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The Next Phase

Time, Mr. Data?

We will arrive within transporter range in three minutes, 21 seconds.

I've finally established audio contact with the Romulan ship.

ROMULAN: Our main power is failing.

There is no way to stop the overload.

Enterprise to Romulan vessel.

We are en route to your position.

ROMULAN: Enterprise, what is your time of arrival?

We are facing an imminent core breach...

Repeat your last transmission.

I'm sorry, Captain. They've stopped transmitting.

Picard to Riker.

Riker here.

PICARD: Transport to the Romulan ship as soon as we're within range.

Aye, sir. No weapons.

We don't want them to think they're under attack.

This is not a bright idea.

I beg your pardon, Ensign?

I didn't quite catch that.

Nothing, sir.

( inaudible chatter )

We're from the Federation Starship Enterprise.

We received your distress call.

The Enterprise? RIKER: That's right.

Your message said you had suffered a failure in your engine core.

ROMULAN: Yes, we had a forced chamber explosion in the resonator coil.

It's a pretty strange setup but it looks like the graviton field generator's been completely depolarized.

There's no way to fix it. It'll have to be replaced.

Where are your replicators?

They're off-line.

Who's in charge here?

The captain is dead.

I'm the Science Officer Mirok.

We'd like to move this generator back to the Enterprise for replication.

All right.

Geordi, you and Ro.

La Forge to Brossmer.

Two people and one piece of equipment to beam aboard.

Aye, sir.

What the hell?

Engineering, I need more power to the primary energizing coil.

Brossmer to Commander Riker.

I'm losing them. I have to abort.

They should be returning to your coordinates, sir.

Chief, do you have them? They're not here.

BROSSMER: No, sir.

Where are they?

I can't locate their patterns.

We've lost them, sir.

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.

BROSSMER: I've done all I can, sir.

I'm afraid they're gone.

Mr. Data, begin a level-one diagnostic.

All transporter systems off-line until further notice.

Could they have materialized somewhere else?

Negative, Captain.

Sensors are unable to locate them anywhere within transporter range.

Counselor?

Riker to Enterprise.

Go ahead, Number one.

Captain, we're still looking at a core breach unless we can fashion a new graviton generator.

I need replacement personnel, sir.

Mr. Data, continue the diagnostic of the transporter systems at another time.

Take a shuttlecraft and two more engineers down to the Romulan ship. Aye, sir.

Mr. McDowell, alert the main shuttle bay to have all available ships and pilots standing by in case we need them. Aye, sir.

Ensign, lay in a course away from the Romulan vessel,

And engage at warp one if you detect any sign it's going to explode.

The pressure in the containment chamber has increased 15 melakols in the last two minutes.

What can we do to stop the overload?

Most of the conduits were damaged during the explosion.

I can't even access the central computer.

WORF: Commander... emergency bulkheads have sealed this section off from the rest of the ship.

There is no way to gain access to the Main Bridge or control centers.

Survivors?

Readings indicate at least 73 Romulans are still alive.

73.

( alarm sounding )

The pressure has jumped 200 melakols!

I've lost control of the containment chamber.

It's going to implode.

We need to dump the entire engine core.

Do you have an auto-eject system?

Yes, but it's not functioning.

I'll have to do it manually.

Mr. Worf, you two, seal the chambers.

Implosion will occur in one minute, five seconds.

Enterprise, we need to jettison the entire engine core.

You'll need to extend the shields once it clears the hull.

PICARD: Understood, Number One.

We'll stand by for your signal.

We must get the doors closed.

( grunting )

Commander!

Time?

30 seconds.

( grunting )

MIROK: I'm ready, Commander!

Stay there!

Eject the chamber on my order!

Excuse me, sir.

MIROK: Implosion in five seconds.

Now.

Enterprise, extend shields!

Well... we're still here.

Yes.

RIKER: We'll have a complete power survey done within the hour.

We'll probably have to supply them with energy for life-support, they'll need a new engine core to get home.

Understood, Commander.

Keep me informed of your efforts.

Picard out.

I'll be in Sick Bay. Aye, sir.

Ensign Ro to the Bridge.

This is Ensign Ro reporting in.

I'm at... Section 23 Baker, near Sick Bay.

Sick Bay.

Excuse me, I need some... help.

Excuse me.

Um, excuse me, I need some help.

I...

Excuse me, I need some help.

CRUSHER: We shouldn't make any hasty decisions, Jean-Luc.

The transporter could have beamed them somewhere else-- the Romulan ship, another deck of the Enterprise.

PICARD: We've checked all those possibilities.

The initial findings would seem to indicate that there was a radiation surge from the Romulan engine core which disrupted the signal.

They never rematerialized. We should check again.

There might be something that we overlooked--

Beverly, we've done everything that we can.

You're right.

I just hate making out death certificates.

CRUSHER: Does Ensign Ro have any family?

Captain, I'm right here.

None that I know of.

But I'll check with the Bajoran Liaison Office.

I'm not dead!

I'll have the official reports ready within the hour.

Captain, I don't know what's going on.

( gasps )

Doctor?

Dr. Crusher?

Dr. Crusher, I'm right here.

Damn it, Doc...

( gasps )

We're ready, Commander.

Riker to Enterprise.

Begin power transfer.

The power flow is consistent at 400 kolems.

No fluctuations in frequency.

The main power grid is on-line.

Picard to Riker.

Riker here.

Power transfer appears stable on this end, Captain.

Good. What is the status of the engine replacement?

RIKER: Engineering is modifying one of our subspace resonators to act as a new engine core.

It won't do more than warp two, but it will get them home.

Very good.

Captain, the diagnostic of the transporter system shows an anomalous energy fluctuation.

I will need to inspect the imaging scanner in Transporter Room Three.

By all means.

Captain...

I have a personal favor to ask.

I considered Commander La Forge to be... my best friend.

I believe it is my responsibility to plan and conduct the memorial service.

May I have your permission to do so?

Permission granted.

Make whatever arrangements you think are appropriate.

Thank you, sir.

( crew chattering )

Commander, the... the Romulans want a computer.

We cannot give them access to Federation technology.

That is an unacceptable security risk.

What about a computer core from 30 or 40 years ago?

One the Romulans are already familiar with.

That would be satisfactory.

Check with the Enterprise. See what's available.

But be sure that your concerns are addressed before we install it.

Aye, sir.

Thank you.

RO: La Forge?

Ro.

Boy, am I glad to see you.

And I'm really glad that you can see me.

It's like... it's like I'm here, but I'm not here.

No one can see me either.

( sighs )

I can't figure it out.

One minute we were transporting from the Romulan vessel and the next

I wake up in the arboretum with a splitting headache.

Can you pass through things like bulkheads?

Tables, people... yeah.

Well, we're solid enough to each other.

It's not what you expected, is it?

( sighs ) What do you mean?

This. Death.

What?

We're dead, Geordi.

Is that some kind of a joke?

Our patterns were lost in a transporter malfunction.

We never rematerialized after leaving the Romulan ship.

Wait a minute.

What are you saying-- that we're some sort of spirits?

Spirits, souls... my people used to call them "borhyas."

But whatever term you wanna use, we're it.

But my uniform, my visor.

Are you saying I'm some blind ghost with clothes?

I don't have all the answers. I've never been dead before.

We are not dead.

According to Dr. Crusher we died in a transporter malfunction at 1430 hours.

Geordi, I saw her make out the death certificates.

We need to make peace with our former lives.

That's what I was taught.

We have to say good-bye to the people who were in our lives.

No, you may be ready for the afterlife but I'm not.

I don't see that we have much of a choice.

( sighs )

When I was growing up, I never gave much thought to all the talk about borhyas. I figured that it was just superstition passed on to children.

Fine, you go make peace with yourself, all right?

I'm going to Transporter Room Three.

I'm gonna figure a way out of this situation.

I didn't have any warning that something would go wrong, sir.

Suddenly, their patterns just weren't there.

I believe the cause of the accident may be related to the explosion on the Romulan ship.

Really?

But that happened before we even arrived.

In all likelihood, the explosion damaged the Romulan cloaking device, causing it to discharge chroniton particles.

I am detecting a chroniton field in here.

Chroniton field?

If the particles were produced on the Romulan ship, why are you detecting them here?

The transporter beam.

I suspect they traveled through the transporter beam.

That may have been the cause of Geordi and Ro's death.

I will go to the Romulan ship.

Perhaps I can discover the source of the emissions.

Commander, are these chronitons dangerous?

They pose no danger to humans.

However, some of the ship's systems may have been affected by prolonged exposure.

When I return, I will devise a method to eradicate them.

La Forge to Ensign...

Thanks for the ride.

I'm here to say good-bye.

There were a lot of what appeared to be experimental engine components lying around over there.

I'd say they were testing a new warp drive design and it blew up in their faces.

PICARD: That would explain why they're so far from Romulan space-- to avoid being picked up by Federation long-range scans.

We should have an engine core ready for them by 1900 hours.

Commander, there will be a memorial service at 2300 hours.

Mr. Data is making the arrangements.

I'll be there.

Me too.

In fact, I might like to say a few words.

You did know La Forge longer than any of us.

Actually, I was thinking more about Ensign Ro.

Me?

PICARD: When you're ready, coordinate with Mr. Data.

Wait a minute, what are you gonna say about me?

Captain...

I don't believe this.

I'm dead.

You can't even hear me, and I'm still intimidated by you.

I just... wanted to say thank you... for trusting in me when no one else would.

Hey, there you are.

Excuse me, Captain.

Listen, Data's taking the next shuttle back over to the Romulan vessel, and we need to be on it.

Why?

Because I think what happened to us, the answers are over there.

Why can't you just accept the fact--

Look, if you're right, then we're dead and this doesn't make any difference.

But if I'm right, then we're still alive, and I'm gonna need your help.

Lieutenant, I am planning a memorial service for Commander La Forge and Ensign Ro.

I would like you to participate.

What kind of service?

Captain Picard asked me to arrange a ceremony that was appropriate.

I have given a great deal of thought to what is appropriate in this instance.

Sir, shuttlecraft four has not yet cleared the Romulan ship.

Hold position here.

This is weird listening to them plan our funeral.

I find I am having difficulty deciding what kind of service to have.

Do you have any suggestions?

Well, human custom is to conduct a solemn, dignified service in which the dead are praised by their friends and loved ones.

Ensign Ro was a Bajoran.

Her beliefs should be reflected as well.

However, their death rituals are quite complicated.

Oh, please, not the death chant.

The Bajoran death chant is over two hours long.

I am not certain that either human or Bajoran rights are fitting.

And I have researched the funerary customs of over 5,000 cultures to no avail.

( alert beep )

Shuttlecraft four has just cleared.

Resume course.

In almost all societies it is traditional to say a ritual farewell to those you call friends.

I never knew what a friend was until I met Geordi.

He spoke to me as though I were human.

He treated me no differently from anyone else.

He accepted me for what I am.

And that, I have learned, is friendship.

But I do not know how to say good-bye.

Seems almost human, doesn't he?

Commander, I am not the proper person to advise you.

Why?

I am very happy for Commander La Forge.

He has crossed over to that which is beyond.

For a Klingon, this is a joyful time.

A friend has died in the line of duty, and he has earned a place among the honored dead.

It is not a time to mourn.

( alert beeping )

Begin docking procedure.

Data, that's a nice sentiment but a little premature.

I don't plan on being commemorated before my time.

I'm afraid I fail to see the point of this investigation, Commander.

Chroniton emissions may have been responsible for the accident which claimed the lives of our officers.

A most regrettable event, of course.

Was your cloaking device damaged in the explosion?

All of our systems were damaged, including the cloaking device.

That explains the chroniton fields

I am detecting in here now.

For your own safety, it is important to eliminate those emissions.

Our safety?

There is no way to predict what will happen when the chronitons interact with the new engine core.

I've never seen anything like this.

There's something in here that looks like a molecular phase inverter.

What's that?

It's supposed to change the structure of matter so it can pass through normal matter and energy.

Hang on a second.

A few years back, we got intelligence reports that the Klingons were working on trying to combine a phase inverter and a cloaking device.

In theory, they believed that a phased ship could hide anywhere, even inside a planet and that conventional weapons would be useless against it.

How far did they get in their research?

Well, it never got out of the preliminary stages.

There were several accidents.

The Romulans might be pursuing that same technology, trying to combine an inverter and a cloaking device.

And if this is the prototype--

Then that would explain the explosion and the chroniton fields.

And us.

You mean, we're cloaked?

Not just cloaked-- phased.

Our entire molecular structure altered so that we-- we don't have any substance.

Then that would mean we're not dead.

Yes, it would also mean that there's probably a way to de-phase us.

Field emissions are particularly strong in this area.

You can be assured that the emissions will be eliminated before the engine core is replaced.

WORF: Commander, may I speak with you?

If they come back, they're going to discover the interphase generator.

Is their power transfer beam still at full intensity?

Yes, it will be until we're ready to switch to internal power.

We will set up a muon feedback wave inside the transfer beam.

The particles will accumulate in their dilithium chamber.

When they go to warp speed, their engines will explode.

We've gotta get to the Enterprise and warn them.

How? I don't know, but we have to find a way.

Come on.

The muon feedback wave's not showing up on any of the engine displays.

The Romulans must be hiding it in the sensory return signal.

Unless someone runs a level three diagnostic they'd never detect it.

There must be some way to warn them before the ship goes into warp.

This is puzzling.

Three more chroniton fields have formed aboard the Enterprise in the last hour.

There's no reason why the interphase device would be producing new fields onboard this ship.

We should begin decontamination immediately.

Run an internal sensor sweep for the locations of all chroniton fields on the Enterprise. Aye, sir.

The following areas are showing contamination.

Sick Bay, Transporter Room Three,

Main Bridge, Captain's Ready Room,

Shuttlebay Two and Main Engineering.

Ro, take a look at this.

DATA: I do not understand how these new fields have formed.

No transporter beam has been active in any of those areas.

And I cannot see they have anything in common.

Oh, yes they do.

In fact, they seem to be appearing at random.

No, they're not!

We were in every one of those locations.

Somehow, we're leaving chroniton footprints behind us.

Can you narrow the focus of the scan to pinpoint the locations?

Not with the internal sensors, Commander.

Go to Science Station Two on the Main Bridge.

Use a lateral sensor array to get a more precise reading.

I will modify an anyon emitter to eliminate the fields once they've been isolated.

Why don't you go with her and see what the lateral sensor turn up?

I'm gonna stay here with Data.

Right.

( alert beeping )

Well, that's interesting.

You're reading chroniton fields in here but not from me?

There's a field in this wall? Why?

Data, I came through this wall.

I walked right through it when I came in here.

When the phase matter in my body passed through the wall, it must have disrupted the wall's molecular structure producing a chroniton field.

( alert beeping )

Data, I'm right here.

That's me you're reading.

Watch.

( alert beeping )

LA FORGE: Come on.

It's me!

( alert beeping ) You see?

Do not move.

Yes...

I can see you.

Who are you?

Where is the scientific officer?

The one like us.

The one who came with you to our ship.

He spoke of a plan to return to normal.

Yes, this disruptor works.

I was wearing it when I was changed.

Now, where is he?

( alert beeping )

( alert beeping )

Data, stop being so rational.

Try using your imagination once in a while.

These aren't just random patterns,

It's me!

Ahh!

Watch where you point that thing.

Wait a minute, Data. I think you did something here.

It's not so easy to push through anymore.

The molecules in my hand must have been partially de-phased by the anyon beam.

Data, if a low-level beam can bring my hand part of the way back, maybe a high-level beam can bring me all the way back.

I'll just have to get you to turn up the intensity so...

Hey, wait a minute.

Don't stop now.

No, no, no, no. Data, don't give up on it.

It works.

I was just creating more fields.

Your method is fine.

You just need to turn up the intensity, Data.

( sighs )

He's in here.

Brossmer to Commander Data.

Data here.

BROSSMER: I've just detected a large chroniton field on Deck 17.

The field strength is 300% above the others we've found, sir.

Is that Ro? Acknowledged.

( alert beeping )

( alert beeping )

( groans )

( alert beeping )

( beeping intensifies )

Get up!

Where is the science officer?

( door chimes )

( grunts ) MAN: I'll get it.

Commander! Excuse me, Lieutenant--

Ro! I'm detecting a chroniton field in your room.

May I scan the area?

MAN: Certainly.

Thanks.

Any time.

There's still no indication that the Romulans have set up a muon wave in our dilithium chamber.

It's there, and when they go to warp--

MCDOWELL: Incoming message from the Romulan ship, Captain.

On screen.

Now what?

MIROK: Installation of the new engine core has been completed.

We are ready to switch to internal power, Enterprise.

Understood.

Disconnect the power transfer beam.

MIROK: We are now on internal power.

Captain Picard, please accept my sincere thanks on behalf of the Romulan Empire.

Don't listen to him, Captain.

It was our pleasure, Mirok.

And I hope that this example of cooperation between our two peoples will not be an isolated incident.

As do I, Captain.

Set a course for the Garadius system, warp six.

Don't do it, sir! Captain, wait, don't!

BROSSMER: Captain, I'm still running the decontamination program.

Mr. Data believes we shouldn't engage the warp drive until I've cleared all the chroniton fields from the ship.

Very well, let me know when you finish your sweep.

Yes, sir.

If we can get to the locations that she's decontaminating, maybe the anyon emissions would re-phase us enough for someone to see us.

Yeah, well, the beam strength will have to be pretty strong in order for us to be visible for more than a millisecond.

Somebody's gonna have to be looking directly at us.

Then we're gonna have to go somewhere with an awful lot of people.

It's time, sir.

We should go.

You have the Bridge, Mr. McDowell.

I'll be at the service in Ten Forward.

Ten Forward? Well, that's perfect.

We'll create as many chroniton fields in there as we can, get them to flood that room with a stronger beam.

PICARD: Deck ten.

I've been thinking about the first time

I met Geordi La Forge.

He was a young officer assigned to pilot me on an inspection tour, and I made some offhand remark about the... shuttle's engine efficiency not being what it should.

And the next morning I found that he'd stayed up all night refitting the fusion initiators.

Well, I knew then that I wanted to have him with me on my next command.

Have you decided what you're gonna say about Ensign Ro?

Yes, I have.

Wasn't easy. Situations like these...

What? ...are never easy,

Number One. What wasn't easy?

( Dixieland band playing )

What?!

( band playing, people chattering )

What is going on here?

It's our memorial service.

This?

Why not?

I don't believe this.

They think we're dead and they're having a party?

( chuckles ) Yeah. It's perfect.

Come on, let's get started.

Well, this is... unusual.

Yeah. I think I like it.

( begins playing trombone )

Now, I suppose I'll never know what you were gonna say about me.

Do you think the others will find this service appropriate?

Look around you, Data.

Everybody's sharing their memories of Geordi and Ro, laughing and talking.

What could be more appropriate than that?

I am glad you approve.

Brossmer to Commander Data.

Go ahead, Chief.

BROSSMER: I'm sorry to disturb you, sir.

We've cleared the critical areas of chronitons, but we've detected a new field forming in Ten Forward that's stronger than any we've seen before.

Should I wait till after the service is over before beginning decontamination?

No, anyon emissions are harmless.

Please begin immediately.

BROSSMER: Aye, sir.

Here we go.

( grunting )

Worf...

Worf, can you see us?

Lieutenant? We're right here, Worf.

( scoffs ) Damn.

We have to find a way to increase the emission strength. Yeah, I know.

If she hadn't lost her rank as a result of that incident at Garon IV,

I think she would have made lieutenant commander by now.

MCDOWELL: Bridge to Captain Picard.

Go ahead. MCDOWELL: Incoming message from Garadius IV, sir.

The diplomatic situation is deteriorating.

They want an update on our ETA.

Stand by, Ensign. Excuse me.

We have to do something now before they go into warp.

The disruptor-- I can put it on overload.

Do it.

Let's go.

I would like to get underway as soon as possible.

The situation on Garadius IV is becoming serious.

I see no reason to delay our departure.

The chroniton fields have been cleared from all critical areas.

Excellent.

Mr. McDowell, will you set a course for Garadius IV and engage--

BROSSMER: Commander data, chroniton field strength in Ten Forward has just increased by 3,000%.

Curious.

Captain, I believe we should decontaminate this room before getting underway.

Very well. Chief?

BROSSMER: Yes, Commander?

Increase anyon emissions to 6,000 particles per second and decontaminate this area.

Okay, hang on.

Data, Data, do you see us? Captain!

We're right here! We're right here!

We're right here!

Do you see that, Mr. Data?

Yes, sir.

Come on, Data, put it all together now.

Those were not ghosts. What did we see?

I believe I may know what has happened, sir.

Oh, Data, please, be right!

It would explain the mysterious chroniton fields...

Yes, yes, yes!

...if they were cloaked in some way.

Are you saying that they're still alive?

If I am right, sir, they are, and in this room.

Their brief appearance coincided with the anyon sweep.

Perhaps the anyons neutralized the cloaking effect.

Chief Brossmer. BROSSMER: Yes, Commander?

Set the anyonic beam to its highest level and flood Ten Forward.

BROSSMER: Aye, sir.

Data, do you see us?

Of course.

La Forge to Engineering. Take the warp engines off-line until further notice.

There's a muon wave building up inside the dilithium chamber.

MCDOWELL: Captain, who gave that order?

That was Commander Geordi La Forge, Ensign.

Please follow his instructions.

MCDOWELL: Aye, sir.

Well, it looks like a great party.

You mind if we join you?

( crowd murmuring )

Geordi, it is good to see you.

Thanks, Data.

I've never been to a better funeral.

Mm, could you pass the rolls?

You've been eating for over an hour.

Come on.

We didn't eat for almost two days.

I'm hungry.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Come on.

I was raised with Bajoran beliefs and I even followed some of the practices.

But I never really believed in a life after death.

And then suddenly, I was dead, and there was this other life,

And it made me feel like I'd been pretty arrogant to discount everything I'd been taught, you know?

Now, I don't know what to believe.

Hmm, well... maybe we should develop our own interphase device.

If it can teach Ro Laren humility... it can do anything.

( both laughing )