sequence.
Jim, we're down to ten minutes.
Enterprise, stand by.
- The antenna leads are melted away.
- Yes, Captain, just now.
By V'Ger itself.
- Why?
- To prevent reception.
Of course.
To bring the creator here.
To finish transmitting
the code in person.
To touch the creator.
Capture God?
V'Ger's liable to be in for
one hell of a disappointment.
Perhaps not, Doctor.
Captain.
V'Ger must evolve.
Its knowledge has reached the limits
of this universe. It must evolve.
What it requires of its god, Doctor,
is the answer to its question--
Is there nothing more?
What more is there
than the universe, Spock?
Other dimensions.
Higher levels of being.
The existence of which
cannot be proven logically.
Therefore, V'Ger is incapable
of believing in them.
What V'Ger needs
in order to evolve...
is a human quality--
our capacity to leap beyond logic.
Joining with its creator
might accomplish that.
You mean 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 comm station Epsilon lX,
calling USS Columbia.
Come in, Columbia. Respond, please.
This is Epsilon lX.
Am boosting output.
How read you this?
Scout Columbia NCC-62 1 to rendezvous
with Scout Revere NCC-595
on stardate 7 4 1 1.4.
Further orders
to be relayed at that time.
Signed, Commodore Probert,
Starfleet.
End of transmission.
Our sensor drone is intercepting this
on Quad L-1 4.
That`s within Klingon boundaries.
Who are they fighting?
Unknown, sir.
l have an exterior visual.
We`ve plotted a course on that cloud,
Commander.
lt will pass into Federation space
fairly close to us.
Heading?
``Sir, it`s on a precise heading
for Earth.
Cmdr Sonak, you were appointed
as Enterprise Science Officer?
- Based on your recommendation.
- Why aren`t you aboard?
Capt Decker requested l complete
final briefing here before we leave.
At Starfleet?
The Enterprise is in
final preparation to leave dock.
- Which requires 20 hours.
- 1 2.
l`m meeting Admiral Nogura.
l won`t be more than three minutes.
Report to me on the Enterprise
in one hour.
To you?
lt is my intention to be on that ship
following that meeting.
Report to me in one hour.
- Admiral.
- Mr Scott.
Those departure orders, 1 2 hours.
Starfleet cannot be serious.
Why aren`t the transporters
operating?
A wee problem. Temporary.
We have just finished 1 8 months`
redesigning the Enterprise.
- How can she be ready in 1 2 hours?
- Take me over, please.
She needs more work, a shakedown.
Mr Scott, an alien object
of unbelievable destructive power
is less