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Time Squared

( humming jazzy tune )

( door chime )

RIKER: Come on in.

Excellent.

That's exactly what I needed.

Ah, Mr. Worf.

And the good Doctor bearing gifts?

Ale from Ennan VI.

Your omelets deserve no less.

This is not an efficient method for the preparation of sustenance.

Oh, you're right, Data.

The ship's computer would be more efficient, but it wouldn't allow for the subtlety needed for great cooking.

It would give you all of the ingredients in predetermined measurements.

It wouldn't allow for flair or individuality.

And, Data, as we both know, flair is what marks the difference between artistry and mere competence.

For much of the history of mankind, the breaking of bread was a symbol of friendship and community-- something we've gotten away from in the 24th century.

Ah, you have a practiced hand, Commander.

Yes, I have my father to thank.

Your father liked to cook?

No, he hated it.

That's why he left the chore to me.

It is my understanding that in most human families, the woman shares in the cooking.

There were only the two of us.

I never knew my mother.

She died when I was very young.

Where did you get these eggs?

On our last stop.

At Starbase 73?

Yep.

What kind of eggs did you say these were?

Owon.

For you, Data.

Something special.

Don't be afraid.

They won't bite you.

And for you, Mr. Worf.

( coughs )

A cook is only as good as his ingredients.

( groans )

Delicious.

PICARD: Number One.

Go ahead.

I'd appreciate you joining me on the bridge.

Right away, sir.

Number One, we've picked up an automated signal from a Federation shuttlecraft.

From a shuttlecraft? How is that possible?

I thought we were the only manned Federation vessel out here.

Apparently not.

What's a shuttlecraft doing out this far?

Where's its mother ship?

WORF: Sensors indicate there is at least one life-form aboard the shuttle, sir-- humanoid.

Perhaps someone to answer your questions, Number One.

Open hailing frequencies.

Communication is not possible, sir.

The shuttle is without power.

Set course to intercept.

Estimate intercept in three minutes.

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.

Captain's Log, Stardate 42679.2.

While en route to the Endicor system,

we have encountered a Federation shuttlecraft

which seems to have appeared out of nowhere.

There are no indications

of where it came from, or how it got out here.

We are closing on the shuttlecraft, sir.

Thank you, Lieutenant. On screen.

Magnify.

Prepare to lock on tractor beam.

Target vehicle.

We will be within tractor beam range in two seconds.

Set automatic locking device.

Alert Shuttle Bay 2.

( warning Klaxon sounds )

DATA: Shuttle Bay 2, prepare for retrieval procedure.

Locking tractor beam.

Number One.

You're with me, Mr. Worf.

Dr. Pulaski, you are needed in Shuttle Bay 2.

PULASKI: I've been monitoring. I'm on my way.

DATA: Engage secondary tractor beam.

Well, that's a Federation shuttlecraft, all right.

Yet, there are no Federation bases or vessels in this area.

"NCC-1701-D,

USS Enterprise, Shuttlecraft 05."

"NCC-1701-D, USS Enterprise, Shuttlecraft 05."

How is this possible?

Commander, come here!

Captain?

Yes, Number One?

Are you on the bridge?

Where else would I be?

Well, right now, I think you should be in Shuttle Bay 2.

Why? What is it?

This, I think, you should see for yourself.

Bring Commander Data.

Condition?

PULASKI: The life signs are very confusing.

His heartbeat is strong, but the pulse is off.

Is he injured?

There's no signs of trauma.

Why is he unconscious?

What happened to him?

I can't say.

The readings of his brain waves are very strange.

Strange?

What way?

Non-human?

Artificial?

No, neither.

They're just out of phase.

Can you revive him?

I wouldn't even attempt it until we get him into Sick Bay.

Come on, let's get him there.

Counselor?

I have never felt anything quite like this before, so it's difficult to put into words.

That person is you.

No.

He is as much Jean-Luc Picard as the person I'm standing next to.

Beyond that, there is very little I can be sure of.

I will have to wait until he regains consciousness before knowing more.

Data.

I need to know what's on the shuttle's logs.

Aye, sir.

Captain, both primary and reserve power has been drained from the shuttle.

I am going to have to connect to the Enterprise in order to activate the shuttle's systems.

Geordi... report to Shuttle Bay 2 immediately.

I'm on my way.

I'll be in Sick Bay.

Keep me informed.

Captain, have you seen this?

It looks like the damage caused by an anti-matter explosion.

It must have been just out of range of the shuttlecraft.

Data, I need those logs.

Counselor.

We'll be on the bridge.

Lieutenant.

Resume course and speed.

Scanners at maximum range.

Maximum range.

There you go.

You should have power now.

Ooh, what happened?

The polarity is not compatible.

That's not possible.

The connection's idiot-proof.

The power requirements of the shuttle do not match those of the Enterprise.

We will need a variable phase inverter to align the power from the Enterprise to the circuits of the shuttle.

Data, what do you think is going on here?

I don't mean just with the shuttle.

I mean everything.

I do not have enough information.

I'm just starting a complete medical work-up.

His vital signs are distorted.

Some of the indicators are totally depressed.

Others are fluctuating wildly.

I can't explain any of it.

But he is alive.

The restraints are for his own protection.

Have you been able to determine why he's still unconscious?

No, but I have been able to rule out any head injury.

Wake him.

What happened?

Apparently, the normal stimulant had the opposite effect.

I'll have to try something else.

All right, Data.

I think I've got it now.

That ought to give you something.

Making this power adjustment is very tricky.

By all rights, this connection should blow all the shuttle's circuits.

Perhaps you had better step out of the way.

All right.

But, remember, you're not indestructible yourself, you know.

Increase the power.

Powering up.

Adjust the inverter two percent positive.

Two percent positive.

It was the right decision, but it's having the opposite effect.

Yes.

I don't understand.

I can't think of anything that would cause the circuit to change so radically.

Adjust the inverter two percent negative.

Okay.

Two percent negative.

That's it.

It shouldn't work, but it does.

Hey, Data... take a look at the Stardate.

42679.5.

Captain.

Go ahead.

Captain, we've been able to reactivate the shuttle and the on-board clock indicates that the shuttle is six hours in front of us.

Captain, do you read me?

If the shuttle is from six hours into the future, then so is the other Captain Picard.

Captain's Log, supplemental.

Part of the mystery has been solved.

The reason there are two number 05 shuttlecrafts

is because one of them is from the future.

Six hours to be exact.

And so, presumably, is the facsimile of me.

Try and wake him again.

No.

It's only a sedative.

I know what it is.

Don't sedate him. Let him be.

Please.

Let him remain conscious.

I've never seen anything like this.

Are you all right?

I'm fine, Doctor.

Save your ministrations for your patient.

I want a staff meeting in five minutes.

Doctor, I assume you will want to remain here?

Yes, I will monitor the conference from here.

Keep me informed.

Of any changes, no matter how small.

Captain's log, supplemental.

I've been informed that Mr. Data

has recovered the logs from the duplicate shuttlecraft.

I am more than apprehensive to play back a log

which will not be recorded for several hours.

Captain, we've retrieved all we're going to get out of the shuttle logs, including the last visual records.

Everything before that is just a jumble.

Show me.

The distortion is because we had to use a phase inverter to retrieve the logs.

The quality will improve... slightly.

According to the shuttle log, the Enterprise was destroyed three hours, 19 minutes from now.

LA FORGE: Captain... we also have a portion of the last log entry.

It's audio only.

Captain's Personal Log, supplemental.

I have just witnessed the total destruction of the USS Enterprise with a loss of all hands, save one-- me.

All attempts to obtain further information from the shuttle have failed.

Well, at least now we have something to go on.

LA FORGE: I just don't understand how you could have ended up in a shuttlecraft while the Enterprise was being destroyed.

Nor I.

The last thing you would do is leave the bridge of the Enterprise during an emergency.

Yes.

All right, let's proceed on the premise that what we have just seen happened and that, in less than four hours from now, the Enterprise will be destroyed and, somehow, although this is unfathomable,

I, and I alone, escape.

Discussion.

RIKER: Our destination is the Endicor system.

We're due to arrive in three days.

The charts show nothing of consequence, certainly nothing to threaten the Enterprise between here and there.

Sensors indicated no other vessels--

Federation or otherwise-- in this area.

Data?

I have nothing to offer.

There is not enough information upon which to base an hypothesis.

LA FORGE: Well, the shuttle apparently came from somewhere up ahead.

So, rather than continuing on this course, maybe we should stop here and let whatever it is out there come to us.

RIKER: We may already be too late.

What are you saying?

That stopping, turning right or left, even reversing our course would be pointless?

When we brought the shuttle and the other Picard onboard, we committed to a sequence of events which may be unalterable.

PICARD: Yes, this is not some... rock on the trail which once seen can easily be avoided.

This is much more complex.

There is the theory of the Mobius-- a twist in the fabric of space where time becomes a loop from which there is no escape.

So, when we reach that point, whatever happened will happen again-- the Enterprise will be destroyed, the other Picard will be sent back to meet with us, and we do it all over again.

Sounds like someone's idea of hell to me.

Well, I know this much-- we can't avoid the future.

Agreed.

So let's continue on course.

Somewhere out there something will happen.

A decision will be made during the course of which

I will be separated from the Enterprise.

At the time, the decision will seem to be correct, but it won't be.

We have to anticipate and not make... not make the same mistake once.

Something is waiting for us out there.

Let's try and determine what it is as quickly as possible.

Doctor?

I'm just beginning to realize how much of the body is held together by its own internal clock.

He was thrown out of time, which caused his body's systems to change their rhythms.

Now slowly, as we get closer to the time that he left, his internal body clock is realigning.

Are you saying that when our time intersects with the time he left-- in that instant, he will function normally, and... and there will be two of us?

Right now, that is my guess.

Doctor, I don't think that's possible.

I'm able to feel much more from him now, Captain.

His emotions are still a jumble, but...

Counselor?

He desperately wants to leave this ship.

Captain's Log, supplemental.

We continue on course to Endicor.

We are now less than two hours away

from our rendezvous with ourselves.

Worf.

Maximum scan, sir.

Nothing unusual to report.

If this timetable is correct, we could get an indication of something very soon.

PULASKI: Bridge, this is Sick Bay.

Yes, Doctor.

Captain, my patient is more coherent.

I'm on my way.

You have the bridge, Number One.

How is he?

His vital signs are more normal, which is to say, more like ours.

He is calmer.

He's aware of me.

Perhaps, in some fashion.

But he knows where he is, who's here with him?

I doubt it.

What went wrong?

You know, don't you?

What did you do?

What happened?

Why did you leave the ship?

Don't turn away! Look at me!

Picard, look at me.

Captain, he doesn't understand you.

He knows I'm here.

Yes, but in a nightmare of disjointed images and half-heard voices.

He's in another dimension looking at us across a great chasm and he's feeling remorse at what he witnessed.

He's afraid.

What is he afraid of?

Damn you.

Help me.

Why did you leave the ship?

It's no use, Captain.

He can't answer you.

When we get closer to his time, he may be able to.

You're still convinced he's me?

Yes, but you're not convinced.

Not in the slightest.

Except for his features, there is nothing about him that I find familiar.

Counselor, I want you to stay with him.

He'll be able to communicate with you before anyone else.

I don't know how long anyone could take this kind of anxiety state.

There has to be a breaking point.

I think he's handling it very well.

He has a lot of anger.

Yes, because of what he represents.

And what is that?

Doubt.

He's afraid that seeing him here and knowing what happened to the Enterprise will make him timid, or worse, make him hesitate.

Part of my job is to anticipate problems.

My duty is to the Captain but first to the ship and its crew.

Doctor, the Captain is quite capable of making command decisions.

Yes, for now, but this situation has put him under extreme pressure of a unique and very personal kind.

We both know that pressure will only increase.

You said yourself that he already has doubt.

Which is understandable and healthy.

And could be potentially paralyzing.

Now, if we begin to see signs that he's acting in an irrational manner,

I have the authority and the duty to relieve him.

I don't think that will be necessary.

I hope you're right.

What force or phenomenon could cause the shuttle to be thrown back in time?

None that we've encountered.

In theory, accelerating beyond warp ten.

Using the gravitational pull of a star to slingshot back in time?

Is that what happened here?

The shuttle doesn't have warp capability.

No.

So, some external force was needed.

We've never encountered a natural force that powerful.

Why only six hours?

Why not a day or a year?

Are you saying that there was some conscious mind at work here?

There's no evidence either way.

The Traveler moved through time using the power of his mind.

I don't think that's the case here.

No.

And Manheim's experiments with gravity and time were rudimentary and uncontrollable.

Captain, I think this is one instance where you should suppress your natural tendencies.

Oh, really?

One of your strengths is your ability to evaluate the dynamics of a situation and then take a definitive, preemptive step-- take charge.

Now, you're frustrated because you not only can't see the solution, you can't even define the problem.

Hmm.

Go on.

What we're facing is neither a person nor a place... at least not yet.

It's time.

You're saying I should just sit down, shut up and wait.

Well, I wouldn't have put it exactly like that.

Not something I do easily.

Your Persian flaw.

Yes, perhaps it is.

WORF: Captain, to the bridge.

( alarm sounding )

Report.

WORF: This energy vortex has just appeared beneath us.

There was no warning.

Well, at least the waiting's over.

Captain's log, supplemental.

We have apparently intersected with...

something.

It is similar to our tractor beam, sir, only much more powerful.

Bridge, this is Lieutenant La Forge.

Bridge.

The pull on the Enterprise is steady.

I'm having to hold the warp engines at 30% in order to maintain our present position.

Transfer engineering control to the bridge.

On my way, Captain.

Captain, there is a consciousness here.

Not thought-- more like instinct.

What do you think, Number One?

I think we're being probed.

The beam is coming from the center of the vortex.

Sensors show it to be only a mass of energy.

What is it trying to learn?

I think it's trying to determine if we are a life-force.

We'll stay and investigate.

RIKER: Agreed.

Unless that was the mistake.

Staying too long.

Possibly.

We should go now.

Well...

That would be the prudent move.

I never thought I'd hear myself saying something like that.

Under the circumstances, sir, I think you're right.

But you would rather stay and find out what it is?

What is its intent?

( door opens )

Engineering, transfer to bridge.

Mr. La Forge.

Sir?

Try and take us out of here, maximum warp.

Aye, sir.

I've set the velocity at warp nine.

Engage.

Warp engines are at 91%.

Put it to the wall, Mr. La Forge.

Aye, sir.

( alarm sounding )

I can't hold it.

Captain, the engines can't handle the strain.

All stop.

PICARD: Mr. La Forge!

I'm re-engaging warp engines, Captain.

Status?

All decks have reported.

No damage, no injuries.

Captain, the hold on the Enterprise is still very strong.

I'm having to hold at warp seven just to maintain our position.

Everything we do tightens its grip.

Let's see what we can learn.

Launch a class-1 probe.

Aye, sir.

Mr. Worf...

That was personal.

Captain, the power drain needed to hold this position is enormous.

How long can you maintain it?

Just a few minutes and then we're going to have to shut down again.

PULASKI: Captain, some kind of energy just surrounded my patient.

Is he alive?

Yes.

Arm the photons, Mr. Worf.

Lock on the center of the vortex.

Photon torpedoes locked on target.

Hold for my order.

Like a rag in a dog's mouth.

I am now at maximum warp.

It's you, Captain.

It was the entire ship, but now it has focused its attention entirely on you.

Captain, I can't hold it any longer.

If we don't shut down right now, we are going...

Hold this position.

Counselor, if I were to leave the Enterprise, would its attention still be focused on me?

Yes, I think it would.

You'd never survive.

But in those few seconds, the Enterprise might break free.

That's what he... that's what the other Picard must have thought.

Captain, where are you going?

You have the bridge, Number One.

You're leaving the ship?

We may be on a road that has no turns.

He's very agitated.

I must get to the shuttle.

I know.

Do you know where you are?

The Enterprise.

Yes, but you're only vaguely aware of it.

And me... do you know who I am?

No, you don't, do you?

I must go.

Release him.

Do you know what you're doing?

No. Release him.

Security to Sick Bay.

PICARD: No!

Security, disregard that order.

And clear all personnel-- repeat-- all personnel from Shuttle Bay 2.

I don't want any distractions.

You, stay here.

You've made a decision to leave the ship?

I must. Why?

The energy in the vortex wants me.

You're certain?

Yes-- it's an entity.

A life-form which recognizes the Enterprise as an entity with me as its brain.

And it wants me.

Shuttle Bay 2.

What's your other option?

This is our only chance.

If I leave, it may be distracted long enough for the Enterprise to escape.

You're wrong.

If you leave, the Enterprise will be destroyed.

Don't you remember?

You saw it happen.

If I don't leave the ship, then the Enterprise will be destroyed.

If that's true, then help me.

We want the same thing.

We both want the Enterprise to be safe, but there is a piece of information I don't have.

What is it?

It's me. You?

RIKER: Captain?

Yes?

We're about to lose warp drive.

Understood. Understood.

When you say it wants you, do you mean it's still you-- only you and it's not me?

You're confusing me.

We're almost out of time.

I must get to the shuttle.

Wait.

You can.

I'll let you.

But first, tell me, what is... what was your other choice?

Stand aside.

You must tell me.

What was it?

You don't know what I'm talking about.

You're locked into a single intent unable to change, unable to alter any of your previous actions.

I have to leave. There's no other way.

There must be.

One, but it would never work.

What is it? What would never work?

I have to leave.

What was the other choice?

We can't fight, we can't escape, we can't go forward.

No, no, we can't go forward.

That would destroy the Enterprise.

Was that it?

Was that the other choice?

I must leave.

No.

Captain Picard!

I cannot allow you to leave.

Before we can go forward, the cycle must end.

Dr. Pulaski, report to Shuttle Bay 2.

Bridge.

Number One, we're wasting our energy trying to escape.

It only weakens us.

Helm, set a course for the center of the vortex.

Mr. La Forge, on my command,

I want all the power you can muster.

Yes, sir.

Are we going in?

Yes.

DATA: Course set, sir.

Now, everyone hold their position.

No matter what.

Engage.

O'BRIEN: Captain Picard.

This is Shuttle Bay 2.

The other Picard and the shuttle are gone.

Explain.

They just vanished.

What's our position?

We are back on course to Endicor.

RIKER: Stand down from Red Alert.

All decks have reported in.

No damage, no casualties.

You have the bridge, Number One.

( door opens and closes )

A lot of questions, Number One.

Damn few answers.

Maybe none of it was real.

Perhaps we were all part of a shared illusion.

Or maybe he was thrown back in time so that we would be able to take another road-- make... make a different choice.

Well, they say if you travel far enough, you will eventually meet yourself.

Having experienced that, Number One, it's not something I would care to repeat.

I'll be on the bridge, sir.