remote communications drone...
with complete ship's records...
including
our present situation, sir.
Delay launching
as long as possible.
Our drone can't escape as long
as we're held in their tractor.
Aye.
Captain, a maximum phaser strike
directly at the beam...
might weaken it just enough
for us to break free.
Break free to where, Commander?
Any show of resistance
would be futile, Captain.
We don't know that, Mr. Spock.
Why are you opposed to trying?
Why bring us inside?
Not to destroy us.
They could have done that outside.
They still can.
Curiosity, Mr. Decker.
Insatiable curiosity.
Captain, photic sonar readings
indicate the aperture is closing.
We're trapped, sir.
Reverse angle on the viewer,
Captain.
Tractor beam has released us,
Captain.
Confirmed.
Vessel is floating free.
No forward momentum.
Viewer ahead.
Viewer ahead, sir.
Maneuvering thrusters, Mr. Sulu.
Ahead one third.
Thrusters ahead one third.
Let's take a look.
Full sensor scan, Mr. Spock.
They can't expect us
not to look them over now.
Now that we're
looking down their throat.
Right, now that we've got them
just where they want us.
It's closing up.
Hold position.
Captain.
All our scans
are being reflected back.
Sensors are useless.
Damn.
What do you make of all this?
I believe the closed orifice
leads to another chamber...
undoubtedly part of
the vessel's inner mechanism.
I suspect it may be necess--
Intruder alert!
Deck 5. Officer's quarters.
Have Security meet me
at deck 5, main elevator.
Spock.
Mr. Decker, you have the com.
Hold positions.
You are the Kirk unit.
You will assist me.
I have been programmed by V'Ger...
to observe and record...
normal functions
of the carbon-based units...
infesting USS Enterprise.
-Jim, what's going on?
- Tricorder.
Who is...
V'Ger?
V'Ger is that which programmed me.
Is V'Ger the name of the captain
of the alien vessel?
Jim.
This is a mechanism.
A probe, Captain.
No doubt
a sensor-transceiver combination...
recording everything we say and do.
Where is Lieutenant Ilia?
That unit no longer functions.
I've been given its form...
to more readily communicate
with the carbon-based units...
infesting Enterprise.
Carbon-based units?
Humans, Ensign Perez. Us.
Why does V'Ger travel...
to the third planet of
the solar system directly ahead?
To find the creator.
Find the creator?
Whose--
What does V'Ger want
with the creator?
To join with him.
To join with the creator? How?
V'Ger and the creator
will become one.
And who is the creator?
The creator is that
which created V'Ger.
Who is V'Ger?
V'Ger is that
which seeks the creator.
I'm ready to commence
my observations.
Doctor, a thorough examination
of this probe...
might provide some insight
into those who manufactured it...
and how to deal with them.
Fine.
Let's get her to sick bay.
I'm programmed
to observe and record...
only the normal functioning
of the carbon-based units.
The, uh...
examination is a normal function.
You may proceed.
Micro-miniature hydraulics...
sensors...
and molecule-sized
multiprocessor chips.
And take a look at this.
An osmotic micropump, right here.
Even the smallest body functions
are exactly duplicated.
Every exocrine system
is the same, too...
even eye moisture.
Decker.
Fascinating.
Not ''Decker unit.''
Gentlemen.
Will.
- What happened to her?
- Captain.
This probe may be our key
to the aliens.
- Probe? Ilia?
- Exactly.
It is a programmed mechanism,
Commander.
Its body duplicates our navigator
in precise detail.
Suppose that,
beneath its programming...
the real Ilia's memory patterns
are duplicated with equal precision.
- They had a pattern to follow.
- Indeed.
They may have followed it
too precisely.
Ilia's memory...
her feelings of loyalty,
obedience, friendship...
might all be there.
You did have a relationship
with Lieutenant Ilia, Commander.
That probe, in another form,
is what killed