Home > Star Trek: The Next Generation

The Last Outpost

Captain's Log, Stardate 41386.4:

We are in pursuit of a starship of Ferengi design.

Our mission is to intercept and recover

a T-9 energy converter which the Ferengi stole

from an unmanned monitor post

on Gamma Tauri IV

a theft which automatic scanners recorded

providing us with the long-awaited opportunity

to make close contact with a Ferengi vessel.

If we succeed in this chase

it will be Starfleet's first look at a life-form

which, discounting rumor, we know almost nothing about.

There she is.

Enlarge.

What is their course?

They're now angling through that solar system, Captain.

Identify.

Listed as Delphi Ardu, sir-- eleven planets, unexplored.

Stay with them, La Forge.

Aye, sir.

Sensors read a power surge from their last maneuver, Captain.

LA FORGE: They are dropping to sub-warp speed.

Reduce to impulse power.

Sensors record fluctuations in the energy readings from it, Captain.

Possibility: a malfunction in their engines, sir.

Breaks my heart.

WORF: In visual range, Captain.

Fully enlarge.

Hello, stranger.

Very impressive design.

Anything on that design, Data?

Nothing specific, sir.

As you know, Ferengi technology is estimated to be generally equal to our own.

PICARD: But that does not mean identical, however.

Correct, sir.

We are no doubt advanced in some areas-- they in others.

Showing another power surge, sir.

They are firing on us!

Damage report.

YAR: Shields holding.

Mostly electromagnetic.

Fusion generator and batteries down by 30 percent.

Our impulse engines are surging now.

WORF: They're firing again.

YAR: Deflector shield power weakening, Captain.

Phasers ready.

Photon torpedoes ready.

Do we return their fire, sir?

Negative, Number One.

They're just responding to our close pursuit.

Fall back a bit, but stay with them.

They're slowing too, sir.

They may be turning to fight.

Open hailing frequen...

Why are we gaining on them?

Don't anticipate.

LA FORGE: I'm not, sir. Something's wrong.

DATA: Sir, something is dragging us forward.

I read that, too.

Lieutenant Yar, what do your sensors show?

Not certain, sir.

I'm getting very confusing readings.

Captain... this shouldn't be.

Our power systems are failing.

YAR: Deflector shield failing.

Phasers going inoperative, Captain.

Captain, something is completely immobilizing us.

Immobilized by the damn Ferengi!

I need more information.

What the hell are they using?

Obviously, we've underestimated their technology, Captain.

Considerably.

It appears the Ferengi have us right where they want us-- in their sights.

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.

Are you searching all frequencies?

Is there any sign of any message?

Negative, sir.

Weapons report, Lieutenant.

I have phasers and torpedoes armed but I show insufficient power to fire them.

Engineering, give me status on power recovery.

Engineering, come in.

Why aren't they answering?

La Forge. Sir?

Get me a full report from Engineering.

Aye, sir.

It's impossible they could be draining all power from all systems.

Counselor?

I'm sensing nothing from them, sir.

Which could mean they can shield their thoughts and emotions from others.

Which still makes it our move.

Sir, they may know as little about us as we do about them.

Except that they know that they've got us in deep trouble.

If so, then the question becomes what do they do with that knowledge?

Data, do you have any information touching this on any file?

None, sir.

Only hearsay and third-hand reports most of which conflict.

Which reports do not conflict?

That the Ferengi are...

Well, the best description may be "traders."

What kind of traders?

A comparison modern scholars have drawn from Earth history likens the Ferengi to the ocean-going Yankee traders of 18th and 19th century America, sir.

From the history of my forebears-- Yankee traders.

Who in this case sail the galaxy in search of mercantile and territorial opportunity.

And are these scholars saying that the Ferengi may not be unlike us?

Hardly, sir.

I believe the analogy refers to the worst quality of capitalists.

The Ferengi are believed to conduct their affairs of commerce on the ancient principle, caveat emptor--

"let the buyer beware."

RIKER: Yankee traders--

I like the sound of that.

Well, sir...

I doubt they wear red, white and blue or look anything like Uncle Sam.

Engineering?

Join La Forge down below in Engineering, Number One.

Aye, sir.

Without warp capacity, we're just a floating target.

Uncle who?

YAR: What have bright primary colors got to do with it?

I understand the allusion.

Colors representing countries at a time when they competed with each other.

Red, white and blue for the United States whereas the French more properly used the same colors in the order of blue, white and red.

And the German nation red, black and gold the Italians green, white and red; the British...

That's enough, Data.

It was you who...

We were discussing the Ferengi.

I wish I had some clue as to what they will do next.

Given what is now happening to our ship, sir their weapons could be vastly superior to ours.

Yes, Data, that is a natural assumption.

Engineering?

Bottom line, La Forge.

Uh, it's not good, sir.

The Ferengi force field that holds this ship compensates almost as fast as we can increase power.

Almost?

Well, there's a .372 millisecond delay between the use of our power and the neutralizing counter force of the Ferengi.

See, we push and they push back with equal force, sir.

What's our acceleration delay between slow-reverse impulse and top warp speed?

Well, that's .300 milliseconds, but there's...

Ah, I see where you're going.

We shift down then kick hard into warp nine.

Yeah, come back fighting! Whoo-whee!

Can we do it, Geordi?

Ask me after it's done, sir.

I want a slow reverse-engine drop-off over five minutes.

We'll show them what this baby can do, sir.

Give me everything you've got, La Forge.

Aye, aye, sir.

RIKER: Now a sudden abrupt power surge to high warp speed, Captain we may be able to break loose from that Ferengi force field.

I wish I knew what they were thinking over there.

They're wondering what we're going to do next.

I say fight, sir.

There's nothing shameful in falling before a superior enemy.

And nothing shameful in a strategic retreat either.

LA FORGE: All systems ready, Captain.

And communication now restored to engineering.

Excellent, La Forge.

Now, let's uh...

Let's throw them off guard.

Lieutenant Yar, open hailing frequencies.

Hailing frequencies open, sir.

At least we won't begin with weakness.

Attention, Ferengi starship.

This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise.

In the name of the United Federation of Planets

I demand that you return the T-9 energy converter you removed from Gamma Tauri IV.

Send that in all language forms.

All language forms, sir.

Sometimes, Riker the best way to fight is not to be there.

Yes, sir.

"He will triumph who knows when to fight and when not to fight."

I'm glad the Academy is still teaching the strategies of Sun Tzu.

This delay had better prove out, La Forge.

.300 milliseconds, sir.

Let's blast full power into warp nine.

Ready?

On your command, Captain.

On the count of three.

Stand by on phasers.

One-- set warp to nine.

Two-- divert shield power to main engines.

Three.

Merde.

Shields up.

Captain, I think you had better see this.

What's wrong?

Someone is reading every file every bit of information stored in the Enterprise memory banks.

They can do that?

And more, perhaps.

Captain.

If I may recommend.

With our attention on the Ferengi vessel we have ignored the planet.

Data, consult the charts on this planet.

See what we've got on it.

Conference evaluation.

So, while we still have some power left it's time for difficult decisions.

Opinions, please?

I say put all available power into a full-out, combined phaser and photon torpedo salvo.

Destroy their ability to sustain this force field, sir.

Yes!

Hit them hard and hit them fast.

Impractical.

And provocative.

Even assuming that we have the power to sustain such a tactic.

But, Captain, isn't firing on us an act of war?

TROI: The facts are the Ferengi did fire on us but we were chasing them.

Since then, all they've done is search our computers trying to learn who and what we are.

Your point, Counselor?

Let's talk to them.

It's been tried. No response.

But did we tell them anything they wanted to hear?

La Forge?

Other opinions?

Thank you for your advice.

PICARD: Will...

I haven't heard your assessment.

I believe we've covered every available option, Captain.

Are there other options that you want to analyze?

The only one remaining is the one that needs no conversation-- the one we must avoid.

Sir?

The one that leads to total annihilation.

Open hailing frequencies.

DATA: Open, sir.

Attention, Ferengi starship.

This is Captain Picard.

It is obvious that we are in a situation here which needs resolving and we are willing to do whatever is... required.

Whatever is necessary.

I would like...

I would request that you present your terms to us.

Captain's Log, Stardate 41386.5:

It is with a heavy heart

that I have offered to meet

whatever reasonable and necessary terms are demanded

by the Ferengi.

I fear for my people and my vessel in the event

the unknown Ferengi ask the unreasonable.

How can I oppose even unreasonable demands?

It's moving, sir.

WORF: We ask to surrender and now they fire on us?

Ready torpedoes, sir.

We have enough power for a few of them.

Ready.

But hold on ready.

Open hailing frequencies.

Hailing frequencies open, sir.

Ferengi vessel, we await your response.

Suggest first strike, sir.

Our shields now only have 63 seconds of power left before lowering.

WORF: If the Ferengis' ship sensors can read us, sir they will be waiting until we are most vulnerable.

I'm afraid I agree, Captain; they have not responded...

We will wait a bit more, Number One.

50 Seconds.

Patience.

Patience.

The quicker we can come to terms the better, NCC 1701-D.

Who is speaking?

I am Tarr, Daimon of the Ferengi.

You wished to discuss surrender, Captain Picard?

What I said, Daimon Tarr, is...

Unconditional surrender, I warn you is totally unacceptable.

We will die to the last one of us before such dishonor.

Hailing frequencies closed, sir.

Something has seized their ship, too.

They're in the same predicament as us.

Launch a sensor probe.

Set it to search for the source of... whatever this "something" is that is holding both ships.

Go back to hailing frequency, fast.

...and I regret, Daimon Tarr, that I can no longer negotiate unless it is conducted visually.

Your complete message not received, Enterprise but visual communication is against our custom.

And it is against Starfleet orders to accept a surrender otherwise.

Do you withdraw your surrender?

You give us no choice, Enterprise.

May we have a visual on you, as well?

Agreed, Daimon Tarr.

You should be able to view us now.

Are we on your screen?

Yes, the ugliness of the hu-man was not an exaggeration.

I do not know how your twisted alien culture has paralyzed our vessel but I concede your Enterprise is superior.

We will return your worthless T-9 device and we offer the lives of our second officers as required by the Ferengi code.

Fortunately, Starfleet has no such rules involving its second officers.

Is this to your satisfaction Picard Captain?

Your offer may be inadequate but I will discuss it with my staff.

Stand by for further communication.

Matthew! Pola!

You know this area is off-limits!

Come on, come on!

Boys will be boys, Captain.

Lieutenant, have you launched the probe?

Aye, sir.

We should be getting those readings soon.

If we're not holding the Ferengi and they're not holding us, who the hell is?

Well, the probe will give us some of those answers, sir.

Data!

You were going to show us something.

As requested, Captain library computer information on this planet.

It has been charted only from long-range scans.

It is class "M" but shows no indication of life-forms-- sentient or otherwise.

However, you may find this of interest.

Resolving it into our language.

The center of a huge space federation-- a population of trillions.

Trillions?

I've never heard the word "Tkon" before.

Understandable.

It has been extinct for 600,000 of our... of our years.

These... these planets were once... outposts... of that empire...

Data, what are you doing?

Apologies, Captain.

I seem to have reached an odd functional impasse.

I am, uh...

...stuck.

Then get unstuck and continue with the briefing.

Yes, sir.

That is what I'm trying to do, sir but the solution eludes me.

My hero.

( laughter )

Continue, Commander.

Intriguing.

It... it describes the empire as being highly advanced and powerful and capable of actually moving stars.

Stars whose planets are their defense system.

Correct, sir.

Outposts.

The planet below was possibly one of them.

YAR: Excuse the interruption, Captain but this may be worth it.

We're now receiving a signal from the probe.

We'll take it here.

( low whistle )

Incredible!

There's our mysterious "something," Captain.

It is a force field of some kind.

Reaching up from the planet's surface.

Amazing power.

Data, what does the legend say about the end of the Tkon empire?

Their sun went supernova, sir.

Could this planet have escaped that?

This planet may have been the most distant outpost, sir but it shows no life-form readings.

We should take a look at it, Number One.

Stand by with an away team.

RIKER: And if the Ferengi also realize that the force field emanates from the planet, sir?

Mmm. That's a complication.

Maybe we should ask them to join us in this.

Team up with the Ferengi, sir?

We've been ordered to learn all we can about them.

Do you know a better way?

Data.

Captain's Log, supplemental:

In orbit of a mysterious planet whose unexplained force field

has seized us with a power almost beyond imagination.

If there is a solution to this it almost certainly will involve cooperation from the Ferengi.

Ship's power drain is critical, Captain.

I must now shut down our shields to maintain life-support systems.

Understood.

Open hailing frequencies.

Hailing frequencies open, sir.

Ferengi vessel from Enterprise.

Come in.

Your alien images again shock us.

With regard to the surrender

Daimon Tarr, the facts are somewhat different.

Our own probe has already shown us your trickery, hu-man.

We withdraw our surrender.

Agreed.

Perhaps you would agree to a more productive relationship.

I prefer a more profitable one, hu-man.

Yankee trader.

Explain what means "Yankee traders."

He heard that?!

He recognizes your interest in profit... or is that an incorrect assumption?

We seek only what is equitable.

What do you seek?

Why did you begin by attacking us?

We did not attack you.

We gave chase in order to recover a Federation-owned energy device...

Which we know is ours!

Your barbarous Federation placed it on one of our planets.

On the contrary--

Gamma Tauri IV is recognized by all civilized...

The Ferengi are not uncivilized, hu-man!

Are you suggesting otherwise?

All I'm saying is that you removed something which clearly did not belong to you.

Are you now calling us thieves?

On the contrary.

I have no wish to discuss issues of property or of territory while our mutual problem remains.

Like it or not we are both trapped by this energy-draining force field from the planet.

On that matter, there can be no argument.

I would like to propose a swap.

And what is a "swap"?

It's a trade-- an exchange.

Yes, trade, hu-man.

What do you offer?

We will tell you what we know about the planet and in trade, you will give us your information.

Ridiculous! How do we know you will not withhold information.

We must trust each other, Tarr.

( laughs )

Amusing, hu-man.

"Trust" each other?

I propose that we test this relationship by cooperating in a joint exploration of the planet's surface.

And what profit is in this Picard Captain?

The profit, Daimon Tarr, of saving all our lives.

We will agree, no doubt foolishly but you are warned that any further trickery on your part will be met with no mercy.

Agreed.

If you care to join us we have a well-proven transporter device...

We have a matter-energy device of our own.

We will beam a science team of three to whatever coordinates you propose.

Excellent, we will transmit the information shortly.

Enterprise out.

Hailing frequencies off.

I would log that agreement as promising, at least.

I wonder, Captain.

I'm not usually one for distrust at first sight but this may be an exception.

Especially in view of the fact that the image he transmitted, sir was somehow distorted.

I sense the same thing, Captain.

He's hiding something.

With this power drain, we can't delay.

Now, I'd like some additional help in case we run into trouble.

Can you spare Worf?

Take him.

And be careful, Number One.

DATA: With this power drain we may have trouble communicating with the Enterprise, sir.

Understood. Anything else?

Due to this force field there is presently no way to beam us back, sir.

Oh, you had to ask.

Understood.

Energize.

( explosive thunder )

Tasha!

Data!

Geordi!

Worf!

Anybody!

Data?

What are you doing up there?

Most intriguing, sir.

I assume a problem of inaccurately transmitted program coordinates due to the force field around the ship, sir.

Are we alone, sir?

Unfortunately.

Let's find the others.

What do you make of these?

Crystalline.

Mostly inert.

Nothing to write home about.

Excuse me?

Slang, sir.

I did use it correctly, did I not?

They've got to be around here somewhere.

What's that?

What?

That!

Geordi!

Are you conscious?

Do I look conscious?

What are you doing?

I'm resting, sir.

My foot stuck-- up there!

I materialized upside down above the planet surface.

DATA: Tricorder's useless, sir.

Communication's gone, too.

Fortunately, you did not break...

Data?

Hmm?

Data, who's that?

Who are you?

Captain's Log, supplemental:

It is now six hours since our away team beamed down

to the planet's surface.

On the Enterprise

our condition is rapidly worsening.

Ordinarily, with reserve power alone

we could maintain life support for several months

but the force holding us has closed down all engines

and is draining our reserve power, too.

It's getting much, much, much colder, sir.

How far down is it likely to go?

A lot.

Even in orbital space it'll get below minus 200 degrees.

We won't have to worry much past minus 70 or so.

Feels like that now.

Good, thank you.

LETEK: If he moves, kill him.

Has what we've done broken our agreement with their Captain?

We will accuse the humans of preparing to ambush us.

It will be our word against theirs.

And who is more trustworthy, Mordoc?

It looks like gold.

Tastes like gold.

RIKER: It is gold.

( thunder crashing loudly )

( screams )

( screams )

Accursed planet.

It's nothing compared to what our Captain will do when he finds out you've broken our landing party agreement.

What part of the agreement?

You appeared and attacked us.

Are you one of their assassins?

I am Commander William Riker, First Officer of the USS Enterprise.

You have a lot to learn.

I've got this one!

Careful, Commander, they're much stronger than...

Pygmy cretins!

Kill them.

Hideous monsters!

No!

Good.

You've heard of phasers.

Now, over there.

Is this a female?

A human female, Letek?

It is true.

You work with your females arm them and force them to wear clothing.

Sickening.

I've diverted the reserve power down here to the family decks.

They'll last longest.

Is there anything else we can do, Doctor?

Where is Wesley?

He's in our quarters.

I was tempted to give him a sedative.

You shouldn't.

I know, but he's my son.

I love him.

He has the right to meet death awake.

Is that a male perspective?

Rubbish.

Hold it right there.

YAR: Stop.

Stop!

Phasers on stun.

Already set.

What's going on?

What is this?

I believe we can deduce these crystalline tree-shapes are actually energy collectors.

Along the same principle as that which is draining energy from our ships.

But the Ferengi whips were working when we first arrived.

Which means something new has happened.

LA FORGE: I'm finally beginning to understand what my eyes have been showing me.

It's patterns of force everywhere.

This entire planet has been turned into a power accumulator.

And these?

It's the whole point of this place.

I can see the planet's power emanating from...

Commander.

PORTAL: Be you barbarians?

Speak!

( screaming )

PORTAL: Who meets the challenge?

Who will it be?

Him.

You have awakened portal six-three.

Do you petition to enter the empire?

Who asks the question?

A guardian of the Tkon empire.

Biped, excellent.

Why would we petition to enter an empire that no longer exists?

PORTAL: Why do you attempt this deception?

The empire is forever.

Your empire fell prey to a supernova.

We are forever.

Data.

Please repeat the file.

It is a matter of record, Portal.

In the age of Makto the central star of the Tkon empire destabilized...

There has never been an age of Makto.

In fact, there have been many ages which have come and passed since Makto.

This is the age of Bastu.

I'm afraid not.

According to the Tkon use of the galactic motionary startime charts after Bastu came Cimi

Xora, Makto...

Enough!

Absurdities.

You must have been asleep, Portal for hundreds of thousands of our years.

Deception is the way of the human.

We Ferengi will gladly make a petition.

We invite your petition.

Speak.

FERENGI: We wish to offer our services to serve the Tkon empire at no profit.

Return control of our starship to us and we will happily destroy the human criminals and their vessel which attacked us without provocation.

They came to loot your empire but... we intercepted them.

You are accused of deceit and treachery.

Do you give yourself up for judgment?

RIKER: Yes.

If you believe these accusations then you certainly should act on them.

And there is even more.

We can prove that the humans are destroyers of legal commerce.

And that they selfishly withhold vital technology from backward worlds.

And necessary defensive weapons, too.

We Ferengi are now challenge this human madness.

I admit we withheld modern technologies from some worlds.

You see, they are demented.

Their values are insane.

You cannot believe the business opportunities they have destroyed.

Proof of their barbarism-- they adorn themselves with gold.

A despicable use of the valuable metal.

And they shamelessly clothe their females.

Inviting others to unclothe them.

The very depth of perversion.

Paws off, Ferengi!

No female-- human or Ferengi can order Mordoc around.

Submit.

Just try it, shorty.

At ease, Lieutenant.

And we still have more faults.

They should add that Starfleet has permitted several civilizations to fall.

We have at times allowed the strong and violent to overcome the weak.

They admit their crimes.

Hear them.

They admit the evil that they do.

Barbarian.

Yes, you show wisdom.

Barbarians, all.

But this one first.

In the fashion the empire has always challenged savages.

No!

For battle, come to me!

No!

That's an order.

PORTAL: You have a single chance for life.

One only.

What is the answer to my challenge?

I offer a thought.

"He will triumph who knows when to fight and when not to fight."

You are being tested, Riker.

What is the answer?

How do you know my name?

Ah...

You are facing fate with composure.

But what is the answer to my challenge?

Fear is the true enemy, the only enemy.

Unlike these little ones who close their minds your mind holds interesting thoughts.

"Know your enemy and know yourself and you will always be victorious."

Why that thought?

And who is this Sun Tzu you revere?

An old Chinese philosopher from ancient Earth history.

You must tell me more of this wisdom-- so much like our own.

Gladly, but first, our starship.

Can you release it?

It is released.

All power is restored.

Not a moment too soon, Jean.

I mean, Captain.

I admit, I had my doubts as your ships battled each other in overt acts of belligerence.

Normally, I would have destroyed all of you and your ships but something confused me.

Which was?

First, you wanted to destroy each other then you were willing to assist each other.

What of our vessel?

We knew the same answer.

The truth is I gave those words to this human.

What of them?

Shall I destroy them?

Then they would learn nothing.

A most interesting conclusion.

But what if they never learn, Riker?

Is this a test also?

In life, one is always tested.

I see them much as we were several hundred years ago.

But possessing the technology they now have they're very dangerous.

Untrue.

We seek friendship with you.

But we can hardly hate what we once were.

They may grow and learn.

And learn ways to destroy you.

Well, our values require us to face that possibility.

What of you?

With your empire gone?

The universe exists to me to create life.

I shall sleep... until needed again.

( explosive thunder )

Compliments, Lieutenant.

Thank you.

Lieutenant Worf.

You've done well.

Something to write home about.

"Something to write home about"?

Data, that's very human.

The T-9 energy converter has been beamed aboard and secured, sir.

The Ferengi complained bitterly, but one final roar from Portal convinced them.

I commend your performance, Number One.

One final request, sir.

Permission to beam a box of Data's Chinese finger puzzles over to the Ferengi.

A "thank you" for all they tried to do.

Make it so.

Set course, La Forge.