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Coming of Age

Jake!

Jake!

Jake, wait a second.

How you doing?

I'm fine.

Really.

Jake, I'm sorry.

DR. CRUSHER: Acting Ensign Crusher, report to Transporter Room eight.

It's not your fault.

Yeah, I know.

I wish both of us were going.

Ah... only 32 points...

Mr. Crusher, respond.

I'm on my way, Doctor.

I've got to go.

I know.

Hey, Wes... do well for both of us, okay?

All right.

Captain's Log, Stardate 41416.2:

We are orbiting Relva VII

where Wesley Crusher is about to be tested

for entrance into Starfleet Academy.

And to my great surprise, I have just learned

that my old friend, Admiral Gregory Quinn,

is on Relva VII and has requested

to be beamed aboard the Enterprise immediately.

Welcome aboard, Admiral.

Thank you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard--

Lieutenant Commander Dexter Remmick.

Sir.

Allow me to introduce my staff.

First officer, William Riker.

Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher.

Chief of Security, Natasha Yar.

Well, what can we do for you?

I need to speak with you.

Certainly. This way. Number One?

Alone.

Is this a personal matter?

Official business.

Well, then, my first officer should...

Alone, Captain.

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.

Commander Remmick is with the Inspector General's office.

Oh.

He'll be conducting a full investigation of the Enterprise.

What are you looking for?

I have reason to believe that there may be something very wrong on this ship.

Tell me what you suspect.

It's inappropriate to discuss it at this time.

Mr. Remmick, Starfleet is counting on you.

You will find out what is wrong on this ship.

Yes, sir.

Nothing and no one will stand in my way.

And you, Captain... are ordered to cooperate in every way necessary with this investigation. Is that clear?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Remmick, unless there are any further questions...

No questions, sir.

Get on with your duties.

Yes, sir.

We've known one another for years.

Tell me what you believe is wrong.

Captain, it is vitally important that my orders be followed exactly.

I'll be staying on the ship.

As you wish, Admiral.

( rapid beeping )

What is it?

What?

The unit you just put down.

Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.

It's a flux coordinating sensor unit.

I'm Oliana Mirren, one of the other finalists.

You must be Wesley Crusher.

Yeah.

Do you know me?

I heard there was a very smart, very young man who would be tough competition.

Well, you wouldn't be here...

If I weren't smart.

I know.

But there's a lot more to it than just that.

You're lucky.

You've had practical experience aboard the Enterprise.

Oliana.

T'Shanik of Vulcana Regar.

Wesley Crusher of the Enterprise.

You do not look as if you meet the age requirements.

I'll be 16 next month.

Oh, happy birthday.

Excuse me.

I'm Wesley Crusher.

Mordock.

Mordock? The Mordock?

The Benzite who constructed the Mordock Strategy?

I thought you were already in the Academy.

No.

Only a hopeful, like you.

Finalists... please take your seats.

Thanks.

I am Tac Officer Chang.

Welcome.

You are here because you are all top candidates.

Although only one student will be chosen for the Academy, you have shown from the preliminary testing that any of you could easily qualify.

Now, this may be the most difficult, exhausting experience of your life-- and the most exciting challenge.

Expect... the unexpected.

May you all do your best.

( computers beeping )

( fast, irregular beeping )

May I help you, Mr. Remmick?

Keep doing whatever it is you're doing, Commander Data.

There's, uh, nothing much to see here, Commander.

We're in a standard orbit, and, uh... the station has to be manned even if it's just routine.

Something I can help you with, Mr. Remmick?

When I'm ready, Mr. Riker,

I'll want to speak with you... privately.

Commander.

Just having that guy around makes me feel guilty.

What's he after, anyway?

I don't know, Geordi, but I'm going to find out right now.

( doorbell chimes )

Come.

Captain, may I speak frankly?

Always, Number One.

As First Officer, I should be informed.

I should know everything that you know.

That's right, you should.

Then what's this about?

Remmick's going to turn this ship upside down.

That's his job.

And my job is to see that this ship runs smoothly.

Which you do very well.

Sir, am I under investigation?

I don't know.

And if you did?

I couldn't tell you.

I don't understand, sir.

This is extremely frustrating.

No less for me. But I promised cooperation, and that's what we shall give.

Sir.

I want some answers from you now, Commander Riker... Later.

You were ordered to cooperate. Not now!

When it doesn't interfere with my duties, Remmick.

COMPUTER: Last question on the hyperspace physics test.

If the matter and antimatter tanks on a galaxy class starship are nine-tenths depleted, calculate the intermix ratio necessary to reach a starbase a hundred light years away at warp factor 8.

Begin.

( beeping )

( beeping speeds up )

( sighs )

Time elapsed.

You now have one hour free before the next test.

I must admit, Wesley, you have a very fast mind.

Once I realized it was a trick question, there was only one answer.

Yes. There is only one ratio with matter-antimatter.

One to one.

You both don't know how lucky you are.

I can't imagine what it would be like to have things come so easily.

I have to push every step of the way.

Oh, no, Oliana, it doesn't come that easily.

I have to study all the time.

It's a good thing you're cute, Wesley, or you could really be obnoxious.

See you later.

Did you hear what she said, Mordock?

She said I was cute.

Is that good, Wesley?

Yes.

I think.

I think I should apologize, Captain.

No need, Number One.

Mr. Remmick's presence is unnerving to say the least.

Are you available now, Mr. Riker, or do you still have duties to perform?

I'm available, Mr. Remmick.

Any problem with using your ready room, Captain?

No, Mr. Remmick.

Be my guest.

If you prefer to stand, fine, Mr. Riker.

It won't have an effect on the length of my inquiry.

Now... there are several seeming discrepancies in the Captain's Log.

Let's go over them one by one, shall we?

The Captain's Log?

Yes.

( beeping )

To the best of your knowledge, has the Captain ever falsified a log?

Have you discussed this with him?

Right now, I'm asking you.

If you want to discuss anything about Captain Picard, you bring him in here, and you ask him, face-to-face.

You are required to answer my questions, Mr. Riker, unless you're trying to cover something up!

( grunts softly )

Now... there are several discrepancies in the Captain's Log.

Shall we go over them one by one?

Proceed.

REMMICK: So, you are saying Captain Picard had no control over this vessel.

He handed it over to Kosinski who took the entire crew to the edge of the universe.

No, sir, that's not what I'm saying.

Now, Kosinski was sent here by Starfleet to improve our warp drive system.

Captain Picard was ordered to take him aboard.

According to his own logs, his bridge crew didn't think highly of Mr. Kosinski's theories.

Yet, the Captain allowed him to access the engines anyway.

Is that true, La Forge?

Not exactly, sir.

One way or the other, La Forge,

Picard lost control of this ship.

Is that true?

Well, yes, but that's not how it happened.

So... the answer is yes.

( beeping )

( sighs )

Do you believe the captain is emotionally and psychologically fit for command of this starship?

There's nothing in his history or personality that would suggest, uh... mental lapses?

Nothing.

Not even the Ferengi incident aboard his old starship, the Stargazer?

He was being controlled by a mind-altering machine, Commander... without his knowledge!

I would call that "a mental lapse."

( beeping )

Ensign.

What are you doing on the holodeck?

I thought you were still on Relva VII.

I'm finished testing for the day.

I've disturbed you. I'll leave.

Wait.

I thought I wanted to be alone.

I guess I don't.

How is the testing?

Okay, so far.

It's not the ones that I've studied for that I'm worried about.

It's the psych test-- facing my deepest fear and living through it.

I'm trying to figure out what images to bring up.

Why?

Guess I want to scare myself.

What do you think? Bulgallian rats?

Lightning storms?

Do those things frighten you?

Sort of, I guess.

The psych test is no more or less important than the rest of the process.

That's what they said, but I can't stop thinking about it.

Thinking about what you can't control only wastes energy and creates its own enemy.

How can they know what my deepest fear is when I don't?

By analyzing your psychological profile.

They were very accurate about everyone I tested with.

Including myself.

You?

I thought there was nothing that could frighten a Klingon warrior.

Only fools have no fear.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant.

I'm asking too many personal questions.

It is very difficult for me to depend on anyone for anything...

...but especially for my life.

But on the Enterprise, you do that every day.

Everyone depends on everyone else to protect them.

Yes.

So you overcame it?

No. It is still my enemy.

RIKER: With this new extricator, sir, we could eliminate three more bulky machines from cargo space.

That's excellent, Number One.

( alarm blaring )

Captain?

There's an unauthorized entry in main shuttle bay.

Unauthorized?

Who is it, Lieutenant?

Computer reads the ID number of Jake Kurland.

YAR: Bridge to main shuttle bay.

Mr. Kurland, this is Lieutenant Yar. Respond.

Isn't that area secured?

Not now, Remmick.

He's going to take this out, Captain.

YAR: I'm locking off bay launch doors, Captain.

Too late. He's using the flight emergency override.

Smart kid.

Kid? He's launching.

PICARD: On viewer.

Lieutenant Yar, open channel. ( beep )

Enterprise to shuttlecraft.

Mr. Kurland, this is Captain Picard.

Mr. Kurland?

KURLAND: Captain, I'm going to Beltane IX to sign on to a freighter.

Tell my father I...

I'm sorry.

You can tell him yourself, in person.

Bring that ship back, at once.

No. I can't face him.

I'm leaving.

( control panel beeping )

( alarm blaring )

Captain, he's unbalanced the dilithium reaction.

I've lost power.

All he's got left is his maneuvering jets, Captain.

At this trajectory, he'll enter the atmosphere and burn up at an altitude of 200 kilometers.

Probable impact?

Atmospheric entry, 78 seconds.

PICARD: Options? Tractor beam?

Not possible.

He's too far away for a positive lock.

He's out of transporter range.

Captain, you are completely responsible for that boy's life.

Mr. Remmick, either get out of my way and keep quiet or I will have you removed from the bridge.

Viewer on shuttle cockpit.

Visual on main viewer.

Mr. Kurland?

I can't get the engine started.

What am I going to do?

I'm going to crash.

He needs another 50 seconds for the core to cool down before he can restart.

Stay calm, Jake.

We'll get you back.

Please, help me.

PICARD: Jake.

It's no use, Captain.

I'm going to die out here.

He'll need another 30 seconds before he can restart.

Irrelevant, sir.

Even if he restarts his engine now, he will not have enough thrust to escape impact.

Mr. Kurland, you are not going to die out there.

You are going to do exactly what I tell you.

Now... take the nose of the shuttlecraft and aim it directly at Relva VII.

But... aim it at Relva?

I-I can't do that. That's crazy.

Do it!

But I'll burn up!

28 seconds to impact.

Jake, listen very carefully.

This is Captain Picard, and I am giving you an order.

Aim the shuttle at Relva.

( thudding )

Okay. It's done.

Good.

Now, monitor your speed exactly.

When it hits .020,

I want you to restart the engine, and when I tell you, pull up hard.

.020 speed.

Captain, I... I sure hope you're right.

You'll just have to trust me.

.003...

.009...

.012.

Six seconds to impact.

Hold on, Jake, it's going to be a little bumpy.

.015...

.019.

Restart the engine, now.

( engine revving )

Pull up hard!

( loud clattering )

( metallic screeching )

Yeah!

Incredible, Captain.

How did he do it? I-I thought...

He built up enough speed and then bounced her off the atmosphere.

Mr. Kurland?

I assume you can maneuver it home.

Yes, sir.

Do it. Then report to Mr. Riker.

Yes, sir.

Very original, Captain.

But how did that child acquire access to a shuttlecraft?

Kurland is a highly qualified

Enterprise Academy candidate-- fully trained in many areas including shuttles.

Did this "full training" include discipline?

Mr. Remmick, young men sometimes make rash choices which is why Mr. Kurland will receive a strong refresher specifically in discipline.

I'll note that in my report.

Mm... full cooperation, Number One.

( beeping )

You! I have a package for Operations.

Where is it?

End of the corridor, room on your right. 104.

Excuse me.

You blocked my path.

You Bulgallian sludge rat!

I'm sorry.

It was an honest mistake.

I apologize.

Is there a problem here, gentlemen?

Uh, no, sir, I...

Look, how dare you?!

I am Rondon, you despicable

Mellanoid slime worm!

Liar!

Who do you think you're bullying?!

You bumped into me!

It was your mistake!

You were at fault!

Do you want this to become violent?

Friend...

I like you.

A very strange reaction.

Not really.

When he raised his hand, I saw that it was webbed-- the sign of a Zaldan.

But you became hostile.

Zaldans are infuriated by courtesy.

They view it as a form of phony social behavior designed to cover true feelings.

Congratulations, Mr. Crusher.

You handled that particular instant very well.

Was this incident deliberate?

It's important to know how you candidates deal with other cultures, other species.

Then it was a test.

Yes.

Not all tests are announced or what they appear to be.

Zaldans have webbed fingers.

I wouldn't have passed.

You're an android, correct?

Yes, sir. And as an android, you are programmed to tell the entire truth?

Yes, sir.

There is a problem with this ship, Mr. Data.

It's in the records.

Somewhere.

I need your help to find it.

All of the ship's records are available to you, sir.

But this information is very cleverly hidden.

Your captain is not what he appears to be.

Do not forget that you have loyalty to Starfleet above all else.

Loyalty is not the issue, Commander.

There is nothing wrong with Captain Picard or the ship's logs.

Therefore, there must be something wrong with your original assumption.

That is not acceptable, Mr. Data.

Acceptable or not, sir... it is the truth.

Just how did this contaminate get aboard the ship?

( beep )

By accident, sir.

Meaning Captain Picard has no standing procedure for this type of situation?

No.

Meaning by accident... sir.

You don't like me very much, do you?

Is it required, sir?

How would you characterize your relationship with Captain Picard?

We're Starfleet officers who've known each other for many years.

Everything said here is confidential, Doctor.

You can be completely open with me.

About what?

About how you feel serving with the man... who is responsible for the death of your husband.

( chuckles softly )

My personal feelings about Captain Picard are irrelevant to this investigation and none of your business.

Then you confirm the accuracy of the log report?

You violated the Prime Directive of the Edo.

You deliberately interfered with their laws.

Yes. It is exactly as I explained it in the log records.

All to save Dr. Crusher's son.

A member of my crew was being held unjustly.

I stand by my decision.

( beep )

Mr. Remmick, you've talked to every member of this ship.

I think you've had enough time to find out whatever it is you're looking for.

Are you afraid if I keep looking,

I'll find that you're guilty?

The only thing I'm guilty of is allowing this charade to go on so long.

Admiral, if it is me you're investigating, ask me directly what it is you want to know.

And please tell me exactly what is going on.

I need a little more time, Jean-Luc.

How much time?

I won't tolerate my crew being harassed any longer.

Remmick's full report is almost ready.

I want to be here when he presents it.

That has always been my intention.

Commander Remmick, report to Admiral Quinn.

On my way, sir.

This has been a strain on our friendship.

I know.

Believe me, Jean-Luc, I regret that.

But it has been necessary.

( rhythmic computer beeping )

( high-pitched chirping )

I can't get it.

Yes, you can.

Don't fight it.

Relax into it, and let it come by itself.

No, it's going too fast.

Wesley, I can't do it.

Yes, you can.

You've got your rotation factor.

Just put in your vector coordinates.

COMPUTER: Time elapsed.

( door opens )

Congratulations, Mordock.

That was the second fastest time ever recorded on this test.

You all did well.

MORDOCK: No.

It should not have been that way.

Mr. Crusher helped me.

Yes, I know.

An interesting choice, Mr. Crusher-- especially considering how close you and Mr. Mordock are in overall score.

You all have an hour to prepare for your last test.

WESLEY: The psych test, sir?

We prefer to think of it as a psychological evaluation based on reactions to various individual problems, but, uh, "psych test" will do.

Sir?

Please sit down, Mr. Remmick.

Proceed with your report.

Admiral, I've done my best to be thorough during this investigation.

Continue.

I couldn't find what you asked for, sir.

I spoke to officer after officer, a-at length, I... pried into the ship's logs, and yet I could find nothing wrong-- except, perhaps a... casual familiarity among the bridge crew, but mostly that comes from a sense of teamwork...

...and a feeling of family.

I'm sorry, sir.

I did my best.

Quite.

You're dismissed, Commander.

Yes, sir.

Captain Picard.

My tour in the Inspector General's office will be up in six months.

When I'm finished... this is where I'd like to serve, sir.

Don't judge the young man too harshly.

He's a good officer.

It's not him I'm inclined to judge.

Don't judge me too harshly, either, until I've finished.

We had to be very sure of you.

Some of us at Starfleet Command became suspicious of certain problems in the Federation.

What kind of problems?

Someone or something is trying to destroy the fabric of everything we've built up in the last 200 years.

What's your evidence?

I can't go into that.

There are too many people involved.

What do you want from me?

I don't know whether the threat comes from the inside, or whether it's from outside.

I need people I can trust in strong positions throughout the Federation.

You have my complete support, you know that.

That's not enough.

I want to promote you to admiral, and I want you to take over as commandant of Starfleet Academy.

The Academy?

Yes.

The Academy?

I need you close.

Then there was never a problem with the Enterprise.

No.

But I had to be sure you hadn't been co-opted.

( snickers )

Then, Greg, uh... this is... politics, and, uh...

( sighs heavily )

...I, uh...

I'm not good at politics.

Surely there are others who are better suited.

All right.

Even if I am wrong, and I hope I am, you're still the best man for the job.

I appreciate the value of what you're offering.

It's not a decision I can make quickly.

I need an answer soon.

All right.

You'll have it tonight, Admiral.

Thank you.

Mr. Mordock will be finished with his psych test momentarily.

WESLEY: Mordock?

Are you all right?

I will be.

Mr. Crusher.

You're next.

Good luck.

I'm here.

I'm ready.

Maybe they forgot.

Breathe.

Got to remember to breathe.

( muffled thud )

( loud explosion )

( distant yelling )

( alarm blaring )

COMPUTER: Evacuate immediately.

65 seconds to seal-off.

Hey, somebody, help!

There's something wrong in the environmental lab!

( sobbing ): Help!

( beeping )

Help! We're trapped.

I can't move!

Please, help me!

( moaning )

MAN: We're going to die in here!

The liquid hydrogen's gonna blow.

The shutoff valve's ruptured. Hurry up!

My legs are crushed!

You've got to help me!

Give me a hand with this!

We're going to die!

Help me!

I can't!

( hissing )

It's too late!

COMPUTER: 30 seconds to seal-off.

Come on! If we don't get out of here fast, they'll seal us in to contain the explosion.

Come on!

You're not hurt!

I can't move through that!

Yes, you can!

( moaning )

You've got to!

COMPUTER: 20 seconds to seal-off.

Come on! I can't carry you both!

You're not hurt!

COMPUTER: Ten seconds to seal-off.

( yelling )

Come on!

It's too late!

I'm sorry.

( panting )

Officer Chang, there's...

Wesley!

It's all right.

Thanks.

An excellent performance, Mr. Crusher.

Performance?

That was the test.

Yes.

A man could have died.

Theoretically, yes.

You had to make a choice, and you did.

There's no right or wrong about it.

Your greatest fear has been that you couldn't make that decision.

Because of my father? Because Capt...

Because someone made that choice... and my father died.

Sir?

Yes, Number One?

Mr. Remmick has left the ship.

Yes.

He found nothing wrong on the Enterprise.

And you can inform the crew that Admiral Quinn is most impressed.

Thank you.

They'll be pleased to hear that.

Can you explain now what he was after?

They were after me, Number One.

They want me to take over as commandant, Starfleet Academy.

Congratulations.

What a wonderful choice, sir.

You'll be able to shape the minds of the future leaders of Starfleet.

You haven't decided what you're going to do.

Yes, I have, Number One.

I've decided I'm going for a walk.

( door opens, closes )

I'm proud of all of you.

You've done a superb job.

Each of you would make a fine Starfleet officer.

It's unfair that only one candidate from Relva will attend the Academy this year... and a loss to the Federation if the rest of you do not return to test again.

Mr. Mordock will be the candidate.

His results were slightly higher than Mr. Crusher's.

Congratulations, Mr. Mordock.

You're the first Benzite in Starfleet.

Thank you, sir, but it's not right.

It shouldn't be me.

Wesley lost points because he helped me.

He should not be punished for his generosity.

He wasn't.

He lost time, but it wasn't only that.

Candidates, thank you.

And good luck.

I am sorry, Wesley.

It's okay. You deserve to win.

Besides, you would have done the same for me.

Yes. I believe I would.

Congratulations.

Well, personally, I hate losing.

So you'd better be ready next year, Wesley.

I won't be easy to beat.

Mr. Kurland.

Yes, sir.

Are you, uh... feeling better?

Yes, sir.

Look, I-I'm sorry

I-I damaged the shuttle, Captain.

But Mr. Riker said I can work on fixing it as part of my discipline training.

Good idea. I hope you've learned that running away solves nothing.

Oh, yes, sir.

And I-I am sorry I messed up.

But at least you kept your wits about you out there.

Don't forget that.

No, sir.

And thank you.

Thank you for-for... for saving my life.

That's my job, young man.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Crusher?

Why aren't you in your dress uniform for Admiral Quinn's farewell dinner?

I didn't think that would be appropriate, sir.

Why not?

I failed, Captain.

I didn't get into the Academy.

I failed you, and I failed the Enterprise.

Ridiculous.

Did you do your best?

Yes.

When you test next year-- and you will test next year-- do you think your performance will improve?

Yes.

Good.

The only person you are truly competing against, Wesley, is yourself.

Then you're not disappointed?

Wesley, you have to measure your successes and your failures within-- not by anything that I or anyone else might think.

But, um... if it helps you to know this...

I failed the first time, and you may not tell anyone.

You?!

You failed?

Yes, but not the second time.

Now... you, uh, do me the courtesy of joining us at dinner.

I have to disappoint an old friend.

Wish I could convince you to change your mind.

I'll serve you better here.

This is where you belong.

If you should need me...

I've been playing politics too long.

Perhaps I see conspiracies everywhere.

Don't worry.

Safe travels, my friend.

Set course for Algeron IV, Mr. Crusher.

( beeping )

Course plotted and laid in, sir.

Then shall we continue with our mission?

Yes, sir.

Excellent.

Mr. Crusher... engage.