Home > Star Trek: The Next Generation

Menage a Troi

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Captain's Log, Stardate 43930.7.

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The Enterprise has been in attendance

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at the biennial Trade Agreements Conference

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on Betazed.

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For the first time, the Ferengi are present

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and I have reluctantly consented

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to their boarding the Enterprise

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for the closing reception.

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( people talking, laughing )

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( rhythmic music playing )

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Check and mate.

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WESLEY: Perfect.

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The Queen's Gambit, finished off with the Aldabren Exchange.

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Unfair.

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I-I couldn't concentrate with all that noise.

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WESLEY: Noise?

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It's Algolian ceremonial rhythms.

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( snorts )

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A toast to the success of the Trade Conference, Reittan.

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I must admit...

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I had some doubts when you invited the Ferengi.

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They made a profit and behaved themselves.

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What more could one ask?

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Still, they trouble me.

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We Betazeds are uncomfortable with species like the Ferengi whose minds we can't read.

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DATA: Perhaps your telepathic skills are ineffective owing to the anomalous construction of the Ferengi brain, which is composed of four different...

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Thank you, Mr. Data.

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It was thoughtful of you to invite Lwaxana Troi to be part of the Betazed delegation.

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REITTAN: Yes, Lwaxana and I go way back.

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Her first husband and I were old friends, and I've known Deanna since she was a child.

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I'm sure Counselor Troi appreciates the opportunity to spend time with her mother.

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LWAXANA: Little One, you could at least pretend you're happy to see me.

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Mother, we're among non-telepaths.

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It's impolite not to speak aloud.

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You mean talk with my mouth full?

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Deanna, please.

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Well, all right.

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You want me to say something aloud.

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Have you ever considered, if you'd stayed on Betazed, you might have been a happier person?

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Let's not guess what might have been.

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I love my work on the Enterprise.

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Yes, of course you do, but it's all business and no play.

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You've got to enjoy life, relax.

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Like I do.

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Find yourself the right man.

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Think of your future.

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Think of my future.

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Lwaxana, Deanna.

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Anything I can do for you?

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Could I...?

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She's as repulsive as the rest of them.

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Repulsive?

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I find her exotic.

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And what an advantage her telepathy would be in our negotiations.

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To read our competitors' minds.

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Yes, that would be valuable.

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But she'd never agree to use her powers to help us.

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I'm not so sure.

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Lwaxana Troi of Betazed, I believe.

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I am DaiMon Tog of the Ferengi vessel Krayton.

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May I join you?

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I was just going to see

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Captain Picard.

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Excuse me.

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Oh, Jean-Luc. Jean-Luc!

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Come have a drink with me.

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Tell me what you've been up to.

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Perhaps later, Lwaxana.

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Mr. Data and I were about to show Reittan Grax the, um... the, um... the new door mechanisms on the aft turbolifts.

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If you'll excuse us.

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Lwaxana Troi, I desire you.

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What?

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You see, your Betazoid skills would be very useful to me, and I find you very attractive.

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I am willing to pay handsomely for you.

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I don't believe this.

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You must be aware that every female has her price.

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Let's get one thing straight, little man.

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I am not for sale.

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And if, by some chance, I were to become available,

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I would rather eat

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Orion wing-slugs than deal with a toad-faced

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troll like you!

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So go away and find yourself somebody else to become your property.

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As you wish.

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Now that you've totally humiliated us, may we return to our vessel?

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She is exhilarating, isn't she?

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( chuckles )

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And now I want her more than ever.

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Lwaxana Troi, you will be mine.

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Space, the final frontier.

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These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.

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Its continuing mission--

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to explore strange new worlds,

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to seek out new life and new civilizations,

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to boldly go where no one has gone before.

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Are we at war with the Ferengi yet?

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DaiMon Tog has returned to his vessel and the Ferengi have left orbit.

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My mother will be relieved.

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I hear she handled the situation quite skillfully.

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An admirable woman.

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I'll be sure to tell her you said so.

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LWAXANA: Come in, Little One.

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( sighs )

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Mother?

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Mother, please.

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Oh...

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Oh, after that awful little Ferengi insulted me,

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I needed to center myself.

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Can you imagine that dreadful little creature talking to me like that?

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Doesn't he realize that I am the daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed,

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Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx?

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The Sacred Chalice of Rixx is an old clay pot with mold growing inside it.

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Oh, well, perhaps one day, when you're older and wiser, you'll understand.

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Come on, Little One, sit down.

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Talk to me.

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We spend so little time together.

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That's true.

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I'm sorry, and I didn't mean to get so upset with you at the reception.

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Oh, no. Deanna, try to understand.

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You're all I have.

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My only concern is for your happiness.

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I am happy.

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Why can't you believe that?

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Oh, I wish I could, but how much happiness is there in always being there for someone else and never being there for yourself?

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I get a great deal of satisfaction out of my work.

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Oh, well, I'm sure you do.

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I'm sure it's very rewarding in its way, but...

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( sighs )

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...what about a family?

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This is my family-- my friends, here on the Enterprise.

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All right, in case I have to spell it out for you,

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I am talking about finding a husband, having a child.

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That's what made me happy.

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At least, until now.

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Mother, look, perhaps someday I will marry, but you have to let me make my own choices, live my own life, and not the life that you would choose for me.

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You had your chance with Commander Riker.

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Look how you ruined that.

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I did not ruin anything.

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We've become very good friends.

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Well, all the better.

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You certainly wouldn't want to marry an enemy.

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I see we can't talk about this.

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Very well, have it your own way, Little One.

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Little One?!

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You called me that when I was five.

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Now stop demeaning me and address me as an adult.

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I'll be home on Betazed if you need me, Little...

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Deanna.

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Adding preprocessors to the neutrino counters boosted efficiency by 11%.

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Of course, Commander La Forge and Commander Data did most of the work...

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Not so fast, Wesley.

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Reprocessing the data with an optical chip was your idea.

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That is correct, sir.

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Although Commander La Forge and I designed the chip,

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Mr. Crusher derived the equation governing its operation.

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The point is, you completed the upgrade well ahead of schedule.

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Very impressive.

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Indeed. Fine work.

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We shall miss you, Mr. Crusher.

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As you've guessed, final entrance examination scores from Starfleet Academy have arrived.

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Congratulations.

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As soon as you have completed the oral exam, you'll be formally admitted.

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We'll have you back at Betazed in plenty of time to meet up with the Academy transport ship.

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Thank you, sir.

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That'll be all.

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Number One, a moment.

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Yes, Captain?

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You'll agree that this is a fairly routine mapping mission?

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Yes, sir.

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Counselor Troi had the good sense to ask for shore leave.

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I can see I'm going to have to suggest it to you.

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Have a good time, Number One.

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( indistinct conversation )

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( Deanna laughing )

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RIKER: ...your mother.

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I think it's around here somewhere.

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Well, maybe it died.

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It has been a few years.

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Muktok live for hundreds of years.

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Here it is.

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Oh!

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Oh... oh, it's lovely.

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( musical tinkling )

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I remember that sound and all the good times we had.

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I remember a certain junior officer meeting a very serious psychology student.

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The best part about being assigned to Betazed.

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LWAXANA: Ah, this is the perfect spot.

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Put the food down over there, Mr. Homn.

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Oh, isn't it a beautiful day for a picnic?

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( sighing ) Oh, they'll be joining us in a moment.

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No, no, not that. Here, I-I-I...

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Put the food over there.

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No, no, you can go back...

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Mother, how did you know about this place?

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Your father used to bring me here.

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Sit down.

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RIKER: And you even brought provisions.

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Very thoughtful.

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Here, Will, Deanna.

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Try an oskoid.

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They're delicious.

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You see, that sap running through the veins helps keep it warm.

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Very tasty.

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So, tell us, Lwaxana, the last time we met, you were looking for a husband.

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Have you had any luck?

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Alas, no, but what happens to me isn't important.

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I am much more concerned with other people getting on with their lives.

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Mother.

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Mr. Homn,

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I noticed some uttaberries back along the path.

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Pick some.

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Well, Mr. Homn and I could go back home if you two would like to be alone.

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It's, uh, such a romantic setting.

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Mother, stop it!

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Darling, you have been so excitable lately.

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Have you ever thought of a leave of absence?

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I could talk to Jean-Luc.

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Try the oskoid.

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Very different.

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( hum of an active transport)

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What the...? Oh.

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For one whose beauty surpasses even these pericules.

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DaiMon Tog,

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I thought the Krayton left orbit hours ago.

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It did.

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But when I tried to get the image of Lwaxana Troi out of my mind, I could not succeed.

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This is ludicrous.

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You mean, you came all the way back to Betazed for me?

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Why continue to search for perfection once you have found it?

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I don't believe this.

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Now, look, demon Tog or whatever you call yourself,

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I am the daughter of the Fifth House,

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Holder of the Scared Chalice of Rixx,

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Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed, and unless you want to create an interstellar incident, you had better beam back to your ship.

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Returning to my ship is exactly what I had in mind.

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Krayton, transport four immediately.

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No, Tog...

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FERENGI: Pawn takes Knight, King's Level.

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( chuckling )

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FERENGI 2: Bishop takes Knight, King's Level.

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Rook to Queen Four.

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( groans )

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( Ferengi chuckling )

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Lwaxana?

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Oh...

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Deanna?

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Where are we?

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From the smell of things

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I'd say we're aboard a Ferengi vessel.

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The Ferengi can't do that.

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You're Starfleet officers.

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Well, Tog must not have read that chapter in the Ferengi Book of Etiquette.

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Enterprise?

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Must be too far out of range.

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Oh...

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( yelps )

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( both gasp )

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DaiMon, they have regained consciousness.

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Very good.

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( gasps )

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I should have known.

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Even their transporters can't be trusted.

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Why have you removed our clothing?

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Females do not deserve the honor of clothing.

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They're as bad as humans.

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Look at that leer on his face.

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No, his is an expression of revulsion, but it is a feeling that I do not share, Lwaxana.

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Oh, uh...

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Well, it's cold in here.

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Do you want me to become ill?

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You must forgive the Doctor.

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He is not accustomed to dealing with Betazoid females.

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Now, Lwaxana,

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I have a, uh, business proposition for you.

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Thanks, but I'm not interested in any of your propositions.

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Hear me out.

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Your telepathic powers could bring us both great profit.

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Huh. Why would I want to bring you profit?

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In order to keep your daughter alive and healthy, for one.

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TOG: There is no need for threats.

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Lwaxana is a sensible female.

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I don't like the sound of this, Mother.

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I believe I can control him, Little One.

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I'm sure that, uh... we can talk about this.

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Just the two of us.

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A wise choice.

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Farek, leave us.

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Wel...

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And you may rejoin your friend.

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Mother, are you sure?

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I'll be fine.

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( console beeps )

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Mm.

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( chuckles nervously )

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And now, Lwaxana Troi... let us talk.

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15 hours from Gamma Erandi and already the subspace static is playing hell with the communications.

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Just what you'd expect from a stellar nursery.

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Wesley, congratulations on passing your Starfleet written examination.

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An excellent achievement.

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Thanks, Data.

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Now, if I can just do as well on the oral exams.

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Not to worry, you will.

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And when you return, we'll be gaining the best ensign in the fleet.

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There is no guarantee that Wesley will be reassigned to the Enterprise.

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91% of Starfleet graduates are not posted to Galaxy-class starships on their first assignment.

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I never thought of that.

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I always assumed I'd be coming back to the Enterprise.

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Well, I'm sure Captain Picard will request you.

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That is, if he's still commanding the Enterprise when you graduate.

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I never thought of that either.

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I never thought I'd feel this way about leaving you guys and the Enterprise.

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Is that not part of the human experience?

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Growth and change?

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Well, I suppose so, but...

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Listen, Wesley, I felt the same way when I left my family to go to the Academy, but it was one of the best times of my life.

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You're going to meet new friends and have adventures that you can't even imagine yet.

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I hope you're right, Geordi.

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LWAXANA: Oh, Little One,

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Tog's given me something perfectly hideous to wear.

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He says it flatters my beauty.

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( chuckles )

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So far, Mother's in no danger.

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I hope she knows what she's doing.

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Well, she's bought us some time.

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Let's make the most of it.

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I wouldn't do that.

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I don't need your help.

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The hell you don't.

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You're two moves away from being mated.

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( growls )

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See? You should have listened to me.

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Now you've only got one possible escape...

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( grunts )

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That wasn't it.

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( laughs )

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You should have moved the bishop.

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Ridiculous! The bishop was pinned.

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Don't listen to me.

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Forget the fact that I beat you in 30 moves.

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Pure luck.

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I was being polite.

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I could have won in 20.

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Then prove it.

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Pawn to Queen Four, King's Level.

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Pawn to King's Bishop Three, Queen's Level.

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I must admit, when you, uh, first approached me aboard the Enterprise, I was... intrigued.

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( chuckles ): You mean revolted.

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Perhaps a little.

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Do you forgive me?

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Yes.

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But with your powers, we could be a formidable team.

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My, you have great strength in your hands.

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And you like that?

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( sighs ): I have always admired strong males.

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You are beautiful.

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It is impossible for me to resist you.

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Then, uh... don't.

00:22:30

Initial scans of ionization patterns complete, sir.

00:22:34

Now correlating sensor readings.

00:22:39

It's almost incomprehensible-- the amount of energy being expended.

00:22:45

Actually, it is 5.34 times ten to the 41st watt, sir.

00:22:49

Well within the norm for this type of phenomenon.

00:22:51

Yes, yes, yes, perhaps, Data.

00:22:55

But that takes away none of the wonder.

00:23:05

Check.

00:23:07

I'm sick of this game.

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Of course, now that you are losing.

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Who's losing?

00:23:12

I'm just tired of standing up.

00:23:14

You can't resign now.

00:23:16

It's hard to play from in here.

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I can't even see the whole board.

00:23:18

Ah.

00:23:20

Then you'll finish the game if I let you out of the cell?

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I might.

00:23:24

( laughs )

00:23:26

Clever, human, but I'm not that foolish.

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What, do you think I'm going to try to escape?

00:23:30

What would that get me?

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You've already got her.

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Besides, where would I go?

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I do not trust you.

00:23:40

Fine.

00:23:41

Thanks for the game.

00:23:52

Come out here.

00:24:09

Now save your rook, if you can.

00:24:17

...and that was my first husband.

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Not much of a conversationalist but, uh... what a lover.

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Well, then I met...

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I do not want to hear about your other romances.

00:24:33

It makes me jealous.

00:24:37

My, my, what, uh... big ears you have.

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Has anyone ever told you how attractive they are?

00:24:46

Some females think they are my best feature.

00:24:51

No one has ever given me oo-mox like this before.

00:24:56

Oo-mox?

00:24:57

There's no translation, but the ear is one of our most erogenous zones.

00:25:06

Those Ferengi have iron jaws.

00:25:10

LWAXANA: Little One, if Tog were a kitten, he'd be purring.

00:25:14

Good work, Mother.

00:25:16

According to Mother,

00:25:18

DaiMon Tog is extremely relaxed at the moment.

00:25:21

Tell Lwaxana to keep him relaxed while we call in the cavalry.

00:25:25

COMPUTER: Access to communications denied.

00:25:29

All transmissions to be authorized by DaiMon Tog.

00:25:34

Let's see just how relaxed DaiMon Tog is.

00:25:38

Mother, we're out of the cell

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and we're trying to contact the Enterprise,

00:25:42

but we can't do it without Tog's access code.

00:25:44

Do you think you could manage to...

00:25:45

LWAXANA: Say no more, Little One.

00:25:49

Lwaxana, you and I are going to make such a wonderful team.

00:25:54

With your telepathy and my cunning, I foresee...

00:25:58

A very profitable future.

00:26:00

( chuckles in agreement )

00:26:09

Subspace interference is subsiding, sir.

00:26:12

Communications have been restored.

00:26:14

Good.

00:26:15

Contact Commander Riker on Betazed.

00:26:17

Message coming in from Betazed, sir.

00:26:19

Priority one.

00:26:22

On screen.

00:26:24

Captain Picard, at last.

00:26:26

We have been trying to reach you for two days.

00:26:28

Our communications have been blocked by the nebula, Reittan.

00:26:30

Is there a problem?

00:26:32

I'm afraid so, Captain.

00:26:34

Lwaxana, Deanna, and Commander Riker have disappeared.

00:26:45

I knew I wanted you the moment I saw you.

00:26:48

You have fulfilled all of my expectations.

00:26:51

How sweet.

00:26:52

Farek thought it was a bad idea, but I knew better.

00:26:56

How clever.

00:26:58

I knew best.

00:26:59

I always know best.

00:27:01

( low voice ): How repugnant.

00:27:03

What?

00:27:04

Oh, I said, "How romantic."

00:27:06

I can't resist a man who knows what he wants and goes after it.

00:27:11

That's me and that's why I am DaiMon of this ship.

00:27:15

I take charge in every situation.

00:27:18

More to the left, woman.

00:27:20

Whatever you say.

00:27:23

( moaning happily )

00:27:26

My darling, would you care for something to drink?

00:27:30

Mmm. You're so attentive.

00:27:32

Does your food synthesizer know how to make an Arcturian Fizz?

00:27:37

I don't think so.

00:27:39

They have certain pleasure-enhancing qualities.

00:27:42

Hmm.

00:27:44

Uh... let me teach your computer how to make one.

00:27:51

Oh!

00:27:52

I'll need your access code.

00:27:55

Yes, my beloved.

00:27:57

Computer, access code Keh-ee

00:28:01

Yoor-ee Dah-teh-ee...

00:28:03

Tog, be silent!

00:28:06

I knew you were not to be trusted.

00:28:10

Doctor Farek, I was just going to make DaiMon Tog a drink.

00:28:12

Save your lies for this fool.

00:28:16

B-But he's...

00:28:17

But, oh, please, don't listen to him, don't.

00:28:18

No, he's misunderstood.

00:28:19

No, Tog.

00:28:20

You have misunderstood.

00:28:22

You have been tricked by a sly female who finds you repulsive.

00:28:26

She was only trying to serve me a drink.

00:28:30

You almost gave her complete access to the ship's computer-- a security breach severe enough to cost you your command.

00:28:40

It's time you took my advice.

00:28:42

Let me study her.

00:28:44

Study her?

00:28:46

Your mind probes could kill her.

00:28:49

You brought her aboard for her telepathic powers.

00:28:52

If I can determine what neural configuration gives her those powers,

00:28:57

I may be able to duplicate them.

00:29:00

We could still profit from this.

00:29:03

I don't know.

00:29:04

A true DaiMon would not be blinded by lust.

00:29:08

Give her to me or I may be forced to report your transgressions.

00:29:16

Very well.

00:29:17

Oh... Take her.

00:29:32

WORF: When you're finished here, survey in that direction.

00:29:35

Aye, sir.

00:29:41

I wish I had some answers for you, Lieutenant Worf.

00:29:45

Mr. Homn was no help?

00:29:46

None. He last saw them as he was leaving this clearing.

00:29:49

When he returned, all three of them were gone.

00:29:51

Lieutenant Foley discovered this in the pond.

00:29:53

The species is Zan Periculi.

00:29:56

It is not indigenous to Betazed but to Lappa IV, a Ferengi world.

00:30:07

Now we have a reasonable hypothesis as to whom.

00:30:10

The difficult question is where.

00:30:12

The Ferengi ship is almost as fast as the Enterprise.

00:30:14

She could be anywhere by now.

00:30:16

Commander Riker will assume we'll be searching for them.

00:30:18

He'll find some way to send us a message.

00:30:20

Mr. Worf,

00:30:21

I want continual monitoring of Ferengi subspace frequencies.

00:30:24

Mr. La Forge, can you extend our sensor range?

00:30:27

If I narrow the band and tie in the long-range sensors to the subspace scanners, I can boost the gain.

00:30:31

Make it so.

00:30:36

Do you wish to leave orbit, sir?

00:30:38

Not until we have some place to go.

00:30:47

( sighs )

00:30:49

I've done everything I know how. It's no use.

00:30:51

Without Tog's security code,

00:30:53

I can't get near their communication system.

00:30:55

We're running out of time.

00:30:56

Farek's about to begin the neural scan on Mother.

00:30:59

Maybe I'm going about this in the wrong way.

00:31:02

If I pick a minor subsystem, something non-essential...

00:31:09

Like this-- warp field phase adjustment.

00:31:11

All this does is suppress the subspace interference generated by the warp engines.

00:31:15

Meaning what?

00:31:16

Meaning, if I set up a simple oscillation,

00:31:18

I can send out a signal.

00:31:20

The trick is to create a message the Enterprise will understand but the Ferengi will think is just normal subspace static.

00:31:26

( electronic zapping )

00:31:28

( Lwaxana groaning )

00:31:30

( Lwaxana yells )

00:31:34

Oh...

00:31:36

What's wrong?

00:31:38

Mother.

00:31:44

Will... we have to help her.

00:31:59

Thanks for your help, Wes, but you'd better get aboard the Bradbury.

00:32:02

They were ready to break orbit an hour ago.

00:32:04

As soon as I'm sure this works.

00:32:10

Initiating scans now, Captain.

00:32:12

( static hissing and beeping)

00:32:17

Can you locate the Krayton?

00:32:19

Ferengi transmissions are routinely scrambled and encoded, sir.

00:32:23

Without breaking the code, we will be unable to identify any specific Ferengi vessel.

00:32:27

Ferengi codes are damn near impossible to break.

00:32:30

Gentlemen, I have the utmost confidence in your ability to perform the impossible.

00:32:36

( static popping and beeping)

00:32:42

Captain, the Bradbury is hailing us.

00:32:44

They can no longer delay their departure.

00:32:46

Mr. Crusher, now.

00:32:49

No lengthy farewells.

00:32:50

Good luck.

00:32:52

Thank you, sir.

00:33:01

DATA: The repetitive nature of the subcarrier pattern implies a modified Huffman-Greenlaw encoder scheme...

00:33:07

Deck six.

00:33:13

Wesley.

00:33:19

Take care.

00:33:21

You too, Mom.

00:33:25

Something the matter?

00:33:27

We've been scanning Ferengi transmissions trying to locate the Krayton.

00:33:33

One of the signals was...

00:33:35

I don't know, familiar somehow.

00:33:37

Something in the message?

00:33:38

No, the message was scrambled.

00:33:43

It was the static!

00:33:45

Where are you going?

00:33:47

( door opens and closes )

00:33:55

Captain.

00:33:57

The Bradbury has informed us they can no longer wait for Mr. Crusher to come aboard.

00:34:03

Wesley.

00:34:04

Captain, I think there's a pattern to the subspace interference

00:34:06

I heard in one of the Ferengi messages.

00:34:08

Wesley, unless you leave immediately, you're going to miss the Bradbury.

00:34:11

The interference itself could be a message.

00:34:12

If I could just hear a replay of the subspace scans.

00:34:17

Signal the Bradbury they may leave.

00:34:19

Play back the Ferengi transmissions.

00:34:21

( static hissing and popping)

00:34:26

Wait, repeat that one.

00:34:27

Put it on continuous replay.

00:34:30

Hear that popping noise?

00:34:33

Data, can you filter out everything but that sound?

00:34:36

( popping, rhythmic beeps )

00:34:38

That's Cochrane distortion-- a fluctuation in the phase of the subspace field.

00:34:42

All warp engines generate that kind of interference.

00:34:44

But listen to the pattern.

00:34:48

It's the Algolian ceremonial rhythm that the musician played at the reception.

00:34:53

Mr. Crusher is correct, sir.

00:34:54

There is a temporal correlation.

00:34:56

Then it is a signal from Commander Riker.

00:34:58

Ingenious.

00:34:59

He selected a signal we'd recognize but one the Ferengi would dismiss as static.

00:35:08

( console beeping )

00:35:09

WORF: Signal source located, Captain.

00:35:10

Plot an intercept course.

00:35:12

Course plotted and laid in, sir.

00:35:14

Well done, Mr. Crusher.

00:35:15

Warp eight.

00:35:16

Aye, sir.

00:35:17

Engage.

00:35:21

( groaning loudly )

00:35:24

Get away from her.

00:35:25

What do you think you're doing?

00:35:29

Standoff, Commander.

00:35:37

DaiMon Tog, can't we strike a bargain?

00:35:40

All I am concerned about is my daughter's safety.

00:35:44

What happens to me isn't important.

00:35:46

What are you suggesting?

00:35:48

Well, let me be candid, DaiMon Tog.

00:35:51

Deanna's of no use to you.

00:35:52

She's only half Betazoid.

00:35:54

And if you keep Riker,

00:35:55

Starfleet will never stop chasing you.

00:35:57

Release them.

00:35:59

Release them and I will stay with you willingly.

00:36:03

I'll even use my telepathy to aid in your negotiations.

00:36:07

A tempting offer.

00:36:09

I would like to believe you.

00:36:12

The offer is genuine.

00:36:14

I give you my word as a daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed.

00:36:18

Lwaxana, don't.

00:36:19

I've made up my mind.

00:36:21

I can't let you do this.

00:36:22

William, I am a grown woman.

00:36:24

I can make my own decisions.

00:36:25

Mother, we can't just leave you here.

00:36:28

Yes, you can.

00:36:29

And before he changes his mind.

00:36:32

Please, Little One, do this for me.

00:36:36

Just this once.

00:36:45

Do we have an agreement?

00:36:54

I give you my word.

00:36:58

I will release your daughter and the Commander.

00:37:01

CREWMAN: DaiMon, a Federation ship approaching at high warp.

00:37:04

The Enterprise has found us.

00:37:06

Slow to impulse.

00:37:08

Raise shields.

00:37:10

Inform the Enterprise that two of our guests are ready to return.

00:37:15

The other will be staying with us at her own request.

00:37:19

I must protest, DaiMon.

00:37:21

Lwaxana has given her word.

00:37:32

Oo-mox is only the beginning.

00:37:58

Are you both all right?

00:37:59

None the worse for wear.

00:38:01

My mother bought our freedom, Captain.

00:38:03

She doesn't want to stay with Tog.

00:38:07

Hail the Krayton.

00:38:09

Frequencies open. DaiMon Tog responding.

00:38:13

On screen.

00:38:15

Captain Picard, so good of you to meet us.

00:38:19

We were on our way to Betazed to return our guests.

00:38:23

Of course you were, DaiMon.

00:38:25

But you're still holding Lwaxana Troi.

00:38:30

When will you get it through your thick head that it's over between us, Jean-Luc?

00:38:37

I think I know what she's doing.

00:38:40

You have to fight to get her back, Captain.

00:38:49

Open.

00:38:52

Um, uh, uh... it's not over between us, Lwaxana.

00:38:56

Um, uh... you're mine and, um...

00:38:59

I-I will not let you go.

00:39:00

I-I insist you return to my side immediately.

00:39:04

You mean, you still care?

00:39:09

"My love is a fever, longing still for that which longer nurseth the disease."

00:39:18

Tell me more.

00:39:19

"In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes,

00:39:24

"for they in thee a thousand errors see,

00:39:28

"But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise,

00:39:33

"Who, in despite of view, art pleas'd to dote.

00:39:36

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

00:39:40

Thou art more lovely and more temperate..."

00:39:42

You didn't tell me that you and Captain Picard were...

00:39:46

You said you didn't want to hear about my other romances.

00:39:49

I have a new love, Jean-Luc.

00:39:51

And you can't keep killing all my lovers.

00:39:54

Now, that simply has to stop.

00:39:55

Killing?

00:39:57

Oh, he's insanely jealous.

00:39:58

Listen, Tog, I must possess Lwaxana, and if that means destroying your ship in the process, so be it.

00:40:04

Captain, I had no idea Lwaxa...

00:40:07

Don't let him threaten you.

00:40:09

You can defeat him.

00:40:11

The only way you'll ever get me back is over Tog's dead body.

00:40:16

That can be arranged.

00:40:17

Mr. Worf, arm phaser banks and photon torpedoes.

00:40:21

If Lwaxana Troi is not in my arms in ten seconds, throw everything you've got at the Krayton.

00:40:27

But you will destroy Lwaxana.

00:40:29

"When I have pluck'd the rose,

00:40:32

"I cannot give it vital growth again.

00:40:35

It needs must wither."

00:40:37

Nine, eight...

00:40:39

"'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

00:40:46

Seven... six...

00:40:48

No, wait.

00:40:49

Five... four...

00:40:51

Beam her to their Bridge now.

00:40:53

Two... one...

00:41:04

You wonderfully jealous fool, you.

00:41:08

TOG: Captain...

00:41:10

I-I trust there will be no further action taken against us?

00:41:13

Such as my reporting this incident to your superiors who may question your competence as DaiMon?

00:41:17

I will think about it.

00:41:19

Screen off.

00:41:21

Thank you, Jean-Luc.

00:41:23

You were most convincing.

00:41:26

You certainly convinced me.

00:41:28

I am truly grateful, Mrs. Troi, that you risked your life to save my people.

00:41:33

I'll have you home in a few hours.

00:41:35

Oh, no, no, no, no.

00:41:36

That won't be necessary.

00:41:37

I'd just love to hear more of your poetry.

00:41:40

Ah...

00:41:41

Perhaps another time.

00:41:44

Please.

00:41:48

Mr. Crusher.

00:41:49

Set course for Betazed.

00:41:51

( quietly ): Warp nine.

00:42:01

( door chimes ) Come.

00:42:06

You wanted to see me, Captain?

00:42:08

I've been in touch with Admiral Hahn at Starfleet Academy.

00:42:10

He regrets your missing the oral examination but hopes that you will reapply next year.

00:42:14

I understand, sir.

00:42:16

And I do intend to reapply.

00:42:19

In the interim, the Academy's loss is our gain.

00:42:22

The Enterprise will continue to benefit from your talents for another year.

00:42:26

Thank you, sir.

00:42:28

( inhales deeply )

00:42:32

Is that all?

00:42:35

No.

00:42:37

Is there something wrong, Captain?

00:42:40

I'm just thinking that...

00:42:42

I'm saying good-bye to you as you are today.

00:42:48

But I thought you said I wasn't going to be able to go.

00:42:51

The Academy must make you wait, that's true.

00:42:54

But when I review your service to this ship, your crew mates,

00:42:59

I cannot in all conscience make you wait for the Academy.

00:43:04

You see, Wesley... in my eyes, you're an acting Ensign in title only.

00:43:13

I hereby grant you field promotion to full Ensign with all the commensurate responsibilities and privileges of that rank.

00:43:22

Congratulations.

00:43:27

You're dismissed.

00:43:41

Lwaxana Troi has beamed down to Betazed, Captain.

00:43:45

Notify Starfleet we are en route to the Xanthras system for our rendezvous with the Zapata.

00:43:50

Aye, sir.

00:44:10

Ensign Crusher, take us out of orbit.

00:44:12

Set a course for Xanthras III.

00:44:15

Warp factor six.

00:44:16

Aye, sir.

00:44:18

Course is set.

00:44:23

Engage.