Home > Star Trek: The Next Generation

Booby Trap

( birds singing )

Another Coco-no-no?

No, thanks.

I think I've had enough already.

Yeah.

Yeah, me, too.

Ooh.

I almost forgot.

( plays "Hungarian Rhapsody" by Franz Liszt )

Geordi. Hmm?

I'm sorry.

I think I'd better go back.

Too chilly?

I can turn down the breeze.

No, it's been a lovely program and...

Yeah.

You're a terrific guy.

Yeah.

( sighs )

I just don't feel that way about you.

( sighs )

Yeah.

Oh, knock it off.

This was the final battle, wasn't it?

Mm-hmm. Neither side expected Orelious IX to be the decisive conflict.

There's not much left, is there?

The destruction is remarkable considering the primitive weapons of the period.

( door opens )

Uh-oh.

I beg your pardon, Wesley.

Geordi had that big date with Christi tonight.

He spent days putting together the perfect program.

Looked like it ended kind of early.

Uh-oh.

RIKER: Commander Data to the Bridge immediately.

Acknowledged.

We're picking up a signal.

Coordinates 211 mark 61.

It would seem to be an ancient interplanetary code.

Mr. Data?

Confirmed, sir.

Survivors on Orelious IX after all this time?

Not possible.

Well, hardly possible, Number One.

Lay in a course for the source of the signal.

Approaching source, Captain.

Put it on the viewer.

A Promellian Battle Cruiser.

With its Lang cycle fusion engines still intact.

( console beeping )

Sensors indicate no life signs aboard, Captain.

I should hope not, Mr. Data.

That ship belongs in a museum.

I'm afraid we're a little late.

That call for help was probably initiated over a thousand years ago.

PICARD: 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 43205.6.

We have arrived at Orelious IX

to chart the battle in which the Menthars and Promellians

fought to their mutual extinction.

Among the ruins, we have found a relic--

a Promellian Battle Cruiser

that has withstood the centuries.

Indulge me, Number One.

I would prefer it if Lieutenant Worf and I were able to run a security sweep of the ship first...

No.

Captain's prerogative.

This one's mine.

We have examined every conceivable risk.

The risks on a ship this old and fragile are inconceivable, Captain.

Ghosts, perhaps?

Number One, have you... have you never dreamed of climbing inside the bottle?

Sir?

The ship in the bottle.

Model airships...

I used to build them when I was a child.

My God

I bet I had a Promellian Battle Cruiser, too.

You ready to beam down to the vessel?

Locked onto the Main Bridge, Captain.

You're certain about the atmospheric conditions, Data?

There is adequate oxygen for life support, Commander.

It is exactly as they left it, Number One.

In the bottle.

The ship in the bot...

Oh, good Lord, didn't anybody here build ships in bottles when they were boys?

I did not play with toys.

I was never a boy.

I did, sir.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien.

Proceed.

I did. I really did.

Ships in bottles-- it was great fun.

( equipment powering down )

What's that? Not sure.

The secondary power bus may need adjusting.

Keep me posted.

Extraordinary.

Admirable.

They died at their posts.

Hmm...

You'd expect a bridge layout of this era to be clumsy, awkward but look at this.

It's a model of simplicity-- elegant and functional.

They built this craft for generations and it worked.

Don't you have anything stronger than this, Guinan?

Yes.

Would it help? No.

( sighing heavily ): Tell me something, Guinan.

You're a woman, right?

Yes, I can tell you I'm a woman.

What is it that you want in a man?

You mean me, personally?

As a woman, what's the first thing you look at?

His head.

Mmm, his mind, of course.

No, his head.

I'm attracted to bald men.

Seriously?

Seriously.

Why?

Maybe because a bald man was kind to me once when I was hurting.

Took care of me.

Mmm...

I'd like to do that.

Well, I take care of myself these days.

I mean take care of somebody.

I just don't get it, Guinan.

I can field strip a fusion reactor.

I can realign a power transfer tunnel.

Why can't I make anything work with a woman like Christi?

It's like I don't know what to do

I don't know what to say.

You're doing fine with me.

You're different.

No, you're different.

But I'm not trying now.

That's my point.

What is it, Wes?

The main power return is acting a little weird.

Define "weird."

I'm getting fluctuating waveguide readings.

Run a maintenance sweep.

Right.

Activating power pack, Captain.

( distress signal warbling )

Mr. Worf, be sure we get tricorder images of their tactical display.

Aye, sir.

The source of the distress signal appears to be coming from up there, Captain.

( warbling louder )

Let's put an end to their last cry for help.

( signal stops )

Captain, I believe this is an information storage device.

A crude analog of our own isolinear optical chip.

Crude by our standards today, Data but when this ship was built humans on Earth were just perfecting the mechanical clock.

They were still using steel crossbows in battle.

Is there any way to see what's on this?

Questionable, sir.

I believe I can supply power to its playback unit but its components are quite old.

I will attempt to amplify the image with my tricorder.

I am Galek Sar

Captain of the Promellian Cruiser Cleponji.

I wish anyone who finds this record to know my crew has behaved courageously.

I want it recorded for all time that I alone am responsible for the fate that befell us

I have failed-- as a Captain and as the man responsible for all the souls aboard my ship.

Picard to Enterprise.

RIKER: Go ahead, Captain.

I think we have seen all there is to see here.

At Mr. O'Brien's leisure, we're ready to return.

Aye, sir.

Thrilling.

That was absolutely thrilling.

And I was right, Number One.

There were ghosts on board that old ship.

One of them actually spoke to us.

The friendly one, I hope.

My own counterpart.

The Captain's final message praising his crew.

I hope you'll be as thoughtful when the time comes.

Mr. Data, advise the Astral V Annex.

This should be catalogued, scheduled for retrieval.

Aye, sir.

( chuckles quietly )

I'm sorry, Captain.

It's just a rare pleasure to see this side of your personality.

Mr. Crusher, set course for the original coordinates.

Yes, sir.

Captain, we are experiencing a two percent drop in energy reserves.

Compensating.

We were having some problems while...

( alarm sounds )

Readouts indicate we are being bombarded with a field of high-intensity radiation.

Shields up.

Captain, energy loss increasing to five percent.

Yellow Alert.

WORF: Aye, sir.

Energy loss increasing, sir.

Mr. Crusher... reverse course.

Full impulse power.

No response, sir.

Increase speed to warp one.

Engines aren't responding, Captain.

Mr. La Forge we need warp power now.

Matter/anti-matter mixture ratio settings at optimum balance.

Reaction sequence corresponding to specified norms.

Magnetic plasma transfer to warp field generators per program specs.

Commander, we should be going like a bat out of hell.

Power loss now at 12 percent, Captain.

Red Alert.

Radiation intensity increasing.

LA FORGE: We'd better slow these engines down before we burn out the reaction chamber.

Slow to idle, Geordi.

Is it possible?

Have we fallen into the same snare that killed them?

A thousand-year-old booby trap?

With engines idling, the energy loss has been limited but our reserves will be depleted in less than three hours.

We won't be able to hold our shields in place.

Mr. Worf, have you been able to identify the source of the radiation?

No, sir.

The radiation field is so strong it interferes with our sensors.

And no apparent explanation for the energy loss?

No, sir.

Is there anything in the history books, Data that could give us a clue?

There are many fascinating records of Menthar battle strategy.

They were exceptionally innovative.

In fact, they were the first to use the Kavis Teke elusive maneuver as well as the Passive Lure stratagem which is comparable to Napoleon's...

Any mention of a situation like this?

No, sir.

I recommend that I return to the Cruiser with an away team.

They didn't have much success with this problem, Commander.

No, but they knew who their enemy was better than we do.

They may have known what caused the trouble.

They just didn't know how to get out of it.

Agreed.

Mr. Worf, what would be the impact of lowering the shields long enough to get the away team out?

Negligible.

Won't do much for our energy conservation, Captain.

That's your job, Commander La Forge.

Determine some way to keep the Enterprise up and running.

Data, you join Commander Riker on the away team.

Find out what happened on that ship.

So, why can't we move?

Computer, as we increased our power levels was there any counterreaction?

Affirmative.

The opposing force grew in direct proportion to the power output of the Enterprise.

So it kept us from forming a subspace field for the warp drive?

That is correct.

Computer, who is this L. Brahms?

Doctor Leah Brahms. Engineer.

Graduate of the Daystrom Institute.

Theoretical Propulsion Group, Galaxy-class starships.

Team seven, junior member.

Junior member?

Looks like she wrote the book on propulsion.

Call up subspace design logs.

Select menu.

Visual records or L. Brahms' voice entries.

Voice entries.

BRAHMS: Theoretical propulsion logs.

Federation Starship Enterprise, Galaxy class.

Heading: Subspace.

Author: Leah Brahms.

Geordi La Forge.

How you doing, Doc?

Specify program.

Yeah, down to work.

You're absolutely right.

I recommend we evacuate and seal-off all non-operational areas, and group the families and crew on the odd-numbered decks.

Proceed.

I'd also like to set up an assembly area for treating radiation symptoms in case it's needed.

After the shields fall, how long before fatal exposure?

30 minutes.

After that, there is nothing that can be done.

RIKER: Away team to Enterprise.

Captain, we may have found something.

There's a file of memory coils here.

They are identical to the coil we found earlier, Captain.

The Captain's log, perhaps?

That's what we were thinking.

Mr. Data, are they in working condition?

I believe so, sir.

We can enhance them through the image processor in the ship's computer.

Good. Return at once.

RIKER: Aye, sir.

Computer, generate a cross-section image of the dilithium crystal chamber.

What about... reorienting the crystal?

BRAHMS: It is possible to reorient the crystal.

The key lies in adjusting the lattice structure direction.

This modification will be integrated into the next class starship.

Sorry, can't wait.

You and me, Leah, we got just two hours to figure this thing out.

( sighs )

You know what I need to do?

I need to get inside there.

I need to be able to turn that thing inside out.

Computer, is there a cross-section image we can replicate on a holodeck?

Select menu: Design specifications or prototype schematic.

Prototype. Elaborate.

A development stage prototype schematic at Utopia Planitia, Drafting Room 5 of the Mars Station, Stardate 40174.

Perfect.

Recreate it in Holodeck Three.

Stay with me, Doc.

Ready, computer?

Holodeck Three program is ready.

Damn...

Right back where it all started.

Oh, this is incredible.

Leah, did you design this?

BRAHMS: The dilithium crystal chamber was designed at outpost designated Seran-T-One

Stardate 40052.

Some of the Federation's best engineering minds participated in its development.

That's the visiting dignitary talk.

What's the inside story?

Off the record.

COMPUTER: Access denied.

Personal logs are restricted.

Great.

Another woman who won't get personal with me on the holodeck.

Leah, I want to find a way to supplement the energy supply to the ship and to the engines.

Could we alter the matter/anti-matter paths?

BRAHMS: Theoretically, yes.

The system should be able to accept more reactants at a faster rate of injection.

Well, this is your baby.

Show me which ones.

Computer, did I ask for a simulation?

Affirmative.

You asked Dr. Brahms to show you which system could accept reactants at a faster rate.

By accessing available imagery an adequate facsimile was possible.

Hmm, I did do that, didn't I?

Okay, well, it's good to see you, Leah.

Continue with your analysis.

Systems L-452 through L-575 will accept reactants providing all other systems are calibrated to an equal factor.

Then, if we use multiple injector streams hitting more than one crystal facet we could do it.

We could hold our own.

Leah, you're beautiful.

La Forge to Picard.

Go ahead.

Captain, we've found a way to extend the matter/anti-matter energy supplies.

Well done, Mr. La Forge.

Geordi, can you give us enough power to get us out of here?

Sorry, Commander, we haven't addressed that one yet.

First priority was to maintain the shields.

Acknowledged.

We'll get to work on it right away, sir.

Pass my congratulations to the rest of your team.

Thanks, Captain.

We're all smiles down here.

Captain, we've been able to verify that these coils are the logs of the Promellian Captain but most of them have decayed and cannot be repaired.

RIKER: Can you hear any playback at all?

On most, there are brief sections which may yield some information.

Well, do the best you can, Data.

Let's just hope we can get the section we need.

PICARD: Surely he must have logged the cause of the ship's death.

What Captain wouldn't?

They were all found in an open locker.

I don't think he was too concerned with security.

452 through system L-575.

COMPUTER: Adjustments to dilithium crystal chamber complete.

Impact analysis, computer.

Warp energy has increased 14 percent.

Reactants per unit time remaining steady.

Yes, all right!

( sighs )

Computer, do you have any... you know, personality on file for Dr. Brahms?

Starfleet personality profile analysis, Stardate 40056.

Did she ever debate at the intergalactic caucuses on Chaya VII?

Doctor Brahms attended Chaya VII caucuses on the following stardates...

Never mind the dates.

Computer, if you add data from all these sources could you synthesize a true representation of Dr. Brahms?

There would be a 9.37 percent margin of error in the interactive responses from the facsimile.

I can live with that.

Do it.

Dr. Brahms?

Geordi, it's me, Leah.

Don't start calling me "Dr. Brahms" or I'll call you "Commander La Forge."

Right.

Now, we've managed to maintain energy but we can't leave it in this realignment forever without burning out components, so we need to move quickly.

Are you with me?

Uh, yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

GALEK SAR: We have been stripped of all propulsion and our weapons are useless.

We cannot move and we cannot fight.

The ship is being lashed with lethal radiation from the aceton assimilators concealed in the rubble surrounding...

Aceton assimilators?

Aceton assimilators are primitive generators which can drain power from distant sources.

Generators...

It would not be difficult to modify them to convert energy into radiation.

The Menthars hide them in floating debris an unsuspecting ship flies in... instant booby trap.

And now we're supplying the devices with the energy to kill us.

No, no, no.

Will you listen to me?

You can't boost the warp power that way.

If you can just increase the speed of the parallel subspace field processor to gain a quicker response time...

I want to give us enough power to strengthen the shields and barrel out of here not blow us up.

This is my design we're talking about.

I did the calculations myself.

I don't care if you built it with your bare hands out of an old Ferengi cargo ship.

It's going to go...

( imitates explosion )

...and we're going to go with it.

I am not used to having people question my judgment.

And I'm not used to dying.

Okay, look.

You worked in a lab on a static model.

This is a working machine.

It's got tens of thousands of light years on it.

True.

Damn right.

Listen.

We'd never be certain that the circuit paths are sealed.

You're good.

Very good.

I know my ship-- inside and out.

Well, then you must know me inside and out

'cause a lot of me is in here.

You know, I always wished that a chief engineer could be present when a ship is being built.

That's what's wrong with designers.

We never get out in space.

Well, you're there now.

RIKER: Commander La Forge to the Bridge.

On my way, Commander.

Don't go away.

I mean...

Computer, save program.

How many devices do we think we're dealing with, Mr. Data?

To create this radiation field would take several hundred thousand, sir.

They've been out there a long time, Data.

There must have been some deterioration.

There is no way to precisely calculate that, Commander but it is likely.

Is there any indication of a weakness in a specific part of the field?

WORF: Nothing substantial, Captain.

Of any kind?

Well, there is a .1 percent dip in the strength of the radiation field at... 21 mark 8 by 42 mark 0.

I want that .1 percent.

I recommend we fire directional phasers at those coordinates.

LA FORGE: We won't be able to maintain energy reserves.

We might even lose a few circuits in the new configuration.

How critical will the losses be?

Not enough to shut down our engines but if we don't make it

I don't know that I can hold the shields.

There is also the possibility that the phasers will supply the assimilators with what they need most-- energy.

You know, I imagine a very similar discussion taking place in our neighbor ship over a thousand years ago.

Well, let's hope our decisions are more successful than theirs were.

Mr. La Forge, I want you to return to Engineering and continue with your efforts without delay.

Mr. Worf... prepare the phasers.

Phasers locked on coordinates.

Fire.

Nothing.

WORF: Radiation levels increasing. Eight percent.

Ten percent.

DATA: Energy reserves are dropping rapidly, sir.

Damn you.

Wouldn't that increase the output of the subspace processors to gain a quicker response time?

The processors can handle the extra input.

Yeah, but how do we reconfigure?

COMPUTER: Energy reserves reaching critical stage.

Standard procedure requires termination of all simulations.

Computer, override standard procedure.

Override authority restricted.

What?

Computer!

LA FORGE: The crystal lattice is breaking down.

We'll have to pick up repairs when we can reach a Starbase.

The optimist of the group.

How long do we have shields based on current calculations?

Under two hours.

And the radiation field has increased by 17 percent.

So, what impact will that have on fatal exposure?

Down to 26 minutes.

If we resist, we die.

If we don't resist, we die.

Mr. La Forge, have we shut down all non-essential energy usage?

Yes, sir.

In fact, I need to get some back.

I'm running a program on Holodeck Three.

For what purpose?

Well, I've gone back to the beginning to the earliest construction entries of the Enterprise.

I've created a... well, a propulsion design model to assist me.

I believe we're making progress.

Computer, reinstate Holodeck Three program.

Holodeck Three program is reinstated.

Mr. La Forge, your best suggestion in one hour.

Picard out.

Computer, resume Holodeck Three program.

Enter when ready.

There isn't much time left.

Somehow, we have to generate enough energy to get out of here. but we've got a booby trap that eats energy for breakfast.

How do we fool it, block it, shut it down, anything?

Okay, we know that for every move the Enterprise makes there's a countermovement by the energy field.

Can we use that to our advantage somehow?

Maybe.

There must be a time differential between the force and counterforce.

If we can just make quick continuing adjustments in the linkups before the counterforce reacts we might just be able to move this bucket.

Yeah.

Yes!

Leah... do you like Italian food?

Like it?

Wait till I make you my fungilli.

Okay, fusion reactor uplink to navigation processor.

Hmm, then we have to adjust the vector processor and the drive coils.

( growls )

This is impossible!

Mmm... mmm.

Don't do that.

I'm sorry.

I thought it would feel good.

I don't want to feel that good right now.

What time is it?

Coming up on 1600 hours.

Oh, God, what am I supposed to tell the Captain?

It's possible and yet it's not possible.

Everything we've done says we can't adjust that fast but if we could, it might work.

I could do it.

Data couldn't even do it.

It will take 100, maybe 1,000 adjustments every second.

How are you going to do it?

It's humanly impossible.

I'm not human.

You, uh... you mean the computer could do it?

LA FORGE: Captain.

Captain, this is, uh... this is a holographic simulation of one of the propulsion experts who designed the Enterprise engines, Leah Brahms.

We... I've been examining the force-counterforce response times trying to see if we could create linkage at maximum power.

And?

There's a... there's a chance we could maneuver out of this trap

if we turn the ship over to the computer.

What kind of a chance?

I don't know yet.

But we could program it and try it out on a few simulated runs.

And this is the only way?

I think so, sir.

( door chimes )

Come.

Any word from La Forge?

He's come up with something that may give us a chance if we agree to stay out of it.

He proposes to turn total control of the ship over to the computer because it is capable of making quicker adjustments than any human being.

Computers have always impressed me with their ability to take orders.

I'm not nearly as convinced of their ability to creatively give them.

You know, Number One you missed something not playing with model ships.

They were the source of imaginary voyages each holding a treasure of adventures.

Manning the earliest spacecraft flying an aeroplane with only one propeller to keep you in the sky.

Can you imagine that?

Now the machines are flying us.

COMPUTER: End simulation.

Fatal exposure.

Computer, reduce thrust levels another four percent.

Adjust trajectory angle to compensate.

Begin simulation again.

There you go.

We got out.

Repeat simulation.

Same levels.

COMPUTER: End simulation. Fatal exposure.

See? Same variables only this time, the computer didn't quite make it.

( alarm blaring )

COMPUTER: Deflector shield failure.

Lethal radiation levels.

Fatal exposure in 26 minutes.

It might work, Geordi. And it might not.

I can't ask Captain Picard to turn the ship over to a computer.

It's all we've got.

Picard to La Forge.

Captain two minutes-- give me just two minutes.

There is another way, Captain.

Two minutes, please.

Two minutes, Mr. La Forge.

Picard out.

Geordi, there's no other way. No, no, no, wait.

Listen, turn it completely around.

Literally-- come at it from the opposite direction.

God, it's so simple, it might even work.

Okay. Computer, new simulation.

Everything we've tried to do has been based on overpowering the trap-- more energy, faster adjustments-- but that's exactly what we can't do because that's what we're supposed to do.

That's the booby trap.

The answer lies in our own computer, the mind.

The best piece of engineering we'll ever need.

But didn't your researches indicate a thousand adjustments per second will be required?

But not if we shut everything off.

One blast of everything we've got left for a microsecond to beat the inertia, and then we shut it all down except for minimal life support and two thrusters.

No impulse engines, no computer.

One propeller, Captain?

COMPUTER: Deflector shield failure.

Lethal radiation levels.

Fatal exposure in 12 minutes.

Have you analyzed the risk factor?

The numbers say it's even money.

It's no better than turning it over to the computer but no worse either.

But I say forget the numbers.

There's no way the computer can compensate for the human factor-- the intuition the experience.

And the wish to stay alive.

Make it so.

I've run the simulations, Captain.

If you want, I'll take the conn.

Thank you, Mr. La Forge, but you've done your job.

Now I must do mine.

I relieve you, Mr. Crusher.

Yes, sir.

( bosun's whistle blows )

All hands, this is Commander Riker.

We are about to engage impulse engines for a short burst.

Inertial dampeners are on manual.

They may not fully compensate for the acceleration so brace yourselves.

COMPUTER: Deflector shield failure.

Lethal radiation levels...

Computer, discontinue radiation warning until further notice.

It's all yours, sir.

Thank you, Number One.

Firing impulse engines.

Impulse engines are down.

Shutting down all systems.

( equipment powering down )

Velocity is 135 meters per second.

( console beeping )

We will be entering the debris field in eight seconds.

Starboard thruster firing.

RIKER: Coming to heading 340 mark 10.

DATA: Thruster is off.

RIKER: Captain, that large mass to the port may contain an assimilator.

DATA: Port thruster is firing.

WORF: No reaction from the assimilator.

We made it over the first hurdle.

( console beeping )

Sir, object to port.

DATA: Port thruster is firing.

Sir, the gravitational attraction of the various masses has reduced our velocity by eight percent.

By my calculations we no longer have sufficient momentum to clear the debris field.

Thank you, Mr. Data.

The asteroid's gravitation is drawing us closer.

Velocity is increasing.

DATA: Velocity is still increasing.

Now at 219 meters per second.

DATA: Starboard aft thruster.

You have used the asteroid's gravitational pull as a slingshot.

Excellent.

We're out.

We got through.

You have the conn, Mr. Crusher.

Yes, sir.

PICARD: Initiate full restart.

Put all systems back on line.

LA FORGE: With pleasure, sir.

Number One, make sure that booby trap doesn't bother anyone again.

Mr. Worf, ready photon torpedoes.

Set to detonate on impact with the Promellian vessel.

Aye, sir.

You know, I've always thought that technology could solve almost any problem.

It enhances the quality of our lives.

Lets us travel across the galaxy.

It even gave me my vision.

But sometimes you just have to turn it all off-- even the gypsy violins.

Violins?

Different program.

We made a good team.

Mmm.

Mm-hmm.

Maybe we can do it again sometime.

Oh...

I'm with you every day, Geordi.

Every time you look at this engine you're looking at me.

Every time you touch it, it's me.

Computer, exit holodeck.

End program.