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Captain's log, star date 45571.
2.
We are going into orbit
around an unexplored M-Class moon
of Mab-Bu VI.
Though it is reported uninhabited,
we have picked up a distress call.
The electromagnetic whirlwinds
make it hard to locate
the source of the signal.
- Any indications of life?
- Scanners read negative.
But there is interference.
Have you ever heard anything similar?
I believe so.
At Starfleet Academy.
- The Academy?
- I will verify it.
As I thought.
It is
a Starfleet subspace distress signal,
standard to Daedalus-class starships.
They haven't been in service
for what?
Any records of missing ships
in this vicinity?
The USS Essex,
under Capt Bryce Shumar,
disappeared in this sector
over two centuries ago.
Daedalus-class.
I have accessed the
transponder signature of the Essex.
It is identical
to the signal from the moon.
We arrived a little late!
Mute it, Mr.
Data.
With the storms, it isn't worth
the risk to check on a ghost ship.
Advise Starfleet we have solved
the mystery of the Essex.
I'm not sure we have.
Someone's down there.
Alive.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages
of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission,
to explore strange new worlds,
.
.
to seek out new life
and new civilizations,
.
.
to boldly go
where no one has gone before.
First Officer's log, supplemental.
The interference is too dangerous
for anyone to transport down.
So we have taken a shuttle
to investigate.
- Shields are holding.
- Wind shear is incredible.
Data, keep an eye on the stabilizers.
If it's like this on the ground,
how can people survive?
- Maybe they live underground.
- Where?
I still can't locate
the source of the signal.
It's bouncing around
more than we are.
Thrusters have failed.
We are losing power.
Enterprise!
- Go ahead.
- We've lost our thrusters.
Attempting to use boosters.
Their impulse generators
have shut down.
Can you hear me?
Enterprise to shuttle.
Please respond.
Hold on! We're going down.
- Initiating emergency landing.
- Maintain the approach attitude.
I'm taking her in.
Brace for impact!
- The shuttle has crashed.
- Position?
I have the trace signature,
but the interference
is distorting its position.
- Can you locate them?
- I think I can.
I followed their entry.
We can calculate coordinates
from the angle of descent.
- Your arm.
- Pretty sure that's broken.
Enterprise!
It is unlikely we will be able
to establish communication.
We'll stay in the area
until they find us.
Take an inventory of the shuttle.
See if there's anything usable.
The ground cover is nonporous rock.
It's even less likely
anyone's living here.
There are no instruments left
that have not been damaged.
What is that?
It's not like any storm front
I've ever seen.
High levels of EM bursts
across the spectrum.
No life signs other than our own.
There is someone alive here.
I'm certain.
I hope they can find us.
There's no way we'll find them.
They're coming.
They're coming with the storm.
We can't get a lock on them
because of the EM bursts.
There's no way we can beam them out
in these conditions.
Those conditions stop a shuttle
landing safely.
Any suggestions?
Give us a minute.
Let me beam down
with a pattern enhancer.
You could rematerialize in
a million pieces in that whirlwind.
I can boost the confinement beam.
One person might be able to make it.
O'Brien wants to beam down
with a pattern enhancer.
His chances of making it down there
safely are no better than 50%50.
A major storm front is moving in
on their coordinates.
- You know the risks, Mr.
O'Brien?
- Yes, sir.
I think I can make it.
- Alright, then.
Good luck.
- Aye, sir.
Mr.
O'Brien!
- Nice of you to join us.
- Nice spot for a picnic, sir.
We need to distribute these enhancer
rods at seven-meter lengths.
That should do it.
Will this storm front
interfere with the transport?
I'd really like to get out
before it hits.
I'm meant to feed the baby lunch.
Molly gets in a foul mood
if I'm late.
I'm with you!
Lunchtime, Miles.
Let's do it.
Easy, Deanna.
- Where?
- On the Enterprise.
You're OK.
My skin's tingling.
It's the after-images
of the electromagnetic discharge.
The sensation will pass.
They're all fine, too.
Now, take your time, Counsellor.
Doctor's orders.
- Injury report, Doctor.
- Mostly minor abrasions.
Cmdr Riker took the worst of it.
A broken arm.
- Mr.
Data.
Good work, Chief.
- Thank you, sir.
Ready for duty, sir.
- Sure, Number One?
- It's not my first broken bone.
- And how are you, Counsellor?
- Very glad to be here.
Good.
Let's go.
So what happened?
That storm moved in
faster than anything I've seen.
Any evidence of life?
No, but if Troi was right,
we were close to it.
Bridge.
How do you suggest
we proceed?
We need to adjust the scanner
to penetrate the storms.
Any ideas, Data?
We can employ virtual imaging
to interpolate missing data.
- Something wrong, Commander?
- My apologies, sir.
It seems my speech processes
are experiencing a minor fluctuation.
I will correct it in a moment.
Captain, may I speak with you
for a moment in private?
You have the bridge, Number One.
Mr.
Data, deploy sensor scans.
Take us to a synchronous orbit
aligned around our crash site.
Sir, given the EM-field properties
of this moon,
I recommend a search pattern
beginning
in the southern polar region.
The polar region?
That would be starting from scratch.
Readings suggest that we begin
our scan around our crash site.
The Essex's signal
was never clearly located.
A survey of the moon from a
polar orbit might be more practical.
You may be right.
But I'd like to give the crash site
a once-over first.
- Maintain our current orbit.
- Understood, sir.
I've never felt anything like it.
It was as if they were calling to me.
Someone was communicating
telepathically?
Perhaps.
For an instant.
It was like their voices
were being carried on the wind.
What were they trying
to communicate?
I'm not sure.
But they were calling me
to the southern polar region.
I believe that's where
we should look for the Essex.
Commander, did you override
my orbital heading?
- Override?
- We've moved into a polar orbit.
I'm locked out.
Helm isn't responding.
Do you know anything about this,
Mr.
Data? Data?
Security to the bridge!
Computer, transfer command
to Engineering.
- This way.
- What happened?
He would not change course.
The Captain would have done it
for me.
Deck 36, Engineering.
Computer, re-enable bridge control.
Security protocol.
Authorization, Riker Omega three.
Report.
Data, O'Brien and Troi
tried to take over the ship.
They're in turbo lift four.
Engaging override now.
They've trapped us.
- What deck is this?
- Deck ten.
- Can you move us again?
- I can override bridge command.
Activate security fields.
Sir, the turbo lift is moving again.
They're still inside.
Initiate emergency bulkheads
in turbo shaft four.
They have been stopped at deck 13.
Mr.
Worf.
Can you deactivate this?
We can't override
an emergency force-field command.
My entity's artificial substructure
may be useful.
They've broken through
the security field.
Deck ten.
Security to ten-forward.
Momma's here.
Everyone, get down on the floor.
Miles?
On the floor!
Everyone, down, now!
Miles!
Multiple phaser shots, ten-forward.
Picard to Worf.
Report.
Mr.
Worf, acknowledge.
Can you hear me, Mr.
Worf?
Yes, bridge.
He can hear you.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Following an aborted attempt
to take over the bridge,
Troi, Data and O'Brien
have seized ten-forward.
- Security teams at both entrances.
- Yes, sir.
Shut down computer access
to ten-forward.
I can't.
They've set up
a remote security lockout.
We'd have to shut down the saucer.
Transporter room three, can you get
a lock on Data, Troi and O'Brien?
Attempting to lock on, sir.
They're attempting
to engage the transporters.
- I know how to shut them down.
- Do it.
Bridge, the transporter array
is in a diagnostic mode.
I can't override.
It'll take
a few hours to complete.
How many people are down there?
internal scanners, too.
- Dr Crusher to the bridge.
- On my way.
What are you doing?
Reversing the force fields
to isolate this room.
- Good.
- Their communicators.
Now they'll learn nothing
except what we tell them.
They've done something
to the force fields.
Geordi?
They've completely isolated
ten-forward.
How about using anaesthezine gas?
That won't affect Data.
We have to knock out all three.
A concussive charge would blow out
the security fields.
We could go in
and stun everybody.
Doctor, check the biofilter readouts
of the away team's transport.
See if you can come up
with any clue to explain this.
Ten-forward, this is Capt Picard.
I will discuss this situation.
There is no need
for further violence.
Please, identify yourselves.
They will attempt to negotiate the
safety and release of their people.
Interesting.
Under normal circumstances,
I would be counselling the Captain.
What would you tell him to do?
I would help him
find a way to secure our trust.
What are you looking at?
You, Klingon.
Attack me.
Are you afraid?
I have no fear of death.
And I have no fear of killing you.
Stop it!
Please respond, ten-forward.
Do any of my crew
require medical assistance?
We can discuss your wounded.
But first, you will move the ship.
Move it where?
Change orbit to an inclination
of 80 degrees south.
The southern polar region,
where Data tried to move the ship.
That's what Troi asked me to do.
But why?
Ten-forward, if you could be more
specific about our destination
You have 30 seconds
to change your heading,
or additional members of your crew
will require medical attention.
We need to stabilize this situation.
Play for time.
I suggest that we move the ship
as they've asked.
Agreed?
Set a new heading, but take us there
as slowly as you can.
Ten-forward, we are moving the ship
as you requested.
He's telling the truth.
Their heading has changed.
I compared the away team's
last transporter patterns
to their earlier records.
They're exactly the same,
except in Data, Troi and O'Brien
there's unusual synaptic activity.
Anionic energy.
It might be a life form
superimposing its neural patterns.
- Why wasn't I affected?
- I don't know.
The only difference
is that you were injured.
- My broken arm.
- It caused pain receptors to fire.
It may have made you immune
to this energy.
What would happen if we were
to inflict pain on the others?
It might force whatever it is
out of them.
A plasma shock would be painful,
but wouldn't harm them.
I could hook up a laser
to a plasma inverter.
What about Data?
It will definitely overload
his neural net.
It'll work on him.
We have to penetrate
the force field.
I could interrupt it
for a few seconds,
but timing would be critical.
We have to hit all three
with one discharge.
If they're together, it'll be fine.
How will you gain access?
A micro-optic drill
through the ceiling.
We have to have some way to contain
or neutralize this anionic energy
once it's out of our people.
Yes, Doctor, that will be
your top priority.
Proceed.
Bridge to ten-forward,
now that we are moving the ship,
I want to know the nature
of the injuries to my crew.
Five of your people are injured.
How serious is their condition?
You, Klingon, tell him.
One person has what looks like
a level-five phaser hit.
Four have secondary burns.
They require medical attention.
- Our captors are not affected
- Silence, Klingon!
Ten-forward,
you must release these people
for medical attention.
I will release no one.
If you will release them,
I will take their place.
I don't trust him.
It may be a deception.
The crew values Picard's life
above all others.
Capt Picard,
we agree to your proposal.
- Expect a Medical team.
- Acknowledged.
Sickbay, have an emergency
Medical team outside ten-forward.
Putting you there
strengthens their position.
While they're on board this ship,
I'm a hostage.
We all are.
We must find out
who we're dealing with.
If La Forge and Ro can attempt
a rescue, let them proceed.
If they can't, I will provide you
with an opportunity.
Watch for it.
Yes, sir.
Silence that child!
I know you.
I know who you are.
And I know what this is.
She's frightened!
Why don't you just let us go?
No.
Make it stop!
Ten-forward,
we're outside the door.
Lower the force field.
Welcome, Captain.
Allow me to introduce myself.
I am Capt Bryce Shumar
of the Federation Starship Essex.
The Essex vanished
over 200 years ago.
Indeed.
I know.
I was there.
This is my first officer,
Cmdr Steven Mullen.
And my security chief,
Lt Morgan Kelly.
And you have survived
all this time as?
Spirits? Ghosts? But you're a man
who would never believe in ghosts.
Isn't that true?
You see, Troi knows you.
And so I do as well.
Then Counsellor Troi is still alive?
Of course she is.
I have no wish
to harm her or to harm anyone else.
I'm pleased to hear that.
We have been forced to take this
action because we need your help.
My help?
Our consciousness has been trapped
on this moon for two centuries.
We must escape this torture.
How did this happen to you?
I can't explain how it happened.
I only know that it did.
The Essex was caught
in an electromagnetic storm,
just as your shuttle was.
Moments before we crashed,
the bridge was struck by lightning.
The ship was ripped apart.
Somehow, in that instant,
our consciousness was absorbed into
the magnetic currents on the surface.
Why didn't you tell us this?
Why the deception?
The violence?
Because, as I said,
I knew you would not believe us.
Even now, I know you don't.
What was your vessel's designation
and complement?
NCC-173.
Daedalus-class starship.
Crew, 229.
Under whose command?
Admiral Uttan Narsu.
Star base 12.
You will find all this
in Starfleet records.
- I don't need to see the records.
- Then you know I am correct.
End this, and I will give you
whatever help you need.
No.
You don't trust us.
And I can't risk trusting you.
It's taking too long.
We should have been there by now.
He is manipulating you.
Capt Picard
has every right to be curious.
He will delay
until a rescue is possible.
I know that.
I also know he will make every effort
to protect the lives of his people.
Since our demands
are not excessive, Captain,
I hope you will see
that it will be simpler to accede
than to risk further injuries.
What do you want?
All you need to know for now
is that we want to rest.
Simply, finally, to rest.
Section two.
B.
A.
Section one.
Finally! I never want to see
this part of the Enterprise again.
I hear you.
This is what starship
designers call "easy access".
Yeah.
Yeah, this is it.
I thought we might have a problem
with conduit number 227,
but it looks like
we're gonna be able to get by it.
Thanks.
- We're through.
- Good.
Let's hook up the scanner
and see what we've got.
Got it.
All three have to be in the circle
for this to work.
We're halfway home.
La Forge
to Crusher, how are you doing?
I have an idea
for a containment field.
This anionic energy seems vulnerable
to the magnetic-flux density
in the storms.
If we can duplicate it,
we can trap it.
You could flood ten-forward
with ionogenic particles.
Exactly what I was thinking.
How long will it take
to get it all ready?
We still have to calibrate
the plasma invert.
My guess is 45 minutes to an hour.
The containment field will be ready.
Keep me advised.
Impressions, Mr.
Worf.
Spiritual possessions have been
reported throughout Klingon history.
It is called Jat'yln,
the taking of the living by the dead.
Human history
is full of many similar legends.
Then you believe
they may be telling the truth?
Not for one moment.
They know much about the Essex.
If it is the spirit of Capt Shumar
Then he should be behaving
very much better.
- A Starfleet captain.
- You two, sit down.
Living disembodied for two centuries.
Perhaps they've gone mad.
I assure you, Mr.
Worf,
these are not Jat'yln.
Our job is to find out exactly
what they are, and how to deal
Right, that's enough.
Sit down.
You, over there.
You, there.
- Down!
- I gave you that.
In a place called McKinley Park.
Green grass.
- Tall trees.
- Please don't.
I hid the bracelet in your pocket.
- You were surprised.
- Don't!
You said,
"Miles, you make me feel so happy.
"
No! Get away from me!
Leave her alone.
Capt Shumar.
We're approaching the southern polar
region.
I need to give instructions.
Very well.
We're taking you to our crash site.
- The southern pole?
- That is correct.
Nothing our sensors could detect
indicated the Essex went down there.
As I told you, Captain,
the ship broke up in the atmosphere,
and the bridge went down here.
When we reach it,
you will beam what's left
of our skeletal remains on board,
and then take them back to Earth
for a proper burial.
You see how simple a request this is?
Captain,
.
.
if you will let these people go,
I'll order the bridge
to follow your instructions.
I will release no one.
If you are who you say you are,
there's no need for this.
We'll gladly take you home.
I wish you were truly
as open-minded as you say, Picard.
Release the hostages
or I won't cooperate.
You'll cooperate, Captain.
You will cooperate,
or someone will die.
Who shall it be?
How about the Klingon?
Get another one.
You.
Come on.
Pick one to die, Captain,
or I kill them both.
They're all in range.
I have to do it now.
I can only shut down the force field
for seven seconds.
If they're the right seven seconds,
it'll be enough.
Prepare to release
the ionogenic field.
Standing by.
- Ready?
- Lower force field.
- Force field down.
- Firing plasma charge.
Damn!
Tell them to stop, or I kill everyone
in this room, starting with you.
Picard to bridge, abort immediately.
As you say, Captain.
Riker to La Forge,
return to the bridge.
- Are you ready to cooperate?
- Yes.
First Officer's log, supplemental.
The Enterprise is in orbit
near the southern polar region.
We await further instructions.
- Any sign of the Essex?
- Negative.
Electromagnetic disturbances
are even worse here.
Bridge to ten-forward.
Intense storm activity
makes it virtually impossible
for us to pick up
any trace of the Essex.
We are giving you
the exact coordinates
of our remains on board the Essex.
I'm receiving those coordinates now.
Can you tell what's there?
Just your basic ionic cyclone.
I can't read a thing.
I'm not beaming up
whatever might be down there.
You've got a good excuse.
Transporters wouldn't work.
Bridge to ten-forward.
Whatever's blocking our scanners
will block the transporters.
They're lying!
We've had difficulties
with the transporters.
That's why we sent the shuttle.
- You should know.
- We have to use the transporters.
Mr.
O'Brien safely executed
the return of the away team.
He's the most qualified person
to operate the transporters.
- Can you do it from here?
- No.
I need a transporter pad.
I could give you safe passage
to a transporter pad
in a cargo bay.
It is a trick.
He is trying to divide us.
We must not be separated.
I can give you all safe passage.
Why are you suddenly so helpful?
I assume that if you choose
to go to the cargo bay,
then you won't take all the hostages.
Their safety is my priority.
What are the risks
when we leave this room?
Without the force fields,
we are vulnerable.
They could use the transporter.
They could beam us to the surface.
But there is a way
to neutralize that threat.
Bridge, transfer all transporter
functions to ten-forward.
In order to do that,
you will have to release
your computer lockouts.
- That's not true.
- Let me talk to him.
Number One, I think we have
an opportunity to end this siege.
It will require the cooperation
of all concerned.
Our guests will be moving shortly
to cargo bay four,
from where the transport will occur.
I want you to ensure them
of safe passage
between ten-forward
and the cargo bay.
Understood, Captain.
- Doctor.
Mr.
La Forge.
- Yes, sir.
Transporter controls
are being transferred.
Ten-forward to bridge.
I said all transporter controls!
Including all those
aboard your shuttlecraft.
Almost had them, Ensign.
Nice try.
Riker to ten-forward.
Remaining
transporter functions transferred.
Once we create our own access code,
no one can use the transporter
against us.
What about the weapons?
We will each take a hostage.
For protection.
- Klingon.
- Picard, you are mine.
Please let her stay.
Lower the force field.
- Security teams, stand by.
- They're in section five.
They'll be at their destination
in less than a minute.
They stopped at deck 18.
Security, allow them access
to cargo bay four.
I will require assistance.
Capt Shumar, how do you intend to
achieve this rest that you so desire?
What do you mean?
How do you intend
to free yourselves of this existence
that has so trapped
your consciousness?
It will fade as we move
from this planet.
Really? What is
your scientific basis for that?
I don't need a scientific basis.
Just be quiet.
When are you going to tell me
who you really are?
I've initialized
the transporter signal.
Proceed.
- They're firing up the transporter.
- Mr.
La Forge?
I've isolated cargo bay four
with a neutrino field.
It will only take Data and O'Brien
a few minutes to override it.
I hope it gives the Captain
enough time.
Do you know what he'll do?
There's only one reason
he chose cargo bay four.
If it becomes necessary,
you'll blow the cargo bay hatch
on my orders.
Yes, sir.
You're right, Picard.
It's not rest we seek, only escape.
Escape?
We were brought to this moon
over five centuries ago,
from a star system called Ux-Mal.
We were separated from our bodies
and left to drift in the storms.
Once we almost escaped,
on board the Essex.
But that ship could not elude
this moon's electromagnetic storms.
You thought using their identities
would gain our sympathy?
It was better than asking you
to allow hundreds
of condemned prisoners on board.
Then this moon is a penal colony.
That's correct.
But now we have your ship
and your bodies to carry us home.
I'm reading dozens of them.
Hundreds.
They have the same anionic signature
we saw on the biophoto scans.
We can give the Captain
a new bargaining chip.
Dr Crusher, flood the cargo bay
with your containment field.
No!
- Let them go or you will all die!
- Your threats are meaningless.
We are still in control
of these three bodies.
Will you sacrifice the others? They
will die when the hatch is blown.
- You will die too, Picard.
- I would die to save my child.
To die defending one's ship
is the hope of every Klingon.
If you each know
the officers you inhabit,
then you know they would
give their lives for this ship.
Free them now and I will
return you to the moon's surface.
I advise you, Picard,
not to pass our way again.
Picard to bridge.
Our guests are leaving shortly.
- I need an emergency Medical team.
- On our way.
Mr.
Worf, prepare to transport these
prisoners down to the moon's surface.
Gladly, sir.
Captain's log, star date 45572.
1.
Dr Crusher has examined
Troi, Data and O'Brien.
There seem to be
no residual effects.
It was as if my own consciousness
were pushed to the side.
I watched everything, heard my voice,
but wasn't able to control it.
The entity that controlled you,
what were your perceptions?
He was intelligent, actually.
Thoughtful,
in a ruthless kind of way.
Cold.
I must apologize
for my inadvertent misconduct.
- No apology necessary.
- Your restraint was most remarkable.
You have no idea.
- How do you feel?
- Hungry.
That's a good sign.
Go home.
How do you feel?
I'm just glad to have you back.
If I could have killed
that thing inside me, I would have.
I know.
We both know.