Home > Star Trek: The Next Generation

Lower Decks

Fletcher has more experience with propulsion systems.

But Carstairs is better with people.

Considering this is a supervisory position,

I'd go with her.

I guess you're right.

Didn't we just do crew evaluation reports?

Three months ago.

Seems like three weeks. ( yawns )

Why don't we just give everybody a promotion and call it a night... Commander?

Fine with me... Captain.

Could we have two coffees, please?

( Troi laughing )

What could be so funny?

I mean, what's so funny about crew evaluations?

Don't worry about it, Sam.

Can't we just try and have a good time here?

How can I have a good time when my career is being decided across the room?

Come on. Think promotion.

Promotion, promotion, promotion, promotion...

You can't really believe that what you're doing will influence the outcome of your evaluation.

Promotion, promotion...

It's a time-honored strategy, Taurik.

The Vedeks of the Janalan Order maintain a round-the-clock chant for the benefit of the Bajoran people.

Considering the history of your planet, that doesn't exactly validate what he's doing.

Promote me, please, so I can make lieutenant and have my own room.

If you are unhappy sharing quarters with me, then you should put in for a new room assignment... just in case you're not promoted.

( chuckling )

I've been thinking about who to promote to Ops.

The new night duty officer? Mm-hmm.

Lavelle is an obvious candidate, but I'm also considering Ensign Sito.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

You sure about dessert?

Yes, don't tempt me.

So, are they working on crew evaluations? Yep.

Who are they talking about? It's not my place to say.

Come on, Ben. Please.

All right, but I'm not sure you two are going to like it.

Apparently, you two are up for the same job.

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.

Lock phasers on target. Phasers locked.

( alarm wailing )

The enemy is firing. Helm, hard to starboard.

Hard to starboard. Fire phasers.

Firing.

Target is destroyed.

End simulation sequence. Secure from drill.

Alpha shift, your response time was seven percent slower than the Gamma shift.

All departments, submit drill evaluation reports by 0900 hours.

Ensign, you'll write that report.

Yes, sir.

What happened back there, Ensign?

I'm sorry, sir. When we changed course,

I had to relock phasers before I could fire.

Next time, try letting the locking relay float until the actual order to fire is given.

They may not teach that trick at the academy, but it works.

Thank you, sir.

Lavelle. Sir?

Resume previous course and speed. Aye, aye, sir.

One "aye" is sufficient, acknowledgment, Ensign. ( door opens )

Helm, change course for the Argaya system, maximum warp. LAVELLE: Aye, sir.

What happened to the rendezvous with the Clement?

I've received new orders from Starfleet.

We'll discuss it in the Observation Lounge.

Mr. Data, Mr. Worf.

Ensign Sito, take over at Ops.

Yes, sir.

The Argaya system's close to the Cardassian border.

I wonder why we're going there.

How would you like to be a spider under that table?

What?

A spider under the table.

Is that like a fly on the wall?

I guess so.

You did really well during the drill.

Well, apparently Commander Riker didn't think so.

I swear, he's got it in for me.

You're imagining things.

Yeah?

Then how come you're sitting in that chair instead of me?

I guess he figured I needed more practice than you do.

Excuse me, sir. Do you have a minute?

Sure, Taurik. What is it?

I'd like you to take a look at something.

Have you been improvising again, Ensign?

In a manner of speaking.

I'm running a computer simulation to test a new warp-field configuration.

You got a problem here.

Your plasma flow to the nacelles is out of sync.

Actually, sir, that was done deliberately.

As you can see, this configuration has increased overall warp-field integrity by seven percent.

You're right.

Dr. Nils Diaz has been experimenting with this technique at the Tanaline Propulsion Laboratory.

Yeah, I'm familiar with his work, but I never heard anything about this.

His findings have not been released yet.

I was able to review a preliminary report when I was at the academy.

I look forward to reading it.

I predict that when these findings are made public, they will become a new model for warp-field operations.

Sounds interesting.

With your permission, sir,

I'd like to begin tests to see if the technique can be adapted to our warp drive.

There might be variables that you didn't account for.

I was quite thorough.

I'm sure you were, but I'd still need to see your simulation before I authorize any tests.

As you wish.

If you have any other ideas for increasing efficiency, don't hesitate to run them by me.

As a matter of fact, sir, I do.

When would be a good time to discuss them?

I'll get back to you on that.

Hmm.

( clearing throat ) Excuse me, Doctor.

If you're wondering about the evaluations, things couldn't be better.

Actually, I just wanted to tell you that Ensign Reilly's condition is showing improvement, but thank you.

In fact, I'm recommending you for a promotion.

How does "Lieutenant Alyssa Ogawa" sound?

It sounds wonderful.

I'll talk to Commander Riker, and I'm sure it'll be official as soon as the current crew evaluations are over.

Oh, Alyssa... how are things going between you and Lieutenant Powell?

Fine... I think.

You think?

I'm sure it's nothing, but he seems preoccupied lately.

Last night, he had to cancel our date. I see.

He's been putting together a research proposal.

He's been really busy with it.

Well, I know what that's like.

Sometimes I get so busy with research, I forget to eat.

I just wonder...

What? Sit down.

I've never met anyone like Andrew.

It's as though we've known each other forever.

You do seem very well suited.

But...

I know that in the beginning of a romance, it's possible to be a little blind.

I'm not sure I know what you mean.

Well... canceling a date like that... the way he's been so distant lately...

Doctor, do you think those could be warning signs that he's losing interest?

Alyssa, I think you're overreacting.

Maybe so.

If I cared about someone as much as you care about Andrew, he'd have to do a lot more than cancel a date before I'd get suspicious.

You're right.

I'm sure that when this research is over, things will be back just the way they were.

Except, of course, that he'll have to deal with Lieutenant Ogawa.

Hmm.

I only filled in at Ops for a half hour, but I had to degauss the main deflector dish, recalibrate the navigation grid

and use internal sensors to find a lost puppy.

Ops is a very different challenge from Tactical.

I can't figure out why I'm even being considered for this assignment.

I'm a security officer.

I recommended you.

I'll try not to let you down, sir.

What could they be talking about?

Have you ever considered learning to lip-read?

You think Worf's chewing her out?

No, he always looks like that.

Maybe he's giving her pointers on how to land the Ops position.

Hi, Will. Ben. How you doing?

You call him Will? BEN: Why not?

He's second-in-command of this ship, that's why not.

I'm not Starfleet-- I'm a civilian.

When he's in here, he wants to be treated like a civilian.

Riker? I bet he sleeps in his uniform.

BEN: You only think that because he's your C.O.

If you got to know him... Right.

He's convinced Commander Riker doesn't like him.

Why? Did you crash the ship into something?

No, he just doesn't like me. He doesn't even know you.

That's right. You should go talk to him.

About what?

Perhaps something you have in common.

He likes jazz, poker, he's Canadian...

Yeah?

My grandfather was from Canada.

BEN: There you go.

Hi. Excuse me.

I got to go talk to somebody.

Good evening, sir.

Lavelle.

Something I can do for you?

No, sir, I just came to get another drink.

Is there something wrong with that one?

No. Actually, I... what are you having? Trakian ale.

Good choice. I'll have one, too.

My grandfather was Canadian, you know. Really?

Aren't you one, too? A grandfather?

No. Canadian, sir, Canadian.

No, I grew up in Alaska.

Oh.

Well... they both... get a lot of snow.

Yeah.

It was good talking to you, sir.

Yeah.

Your ale, Ensign...

We're holding position in the Argaya system.

Anything? No, sir.

I detect no vessels in the vicinity.

How close to the Cardassian border are we?

Less than 5,000 kilometers, sir.

Sir, I'm detecting an object five meters in length.

It appears to be an escape pod.

They must have been forced to abandon the ship.

How far inside Cardassian space is it?

WORF: 50,000 kilometers.

How the hell are we going to get it out of there?

Sir, the pod's life-support system is failing.

RIKER: Notify, Dr. Crusher.

PICARD: Can we get within transporter range without crossing into Cardassian territory?

We would need to boost the gain in the confinement beam by at least seven percent.

Mr. La Forge?

I'm on it, Captain.

There, try that.

The pod is still too far away.

Okay, I'm going to try augmenting the frequency spread.

Bioreadings indicate passengers humanoid.

Attempting life-form identification.

No one told you to do that, Ensign.

Let's just get them aboard safely.

There, that should do it.

Confinement beam's at 109% of normal.

Transporter Room, you should be able to get a lock now.

CREWMAN: Aye, sir.

PICARD: Dr. Crusher, are you ready?

Stand by.

Alyssa, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave now.

All right, Doctor.

Transporter Room, go ahead.

CREWMAN: Aye, sir.

What are you doing here?

I'm not supposed to let anyone but the senior officers inside Sick Bay.

Do you have any idea what's going on?

No. Do you? I better go.

Ensign. Sir.

( door opens, closes )

1200 hours.

Alpha shift is relieved.

Excuse me, sir.

If you don't mind, I'd like to stay on for another shift.

I could use the training. Now's not the best time.

Yes, sir.

Ensign, you're with me.

Bridge.

You are a certified pilot, Ensign?

Yes, sir.

How long have you served on board the Enterprise, Ensign?

Seven months, sir.

I understand that you've been recommended for the Ops position.

Do you think you're up to it? I do, sir.

I'm not so sure. I'm concerned about your record.

Sir?

The incident that you were involved in at the academy.

With all due respect, that was three years ago.

My record since then... It doesn't matter how long ago it was, Ensign.

Would you do something like that again?

I can assure you, sir, that I would never, never jeopardize lives by participating in...

In a daredevil stunt?

I would certainly hope not.

But what concerns me is that you participated in a cover-up that impeded an official investigation into the death of a cadet.

Sir, I know I should have told the truth right from the start... Yes, you should, but you didn't.

Instead, you joined with the others to pretend that that was simply an accident.

Now, what do you think that tells me about your character?

Sir, if you had any idea what it was like after that incident...

I didn't have any friends.

I didn't have anyone to talk to.

I had to take my flight test with the instructor because no one else would be my partner.

In a lot of ways, it would have been easier to just walk away, but I didn't.

I stuck with it.

Doesn't that say something about my character, too?

Well, I'm really very sorry you didn't enjoy your time at the academy, Ensign.

As far as I'm concerned, you should have been expelled for what you did.

Quite frankly, I don't know how you made it on board this ship.

You're dismissed.

Another two seconds...

Okay, that's enough.

Sir, I'm a little puzzled.

Why are we intentionally damaging the shuttlecraft?

We're evaluating hull resiliency.

Starfleet requires periodic testing.

I see.

I don't believe I'm familiar with that requirement.

Probably because you're not a senior officer.

If you wish,

I can reconfigure the phaser to fire a low-intensity burst that would not harm the shuttle's hull.

The test procedure would not be affected.

It's fine just the way it is.

Now, give me another burst, about four seconds... right here.

Do you want me to fire from this position?

Actually, why don't you do it from over here?

That would be consistent.

Consistent with what?

With making it appear that this shuttle had fled an attack.

What makes you think that's what we're doing?

The pattern of fire you have asked for is similar to what might result if the shuttle had fled an attacker while engaging in evasive maneuvers.

It's an amazing coincidence.

Yes, sir, it is indeed.

Shall we proceed with the testing?

Yes, Ensign. Thank you.

Alyssa, thank you for coming so quickly.

We have to prepare for surgery.

We have a comatose patient with a subdural hematoma. Yes, sir.

I want to make it clear that you are not to discuss what you see here with anyone. I understand.

We'll need to synthesize at least a liter of Cardassian blood.

It's your bet, Taurik.

What I can't understand is why we're just sitting here so close to the Cardassian border.

It must have something to do with that escape pod we picked up.

Don't you think, Sito?

Maybe.

I wonder who was in it.

You know what I heard?

It was Ambassador Spock.

That is most unlikely.

BEN: That's what I was told.

By whom? I can't say.

They beamed whoever was in it straight to Sick Bay.

Did you see anything when you were down there?

No.

Dr. Crusher just asked me to help her with the laboratory schedule.

I thought Lieutenant Powell was going to join us tonight.

He had to do a double shift.

That's too bad.

He must be the worst poker player I've ever met.

It's your bet, Sam.

Twenty.

The thing is, I saw Powell in Ten-Forward with another woman, and the way they were talking, it made me wonder.

Well, if he's seeing someone else, he should tell Alyssa.

I mean, it might hurt her now, but it would be better in the long run.

I've been meaning to talk to you about something, Mr. Worf.

I don't think Ensign Sito's prepared for the Ops position.

Well, I must say I disagree, sir.

Counselor, pair of fours bets.

I'm listening.

BEN: The bet is 50.

It would be illogical for the captain to deny you a promotion for something you did as a cadet.

He said it shows I don't have character.

What did you say?

What could I say?

Maybe he's right.

Hey, you're a damn fine officer and you deserve that post as much as anyone.

One thing's for sure, I won't be getting it.

Not if it's up to Riker.

Well, it is your decision, sir, but I am certain if you give Ensign Sito a chance to prove herself, she will not disappoint you.

Very well, I'll take her under consideration.

Besides, I'm not convinced about Lavelle.

Really? Why?

He's too eager to please.

He's always trying to ingratiate himself to me.

Why assume he's doing that to get the job?

Fifty.

Here's your 50, and 100 more.

TROI: I don't know.

It seems to me that you and Lavelle are a lot alike.

What?!

We're not at all alike.

You're bluffing.

You think so?

Yes, and I'm not going to let you get away with it.

You know, Sam, maybe you shouldn't try so hard with Riker.

It doesn't matter whether he likes you, as long as he respects you.

And he must, otherwise he would not be considering you for the Ops position.

You're probably right.

Maybe I'm just telling myself that he hates me so that if I don't get promoted, I'll have an excuse.

You in or not?

At this juncture, the odds of my winning this hand are less than 39 to one.

I fold.

Commander's flush is still working.

No help, Worf.

( Worf groans )

Ooh, tens and deuces for the Doctor, and jacks and fours for the Counselor.

Ah, three sixes.

Fold.

Looks like it's just you and me.

You going to go another 50?

I'm thinking. Give me a second here.

Didn't you tell me that you took up poker so you could be in the officer's game at the Potemkin?

I happen to like poker.

But your senior officers might have thought that you were trying to ingratiate yourself.

I guess it's lucky that they realized that you were young and inexperienced and decided not to hold it against you.

Hmm.

Maybe I have been a little hard on Lavelle.

I do not believe he is bluffing.

I do. Here you go.

What have you got?

Flush. I cannot believe this!

I am your worst nightmare.

BEN: I knew it.

How could you tell I was bluffing?

You don't really expect me to answer that, do you?

Look, it's getting late.

Maybe we should all get some sleep.

One more hand. Mm-mm.

Come on, Geordi, you don't have to quit just because I'm unbeatable.

No, there's something I need to do down in Engineering.

I'll get you next time.

I'll be there.

Good night, everybody.

TROI AND DR. CRUSHER: Good night.

Bye.

Good night. OGAWA: See you later.

What I find curious is that when Commander La Forge saw that the technique I was using was actually more efficient, he seemed annoyed. Of course he was.

He didn't like the fact that you knew something he didn't.

Do you think that I have irreparably damaged my relationship with him?

Well, it depends on what kind of a guy he is.

BEN: Ante up, gentlemen.

( door chimes ) Come in.

Commander... As you were.

I dropped by to see Taurik.

What can I do for you, sir?

Well, I'm headed for Engineering to run those tests on the nacelles.

Since you've already put in some work on the technique,

I thought you might like to give me a hand.

I'd be pleased to, sir.

Great. Let's go.

How about some blackjack?

I've got to get some sleep, so I can be sharp tomorrow.

Why? So you can get promoted, have more responsibility and have to get to sleep even earlier?

Good night.

Come in.

DR. CRUSHER: Ben, what are you doing here?

I just cleaned out some junior officers and I thought I'd do the same here.

You're welcome to give it a try.

Pull up a chair. BEN: Thanks.

Dismissed.

Ensign Sito.

Yes, sir.

I also teach an advanced class.

I believe you may be ready to participate.

However, before you can join the group, you must pass the Gik'tal.

Gik'tal? Yes.

It is a very ancient Klingon ritual.

It tests your knowledge of the forms of the mok'bara.

I should practice first. No.

No practice.

That is part of the ritual.

The test must be unannounced.

Can you see? No.

Good.

The Gik'tal has begun.

Defend yourself!

You must anticipate my attack.

Yes, sir.

Defend yourself!

( groans )

Are you listening, Ensign?

Yes, but...

Defend yourself.

Ow!

You did not anticipate.

How am I supposed to defend myself when I can't see a thing?

Stop making excuses. Replace the blindfold.

No!

It's not a fair test.

Very good, Ensign.

You have passed the challenge.

What? By taking off the blindfold?

It takes courage to say the test is unfair.

One thing I don't understand.

Doesn't Gik'tal mean "to the death"?

You speak Klingon.

Sir... is there really such a thing as a Gik'tal challenge?

No, there is not, but perhaps next time you are judged unfairly, it will not take so many bruises for you to protest.

All I've ever wanted is to make a career for myself in Starfleet.

I can't change what happened at the academy-- no one can.

All I can do is work hard and try to earn the respect of the people I serve with.

If you're not going to give me that chance, then I respectfully request that you transfer me to another ship.

If you're looking for a more lenient commander,

I don't think you'll find one.

Permission to speak freely, sir?

Please do.

If you didn't want me on your ship, you should have said so when I was assigned to it.

It's not your place to punish me for what I did at the academy.

I've worked hard here.

My record is exemplary.

If you're going to judge me, judge me for what I am now.

Very well, Ensign, I will.

It took courage to come here and face me after what I said to you the other day.

I didn't ask you here because I was assessing your qualifications for the Ops position.

I don't understand, sir.

I was harsh with you because I wanted to assess you for a very important mission-- a mission that could put you in a situation that would be far more unnerving than a dressing down by your commanding officer.

Can I ask what that mission is, sir?

Join the senior officers in the Observation Lounge at 0900 hours.

We'll discuss it then.

Yes, sir.

And, Ensign...

I do know why you ended up on the Enterprise.

I asked for you.

I wanted to make sure that you got a fair chance to redeem yourself.

Thank you, sir.

You wanted to see me, Doctor?

Yes.

Alyssa, I think you know how much I've come to depend upon you here.

I've recommended your promotion because your performance here has been exemplary.

Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate that.

But more than that...

I've come to think of you as a friend, someone I really care about.

It's nice of you to say that.

I feel the same way.

So... you and Andrew Powell...?

Someone told you. Told me what?

We were going to keep it a secret until the promotions are announced.

A secret?

He asked me to marry him.

Alyssa, that's wonderful.

I'm so relieved... I mean happy.

Please. Take a seat, Ensign.

This is Joret Dal.

He was in the escape pod that we retrieved.

He is a member of the Cardassian military and a Federation operative.

He has risked his life to bring us invaluable information about Cardassian strategic intentions.

Information that could very well enhance the security of Bajor, as well as other planets in this sector.

Now, it is absolutely imperative that we return him safely to Cardassian space.

It will not be easy.

The border is heavily guarded.

Since his ship was destroyed, he'll be using one of our shuttles.

If a patrol stops me, I will claim to have stolen it.

We have distressed the shuttle so that it appears to have been fired upon.

Joret will attempt to talk his way past the patrol.

If I were alone, the chances of my succeeding would be slim, but if I had a prisoner with me, a Bajoran terrorist,

I would appear to be a bounty hunter.

Border crossings of that nature are not uncommon.

And for a price, the patrol can be convinced to look the other way.

Once the shuttle is safely past the patrol,

Joret will put you into an escape pod and return you back across the border.

Since the pod is so small, it will be difficult to detect.

We'll be waiting here to pick you up.

I understand, sir.

Ensign, this is obviously a very dangerous mission.

I am not ordering you to take part in it.

Then I volunteer, sir.

Be certain you understand the risk you are taking.

If you are captured... I'm Bajoran.

No one knows better than I do what Cardassians do to their prisoners.

I've made my decision.

Very well, Ensign.

Will you report to Sick Bay? Dr. Crusher will explain.

And, Ensign Sito, I must ask you not to discuss this mission with anyone.

Yes, sir.

I didn't realize she would be so young.

( door opens )

The captain asked Dr. Crusher to make it look like Joret had mistreated me.

We're all set here.

Sir?

I just want you to know that I really appreciate the fact that you've always had confidence in me.

Good luck.

I'll see you soon.

We're approaching the border.

It won't be long before we're detected by the patrol ships.

When they stop us, do you want me to say anything?

No, it should seem that I've broken your will.

If you're asked any questions, look at me as though you're afraid to answer.

Can I ask you something?

Why are you doing this-- risking your life for Starfleet?

I don't consider myself a traitor if that's what you're asking.

All my life, I've served in the military.

Once, it was an institution dedicated to the security of Cardassia.

Now, it's little more than a platform for ambitious guls hoping to make their reputations in battle.

If the information I've provided helps Starfleet deter even one pointless skirmish,

I've served my purpose.

I'm sick of war.

My people need peace.

I never thought I'd hear a Cardassian say something like that.

And I never thought a Bajoran would risk her life to help a Cardassian get home.

( beeping )

A patrol ship's moving in on our position.

We don't have much time.

She must have left on that shuttle.

There's no other explanation.

Do you have any idea where it went?

Toward Cardassian space.

That's what I'm worried about.

Oh, there was one other thing--

I noticed the shuttle was damaged...

Sam, can we talk about something else?

Well, don't you care what's happened to her? Of course.

But we have to accept the fact that we're not always told about everything that happens aboard ship.

Well, we can at least tell each other what we know.

Wait a minute. Do you two know something?

Sam, please.

Oh, I can't believe this. We're friends!

We're also Starfleet officers.

I'm not allowed to talk about it.

Okay.

I understand.

I better get going.

I got duty in a half an hour.

Captain's Log, Stardate 47566.7:

We have reached the coordinates in Federation space

where Ensign Sito's escape pod

was to have rendezvoused with us.

However, we have been waiting for over 30 hours,

and as yet, there is no sign of her.

Report.

We've completed a long-range scan of the area, sir.

The escape pod doesn't seem to be out there.

It is possible that at this distance, we are unable to distinguish the pod from the inorganic matter normally present in space.

Try narrowing the scan field.

See if you can pick up any biosigns.

Sir, it would help if I knew what kind of life signs to look for.

You're scanning for Bajoran life signs.

Yes, sir.

Nothing yet.

The pod is 32 hours overdue.

Sir, I recommend we launch a probe to increase the range of our sensor sweeps.

Launching a probe into Cardassian space would be a treaty violation.

Mr. Worf, prepare a probe and launch when ready. Aye, sir.

WORF: Probe launched, sir.

( console beeping )

Sir, I am detecting signs of debris

200,000 kilometers inside Cardassian space.

Its mass and composition indicate it could be the remains of a Federation escape pod.

Captain's Log, supplemental:

We have intercepted a Cardassian report

stating that a Bajoran prisoner escaped her captor

and was killed in an evacuation pod

as she tried to leave Cardassian space.

( bosun's whistle sounds )

To all Starfleet personnel, this is the Captain.

It is my sad duty to inform you that a member of the crew, Ensign Sito Jaxa, has been lost in the line of duty.

She was the finest example of a Starfleet officer and a young woman of remarkable courage and strength of character.

Her loss will be deeply felt by all who knew her.

Picard out.

You okay? Uh-huh.

( sighs )

LAVELLE: I just got promoted.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

It just doesn't feel right.

For all I know, she was going to get the promotion instead of me.

You shouldn't feel that way, Sam.

She would have been happy for you, Sam.

The best way to remember her would be to excel in your new position.

We're proud of you, Sam.

Excuse me, sir, but I need to move this table.

What?

There's an empty seat over there.

I appreciate what you are trying to do, but it is not appropriate.

You were her friends.

I was only her commanding officer.

Sir, I happen to know that she considered you a friend.