1. Captain's log, stardate 43989.1.
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2. The Enterprise has arrived
at Jouret IV
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3. in response to a distress signal
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4. from one of the Federation's
outermost colonies.
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5. Anything from the surface?
- No, sir.
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6. There have been no communications
from the colony for over 12 hours.
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7. Sensors picking up
any signs of life?
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8. None.
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9. The surface environment
is safe for transport, commander.
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10. Mr. O'Brien.
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11. Verify these are accurate coordinates
for the New Providence colony.
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12. Coordinates verified, sir.
You're at the center of town.
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13. Space, the final frontier.
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14. These are the voyages
of the starship Enterprise.
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15. Its continuing mission:
to explore strange new worlds,
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16. to seek out new life
and new civilizations,
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17. to boldly go where no one
has gone before.
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18. Captain's log, stardate 43992. 6.
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19. Admiral Hanson
and Lieutenant Commander Shelby
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20. of Starfleet Tactical have arrived
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21. to review the disappearance
of New Providence colony.
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22. No sign remains
of the 900 inhabitants.
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23. The truth is,
hell, we are not ready.
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24. We've known they were coming
for over a year.
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25. We've thrown every resource
we have into this, but still—
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26. Then you're convinced it is the Borg?
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27. That's what I'm here to find out.
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28. The initial descriptions
of these surface conditions
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29. are almost identical
to your report from System J-25.
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30. Commander Riker wrote
those reports. He agrees with you.
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31. Commander Shelby took over
Borg tactical analysis six months ago.
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32. I've learned to give her a wide latitude
when I want to get things done.
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33. That's how I intend to operate here.
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34. My priority has been to develop some
kind, any kind, of defense strategy.
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35. Obviously, nothing we have now
can stop them.
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36. We've been designing
new weapons,
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37. but they're all still
on the drawing board.
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38. We expected much more lead time.
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39. Your encounter with the Borg
was over 7000 light-years away.
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40. If this is the Borg, it would indicate
they have a source of power
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41. far superior to our own.
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42. I'd like to see the colony site
as soon as possible, captain.
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43. It'll be dark there in 30 minutes.
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44. We've scheduled an Away Team
for dawn.
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45. Number One, why don't you
show the commander to her quarters?
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46. It's our poker night, admiral.
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47. There's always an open seat
for you.
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48. Another time, commander.
Your captain and I have a lot to cover.
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49. But rumor has it, Commander Shelby
has played a hand or two.
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50. Keep your eye on her, Jean-Luc.
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51. She's one very impressive
young lady.
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52. You seem rather taken
with her, J.P.
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53. Just an old man's fantasies.
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54. When Shelby came into Tactical,
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55. every admiral's uncle had a take
on this Borg business.
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56. She cut through it.
She put us on track.
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57. - Earl Grey?
- Please.
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58. She'd make you
one hell of a first officer.
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59. Already have a hell of a first officer.
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60. Don't tell me he's gonna pass up
another commission.
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61. - One's available?
- The Melbourne.
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62. It's his, if he wants it.
Hasn't he told you?
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63. He'll make a fine captain, J.P.
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64. You may wanna tell him that.
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65. We're still waiting on his decision.
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66. This is the third time we've pulled out
the captain's chair for Riker.
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67. He just won't sit down.
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68. Well, let me tell you something,
Jean-Luc.
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69. There are a lot of young hotshots
like Shelby on the way up.
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70. Riker could suddenly look like
he's standing still next to them.
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71. He's hurting his career
by staying put.
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72. And if I were you, I'd kick him
in the rear end for his own good.
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73. I don't know exactly
what I'm looking for,
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74. but we've tested the sections
of the Enterprise's hull
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75. that were damaged by the Borg.
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76. There were some unusual
magnetic resonance traces.
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77. A Borg footprint?
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78. That's my theory.
I'll see if it holds up tomorrow.
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79. I've reviewed your personnel.
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80. I'll be assigning Mr. La Forge
and Mr. Data
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81. to accompany me
on the Away Team.
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82. I've already assigned them
to the Away Team.
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83. And I'll be with you
as well, commander.
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84. Of course. I appreciate
any assistance you can offer.
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85. Tell me, commander,
is serving aboard the Enterprise
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86. as extraordinary an experience
as I've heard?
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87. Every bit.
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88. Good, because I intend
to convince Captain Picard
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89. that I'm the right choice for the job.
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90. Job? Which job?
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91. Yours, of course.
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92. I'm sorry.
I heard that you were leaving.
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93. If I were,
I'm sure you'd be the first to know.
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94. Poker's at 1700 hours,
in my quarters. Deck 8.
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95. Got another king
in the hole, eh, Data?
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96. I am afraid
I cannot answer that, Wesley.
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97. And as you are a newcomer
to the game,
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98. may I say, it is inappropriate
for you to ask.
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99. I will buy another card, counselor.
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100. No help there.
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101. Ugh. Fold, again.
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102. Three jacks looking back
for the handsome young ensign.
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103. Pair of deuces stands.
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104. Flush, possible straight flush.
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105. Hmm.
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106. Your bet, Mr. Crusher.
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107. I'm in for ten.
- Call.
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108. Well, it's time for the long pants.
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109. There's your ten, 100.
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110. He's got the straight flush, folks.
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111. Not necessarily. Commander Riker
may be bluffing, Wesley.
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112. I don't think so. Fold.
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113. With three jacks?
What, are you kidding?
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114. Wesley, you may get
straight A's in school,
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115. but there's a lot you need
to learn about poker.
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116. Well, I've only got two pair,
but I've got to see your hole card.
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117. I'll call.
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118. You got him.
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119. Mr. Data and our guest
appear to be tardy.
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120. Sir, Commander Shelby
and Data beamed down
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121. to the planet surface an hour ago.
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122. - On whose authority?
- On hers, sir.
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123. Morning. Early bird gets the worm, eh?
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124. We've had some interesting results.
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125. Commander Shelby.
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126. Walk with me, commander.
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127. Early bird...?
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128. I believe Commander Shelby erred.
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129. There is no evidence of avifaunal
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130. or crawling vermicular life forms
on Jouret IV.
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131. That's not what she meant, Data.
But you're right, she erred.
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132. I'm sorry, but I woke up early
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133. and I saw that a weather system
was moving in.
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134. It could have
affected the soil readings.
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135. So without any regard for the risk
of coming down here alone—
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136. Really, commander,
if we ran into the Borg here,
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137. two extra bodies wouldn't have made
a hell of difference, now, would they?
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138. We had three hours
before the storm front hit,
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139. less than two hours now.
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140. Data was available.
I took him, we came.
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141. I don't see your problem.
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142. My problem, commander,
is I expect to be notified
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143. before there's a change
in my orders.
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144. Noted for future reference.
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145. Do you wish to hear my report, sir'?
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146. Go ahead.
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147. The soil contains
the same magnetic resonance traces.
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148. That's our footprint.
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149. There's no doubt anymore.
It is the Borg.
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150. Captain's log, stardate 43993.5.
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151. With confirmation of the Berg's
presence in Federation space,
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152. Admiral Hanson has returned
to Starbase 324
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153. to discuss strategy
with Starfleet Command.
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154. Lieutenant Commander Shelby
remains on board
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155. to continue tactical preparations.
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156. I've also ordered
a standing yellow alert.
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157. All Federation allied outposts
have been warned.
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158. Ops will continue
to monitor long-range sensors.
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159. I've assigned Data, La Forge
and Mr. Crusher
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160. to work with Commander Shelby.
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161. Good. You've covered all the bases.
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162. What's your impression of Shelby?
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163. - She knows her stuff.
- She has your full confidence?
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164. Well, I think she needs supervision.
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165. She takes the initiative a little
too easily, sometimes with risks.
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166. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk.
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167. Sounds like
a young lieutenant commander
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168. I recruited as a first officer.
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169. Perhaps.
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170. Will,
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171. what the hell
are you still doing here?
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172. - Sir?
- You've been offered the Melbourne.
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173. I've decided not to pursue
that commission at this time.
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174. She's a fine ship, Will.
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175. Yes, but she's not the Enterprise.
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176. With all due respect, sir,
you need me, particularly now.
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177. Indeed. Starfleet needs good captains,
particularly now.
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178. Reconsider your decision.
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179. Are you telling me to leave, captain?
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180. I'm asking you
to look at your career objectively.
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181. Will,
you're ready to work without a net.
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182. You're ready to take command.
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183. And you know, the Enterprise
will go along just fine without you.
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184. What am I still doing here?
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185. Deanna, I pushed myself hard
to get this far.
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186. I sacrificed a lot.
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187. I always said
I wanted my own command
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188. and yet,
something's holding me back.
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189. - Is it wrong for me to want to stay?
- What do you think?
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190. Maybe I'm just afraid
of the big chair.
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191. I don't think so.
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192. The captain says Shelby reminds him
of the way that I used to be,
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193. and he's right.
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194. She comes in here full of drive
and ambition, impatient, taking risks.
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195. I look at her and I wonder
what happened to those things in me?
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196. I liked those things about me.
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197. I've lost something.
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198. You mean you're older,
more experienced,
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199. a little more seasoned.
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200. Seasoned? That's a horrible thing
to say to a man.
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201. I don't think you've lost a thing.
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202. And I think you've gained
more than you realize.
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203. You're much more comfortable
with yourself than you used to be.
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204. Maybe that's the problem.
I'm too comfortable here.
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205. I'm not sure I know
what that means.
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206. You're happy here, happier
than I've ever known you to be.
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207. So it comes down
to a simple question.
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208. What do you want, Will Riker?
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209. A manipulation effect
in the Borg ship's subspace field.
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210. A definite pattern.
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211. At 4.8-minute intervals during
your first confrontation with them.
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212. Might indicate high-output
auxiliary generators kicking in.
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213. One theory is that their systems
are decentralized
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214. with redundant power sources
located throughout the ship.
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215. That is a reasonable conclusion.
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216. Borg technology has given
each member of their society
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217. the ability to interface
and function collectively.
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218. It is likely they have constructed
their ship with the same philosophy.
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219. You knock out one generator
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220. and another one takes over
without interruption.
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221. What kind of damage would we have
to do to shut them down?
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222. Projections suggest
that a Borg ship like this one
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223. could continue to function effectively
even if 78 percent of it was inoperable.
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224. And our best shot
barely scratched the surface.
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225. Well, from what I've seen,
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226. I can't believe that any of these
new weapon systems can be ready
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227. in less than 18 months,
commander.
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228. We've been projecting 24.
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229. Is there anything we could do here
to adapt our current defense systems?
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230. We'll have to go
through the specs again, but...
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231. I don't know.
My mind's turned to clay.
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232. Mine too.
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233. I think we should look at modifying
the plasma phaser design.
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234. Commander, I think
we should call it a night.
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235. That's an order.
We'll reconvene at 0500.
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236. Sir, if I may be allowed to continue with
Mr. Data, who does not require rest.
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237. You need rest, commander.
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238. If we have a confrontation
with the Borg
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239. without improving
our defense systems—
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240. If we have a confrontation,
I don't want a crew fighting the Borg
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241. at the same time they're fighting
their own fatigue. Dismissed.
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242. At 1900 hours yesterday,
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243. the U.S.S. Lalo departed Zeta Alpha II
on a freight run to Sentinel Minor IV.
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244. At 2200 hours and 12 minutes,
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245. a distress signal was received
at Starbase 157.
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246. The Lalo reported contact
with an alien vessel
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247. described as "cube-shaped."
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248. The distress signal ended abruptly
and she's not been heard from since.
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249. Mr. Data, how long would it take
to get there at warp 9?
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250. - One hour, 17 minutes, sir.
- Make it so.
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251. We're coming with every available
starship to assist, captain.
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252. But the closest help
is six days away.
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253. We'll try and keep them occupied
until you arrive.
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254. I know you will.
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255. Hanson out.
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256. All hands stand to battle stations.
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257. Commander Shelby, what is the status
of our defense preparations?
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258. Mr. La Forge has a plan
to modulate shield nutation.
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259. Hopefully, that'll hold them off
for a while.
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260. At the same time,
we'll be retuning phasers
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261. to higher EM base-emitting
frequencies,
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262. try to disrupt their subspace field.
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263. What's your assessment
of our potential effectiveness?
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264. It's a shot in the dark, captain.
But for now, it's the best we can do.
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265. Dismissed.
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266. Sir, reading unidentified vessel
just entering sensor range.
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267. Bearing 210, mark 151.
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268. Hail them, Mr. Worf.
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269. No response, sir.
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270. Move to intercept.
Aye, sir.
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271. Sir, the vessel has already
changed course to intercept us.
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272. Approaching at warp 9.3.
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273. - Entering visual range.
- On-screen.
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274. Magnify.
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275. Mr. Worf, dispatch a subspace
message to Admiral Hanson.
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276. We have engaged the Borg.
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277. Captain, you are being hailed.
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278. I am?
- Yes, captain. By name.
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279. Data, is it the same ship
we faced at J-25?
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280. Uncertain, commander, but
the dimensions are precisely the same.
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281. On-screen.
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282. - I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard—
Jean-Luc Picard,
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283. captain of the Starship Enterprise,
registry NCC-1701-D.
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284. You will lower your shields
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285. and prepare to transport yourself
aboard our vessel.
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286. If you do not cooperate,
we will destroy your ship.
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287. You have committed acts
of aggression
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288. against the United Federation
of Planets.
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289. If you do not withdraw immediately—
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290. You will surrender
yourself or we will destroy your ship.
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291. Your defensive capabilities
are unable to withstand the—
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292. What the hell do they want
with you?
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293. I thought they weren't interested in
human life forms, only our technology.
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294. Their priorities seem
to have changed.
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295. - Open.
Channel open.
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296. We have developed
new defense capabilities
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297. since our last meeting,
and we are prepared to use them
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298. if you do not withdraw
from Federation space.
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299. Captain, shields are being probed.
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300. I am modulating nutation.
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301. Captain, the Borg are attempting
to lock on to us with their tractor beam.
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302. Load torpedo bays, arm phasers.
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303. Lock coordinates on the source
of the tractor beam.
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304. Shield status?
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305. Holding, sir.
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306. The nutation modulation
has them confused.
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307. They have the ability to analyze
and adapt, commander.
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308. Shield modulation has failed.
They've locked on.
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309. Shields are being drained.
Ninety percent, 80.
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310. Trying to recalibrate nutation.
Damn!
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311. Shields have failed.
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312. Fire all weapons.
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313. Their subspace field is intact.
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314. New phaser frequencies
had no impact.
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315. - Reverse engines.
Full reverse.
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316. We're not moving.
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317. - Fire at will.
- Launching torpedoes.
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318. Phaser spread continuing.
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319. Still no damage
to the Borg vessel, sir.
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320. Warning. Outer hull breach.
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321. They are cutting into the hull,
Engineering section.
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322. Geordi, evacuate Engineering.
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323. Computer, evacuation sequence!
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324. Sealing doors...
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325. Come on now, let's move it, people,
let's move! Go, go!
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326. Decompression danger,
Deck 36, section four.
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327. Sealing Main Engineering.
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328. Data, fluctuate phaser resonance
frequencies.
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329. Random settings,
keep them changing.
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330. Don't give them time to adapt.
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331. The tractor beam has been released.
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332. Warp 9. Course 151, mark 330.
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333. Engage.
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334. They are in pursuit, captain.
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335. Maintain course.
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336. Damage report, Geordi.
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337. Hull rupture in Main Engineering.
The damage is pretty heavy.
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338. We lost a lot of good people
down there.
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339. Eleven dead,
eight more unaccounted for, captain.
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340. Repair teams to Engineering,
seal hull breach.
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341. They didn't get to the core.
I can control functions from here.
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342. Now approaching
the Paulson Nebula, sir.
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343. Drop to impulse.
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344. Take us in, ensign.
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345. - The field's getting too dense, sir.
- Steady.
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346. Analysis of the nebula cloud, Mr. Data.
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347. Eighty-two percent dilithium hydroxyls,
magnesium chromium.
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348. Should provide an effective screen
against their sensors, captain.
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349. Mr. La Forge,
prepare to reverse engines, full stop.
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350. The Borg ship is continuing scans,
attempting to locate us.
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351. Good. As long as they're looking
for us, they won't hurt anyone else.
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352. Time index 514.
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353. Data started to fluctuate
phaser resonance frequencies.
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354. The Borg's beam breaks contact.
Slow playback.
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355. Take a closer look, commander.
Mr. La Forge?
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356. There's a two-percent
drop in power for an instant,
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357. but it is system-wide.
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358. The phaser-frequency spread
was in a high, narrow band.
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359. Conceivably,
the ship's power distribution nodes
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360. are vulnerable to those frequencies.
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361. If we can generate
a concentrated burst of power
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362. at that same frequency distribution,
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363. I mean, a lot more than anything
our phasers or photon torpedoes
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364. could ever provide...
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365. - How do we do that?
- The main deflector dish.
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366. It's the only component
designed to channel
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367. that much power
at controlled frequencies.
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368. End program.
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369. Unfortunately,
there is one slight detail.
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370. In the process, the blast completely
destroys the Enterprise as well.
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371. If we could get further away,
increase the deflector's range...
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372. It could work.
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373. In the meantime,
we should retune all phasers,
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374. including the hand units,
to the same frequency.
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375. Proceed. I'll inform the captain.
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376. There is one other recommendation
I'd like to make, commander.
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377. Separate the saucer section.
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378. Assign a skeleton crew
to create a diversion.
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379. We may need the power
from the saucer's impulse engines.
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380. It would give them more
than one target to worry about.
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381. It's too great a risk.
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382. I'd like the captain
to make that decision, sir.
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383. Commander, I bring all the alternatives
to the captain's attention.
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384. That'll be all.
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385. I'm gonna install higher-capacity
power transformers
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386. to the deflector dish.
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387. - How long?
- Better part of a day.
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388. She gets a full head of steam,
doesn't she?
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389. Mm-hm. She's a formidable presence,
to say the least,
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390. but I'm convinced
she can help us here, commander.
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391. I am too.
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392. Don't worry about it.
I can handle Shelby.
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393. Come.
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394. Come in, Number One.
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395. Commander Shelby was just telling me
of your concerns about her plan.
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396. I'm sorry she troubled you, sir.
I have already informed her—
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397. Yes, I entirely agree with you,
Number One. It's not the time.
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398. But the time may come when we will
be required to take greater risks.
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399. I want you to consider her plan
as a fallback position.
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400. Make the necessary preparations.
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401. Very good, sir.
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402. - Deck 8, Battle Bridge.
- Halt.
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403. Commander, you and I need
to have a conversation.
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404. You never ordered me
not to discuss this with the captain.
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405. You disagree with me, fine.
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406. You need to take it to the captain, fine.
Through me.
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407. You do an end run around me again,
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408. I'll snap you back so hard, you'll think
you're a first-year cadet again.
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409. - May I speak frankly, sir'?
- By all means.
Copy !req
410. You're in my way.
Copy !req
411. Really? How terrible for you.
Copy !req
412. All you know how to do
is play it safe.
Copy !req
413. I suppose that's why someone like you
sits in the shadow of a great man
Copy !req
414. for as long as you have,
Copy !req
415. passing up one command
after another.
Copy !req
416. Proceed to Deck 8.
Copy !req
417. When it comes to this ship
and this crew,
Copy !req
418. you're damned right, I play it safe.
Copy !req
419. If you can't make
the big decisions, commander,
Copy !req
420. I suggest you make room
for someone who can.
Copy !req
421. Captain's log, stardate 43996.2.
Copy !req
422. The Enterprise remains concealed
in the dust cloud.
Copy !req
423. And to my surprise, the Borg
have maintained their position,
Copy !req
424. waiting for us to come out of hiding.
Copy !req
425. I have no explanation for their
special interest in me or this ship.
Copy !req
426. We continue to prepare our defenses
for the inevitable confrontation.
Copy !req
427. But I must admit, on this night,
I contemplate the distinct possibility
Copy !req
428. that no defense may be adequate
against this enemy.
Copy !req
429. Captain?
Copy !req
430. Trouble sleeping?
Copy !req
431. It's something of a tradition, Guinan,
Copy !req
432. the captain touring the ship
before a battle.
Copy !req
433. Hmm.
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434. Before a hopeless battle,
if I remember the tradition correctly.
Copy !req
435. Not necessarily.
Copy !req
436. Nelson toured the H.M.S. Victory
before Trafalgar.
Copy !req
437. Yes, but Nelson never returned
from Trafalgar, did he?
Copy !req
438. No, but the battle was won.
Copy !req
439. Do you expect this battle to be won?
Copy !req
440. We may yet prevail.
Copy !req
441. That's a conceit,
but it's a healthy one.
Copy !req
442. I wonder if the Emperor Honorius,
Copy !req
443. watching the Visigoths
coming over the seventh hill,
Copy !req
444. truly realized that the Roman Empire
was about to fall.
Copy !req
445. This is just another page
in history, isn't it?
Copy !req
446. Will this be the end
of our civilization?
Copy !req
447. Turn the page.
Copy !req
448. This isn't the end.
Copy !req
449. You say that
with remarkable assuredness.
Copy !req
450. With experience.
Copy !req
451. When the Borg destroyed my world,
Copy !req
452. my people were scattered
throughout the universe.
Copy !req
453. We survived,
as will humanity survive.
Copy !req
454. As long as there's a handful of you
to keep the spirit alive, you will prevail,
Copy !req
455. even if it takes a millennium.
Copy !req
456. Captain Picard, report to the Bridge.
Copy !req
457. I'm on my way, lieutenant.
Copy !req
458. They're some sort
of magnetometric-guided charges.
Copy !req
459. - Status of shields.
Back to 48 percent, captain.
Copy !req
460. Mr. La Forge, I may have
to take us out of the nebula.
Copy !req
461. I'll want all the power
you can give me.
Copy !req
462. Engines are ready, captain.
Copy !req
463. Recommend you adjust
shield harmonics
Copy !req
464. to favor the upper EM band
when you proceed.
Copy !req
465. Acknowledged.
Copy !req
466. - Direct hit, Deck 9.
- Damage report.
Copy !req
467. Structural latching system integrity
breached.
Copy !req
468. Prepare to take us out of here,
Number One.
Copy !req
469. Fire up the engines,
half impulse till we clear the nebula,
Copy !req
470. then punch it up to warp 9.
Copy !req
471. Ready phasers,
load forward torpedo bays. Engage.
Copy !req
472. Borg tractor beam
is attempting to lock on.
Copy !req
473. Fire at will.
Continue rotating shield frequency.
Copy !req
474. Shields failing.
Copy !req
475. Tractor beam has locked on.
Copy !req
476. It's no use. They've already adapted
to the new frequencies.
Copy !req
477. The Borg ship is disengaging,
leaving at warp speed.
Copy !req
478. Maintain pursuit.
Copy !req
479. Borg vessel has reached warp 9.
Nine point four, 9.6.
Copy !req
480. Stay with them.
Copy !req
481. Riker to O'Brien.
Can you get a fix on the captain?
Copy !req
482. O'BRIEN: Negative, sir.
There's some kind of interference.
Copy !req
483. I can't lock in on his signal.
Copy !req
484. Senior officers, report to the Bridge.
Copy !req
485. Sir, the coordinates they have set,
Copy !req
486. they are on a direct course
to Sector 001, the Terran System.
Copy !req
487. Earth.
Copy !req
488. Captain Jean-Luc Picard,
Copy !req
489. you lead the strongest ship
of the Federation fleet.
Copy !req
490. You speak for your people.
Copy !req
491. I have nothing to say to you.
Copy !req
492. And I will resist you
with my last ounce of strength.
Copy !req
493. Strength is irrelevant.
Copy !req
494. Resistance is futile.
Copy !req
495. We wish to improve ourselves.
Copy !req
496. We will add your biological
Copy !req
497. and technological distinctiveness
to our own.
Copy !req
498. Your culture will adapt
to service ours.
Copy !req
499. Impossible.
Copy !req
500. My culture is based on freedom
and self-determination.
Copy !req
501. Freedom is irrelevant.
Copy !req
502. Self-determination is irrelevant.
Copy !req
503. You must comply.
Copy !req
504. We would rather die.
Copy !req
505. Death is irrelevant.
Copy !req
506. Your archaic cultures
are authority-driven.
Copy !req
507. To facilitate our introduction
into your societies,
Copy !req
508. it has been decided
that a human voice
Copy !req
509. will speak for us
in all communications.
Copy !req
510. You have been chosen
to be that voice.
Copy !req
511. Commander, they are leading
us into the heart of our own defenses.
Copy !req
512. Yeah, well, so far,
Copy !req
513. they haven't had much of a reason
to worry about our defenses.
Copy !req
514. Commander, if the Borg stay
at warp 9.6,
Copy !req
515. we'll be forced to discontinue pursuit
Copy !req
516. and power down
in less than three hours.
Copy !req
517. Two hours, 40 minutes,
three seconds.
Copy !req
518. How long
before the deflector's ready?
Copy !req
519. We're close. A few hours, maybe.
Copy !req
520. I know,
I'll get it done in two somehow.
Copy !req
521. But I'm gonna need serious power
from the warp engines
Copy !req
522. to make this weapon work.
Copy !req
523. So far, we're using everything
we've got just to keep up with them.
Copy !req
524. Sir, we've got to get that ship
down to impulse.
Copy !req
525. I'm leading an Away Team
over there to get the captain back.
Copy !req
526. We'll find a way
to get them out of warp.
Copy !req
527. Ensign Crusher, you continue
to assist Mr. La Forge.
Copy !req
528. Commander Shelby, you'll take the
Bridge and coordinate with Starfleet.
Copy !req
529. Data, Worf, doctor, you're with me.
Copy !req
530. Excuse me, sir,
with my knowledge of the Borg—
Copy !req
531. Those are my orders, commander.
Copy !req
532. Commander Riker.
Copy !req
533. It is inappropriate for you
to lead the Away Team.
Copy !req
534. Until the return of Captain Picard,
you are in command of the Enterprise.
Copy !req
535. We are in a state of war
and your place is on the Bridge.
Copy !req
536. Commander Shelby,
you'll lead the Away Team.
Copy !req
537. Make it so.
Copy !req
538. First officer's log, stardate 43998.5.
Copy !req
539. Our pursuit of the Borg
continues on a course
Copy !req
540. that will take us to the very core
of the Federation.
Copy !req
541. The devastation they could bring
is beyond imagination.
Copy !req
542. These phasers have been retuned.
Copy !req
543. Each has a different frequency span
in the upper EM band.
Copy !req
544. All right, a reminder.
Copy !req
545. We only get to use each of these once,
maybe twice,
Copy !req
546. before the Borg learn to adapt.
Copy !req
547. Don't fire until you have to.
Copy !req
548. What kind of resistance
should we expect?
Copy !req
549. At our first encounter,
the Borg virtually ignored us
Copy !req
550. when we beamed
aboard their vessel.
Copy !req
551. Clearly, they did not consider
our being there a threat.
Copy !req
552. That may change, however,
if we start interfering with their plans.
Copy !req
553. Shelby to Bridge. Away Team ready.
Copy !req
554. We've got 58 minutes before we have
to power down and disengage.
Copy !req
555. Understood.
- Proceed.
Copy !req
556. Commander,
no unnecessary risks. Clear?
Copy !req
557. Very clear, sir. Shelby out.
Copy !req
558. We've matched warp velocity
for transport, commander.
Copy !req
559. Energize.
Copy !req
560. Tricorder functions minimal.
Copy !req
561. Any signs of human life?
Copy !req
562. Inconclusive.
Copy !req
563. Look at this. This is extraordinary.
Copy !req
564. These appear to be some kind
of power-wave guide conduits
Copy !req
565. which allow them to work collectively
as they perform ship functions.
Copy !req
566. There's no way to take out enough
of these to disable them.
Copy !req
567. What if we look at this
from the mosquito's point of view?
Copy !req
568. Interesting metaphor, doctor.
What is your idea?
Copy !req
569. If we sting them in a tender spot,
Copy !req
570. they might stop for a minute
to scratch.
Copy !req
571. Distribution nodes.
Copy !req
572. If we take out a few of these,
Copy !req
573. it just might make them scratch.
Copy !req
574. The captain's communicator.
It is still activated.
Copy !req
575. Crusher to Picard.
Can you hear me?
Copy !req
576. Can you locate it, Worf?
Copy !req
577. This way.
Copy !req
578. I strongly recommend redeploying
all available defenses
Copy !req
579. to protect Sector 001, admiral.
Copy !req
580. We're moving to intercept at Wolf 359.
We'll make our stand there.
Copy !req
581. How much longer
can you maintain pursuit?
Copy !req
582. Twenty-two minutes,
if they stay at their current speed.
Copy !req
583. If we can't bring them out of warp,
Copy !req
584. we'll do as much damage as we can
before we have to disengage.
Copy !req
585. Picard?
Copy !req
586. Nothing yet, sir.
Copy !req
587. In here.
Copy !req
588. - Shelby to Enterprise.
- Go ahead.
Copy !req
589. We found the captain's
uniform and his communicator.
Copy !req
590. We're resuming our search.
Copy !req
591. Stand by, commander.
Copy !req
592. We're in business.
Copy !req
593. It'll burn out the main deflector,
but it'll be one hell of a bang.
Copy !req
594. Radiation danger?
Copy !req
595. We're gonna have to evacuate
the forward half of the secondary hull
Copy !req
596. and the lower three decks
of the saucer.
Copy !req
597. I'll see to that.
Copy !req
598. Commander Shelby.
Copy !req
599. We have only 17 minutes
of warp power left.
Copy !req
600. Do whatever you can
to get them out of warp.
Copy !req
601. Acknowledged. Shelby out.
Copy !req
602. Let's take out some
of these distribution nodes
Copy !req
603. and see what happens.
Copy !req
604. Sir, they've done it.
The Borg ship is dropping out of warp.
Copy !req
605. - Go to impulse.
Aye, sir.
Copy !req
606. Diverting more power
to main deflector.
Copy !req
607. Move us to within 40,000 kilometers,
match velocity.
Copy !req
608. Commence arming sequence.
Copy !req
609. Increase deflector modulation
to upper frequency band.
Copy !req
610. Shelby to Enterprise.
Encountering resistance.
Copy !req
611. Prepare to beam us back
on my signal.
Copy !req
612. They're adapting to the frequencies.
Copy !req
613. Jean-Luc.
Copy !req
614. Captain.
Copy !req
615. Enterprise, get us out of here.
Copy !req
616. The captain?
Copy !req
617. We were unable to retrieve him, sir.
Copy !req
618. The captain has been altered
by the Borg.
Copy !req
619. Altered?
Copy !req
620. He is a Borg.
Copy !req
621. We'll go back. I need more people.
Copy !req
622. We need to retune the phasers again.
We'll get him out of there.
Copy !req
623. Commander,
reading subspace field fluctuations
Copy !req
624. from within the Borg ship.
Copy !req
625. Looks like they're regenerating,
restoring power.
Copy !req
626. They could be capable
of warp any minute.
Copy !req
627. Is the deflector ready?
Copy !req
628. It's ready.
Copy !req
629. Will, he's alive.
Copy !req
630. If we could get him back,
I might be able to restore—
Copy !req
631. This is our only chance
to destroy them.
Copy !req
632. If they get back into warp,
our weapon is useless.
Copy !req
633. We'll sabotage them again
if we have to.
Copy !req
634. We can't maintain power.
Copy !req
635. We don't have the time.
Prepare to fire.
Copy !req
636. At least consult
with Starfleet Command.
Copy !req
637. Get Admiral Hanson on subspace.
Copy !req
638. Belay that order, lieutenant.
There's no time.
Copy !req
639. Sir, we are being hailed by the Borg.
Copy !req
640. On-screen.
Copy !req
641. I am Locutus of Borg.
Copy !req
642. Resistance is futile.
Copy !req
643. Your life, as it has been, is over.
Copy !req
644. From this time forward,
you will service us.
Copy !req
645. Mr. Worf, fire.
Copy !req