly profitable.
For an investment of two surplus|Klingon ships, a few repairs and some weapons, we've netted a Federation|starship and her crew, not to mention|a planet rich in vendarite.
So that's what this is all about.
What did you do|with the science team? They've proved most helpful|in extracting the mineral.
You used them as slave labourers.
The addition of your crew|will greatly speed up the process.
As for your ship, .
.
I'm sure that it will fetch a handsome price|on the Romulan market.
But before that can happen, we need to regain access|to your central computer.
You don't really think I'll help you? I think that mines on Ligos VII|can be very hazardous.
Now, how many people on your ship? Very hazardous, Commander.
Hello.
I'm the classroom computer.
|What can I do for you today? Computer,|display interior security grid.
I'm sorry, but I can't do that.
- Would you like to play a game?|- No, I would not.
Computer, display|an internal schematic diagram.
I'm sorry, but I can't do that.
Would you like to see|some interesting plants or animals? It's a child's computer.
Remember? Computer, can you show me a picture|of the inside of the Enterprise? Yes, I can.
The Enterprise|is a Galaxy-class starship.
Do you know how to spell Enterprise? - E-N- T-E-R|- Delete audio.
Alright, this'll have to do.
We're here.
There's a service conduit that runs to here and leads|to a Jefferies tube here.
You and Ensign Ro will have to cross|this corridor to get to Engineering.
Captain.
Excellent.
Ready? Make it so.
- What the devil?|- I was just playing.
I'm sorry, Captain.
Alexander, would you mind|if I borrowed your toy for a while? - Go ahead.
|- Thank you.
After you.
I've got the phasers, Captain.
This is the first time these tubes|haven't seemed cramped.
How much farther do we have to go? About 50 metres.
|Don't tell me you're tired.
I'm not as young as I used to be.
This is it.
Main Engineering.
Now we wait.
- Report?|- Mission accomplished, sir.
- The one in sickbay never saw me.
|- Very good.
I'd say we're ready.
Have you|figured out how to get to the bridge? I'm afraid|I can only think of one way.
- What do you want?|- I need to see my father.
- Go back inside.
|- I need to see him now.
Do not argue with me.
|Go back inside! I need to see him now! Stop it! You've hurt me!|I want my father! Alright.
Just stop that! - Let me go!|- Here he is! - Now be quiet!|- What is going on? Dad! - So, son, how are you?|- I'm OK.
How are your friends,|Keiko, Guinan and Ro? They're OK, too.
- But|- What's wrong? Well, we don't have anything to do.
|None of the games are working.
The Ferengi made Daddy|turn off the main computer.
Can't you just turn on the kids'|computer in schoolroom eight? We just want to play a few games.
I don't know if they'll let me,|but I will ask.
Thanks, Number One.
He's my number-one dad.
Here they come.
How did it go? - Did Cmdr Riker get the message?|- He understood.
We should have access very soon.
Come in.
I understand your son|was here to see you.
That's right.
We Ferengi do not bring our offspring|along with us aboard ship.
Then, that's your loss.
Our families|are one of our strengths.
I think you will find|that they can also be a weakness.
Unless you release the computer|to our control, I will execute every child|on this ship, beginning with yours.
Even you wouldn't be that cruel.
It is cruel to put children in danger|by bringing them aboard a starship.
Alright.
Just so you don't harm my son.
You will release the computer and|show Morta exactly how to use it.
Computer, release command control.
|Authorisation, Riker Omega three.
Command functions restored.
OK, Morta.
The system is controlled by|three primary main-processor cores cross-linked|with a redundant melacortz ramistat, The core element|is based on an FTL nanoprocessor with 25 bilateral kelilactirals, with 20 of those being slaved into|the primary heisenfram terminal.
You do know|what a bilateral kelilactiral is? Well, of course I do, human.
|I am not stupid.
No, of course not.
This isopalavial interface|controls the main firomactal drive.
Don't touch that.
You'll blow up|the entire firomactal drive.
What is|Wait.
What is a firomactal drive? Just explain it to me.
That is the firomactal-drive unit.
It controls the ramistat core, and keeps the ontarian manifold|at 40,000 KRGs.
The drive is powered by Command lockout has been released.
Accessing transporter.
Weapons-deactivation program|in place.
Transporter security force field|standing by.
We're ready.
- Tag.
|- You're it.
Yes? I found this in the schoolroom.
|Is it yours? That just leaves two on the bridge.
- Wait here until I return.
|- Yes, sir.
The ramistat kiloquad capacity|is a function, square root of the intermix ratio|times the sum of the plasma quotient.
Come in.
I believe you're in my chair.
Captain's log, stardate 46236.
3.
We've taken Lurin and his men|into custody.
The Ferengi Alliance has denied|any knowledge of these renegades.
With the mining operation closed|and our crew on board, we can now turn our attention|to other problems.
Phase inducers activated.
- Energy levels nominal.
|- I'm loading the adult patterns.
Transposition matrix locked in.
That should do it, Captain.
Energise.
- How do you feel?|- I feel fine.
Everything seems a little smaller.
It's my mother.
The funny thing is, I never really drew a picture of her|when I was young.
It's just for some reason,|I wanted to now.
That's the wonderful thing|about crayons, they can take you to more places|than a starship.
- It's my turn, isn't it?|- Only if you're ready.
It's not quite as bad|as I remembered it.
Being a child, I mean.
Well, we'd better get going.
Well, what's the hurry? I mean, the transporter|will still be there.
Why don't you pass me the royal blue? - Here.
|- Thank you.
- Did you do this one, too?|- I did all of them.
All of them?