Star Trek: The Next Generation s06e20 Episode Script
The Chase
Captain's log, stardate 46731.
5.
We are in the Volterra Nebula,|a stellar nursery.
Our mission|is a routine analysis of proto-stars|in various stages of development.
Captain, I have completed|the evaluation of the outer shell.
Our survey is complete.
Continue to the next one.
|Three-quarters impulse.
- Riker to Capt Picard.
|- Go ahead.
May I see you|in the observation lounge, sir? I'll be right there.
My God! Then you can identify|that object, Mr Picard? - Professor Galen?|- Computer, lights up.
I suppose I should say|Captain Picard.
The Professor contacted me.
|He suggested we surprise you.
To clarify, I insisted.
Your first officer|kindly accommodated me.
I trust I'm not being|overly presumptuous, now that my star pupil|is master of the stars.
No one could be more welcome|on the Enterprise.
I never thought I would see|a Kurlan naiskos.
- Fifth dynasty?|- Is that your conclusion, Mr Picard? Forgive me, I should say Captain? Please, Mister will do fine.
The overall impression|is certainly fifth dynasty.
- The surface ornamentation|- Yes? Green polychrome over the eyes|and the eyes themselves are closed.
This is third dynasty.
From the workshop|of the master of Tarquin Hill! Well done! Will, the master of Tarquin Hill|designed ceramic objects All we know of him is the work.
|His name was never discovered.
This object is|over 12,000 years old.
The planet Kurl? It's a long way|outside Federation territory.
Yes, I thought your study|of Kurlan artefacts was done.
I was in the neighbourhood|last summer.
I couldn't resist.
Go ahead.
You mean it's complete? Well The Kurlan civilisation believed that an individual was|a community of individuals.
Inside us are .
.
many voices, each with its own desires,|style and view of the world.
The Kurlan civilisation|died out long ago.
It is extraordinarily rare|to find a figurine intact.
- This is an incredible find.
|- It's yours, Jean-Luc.
No.
- How can I accept this?|- Graciously, Mr Picard.
You could accept it graciously! Thank you.
How long can you stay?|So much to say.
The Professor meets a Vulcan ship|in two days.
- Two days? That's not enough time!|- We may have much more.
- I don't understand.
|- I'm on an expedition.
A journey into an unexplored|and historical territory, and I intend to take you with me.
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.
It's 30 years since I saw|my archaeology professor.
His presence has taken me back|to a time when I had considered|a different career.
- May I ask you a frank question?|- Please.
Your published writings have been|sporadic for the past decade.
Your appearance at symposia|has been rare, or scheduled,|then cancelled at the last moment.
Our finest archaeologist is now shrouded|with a cloak of mystery.
As a result|my reputation has no doubt grown! I've never heard of anyone|who didn't love a good mystery.
The Satarran of Sothis I l l|disdained them, but as a general idea|your statement holds.
So, what have you been doing|for the past decade? Do you know micropalaeontology? Yes.
It's the study of fossil records|at a microscopic level.
I read your papers on the subject,|but that was years ago.
It seemed|as though the work had stopped.
No.
The work continued.
I made a discovery|so profound in its implications that|silence seemed the wisest course.
This work has occupied|my every waking thought, it's intruded on my dreams,|it's become my life.
When finished|and I announce my findings, it'll be heard|halfway across the galaxy.
- Tell me.
|- I cannot, Mr Picard.
That information comes with a|price: your agreement to join me on the final leg of this expedition.
- For how long?|- Three months.
Perhaps a year.
If I had complete diplomatic access,|and a starship, it'd be a few weeks.
As it is, we'll only have my shuttle and whatever arrangement we can|make with transports.
Combined with our talents.
Why do you need my help in this? I'm not a young man.
There will be hazards along the way.
I don't want my inadequacies to jeopardise|the completion of this work.
I am deeply honoured|that you should think of me, but - I have responsibilities.
|- To history! To Schliemann who discovered Troy and M'Tell when she first stepped|on Ya'Seem.
How can anything compare? - May I sleep on it?|- Dream not of today, Mr Picard.
"Dream not of today"|The night blessing of the Yash-El.
As I recall, you missed|that question on your final exam.
I've had a few years to look it up.
The Enterprise is yours|for as long as you're here.
Thank you.
Dream not of today.
Come! Good morning.
Looks like you've been up|for a while.
Yes.
Let's hear it.
I had a long talk|with Professor Galen last night.
He asked me to leave the Enterprise|and join him in an expedition which could last nearly a year.
- That must be tempting.
|- I couldn't leave.
But the offer raised in me|certain feelings of regret.
That you could have|been an archaeologist? No, not really.
I'm not sorry for the path I chose.
But the professor did not|choose this gift at random.
The many voices inside the one.
You see, he knows that the past|is a very insistent voice inside me.
This gift is meant to remind me|of that.
And the exploration of space? Surely|that must count for something? I wouldn't trade it for anything|and I'd still make the same choice.
I just wish I didn't have to say no|a second time.
Were you two very close? I had a father, but he was like|a father who understood me.
He had children, but they didn't|follow in his footsteps, so I was like the son|who understood him.
And yet you turned your back on him.
In a way, I wish|he'd never come on board the ship.
- Good morning, Mr Picard.
|- Professor.
The Vulcan ship will take us|to DS4.
An Al-Leyan transporter will arrive|three weeks later.
They'll take us to Kea.
We'll use the shuttle to get us|to Indri VIII, our first stop.
Professor I'm afraid I won't be going.
The Enterprise isn't something that|I can leave and then come back to.
If I go, I go for good.
And it's not something|I'm prepared to do.
This is no undergraduate project,|but the chance of a lifetime.
Don't make the same mistake twice.
My career in Starfleet|hasn't been a mistake.
What are you doing at|this very moment? A study mission! You're like some Roman centurion|out patrolling the provinces, maintaining|a dull and bloated Empire.
We both know that's not true.
I know this.
As a scholar,|you're nothing but a dilettante.
Years ago I gave you|the opportunity to become the foremost archaeologist|of your generation.
Your achievements could have|outstripped even my own, but no, you decided to reject|a life of profound discovery.
You walked out on me.
I never wanted to become Will you come with me? I can't.
I'll be going.
You're not scheduled to catch|your ship for another two days.
There is nothing for me here.
|Goodbye, Captain.
Captain's log, supplemental.
We now are en route to a diplomatic|conference on Atalia VII.
I must admit I've lost my|enthusiasm for those proceedings.
At our present speed, we will arrive|at the Atalia system in 37 hours.
Captain, I'm going|for a walk in the arboretum.
I wouldn't mind some company.
Captain, a distress call|from Dr Galen's shuttle.
On screen.
Enterprise! I'm being boarded - Transmission's blocked.
|- The shuttle is under attack.
Take us out of warp.
On screen.
- A Yridian destroyer.
|- Battle stations! - Aye, sir.
|- Galen is still inside.
- His life signs barely register.
|- Get him out of there.
The shuttle's enveloped by a|tractor beam.
We can't penetrate.
- Hail the Yridians.
|- They're not responding.
Return phaser fire.
|Disable their offensive systems! - Worf!|- I don't understand, Commander.
Our phaser blast|could not have destroyed it.
Transport Professor Galen|directly to sickbay.
Aye, sir.
He took a disruptor hit point blank.
|There is nothing I can do.
Jean-Luc I was too harsh.
Three Yridians|boarded Galen's shuttle.
- What did they want?|- I'm not sure.
They tried downloading|from his computer.
When he was attacked, Dr Galen|protected certain files.
We partly reconstructed his computer,|so we have some of those files.
We found 19 different blocks|of numbers like this one.
- What do they mean?|- They could mean anything.
Unless we narrow the search, it is impossible for the computer|to identify the pattern.
We tried every decryption key|on record in case he was using code.
Still can't make heads or tails|of 'em.
- Did the Yridians get the numbers?|- Some of them.
- It's impossible to know how many.
|- They knew a lot about his work.
- Perhaps what these numbers are.
|- The information died with them.
Not necessarily.
Yridians|are information dealers.
They may have been delivering|to someone else.
Did they send a signal? No, sir.
We detected|no transmissions.
And there were|no other ships in the vicinity.
Did the shuttle's logs|show Galen's itinerary? Yes.
The logs indicate he visited|an unexplored star system, Ruah lV.
- How far from here?|- Four days at warp six, sir.
The conference can wait.
|Set a course for the Ruah System.
- Standard orbit, Ensign.
|- Ruah IV is a Class-M planet.
Its land mass|contains multiple animal species, including proto-hominids.
Scan for monuments that might|indicate a previous civilisation.
There is nothing to indicate|any former culture, sir.
Then why was|our foremost archaeologist here? He left the Enterprise|in a Vulcan ship for Deep Space 4, and then,|an Al-Leyan transport to Kea.
And then the shuttle to Indri VIII.
|What do we know about Indri VIII? The Indri system was identified|by Federation vessels nearly 60 years ago.
|The eighth planet is L-Class, covered with deciduous vegetation,|unexplored, with no evidence|of any civilisations.
The planet possesses no animal life.
Number One,|we will proceed to Indri VIII.
With all due respect,|we've already run into a dead end.
Indri Vlll doesn't seem promising.
- And we're late for the conference.
|- I'm aware of that.
Galen visited here, then was on|his way to Indri VIII when he died.
There's a connection.
|I'm going to find it.
Aye, sir.
Lay a course for Indri VIII,|warp seven.
Come! How's it going? I thought if I stared at these|number blocks long enough, then I would begin to see|some kind of pattern.
So far .
.
nothing.
I meant, how's it going with you? If I had gone with him Captain, you can't start thinking|like that.
You didn't abandon him.
You chose|not to abandon a life-long career.
It was the right decision,|and not responsible for his death.
I realise that.
I know how much|the professor meant to you and how much you want to find out|what happened.
But staring at these numbers|isn't going to bring him back.
The conference has been|scheduled for six months.
Starfleet is relying|on your mediation Counsellor, this is not simply|some wild-goose chase to purge myself|of guilt and remorse.
I will not let Galen's death|be in vain.
If that means inconveniencing a few|squabbling delegates for a few days, then so be it!|I will take full responsibility.
Captain.
Entering the Indri system, sir.
Capt Picard,|approaching Indri VIII.
On my way.
Sensors are picking up severe|atmospheric fluctuations.
Assume a high orbit.
On screen, Mr Worf.
A plasma reaction is consuming|the lower atmosphere.
- Can we stop it?|- No, sir.
The reaction is global.
All life on the planet|is being destroyed, sir.
Why would anyone destroy all life on an uninhabited, neutral planet|with no strategic importance? All the life? Perhaps the number blocks|relate to organic matter! If we narrow the search|to the biological database, it'll increase the chances|of finding a match.
I'll be in the lab.
Pattern match found.
Specify.
The numbers represent fragments|of deoxyribonucleic-acid strands.
DNA fragments? Each a different life form|from 19 different worlds! These planets are scattered.
No wonder it took Galen|so long to collect them.
But why? Wait a minute These fragments seem to have|similar protein configurations.
- They're chemically compatible.
|- Not possible.
Different species.
There|should be no compatibility.
I know, but the base-pair|combinations are uniform.
If I'm right Computer, connect the DNA according|to protein-link compatibility.
What is it? I have no idea.
This is not part of a natural design,|Captain.
It's an algorithm,|at the molecular level.
An algorithm? These DNA fragments are part|of a computer program? I know how it sounds,|but this can't be random.
This is from a program.
This fragment's been in every|DNA strand on Earth since life began.
The others are just as old.
Someone wrote this|over four billion years ago.
So, four billion years ago, someone scattered|this genetic material into the primordial soup of|at least 19 planets in the galaxy? Genetic information was incorporated|into early life forms and passed down for generations.
- Why would anyone do this?|- What is this program designed for? We couldn't know till we ran it.
We tried all DNA|in the Federation computer but we can't find|compatible configurations.
So it's from outside the Federation.
Data, how many on board|are non-Federation? This is a long shot, but we should check these 17 people|for this protein configuration.
I'll collect DNA samples now.
I've been thinking.
Someone else|must know about this program.
I bet one fragment was on Indri|VIII.
That's why it was destroyed.
To stop us finding|that piece of the puzzle.
It's four billion years old.
A computer program|from a highly advanced civilisation, hidden in the very fabric|of life itself.
Whatever information|this program contains could be the most profound|discovery of our time.
Or the most dangerous.
And the Professor knew that.
They all came up negative.
I have scoured every page|of the Professor's writings for a clue as to where to go next.
|So far, nothing.
We've been at this too long.
Why don't we get some sleep|and start again tomorrow morning? "I was in the neighbourhood.
" When I asked the professor why|he went all the way to Kurl, he said, "I was in the neighbourhood.
" - Doing what?|- Collecting DNA samples.
Only one Kurlan planet is capable|of supporting life.
Loren III.
No.
No Loren III sample from|the data downloaded from the shuttle.
If he had one, it must have been|taken by the Yridians.
Mr Data, set a course for Loren III.
|Maximum warp.
Aye, sir.
- We are entering the Loren system.
|- Orbit the third planet.
Our competition may be|there before us.
- Battle stations, Mr Worf.
|- Aye.
- We are now in orbit.
|- On screen.
You're right.
We've got company.
|Cardassians.
- They're hailing us.
|- On screen.
I am Gul Ocett.
Identify yourself|and state your business here.
I am Capt Jean-Luc Picard of|the Federation Starship Enterprise and I see no reason|why I should answer to you.
- Cardassians have no claims here.
|- I suppose not.
But my, admittedly hasty, estimate|shows one Federation starship and two Cardassian war vessels.
- Perhaps I have miscounted.
|- Not at all.
We are on a scientific mission.
You|have no reason to interfere with us.
And you have nothing to lose|by delaying for a few days.
I invite you to withdraw.
Captain, Klingon attack cruiser|decloaking.
They are hailing us.
This is the Klingon vessel|Maht-H'a.
What are you doing here? Captain's log, supplemental.
We have two competitors as we try|to complete the Professor's puzzle.
I have asked the Cardassian and|Klingon captains to meet with me.
We all know why we're here.
If we|can admit that, we can move forward.
We're scouting the planet|for possible colonisation.
A ridiculous story! - Why are you here, then?|- Scientific research.
Look, if we try to deceive|one another, we shall get nowhere.
I think we all know|about Professor Galen's research.
And about the computer program|composed of DNA fragments.
I will take your silence|as confirmation.
None of us has the DNA fragments|necessary to complete the program.
You were the first|to arrive in this system.
Do you have a sample|from the planet below? Yes.
And I will fire on anyone|who attempts to obtain another one.
As if we fear Cardassian threats! I believe one of you|has a fragment from Indri VIII.
Yes.
And there will be|no other samples from Indri VIII.
What does that mean? He destroyed the biosphere|after he got a sample.
Typical Klingon thinking.
Take what|you want and destroy the rest.
We're all missing some fragments,|not necessarily the same ones.
Unless we combine them,|we will never learn the secret.
There is no secret! It's an ancient|weapon design of incredible power.
The Klingon Empire will not let it|fall into an enemy's hands.
- Or even a friend's.
|- A weapon? The Yridians claim the program leads|to an unlimited power source.
Until we assemble it,|we will never know its purpose.
He's right! It could be a recipe for biscuits.
Biscuits! If that is what you|believe, go back to Cardassia.
- I will send you my mother's recipe.
|- How dare you! Enough! Without cooperation,|we will get nowhere.
What do you propose? If you bring your samples on board,|I will combine them with ours.
We will all observe the results,|giving no one the advantage.
And if we refuse? Then this endeavour dies here,|in this room.
Captain.
Excellent! - Still one missing piece.
|- We gave ours up for nothing! You are very short-sighted,|Nu'Daq.
We are closer than we were.
We may be very much closer indeed.
We have no idea where to look|for the missing DNA fragment.
This is a jigsaw puzzle|scattered across the galaxy.
Shouldn't we assume the designers|want us to find it? Why else put the pieces|in our DNA? Wouldn't that suggest they'd make it|easy for us to find the pieces, that there's a pattern|to their distribution? The computer might find that pattern.
Doctor, program the computer|to analyse what we have, correcting for changes|in star configurations.
- Extrapolate for the missing piece.
|- That will take hours.
Excuse me.
- Stay on board while we wait.
|- I intend to.
- Good evening, Commander Data!|- Captain.
- Any word on the missing fragment?|- The computer is working on it.
It will let me know shortly.
Commander, your reputation|for physical strength is known|even in the Klingon Empire.
Do you know the B'aht Qul challenge? I am familiar with the B'aht Qul.
My spinal support is a poly-alloy|designed to withstand extreme stress.
My skull is composed of cortonide|and uranium.
I understand|your intellectual prowess is equally impressive.
If I were to learn the result of|the computer search before the rest, the Klingon Empire would have|a strategic advantage.
A being of your abilities|would go far in the Empire.
- You are attempting to bribe me.
|- Not at all.
You suggested a plan to your|advantage, one I could execute.
You then implied a reward.
Commander never mind.
What the hell? Computer, run a diagnostic|on the primary defensive systems.
- La Forge to Capt Picard.
|- What is it? I've found something|I think you should see.
The analysis is complete.
The computer found this geometric|pattern based on the fragments.
Computer, highlight the section|of the missing pattern.
The missing DNA fragment should be|in this system.
The star is in the Rahm-Izad system.
Direct hit on our port nacelle.
They are powering up|for another volley.
Make it look good.
|Release the dampers.
Aye, sir.
They are firing.
Report, Number One.
We used the inertial dampers|to simulate complete shield failure.
Good thing you discovered Gul Ocett|tampering with your defences.
Maht-H'a, status.
Minor damage to starboard nacelle.
|We will be operational in one hour.
What?! You incompetent top'a!|You were supposed to be prepared.
The Cardassians have set a course|for Rahm-Izad.
They'll soon realise Rahm-Izad|is the wrong planet.
Captain,|you're very welcome to join us.
I will go with you.
Set in a course for the|Vilmoran system, warp nine.
Engage! I am scanning all seven planets.
|None supports life.
- How can that be?|- Correction.
One shows evidence|of an ancient ocean, now dry.
- It once supported life.
|- Yes.
And it still may.
In a limited fashion,|not detectable by sensors.
Lay on a course, Ensign.
|Riker to transporter room one.
We've located a planet|that may still support life.
- Any sign of the Cardassians?|- Not yet.
Acknowledged.
I detect vegetative life, a primitive lichen|in a fossilised sea bed.
Transporter room one, stand by.
Over there! We have company.
|I'm ready to pull you out.
Wait for my order.
You dishonourable top'a! Perhaps we could exchange insults|some other time.
- It was quite a chase, wasn't it?|- How? We intercepted communiqués|between the Yridians and Cardassia.
We were watching|when Professor Galen was attacked.
And you have been shadowing us|ever since.
And now the reward.
|Step clear, please.
I shall destroy the entire rock face|and every trace of DNA with it.
You'll go to Romulus empty-handed.
|Your superiors will be pleased.
Perhaps we could compromise?|You give us the gene code The sea bed may be only|partially fossilised.
It could|still contain organic material.
Which would still contain the DNA.
- I will not be eliminated now.
|- You can be, by a disruptor.
What about my offer? How can I be sure|you won't kill me? - I've given you my word.
|- Etched in stone.
No deals! There will be no deals|as long as I am alive.
Do not press me, Klingon.
I don't|care whether you live or die.
If you fire, others will die.
The program has been activated.
|It's reconfiguring the tricorder.
We will die together, brother.
It's modifying the diode emitter|to project something.
You're wondering who we are,|why we have done this, how it is come|that I stand before you, the image of a being|from so long ago.
Life evolved on my planet before all others|in this part of the galaxy.
We left our world,|explored the stars and found none like ourselves.
Our civilisation thrived for ages, but what is the life of one race compared to the vast stretches|of cosmic time? We knew that one day|we would be gone, that nothing of us would survive.
So, we left you.
Our scientists seeded the|primordial oceans of many worlds where life was in its infancy.
The seed codes directed|your evolution toward a physical form|resembling ours.
This body you see before you which is, of course,|shaped as yours is shaped, for you are the end result.
The seed codes also contain|this message, which we scattered|on many different worlds.
It was our hope that you would|have to come together in fellowship and companionship|to hear this message.
And if you can see and hear me,|our hope has been fulfilled.
You are a monument, not to our greatness,|but to our existence.
That was our wish that you, too, would know life and would keep alive our memory.
There is something of us|in each of you and so, something of you|in each other.
Remember us.
That's all?! If she were not dead,|I would kill her! The very notion that a Cardassian could have anything in common|with a Klingon turns my stomach.
- Picard to Enterprise.
|- Standing by.
Captain's log, stardate 46735.
2.
Use of high warp has over-extended|the propulsion systems.
We are finishing repairs before|returning to Federation territory.
It's sad Professor Galen|didn't see the end of his study.
No one would have appreciated it|more.
If it hadn't been for you, his dream|would never have been realised.
You left him a wonderful legacy.
A more fitting message if it had not|fallen on such deaf ears.
You never know! Well, I have to get this day|started.
- Both of us!|- See you this afternoon.
Riker to Capt Picard.
- Transmission from the Romulans.
|- Put it through.
Acknowledged.
Captain, my ships are leaving orbit|for Romulan space.
Until our next encounter.
Until then.
It would seem that we are not|completely dissimilar after all.
In our hopes, or in our fears - Yes.
|- Well, then.
Perhaps one day.
One day.
5.
We are in the Volterra Nebula,|a stellar nursery.
Our mission|is a routine analysis of proto-stars|in various stages of development.
Captain, I have completed|the evaluation of the outer shell.
Our survey is complete.
Continue to the next one.
|Three-quarters impulse.
- Riker to Capt Picard.
|- Go ahead.
May I see you|in the observation lounge, sir? I'll be right there.
My God! Then you can identify|that object, Mr Picard? - Professor Galen?|- Computer, lights up.
I suppose I should say|Captain Picard.
The Professor contacted me.
|He suggested we surprise you.
To clarify, I insisted.
Your first officer|kindly accommodated me.
I trust I'm not being|overly presumptuous, now that my star pupil|is master of the stars.
No one could be more welcome|on the Enterprise.
I never thought I would see|a Kurlan naiskos.
- Fifth dynasty?|- Is that your conclusion, Mr Picard? Forgive me, I should say Captain? Please, Mister will do fine.
The overall impression|is certainly fifth dynasty.
- The surface ornamentation|- Yes? Green polychrome over the eyes|and the eyes themselves are closed.
This is third dynasty.
From the workshop|of the master of Tarquin Hill! Well done! Will, the master of Tarquin Hill|designed ceramic objects All we know of him is the work.
|His name was never discovered.
This object is|over 12,000 years old.
The planet Kurl? It's a long way|outside Federation territory.
Yes, I thought your study|of Kurlan artefacts was done.
I was in the neighbourhood|last summer.
I couldn't resist.
Go ahead.
You mean it's complete? Well The Kurlan civilisation believed that an individual was|a community of individuals.
Inside us are .
.
many voices, each with its own desires,|style and view of the world.
The Kurlan civilisation|died out long ago.
It is extraordinarily rare|to find a figurine intact.
- This is an incredible find.
|- It's yours, Jean-Luc.
No.
- How can I accept this?|- Graciously, Mr Picard.
You could accept it graciously! Thank you.
How long can you stay?|So much to say.
The Professor meets a Vulcan ship|in two days.
- Two days? That's not enough time!|- We may have much more.
- I don't understand.
|- I'm on an expedition.
A journey into an unexplored|and historical territory, and I intend to take you with me.
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.
It's 30 years since I saw|my archaeology professor.
His presence has taken me back|to a time when I had considered|a different career.
- May I ask you a frank question?|- Please.
Your published writings have been|sporadic for the past decade.
Your appearance at symposia|has been rare, or scheduled,|then cancelled at the last moment.
Our finest archaeologist is now shrouded|with a cloak of mystery.
As a result|my reputation has no doubt grown! I've never heard of anyone|who didn't love a good mystery.
The Satarran of Sothis I l l|disdained them, but as a general idea|your statement holds.
So, what have you been doing|for the past decade? Do you know micropalaeontology? Yes.
It's the study of fossil records|at a microscopic level.
I read your papers on the subject,|but that was years ago.
It seemed|as though the work had stopped.
No.
The work continued.
I made a discovery|so profound in its implications that|silence seemed the wisest course.
This work has occupied|my every waking thought, it's intruded on my dreams,|it's become my life.
When finished|and I announce my findings, it'll be heard|halfway across the galaxy.
- Tell me.
|- I cannot, Mr Picard.
That information comes with a|price: your agreement to join me on the final leg of this expedition.
- For how long?|- Three months.
Perhaps a year.
If I had complete diplomatic access,|and a starship, it'd be a few weeks.
As it is, we'll only have my shuttle and whatever arrangement we can|make with transports.
Combined with our talents.
Why do you need my help in this? I'm not a young man.
There will be hazards along the way.
I don't want my inadequacies to jeopardise|the completion of this work.
I am deeply honoured|that you should think of me, but - I have responsibilities.
|- To history! To Schliemann who discovered Troy and M'Tell when she first stepped|on Ya'Seem.
How can anything compare? - May I sleep on it?|- Dream not of today, Mr Picard.
"Dream not of today"|The night blessing of the Yash-El.
As I recall, you missed|that question on your final exam.
I've had a few years to look it up.
The Enterprise is yours|for as long as you're here.
Thank you.
Dream not of today.
Come! Good morning.
Looks like you've been up|for a while.
Yes.
Let's hear it.
I had a long talk|with Professor Galen last night.
He asked me to leave the Enterprise|and join him in an expedition which could last nearly a year.
- That must be tempting.
|- I couldn't leave.
But the offer raised in me|certain feelings of regret.
That you could have|been an archaeologist? No, not really.
I'm not sorry for the path I chose.
But the professor did not|choose this gift at random.
The many voices inside the one.
You see, he knows that the past|is a very insistent voice inside me.
This gift is meant to remind me|of that.
And the exploration of space? Surely|that must count for something? I wouldn't trade it for anything|and I'd still make the same choice.
I just wish I didn't have to say no|a second time.
Were you two very close? I had a father, but he was like|a father who understood me.
He had children, but they didn't|follow in his footsteps, so I was like the son|who understood him.
And yet you turned your back on him.
In a way, I wish|he'd never come on board the ship.
- Good morning, Mr Picard.
|- Professor.
The Vulcan ship will take us|to DS4.
An Al-Leyan transporter will arrive|three weeks later.
They'll take us to Kea.
We'll use the shuttle to get us|to Indri VIII, our first stop.
Professor I'm afraid I won't be going.
The Enterprise isn't something that|I can leave and then come back to.
If I go, I go for good.
And it's not something|I'm prepared to do.
This is no undergraduate project,|but the chance of a lifetime.
Don't make the same mistake twice.
My career in Starfleet|hasn't been a mistake.
What are you doing at|this very moment? A study mission! You're like some Roman centurion|out patrolling the provinces, maintaining|a dull and bloated Empire.
We both know that's not true.
I know this.
As a scholar,|you're nothing but a dilettante.
Years ago I gave you|the opportunity to become the foremost archaeologist|of your generation.
Your achievements could have|outstripped even my own, but no, you decided to reject|a life of profound discovery.
You walked out on me.
I never wanted to become Will you come with me? I can't.
I'll be going.
You're not scheduled to catch|your ship for another two days.
There is nothing for me here.
|Goodbye, Captain.
Captain's log, supplemental.
We now are en route to a diplomatic|conference on Atalia VII.
I must admit I've lost my|enthusiasm for those proceedings.
At our present speed, we will arrive|at the Atalia system in 37 hours.
Captain, I'm going|for a walk in the arboretum.
I wouldn't mind some company.
Captain, a distress call|from Dr Galen's shuttle.
On screen.
Enterprise! I'm being boarded - Transmission's blocked.
|- The shuttle is under attack.
Take us out of warp.
On screen.
- A Yridian destroyer.
|- Battle stations! - Aye, sir.
|- Galen is still inside.
- His life signs barely register.
|- Get him out of there.
The shuttle's enveloped by a|tractor beam.
We can't penetrate.
- Hail the Yridians.
|- They're not responding.
Return phaser fire.
|Disable their offensive systems! - Worf!|- I don't understand, Commander.
Our phaser blast|could not have destroyed it.
Transport Professor Galen|directly to sickbay.
Aye, sir.
He took a disruptor hit point blank.
|There is nothing I can do.
Jean-Luc I was too harsh.
Three Yridians|boarded Galen's shuttle.
- What did they want?|- I'm not sure.
They tried downloading|from his computer.
When he was attacked, Dr Galen|protected certain files.
We partly reconstructed his computer,|so we have some of those files.
We found 19 different blocks|of numbers like this one.
- What do they mean?|- They could mean anything.
Unless we narrow the search, it is impossible for the computer|to identify the pattern.
We tried every decryption key|on record in case he was using code.
Still can't make heads or tails|of 'em.
- Did the Yridians get the numbers?|- Some of them.
- It's impossible to know how many.
|- They knew a lot about his work.
- Perhaps what these numbers are.
|- The information died with them.
Not necessarily.
Yridians|are information dealers.
They may have been delivering|to someone else.
Did they send a signal? No, sir.
We detected|no transmissions.
And there were|no other ships in the vicinity.
Did the shuttle's logs|show Galen's itinerary? Yes.
The logs indicate he visited|an unexplored star system, Ruah lV.
- How far from here?|- Four days at warp six, sir.
The conference can wait.
|Set a course for the Ruah System.
- Standard orbit, Ensign.
|- Ruah IV is a Class-M planet.
Its land mass|contains multiple animal species, including proto-hominids.
Scan for monuments that might|indicate a previous civilisation.
There is nothing to indicate|any former culture, sir.
Then why was|our foremost archaeologist here? He left the Enterprise|in a Vulcan ship for Deep Space 4, and then,|an Al-Leyan transport to Kea.
And then the shuttle to Indri VIII.
|What do we know about Indri VIII? The Indri system was identified|by Federation vessels nearly 60 years ago.
|The eighth planet is L-Class, covered with deciduous vegetation,|unexplored, with no evidence|of any civilisations.
The planet possesses no animal life.
Number One,|we will proceed to Indri VIII.
With all due respect,|we've already run into a dead end.
Indri Vlll doesn't seem promising.
- And we're late for the conference.
|- I'm aware of that.
Galen visited here, then was on|his way to Indri VIII when he died.
There's a connection.
|I'm going to find it.
Aye, sir.
Lay a course for Indri VIII,|warp seven.
Come! How's it going? I thought if I stared at these|number blocks long enough, then I would begin to see|some kind of pattern.
So far .
.
nothing.
I meant, how's it going with you? If I had gone with him Captain, you can't start thinking|like that.
You didn't abandon him.
You chose|not to abandon a life-long career.
It was the right decision,|and not responsible for his death.
I realise that.
I know how much|the professor meant to you and how much you want to find out|what happened.
But staring at these numbers|isn't going to bring him back.
The conference has been|scheduled for six months.
Starfleet is relying|on your mediation Counsellor, this is not simply|some wild-goose chase to purge myself|of guilt and remorse.
I will not let Galen's death|be in vain.
If that means inconveniencing a few|squabbling delegates for a few days, then so be it!|I will take full responsibility.
Captain.
Entering the Indri system, sir.
Capt Picard,|approaching Indri VIII.
On my way.
Sensors are picking up severe|atmospheric fluctuations.
Assume a high orbit.
On screen, Mr Worf.
A plasma reaction is consuming|the lower atmosphere.
- Can we stop it?|- No, sir.
The reaction is global.
All life on the planet|is being destroyed, sir.
Why would anyone destroy all life on an uninhabited, neutral planet|with no strategic importance? All the life? Perhaps the number blocks|relate to organic matter! If we narrow the search|to the biological database, it'll increase the chances|of finding a match.
I'll be in the lab.
Pattern match found.
Specify.
The numbers represent fragments|of deoxyribonucleic-acid strands.
DNA fragments? Each a different life form|from 19 different worlds! These planets are scattered.
No wonder it took Galen|so long to collect them.
But why? Wait a minute These fragments seem to have|similar protein configurations.
- They're chemically compatible.
|- Not possible.
Different species.
There|should be no compatibility.
I know, but the base-pair|combinations are uniform.
If I'm right Computer, connect the DNA according|to protein-link compatibility.
What is it? I have no idea.
This is not part of a natural design,|Captain.
It's an algorithm,|at the molecular level.
An algorithm? These DNA fragments are part|of a computer program? I know how it sounds,|but this can't be random.
This is from a program.
This fragment's been in every|DNA strand on Earth since life began.
The others are just as old.
Someone wrote this|over four billion years ago.
So, four billion years ago, someone scattered|this genetic material into the primordial soup of|at least 19 planets in the galaxy? Genetic information was incorporated|into early life forms and passed down for generations.
- Why would anyone do this?|- What is this program designed for? We couldn't know till we ran it.
We tried all DNA|in the Federation computer but we can't find|compatible configurations.
So it's from outside the Federation.
Data, how many on board|are non-Federation? This is a long shot, but we should check these 17 people|for this protein configuration.
I'll collect DNA samples now.
I've been thinking.
Someone else|must know about this program.
I bet one fragment was on Indri|VIII.
That's why it was destroyed.
To stop us finding|that piece of the puzzle.
It's four billion years old.
A computer program|from a highly advanced civilisation, hidden in the very fabric|of life itself.
Whatever information|this program contains could be the most profound|discovery of our time.
Or the most dangerous.
And the Professor knew that.
They all came up negative.
I have scoured every page|of the Professor's writings for a clue as to where to go next.
|So far, nothing.
We've been at this too long.
Why don't we get some sleep|and start again tomorrow morning? "I was in the neighbourhood.
" When I asked the professor why|he went all the way to Kurl, he said, "I was in the neighbourhood.
" - Doing what?|- Collecting DNA samples.
Only one Kurlan planet is capable|of supporting life.
Loren III.
No.
No Loren III sample from|the data downloaded from the shuttle.
If he had one, it must have been|taken by the Yridians.
Mr Data, set a course for Loren III.
|Maximum warp.
Aye, sir.
- We are entering the Loren system.
|- Orbit the third planet.
Our competition may be|there before us.
- Battle stations, Mr Worf.
|- Aye.
- We are now in orbit.
|- On screen.
You're right.
We've got company.
|Cardassians.
- They're hailing us.
|- On screen.
I am Gul Ocett.
Identify yourself|and state your business here.
I am Capt Jean-Luc Picard of|the Federation Starship Enterprise and I see no reason|why I should answer to you.
- Cardassians have no claims here.
|- I suppose not.
But my, admittedly hasty, estimate|shows one Federation starship and two Cardassian war vessels.
- Perhaps I have miscounted.
|- Not at all.
We are on a scientific mission.
You|have no reason to interfere with us.
And you have nothing to lose|by delaying for a few days.
I invite you to withdraw.
Captain, Klingon attack cruiser|decloaking.
They are hailing us.
This is the Klingon vessel|Maht-H'a.
What are you doing here? Captain's log, supplemental.
We have two competitors as we try|to complete the Professor's puzzle.
I have asked the Cardassian and|Klingon captains to meet with me.
We all know why we're here.
If we|can admit that, we can move forward.
We're scouting the planet|for possible colonisation.
A ridiculous story! - Why are you here, then?|- Scientific research.
Look, if we try to deceive|one another, we shall get nowhere.
I think we all know|about Professor Galen's research.
And about the computer program|composed of DNA fragments.
I will take your silence|as confirmation.
None of us has the DNA fragments|necessary to complete the program.
You were the first|to arrive in this system.
Do you have a sample|from the planet below? Yes.
And I will fire on anyone|who attempts to obtain another one.
As if we fear Cardassian threats! I believe one of you|has a fragment from Indri VIII.
Yes.
And there will be|no other samples from Indri VIII.
What does that mean? He destroyed the biosphere|after he got a sample.
Typical Klingon thinking.
Take what|you want and destroy the rest.
We're all missing some fragments,|not necessarily the same ones.
Unless we combine them,|we will never learn the secret.
There is no secret! It's an ancient|weapon design of incredible power.
The Klingon Empire will not let it|fall into an enemy's hands.
- Or even a friend's.
|- A weapon? The Yridians claim the program leads|to an unlimited power source.
Until we assemble it,|we will never know its purpose.
He's right! It could be a recipe for biscuits.
Biscuits! If that is what you|believe, go back to Cardassia.
- I will send you my mother's recipe.
|- How dare you! Enough! Without cooperation,|we will get nowhere.
What do you propose? If you bring your samples on board,|I will combine them with ours.
We will all observe the results,|giving no one the advantage.
And if we refuse? Then this endeavour dies here,|in this room.
Captain.
Excellent! - Still one missing piece.
|- We gave ours up for nothing! You are very short-sighted,|Nu'Daq.
We are closer than we were.
We may be very much closer indeed.
We have no idea where to look|for the missing DNA fragment.
This is a jigsaw puzzle|scattered across the galaxy.
Shouldn't we assume the designers|want us to find it? Why else put the pieces|in our DNA? Wouldn't that suggest they'd make it|easy for us to find the pieces, that there's a pattern|to their distribution? The computer might find that pattern.
Doctor, program the computer|to analyse what we have, correcting for changes|in star configurations.
- Extrapolate for the missing piece.
|- That will take hours.
Excuse me.
- Stay on board while we wait.
|- I intend to.
- Good evening, Commander Data!|- Captain.
- Any word on the missing fragment?|- The computer is working on it.
It will let me know shortly.
Commander, your reputation|for physical strength is known|even in the Klingon Empire.
Do you know the B'aht Qul challenge? I am familiar with the B'aht Qul.
My spinal support is a poly-alloy|designed to withstand extreme stress.
My skull is composed of cortonide|and uranium.
I understand|your intellectual prowess is equally impressive.
If I were to learn the result of|the computer search before the rest, the Klingon Empire would have|a strategic advantage.
A being of your abilities|would go far in the Empire.
- You are attempting to bribe me.
|- Not at all.
You suggested a plan to your|advantage, one I could execute.
You then implied a reward.
Commander never mind.
What the hell? Computer, run a diagnostic|on the primary defensive systems.
- La Forge to Capt Picard.
|- What is it? I've found something|I think you should see.
The analysis is complete.
The computer found this geometric|pattern based on the fragments.
Computer, highlight the section|of the missing pattern.
The missing DNA fragment should be|in this system.
The star is in the Rahm-Izad system.
Direct hit on our port nacelle.
They are powering up|for another volley.
Make it look good.
|Release the dampers.
Aye, sir.
They are firing.
Report, Number One.
We used the inertial dampers|to simulate complete shield failure.
Good thing you discovered Gul Ocett|tampering with your defences.
Maht-H'a, status.
Minor damage to starboard nacelle.
|We will be operational in one hour.
What?! You incompetent top'a!|You were supposed to be prepared.
The Cardassians have set a course|for Rahm-Izad.
They'll soon realise Rahm-Izad|is the wrong planet.
Captain,|you're very welcome to join us.
I will go with you.
Set in a course for the|Vilmoran system, warp nine.
Engage! I am scanning all seven planets.
|None supports life.
- How can that be?|- Correction.
One shows evidence|of an ancient ocean, now dry.
- It once supported life.
|- Yes.
And it still may.
In a limited fashion,|not detectable by sensors.
Lay on a course, Ensign.
|Riker to transporter room one.
We've located a planet|that may still support life.
- Any sign of the Cardassians?|- Not yet.
Acknowledged.
I detect vegetative life, a primitive lichen|in a fossilised sea bed.
Transporter room one, stand by.
Over there! We have company.
|I'm ready to pull you out.
Wait for my order.
You dishonourable top'a! Perhaps we could exchange insults|some other time.
- It was quite a chase, wasn't it?|- How? We intercepted communiqués|between the Yridians and Cardassia.
We were watching|when Professor Galen was attacked.
And you have been shadowing us|ever since.
And now the reward.
|Step clear, please.
I shall destroy the entire rock face|and every trace of DNA with it.
You'll go to Romulus empty-handed.
|Your superiors will be pleased.
Perhaps we could compromise?|You give us the gene code The sea bed may be only|partially fossilised.
It could|still contain organic material.
Which would still contain the DNA.
- I will not be eliminated now.
|- You can be, by a disruptor.
What about my offer? How can I be sure|you won't kill me? - I've given you my word.
|- Etched in stone.
No deals! There will be no deals|as long as I am alive.
Do not press me, Klingon.
I don't|care whether you live or die.
If you fire, others will die.
The program has been activated.
|It's reconfiguring the tricorder.
We will die together, brother.
It's modifying the diode emitter|to project something.
You're wondering who we are,|why we have done this, how it is come|that I stand before you, the image of a being|from so long ago.
Life evolved on my planet before all others|in this part of the galaxy.
We left our world,|explored the stars and found none like ourselves.
Our civilisation thrived for ages, but what is the life of one race compared to the vast stretches|of cosmic time? We knew that one day|we would be gone, that nothing of us would survive.
So, we left you.
Our scientists seeded the|primordial oceans of many worlds where life was in its infancy.
The seed codes directed|your evolution toward a physical form|resembling ours.
This body you see before you which is, of course,|shaped as yours is shaped, for you are the end result.
The seed codes also contain|this message, which we scattered|on many different worlds.
It was our hope that you would|have to come together in fellowship and companionship|to hear this message.
And if you can see and hear me,|our hope has been fulfilled.
You are a monument, not to our greatness,|but to our existence.
That was our wish that you, too, would know life and would keep alive our memory.
There is something of us|in each of you and so, something of you|in each other.
Remember us.
That's all?! If she were not dead,|I would kill her! The very notion that a Cardassian could have anything in common|with a Klingon turns my stomach.
- Picard to Enterprise.
|- Standing by.
Captain's log, stardate 46735.
2.
Use of high warp has over-extended|the propulsion systems.
We are finishing repairs before|returning to Federation territory.
It's sad Professor Galen|didn't see the end of his study.
No one would have appreciated it|more.
If it hadn't been for you, his dream|would never have been realised.
You left him a wonderful legacy.
A more fitting message if it had not|fallen on such deaf ears.
You never know! Well, I have to get this day|started.
- Both of us!|- See you this afternoon.
Riker to Capt Picard.
- Transmission from the Romulans.
|- Put it through.
Acknowledged.
Captain, my ships are leaving orbit|for Romulan space.
Until our next encounter.
Until then.
It would seem that we are not|completely dissimilar after all.
In our hopes, or in our fears - Yes.
|- Well, then.
Perhaps one day.
One day.