Second Officer's Personal Log, Stardate 44390.1.
Record entry for transmission to Commander Bruce Maddox
Cybernetics Division, Daystrom lnstitute.
Dear Commander Maddox
in reference to your most recent letter
l agree that your study lacks sufficient primary source
information on my programming and operation.
Therefore, in response to your request, this correspondence
will include a complete record
of my activities during a normal day
with particular emphasis on my perceptions of friendship.
Commander Riker, you are 15 minutes early.
Well, it's a very special day.
l thought the father of the bride would enjoy
being relieved early on the wedding day.
Thank you, sir.
Nervous?
l cannot become nervous, sir.
However, l do sense a certain... anticipation
regarding my role in the wedding.
Anything to report?
All systems are normal, sir.
Sick Bay reports that Lieutenant Juarez went into labor at 0400.
We remain at station awaiting the arrival of Starship Zhukov
and guest quarters have been prepared for Ambassador T'Pel.
Thank you.
l have the Bridge.
Aye, sir.
Begin day watch.
lnitially, Commander Maddox
l found it difficult to maintain friendships
since human emotions are often puzzling to me.
Eventually, l developed a program
enabling me to predict human emotional responses
to specific actions.
Come in.
lt is time for the wedding rehearsal.
l know.
Data, l've decided not to go through with it.
You do not wish to rehearse?
No, l'm calling off the wedding.
May l ask why?
lt's just the right thing to do.
Have your feelings for Chief O'Brien changed?
l'm supposed to be getting married, Data.
l should be happy, but l'm not.
l just feel this weight pressing down on me.
Will canceling the wedding make you happy?
Yes.
He'll probably be just as relieved as l am.
Data, you introduced us to each other.
You mean a lot to both of us.
l would really appreciate it
if you would talk to Miles for me.
lf you wish.
My friend Chief O'Brien often says
that above all else, he wants to make Keiko happy.
Since canceling the wedding will make her happy
l must conclude the Chief will be pleased at her decision.
l have good news.
Oh?
Keiko has made a decision
designed to increase her happiness.
She has canceled the wedding.
She what?
Canceled the wedding?!
Today?
Without even a word?
Of all the childish, selfish, irresponsible things to do!
Next time, maybe l should deliver the good news.
Commander Maddox, it would appear that my program
designed to predict emotional responses needs... adjustment.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
lts continuing mission--
to explore strange new worlds
to seek out new life and new civilizations
to boldly go where no one has gone before.
Second Officer's Personal Log, supplemental.
This is the 1,550th day
since the Enterprise was commissioned.
Besides the arrival of Ambassador T'Pel
other events occurring today
include four birthdays, two personal transfers
a celebration of the Hindu Festival of Lights
two chess tournaments, one secondary school play
and four promotions.
Overall, an ordinary day.
The Zhukov is ready for transport, sir.
Energize.
Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Ambassador.
l would meet with your Captain.
Since l am not affected by emotional considerations
l am closer to being Vulcan than human.
However, while their devotion to logic
does have a certain appeal
l find their stark philosophy to be somewhat... limited.
Come.
Ambassador T'Pel.
l come to serve.
Your service honors us.
This is my First Officer, Commander William Riker.
Leave us, please.
Charming woman.
The tone of Commander Riker's voice
makes me suspect that he is not serious
about finding Ambassador T'Pel charming.
My experience suggests that, in fact, he may mean
the exact opposite of what he says.
lrony is a form of expression
l have not yet been able to master.
You don't need a haircut.
You were just in here last week.
Hey, if you'd done it right the first time
l wouldn't need to be back here so soon.
l know you want to look beautiful
but l'm just a barber, not a miracle worker.
Just try to keep my ears on straight today, all right?
Friendly insults and jibes--
another form of human speech that l am attempting to master.
ln this case, with the help of Commander Geordi La Forge.
Hi, Data.
l consider Geordi to be my best friend.
Here for a trim?
My hair does not require trimming, you lunkhead.
What?
My hair does not require trimming...
Lunkhead?
l am experimenting with friendly jibes and insults.
lt was not meant as a serious disparagement.
Well... just don't try it on the Captain.
No.
Geordi, l am still confused
by Chief O'Brien's reaction this morning.
Mm, yeah.
He was just surprised, Data.
He didn't mean to blow up like that.
He knows that Keiko
probably doesn't want to call off the marriage.
She's just getting cold feet.
Cold feet?
Jitters.
A nervous reaction
to an impending event of great importance.
Right.
Don't worry.
Everything's going to be fine.
She'll change her mind again.
She will?
Absolutely.
So, you believe that the marriage will still proceed?
Trust me.
They're going to get married, so you'd better find a gift.
l find Lieutenant Worf
to be what is called a kindred spirit.
We were both orphans rescued by Starfleet officers.
ln many ways, we are both still outsiders in human society.
Are you here to find a wedding gift?
Yes.
l would appreciate your help in selecting an appropriate item.
Of course.
l have attended human weddings before.
Hold.
This is a traditional gift?
Yes, my adoptive parents often give these... things
at family weddings.
A human custom.
Hold.
lt is my understanding that the item selected
should reflect the personality of whoever is giving it.
This does not remind me of you.
Have you ever been an actual participant
in a human wedding?
No.
You would not consider it to be an honor?
An honor, perhaps
but human bonding rituals
often involve a great deal of talking
and dancing and...
crying.
Dancing?
l am rarely in need
of Dr. Beverly Crusher's professional services
as my biomechanical maintenance program
is self-sufficient
but l often observe as she practices medicine on others
and have learned a great deal
about human interaction from her.
Doctor, may l ask a favor of you?
Of course, Data.
Would you teach me to dance?
What?!
l would like to learn how to dance.
Why me?
lt was in your service record--
''Awarded first prize, tap and jazz competition, St. Louis...''
Okay, okay.
Have l said something to upset you?
lt's just that... that was a long time ago
and l don't want to be known as ''The Dancing Doctor...''
again.
Then your answer is no.
All right, but...
let's keep this between you and me.
Of course, Doctor.
Commander Data, please report to the Bridge.
Acknowledged.
Data, l want a tactical projection of possible
Romulan deployments along the Neutral Zone.
Access all Federation records on the subject
and report to my ready room.
Captain, is there a specific area you wish me to study?
No.
Ambassador.
Number One, set a course 130 mark 246, warp seven.
That will take us very close to the Neutral Zone, Captain.
l'm aware of that, Number One.
Proceed.
Lay in the course.
lt is fortunate that l am able to perform my duties
without emotional distractions.
lf that were not the case
a sudden course correction toward the Neutral Zone
would make me very... nervous.
Mr. Data, based on your analysis
what is the current Romulan strategy
behind the deployment of their ships in this sector?
Their ships are deployed
to support a policy of confrontation designed to test
Federation defenses along the Neutral Zone.
Do you predict any change in the near future?
that they will continue to support that policy.
And is there any indication
of a more conciliatory attitude on their part?
No, sir.
Caution is clearly called for, Captain.
However, the mission must proceed as planned.
Starfleet Command agrees with you
but l would feel better if you would consent to an escort
or a...
Thank you, Mr. Data.
Feline supplement... 7 4.
Computer, run fluidic sensor diagnostic.
Diagnostic complete.
All systems functioning within normal parameters.
Come in.
Am l intruding, Commander?
No.
Would you care to sit down?
When one of my friends is distraught, l have learned
that the thoughtful thing to do
is to attempt to make him feel more comfortable.
May l offer you some refreshment, Chief?
No, thank you, sir.
First of all, l'd like to apologize
for this morning in Ten-Forward.
There is no need to apologize.
l was not offended.
Would you like a pillow
or a more comfortable chair to sit upon?
No, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Perhaps you would like some music?
Brahms? Aurelia?
No, really, sir, l'm fine.
l came to ask for your help.
lt's about Keiko.
l'd like you to talk to her--
convince her to go through with the wedding.
Would Counselor Troi not be a more appropriate choice
to speak with Keiko?
She already has.
Didn't help.
You've known her longer than l have.
l just thought she might listen to you.
She won't even talk to me.
l do not know what to say to her.
Just talk with her-- make her see reason.
She's going off half-cocked, not thinking this through.
You've worked with her for a long time.
She respects your opinion.
Perhaps...
Perhaps she has not fully analyzed her decision.
l will try.
Thank you, sir.
l won't forget this.
Commander Maddox, l noted that Keiko
was quite calm and rational
when she informed me of her decision this morning.
Therefore, l can predict that she will respond
to an objective analysis of the situation
based on the available facts.
lt is fortunate that she has not
let emotional considerations cloud her judgment.
lt should make my task much simpler.
What?
l believe you have made
an incorrect analysis of the facts at hand.
What do you mean?
You do not seem happy.
Well...
Your decision was based on the assumption
that canceling the wedding would make you happy.
This has proven to be incorrect.
Data, it's not that simple.
Since your actions
did not produce the desired result
the only advisable solution would be to reexamine
your decision-making process
and look for errors.
l knew what l was doing.
lt's my decision.
That fact is not in dispute.
However, you may have acted with undue haste
and in doing so, unintentionally hurt Chief O'Brien's feelings.
l did what l had to!
Why are you doing this?
l thought you were my friend.
l am your friend.
Then leave me alone.
lf l have offended...
Just leave me alone!
lt is clear that l need guidance
to resolve this situation.
Counselor Troi's advice should be useful.
ln many ways, Deanna Troi
is the friend l understand the least.
Her life and her duties are predicated
on her understanding and perception of emotions.
Since l have none, no doubt she finds me
as much a mystery as l find her.
Chief O'Brien talks to me.
Keiko talks to you.
Why do they not talk to each other?
That's a good question, Data.
l wish l had a good answer for you.
Perhaps, when they're ready, they will.
Hmm.
Many aspects of this situation are puzzling to me.
l have been studying various texts
on the subject of marriage
but l have not found a suitable guide.
A suitable guide for what?
ln an effort to be helpful, l am attempting to calculate
the variables involved in a successful marriage.
Good luck.
There are many opinions.
On Galvin V, a marriage is considered successful
only if children are produced within a year of the marriage.
Andorian marriages require groups of four, unless...
Data, would you like my advice on how to help them?
Don't.
This is something they have to work out for themselves.
But... l am their friend.
Should l not stand with them in a time of difficulty?
There are many ways to help a friend
and sometimes the best way is to leave them alone.
Do you believe it to be the correct decision
for them to marry?
l don't know.
They're very much in love, but sometimes that isn't enough.
Marriage is an agreement
to share who you are with someone else
to spend your lives together, to grow old together.
''To grow old together''?
That is an integral component of marriage?
Usually. Why do you ask?
Although l am an android
l have not excluded the possibility
that l, too, may someday marry.
Data, l had no idea
you'd thought about getting married.
l believe l have much to offer a potential mate
however, we cannot grow old together because...
l will not grow old.
Data...
you do have a lot to offer.
Commander Data, this is Ambassador T'Pel.
Please report to my quarters.
Acknowledged.
Enter.
You have priority three clearance
aboard the Enterprise?
That is correct, Ambassador.
l require information
on the ship's defense and navigational systems.
Access code kappa alpha 4601704.
The code is valid.
What is the field strength of this ship's deflector shields
at maximum output?
May l ask the purpose of your request?
l require this information.
l have the same safeguards as the ship's computer.
Therefore, l must report any inquiry
regarding restricted information to the Captain.
Your reaction suggests you do not wish the Captain
to be informed of your inquiry.
l was not interested in the information.
l was curious as to your security safeguards.
They appear to be adequate.
Cancel the request.
You may leave.
Commander Maddox, l have often wished for the sense
that humans call intuition or instinct.
Since Vulcans are incapable of lying
l must accept the Ambassador's explanation as the truth
but l would still prefer a ''gut feeling''
to back up this conclusion.
Program Crusher four in progress.
Hi, Data.
Well, what do you think?
lt is a re-creation of the studio
l had my first dance lesson in.
lt appears to be quite suitable, Doctor.
Let's start with something simple.
Stomp... hop.
Try it.
Again.
Good.
Good!
Am l dancing, Doctor?
Not quite.
Stop, Data.
Now try this.
Doctor, perhaps
it would be beneficial to teach me the final lesson.
Okay.
That's great.
Watch.
Good.
Triples.
Watch.
Stop, Data.
And you say you've never done this before?
Try this.
Stop, Data!
Not bad.
Yeah, not bad.
Then l have successfully learned to dance?
l'd say you've picked up the basics.
Thank you, Doctor.
l am now prepared to dance at the wedding.
Wedding?
Keiko's wedding.
Data, you never told me this was for the wedding.
ls that important?
Well, yes.
They don't do a lot of tap dancing at weddings.
Why?
Well, Data, because...
l don't really know why, Data.
Look, why don't l just teach you a style of dancing
that they will do at the wedding.
Computer, run...
''lsn't lt Romantic?''
Now, compared to what we've just done
this will be simple.
Just look up and follow me.
One, two, ready and...
No, Data, wait a minute.
Ow!
No, no, you're just moving... move slowly.
Ow! Ow! Stop music!
Sorry, Doctor.
l don't understand, Data.
You picked up the tap dancing so quickly.
l cannot reproduce your performance
if l cannot see your feet.
All right.
Well, let's try it again
and this time, watch my feet.
Computer, start music.
And...
Now, don't just imitate me.
You've got to lead.
Lead where, Doctor?
Well, indicate to your partner where you want her to step.
And how is that accomplished?
l'll show you.
l'll lead.
Now you'll notice that l don't just repeat
the same pattern over and over.
l improvise.
Now you lead.
That's good.
Now look up, Data.
Look into my eyes.
You're holding me too tight.
This is a very complex set of variables
to coordinate, Doctor.
You are doing fine.
Now, smile.
Act like you're enjoying yourself.
Dr. Crusher, please report to Sick Bay.
ls it Lieutenant Juarez?
Yes, Doctor, her contractions are now one minute apart.
l'm on my way.
Why don't you, uh...
program up an artificial dance partner?
And don't be afraid to experiment.
l will.
Thank you, Doctor.
Computer, create dance partner-- female.
Begin music.
Then just as the headsman swings the axe and the blade is...
Commander Riker's easygoing manner
and sense of humor is fascinating to me.
l believe it to be one reason he is so popular among the crew.
lt may also be partly responsible
for his success in matters of love.
There may be a correlation between humor and sex.
The need for more research is clearly indicated.
Commander.
Picard to the Bridge.
All stop.
Aye, sir.
Sir, we have reached the designated coordinates.
Hold this position.
Long range scan.
Captain, l am detecting a ship in the Neutral Zone.
Configuration...
Romulan warbird.
Yellow Alert.
Hail the warbird, Mr. Worf.
Aye, sir.
They are responding.
Text only.
We are to proceed to the agreed coordinates.
Set course 037 mark 005, warp four.
Take us into the Neutral Zone, Ensign.
Captain, the warbird is holding position.
ln three minutes, we will be within phaser range.
Red Alert.
l trust my crew, Ambassador.
They will take no provocative action
unless l order them.
Hold position on these coordinates.
Slow to half impulse.
Open a channel.
Open.
l am Ambassador T'Pel.
l am Admiral Mendak.
There is no established protocol for a meeting of this nature.
The logical course is that l transport
aboard your ship and begin the negotiations.
Yes.
Captain, l note your defensive systems
have been activated.
As have yours.
lt was not meant as an accusation.
lndeed, l salute your show of strength.
Ambassador, we are honored by your presence.
You may transport aboard at your convenience.
The honor is mine.
Have your transporter room stand by.
l will beam aboard their ship with no further delay.
Ambassador, l urge you once more to reconsider.
The Enterprise can accommodate a Romulan delegation
without sacrificing our security or...
Captain Picard, l find your argument illogical.
Please carry out my instructions.
Picard to Chief O'Brien.
O'Brien here.
Prepare to transport Ambassador T'Pel to the Romulan vessel.
Aye, sir.
Mr. Worf, maintain a lock on her signal once she's aboard.
At the first sign of trouble
l want to be able to bring her back.
Understood.
Transporter activated.
Captain...
Transporter emergency!
l'm losing her signal.
Boosting power to autosequencers.
Engaging computer override.
O'Brien, what happened down there?
l'm losing the pattern.
Trying to reestablish.
l'm sorry, sir.
l wasn't able to retrieve the signal.
The Ambassador is dead.
Second Officer's Personal Log, supplemental.
The risks aboard a starship are accepted by all who serve
but l have never failed to observe
a deep emotional response to the loss of a comrade.
lt is at times like this
that l greatly miss the ability to share human feelings.
The signal lock wasn't broken, sir.
l had just entered the transfer sequence
when the Ambassador's pattern began to break up.
l tried to switch to emergency manual control
but the pattern deteriorated too quickly and...
Captain, there is no prior record of this type of accident
occurring aboard a starship.
Backup systems and safeguards
are designed to prevent just such an occurrence.
l can't find any system flaws in the unit, Captain.
The engineering status reports were all normal
none of the backups were activated
and the autosequencers were all functioning normally.
Any prior malfunctions on this transporter unit?
No, sir.
ln fact, we replaced the transition coil only last week.
Could there have been
some sort of interference from the Romulans?
Nothing that l could see.
The shields were down.
There was no power interruption, no subspace bias.
l want this unit pulled, its systems checked again
and l want a level-one diagnostic on all transporters.
Yes, sir.
Her molecular structure
dissipated instantly once the pattern was lost.
There were some organic compounds left on the pad
but there wasn't enough material to do an autopsy.
To die...
on a transporter.
Hardly a fitting end
for one of the Federation's most honored diplomats.
Bridge to Captain Picard.
Admiral Mendak is hailing.
He wishes to speak with you.
We're still waiting, Captain.
ls there a problem?
There's been an accident.
Ambassador T'Pel has been killed in a transporter malfunction.
What kind of malfunction?
We are still investigating that.
As soon as...
l should have known the Federation
wasn't serious about this conference.
Admiral, l assure you
the Federation places the highest priority
on this mission and its goal.
Well played, Captain.
Well played.
Starfleet opposes normalization of relations
with the Romulan Empire
and so you are ordered to create... an ''accident.''
You are mistaken.
l am ready and willing
to discuss the establishment of full diplomatic relations
under the same terms as Ambassador T'Pel.
A generous offer, since you know
that we were willing to negotiate only with T'Pel.
l salute you again, Captain.
lt was a maneuver worthy of a Romulan.
l suggest we both leave the Neutral Zone
before there is another... ''accident.''
Set course for Federation territory.
Warp two.
Engage.
Mr. Data, l want you to take charge of this investigation.
Study computer logs, sensor information, everything.
l refuse to believe that this was a simple malfunction.
Aye, sir.
Captain Picard was the person who first interested me
in the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
l have subsequently become a great admirer
of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes
and his ability to solve mysteries
by careful examination of the available evidence.
l have found Holmes' methodology
of deductive reasoning to be quite useful.
One of his adages is
that once you have eliminated the impossible
whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
l'm sorry, l don't have time
to give you another lesson right now, Data.
That is not my purpose.
l would like to examine the remains of Ambassador T'Pel
left on the transporter pad.
l'm working on the report right now.
Have you compared the genetic code
with the Ambassador's last recorded transporter lD traces?
No, that's not standard procedure. Why?
l could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause.
A wild goose chase?
All right.
Computer, access the transporter lD trace for Ambassador T'Pel.
All right.
There's the genetic record of the Ambassador
when she beamed aboard the Enterprise.
Now, the breakdown of the organic material
found on the transporter pad should be identical.
Mitochondrial structure fits the general parameters.
No change in the nucleotide bases.
Hmm, there's a slight discrepancy
in the base pair sequence.
Chemically, these are identical, however
the organic sample from the transporter
is showing numerous single-bit errors--
like replicated material.
Can you postulate
an explanation for the discrepancy?
l'd say the DNA was either mutated by the transporter
during the re-materialization process...
A supposition not supported by the transporter records.
...or these aren't the remains of the Ambassador.
The only abnormality found during my investigation
was a temporary increase in the matter-to-energy signal ratio.
Due to the circumstances
l decided to investigate the possibility
that a second transporter signal had caused the fluctuation.
Although this is highly improbable
it was the only remaining theory.
A second transporter signal-- from where?
From the Devoras.
Romulan transporters operate
on a similar subspace frequency to our own.
With only minor adjustments, they can be made
to simulate our own transporter carrier wave.
Are you saying they beamed the Ambassador off our own pad?
While simultaneously
a small amount of genetically similar material
was left in the Ambassador's place.
To make us believe that she had died
as a result of the malfunction.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Worf, where is the Devoras now?
The ship is still in the Neutral Zone.
On course 079 mark 125. Speed: warp two.
Heading for home.
The safest and most logical decision in this situation
is to contact Starfleet and await further instructions.
However, based on past experience
Captain Picard will choose that alternative.
Red Alert.
All hands stand to battle stations.
Lay in an intercept course to the Romulan ship.
Shields up.
Load all torpedo bays. Stand by phasers.
Warp factor eight.
Engage.
Open a channel to the Devoras.
Aye, sir.
No response.
The Devoras is dropping out of warp, sir.
Their weapon systems are powering up.
Go to impulse power.
Aye, sir.
Message coming in, sir.
On screen.
Captain, you agreed to leave the Neutral Zone without...
Admiral Mendak
you have taken our Ambassador captive.
l can assure you
there is no one being held captive aboard this ship.
We know about the transporter ''malfunction''
and that you are holding Ambassador T'Pel.
Captain, Romulan warbird de-cloaking to starboard.
l suggest you leave...
now.
Admiral, it is my responsibility
to protect the lives of Federation citizens.
l will not permit this abduction to succeed.
Captain, you're not going
to start an incident which might...
Admiral Mendak, l will take whatever action is necessary
to obtain the return of the Ambassador.
ln the game of poker, there is a moment
when a player must decide if an opponent
is being deceptive or actually holds a winning hand.
This decision is based not only on the odds
but also on an appraisal of the man--
is he bluffing, or does he have the cards?
Fortunately, Captain
l am not ready to start a war...
today.
T'Pel.
Subcommander Selok, actually.
A spy.
A patriot, Captain.
She has performed her service to the Empire
with distinction.
Thank you for your help, Captain.
You see now that we are not holding one of your citizens
and we thank you for returning our sister to us
but my patience has limits.
The game is over.
l expect you to leave peacefully... now.
Captain, long-range sensors
detect three Romulan warbirds entering the sector.
Some days you get the bear
and some days, the bear gets you.
Reverse course.
Take us back into Federation territory.
Warp six.
Engage.
Keiko, l need your help.
l have offended you
and need to find a way to rectify my mistake.
l am not sure what to do.
You haven't offended me.
l should not have interfered.
lt would be best if l apologize.
lt would be best if you got dressed.
For the wedding.
Oh.
But...?
Come here.
l have the most beautiful carnation
for the father of the bride.
Now, don't be nervous.
l am not nervous.
l am confused.
Since the days of the first wooden sailing ships
all Captains have enjoyed the happy privilege
of joining together two people
in the bonds of matrimony.
And so
it is my honor to unite you, Keiko lshikawa
and you, Miles Edward O'Brien, together in matrimony...
There are still many human emotions
l do not fully comprehend-- anger, hatred, revenge--
but l am not mystified by the desire to be loved...
...or the need for friendship.
These are things l do understand.
Congratulations!
l was looking for Dr. Crusher.
Shh.
The Juarez child?
Mm-hmm... a boy.
At the same time we were facing destruction
this small miracle was taking place.
Welcome aboard.
All systems normal, sir.
We are on course for Adelphous lV.
Engineering is realigning the main deflector dish
Sick Bay reports Lieutenant Umbato
broke two ribs during a holodeck exercise
and sensors continue to gather long-range information
on the Murasaki quasar.
Very well.
l have the Bridge.
Aye, sir.
lf being human is not simply a matter
of being born flesh and blood
if it is instead a way of thinking, acting and feeling
then l am hopeful that one day
l will discover my own humanity.
Begin night watch.
Until then, Commander Maddox, l will continue
learning, changing, growing
and trying to become more than what l am.