program our computer
to transmit linguacode
at their frequency and rate of speed.
Commander.
Spock!
- Here it comes.
- How is our force field?
Our shields
cannot handle another attack!
Mr Spock?
- Spock.
- 15 seconds.
Spock, transmit now!
Ten seconds.
Transmitting.
It would seem our messages
have been received and understood.
I would say
that was a logical assumption.
One minute, 30 seconds
to cloud boundary.
Captain.
We are confronted
by a highly advanced mentality,
yet they cannot understand
who we are or what we want.
Yet they understood our message.
They broke off the attack.
They may have attacked only
as a warning to us to keep away.
That would presuppose a feeling,
Commander. Compassion.
I sensed no emotion...
...only pure logic.
- Mr Sulu, hold present position.
- Holding position, sir.
- Tactical plot on viewer.
- Course projection on tactical, sir.
- Opinion, Mr Spock.
- Recommend we proceed.
Mr Decker?
I advise caution.
We can't withstand another attack.
That thing is 20 hours from Earth.
We know nothing about it.
Precisely the point.
We don't know what it'll do.
Moving into that cloud at this time
is an unwarranted gamble.
How do you define "unwarranted"?
You asked my opinion, sir.
Viewer, standard ahead.
Navigator, maintain course.
Helmsman, steady as she goes.
No vessel could generate
a power field of this magnitude.
Instruments fluctuating, Captain.
Patterns unrecognisable.
Transmit image to Starfleet.
Attempt communication.
Unable to make contact
with Starfleet.
Any attempt to transmit out
of the cloud is being reflected back.
We're closing on it rapidly, Captain.
Reduce magnification factor four,
Mr Sulu.
We're already
two settings below that.
Mr Sulu...
bring us into a parallel course
over the alien at 500 metres.
500 metres?
Then take us out to 100 kilometres,
adjusting parallel course.
Aye, sir.
- Viewer astern.
- Reverse angle on the viewer.
500 metres.
Viewer ahead, sir.
Hold relative position here.
Mr Spock!
Can that be one of their crew?
A probe from their vessel, Captain.
Plasma-energy combination.
Don't interfere with it!
Absolutely, I will not interfere!
No one interfere.
It doesn't seem interested in us,
only the ship.
Computer off.
It's taken control of the computer!
It's running our records.
Earth defences. Starfleet strength.
Ilia!
This is how I define "unwarranted"!
Activate auxiliary computer circuits
through manual shut-off.
We have been seized
by a tractor beam.
Someone take the Navigator's station.
- Engineering, emergency power.
- DiFalco to bridge.
Captain, if we don't break free
in 15 seconds, she'll burn up!
We cannot break free. We have only
a fraction of the power necessary.
Engineering, belay that order.
Disengage main drive systems.
Chief DiFalco,
take over Lt Ilia's station.
DiFalco, disengage engine
navigation relays now.
Force-field circuits E10 through 14
show ready for reactivation.
Confirm, please.
Scotty, drive systems should be free.
- Commander.
- Ready to launch remote drone
with ship's records,
including our present situation.
Delay launch. Our drone can't escape
as long as we're held.
Aye.
Captain. A maximum phaser strike
might weaken it enough
for us to break free.
Break free to where?
Any show of resistance
would be futile.
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.
Tractor beam has released us,
Captain.
Confirmed. Vessel is floating free.
No forward momentum.
Viewer ahead.
Manoeuvring 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 scan them now.
We're looking down