Personal Log, Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge
Stardate 44885.5.
l am en route to the planet Risa
to attend an artificial intelligence seminar.
Captain Picard has ordered me to arrive a few days early
to have some fun and relax.
l intend to follow his orders to the very best of my ability.
How about some different music, Computer?
Something with a Latin beat.
No, l meant something with a gentle Latin beat.
Maybe a... a Spanish guitar.
Perfect.
Hey, what's the weather like on Risa?
Risa is climate controlled for optimum tourist comfort.
ls that right?
And about how long till we get there?
Arrival at Risa is scheduled for 0932 hours.
Ooh, three hours.
How about a game, Computer?
Please restate request.
Something to pass the time. You know, a diversion.
Select either visual interactive or verbal interactive.
Hmm... verbal.
You have 20 seconds to respond to each question.
Level of difficulty will increase as you progress.
Proceed when ready.
Begin.
List the resonances of the sub-quantum states
associated with transitional relativity...
That's easy.
...in alphabetical order.
Uh... well, uh...
a-asymmetrical...
uh, uh, uh, inverted...
um... uh, uh...
phased...
uh, stable...
Your time has expired.
The fifth resonance is...
Universal.
l knew that.
Okay, okay. Give me another one.
List the field patterns associated with warp modulation
in order of decreasing energy.
Oh, okay. There's the aft nacelle associative
the for...
Ho! Computer
sequence 0-1-0, maximum power to the shields.
Kill the music.
Enterprise, this is Shuttle Seven.
l've encountered a Romulan warbird.
Coordinates are three...
Warning, shield failure.
Damn!
Risa Control.
Anybody!
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.
Captain's Log, Stardate 44891.6.
The Enterprise has been ordered to accompany a special emissary
from the Klingon High Council to the Kriosian system
where one of their colonies is fighting for independence.
There was a time when the Empire would crush a rebellion.
Now it is tolerated.
We have enough troubles on the home planet
so we don't wish to divert resources
to such a trivial war.
You're preparing to grant them independence?
Well, perhaps.
Conquer them again later, if we wish.
May l ask, Ambassador, what has this to do with us?
The Governor of Krios has charged
that the Federation is secretly aiding the rebels.
Does he have evidence?
The Council has sent me here to examine that evidence.
lt was my decision to invite you to accompany me, Captain.
Many on the Council have great respect for you.
K'adlo.
l have been pleased to offer occasional assistance
to the Klingon people in the past.
Your modesty is very human, Captain.
l will excuse it.
But l can assure you, Ambassador
that the Federation would never interfere
in the internal affairs of the Empire.
Let us hope not.
Such interference would strike
at the very basis of our alliance.
Captain, we are in the war zone.
lndeed.
Ambassador, l will ask our Chief Security Officer
Lieutenant Worf, to make a report...
Uh, Captain
Worf's discommendation makes that very awkward.
lf l could work with one of the other security officers...
Lieutenant Worf is my Chief of Security
and my Tactical Officer.
This matter clearly falls within his jurisdiction.
As you wish.
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, take it easy.
Hey!
Welcome, Mr. La Forge.
We've waited a long time to meet you.
l can tell you've gone to a lot of trouble.
lndeed, we have.
You are going to be of great help to us.
Oh, l wouldn't count on it.
Good. Very good.
Do not enjoy yourself too much on Risa.
Hey!
Your VlSOR will be returned to you
but first, l want to show you something.
Show me something?
That'll be a nice trick
seeing as how I can't see anything
without the VlSOR.
That is not quite true.
Allow me to demonstrate.
l now have direct access to his visual cortex.
He has no choice but to see what l wish him to see.
l can feed him any image l choose.
He will be unable to ignore it.
His galvanic skin response has increased nine percent.
lt seems Commander La Forge
like many humans, has a low tolerance
for watching others suffer.
Why are you doing this?
l am sorry, Commander.
lt is a necessary step.
l apologize for your discomfort.
Here.
Observe how a spring day on his native Earth affects him.
He's looking at a beautiful meadow--
green trees, birds, a blue sky.
The heartbeat slows.
The galvanic skin response drops.
The body responds to our stimuli.
He is incapable
of maintaining control of his own responses.
Watch as l change the stimuli again.
Once our work is done, La Forge will act normally
totally unaware of his conditioning--
the perfect tool for our purpose.
Will there be any physical evidence
of what you're going to do to him?
None, Commander.
That is why we chose La Forge.
The utilization of his pre-existing neural implants
makes our work impossible to detect.
How will we be certain your procedure has been successful?
l will program him to perform a series of specific tests
both before he leaves us
and after he returns to the Enterprise.
We'll be able to verify his effectiveness.
Notice that his heart rate has slowed somewhat.
He is becoming accustomed to the horrors he is witnessing.
So...
we change horrors.
There have been two rebel attacks
on neutral freighters--
one the Ferengi, and the other Cardassian.
Both were engaged near the lkanian asteroid belt.
That's where the rebels must be hiding.
The actinides in the asteroids
provide positive protection against our sensors.
They might attack a freighter
but l doubt they would challenge a Federation starship.
Especially with the Federation furnishing them support.
You would test the Captain's word with me, Kell?
ls it because l have no honor in your eyes
that you expect me to be disloyal?
Wrong of me to ask.
My apologies.
Captain Picard does not lie.
lf he says there is no Federation assistance
to the rebels, there is none.
Good. Because l risk my own reputation
and honor coming to Picard.
He will not disappoint you.
lf that is all...
There are some members of the High Council
who would thank you, Worf.
Thank me?
For killing Duras.
No doubt that, had he lived
one day, he would ascend to head the Council.
Many were not looking forward to that.
My motives were personal, not political.
Motives?
Who cares for motives?
Humans, perhaps.
What matters is, you acted on that day
as a true Klingon.
Thanks.
So l've got to shut the whole system down.
Where are we, Mr. La Forge?
This is Ten-Forward.
Who is that man sitting over there?
That's Chief O'Brien.
How long has he served with you?
Almost four years.
l want you to kill him.
Okay.
Take this phaser, and kill Chief O'Brien.
Finally, l think l've found it
when l see this piece of conduit that's coded to be
the power linkage to transporter seven.
Now, l know that can't be right
so l give it a closer look, and sure enough...
Freeze simulation.
Commander, did you understand my request?
Well, l...
lt's just, l... l don't...
Look at me.
Now, what did l ask you to do?
Kill Chief O'Brien.
Then do as l asked.
Resume program.
Well, you know what that means.
Chief?
...'cause now, l have to...
Good, Mr. La Forge.
Very good.
Why don't you enjoy a drink with your friends?
Mind if l join you guys?
Sure.
He still hesitated.
Prepare the equipment for another session.
Captain's Log, Stardate 44896.9.
We are orbiting Krios
awaiting our first meeting with the Klingon Governor.
Commander La Forge has rejoined the Enterprise from Risa.
Welcome back, Geordi.
Data.
How was the seminar?
Very informative.
l'll tell you all about it.
lt is fortunate we were able to coordinate
your return on the Teldarian cruiser.
Yeah. When l heard the Enterprise
had been ordered to the Krios system
l thought l might be forced
to endure another couple of weeks on Risa.
l am sorry to hear you did not enjoy yourself.
l was joking.
Joking?
Ah. ''Forced to endure'' Risa.
Your actual intent
was to emphasize that you did enjoy yourself.
Yes, l see how that could be considered
quite amusing.
l missed you, Data.
Commander La Forge.
Permission to come aboard, Captain.
Granted. Welcome back.
Thank you, sir.
Commander La Forge is my Chief Engineer.
Commander.
He's been attending a seminar
on artificial intelligence on Risa.
l'm glad we got you back, Geordi.
We're going to need your help on this one.
Data tells me that the Federation
has been accused of aiding Kriosian rebels.
We're being presented with evidence today.
We'll need your help in analyzing it.
Anything l can do.
You had a good time.
Does it show?
You're more relaxed than l've ever seen you.
Captain, Governor Vagh has signaled.
He is ready to meet with you.
Very well. Advise him that we will transport
down to the surface immediately.
Ambassador.
Commander Riker?
What is it, Data?
Our sensors have detected
a brief energy fluctuation in the E-band.
The E-band? That's unusual.
What's the source?
Unknown, sir.
E-band emissions are difficult to localize.
Collapsing protostars sometimes emit E-band bursts.
Yes, sir. However, there are no protostars in this sector.
You better do a complete scan. Keep me posted.
Yes, sir.
...the Kanarians who've actually done
the most advanced work in artificial intelligence
so l spent a lot of time in their research seminars.
Hmm. Geordi?
Hmm?
l get the feeling
that something special happened on this vacation
and l'm not talking about computers.
Well, l did take second place in a chess tournament.
Yes?
And, uh, l swam a lot.
l worked on my backstroke.
The water is very calm on Risa.
And...?
And l walked a lot.
That's all.
Well, l ate enough for 12 people.
The food there is terrific.
They've got a chocolate there, Counselor
that you would love.
And that's all?
Yeah.
Well, there was this...
Yes?
Her name is Jonic.
Ah.
But, uh...
you wouldn't want to hear about that.
Better get ready for duty.
Nice talking to you, Counselor.
We talk, we socialize, we waste time
and the insurrection continues to grow.
These rebels need to be crushed, not coddled.
Governor, it does not matter what you or l think.
The High Council has made its wishes clear.
The Council should be more interested
in Federation interference.
Governor, exactly what do you think
the Federation has done?
Your medical supplies have been found in rebel strongholds.
We make no effort to restrict access to our medical supplies.
Are your weapons also freely available?
No, they are not.
Then explain this.
You took this weapon from the rebels?
That and many more like it.
lt does appear to be Federation issue.
Governor, with your permission, l would like to take this weapon
back to the Enterprise, to verify its origin.
As you wish.
l have hundreds more.
But even if these weapons are genuine
l can assure you that a third party must have been involved.
The Federation is not in the business
of supplying arms to rebels.
This is the only Klingon colony
on the border of Federation space.
You cannot deny that Starfleet would be happy
to see Krios gain its independence.
lt would reduce your vulnerability to an attack.
Governor, you speak as if we are enemies and not allies.
And you speak the lies of a tah-keck.
Qu'vath guy'cha b'aka.
Gentlemen...
You swear well, Picard.
You must have Klingon blood in your veins.
Governor, l will report to you
as soon as the analysis of that weapon is complete.
Captain, Commander.
Enterprise, three to transport.
lntercooler flux down to five percent.
Plasma deviation steady at .72.
Aye, sir.
Well, you guys keep running at this efficiency
l might as well go back to Risa for another week.
Just run through a level-4 series
and then call it a night, huh?
l'd help you, but there's something
l've got to take care of.
Hi.
Red Torian, please.
Thank you.
Ooh!
Ah!
l'm sorry.
lt's all right.
My glass, i-it just slipped.
lt's nothing. Just a little cold.
Yeah, but you're all soaked here.
lt's nothing serious.
Let me get something to wipe it up.
No, no, l'll just go to my quarters and change.
You're sure?
Don't think twice about it, Commander.
Energy flow is within normal parameters--
from the prefire chamber to the emission aperture.
Rapid nadion pulse is right on target.
Beam control assembly, safety interlock--
both check out.
Beam width, intensity controls-- also responding correctly.
Energy cell usage
remains constant, at 1.05 megajoules per second.
Curious.
The efficiency reading on the discharge crystal
is well above Starfleet specifications.
Yeah, by quite a bit.
Our most efficient discharge crystal
Hmm. Let's take a closer look
at the wave pattern on the emission beam.
That might tell us why it's losing so little energy.
Pulse frequency out of prefire chamber reads steady.
There. That's not right.
The initial output spike is inverted.
That might suggest the weapon has been charged
with a forced pulse well into the terahertz range.
Then it's definitely not Starfleet issue
and there can't be that many systems
that use the terahertz feeds.
327, to our knowledge.
We can probably achieve an exact match
with a random computer search.
lt will take approximately three hours.
l think we can narrow this down
with a little common sense, Data.
Who has the most to gain from a conflict
between the Klingon Empire and the Federation?
The Romulans.
They fashioned the perfect Federation rifle
but they had to charge it from their own energy sources.
So the discharge crystal and the emission beam pattern
both correspond to those you'd find in a Romulan disrupter.
The Romulans have no interest in Kriosian independence.
This planet is too far from their borders.
But they do have an interest
in driving the Federation and the Empire apart.
Our alliance is the only thing that has kept them in check.
Romulan replications using stolen
Federation technology?
lt's a typical Romulan ploy--
an attempt to sow dissension and mistrust.
Commander, you've done very well.
l would thank you on behalf of the Empire.
l still have my doubts, Picard.
l will want my own technicians to confirm your findings.
Of course.
My staff will give you their full cooperation.
You may go.
Another E-band blip?
Yes, sir.
However, the difference in intensity indicates
this one did not originate
in the same location as the first.
lf it's changed intensity
it can't possibly be a protostar.
That is a reasonable assumption.
ls there any known instance
of the Romulans using E-band for communications?
Not to my knowledge, sir.
Can you track the source?
We can reconfigure the primary sensor array.
lf we narrow their focus to scan for E-band emissions
We might be able to calculate a directional vector
but only if there are more occurrences.
Do it.
Computer, reroute the power flow
in the Cargo Bay Four transporter
through the auxiliary replicator system.
Please verify command with necessary protocol.
lnitiate protocol 364-B.
Verify priority clearance.
Recognize La Forge, theta-2-9-9-7.
Acknowledged.
Power has been rerouted
through auxiliary power distribution system.
Code number 4-4-7-6-2.
Now, redirect transporter mode to the planetary sensor array.
Transporter mode has been redirected.
Verify that all record of these modifications
are being erased from each directory.
Affirmative. Erasure process is proceeding.
Sir, we are being hailed by Governor Vagh.
On screen, Mr. Worf.
Governor.
You astonish me, Picard.
Did you seriously believe you would succeed?
Do you think we are blind?
l don't understand.
We intercepted the weapons
you tried to transport to the surface.
Governor, l assure you...
Do not insult us both by denying it.
Maintain your position until further notice.
Do not attempt to leave orbit.
Klingon attack cruiser uncloaking, sir.
On screen.
Two birds of prey approaching.
Sensors confirm an unauthorized transporter beam at 1 123 hours.
Do you know which transporter was used?
l'm not sure, Captain.
Whoever did it apparently used the planetary array
to bypass the transport sensors.
What about the transporter logs?
They're blank.
How many people on board are capable of this, Geordi?
l'm not even sure how it was done yet.
As soon as l find out, maybe l can give you an answer.
Not many, that's for sure.
Vagh is fully prepared to open fire on the Enterprise.
l've convinced him it would not be wise
to take any action
without first consulting the High Council.
How long do we have?
A few hours, at most.
Mr. La Forge, your recommendations?
Well, it might be possible to locate the point of origin
by tracing power flows at the time of transport.
Make it so.
The primary plasma system
does not indicate a power drain from any of the transporters.
Then whoever used the transporter
must have bypassed the primary feeds.
Tracking power from the secondary systems.
No surges to any of the transporters indicated.
Damn.
Who could have pulled this off?
Try the life-support power flows.
No abnormal surges indicated.
Replicator wave guides?
There.
That's not a replicator energy pattern.
Trace it.
Cargo Bay Four.
La Forge to Worf. Security to Cargo Bay Four.
l've run a level-1 diagnostic.
As far as l can tell
the unit hasn't been tampered with.
This has to be the transfer point.
Perhaps the perpetrator reprogrammed
the memory chips to erase any record.
You're talking about 30 or 40 chips
in half a dozen different control systems.
Which members of the crew could have accomplished that?
l think l could have done it, if l put my mind to it.
The Chief, Data, Lieutenant Costa.
That's about it.
Procedure requires that l ask each of you
where you were at 1 123 hours.
Well, l was with Keiko... in the arboretum.
l was on the Bridge at my station.
l was in my quarters.
Was anyone with you?
No, l was alone.
And Costa was on duty in Engineering.
l'm sure he's got 20 witnesses.
Then there is someone on board who isn't
what he or she seems to be.
Data, let's do a detailed scan on every chip in this assembly.
There's got to be some kind of trail we can follow.
The isolinear chips were definitely altered?
Programmed to erase all operator commands
once the transfer was complete.
But with the chips erased, what evidence remains?
The erasures were complete.
However, an analysis of the subatomic structure
revealed an almost undetectable residual pattern.
ln time, we may be able to reconstruct
the perpetrator's authorization code.
You have any idea who's responsible?
No, sir.
Everyone with the necessary skills
also has an alibi.
Except for me, that is.
l was alone in my quarters at the time.
Then whoever did this must have been
specially trained for the task.
Our forensic team is trying to identify anyone
who might have been in Cargo Bay Four today.
lt's not going to be easy.
There were a lot of people in and out of there.
Riker to Data.
Yes, Commander.
Sensors have picked up another E-band emission.
Acknowledged. l will be there shortly.
E-band emission?
We have been picking up a curious intermittent blip.
Commander Riker has speculated
that it might be a Romulan transmission.
l am attempting to track its source.
Proceed. Thank you, Mr. La Forge.
We do not have much time, Picard.
Vagh is not noted for his patience.
Assure him that we are doing everything possible
and advise him that, if necessary
l will defend my ship.
With your permission
l will transport down to the planet.
Of course.
May l suggest that you issue an invitation
to Governor Vagh to personally witness
your ongoing investigation.
Do you think he will come?
l will do everything in my power to see that he does.
Qapla', Picard.
Qapla', Ambassador.
Come in, Mr. La Forge.
The investigation is moving faster than we expected.
You're in danger of being exposed.
l will transport to the surface
and when l return, l'll have Governor Vagh with me.
Your Captain and l will bring him to the cargo bay.
l want you to kill him there, in front of many witnesses.
Use a hand phaser.
When he is dead, you will claim that you acted
on behalf of Starfleet
in support of Kriosian independence.
l understand.
Mmm.
La Forge to O'Brien.
O'Brien?
Go ahead, Commander.
What can l do for you?
Uh...
nothing.
Chief, l'm...
l'm sorry to disturb you.
l'm sorry.
Hiya, Doc.
Geordi, hi.
What can l do for you?
Well, l just can't seem to get any sleep.
l was hoping you could give me something.
Sit down. Let's take a look.
You couldn't sleep at all?
No, l was restless.
l kept waking up.
Hmm. Would you take off your VlSOR, please?
Sure.
ls there something on your mind?
No, l don't think so.
Well, everybody goes through
these occasional bouts of insomnia.
There's probably nothing to worry about.
Let's just make sure
that there's nothing physically wrong.
There's a minor vascular irregularity
in the visual cortex.
A slight dilation of the blood vessels.
lt's nothing serious.
What about your VlSOR?
Has it been giving you any problems lately?
Nothing out of the ordinary.
All the same, it might be a good idea to have it examined
when we get to Starbase 36 next month.
Okay.
ln the meantime, l will get you
a somnetic inducer to put by your bed.
lt will help you to sleep.
Thanks, Doc.
l'm sure l'll be fine.
Energize.
Governor Vagh, thank you for coming.
You can thank Ambassador Kell.
l am here against my better judgment.
Captain, l think the first thing
the Governor should see is the investigation
underway in the cargo bay.
Of course.
From inside the Enterprise?
You're sure?
The first and third E-band blips
were clearly generated on board the ship.
The second came from the planet's surface.
Generated by what?
Unknown, sir.
Mr. Data, we have a known spy on board.
And now we have unexplained signals on board.
l think it's reasonable to assume
that they're related somehow, don't you?
One could speculate that the E-band
was being used as some form of covert communication.
We need more than speculation, Mr. Data.
We need to know who, what, where, when and why
or we may be going to war.
Yes, sir.
Computer, run an analysis
of all known Romulan transmission formats.
All bands.
ldentify any commonalties with displayed waveform.
No commonalties noted.
Does this waveform match that
of any known communication format?
Negative.
Broaden search pattern beyond communications.
Does the waveform displayed conform to any natural phenomena
cryptographic formats, or life-form EM emissions?
The signal corresponds
to a delta-compressed wavelength spectrum
similar to human neural frequencies.
As in a human brain wave pattern?
Affirmative.
What kind of receiver
would be capable of processing these signals?
A system designed to modify the electromagnetic spectrum
and carry those messages directly to the human brain.
Computer, link with the shuttle's onboard system.
Access the isolinear storage assembly.
Scan all chips which contain mission logs.
Note any discrepancies.
No discrepancies noted.
Perform a level-5 diagnostic
on the shuttle's navigational and power systems.
The components specified are all within normal tolerances.
My technicians have examined
all of the ship's transporters, sir.
l can assure you, this is the only unit
that has been tampered with.
Computer, scan the shuttle's structural integrity.
Sub-microscopic deformations are present
in the nose section and aft thrusters.
Probable cause of these variations?
The shuttle has been subjected
to stress consistent with a tractor beam.
All of our transporter rotators are produced
with a slight... in the structural alloys
which allow us to trace our material back
to the exact...
lt also gives us an identifiable matter...
Commander La Forge.
What can l do for you, Chief?
Could you look at the pattern buffers?
Considering what's happened
l'm not sure the control systems are reliable.
Sure, sure. Let's take a look.
Computer, l am reading anomalous variations
in the molecular structure of these memory chips.
Please confirm.
Analysis confirmed.
Probable cause?
Replication.
Compare these variations
with established Romulan replication patterns.
The patterns are identical.
Then maybe we should run a level-1 diagnostic
on those phase transition coils.
Right, Commander.
l'm still confident...
Data to La Forge.
Report, please.
Geordi.
Please respond.
Computer, current location of Commander La Forge.
Cargo Bay Four.
Data to Lieutenant Worf.
Priority One.
Go ahead.
Take Commander La Forge into custody immediately.
Sir?
That is an order.
We've been looking for DNA samples.
By tracing the biochemical signatures
they will be able to determine who was in this bay recently.
But how will it be possible to prove which one...?
Q'ac Ken ta'vak!
La Forge!
Mr. Worf, get him out of here.
Arming our enemies is not enough.
Now the Federation would murder me to achieve its aims.
Governor, if l could explain this, l would.
l believe l can help, Captain.
l've been able to determine that Commander La Forge
was abducted by Romulans en route to Risa.
lt is likely that he was somehow forced to take part
in the plot to assassinate Governor Vagh.
l saw no evidence of Romulans.
We just witnessed him acting very much alone.
No, sir, you did not.
l do not believe the Commander is acting of his own accord.
He has been receiving E-band signals through his VlSOR--
signals which are carrying direct commands to his brain.
l have surmised that Commander La Forge
was conditioned by Romulans
a process referred to historically--
and somewhat inaccurately-- as ''brainwashing.''
But to what end?
Why would the Romulans want to kill me?
The Romulans have always wanted to destroy the alliance
between the Federation and the Klingons.
lf Mr. La Forge had killed you, Governor
l think you would agree, they might have succeeded.
Who sent these signals?
A cloaked Romulan ship?
No, sir.
That is not possible.
The signals had to be transmitted
within close proximity to the VlSOR.
Are you suggesting that there was
a Romulan accomplice in close proximity
to Mr. La Forge when he was receiving the signals?
Yes, sir, l am.
This Romulan accomplice, who is he?
l have narrowed the list of possibilities to two people--
the only two people who were with Commander La Forge
all three times a transmission was recorded--
Captain Picard and Ambassador Kell.
One of them may be concealing an E-band transmitter.
lf they would agree to be searched...
l am a Klingon, an emissary of the High Council.
l will not submit to being searched
by you or anyone else on this ship.
l am forced to agree, Captain.
We will take the Ambassador with us
and search him ourselves.
Captain, l believe it to be in all our best interests
if l remain aboard.
l formally request asylum.
l will certainly grant you asylum...
when you have been absolved of this crime.
Gurt'ank te'la.
But l remember everything!
Like, there was this one night at dinner.
We had this Andorian waiter.
He couldn't get our orders right.
lt did happen!
l remember being on Risa.
l know you do.
Just take that memory and put it aside for a moment
and tell me everything you remember
about the shuttlecraft trip after you left the Enterprise.
Well, l... l was just trying to get in the mood.
l, uh...
l played some music.
l talked to the computer.
You know what it's like on a long trip.
And when you saw the Romulan ship
did you try and call for help?
No, the first thing l did...
Wait a minute. That...
But that's...
lt'll take time, Geordi.
A long time.
But we will reconstruct your memory...
together.
l'm just not sure...
about anything.
Believe it or not, that's a good sign.
A beginning.
Now, let's go back to the shuttlecraft.
There was a Romulan ship
and the first thing you did was...?