Star Trek: The Next Generation 5x8

1. Last time on Star Trek The Next Generation.

2. Three weeks ago, one of our most celebrated ambassadors

3. and advisor to Federation leaders for generations disappeared.

4. I gave Spock the benefit of experience,

5. of logic.

6. He never listened.

7. It's been suggested that he might have defected.

8. Why would anyone want a Vulcan shield array?

9. Beats me, commander.

10. Every question we answer here seems to bring up two more.

11. Be careful, android.

12. Some Romulan beauty might take a liking to you.

13. Lick that paint right off your ears.

14. You, do you know what the Romulans will do to you

15. if they discover who you are?

16. I have a good idea.

17. Sir, the ship is locking phasers.

18. Shields up, red alert.

19. What do you know of this human?

20. Jean-Luc Picard, a Starfleet Captain.

21. - Hey, you've made a mistake. - Quiet. Come with us.

22. I have come on an urgent mission from the Federation.

23. I'm looking for Ambassador Spock.

24. You have found him, Captain Picard.

25. And now, the conclusion.

26. What are you doing on Romulus?

27. That was to have been my question of you, sir.

28. It is no concern of Starfleet.

29. On the contrary, it is very much Starfleet's concern.

30. You're in a position to compromise the security of the Federation.

31. You may assure your superiors, Captain,

32. that I am here on a personal mission of peace.

33. And I will advise Starfleet when it is appropriate.

34. That is not satisfactory.

35. You cannot remain here, Captain Picard.

36. And I will not return without a full explanation.

37. Ambassador, with great respect

38. for all that you've achieved on behalf of the Federation,

39. this sort of cowboy diplomacy will not easily be tolerated anymore.

40. Cowboy diplomacy?

41. If you wish to undertake a mission

42. with obvious repercussions for the Federation,

43. then you should discuss it with the Federation.

44. I'm here as their representative.

45. You'll have to discuss it with me.

46. That is precisely what I had hoped to avoid.

47. I also have the responsibility of being the bearer of unhappy news.

48. Sarek?

49. Sarek is dead?

50. Walk with me, Picard.

51. I know of your mind-meld with my father

52. which enabled him to complete his last mission.

53. It was an honor. He's a great man.

54. He was a great representative for the Vulcan people

55. and of the Federation.

56. I was with him before coming here.

57. He expressed his pride in you,

58. his love.

59. Emotional disarray was a symptom of the illness from which he suffered.

60. No. Those feelings came from his heart.

61. He shared them with me, I know.

62. Sarek would no more approve my coming here than you do, Picard.

63. For some time now, I've been aware of a growing movement here

64. of people who seek to learn the ideals of the Vulcan philosophy.

65. They've been declared enemies of the state.

66. But there are a few in the Romulan hierarchy,

67. like Pardek, who are sympathetic.

68. He asked me to come now

69. because he believes it may be time to take the first step toward reunification.

70. Reunification? After so many centuries?

71. After so many fundamental differences have evolved between your peoples?

72. It would seem unlikely to succeed, but I cannot ignore the potential rewards

73. that a union between our two worlds would bring.

74. What is this first step that Pardek suggests?

75. There is a new proconsul in the Romulan senate.

76. He is young and idealistic.

77. He has promised many reforms.

78. Pardek believes that he may be receptive to discussing reunification.

79. Why would you not bring something so important

80. to the attention of your own people

81. or the Federation?

82. A personal decision, Captain.

83. Perhaps you're aware of the small role I played

84. in the overture to peace with the Klingons.

85. History is aware of the role you played, ambassador.

86. Not entirely.

87. It was I who committed Captain Kirk to that peace mission

88. and I who had to bear the responsibility

89. for the consequences to him and to his crew.

90. Quite simply, I am unwilling to risk anyone's life

91. but my own on this occasion.

92. So I ask that you respect my wishes and leave.

93. Ambassador, your logic escapes me.

94. If I didn't know better,

95. I would say that your judgment is influenced by your emotions.

96. You speak as my father would if he were here, Picard.

97. I speak as a Starfleet officer,

98. and I cannot ignore the risks to you.

99. I was involved with cowboy diplomacy, as you describe it,

100. long before you were born.

101. Nevertheless, sir, I'm not prepared to leave until your affairs are complete.

102. In your own way, you are as stubborn

103. as another Captain of the Enterprise I once knew.

104. Then I'm in good company, sir.

105. Space, the final frontier.

106. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.

107. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds,

108. to seek out new life and new civilizations,

109. to boldly go where no one has gone before.

110. We have more important things to attend to

111. than acting as your nursemaids.

112. Captain Picard regrets detaining you,

113. but it will be necessary for a while longer.

114. In addition, I require access to your ship's computer.

115. Access to our computer?

116. For what purpose?

117. I am going to attempt to penetrate the Romulan Central Information Net.

118. Don't bother.

119. We've been trying for years.

120. I have unique skills that may allow me to succeed.

121. I cannot reveal classified Klingon entry codes to Starfleet.

122. Your entry codes can easily be reconfigured after we depart.

123. And Captain Picard has authorized me to share with you

124. any information we obtain from the Romulan data banks.

125. Hm.

126. Anything else?

127. We will also need to communicate with the Enterprise in Sector 213.

128. You do and the Romulans will instantly know our coordinates.

129. Using conventional means, that would be true.

130. However, I suggest we piggyback our signal

131. on Romulan subspace transmission.

132. - Piggyback? - A human metaphor, pardon me.

133. We would use a Romulan signal as a carrier for our own,

134. thus disguising its origin.

135. It won't work.

136. I believe it would.

137. During the last hour,

138. I have conducted a systematic review of the entire Romulan subspace grid.

139. I have compared my findings

140. with the specifications of your own transmission array.

141. They appear to be compatible.

142. Thank you for your cooperation.

143. Allow me to brighten your table.

144. The senate has adjourned.

145. Pardek will be here shortly.

146. How widespread is this movement?

147. There are groups in every populated area.

148. I have personally spoken to members from four provinces.

149. It has become a serious concern for the Romulan leadership.

150. Serious enough for their leaders to suddenly embrace

151. a Vulcan peace initiative? I...

152. I have...

153. I have some difficulty in accepting that.

154. I sense you have a closed mind, Captain.

155. Closed minds have kept these two worlds apart for centuries.

156. In the Federation, we have learned from experience

157. to view the Romulans with distrust.

158. We can either choose to live with that enmity

159. or seek a way to change it.

160. I choose the latter.

161. I will be the first to cheer when the Neutral Zone is abolished,

162. but I wonder if this movement is strong enough

163. to reshape the entire Romulan political landscape.

164. One can begin to reshape the landscape

165. with a single flower, Captain.

166. Jolan true, Mr. Spock.

167. Here, look what I've brought you.

168. This is my friend, D'Tan.

169. He's very curious about Vulcan.

170. Hello, D'Tan.

171. Where did you get this? This is very old.

172. Well, they read to us from it at the meetings.

173. It tells the story of the Vulcan separation.

174. D'Tan.

175. You should not bring that out here.

176. You've been told many times.

177. I... I just wanted to show it to Mr. Spock.

178. Off with you. We'll see you later tonight.

179. Will you tell us more stories about Vulcan?

180. Yes, I will.

181. Perhaps this is not such a good place to talk.

182. So, what do you think of your enemy, Captain Picard?

183. These people are no one's enemy, senator.

184. Many of my colleagues fear what they have to say,

185. but I have learned to listen carefully.

186. Children like D'Tan are our future.

187. Old men like me

188. will not be able to hold on to ancient prejudice and hostility.

189. Young people won't allow it.

190. But now...

191. Now that they've met their first real Vulcan,

192. it has only inspired them more.

193. I am sure that is evident to you, Spock.

194. I did not anticipate such a passionate response to my arrival.

195. Romulans are passionate people.

196. The Vulcans will learn to appreciate that quality in us.

197. If we are successful.

198. We will know soon.

199. The proconsul has agreed to meet with you.

200. First officer's log, stardate 45245.8.

201. The Enterprise remains at Qualor II

202. as we continue to investigate the theft of a surplus Vulcan ship.

203. The trail has led us to the former wife of a deceased smuggler.

204. [SOFT INSTRUMENTAL Muslc

205. - A new face. - Same one I've always had.

206. And what would you like to hear?

207. Know some blues?

208. Look at me, mister. What do you think?

209. Seven different shades of them.

210. How about some Andorian blues?

211. Suck salt?

212. Never cared for it.

213. Hm. Good for you. Nasty habit.

214. So who are you looking for?

215. Who says I'm looking for anybody?

216. Your face, your uniform, in a place like this.

217. Okay, I'm looking for you.

218. Oh, you just made my day.

219. I have to ask you about your husband.

220. Well, it was nice while it lasted.

221. Which husband?

222. The dead one, I'm afraid.

223. Ooh. You must be from the Enterprise.

224. You destroyed his ship.

225. He was into some bad business and he took the evidence with him.

226. His one endearing quality,

227. he always cleaned up after himself.

228. And what do you want from me?

229. I was hoping you might know his business partners.

230. And why should I help you?

231. To be honest, I can't think of a good reason.

232. Well, you did kill my ex-husband,

233. and that's not a bad start.

234. So why don't you drop a few coins in the jar

235. and I'll see what I remember.

236. I don't carry money.

237. Well, you don't offer much, do you?

238. Move over.

239. Oh, just what I need, another set of hands.

240. Know this one?

241. Twentieth century, Earth.

242. Maybe I could teach you a lick or two.

243. You already have.

244. So, what do you say?

245. Gonna be around for a couple of days?

246. I can be.

247. Sooner or later a man named Omag will come by for a song.

248. Always wants to hear the same thing, "Melor Famigal."

249. He's an arms trader.

250. A fat Ferengi.

251. Enter.

252. Proconsul.

253. Yes, Pardek, come in.

254. Ambassador Spock of Vulcan.

255. - Proconsul. - Oh, please,

256. I've never liked titles ever since I was a lowly uhlan in the Romulan guard.

257. I am Neral.

258. Oh, how is it again?

259. Pardek has tried to show me.

260. - I am honored. - Good.

261. Permit me to withdraw.

262. Will we see you and you wife tomorrow at the state dinner?

263. We're looking forward to it.

264. It's been years since old Pardek has been invited to an official function.

265. He's far too attached to the common man

266. for most peoples' comfort.

267. That is their loss.

268. I have found Pardek to have a unique insight into many issues.

269. Let me tell you something, Spock.

270. We are going to start something here, you and I,

271. that will redraw the face of the quadrant.

272. Are you prepared to support reunification?

273. I believe it must eventually come.

274. Our two worlds need each other.

275. Forgive me, I did not expect to hear a Romulan proconsul

276. speak like a member of your underground.

277. Oh.

278. I want you to know exactly where I stand.

279. And do you believe that you can gain the support of your full senate?

280. Well, things are not what they once were in the senate.

281. The old leaders have lost the respect of the people.

282. Involvement in the Klingon war,

283. endless confrontations with the Federation,

284. they're tired of it.

285. Times are changing.

286. And leaders who refuse to change with them

287. will no longer be leaders.

288. Spock.

289. I am prepared to publicly endorse

290. the opening of talks between our peoples.

291. What do you think the Vulcan people will think of that?

292. They'll be cautious.

293. There are generations of distrust to overcome.

294. But surely, with a man of your influence leading the way...

295. Proconsul, the senate has been recalled into session.

296. Very well.

297. Can we meet again tomorrow?

298. - As you wish. - Good.

299. Jolan true, Spock.

300. Oh.

301. Live long and prosper.

302. It's everything we could have hoped for.

303. It is more than we could have hoped for.

304. But if Neral is ready to publicly endorse reunification...

305. It is hard to believe that he can rise to the rank of senate proconsul

306. without the support of the Romulan traditionalists.

307. That may be true, but I...

308. Then how can he turn his back on them so easily?

309. How can he endorse reunification when it's considered subversive?

310. Because he's not afraid of them. He knows that we'll support him.

311. Captain Picard is correct.

312. It is not logical for the proconsul to support reunification at this time.

313. Why would Neral lie?

314. Perhaps because he's hoping to expose members of your movement.

315. No. This is our chance for acceptance.

316. Finally to be heard.

317. I believe it's the Federation

318. that fears an alliance between Romulus and Vulcan.

319. That is not true.

320. I came here to determine the potential for reunification.

321. In spite of what has occurred, I intend to continue with my efforts.

322. I intend to meet with the proconsul as planned.

323. You let their emotions sway you.

324. On the contrary, I am pursuing the most logical course.

325. You're as skeptical as I am.

326. Is it logical to ignore your own good sense?

327. I fear the influence of Sarek has colored your attitudes, Captain,

328. toward reunification and perhaps toward me.

329. That is the second time you have accused me

330. of speaking with another man's voice.

331. It's true he will always be a part of me.

332. His experience,

333. his spirit.

334. But I speak with my own voice, not his.

335. Curious.

336. That I should hear him so clearly now that he is dead.

337. It is possible that I have brought my argument with Sarek to you, Captain.

338. And if so, I apologize.

339. Is it so important that you win one last argument with him?

340. No, it is not, but it is true that I will miss the arguments.

341. They were, finally, all that we had.

342. But your fight with Sarek is over, Spock.

343. You have none with me.

344. I always had a different vision than my father.

345. The ability to see beyond pure logic.

346. He considered it weak.

347. But I have discovered it to be a source of extraordinary strength.

348. Sarek would have seen this mission of reunification

349. as a fool's errand.

350. Somehow I think it is not.

351. Logic cannot explain why.

352. I only know that I must pursue this.

353. Even if it leads you into a Romulan trap?

354. If the Romulans do have an ulterior motive,

355. it is in the best interest of all concerned

356. that we determine what it is.

357. So I will play the role that they would have me play.

358. Have you had any success, Mr. Data?

359. Negative, Captain.

360. The Romulan Information Net employs a progressive encryption lock.

361. I have been unable to penetrate their security measures.

362. May I assist you, commander?

363. I have had some experience in these matters.

364. By all means, ambassador.

365. The Romulans have incorporated a 43-part cipher key

366. into their entry sequence.

367. Yes, sir. The 29th is the only one I cannot bypass.

368. I think I'll take this opportunity to remove my ears.

369. He intrigues me, this Picard.

370. In what manner, sir?

371. Remarkably analytical and dispassionate for a human.

372. I understand why my father chose to mind-meld with him.

373. There's an almost Vulcan quality to the man.

374. Interesting. I had not considered that.

375. And Captain Picard has been a role model

376. in my quest to be more human.

377. More human?

378. - Yes, ambassador. - Fascinating.

379. You have an efficient intellect,

380. superior physical skills, no emotional impediments.

381. There are Vulcans who aspire all their lives

382. to achieve what you've been given by design.

383. Hm.

384. - You are half human. - Yes.

385. Yet you have chosen a Vulcan way of life.

386. I have.

387. In effect, you have abandoned what I have sought all my life.

388. I believe I have isolated the 29th cipher access code.

389. I shall attempt to access the proconsul's files.

390. Ambassador Spock, may I ask a personal question?

391. Please.

392. As you examine your life,

393. do you find you have missed your humanity?

394. I have no regrets.

395. No regrets. That is a human expression.

396. Yes. Fascinating.

397. Do you know any Klingon opera?

398. I don't get a lot requests for it.

399. Surely, you must know at least one theme

400. from Aktuh and Maylota.

401. I may be a little rusty.

402. What is that dreadful noise?

403. It sounds like a Bardakian pronghorn moose.

404. You know what I want to hear.

405. Yes, yes, I know.

406. Worf to Enterprise.

407. Go ahead.

408. A fat Ferengi has just entered the establishment.

409. - Is that "Melor Famigal" I hear? - It is.

410. I'm on my way.

411. Where's the waiter?

412. Ain't there no waiter in this sorry place?

413. - Is there a problem? - Yes.

414. - I need more napkins. - Use your sleeve.

415. What did you say?

416. Use one of their sleeves, I don't care.

417. Who are you?

418. Commander William Riker, USS Enterprise.

419. Oh. Am I supposed to stand up and salute?

420. We're investigating the disappearance of a Vulcan ship.

421. Well, you've got the wrong Ferengi.

422. I never traded Vulcan ships.

423. We know that you're involved.

424. Who would want a Vulcan ship?

425. Vulcans are pacifists.

426. I deal in warships.

427. Can somebody get me a napkin?

428. Who would want a Vulcan ship?

429. Hypothetically speaking?

430. Hypothetically speaking.

431. I never learned to speak hypothetical.

432. Are you crazy?

433. Let me explain what will happen to you

434. if you don't tell me about the Vulcan ship.

435. Your right of passage through this sector will be revoked,

436. and more than that, I will be very unhappy.

437. I delivered it to a Barolian freighter.

438. - At what coordinates? - I don't remember.

439. Watch it, you're stretching my neck!

440. Coordinates.

441. Galorndon Core, near the Neutral Zone.

442. That's all I know, I swear it.

443. Enjoy your dinner.

444. As soon as I heard this Barolian ship

445. was at the Galorndon Core, I started to think Romulans.

446. And the Romulans are suddenly interested

447. in bonding with the Vulcans.

448. Spock has been meeting with the new senate proconsul

449. about reunification.

450. Reunification?

451. The proconsul says that he is prepared to endorse peace talks.

452. And Spock?

453. The ambassador is skeptical,

454. but he cares a great deal about reunification.

455. As long as there's a chance of success,

456. he's prepared to pursue it.

457. I'm afraid I don't see how a stolen Vulcan ship fits into all this.

458. Neither do I, counselor.

459. How soon can you be at Galorndon Core, Number One?

460. A little over eight hours.

461. Well, this may prove to be a wild goose chase,

462. but I don't see that we have any choice, do you?

463. Agreed.

464. We are losing our Romulan carrier wave, sir.

465. We'll advise you further

466. as soon as you reach your destination, Number One.

467. Picard out.

468. Ensign, set a course for Galorndon Core.

469. Take us to warp 8.

470. Aye, sir.

471. Captain, the Romulan subspace logs identify a transmission

472. from the Romulan surface to a Barolian ship

473. near Galorndon Core 12 hours ago.

474. Galorndon Core is along the Barolian trade route.

475. They traded a great deal with the Romulans.

476. It's probably just routine.

477. This does not appear to be routine.

478. I was able to trace the source of the transmission.

479. It incorporates the code prefix of Romulan intelligence.

480. Can you access it?

481. It is a short sequence of numbers.

482. One, four, zero, zero.

483. - Nothing more? - No, sir.

484. Spock.

485. I've been looking for you.

486. I've been meeting with the proconsul.

487. Does he still speak of reunification?

488. He speaks of nothing else.

489. Have you ever seen these?

490. The syllabic nucleus of the Vulcan language.

491. They were my toys when I was small.

492. Your parents wanted you to learn to understand Vulcan?

493. Yes, as did their parents before them,

494. to prepare us for the day when we would live again

495. with our Vulcan cousins.

496. Your friends from the Federation have returned.

497. They need to see you immediately.

498. I've told Pardek, he'll meet you in the cave.

499. The only communication that was sent were the numbers:

500. One, four, zero, zero.

501. What does it mean?

502. It means that the proconsul

503. has apparently been attempting to deceive me,

504. for what purpose I cannot say yet.

505. But his conversations with me have obviously been part of a greater plan

506. which involves the stolen Vulcan ship.

507. How do you know that, ambassador?

508. The time the proconsul set for the subspace announcement

509. of our peace initiative is 1400 hours tomorrow.

510. One-four-zero-zero.

511. Why would they need a Vulcan ship?

512. That will become clear very shortly.

513. Captain Picard, welcome to Romulus.

514. I trust you've enjoyed your visit.

515. And this is the android I've come to respect in battle.

516. Lieutenant Commander Data.

517. How could they know of this location?

518. Someone has betrayed us.

519. Yes. You did.

520. Spock.

521. We've been friends for 80 years.

522. It is the only logical conclusion.

523. You asked me to come to Romulus,

524. you arranged the meetings with the proconsul

525. and you knew that Picard and Data

526. had returned to the surface with new information.

527. The great Spock.

528. Very well.

529. Senator Pardek your service to the Romulan people

530. is noted and appreciated.

531. Jolan true, Spock.

532. Do not be distressed.

533. Your dream of reunification is not dead,

534. it will simply take a different form.

535. The Romulan conquest of Vulcan.

536. Bring them.

537. First officer's log, supplemental.

538. The Enterprise has reached Galorndon Core

539. near the border of the Neutral Zone.

540. Any signs of life, Mr. La Forge?

541. Negative, commander.

542. The Romulans could have a cloaked base on the surface.

543. Or anywhere else along the Neutral Zone.

544. Sir, a coded subspace signal from Romulus.

545. It's the Captain.

546. What?

547. "Maintain position at Galorndon Core.

548. Diplomatic initiative appears to be succeeding.

549. Will advise."

550. The message did employ the proper coded sequence.

551. Yeah, I'm sure it did.

552. Come in, gentlemen.

553. Take a seat, please.

554. Excuse me, I'm just finishing up a speech for you, Mr. Spock.

555. I rather enjoy writing.

556. I don't get to do it very often in this job.

557. Perhaps you would be happier in another job.

558. Please feel free to change any words that you wish.

559. I've tried to make it sound Vulcan.

560. A lot of unnecessarily long words.

561. In a few hours, you will deliver this statement

562. alongside our senate proconsul.

563. It will announce to the Vulcan people that a peace envoy

564. is on its way from Romulus.

565. We will transmit it on all Federation subspace frequencies.

566. Peace envoy in a stolen Vulcan ship.

567. Actually, three Vulcan ships, Captain.

568. The Enterprise is only aware of the one we stole from Qualor ll.

569. We have been following their investigation.

570. It has forced us to make some minor changes.

571. One of them, a message sent in your name,

572. ordering them to stay where they are.

573. The moment those Vulcan ships enter the Neutral Zone,

574. the Enterprise will move to intercept.

575. In that event, the Enterprise will be given

576. more important matters to attend to.

577. In the meantime, Ambassador Spock

578. will be telling his people to welcome the peace envoy.

579. And when they do, our forces will seize control

580. before anyone realizes what has happened.

581. You seriously believe

582. that the Federation will not immediately intervene?

583. Of course it will and we're fully prepared for it.

584. But we will be there entrenched.

585. And it will be very difficult to get us out once we are.

586. Reunification will become a fact of life.

587. I will not read this or any other statement.

588. If you do not, you will die.

589. All of you will die.

590. Since it is logical to conclude that you will kill us in any event,

591. I choose not to cooperate.

592. I hate Vulcans.

593. I hate the logic. I hate the arrogance.

594. Very well.

595. Computer, holographic program. Spock 1.

596. By taking advantage of holographic sampling during the last few days,

597. we have created a programmable Spock.

598. Run program.

599. This is Ambassador Spock of Vulcan.

600. By now, Federation sensors are tracking three Vulcan ships

601. crossing the Neutral Zone.

602. These ships carry the future of the Romulan and Vulcan people.

603. Our long conflict is finally over.

604. Freeze.

605. We would have preferred an interactive Spock

606. who could have responded to questions,

607. but this will have to suffice.

608. Hard to believe this will convince anyone.

609. I don't need to convince them,

610. just confuse them long enough to reach Vulcan.

611. End program.

612. If you'll excuse me, it's time to send our ships on their journey.

613. Suggestions?

614. Commander Data, are they still unaware

615. that we have access to their computers?

616. I believe so, ambassador.

617. Then perhaps you and I can find a way to create a diversion.

618. Sir, sensors are picking up three vessels crossing the Neutral Zone.

619. - Vulcan ships. - Vulcan?

620. What's their heading, Mr. Worf?

621. One-four-three, mark zero-one-two.

622. That would put them on a course to Vulcan.

623. They don't seem to be in any hurry.

624. They're only moving at warp 1, commander.

625. Worf, signal them on subspace, request their status.

626. Geordi, see if you can tell if it's one of the ships that we've been looking for.

627. They say they are escorting a peace envoy from Romulus to Vulcan.

628. They request we monitor Federation subspace channels.

629. Ambassador Spock will be making an announcement shortly.

630. Perhaps his reunification talks were successful.

631. Geordi?

632. None of the transponder signatures matches that

633. of the missing ship.

634. They could have been altered. I'll keep checking.

635. - Set a course to intercept. - Sir.

636. The Captain's orders were to maintain...

637. I know the Captain's orders, Lieutenant.

638. Engage.

639. Impossible. There's no way they could have gotten out of this room.

640. That's far enough.

641. Stay right where you are. Drop your weapons.

642. - How did you get in here? - Drop your weapons.

643. Drop your weapon.

644. Cease fire.

645. Holograms.

646. I'm afraid I don't know too much about Romulan disruptor settings.

647. Cowboy diplomacy?

648. Well, done, Mr. Data. Though...

649. I don't think you got Commander Riker's hair quite right.

650. I will be more observant in the future, sir.

651. It doesn't matter what you do now.

652. Spock's announcement will be made in minutes.

653. Our forces will be on Vulcan before you can alert anyone.

654. We've just received a priority one distress call

655. from the colony on Dulisian IV.

656. A massive failure of the environmental support systems.

657. They're going to require evacuation.

658. Mr. Worf, any other ships in the vicinity of Dulisian IV?

659. One, sir. A routine archaeological vessel.

660. I'm sure it's not equipped to handle something of this scale, Will.

661. Geordi, any update on the Vulcan ships?

662. I've checked every sensor display backwards and forwards

663. if the Romulans altered them, they didn't leave any fingerprints.

664. I can't tie any of them to the surplus yard.

665. The Vulcan ships have entered Federation space.

666. Maintaining low warp.

667. Lay in a new course to Dulisian IV.

668. Incoming message from Romulus, on all subspace channels.

669. On-screen.

670. This is Ambassador Spock of Vulcan.

671. By now, Federation sensors are tracking three Vulcan ships

672. crossing the Neutral Zone.

673. These ships carry a Romulan invasion force

674. and must be stopped.

675. I repeat, these ships carry a Romulan...

676. Doctor, contact Dulisian IV and confirm this distress call.

677. I have a feeling it may prove to be a false alarm.

678. Mr. Worf, how long before we intercept the Vulcan ships?

679. Fourteen minutes, sir.

680. Communication lines have been terminated at the transmitter,

681. but I am quite certain the message was sent prior to the interruption.

682. Well, done, Mr. Data.

683. You'll never get out of this building.

684. I disagree, commander.

685. After studying the design of this structure,

686. I have determined that our best route of escape

687. would be the underground exit to the east of this wing.

688. I have disconnected certain security scanners to assist us.

689. I am afraid we cannot allow you to warn your guards.

690. Not bad.

691. The Vulcan defense vessels are also responding.

692. The Romulan forces are retreating towards the Neutral Zone.

693. They're not taking those Vulcan ships home with them.

694. - Visual range, commander. - On-screen.

695. Romulan warbird decloaking alongside the Vulcan ships.

696. Red alert.

697. Advise the warbird to withdraw from Federation space

698. and tell them to leave the Vulcan ships where they are.

699. The warbird is powering up its forward disrupter array.

700. Ready phasers.

701. There were over 2000 Romulan troops on board those ships.

702. They destroyed their own invasion force.

703. Rather than let them be taken prisoner.

704. Stand down red alert.

705. Mr. Worf.

706. Advise the Klingon ship to signal us

707. as soon as Captain Picard and Data are safely on board.

708. Aye, sir.

709. This way.

710. Pardek never saw these caves. It's safe.

711. They won't find us here.

712. - What will you do now? - What we have always done.

713. Continue to teach.

714. Pass on the ideals to a new generation.

715. Work for the day when new thoughts may be spoken aloud.

716. The Federation will welcome that day.

717. Captain, we will need to reach our transport site in 14 minutes.

718. - I wish you well. - Thank you, Captain.

719. Captain.

720. I will not be coming with you.

721. - Ambassador... - The reason for my coming here

722. has never been more clear.

723. The union of the Vulcan and the Romulan people

724. will not be achieved by politics or by diplomacy.

725. But it will be achieved.

726. The answer has been here before us all along.

727. An inexorable evolution

728. toward a Vulcan philosophy has already begun.

729. Like the first Vulcans,

730. these people are struggling toward a new enlightenment.

731. And it may take decades or even centuries for them to reach it,

732. but they will reach it.

733. And I must help.

734. I have learned that it is useless to argue with you once your mind is set.

735. Not at all, Captain.

736. I have found our arguments quite useful.

737. Almost as useful as those I had with my father.

738. Would it surprise you to learn

739. that he found them equally valuable?

740. Ironically...

741. you may know Sarek better than his own son does.

742. My father and I never chose to meld.

743. I offer you the chance to touch what he shared with me.