1 00:00:03,896 --> 00:00:07,442 PICARD: Captain's log, stardate 43779.3. 2 00:00:07,608 --> 00:00:10,361 The Enterprise is preparing detailed exospheric charts 3 00:00:10,528 --> 00:00:11,988 of the Hayashi system. 4 00:00:12,155 --> 00:00:13,781 Although tedious, this endeavor 5 00:00:13,948 --> 00:00:16,367 is the first step toward planet colonization. 6 00:00:16,534 --> 00:00:17,702 [COMPUTER BEEPING] 7 00:00:17,869 --> 00:00:20,288 Captain, sensors report the USS Hood 8 00:00:20,455 --> 00:00:23,624 is closing on an intercept course at high warp. 9 00:00:24,959 --> 00:00:27,587 That's odd. We weren't notified of a rendezvous. 10 00:00:27,754 --> 00:00:29,630 They seem to be in an awful hurry. 11 00:00:29,797 --> 00:00:32,091 Sir, we are being hailed on a secured channel 12 00:00:32,258 --> 00:00:33,301 by Captain DeSoto. 13 00:00:35,303 --> 00:00:37,013 On-screen. 14 00:00:38,264 --> 00:00:40,266 Sorry to sneak up on you like that, Jean-Luc. 15 00:00:40,433 --> 00:00:41,976 Robert, why didn't you inform us? 16 00:00:42,143 --> 00:00:44,145 DeSOTO: Out here, you never know who's listening. 17 00:00:44,312 --> 00:00:46,606 Keeps you on your toes anyway. 18 00:00:46,773 --> 00:00:48,024 Hey, Will. 19 00:00:48,191 --> 00:00:51,360 Will, you getting soft on board that luxury liner? 20 00:00:52,236 --> 00:00:53,654 PICARD: So, old friend, 21 00:00:54,697 --> 00:00:55,740 how are you? 22 00:00:56,157 --> 00:00:58,826 Well, you know, they send you Galaxy-class boys out here 23 00:00:58,993 --> 00:01:00,203 to the far reaches. 24 00:01:00,369 --> 00:01:04,832 Me, I just haul my butt back and forth between starbases. 25 00:01:04,999 --> 00:01:06,834 - But not today. DeSOTO: No. 26 00:01:07,001 --> 00:01:08,544 Not today. 27 00:01:08,711 --> 00:01:11,547 Star?eet's got new orders for you. This is top priority. 28 00:01:11,714 --> 00:01:14,092 They need the fastest ship in the fleet and the best people. 29 00:01:14,759 --> 00:01:15,885 That is you. 30 00:01:16,052 --> 00:01:17,178 If time was so important, 31 00:01:17,345 --> 00:01:19,764 why didn't they transmit the orders by subspace? 32 00:01:20,348 --> 00:01:23,392 Well, they're worried about Romulan eavesdropping on this one. 33 00:01:23,559 --> 00:01:25,895 And we have a passenger for you. 34 00:01:26,270 --> 00:01:28,272 Kind of hard to send by subspace. 35 00:01:28,439 --> 00:01:31,275 - What sort of passenger? DeSOTO: Mission specialist. 36 00:01:31,442 --> 00:01:33,611 He'll bring your orders aboard with him. 37 00:01:33,778 --> 00:01:35,988 His name is Tam Elbrun. 38 00:01:37,406 --> 00:01:40,326 As in Tam Elbrun of the Ghorusda disaster? 39 00:01:40,993 --> 00:01:42,036 The same. 40 00:01:42,954 --> 00:01:44,413 What can I say? 41 00:01:44,580 --> 00:01:46,541 Your orders are to cooperate fully with him. 42 00:01:46,707 --> 00:01:48,876 Best of luck, folks. 43 00:01:49,043 --> 00:01:50,711 Hood out. 44 00:01:51,337 --> 00:01:53,214 Sir, the Hood is slowing to impulse. 45 00:01:53,381 --> 00:01:54,882 Mr. Data, come with me. 46 00:01:55,049 --> 00:01:58,594 Captain, may I come with you to greet Tam? 47 00:01:58,761 --> 00:02:00,680 - You know him? - I do. 48 00:02:00,847 --> 00:02:04,892 He was at the university on Betazed when I was studying psychology there. 49 00:02:05,393 --> 00:02:07,311 Oh, I see, he was a colleague of yours? 50 00:02:08,312 --> 00:02:09,856 No. 51 00:02:10,022 --> 00:02:11,607 He was a patient. 52 00:02:42,263 --> 00:02:46,517 PICARD: Space, the final frontier. 53 00:02:47,101 --> 00:02:51,105 These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. 54 00:02:51,272 --> 00:02:56,485 Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, 55 00:02:56,777 --> 00:03:00,907 to seek out new life and new civilizations, 56 00:03:01,282 --> 00:03:05,745 to boldly go where no one has gone before. 57 00:04:13,688 --> 00:04:16,399 Tam is a telepath of extraordinary talent, 58 00:04:16,565 --> 00:04:18,192 even for a Betazoid. 59 00:04:18,359 --> 00:04:22,488 He's a specialist in first contact with new life forms. 60 00:04:22,655 --> 00:04:24,240 He's a very unique person, 61 00:04:24,407 --> 00:04:29,161 but he's not what you might expect, captain. 62 00:04:38,004 --> 00:04:39,714 Welcome aboard the Enterprise. I'm Captain-- 63 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:41,257 Captain Picard. 64 00:04:41,424 --> 00:04:43,134 Right? 65 00:04:44,135 --> 00:04:45,761 Here. 66 00:04:47,722 --> 00:04:49,348 You wanna know all about your mission. 67 00:04:49,515 --> 00:04:50,558 Everything's on there. 68 00:04:50,725 --> 00:04:54,103 Orders and briefings, destination and heading, all that. 69 00:04:55,855 --> 00:04:59,233 Dee, I sensed you were out here. 70 00:05:00,234 --> 00:05:01,902 - How have you been? - I've been fine, 71 00:05:02,069 --> 00:05:05,323 - but I thought you were on Chandra V. - Thought you were on Chandra V. 72 00:05:05,489 --> 00:05:07,283 DATA: Sir. 73 00:05:08,242 --> 00:05:10,119 Who--? 74 00:05:10,286 --> 00:05:12,079 What are you? 75 00:05:12,872 --> 00:05:14,915 I am Data, an android. 76 00:05:18,544 --> 00:05:21,672 Incredible. An android. 77 00:05:21,964 --> 00:05:24,633 I can't read you at all. It's like you're not there. 78 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:25,843 PICARD: Data. 79 00:05:26,719 --> 00:05:28,763 Oh, you better hurry up to the Bridge with that. 80 00:05:28,929 --> 00:05:31,557 Captain wants you to run the orders, scan the technical schematics, 81 00:05:31,724 --> 00:05:33,309 and be ready to brief him in ten minutes. 82 00:05:33,476 --> 00:05:35,102 Right? 83 00:05:35,519 --> 00:05:37,938 - Number One? RIKER [OVER COM]: Riker here. 84 00:05:38,105 --> 00:05:41,400 Meet Commander Data on the Bridge. He has our orders and new heading. 85 00:05:41,567 --> 00:05:42,610 RIKER: Aye, sir. 86 00:05:43,736 --> 00:05:47,615 And assemble the Bridge staff for a mission briefing in 15 minutes. 87 00:05:47,782 --> 00:05:48,824 Picard out. 88 00:05:48,991 --> 00:05:53,120 - Mr. Elbrun, would you--? - Would I care to see my quarters? No. 89 00:05:53,954 --> 00:05:55,623 I'd rather get this briefing over with, 90 00:05:55,790 --> 00:05:59,085 then be left alone until I'm needed. 91 00:06:06,175 --> 00:06:08,010 LA FORGE: I've heard something about Ghorusda. 92 00:06:08,177 --> 00:06:10,304 - Weren't there about 40 people killed? - Forty-seven. 93 00:06:10,471 --> 00:06:12,181 Including the captain of the Ade/phi, 94 00:06:12,348 --> 00:06:14,975 two friends from my class at the Academy. 95 00:06:15,142 --> 00:06:17,436 LA FORGE: Hmm, sorry. 96 00:06:19,271 --> 00:06:21,148 Main Bridge. 97 00:06:21,482 --> 00:06:22,775 So, what happened? 98 00:06:22,942 --> 00:06:25,653 It was a first-contact situation. 99 00:06:25,820 --> 00:06:28,531 Ghorusdan culture is so complex and different 100 00:06:28,697 --> 00:06:30,241 that the Federation sent a specialist 101 00:06:30,408 --> 00:06:32,326 to prevent misunderstanding. 102 00:06:32,493 --> 00:06:35,621 So that was Tam Elbrun. What happened was his fault? 103 00:06:35,788 --> 00:06:36,914 Not directly. 104 00:06:37,081 --> 00:06:39,083 Board of Inquiry blamed Darson 105 00:06:39,250 --> 00:06:43,337 for carelessness about Ghorusdan cultural taboos. 106 00:06:43,504 --> 00:06:46,424 But if Elbrun was so good, why didn't he warn Darson'? 107 00:06:46,590 --> 00:06:50,344 What was he doing there if he couldn't sense that much hostility? 108 00:07:04,275 --> 00:07:06,819 Our destination is the Beta Stromgren system, 109 00:07:06,986 --> 00:07:09,822 following the path of the Vega IX probe. 110 00:07:09,989 --> 00:07:12,825 That's 23 parsecs beyond our furthest manned explorations. 111 00:07:12,992 --> 00:07:14,452 That is correct, commander. 112 00:07:14,618 --> 00:07:16,203 Apparently the probe has discovered-- 113 00:07:16,370 --> 00:07:18,372 [COMPUTER BEEPING] 114 00:07:19,540 --> 00:07:21,333 Astonishing. 115 00:07:22,168 --> 00:07:25,337 DATA: Our orders are to proceed to this star, Beta Stromgren. 116 00:07:25,504 --> 00:07:27,882 Scientists have discovered it is in the final stages 117 00:07:28,048 --> 00:07:31,051 of an alternating cycle of expansion and collapse 118 00:07:31,218 --> 00:07:33,554 and will soon result in a supernova. 119 00:07:33,721 --> 00:07:37,683 However, the unmanned long-range space probe sent by Starfleet 120 00:07:37,850 --> 00:07:40,436 to observe the process has discovered something much more. 121 00:07:40,603 --> 00:07:43,564 Oh, Data, don't waste time. 122 00:07:46,233 --> 00:07:47,776 They call it Tin Man. 123 00:07:48,110 --> 00:07:50,404 The Vega Probe found it orbiting Stromgren. 124 00:07:50,571 --> 00:07:52,239 Looks like some kind of ship. 125 00:07:52,406 --> 00:07:54,241 Its energy source is unknown. 126 00:07:54,408 --> 00:07:57,328 The people who've studied the transmissions think it's a starship, 127 00:07:57,495 --> 00:08:00,748 and they're sure it's alive. 128 00:08:01,749 --> 00:08:03,918 Alive? How? 129 00:08:05,961 --> 00:08:07,713 LA FORGE: Cybernetic organism, like the Borg. 130 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:11,425 No, no, no. Here. 131 00:08:12,551 --> 00:08:15,304 Starfleet believes it's an organic creature 132 00:08:15,471 --> 00:08:16,680 born in space. 133 00:08:16,847 --> 00:08:19,725 Living its life in the wastes between the stars. 134 00:08:19,892 --> 00:08:23,938 No one knows where it came from or why it's here. 135 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:28,734 But we're going to meet it, and we're going to talk to it. 136 00:08:29,610 --> 00:08:31,403 I'm gonna talk to it. 137 00:08:31,570 --> 00:08:32,613 Have attempts been made--? 138 00:08:32,780 --> 00:08:34,323 TAM: To communicate with it by subspace. 139 00:08:34,490 --> 00:08:36,951 Of course, lingua code, universal translation, all that. 140 00:08:37,117 --> 00:08:38,994 It won't work. Tin Man is too different. 141 00:08:39,161 --> 00:08:42,456 Direct mind-to-mind contact is our only hope. 142 00:08:43,582 --> 00:08:46,293 The opportunity for discovery is extraordinary, 143 00:08:46,460 --> 00:08:49,088 but I don't understand Starfleet's urgency. 144 00:08:49,255 --> 00:08:50,297 Romulans. 145 00:08:50,464 --> 00:08:53,300 Oh, hell, I forgot. The Romulans. 146 00:08:53,467 --> 00:08:57,763 They claim that sector of space where Beta Stromgren is located. 147 00:08:57,930 --> 00:09:01,433 The Romulans claim all that is in their field of vision. 148 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:04,979 They routinely monitor the telemetry of our deep-space probes. 149 00:09:05,145 --> 00:09:09,024 They will certainly be sending a ship of their own to investigate this Tin Man. 150 00:09:09,191 --> 00:09:12,653 No. Actually, they're sending two. 151 00:09:12,820 --> 00:09:15,406 - Data. - That is correct. 152 00:09:15,573 --> 00:09:19,660 Starbase 123 has detected two D'daridex-class cruisers 153 00:09:19,827 --> 00:09:21,537 on an intercept course. 154 00:09:21,704 --> 00:09:24,832 The top speed of this class cruiser is known to be less than ours. 155 00:09:24,999 --> 00:09:27,167 Therefore, we do have some advantage. 156 00:09:27,793 --> 00:09:28,877 [SIGHS] 157 00:09:29,044 --> 00:09:32,172 Then it's a race. 158 00:09:32,506 --> 00:09:36,427 An alien intelligence, a new life form 159 00:09:36,594 --> 00:09:42,016 representing a technology far beyond either the Romulans or ourselves. 160 00:09:43,684 --> 00:09:47,688 The Romulans will certainly take whatever measures are required 161 00:09:47,855 --> 00:09:50,858 to secure this creature for study. 162 00:09:51,025 --> 00:09:53,569 Study as in dissecting, I'd bet. 163 00:09:54,570 --> 00:09:58,407 Mr. Data, you are our resident honor student in exobiology. 164 00:09:58,574 --> 00:10:01,910 I'm assigning you to head up the life sciences on this mission. 165 00:10:02,077 --> 00:10:04,580 - Aye, sir. - Excellent. 166 00:10:05,539 --> 00:10:07,041 Meeting adjourned, then. 167 00:10:11,211 --> 00:10:14,715 So, Data, I guess you're the brains of this outfit, huh? 168 00:10:14,882 --> 00:10:18,385 Mr. Elbrun, one of the reasons I'm asking you to work closely 169 00:10:18,552 --> 00:10:23,807 with a member of my staff is to avoid further omissions. 170 00:10:23,974 --> 00:10:25,893 The possibility of an encounter with the Romulans 171 00:10:26,060 --> 00:10:28,103 on this mission is hardly trivial. 172 00:10:28,270 --> 00:10:31,482 - And yet-- - All right, all right. 173 00:10:31,649 --> 00:10:33,901 I should have brought up the Romulans earlier, 174 00:10:34,068 --> 00:10:37,404 but I was distracted. 175 00:10:38,238 --> 00:10:41,784 And no, Billy boy, I wasn't distracted on Ghorusda. 176 00:10:41,950 --> 00:10:44,995 If Darson had listened to me, no one would have died. 177 00:10:48,165 --> 00:10:49,750 No? 178 00:10:49,917 --> 00:10:53,754 I don't care whether you believe that or not. 179 00:11:02,513 --> 00:11:03,972 PICARD: Captain's log, supplemental. 180 00:11:04,139 --> 00:11:06,100 Traveling at high warp, we are still several days 181 00:11:06,266 --> 00:11:07,893 from rendezvous with the mysterious entity 182 00:11:08,060 --> 00:11:11,188 which Starfleet has christened Tin Man. 183 00:11:11,355 --> 00:11:13,774 My immediate concern is with Tarn Elbrun. 184 00:11:13,941 --> 00:11:16,860 Starfleet considers his unique abilities crucial to our mission, 185 00:11:17,027 --> 00:11:21,448 yet he seems to me unstable. 186 00:11:21,615 --> 00:11:23,951 Well, according to his medical records and psych profile, 187 00:11:24,118 --> 00:11:26,620 he's very high on the ESP scale. 188 00:11:26,787 --> 00:11:29,164 A sort of prodigy. 189 00:11:29,331 --> 00:11:32,209 A prodigy? In what sense? 190 00:11:32,376 --> 00:11:34,086 Well, in most Betazoids, 191 00:11:34,253 --> 00:11:37,089 our telepathic gifts develop at adolescence. 192 00:11:37,464 --> 00:11:39,466 You mean you're not born reading minds? 193 00:11:39,633 --> 00:11:40,676 No. 194 00:11:40,843 --> 00:11:43,095 Except for some reason that no one understands, 195 00:11:43,262 --> 00:11:46,473 occasionally a Betazoid child is born different. 196 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:47,683 How different? 197 00:11:47,850 --> 00:11:50,018 Born with his telepathic abilities switched on. 198 00:11:50,185 --> 00:11:53,897 Most Betazoids born like that never lead a normal life. 199 00:11:54,064 --> 00:11:57,818 The noise of other people's thoughts and feelings must be overwhelming. 200 00:11:57,985 --> 00:12:00,696 Incomprehensible, especially to a child. 201 00:12:00,863 --> 00:12:02,823 And painful. 202 00:12:02,990 --> 00:12:07,202 Early diagnosis and special training did help Tam adjust, 203 00:12:07,369 --> 00:12:09,538 but he has some problems. 204 00:12:10,497 --> 00:12:14,543 You mentioned a hospitalization. 205 00:12:15,335 --> 00:12:18,464 For stress. Repeatedly, throughout his life. 206 00:12:19,256 --> 00:12:22,134 I always wonder, what holds one person together 207 00:12:22,301 --> 00:12:24,845 through that kind of struggle while another goes under? 208 00:12:25,012 --> 00:12:29,975 Yes, well, he's evidently done more than hold together. 209 00:12:30,142 --> 00:12:33,270 He's the indispensable man. 210 00:12:33,437 --> 00:12:36,648 The Federation's finest specialist in communication 211 00:12:36,815 --> 00:12:38,192 with unknown life forms. 212 00:12:38,358 --> 00:12:41,945 The more unusual the life form, the better he likes it. 213 00:12:42,112 --> 00:12:45,240 His personnel file shows he's gravitated towards assignments 214 00:12:45,407 --> 00:12:48,869 that isolate him from other humanoids. 215 00:12:51,747 --> 00:12:52,831 [COMPUTER BEEPING] 216 00:12:52,998 --> 00:12:54,041 Commander Data, 217 00:12:54,208 --> 00:12:57,127 I'm picking up an unusual echo on my navigational sensors. 218 00:12:57,294 --> 00:12:59,004 Something is out there, sir, 219 00:12:59,171 --> 00:13:02,341 tracking us, matching our speed and heading. 220 00:13:02,508 --> 00:13:06,637 Something which does not fully register on our instruments. 221 00:13:11,266 --> 00:13:13,310 Since there is no known natural phenomenon 222 00:13:13,477 --> 00:13:17,898 capable of travel at warp velocity, there are but two possibilities. 223 00:13:18,065 --> 00:13:22,694 Either it is a sensor malfunction or another ship is following us covertly. 224 00:13:22,861 --> 00:13:24,780 It is not a sensor malfunction. 225 00:13:25,697 --> 00:13:27,491 Agreed. 226 00:13:28,575 --> 00:13:31,912 WESLEY: But, commander, if it is a Romulan ship, 227 00:13:32,913 --> 00:13:35,499 with their cloaking device, we shouldn't pick them up at all. 228 00:13:35,666 --> 00:13:37,042 Unless they're pulling so much power 229 00:13:37,209 --> 00:13:39,378 for something else that they can't fully cloak. 230 00:13:39,545 --> 00:13:40,587 Like what? 231 00:13:41,630 --> 00:13:44,758 Ask the Romulans, if it is the Romulans. 232 00:13:44,925 --> 00:13:49,054 Lieutenant, continue monitoring the precise position of the echo. 233 00:13:49,221 --> 00:13:53,016 Any sudden change in its behavior, initiate yellow alert. 234 00:13:53,433 --> 00:13:55,269 Aye, sir. 235 00:13:59,314 --> 00:14:00,858 [DOORBELL CHIMES] 236 00:14:01,024 --> 00:14:02,109 TAM: Come in. 237 00:14:07,948 --> 00:14:11,159 How are things in the land of the living? 238 00:14:12,119 --> 00:14:15,038 I thought you might be lonely. 239 00:14:15,205 --> 00:14:18,041 - No one sees you except Data. - Lonely? 240 00:14:19,793 --> 00:14:23,422 I can hear everything that everyone on this ship thinks. 241 00:14:23,589 --> 00:14:27,634 And no one besides you seems to be missing my charming-- 242 00:14:27,801 --> 00:14:29,887 You want them to dislike you. Why? 243 00:14:30,053 --> 00:14:32,306 Because I'm not a nice man. 244 00:14:33,807 --> 00:14:36,476 Okay, okay. 245 00:14:37,686 --> 00:14:40,355 Because they scare me. 246 00:14:41,315 --> 00:14:42,482 Too many minds. 247 00:14:42,649 --> 00:14:45,319 I can't shut them out. Never could learn. 248 00:14:45,485 --> 00:14:52,367 All their loves, their hates, their fears, their needs. 249 00:14:52,534 --> 00:14:54,953 It's like a tide that never ebbs. 250 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:57,414 I could drown. 251 00:15:03,337 --> 00:15:05,339 I remember. 252 00:15:05,797 --> 00:15:08,175 You understood 253 00:15:08,342 --> 00:15:11,428 at least a little how I felt. 254 00:15:15,057 --> 00:15:17,601 I see you finally found a place to fit in. 255 00:15:17,768 --> 00:15:18,810 [TAM CHUCKLES] 256 00:15:18,977 --> 00:15:20,270 People to care about. 257 00:15:20,437 --> 00:15:22,189 And you're still looking. 258 00:15:26,902 --> 00:15:29,905 And then there's Ghorusda. 259 00:15:30,781 --> 00:15:33,241 I have enough doubt in my reliability 260 00:15:33,408 --> 00:15:36,620 without having to listen to Riker's and Picard's. 261 00:15:37,162 --> 00:15:38,372 What happened there? 262 00:15:39,081 --> 00:15:40,415 I thought everyone knew. 263 00:15:40,582 --> 00:15:42,209 No. 264 00:15:42,376 --> 00:15:43,919 What happened to you? 265 00:15:48,298 --> 00:15:51,760 Maybe I got too involved with the Ghorusdans, 266 00:15:51,927 --> 00:15:53,178 with their point of view. 267 00:15:53,345 --> 00:15:55,389 It happens to me. 268 00:15:55,555 --> 00:15:58,767 I wanted everyone to get along. 269 00:16:02,104 --> 00:16:05,607 I could have warned Darson more forcefully. 270 00:16:06,900 --> 00:16:09,403 So after that, you ran away? 271 00:16:11,279 --> 00:16:12,781 The last I heard, 272 00:16:12,948 --> 00:16:16,243 you were the only Federation delegate assigned to Chandra V. 273 00:16:16,743 --> 00:16:20,914 Oh, beautiful creatures, the Chandrans. 274 00:16:21,331 --> 00:16:25,210 Their minds are glacial. 275 00:16:25,377 --> 00:16:29,172 They have a lovely three-day ritual for saying hello. 276 00:16:29,715 --> 00:16:33,593 Peaceful, untroubled people. 277 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:36,054 Unlike humanoids? 278 00:16:37,264 --> 00:16:41,101 Well, except for your friend Data. 279 00:16:41,977 --> 00:16:43,562 I like him. 280 00:16:43,729 --> 00:16:47,482 He's restful. 281 00:16:49,735 --> 00:16:53,321 I believe your impression of Data is probably unique. 282 00:16:53,488 --> 00:16:54,614 [CHUCKLES] 283 00:16:54,781 --> 00:16:56,491 Yeah. 284 00:16:57,242 --> 00:17:03,790 Well, having to get to know someone, just once, has its appeal. 285 00:17:04,291 --> 00:17:06,168 I mean, talking to them, 286 00:17:06,334 --> 00:17:11,465 instead of getting it all at once up here, whether I want it or not. 287 00:17:12,257 --> 00:17:15,260 But you accepted this mission. 288 00:17:15,427 --> 00:17:17,220 You could have stayed on Chandra V. 289 00:17:17,804 --> 00:17:21,516 You willingly came aboard a ship with over a thousand people. 290 00:17:21,683 --> 00:17:23,685 How could I not? Think of it, Dee. 291 00:17:23,852 --> 00:17:25,562 This intelligence 292 00:17:25,729 --> 00:17:29,483 that swims naked through space like a fish in the sea, 293 00:17:29,649 --> 00:17:33,945 totally alien. Mysterious. 294 00:17:34,112 --> 00:17:36,406 Not like us at all. 295 00:17:36,573 --> 00:17:37,991 Ancient. 296 00:17:39,284 --> 00:17:41,161 And alone. 297 00:17:41,411 --> 00:17:46,583 So lonely for so long. 298 00:17:53,090 --> 00:17:55,550 How can you know that? 299 00:17:56,968 --> 00:17:58,804 Tam? 300 00:18:02,516 --> 00:18:05,352 You're in contact with it. 301 00:18:05,852 --> 00:18:09,064 - With Tin Man, aren't you? - No. 302 00:18:13,193 --> 00:18:14,820 Well... 303 00:18:15,237 --> 00:18:18,031 Yes, a little. 304 00:18:18,198 --> 00:18:21,076 But not quite on a conscious level. 305 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:24,621 We're light years away. 306 00:18:24,788 --> 00:18:27,791 That's impossible, even for you. 307 00:18:27,958 --> 00:18:30,335 Impossible for me. 308 00:18:30,627 --> 00:18:33,922 Maybe not impossible for Tin Man. 309 00:18:44,641 --> 00:18:45,809 Status report, Number One. 310 00:18:45,976 --> 00:18:48,353 We've reached the outer regions of the Beta Stromgren system, 311 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,857 on course for orbital intercept of the Tin Man, ETA, 18 minutes. 312 00:18:52,023 --> 00:18:53,567 - Grand. RIKER: Not altogether. 313 00:18:53,733 --> 00:18:57,112 Astrophysics reports that the rate of the star's collapse has increased. 314 00:18:57,279 --> 00:18:59,072 It could go supernova in a few days. 315 00:18:59,239 --> 00:19:01,408 DATA: Captain, we are receiving relayed sensor data 316 00:19:01,575 --> 00:19:04,411 from the Vega Probe, including visuals. 317 00:19:04,744 --> 00:19:06,746 On-screen. 318 00:19:08,623 --> 00:19:10,458 Magnify. 319 00:19:14,421 --> 00:19:16,590 Remarkable. 320 00:19:18,675 --> 00:19:20,927 Computer, locate Tarn Elbrun. 321 00:19:21,094 --> 00:19:22,929 COMPUTER: Tam Elbrun is in Turbolift 1, 322 00:19:23,096 --> 00:19:25,765 en route to the Main Bridge. 323 00:19:25,932 --> 00:19:27,184 Of course. 324 00:19:27,350 --> 00:19:28,935 [COMPUTER BEEPING] 325 00:19:29,102 --> 00:19:32,105 WORF: Captain, our sensors are detecting a subspace wave front 326 00:19:32,272 --> 00:19:36,109 of highly ionized particles preceding the object which is tracking us. 327 00:19:36,276 --> 00:19:38,778 Yellow alert. On-screen. 328 00:19:56,421 --> 00:19:57,881 Romulan warbird closing. 329 00:19:58,048 --> 00:19:59,674 They are arming main disruptors, captain. 330 00:19:59,841 --> 00:20:01,426 Go to Red Alert, shields to maximum. 331 00:20:01,593 --> 00:20:03,345 Arm photon torpedoes and stand by, Mr. Worf. 332 00:20:03,511 --> 00:20:04,554 Aye, sir. 333 00:20:04,721 --> 00:20:07,057 I thought you said the Enterprise was faster than this Romulan. 334 00:20:07,224 --> 00:20:08,391 In fact, we are, commander. 335 00:20:08,558 --> 00:20:10,435 Evasive, Mr. Crusher. Hailing frequencies. 336 00:20:10,602 --> 00:20:13,813 I guarantee that they don't wanna talk to you, captain. 337 00:20:24,991 --> 00:20:26,660 The Romulan has passed us. 338 00:20:26,993 --> 00:20:28,286 Damage report. 339 00:20:28,453 --> 00:20:31,456 Casualties reported. Seventy percent loss to the shields. 340 00:20:31,623 --> 00:20:34,542 Their attack on us was incidental, captain. 341 00:20:34,709 --> 00:20:36,962 - Incidental? - Yes, to delay us. 342 00:20:37,128 --> 00:20:39,089 Captain, it would appear the Romulans' intent 343 00:20:39,256 --> 00:20:41,800 is to contact Tin Man first at any cost. 344 00:20:42,175 --> 00:20:43,426 According to my sensor readings, 345 00:20:43,593 --> 00:20:46,930 the warbird has exceeded maximum engine output by 30 percent. 346 00:20:47,097 --> 00:20:49,849 They seem to have irreparable damage to their warp coils. 347 00:20:50,016 --> 00:20:52,018 So they kept up with us by sacrificing their ability 348 00:20:52,185 --> 00:20:54,229 to reenter Romulan space. 349 00:20:54,396 --> 00:20:55,897 One-way trip. 350 00:20:56,064 --> 00:20:57,565 There is one more trailing us, captain. 351 00:20:57,732 --> 00:20:59,651 A day or two behind. 352 00:20:59,818 --> 00:21:04,155 Data's right. This one's job is to beat us to Tin Man at any cost. 353 00:21:04,322 --> 00:21:08,576 You read all this telepathically? 354 00:21:08,743 --> 00:21:10,161 In the mind of the Romulan commander, 355 00:21:10,328 --> 00:21:12,038 during the attack. 356 00:21:14,708 --> 00:21:16,835 Very well, Mr. Crusher, all stop. 357 00:21:17,002 --> 00:21:18,420 - Aye, sir. - Commander La Forge. 358 00:21:18,586 --> 00:21:19,921 LA FORGE [OVER COM]: La Forge here. 359 00:21:20,088 --> 00:21:22,716 Geordi, how long to full shield restoration? 360 00:21:22,882 --> 00:21:24,217 I'm working on it. 361 00:21:24,384 --> 00:21:26,761 Computer, reconfigure structural integrity power 362 00:21:26,928 --> 00:21:28,722 to feed inner deflector grid. 363 00:21:28,888 --> 00:21:30,181 COMPUTER: Unable to comply. 364 00:21:30,348 --> 00:21:31,391 Requested reroute 365 00:21:31,558 --> 00:21:34,436 would compromise operational safety limits. 366 00:21:34,602 --> 00:21:39,024 To hell with the limits. Override. Authorization La Forge Theta 2997. 367 00:21:39,190 --> 00:21:42,402 COMPUTER: Rerouting structural integrity power supply. 368 00:21:42,569 --> 00:21:45,989 Russell, watch the lateral grid balance. 369 00:21:46,573 --> 00:21:49,784 No, no, that's too much. We'll have to do it manually. 370 00:21:50,243 --> 00:21:52,287 - La Forge to Bridge. PICARD [OVER COM]: Go ahead. 371 00:21:52,454 --> 00:21:54,080 Captain, I'm trying to feed the inner grid 372 00:21:54,247 --> 00:21:56,374 by stealing power from the structural integrity field. 373 00:21:56,541 --> 00:21:58,668 You should have partial shielding in about 30 minutes. 374 00:21:58,835 --> 00:22:00,503 PICARD: You have ten. Picard out. 375 00:22:00,670 --> 00:22:02,047 [SIGHS] 376 00:22:04,966 --> 00:22:09,596 If the Romulans wish the honor of first contact, let them have it. 377 00:22:09,763 --> 00:22:11,181 You're out of your mind, Picard. 378 00:22:11,348 --> 00:22:13,475 What if the Romulans find a way to persuade Tin Man--? 379 00:22:13,641 --> 00:22:15,602 PICARD: I think the chance of that is remote. 380 00:22:15,769 --> 00:22:18,938 And if you will be still, Mr. Elbrun, you may learn-- 381 00:22:19,105 --> 00:22:20,148 What? 382 00:22:20,315 --> 00:22:23,651 That being first at any cost is not always the point. 383 00:22:24,903 --> 00:22:28,239 Mr. Data, while we await repairs, I want Life Sciences and Engineering 384 00:22:28,406 --> 00:22:31,368 to continue collecting information on the alien. 385 00:22:31,534 --> 00:22:34,120 And query the Vega IX probe, long-range sensors. 386 00:22:34,287 --> 00:22:36,081 Aye, sir. 387 00:22:55,642 --> 00:22:58,645 - You do a lot of your work here? - Yes. 388 00:22:58,812 --> 00:23:01,272 I have configured these instruments to display information 389 00:23:01,439 --> 00:23:05,860 with greater speed and efficiency than stations used by the others. 390 00:23:06,319 --> 00:23:08,154 Nice. 391 00:23:14,244 --> 00:23:15,662 A little Spartan. 392 00:23:16,996 --> 00:23:18,415 Spartan? 393 00:23:18,581 --> 00:23:22,460 Lots of work space, not much room to live. 394 00:23:22,877 --> 00:23:24,295 I don't guess you sleep. 395 00:23:25,213 --> 00:23:27,715 I have tried it from time to time, but you are correct. 396 00:23:27,882 --> 00:23:29,551 I do not require rest. 397 00:23:30,468 --> 00:23:32,554 But you paint. 398 00:23:40,353 --> 00:23:43,440 The creature's anatomy appears most peculiar. 399 00:23:47,360 --> 00:23:49,279 In what way? 400 00:23:49,446 --> 00:23:51,030 It is indeed laid out as a vessel, 401 00:23:51,197 --> 00:23:53,908 with what appear to be chambers and corridors. 402 00:23:54,075 --> 00:23:56,828 An internal environment suitable for carbon-based life forms 403 00:23:56,995 --> 00:23:58,037 is being maintained, 404 00:23:58,204 --> 00:24:02,208 yet there is no evidence of a crew aboard. 405 00:24:03,293 --> 00:24:06,379 Tin Man is a living being, which has been bred, 406 00:24:06,546 --> 00:24:09,966 or has adapted itself, to serve a purpose. 407 00:24:10,300 --> 00:24:12,552 I find that interesting. 408 00:24:13,219 --> 00:24:14,888 Why? 409 00:24:15,305 --> 00:24:18,475 Must living beings have a purpose? 410 00:24:18,641 --> 00:24:21,603 Or do we exist for no reason but to exist? 411 00:24:23,897 --> 00:24:26,232 I do not believe I am qualified to express an opinion. 412 00:24:26,816 --> 00:24:29,903 Oh, Data, you're uniquely qualified. 413 00:24:30,069 --> 00:24:33,031 You think a great deal about humanity. 414 00:24:33,198 --> 00:24:35,074 And you're an honest researcher. 415 00:24:35,241 --> 00:24:37,285 You don't treat anything as trivial or irrelevant. 416 00:24:37,452 --> 00:24:39,329 You wanna try it all. 417 00:24:39,496 --> 00:24:42,582 You said in the transporter room that you could not read my mind. 418 00:24:42,749 --> 00:24:44,542 True enough. 419 00:24:44,709 --> 00:24:47,921 But I think I understand you pretty well. 420 00:24:48,588 --> 00:24:50,423 It worries you that I can't read your mind? 421 00:24:52,300 --> 00:24:54,177 Perhaps there is nothing to read. 422 00:24:54,344 --> 00:24:57,764 Nothing more than mechanisms and algorithmic responses. 423 00:24:58,765 --> 00:25:01,809 Perhaps you're just different. 424 00:25:02,602 --> 00:25:04,562 It's not a sin, you know. 425 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:07,774 Though you may have heard otherwise. 426 00:25:15,281 --> 00:25:18,284 Captain, the Romulan ship is hailing the alien 427 00:25:18,451 --> 00:25:20,370 using their equivalent of lingua code. 428 00:25:20,537 --> 00:25:22,372 - Response? DATA: Nothing so far, commander. 429 00:25:22,539 --> 00:25:23,957 TAM: Why should it answer? 430 00:25:24,123 --> 00:25:25,959 What could it possibly have in common with them? 431 00:25:26,125 --> 00:25:28,127 But you're so sure it'll talk to you. 432 00:25:28,628 --> 00:25:31,214 Captain, the Romulans are arming all disruptors. 433 00:25:31,422 --> 00:25:32,966 Yellow alert. Prepare for evasive action 434 00:25:33,132 --> 00:25:34,842 at the first change in the Romulans' course. 435 00:25:35,009 --> 00:25:38,429 RIKER: With shields in position, we-- - No! No! 436 00:25:38,596 --> 00:25:40,473 We're not the target. 437 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:42,475 It's Tin Man. 438 00:25:42,642 --> 00:25:44,435 What do you mean? 439 00:25:44,644 --> 00:25:45,687 They intend to destroy it? 440 00:25:45,853 --> 00:25:48,940 Those are their orders if they can't secure the alien. 441 00:25:49,107 --> 00:25:52,193 Increase speed to intercept the Romulan vessel. 442 00:25:52,360 --> 00:25:53,528 Their lead is too great, sir. 443 00:25:53,695 --> 00:25:58,074 - Hail them. We cannot allow them to-- - They won't listen to you! 444 00:25:59,742 --> 00:26:02,620 Danger. Gomtuu. 445 00:26:02,787 --> 00:26:05,999 Do not allow. 446 00:26:21,097 --> 00:26:22,515 [BOTH GRUNT] 447 00:26:24,601 --> 00:26:26,227 [ALARM WAILING] 448 00:26:26,394 --> 00:26:28,563 PICARD: Damage report. 449 00:26:29,522 --> 00:26:30,732 Nothing available yet, sir. 450 00:26:30,898 --> 00:26:33,985 We have partial failure of the main computer. 451 00:26:36,779 --> 00:26:41,242 It seems you woke your Tin Man. 452 00:26:51,711 --> 00:26:54,839 We've got impulse power, but I've got to take the warp engines off-line 453 00:26:55,006 --> 00:26:56,424 while we recalibrate the regulators. 454 00:26:56,591 --> 00:26:58,384 - How long? - Everything or just warp engines? 455 00:26:58,551 --> 00:26:59,594 RIKER: All of it. 456 00:26:59,761 --> 00:27:02,597 LA FORGE: We're looking at 20 hours' work, double shifts. 457 00:27:02,764 --> 00:27:05,516 RIKER: We don't know that we have 20 hours. 458 00:27:05,683 --> 00:27:07,644 That star could explode at any moment. 459 00:27:07,810 --> 00:27:08,978 I know. 460 00:27:09,145 --> 00:27:13,107 Okay, first thing we need to do is get the main computer working right. 461 00:27:13,274 --> 00:27:14,692 No, we fix the shields first. 462 00:27:14,859 --> 00:27:16,402 Commander, whatever Tin Man hit us with, 463 00:27:16,569 --> 00:27:18,321 it fried circuits I thought were unfryable. 464 00:27:18,488 --> 00:27:21,574 I'm not worried about Tin Man, it's more Romulans showing up. 465 00:27:21,741 --> 00:27:24,786 Right. First priority, get the shields up. 466 00:27:24,952 --> 00:27:27,580 Only let's not have any more surprises until I'm done, okay? 467 00:27:27,747 --> 00:27:31,709 Don't ask me about surprises. Ask Tam Elbrun. 468 00:27:34,212 --> 00:27:36,005 Your brain activity suggests you're coming out 469 00:27:36,172 --> 00:27:39,801 of some sort of a fugue or seizure. 470 00:27:40,134 --> 00:27:41,636 Your blood pressure and glucose 471 00:27:41,803 --> 00:27:45,264 are indicative of general systemic stress. 472 00:27:45,431 --> 00:27:48,393 - But I'm gonna live? - No doubt about it. 473 00:27:48,559 --> 00:27:50,061 Good. 474 00:27:50,228 --> 00:27:53,022 Because I want to know exactly what you did. 475 00:27:53,189 --> 00:27:55,149 I want to know how closely you're in communication 476 00:27:55,316 --> 00:27:58,319 with this alien and what you've learned from it, and I want to know now. 477 00:27:58,486 --> 00:27:59,904 [STAMMERS] 478 00:28:00,071 --> 00:28:02,365 I just warned it, that's all. 479 00:28:03,616 --> 00:28:06,661 I've been in contact with it, sensing impressions from it. 480 00:28:06,828 --> 00:28:09,622 It calls itself Gomtuu. 481 00:28:10,415 --> 00:28:13,084 It's old, captain. 482 00:28:13,251 --> 00:28:16,295 It's roamed the universe for many thousands of years. 483 00:28:16,754 --> 00:28:19,966 - Where did it come from? How ma--? - Far away. 484 00:28:21,134 --> 00:28:23,636 Maybe beyond the galaxy. 485 00:28:24,178 --> 00:28:26,889 Once, there were millions of them. 486 00:28:27,056 --> 00:28:28,683 PICARD: Once? 487 00:28:29,058 --> 00:28:33,563 It hasn't seen another of its kind for millennia. 488 00:28:34,647 --> 00:28:36,858 It's alone. 489 00:28:37,650 --> 00:28:40,653 It may be the last of its species. 490 00:28:42,655 --> 00:28:47,660 Perhaps we can help it in some way. 491 00:28:48,286 --> 00:28:54,792 Can you ask it to return with us to Federation space? 492 00:28:54,959 --> 00:29:01,090 At least persuade it to leave the vicinity of Beta Stromgren 493 00:29:01,257 --> 00:29:02,800 before the star explodes? 494 00:29:02,967 --> 00:29:06,471 Captain, Gomtuu knows the star will go nova soon. 495 00:29:06,637 --> 00:29:07,847 That's why it's here. 496 00:29:08,014 --> 00:29:10,600 It wants to die. 497 00:29:12,059 --> 00:29:18,399 There was an explosion in space. 498 00:29:19,275 --> 00:29:22,487 Radiation penetrating the outer layers. 499 00:29:22,653 --> 00:29:24,572 The crew... 500 00:29:25,364 --> 00:29:26,532 [GASPS] 501 00:29:27,950 --> 00:29:31,370 The crew died. 502 00:29:32,997 --> 00:29:36,292 Such loss. 503 00:29:36,709 --> 00:29:40,505 Empty pain, hollowness. 504 00:29:41,172 --> 00:29:44,217 Tarn! Stop this. 505 00:29:44,383 --> 00:29:47,011 You're losing yourself in this merging. 506 00:29:47,178 --> 00:29:49,722 TAM: I know. I know. 507 00:29:52,225 --> 00:29:55,895 Tin Man hurts and wants to die. 508 00:29:56,437 --> 00:29:57,980 I can't do any more from out here. 509 00:29:58,147 --> 00:30:02,819 If you want me to really reach Tin Man, I have got to be in physical contact. 510 00:30:02,985 --> 00:30:05,279 I have got to go aboard. 511 00:30:05,446 --> 00:30:08,366 No, that is absolutely out of the question. 512 00:30:08,533 --> 00:30:09,909 You don't trust me. 513 00:30:11,369 --> 00:30:13,621 No, Tam, I don't believe that I do. 514 00:30:14,622 --> 00:30:16,415 Tarn, 515 00:30:16,707 --> 00:30:20,920 when you reached out to the alien to warn it, 516 00:30:21,087 --> 00:30:23,339 did you give any thought to this vessel? 517 00:30:24,382 --> 00:30:29,595 To the danger, however inadvertent, that creature might pose to our crew? 518 00:30:29,762 --> 00:30:32,390 Or did you simply react out of instinct? 519 00:30:32,557 --> 00:30:34,934 - Captain-- - Deanna. 520 00:30:35,309 --> 00:30:37,311 He's right. 521 00:30:38,354 --> 00:30:40,189 I don't know. I don't know what might happen. 522 00:30:40,356 --> 00:30:44,402 But if you don't let me go, we fail our mission. 523 00:30:45,736 --> 00:30:49,615 Besides, at this point, you need all the help you can get. 524 00:30:49,782 --> 00:30:51,951 Even Tin Man's. 525 00:30:58,249 --> 00:31:01,627 Russell, reactivate the sensor assemblies. 526 00:31:02,461 --> 00:31:07,425 Okay, let's do a program reload, port array only. 527 00:31:08,718 --> 00:31:10,344 Good. That's good. 528 00:31:10,511 --> 00:31:12,972 Computer, run a level-two diagnostic. 529 00:31:13,139 --> 00:31:15,558 COMPUTER: Port sensor array remains off-line. 530 00:31:15,725 --> 00:31:17,226 Damn. 531 00:31:17,393 --> 00:31:19,437 RIKER [OVER COM]: Riker to La Forge. How's it coming? 532 00:31:19,604 --> 00:31:22,565 Not good. I think all the control processors are shot. 533 00:31:22,732 --> 00:31:24,984 But maybe if I swap the chips from the secondary array, 534 00:31:25,151 --> 00:31:27,069 I can give you a minimum EM scan. 535 00:31:27,236 --> 00:31:28,821 RIKER: Do it. 536 00:31:30,990 --> 00:31:37,413 Okay, Russell, we're gonna try starting retro sensor element 32 only. 537 00:31:39,832 --> 00:31:41,334 You in? 538 00:31:41,500 --> 00:31:43,085 Go. 539 00:31:45,504 --> 00:31:47,131 [WHISTLES] 540 00:31:48,466 --> 00:31:50,843 The good news is we have partial long-range sensors. 541 00:31:51,510 --> 00:31:54,055 - La Forge to Bridge. RIKER: Riker here. 542 00:31:54,221 --> 00:31:56,849 I'm picking up another echo on the long-range sensor display. 543 00:31:57,016 --> 00:31:59,352 - You reading that on your panel? - Worf? 544 00:32:01,270 --> 00:32:03,397 One moment, commander. 545 00:32:05,483 --> 00:32:06,776 Confirmed. 546 00:32:06,943 --> 00:32:10,154 Sir, the other Romulan ship, on an intercept course. 547 00:32:10,321 --> 00:32:12,114 Are we gonna have those shields any time soon? 548 00:32:12,281 --> 00:32:14,075 LA FORGE [OVER COM]: I'm doing the best I can. 549 00:32:14,241 --> 00:32:17,370 But shields won't help if that star explodes. 550 00:32:18,371 --> 00:32:21,666 Data, you seem to have developed an affinity with Elbrun. 551 00:32:21,832 --> 00:32:24,418 Troi, you've known him for years. 552 00:32:24,835 --> 00:32:26,754 How far can he be trusted? 553 00:32:26,921 --> 00:32:30,216 Captain, the issue isn't one of trust in Tam's intentions 554 00:32:30,383 --> 00:32:31,634 but in his judgment. 555 00:32:31,801 --> 00:32:34,136 I would trust him to do what he believes is right. 556 00:32:34,303 --> 00:32:35,596 Yes, of course. 557 00:32:35,763 --> 00:32:38,391 - But his judgment-- TROI: ls precarious. 558 00:32:38,557 --> 00:32:40,726 The stress of exposure to so many minds 559 00:32:40,893 --> 00:32:43,396 on the ship is bad enough. 560 00:32:43,562 --> 00:32:46,816 Now he's strongly drawn to this creature. 561 00:32:46,983 --> 00:32:48,567 I'm afraid for him. 562 00:32:49,151 --> 00:32:50,403 Afraid of what? 563 00:32:50,569 --> 00:32:55,324 I sense that the alien is somehow calling him. 564 00:32:55,491 --> 00:32:59,996 If we allow him to do as he insists, to beam over, 565 00:33:00,162 --> 00:33:02,331 I believe that we will lose him to it. 566 00:33:02,498 --> 00:33:04,834 That he will lose himself. 567 00:33:05,001 --> 00:33:08,754 Captain, I agree that Tam's motives are trustworthy. 568 00:33:08,921 --> 00:33:12,133 And I do not believe it is possible that he will act against us 569 00:33:12,299 --> 00:33:15,761 or will cause Tin Man to act against us out of malice. 570 00:33:15,928 --> 00:33:18,848 Captain, if Tam breaks down over there, 571 00:33:19,015 --> 00:33:21,475 we'll be no closer to accomplishing our mission. 572 00:33:21,642 --> 00:33:24,603 It would be a grave mistake. 573 00:33:24,979 --> 00:33:26,981 Thank you both. 574 00:33:33,279 --> 00:33:34,780 Data. 575 00:33:34,947 --> 00:33:36,198 I am puzzled, sir. 576 00:33:36,741 --> 00:33:38,534 We have come this far. 577 00:33:38,701 --> 00:33:41,495 Are you not going to allow Tam to fulfill his mission? 578 00:33:41,662 --> 00:33:44,331 Tarn Elbrun warned Tin Man. 579 00:33:44,498 --> 00:33:48,210 The first thing it did was to destroy a space vessel. 580 00:33:49,879 --> 00:33:52,089 I believe I understand, sir. 581 00:33:52,256 --> 00:33:55,843 If you feel the risk is too great to send Tam Elbrun alone, 582 00:33:56,010 --> 00:33:57,303 then send me with him. 583 00:33:58,721 --> 00:34:01,849 Counselor Troi understands him better. 584 00:34:02,016 --> 00:34:04,852 But he is more comfortable with me, sir. 585 00:34:05,019 --> 00:34:07,146 It is humanity he is fleeing. 586 00:34:07,646 --> 00:34:11,567 Sir, I could serve as an intermediary, a bridge back, 587 00:34:11,734 --> 00:34:16,655 a reminder of his obligation both to us and to Tin Man. 588 00:34:27,249 --> 00:34:30,669 Captain, the Romulan has uncloaked. 589 00:34:30,920 --> 00:34:33,005 - Status, Number One? - Shields are at 40 percent. 590 00:34:33,172 --> 00:34:34,965 We can maneuver on impulse, sir. 591 00:34:35,132 --> 00:34:38,761 Phasers available on manual, sir. Computer target lock not functioning. 592 00:34:40,096 --> 00:34:43,516 Well, let's hope they're in a mood to talk. 593 00:34:43,682 --> 00:34:46,602 - Hailing frequency. - Open. 594 00:34:46,769 --> 00:34:48,020 Romulan vessel, 595 00:34:48,187 --> 00:34:52,358 this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. 596 00:34:53,359 --> 00:34:57,780 Enterprise, your presence here is a violation of Romulan space. 597 00:34:57,947 --> 00:34:59,782 You will leave immediately. 598 00:35:00,908 --> 00:35:06,622 We are not familiar with the terms of your claim on this sector. 599 00:35:06,789 --> 00:35:08,833 We are here engaged in scientific research. 600 00:35:08,999 --> 00:35:10,543 Do you wish to participate? 601 00:35:10,709 --> 00:35:15,131 We have monitored the destruction of our sister ship by the star creature. 602 00:35:15,297 --> 00:35:17,424 We claim right of vengeance. 603 00:35:17,591 --> 00:35:19,593 We will destroy the alien. 604 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:23,722 If you interfere, we will destroy you as well. 605 00:35:37,069 --> 00:35:38,445 PICARD: Captain's log, supplemental. 606 00:35:38,612 --> 00:35:40,531 A confrontation between the Romulan warbird 607 00:35:40,698 --> 00:35:42,867 and Tin Man is imminent. 608 00:35:43,033 --> 00:35:44,201 I have no alternative 609 00:35:44,368 --> 00:35:48,414 but to rely on the telepathic abilities of Tam Elbrun. 610 00:35:48,914 --> 00:35:50,875 - Picard to Tam Elbrun. TAM [OVER COM]: Captain? 611 00:35:51,041 --> 00:35:52,626 Report to Transporter Room 6 immediately. 612 00:35:52,793 --> 00:35:53,836 Captain, I don't-- 613 00:35:54,003 --> 00:35:55,337 Commander Data will meet you there. 614 00:35:55,504 --> 00:35:57,089 TAM: Yes, captain. 615 00:35:57,548 --> 00:35:59,675 Counselor, we no longer have a choice. 616 00:36:22,656 --> 00:36:24,033 [TAM GASPS] 617 00:36:26,535 --> 00:36:29,455 No, no, too much. 618 00:36:29,622 --> 00:36:31,040 - Too much. - Tam? 619 00:36:31,207 --> 00:36:32,458 I can't. 620 00:36:32,625 --> 00:36:34,585 Data to Enterprise. Enterprise, come in. 621 00:36:34,752 --> 00:36:35,920 No, no, don't. 622 00:36:36,086 --> 00:36:37,796 If it is harming you, we must return. 623 00:36:37,963 --> 00:36:39,423 Enterprise, respond. 624 00:36:39,590 --> 00:36:42,468 No, it's all right. It's all right now, it's all right. 625 00:36:43,052 --> 00:36:46,430 Gomtuu is trying to communicate a lifetime of experiences to me 626 00:36:46,597 --> 00:36:48,515 in a few seconds. 627 00:36:48,682 --> 00:36:51,143 But I'm all right now. 628 00:36:51,852 --> 00:36:53,479 [CHUCKLES] 629 00:36:54,104 --> 00:36:56,523 - O'Brien to Bridge. PICARD [OVER COM]: Go ahead. 630 00:36:56,690 --> 00:36:58,442 I've lost the transporter lock on them. 631 00:36:58,609 --> 00:37:00,945 [OVER COM] Some kind of force field went up. 632 00:37:01,111 --> 00:37:03,822 Confirmed. The alien has thrown up a shield. 633 00:37:03,989 --> 00:37:06,158 It is blocking all our sensors. 634 00:37:06,325 --> 00:37:08,202 [BEEPING] 635 00:37:08,369 --> 00:37:09,495 Captain, 636 00:37:09,662 --> 00:37:13,540 the Romulans' weapons systems are now at full power. 637 00:37:16,502 --> 00:37:18,003 PICARD: Follow them in, Mr. Crusher. 638 00:37:18,170 --> 00:37:20,381 Red alert. Mr. Worf, arm photon torpedoes. 639 00:37:20,547 --> 00:37:22,508 Aye, sir. 640 00:37:44,196 --> 00:37:45,614 [CHUCKLES] 641 00:37:46,448 --> 00:37:48,242 Yes. 642 00:38:01,005 --> 00:38:04,550 There is a large chamber 20 meters ahead. 643 00:38:05,217 --> 00:38:07,303 I know. 644 00:38:08,387 --> 00:38:10,306 I know everything now. 645 00:38:10,472 --> 00:38:12,266 Come on. 646 00:38:52,806 --> 00:38:54,808 Intriguing. 647 00:38:59,772 --> 00:39:00,939 This is the control center, 648 00:39:01,106 --> 00:39:04,568 where Gomtuu's crew guided their journeys. 649 00:39:04,943 --> 00:39:09,281 The ship and the crew existed symbiotically. 650 00:39:09,490 --> 00:39:11,658 They needed one another. 651 00:39:11,825 --> 00:39:14,244 When Gomtuu had no one left to care for, 652 00:39:14,411 --> 00:39:16,663 it no longer had a reason to exist. 653 00:39:19,124 --> 00:39:21,543 Is that the purpose of existence? 654 00:39:21,710 --> 00:39:23,045 To care for someone? 655 00:39:23,587 --> 00:39:25,589 It is for me. 656 00:39:27,049 --> 00:39:28,967 Deanna was right. 657 00:39:29,718 --> 00:39:32,679 I'll lose myself here. 658 00:39:38,936 --> 00:39:41,188 [RUMBLING] 659 00:39:50,656 --> 00:39:54,576 I must remind you that our objective is to bring Tin Man out of danger 660 00:39:54,743 --> 00:39:57,830 and report our findings to Starfleet. 661 00:39:58,455 --> 00:40:00,124 I'm not going back, Data. 662 00:40:00,290 --> 00:40:02,376 I'm staying here. 663 00:40:05,921 --> 00:40:06,964 [BEEPING] 664 00:40:07,131 --> 00:40:09,174 WORF: Sir, the Romulans are hailing us. 665 00:40:09,341 --> 00:40:13,679 Captain Picard, if you interfere with us, we will fire upon you as well. 666 00:40:13,846 --> 00:40:17,266 Commander, we are prepared to defend the life of the alien. 667 00:40:17,433 --> 00:40:19,268 Screen off, shields up. 668 00:40:19,435 --> 00:40:21,645 Power levels aboard the alien are increasing, sir. 669 00:40:21,812 --> 00:40:23,814 Captain, the diameter of the star has been decreased 670 00:40:23,981 --> 00:40:26,358 by 100,000 kilometers. 671 00:40:27,609 --> 00:40:29,695 It's beginning. 672 00:40:43,709 --> 00:40:46,837 Explain to them. Make them understand. 673 00:40:47,004 --> 00:40:49,882 - But our mission-- - Is to save Tin Man, and I will. 674 00:40:50,048 --> 00:40:52,926 But he's going to save me as well. 675 00:40:53,093 --> 00:40:55,804 All my life, I've waited for this. 676 00:40:55,971 --> 00:40:59,016 A chance to find peace. 677 00:40:59,183 --> 00:41:03,604 Finally, all the voices are silent. 678 00:41:04,563 --> 00:41:08,150 Only Tin Man speaks to me now. 679 00:41:08,901 --> 00:41:10,777 Don't you see, Data? 680 00:41:10,944 --> 00:41:14,865 This is where I belong. 681 00:41:28,295 --> 00:41:29,922 That star's gonna go any minute, sir. 682 00:41:30,088 --> 00:41:32,132 The Romulans know that as well as we do. 683 00:41:32,299 --> 00:41:33,509 The power levels aboard Tin Man 684 00:41:33,675 --> 00:41:35,928 are increasing beyond our sensor range. 685 00:41:57,366 --> 00:41:58,408 Conn, report. 686 00:41:58,617 --> 00:42:00,827 Dead stop, captain. 687 00:42:02,496 --> 00:42:05,123 Sir, we've been thrown clear of Beta Stromgren. 688 00:42:05,332 --> 00:42:09,253 A distance of 3.8 billion kilometers. 689 00:42:09,419 --> 00:42:13,298 There is no sign of Tin Man or the Romulans, sir. 690 00:42:16,343 --> 00:42:17,844 [COMPUTER BEEPING] 691 00:42:18,595 --> 00:42:20,055 Captain, on-screen. 692 00:42:33,735 --> 00:42:35,112 Data. 693 00:42:35,279 --> 00:42:36,363 [DOOR OPENS] 694 00:42:36,530 --> 00:42:38,240 DATA: Sir? 695 00:42:40,576 --> 00:42:42,327 Data, what happened over there? 696 00:42:45,122 --> 00:42:46,832 Difficult to explain, sir. 697 00:42:47,666 --> 00:42:48,834 Tam? 698 00:42:49,334 --> 00:42:52,170 I believe he found what he was looking for, counselor. 699 00:42:56,508 --> 00:42:57,968 PICARD: Captain's log, supplemental. 700 00:42:58,135 --> 00:43:00,721 With all main systems at least temporarily restored, 701 00:43:00,887 --> 00:43:05,100 we are proceeding to Starbase 152 for inspection and additional repairs. 702 00:43:05,267 --> 00:43:07,894 We've had no further encounter with the Romulans. 703 00:43:08,061 --> 00:43:11,898 As for the whereabouts of Tin Man and Tarn Elbrun, 704 00:43:12,065 --> 00:43:13,900 we can only speculate. 705 00:43:14,067 --> 00:43:16,194 TROI: You sent for me? 706 00:43:16,486 --> 00:43:18,363 Yes, counselor. 707 00:43:18,530 --> 00:43:22,868 It was Tam's final request that I explain his decision to the crew. 708 00:43:23,201 --> 00:43:26,705 But I believe it was his hope that you would understand. 709 00:43:30,167 --> 00:43:32,377 What did happen? 710 00:43:33,962 --> 00:43:38,342 I witnessed something remarkable. 711 00:43:38,884 --> 00:43:41,303 Individually, they were both so... 712 00:43:41,470 --> 00:43:43,263 Wounded? 713 00:43:43,889 --> 00:43:45,349 Isolated. 714 00:43:45,515 --> 00:43:46,975 Yes. 715 00:43:47,142 --> 00:43:49,227 But no longer. 716 00:43:50,145 --> 00:43:52,272 Through joining, 717 00:43:52,731 --> 00:43:54,900 they have been healed. 718 00:43:55,400 --> 00:43:58,904 Grief has been transmuted to joy, 719 00:43:59,237 --> 00:44:02,407 loneliness to belonging. 720 00:44:05,077 --> 00:44:06,953 Data, 721 00:44:07,621 --> 00:44:09,706 you do understand. 722 00:44:10,832 --> 00:44:12,834 Yes, counselor. 723 00:44:13,543 --> 00:44:16,004 When Tin Man returned me to the Enterprise, 724 00:44:16,171 --> 00:44:20,550 I realized this is where I belong.