Original subtitles

Captain's Log, Stardate 43152.4.

We are cautiously entering the Delta Rana star system

three days after receiving a distress call

from the Federation colony on its fourth planet.

The garbled transmission

reported the colony under attack

from an unidentified spacecraft.

Our mission is one of rescue

and, if necessary, confrontation with a hostile force.

Shields up, maximum strength.

Shields up.

Sensors do not indicate

the presence of any armed space vehicles

operating within the Rana system.

They could be cloaked or otherwise shielded.

Mr. Crusher, bring us in

well clear of the planet's three moons.

Aye, sir.

Captain, we are not receiving Rana lV's call sign.

Open a frequency to colony operations.

No response.

Rana lV is emissions quiet.

Captain, there are 1 1,000 inhabitants in this colony.

At this range, I should be sensing something.

I'm not.

Mr. Data, put the planet on the main viewer.

Magnify.

My God.

Helm, put us in high equatorial orbit.

Scan for survivors.

Sensors are scanning 90 degrees of longitude

as we orbit.

I am detecting no bodies of water

no vegetation, no artificial structures.

Life-form readings are negative.

Could the colonists have escaped?

That is highly unlikely.

Rana lV possessed no interstellar spacecraft.

Who would cause devastation on that order?

Hold it.

Captain, I've got something here.

37 degrees north

and 62 degrees east.

It's a structure.

Life?

Two life-forms...

possibly human.

Put that area on the main viewer and magnify.

The structure is located at the center

of the vegetation, sir.

An entire planet obliterated

except for a few acres of trees and grass

and one building?

It must be some kind of illusion.

Negative.

It is as you see it.

Number One, I think you had better see

who's at home.

Space, the final frontier.

These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.

Its continuing mission--

to explore strange new worlds

to seek out new life and new civilizations

to boldly go where no one has gone before.

If they're the only survivors of a nuclear holocaust

they can't be in very good shape.

I understand.

Counselor?

What I sense of them is human.

And something else?

It's difficult to explain.

I feel there's something different

about these two people.

I'm sorry.

I can't be clearer than that.

We're ready.

Good luck, Number One.

Energize.

Geordi, what can you tell me?

The house is a typical settlement structure

with adaptations.

Thermal properties all seem to conform to known materials.

If there are any indicators

as to why this particular area

has remained intact, I cannot detect them.

Worf, the interior of the house.

There is one individual

Iocated at the south end of the house

the other toward the north.

There is a weapon--

a low-yield phaser, nonfunctional

in proximity to the front room individual.

I guess a frontal assault is unwarranted.

Stay here.

I think I'll try an old- fashioned knock on the door.

Commander, wait!

There's something concealed under the surface...

What are you doing there?

This is private property.

Who are you people?

I'm Commander William Riker of the USS Enterprise

crew members.

May I come down and approach you?

You leave him right where he is.

Should I incapacitate him, Commander?

No.

We're a rescue party.

We picked up your colony's distress call

and we came as fast as we could.

Kevin.

Kevin, what are you doing?

Can't you see they're here to help us?

Can't you see they're human?

Go back in the house, Rishon.

This could be some kind of a trick.

We had almost given up hope.

We were afraid maybe the whole Federation had been attacked.

What about the colony?

Do you know of any other survivors?

It's been days since we've seen or heard from anybody.

No, don't. Don't tell me that we're the only ones.

They came in a spaceship so big you could see it in orbit.

They took our world apart piece by piece.

Who?

We don't know.

We never saw their faces.

You don't know where they came from

where they are now?

I guess they've gone away.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm only performing a physical.

Could I have your names, please, just for the record.

I'm Rishon Uxbridge

and this is my husband Kevin.

Botanists

originally from the aquatic city

New Martim Vaz, in Earth's Atlantic Ocean

residents of the Rana lV colony for five years.

You, madam, are 82 years of age

and a composer of Tao-classical music.

You, sir, are 85 years of age

and a specialist in symbiotic plant life.

You have been married for 53 years.

I memorized the colony register on the way to Rana lV

in the event that such information would be needed.

Is something wrong?

With your permission

I'd like to look inside of the house.

Why? What could interest you in there?

Mr. Uxbridge, as far as we've been able to determine

you and your wife and this house

are all that survived that attack.

Now that's either a bizarre coincidence

or by design

and I don't favor the coincidence theory.

Are you saying that we were kept alive intentionally?

Yes.

I don't understand.

You don't think Rishon and I did something

that merits survival, do you?

I mean, betrayed the others?

I'm not accusing you of anything, Mr. Uxbridge.

The attacking force spared you for some reason.

We'd like to know why.

Now, may I go inside?

I'll make everyone a nice cup of tea.

We have lovely tea here on Rana.

It grows wild almost everywhere...

Sir.

May I say your attempt to hold the away team at bay

with a nonfunctioning weapon was an act of unmitigated gall.

Didn't fool you, huh?

I admire gall.

Go ahead. Pick it up.

It's a music box.

It's been in my family for generations.

There's nothing unusual about this house

except the fact that it's here.

What about them?

They are in reasonably good health.

Both show signs of stress--

which is understandable

considering what they've been through.

Somehow they're different.

Let's get back to the ship.

We'll take them with us.

Excuse me, Mrs. Uxbridge

but we've got to return to our ship now.

But I haven't finished fixing your tea, Commander.

I'm sorry, but we've finished here.

Now, I can allow time for you and Kevin to pack.

What do you mean, "pack"?

You're not thinking of taking us with you, are you?

Surely you don't want to remain here.

How could you take care of yourselves?

Kevin, I can't leave my home.

Don't let them do this to us.

No one's going to making us leave.

You'll be protected on our ship.

You could still be in danger here on Rana.

Commander, we appreciate your concern

but we're not going anywhere.

We'll manage.

We always have.

All right, I can't make you come with us.

Are you familiar with one of these?

We'll be in the system

for the next several days, at least.

If you reconsider, please contact us.

We'll be fine, Commander.

We have each other.

Are they collaborators?

Did they provide the colony's assailants

with something that abetted

the total destruction of Rana lV

in order to protect their own lives?

What could two botanists in their 80s possess

that could possibly aid whoever attacked the planet?

We don't know what their enemy needed, Doctor.

Love, fear, hope.

Maybe they're being held hostage in some fashion.

No, nothing in the tricorder readings

indicated they were under that kind of stress.

Counselor?

Counselor Troi?

I'm sorry, um...

I don't sense them well enough.

Number One, you say the couple

is incapable of sustaining themselves?

There's a fusion reactor in the house

good for another five years of power

but their water table is tainted...

...and they have nothing to feed themselves

except for a small garden.

And they won't come to the ship?

They were adamant about it.

Well, we'll do what we can for them

but in the meantime

I want them kept under surveillance.

I'm sorry, I'm not feeling very well.

I'd like to go to my quarters.

By all means.

Is there anything I can do?

Captain, a search of the Ranian system

has determined that the hostile force

that attacked this planet is no longer present.

I remember a Starfleet admiral once saying the same thing

about some renegade Andorians in the Triangulum system.

It turns out that they had dismantled their ship

and hidden it.

Those Andorians did not have to contend

with someone of my thoroughness.

I will stake my reputation.

Don't listen.

Think of something else.

Stop! Please stop!

Yes?

I was concerned.

I came to see if I could be of any help.

I'm fine.

There's nothing wrong.

I'm just tired, that's all.

Now, I may not have your gifts at reading emotions, Counselor

but I can tell when someone is in pain

and hiding it.

It's so silly.

I hear music in my mind--

music that won't stop.

Perhaps it's a symptom of fatigue.

We've all been inflicted, one time or another

with that melody that won't go away.

No. It's deeper than that.

The song doesn't stop for an instant.

It plays in perfect clarity

from beginning to end, over and over again.

I don't even know what song it is.

I never heard it before.

When did this start?

A few hours ago, while the away team was on the surface.

I was trying to...

I was thinking of Rishon and Kevin.

Rishon and Kevin, and...?

I can't explain it, Captain.

They're elusive.

They're...

I'm... I'm sorry.

Well, try and rest.

Take the necessary sleep inducements if you have to.

Data, give us a visual.

Magnification factor 50.

Look at the size of that.

Now where did that come from?

Apparently, it was riding a Lagrange point

hiding behind Rana lV's furthest moon.

Our vehicle classification index

can put no identity to it.

Its design is completely foreign.

But that's our boy.

Approximately five times our mass

and carrying enough armament to pulverize a planet.

Lieutenant?

I, uh... cannot explain this, Captain.

It's heading for the planet.

Hailing frequencies.

Open.

Mr. Data, ask them

to identify themselves and match our orbit.

They've received the message, Captain

but are ignoring it.

Maximum shields. Ready all weapon systems.

Aye, sir.

It's assuming an attack posture.

Don't be surprised if...

The vessel is firing

jacketed streams of positrons and antiprotons.

Equivalent firepower: 40 megawatts.

Shields are holding.

Again, 40 megawatts.

No damage.

Well, if that's the best they can do

this should last about five minutes.

Mr. Worf, let's raise our voice a little.

Fire phasers.

Just a warning shot.

Mr. Data, invite them to stand to.

The vessel has assumed a position

outside of the Rana system

and it is rapidly increasing velocity.

Helm, initiate pursuit.

Aye, sir.

The vessel has reached warp two

and continues on a steady acceleration curve.

We're not getting any closer, Commander.

Give us a superior curve, Mr. Crusher.

Warp three, warp four...

The warship continues to match our acceleration curve

simultaneously point per point.

Warp 4.5, warp five, warp 5.5...

Riker to La Forge

give us everything you can to close that gap, Geordi.

Yes, sir.

I'll get you to 9.37 in 15 seconds.

Warp 8.75, warp nine.

The warship continues

to match our acceleration curve perfectly.

Number One, I have the distinct impression

that we are being toyed with.

Take us back to Rana lV.

Back?

We have unfinished business there.

I need to have a talk with those two people.

You have the Bridge.

Reduce speed.

Bring us around on a return course.

This one's getting away.

Good afternoon.

I'm sorry if I startled you.

I'm Jean-Luc Picard, Captain of the Enterprise.

I have brought you something you will need

if you're going to stay on Rana lV.

It's a matter replicator.

It has limited capabilities, but...

Thank you, but we have no use for such a thing.

It will provide you with clothing, food and clean water.

Lieutenant Worf will demonstrate its operation.

We don't need it.

Kevin, you know we do.

Thank you, Captain.

Kevin and I were about to have afternoon tea.

You and Mr. Worf must join us.

I'd like that very much.

Rishon, they only want to spy on us like this morning.

Kevin Uxbridge

I have never turned anyone away from this house

and I'm not going to start now.

Captain?

Thank you.

Stop! Stop!

Please, I'll do anything.

Make it stop.

Please.

Hey, I'm here to help.

It's so loud.

It's getting louder.

Please, I can't stand it.

Make it stop.

Move her to the bed.

This will help you relax.

I hear it.

It's still there.

It's so loud.

Take her to Sick Bay.

No, I want to stay in my quarters.

I can get you to sleep.

I don't want to sleep.

The music will only follow me.

I can induce delta sleep.

Block out even your deepest dreams.

It's not a dream.

It's real.

Kevin and I first met each other on a ship at sea.

He was a starving student

with this threadbare suit and mismatched shoes.

I was traveling with my parents

who did not like the way that he kept hanging around.

Two hours after I met him, I asked him to marry me

and he knew I was serious.

I don't think that he's ever recovered from that day.

Well, what do you think, Mr. Worf?

Good tea...

nice house.

Why did you leave the Earth

and come to a brand-new planet when you did?

You mean at our age?

Well, we thought

that it might make us fall in love all over again.

It worked.

It must have been terrible

when the colony was fighting for its life.

Yes, it was.

Fires lit the sky.

There was thunder, this... this unbelievable thunder.

The ground never stopped shaking.

And yet...

you survived.

We don't know why we survived

and the others didn't.

I've tried to put some purpose to it

but I can't.

I was wondering, Captain

when you and your ship would be leaving.

I don't have an answer for that.

A few hours ago, we encountered a warship.

Possibly the one that attacked you.

We forced it to leave the system

but we were not able to affect it otherwise.

It could return.

Kevin, you said it had gone away.

I guess I was wrong.

Now, don't worry.

It didn't hurt us before.

It won't hurt us now.

Do you know that for a fact, Kevin?

No, but I don't enjoy seeing my wife frightened.

We've told you time and again

we don't know why we were spared.

But there had to be some reason.

In some way you were "different" from the other colonists.

Your geographical location, your philosophical beliefs...

the color of your eyes.

Some way, you were set apart from them.

There was a difference.

I am a man of special conscience.

While the others did what they could

I chose not to fight.

Well, that is your protected right.

But I can assure you

the attacking ship had no way of realizing this.

I expected to die like all the others.

There's no reason

for you and your ship to remain, Captain.

We can manage without you.

Kevin grieved for the others, Captain, but he did nothing.

He is a very gentle man.

You must understand that.

What about you, Rishon?

Is that how you feel?

I wanted to fight, but I stayed with my husband.

Well, Captain, uh, thank you again for the replicator.

I better clean up now.

Before we leave, I ask you one more time

to come to the ship.

For your own safety.

Captain, I am frightened, but...

I can't leave Rana, even if it means my life.

I don't understand it.

I've inhibited almost all the activity of the neocortex

and she continues to behave as if she's hearing the music.

We're going to have to shield her

from all outside stimuli by inducing coma.

I have a positive identification, Commander.

It is the vessel that attacked us earlier.

It is reentering the system at high velocity

and is approaching Rana lV.

Give us a tight visual, Data.

Is it my imagination

or does it look a lot meaner this time?

Shields up, weapons ready.

Our friend is back.

I'm not surprised.

Mr. Worf, open a hailing frequency.

Warn the vessel to stay clear of the planet.

Aye, sir.

But they are already within firing range.

Shields are down.

Captain...

they hit us with 400 gigawatts of particle energy.

Damage?

Superficial.

But I'm having trouble reassembling the shields.

Shields down.

There's thermal damage to the hull.

The warship is capable of striking us

with far more powerful bursts.

They're maneuvering to come

between the Enterprise and Rana lV.

Number One, we have been exemplary in our patience.

Lieutenant Worf, fire phasers on full

with a simultaneous spread of torpedoes.

The vessel appears undamaged, sir.

Its defenses are apparently able to absorb

incoming matter and energy.

Commence rapid fire with all weapons on full.

Shields down.

Internal damage.

Weapon systems control has been lost.

Riker to Sick Bay.

Medical assistance to the Bridge.

On our way, Commander.

Mr. Crusher, move the Enterprise out of range

of the attacking vessel.

Aye, sir.

Mr. Worf?

The vessel has terminated its pursuit.

It is assuming an orbit around Rana lV.

Kevin and Rishon?

We can't help them.

But it's my guess that they're in no danger.

Can you help her?

I've done everything I can.

I don't understand the nature of this music

she says she's hearing, or where it's coming from.

Could it be telepathic?

Yes, but I'm not the expert in determining that.

They're blocking her sensitivity.

They're stopping her

from seeing the truth.

Who's stopping her?

Kevin and Rishon.

What?

They wanted us to leave Rana lV

and that's exactly what we're doing.

Picard to Bridge.

Yes, Captain?

Number One, I want you to maintain this course

for another hour

and then turn the Enterprise around

and take her back to Rana lV.

We still won't have our shields restored by then.

Take her back, Number One

and this time, nothing is going to lure us away.

Sir, sensors indicate no spacecraft

in the vicinity of Rana lV, but, Captain...

Forget your previous error, Mr. Worf.

There is no way you could have prevented it.

Captain, the Uxbridge house is coming into transporter range.

Mr. Worf, will you accompany me to the Transporter Room?

You have the Bridge, Number One.

Captain, I think you should reconsider.

That warship has come after us twice.

It could come back.

I disagree, Number One.

I don't think it knows we're here.

I think that it believes that it has run us off for good.

However, that will all change once I'm back on board.

Sir?

It's protecting Kevin and Rishon.

It responds to their wishes

indirectly or directly, I'm not sure

but that's what I'm going to put to the test.

Celebrating?

What are you doing here?

What do you want?

This is the second time

that you have shown surprise at my appearance.

The first time was understandable, but now?

Unless it is because you never expected to see me again.

Why do you keep interfering with our lives, Captain?

It is not my intention to interfere

only to help you and Rishon.

Then, please, leave us alone.

I promise you that when I leave this house

I will never set foot in it again

but the Enterprise will remain in orbit over the planet.

Why?

To protect you.

That's not necessary.

I thought you understood.

It is necessary.

You're in grave danger.

The warship has returned.

Kevin...

He's lying, Rishon.

We have fought a pitched battle with it and lost.

Many of my crew have been injured

including a woman whose mind is being slowly destroyed

by telepathic manipulation.

No. Please, no.

This is a form of intimidation.

I have my rights.

Your rights?

What about Rishon?

Is she in favor of being left here?

Come to the Enterprise.

Let me take you where you'll be safe.

No.

I can't leave Kevin.

I'm staying.

She's safe here with me in this house.

Why are you safe?

Why is this house a sanctuary?

Does it have to do with you?

With your refusal to fight?

Tell me this.

If Rishon were in danger, would you kill to save her life?

No, not for her, not for anyone.

I will not kill.

Please, stop hurting him.

Captain, leave our house.

It is my sworn duty to protect you.

The Enterprise will remain in orbit around Rana lV

as long as the two of you are alive.

Number One, an update, please?

Little change, Captain.

Our shields are still inoperable.

We have partial control of our weapons.

And I've doubled the repair crews.

The warship is approaching from high orbit.

It is very close.

300,000 kilometers distant.

How is that possible?

Something wrong with the sensors?

That's no concern, Number One.

It's here and it's precisely on schedule.

The vessel has altered its course

to a direct intercept with the Enterprise.

Worf, arm phasers and photon torpedoes.

Prepare to fire.

Belay those orders, Mr. Worf.

The vessel is now within 20,000 kilometers

of the Enterprise and closing.

Let it come. Let it come.

Activate the main viewer.

Evasive action, sir?

The Enterprise will hold its position, Mr. Worf.

Weapons, sir?

On my orders, not before.

The vessel is entering a low orbit around Rana lV.

It appears to be preparing to fire at the planet, Captain.

Understood.

My calculations indicate

that its target is the house of Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge.

There will be no interference from us, Mr. Data.

The house has been obliterated.

Scan for survivors.

There are no survivors.

Mr. Worf...

prepare a photon torpedo.

Fire at the enemy vessel when ready.

Aye, sir.

Number One, what reason does the Enterprise have

for remaining at Rana?

The unknown vessel has been destroyed.

The Uxbridges have been destroyed.

There's no reason for the Enterprise to remain.

Good.

Helm, move us into higher orbit so that we may keep the surface

of the planet under surveillance.

Aye, sir, but, Captain...

what are we watching for?

Anything, everything.

I'll be in my ready room if I'm needed.

That will be all for now.

Come.

May I speak with you, Captain?

It's my pleasure, Number One.

We've been observing this planet very carefully for three hours.

We've seen nothing.

I have the feeling you're waiting for something to happen.

Your Captain is acting on an assumption, Will

and I'm not sure what the result will be

or even that my assumption is correct.

We found two people alive

in a house on a devastated planet

but there was only one survivor of the war on Rana lV.

Why is it we maintain watch on a planet

that is now totally dead?

Bridge to Captain Picard.

You'd better come see this.

Captain, Commander, the house is back.

Trees, grass, everything.

Happened right in front of us.

Mr. Worf, do you see any survivors?

I detect two life-forms inside the house.

It appears Kevin and Rishon were not destroyed.

Helm, take us within transporter range.

We're going to beam them aboard directly onto the Bridge.

But, Captain, will they not protest?

Let them.

My apologies if I interrupted a waltz.

Why have you brought us here against our will?

I want to end the suffering of one of my crew members.

I don't understand.

Kevin does.

He's the cause.

At first, I couldn't understand

why your house survived the holocaust

when the others hadn't.

Then it occurred to me--

it had been destroyed.

That dwelling where you served me tea

where you danced your waltzes

is a reproduction.

Real to the touch, but capable of being created

destroyed and created, all in a whim.

You're joking with us, Captain.

Can't you see, this is hurting my husband.

Rishon, hear what he has to say.

More than anything else

you wanted the Enterprise away from Rana

because the house, the plot of land

your very existence

were incongruities

that you were not prepared to explain.

The warship, another recreation

tried to chase us away twice and failed.

But when I came to your house the second time

I provided you with the only condition

that would make the Enterprise leave--

your deaths.

You did your best to satisfy that condition.

I'm deeply sorry about the woman.

I will help her

but I must know what you intend to do with me afterwards.

You'll be taken to the nearest Starbase

and held responsible for the attack on the Enterprise

and, possibly, the deaths of 1 1,000 people.

No, he never killed anyone.

The destruction of the planet happened just as I told you.

But you haven't told us the whole story--

how it ended, the part about... Rishon.

What is he saying?

Rishon, I can touch you.

I can hear your voice.

I can smell your perfume.

In every respect, you are a real person

with your own mind and beliefs

but you do not exist.

You died, along with the others, defending the colony.

He recreated you, just as he recreated the house.

You're the only living thing

that really exists on Rana

and though you look human, you're not.

He's in the turbolift.

Let him go.

Captain, he is dangerous.

So dangerous, Mr. Worf, that he could have

destroyed us in an instant had he wished.

Track him.

Alert the crew to keep clear of him.

I want him to understand we mean him no harm.

Will he return to the planet?

If he is the creature of conscience I believe him to be

he has someone to help first.