- Good evening, Mr. Data. - Actually, good morning, sir.
- Ship status is— - No need to report.
- I'm here to do some work on my own. - Aye, sir.
I'd like to speak to Professor Mowray at his archaeological site on Landris ll.
Could you put it through to my Ready Room?
Stellar Cartography has requested
a communications blackout while they run an experiment.
- Hmm. How long will it be? - Another three hours, 22 minutes, sir.
I can override if necessary.
- No, it's not important. - Aye, sir.
Computer, display the latest excavation schematics on Landris ll.
COMPUTER: Library computer is temporarily off-line.
Explain.
COMPUTER". Library Systems have been allocated to Stellar Cartography.
Tea, Earl Grey. Hot.
COMPUTER". Replicator systems are off-line at the request of-
Stellar Cartography.
What could they possibly be doing down there?
Ugh. In or out, just close that door.
And don't move.
It will take a second for our eyes to readjust.
Okay, elevate to 3.2, Marquez.
MARQUEZ: We're now at 3.2, commander.
Good. Good, we can do this.
No, no, no, we're losing vertical alignment.
- Compensate, compensate. MARQUEZ: Compensating.
Gently, gently, Marquez. Don't bump it.
No, no, no, hit— Hit the—
[SIGHS]
Forget it, forget it. Lights.
Whoever you are, you just ruined four hours of work.
You might have taken the simple precaution of locking the door.
It's 3:00 in the morning.
Captain Picard.
I assume that you must be Lieutenant Commander Daren.
Yes, sir. I'm sorry.
It's just we weren't expecting anybody to be up at this hour.
Well, you're new on the Enterprise.
You'll have to learn to expect the unexpected.
That's why I put in for this assignment, sir.
Excellent, now perhaps you can tell me
what was so important that it required depriving the captain
of his cup of Earl Grey.
Earl Grey? No wonder you can't sleep.
Computer, bring replicators back online
and give me a cup of Daren herbal tea blend number three.
Hot.
You shouldn't be drinking a stimulant at this time of night.
I think you'll like this.
I've programmed seven other blends into the replicator.
- You're bound to like one of them. - I look forward to sampling them.
[COUGHS]
[DAREN CHUCKLES]
I'm sorry if the system blackouts we requested inconvenienced you.
We're taking very precise gravimetric readings.
It wouldn't have taken much to throw them off.
What were the readings for?
I'm trying to construct a mathematical model
of an emerging star system.
If it works, we'll be able to predict the configuration of a star system
that won't be formed for another 2 million years.
That's a long time to wait to see if you're right.
I have a few things to do between now and then.
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.
Captain, we'll be arriving at the Borgolis Nebula in three hours.
Yes, I understand that it has some unusual radioactive emissions.
Well, I'm sure that Stellar Sciences will find it a most interesting study.
Commander Daren has already requested extra time
on the main sensor array.
Well, you have the Bridge, Number One.
Captain.
I would like to remind you
of our concert this evening in Ten-Forward.
We will perform Chopin's "Trio in G-minor."
I'll be there.
PICARD: And so the upshot is that we'll be close enough
for you to slip away and see Wesley.
Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you, Jean-Luc.
This is delicious. What is it?
It's a herbal tea blend. I, um, found it in the replicator files.
Have you met any of the new crew members
who came aboard at Starbase 218?
In fact, I have a new nurse, Beck.
He's an obstetrics specialist.
I met the new head of Stellar Sciences last night.
Lieutenant Commander Daren.
Yes. Nella Daren.
She came into Sickbay for a physical last week.
I like her. Very forthright.
Did you know
that it is now possible to predict the configuration of a star system
which won't be formed for another 2 million years?
- Really? No, I didn't. - Mm-hm.
It's really quite intriguing.
The whole thing is made possible by a complex mathematical construct
based on fractal particle motion.
But that's only the foundation.
The modeling itself is done by gravimetric wave input.
- I see. PICARD: Hmm.
Well, I know this is all pretty dry stuff.
Stellar cartography isn't everybody's cup of tea.
I'm sure it's really quite fascinating.
You know, we should be getting along to Ten-Forward.
We're gonna be late for the concert.
[DOOR OPENS]
[PLAYING CHOPIN'S "TRIO IN G-MINOR']
PICARD: Here. DAREN: Thank you.
- Will you excuse me? TROI: Yes, of course.
Well done, Mr. Data. Well done.
Commander, that was a remarkable performance.
- You are very talented. - Thank you.
I noticed that the applause this evening exceeded average decibel levels.
I guess that means they enjoyed themselves.
I think that much was obvious.
Excuse me, I have not yet congratulated Ensign Cheney.
I'll go with you.
You must have been playing since you were young.
I played the piano for a while when I was small,
but I didn't put in the practice you must have.
Well, practicing was never my problem.
In fact, my parents had to make me go out and play.
I wanted to ask, uh,
during the second arpeggio of the first movement,
I noticed that you played an F-minor chord
instead of a diminished D.
You're a musician. What's your instrument?
- We should play sometime. - No, no, no, I'm just an amateur.
But your choice in that arpeggio was delightful,
not at all what one would expect.
Well, captain, now that I'm on your ship,
maybe you should start expecting the unexpected.
RIKER: Ah. - Excuse me, sir.
I was hoping that my people in Spectral Analysis
could have another few hours on the main sensor array.
It's already allocated to Engineering. They're running some warp-field tests.
If we go off-line now,
we'll lose the gas-flow pattern we've been tracking.
I understand, but there are other departments waiting to use the array.
We're at a critical juncture, sir.
Commander...
I'll see what I can do to find you some more time tomorrow.
Tomorrow? Tomorrow.
Thank you, sir.
[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
[DOOR CHIMES]
Computer, pause playback. Come.
[MUSIC STOPS]
Oh. Commander Daren.
I hope you don't mind me, uh, dropping by like this.
No, please, come in. I'm delighted.
- What kind of a flute is that? - It's, uh, Ressikan.
I've never seen one before.
They're not made anymore.
Have you been playing long?
Um...
Yes, a long time.
- I'd love to hear you play sometime. - I'm not very good.
Heh. That doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it.
Yes, but I wouldn't want to inflict it on someone else.
- May I try? - Yes, of course.
Hmm. Um...
Yes, you're not holding it quite right. May I?
Please.
[PLAYING SOFT MELODY]
You're better than you think.
Really, we should play together.
- Uh, there isn't a piano. - Ah, but there is.
I picked it up on Mataline ll. It's amazing.
That is remarkable.
Well, why don't you play something?
You start and I'll jump in.
What shall we play?
What were you working on before I came in?
- Um, Bach, the "3rd Brandenburg." - Perfect.
Go ahead.
[EXHALES THEN CLEARS THROAT]
[PLAYING BACH'S "BRANDENBURG CONCERTO NO. 3"]
Uh, I'm sorry.
[CHUCKLES]
Oh. It's all right.
You're not used to playing with anyone, are you?
- Just the computer. - Hmm.
Well, I may not be as precise as a computer,
but, well, I think you'll enjoy it more.
Uh, why don't we start with something a little simpler?
How about...?
[PLAYING FRERE JACQUES]
Good, very good.
Now let's have a little fun with it.
[PLAYING EMBELLISHED VERSION OF FRERE JACQUES]
You try it. Improvise around the melody.
Anything you want.
[PLAYING EMBELLISHED VERSION OF FRERE JACQUES]
Good.
That's wonderful. Keep going.
[CHUCKLES]
It's so good.
You're definitely better than you think.
Number One, my fencing partner has canceled for this afternoon.
I was wondering if you wanted to join me.
- Fencing? - Mm-hm.
I'm not really very good.
Oh, it doesn't matter so long as you
[MIMICS SWORDS CLANGING]
Enjoy it.
- Why not? - Good, excellent.
Fourteen hundred hours, then.
[DOOR OPENS THEN CLOSES]
You have a mild strain.
I've been playing the piano a lot.
Guess the captain and I overdid it a little last night.
The captain?
Yes, he plays a kind of flute. Um, a Ressikan, I think he said.
Yes, but I didn't know he played duets.
He never did before.
But he seemed to enjoy it. He's actually quite promising.
I see.
Tell me, have you known him long?
Yes, a very long time.
He seems...
somewhat isolated.
I'd say he's a very private person, but not isolated.
There, that should help.
Hmm, that feels much better, thank you.
- Good. - I was afraid I might have to cancel.
Another duet?
Keep climbing.
PICARD: Where are we going? - We're almost there.
I don't see why we couldn't just practice in my quarters.
Ah.
Do you know where we are?
Uh, yes, this is the fourth intersect in Jefferies tube 25.
No, this is the most acoustically perfect spot on the ship.
[PLAYING BEETHOVEN'S "MOONLIGHT SONATA" ON PIANO]
The intersection acts as a resonance chamber.
- How did you find it? - A little exploring.
You mean to say that you crawled through every tube on the ship?
Well, not every one.
Try it. See how it sounds.
[PLAYING RESSIKAN MELODY]
That's beautiful. What is it?
It's, uh, an old folk melody.
I've never heard you play with such feeling.
[PLAYING RESSIKAN MELODY ON PIANO]
[BOTH PLAYING RESSIKAN MELODY]
[RESSIKAN MELODY PLAYING NEARBY]
[CHATTERING]
- Is there a problem, Geordi? - I hear music.
Music?
- I do not hear anything. - You sure?
I know I heard something.
- Hmm. It stopped. - Mm.
I'd heard about Kerelian tenors all my life,
but nothing could have prepared me for this man's voice.
- Soaring, incredible range. - Hmm.
Wonderful.
I understand that there are nuances that only Kerelians can pick up.
- We just don't have the ears for it. - Mm.
I should be finished with my survey by 1100 hours.
Very good, commander.
Captain, the Federation outpost on Bersallis Ill reports
that they are entering a period of firestorm activity.
Bersallin firestorms happen on a seven-year cycle.
They're not expecting any for another eight months.
We don't rendezvous with the Havana for another two days.
That'd give us plenty of opportunity to study this phenomenon.
Helm, set a course for Bersallis Ill.
- Warp 5. HELMSMAN: Aye, sir.
Counselor, could I speak with you in my Ready Room?
You have the Bridge, Number One.
Sit down, counselor.
I wanted to talk to you about a matter of protocol.
I know there are no Starfleet regulations
about a captain becoming involved with a fellow officer, but...
You would like my opinion about you and Commander Daren.
It's that obvious?
In a way that pleases people who care about your happiness.
Yes, it is.
But I have to be concerned about more than my own happiness.
And you think that your feelings toward Nella
could change the way you function as captain?
Yes, relationships with coworkers can be fraught with consequences.
That's true.
But cutting yourself off from your feelings
can carry consequences that are just as serious.
You see, I've always believed that becoming involved
with someone under my command would compromise my objectivity.
And yet...
Captain, are you asking my permission?
If I were, would you give it?
Yes.
[DOOR CHIMES]
Come in.
Nella?
Can I help you, sir?
I'm really very sorry about what happened in the turbolift.
When the crew member walked in, I felt very self-conscious.
It's going to take a while for me
to get used to the idea of crew seeing the two of us together.
I understand. Now, I'm glad you told me.
For a minute there, I thought I'd misread you.
One kiss and you're off to find somebody else.
I can assure you that I'm not given to casual relationships.
There is something that I want to tell you.
But not here.
Do you remember the folk melody that I played to you this morning?
Yes, yeah.
I learned it on a planet called Kataan.
- Never heard of it. - No, I'm not surprised.
Its sun went nova more than a thousand years ago.
I don't understand.
The Enterprise encountered a probe that had been sent from the planet
before it was destroyed.
And it scanned me, and I lost consciousness.
And...
In the space of 25 minutes, I lived a lifetime on that planet.
I had a wife and children and a grandchild.
And it was absolutely real to me.
And when I awoke, all that I had left of that life
was the flute that I'd taught myself to play.
Why are you telling me this?
Because I want you to understand what my music means to me.
Well, thank you.
- Hello. - Sir.
Commander, I was hoping to talk to you about Ensign Cabot's transfer.
Quantum Mechanics doesn't want to give him up.
But he wants to come to my department.
- How do you know that? - I offered it to him.
Transfers are to be approved by me before any offers are made.
- I'm sorry, we were just talking and— - It's all right.
But Cabot should stay where he is.
Commander, please, don't make that decision final.
I realize I shouldn't have made the offer, but he's perfect for the job,
and Quantum Mechanics is overstaffed anyway.
Commander, do you realize the position you're putting me in?
Well, I think I'm just doing what any good department head would do:
trying to build the best staff I can.
Look, I'll review the situation. I'll let you know as soon as I can.
[DOOR CHIMES]
Come.
May I have a minute?
Yes, of course. Come in, Number One.
It's about Lieutenant Commander Daren.
As a department head, she comes to me for systems allocation,
personnel transfers, things like that, well...
I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable with her requests.
- Because of her relationship with me. - Yes, sir.
- Are her requests unusual? - No.
Would you say that she's just trying to do her job?
- Yes, sir. - Then let her do it.
And you feel free to do yours.
Ship's resources are your responsibility.
I've always had absolute confidence in your judgment.
Thank you, sir.
[SIGHS]
I can't believe I'm gonna get the chance
to study the firestorms on Bersallis.
Apparently, they're generated by particle emissions
from the Bersallin sun.
They cause a cascade effect on the planet's atmosphere that—
Oh, I'm boring you.
No, no, no, you're not. Not at all.
[SIGHS]
It's just that...
Commander Riker came to see me this afternoon, about you.
About the personnel transfer?
I thought he looked uncomfortable.
He thought I was asking for special treatment.
I was just doing what I thought was best for my department.
And that's what I told him.
But we have to be careful.
Obviously, it's easy for people to misunderstand.
I don't like the thought of having to second-guess people all the time.
If I have to worry about what people are thinking about me,
I'll be concentrating on the wrong thing
and I won't be as effective an officer.
All I'm saying is that it's something we have to be aware of,
but you mustn't compromise yourself.
You must do what you have to do.
Because if I find that my head of Stellar Sciences isn't being effective,
then I shall do what I must do
and I shall replace her.
Noted, sir.
Now, I think that we should just forget about this
and enjoy our evening.
What about that special dessert you promised me?
Right. Now, this is something that I first tasted on Thelka IV.
WORF [OVER COM]: Bridge to captain.
Go ahead, Mr. Worf.
Bersallis Ill reports that the storm has changed its speed and heading.
They are predicting it will hit the outpost
within eight hours and are requesting evacuation.
I'm on my way.
PICARD: Captain's log, stardate 46693.1.
We have entered the Bersallis star system and are making preparations
to evacuate the Federation outpost on the third planet.
A firestorm can kick up winds of over 200 kilometers per hour
and temperatures as high as 300 degrees C.
Incredible. What causes them?
They form when solar-flare radiation reacts with high-energy plasma
present in the planet's atmosphere.
Wasn't the outpost constructed to withstand the conditions?
It was, both reinforced and insulated. But this is no ordinary storm.
It's twice as strong as anything they've ever seen.
The outpost just won't withstand it.
We'll arrive about an hour before the storm gets there.
And it will take us at least two hours
to evacuate the colonists off the surface.
I led a team of geologists to study the plasma geyser on Melnos IV.
Now, we cross-connected a few thermal deflector units
to create a protective shield against the heat.
A firewall.
Would something like that work here?
You know, it might.
The storm is approaching the outpost from this direction.
If we were to set up a series of thermal deflector units
along the northern perimeter, we could create a firewall
and deflect some of the heat.
The insulation from the outpost should be able to handle the rest.
Thermal deflectors generate a field approximately 400 meters wide.
We would need to cross-connect six units
and align them so that the fields overlap.
How many people would it take to set that up?
Twelve. Two per team.
Cross-connecting that many units, it will be a little tricky.
Once they're set up, we'll have to leave the units in place
and transport our people out.
Nobody would be able to survive very long outside that structure.
Let's do it.
The storm is going to interfere with communication.
Everything will need to be coordinated from the surface.
Data, you will coordinate the evacuation of the colonists.
Doctor, there are nine patients in the outpost infirmary.
Your first priority will be to get them to Sickbay.
After that, you'll stay on the Enterprise, be ready to receive casualties.
Marquez, you'll take some people down and track the storm.
All the other teams will need to be kept apprised of its heading.
Commander, you'll be in charge of deploying the deflectors.
Let's go.
Commander Daren.
About those thermal deflectors...
There must be one of any number of people
that coordinate their deployment.
I assume Commander Riker chose me
because I'm the best person for the job.
Now, didn't we agree not to let our relationship
get in the way of our work?
I'll be all right.
RIKER: Lieutenant Marquez is already set up on the surface.
Apparently, the storm is gaining speed.
He's estimating it'll hit the colony in less than 50 minutes.
Ensign, make sure you maintain a continuous transporter lock
on all Away Team personnel.
- We may pull them out in a hurry. ENSIGN: Aye, sir.
RIKER: I don't want to take any unnecessary chances down there.
Anyone gets into trouble, beam them up immediately.
Energize.
Mr. Worf, how long until the storm reaches the outpost?
Seventeen minutes.
LA FORGE [OVER COM]: La Forge to Bridge.
Go ahead, Mr. La Forge.
The ionization from the storm
is interfering with the transporters, captain.
I'm compensating, but it's slowing things down a bit.
PICARD: Keep at it, Mr. La Forge.
RIKER [OVER COM]: Riker to Daren.
Daren here. Go ahead, commander.
You've got less than nine minutes
before the storm reaches the northern perimeter.
I'm here with Team 6.
We're just about to bring the deflectors online.
Whenever you're ready.
Daren to Perimeter Team. Stand by to cross-connect deflectors.
MAN [OVER COM]: Standing by. - Activate.
Team 3, increase your output by 0.2 percent.
WOMAN: Yes, sir. - Good, good.
Deng, decrease nutation by 0.4 percent.
Good, we've almost got it.
CRUSHER [OVER COM]: Crusher to Bridge.
Go ahead, doctor.
We brought back the last of the patients.
They're on their way to Sickbay.
But we still have over a hundred colonists down there.
Understood.
DAREN [OVER COM]: Daren to Commander Riker.
RIKER [OVER COM]: Riker here, go ahead.
DAREN: I've got a problem.
We're having trouble keeping the deflectors cross-connected.
So the only way this is going to work is if we calibrate them manually.
RIKER: If you stay with the deflectors,
will they protect you when the storm hits?
DAREN: I don't know, sir. A few minutes maybe.
Picard to Commander Riker.
How many more colonists do you have to transport?
RI KE R: Seventy-three, sir.
- How long do you need? - At least ten more minutes.
Captain, the storm will reach the northern perimeter in four minutes.
Picard to Perimeter Teams.
PICARD [OVER COM]: It is imperative that you hold your positions
until we've finished evacuating the colony.
Picard out.
Picard to Mr. La Forge.
LA FORGE [OVER COM]: La Forge here.
I want a signal lock on every member of the perimeter teams.
LA FORGE: Captain, the storm's interference won't—
As soon as the last of the colony is evacuated,
I want those perimeter teams out of there.
- Is that understood? LA FORGE: Yes, sir.
Daren to Perimeter Teams.
The storm's interference is gonna make ourjob harder than we thought.
We may lose communication,
so it's up to each of you to keep your units operational.
A lot of people are depending on us.
Daren out.
Oh, my God.
The storm has reached the perimeter.
[CHATTERING]
I got out with the last of the colonists.
If it hadn't been for the perimeter teams,
none of us would have made it.
We were able to clear out four of the teams,
and the interference prevented us from getting two more.
I don't know how they could have survived.
- Which teams are missing? - Three and 6.
The last I knew, Commander Daren was on Team 6.
WORF [OVER COM]: Bridge to captain.
Go ahead, Mr. Worf.
We have found survivors, sir. They are beaming up now.
I'm on my way.
[CHATTERING]
[TRANSPORTER POWERING UP]
That's it.
- Here, let me help you. DAREN: Thank you.
- Thanks. - You're gonna be fine.
PICARD: Captain's log, stardate 46697.2.
Although we succeeded in rescuing all 643 Bersallin colonists,
we lost eight crew members.
Let the record show that they gave their lives
in the performance of their duty.
When communications went out, I knew we had to fend for ourselves.
We modified our phasers
to create resonant disruptions in the deflector field.
The disruptions formed small pockets in the plane of the field,
and we each stood inside one to wait out the storm.
Richardson didn't make it.
All Deng and I could do was stand there and watch.
- I'm so sorry. - Don't. Don't— Don't say you're sorry.
It must have been terrible.
At first when you told us to hold our positions,
I didn't question it.
Of course we would. That was our job.
But when I saw that storm coming toward us...
And part of you must have blamed me.
A small part maybe.
But in the end, I was more afraid that you'd blame yourself if I died.
Would you have?
I've lost people under my command.
People who were very dear to me.
But never someone I've been in love with.
And when I believed that you were dead,
I just began to shut down.
I didn't want to think or feel.
I was here in my quarters.
And the only thing I could focus on was my music
and how it would never again give me anyjoy.
And then I saw you standing on the transporter pad.
And I knew that I could never again put your life in jeopardy.
If I stayed here, you might have to.
You could always resign your commission.
Stay here with me.
And you could resign yours and come to a starbase with me.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
I'll apply for a transfer.
But we could still see each other. People do.
We could arrange shore leave together.
And for the future, who knows?
Of course.
Promise me something.
Don't give up your music.