WESLEY: Jake.
Jake, wait a second.
How you doing?
I'm fine.
Really.
Jake, I'm sorry...
CRUSHER [OVER COM]: Acting Ensign Crusher,
report to Transporter Room 8.
It's not your fault.
Yeah, I know.
- I wish both of us were going. - Yeah, I know.
- Only 32 points. - CRUSHER: Mr. Crusher, respond.
I'm on my way, doctor.
- I've gotta go. - I know.
Hey, Wes.
- Do well for both us, okay? - All right.
PICARD: Captain's log, stardate 41416.2.
We're orbiting Relva VII,
where Wesley Crusher is about to be tested
for entrance into Starfleet Academy.
And to my great surprise, I have just learned that my old friend,
Admiral Gregory Quinn, is on Relva VII
and has requested to be beamed aboard the Enterprise immediately.
- Welcome aboard, admiral. - Thank you.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard,
Lieutenant Commander Dexter Remmick.
Sir.
Allow me to introduce my staff. First Officer William Riker,
Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher, Chief of Security Natasha Yar.
- Well, what can we do for you? - I need to speak with you.
- Certainly. This way. Number One? - Alone.
- Is this a personal matter? - Official business.
- Well, then, my first officer— - Alone, captain.
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.
Commander Remmick is with the inspector general's office.
Oh.
He'll be conducting a full investigation of the Enterprise.
- What are you looking for? - I have reason to believe
that there may be something very wrong on this ship.
Tell me what you suspect.
It's inappropriate to discuss it at this time.
Mr. Remmick, Starfleet is counting on you.
You will find out what is wrong on this ship.
Yes, sir. Nothing and no one will stand in my way.
And you, captain,
are ordered to cooperate in every way necessary with this investigation.
Is that clear?
Yes, sir.
Mr. Remmick, unless there are further questions...
- No questions, sir. - Get on with your duties.
Yes, sir.
We've known one another for years.
Tell me what you believe is wrong.
Captain, it is vitally important that my orders be followed exactly.
I'll be staying on the ship.
As you wish, admiral.
What is it?
What?
The unit you just put down. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
It's a flux-coordinating sensor unit.
I'm Oliana Mirren, one of the other finalists.
- You must be Wesley Crusher. - Yeah.
Do you know me?
I heard there was a very smart, very young man
who'd be tough competition.
- Well, you wouldn't be here... - If I weren't smart. I know.
But there's a lot more to it than just that.
You're lucky.
You've had practical experience aboard the Enterprise.
Oliana.
- T'Shanik of Vulcana Regar. - Wesley Crusher of the Enterprise.
You do not look as if you meet the age requirements.
I'll be 16 next month.
Happy birthday.
Excuse me.
I'm Wesley Crusher.
Mordock.
Mordock? The Mordock?
The Benzite who constructed the Mordock Strategy?
I thought you were already in the academy.
No. Only a hopeful, like you.
[DOOR OPENS]
Finalists, please take your seats.
Thanks.
I'm TAC Officer Chang.
Welcome.
You are here because you are all top candidates.
Although only one student will be chosen for the academy,
you have shown from the preliminary testing
that any of you could easily qualify.
Now this may be the most difficult, exhausting experience of your life.
And the most exciting challenge.
Expect the unexpected.
May you all do your best.
May I help you, Mr. Remmick?
Keep doing whatever it is you're doing, Commander Data.
There's, uh, nothing much to see here, commander.
We're in a standard orbit and, uh,
the station has to be manned, even if it's just routine.
Something I can help you with, Mr. Remmick?
When I'm ready, Mr. Riker, I'll want to speak with you.
Privately.
Commander, just having that guy around makes me feel guilty.
What's he after anyway?
I don't know, Geordi, but I'm gonna find out. Right now.
[DOOR CHIMES]
Come.
- Captain, may I speak frankly? - Always, Number One.
As first officer I should be informed. I should know everything you know.
- That's right, you should. - Then what's this about?
Remmick's gonna turn this ship upside down.
That's his job.
And my job is to see that this ship runs smoothly.
Which you do very well.
Sir, am I under investigation?
I don't know.
- And if you did? - I couldn't tell you.
I don't understand, sir. This is extremely frustrating.
No less for me.
But I promised cooperation and that's what we shall give.
Sir.
- REMMICK: I want some answers. - RIKER: Later.
REMMICK: You are ordered to cooperate—
Not now. When it doesn't interfere with my duties, Remmick.
COMPUTER: Last question on the hyperspace physics test.
If the matter and antimatter tanks on a Galaxy-class starship
are nine-tenths depleted,
calculate the intermix ratio necessary to reach a starbase
a hundred light years away at warp factor 8.
Begin.
[SIGHS]
COMPUTER: Time elapsed.
You now have one hour free before the next test.
I must admit, Wesley, you have a very fast mind.
Once I realized it was a trick question, there was only one answer.
Yes. There is only one ratio with matter-antimatter.
One-to-one.
You both don't know how lucky you are.
I can't imagine what it would be like to have things come so easily.
I have to push every step of the way.
Oh, no, Oliana, it doesn't come that easily.
I have to study all the time.
It's a good thing you're cute, Wesley, or you could really be obnoxious.
See you later.
Did you hear what she said, Mordock?
She said I was cute.
- Is that good, Wesley? - Yes.
I think.
[DOOR OPENS]
- I think I should apologize, captain. - No need, Number One.
Mr. Remmick's presence is unnerving, to say the least.
Are you available now, Mr. Riker, or do you still have duties to perform?
I'm available, Mr. Remmick.
Any problem with using your Ready Room, captain?
No, Mr. Remmick. Be my guest.
If you prefer to stand, fine, Mr. Riker.
It won't have an effect on the length of my inquiry.
Now, there are several seeming discrepancies in the captain's log.
Let's go over them one by one, shall we?
- The captain's log? - Yes.
To the best of your knowledge, has the captain ever falsified a log?
- Have you discussed this with him? - Right now I'm asking you.
If you want to discuss Captain Picard,
bring him in and you ask him face to face.
You are required to answer my questions, Mr. Riker,
unless you're trying to cover something up.
Now, there are several discrepancies in the captain's log.
Shall we go over them one by one?
Proceed.
REMMICK: So you are saying, Captain Picard had no control over this vessel.
He handed it over to Kosinski,
who took the entire crew to the edge of the universe.
No, sir, that's not what I'm saying.
Kosinski was sent here by Starfleet to improve our warp-drive system.
Captain Picard was ordered to take him aboard.
Uh, according to his own logs,
his Bridge crew didn't think highly of Mr. Kosinski's theories,
yet the captain allowed him to access the engines anyway.
- Is that true, La Forge? - Not exactly, sir.
One way or the other, La Forge, Picard lost control of this ship.
Is that true?
Well, yes, but that's not how it happened.
So the answer is yes.
[SIGHS]
Do you believe the captain is emotionally and psychologically fit
for command of this starship?
There's nothing in his history or personality
that would suggest mental lapses?
Nothing.
Not even the Ferengi incident aboard his old starship, the Stargazer?
He was being controlled by a mind-altering machine, commander,
without his knowledge.
I would call that a mental lapse.
Ensign.
What are you doing on the holodeck?
I thought you were still on Relva VII.
I'm finished testing for the day.
- I've disturbed you. I'll leave. - Wait.
I thought I wanted to be alone. I guess I don't.
- How is the testing? - Okay, so far.
It's not the ones that I've studied for that I'm worried about.
It's the psych test.
Facing my deepest fear and living through it.
I'm trying to figure out what images to bring up.
Why?
I guess I wanna scare myself.
What do you think? Rigellian rats? Lightning storms?
Do those things frighten you?
Sort of, I guess.
The psych test is no more or less important
- than the rest of the process. - That's what they said.
But I can't stop thinking about it.
Thinking about what you can't control only wastes energy
and creates its own enemy.
How can they know what my deepest fear is when I don't?
By analyzing your psychological profile.
They were very accurate about everyone I tested with.
Including myself.
You?
I thought there was nothing that could frighten a Klingon warrior.
Only fools have no fear.
I'm sorry, lieutenant.
I'm asking too many personal questions.
It is very difficult for me to depend on anyone for anything.
Especially for my life.
But on the Enterprise you do that every day.
Everyone depends on everyone else to protect them.
Yes.
- So you overcame it? - No.
It is still my enemy.
RIKER: With this new extricator,
we can eliminate three more bulky machines from cargo space.
That's excellent, Number One.
[COMPUTER BEEPING]
Captain, there's an unauthorized entry in main shuttlebay.
- Unauthorized? - Who is it, lieutenant?
Computer reads the ID number of Jake Kurland.
Bridge to main shuttlebay.
Mr. Kurland, this is Lieutenant Yar. Respond.
Isn't that area secured?
Not now, Remmick. He's gonna take this out, captain.
TASHA: I'm locking off bay launch doors, captain.
Too late. He's using the flight-emergency override.
Smart kid.
- Kid? - He's launching.
PICARD: On viewer.
Lieutenant Yar, open channel.
Enterprise to shuttlecraft. Mr. Kurland, this is Captain Picard.
Mr. Kurland?
JAKE: Captain, I'm going to Beltane IX to sign onto a freighter.
Tell my father I—
I'm sorry.
You can tell him yourself, in person.
- Bring that ship back at once. - JAKE: No.
I can't face him.
I'm leaving.
[ALARM SOUNDING]
Captain, he's unbalanced the dilithium reaction.
I've lost power.
All he's got left is his maneuvering jets.
He'll enter the atmosphere and burn up
at an altitude of 200 kilometers.
Probable impact?
Atmospheric entry, 78 seconds.
- PICARD: Options? - Tractor beam?
Not possible. He's too far away for a positive lock.
He's out of transporter range.
Captain, you are completely responsible for that boy's life.
Mr. Remmick, either get out of my way and keep quiet,
or I will have you removed from the Bridge.
- Viewer on shuttle cockpit. - Visual on main viewer.
- PICARD: Mr. Kurland? - I can't get the engine started.
What am I gonna do?
I'm gonna crash.
He needs another 50 seconds for the core to cool down before he can restart.
Stay calm, Jake.
We'll get you back.
Please, help me.
- PICARD: Jake. - It's no use, captain.
I'm gonna die out here.
He'll need 30 seconds before he can restart.
Irrelevant, sir. Even if he restarts his engine now,
he will not have enough thrust to escape impact.
Mr. Kurland, you are not going to die out there.
You are going to do exactly what I tell you.
Now take the nose of the shuttlecraft and aim it directly at Relva VII.
Aim it at Relva? I can't do that. That's crazy.
- Do it. JAKE: But I'll burn up.
Twenty-eight seconds to impact.
Jake, listen very carefully.
This is Captain Picard and I am giving you an order.
Aim the shuttle at Relva.
Okay.
- It's done. PICARD: Good.
Now, monitor your speed exactly.
When it hits 0.020, I want you to restart the engine.
And when I tell you, pull up hard.
Point-zero-two-zero speed.
Captain, I sure hope you're right.
PICARD: You'll just have to trust me.
Point-zero-zero-three.
Zero-zero-nine.
Zero-one-two.
Six seconds to impact.
Hold on, Jake. It's going to be a little bumpy.
Zero-one-five.
Zero-one-nine.
Restart the engine now.
[ENGINE POWERING UP]
Pull up hard.
Yeah.
Incredible, captain.
How did he do it? I thought—
He built up enough speed and then bounced her off the atmosphere.
Mr. Kurland, I assume you can maneuver it home?
JAKE: Yes, sir. PICARD: Do it.
Then report to Mr. Riker.
Yes, sir.
Very original, captain.
But how did that child acquire access to a shuttlecraft?
Kurland is a highly qualified Enterprise academy candidate,
fully trained in many areas, including shuttles.
Did this full training include discipline?
Mr. Remmick, young men sometimes make rash choices.
Which is why Mr. Kurland will receive a strong refresher,
specifically in discipline.
I'll note that in my report.
Full cooperation, Number One.
You. I have a package for Operations. Where is it?
End of the corridor, room on your right, 104.
- Excuse me. - You blocked my path.
You Bulgallian sludge rat.
I'm sorry. It was an honest mistake. I apologize.
CHANG: Is there a problem here, gentlemen?
- Um, no, sir, I... - How dare you?
I am Rondon. You despicable, melanoid slime worm.
Liar.
Who do you think you're bullying? You bumped into me.
It was your mistake. You were at fault.
Do you want this to become violent?
Friend,
I like you.
A very strange reaction.
Not really.
When he raised his hand I saw that it was webbed.
The sign of a Zoldan.
But you became hostile.
Zoldans are infuriated by courtesy.
They view it as a form of phony social behavior,
designed to cover true feelings.
Congratulations, Mr. Crusher.
You handled that particular incident very well.
Was this incident deliberate?
It's important to know how you candidates
deal with other cultures, other species.
- Then it was a test? - CHANG: Yes.
Not all tests are announced, or what they appear to be.
Zoldans have webbed fingers?
I wouldn't have passed.
- You're an android, correct? - Yes, sir.
As an android you are programmed to tell the entire truth?
Yes, sir.
There is a problem with this ship, Mr. Data.
It's in the records.
Somewhere.
I need your help to find it.
All of the ship's records are available to you, sir.
But this information is very cleverly hidden.
Your captain is not what he appears to be.
Do not forget that you have loyalty to Starfleet above all else.
Loyalty is not the issue, commander.
There is nothing wrong with Captain Picard or the ship's logs.
Therefore, there must be something wrong with your original assumption.
That is not acceptable, Mr. Data.
Acceptable or not, sir,
it is the truth.
Just how did this contaminant get aboard this ship?
WORF: By accident, sir.
Meaning Captain Picard has no standing procedure
- for this type of situation? - No. Meaning by accident, sir.
You don't like me very much, do you?
Is it required, sir?
How would you characterize your relationship with Captain Picard?
We're Starfleet officers who've known each other for many years.
Everything said here is confidential, doctor.
You can be completely open with me.
About what?
About how you feel serving with the man
who is responsible for the death of your husband.
My personal feelings about Captain Picard
are irrelevant to this investigation.
And none of your business.
Then you confirm the accuracy of the log report?
You violated the Prime Directive of the Edo.
You deliberately interfered with their laws.
Yes. It is exactly as I explained it in the log records.
All to save Dr. Crusher's son.
A member of my crew was being held unjustly.
I stand by my decision.
Mr. Remmick, you've talked to every member of this ship.
I think you've had enough time to find out
whatever it is you're looking for.
Are you afraid if I keep looking I'll find that you're guilty?
The only thing I'm guilty of is allowing this charade to go on so long.
Admiral, if it is me you're investigating,
ask me directly what it is you want to know.
And please tell me exactly what is going on.
- I need a little more time, Jean-Luc. - How much time?
I won't tolerate my crew being harassed any longer.
Remmick's full report is almost ready.
- I want to be here when he presents it. - That has always been my intention.
Commander Remmick, report to Admiral Quinn.
REMMICK [OVER COM]: On my way, sir.
This has been a strain on our friendship.
I know.
Believe me, Jean-Luc, I regret that.
But it has been necessary.
I can't get it.
Yes, you can. Don't fight it.
- Relax into it and let it come by itself. - No, it's going too fast.
Wesley, I can't do it.
Yes, you can. You've got your rotation factor.
Just put in your vector coordinates.
COMPUTER: Time elapsed.
Congratulations, Mordock.
That was the second-fastest time ever recorded on this test.
You all did well.
No. It should not have been that way. Mr. Crusher helped me.
Yes. I know.
An interesting choice, Mr. Crusher.
Especially considering how close you and Mr. Mordock are in overall score.
You all have an hour to prepare for your last test.
WESLEY: The psych test, sir?
We prefer to think of it as a psychological evaluation
based on reactions to various individual problems,
but, uh, "psych test" will do.
- Sir? - Please sit down, Mr. Remmick.
Proceed with your report.
I've done my best to be thorough during this investigation.
- Continue. - I couldn't find what you asked for, sir.
I spoke to officer after officer, at length.
I pried into the ship's logs and yet I could find nothing wrong.
Except, perhaps, a casual familiarity among the Bridge crew,
but mostly that comes from a sense of teamwork.
And a feeling of family.
I'm sorry, sir.
I did my best.
Quite.
- You're dismissed, commander. - Yes, sir.
Captain Picard.
My tour in the inspector general's office will be up in six months.
When I'm finished,
this is where I'd like to serve, sir.
Don't judge the young man too harshly.
He's a good officer.
It's not him I'm inclined to judge.
Don't judge me too harshly, either, until I've finished.
We had to be very sure of you.
Some of us at Starfleet command
became suspicious of certain problems in the Federation.
What kind of problems?
Someone or something is trying to destroy the fabric
of everything we've built up in the last 200 years.
What's your evidence?
I can't go into that. There are too many people involved.
What do you want from me?
I don't know whether the threat comes from the inside
or whether it's from outside.
I need people I can trust in strong positions
throughout the Federation.
You have my complete support. You know that.
That's not enough.
I want to promote you to admiral
and I want you to take over as commandant of Starfleet Academy.
- The academy? - Yes.
The academy?
I need you close.
Then there was never a problem with the Enterprise.
No. But I had to be sure you hadn't been co-opted.
And, Greg, uh,
this is politics, and, uh...
[SIGHS]
I, uh...
I'm not good at politics.
Surely there are others who are
- better suited. - All right.
Even if I am wrong, and I hope I am, you're still the best man for the job.
I appreciate the value of what you're offering.
It's not a decision I can make quickly.
I need an answer soon.
All right.
You'll have it tonight, admiral.
Thank you.
Mr. Mordock will be finished with his "psych test" momentarily.
WESLEY: Mordock.
Are you all right?
I will be.
CHANG: Mr. Crusher.
You're next.
Good luck.
I'm here.
I'm ready.
Maybe they forgot.
Breathe.
Gotta remember to breathe.
[EXPLOSION NEARBY]
[EXPLOSION]
[ALARM BLARING] [MAN YELLING NEARBY]
COMPUTER: Evacuate immediately. Sixty-five seconds to seal off.
Hey, somebody help.
There's something wrong in the Environmental Lab.
MAN: Help!
Aah! We're trapped!
I can't move!
Please, help me!
[GROANING]
We're gonna die in here!
The liquid hydrogen's gonna blow. The shutoff valve's ruptured.
Hurry up.
My legs are crushed. You've gotta help me.
Give me a hand with this.
We're gonna die.
Help me.
I can't!
It's too late.
COMPUTER: Thirty seconds to seal off.
- Come on. - MAN: If we don't get out of here fast,
they'll seal us in to contain the explosion.
Come on. You're not hurt.
- I can't go through that. - Yes, you can.
You've got to.
COMPUTER: Twenty seconds to seal off.
Come on. I can't carry you both.
You're not hurt.
COMPUTER: Ten seconds to seal off.
[WHIMPERING]
Come on.
It's too late.
I'm sorry.
[PANTING]
- Mr. Chang. This— - CHANG: Wesley.
It's all right.
Thanks.
An excellent performance, Mr. Crusher.
Performance?
That was the test?
Yes.
A man could have died.
Theoretically, yes.
You had to make a choice and you did.
There's no right or wrong about it.
Your greatest fear has been that you couldn't make that decision.
Because of my father? Because cap—
Because someone made that choice,
and my father died.
- RIKER: Sir? - Yes, Number One.
- Mr. Remmick has left the ship. - Yes.
He found nothing wrong on the Enterprise.
And you can inform the crew that Admiral Quinn is most impressed.
Thank you. They'll be pleased to hear that.
Can you explain now what he was after?
They were after me, Number One.
They want me to take over as commandant, Starfleet Academy.
Congratulations. What a wonderful choice, sir.
You'll be able to shape the minds of the future leaders of Starfleet.
You haven't decided what you're going to do.
Yes, I have, Number One. I've decided I'm going for a walk.
I'm proud of all of you. You've done a superb job.
Each of you would make a fine Starfleet officer.
It's unfair that only one candidate from Relva
will attend the academy this year.
And a loss to the Federation
if the rest of you do not return to test again.
Mr. Mordock will be the candidate.
His results were slightly higher than Mr. Crusher's.
Congratulations, Mr. Mordock. You're the first Benzite in Starfleet.
Thank you, sir, but it's not right. It shouldn't be me.
Wesley lost points because he helped me.
He should not be punished for his generosity.
He wasn't. He lost time, but it wasn't only that.
Candidates, thank you.
And good luck.
I am sorry, Wesley.
It's okay. You deserved to win.
Besides, you would have done the same for me.
Yes. I believe I would.
Congratulations.
Well, personally, I hate losing.
So you'd better be ready next year, Wesley.
I won't be easy to beat.
Mr. Kurland?
Yes, sir?
Are you, uh, feeling better?
Yes, sir.
Look, I'm sorry I damaged the shuttle, captain.
But Mr. Riker said I can work on fixing it
as part of my discipline training.
Good idea. I hope you've learned that running away solves nothing.
Yes, sir.
And I am sorry I messed up.
But at least you kept your wits about you out there. Don't forget that.
No, sir.
And thank you.
Thank you for...
- For saving my life. - That's my job, young man.
Yes, sir.
PICARD: Mr. Crusher?
Why aren't you in your dress uniform for Admiral Quinn's farewell dinner?
I didn't think that would be appropriate, sir.
Why not?
I failed, captain.
I didn't get into the academy.
I failed you, and I failed the Enterprise.
Ridiculous.
Did you do your best?
Yes.
When you test next year, and you will test next year,
do you think your performance will improve?
- Yes. - Good.
The only person you're truly competing against, Wesley, is yourself.
Then you're not disappointed?
Wesley,
you have to measure your successes and your failures within.
Not by anything that I or anyone else might think.
But, um,
if it helps you to know this,
I failed the first time. And you may not tell anyone.
You?
- You failed? - Yes.
But not the second time.
Now,
you, uh, do me the courtesy of joining us at dinner.
I have to disappoint an old friend.
Wish I could convince you to change your mind.
I'll serve you better here.
This is where you belong.
- If you should need me... - I've been playing politics too long.
Perhaps I see conspiracies everywhere.
Don't worry.
Safe travels, my friend.
Set course for Algeron IV, Mr. Crusher.
Course plotted and laid in, sir.
Then shall we continue with our mission?
Yes, sir.
Excellent.
Mr. Crusher,
engage.