problem.
Even at warp nine, the Cordannas
system is over 12 hours from here.
- Will the object survive that long?
- Yes, but that's not the problem.
The ship has diverted all systems to
propulsion, including life-support.
We have less than two hours
of reserve oxygen.
Mr Data, we must stop the Enterprise.
You have to get control of the train.
Understood.
The ship is looking
for vertion particles.
It believes Cordannas
is the closest source.
Might there be anything closer?
White dwarf stars
are the only natural source, sir.
Then what about artificial ones?
Can you create the particles?
- How did he stop the train?
- There's a brake in the engine room.
- Let's go.
- Sorry, folks
You ain't going nowhere.
I've narrowed it down
to the MacPherson Nebula,
a supernova remnant,
and Dikon Alpha, a class-nine pulsar.
Either one
could produce vertion particles
if we detonated
a modified torpedo inside it.
Vertions usually occur in minuscule
amounts. Could these produce enough?
It's hard to say. I can't guarantee
that we can create them at all.
We've got to try. The nebula
or the pulsar. It's your choice.
- I say go with the nebula.
- Very well.
Begin the torpedo modifications.
Now let's see if we can get the ship
to go where we want.
Please listen to me.
We understand what's happening.
We know you have to get to New
Vertiform City, and we want to help.
Well, I don't know.
- Please, we're your friends.
- You're really gonna help us?
I promise.
OK. But just one of you.
The rest stay here.
- That's far enough.
- Sorry to spoil your party, pal.
I can get us there more quickly.
I know a shorter route.
Don't listen. He's up to something.
- A shorter route?
- Yes, if I can handle the controls.
Don't do it.
Well, we're already behind schedule.
If you can get us there on time...
Alright, go on, but no funny stuff.
Data to Capt Picard.
I have taken control of the train.
Stand by. Are we within sensor range
of the nebula?
Yes, Captain, we are.
Mr Data, slow us to impulse speed.
I will attempt to do so.
I hope you know what you're doing.
Are the modifications
to the torpedoes complete?
- Aye, sir.
- Launch torpedo.
It's working, Captain.
The reaction is producing
vertion particles.
Well, what do know? We're here!
New Vertiform City.
The nodes are deactivating. All our
systems are functioning normally.
The purpose
of the ship's intelligence
was simply to bring
this life form into being.
There are some species whose
sole purpose is to reproduce.
Once they procreate, they die.
Captain.
Captain's log, supplemental.
The Enterprise
is back under our control.
All traces of the emergent
intelligence are gone,
and the object it created
has disappeared into space.
Come.
Captain,
I am staging a scene from The Tempest
tonight for a small audience.
- I would like you to attend.
- I'd be honoured. What scene?
Miranda's first encounter
with other human beings.
"O brave new world,
That has such people in't."
It seemed appropriate.
Captain, you took a substantial risk
in allowing the Enterprise
to complete its task.
Why do you say that?
Because the end result was unknown.
The object could have been dangerous.
It may in fact be dangerous.
And I have allowed it to go off
on its merry way.
Yes, sir.
The intelligence that was formed
didn't just come out of
the ship's systems. It came from us.
Our mission records, personal logs,
holodeck programs, our fantasies.
If our experiences with the
Enterprise have been honourable,
can't we trust that the sum of
those experiences will be the same?Captain's log, stardate 47941.7.
The Enterprise is en route
to a briefing
on the situation in the Demilitarised
Zone along the Cardassian border.
Meanwhile, we're celebrating
the return of an old friend.
Ro!
- Welcome home.
- Thanks. It's good to be back.
Congratulations on your promotion,
Lieutenant.
- Same to you, Commander.
- Thanks.
I understand