Captain's log, stardate 44614.6.
We are approaching Starbase 313,
where we will pick up a shipment of scientific equipment
for transport to a Federation outpost in the Guernica system.
During the journey, we will be hosting a special guest.
Come.
You wanted to see me, captain?
Yes, Mr. La Forge.
It seems that the exemplary nature of your work
has caught the attention of Starfleet Command.
In fact, someone is coming on board
just to see the engine modifications you've made.
Who, captain?
The senior design engineer at the Theoretical Propulsion Group,
Dr. Leah Brahms.
Leah
is coming here?
Whoo. Well, this is terrific.
It is?
Well, I mean, I've studied her... schematics for years.
She was responsible for a lot of the engine design on the Enterprise.
Well, it should be a very enjoyable visit then.
She'll be transporting on board as soon as we reach the starbase.
Would you like to greet her on our behalf?
I would love to, captain.
Thank you.
Hello, Guinan.
You keep picking at that uniform, you're gonna wear it out.
Ah, I guess I am a little nervous. It's, uh...
It's not every day a man comes face to face with his dream.
What?
Okay, you remember about a year ago
when we were caught in that booby trap the Menthars set?
Mm-hm.
Okay. While we were trying to get out of it,
I went down to the holodeck to study an engine prototype
that was made when the Enterprise was first designed.
And the computer...
Well, it gave me an image of the engine,
but it also created this hologram
of the designer, Dr. Leah Brahms.
So you met a computer-simulated female?
Yeah, but not an ordinary computer-simulated female.
I mean, she was brilliant, of course...
but warm, you know, friendly.
And it was like we worked as one.
I would start a sentence, she'd finish it.
What I didn't think of, she did.
- It was just so comfortable. - Hmm.
Okay, I know it was just a holographic image,
but the computer was able to incorporate personality traits
from her Starfleet record.
You know, Geordi,
everybody falls in love with a fantasy every now and then.
No, no, Guinan. See, you've got it all wrong.
I'm not necessarily expecting anything romantic here.
It's just, I know whatever,
Leah Brahms and I are gonna be good friends.
Dr. Brahms is ready to transport, sir.
Okay. Bring her over.
Hi.
I mean, um, welcome aboard, Dr. Brahms.
I'm, Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge, chief engineer.
La Forge.
So you're the one who's fouled up my engine designs.
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.
The matter-antimatter ratio has been changed.
The mixture isn't as rich as regulations dictate.
Experience has shown me too high a ratio diminishes efficiency.
I worked with the mixture until I found the right balance.
The magnetic plasma transfer to the warp field generators
doesn't correspond to the recommended specs.
Right. Again, I adjusted the flow.
Sometimes things happen differently in space
than they do on the drawing board.
Is that a criticism, commander?
No, of course not. It's just a well-known fact.
There's theory, and there's application.
They don't always jive.
You've charted a completely new swap-out schedule
- for main components replacement. - You bet.
I found Starfleet estimates for the MTBF units to be unrealistic.
I simply determined my own schedule based on observation and experience.
Is that going to be your only defense, commander?
That same tired rhetoric?
"Out here in the field we learn things you designers couldn't understand."
In the first place, doctor, I'm not aware of needing any defense.
And if you're determined to be—
Dr. Brahms, you have an incoming message
on subspace.
I'd like to hear this message privately.
- In my office. Be my guest. - Thank you.
Commander,
I am picking up some unusual readings in the Alpha Omicron system.
At this range, all I am able to discern
is that it is an asymmetrical field of intense energy.
What type of radiation signature?
Unknown, sir.
The Alpha Omicron system has yet to be charted.
I recommend we take this opportunity for further research.
Well, we're way ahead of schedule.
Alter course for Alpha Omicron.
Dr. Brahms, there's no reason for us to argue.
We're on the same side here.
I'm aware of that.
So why don't I take you on a little tour,
show you the adjustments I've made, why I think they work,
and we can begin pulling together on this?
Okay.
And why not start with the dilithium chamber?
Okay?
Okay.
The anomaly is orbiting the seventh planet, sir.
It is a mass of plasma energy contained within discrete boundaries
by an outer covering of silicates, actinides and carbonaceous chondrites.
On-screen.
Magnify.
Is it a ship?
It does not conform to any known design.
Any records of similar phenomena in Starfleet listings?
No, sir. This has never been seen before.
Ensign Rager, ahead one quarter impulse.
Aye, sir.
Put us in orbit of the seventh planet.
Keep us at a relative distance of ten kilometers from the object.
Alert science stations to stand by.
Tell them to coordinate efforts with Data.
Aye, sir.
What happened here?
Who did this?
You remember, the crystal's been reoriented
to adjust the direction of the lattice structure.
Remember? Why would I remember?
Right. Why would you?
Ah, well, the ship was experiencing some difficulty,
and we made this adjustment hoping that it would work, and it did.
So it was your idea?
Not exclusively, no.
It's curious.
This modification was due to be introduced
- in the next— - In the next class starship.
Yes.
How did you know that?
Um, I didn't.
I mean...
Well, it's the next logical step, right?
Doctor, sometimes we have to fly by the seat of our pants out here,
so it stands to reason that once in a while
we're gonna come up with the same solutions you do.
Listen, I've got a personnel review
scheduled to start in about five minutes,
and I know it's been a long day for you.
So why don't we get together later?
Sort of plan out our agenda for the next day or two?
Agenda?
What it is we want to accomplish here,
how we might best go about that.
Maybe get to know each other a little bit.
It might make this easier.
Maybe you're right.
Okay. Great.
How about, uh, my quarters?
1900 hours?
Maybe even have a bite to eat?
I make a great fungilli.
I love fungilli.
Is that right? Huh.
Sensors are having difficulty penetrating the interior.
However, the radiated output suggests a coherent system
of energy storage and utilization.
Then it was constructed by someone?
It is a possibility.
However, the sensor data gathered thus far suggests
a naturally occurring phenomenon with biological properties.
- A life form. - Yes, captain.
Mr. Worf, begin compiling readings
for transmission to Starfleet Headquarters.
Mr. Data, prepare to launch three level-five probes.
Ensign, aft thrusters.
Standard observational posture.
Level-five probe sequence ready for launch, commander.
On your mark.
- Stand by, Mr. Data. - Aye, sir.
What would it be like, counselor?
No ship, no bulky space suit.
Just to live between the stars,
have the entire galaxy as a home?
Captain, we are being probed.
Recommend we raise shields.
Negative, Mr. Worf.
If we're curious about it,
it has a perfect right to be curious about us.
Change in reading, sir.
The life form has increased its energy output by 50 percent.
It is moving toward us.
Reverse course, ensign. Three hundred kph.
- Aye, sir. - Now, easy.
We don't want to alarm or provoke it.
We are caught in an energy-damping field, sir.
Raise shields.
No effect, captain.
- Reverse power, full impulse. - Impulse engines at full power.
- No change in position, sir. - Red alert.
Mr. La Forge, prepare to initiate warp drive.
Sorry, captain, there's too much interference to form a warp field.
Warning.
Radiation levels at 65 millirads per minute and rising.
- Riker to Dr. Crusher. - Go ahead, commander.
All decks prepare for radiation protocol.
Acknowledged. Crusher out.
Warning. Radiation levels
at 300 millirads per minute
and rising. Lethal exposure in one minute.
Mr. Worf, ready phasers, minimum power.
Ready.
Fire.
Radiation levels dropping back to normal, captain.
Energy patterns are breaking down, sir.
The radiation signature is no longer stable.
Energy output is negligible, sir.
Radiation patterns,
no longer coherent.
I believe it is dead, sir.
We're out here to explore,
to make contact with other life forms,
to establish peaceful relations, but not to interfere.
And absolutely not to destroy.
And yet, look at what we have just done.
Captain, everything you did was consistent
with established Starfleet procedures.
Number One, you have the Bridge.
Captain,
sensors are picking up a new energy reading from the life form.
Elaborate, Data.
There is a new concentration of ionizing radiation
growing in the center of its body.
Then...
perhaps it's still alive.
Okay...
Computer, subdued light.
No, that's— That's too much.
I don't want it dark. I want it cozy.
Please state your request in precise candlepower.
It's not a matter of precision, computer.
It's a matter of mood.
Brighter than this.
Hmm.
More. More.
A little more.
Hold. Right there. Perfect.
Now, some, um... Some music.
Maybe, uh...
Maybe a little soft jazz.
Hmm. No, that's— That's not right. Let me think here, uh...
Oh, I got it.
Uh, some Brahms. A piano etude.
Hmm. No, that's, uh...
That's too corny.
Hmm. Probably everybody thinks of that.
Computer, just give me some guitar. Classical guitar.
It doesn't matter who.
Yes. Thank you.
Come on in.
Oh.
Uh, you've changed.
Yeah.
The uniforms are so... formal.
You're less formal than any
Starfleet officer I've ever met, commander.
Am I?
I really just wanted to make you feel more comfortable.
I'm fine. Thank you.
I'm sorry. Uh, come in and, uh, have a seat.
- Uh, can I get you a drink? - No, thank you.
- You sure? - Mm-hm.
You know, uh,
your hair, it's, uh...
It's different.
Different than a few hours ago?
No. I mean, it's different than I expected.
Different from your Starfleet records.
Oh, yes, I used to wear it up.
Yeah.
Why would you need to see my personnel files?
Standard procedure when guests come on board. Protocol.
I mean, it was nothing specific, actually. Just, you know...
Commander La Forge,
if I seem to be somewhat unyielding
in my views, it's because
- I care so very much about my work. - Oh, I know.
To be honest, people find me cold,
cerebral, lacking in humor.
But they're wrong.
I assure you.
Well, I try not to be that way,
but when it comes to my designs, my engines,
especially the ones on the Enterprise--
It's like they're your children.
Yes.
- Exactly. - So naturally,
you're a little possessive about them.
You understand that?
Yes, I do. You see...
I feel the same way.
That's amazing. I don't think anyone has ever...
Sometimes I feel more comfortable
with engine schematics than people.
Well, maybe you just haven't met the right... people.
You hungry? I'm hungry. Why don't I just start dinner, okay?
Commander...
Please, call me Geordi.
I'm sorry.
I hope that I didn't put you to a lot of trouble, but I can't stay.
You can't?
I just don't think that it's appropriate.
Uh-huh.
I'll meet with you at 0800 tomorrow?
I'm preparing a list of discrepancies
that I've identified in your modifications.
I hope, now that we've reached an understanding,
that you'll be prepared
to discuss them with me in a more objective fashion.
Sure, fine.
Thank you. Good night, commander.
Good night.
This new concentration of energy was detected
only after the surrounding material became inert.
Could this be some sort of tissue regeneration?
The radiation signature is similar to the original pattern,
but with significant differences.
Some kind of reaction to our phaser fire, perhaps.
I believe it is separate and self-contained
within the body of the dead life form.
- Another entity? - Yes, sir.
It appears to be a smaller,
less developed version of the original creature.
Huh. No wonder it attacked us.
It was about to give birth.
Doctor.
It's dangerous to generalize about new life forms.
But based on my experience with other beings
who bear their young in this manner,
I'd say that the offspring is still premature.
Otherwise, it would be able to break through
the outer body shell of the parent.
Will this creature be able to survive
on its own without the parent?
There's no way to tell.
We don't have enough information about the bio-functions of the adult,
much less the child.
Is there anything we can do to help?
If we were in Sickbay, I'd try a cesarean section.
The first priority is to free it from the body of the parent.
We could use our phasers as a scalpel.
Yes. That might work.
I advise against this, captain.
The parent proved to be a threat to the ship.
We do not know how the offspring will react.
Your objection is noted, Mr. Worf,
but we are directly responsible for the death of the parent.
We cannot simply wash our hands of it now.
Doctor, we will proceed at your discretion.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
The first thing I'd like to do
is inspect the power transfer conduits.
You realize the only way to inspect them is to crawl inside?
I designed them, commander. I know what's involved.
Here we go.
Power taps, watch yourself.
The acoustic signature doesn't sound right.
You're probably the only other person in the galaxy
who could pick that up.
- What's causing it? - It's right up here.
I've never seen anything like this before.
- What is it? - It's a mid-range phase adjuster.
Puts the plasma back into phase after inertial distortion.
This has never been done before.
I don't even think this has ever even been conceived of before.
You should write a scientific paper.
Uh-uh, doctor, no.
Writing is not one of my strong suits.
But this kind of refinement should be shared.
And you deserve the credit for it.
Well, maybe we could, uh, collaborate.
Writing is one of your strong points.
Commander La Forge,
ever since I came on board,
there seems to be something a little peculiar about your attitude.
You seem to know things about me
even though we've never met.
Well, uh...
Well, to tell you, uh— To tell you the truth, uh,
I've studied you.
Your writings, your Starfleet file.
I've admired you.
You know, your work.
- Well, I'm flattered, but, uh... - And...
Ah.
Well, I really...
I really wanted to meet you for a long time.
And I'd like to think
that we could become friends.
Maybe good friends.
I thought you knew.
I mean, you know everything else about me.
But, commander, um,
if I'm hearing what I think I'm hearing,
then you should know
that I'm married.
Set phaser power to 3 percent, narrow beam.
Three percent.
All right...
Here we go.
The first incision is complete.
Ideally the offspring should now be able
to push through the outer shell of the parent by itself.
I think it needs a little more help.
We've done all we can.
I don't want to risk hitting the offspring by accident.
Come on. You can do it.
Ah. Captain, I'd like to announce the birth of a large baby... something.
Well done, doctor.
Well done.
How could it have been so far off?
It was based on every piece of information on record
about Leah Brahms.
Okay, with an admitted margin for error,
but this is an error that's about a light-year wide.
- Not what you hoped for, huh? - Hoped—?
Guinan, the woman is about as friendly
as a Circassian plague cat.
Only cares about her work, hates what I've done to her engines.
And, to top it all off, she's married.
Computer never even told me she was married.
- Computer glitch? - Must have been.
Maybe it was your old VISOR.
What are you talking about?
Well, the one you wore when you were on the holodeck with her.
Guinan, it's the same VISOR.
Really?
Well, I figured it was probably the one that lets you see what you want to see.
What's that supposed to mean?
You saw exactly what you wanted to see on the holodeck.
Sure, the computer made it look like her, gave it personality.
But when it came to the relationship, La Forge, you filled in the blanks.
And you had a perfectly wonderful, marvelous little fantasy.
Until the real Leah showed up and ruined it.
Now, she's probably done the most horrific thing
one person can do to another,
not live up to your expectations.
So I'd take a good, long, hard look at her, La Forge.
See her for who she is,
not for what you want her to be.
The life form's patterns are stable, captain.
It seems able to withstand the solar radiation.
Good. Ensign, set a course for the Guernica system.
- Aye, sir. - We're not staying?
No, Number One, we've done all we can to help.
Now it's time to move on.
This creature can continue its existence
without any further interference from us.
It might be wise to put some distance between us
before we initiate warp drive.
Very well. Five hundred kph, ensign.
Engage.
Captain, it is following us.
Maintaining a distance of four kilometers, directly astern.
Seventeen degrees to port, ensign.
Aye, sir.
It is turning with us, sir.
Increase to half impulse.
It is matching our velocity.
It's imprinted on us.
It thinks the Enterprise is its mother.
Change in energy readings, sir.
I am reading an internal buildup of gamma particles—
Its velocity is increasing.
- It is moving directly toward the ship. - Evasive maneuvers, full—
Report.
Minor damage.
The creature is now in direct contact with the hull, sir.
On-screen.
Mr. Data?
Sir, the life form is draining energy directly from the fusion reactors.
It's feeding off the energy of the Enterprise
as it would from its mother.
What action should we take, sir?
None, lieutenant.
None at all.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Since the newborn has attached itself to the hull,
it has been making greater and greater
demands on the ship's energy.
But we have been able to stabilize our power systems temporarily.
How long before the power drain becomes critical, Mr. La Forge?
If it continues to increase at the same rate,
six, maybe seven hours.
We may be able to modify the engine to extend that a little longer, captain.
Your help will be appreciated, doctor.
By then, Junior may not need us anymore.
Mr. Data,
is there any way to determine
what the destination of the parent might have been?
I can attempt to extrapolate from the heading it was on
when we encountered it, sir.
Perhaps it was on its way
to provide a safe and supportive environment for its newborn.
We might be able to deliver it to the same destination.
Which brings up the question
of how do we get Junior off the hull once we get there.
It's almost completely covering the door of Shuttlebay 2.
If we open the door and deactivate the atmospheric forcefield—
The pressure from inside the ship might push it away from the hull.
- Make it so. - Sir,
is the appellation "Junior" to be the life form's official name?
No, it is not.
We can save a lot of energy just by improving engine efficiency.
We've run into similar problems before.
That's why I reoriented the dilithium crystal.
And why you added the mid-range phase adjusters.
Right.
Commander,
it seems that you've made a lot more modifications than I'm aware of.
Do you have a file on all the work?
- Mm-hm. It's in the computer. - Good.
- Picard to La Forge. - La Forge.
I need to see you on the Bridge.
On my way, captain.
You go on ahead. Ensign Pavlik can show you the file
on the engine modifications.
"Phase coils upgraded to 55 field densities,
plasma inducers interlinked with generator."
Ensign,
would there be any other files
with data on the original engine specifications?
I believe so, doctor.
This file utilizes the prototype engine schematic.
It's a holographic program
set in the drafting room at Utopia Planitia.
I'll run it on Holodeck 3.
Computer, replay program 9140,
engine schematic at Utopia Planitia.
Program loaded and ready.
She went where?
Holodeck 3, sir.
I didn't think there was anything wrong with her seeing the file.
No, of course not. Nothing at all.
I'm with you every day, Geordi.
Every time you look at this engine, you're looking at me.
Every time you touch it, it's me.
Computer, freeze program.
Now
I understand.
No, you don't. It's not the way this may look.
I called up a replay of the program file.
I was all ready to compliment you again, commander,
for constructing a program which contained the prototype engine,
so that you would always have a baseline reference
for your modifications.
And now I find
that it's all about a fantasy plaything.
- It's not like that. I swear— - I'm outraged by this.
I have been invaded, violated.
How dare you use me like this?
How far did it go anyway?
Was it good for you?
Nothing like that happened. It was a professional collaboration.
Oh, I can tell.
"Every time you're touching the engine, you're touching me?"
Real professional.
Look, if you watched the whole program, you saw what it was.
We were working together to solve a problem in a crisis situation.
How do I know how far it went?
How many other programs did you create?
Perhaps dozens of them, one for every day of the week,
- one for every mood. - All right, look.
Ever since you came on board, you've been badgering me.
And I've taken it.
I've shown you courtesy and respect, and a hell of a lot of patience.
Oh, no, no, no, wait a minute.
I've tried to understand you, I've tried to get along with you.
And in return, you accused, tried and convicted me
without even bothering to hear my side of it.
So I'm guilty, okay?
But not of what you think.
Of something much worse.
I'm guilty of reaching out to you.
Of hoping we could connect.
I'm guilty of a terrible crime, doctor.
I offered you friendship.
Captain,
its total volume has increased by 8.5 percent in the last three hours.
I now read it at 46 million cubic meters.
Captain, I've completed the analysis
of the parent's course through the system.
It was headed for an asteroid belt.
Ensign Rager, set a course, 259, mark 318, half impulse.
Aye, sir.
Hold a position 500 kilometers from the periphery of the asteroid field.
Aye, sir.
Difficulty getting a clear sensor reading beyond 4,000 kilometers.
The asteroids contain large quantities of meklinite,
which is interfering with our scanners.
I am also detecting traces of kefnium,
a compound found in the outer shell of the parent being.
It is likely the asteroids provide sustenance for this life form, sir.
We could leave the child here if Data's right.
It would have an ample supply of food.
Agreed.
Mr. La Forge, are you ready to separate our guest from the hull?
- Ready, captain. - Proceed.
I am deactivating the atmospheric forcefield now.
Engineering, report.
The power drain just jumped to 93 percent, sir.
Captain, the offspring is emitting high-frequency radio transmissions.
Is it trying to communicate?
The power drain is increasing.
Approaching auto-shutdown.
Take the engines off-line.
Supplement with auxiliary power only.
All decks go to emergency level seven.
Life support and critical operations only.
Mr. La Forge, what is your status?
Sorry, captain, the bay's been completely depressurized,
but it's still hanging on.
I am detecting other radio transmissions, captain.
Sensors detect movement within the asteroid field.
Bearing 257, mark 161.
On-screen.
Magnify.
At their current speed, sir,
the entities will intercept us
in ten minutes, 31 seconds.
Weapons status?
Auxiliary power only. Two seconds phaser fire available.
Ensign, power readings.
We're on auxiliary generators.
Life support is functioning.
That's about all.
Keep your eye on that generator console.
We've got less than six minutes to get that baby off our back
before his relatives get here.
Whatever we try, Junior responds by sucking up more energy.
Commander, I have a thought.
If you're interested.
Of course. What is it?
If the baby is nursing,
perhaps what we need is to find a way to sour the milk.
If we could contaminate the energy he's feeding on, we could try to—
- Make it unpalatable somehow. - Uh-huh.
But the emergency generators are all we've got.
And how do we modify them without losing life support?
Exactly.
Unless...
What?
Well, this is a space baby, right?
I mean, these creatures are born, they live and die in interstellar space.
- Apparently. - Okay.
All matter in space vibrates in a specific radiation band.
Twenty-one centimeters.
Oh. Oh.
That's good, commander, that's very good.
If we could alter the power frequency
so that it's completely foreign to the life form's natural vibrations...
It might just give us enough to pour a little vinegar in baby's milk.
Yeah, we have to be careful though.
If we upset it this time, we might lose auxiliary power too.
If we're gradual enough, it won't be such a shock.
Hopefully, it'll just lose interest.
- La Forge to Bridge. - Go ahead.
Captain, Dr. Brahms and I have a plan.
Two minutes until the creatures intercept, captain.
Captain, we're ready down here.
Proceed.
Lowering wavelength in the energy system now.
Reading 18,
15,
13,
11,
eight,
five,
three...
Now at the two-centimeter level.
Any reaction, Bridge?
Negative.
I detect no reduction in the life form's rate of energy consumption.
One minute 30 seconds to intercept.
Not sour enough.
Leah,
take it down further.
Reading 1, 0.8, 0.4,
0.2...
I guess it noticed what we're doing.
The life form is emitting its high-frequency transmission.
Energy consumption is rising.
Captain, the creatures are accelerating their approach.
They're changing color.
- Mr. La Forge. - Captain, just a little more time.
Leah, nudge it down even further, toward 0.02.
Thirty seconds to intercept.
0.08,
0.05,
0.03...
Now at 0.02 centimeters.
Auxiliary generators losing power, captain.
The entity has disengaged, sir.
Power levels are returning to normal, captain.
Bring the engines online and take us out of here.
Aye, sir.
Mr. La Forge,
Dr. Brahms, congratulations.
You've weaned the baby.
Good work.
You too.
Yeah, I admit, I did get attached to that lady in the holodeck.
The computer never told you that I was married?
I never asked.
See? And the computer is notorious for not volunteering information.
You know,
- I really owe you an apology. - No.
No, you don't. I should have told you straight out.
Well, if you had, then I never would've had a chance to see
the look on your face when you walked in on me
and me in the holodeck.
The look on my face? How about the look on your face?
I will remember that for a long, long time.
I wouldn't change a thing.
Except for the way I behaved.
I guess I came here with my own set of preconceptions about you.
Well, I guess I'm just glad that I got the opportunity to get to know you.
The real you.
Me too.
Worf to La Forge,
there is an incoming message on subspace for Dr. Brahms.
Acknowledged, Worf.
La Forge out.
My husband.