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Violations

Captain's Log, Stardate 45429.3.

While on a mapping survey, we are conveying

a delegation of Ullians to Kaldra IV.

These telepathic historians conduct their research

by retrieving long-forgotten memories.

It's a chipped cup, off-white... with a crack in it.

I can see it, but I don't remember anything else about it.

MAN: When you see it, do you hear any sounds?

No, I don't think so.

Wait.

Yes, uh... humming.

Someone's humming.

A woman.

Yes, but I don't know who it is.

Try to touch the cup.

Ooh, it-- it has a sharp edge where it's chipped.

Is there anything inside the cup?

A liquid... dark.

MAN: Like tea?

It's not hot.

It's bitter.

There's something else inside the cup.

Yes, a... a wooden handle.

MAN: A spoon?

No, it's more delicate than that.

MAN: Reach out for it.

A brush.

An ink brush.

( humming )

I hear that humming again.

Keep listening to it, and hold out the brush.

See if anyone takes it from you.

( woman humming )

( woman speaking in foreign language)

It's Obachan... my grandmother.

She's doing ink brush writing.

I can remember it now.

She, uh... she used that cup for cleaning the brushes and it was my job to fill the cup with water and bring it to the table.

I would sit beside her and watch the most beautiful characters come from that brush and the whole time, she'd be humming to herself.

I-- I remember it like it was yesterday.

That is remarkable.

You remembered such vivid details.

For years, I've seen that old cup in my memory, but I could never remember what it was or why it was important. Thank you.

Well, you're entirely welcome, young lady.

Perhaps someone else would care to try?

You, madam?

You're thinking about that first childhood kiss.

Would you like to remember more about it?

Father, you know you're not supposed to probe someone's memory unless they've given you permission.

You are right.

But sometimes, with a beautiful woman,

I cannot help myself.

( laughing )

How about you, Commander? Got any memories you feel like digging up?

None that I'd care to share with an audience.

It's getting late. I'd better be going.

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.

It is perplexing to me that the Ullians' ability to retrieve memory is so highly prized.

If an event were important enough to be recovered, why would it have been forgotten?

Well, it's not quite the same for us as it is for you, Data.

You record every second of every moment of your life.

That is correct.

And then, if you want to recall any one of those moments, you just access the proper memory circuit.

My understanding of the human brain suggests the process is the same for you.

Each memory is encoded in chains of molecules.

If you want to retrieve it, you simply access the proper RNA sequence.

Yeah, that's true.

Then in what way is it different?

Sometimes there are memories we just can't... ( snaps )

...access at the spur of the moment.

For instance, I have no recollection of how I spent my last birthday.

Birthdays are important occasions, and you would think that I'd remember how I spent the day, but right now, I can't even remember... where I was.

Deck two.

On the other hand, I remember everything about the time I got my first pet-- a Circassian cat.

I was eight.

I remember how funny-looking he was.

I remember how excited I was.

It was as if it happened yesterday.

Perhaps you remember the pleasant memories and forget the unpleasant ones.

No, sometimes the bad memories can be the most intense of all.

It would seem there is no predictable pattern to human memory.

It would seem.

This library of ours has been in the planning stages for years-- a collection of the retrieved memories of races from many different star systems--

What my son means to say is we think of ourselves as archaeologists of the mind.

We believe that the history of a world is contained in the personal experience of its people.

Rather like the ancient oral historians on Earth.

Exactly.

The library we propose will be a vast storehouse of these individual memories.

That sounds like quite a project.

How long will it take to finish your studies on Kaldra?

Many months.

We've been working for years, and we've surveyed only 11 planets in eight star systems.

But it's our way of life.

We wouldn't want to do anything else.

Captain, Mr. Tarmin gave us a demonstration of his abilities this afternoon.

It's fascinating.

Perhaps you would like to resurrect some memories?

TARMIN: I'd be happy to probe your recollections, Captain.

Most people find it an enjoyable experience.

I'm sure.

However, I don't think I would make a particularly good subject.

I'm sure you'd be ideal, and you must have some intriguing memories.

TARMIN: We won't be on your ship for long.

This may be your last chance.

( chuckling ) Yes, well...

Tarmin, we mustn't influence people.

We must let them come to us willingly.

I have found over the years there are many who want the experience of memory retrieval, but who lack some encouragement in order to come forward.

You, Mr. Worf.

I would love to explore Klingon memories.

Klingons do not allow themselves to be probed.

But there is nothing to fear.

Father...

I am not fearful.

Commander La Forge? You?

I don't think so. Thanks, anyway.

( chuckles ) I have rarely encountered such squeamish people.

Dr. Crusher? Commander Riker?

Mr. Tarmin, are all Ullians able to read memories?

Oh, no, my dear.

The technique requires special training.

It is a serious commitment.

INAD: It takes years of study.

Tarmin is the most proficient of our group.

Once, Jev spent two days with a contingent of elderly Gentons.

He couldn't get anything from them.

I spent only one hour with them and retrieved a fragment from the Gentonian trade wars.

Excuse me.

( door opens, closes )

Exactly how long will it be before we get to Kaldra, Captain?

PICARD: Mr. Data?

DATA: Four days, 11 hours.

Jev?

I'm sorry, I-- I'm being rude.

No, not at all.

My father finds it amusing to demean me in public.

I reach the point where I don't wanna hear any more.

It's not easy having an overbearing parent.

Believe me, I know how you feel.

Oh, that's right-- you're an empath.

Oh, I can't read Ullians.

But I do know a certain Betazoid mother who is a great deal like your father.

Deck eight.

Deck 16.

I've learned to remind myself that my mother and I are two separate individuals.

Mm-hmm... and have you enjoyed much success with this approach, Counselor?

No... but I do keep reminding myself.

( laughs )

Good night.

Good night, Counselor, and... and thank you.

RIKER: Have you stopped thinking about us?

Hot chocolate.

( gasps )

Imzadi, we can't-- not when we're serving on the same ship.

Have you stopped thinking about us?

Just answer that.

I can't stop thinking about you.

Will, don't.

Imzadi, we can't--

not when we're serving on the same ship.

Have you stopped thinking about us?

We mustn't do this.

Will, don't!

Will... no!

( gasps )

Imzadi...

RIKER: Have you stopped thinking about us?

Just answer that.

No! No!

Don't! Don't!

I can't stop thinking about you.

Imzadi.

Have you stopped thinking about us?

( echoing ) No!

Captain's Log, Stardate 45430.9.

Counselor Troi has fallen into a deep coma.

After thorough examination,

Dr. Crusher has been unable to find

signs of illness or infection.

Any change, Dr. Martin?

No, I'm still getting unusual neural transmitter readings in the diencephalon.

But they might be a result of the coma.

Can you bring her out of it?

I've tried standard revival techniques.

She doesn't respond.

Until I find out what's caused this,

I don't want to try anything more extreme.

Do you know what she was doing when this happened?

No. She was found in her quarters this morning when she didn't show up for an appointment.

She was dressed for bed, but the bed hadn't been slept in.

Who was the last person to speak with her?

She left the dinner last night with one of the Ullians.

I'll talk to him.

Ask if they would consent to an examination, just to be certain.

Mmm.

I'll check the bio-filter readings from the Ullian transporter log.

It's possible they could still be carrying a harmful organism.

May I join you?

Commander... of course.

Something's wrong?

Counselor Troi is ill.

I'm sorry to hear it.

She's more than ill, she's in a coma.

Dr. Crusher doesn't know what's causing it or how to treat her.

When did this happen?

Apparently sometime last night.

That's why I wanted to talk to you.

You may have been the last person to see her.

Did you go with her into her quarters?

Are you suggesting that I behaved improperly, Commander?

Not at all.

I'm just trying to trace her steps.

We talked... in a turbolift briefly.

She got out at deck eight. I did not go with her.

Jev, I'm not accusing you of anything.

Did she mention feeling ill?

She seemed fine.

She has a wonderful sense of humor.

If you have no objections,

Dr. Crusher would like to examine you and your group.

To what end? She's just trying to eliminate the possibility that one of you might be a carrying an organism that was harmful to Deanna.

I'm not implying that you did anything intentional.

I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the mystery.

We have nothing to hide.

If you wish to spend time examining us--

Fine, thank you.

Deanna...

I don't know if you can hear me.

I've-- I've heard doctors say that even when someone's in a coma, they may be able to hear when people talk to them... that it might help stimulate the brain, speed healing.

In fact, I think you did that for me once, when I was in pretty bad shape.

I just thought... it might help to hear a friendly voice... even if you don't know you're hearing it.

We've been busy mapping the sector.

It's been pretty routine.

The most unusual thing we've seen is a binary star system.

Let's see, what else?

I've finished the personnel review that we were working on.

You can check it out... when you wake up.

I miss you.

Please, don't stay away too long.

Will...

Will, I promise I'll let you know the minute she regains consciousness.

I know.

There's nothing you can do here.

You'll wear yourself out.

All right.

It's late. Go to bed.

That's an order.

( alarm sounding )

MAN: Keller is still in there!

RIKER: Let's move it!

Out! Out! Out! Let's go!

Everybody move! Everybody move!

Out! Out!

Come on! Keep moving!

LA FORGE: Commander!

I need to bring that door down.

COMPUTER: Evacuate immediately.

Keller, can you get to a Jefferies tube?

Ensign Keller, answer me!

You killed her.

Keller is still in there!

Commander, radiation levels are critical.

We've got to seal it off.

She was right behind me.

Bring down the door.

Keep moving! LA FORGE: Commander!

I need to bring that door down.

Out! Out! Let's go.

Keller is still in there!

Keller is still in there.

Riker to Transporter Room Three.

Prepare to beam Ensign Keller out of the engine room.

( alarm sounding )

Keller is still in there.

Keller is still in there!

You killed her.

Ensign Keller, answer me.

You killed her.

I've got to get that isolation door down.

Keller is still in there!

Bring down the door!

You killed her!

You killed her!

I need that door down!

( echoed overlapping shouting )

Bridge to Commander Riker.

Picard to Commander Riker.

Answer, please.

Computer, locate Commander Riker.

COMPUTER: Commander Riker is in his quarters.

On my way, sir.

DR. CRUSHER: Medical Log, Stardate 45431.7.

Commander Riker is the second officer

who has fallen into an unexplained coma.

I have examined the Ullians, and ruled out the possibility

that they carry a harmful organism.

I compared Deanna's brain scan to the one that I took during her last physical.

There is a difference.

This time, there's a trace of electropathic activity.

And Commander Riker?

I found the same pattern. If I didn't know better,

I'd say they both had Iresine Syndrome.

That's the only medical condition that would produce that pattern.

What is Iresine Syndrome?

A very rare neurological disorder first diagnosed in the 23rd century.

It's characterized by an identical electropathic residue.

Why discount the possibility that it's responsible for these comas?

Iresine is always accompanied by a severely decreased histamine count.

Both Will and Deanna showed normal levels.

I've asked Commander La Forge to conduct a shipwide diagnostic to determine any other agent that might cause the same electropathic pattern.

Commander Riker and Counselor Troi were in perfect health until the Ullians arrived.

It would be wise to quarantine the aliens.

I believe that it would be premature to take that action, Mr. Worf.

There's no real evidence linking these comas with the Ullians.

That's true, but there is something curious.

The electropathic residue I discovered is located in the thalamus.

That's the area of the cerebral cortex that involves memory function.

I've been accused of putting people to sleep with one too many stories, Captain.

But this is the first time it's ever been suggested that I might be the cause of someone's coma.

I mean no disrespect, but we are faced with an alarming situation.

Why do you suspect us, Captain?

Suspect is perhaps too strong a word.

I'm simply trying to determine what has caused two of my officers to fall into comas.

But you've already examined us.

We aren't carrying anything harmful.

BEVERLY: In further study of the victims,

I detected some abnormal patterns in the area of the brain that involves memory.

In the light of your telepathic abilities, it raises the question.

Captain, it is not our wish to obstruct you.

What would you like?

If I could do some further examinations tomorrow-- perhaps monitor you during a memory probe.

Scrutiny does not frighten us.

We will be happy to cooperate, Doctor.

Thank you.

I'll contact you in the morning.

Since you're the only person on board to undergo a memory probe by the Ullians,

I'd like to do a neurological work-up and see if I can detect any residual effect.

Dr. Martin will monitor your vital signs while I conduct the scan.

I'm happy to help.

Have you noticed any unusual symptoms since the probe?

Headaches, dizziness?

No, nothing like that.

It was a wonderful experience.

Electrical activity is normal.

C.P.K. levels are normal.

Hippocampus is stable... and the thalamus...

The thalamus is normal.

There is no indication at all of any electropathic residual.

Is that good?

Oh, you're fine, Keiko.

But I am no closer to solving this mystery.

Computer, locate the electropathic pattern described in medical database four-delta-one.

COMPUTER: Electropathic pattern located.

Okay, we're going to track down any possible cause of that brain pattern.

First, what are the medical conditions that might account for it?

COMPUTER: Iresine Syndrome is a cause of the electropathic pattern.

Right, and Dr. Crusher already eliminated that.

So, how many non-medical forces or substances might cause the pattern?

COMPUTER: There are 22 non-medical agents.

Okay, and how many of those are present on the Enterprise?

COMPUTER: None are present on the Enterprise.

Are the ship's sensors calibrated to detect all those agents?

COMPUTER: All agents are scanned by the sensors.

Okay. Let's start with the chemical substances.

Name them.

COMPUTER: Ferrazene, hylanatine, dardilion, chrysimite, and manzene.

Hmm.

Ferrazene has a complex molecular structure.

It breaks down into bilenium and tarrisite.

Do the sensors scan for those?

COMPUTER: Ship's sensors scan for both compounds.

And are they present on the Enterprise?

COMPUTER: Bilenium and tarrisite are not present.

Do any of the substances break down into by-products that are not scanned for?

COMPUTER: Dardilion contains the by-product nilizene.

Sensors do not routinely scan for that substance.

Well, this isn't a routine situation.

Scan for the nilizene.

COMUTER: There is no nilizene on the Enterprise.

How did I know you were gonna say that?

Okay, let's move on to the non-chemical agents.

Anything more I can do for you?

No, thanks.

I was just doing some reading on the Iresine Syndrome.

If a new strain has developed, that might explain the normal histamine counts.

Any luck?

Not so far.

Okay. I'll see you tomorrow.

PICARD: You shouldn't remember him like this.

You don't have to do this.

It's important to me. I have to see him.

It's good of you to come.

It's the least I can do.

PICARD: You shouldn't remember him like this.

BEVERLY: I have to face the fact that he's gone.

You shouldn't remember him like this.

It's good of you to come with me.

It's the least I can do.

You shouldn't remember him like this.

( Jev's voice: ) It's the least I can do.

( gasps )

( screaming )

I've spent two hours having a cozy little chat with the computer.

I've checked everything I could think of-- any possible agent that might cause that electropathic pattern.

I assume from your tone of voice you were unsuccessful.

Didn't find a thing.

Dr. Crusher's not gonna be too happy with...

Emergency medical team to Dr. Crusher's office immediately.

Dr. Crusher had me working on a shipwide diagnostic.

I'd gone to give her the results when I found her.

Did your scans provide any insights into these comas?

None. I've checked and cross-checked.

They're just dead ends.

We seem to have eliminated all of the known factors which may have caused the comas, except for the Ullians.

Mr. Data, I want you to investigate those 11 planets that the Ullians visited.

See if there were any reports of unexplained comas.

Aye, sir.

In the meantime, we must consider restricting them to their quarters as a precautionary measure.

If one of them is behind this, will keeping telepaths in their quarters prevent it from happening again?

What else can we do?

Station a guard? Set up a force field?

I don't see that those will be any more effective.

DR. MARTIN: Sick Bay to Captain Picard.

Picard here.

DR. MARTIN: Counselor Troi has regained consciousness.

She's asked for you, sir.

I'm on my way.

It's like waking up from a nightmare, and not remembering what it was about.

What is the last thing you do remember?

My hair. I was brushing my hair.

And then?

( sighs ) I don't know.

Just waking up here.

Why do I feel so frightened? What happened to me?

We were hoping that you could tell us.

How long have I been here?

Three days.

Three days?

You were the first.

The next day, Commander Riker fell into a similar coma.

Last night, Dr. Crusher.

What is going on here?

We're not certain.

It may be that there is some unusual effect produced by the Ullians' telepathic activity.

I'm gonna talk to them. And in the meantime, you are to stay here and recuperate.

But if you remember anything at all about what happened,

I want you to tell me immediately.

What are you suggesting, Captain?

That you voluntarily confine yourself to your quarters, at least until we have unravelled this mystery.

We're to be prisoners?

Father.

PICARD: No, please, don't look on it like that.

We have done everything we can to explain these comas.

We have performed physical examinations, neurological scans.

We have conducted a shipwide diagnostic looking for viruses, parasites, infestations.

We have investigated every possible cause we could imagine, and we have found nothing-- nothing to explain these comas.

The only variable that we have not been able to eliminate is your presence here on this ship.

Now, in the light of our actions, we would ask you to understand my request and to agree to it.

Captain, our history indicates that we do not adversely affect the people we contact.

I know that.

Then... are you implying an intentional assault?

I'm simply considering all possibilities.

Surely, you would give us the chance to prove that we're innocent?

If that's possible, of course.

Well, then I would propose doing a memory probe of Counselor Troi.

You have said that she doesn't remember anything that happened before she lapsed into unconsciousness.

I could retrieve that memory.

There is a possibility that it could explain the coma and prove our innocence.

I'm sorry, I couldn't possibly subject Counselor Troi to a potentially dangerous procedure.

And I refuse to be a party to any of these proceedings.

Jev is making a reasonable request, Captain.

If we're to be accused, surely, we're entitled to a defense.

Tarmin did a memory probe on another of your crew.

Has she suffered any ill effects?

No.

And neither will Counselor Troi.

Please.

You may have as many people there as you need to guarantee her safety.

But give us this chance to vindicate ourselves.

I will discuss the matter with Counselor Troi.

Well, that's it for Melina II.

No unexplained comas during the time the Ullians were working there.

We have yet to receive transmission from the two planets of the Nel system.

Perhaps they will show different results.

Maybe... and maybe we're not checking for the right thing.

Please clarify.

We haven't looked into the comas that were explained.

Why would we do that?

Well, remember what Dr. Crusher said right after Counselor Troi became unconscious-- that it looked exactly like Iresine Syndrome, except for the histamine count?

Yes.

Well, maybe not every medical facility is as careful as Dr. Crusher.

Maybe it's easier to just make a quick diagnosis rather than keep hunting for the real cause.

You are searching for instances of Iresine Syndrome.

Right... And correlating them with the visits by the Ullians and...

And there we are.

Two cases of Iresine Syndrome on Hurada III, at exactly the time Tarmin and his group were there.

Let's check the other planets.

I think we may have something here.

Counselor, I want to reiterate.

If you have any doubts whatsoever about this procedure, you don't have to go through with it.

I want to do it, Captain.

Something awful happened to me, and I don't even know what it was.

Very well.

Counselor, what's the last thing you remember about the other night?

Brushing my hair.

Would you get your hairbrush?

Tell me about brushing your hair.

Do you do it every night?

Yes, when I'm ready for bed.

What is it?

Someone's touching my hair.

Someone's with you in the room?

No.

No, I'm alone. There's no one there.

Go on.

I get some hot chocolate.

Something's happening.

I'm alone in my quarters.

I'm remembering something from a few years ago.

Go back into that memory.

You said... someone was touching your hair?

Yes... and... it's Will Riker.

That's right. I was thinking of him.

Remembering a time when you were with him.

Yes, after a poker game.

It's a pleasant memory. Stay with it.

( gasping )

Now, he's hurting me.

You're... you're frightened.

I want him to stop.

( sobbing )

( gasps )

It's not Will.

Somebody's taken his place.

Someone else is there, who is it?

( crying ) No... he shouldn't be here.

Why is he here?

Stop. You're hurting me.

Can you see his face?

Yes.

( sobbing )

Imzadi...

No! Stop!

You're hurting me!

Who is it?

Who is doing this to you?

( gasps )

It's Tarmin.

It's your father.

Captain's Log, Stardate 45433.2.

We have set a course for Starbase 440

where the Ullians will disembark

and return home.

Inad and I have contacted our home planet.

If you want to prosecute my father, the authorities there will support you.

I'm not sure we have any legal basis for such a prosecution.

Memory invasion is simply not a crime that we've ever had to contend with.

According to what I've just learned, it's a practice that was abolished on our world centuries ago.

What could motivate someone like your father to commit such an act?

I don't know.

A perverse source of pleasure, perhaps.

A way to exercise control over another.

Your father claims, quite strenuously, that he's innocent.

( chuckles ) My father has never been one to admit that he's wrong.

But it is difficult to believe he'd be capable of this.

I am told that the punishment for this crime is quite severe.

We are monitoring my father's telepathic activities.

You have my assurance he won't assault anyone else.

I am sorry for this, Captain.

Picard to Commander Data.

DATA: Yes, Captain?

How's your search coming?

We have uncovered several cases, sir, but have not yet completed our investigation.

We'll inform the medical personnel on those planets that we have discovered the true nature of the comas.

I'm sure they'll appreciate knowing what really happened.

Yes, sir. We will keep searching, sir.

We just got the transmission from the Nel system, Data.

No mention of Iresine Syndrome, but there are two unexplained comas on one planet, none on the other.

And were the Ullians present?

Checking the mission logs.

That's funny.

On stardates 45321 and 45323, when the comas occurred,

Tarmin was on his home planet.

He wasn't anywhere near the Nel system.

( door chimes )

Come in.

Hello, Jev.

We'll be reaching starbase soon.

I wanted to say good-bye and to apologize again for my father.

There's no need.

You're not responsible for what he did.

Before all this happened, I...

I had hoped we might become friends.

We still can.

After what he's put you through?

Maybe you can forget.

I'm not sure I can.

You're so lovely.

I have to go.

Good-bye.

Jev... you're upset.

Would you like to talk?

No.

You'd feel better if you did.

Why do you have to be so nice?

So... so lovely.

What... what's happening?

It's happening again.

You're so beautiful... so fragile.

It was you.

It was always you.

Have you stopped thinking about us?

No!

( whimpering )

No..

No! No!

Don't! Don't!

I won't let you.

No!

( screams )

DATA: Counselor... are you all right?

Yes.

Why are you here? How did you know?

We discovered two instances of unexplained coma on Nel Three while the Ullians were there, but Tarmin was not part of the group.

Further examination revealed that there was only one Ullian present for all incidents of coma-- Jev.

Captain's Log, Stardate 45435.8.

Dr. Crusher and Commander Riker regained consciousness

while we were en route to the Ullian home world.

The slow process of their recovery has begun.

I have asked that the finest physicians on my world meet with you all upon our return, to help you in your healing process.

They've been in contact with us already.

Thank you.

It's been three centuries since we treated anyone for this... this form of rape.

But there are medical records from that era.

It was a time of great violence for my people-- a time we thought we had put far behind us.

That this could happen now... is unimaginable.

Earth was once a violent planet too.

At times, the chaos threatened the very fabric of life.

But like you, we evolved.

We found better ways to handle our conflicts.

But I think no one can deny that the seed of violence remains within each of us.

We must recognize that, because that violence is capable of consuming each of us, as it consumed your son.