1 00:00:05,088 --> 00:00:09,176 Tarchannen III investigation, stardate 40164.7. 2 00:00:09,301 --> 00:00:13,931 Ensign Anthony Brevelle recording. Lt Susanna Leijten in command. 3 00:00:14,056 --> 00:00:16,683 - You up and running, Brevelle? - Yes. 4 00:00:16,808 --> 00:00:20,187 I checked buildings four and five. Just like the others. 5 00:00:20,312 --> 00:00:25,275 No phaser hits, no sign of a fight, it's like the outpost just vanished. 6 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:30,030 You'd better come see this. No footprints, no vehicle tracks. 7 00:00:30,155 --> 00:00:34,284 The wind probably erased them. But look... 8 00:00:34,409 --> 00:00:36,870 Freeze visual. 9 00:00:36,995 --> 00:00:39,873 That's Hickman on the right, Mendez on the left. 10 00:00:39,998 --> 00:00:43,961 As noted, the recording was made by Ensign Brevelle five years ago. 11 00:00:44,086 --> 00:00:48,715 You said before Brevelle deserted Starbase 112 last week, 12 00:00:48,841 --> 00:00:51,718 he'd been ill for several days. What about Mendez? 13 00:00:51,844 --> 00:00:55,848 Mendez was seen on the Aries an hour before she disappeared. 14 00:00:55,973 --> 00:00:58,809 According to witnesses, she seemed normal. 15 00:00:58,934 --> 00:00:59,852 And Hickman? 16 00:00:59,977 --> 00:01:03,856 He just passed a routine physical on Alia IV with flying colors. 17 00:01:03,981 --> 00:01:08,610 No, wait, I know Paul Hickman. He's a family man with two kids. 18 00:01:08,735 --> 00:01:11,196 He wouldn't steal a shuttle and desert. 19 00:01:11,321 --> 00:01:14,658 He was spotted by a supply ship yesterday, 20 00:01:14,783 --> 00:01:16,785 on course to Tarchannen III. 21 00:01:16,910 --> 00:01:20,080 The original disappearances were never solved? 22 00:01:20,205 --> 00:01:25,377 No. We never learned what happened or why. 49 people, gone. 23 00:01:25,502 --> 00:01:29,965 And five years later the away team investigating their disappearances 24 00:01:30,090 --> 00:01:32,509 have started to disappear themselves. 25 00:01:33,260 --> 00:01:35,846 Geordi and I are the only two left. 26 00:02:07,336 --> 00:02:10,506 Space, the final frontier. 27 00:02:12,049 --> 00:02:16,011 These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. 28 00:02:16,136 --> 00:02:20,474 Its continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds... 29 00:02:21,558 --> 00:02:25,145 ...to seek out new life and new civilizations... 30 00:02:26,230 --> 00:02:29,775 ...to boldly go where no one has gone before. 31 00:03:27,082 --> 00:03:30,752 Captain's log, stardate 44664.5. 32 00:03:30,878 --> 00:03:34,965 We have set a course to intercept Lt Hickman's stolen shuttlecraft, 33 00:03:35,090 --> 00:03:39,928 and, hopefully, to discover the whereabouts of the missing officers. 34 00:03:40,053 --> 00:03:43,765 And then, I almost married Paul Bogrow. 35 00:03:43,891 --> 00:03:47,019 Bogrow? Bogrow, now, which one was he? 36 00:03:47,144 --> 00:03:50,939 You remember. The one with the thin moustache. 37 00:03:52,816 --> 00:03:55,402 - Not Bogrow! - I know. 38 00:03:55,527 --> 00:03:57,988 The one who always used to drive you crazy? 39 00:04:00,616 --> 00:04:03,619 You always thought he was so full of himself. 40 00:04:03,744 --> 00:04:06,705 Well, I decided that I had prejudged him unfairly. 41 00:04:06,830 --> 00:04:10,167 And then I decided that I'd been right in the first place. 42 00:04:14,838 --> 00:04:16,965 What about you? 43 00:04:17,090 --> 00:04:20,427 I enjoy the bachelor's life too much. 44 00:04:20,552 --> 00:04:26,016 Doesn't sound like my little brother who always wanted advice on women. 45 00:04:26,141 --> 00:04:32,272 Yeah, obviously you were a... a great advisor. 46 00:04:38,987 --> 00:04:40,614 Well, Suz... 47 00:04:40,739 --> 00:04:44,493 - What do you think? - I don't know. 48 00:04:44,618 --> 00:04:48,914 But I'm not ashamed to tell you, I'm a little scared, you know? 49 00:04:49,039 --> 00:04:52,751 Yeah,... I know. 50 00:04:55,003 --> 00:04:56,755 If anyone can figure this out, 51 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:59,299 it'll be the Leijten and La Forge show. 52 00:04:59,424 --> 00:05:02,010 - Yeah. - We always made a good team. 53 00:05:02,135 --> 00:05:04,471 A hell of a team. 54 00:05:05,639 --> 00:05:09,017 Cmdr La Forge, Cmdr Leijten, to the bridge. 55 00:05:09,142 --> 00:05:11,478 We have a fix on the missing shuttle. 56 00:05:11,603 --> 00:05:13,647 On our way, Commander. 57 00:05:14,648 --> 00:05:19,695 - Entering the Tarchannen system. - Slow to impulse power. Mr. Worf? 58 00:05:19,820 --> 00:05:22,406 Long-range sensors holding on the shuttle, 59 00:05:22,531 --> 00:05:25,284 bearing 010 mark 271. 60 00:05:25,409 --> 00:05:27,452 Hail the vessel. 61 00:05:28,328 --> 00:05:30,330 Lt Hickman does not respond, sir. 62 00:05:32,499 --> 00:05:34,835 Put a repeating message on all channels. 63 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:38,505 Order him to come about and stand to. Priority one. 64 00:05:40,841 --> 00:05:45,637 - Still no response, sir. - The craft is now in visual range. 65 00:05:45,762 --> 00:05:47,556 On screen. 66 00:05:49,641 --> 00:05:51,518 The shuttle is accelerating. 67 00:05:51,643 --> 00:05:55,397 Its trajectory is moving directly into the planet's atmosphere. 68 00:05:58,025 --> 00:06:02,279 He will reach an atmospheric interface at an altitude of 210kms. 69 00:06:02,404 --> 00:06:05,115 If he stays at that speed, he'll self-destruct. 70 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:07,951 - Correct, Commander. - How soon, Mr. Data? 71 00:06:08,076 --> 00:06:11,538 - 53 seconds, sir. - Options? 72 00:06:12,623 --> 00:06:14,500 He's out of transporter range. 73 00:06:16,376 --> 00:06:19,421 He's too far away to get a lock with the tractor beam. 74 00:06:19,546 --> 00:06:22,758 - Open a channel. - Open. 75 00:06:22,883 --> 00:06:25,093 Lt Hickman, listen carefully. 76 00:06:25,219 --> 00:06:28,055 This is Capt Picard of the Enterprise. 77 00:06:28,180 --> 00:06:31,767 You are in danger. Slow your rate of approach. 78 00:06:32,434 --> 00:06:35,521 The shuttle is approaching the outer thermosphere. 79 00:06:35,646 --> 00:06:38,690 - He's panicking. - At current acceleration, 80 00:06:38,815 --> 00:06:41,485 the shuttle will be destroyed in 28 seconds. 81 00:06:48,951 --> 00:06:53,789 - 16 seconds to impact. - Lt Hickman, do what I tell you. 82 00:06:53,914 --> 00:06:59,503 Reduce velocity, bring your craft to a positive pitch of 20 degrees. Now! 83 00:07:00,379 --> 00:07:03,090 The shuttle is entering the lower ionosphere. 84 00:07:23,318 --> 00:07:27,197 Sensors detect two more Federation shuttlecraft on the surface. 85 00:07:27,322 --> 00:07:28,949 No life signs. 86 00:07:32,744 --> 00:07:37,249 - Number One, prepare your away team. - Worf, Data, Geordi. 87 00:07:37,374 --> 00:07:39,918 I'd like to volunteer to join you, sir. 88 00:07:40,043 --> 00:07:41,670 Commander. 89 00:08:15,245 --> 00:08:17,414 Leijten, Geordi, check the shuttle. 90 00:08:17,539 --> 00:08:19,750 Data, Worf, you've got the perimeter. 91 00:08:28,342 --> 00:08:31,136 It's the shuttle pod Mendez stole from the Aries. 92 00:09:35,617 --> 00:09:37,661 No life signs, Commander. 93 00:09:44,418 --> 00:09:46,837 Sir, I am certain we are being watched. 94 00:09:48,547 --> 00:09:50,591 Cmdr Riker. 95 00:09:51,508 --> 00:09:53,552 Found it in the shuttle. 96 00:09:56,305 --> 00:09:58,348 Where's Cmdr Leijten? 97 00:09:59,099 --> 00:10:01,143 Riker to Susanna, report. 98 00:10:04,146 --> 00:10:06,190 Fan out. Let's find her. 99 00:10:23,832 --> 00:10:25,459 Susanna! 100 00:10:32,466 --> 00:10:33,884 La Forge to Leijten. 101 00:10:36,303 --> 00:10:38,347 Over here. 102 00:10:45,979 --> 00:10:48,023 Where have you been? 103 00:10:49,775 --> 00:10:51,985 Mendez and Brevelle are alive. 104 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:55,697 - You saw the footprints? - Yeah. 105 00:10:55,906 --> 00:10:58,825 - But they're not human. - They're here. 106 00:10:59,117 --> 00:11:01,787 Just stand still and listen. 107 00:11:02,454 --> 00:11:04,623 You can feel it. They're here. 108 00:11:09,127 --> 00:11:11,171 I'm not picking up anything. 109 00:11:13,131 --> 00:11:15,592 Wait a minute. Where are you going? 110 00:11:20,138 --> 00:11:23,392 - Stay away! - Suz,... 111 00:11:27,354 --> 00:11:31,733 La Forge to Enterprise, medical emergency. Two to sickbay! 112 00:11:49,293 --> 00:11:55,632 - Do I look as bad as I feel? - You look fine... now. 113 00:11:55,757 --> 00:11:59,303 - What happened? - Your blood chemistry is way off. 114 00:11:59,428 --> 00:12:02,681 You had a histamine response. To what, I don't know. 115 00:12:02,806 --> 00:12:05,142 I'm running a blood and tissue analysis. 116 00:12:05,267 --> 00:12:07,186 I need to get back to the surface. 117 00:12:08,437 --> 00:12:12,274 Until I have some answers, I don't want you to leave the Enterprise. 118 00:12:12,399 --> 00:12:15,027 - I have work to do. - Look, Commander, 119 00:12:15,152 --> 00:12:18,405 you may have just had an anxiety reaction down there, 120 00:12:18,530 --> 00:12:20,866 but I've got to know for sure. 121 00:12:20,991 --> 00:12:23,827 Might not be such a bad idea to take it easy. 122 00:12:23,952 --> 00:12:27,915 I won't stay locked up on this ship while the investigation's going on. 123 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:30,083 Your devotion to duty is admirable, 124 00:12:30,209 --> 00:12:33,378 but Dr Crusher is right, you'll remain on board 125 00:12:33,504 --> 00:12:37,508 until we know if this is connected with the disappearances. 126 00:12:37,633 --> 00:12:41,261 - Captain... - We've surveyed the surface. 127 00:12:41,386 --> 00:12:44,848 Analyzing all that data will keep us busy for a while. 128 00:12:44,973 --> 00:12:46,642 Yes, sir, I understand. 129 00:12:46,767 --> 00:12:50,479 Data's got a preliminary report if you're up to it. 130 00:12:50,604 --> 00:12:53,440 Sure. Let's get going. 131 00:12:59,780 --> 00:13:04,117 - What about La Forge? - I gave him a complete bioscan. 132 00:13:04,243 --> 00:13:06,912 The results say he's in perfect shape. 133 00:13:08,914 --> 00:13:12,042 That's what the reports said about Mendez and Hickman 134 00:13:12,167 --> 00:13:13,710 before they disappeared. 135 00:13:17,339 --> 00:13:22,052 Capt Picard's wrong. The best way is to go back with a dozen away teams, 136 00:13:22,177 --> 00:13:25,222 fan out from the shuttle, cover a lot of ground fast. 137 00:13:25,347 --> 00:13:29,184 - Use proximity detectors, sensors... - Susanna. 138 00:13:31,728 --> 00:13:36,650 It's started! What if what happened to the others is happening to me? 139 00:13:36,775 --> 00:13:38,151 You don't know that. 140 00:13:42,823 --> 00:13:46,451 Suz, I'm here 141 00:13:46,577 --> 00:13:50,289 and I'm not gonna let anything happen to you, OK? 142 00:13:50,873 --> 00:13:53,208 OK. Come on. 143 00:13:59,965 --> 00:14:02,676 During examination of the torn uniform, 144 00:14:02,801 --> 00:14:06,555 I discovered these alien skin cells. 145 00:14:06,680 --> 00:14:09,683 - Source? - Undetermined. 146 00:14:09,808 --> 00:14:13,645 Without something to compare, it'll take weeks to identify them. 147 00:14:13,770 --> 00:14:16,023 Fortunately, we have more evidence. 148 00:14:16,148 --> 00:14:17,316 We determined 149 00:14:17,441 --> 00:14:22,362 that these footprints were not made by any known Tarchannen life form. 150 00:14:22,487 --> 00:14:27,576 If we're pursuing a theory that somehow unknown aliens are involved, 151 00:14:27,701 --> 00:14:30,579 I should tell you that we didn't find tracks like that 152 00:14:30,704 --> 00:14:35,792 - during the original investigation. - The planet has frequent sandstorms. 153 00:14:35,918 --> 00:14:39,379 Prints might have been obliterated prior to your arrival. 154 00:14:39,505 --> 00:14:43,133 Dr Crusher and l will search the medical database 155 00:14:43,258 --> 00:14:47,262 in an attempt to match these with some known life form. 156 00:14:51,266 --> 00:14:53,101 Aliens or no aliens, 157 00:14:53,227 --> 00:14:56,980 why would our people return after five years, to be abducted? 158 00:14:57,814 --> 00:15:01,652 Some sort of compulsion, like a post-hypnotic command. 159 00:15:01,777 --> 00:15:04,738 Something that happened while we were there before? 160 00:15:05,489 --> 00:15:08,742 We can take the records and chart everyone's movements. 161 00:15:08,867 --> 00:15:13,163 Look for some commonality, something we all touched. 162 00:15:13,288 --> 00:15:17,626 Maybe... a plant, or... the sand. 163 00:15:19,253 --> 00:15:24,216 Or even something we ingested. It could even be in the air itself. 164 00:15:31,473 --> 00:15:33,308 The parameters are broad, Data. 165 00:15:33,433 --> 00:15:36,770 Any match we make will be inconclusive at best. 166 00:15:36,895 --> 00:15:41,859 I am aware of that. I see no other reasonable course of investigation 167 00:15:41,984 --> 00:15:45,070 available to us. We may not have much time. 168 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:49,283 You're worried about Geordi, aren't you? 169 00:15:49,408 --> 00:15:51,743 I am an android. It is not possible for me... 170 00:15:51,869 --> 00:15:53,412 For you to feel anxiety. 171 00:15:55,455 --> 00:15:58,959 Starfleet personnel have vanished. Others may be at risk. 172 00:15:59,084 --> 00:16:01,545 We must try to find out why. 173 00:16:04,590 --> 00:16:07,342 However, I am... 174 00:16:09,887 --> 00:16:13,348 ..strongly motivated to solve this mystery. 175 00:16:20,939 --> 00:16:22,566 Ensign Hickman. 176 00:16:45,631 --> 00:16:47,674 Freeze visuals. 177 00:16:50,719 --> 00:16:52,387 We're wasting our time. 178 00:16:53,096 --> 00:16:54,723 That's not how you felt before. 179 00:16:54,848 --> 00:16:57,267 It was your idea to look for a commonality. 180 00:16:57,392 --> 00:16:59,645 Yeah, well, I was wrong. 181 00:16:59,770 --> 00:17:02,856 We're not going to find anything this way. 182 00:17:02,981 --> 00:17:05,275 We should go back to the planet. 183 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,195 It's all down there, everything we need to know. 184 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:09,988 That's just not an option. 185 00:17:10,113 --> 00:17:13,200 At least, not until Capt Picard says it is. 186 00:17:17,412 --> 00:17:19,456 Computer, resume. 187 00:17:22,626 --> 00:17:25,963 I can't look at that any more. It hurts my eyes. 188 00:17:26,088 --> 00:17:29,591 I can't think. My mind feels like it's wrapped up in a blanket. 189 00:17:30,759 --> 00:17:34,847 - Take a break. I'll work on this. - I don't need a break! 190 00:17:35,681 --> 00:17:37,933 I need to get off the ship. 191 00:17:39,685 --> 00:17:43,355 Susanna, why don't we... go and see Dr Crusher? 192 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:46,358 Forget Crusher and forget your logs! 193 00:17:47,401 --> 00:17:51,780 Tarchannen's down there, Geordi. It's waiting for us. 194 00:17:51,905 --> 00:17:54,116 That's where we should go. 195 00:17:54,241 --> 00:17:59,037 Susanna,... you can't leave. 196 00:18:00,831 --> 00:18:01,832 Susanna! 197 00:18:37,659 --> 00:18:41,079 Blood pressure's still falling. Apply T-cell stimulator. 198 00:18:41,205 --> 00:18:43,832 We have got to stabilize her immune system. 199 00:18:48,754 --> 00:18:51,965 She has developed an extreme sensitivity to light. 200 00:18:52,090 --> 00:18:54,676 We're trying to make her comfortable. 201 00:19:07,773 --> 00:19:09,816 Oh,... God! 202 00:19:11,902 --> 00:19:13,946 Geordi? 203 00:19:18,242 --> 00:19:20,285 Susanna,... 204 00:19:21,745 --> 00:19:24,540 ..hold on. OK? 205 00:19:25,999 --> 00:19:28,752 Dr Crusher... will help you, 206 00:19:28,877 --> 00:19:32,548 ..so... just hold on. 207 00:19:33,423 --> 00:19:36,510 It's inside of me, Geordi. 208 00:19:37,302 --> 00:19:39,763 I can't fight it. 209 00:19:39,888 --> 00:19:43,851 - It's winning. - Don't give up. 210 00:19:43,976 --> 00:19:46,019 Do you hear me? 211 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,358 You can't give up, Suz. 212 00:20:01,368 --> 00:20:06,123 This is one of Susanna's altered skin cells and an alien cell Data found. 213 00:20:06,248 --> 00:20:09,042 Almost identical. How do you explain that? 214 00:20:09,168 --> 00:20:14,423 The people from Tarchannen III who disappeared weren't abducted. 215 00:20:14,548 --> 00:20:18,135 I think they were transformed into another species. 216 00:20:18,260 --> 00:20:19,720 Can you stop it? 217 00:20:19,845 --> 00:20:23,015 The T-cell stimulator will slow down the rate of change, 218 00:20:23,140 --> 00:20:25,058 but until I find the cause... 219 00:20:25,184 --> 00:20:27,060 - Is the Enterprise at risk? - No. 220 00:20:27,186 --> 00:20:30,606 I checked the cell-wall integrity. Its viability is low. 221 00:20:30,731 --> 00:20:34,943 - I don't think she can transmit it. - Then how did she get it? 222 00:20:35,068 --> 00:20:37,112 I wish I knew. 223 00:20:38,530 --> 00:20:41,116 The only thing I do know, Geordi,... 224 00:20:41,825 --> 00:20:45,078 ..is that it's very possible that you will be next. 225 00:20:55,005 --> 00:20:57,257 But... 226 00:20:57,382 --> 00:21:00,636 I had two full bioscans today. 227 00:21:00,761 --> 00:21:02,054 You said I was fine. 228 00:21:02,179 --> 00:21:06,475 I gave Susanna a bioscan, too. I didn't find anything wrong with her. 229 00:21:09,895 --> 00:21:11,939 How long? 230 00:21:12,064 --> 00:21:15,609 Brevelle was sick for days before he left. 231 00:21:15,734 --> 00:21:19,363 Mendez was normal an hour before she disappeared. 232 00:21:19,488 --> 00:21:22,616 You may have weeks or very few hours. 233 00:21:26,453 --> 00:21:29,623 Then there's no time to waste. I should get back to work. 234 00:21:29,748 --> 00:21:32,960 Geordi, until I know what we're dealing with, 235 00:21:33,085 --> 00:21:35,546 I think you should stay here in sickbay. 236 00:21:35,671 --> 00:21:38,966 You said that it would help if you knew the source. 237 00:21:39,091 --> 00:21:42,594 If I continue analyzing the records, I might find an answer. 238 00:21:42,719 --> 00:21:47,307 Mr. La Forge,... what if you begin to change? 239 00:21:47,432 --> 00:21:50,644 What if you feel compelled to go down to the planet? 240 00:21:50,769 --> 00:21:53,564 Program the computer to monitor my movements. 241 00:21:53,689 --> 00:21:56,650 That way we can be sure that I don't leave the ship. 242 00:21:59,069 --> 00:22:00,737 What would you do, Captain? 243 00:22:00,863 --> 00:22:02,948 Would you sit it out here in sickbay, 244 00:22:03,073 --> 00:22:06,451 or try to learn what it is that's got you, 245 00:22:06,577 --> 00:22:08,620 and maybe stop it? 246 00:22:11,331 --> 00:22:14,459 Very well. You proceed with your investigation, 247 00:22:14,585 --> 00:22:18,338 but report for a bioscan at the start of the day watch. 248 00:22:18,463 --> 00:22:19,256 Aye, sir. 249 00:22:19,381 --> 00:22:24,970 Geordi, if you have symptoms of any kind, I want to know immediately. 250 00:22:27,264 --> 00:22:28,849 Understood. 251 00:22:34,521 --> 00:22:36,565 One to transport. 252 00:22:39,693 --> 00:22:41,820 I'll make another sweep. 253 00:22:41,945 --> 00:22:44,990 La Forge, building four. Mendez and Brevelle, two. 254 00:22:45,115 --> 00:22:46,742 I'll take five. 255 00:22:52,289 --> 00:22:55,459 Alright, Computer, analyze audio elements 256 00:22:55,584 --> 00:23:02,466 from time index 1447 to 1558. 257 00:23:02,591 --> 00:23:03,926 List all anomalies. 258 00:23:04,593 --> 00:23:06,803 No audio anomalies present. 259 00:23:06,929 --> 00:23:12,392 Any subspace projections? Z-particle emissions? 260 00:23:12,518 --> 00:23:14,811 Interferometric frequencies? 261 00:23:15,020 --> 00:23:19,691 No subspace projections present. No Z-particle emissions present. 262 00:23:19,816 --> 00:23:22,653 No interferometric patterns present. 263 00:23:22,778 --> 00:23:24,404 Damn! 264 00:23:31,495 --> 00:23:34,498 May I ask how your investigation is proceeding? 265 00:23:34,623 --> 00:23:36,583 It's not. 266 00:23:36,708 --> 00:23:40,212 - You attempted an audio analysis? - Yes, Data. 267 00:23:40,337 --> 00:23:45,884 And a spectrographic analysis, and a screen for ionizing radiation. 268 00:23:46,009 --> 00:23:49,471 I even ran an enhancement for micro-seismic disturbances. 269 00:23:49,596 --> 00:23:51,557 I've tried it all, OK? 270 00:24:02,359 --> 00:24:04,111 I'm sorry. 271 00:24:04,236 --> 00:24:06,613 There is no need for an apology. 272 00:24:06,738 --> 00:24:09,491 Perhaps if you indulged in a brief rest period, 273 00:24:09,616 --> 00:24:13,328 you could approach this problem with a fresh point of view. 274 00:24:13,453 --> 00:24:14,788 You're probably right, 275 00:24:14,913 --> 00:24:18,625 but I've got to keep scanning these records while I can. 276 00:24:20,502 --> 00:24:21,837 May I assist you? 277 00:24:21,962 --> 00:24:24,756 If I knew what I was looking for. 278 00:24:25,674 --> 00:24:31,138 Really, Data,... I think it's just a matter of me going over it, 279 00:24:31,263 --> 00:24:33,724 maybe finding something I forgot. 280 00:24:34,433 --> 00:24:36,852 I'll let you know if I come across anything. 281 00:24:43,984 --> 00:24:45,194 Alright, Computer. 282 00:24:47,321 --> 00:24:48,947 One more time. 283 00:24:55,871 --> 00:24:58,624 - Sorry to disturb you... - What's happened? 284 00:24:58,749 --> 00:25:00,876 I thought you should see this. 285 00:25:04,963 --> 00:25:07,090 Her skin is simulating light! 286 00:25:08,217 --> 00:25:11,929 A radiant reaction. Some sort of mimetic ability? 287 00:25:12,054 --> 00:25:15,766 That's not all. Her body temperature is dropping. 288 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:19,269 It's as if she's generating a disruptive field. 289 00:25:19,394 --> 00:25:21,605 I can barely get any readings off her. 290 00:25:21,730 --> 00:25:24,441 - Her rate of transformation? - Increasing. 291 00:25:24,566 --> 00:25:28,529 Impossible! It should have been inhibited by the T-cell stimulator. 292 00:25:29,613 --> 00:25:31,240 Unless... 293 00:25:33,742 --> 00:25:38,288 If there's a foreign body inside her that's producing these changes, 294 00:25:38,413 --> 00:25:41,124 something like a viral cr?che. 295 00:25:41,250 --> 00:25:44,169 A very small one if our scans haven't found it. 296 00:25:44,294 --> 00:25:46,880 I want a full genetic analysis. 297 00:25:47,005 --> 00:25:51,552 We'll examine any abnormality, no matter how insignificant it seems. 298 00:25:55,806 --> 00:25:59,726 - One to transport. - Computer, delete the audio. 299 00:26:05,816 --> 00:26:07,943 Wait a minute. Freeze visual. 300 00:26:12,072 --> 00:26:15,951 - Whose shadow is that? - Please restate question. 301 00:26:18,912 --> 00:26:21,915 Computer, the shadow currently displayed 302 00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:25,169 in section B-3, what is its source? 303 00:26:25,294 --> 00:26:26,920 Unknown. 304 00:26:27,045 --> 00:26:30,090 Come on, it's gotta belong to somebody. 305 00:26:30,215 --> 00:26:35,387 Computer, replay a visual of the last time index. 306 00:26:35,512 --> 00:26:39,266 No audio,... and slow to 50 percent. 307 00:26:50,527 --> 00:26:51,695 OK. 308 00:26:51,820 --> 00:26:54,656 Brevelle's behind the camera. Susanna and I head off 309 00:26:54,781 --> 00:26:59,161 in that direction. Mendez moves off that way. Freeze visual. 310 00:27:02,206 --> 00:27:05,792 Now,... magnify four times. 311 00:27:06,627 --> 00:27:09,546 And spectrally enhance those shadows. 312 00:27:11,507 --> 00:27:16,094 Do you have sufficient data to compile a holographic simulation? 313 00:27:16,887 --> 00:27:21,350 A simulation would be limited to areas scanned by the recording. 314 00:27:21,475 --> 00:27:26,104 Fine. Scan the entire record and recreate it on holodeck three. 315 00:27:30,234 --> 00:27:33,237 Computer, is the Tarchannen simulation ready? 316 00:27:33,362 --> 00:27:37,324 Affirmative. Program complete. Enter when ready. 317 00:28:20,159 --> 00:28:27,374 Computer,... scan Starfleet records and create a simulation of Brevelle. 318 00:28:28,458 --> 00:28:31,170 Place him where he was while recording this. 319 00:28:40,554 --> 00:28:43,473 OK. Good. 320 00:28:43,599 --> 00:28:47,811 Computer, based on their speed and direction, 321 00:28:47,936 --> 00:28:50,314 can you extrapolate each one's movements 322 00:28:50,439 --> 00:28:53,942 as they walk out of the recording device's field of view? 323 00:28:54,067 --> 00:28:57,237 Affirmative, with an increasing probability of error 324 00:28:57,362 --> 00:29:00,782 reaching 95 percent after ten seconds. 325 00:29:00,908 --> 00:29:04,077 Understood. Run simulation. 326 00:29:05,204 --> 00:29:07,456 I want to make another sweep. 327 00:29:07,581 --> 00:29:11,126 La Forge, building four. Mendez and Brevelle, two. 328 00:29:11,251 --> 00:29:13,253 I'll take five. 329 00:29:17,257 --> 00:29:18,675 Computer, freeze. 330 00:29:19,676 --> 00:29:24,139 It's all happening too fast. Computer, reverse simulation. 331 00:29:24,264 --> 00:29:27,226 Run it back to time index 1472. 332 00:29:34,024 --> 00:29:35,734 Freeze program. 333 00:29:41,865 --> 00:29:44,493 Computer,... remove La Forge. 334 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:51,792 And... now remove Leijten. 335 00:29:58,340 --> 00:30:01,009 And now... remove Mendez. 336 00:30:28,245 --> 00:30:34,877 Computer, using vector analysis, identify the source of this shadow. 337 00:30:35,002 --> 00:30:39,089 There is no object in the program which could generate the shadow. 338 00:30:40,841 --> 00:30:41,884 There... 339 00:30:43,051 --> 00:30:47,097 ..there has to be something 340 00:30:47,222 --> 00:30:51,894 between the camera light and this wall. 341 00:30:56,148 --> 00:30:57,566 Computer,... 342 00:30:59,651 --> 00:31:03,906 ..given the distance between the light and the wall, 343 00:31:04,031 --> 00:31:10,120 can you determine the most likely shape and position 344 00:31:10,245 --> 00:31:12,956 of the object causing this shadow? 345 00:31:13,081 --> 00:31:16,668 Insufficient data to reconstruct the requested object. 346 00:31:20,088 --> 00:31:20,964 Alright. 347 00:31:24,384 --> 00:31:29,765 Let's say that my friend and I here are about the same size, say... 348 00:31:32,684 --> 00:31:39,441 1.7 m. Now, can you extrapolate its shape and its position? 349 00:31:39,566 --> 00:31:42,194 - Affirmative. - Do it! 350 00:32:32,536 --> 00:32:34,997 There, in the thymus. 351 00:32:40,878 --> 00:32:42,838 Some sort of parasite. 352 00:32:44,965 --> 00:32:50,971 It's using Susanna's immune system to spread genetic instructions. 353 00:32:51,096 --> 00:32:55,392 - How did it get there? - Maybe during the original mission. 354 00:32:55,517 --> 00:32:59,479 It's small enough to enter through any mucous membrane. 355 00:33:00,898 --> 00:33:04,109 But it isn't behaving like a typical parasite. 356 00:33:04,234 --> 00:33:09,031 It isn't feeding off of her. It transforms her DNA to match its own. 357 00:33:09,156 --> 00:33:11,533 There's not much of her original DNA left. 358 00:33:11,658 --> 00:33:16,330 We're gonna need unaltered genes or we're never gonna get her back. 359 00:33:17,414 --> 00:33:20,542 We've got to get that thing out of her now. 360 00:33:37,267 --> 00:33:39,311 - Any luck? - Negative, Commander. 361 00:33:39,436 --> 00:33:42,606 Nothing suggests the source of a parasitic infection. 362 00:33:42,731 --> 00:33:43,899 Crusher to bridge. 363 00:33:44,024 --> 00:33:47,027 - Go ahead, Doctor. - The surgery was successful. 364 00:33:47,152 --> 00:33:49,530 It'll be a few hours before we know 365 00:33:49,655 --> 00:33:52,825 whether her regenerative systems are responding. 366 00:33:52,950 --> 00:33:55,661 In the meantime, we better get La Forge down here. 367 00:33:55,786 --> 00:33:59,665 - Keep us informed. - Crusher to La Forge. 368 00:34:01,208 --> 00:34:03,502 Computer, locate Cmdr La Forge. 369 00:34:03,627 --> 00:34:07,047 Cmdr La Forge is not on board the Enterprise. 370 00:34:07,172 --> 00:34:10,884 Bridge, the computer says La Forge is no longer on board. 371 00:34:11,009 --> 00:34:12,135 Is that correct? 372 00:34:12,261 --> 00:34:15,013 I am showing no transporter activity. 373 00:34:16,139 --> 00:34:17,766 All shuttles are secure. 374 00:34:17,891 --> 00:34:20,018 No indication he's left the ship. 375 00:34:20,143 --> 00:34:23,897 - Last known location of La Forge? - Holodeck three. 376 00:34:24,022 --> 00:34:28,110 If Geordi has transformed, he may be a chameleon. 377 00:34:28,235 --> 00:34:30,779 The skin develops mimetic capabilities. 378 00:34:30,904 --> 00:34:35,117 He may still be on board, but undetectable to our sensors. 379 00:34:45,586 --> 00:34:48,630 You search the structure. I will take the perimeter. 380 00:35:01,518 --> 00:35:03,145 Commander. 381 00:35:03,979 --> 00:35:06,023 Geordi's uniform. 382 00:35:18,494 --> 00:35:21,538 Security, intruder in transporter room six! 383 00:35:26,043 --> 00:35:30,214 The security lock-out on transporter room six has been broken. 384 00:35:30,339 --> 00:35:32,299 Re-engage now. 385 00:35:32,424 --> 00:35:35,427 I cannot. The transporter cycle has already begun. 386 00:35:47,105 --> 00:35:50,359 Captain's log, stardate 44668. 1. 387 00:35:50,484 --> 00:35:53,904 Dr Crusher's research indicates we have less than an hour 388 00:35:54,029 --> 00:35:58,408 before Cmdr La Forge's transformation becomes irreversible. 389 00:35:58,534 --> 00:36:03,372 However, all attempts to locate him on the surface have failed. 390 00:36:06,875 --> 00:36:09,962 I do not read any life signs on the surface. 391 00:36:11,588 --> 00:36:15,676 Our sensor array is useless. We must find another way of locating him. 392 00:36:15,801 --> 00:36:17,845 If we can get close enough to Geordi, 393 00:36:17,970 --> 00:36:21,265 we can read his spectrum with an ultraviolet light. 394 00:36:21,390 --> 00:36:24,768 Can you modify an emergency beacon to operate on UV? 395 00:36:24,893 --> 00:36:26,728 - Yes, sir. - Make it so. 396 00:36:26,854 --> 00:36:29,940 As soon as Data is ready, I want you to lead an away team. 397 00:36:30,065 --> 00:36:31,692 Aye, sir. 398 00:36:54,006 --> 00:36:55,340 How long, Data? 399 00:36:55,465 --> 00:36:59,303 I must replace the emitter module and reconnect the power supply. 400 00:36:59,428 --> 00:37:02,598 It will take two minutes to complete the modifications. 401 00:37:02,723 --> 00:37:05,017 - Hendrick to Cmdr Riker. - Go ahead. 402 00:37:05,142 --> 00:37:08,187 I've determined La Forge's transport coordinates. 403 00:37:08,312 --> 00:37:10,814 He beamed down next to the Aries shuttle. 404 00:37:10,939 --> 00:37:12,983 Acknowledged. 405 00:37:13,108 --> 00:37:18,739 He's on foot. He can't have got far. Let's assume a radius of... 10kms. 406 00:37:18,864 --> 00:37:22,784 That still leaves a search area of more than 300 square kilometers. 407 00:37:22,910 --> 00:37:26,705 We've got to narrow that down. The enhanced sensor arrays? 408 00:37:26,830 --> 00:37:29,041 All scans are still negative. 409 00:37:29,166 --> 00:37:34,254 We've got to find a way to track him. The high-resolution EM scan? 410 00:37:34,379 --> 00:37:38,133 We are adjusting sensors to read his absorption spectrum, 411 00:37:38,258 --> 00:37:42,221 - but it will take several hours. - Geordi doesn't have several hours! 412 00:37:42,346 --> 00:37:44,431 I have completed modifications. 413 00:37:44,556 --> 00:37:48,685 Excellent. Dr Crusher, meet us in transporter room six. 414 00:37:50,187 --> 00:37:53,982 He's gonna need a sedative. Give me 10ccs of kayolane. 415 00:37:54,107 --> 00:37:55,734 Dr Crusher. 416 00:38:02,282 --> 00:38:06,245 - You look a lot better than you did. - What did you do? 417 00:38:06,370 --> 00:38:08,831 Removed a parasite from your thymus. 418 00:38:08,956 --> 00:38:11,166 No, it's not a parasite, Doctor. 419 00:38:11,291 --> 00:38:15,003 It was their method of reproduction, to plant a DNA strand 420 00:38:15,128 --> 00:38:20,217 in a living host that causes metamorphosis. Geordi? 421 00:38:21,176 --> 00:38:22,344 - He's gone? - Yes. 422 00:38:22,469 --> 00:38:24,304 - Back to the planet? - Stay calm. 423 00:38:24,429 --> 00:38:27,307 - We have to find him. - An away team is searching. 424 00:38:27,432 --> 00:38:31,562 You'll never be able to find him. I'm the only one who can. 425 00:38:48,787 --> 00:38:51,331 No, turn them off, the light frightens them. 426 00:38:51,456 --> 00:38:54,293 - What about UV? - Beyond their visual spectrum. 427 00:38:54,418 --> 00:38:56,545 They won't run away from it. 428 00:38:56,670 --> 00:38:59,006 He could be several kilometers away. 429 00:38:59,131 --> 00:39:01,717 No, he's here. They're all here. 430 00:39:22,571 --> 00:39:24,198 There. 431 00:39:33,290 --> 00:39:34,875 Geordi? 432 00:39:36,668 --> 00:39:38,712 Geordi, stop! 433 00:39:47,262 --> 00:39:48,889 No, wait. 434 00:40:16,250 --> 00:40:20,379 Geordi. Geordi, my voice is familiar. Listen to it. 435 00:40:20,504 --> 00:40:25,968 You can feel that we share this. You know I'm not a threat. 436 00:40:26,093 --> 00:40:33,225 The others, Mendez, Brevelle,... they don't exist as humans any more, 437 00:40:33,350 --> 00:40:36,228 but a part of you still does. 438 00:40:37,354 --> 00:40:39,731 You're not one of them yet, Geordi. 439 00:40:39,857 --> 00:40:43,694 I can help you if you'll just trust me. 440 00:40:44,945 --> 00:40:48,157 I know what's going on inside of you,... 441 00:40:48,282 --> 00:40:51,076 the war you're fighting with yourself, 442 00:40:51,201 --> 00:40:56,832 your humanity slipping away. The instinct to run, 443 00:40:57,791 --> 00:41:00,252 it's overpowering. 444 00:41:00,377 --> 00:41:04,047 But they know how to beat it now, Geordi. 445 00:41:04,173 --> 00:41:05,215 Look at me! 446 00:41:14,892 --> 00:41:17,060 I've come back, Geordi. 447 00:41:25,527 --> 00:41:27,821 Let me take you back, too. 448 00:41:42,336 --> 00:41:44,588 Just take my hand. 449 00:42:01,605 --> 00:42:03,232 Please. 450 00:42:21,625 --> 00:42:24,628 Enterprise, lock onto Cmdr Leijten's signal. 451 00:42:24,753 --> 00:42:26,839 Prepare to beam two to sickbay. 452 00:42:27,798 --> 00:42:30,133 We're going home, Geordi. 453 00:42:42,521 --> 00:42:45,107 Is there no hope for Brevelle or Mendez? 454 00:42:45,232 --> 00:42:46,859 None. 455 00:42:52,823 --> 00:42:55,367 - Susanna. - I'm right here, Geordi. 456 00:42:55,492 --> 00:42:59,037 So are Dr Crusher and Capt Picard. 457 00:42:59,163 --> 00:43:01,206 Here's your visor, Geordi. 458 00:43:15,637 --> 00:43:19,391 Lt Cmdr La Forge reporting for duty, Captain. 459 00:43:19,516 --> 00:43:21,727 Welcome back, Mr. La Forge. 460 00:43:21,852 --> 00:43:26,356 Geordi, this species, can you communicate with it? 461 00:43:26,481 --> 00:43:31,862 No. They... act on instinct alone. 462 00:43:34,239 --> 00:43:39,161 In another few minutes, I wouldn't have responded to you, Susanna. 463 00:43:39,286 --> 00:43:41,330 Then we will leave them be. 464 00:43:41,455 --> 00:43:44,958 I'll order warning beacons placed in orbit and on the surface, 465 00:43:45,083 --> 00:43:47,961 so no one else goes through what you did. 466 00:43:53,342 --> 00:44:00,390 You know,... down there, l... didn't know who you were. 467 00:44:01,099 --> 00:44:05,437 And yet,... somehow,... 468 00:44:07,523 --> 00:44:11,068 ..I believed you, I trusted you. 469 00:44:11,193 --> 00:44:16,281 That must have been because of all the good advice I used to give you. 470 00:44:19,284 --> 00:44:21,119 Thanks.