Home > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

The Forsaken

SISKO: Station Log, Stardate 46925.1.

We have been honored with a visit by a delegation of Federation ambassadors

on a fact-finding mission to the wormhole.

Fortunately, I have just the officer to take them off my hands.

I only wish there was something I could do, Ambassador.

Madam Ambassador.

Madam Ambassador.

But all the guest quarters on the station are roughly the same size.

Then move me to the crew level.

All the quarters on the crew level are currently occupied.

Then someone can move.

You, for example.

MALE: She did the same thing during the voyage here.

She's never satisfied.

At least I didn't bother the Captain every hour with some new suggestion on how to run his ship.

He welcomed my suggestions as I'm sure your Commander Sisko will welcome them if we ever get to spend any time with him.

Well, Commander Sisko is extremely busy.

With what?

With... the... recalibration sweep.

What are you recalibrating?

Mmm? Everything.

Um, it's a sweeping... uh, a recalibration of all systems.

I cannot speak for the others but I would be fascinated to observe this recalibration, Doctor.

You would?

Well, after your long trip

I thought you might enjoy stopping by a holosuite.

TAXCO: Are you actually suggesting we indulge in one of those disgusting Ferengi sex programs?

No.

I... the holosuites are capable of many different--

Of course that's what he was suggesting. The Arbazan are so sexually repressed.

Why, this is outrageous.

Perhaps we should all just get some rest.

I did not come all this way to rest, Doctor.

I would like to see your facility.

A first-year officer assigned as our liaison.

Starfleet Command will hear of this.

Ambassador... Madam Ambassador

I'm only...

TROI: Oh, where is it? Oh, it's gone, it's gone!

What's gone, Madam Ambassador?

-Oh, my latinum hair brooch. -Quark!

I had just made my third straight cross. I was leaning across the table to pick up the dice again something brushed against me

-and my God! I've been wigged. -What's the problem, here?

Someone has stolen Ambassador Troi's latinum hair brooch.

I'm sorry, but as the sign says, the establishment is not responsible

-for the loss of any personal items. -Sign? What sign?

The one above the door.

You'd have to stand on a chair to read that.

House rules. I'm very sorry. Have a nice day.

-( gasps ) -You are dealing with the daughter of the Fifth House Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx

Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed.

Not my ear, please!

Yes, and I know where it hurts the most, you little troll.

Now, I want this room sealed and I want everyone in it strip-searched until you find my brooch.

ODO: May I be of service?

Oh, thank goodness.

Our Chief of Security, Odo.

What seems to be the problem?

Well, my brooch has been stolen. It's been in my family for 36 generations.

It's absolutely priceless and I want it back.

You're certain you were wearing it today?

Yes, of course I'm certain. I never use this hair without it.

I see.

You're... Betazoid?

Of course.

-Telepathic? -Yes.

And you sense no guilt anywhere in this room?

( sighs )

No, but Betazoids cannot read Ferengis.

ODO: Quark has plenty of reason to feel guilty but he usually doesn't have to resort to petty theft to fleece his clients.

Thank you.

ODO: Wait a minute.

Empty your pockets now.

Well...

Since when did you join Starfleet?

( gasps ) That's it--that's my brooch.

But how did you know?

Dopterians are distant relatives of the Ferengi.

It made sense that since you couldn't read Quark you might not be able to read this charming fellow either.

Oh, how perfectly brilliant of you.

Doctor, I want to know everything there is to know about your Security Chief.

{\an8}Computer, is the diagnostic on the fusion power plant finished yet?

{\an8}Affirmative.

{\an8}The fusion power plant is operating within normal parameters.

{\an8}What are you talking about?

{\an8}It's 13% below normal.

{\an8}Cardassain specifications accept operating efficiency within 20%.

{\an8}Well, I don't.

{\an8}Anara.

{\an8}Yes, sir.

{\an8}How much do you know about carbon reaction chambers?

{\an8}I've learned a little about laser-induced fusion

{\an8}not much more than the basics.

{\an8}Ah, it's a bloody inefficient system.

{\an8}I'd trade it in for a Federation model tomorrow if I could

{\an8}but it's all we've got.

{\an8}Do me a favor.

{\an8}Keep an eye on the exhaust plasma temperature.

{\an8}Computer, increase deuterium flow by five percent to reaction chamber two.

{\an8}Procedure is not recommended.

{\an8}Look, I've had enough of your opinions, damn it.

{\an8}Just do it!

{\an8}Procedure is not recommended.

{\an8}Consult Cardassian operational guidelines paragraph 254-A, now on screen.

{\an8}I don't want to read your tech manual. Fine. We'll do it ourselves.

{\an8}Reinitializing reactor two.

Directing plasma flow to conduits 143, 144...

Chief O'Brien, the power flow from reactor two has just been shut down.

What?

Computer, analyze reactor two failure.

Reactor two was shut down after sensors detected

a potential overload of the carbon reaction chambers.

That's it. That's the straw!

Relax, Chief. It's just a computer.

This is no computer. This is my archenemy.

You've got it working just fine, as far I can tell.

Fine? With all due respect, Commander.

As an engineer, I couldn't look at myself in the mirror if I allowed this computer to continue to perform as it is now.

I'll have to do a root canal.

Root canal?

It's engineering shorthand, sir. I'll have to get into its guts.

-and rebuild it from the ground up. -How long will that take?

Well, I'm still not that familiar with Cardassian technology but, oh, I guess no more than two, three years.

That's going to take a lot of man-hours. Is it really necessary?

You don't understand--

Let's just say I don't have your sensitivity to the computer.

That's all right. Forget about it.

-Uh, Chief... -It's all right. It doesn't matter.

Chief, I want you to do what you have to do.

Thank you, sir. I'll get right on it.

And this is Ops. The heart and soul of Deep Space 9.

Ah, there you are, Commander.

Gentlemen, Madam Ambassador.

They insisted on seeing operations, sir.

Of course.

Make yourselves at home. I trust that Doctor Bashir has been taking care of all your needs.

Well, he refuses to change my accommodations.

SISKO: Accommodations?

Well, if I have to sleep another night on a Cardassian bed with gargoyles staring at me from the wood poles...

KIRA: Commander.

An unidentified vessel is coming through the wormhole.

On screen. Excuse me.

Uh, you'll get a better view from over here.

Quite a sight isn't it?

That's it? That's the whole thing?

Well, yes, it is.

I was expecting more, somehow.

DAX: Scanners aren't picking up any life-forms on board.

-A probe? -Might be.

I'm reading an extensive computer array but no signals to suggest it's trying to maintain contact with a mother ship.

Are the computers compatible with ours?

It's hard to tell.

I don't recognize any known subprocessor patterns.

Obviously, the young woman doesn't have the necessary experience.

Perhaps I can--

The "young woman" over there has over 300 years experience, Ambassador.

DAX: I might have better luck if we towed it into the docking ring.

No, not until we know a little bit more about it.

Major, tow it to 500 meters off the docking ring.

Yes, sir.

Mr. O'Brien, try to set up an adaptive interface link and see if we can download any information from it.

Aye, sir.

I think it will be best if we clear this area.

But this probe may represent contact with a new species.

Commander, I think it would be appropriate for at least one Federation ambassador to be present at this historic occasion and since I have a particular interest in First Contact procedures...

I appreciate your interest, Ambassador and to keep you all informed, I'm scheduling a briefing at 0400. In the meantime, Dr. Bashir the best place to view this probe is from the docking ring near Port Seven.

I'll show them the way.

( sighs )

Such concentration.

Such intensity, such passion for your work.

Tracking intergalactic malefactors.

Most people find it rather tedious.

Tedious? ( chuckling )

No, those of us who have been beneficiaries of your heroism would never call your work tedious.

We've learned that, on this station you are the thin, beige line between order and chaos.

That's my job.

Now, what can I do for you? You haven't lost anything else, I hope.

Only my heart.

I beg your pardon?

Is, um...

Is Odo your first or last name?

Yes.

Oh. Then I can just call you, uh?

Odo.

It has a certain lyrical quality.

Lyrical?

Odo...

It rolls off the tongue.

Uh...

I have a lot of work to do.

I understand you're a shape-shifter.

That's correct.

I've never been with a shape-shifter.

"Been with?"

I've heard that you're the only one of your kind.

So far.

Mmm. All the men I've known have needed to be shaped, and molded, and manipulated and finally I've met a man who knows how to do it himself.

Oh...

( groaning ) Is that the com? I think it is. Excuse me.

I've got to get to Ops.

COMPUTER: Initiating high-resolution scan. Memory nodes located.

Proceeding with data transfer.

Yeah, there you go. Who would have thought?

You seem surprised, Chief.

Well, knowing this computer,

I thought I would have had to reconfigure the whole emulator module to make it compatible with the probe but it's cooperating for once.

Transfer of data is complete.

Well done, computer.

Computer, run standard code translations on probe data.

Isolate syntax results.

Processing.

Stand by.

Come in. Yes, Odo.

Commander...

-I have a problem. -Quark again?

No, sir. This one is named Lwaxana.

Lwaxana Troi, the ambassador?

That's her.

There was a minor incident at the bar that I helped her with, and now she's...

Grateful.

What's the problem?

The manner in which she expresses her... gratitude.

To be honest, Commander, she seems...

Interested in me.

What's wrong with that?

She's extremely aggressive.

I see. So she's after you.

Like a Wanoni tracehound.

Have you thought of letting her catch you?

Sir?

A little romance, Odo.

I have six pylons that need a complete security sweep.

I don't have time for romantic interludes.

Frankly, in my humble opinion, most of you humanoids spend far too much time on your respective mating rituals.

It does help the procreation of one's species.

Procreation does not require changing how you smell or writing bad poetry, or sacrificing various plants to serve as tokens of affection.

In any event, it's all irrelevant to me.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I would appreciate it if you would do something about this woman.

Me?

Just tell her to leave me alone.

Constable, you can handle thieves and killers, but not one Betazoid woman?

I understand thieves and killers. I don't understand... her.

I can't help you, Odo.

I'm just trying to avoid a diplomatic incident.

I don't want to insult the Ambassador.

SISKO: A reasonable concern.

I suggest you handle the matter with great delicacy.

I don't handle "delicacy" very well.

The probe appears to be made out of some sort of corundium alloy.

COMPUTER: Analysis of all subprocessor modules is complete.

Already?

On screen.

Lieutenant?

No science modules no communications system and enough computer capacity to run a Galaxy-class starship.

It's very odd.

That's an awful lot of computer hardware simply to navigate a probe.

Anything?

Nothing to suggest the probe's mission...

Or any hint of its origin.

Ah! There you are, Odo!

( laughs ) Have you ever been on the fourth moon of Andevian II at dawn?

Can't say I have.

I have the most wonderful holoprogram. And I've reserved a suite for us with that Quark person.

You told Quark that you were going into a holosuite with me?

Well, of course.

He's preparing a special picnic basket for us.

Good Lord.

I'm afraid I'm not available.

I have to get to Upper Pylon 3 immediately.

Madam Ambassador...

Oh, Lwaxana.

Um... Upper Pylon 3.

I've always wanted to see an upper pylon.

I know, I'll have Quark send one of his minions with our basket.

We'll have our picnic up there.

Madam Ambassador...

Oh, Lwaxana.

I don't eat. This is not a real mouth.

It is an approximation of one. I do not have an esophagus or a stomach or a digestive system. I am not like you.

Every 16 hours, I turn into a liquid.

I can swim.

Oh!

Computer?

Computer!

Odo to Ops.

Go ahead, Odo.

Ambassador Troi and I are stuck in Turbolift 7.

-What's going on? -Power to the pylon turbolifts has failed.

We're reading a turbolift failure, Odo. We'll beam you out.

Locking on. Prepare to transport.

ODO: Ready.

Energizing.

Well?

KIRA: Looks like the transporter is down, too.

But don't worry, Constable.

We'll get it repaired right away.

Dax to Chief O'Brien. Please report to Ops immediately.

Be patient, Odo.

We'll get you out of there as soon as we can.

Well, alone at last.

COMPUTER: Electromotive coil functions, normal.

Load detection functions, normal.

Diagnostic complete.

I don't get it.

Every component of the turbolift power net seems to be operational.

We can't find anything wrong with the transporter.

Great, everything's in working order except nothing's working.

How do we get our people out of the turbolift, Chief?

Well, if we were on a starship, I'd reroute the EPS power flow in a couple of hours, but with this computer there's no telling how long it'll take.

Get it started.

Kira to Odo.

Yes, Major?

I'm sorry, but you're going to have to stay put for a while longer.

Define "a while."

I wish I knew.

By the way, Cardassian turbolifts

run exposed, multi-phased alternating currents

through their positioning mechanisms

so don't try to shape-shift your way out.

I wouldn't think of it.

Besides, it wouldn't be polite.

I didn't hear that.

I--It wouldn't be polite.

Understood. Kira out.

( sighs )

Do you suppose that we're, uh... we're actually in any danger?

Not if we remain calm.

Ah.

Well, then we might as well enjoy ourselves.

Uh, we can take the opportunity to get to know each other.

I'd really prefer to pass the time quietly.

-Quietly. -Quietly.

-Of course. -Thank you.

Mmm.

( sighs )

The quiet man.

Hmm.

You know, I've always been attracted to quiet men.

Odd, isn't it?

But maybe there's more truth than we realize to that old axiom that op--

Quietly.

Odo.

Yes?

I don't think I can.

Can what?

Well, you don't have to say another word as long as we're here but I, I think I really need to talk.

( groans )

I understand.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

Of course not.

No, things could be much worse.

Really?

( sighs )

My daughter and I were once trapped aboard a Ferengi cargo ship, and it was dreadful.

Well, all right, it wasn't actually dreadful.

It was mildly lamentable and it was all because of that loathsome DaiMon.

Well...

Actually, he wasn't altogether loathsome.

He was just slightly repulsive.

But he did have a certain charm in an insufferable kind of way.

Of course, he was totally at the mercy of his uncontrollable passion for me which means he wasn't all bad, now, doesn't it?

And you know, it wasn't all passion, no.

There was some negligible commercial interest involved but, oh, the passion oh, that was... that was perfectly real and kind of, um, kind of sweet in a way.

He was so helpless.

At first, it was totally a question of expediency when I made love with--with him.

What are you looking at?

Hmm?

Hmm?

Oh.

Uh, nothing.

I was just wondering how many volts are in that exposed circuit.

Go on. Go on.

Well... frankly by the time one thing led to another...

Think of it as an opportunity, Doctor. You never know when a friendly ambassador is going to be in the right place at the right time to help your career.

Another hour with them could destroy my career.

It's a simple job. Just keep them happy and away from me.

Simple?

Nothing makes them happy.

They are dedicated to being unhappy and to spreading that unhappiness wherever they go.

They are the Ambassadors of Unhappy.

( laughing )

All of us have had these assignments, Doctor.

Have you, sir?

As a matter of fact Curzon Dax used to take perverse pleasure in assigning me to take care of VIP guests.

Oh, so now you take the same perverse pleasure.

In doing it to me.

Exactly.

May I ask, sir when you graduated from this sort of assignment?

The day I hit one of the guests.

Hit one...

It was a simple misunderstanding over his attempt to coax a young Ensign to his quarters against her will.

But...

Don't hit one of them, Doctor.

I'm not nearly as understanding as Curzon was.

Yes, sir.

O'Brien: Commander, can I talk to you?

-It's about the computer, sir. -Still giving you problems?

No, sir, that's just the thing, it's not.

It rerouted the EPS power flow in less than an hour.

That's good news.

How soon can we get Odo and the Ambassador out?

We can't. It didn't activate the turbolift circuits.

Don't ask me why.

You must have some idea of what's wrong.

I want you to listen to something.

Computer, analyze Ops 0-2 sensor readings.

COMPUTER: All sensors read between 14.3 and 14.4 KSC.

Computer, restart all shield generator subsystems.

Shield generator subsystems set to active status.

Reading 98.3% efficiency.

( whispering ) Do you hear it?

( whispering ) Hear what?

The voice, it's not the same attitude.

It sounds like the computer.

Sir, when you work with a computer as much as I do you get to know it. They're all very different.

Working with the Enterprise computer was like dancing a waltz.

With this computer, it's always been like a wrestling match till we started downloading the probe.

You think some kind of program from the probe is influencing our computer?

Well, it's got to be more than just a program, sir.

The computer's whole personality has changed.

It's not resisting any commands offering any opinions, giving any arguments and there's this one other crazy thing I'm almost afraid to mention.

What's that?

Every time I leave something happens to bring me back.

Bring you back?

To the computer like the failures to the turbolifts and the transporters.

A few minutes ago, I was working at the transporter pad and the com lines went down and when I broke for a quick bite to eat we had a replicator failure.

It's almost like the computer doesn't want me to leave it alone.

You almost make it sound like a child.

SISKO: Station Log, supplemental.

Odo and Ambassador Troi remain trapped in Turbolift 4.

As of yet, we have been unable to ascertain what it is

that's causing the station's computer to malfunction.

What if it's some kind of non biological life-form we've never seen before?

Nonbiological?

Well, it all comes down to how we define life-form.

But just as biological organisms have evolved in our cultures mechanical life could have done the same in others.

You're suggesting someone left a baby at our doorstep.

Possibly.

Do you think we can communicate with it?

Well, in a way, we already have.

I mean, it's part and parcel of our computer now.

But as far as direct communication is concerned it may not be capable of that.

We haven't seen any evidence that this entity is sentient.

KIRA: Maybe more like a stray puppy that's attached itself to you, Chief.

Whatever it is, it's slowly disabling our station.

People, we've got to get it out of there.

It came here when we downloaded the probe's files.

If we upload those same files back to the probe it might go with them.

What if it's fully integrated itself into our computer?

I don't think it has. That would make it more like a virus.

But I don't see any evidence that it's trying to overwrite our control networks or destroy our systems.

I think it's more likely that it simply creates connections with areas of the computer that are active.

Almost as though it feeds off the energy of the computer functions.

If I'm right, transferring all of its programming off the station might just solve our problems.

How long since we had any communication from Odo?

Com lines have been down over 90 minutes. He's been in there almost four hours now.

Do you happen to know the schedule of his regenerative cycle?

My God, I have no idea but if he doesn't get back to his pail in time...

COMPUTER: Subspace emitter aligned. Outgoing data stream activated.

Computer, upload all probe command sequences back to probe's computer.

Stand by.

Unable to complete requested function. Please abort and retry.

Reset subspace emitter.

Reinitialize data stream.

Receptors open. Control relays activated.

Upload all probe command sequences back to probe's computers.

Stand by.

It's not as easy as I thought it would be, Commander.

Is it just the lights or the heat, too? I didn't bring any warm clothes.

I'm sure it's just temporary.

I've been reading the reports of your Chief of Operations, Doctor.

They gave me the impression that he was a competent engineer.

Chief O'Brien? One of the best in Starfleet.

Then why aren't the backup systems functioning?

Well, you know...

Out here on the edge of the frontier it's just one adventure after another.

Why don't I escort you all back to your quarters, where I'm sure we can all wait this one out.

But enough about me.

Hmm?

Enough about me. Tell me about yourself.

I'm really a private man.

Yes, of course you are.

Is that hair real?

It is real in that it is me.

It is not real hair.

How did you do it?

Your hair.

It took a great deal of practice.

You studied hairstyles?

( sighs )

If you must know I imitated the hairstyle of the Bajoran man who was assigned to me.

Assigned?

To study me at the research center. He was a scientist.

You mean that's how you grew up in a laboratory?

I did not grow up as you think of it.

It was merely a transition from what I used to be...

To what I learned to become.

Oh...

It sounds very lonely to me.

I was always very self-sufficient.

I'm sure you had to be... uh, to survive...

Being... being so different from everyone else.

Odo to Ops.

Odo to Ops.

Com lines are still down.

I don't know what's taking so long.

Are you sure you're all right? You look warm.

It's nothing. I'm fine.

Oh, I can't imagine how it must have been.

You know, if it bothers you to talk about this...

Not at all.

What was it like?

I guess you could say I was the life of the party.

I don't think I understand.

My way of trying to fit in.

I found I could be entertaining.

"Odo, be a chair." I'm a chair. "Odo, be a razorcat." I'm a razorcat.

Life of the party.

( chuckles )

I hate parties.

Well, perhaps you've been going to the wrong ones.

Come to one of mine, Odo.

I'll make sure that all the guests are there to entertain you.

( groans )

Now, now, you're not well.

No, it's fine. It's just, uh...

I told you I turn into a liquid every 16 hours.

Well, I'm in hour 15.

Ready, Commander.

How long do you expect it to take?

Well, if it works we ought to be able to get all the probe's files manually transferred to the six isolinear rods in less than 60 seconds.

Let's do it.

Computer, run a level-1 diagnostic of all power systems on board.

Requested function will require 43 minutes.

Stand by.

SISKO: Computer, give me an analysis of all Cardassian traffic along the border.

Processing long-range sensors. Stand by.

DAX: Computer create a historical data base for all known wormhole activity.

( stuttering ) Indicate time parameters.

DAX: All known occurrences.

( slowly ) Requested function will require subspace link-up.

DAX: In that case, create a subspace link with Nehru Colony,

New France Colony, and Corado I Transmitter Array.

( stuttering ) Attempting link-up. Stand by...

Computer, access musical files in the Bajor Master Data Banks and create a concert program of Bajoran serenas.

Stand... by...

( fading ) Unable to...

Stand...

I'm reading a huge plasma surge in the Habitat Ring.

You tell Commander Sisko that I expect that probe briefing to be held on schedule, lights or no lights.

I will surely pass that on, Ambassador--

We've got a plasma explosion in corridor H-12-A, guest quarters.

The computer's not responding.

None of the fire suppression systems are coming on line.

I'm reading four life-forms in that corridor.

Major, you're with me. Chief, get an emergency crew down there.

-We'll need manual fire gear. -Aye, sir.

( coughing )

( coughing )

SISKO: Phasers at maximum.

Toranium inlay, Cardassian design I should have guessed.

We're going to need a bipolar torch to get through it.

Then get a message to Ops.

Tell them it's going to take us a while to get inside.

If they can't get the fire suppression systems on line we're going to lose our people in there.

Aye, sir.

It's not paying any attention to me.

I guess it just doesn't want to leave like a scared puppy.

We have no idea how long that probe was tumbling through space, maybe years, with that life-form alone on board.

It's sort of like shutting up a puppy in a room, you know?

I had a pup once. If I had to lock him up he'd scratch forever at the door trying to get out.

I'm not sure I know what you're getting at.

Pups don't like to be left alone. They like attention.

This one is certainly getting a lot of it.

That's right.

So it's no wonder it doesn't want to leave.

OK, but how is that going to help us?

Everything we've seen suggests that this entity likes to be where the action is.

It seems to feed off the energy of an active computer.

We've been trying to separate it from what it thrives on.

We've got to do the exact opposite.

The exact opposite?

Lieutenant, I've got to build a doghouse.

( labored breathing )

Odo to Ops.

( moaning )

Odo out.

Odo, turn around.

I can't. It's beginning.

It's all right.

You don't understand.

No one has ever seen me like this before.

Not even the scientist who was assigned to you?

That was different.

It was only research to him.

But you don't have to be ashamed with me.

I'm not ashamed.

It's a private matter, that's all.

How can I make it easier for you?

You can't.

I'm fine.

What's that?

My hair.

No one's ever seen me like this.

Why?

It looks fine.

It looks ordinary.

I've never cared to be ordinary.

So you see, Odo, even we non-shape-shifters have to change who we are once in a while.

You are not at all what I expected.

No one's ever paid me a greater compliment.

I... cannot hold my shape any longer.

Let go.

I'll take care of you.

( moaning )

KIRA: We're going to need portable oxygen and get anything

Bashir has in stock to treat plasma burns. Have a runabout ready to evacuate these people to Bajor if we need to.

Yes, sir.

Anara?

The subprogram is ready, Chief.

Computer, analyze subprogram labeled "Pup."

Requested subprogram is a series of bi-directional data transfer

and monitoring commands.

Reroute all main computer backup functions through this subprogram.

All backup functions rerouted.

Great.

OK, computer. Now, listen carefully.

I want to transfer all probe command sequences out of core memory and into the subprogram Pup.

Stand by.

Transfer complete.

Dax to Sisko. Fire suppression is responding.

All systems are back on line. Can you get in?

We're in, Dax. Stand by.

( electrical hissing and popping )

We'd better advise Starfleet Command.

( rattling )

Are you all right?

BASHIR: Here, take my hand, Madam Ambassador.

Watch your head.

Please, Julian.

Call me Taxco.

Ambassador, are you all right?

Yes. Thanks to Julian.

The Doctor was remarkably calm and logical, for a man of his years, under such severe conditions.

We'll be putting him in for a commendation.

Nice work, Dr. Bashir.

Just in the right place at the right time, sir.

Well, it's about time.

I... know that wasn't exactly what you had in mind for your picnic.

When it comes to picnics the only thing that really matters is the company.

Your sensitivity and discretion are appreciated.

Well...

Next time you see me I'll give you a lot more to appreciate.

How did you beat that thing in the computer, Chief?

-I didn't. -He adopted it.

Adopted it?

Well, I was able to get our friend out of the main command pathways and into a subprogram.

-You're suggesting we leave it in there? -I don't see why not.

It's happy. It's not bothering us anymore.

Well, it seems the humane thing to do.

It's just another new life-form visiting the station.

I'll take care of it. Make sure it gets enough attention and all.

Keep it off the furniture.

Yes, sir.