this machine wants to
physically join with a human?
Is that possible?
Let's find out.
Decker.
I'm gonna key the final sequence
through the ground test computer.
You don't know
what that'll do to you!
Yes, I do, Doctor.
Decker, don't.
Jim, I want this.
As much as you wanted
the Enterprise, I want this.
Captain.
Spock, did we just see the beginning
of a new life-form?
Yes, Captain.
We witnessed a birth.
Possibly a next step
in our evolution.
I wonder.
Well, it's been a long time
since I delivered a baby.
I hope we got this one off
to a good start.
I hope so too.
I think we gave it the ability to
create its own sense of purpose...
out of our own human weaknesses...
and the drive that compels us
to overcome them.
And a lot of foolish human emotions.
Right, Mr. Spock?
Quite true, Doctor.
Unfortunately, it will have to
deal with them as well.
Interrogative from Starfleet.
They're requesting damage and injury
reports and complete vessel status.
Report two casualties.
Lieutenant Ilia.
Captain Decker.
- Aye, sir.
- Correction.
They're not casualties.
They--
List them as missing.
Vessel status: fully operational.
Aye, sir.
Mr. Scott, shall we give
the Enterprise a proper shakedown?
I would say it's time
for that, sir, aye.
We can have you back on Vulcan
in four days, Mr. Spock.
Unnecessary, Mr. Scott.
My task on Vulcan is completed.
Mr. Sulu, ahead warp 1 .
- Warp 1 , sir.
- Heading, sir?
Out there.
That away.This is com station Epsilon 9
calling USS Columbia.
Come in, Columbia.
Respond, please.
This is Scout Columbia, Epsilon 9.
Could you boost your transmission?
This is Epsilon 9, Columbia.
Am boosting output.
How read you this?
Fine, fine. Thank you, Epsilon 9.
Receiving your transmission.
Scout Columbia, NCC-62 1...
to rendezvous with
Scout Revere, NCC-595...
on stardate 741 1.4.
Further orders
will be relayed at that time.
Signed Commodore Prober
to Starfleet.
- End of transmission.
- Received. Thank you.
Our sensor drone is
intercepting this on Quad L-1 4.
That's within Klingon boundaries.
Who are they fighting?
Unknown, sir.
I have an exterior visual.
We've plotted a course
on that cloud, Commander.
It will pass into Federation space
fairly close to us.
Heading?
Sir, it's on
a precise heading for Earth.
Commander Sonak.
You received your appointment
as Enterprise science officer?
Based, I am told, on your
recommendation, Admiral. Thank you.
Then why aren't you aboard?
Captain Decker requested I complete
final science briefing here before--
- Here?
- we leave on our mission.
At Starfleet?
The Enterprise is in
final preparation to leave dock.
Which will require
20 more hours at minimum--
Twelve.
I'm on my way to a meeting
with Admiral Nogura...
which will not last
more than three minutes.
Report to me on the Enterprise
in one hour.
Report to you, sir?
It is my intention to be
on that ship following that meeting.
Report to me in one hour.
- Admiral!
- Mr. Scott.
Those departure orders-- 12 hours.
Starfleet cannot be serious.
Why aren't the Enterprisetransporters operating, Mr. Scott?
A wee problem, sir.
Just temporary.
Admiral, we have just
finished 1 8 months...
redesigning and refitting
the Enterprise.
How in hell do they expect me
to have her ready in 1 2 hours?
Take me over, please.
She needs more work, sir.
A shakedown!
Mr. Scott, an alien object of
unbelievable destructive power...
is less than three days away
from this planet.
The only starship in interception
range is the Enterprise.
Ready or not,
she launches in 1 2 hours.
The crew haven't had
near enough transition time...
with all the new equipment.
And the engines-- They're
not even tested at warp power.
And an untried captain.
Two-and-a-half years as
chief of Starfleet Operations...
may have made me
a little stale, but I...
wouldn't exactly
consider myself untried.
- They gave her back to me, Scotty.
- Gave her