Original subtitles

Computer, dispatches.

A research inquiry

from the Manitoba Journal of lnterplanetary Psychology

and three communiques from your mother.

Transfer the letters from my mother to the viewscreen.

And, computer, I would like a real chocolate sundae.

Define "real" in context, please.

Real.

Not one of your perfectly synthesized

ingeniously enhanced imitations.

I would like real chocolate ice cream

real whipped cream...

This unit is programmed

to provide sources of acceptable nutritional value.

Your request does not fall within current guidelines.

Please indicate whether you wish

to override the specified program.

Listen...

Picard to Counselor Troi.

Now what?

Yes, Captain?

The pleasure of your company is requested, Counselor.

We are, um... we're having a little impromptu reception

for the arriving delegates.

Captain, I'm not really dressed for a reception.

Oh, Counselor

just throw on any old thing.

We're about to get our first look at the wormhole.

Of course, Captain.

I'm on my way.

God forbid I should miss my first look at the wormhole.

May I escort you, Miss Troi?

Just tell me there's some chocolate here.

Ah, Counselor Troi.

Will you allow me to do the introductions?

This is Premier Bhavani of Barzan.

Counselor Deanna Troi.

Your discovery has produced

a great deal of excitement, Premier.

Hopefully, it will also produce

a new era of prosperity for my people.

We'll see to that.

You know Mr. Mendoza, the Federation negotiator.

A pleasure to see you again, Counselor Troi.

This is a worthy Federation competitor in the bidding

Leyor of the Caldonians.

Madam.

And I am Devinoni Ral.

Ship's Counselor Deanna Troi.

My good friend Ral

is the best hired gun in the business.

Hired gun?

My good friend Mendoza means that I'm a negotiator

who serves a variety of clients.

On this particular occasion, I represent the Chrysalians.

I believe it's almost time, isn't it, Captain?

Indeed.

It will be visible directly ahead.

Is it always on time, Bhavani?

Always.

We see it every 233 minutes.

Our scientists say

it's due to radiation buildup in the accretion disk.

The visible burst is very brief.

There it is, ladies and gentlemen, the first

and only stable wormhole known to exist.

It's yours, for the right price.

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.

Captain's Log, Stardate 43385.6.

We are orbiting Barzan ll, which is entertaining bids

for control of what appears to be a stable wormhole

which could provide a permanent shortcut

to the distant Gamma Quadrant.

As you all know, the environment on my planet

is completely inhospitable to most other life-forms.

So I'd like to express my appreciation to you

Captain Picard

for hosting these negotiations.

The Barzan has been a society

dependent on others for generations.

We want that to end.

The appearance of this stable wormhole in our space

provides us with our first true natural resource.

We have neither the experience

nor the technology to exploit it.

But you do.

Excuse me.

There's a delegation of Ferengi

that wishes to be beamed aboard, sir.

Were you expecting the Ferengi, Premier?

No, but I do not wish to create ill will, Captain.

If they are interested in bidding, I have no objection.

Chief O'Brien, this is Captain Picard.

Will you beam the Ferengi

directly to the observation lounge?

Aye, sir.

On behalf of all Ferengi, I protest.

Why were we not invited to these negotiations?

My apologies.

We did not anticipate your interest.

You're welcome to join us.

My name is DaiMon Goss

and these are my consuls-- Kol and Dr. Arridor.

We'll need chairs.

I'm Captain Picard of the Enterprise.

I am serving as host for these proceedings.

Good.

Then see to it we get some chairs.

Let me explain...

Fine, fine-- just have your Klingon servant

get us some chairs.

I'm in charge of security.

Then who gets the chairs?

DaiMon, due to the delicate nature

of these negotiations, all parties

have agreed that one representative will suffice.

Now, I will be happy to provide

your consuls with accommodations

and you may have my chair.

Very well.

Premier.

Kol, the bag.

Gentlemen, this way.

We can handle all the pleasantries later.

Now, let's get down to business.

I'll match anyone's best offer

and add the gold on top of it.

Devinoni Ral, human, age 41.

Born Brussels, European Alliance.

Relocated at age 19 to Hurkos lll...

Come in.

Should I call for an appointment?

No, I was just looking over some personnel files.

Well, that's too bad.

I thought you might be thinking about me.

I thought you'd be deep in negotiations by now.

In recess.

I never play the opening rounds, anyway.

Inconsequential.

Besides, there are much better things

to negotiate on this ship...

Iike dinner tonight.

What about your traveling companion?

My traveling companion is... traveling.

I sent her home.

Why?

You know why.

Weren't you getting along?

Don't do that.

What?

Don't do "Counselor" Troi.

Was l?

Yes, you were.

When you leave this office

who are you?

Oh, so that's how it goes?

You never do.

You never do...

Ieave the office.

What are...?

Shh-shh-shh-shh-shh...

Dinner at 8:00?

The readings from the Barzans' probe of the wormhole

are quite impressive, Captain.

The wormhole delivered the probe beyond the Denkiri Arm

in the Gamma Quadrant.

It would take nearly a century at warp 9

to cover that distance.

The same distance could be achieved

in a matter of seconds through the wormhole.

Imagine the Ferengi collecting tolls if we lose to them.

I don't think the Ferengi

are the greatest threat at the table.

With all of DaiMon Goss' bluster

they don't have the resources the Barzans need.

Mm-hmm.

I think that Devinoni

is the one we need to watch out for.

An accurate observation.

How did you recognize that?

Well, he was the most comfortable one in the group.

You must play poker, Commander.

Poker? Is that a game of some sort?

Commander Riker conducts master classes in poker.

Our skills are not dissimilar, Commander.

Mr. Mendoza, if this lives up to its billing

it will be a discovery of extraordinary value

but it is a very big "if."

A wormhole is there one moment and then gone the next.

A stable wormhole is unheard of.

Are you saying this may not be what it seems?

The Barzans do not have manned space travel

so they had to resort to an automated probe.

Its findings are limited.

It cannot be determined from these charts

how stable the wormhole really is

or how long it will remain intact.

The Federation could end up buying

a proverbial lemon.

"Proverbial lemon"?

Later, Data.

Aye, sir.

And, of course, that means

once the contract is negotiated and closed

we would be obliged to fulfill the terms.

I think we should take a look for ourselves.

I don't think Bhavani could object to that.

Geordi has been in continuous visual contact

with the wormhole, Captain.

I think he's a logical choice.

I would also like to volunteer, sir.

Hmm. Nobody's going in there

until we have done a full sensor analysis.

I want to do everything possible to determine that it is safe

and when I am satisfied, then you, Data

and Commander La Forge will enter the wormhole

tomorrow.

Just a moment of discomfort for a good cause, DaiMon.

You understand this will not be lethal?

Doctor, you surprise me.

I have no wish to kill anyone.

A short-term crippling will suffice.

Then, this will be just fine.

A distillation of your own blood pyrocytes--

harmless to you, undetectable by the ship's bio-filters

but, when absorbed through your victim's skin

it will provoke an extreme allergic reaction.

I'd say it's time to extend the hand of the Ferengi

to the Representative of the Federation.

Much better.

Thank you.

Come in for a drink?

Ah, Federation decor.

Not your style?

Well, conformity is not my style.

What would you like?

I'd even like another.

Well, there she is again.

Counselor Troi.

I'm not.

Computer, champagne.

For two.

Am I moving too fast for you?

No, I'm moving too fast for me.

I like that better.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about you all day.

You must have had a nice day.

Anticipation is fun.

We'll be late for dinner.

Very late.

Mr. Mendoza?

I seem to be a bit warm...

I need some help here.

You attempt to gain every unfair advantage, Picard.

Premier Bhavani has no objection.

Well, I most certainly do.

First, you conveniently arrange to play host

then you plan to send a manned probe

into the wormhole.

The Federation

thinks it can do anything it wants to.

Well, I will not tolerate it.

I will gladly share the results of our explorations

with all the delegates.

And you expect us to believe what you report?

Then send in your own probe, Goss.

That's exactly what I intend to do

and I should strongly suggest that you stay out of our way.

Tell Data and La Forge to do themselves a favor

and stay out of their way.

Captain Picard, please come to Sick Bay.

Acknowledged, Doctor.

Whatever he's got

is obviously not life-threatening.

It's some kind of system-wide histaminic reaction.

He certainly can't go back

to negotiations for several days.

Will you keep me informed?

The Federation's top negotiator

taken out by a mysterious ailment.

Suspicions?

With the Ferengi around?

Always.

You'll have to fill in, Number One.

Me?

Well, I'm the designated host.

It would be a most awkward transition.

You're the next likely choice.

And Mr. Mendoza will certainly agree.

He's quite impressed by your natural instincts.

Excuse me, sir, but those weren't natural instincts.

Those were poker instincts.

A card game doesn't exactly prepare me for this.

Yes, the stakes are higher, but then, isn't that

when the game gets interesting, Commander?

The wormhole will reappear in 30 seconds, sir.

The Ferengi pod is moving into position.

Shuttle 9, stand by.

Ferengi Pod, this is Lieutenant Commander La Forge

in the Enterprise shuttle.

This is Dr. Arridor. Go ahead.

Would you care to take the point, Doctor?

We will gladly yield that honor to you, Lieutenant Commander.

You know, if this doesn't work

the thought of spending the rest of my life in here

is none too appealing.

There is a bright side, Geordi.

You will have me to talk to.

It is visible, Captain.

Proceed when ready.

...and intense energy fields

which appear to be stabil...

They've traveled beyond our communication capabilities, sir.

A complete analysis of our bid

is available on the ship's computer for your consideration.

Commander, I realize what a difficult position

this must be for you.

If you don't understand something

I hope you won't be too embarrassed to ask me.

I think I have an idea what the rules are.

Well, that's what makes it so interesting.

The rules of the game change to fit the moment.

Not unlike commanding a starship, Mr. Ral.

Well, Mr. Riker's placed a...

a great deal of emphasis on defense--

a subject he obviously knows well

having served Starfleet

in a number of conflicts.

Now, the Chrysalians-- we're enemies to no one

and we choose to remain that way.

Neutral.

Neutral and uninvolved, sir

in virtually all interstellar matters of consequence.

No one would claim that the Chrysalians are as powerful

as the mighty Federation, but we have resources

and technology and scientists, too.

But we also have had peace for ten generations.

You know, I was thinking...

Mmm?

Maybe I could stretch out these negotiations

for a few days.

Would you like that?

Mm-hmm.

Devinoni Ral...

who are you?

Well, what do your Betazoid senses tell you about me?

Not much.

My human physical response must be blocking them out.

Good.

It never happened to me before.

I rather like that I'm more difficult to read

than your other men.

There aren't any others... currently.

What about Commander Riker?

Who have you been talking to?

No one. No one.

I just, uh... sensed something

when I saw the two of you together.

Will Riker and l are good friends.

Uh-huh.

It was once a little more than that.

Ah...

How come we're talking about me instead of you?

Haven't you had enough people talk about their lives to you?

Who counsels the Counselor?

Oh, no.

I want to know about you.

I'm what you see right now.

Just me... wanting to run away with you

but knowing you'd never leave this damned ship.

When I first saw you

I felt as if I'd been waiting for you.

I'm trying to understand

why or how that's possible.

Does it matter?

Well, it will, when I tell you.

But you must promise never to tell anyone else.

What?

I am part Betazoid, too.

My mother was one-half.

I am one-quarter.

You're empathic?

The only one of five children.

And I must admit, I was... I was never as comfortable

sensing emotions as you seem to be.

So that's why you left Earth.

Yes.

I learned to live with it, use it, as you have.

But still...

it isolates us, doesn't it?

And I thought it always would

so I tucked my heart away.

I didn't need it.

I didn't want it.

At the negotiating table, it can be fatal to have a heart.

But I never realized how much I needed mine

until I looked at you.

I'm picking up an increase in accretion matter

filtering in from the terminus.

Monitors are functioning normally again.

Ferengi Pod...

everybody in one piece over there?

Our condition

is no concern of yours, Enterprise Shuttle.

We are competitors in this venture, not partners.

Ferengi Pod out.

Happy landings to you, too.

Curious.

Hmm?

We are not where we are supposed to be.

What do you mean?

We're on the other side of the wormhole, aren't we?

According to the Barzan probe

we should be in the Gamma Quadrant

but these readings clearly indicate

we are nearly 200 light-years away

in sector 3556

of the Delta Quadrant.

Maybe the Barzan readings were wrong.

Perhaps their readings were correct.

Their probe could have exited the wormhole

at a completely different location.

Hmm. Data, my visor's picking up

subatomic fluctuations.

Meson and lepton activity is definitely increasing.

Gravitational acceleration is also increasing.

Something very strange is happening to this wormhole.

Sorry.

You're unusually limber this morning.

I'll say.

Devinoni Ral.

It's ridiculous and wonderful.

I feel completely out of control.

Happy, terrified...

but there's nothing rational about this.

Who needs rational when your toes curl up?

I'm afraid I'm going to lose myself.

I can't get enough of him.

Is it possible to fall in love in one day?

I did.

It was like this for you and Jack?

No, it was another fellow.

I fell in love in a day.

It lasted a week, but what a week.

Then I met Jack.

Took months to figure it out with him.

Well, then maybe l should slow down.

Catch my breath.

Not let this thing get out of control.

Nah.

I get no complaints.

Uh, no.

Hi.

To be honest, I was surprised

to see the Caldonians here at all, Leyor.

You must think Caldonia very insular, Mr. Ral.

Oh, no, no, not at all, not at all.

On the contrary, I've always respected

your world's commitment to pure research.

It's just that...

well...

Go on, please.

Well, scholars don't always enjoy administrative demands

and certainly we've seen here

that the administration

of the wormhole is...

Yes, I must admit

I have begun to feel some trepidation about that.

Yes.

Yes, I'm sure you have, Leyor.

I'm sure we all have.

Do you realize that in the next century

the number of ships that will pass...

Gentlemen, this open session

is called by request of the Caldonian delegation.

Madame Bhavani

Caldonia withdraws from these proceedings.

For what reasons, Leyor?

It has been made very clear

that the maintenance and administrative requirements

are beyond our abilities.

Leyor, the Federation would like to negotiate

a trade agreement

in which we could acquire your planet's rich deposits

of trillium 323, which we would add to our bid

Premier Bhavani.

My apologies.

We have already reached an agreement

with the Chrysalians.

Mr. Ral

you either had very good instincts

or a foreknowledge of the Caldonian withdrawal.

Well, some people just don't like

to transact business with the Federation

Commander.

The Chrysalians hereby add the Caldonian trillium 323

to its bid, Premier.

I'm telling you, it's changing.

I can see it with my VlSOR.

I have no intention of leaving yet.

We have not finished taking our readings.

Listen, Doctor.

Your readings must be telling you

the same things we're getting.

This is not the Gamma Quadrant.

I will not confirm your speculations.

This is not a speculation, Doctor.

We are not where the Barzans said we should be

which would indicate

this side of the wormhole is not stable.

There are meson and lepton fluctuations.

Local gravitational fields are increasing exponentially.

Everything says we better get the hell out of here.

It will be visible again in... 40 seconds.

We will make our own judgments then.

I can see it now, and I'm telling you

you don't have time to wait, not even 40 seconds.

Ferengi Pod out.

Damn it, Arridor!

We're 70,000 light-years

away from our ships.

Come on now-- follow us in.

We'll lead you.

Idiots.

It's getting worse.

I'm taking us in, Data

with or without them.

Thrusters at half power.

Three-quarters.

Entering outer event horizon.

They panic quickly under pressure.

There.

Precisely as scheduled.

Right where I expected it to be.

Everyone was talking today

about the way you absorbed the Caldonian bid.

Well, the opening was there.

I took it.

Commander Riker didn't know how you managed it.

Let me tell you something about Commander Riker.

He's good.

He's the most dangerous man in that room to me.

But he doesn't have an edge...

your edge.

Our edge.

You make it sound unethical.

Isn't it?

Deanna, it's just business.

Why haven't you told anyone you're an empath?

Because I find it makes people uncomfortable.

I think you don't tell them so you can gain an advantage.

Well, I gained an advantage by using it with you.

You didn't seem to mind that.

Look, Deanna.

The point of negotiating is to take advantage.

I don't know what the other side is offering

and they don't know what I'm offering

so we dance around each other until somebody wins.

I never cry foul when I lose.

But you're reading their emotional states

their inner selves

and then using that to manipulate them.

Well, people have been doing that for thousands of years

just by listening carefully

by-by watching body language.

I just happen to be better at it.

You do it.

I do it to help my crew, not outmaneuver them

and I don't hide that I'm an empath.

Oh, so you announce it

to every alien culture you encounter?

Or do you use it to give your side an advantage?

Do you tell the Romulan that's about to attack

that you sense that he may be bluffing

or do you just tell it to your Captain?

That's different.

That's a matter of protection.

Yes, protection--

your protection, your Captain, your crew

your edge.

Yes.

Now, it's a matter of life and death

when you take the advantage.

Me, I deal in property, exchanges.

Nobody gets hurt.

So you tell me--

which one of us would you say

has more of a problem with ethics?

Excuse me.

May I join you, Commander?

Bought out the Ferengi yet, Ral?

Think I should give it a try?

No, but I think that you will.

One way or another

it's going to come down to you and me.

You know, you're very good at this.

Very good.

Much better than you realize.

Well, I hope I'm better than you realize.

The last mile of the marathon

is always the toughest.

That's when the winners are willing to take the big risks.

You willing to do that?

We'll see, won't we?

Well, let's see now.

I'm prepared to reach a firm agreement with Bhavani

before we learn the outcome of your probe's expedition.

Are you?

Well, well, well.

That would not be looked upon favorably

by the Federation, I'd imagine.

You see, you have to be willing to take that last step alone

or it just isn't worth playing.

Your point of view, not mine.

Oh, I see that, Commander, I see that.

Otherwise, you wouldn't be second in command

of this starship.

You know

I feel responsible for you in a way... related.

Deanna.

We both love Deanna.

Oh, in different ways, of course.

I will remove that burden of responsibility right now.

My relationship with Deanna stands very well on its own

without any help from you.

Of course it does, of course it does.

It's just that, well...

She's a remarkable woman.

Brilliant, lovely...

very passionate.

And she could have been yours, Will.

But you just didn't do enough to keep her.

And now, well...

I'm here

and I'm going to take her, too.

That's the first bad play I've seen you make.

If you can bring happiness into Deanna's life

nothing would please me more.

You know, you're really not such a bad sort, Ral

except you don't have any values--

beyond the value of today's bid, that is.

Deanna is just the woman to bring some meaning

to your sorry existence

if you're smart enough to take it.

I doubt that you are.

To the last mile.

Sir, the Ferengi vessel is moving out of orbit.

Impulse power.

They are approaching the entry to the wormhole, sir.

Computer, is the Ferengi Goss still on board the Enterprise?

DaiMon Goss departed the Enterprise at 1400 hours.

They are powering forward missile launchers, sir.

Yellow Alert.

Hail the Ferengi.

Request an explanation of your actions, DaiMon Goss.

I've learned from informed sources that the Federation

has manipulated these negotiations

from the very beginning

and has already signed a secret agreement with the Barzans.

That is not true.

The Ferengi offer was never seriously considered.

Premier Bhavani welcomed you to these proceedings

despite my better judgment.

We will be ignored no longer.

They fired a missile directly at the opening, sir.

Destroy it.

On screen.

Firing phasers.

Your offers both have merit, gentlemen.

If I could find a deciding factor...

Riker to Picard.

What's happening, Captain?

Goss has fired a missile at the wormhole.

I need you on the Bridge, Number One.

Excuse me.

Excuse me for saying so under the circumstances, Premier

but... this fight seems to really be

between the Federation and the Ferengi.

Now, it seems unconscionable that your wormhole

is being used as a pawn in their power struggle.

You must know we will not allow you to do this.

If the Ferengi cannot have the wormhole, no one will.

A missile will have no destructive effect on a wormhole

but, if it should explode near the shuttlecraft

they will be destroyed.

Casualties of war, Captain.

My men are prepared to die.

Are yours?

Captain.

He's lying.

I'm almost sure if it.

He doesn't mean what he says.

Why? What is he doing it for, then?

Permission to enter the Bridge, Captain.

Premier, with all due respect...

Captain.

I believe I am in a better position

to settle this with DaiMon Goss

than you are.

May I address him?

Premier?

DaiMon Goss?

This is Devinoni Ral.

I have nothing to say to you, Ral.

Well, then just listen.

The planet Barzan has reached an agreement with the Chrysalians

for long-term control of the wormhole.

Now, on behalf of the Chrysalians

I am prepared to offer the Ferengi

free access to the wormhole in perpetuity.

I have your word on this?

Yes, my word, sir.

In exchange for Ferengi convoy privileges

to be negotiated in good faith.

This is an acceptable offer.

The Ferengi vessel has shut down its forward missile launcher.

Stand down Red Alert.

Commander Riker

I'm sorry you had to learn

about my decision this way.

You represented the Federation well

but I have come to believe that the Chrysalians'

tradition of peace is more desirable to my planet.

Excuse me, Premier.

There's something you should know.

I'm sorry.

Was there something you wanted to say?

No, not at all.

I sensed you suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Well, after all, it was a very tense situation.

But that's what's so odd.

It wasn't tense at all.

In fact, I sensed no tension

from you or Goss.

I was tense!

I was ready to blow it up.

Wha... I strongly protest!

Screen off.

It was as though

you were performing a scene for all of us.

Pardon me, Captain.

I... I believe there's a slight conflict of interest here.

I agree entirely.

Mr. Ral asked me not to tell anyone

he has empathic powers

which he uses to manipulate his competitors

in a negotiation.

And, yes, it did put me in a conflict of interest

which I hope I have now resolved.

Premier, I believe Ral

has used your fear of continuing aggression

between the Federation and its enemies

to undermine our position.

I also believe

that this incident was staged by Ral and Goss

to provide you a reason

to choose in favor of the Chrysalians.

Captain

it's the shuttlecraft.

They're coming back through.

Shuttle 9 to Enterprise.

On screen.

This is Shuttle 9 reporting in.

Barely.

And the Ferengi pod, Commander?

Trapped on the other side, sir.

In Delta Quadrant.

We tried to warn them.

They wouldn't follow us.

Elaborate.

Captain, this end of the wormhole is currently stable

but the other end apparently shifts positions periodically.

The Barzan probe had no way to recognize this.

Eventually, both sides will be unstable.

It's a dry well, Captain, worthless.

Acknowledged, Shuttle.

Main Shuttle Bay, prepare for final approach.

Aye, sir.

Captain, DaiMon Goss is demanding

to know where his men are.

Advise him to set his coordinates

for the Delta Quadrant.

He may run into them in... 80 years or so.

Mr. Ral...

congratulations on winning the rights

to the Barzan wormhole.

I take the risks, Mr. Riker

and I stand by my agreements.

Come in.

When do you leave?

Soon.

I've been recalled by the Chrysalians.

Explanations demanded, and so forth.

I'm sorry.

Well, I've done well for them over the years.

They understand the stakes.

It'll be fine.

I had to do it, Troi.

Bhavani was ready to go with the Federation.

I sensed it.

I'd used up every card in the deck.

I needed to change the rules.

You must have known I couldn't allow you to do that.

My human physical response

must have been blocking my Betazoid senses.

I'm very grateful for what you did, in a way.

It's made me take a hard look at who I am.

I don't like what I see.

I once asked you to run away with me.

And now I'm asking again.

I need you.

You could help me change.

You could... you could be my conscience.

I already have a job as counselor.