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Lonely Among Us

Captain's log, stardate 41249.3.

We have orbited the two major planets

of the Beta Renner system,

taking aboard delegates from those two worlds.

Since achieving space flight

their major life-forms--

the Anticans and the Selay-- have become deadly enemies,

but both have also applied for admission into our Federation.

We are to deliver these delegates

to this sector's neutral conference planet--

called Parliament--

in the hope their dispute can be resolved.

I'm Captain Picard. Welcome aboard.

We hope your journey will be pleasant and comfortable.

Arranging that will be my first officer, Commander Riker.

Welcome aboard.

If you'll follow me, I will show you the accommodations...

We can already smell the Anticans.

They were taken aboard first?

Only because their world was first on this heading to Parliament.

Will our quarters be near the Anticans?

About 100 meters apart.

Is that all right?

No. Unsatisfactory.

I believe we can accommodate your wishes.

We'll rearrange the suite assignments.

If you'll follow me.

And we must be upwind from the Anticans.

Of course, sir.

Neither seem like very promising Federation candidates, sir.

Even Parliament's peacemakers may find this case a little difficult.

But do you understand the basis of all this nonsense between them?

No, sir. I never understood that sort of hostility even when I studied Earth history.

Really? Oh, yes.

Well, these life-forms feel such passionate hatred over matters of custom, god concepts... even, strangely enough, economic systems.

Sir, my sensors are picking up an unusual energy object ahead.

On screen.

Confirmed, sir.

My sensors read nothing solid, but considerable energy in changing patterns.

Also traveling at warp speed, sir.

Intriguing.

I can find no match with anything in our records, sir.

Change course to make a close sensor pass.

We can then increase warp speed and reach

Parliament on schedule. Aye, sir.

So, Worf, why the interest in this?

It's just routine maintenance on the sensor assemblies.

Simple, Geordi.

Our captain wants his junior officers to learn, learn, learn.

Not just his junior ones.

Okay, you hold this relay off-line while I adjust these sensor circuits.

Security to Sensor Maintenance.

Lieutenant La Forge here.

We're making a close sensor pass on an unusual object, Geordi.

Any problems?

Not at all, Lieutenant.

All equipment on-line and functioning.

Sensors ready, sir.

Life-form reading?

No life-form reading, sir.

Begin the pass.

Sir, it is changing shape.

Any readings of matter there?

Negative, sir.

Energy only.

( screaming )

Worf!

La Forge to Sick Bay.

We have a medical emergency in Sensor Maintenance.

I repeat, this is a medical emergency.

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.

What happened? I don't know.

He got hit by some sensor feedback, maybe.

( shouts )

You got it, Doc?

I got it.

Lieutenant Worf, can you hear what I'm saying?

( grunts )

Let's get him up. Okay.

Come on, big guy. On your feet.

Here we go.

That's it.

Are you okay?

He was just monitoring the sensor console when he jerked as though something hit him.

What my sensors showed was... it was a glow... just for a second.

I can't explain it.

Could your visor device have malfunctioned?

I doubt it, sir.

It seemed like what I was seeing was something real.

( growls )

Sorry to call you, sir.

Not strictly security.

It's about the dietary requirements of the Antican delegates.

I thought that had been taken care of in advance, Tasha.

So did we, sir.

Their live animals were beamed aboard.

We were going to preserve the meat for them... but they say we must bring it to them alive.

Then do so.

Lieutenant Yar was... confused.

We no longer enslave animals for food purposes.

But we have seen humans eat meat.

You've seen something as fresh and tasty as meat, but inorganically materialized out of patterns used by our transporters.

Sickening!

It's barbaric!

He's reading normal now.

How did you manage that?

Yes. Normal.

Are you all right?

Yes. Perfectly.

Both of us... quite normal now.

Where-- where am I?

Don't you remember?

You were in the sensor maintenance room.

I remember monitoring the sensor console.

What am I doing here?

That's a story the doctor will tell you.

Obviously, you seem to feel it's something we should look at more carefully.

A mystery is only a mystery as long as it remains un-investigated, sir.

Mm, I love a mystery, Data, but this one will have to wait until we've delivered the delegates to their peace conference on Parliament.

Time and tide, Lieutenant La Forge.

Go to warp 8.

Warp 8, sir.

Hi, Mom.

You're back early.

Yes.

Physical sciences class.

We're studying Dr. Channing's theory on dilithium crystals.

Tell me about it.

Really?

You never seemed that interested in warp theory before.

Doctor Channing thinks it's possible to force dilithium into even more useful crystals.

If, as shown here, matter and antimatter could be aligned even more efficiently...

Would that affect navigation?

This is engineering, not helm control.

Oh, yes, the helm's located on the bridge.

Mom?

Is something wrong?

This is the helm.

Unless there have been some changes I don't know about.

Dr. Crusher?

You will wish to know

Lieutenant Worf is much improved.

Ready to return to duty.

What was the diagnosis?

A temporary mental aberration.

Doctor!

When such a diagnosis concerns a bridge officer

I expect a better explanation.

Then I will have to first run some cross-checks on the library computer.

Klingons are so unusual in their reactions, aren't they?

Use Science Station 2, Doctor.

Intriguing, Doctor.

What does helm control have to do with medical cross-checks?

Why am I...

Is something wrong, Doctor?

Doctor? Are you all right?

Yes.

Yes.

I'll do my work in my office.

That's where I should be.

Do you want someone to accompany you?

Captain, there is a malfunction in this station.

I cannot bring any information up on it.

Science 2 does not function either, sir.

Engineering to Captain Picard.

We have something wrong with warp drive circuitry, sir.

Transporter Room 6 to Bridge.

Reporting transporter console malfunction, sir.

Data, this ship is less than a year out of spacedock.

What are the chances of this occurring?

It is a virtual impossibility, sir.

So what the hell is going on here?

And you're telling me that there are no explanations for these malfunctions?

At least, sir, all the department heads reported the damage repaired.

That was not my question, Number One.

What caused the malfunctions?

I believe it was a rampant electronic short that jumped from system to system, sir.

But the only thing is, um...

Yes, Mr. Singh?

That shouldn't be possible.

The affected systems don't generally interact with each other.

And where they do, well... it wasn't an interlink that was malfunctioning.

Have you spoken with Chief Engineer Argyle about this problem?

With all the engineering staff, sir.

They're just as puzzled.

Well, I'm not satisfied.

I want an explanation of this by the time we reach Parliament.

But, sir...

By the time we reach Parliament, Mr. Singh.

These weapons were taken from two of your people who were loitering out of sight in the vicinity of the Selay delegation's quarters.

Do you care to explain, sir?

These are not weapons, First Officer.

They are tools.

We use these to dispatch the animals we consume.

Your food supply is not on the same deck as the Selay delegation, sir.

And you have to admit that these could kill.

I admit some of my people are impulsive and we all have reason to hate the Selay.

They appear to have the same feelings about you, sir.

Ah, the nature of politics.

Nevertheless, Chief Delegate, you are on notice that all of your weapons, no matter what their basic function, are being confiscated.

Violence will not be tolerated on the Enterprise.

Of course not.

And if any does occur, let me assure you it will not be we Anticans who start it.

Thank you, sir.

But... we will finish it.

Sir, warp power is fading.

Picard to Engineering.

What is the problem?

We've lost the warp engine computer tie.

Warp five... four... three... two...

State-of-the-art vessel?

Data, signal Parliament we'll be delayed.

We will send a new arrival time as soon as it is determined.

Sir... subspace radio is out.

All right, gentlemen.

Your theories on this sudden vulnerability in our systems.

If the Enterprise were really this fragile, sir, she never would have left spacedock.

Therefore, her systems' failures are not endemic to the ship but are the result of the actions of an unknown adversary.

We have a saboteur aboard.

I believe I said that.

Gentlemen, the question is who?

I can't believe it's one of our own people.

Agreed. There must be someone from either alien delegation.

If the Ferengi could have bought or bribed even one of them that's all they'd need.

Ferengi contacts have been detected on both Selay and Antica, sir.

Can either of you suggest any other suspects?

You're sounding like a private eye, sir.

Inquiry: private eye?

A private consulting investigator, Data-- who solves crimes.

Hmm. Most interesting occupation.

In the world of fact, probably not.

However in literature, criminal detection can be a fascinating exercise.

The immortal Sherlock Holmes would have an interesting view of our mystery, I believe.

But I'm afraid we're going to have to find our solution without history's greatest consulting detective.

How about here, Mr. Singh?

If the control network breaks off at this point...

It bleeds warp engine commands off into dead ends.

Excellent.

Well, I believe I can handle it from here, Mr. Crusher.

But, sir...

You are scheduled for classwork now. Sorry.

Yes, sir.

But I don't learn nearly this much in school.

Well, I tend to agree.

But the captain's orders on this are very clear.

Hi.

Solve any new problems today?

I was starting to, maybe.

Mr. Singh sent me off to class.

Wes, you're only an acting ensign.

You've got to let the commissioned officers do some of the work.

Mom, I've learned a lot more than they understand.

For example-- with Channing's dilithium crystals theory I was telling you about...

When were you telling me about that?

This morning. Don't you remember?

Honestly, I don't remember.

Engineering to Captain Picard. Security alert.

Picard. Lieutenant Worf, sir.

I just found Mr. Singh.

He's dead.

Captain's log, stardate 41249.4.

I've ordered an immediate investigation

into the death of Assistant Chief Engineer Singh.

We continue to run on impulse power.

He could have been working there restoring warp power.

Well, according to these readings we can go back to warp speed now.

Those aren't the same readings as when I left.

Singh probably repaired it just before he was killed.

He couldn't have repaired it, sir.

The problems were inside the engines.

Who else could have corrected it, Wes?

Inform the bridge of engine status.

Engineering to Bridge.

We now have warp capacity, sir-- all power on-line.

Well done. Warp engines ready on previous heading.

Warp factor 6.

I tolerate these questions, Lieutenant Yar, because I need this vessel to get us to Parliament.

Your shipboard problems do not concern me.

They should. Our delays are your delays.

( growls )

The peace conference will wait for us.

I must ask where you were during this vessel's Earth hours of 1800 last night and 0700 this morning?

Eating.

Sir, we're talking about hours here.

( laughing )

It was a large meal, Lieutenant Yar, and a very interesting animal.

You wanted me, Doctor?

Yes, concerning your memory blackout.

I still don't remember having one.

The same thing happened to me.

I want to try hypnosis on both of you.

It may restore your memory as to what happened.

One thing is clear-- almost all of the peace delegates answered our questions with lies.

Imprecise, Lieutenant.

They omitted certain truths which in itself tells us something.

We can learn something from nondisclosure?

Indubitably, my good woman.

It's something the captain mentioned.

Sherlock Holmes.

Indubitably...

Data has been studying him.

Has studied, sir, every case.

As Holmes would have pointed out, during the time in question, something was afoot.

Afoot?

While both sets of delegates say they were in their quarters, our crew locator sensed them passing here and here.

But since it doesn't show where they went, we're still in the dark.

On the contrary, my dear colleague.

On their return, they drew medical supplies appropriate to the treatment of minor wounds and abrasions on these life-forms.

Which leaves us with only one conclusion.

Exactly.

That they were too engaged in their own affairs to have disabled the ship and murdered the engineer.

Given the choice, they would rather kill each other than any of us.

It's elementary, my dear Riker.

Sir.

Beverly, can you hear me?

Yes.

I want you to go back in your mind to the moment when you first recall this sensation of memory loss.

Picture it exactly as it occurred.

He's lying on the hospital bed, sedated.

I'm walking up to him...

I...

How do you feel at this moment as you lean over him to take the specimen?

I feel... someone else...

There's someone else who's there.

Not a... not alone.

Get out. Get out of my mind.

That's almost exactly what you said.

As though there were something else inside you.

Which confirms the feeling of duality that I sensed earlier in both of them.

Why didn't you report it?

Because, sir, I assumed at first it was the kind of duality that we Betazeds feel in all of you.

Even you, sir.

When you approach a decision and ask yourself which direction to go, who are you talking to?

Hmm.

Your hypnotism revealed another form of duality?

Yes, sir.

I believe something invaded them.

It's the only possible conclusion.

Data...

Let's proceed without the pipe.

Yes, sir, if you wish, sir.

But I ask if you take it as incontrovertible that it cannot be a family member or one of the crew?

Yes, very unlikely.

Then our investigation was worthwhile, sir.

We've eliminated both the delegates and the ship's regular complement.

Data, what are you suggesting?

I am referring to the great detective's credo, sir.

I quote--

"We must fall back on the old axiom

"that when other contingencies fail,

"whatever remains however improbable must be the truth."

( water gurgles )

That engine computer net wasn't repaired, sir.

It just suddenly became all right.

Sometimes, it's the result that counts, you know?

What the... oh, no.

What is it?

Helm control just went down. She won't respond.

Bridge to Captain. You're needed here immediately.

Wes, alert engineering from your panel, all right?

I'm trying.

Report.

Helm is down, sir.

There's no apparent reason.

Captain, we've just dropped to impulse power.

Sir, are you all right?

I thought I just saw...

I'm fine.

Everything is fine now.

Why the drop to impulse power, Lieutenant?

The helm is suddenly malfunctioning, sir.

Malfunctioning?

You're wrong. Look again.

Captain, I was just...

Mr. La Forge?

Well, there's nothing wrong with it now, sir.

Everything is just as it should be.

In that case, make our heading

925 mark 3... 7.

Sir?

You have a problem with that heading, Lieutenant?

You want to double back on our course, sir?

Isn't that what I ordered?

GEORDI: Yes, sir.

Sir... I'm puzzled by your reversing our course.

That energy cloud, Commander.

I believe it important we have another look at it.

But we're behind schedule for Parliament already.

I believe a very important scientific discovery awaits us on this heading.

Perhaps you'd like to share your reasoning on that, sir?

Yes, since we obtained only minimal information on our sensor pass of it.

Right, Data.

We must go back to learn more.

Counselor... do you believe a ship captain should explain every order?

Of course not, sir.

I demand to see the captain!

Stop! Return to your quarters!

( shriek of disgust )

What is that doing on our deck?

I demand to know why this starship has changed its course!

Please return to your quarters, delegates.

( hostile growls )

A mere change of direction hardly justifies mutiny.

Exactly what do you believe you're sensing from him?

It's just the feeling that... well, that he's closed part of his mind to me.

I just feel that the captain has become... perhaps dangerous.

If he's dangerous...

if...

Then he'd have to be relieved of command.

Which you could do, Doctor.

It's beaucoup trouble if you're wrong.

And at the moment, it is all pure speculation.

He's done nothing to subject the Enterprise to danger.

I'd need a medical log citing clear evidence of incapacity.

You could do it without that problem.

Only if all command officers agreed it was vital to do so.

But he has not been showing any overt unusual behavior.

Ultimately, I believe he will.

As second in command, it's still in your corner.

I'll order medical and psychiatric exams.

You'll have to back me up somehow.

First officer's log, supplemental.

After meeting with the senior officers,

Dr. Crusher and I have decided to approach the captain

regarding his recent behavior.

( door shuts )

Yes?

I'd like you to come to Sick Bay for some examinations, Captain.

Oh?

I'd be glad to, when I'm free.

I'd like to conduct them now, sir.

Why?

What can I do for you, Number One?

Sir, counselor Troi has recommended the examinations.

Same question-- why?

It is my duty to inform the captain we believe he may be under some kind of alien influence which may constitute a danger to this ship.

I consider it equally possible that the two of you, and counselor Troi, are overworked and possibly suffering hallucinations.

Now, this is an order-- you will arrange medical and psychiatric exams both for yourself and them.

Doctor, are you aware everyone is behaving strangely?

I'm concerned that you've suddenly turned the ship away from its course...

What's happened to your mind, Doctor?

The search for knowledge is always our primary mission.

I'm sorry. I...

I really am too busy for this kind of nonsense.

Do I have to call security to force you to report to the Sick Bay?

No, sir.

What the hell?!

Sorry, wrong species.

Riker to security chief!

Yar here.

Security guard to the engineering deck.

The Selays are playing hide-and-seek down here, obviously with the Anticans.

It's a lethal game.

I want them returned to quarters, under guard!

Right away, sir.

( chime sounds )

Come.

What do you want?

Here are the results from the exams you ordered, sir.

You don't care to inspect them?

Please... are you Jean-Luc?

He is here.

The Jean-Luc I know?

And more.

The more frightens me.

And elates us.

We wish you could understand the glorious adventure ahead.

You and...

Soon we'll both be home.

First officer's log, supplemental.

On the orders of Captain Picard,

we have returned to the vicinity

of the energy pattern cloud.

I am personally convinced

that something from this cloud

now shares the captain's mind.

But there seems to be nothing we can do--

at least within regulations.

We're now approaching the cloud, sir.

Very well, Mr. La Forge.

Bring us to within 10,000 kilometers and hold us there.

Aye, sir.

Shall we begin the scientific tests you wanted, sir?

Oh, they're already underway.

I have an announcement for the entire bridge.

As many of you suspected, when our ship passed through the edge of this, it accidentally carried away a sentient being-- much like these energy patterns we're seeing here.

A terrifying experience for any intelligent being-- as if a great claw reached down and scooped one of you from your home world.

Drawn in to the energy circuits of this vessel.

It found its way to you, Worf.

Frantic at being taken from its home world and recognizing you as sentient beings, it pleaded for help, but in ways you couldn't understand.

Desperately going from person to person.

And then discovering the computer intelligence in this ship's memory circuits.

Oh, simplistic intelligence-- but it furnished it enough to slow this Enterprise thing that had captured it.

And it very much regrets the accidental death of engineer Singh.

Captain... do you exist in combination with this entity?

Is it in control of you, sir?

Very soon after we had combined we had learned much about each other.

Passion for exploration, for the unknown-- we found we had similar dreams.

And it offered your captain a way to realize them beyond human expectations.

RIKER: Captain!

I must speak to you privately, now!

I understand.

As an energy pattern, free of the limitations of matter, he might travel anywhere.

At any velocity.

Captain, do you hear me?

Sir, I see no way for you to journey with an energy form.

Isn't there?

He's planning to beam himself and the entity into that cloud.

The transporter need not pattern your captain into matter.

We'll beam energy only and we will become a combined energy pattern of our life-forms.

A resignation from this command and from Starfleet has been appropriately recorded.

I refuse to allow this, sir.

How does this resignation threaten the ship or its crew in any way?

Captain Picard, you are now relieved of duty.

I judge you to be disabled and mentally incapacitated.

RIKER: Security!

Red alert!

( alarm sounding )

Restrain the captain!

Where is he?

This is blinding me!

WORF: Captain!

I'll help you if you let me!

Someone restrain the captain!

( alarm continuing )

RIKER: First officer's log, supplemental.

More than an hour has passed

since the captain beamed out, energy only.

Every effort has been made to determine his whereabouts.

The transporter chief has no idea what the coordinates were, sir.

So he's just floating around out there?

How can we settle for that?

Give me a choice, then.

Still no readings, no sign of anything.

Mr. La Forge... it's time to set a course for Parliament.

Warp 8.

We're really leaving him?

Commander... wait!

It's the captain.

But only the captain.

He's out there alone.

The entity, has it abandoned him?

No.

But the combination wasn't possible out there.

He's in trouble, so we have to beam him back.

Beam him back as what? He's nothing but energy now.

Sir, the entity was caught in the ship's circuitry.

The captain might try to get in the same way if he's in trouble.

Bring us in closer, La Forge.

Moving in, sir, but where?

There's no way to know.

Let's hope he can come part way himself.

Troi, is there any way you can get a message to him?

I wish I could.

Sensors monitoring the perimeter... ship's circuitry, sir-- nothing.

Bring us right into the edge of it, La Forge.

Aye, sir.

Sir!

On my sensor controls.

There's something here.

I feel it.

Just as before, going to Worf first.

Something crazy on my panel.

Commander Riker...

GEORDI: Static?

"P" for Picard?

He's in the ship's circuitry.

Come to the transporter room, please.

There might be a way, sir. Hurry!

This is a wild theory, Data.

I knew we had to have the captain's physical pattern here, sir.

He was the last one to beam out.

Is what you're thinking possible?

Unknown at this time, sir.

I hope the captain remembers his physical pattern is here.

If he has, his energy has moved into the transporter relays by now.

I wish we had some sign that he was in here.

I guess we have no choice but to risk it.

Energizing, sir.

What the devil am I doing here?

Sounds like our captain.

But confused.

This Picard pattern was formed before he went out there.

What's happening to me, Number One?

I was preparing to... to beam out... to somewhere.

And I remember there was talk of an entity.

But it all seems so vague.

I believe the captain is now his separate self, sir.

Much of what happened is naturally missing.

What are you talking about, Data?

Is this still Sherlock Holmes?

Indubitably, sir.

Indubitably.

Hmm. At least you got rid of that damned pipe.

Dr. Crusher has asked me to steer you past Sick Bay.

She said you've been looking very tired.

Captain! Yes, Lieutenant.

Sorry, Commander, but Security Team Two reports they've discovered a puddle of blood outside the Selay quarters and they can't find one of the delegates...

Lieutenant, this couldn't have waited a moment?

It's good to see you, sir.

The problem is is that one of the cooks has just been asked to broil reptile for the Anticans and it looks like the Selay delegate.

Riker, what with the peace delegates and all,

I think I do need a rest.

Take charge, Number One.