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The High Ground

Captain's Log, Stardate 43510.7:

The Enterprise has put in at Rutia IV

to deliver medical supplies

following an outbreak of violent protests.

Although non-aligned, the planet has enjoyed

a long trading relationship with the Federation.

Now, a generation of peace has ended

with terrorist attacks by Ansata separatists

who are demanding autonomy and self-determination

for their homeland on the western continent.

Recreational shore leave has been prohibited

and all away teams have been instructed to beam down armed.

We have only a few minutes before our next meeting, Doctor.

It's all right, we're finished.

Waiter.

( explosion )

( people screaming )

( alarm blaring )

Doctor!

SECURITY: Keep back.

CRUSHER: Put that away. I'm a doctor.

Just lie still. Try not to move.

Lieutenant Worf, I need some bandages, disinfectant-- something with alcohol in it.

Doctor, it is not safe.

That's an order, Lieutenant.

( alarm stops )

SECURITY: You there, clear this area.

Don't be afraid.

There's a lot of bleeding, but it's not as bad as it looks.

The Klingon's right.

These Ansata, they're madmen.

There could be another bomb.

( coughs )

Clear this area. Everyone out...

Doctor, I believe it would be prudent to return to the Enterprise.

There are physicians on this planet.

Who are not here. I am.

SECURITY: Everyone out. This way.

Doctor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Not at all, Doctor.

Captain, there has been an incident.

A bomb has been detonated by Ansata terrorists.

Your security status? Vulnerable, sir.

Transporter Room 3, lock onto the away team.

Prepare to beam them back. CREWMAN: Yes, Captain.

Sir, I've recommended such a course, but there are several wounded and Dr. Crusher is insisting on attending to... I understand.

Picard to Dr. Crusher. Go ahead.

Doctor, Commander Data has informed me of your situation.

I already know what you're going to say.

Doctor, will you at least allow...

The longer we argue, the longer it's going to take me to save...

Doctor, you are endangering yourself and the away team.

Captain, I am trying to put life back into a wounded body with sleight of hand, I'm not going anywhere.

Data and Worf don't have to stay.

Crusher out.

Transporter Room, do you have a lock on the away team?

CREWMAN: Aye, sir. Shall I transport them?

I don't want to be in the transporter room to greet her.

Commander Data, hold your position until the Rutian medics arrive.

Aye, sir.

The tricorder is not reading any other explosive devices in this vicinity.

SECURITY: Get out of the way! Move!

What...

( yells )

You don't understand, I'm a...

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.

A transporter would leave residual ionization in the air.

Our tricorder readings found no trace after the incident.

People don't just appear and disappear.

There must be some way to track her.

We have been unable to detect a signal from her communicator.

Either it has been deactivated or she is being held in a shielded location.

Why her?

WORF: Sir, I believe she was the intended target of the abduction.

Why would they want to take a Federation hostage?

Their fight doesn't involve us.

It does now.

You hungry? You want something to eat?

Doesn't matter to me.

You want to be hungry, be hungry.

What's your name?

You're a doctor on a Federation starship.

I always wondered what it would be like to travel across the galaxy.

It's not something I've exactly had time for.

This isn't the best way to meet new people, is it?

If you need anything, ask for me.

My name is Kyril Finn.

They know me.

We have no reason to believe she's been hurt in any way.

In fact, it's more than likely they will take good care of her if they want to use her as a bargaining chip.

Bargaining chip?

The innocent often become pawns in conflicts of this type, Wes.

You see, the Ansata separatists have been trying for generations to free themselves from the rule of the eastern continent.

And if they can get the government just to acknowledges their demands, then kidnapping your mother will have served its purpose.

I think, that's what they may be after, but it may not.

Frankly, Wesley, I don't care.

My only concern is to get your mother back.

And very shortly, we shall be leaving to have a meeting with the authorities.

Request permission to be on the away team, sir.

No. You have an important job to do here.

If we are to free your mother, then we have to be able to trace the movements of the terrorists.

I want you to work with the team that are investigating this new technology of theirs.

( sighs ) I understand.

Report to Mr. Data.

Dismissed.

He needs your strength right now.

History has shown us that strength may be useless when faced with terrorism.

And what exactly is Ansata policy with regard to hostages?

I doubt if they have one.

They don't usually take hostages.

These are not people we're dealing with here.

They're animals.

Fanatics who kill without remorse or conscience, who think nothing of murdering innocent people.

But they could just as easily have shot her where she stood.

Don't ask me to explain them.

I can't.

The atrocities that I've seen...

And now they have this new device that makes them even more deadly.

How do I combat an enemy that fails to register on any scanner until they're literally standing in front of you pointing a phaser at your head?

What can you tell us about this device?

Not much really.

They first started using it two months ago.

We've taken several of these off dead terrorists.

Our people have looked at them.

Nothing they can explain.

Do you mind if we take one of these with us and have our people study it?

Not at all.

And I'll put you in touch with our research people if you wish.

I appreciate your help.

Perhaps if we found ourselves in possession of some of that advanced Federation weaponry of yours, it would shift the balance of power back to our favor.

Of course, you know that is out of the question.

Yes, of course.

I would like to leave Commander Riker here to assist in your search for Dr. Crusher.

If you like.

You don't sound very optimistic.

I know my enemy, Commander.

They don't leave much room for optimism.

You hungry? You want something to eat?

Relax, relax.

I'm just going to...

Now, eat something.

What's the point of not eating?

You're the only one who suffers.

Do I look like it's bothering me?

Okay, it's bothering me.

Come on.

No forks, sorry.

Did I mention my name is Finn?

And you're...

Why have you brought me here?

I need a doctor.

There are doctors on Rutia.

I need somebody better.

I heard you were with the Federation flagship and I knew you had to be.

Who told you that?

I heard.

Now you'll help me just like you helped them.

What are you talking about?

Your ship carries medical supplies for them-- for the other side.

Why does the Federation ally itself with the Rutians?

We don't.

All we did was bring-- Medical supplies.

People were hurt. I know.

I hurt them.

You're finished eating. Get up.

Get up.

I have a son.

You'll be with him again, Doctor.

I see no reason to kill you.

( moaning )

I need some instruments from my ship in order to diagnose this.

And you think if I allow you to contact your ship they will transport the instruments?

When I inform the Captain how serious the situation is,

I'm sure he'll agree.

I've told you, Finn, the Federation is not allied with the Rutians.

We're here on an errand of mercy.

And since the Federation does not wish to take sides, they will send the supplies that you need. Absolutely.

I've anticipated your needs.

These are Federation supplies.

The ones we had delivered to the medical dispensary.

I heard.

You mean to tell me all these people belong to the Ansata?

No, not really.

We suspect the organization itself only to consist of some 200 members.

There are over 5,000 names on this list.

Citizens we know to be sympathetic to their cause.

They pass along weaponry and information march in pro-Ansata demonstrations participate in general strikes or the occasional riot.

How did this ever get started?

70 years ago, we denied them independence.

That gave them a noble cause.

Now it's just an excuse for more violence.

You hate them as much as they hate you.

Believe it or not,

I always considered myself moderate.

What changed your mind?

Being stationed here for six months watching the body count grow.

The three assassination attempts on my life.

Well, that'll change your point of view.

The event that really opened my eyes took place only a few days after my arrival.

A terrorist bomb destroyed a shuttlebus.

60 schoolchildren.

There were no survivors.

The Ansata claimed that it was a mistake-- that their intended target was a police transport.

As if that made everything all right.

That day, I vowed that I would put an end to terrorism in this city... and I will.

Thank you.

You're very helpful.

You could learn to do this when you grow up.

If you grow up.

They're dying.

I'm seeing a complicated set of conditions.

Their DNA is warped somehow and it's distorting their entire cellular chemistry.

You can't do anything?

I can make them more comfortable, that's all.

The damage is too extensive.

( inaudible )

If I could detect their condition earlier...

You could reverse the damage?

Perhaps. I don't know.

What happened to them?

It's the inverter.

It's given our cause a new life but... it asks for our lives in return.

What does it do?

We transport through a dimensional shift that the Rutian sensors can't trace.

Dimensional shifting?

You can't do that with humanoid tissue.

There are risks, the designers told us, but... it works.

You're showing the same distorted readings.

Not as severe as the others, but...

Doesn't matter.

It does if it kills you.

Don't you know?

A dead martyr is worth 10 posturing leaders.

A subspace field coil with an isolated power source.

Curious.

Hey, guys, come here.

Look at this.

The Rutian team picked up a faint nuclear vibration during the terrorist movements.

Nuclear vibration?

That could possibly indicate subspace transition rebound during transport.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

May I? Mm-hmm.

Computer, call up the files on...

Oh, what was his name?

We spent two hours on him in astral physics last year.

Uh... folded-space transport.

Adaptive transport? Yes.

Are you referring to the Elway theorem?

Yes. Computer, call up the files on the Elway theorem.

What if they're using inter-dimensional travel?

But the Elway theorem proved to be entirely inaccurate.

All research was abandoned by the mid-23rd century.

But, Data, look-- the nuclear vibrations are the same and Elway used a model similar to this.

It would certainly be untraceable by any standard method of detection.

But it was proven to be fatal.

To use this technology would be an irrational act.

We may be dealing with irrational people, Data.

Is there a way to trace this?

With an adaptive subspace echogram, maybe.

Captain, anyone who is willing to transport in this manner would suffer significant internal damage that could be detected.

Hmm. It sounds as though they may require the services... of a doctor.

( buzz of conversation )

Excuse me.

( indistinct radio transmission )

This is no way to live.

For us or them?

For both of you.

I know it's not pretty, Riker, but this is what terrorism has done to this city.

There's got to be a better way to deal with it than this.

My methods may seem harsh but, believe me, they're gentle compared to my predecessors.

Suspects would be brought into police headquarters and mysteriously vanish.

I put a stop to that.

What happened to your predecessors?

They were murdered.

Are you going to tell me that little boy's a threat?

It's possible.

That shuttlebus I told you about?

The bomb was set by a teenager.

In a world where children blow up children, everyone's a threat.

It's okay. Over there.

You should be drawing, not killing people.

I can do both.

How can you have such a casual attitude toward killing?

I take my killing very seriously, Doctor.

You are an idealist.

I live in an ideal culture.

There's no need for your kind of violence.

We've proven that.

Your origins on Earth are from the American continent, are they not?

North America.

Yes, I've read your history books.

This is a war for independence and I am no different than your own George Washington.

Washington was a military general, not a terrorist.

The difference between generals and terrorists, Doctor, is only the difference between winners and losers.

You win, you're called a general, you lose...

You are killing innocent people.

Can't you see the immorality of what you're doing?

Or have you killed so much you've become blind to it?

How much innocent blood has been spilled for the cause of freedom in the history of your Federation, Doctor?

How many good and noble societies have bombed civilians in war, have wiped out whole cities?

And now that you enjoy the comfort that has come from their battles, their killing, you frown on my immorality?

I am willing to die for my freedom, Doctor.

And in the finest tradition of your own great civilization,

I'm willing to kill for it, too.

All right, you can go.

SECURITY: Next man.

If you want, I could become more persuasive.

No.

You're Katik Shaw, the waiter from the Lumar Cafe.

You witnessed both the explosion and the kidnapping.

I saw nothing.

We're aware of your ties with the Ansata.

For all we know, you planted the bomb yourself.

Where have they taken her?

I don't know what you're talking about.

I've had enough of this.

I want you to take a message back to your people.

You tell them the Federation is willing to negotiate for the release of Dr. Crusher.

Riker!

She's a Starfleet officer and she's my responsibility.

If your people have terms, we're willing to listen.

We want her back. It's as simple as that.

I don't think it's necessary to detain this gentleman any longer.

Get out.

I should have him followed, but we'll try it your way.

Is that what you want?

What I want... is to go home.

Back to my own country.

To leave behind the roundups, the interrogations, the bodies lying in the street.

To be able to walk without the bodyguards.

And not to have to jump at every unexpected noise.

That's what I want, Riker.

A dimensional jump can create subspace pressure modulation, Captain.

By setting up a magnetosphere echogram that can monitor each of their movements, we may be able to collect enough data to trace their power source.

Can you estimate the number of jumps it would take?

Dimensional shifting is such an unstable procedure, sir, that I cannot say.

Sir, I am finding it difficult to understand many aspects of Ansata conduct.

Much of their behavioral norm would be defined by my program as unnecessary and unacceptable.

Mm-hmm. By my "program," as well, Data.

But if that is so, Captain, why are their methods so often successful?

I have been reviewing the history of armed rebellion.

And it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change.

Yes, it can be, but I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun.

Yet, there are numerous examples when it was successful.

The independence of the Mexican State from Spain, the Irish Unification of 2024, and the Kenzie Rebellion.

Yes, I'm aware of them.

Then would it be accurate to say that terrorism is acceptable when all options for peaceful settlement have been foreclosed?

( sighs )

Data, these are questions that mankind has been struggling with throughout history.

Your confusion is... only human.

Finn, everyone is being rounded up.

Because of her?

The Federation wants to negotiate a release.

While they arrange for the Rutian police to fill up the detention cells.

A Starfleet officer is working with the director.

He wants a meeting with you.

Oh, I'm sure he does.

Your Federation colleagues have engineered mass arrests to pressure me into releasing you.

I'm sure you've misunderstood.

They're working with the police. He's seen it with his own eyes.

All they want is to get me back safely.

I'm not releasing you.

I need you here.

To find a way to reverse the effects of the dimensional shift?

I can do that right now.

Stop using it.

I have a life, Finn. I have a son who needs me.

Is your son on the ship? Yes.

( sighs )

I'm sorry he's on the ship.

No.

They have joined forces with the Rutians against us.

We are not your enemy.

They are more valuable to me than an enemy.

For 70 years, we have shouted and no one has heard us.

Destroy the Federation flagship, someone will listen.

Please... They are the ones who interfered.

They are the ones who sent medical supplies.

They are the ones who organized mass arrests.

They are killing your son, not me.

Please, Finn, don't do this.

I will do anything you ask.

I had a son, too.

He was 13 when he died in detention.

( indistinct conversation )

What?

( screams )

( console beeps ) Intruder alert, deck 12.

Another subspace reflection. Dimensional shift, sir.

Go to Red Alert. Sound general quarters.

( alarm blaring )

( yelling )

Security to Engineering!

Intruders in Engineering.

Casualties reported on deck 12.

Sick Bay responding.

Seal off all decks.

Lock on transporters to intruder signals.

CREWMAN: Intruder signals unstable, Captain.

I cannot lock on.

They are moving interdimensionally.

Neither transporters nor force fields will contain them, sir.

( ticking )

Explosive charge on the main warp chamber.

Transporter Room 3, lock on to the explosive device and energize.

CREWMAN: It's scrambling the sensors, Captain.

I can't pinpoint it. Begin emergency evacuation.

Stand by for saucer separation.

Mr. La Forge, can you remove the charge from the engine core?

I'm trying. Hold on.

They've got it locked on somehow.

Stand by.

Transporter Room, lock on my signal and stand by to transport two kilometers off the starboard nacelle.

His signal?

Transporter Room-- now!

Mr. La Forge, report.

Transport complete, Captain.

I have a man down.

More dimensional shifts, sir.

PICARD: Can you calibrate their destination?

No, sir, the readings are...

( groans )

Security, Code 1 Emergency!

Security!

Lieutenant Worf is recovering in Sick Bay.

The wound was not severe.

Dead? Injured?

Three dead, four wounded.

Another millisecond and there would have been a big dust cloud orbiting Rutia instead of the Enterprise.

Why?

I just asked if they would talk.

You have your answer, Riker.

WESLEY: Sir.

The next time the Ansata use their dimensional jump, we should be able to get a fix on the power source.

Worf went down.

I don't know if he's alive or dead.

And there were other casualties.

Was Wes on the Bridge?

Yes.

He took cover.

I didn't see any more than that.

But you are all right, though?

Yes, they needed a doctor.

Uh-huh. The side effects of the transport.

Yes.

We're getting closer to tracing their movements.

Actually, it was Wesley who put us onto this dimensional jump of theirs.

He has been extraordinary, Beverly.

He's going to make a very fine officer.

He's had good role models.

I'm sorry. If I'd only gone back to the ship...

I should have beamed you up.

You wouldn't dare.

Oh, yes, I would... and should.

Without my permission?

If you don't follow orders...

If you'd give reasonable orders, I'd obey.

Doctor, I will be the judge of what is reasonable.

There aren't any exits to the surface.

So the only way out is by the transporter or the dimensional jump.

A mode of travel I'd encourage you to avoid.

It's killing them.

They're mad.

I don't know anymore.

The difference between a madman and a committed man willing to die for a cause... it's all become blurred over the last few days.

Beverly, I don't have to remind you of the psychological impact of being a hostage.

I know. I understand that.

But their leader, Finn, he's not what you'd expect.

No, he's certainly not what I would expect.

Without cause or reason, he and his little band of outlaws have attacked my ship.

But he did have reasons.

The medical supplies, the arrests...

Jean-Luc, if we really examined our role in all this...

Beverly, you are arguing for a man who may have murdered your son.

I didn't kill your son, Beverly.

We weren't able to destroy the ship.

We had to settle for him.

She wouldn't even tell me her name.

I call her Doctor.

You have made a grave miscalculation.

Oh?

You've assaulted a Federation starship, killed and wounded several members of her crew, kidnapped two of her officers, and you don't expect a response?

On the contrary, I'm counting on it.

You want Federation involvement?

Captain, the Federation has a lot to admire in it, but there's a hint of moral cowardice in your dealings with non-aligned planets.

You're doing business with a government that is crushing us.

And you say you're not involved.

You're very, very much involved.

You just don't want to get dirty.

You accuse us of cowardice while you plant bombs in shadows?

I am fighting the only war that I can against an intractable enemy.

Now, I'm fighting a big war against a more powerful adversary.

Can't you see how that helps me?

I'm afraid I can't.

He's added another chair to the negotiating table.

You added the chair, Captain.

I am simply forcing you to sit in it.

The Federation will quickly tire of our little war.

They'll want you back.

They will want to get as far from Rutia as they can and I will not make it easy.

Eventually, the Federation will force the government into making concessions, and then a few more, and then... a few more.

Until we can finally reach an honorable agreement that saves face for all sides-- except... we win.

You understand, I will not cooperate with you in any way.

You've already cooperated, Captain... just by coming here.

( gasps )

I am not here to hurt you.

Just hear what I have to say.

Your people are safe.

How long they stay that way depends on you.

We demand an embargo and trade sanctions levied against Rutia.

The Federation will blockade the planet.

No ships will be allowed in or out.

This will continue until the government of Rutia consents to talks mediated by a Federation counsel.

You have 12 hours to make your decision.

( console beeping )

Got it.

We've pinpointed the Ansata base as some 300 kilometers from the city on the southern tip of the continent.

Sensors indicate it is located

30 meters below the ground, implying a cavern-like dwelling.

Any passages leading to the surface?

Our readings show no evidence of any, Commander.

Any light they have must be artificially generated.

If we could shut that down, you could use the confusion to find your people.

Request permission to join the rescue party, sir.

I owe it to the Captain.

Permission granted.

You have the Bridge, Mr. Data.

Aye, sir.

Commander?

Good luck.

We'll bring them home, Wes.

You're glad to see your Captain.

Yes.

I may have to kill him.

I just wanted to warn you.

He can help you, Finn. He is very influential...

He will not help us.

If you could just convince him that your...

You may be able to convince him, perhaps, not I.

I've talked to him.

I'll try.

If our places were reversed,

I would expect to die.

Your places would never be reversed.

He would never forcibly abduct you or play games with your life.

He would treat you with respect.

I've treated you with respect.

You've scared the hell out of me, Finn!

You've controlled me through fear just like you've tried to control this whole continent.

You haven't tasted real fear yet, Doctor.

Is that the best you can do?

Is fear the only weapon you have?

No, but... it's a good one.

You know what scares me the most, Finn?

It scares me to think that you might win this fight and gain real power.

Doctor.

( sighs )

I...

I don't want you to fear me.

( equipment beeping )

( both groan )

( buzz of conversation )

The generator's right over there.

MAN: Were the power packs distributed?

WOMAN: Yes, sir.

Beverly, how dangerous would another ride through the inverter be to us?

I don't know, but I don't want you to start thinking about...

Beverly, it is our obligation to think of escape.

He's prepared to kill you.

An excellent reason to escape.

Do you think you've gained his confidence?

( paper rustles )

Indeed, you have.

And more.

This might prove to be an advantage to us.

Jean-Luc...

There are some things I want to tell you in case we don't get out of this.

Have they found us?

( alarm buzzing loudly )

MAN: Right away!

WOMAN: Look out.

MAN: Samuel!

Come with me.

Do we have any emergency power?

Freeze!

Hold it right there! Hands up.

Hands up. Let's go.

Finn...

He's dead.

You didn't have to kill him.

As a prisoner, he would have been a focus for violence... as his followers tried to free him.

Now he's a martyr.

But the death toll might go down, at least, in the short term.

It's an imperfect solution for an imperfect world.

Riker!

No more killing.

Already another one to take his place.

It never ends.

He could have killed you.

He didn't.

Maybe the end begins with one boy putting down his gun.

I hear I owe my rescue to you.

I was just part of the team.

It's good to have you back.

Both of you, sir.

Take us out of orbit, Mr. Crusher.

PICARD: At your convenience.